The Old Chapel And The Ark's Goal

Say what now?! How could the Valkyrie have the title of an Empress when the second in command was called the High Queen?! I was ecstatic about joining the Arks under the Valkyrie's wings, but I began to think my assumption about the power ranking was far different from reality.

Nonetheless, I smiled back at the Empress. The circle was now back to the first position as I was standing in front of the Headmaster again. All rings were shining brighter directly, with another ring appearing in the middle of the area. The place trembled as the Founders stayed calm.

"We are the Founders of the Arks—a haven for all Mages that hailed from the stars and worlds beyond. We strive to give shelter to those who have lost their homes and hope to those who've lost their way. We may have come from different worlds, but we have a single goal."

"To protect the Mages of this world and to work peacefully with the dwellers of this planet. To not let this world suffer the same fate our worlds became during the Great Noble War. And this is the home that started it all, the Old Chapel," shouted all of the Founders.

The middle circle produced a whirlwind that grew bigger and finally dispersed, leaving me standing there in shock as the six of them smiled. My eyes were as big as they could be, and I was jaw-dropped at the sight of what had occurred. The Old Chapel... It came out from the whirlwind.

That beautiful structure of a Chapel... The lovely glass-stained windows and that rustic old front porch top it off... All came out of nowhere! I know I should be aware of this whimsical power of Magecraft, but this thing was off the charts! Just like my heartbeat and breathing.

"Notice. I am sensing rapid heartbeats and ragged breaths. Shall I make an emergency shutdown?"

No... I'll take a breath. Also, is an 'emergency shutdown' coming from you the same as a 'faint' from a human standpoint? Vania replied with a firm 'yes' before I walked towards the front door of the Old Chapel. The Founders all went into the main building before me.

All but the Valkyrie stood by my side to walk me to the house. I felt so honored and slightly embarrassed. It reminded me of the time I walked my baby brother to school. He was so excited that the stars had aligned for me to get the chance to be there on his first day of school.

And I was in my brother's shoes now. I mumbled a small thank you to the Valkyrie. The way Mavislin reached her hand out to lead me to the house...

"I've invited you to join the Arks, so you may like to stay in the house for a bit. We can get you the guest room. And you'll find that everything within this area is under our command and the Old Chapel is a very cheerful girl. You'll love her!" exclaimed Mavislin, tugging on me.

"Why are you so nice to me? Even back when we first met... Even Raiyen had the sound mind to be hostile with me. I want to know why do you trust me so much," I asked, with all the words spilling out of my mouth without any control.

The Valkyrie halted and looked at me with saddened eyes. I was worried for a bit because she looked like she would cry. But I heaved a sigh of relief when Mavislin continued to speak her mind.

"I don't know what happened to your previous world or how you died. I'm sure it must be painful to wander around this realm without a place to call your own. I felt like that too when I came from my home planet. The feeling of loneliness dwells on your mind the more you wander around."

"I asked my adopted parents to build a haven for wandering Mages like you and me. A place to call home even if the world has turned against them. Did you ask why? It's because of one word. We don't do this to gain any sentiments or praises of goodwill," explained Mavislin.

Her look changed into a hopeful expression coupled with an innocent smile. I was taken aback at how beautiful the Valkyrie looked, and her eyes were filled with passion. It seems like Mavislin had a burning desire to create the Arks from the past trauma she had to suffer through.

"It's because we are kind. Because we have something called compassion pulsating through us. We've lost our homes, and I was at ground zero within the battlefield of my home planet. So I know the feeling of despair and sadness of being alone. The last of your kind."