Ring

I left the library, my mind spinning with the wealth of knowledge I had absorbed. The night had fallen while I was engrossed in my studies, and the deep darkness outside the windows caught me by surprise. I had managed to read through two entire books, as well as another one specifically about the Emperor that I had found on my own.

The information I gained was invaluable. I learned that controlling an existing element was easier than creating it from scratch and then manipulating it. It was also essential to empower one's physical state to be able to use higher-level magic effectively. The most daunting revelation, however, was about the Emperor himself. He possessed several divine abilities that made him even more terrifying than I had initially thought.

As I made my way back to the mansion, my head felt like it was about to explode from the sheer volume of information I had crammed into it. The cool night air provided some relief, but I still felt mentally exhausted by the time I reached my bedroom.

In the solitude of my room, my thoughts drifted to Anna. I missed her presence deeply, longing for the comfort of her company. However, the fatigue from my intense study session quickly overtook me. As soon as my head hit the pillow and I closed my eyes, I drifted off into the world of dreams, my mind still swirling with the newfound knowledge and the challenges that lay ahead.'

I woke up with a throbbing headache, still exhausted from the previous day's intense study session. Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way downstairs to join my friends for breakfast. The atmosphere was somber, with little conversation taking place as we ate.

Suddenly, a realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had planned to meet Tusk yesterday, and the guilt of being a bad "child" washed over me. I couldn't believe I had forgotten about it.

"I need to go to the city today," I blurted out, breaking the silence. "Can I learn this portal thing from you guys?"

August, who was munching on his food, replied, "I think Alfred is the one who gives you ring in case you lost one." He swallowed his mouthful and added, "Let's get one, but I will also go with you."

January's eyes suddenly snapped to August, suspicion evident in his gaze. "Don't do anything stupid," he warned. "Don't destroy anything. And try to stay away from fights."

August waved his hand dismissively, as if he couldn't care less about January's concerns. He finished his food first and stood up, heading back to the bar table to grab some more.

I caught sight of Alfred walking past in the hallway while I was having my meal, so I darted after him, abandoning my breakfast. "Alfred! Hold on!" I hollered as I dashed into the hallway from the dining area.

Alfred paused, his face showing slight amusement as he performed a small bow. "Morning, mister March. You seem quite energetic after spending yesterday buried in those books," he remarked with a warm grin.

Returning his smile, I walked up to him. "Thanks again for all your help," I told him. "But I've got one more request, if you don't mind. Could I get one of those teleport rings? Like what January and everyone else uses."

He gave me a confirming nod. "Of course, I'll fetch one right away. Please finish your breakfast in the meantime, and I'll bring it to you." With another bow, he departed to get the ring.

I headed back to the kitchen and took my place with the others at the breakfast table. August glanced up from his food, looking inquisitive. "What was all that about?" he questioned.

"Just asked Alfred for a teleport ring," I explained as I sat down again. "Going to see Tusk in town today since I missed it yesterday."

January shot me a skeptical look. "You think you're good to venture out by yourself?"

I gave a casual shrug. "Won't be alone - August is coming along."

"Be careful," December chimed in, speaking up more than usual.

I acknowledged their worries with a nod. "We'll stay alert, promise. I just really need to get to Tusk and explain everything to him"

"You definitely need to," January said between bites. "The old fellow was really anxious - had all his contacts out looking for you both. He even sent people to check the outskirts of the poor district." He stabbed at his meal and grumbled irritably, "That's it - I'm taking over the kitchen myself. This cook has no idea what he's doing. Can't even get the seasoning right on something as basic as this."

January set his cutlery down with a sharp clank and got to his feet, pushing his chair back with barely contained frustration. "Need to check on April. He's doing better, so I want to talk with the doctors about his recovery timeline." His stern gaze fixed on August and me, cold and unyielding. "Keep things simple, understand? No detours, no unnecessary risks."

August bobbed his head while continuing his meal with his usual enthusiasm, and I did the same, recognizing the seriousness in his tone. I felt a pang of remorse twist in my gut, knowing January was already stressed about April's condition without me adding to his mountain of concerns.

One by one, everyone else drifted away until just August and I remained at the table. The silence felt oppressive, hanging heavy in the air, punctuated only by the soft sounds of August's fork and knife against his plate and his occasional satisfied hum.

I shifted restlessly in my chair, my thoughts drifting to Tusk and our upcoming trip into town. My fingers drummed against the wooden table as I hoped he'd be understanding about my missed visit yesterday, and I made a mental promise to somehow make things right, maybe bring him something to make up for my absence.

"You seem worried," said August, looking at me intently. "It's not like it's the first time you forgot your promise to Tusk," he added with a smile, putting down his fork and knife and leaning back in his chair.

August scratched his red beard thoughtfully. "Sometimes you are the same old March, but sometimes it's like you are a different person. I thought that once you regained more memories, you would slowly change back, but you didn't."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Was I really that different now? I had been so focused on trying to piece together my fragmented memories that I hadn't stopped to consider how my actions might be affecting those around me.

August took his knife again and started to play with it, the metal glinting in the light as he twirled it between his fingers. "To be fair, I am not sure if it's for the best," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "People were afraid of you, you had respect from them, and that really benefited us. Now you are different."

He stopped for a second and looked me directly in the eyes, his gaze intense and searching. "Are you really March?"

The question hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken implications. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. Was I really March? Or was I just a shell of the person I used to be, wandering through life with no clear sense of purpose or identity?

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as Alfred entered the room, holding out a teleportation ring. His timing couldn't have been better. "I am sorry it took so long, master March," he said, handing me the ring with his characteristic formal bow. I nodded in thanks, grateful for the interruption that saved me from my spiraling thoughts.

Alfred turned his attention to August, concern etched deeply in the wrinkles around his eyes. "You seem unwell, master August. Maybe you need some help?" His voice carried the gentle authority that only years of service could cultivate.

I glanced at August, suddenly noticing the paleness of his complexion and the slight tremor in his usually steady hands. Was he as worried as I was? Was I too worried to notice that before?

August waved his hand dismissively, though the gesture lacked his usual confidence. "Thank you, Alfred. I can handle myself."

After Alfred left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway, August stood up, acting as if nothing had happened. His shoulders straightened with visible effort. "Well, let's go? I'll show you how rings work. Really useful, but a bit scary, to be fair."

I followed him out of the dining room, choosing to ignore the situation just as he had. The polished wooden floors creaked beneath our feet as we walked. In truth, I didn't have an answer to his earlier question, so the change of subject was a welcome relief. The weight of my identity - or lack thereof - still pressed heavily on my shoulders.

As we walked, August veered to the left, his steps becoming more animated as he focused on the technical explanation. "Basically, some of the doors in this mansion are not just doors; they're magical items, just like this ring. With the usage of magic stones and magic circles, Assassin got them working as a portal." The air around these special doors seemed to hum with an energy I could almost taste.

My mind buzzed with questions about the mechanics of it all, but August, who probably wasn't the best at teaching, continued talking without pause, his words tumbling out in excited bursts. I tried to keep up, absorbing the information as best I could while we made our way through the mansion's winding corridors, past ornate tapestries and flickering magical lamps that cast dancing shadows on the walls.

I listened as August halted beside a doorway, explaining, "My earlier comment about being scary - that's what makes Assassin such a frightening adversary. He possesses a divine power over spatial manipulation, and he's among the most skilled practitioners of it." He paused briefly before adding, "In single combat, he's practically invincible," then launched back into his detailed explanation.

"This gateway is communal, meaning it requires preparation time. Keep in mind that while you're inside, it'll drain a portion of your magical energy. I wouldn't suggest trying to block that flow," he chuckled softly. "The gateway might spit you out anywhere if you do."

Seeing my bewildered expression at last, August shrugged. "Just grab some books on the subject - that's more your style than mine. It's mostly useless knowledge anyway," he remarked, flicking his wrist dismissively.

I nodded slowly, trying to process the flood of information he had just dumped on me. The concept of space magic and shared portals was fascinating, but also incredibly daunting. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the thought of stepping through one of these doors, not knowing where I might end up.

"So, how do I use this ring then?" I asked, holding up the small, unassuming piece of jewelry. It seemed almost too simple to hold such power.

August grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Just put it on and focus your magic into it. The ring will do the rest."

I looked at the ring, feeling an inexplicable discomfort as I gazed upon it. Something deep within me seemed to recoil at its very existence, like a forgotten memory trying to claw its way to the surface. My hands trembled slightly as I examined the seemingly innocent piece of jewelry. Despite my unease, I slipped the ring onto my middle finger and stretched my hand toward the door, fighting back the strange anxiety building in my chest.

Pouring magic into the ring felt almost instinctual, as if I had performed this action countless times before. It was likely that I had, in fact, been doing this every day before losing my memories. The familiar sensation sent a chill down my spine as, suddenly, instead of the door, a shimmering portal materialized before me, its edges rippling like water in moonlight.

"Sweet," August commented with a satisfied nod, his crimson locks reflecting the otherworldly light from the portal. "After you - I'll be right behind."

I nodded in return, squaring my shoulders. "See you there," I said, stepping into the portal without hesitation, though my heart hammered against my ribs.

For a second or perhaps a bit longer, I found myself standing inside a different room - dark, old, and dirty, with cobwebs hanging from the corners and dust motes dancing in what little light filtered through the grimy windows. August appeared shortly after me, emerging from the portal with his usual confident stride.

"Place your palm out - the ring will seal the gateway," he explained, motioning nonchalantly toward the hovering entrance at our backs.

I followed his directions, watching in fascination as the portal seemed to fold in on itself, retreating back into the ring like water down a drain. The room felt still and silent once more, heavy with the weight of age and abandonment.

"Okay, before you go to Tusk, mind a small change to our tour?" August asked, though it wasn't really a question. He was already heading out the door, that familiar mischievous glint returning to his blue eyes.

"Sure," I answered, trailing after him and stepping outside into the cool air. I couldn't help but wonder what this "small change" entailed as I followed August through the unfamiliar streets.