(Ch. 19) Lady Aria.

The food that Clovia brought to my room was delicious and soon after finishing it, I decided to visit the library. I was certain that such a great opportunity to learn more about this world would be rather rare in the future, especially with all the things that I was still unsure about. At that point, only knowledge might save my life.

As I passed the key into the lock, it flickered open with a clicking sound. I pushed the door open and the smell of old musty paper and burned charcoal touched my nose, reminding me few of Basak's old memories. They were not particularly important but in all of them, there was someone in common, a woman whose face I couldn't make out as it was covered in fog. Not wanting to bother with it for long, I walked inside, a desk coming into my sight at first before I could take everything in fully. It was the desk where the librarian was meant to sit, overlooking the place but now it was empty.

Gently closing the door, I moved between the shelves, looking at the books and the tags above the shelf. Although a few dozen topics were there, I found the number of books to be underwhelming—much compared to a modern library.

I found myself on a bench in there and sat with a few books with me.

One of the books I had picked was about mysticism with the title 'The basic of Mystic World.' Although not a large book, what initially caught my eye was the name of the writer. Davrick Danish.

The same last name as Kaius. It seems this Davrick Danish is an ancestor of Kaius.

As I read a little, it became clear to me that the book was at least a hundred years old. The language was much more sophisticated and profound compared to the other books in the library.

Just as the name said, it contained the basics, most of which I already knew. But it gave me a refresh of my knowledge, and also a compass to see whether my companions whom I had traveled for more than a week had told me the truth or not. And much to my relief the pieces of information were almost identical, with a few differences which I assumed was more of an understanding issue.

The author gave an analogy regarding domain, bondor, and how those all connected.

Domain is the mechanism through which the energy, Bondor is channeled and concurrently transformed into various abstract and non-abstract things for various purposes. These mechanisms were fixed but were still open to various changes when mixed with mystic arts.

But how that change happened wasn't written there. I suppose that might be a little more advanced to be written in a book for beginners.

I skimmed the book a few times, but couldn't find anything about 'soul vision'. But there was a segment that slightly indicated a group of mystics who could use their eyes as a weapon if needed. They were called 'Mushi'. Which translated to Visionary. Most of the mushi were tribal people, living in the mountains with a few exceptions. The majority lived in the eastern continent.

Although slightly disappointed for not finding anything about my 'Soul Vision' I was still happy knowing about Mushi.

Other than mystic arts, there were also fighting styles that relied on bondor differently compared to mystic arts. The three main fighting styles were named after their founder: Bhaiyers Style, Grambers Style, and Paschens Style. However, the author noted that his knowledge in this department was much more lacking as he considered himself more of a mage than a fighter.

Davrick Danish also explained how rank advancement happened. Usually, a rank is divided into three parts: Initial, intermediate, and evolved. I cross-referenced the information and soon realized that I was an initially ranked mystery weaver. Intra-rank advance generally increased the strength and potency of the spells used by the mystic. According to the author, the sensation would be strong enough that a mystic would easily realize it. By gaining more insight into their powers, this advancement happened.

But when it came to rank advancement, it differed between domains. Some people have intense reactions while others just realize they have advanced after waking up the next day. But for one thing, the higher the rank was, the more dangerous it would be for the mystic.

That's it? No description of what those dangers might be?

But before I could read further, there was a knock on the door. I turned my head to find the door opening and Clovia walking toward me.

"You need to come with me," She said, her eyes moving toward the books opened before me. "Lady Aria, daughter of Lord Leader has asked for your presence."

"Who?" I asked dumbfounded.

***

It would have been an understatement to say I was surprised after learning that Lady Aria was the only daughter of Lord Leader. Why would such a high-ranking individual, equivalent to a princess, come to visit me all of a sudden? It surely wasn't to get to know me.

Surprised by the lack of prior notice, I inquired Clovia whether this was an unannounced visit by the lady but she shook her head.

As she led me down the hallway, she responded, "No. Lord Kaius forgot to mention this matter to you last night."

Annoyed at him for putting me in this situation, I silently followed Clovia into the garden. It was unusual for a guest to choose the garden over the mansion, but Clovia explained that Lady Aria had insisted on meeting there.

Could she be a nature lover? I wondered.

As we approached the umbrella shielding her from the sun, she noticed us. A smile appeared on her face as our eyes met, and she waved. She wore a simple light blue dress that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin. It was modest, yet it would be undoubtedly noticeable in a ballroom full of nobles.

Coming to a halt, I waited for Clovia's introduction.

"This is Sir Zareth, Lady Aria," She said and I bowed slightly, just enough to not appear disrespectful.

"Please sit down Zareth," She offered, smiling warmly.

There were only two seats on both sides of the tea table and so I sat on the remaining one, looking directly at my summoner. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Clovia taking her leave but I was more focused on the woman before me. Her eyes were directed somewhere past my shoulders, sitting with such grace that it felt like a portrait of her was in the making.

Certainly, people would have gathered around her asking for autographs if she was sighted in public on Earth.

As her eyes moved toward me, I broke the silence, "I have heard a little about you on my way here from Clovia. I'm rather honored that you have come to visit me."

"Oh no, the pleasure is mine. Even though I might be the daughter of the Lord Leader, you are the first outsider in history to ever set foot in this land. That does make me a little nervous," She laughed and I joined her.

"If you say so. Although you don't appear nervous if you ask me," I replied jokingly.

"Politics teaches you a few things. This is one of them. But tell me Zareth how has been life in this place? Is it the same or different? Do you think the people here could mix in with the outsiders?" She asked a hint of subtle desperation in her eyes.

"If I am honest then I have yet to note any difference. Are the people here not human? Or perhaps you have thought of myself as a non-human monster?" I asked humourly.

At my words, she burst out laughing as if it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Her princess-like demeanor was no longer there, only to be replaced by an image of a teenage girl who seemed to hear a joke that made her laugh until tears came out. I was only left baffled at the sight not knowing how to properly react.

She soon noticed my reaction and burst out laughing even harder that my cheeks might have gone a little redder.

Calming down a little she said, "I suppose this isn't how you expected me to react, did you? Things have been so tense recently that I barely got some free time. Besides what you said was funny. A monster? Surely a monster wouldn't save three people and travel with them for weeks without eating them alive,"

"I suppose there is truth to it," I replied, feeling the embarrassment disappear from my cheeks.

"But I must say you are really funny. Who in their right mind fights with the host who is kindly letting them stay?" She winked.

"You know?" I replied.

"Of course I do. Clovia, that girl is such a chatterbox. I feel like she likes me as well. Tell me what do you think about Kaius's power? Isn't it interesting? I had the opportunity of witnessing it when he was younger. That was indeed a sight to behold," She said.

"I agree. Although the spar ended rather quickly as he was much stronger than I am currently his chaos magic is indeed very fascinating. I hope I get to learn more about it in the future," I replied, thinking back to last night and our fight.

"That said did he brief you on the necessary things?" She asked.

"He has but there is something that I am rather curious about," I said.

"Go ahead. I will answer as long as it's not something confidential," She said.

"I have learned that Sirius leads team 11. They were sent to the forest of Zoria to retrieve heart shards from the dungeon but for what reason?" I asked the question that's been plaguing me for quite a while now.

She gave a thoughtful look and said, "How much do you know about the pillars?"

"That they protect the people of Xavier from the monsters?"

"Yes. These pillars were first established by our ancestors back when the curse was placed on Xavier. From that point to today, these pillars have been protecting us from the beasts. Well except for that one time." She explained but her mode turned a little sour at the end.

"That one time?" I echoed her words.

"There was a tragic incident around seven years ago. Until that day nobody suspected that such a thing could ever happen. The pillar located at a village called Mellburn had a defect and as a result, the Bondor signatures of all the civilians were leaked. Hundreds of monsters sensed that and attacked the village, tearing everything thing to shreds. The majority of the people from there are dead with only bones to be found. I hadn't been there but anyone could tell what a hellish sight that was," She expressed sorrowfully.

"I see. Does that mean heart shard is meant for the pillars?" I asked.

"Yes. After that incident, the council started sending experts regularly to inspect all the pillars to see if there was a defect. One of the latest check-ups has found that one of the pillars to the north has a few problems. The heart shard is necessary to solve that issue. I, myself am not involved in that so I can't tell you more than that," She replied, looking at the distance for a moment and then turning back to me. "Anyways, aren't you curious what the council has decided for you?"

"I am but Kaius told me last night that no decision has been taken yet," I replied, confused.

"Lord Leader has decided that there will be a council meeting held three days from now with all the council members present. There will be a few agendas discussed there and yours will be at the end once everything important has been closed. The council will hold an anonymous vote to decide your fate," She said with a smile.

"So, Lord Leader decided to let the council members know. This way more pressure is on me to reveal more information so that the voting is in my favour. Am I wrong, my lady?" I asked, a little annoyed at the thought.

"Yes, you are. But there is more. We don't what you are truly capable of. Sure, team 11 has testified that you are Rank 1: Mystery Weaver but for all we know there might be an artifact in the outside world that allows one to fake their ranks. Tell me would you trust such a person if you were in our shoes? Certainly not,"

"We need the knowledge that you possess and you need our help to learn more about this place so that you can figure out a way to leave this place, at least that's what I hope is the case. What we want is an equal partnership where we help each other to achieve our mutual goals. My father will keep up to his words as long as you do, Zareth," She finished, her eyes stern and confident.

Everything she said, I sort of agreed but that didn't mean I trusted her completely. There was more to be judged.

"I understand," I nodded. "But how do you propose I turn the voting in my favor? Surely, you don't suggest that I watch my fate being sealed without doing anything," I asked.

"Now that would be an incredible sight," She coughed at my gaze and continued. "But no. I will see at my side that my men vote in your favor and from the look of it, Kaius intends to support you too. That left us to Lord Grumbell, whose opinion will be very important to you. He is the oldest council member and this allowed him a very respectable position in the council. Many of the other members would gladly follow his lead. I'm sure you are getting what I am trying to say," Lady Aria said.

"So if this Lord Grumbell is convinced then it's pretty much my victory? But will I be able to convince him? What kind of person is he even?" I asked, not properly thinking my words.

"Can't say anything for sure. But I want to ask you something. How much do you remember about the outside world?" She asked, looking at my eyes and for a moment I felt her body being a little tense as if she was bracing herself for an attack to come.

This time I didn't lie. "Most of it."

My words seemed to calm her tensed body as she leaned back slightly.

"I see," She mumbled.

"Wait, you aren't angry that I lied to everyone all this time?" I asked confused.

"No. It was quite natural for you to lie about it. And it doesn't change our decision. We still want an equal partnership,"