Chapter 54: Ruins

The ruins were a sight to behold, Ruby's eyes stared wide with wonder. "Wow, this place is pretty cool," she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "I wonder how old it is."

William answered her. "It has been here for more than fifty years," he said, pointing to a faded inscription on the wall. "It was once a castle, home to a noble family."

Adrian ran his fingers along the rough stone walls, feeling the history that seeped into the very structure of the ruins. "Judging by the damage, some battles must have been fought here," he mused, his voice low and reverent. "It's like stepping back in time."

As they wandered deeper into the ruins, they stumbled upon a courtyard overgrown with tangled vines and wildflowers. A fountain stood in the center, cracked and dry, but still retaining a faint air of elegance. Ruby skipped over to it, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It must have been so grand back in its day."

William nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yes, it was likely the centerpiece of the castle's courtyard, a symbol of wealth and power. Most nobles do love their over-the-top fountains."

Adrian glanced up at the crumbling towers that loomed overhead, their spires reaching towards the sky like ancient sentinels. "It's amazing to think that this place has stood here for years, weathering the passage of time."

As they continued to explore the ruins, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden light over the ancient stones. The three walked in companionable silence, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls and corridors.

"Quite the unique place the Astrothian took as its lair," William noted.

"Indeed," Adrian agreed. "It most likely knows we are here. Class B Astrothians are not to be underestimated, after all."

"Is it really strong?" Ruby questioned, and the two boys nodded.

"It is," William confirmed. "Though it is hard to tell which Class B Astrothian it is. I find it strange they picked this to be our training exercise, especially when Juliana is not even involved." Ruby seemed to share his sentiment of confusion, which Adrian did not.

"It is rather unorthodox, but perhaps it will pay off soon," Adrian said. The two looked at him in confusion, but he just shook his head. "Never mind, there was something I wished to talk about."

"What is it?" William questioned.

"Regarding your absent friend, Mikoto," Adrian started. "I am rather curious about him. It is not every day you get foreigners in the Academy, after all. I want to know what kind of person he is." A thoughtful look adorned Ruby and William's faces. William did not find it all surprising that Adrian was curious about Mikoto. It was his poem that was found on Mikoto, and that is not mentioning there is probably no shortage of people curious about Mikoto.

"Well, it is hard to discern Mikoto's character," William started. "Though we have been friends for a while now, I can safely say he is not a bad person." William stated as Adrian hummed.

"No, Mikoto is a bully," Ruby dryly stated, not really meaning her words. "When we fought, he hanged me by a tree with my uniform." She huffed, and William gave a sheepish chuckle.

"You're not gonna let him forget that, huh?" The boy mused as Ruby rapidly nodded her head.

"I heard he wears a mask at all times," Adrian stated, gaining back their attention. "Have either of you seen his face?"

"Afraid not," William said with a wry smile. "He never takes it off, not even at lunch."

"I have," Ruby stated with a raised hand. "Though only partially."

"Oh yeah, you did mention that," William noted as Adrian spoke.

"Oh? I am rather curious as to what he looks like."

"Well, he had the most beautiful re-"

Suddenly, without warning, a thunderous crash echoed through the ruins as something massive burst through a dilapidated wall. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the large Astrothian emerged into view. Its towering form was a sight to behold, with scales that shimmered in various shades of iridescent blues and greens. Its body was muscular and sinewy, adorned with patterns that seemed to glow with an ethereal light. The creature's eyes were a blend of fiery orange and deep purple.

Reacting swiftly, Adrian raised his hand. Two demons materialized before him, seemingly tearing through the fabric of reality itself as if it were mere glass. The first demon, with jet-black skin and crimson eyes, stood tall and imposing. Its muscular frame was adorned with ruins that seemed to writhe and twist with a life of their own. The second demon, in stark contrast, had an ethereal appearance, with translucent skin that revealed pulsating veins of molten lava beneath. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly green light, and its elongated limbs moved with an unsettling grace.

William extended his right palm towards the Astrothian. With a surge of power, a torrent of flames erupted from his hand, dancing and crackling with energy. The flames were a blend of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, licking at the air with an insatiable hunger. The intense heat radiated from the fire, causing the surrounding ruins to shimmer and distort.

Despite its colossal size, the Astrothian displayed astonishing agility as it effortlessly leaped into the air, evading the fiery onslaught. Sensing an opportunity, Adrian swiftly commanded one of his demons to unleash a spell.

Though that seemed unnecessary. Something else leaped high in the air, they could only see the outline of a woman. Said woman flipped through the air and eventually towards the Astrothian. She had extended a leg, it collided with the creature's back with a loud reverberating impact as an audible crack echoed as well.

The Astrothian barreled to the ground hard enough to create a large crater along with a shockwave that kicked up dust. The three covered their faces as the woman gracefully landed in front of the unmoving beast.

William studied her; she was a beauty. That much was an understatement. She had perfect round eyes where two blue orbs sat. A button nose and lush full lips, it was like every feature of her face came together to make her this beautiful. She had a head of flowing lilac hair that only added to her beauty. Her attire was strange, but he recognized it; she wore the upper sections of an ao dai white in color and adorned in gold while the rest of it was a tight black form-fitting suit showing off her figure.

The woman gave a wide smile.

"Hello there~" She waved at the trio who gave confused looks. "I'll be killing you now~" Before confusion could settle in, she disappeared from view in a blur.

"I hope you don't mind~" Their eyes widened as she was suddenly between them. And then she attacked.

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[Verdantis]

[Briarwick]

Professor Eugene sighed as he made another cross on the map laid before his table at the ground floor of the inn. He looked at the detailed map of the Verdantis region with the various crosses on all the landmarks.

("As fanatic as the Drah'lurahr Cult is, they are adept at covering their tracks.") He mused. They are known to be a hard few to catch, but this was absurd. ("I've visited multiple locations now, yet not even a trace of them.") He would have to brief Fiona and the rest of the students on what they might have seen.

("I'll have to resume my search soon, but still, there is what Mikoto had said.") The professor briefly pondered over his words. ("Scorch marks yet no sign of mana being used, the Drah'lurahr Cult might have a stock of weapons.") His contemplation could not continue as he felt two people behind him.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Those are a lot of crosses."

Lily and Zavier curiously stared at the map. They were the innkeeper's children if he remembered correctly. They were rather curious children with a knack for magic, according to Lucinda.

"What are you looking for, old man?" The boy, Zavier, asked curiously.

"Nothing important," Professor Eugene merely answered as he folded the map.

"You should ask us, mister! We know a lot!" Lily boldly proclaimed.

"I see," Professor Eugene replied.

"You don't seem all that impressed, old man," Zavier accused.

"I am," Professor Eugene stated, yet his expression did not change. Zavier still seemed skeptical, but luckily Lily spoke up.

"Hey mister, when is Lucinda and the princess gonna come back?" Lily asked. "I made drawings I want to show them!"

"I know not, but they may reappear soon. They are not far." His words made Lily sigh dejectedly.

"You two munchkins still have chores, no?" The two children jumped as they suddenly heard Lucy's voice. Professor Eugene watched Lucy approach.

"M-mom!?" The two exclaimed.

"Now you two stop bothering Mister Eugene, and do your chores or no desserts." At the threat of having dessert taken away, the two wasted no time in making their exit.

"Sorry about that." Lucy threw a sheepish apology Professor Eugene's way. "Those two get easily excited.

"I do not mind."

"Well, that's is good." Lucy spoke with a smile. "It's nice seeing those two so energetic again."

"Children are an energetic bunch, I suppose." He murmured.

"Yeah, having new clients is a breath of fresh air, and Lucinda is a Godsend." Lucy chuckled. "I haven't seen Lily and Zavier so happy in a while." She stated, her voice low as a distant look found its way into her eyes.

"And why is that?" He was not exactly curious, though it would be rude not to keep the conversation going.

"It's just that my husband passed away two years back." She sighed. "It was harder on them than it was on me. They could not accept that they would never be able to see their father again. Ah, I'm sorry for dropping this baggage on you."

"It's fine, and I am sorry for your loss." Professor Eugene spoke in a sincere tone. "You have lovely and strong children." Lucy smiled as she opened her mouth to speak.

But suddenly, a pressure enveloped the atmosphere. A tense and thick pressure that permeated all, it was like an intense heat that touched everything. Not something one would find in Verdantis. Lucy fell over, but Professor Eugene was quick to catch her.

"W-what is this?" The woman questioned; it was even hard to speak. It felt as though even her lungs were on fire. Professor Eugene sat her on his seat.

"Someone's expanding their mana too much, it's clashing with your own mana and overloading it, filling your body in and out." He quickly explained as he raised his hand towards her. Momentarily, a purple hue enveloped her, and then the discomfort was gone as fast as it appeared. "A ward that blocks any offensive mana, I'll erect one over the town, check on the children." Lucy shakily nodded her head as Professor Eugene made his way outside.

He frowned as he found the people in the town in disarray. Most were kneeling over or leaned against something for support. The sheer pressure and properties of the mana melted the snow off some buildings.

"Their bodies are taking in too much mana, much more than they can handle," he noted as he raised his hand. Around the large town, a translucent purplish barrier formed with intricate glyphs all around it. This kept out the excess mana flooding the area.

Professor Eugene frowned.

"The Inheritor of the Sun Goddess..."