Two days passed in a blur of relentless training. Edric’s body ached from the countless falls, his muscles screamed from the punishments Aeris put him through yet– he kept pushing forward.
The underground hall became their battlefield, a one sided battle that is…. The fighting ring had new scars- bullet marks, burn marks and the smell of sweat. The walls had cracks, the already rotting furniture were burnt and Edric was laying on the ground. His face was wet from sweat, his breath hard and deep.
It’s the third night, the auction is the day after tomorrow. Edric slumped against the cold stone, thinking of the hell he went through the previous two nights. In his hand he gripped his pistol and his dagger, now steadier and firm.
Was he better than before? Yes, but was he good enough to beat Aeris? Not at all. Five days weren't enough for him to become a master fighter in the least. He knew that , so did Aeris. Instead, he tried his hardest to match his muscle memory, trying to make it more voluntary instead of pure reflex.
The previous two nights followed a set routine- in the night he sparred with Aeris, she gave a good pointer, some mana theory, couple of martial techniques. After Edric is completely exhausted , slum on the floor. She leaves the hall, instructing him to meditate.
Edric didn’t know where she went, but there’s no point asking. He wouldn’t be useful anyway.
In the morning , after some rest. He starts reading books- mostly martial arts books given by Aeris, other books on politics, fiction which were in the study room. Edric wanted to understand more about this world. Especially on the science of mana, the more he read. The more his mind bent on understanding it.
From the way mana flows through a person ,the types of mana, the types within a type of mana and so many categories that made almost no sense and so much sense at the same time.
The theories , proofs, research papers engrossed him. But he couldn’t spend too much time as the next agenda in his routine was collecting intel.
Steps were heard, as Aeris came down from her bedroom. Edric lied on his back on the sofa with a book in his hand. She wore a simple gown that a noblewoman wears and a sun hat.
“Let’s go,” she said, her voice firm as usual .
Together they went on a short stroll in the neighborhood. The whole purpose of this was simple- one for Edric to learn more about etiquette by observing similar noble men and women , two is to understand the underlying situation in the noble district.
They went to cafe’s, libraries , parks and so on. Edrc looked here and there like a lost child, Aeris glared at him to look straight. To others they just looked like a new couple, but Edric had another worry.
This is totally a date, come on Edric focus. You came here to gather intel, just it and no more. He wanted to slap himself but that would have been too weird to do in public.
Trying to distract himself, he focused on his plate ahead. Quick glances on Aeris hoping she didn’t notice.
Idiot Focus. He reassured himself as they exited the restaurant where they were having lunch.
They retraced their path back to the house, the sun about to set. Which means the start of training.
As they were walking back, Edric felt a gaze. His instinct tensed, someone was watching.
He turned his head just slightly— just enough to see a glimpse of a man leaning against a wall by a store, by the way he stood… It was too casual. Too deliberate
Aeris must have noticed too, but she touched his wrist.
She mouthed words without making a sound.“Don’t react”.
They kept walking, but Edric could feel the man follow from a distance. He wasn’t trying to hide it either. Almost like he is playing with them, like he knows he isn’t gonna be harmed.
Edric’s heartbeat quickened. His mind wasn’t ready for this.
Who is he– was he an informant , someone from the Piece? Or worse a bounty hunter?
Whoever it was , it would be troublesome if he followed till the house. Aeris seemed calm on the surface. Edirc mind surfaced with various plans to escape.
Should I use Ghost steps… No , there are people here. Maybe wasting time in a store or… hmm..
Edric didn’t turn back but he could sense it. The follower was gone, almost like he vanished– he turned to look at Aeris. She had a confused yet irritated expression on her face.
Whoever he was, the fact that he left put Edric’s mind at ease. Even though his hunch said he will meet him again.
The man dressed in common garb, seats at a bookstore. Leaning against the table he watches the pair cross the road. A playful grin tugged at the corners of his lips as they disappeared from his line of sight.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“He's finally starting to fit in” he muttered to himself.
He wanted more, but seeing those two act as a couple was entertaining enough. The man kept the book back on the shelf, carrying his long bag. He left the store and turned in the opposite direction from the pair.
Night fell over Magnus.The streets emptied as the noble festivals dwindled and guards patrolled the streets with lamps in their hands. Beneath the city , in the underground hall, Edric stood, pistol raised, sweat dripping from his forehead.
In front of him, Aeris stood there with her saber unsheathed. Unlike Edric she didn’t break a sweat, her stance was relaxed, her gaze was calm. “Again, one last time”. She swung her sword signaling him to attack again. Like she always did.
He straightened his back, rubbed the sweat off from his forehead. Took a fighting stance with his dagger in the front, bent his knees in a position to lunge forward.
Come on, 1..2..3 . He lunges forward with all his might. Then–
*WOOSH* *BOOM*
A loud thud was heard, dust enveloped the stage, Edric stopped mid lunge slipping to his knees. He shifted his gaze to see a staff standing vertical on the ground, it looked familiar. The color, the size and those particular engravings….
“HE HE HE” A chuckle is heard, echoing through the room.
Aeris stance shifted immediately . Her eyes narrowed as she flicked her wrist, her saber glowing under the torch light. She didn’t hesitate - she dashed towards the intruder.
Edric barely registered the figure stepping off the shadow before Aeris was already upon him. The cloaked figure shifted at the last second , narrowly avoiding her strick. With a smooth motion that almost looks like some form of dance, he grabed the staff on the floor and spun it in loose grip.
That calm body language, the staff. Edric had seen it before-“Whoa, hold on-” Edric started but Aeris didn’t listen.
She lunged forward , faster this time. She twisted her body, putting enough wieght on her arms.
The stranger met her attack, effortless parry. The wooden staff clashing against steel with a sharp crack. Each strike of her sabre, he met on the wide side of the blade, causing it to deflect easily.
“Hey hey,” the intruder said, grinning as he hopped back, twirling his staff between his fingers. “I just got here and you're already trying to kill me”
Aeris didn’t respond. Her eyes fixed to kill. She pivoted , blade slicing towards his midsection. He ducked, rolling to the side before springing up with a counterattack aimed at her shoulder. She deflected it with the flat of the saber, her movements sharp and precise.
Edric remained frozen, trying to process the situation. The man’s voice was familiar..
Then it hit him.
“Wait- Kael?”
The man grinned mid parry. “Took you long enough”
Aeris, unfazed by the exchange , moved in for another strike.
“O-Okay stop” Edric moved in between them with his arms raised, “He's not the enemy”
“Move” she ordered coldly. She gave a stare that could burn a hole in his heart.
“No,” Edric said, glancing between them. “He’s a friend… I think. I hope so atleast”
“Ouch, after all we've been together.” Kael frowned comically, fiddling with his staff side to side.
What do you mean? We have known each other for like two days .
Aeris didn’t lower her blade. “I don’t trust him. Nor should you”
“I mean , fair.” Kael admitted shrugging, raising his palms wide open. “ But can we talk before you skewer me?”
A tense silence stretched between them. Aeris grip of her saber tightened- but after a long exhale, she finally stepped back.
Edric sighed in relief . “ Great , now let's all calm down before someone actually gets stabbed.”
Kael smirked. “Yeah, not exactly the warm welcome I expected.”
Aeris shot him a glare. “You were the one sneaking around following us.”
“Observing,” Kael corrected. “Big difference.”
Aeries scoffed but said nothing.
Edric rubbed his temples. “Why are you even here?”
Kael twirled his staff before resting it on his shoulder. “Well, I came here on some business. Saw you two a while back. Figured you two were up to something. Hear about an action, thought I’d check in.”
Edric and Aeris glanced at each other.
Kael's grin widened. “Looks like I was right. But don’t worry, our interests align quite a bit.”
Edirc sighed . “Come on , let's go upstairs.”
—---
The magic lamp was turned on as the three of them sat at the dinner table in Voyc’s house. Edric placed plates and cookies left in the kitchen on the table, hoping it would calm down Aeris. From her constant glare, it was clear that she didn't trust him.
Kael grabbed a cookie, bite it. Arms now behind his head he leaned back. While Aeris sat across him, arms crossed, still watching him like a hawk.
Edric sat between them, feeling very much like a mediator.
Sheesh the tension, could she ease up a bit…
“So,” Kael cocked his head. “Someone, please tell me what exactly you two are planning?”
Aeris didn’t respond immediately. Instead she shifted her gaze to Edric.
He took the cue and exhaled. “Well, something was stolen from us, or should I say someone.”
“Someone?” Kael raised his eyebrow. “So, I guess you're planning to stealing them from the auction.”
“You know about the auction? Wait… whatever . Anyway, not exactly stealing,” he said. “We have like 50 gold. If the stars align we can just buy her.”
“That’s chump change,” Kael replied. Unless you have at least 300 gold, you won't get anything. And that’s the best case scenario.”
“They take money after the auction don’t they,” Edric's eyes twitched.
Kael chuckled, he didn’t need to hear anymore. Based on Edric’s expression he could guess the plan plain as day. “Ambitious or stupid “
Edric leaned forward. “We have some information, but we still don’t know everything . That’s why we've been gathering intel.”
Kael nodded. “So what's the plan?”
“Hold it” Aeris snapped. “You haven’t explained why you're here in the first place?”
“Similar story,” Kael leaned forward. “ Hey Ed, remember how I told you my Father’s a scholar.” Edric nodded. “Somehow his coworkers have gone missing. They took some of my father's work which he spent his entire life working on.”
“What does that have to do with auction?” Aeris said. “They could have been bribed, dead, or in fact were a spy all along..”
“From my sources. A group called the piece took them.” Kael said “ Which I believe is the same as yours. If they were kidnapped, then I can get some clues there. In case they did betray my old man, then I beat the shit out of them and get my Fathers paper.”
Kael leaned back, “Seeing you too here, I thought it would be fun. You know to have some company, before cracking down on a rich man’s party.”
Edric rolled his eyes, “Its dangerous “
“Same thing”
Aeris snared. “You are being reckless.”
Kael shrugged, “Reckless is how I survive.”
Aeris clearly had a retort ready, but Edric cut in before the conversation derailed. “The point is, we need to be smart. We have two days left to prepare.”
Kael nodded, finally serious. “Got it. So what’s my role in all this?”
Edric hesitated. They hadn’t exactly planned for Kael’s involvement, but…
Aeris crossed her arms. “You’ll act as backup.”
Kael blinked. “Backup? That’s boring.”
“We don’t need another frontline fighter,” Aeris said sharply. “We need someone to create distractions if things go south.” she gestured towards him. “Given you unique personality, you're perfect for this job.”
Kael sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. I’ll play along. As long as i can make an entrance.”
Edric exhaled. “Good. Then we meet here tomorrow night to finalize everything.”
Kael grinned. “Looking forward to it.”
Aeris didn’t respond, but the sharp look in her eyes made one thing clear.
She still didn’t trust him.
