Each Their Own Paths

"Hold on just a minute!? Where's your part in that plan?" Albatross interrogated, stepping forward and encroaching upon Theodore in her agitation.

"Unfortunately, I won't be leaving with you," said Theodore with an unconcerned tone.

"What do you mean you're not coming? Did something happen?"

Hearing those concerned words, Theodore got rather confused. He didn't think that Albatross would be worried about him. They weren't friends, after all, merely fellow conspirators.

(I suppose she thinks that this might be a trap.)

"I'll be heading underground. There's something I am after down there."

"You mean the Corrupted Domain? I thought other mages will be there too. A whole lot of them."

"I certainly hope a whole lot of them show up, the more the merrier. Easier for you to escape and easier for me to get what I want. The more chaotic it becomes, the more opportunities I'll probably have. At least, I hope so."

"I thought leaving this city *is* what you want."

"It is, but if I don't take this chance, I might not have another opportunity like this again."

"Doesn't that apply to escaping as well!?"

As the conversation went on, Albatross appeared to be getting increasingly upset and Theodore had not a single clue as to why.

"What he is doing is indeed risky and foolhardy even," Kalman chimed in when it seemed like the conversation wasn't going anywhere. "But, there comes a moment when a mage has to take his chances. Theodore, you said the Corrupted Domain is preventing the flow of Aether from reaching the tower, correct? However, you never mentioned what was drawing in Aether from all over the empire, did you? The object you're after, could it be what is causing this phenomenon?"

"You catch on quick, you old fox."

"It hasn't left my mind since you first mentioned it. I am afraid that I am not so old that I would just forget."

"So that's how it is," said Albatross, her once concerned voice turning cold. "I guess you're the same as the other mages, after all. It's all about gaining more power with you people. After all that talk about wanting to leave... Straying behind for something so stupid... Fine! If you want to stay, then stay! This place suits you better anyway!"

"Well, that's uncalled for? What's gotten into you today?"

But Albatross said nothing more. Walking past Theodore, she sunk into the old couch and started sulking. Theodore had noticed that there appeared to be some kind of misunderstanding and thought that he should clear it up, but before he could say anything further, Kalman spoke up again, drawing his attention.

"Fiana, you head into the Cygnus Union as well," said Kalman without warning.

"D-do I have permission to do so? I thought that the usual permits do not allow us to cross the borders of the empire."

"It doesn't, but you'll go regardless, while the rest are distracted."

"But, what for?"

"What for? Well, simply put, I think it's time you find a life of your own."

"F-father!? What are you-"

"Fiana, my daughter, when you were born, I deemed you a failure. I believed that you would never be of use to me, but for what it was worth, your caretaking had made it more comfortable to live these last few years. However, with the final spurt that shall occur within a few days, I will either reach my goal or die trying, in either case, you will no longer be needed. Life is short, as you very well understand, you should live a life that suits you. This city... This city suits you not. Best you leave both it and me behind and start a new life elsewhere while you can."

Those words seemed to have come all too suddenly for Fiana to take it. Flabbergasted, she remained where she stood for several minutes.

"Do... Do you wish me gone, father?" Fiana finally spoke up after a long moment of silence. "Am I getting in the way?"

"You are," said Kalman, lacking any sort of remorse for his cruel words. "You should start preparing. We do not possess the info for when the Archmage will be leaving, but judging from how the other factions are moving, it is likely to be soon. Don't worry about being caught packing either. We already have your permits to leave the city. It shouldn't be odd to see you getting ready."

"Yes... I'll do that..."

Looking as if she had lost her soul, Fiana left the workshop and headed towards the central district. As a master, she has lodging within the tower and she stayed there due to the lack of rooms within Kalman's workshop. Every morning she would travel from the tower to the workshop to prepare breakfast for Kalman and later Theodore. She would return to the tower for work and then back to the workshop by evening to make dinner, heading back to the tower only after it was late into the night to go to bed.

Had it been Theodore, he would have found it too much trouble to bother, but Fiana kept it up for as long as she could remember, all because she wanted to make sure that her father was well taken care of.

"Was it fine to be so harsh?" Theodore asked, concerned.

"It's fine. She won't disobey me. In fact, she can't."

"I see..." Theodore did not like the implications of those words, but he let it slide.

"If there's no other business, then I'll be heading out too. You need someone to keep an eye on the mages, right?" said Albatross before getting off the couch and heading right out, not even sparing Theodore a glance.

With that, only Theodore and Kalman were left, as well as the lingering feeling of melancholy in the air.

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End of Chapter 122

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