10 Part 10 : Trial (1)

Clayden's figure emerged from the lake below the waterfall. And like Jesus, he gracefully walked on the surface of the water, a golden halo on his head. Though he appeared from the river, his outfit wasn't soaked at all. Like a ghost--

Wait no, he's not dead lol, but the dramatic appearance is kinda too much.

Clayden quickly ran to where we were standing, looking clean and fresh, not a single blemish on him with a crescent shaped earing on his ear. He turned to stand directly in front of Vird who was about 20 cm taller.

"Master, isn't it too harsh to give him that punishment for failing? Since he is royalty and all... it would be dangerous."

Clayden defended with a threatening tone. I widened my eyes in disbelief, he's actually standing up for Andrew?

I turned to observe Andrew's expression about this and saw one of his eyebrow raised and disbelief written all over his face. If I were mocked and insulted 24/7, I would surely have the same expression as him.

But indeed, Clayden never intended to help Andrew at all.

"That's why you need to make it harsher! Since he is a royal, he should be given top quality in everything, including punishments. Ah, this only applies to Andrew though."

Everyone flinched and I choked on my saliva before trembling to hold my laughter. It's amazing how his sharp tongue is always polished, wherever, whenever.

Andrew and Vird visibly flinched hearing his words. The former's frown deepened, while the latter laughed heartily.

"Since the both of you seem really close, I've decided that I wouldn't make it that difficult for you."

Vird let out another laugh and patted Andrew's shoulder. This scene could be viewed as a touching one, but upon closer inspection, it turned to a horrifying one. Vird was still pressuring him using his spiked aura while glaring murderously, causing chills to run down his spine.

Noticing Andrew trembling while trying to maintain a calm facade, I was also opened to the reality of the scene. And my impression of Vird changed.

He then retracted his hand and smiled lazily at Andrew.

"Kay, then congrats! You've already passed, boy!"

"......."

For a moment, silence engulfed the entire room.

...What?! I looked around to see everyone's reaction. Clayden who looked happy seeing Andrew tremble suddenly frowned, his eyes glinted in displeasure. Chrona on the other hand just covered one hand over her mouth in surprise.

"...So you're saying that was the test?!"

Andrew protested in confusion, while the menacing aura around Vird dissapeared without a trace.

"Naive! You may have balls of steel, but who said that the trial only consisted of one part? There will naturally be more trials later on..."

Vird said all that with a sorrow looking scowl, all while smacking Andrew's ass. Unknown to the victim, his expression slightly darkened.

I Laughed at Andrew's face twisting due to being smacked in the ass for the very first time. Embarrassed, he turned his beat red face around and muttered solemnly in his heart.

My dignity in front of my fiance... is gone.

Seeing Master no longer utilizing his oppressive aura, I took upon the chance to speak.

"Master Vird... may I ask you a question?"

Though nervous, I still decided to ask.

"Go ahead."

Seeing his nonchalant agreement, I quickly asked regarding Clayden's test. But he chose to keep it confidential, hence out fo respect, I didn't pester him further. But when I asked about why I was chosen, he laughed.

"If you fail to understand yourself, you will unable to understand others."

Vird only gave me a cryptic reply, similar to something Uncle Iroh would say. Does this matter have something to do with my magical aptitude..? Mmm, most likely does.

I then gave a meaningful glance at Clayden. Who succeeded before we even begun. Andrew also seemed to be pissed at Clayden, but he maintained his composure as if suppressing his hostility to him.

"How did you get here in the first place?"

He muttered with a hoarse voice.

Clayden noticed Andrew's pissed face and chuckled before he turned to me and explained.

"Since Chrona was still asleep, I decided to arrive earlier here, alone. I've never been here and was simply curious about the forest as it was said to have spiritual properties. But as I went deeper in the forest, I was abducted by Fyre and had to go through some... ahem. Trials for my... biological life."

He then smiled, revealing his usual smirk, but this time... the smile reached his eyes, though his ears were suspiciously red.

Chrona who was cowering in the corner the whole time finally steeled her resolve and spoke up.

"Err..."

gulp

"Master Vird... c-can I also b-be your disciple... please..?"

I want to be stronger. I want to become a better person, no longer constantly being protected by brother.

Clayden widened his eyes and his body trembled. Droplets started to form on his wide, golden eyes. But he quickly wiped the away and stood silently for a few seconds before another smile was revealed. This time, his smile was uncomposed, dorky, and genuine.

He proceeded to hug his little sister who finally regained a bit of her confidence after a year of silence. With nearly the same reaction he had, I also beamed a smile at her. Andrew who was in an awkward position just continued being in there, not saying a word.

But this moment of awe quickly came to an end as Vird gazed at Chrona, pity reflected in his eyes.

"Little girl, I'll be frank. The you right now is completely unworthy of me."

I knew it...

As the words exited his mouth, everyone's expression became glum, especially Clayden's. But everyone turned expectant again once he uttered his second line.

"...But, the future you may be worthy. If you are really set on changing yourself, you will have to do as I say."

Chrona stopped trembling and her eyes sparkled as she wiped her tear stained face.

"Y-yes! I'll do anything!"

Vird caressed his nonexistent beard.

"Good. Then you must get rid of the thorn by your side."

...and pointed at me.

"Ask Airene, she knows."

Wait, what?!

My complexion grew pale as I brimmed in cold sweat.

How does he know!

"As long as you're my disciple, nothing can be hidden from me. That is, as long as you are close to me."

...Creepy.

"...I heard that."

...Yeah, really creepy though. Wait, let me spam.

Lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon lolicon--

"S-Stop! I've never had any inappropriate thoughts about female children!"

Vird flailed his hands in the air and whispered in a voice only I could hear.

...Shotacon.

"....."

Revealing a sinister smile, I humphed victoriously. Heh, found it, something to blackmail him with.

Meanwhile, Clayden squinted his eyed and eyed strangely at Vird from the side, he covered his chest with his two hands with lips curved to a smile.

...Pervert. You know I can hear you guys, right?

"..."

"****."

Vird cursed.

...Never would I expect that the first person I hear cussing in this world ended up being a Grand Mage. Even Clayden was dumbfounded for a bit before he burst out in laughter.

Andrew and Chrona glanced at one another before strangely glancing back at us, perplexed.

........

"Ah! Okay, enough! We strayed off topic there, Ahem!"

Vird harrumphed, still trying to fix his image. It might've worked for others, but not for us two. So for the first time, I glanced at my comrade, Clayden and raised my hand for a high five.

He at first lifted a brow up, confused. But he ended up mimicking what I did and I smacked my palm towards his. Though he was startled at first, he ended up revealing that dorky grin of his, startling me instead.

A certain someone watched this exchange that he deemed 'intimate' and frowned deeply. But he knew that him right now is completely unworthy of intervening. Through clenched teeth, the weaker him could only steel his resolve to pass the test and stand on the same ground as them.

.....

"After you ask Airene about it, drink this antidote."

A wooden bowl then came flying towards Vird's direction and stopped it in midair and he handed it to Chrona.

Inside the bowl was some kind of  multicolored liquid he claims to be an Antidote. But the antidote looked like the barf of a unicorn, weird and kinda disgusting.

"After you resolve everything, you should come to me using this crytal shard. Just break it and you will be teleported here and can start your trial. I wish you luck."

Though Vird had finished explaining, I was still curious about one crucial thing.

"Master, why do we need to dispose of her close aid though?" I cocked my head to the left and asked.

"Isn't it obvious? The poison that is fed to her came from that person's blood. The blood will continue eating away the host's life force and giving it to her. Essentialy, making her stronger. If you dispose of the person, then the life force will go back to the host and neutralizing the poison. This antidote is for the side effects involved which is...."

Ah... I know this.

"Wickedness of the heart."

I uttered it before him, causing a smile to appear on Vird's face.

"See, I told you. My disciple does know about it. She seems to posses some sort of foresight ability."

He clasped his hands and merrily laughed while I was met with the questioning glances of both Andrew and Clayden.

"Okay then! Since our business is done here, I will give Clayden and Airene a teleportation stone each. Andrew will stay b for the trial and will return tommorrow... if he succeeds. As for Chrona, you may go back with Airene and ask for further details."

[Master, I request to also stay here and train with Fyre for three years.]

Grey communicated with me via telephaty.

are you sure about this? Aren't you being too hasty?

[Yes I am. I need to be stronger to be able to protect master properly...!]

He then appeared floating in front of me,

I ruffled his hair and pat his head.

"Then do your best, my little guardian."

Grey smiled and teared up a bit, he blushed while revealing a toothy grin.

[Mmhmm! I will!]

We hugged each other and said our goodbyes.

I am quite saddened due to the fact that the new friend that I had just met yesterday will be leaving for a few years...

Well, mostly because he was the most normal and cute out of all of em.

"Airene and Clayden. You two will do these tasks I written for you daily. And I'll leave my clones with each of you to supervise. We are practically the same, so if you have any questions, just ask them."

Vird then split into three and we begun to teleport with one clone each.

"Let us meet as stronger individuals in three years Grey! I will be expecting your return!"

"Yes! I promise, I will become stronger!"

See you in three years, my friend.

We both smiled at each other and I vanished into thin air, leaving Grey burning with determination.

"Wait for me, master!"

***

Opening my eyes, I found myself back in my room, surrounded by the familiar setting.

I glanced at the stone and scrolls in my hand. The stone... sure is useful, a pity that it could only be used once a week.

Proceeding to open the scroll of tasks Vird gave me, I stared at it agape. The scroll dropped down to the floor, roling out like toilet paper.

This--This is only a year's worth of tasks? Isn't it too much?! There's a myriad of different task for each month and at the end of the year, I would get a new one. Seeing as how the scroll appeared in thin air, Vird must've known about our arrival beforehand.

But other than that, I can't shake off the strange that feeling Vird may know more than what meets the eye.

***

"Boy... let us begin."