Magic Experiment

{Regardless of these matters, I still seek a united empire.}

….

Fryssel found his seat, putting his hands on the table and glancing over the face of everyone present. He knew better to be discreet enough to not be suspected. The man at the head of the table had rough looking beards, sitting like he had a rod in his back.

After a few more people arrived, the man—whom Fryssel had labelled as the convener—said, "Does anyone have anything to report?"

A man raised his hand.

"Go on, Botaz." The convener nodded.

The man grunted. "It didn't work."

The convener frowned, glancing at the other members. "Did you follow the steps in the manual?"

The man, Botaz, nodded. "I followed the instruction carefully but the crystals only dissolved to nothing!"

"He obviously didn't do it well!" another man spoke up, leaning on the table slightly.

"And you would have done a better job, Lien?" Botaz asked, eyes squinted.

"Let's listen first," another said. "Botaz might not have done something wrong."

Botaz recounted how he'd prepared the crystals only for them to dissolve into puffs of smoke. Fryssel had a hard time following their conversation. What were they doing? Were thy experimenting ways to gift magical powers? A sudden sense of anticipation flooded Fryssel.

"Maybe the crystals from the Haklarans can't gift magic?" another person spoke up.

"Is that so, Saura?" Lien snorted. "Then why is the king taking the beasts?"

Fryssel frowned, taken aback.

"It could be something else." Saura said.

"Wait," the convener raised a finger, sweeping his eyes over the group. "Where's Kaa?"

Everyone looked around, Fryssel too. Then, the convener's eyes landed on him and he narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Uh…" Fryssel glanced around, settting his foot down.

"Who recommended you?" the convener asked again.

Fryssel knew he'd been discovered. Pushing himself up, he bolted towards the door. The others cursed, rushing after him amidst shouts. Fryssel's heart raced and his legs carried him in large strides towards the door.

"Stop him!" Botaz shouted. "He's an intruder!"

Fryssel threw himself at the door, pulling it open from the inside and rushing out. The guards outside were stunned for a few seconds before they realised what had happened. They dashed towards Fryssel.

Fryssel's heart burned but he didn't stop. Stopping would mean facing consequences he knew nothing of. He rounded the bend, sliding past a group of people that were passing by. The moment the others rounded that bend, they crashed into the group of people.

Fryssel heaved a sigh, leaning on a side wall. However, his face paled when he noticed that the men were still coming and this time with more anger. Fryssel spun, dashing down the alley again. He emerged from the corner, entering the main street.

People didn't pay attention to him, probably treating him as an unserious boy who was fooling around. Then he bumped into someone. Narene held him up, stopping his fall. Fryssel heaved a sigh; she'd showed up at the perfect time.

"What are you up to?" she asked, observing him.

Fryssel pointed back. "Those men are after me!"

Narene frowned, pulling him behind her and whipping out her metal nugget. The nugget twisted, transforming into her spiked sword. The others might not have noticed this or they didn't care less for they charged at her.

With a swing, Narene tripped the first man then she twisted her body sideways, delivering a blow to Botaz's face. The man fell back, holding his nose. Narene held out her sword at them. "Leave him alone or it won't be my fist you'll get!"

Fryssel had difficulty guessing whether she had won based on raw strength or magic. Regardless, the men did return after cursing for a while. Narene made her sword retract. "What did you do to them?"

Fryssel sighed, shaking his head. "I snuck into their magic gathering and they found out."

Narene gave him a flat look. Fryssel shrunk back, shivering under her intense gaze. "I thought you got an invite?"

He shook his head. "I only heard them talk about it."

Narene sighed. "You should be thankful I had wandered towards this area otherwise you'd be a pile of flesh and bones."

Fryssel rubbed his shoulder, smiling. "I did learn some interesting things though."

"Like how to awaken magic?" Narene asked, her tone oozing mockery.

Fryssel nodded, ignoring her tone. "Yes. It appears they're experimenting with crystals from the Haklarans! And the king has collected a pile of the monsters too!"

Narene sighed, turning to him. "Don't fool yourself. The magical crystals only help to boost magical energy output or in medicinal uses but it can never grant the blessings of magic."

"But Master Sharen awakened magic after birth!"

"He's a special case," she said. "You shouldn't expect that too unless you want to get disappointed."

Fryssel fell silent. Narene's words brought a sudden weight over his shoulders and it crushed him. He wanted to follow in Sharen's footsteps. He wanted to be like him, awakening magic when everyone thought it was impossible.

Despite her words, he felt he still had a shot at doing it. He wouldn't give up. "I get it but I will still try."

Narene nodded. "At least I'll be justified when it all comes crashing down."

"It's not a problem," Fryssel smiled. "Where were you going?"

She tipped her head at a particular direction. "I was going to get someone to spar with me."

"The soldiers?" Fryssel blinked.

"They are the most trained swordsmen here and probably in the entire Ramary. Too bad the Holy Emperor no longer needs sword fighters."

"I think I should tag along as well," Fryssel said. "I want to watch you fight."

"Interested in sword fighting?" she asked with a smile.

"No," Fryssel said, walking beside her. "I just want to watch."

"I might have to teach you some day," Narene smiled. "You might need the skill one day."

He didn't need swords but magic. He wanted magic and nothing could change that. However, Fryssel nodded and followed along with her.