Chương 51: We finally meet.

1 day till the ball. VANESSA TRAK MANOR Kurt held my hand while I slowly stepped onto the unfamiliar driveway.

"Keep it secure, Kurt." I gave Kurt a letter.

"Of course, Your Grace." Ostentatious statues of naked women from ages past were sprinkled across the walk to the front door. Kurt closed the door. Another closed on the other side, and Drac disappeared, protecting me from afar. A moustached butler bowed before me and showed us into the fabulous marble foyer. There, a woman clothed in the most beautiful Alarian black silk that shone almost as brightly as her ebony hair that flowed down to her waist. Sultry black-shadowed eyes lit up with happiness.

"Your Grace! You came early! I haven't had a chance to prepare yet!" She lifted her dress, ran to me, and greeted me with a deep curtsy. A small boy hid behind her, monitoring me like a beast had entered his home. Lea Trak, the terror of the social world, I was told, but she greeted me like an old friend.

"Come, Leon. As you were taught."

"W-W-Welcome to Trak Manor, Your G-G-Grace." He bowed shyly.

"Nice to meet you, Leon." As I smiled, he scattered off.

"He is new to the way of etiquette. Father was too soft with him." Lea chuckled.

"I was just like him a few months ago. Sorry about my early appearance. I was so excited when I got your letter; my legs moved before my mind did!"

"No apology needed! It only means we have more time to converse! Come in, come in! I would love to show you around the garden."

The further I wandered around the Trak Manor, the more I understood why my husband executed the Count. Massive paintings framed in gold. Gold-coated chairs and sofas. Tables engraved with gold and crystals. And the multitude of magic artefacts could fund the whole of Osberg for a year or two. Lea Trak walked amongst this wealth without a thought.

Maybe because she had grown with it, or because what lies in the bank account could buy everything in this manor, and she would still remain one of the richest nobles in Osberg. With it being a nice, clear day, we decided to talk amongst her array of fabulous flowers on a garden table in her giant greenhouse. An hour or two later, we were catching up on the drama between the nobles. Which was especially saucy this month.

Now that a pimp has died, we found his main quarters, where many of his main and well-paying clients were written in a giant ledger. Obviously, for blackmail, but Drac mentioned there was still a large amount for slaves unaccounted for. Those two men. The accents were Vioden"Your grace?" Lea startled me out of my thoughts.

"Umm?"

"How have you felt since…that night? I know seeing so much killing… I wouldn't be able to leave the manor if I were you."

"How do I feel…" I take a sip of tea to clear my throat.

"It was a horrible night indeed. I wish for no one to experience what I had to go through. But… It was an experience I needed. That night, the truth came to light. That night will need to not faze me, or I will not be able to fight against graver disasters to come." Lea nodded with a small smile. She shifted in her chair, and her brown eyes peered into mine. As if she were begging me to say the right thing.

"To fight against a graver disaster. I need Osberg to be stronger. Right now, it's picked and pocketed for everything it's had. Metal ores from our ransacked mines sold for cheap; our manufacturing whittled down a factory. Stone masons were fired en masse when we had a crumbling wall to renovate. Engineers and scientists were kicked out. Doctors leaving" But Lea said, "However, I see that Osberg City is doing well under your management. Almost fifty per cent of roads have been renovated.

The old pipe systems have also been fixed for the old city, and now even Liutown has access to water from the river."

"But what of outside the city? Farms are suffering due to monster attacks and bandits. Towns around Osberg are raided each day without a guard to help. And why are there no guards?" Lea looked down at her cup.

"Even within the city, many are applying to be guards, but we have no resources to hire them. Rations are running so low that some of the cooks have been considering adding sawdust to fill food. Yet I am drinking tea sent from a gold-encrusted cup." I chuckled; however, Lea Trak sipped from her cup with a cold stare.

"I suspect that you have come for another reason than to have a little chat." Lea's pleasantness disappeared.

"It is true," I said honestly.

"What I came for is something that only you can provide me. Can I ask you a question? What do you think of Osberg?"

"It is a good place to earn a mark or two," Lea answered promptly.

"Then you see that uplifting this duchy is not only just, but it's just good business. A poor duchy has yielded you this much wealth; imagine it prosperous with plenty of customers wealthy enough to use your business." I hoped gesturing to business would help convince her. But her tone was still cold.

"Osberg is as good a place as anywhere to make money… if you are a desperate fool." Lea brought the tea to her lips, hiding her smile. I tried a different approach.

"Trak Industries… Quite the portfolio it has. Spanning the whole country, I have heard that you have even worked with the Azerrians."

"Good quality fish, straight up the river," Lea responded.

"And many ships and warriors needed to guard them," I said.

"Trak Industries also transports ice to Tekur."

"With many ships and mage runes to chill them," Lea sneered.

"You have done very well with Osberg's money," I said.

"I will take that as a compliment if you don't mind," Leas grinned. It was like she was purposely trying to throw me off.

"Curiously, in many ledgers spanning years, I saw an alias 'Gourd Guild' offer help to City Hall over the years. Just enough to help, but too little to be noticed as anything but a single noble's donation. My good friend Jennifer did some research and found a bank account tied to Trak Industries in which you have been a co-founder for years with your late father." Lea let the moment linger, observing me like we were in a game of staring. However, Lea was the first to break, giggling to herself.

"You got me dead to rights." She lifted up her hands in surrender in jest.

"I suppose I do care for Osberg a little more than I admit."

"I knew! I couldn't believe that aloof attitude, although I almost fell for it. How did you become such a good actor?"

"Years of feigning obedience can hone this level of competence, Your Grace." We both had a little giggle.

"So, Duchess Greystone, I can see you and Osberg are in need of financial aid. But for me to give so much, I need to gain. I have money. I have luxury." Trak folded her legs, receiving more tea from the butler. What else can you provide?" The Trak asked.

"I came to make friends. But if you want to bargain, this is what I have to offer." Her butler also poured tea into my cup. Although he couldn't hide his scolding look.

"Help us, and we will protect your brother. Aid us, and you will finally become Countess." Her eyes tightened.

"It is not a treat, my dear," I reassured her.

"I am not taking as such, Your Grace… It's just…"

"I am offering a solution to your urgent problem." I looked past her at the dark-haired boy spying through a window. He looked close to Kobi's age. I sat more comfortably in my chair.

"Just as you've heard secrets of mine, I know one of your secrets as well. Doted on sweetly in public, I heard your father was strict with his cane in secret."

"My father is dead and gone. He matters not." She quickly sniped back.

"But his absence has changed everything. It was because of him that you were allowed to manage Track Industries and create a shell company. With his death, ownership of the company will go to your brother, the true heir of the Trak house." Lea watched my eyes.

"Yes, it's true… Nothing in his will has been allocated to me. All goes to my brother Leon, who, frankly, isn't ready or wants such a responsibility."

"Then I will give you what you most desire: true ownership of Trak businesses by making a countess. As a Duke, Tarion has the power to do so. And if the inheritance of the title goes to you, then Master Leon will be protected from the vultures who will come to pick whatever they can from him." In my short time around nobles, there were tales of the occasional young heir being taken advantage of by their regents. Despite the favouritism her father had for Leon, he still looked taken care of.

I knew she would do right by him.

"Is that acceptable, Lady Trak?" Lea then stood up from her chair and kneeled on the dirty ground. She bowed her head lower than the blossoming flowers.

"I must apologise for my rudeness earlier. It was unnecessary and unconscionable." Lea's servants tried to help her up, and she refused their aid. Even as Leon ran to her side, she remained kneeling.

"It's fine—""You ask me what I thought of Osberg. My real answer is love." I saw a warm smile as she reminisced.

"I love its cold winters. I love its thick forests full of wildlife. Although the land is harsh, the people are hardy, strong people, able to endure anything. And because of such strong people, the greatest city was born within the chilling storm and among the beasts. I love Osberg. Everything I have done was to help my home. The home that accepted me." She bowed lower.

"So I will accept the duchess' offer! Trak Industries and the Gourd Guild will be yours to command. My coffers will be open to you to use as you deem necessary. My loyalty—" Hand on her chest, Lea saluted like a soldier.

"Will be yours forever." Servants parted as I went to her. Her brother protected her like a cute lap dog. I found her arm and lifted her up. She was too light. Up close, I could see the dark shadows made by tiresome nights, hidden by thick black makeup. How funny is it that the entirety of the Osberg aristocracy was frightened by a woman who was barely tall enough to touch Tarion's shoulder? They would have been a weird match.

"Good." I beckoned Kurt, and he came with a letter.

"We can discuss the future of Osberg straight away."

"You already had it signed…?" Lea lets the sunlight reflect off the golden seal of Greystone, giving her the title of Countess. Her brown eyes sparkled, and new life flushed in her pale veins.

"Duchess! Lands above…!"

"I told you I came as a friend."

"Have you not once asked yourself why I, the daughter of the count your husband killed, have allowed you in society? Why has there been no gossip of your brothel beginnings?" Lea asked me while sitting beside me on a large sofa. I shrugged.

"I have wondered sometimes… But society is full of cynical folks who would excuse betrayal to get an upward trend in their quarterly reports," I said, feeling the heat of a fireplace burning bright in a comfortable room inside the countess's manor. Leon painted the gorgeous sunset by a window.

"And you thought of me as such? Haha, you were right to think so. Business is the same. Smiles in front, knives behind. But this is more than the ruthlessness of business or the stupid quarrels of society. I also saw the Osberg going toward ruin. But my father ignored it all. Staying in his little palace whilst he ignored the world beyond his fence. No matter my appeals, he would not change. Under your husband's sword is the only desperation he felt in his life.

Because of his wrongs, I had tried to help in little ways that my father wouldn't notice. But with his passing, I hoped to clean his sins away by helping you survive society, but you haven't just survived; you are taking it head-on with courage I never had. I should have had the same boldness to fight against my evil father." Talking about her father made her look sick.

"The company was an easier assignment to take on than confronting a father like that."

"Sounds like a right bastard." I let the pub language escape my mouth. I was getting too familiar with Lea. But hearing her burst out laughing, I put my anxiousness aside.

"Hahahahah! Could you tell? Hehehe!" she said sarcastically.

"A 'right bastard' he was! If I didn't have holy water… even getting married to a beggar on the street would have been hard!" She smiled with teeth that looked like well-sculpted pearls.

"I always had to be the right size.

'No distinguished man likes a fat lady by his side.'

"Heavens…" I said. I covered my mouth, feeling disgusted that a man would say that to his daughter. But then I remembered my own.

"I know, a detestable man. If he had seen me today, I would have gone on another strict diet." Lea said while she could barely keep her black dress from falling off her slim frame.

"Mm." I finally understand her. She is like me.

"Your Grace, I know that the sins of my father are too great to clear, but I will help you with all the help that you need." In the dark room, by habit, I used my absolute sense. I couldn't use it as far as Tarion, but up close I could see fuzzy details. No circles. At all. Average meridians. I leant close to her, almost whispering.

"To be honest, I am tired."

"We have conversed for hours."

"I could never be tired of that. I could discuss military food transportation for days. But what I do tire of is the constant 'Yes, Your Grace', 'No, Your Grace', and 'How high, Your Grace?'. It really twists my knickers." Lea laughed so hard she covered her mouth.

"Sometimes I don't want to order someone around and pressure somebody with orders. Sometimes, I need a friend." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"A friend?" Lea enquired. Her slim eyebrow perked up.

"Yes, I do already have a good friend. Annoying, yes, but still good. But when I am around you, I feel greedy for another. For a friend, you can talk nonsense. A friend to discuss work with. Friend who understands the pressure of it all."

"Yes… I feel weary as well." Lea leaned forward.

"With the guild and managing Trak Industries. I have wanted a friend to talk about my day." Drac appeared from the shadows.

"Veil is here!" I unsheathed my dagger from the side of my leg.

"Where, Drac!?" Drac followed mana only he could see and pointed to the driveway.

"Our carriage." A fifth circle, Kurt, has his sabre steaming with a calm blue glow.

"I sense the mage too. He is putting some in the carriage. And he is gone… His presence has completely disappeared…" Drac took a glove off and bit a finger. With his blood as a medium, he wrote runes in the air.

"What's going on, Vanessa?!" Lea brought her scared brother to her side.

"Did you say Veil the mage?"

"Yes, the one and the same. He is an old friend turned stalker." Noticing that my blade frightened the boy, I placed it back under my skirt.

"He was the reason for my recent attempts on my life."

"Stalker… Veil? No…impossible…"

"We thought he'd rest, but it doesn't appear that he's ready to give me up." I saw Lea with a panicked look and felt guilt.

"I'm sorry for bringing trouble to you."

"He left the city of Oberg. He has gotten better at hiding tracks… Fuck!" Drac swore. Kurt patted a frustrated Drac's shoulder.

"Leave him be; let's focus on returning." I nodded in agreement with Kurt. I found Lea in thought and held her hands.

"I am sorry, Lea…" She gave me as big a hug as she could.

"It's alright. We will see each at the ball. Please travel safely."

"Of course, Lea." I parted with her, waving the silent Leon goodbye, and rushed through the large manor until the carriage was in sight. The passenger door was open. Inside the lantern-lit vehicle, a box made of polished wood sat on the carriage seat. A letter lay upon it. Drac checked the carriage, the box, and the letter, deeming them safe. But I still felt a chill in my back. Forever, I would regret reading the letter.

"Red rabbit, it's your dear. Miss me? I know you have. Did you learn the important lesson yet? I hope you have. But I have not seen you in days. I am getting really impatient. So let's speed things up! Did you know your dear husband was going to bring your bitch of a mother to the ball? Parade you all as family. The nerve of him, trying to shame you in front of your subject. Luckily, I stopped that from happening!

"Come to Pirn. You and Tarion ALONE!" Disobey, and you will find her head in a nice box too. I threw the latter away. The box was in hand before I knew it. I broke the latch. A brown rabbit's foot and a severed finger. Still freshly cut. I gave the box away to vomit by the carriage. Three circles blazed hot with rage as my golden mana burnt bright, and I punched straight through the carriage's side, leaving the vehicle in tatters.

"Drac… Preserve it, please, anyhow." Drac tapped the box, and it shone.

"Done."

"Kurt, take me to my husband. We're starting the hunt today."

"Yes, Your Grace." Ink grew across his skin and pooled to his legs. A wolf-like step broke on the stone street as he carried me hundreds of yards in the air. TARION Greystone Manor TARION'S BEDROOM Sitting on the floor, I stared at Curse Eater's blackish tint again. The sword of mystery that had been in my family for centuries had revealed its name. And it's cheesy as hell. But it does describe its job well. Each time it levels up, it's because I happen to fight a large amount of the curse.

But what eludes me is how the curse was something to be consumed. The curse is only a type of spell meant to make souls mad. What could the sword be eating? I shook my head. I needed to focus. Change! Nothing. Transform! Nothing. Be mine! Nothing Curse-eater!! Nothing. Nothing was fucking working. But I stayed patient. For about an hour.

"Fuck this shit. Blue box, give a damn clue!" The sword is made of metal.

"The fuck? Is that all—OH..." Flashes of inspiration filled my mind. I remembered the black shade.

"Bond? My will…" I focused on the feeling and grasped my sword again. I used absolute sense. In qi sight, the sword was almost indistinguishable from me. I breathed slowly and resonated with the sword. I open an eye to see my sword steaming with white smoke. I need to think of a form. Images flipped like a picture book, and the image was clear in my mind. Ribbed handle that was easy to hold and had a serrated edge. Out of the smoke, Qi condensed into a long combat knife.

"Woah." I can change its form, but there is a limit to how much I can condense it. I let the resonance dissipate, and the curse eater returned to its greatsword form.

"Form changing isn't a passive skill. Good to know." I had to think of a different form. Similar length. A spear! I resonated with my blade once more. I felt the handle take a different shape in my hand. It stretched until it hit a nearby chair.

"Heh, awesome. Wait, I know what I could make!" I resonate, and the long spear contracted into a double-edged gladius. Hefty sword, but it was cool to feel like Maximus. However, unlike the greatsword, it felt unbalanced. Maybe it is because I had never wielded a gladius before.

"Does it mean it changes not just a specific weapon but imagination? If so…" I resonated one last time. Why does it need a weapon? As a test, I focus qi into my water meridians, mixing water and metal qi together. They mix as a rock mixes with honey. Remember the properties of metals. What makes metal softer? Heat! For the first time in days, my circle spun again. I feel the fire meridian warming my core. The greatsword melted in hand. Becoming mercury, metal droplets float in the air. I must give it form.

I held my right hand out; I will my want to be true. Slowly, droplets flew to my hand, coating it in its dark silver finish. Within the metal casing, I am frozen. But with my qi, I could move my finger Beatrice burst into my room.

"YOUR GRACE!! VEIL MADE HIS MOVE!" Metal droplets immediately reverted to a greatsword. I stood up in one motion.

"The office."

I closed the box and gave it back to my wife. I pushed my fury down. A calm mind was needed tonight.

"You were right that he would make his move soon. But I have to go."

"Vanessa…"

"I HAVE TOO. He has my—" Vanessa wiped her tears away. I nodded solemnly. I wanted to keep her safe with my uncle and Zhi beside me when we finally went for Veil. But her mother leaves me no choice. There's no negotiating with a crazed man like Veil. He will keep cutting parts off Vanessa's mother until there is nothing left.

"There were in Pirn, like Davis confessed. But I have never heard of the town." Changed into light armour and chainmail, Vanessa's voice was hoarse. I point at the map. It is on the Vioden side of the eastern Osberg mountain ranges. It will be a hard trek."

"But with me on the team, we will get there days earlier."

"How many are there now?" From the map, holographic images of troop formations appear around Pirn. Drac happened to put some surveillance runes around Pirn on his recent visit.

"Around 150. Many low circles reside inside the village; the higher circles guard Point B." Drac took out a rune etched in stone.

"Check your runes. Remember to activate the runes I painstakingly made at point A, okay?"

"Yes, Sir!" Ten Umbra shouted, doing as he ordered. Over time, gain quite the reputation around Umbra. And surprisingly, the platinum badge he had was completely authentic. Possible a memento from his master. But I also thought the master was a mage.

"Ready, Umbra?!" Drac shouts to his team of ten.

"YES SIR!" All ten were silver badges selected for being talented in qinggong, a type of movement art a tempered body can attempt. Umbra steps appeared to be an imitation of it. Vanessa found my hand; despite her brave face, her fingers trembled. I bent and kissed her. The trembling settled.

"It will end. Tonight the nightmare will be over." Vaneesa nods, and we make our way down the corridor, dodging the ball decorations. Going down the stairs, I was astounded by the beautiful ball that Vanessa arranged. Only one day left. Before celebration, a battle must be fought. DRAC Several miles away from Osberg, I stepped through a rocky wall.

"A mirage? Amazing, Drac." A rune-disguised Tarion commended me. He, with three others, was cloaked.

"I did not make this." I invoked Ignis to light the way with balls of fire. A total of fourteen followed me through the false wall, and deeper inside the cave widened. A circular rock tablet wide enough for a hundred people stuck out of the ground. Runes they had never seen before were engraved with the purest crystals any human had ever seen.

"I certainly didn't make this." From above, light emanated from a large crystal chandelier.

"Team, your runes." I heard the hum of the room Beatrice and Kurt pulled up their masks; Susan was already on the platform. I wait a minute until all ten have their runes ready.

"Great. Follow his lead until we reach the village border." Quiet as a Friday night in church, I could feel their bloodlust. I dropped down and placed my hands on the ground since I possessed no staff yet. The entire cave was illuminated by the teleporter's shine. A high-pitched whine filled the area.

"It will feel like swimming, but you must keep breathing!" They all nod.

"LANUAE!" TARION The mind-wrecking trip came to an end; the seconds we spent in that machine felt like a minute of terror. But surprisingly, everyone was able to keep their composure. I signalled to follow, and my team sprinted for the exit with me. After a minute of running through the mountain forest, a large wall of mana blocked projectiles. Fifteen bandits of six circles await us.

"GO GO GO!" At my order, six went left; five split to the right. Surprised by the speed of the umbra, the bandits hastily followed the baits.

"Team missile" It's your turn to show us how the previous generation does things.

"Go." Two explosions nearly burst my ears. Laughter disappeared into the sky. Zhi and Loran shook off their cloaking runes, contrails trailing behind them. They dropped into the bandit camp like two meteors. A second later, the wind caused by their impact flung dirt and grass into our faces. The low circle bandits' screams grew louder as I ran into Pirn. Dried blood was splattered everywhere. Buildings were burnt and desecrated. Shops were looted until nothing was left. Evidence of a struggle before we came.

The stench of iron grew stronger as I ran deep into the deserted village. I finally found the mage waiting outside a church. Next to him, a Qi user folded his arms against a wall. A sickly middle-aged woman was tied up.

"I told you to come alone!" Hands behind his back, the purple-robed bastard strode to us. Veil was shorter than I thought, but his face was alien-like, as Vanessa described. With a chiselled jaw like a runway model and soft eyes, his arrogant smile somehow made his baby face ugly. Tied in purple vines, Venessa floated in a chair behind him while a mysterious long-ponytail liuen wearing dark liu attire looked annoyed. I removed my runes and Vanessa's while she held a box.

"We finally meet, stalker," I said with a wicked smile.

"S-STALKER!?? I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS HER! The true her!" He pointed at me with the arm Drac supposedly broke.

"Would you have even touched her if you knew her true origins!?"

"Origin? As a prostitute's daughter? I have known since the start. I gladly made her my wife." I felt Vanessa gaze at me.

"Is that all? Is that your big secret?! BIG FUCKING DEAL!" I unsheathed my greatsword from my back. My black cloak fluttered free in the wind.

"Doesn't change the truth: she chose me and not you, you bloody pervert! Hand over her mother before this sword sticks out of your skinny back!"

"See, SEE! Look at the beast you chose, Vanessa!" Veil said with bitterness.

"Wagging his tongue, he insults me at our first meeting." Vanessa held the box tight, watching her mother be helpless under his control, unconscious. Her middle dripped blood.

"Insulting you is the least I want him to do to you."

"Vanessa… You changed… He's changed you…" Veil aimed his right hand at Vanessa. The spell fuzzed away.

"What?" Veil tried again, and the spell failed again.

"... The Seeker…" Teleportation without contact… I thought to myself. The power of a ninth-circle mage. Without Drac giving a dispel rune for teleportation, we would have been under his thumb. Vanessa shook her head.

"No, Tarion didn't change me. There is only one person who kidnapped me, sent me to the arms of a slaver and pimp, harmed me, and made me strangle a man. The only person who made me take a life. Only one man torments me, giving me terrors I would never forget. ONLY ONE MAN. YOU! I wish hell's damnation on you! A mage withered from her scolding; he slumped like his soul had taken a beating.

"However… I can forget it all if you let her go. Let mama go." Veil paced about. Wracking his small brain around this simple decision.

"She is the same mama who shared pies with you. The same mama who taught us to read. When the mage tower took you, she cried. Your letters gave her hope, knowing you were safe."

"Fuck…" He paced in a circle, annoying his large-sleaved liuen friend.

"Urghhh! FUCK!" He held his head in agony.

"George, please." A vein popped on Veil's forehead, and his hands left his head. A calmness filled him. He made a decision.

"Vanessa…!" Veil uttered through gritted teeth.

"You are…corrupted…tainted… My liege was right…. If I can't take you… I will end you!" Veil's mana shield sparked from something invisible. Veil reached behind, and with levitation, he made a cloaked Drac crash to the ground. A wave of a hand dragged Drac across the ground and slammed him into a wall.

"You underestimate me. Low circle. No longer doing the bidding for Rokkr; my mana is flushed and full!" Veil's hand pushed down, and a gravity spell pulled us down. My senses perked up at the teleportation spell wrapping around Vanessa. I yanked Vanessa backward. No, something slightly different. He was using teleportation, not to send her elsewhere, but to rip her apart. I tried to find my mage, and Drac remained motionless on the ground.

The copy dissipated as the original Drac slashed the purple vine, stealing my mother-in-law from the floating chair. Drac nodded to me and vanished in the village.

"Jing! Follow the seeker!!" The long-haired liuen sighed, yet with a step, turned into a blur.

"Shit!" A barrier blocked me from following the cultivator.

"Alone as at last! CONFUTO!" Like statues, we were frozen stiff.

"I… It feels freeing to just give up. I did my best… I really, really did!" he sniffed with watery eyes. Veil walked up to Vanessa with tears in his eyes.

"It may be the end of our affair." Veil reached to caress her face.

"I want you to know you will be very well taken care of. I had made many precious dolls and statues." Veil was oblivious to Vanessa's disdain. His touch twisted her beautiful face with rage.

"You will be pride and joy. My favourite!" I resonated. The Qi domain freed me from his spell, and I slashed as fast as I could. The mage's reaction was faster than I thought.

"AAAARRRRHH!" The right arm of a mage bounced on the ground. Veil, teleporting a yard away, held his bleeding arm.

"TARIOOOON!!!!" Several shields surround him. Above, hundreds of Ignis spells form. 40 points into agility. Vanessa broke out of the spell on her own and wiped her cheek. A shield of gold surrounded her as she took out her dagger.

"I will be okay. Go wild." She proceeded to a safe area.

"DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY, YOU BITCH!" Veil winces in pain.

"COME BACK! Shit! DAMN IT ALL!!" Dealing with a cauterised stump, Veil raised his left arm up, and the ignis spells came to life, illuminating the entire village. I focused. Qi flowed to my meridians. Absolute sense opened the world. The domain of QI cloaked me in its ethereal energy. 20 points to agility. 10 points to Capacity, 10 to the senses.

"I WILL KILL YOU ALL! BURN TO ASHES!" A knee bent. Sword in tail stance. A great sword charged with mana rushed like a tsunami. Fire fell upon me like a meteor shower.

"IGNIS CADENS!!"