Arrival

Laurellius continued to inspect the inner workings of the device. With utmost focus and interest.

'I see! So that's what this was. So it was modified to prevent any magic explosion! To think such you could suppress magic explosions this way, how ingenious!

'But it seems the execution of the runes are a bit rough, so that means this is self-made, huh? Well, let's see if I can improve it.

'The stability is fine as it is so that just leaves how smooth the runes are connected. And the way mana flows through the circuits.'

Laurellius continued to fiddle through the magic device, not noticing a pair of surprised girls behind him, and a smiling vendor. He was completely absorbed in fixing the magic device.

Fran who observed Laurellius was shocked at how he didn't notice her despite the distance. She had even discreetly sent a faint mana pulse to see if he notices, but his attention remained on the device.

'What incredible concentration! He only seems to be a mage apprentice or a wizard apprentice at most, but his focus is unbelievable!'

She couldn't help but praise him in her mind as she wondered whether he was a student of the Academy. However, she denied her question.

'That's right. It's impossible. I don't recognize him, after all.'

As for Yuria, she was simply surprised at how casually he had modified the runic circuit that she had modified herself, which would mean that he was far ahead of her in terms of skills in magical engineering.

'He's amazing. Even though he looks the same age as me, he's so far ahead. Even his mana manipulation skills are leagues ahead of mine.'

The two of them were surprised about an unexpected talent to appear in front of them, as Deev teased with a grin.

"So? A nice guy, right?"

The two of them didn't answer, as they kept observing how he fixed the device as if trying to learn something from it.

Not long after, Laurellius finally finished fixing the device, as he heaved a sigh of relief. He then wiped the sweat on his forehead, as he turned to Deev.

"I'm done fixing th—" his words suddenly cut short as he looked at the unfamiliar women beside Deev.

"Oh, So you're done! Let me introduce my daughter, Yuria. She's the one I told you about. And the other is her friend, Fran."

"Hello, nice to meet you." The girl who was introduced as Fran greeted as she waved her hand.

As for Yuria, she only nodded in acknowledgment.

Laurellius gave a wry smile to the two. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Laurellius."

Fran who realized that Laurellius seemed like a sociable person, softened in expression as she asked.

"Can I ask you something, Sir Laurellius? Are you a student at the Academy?"

Laurellius scratched his head, "Umm, you don't have to add ' Sir ' on my name. Also. . . I received an invitation too, but I don't think I'm gonna be enrolling this year."

"Hm? Why is that?"

"Ahaha. . . I don't think I'll pass after all. I have terrible magical perception and really low mana capacity after all."

Fran's eyes widened. "I see. . . Talent, huh?"

"Yeah. I don't have anything much of it."

Silence took over as everyone present knew what that implied. Talent was the entire basis for a mage's future, and those without it were doomed to fail. It was common sense.

Fran gave him a comforting smile, "But how about trying for once? It might work out."

Laurellius smiled back at her.

"I see. Maybe I'll just do that. Thank you, Miss Fran." Laurellius thanked as his expression visibly brightened up.

He then looked at the Deev.  "Can I buy some barbeque now?"

Deev's eyes widened for an instant. He couldn't get what the kid was thinking, but at least he was now sure. This Laurellius kid is a good person. No doubt.

He then laughed. "Ahaha! Then the order's on the house, as thanks for fixing the device. How about that?"

Laurellius nodded, "Let me take up on the offer."

And so, Laurellius waited for the new batch of barbeques to finish cooking, before taking two and giving the other to his little sister. And that, they left with a goodbye.

• • •

The moment Laurellius and his little sister left, Yuria looked at Fran and asked. "Hey, do you think he'll make it into the academy?"

She then moved her gaze to the direction the siblings went to: "I personally think his chances are grim."

"Even though he has an invitation? You know that the entrance examination is just a show when you're invited right?" Fran answered her with a smile.

However, Yuria's expression did not soften for a while as she was still worried. "I hope so. But problems are bound to arise as he is a commoner without backing. And even if he passes, his life in there will be a difficult one."

" It's fine, Yuria," Fran spoke as she approached Yuria. She then looked at her in the eye as she reassured. "We can't let such a unique talent go to waste, can we?"

• • •

About half an hour after they left the barbeque stall, Laurellius and Nell were now sitting on a bench as they rested from the no-longer-gentle sunrays. It was a bench that was beneath the shade of a tree, so it was a lifesaver for them.

Both in their hands were drinks that they bought on their way, and they held onto it as if it was some sort of treasure. Laurellius took a sip from his own, as he then sighed from the heat.

" This is absolutely no good. I should have known that it was gonna be this hot in such a wide-open place." He then leaned on the bench further as he sighed once more.

He then glanced at his sister, " Are you alright, Nell? You don't feel lightheaded or anything are you? What about your stomach?"

Nell shook her head. " I'm fine. And I don't feel the heat too much. I am good at enduring hot things, did you forget?"

" Ah, there was that too, right?" Laurellius spoke as he pondered about it for a bit. " I think I'm lacking too much sleep nowadays. I'm even beginning to forget some basic things. Ha-ha. "

"That's right, Rell!" his little sister agreed. She then pointed a finger at him and scolded him. " You always sleep too late. Look, there are already bags forming below your eyes! What would you do if your cool face gets ruined?!"

Hearing his little sister's scolding, Laurellius made a wry smile, as he shrugged. " It can't be helped. After all, I need to do my best to be admitted to the academy. And the exam's only a week away."

He then patted her head. " But I'll try resting every now and then."

Nell put both her hands on her waist as she puffed out her chest. " Hmph! It's fine if you understand."

Laurellius chuckled at his little sister's cute way of being worried, at the same time thankful that she was a little sister and not an older one. Laurellius could imagine how strict she'd be if she was older than him.

'Yeah. . . That might not be a good thing for me. He thought inwardly.

However, his smile was suddenly cut short, as a mild tugging feeling washed over his entire body. He hasn't moved, but it was an illusory feeling. It seemed almost real.

"H-Huh?. . ." Laurellius uttered in confusion. He then muttered, " What just. . . happened?"

The moment he finished his mutter, a feeling of being called out suddenly welled up in his mind as his gaze naturally shifted to a certain direction. A direction upwards, and he saw something in the skies.

" A. . .  starfall . . . ?"

Nell who suddenly heard her brother mutter something asked. " What was that? I didn't hear you."

Laurellius pointed towards the direction of the 'starfall'. "Look, something's falling."

It was a blue-colored ball of light, falling towards the earth, but for some reason, Laurellius felt compelled to look at it.

He wanted his little sister to see what it was as it might be a rare thing, however. . .

"What are you talking about, Rell? There's nothing there—Ah! 're you talking about the bird? It's flying so high!" Nell spoke with confusion first but then shifted to a lively one.

'H-Huh? Does this mean she can't see it?' Laurellius thought as he turned to a random stranger passing by.

"Umm... Excuse me?" He called out. The stranger turned to him, as he then pointed to the direction where the strange thing was falling.

"Can you see anything from there?"

The stranger looked at where he pointed and stared intently as if searching for something. After a while, the stranger snapped. "Huh?  But there's nothing there. Re you messing with me?"

"Ah, that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to confirm something, so I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Then shove off, bumpkin!" The stranger then left.

Laurellius sighed from the insult and the current spectacle. Maybe mages were the only ones who could see it? If that's the case, then it would make sense that the person earlier didn't see it, and neither did Nell. After all, they were both normal people.

"Rell? . . Is anything wrong? Does your tummy hurt?" Nell spoke beside him. Her brows furrowed in a worried frown.

Laurellius shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I guess."

He then looked at the direction of the starfall one last time, and it was gone. It had already fallen too low, to the point it was concealed by the city walls. Perhaps a lot of mages would soon rush into that place, and maybe a deathmatch might even occur. He didn't want to get swept by that.

Laurellius then noticed the sky was now covered in clouds. "Hm?.. It looks like the sky's gone a bit dark. Let's go back, Nell."

Nell also looked up and saw the sky was indeed a bit dark. She stood, and nodded.

And so, the siblings returned to their lodging.

• • •

From the other side of the barrier, the blockade that separated the world of the higher beings from mortals, a single soul fell.

The soul belonged to a young girl, and it was encased by a tiny orb the size of a human eyeball. Her long hair that reached her knees was reminiscent of golden silk strands, as her body curled up like an unborn infant in its mother's womb. And she was wearing a simple one-piece dress, which was formed by her soul.

The soul is shaped by desires and emotions. Along with experience and memories, it forms the concept of self. As such it was possible for a trained higher existence to alter the shape of their soul, based on what they desired.

As for the girl, she didn't want anyone to see her bare skin. No one was worthy in this world. They could marvel at her beauty, they could worship her presence, they could also fear her. But they weren't allowed to ogle. The young girl would never let anyone do so.

With half-conscious thoughts, the young girl continued to fall, as she waited for a vessel to arrive. Forgetting the fact that ordinary mortals would not even feel her presence no matter how sharp they were. In her mind, there were only the thoughts of vengeance.

She swore that she would kill them. She would, and she was patient to do so. History of both mortals and those above them had told many times over about the catastrophe that impatience brings.

As such, she waited.