Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Arrival
Vol 1 is approaching its end.
Another timeskip is coming
Don't forget those power stones!
*
"The hell? Why would I want to grind anything?", Roselia retorted.
"Tsk, tsk. That's where you are wrong Rose. You see, the Grind. Once you have started it, it never ends. It started a year ago for me. It is questionable why Father would start training a two year old though...", I inwardly retorted.
"Umu. Your father is an extraordinary man. One that makes me question his mortality. Have you ever spoke of your secret with him?" Roselia decided to ask.
"Not directly. But knowing his caliber, he likely knows something.", I guessed. "But even if he knows, he has been protecting me. I truly see Giliath as my father now. It took some time to accept the fact I'm now here.", I answered Roselia.
"Acceptance is a good thing. You may have lived a life of another, but you are present here now. Even that Quest from earlier showed you accepted me as your master.", Roselia replied with a grin.
"Yeah Yeah, I guess there is no better to learn magic than from you, Rose.", I said, shrugging.
"Since that is the case, how do you feel now that you've entered a meditative state for the first time?", Roselia asked, shifting her eyes toward me.
"Now that you've mentioned it...I feel extremely calm now, as if any worry that I've had has been washed away. Almost serene, I take it?", I responded in wonder.
"That's a good sign. Using Meditate can also ease the nerves, but most importantly it can used to help you improve your Mana. But we've not reached that part yet. You cannot properly direct the flow of Mana until your Mana Care has been formed.", Roselia explained.
"Is that what this unique warmth I'm feeling is? It's like I can feel it all around me, but I'm unable to get a proper read on it...". I said, continuing to wonder.
"Hoh? As expected of a vessel. Your senses are already keen as it is, or is it perhaps the Vermillion Knight's power is as such? Well, it's not the first time I've assisted someone as a Guide.", Roselia responded.
"Right. You've guided others, haven't you?", I asked.
"Umu. I've helped that brat Dreichels become the Awakener of Valimar. Not to mention guiding Lianne to become the Awakener of Agreion. I even helped guide that Arnor pup to become the Awakener of Testa-Rossa. Your senior in a sense. But that last one was well over five hundred years ago. Testa-Rossa hasn't found a new Awakener since. Not until you came along, Naoto.", Roselia explained, causing me to blink at her.
"Was it alright for you to tell me this?", I asked, questioning her.
"You've shared me your secrets, so it's only proper I share some of mine. But most of what I've said you know already.", Roselia answered.
"The concept of equivalent exchange eh? I like it.", I said with a smile.
"With that said, you've been maintaining the breathing pattern I've taught you. Do you feel any discomfort?", Roselia asked.
"None.", I answered.
"Good. While I do wish to proceed with forming your Mana Core right here and now, it would not sit well to do so. It will be more effective once we arrive at the Palace. That is where Mana will be most effective. It is good the Palace sits on top of a Spirit Vein.", Roselia explained.
"I see. So you can tell where these Spirit Veins are?", I asked.
"That's right. They are the very essences of the magic we know. Given enough training, you too well be able to locate where Spirit Veins are.", Roselia said, causing anticipation to appear in my eyes.
"I look forward to the day of that happening. It does make sense Heimdallr has an active Spirit Vein, since it's one of the testing grounds, right?", I asked.
"That's right. For now, we'll just continue our meditation.", Roselia answered.
"Got it.", I said, inwardly nodding.
After I finished saying that, I continued to match my breathing to Roselia's as we sat cross-legged on this fast moving orbal car. To be honest I thought this wind would cause a much bigger distraction, but it didn't at all. In fact I barely heard the noise the wind cutting through the air was causing...
Yet behind me was another spectacle. A pretty fifteen year old silver haired girl dressed in a thors military academy uniform could be seen wide eyed as she continued to observe us.
"This is unbelievable...How could these two suddenly enter meditation with all of these distractions? Heck, is this even meditation? This blueish aura...",, Aurelia asked.
That was right, the light Roselia released right now made its way over to my body, but I was unaware of what was going on the outside since my eyes were closed.
"And yet it's strangely calming...", Aurelia continued to say. "This little girl did say there is something to learn from this, does magic really exist...?", Aurelia continued to wonder.
However, to not disturb us, Aurelia decided to remain quiet and continued sit cross-legged behind us.
Like this, the remaining thirty minutes passed by uneventfully. That is, until we arrived at the eastern gate of Heimdallr. A dull pressure started to nag at me, causing me to suddenly exit my meditation.
Looking off to the right passed the the gate, I saw a lone figure walking casually with their hands in their pockets. A lit cigarette could be seen in their mouth.
Time seemed to have slowed down considerably, as if this moment entered slow motion. I was able to match eyes with this figure. It was obvious this figure felt this, and easily locked their eyes with mine. They revealed a smile as they saw me.
"Hey now, ain't this interestin'?", The figure asked. As if a thunderous boom struck my mind, I wasn't able to respond, but I could tell they were able see me clearly.
Unfortunately this moment only lasted briefly, and it ended after the secret agent flashed their id at the several guards stationed. Sure enough there were more guards stationed around than before. The moment they saw Prince Eugent's insignia, they scrambled a bit after seeing their crown prince return.
They did want to question why there were three people on the car's roof, but the secret agent quickly silenced them by saying we were pressed for time.
But I couldn't help but feel insecure seeing that previous person who appeared to be a middle aged man. From what I could tell they were casually walking away from the gate. Perhaps this person couldn't enter.
"Is something the matter, Naoto?", Roselia asked me curiously. She opened her eyes seeing our meditation session come to an abrupt halt.
"I felt like I just saw something that I shouldn't have seen...", I responded, unsure
That fellow just now...
He was the active leader of the Zephyr jaeger corps, wasn't he? Rutger Claussell...
Did he think the capital of Erebonia was his backyard to walk around or something? What exactly was he doing here of all places?
And yet, even after our arrival into Heimdallr...
Sure enough it was Rutger who could be seen hanging around the eastern gate, out of sight.
"Heh, I guess even an ogre can appear on time eh?", Rutger said, staring into the shadows as a couple figures arrive, all of them sporting the same red hair. Among them was a youthful boy, but his eyes showed no sign of life. He appeared to be no more than six years old.
"Anywhere money goes, I follow, as they say. But I must say, our contractor this time is rather devious, aren't they? A plan like this which won't happen for a couple more years. Something big must be going on.", A deeper yet wild voice reached Rutger's ears.
"Enough to where even Zephyr and the Red Constellation is enough to fight for the bid. I can't help but imagine the outcome.", Rutger said, taking a puff of his cigarette.
"Heh, there will be a battlefield. That I am certain.", The other figure said. This other figure appeared to be a middle aged man with wild red hair. His height was tall, almost as if he was an ogre himself. And yet, Rutger shifted his eyes to the redhaired boy beside the ogre-like man.
"I see you got some fresh blood in the making as well.", Rutger said, looking at the red-haired boy.
"Heh, that's right. The kid's the son of the War God. He left his training to me, the Red Ogre. Why don't you introduce yourself to the Jaeger King? You may find yourself clashing against the Zephyrs in the future.", The Red Ogre said, introducing the boy to Rutger.
Shifting his eyes downward, the Red Ogre didn't see the boy react. He then slapped his back a bit, causing the boy to approach Rutger.
"Randy. Randy Orlando.", The boy said, finally introducing himself. He only simply spoke that as his dead eyes showed no emotion.
*
Shirley is only one year old right now.
o.o
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aht
Aht Don't forget those power stones. It's a new week!
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