22 Affinity and Talent

After a while, i went back to Everard's store. When i arrived at the front door. I noticed that Everard was talking to someone, i could not see the person's face, because their back is facing my direction. But i could only speculate, it is a woman.

The main reason was, the long hair and feminine features the person have. I decided to quietly walk inside the store, so that their conversation would not be disturbed. Still, both of them noticed me walking inside.

When the person turned around to see who it was that walked inside. My speculation's were right, it was indeed a woman. She had a very narrow and sharp jawline, her skin tone pale like snow, long and sharp nose, her hair was on the darker side with brown strips going down to the tip.

"Who is he?"

"That is my apprentice, he came inside my to work here in my shop"

Everard said in a enthusiastic manner, i could tell that the lady was checking me out. Probably to see if i am trustworthy or not, it was showing on her face. Also, i did not recall being Everard's apprentice....i thought i was only a staff here? Not an apprentice....i wonder why he said that?

"What is your name?"

The lady asked with authority, and demanded me to tell my name. I was a bit intimidated by her, i looked at her stats....

CITRA

LEVEL 50

MAGE OF THE MYSTIC DARK ARTS

I did not expect to have a higher level than Everard, and also why can i see her title and not Everard? I tried to see Everard's title again, but it was the same, there are only three question mark written as his title...

"It is Alexander, nice to meet you"

She had this look of approval on her face, she walked towards my direction. She proceeded to touch my face, down to my chest. I was weirded out, so i leaned backward a little, because i do not like someone touching me.

I could see a small grin forming on her face....

"Alexander? That is a fancy name, something a nobel have...."

I sense weird vibes on her, then she walked back to the counter and said to Everard.....

"I like that one....can i take him?"

Everard denied her request, he acted like it was an usual thing she always ask. Everard gestured saying "come here" i proceeded to do so. He placed his hand on my shoulder and introduced me to Citra, i already know her name, but i did not say anything because it would raise suspicion towards me....

"This is Citra, she is a mage that involves dark magic. Which explains her weird antics, we fought together a long time ago, and this is her first visit for several years. She might be intimidating, cause she is. But most of the time she does not mean any harm, just make sure you do not provoke her or else..."

She slid her index finger on her neck, clearly saying "i will kill you" which i do not doubt her on doing. After all she has a higher level than Everard, that alone is telling that i should respect her. I should to both of them, and probably the best thing to do in this situation.

They then continued their conversation, i was left out on the side. I did not any place to meddle in their conversation, besides they were talking about the past. Not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation, i grabbed a broom and started to sweep the floor.

I did not have anything to do, nor anywhere to go other than inside the store and the tree. I decided to clean, also there were dust and dirt present. After a while, i heared them talking about the sword that had dark energy emitting inside.

Everard grabbed the sword, and Citra was complementing the dark energy inside the sword. Then Everard mentioned me, saying that i can sense the dark energy thag is being emitted inside the sword. She was surprised, or perhaps shocked that someone can sense the dark energy inside the sword.

Everard called me, and Citra was glaring at me, pointing daggers towards me.

"Who are you?"

She became hostile towards me, almost as if i was an enemy to her. Everard descelated the situation, and reassured Citra that i am not an enemy. I was confused on why she is acting that way, after all. Is it that big of a deal that i can sense the dark energy being emitted inside the sword?.

Everard read my expression, and knew that i was confused....

"You see Alexander, this sword is forged by several scales of the Hilelit. Which is a dark mystical creature, that appears every hundred years. I happen to get the scales of such monstrous creature, due to the help of several adventurers and Citra was one of them"

Dark mystical creature? I thought to myself....then Everard continued explaining.....

"The Hilelit, when one of their scales or a part of their body is cut off. The energy inside is powerful enough to cause destruction, and normal people that is not associated with dark magic. Cannot sense the energy that is stored inside the scale, or anything that belongs to the Hilelit"

Oh, so that is why Citra became hostile of me. Its because she might have think i was associated with dark magic....

"The people who are associated with such things as dark magic....are dangerous people, that does not want anything other than to cause chaos, resulting to innocent lives being killed"

Citra spoke, and the emotion she portrayed while speaking....was full of hatred and disgust...

"So can you explain why you can sense the dark energy inside this sword?"

Her tone became harsh, and she pointed on the sword....and Everard was also curious on how i can sense the dark energy inside the sword....

I was stuck in a predicament, knowing if i say the wrong things, Citra would not hesitate to kill me.....

".....i do not know myself actually-"

Citra slammed her hand on the counter top and showed hostility. Everard did not falter, when Citra suddenly slammed her hand on the counter top. Instead he also showed signs of hostility....

"....I do not know fhe reason, when i saw the sword, i just sensed a strange energy that is stored inside....."

Seeing how i reacted when i explained myself, both of them were no longer hostile towards me. Instead they were rather relaxed, and the two of them were staring at each other on the eyes...

"Alexander.....you know, a normal person cannot just sense dark energy. Especially the dark energy of a Hilelit...it is just not possible"

Everard explained to me.....

"You have either a talent and affinity with dark magic, or you just happened to sense it....which is a low possibility. Tell me, have you ever tried recalling a dream, that how many times you tried to remember the so called dream, you cannot remember?"

Yeah, something like that had happened to me.....

"Yes, something like that happened to me....but isnt that just how dreams work?"

I asked a curious question to Citra.....

"Not exactly, with a normal dream you can still recall small larts of that dream. The opposite is happening with a dream that associates with dark magic, it is a weird concept. However, i have asked mages who can use dark magic, and their answer are all the same"

Citra then later explained.....

"Dark magic targets the mind, it uses a way to attack psychologically. Although it is not a constant feeling, it often times disrupt your memory by giving you dreams that you cannot possibly recall. I suffer from the same thing, whenever i try to sleep, the dream occurs and it disrupts my sleep"

I was listening in closely, because if that were the case. Then that maybe the reason why i woke up feeling that i was attacked, by something....and felt that i had died inside the dream.

"Everytime i woke up from a dream like that, i always felt like i was killed by something. Is it the same as when you wake up, after having a dream like that?"

Citra nodded and then explained.....

"I do not know the exact reason why that happens, that just had become a normal thing for me to endure. I do not know what happened inside the dream, and i do not know how to prevent it"

If someone like Citra who is a Mage with a high level, cannot explain what is happening inside the drwam. Then it maybe something i cannot also do, after Citra told me that, i had this question i wanted to ask her.....

"So....by what you have explained, that means that i have the possibility of using dark magic?"

She shook her head, then said afterwards....

"Not a possibility, but a talent and affinity on using dark magic"

"What does dark magic do? Can it be used to revive the dead, like a necromancer or a lich?"

Instead of answering my question, Citra instead stood up and walked in front of me. She proceeds to place her hand on my forehead...