Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Rayleigh stepped off a Carriage.
He was greeted by the sight of Lagrange's magnificent walls, towering high and shimmering with magical fortification. They looked reliable, as though they would never be breeched. Lagrange was one of the three capital cities of the kingdom of Avalon. It was nestled amidst rolling hills and gentle slopes, with a river meandering through the heart of the city.
The cities gates were wide open allowing for people go to and from the city with little to no interference from the guards, whom were causally glancing at the people as they talked to each other. Rayleigh was wearing a long hooded robe that hid his face from the view of others, he looked at his feet as he entered the gates to make sure that the guards would not see him.
Rayleigh glanced around the city, remembering the past when his visits here used to be frequent. He went deeper into the city. And saw many things that brought him back to the past in his military days. He could see various knights, clad in silver and blue armour passing by him. The markets were filled with many magical things that usually made country bumpkins gawk in wonder. For example, in one store a broom was sweeping outside but no one was holding and using it and in another books were flying around a man, He someone who made a living selling books to people. Most of the stalls had some sort of floating light or magical items.
As a Magical Kingdom, Avalon was teeming with magic. And Lagrange one of its capital cities was a great example of this. You could see various things floating and flying in the sky, Carriages, people and more. Everywhere you looked, you could see magic usage.
After walking for a while, the city had gotten quieter. Ray had arrived at the residential district. Specifically an affluent one. Even the types of the stores changed here. There was a sort of simplicity to them. Where the stores of the market tried to catch attention. Those of the residential district were minimal, with signages signifying what they were selling.
There was a 2 story building that had a bunch of people waiting in line. It had faded white paint and a cross as its signage. One could see that the people waiting in line seemed to have various afflictions. Ray simply came and joined the line, waiting for a while before it was his turn. The signage above was a blinking light. It would turn red while someone was inside, and turn green when they left. As this was a medical facility actually it was a clinic, it essentially meant that once one got their treatment and left the sign would turn green allowing for the next person to enter the building. And so when it was Ray's turn he entered the building and was met with a spick and span office.
The office was furnished with comfortable seating options for patients, including cushioned chairs or a cosy couch, the seating area was complemented by a small table stocked with magic items and reading materials to help pass the time. There was a desk with a brown haired lady who had a modest amount of make-up. Ray approached her and dropped his hood.
"Identification Please." Asked the lady.
"I don't have one." Said Ray as the lady frowned. 'A human?' the lady thought.
"Name?" she asked inquisitively.
"Arden" responded Ray.
"Surname"
"Smith"
"Okay Mr Smith you understand that without identification your medical services will not be subsidized by the government. And as a result the services may be more expensive?" responded the lady as she glanced at Ray. And ray nodded.
"Alright step in." And with that Ray headed towards the door on the right and entered.
Upon entering, Ray was greeted by soft lighting and soothing colors that promoted a sense of tranquillity. The walls were adorned with informative posters and educational materials. The centrepiece of the room was a well-appointed examination table, draped in fresh linens and equipped with adjustable features for patient comfort. Nearby there was a desk that held essential medical equipment and supplies, neatly organized for easy access. And on the other side of the desk a man with short blue hair was currently scribbling something. His glasses reflecting the paper on the table.
"Just a minute, I'll be with you right now" said the man.
"Take your time." Responded Ray. However with that response the man stopped writing and the pen fell off his fingers. He raised his head to see Ray smiling.
"My Lord." The man hurriedly stood up and approached Ray meaning to bow to him but Ray stopped him.
"There's no need for that among brothers" said Ray as he raised him up. "I need your help."
"But My Lord where have you been, everyone…"
"Please Leylin, we will speak of that later there is something more important." Said Ray as he approached Leylin's medical equipment and took a scalpel.
"What's so important that you would.." As he was talking. He widened his eyes. Surprised by Ray taking his scalpel and making a slice on his arm.
"My Lord what…" he was confused with everything that was happening what shocked him more was that Ray's cut was healing at a visible speed. He was shocked.
"Leylin, I seem to have gained powers." Said Rayleigh.
"How?"
"I don't know, I did some preliminary tests, I have an idea of what I might be but I need irrefutable evidence." Said Ray seriously as he rubbed the spot he had just made a cut. 'I need to know what I'm dealing with.'
"An ability test." Muttered Leylin.
"That's right. An ability test. It's the only way I can now where I stand. And you're the only one I can trust with this." Responded Ray as he sat on one of the chairs. Leylin moved towards one of his tables, and pulled out an orb. This orb looked foggy on the inside but as soon as Leylin held it, it started to glow a bluish color. This was the ability test orb. Depending on who touched it, it would change colors. It would be difficult for one to tell the extent of their powers but with an ability test orb they could get an idea. The only problem was that all orbs were from the government and every test would signal to the government its results & location. A bricked orb was needed to test anonymously and these were expensive. Leylin was one of Ray's trusted friends who had access to resources that allowed him to have one of these.
Leylin brought the orb "You know what the colors mean right?"
"Yes" responded Ray "Blue for Forma's, Red for Alters and Gold for Uniques. And of course if you have no power the orb won't glow."
"Ready?"
"Let's get this over with." Said Ray he was feeling impatient. And so, Leylin gave him the orb. The orb was cold to the touch. He had seen this orb for so many years in the military however he never thought he would be the one getting tested one day.
The orb first glowed red, then blue before finally shining gold. Making both men gasp.
The forma, this was a general term for people who had powers that could affect only their body. A good example of a forma ability is Beast Mimicry. Individuals who could 'transform' into various beasts. Whatever the power it only usually affected the power holder. This was a forma ability. And be extension its users were known as the 'forma'.
The Alters were people who had abilities that were external, and could 'affect or alter' the environment. A good example of an alter ability was someone who had a power to wield fire and hurl it away to burn things. And by extension, these people were known as the 'alters'
A Unique was someone who had a combination of Forma & Alter powers, or put simply these people could affect both themselves and the environment. In the situation where one had the ability to control fire and bend it to his will, they could also turn into a flame and render themselves hard to hit physically. And often time's many Alters were just an enlightenment or an evolutionary step away from being a Unique. However what made Unique's special was that they usually held a great amount of stamina in terms of ability usage and also many had what seemed to be enhanced versions of Alter abilities that's why Fire users of all 3 ability types were not equal. Unique's were simply on the stronger side. This didn't mean that all abilities themselves were equal too. There were plenty weak unique holders out there. However a large number of Unique's are built different.
Rayleigh was surprised. As old as he is, it had been a very long time since something surprised him as much. He felt like he was dreaming. One of the reasons why he left the military was because he was a human. In an environment where 97% of the people had abilities. He faced a lot of disrespect, discrimination regarding his status. Now he had gained abilities too, and a unique one at that, but what was it? And honestly it had come many years too late.
Leylin on the other hand had different thoughts. 'The lord is now a unique, this could be dangerous. In the whole kingdom there is only ever been under a thousand registered Unique's since the inception of the kingdom. Unique's are a rare resource for any kingdom and are the backbone of the country. The army will come sniffing around here.'
"Well, that's that. I must leave." Said Rayleigh. Leylin was broken out of his thoughts. Believing his lord had come to the same conclusion as him.
"Sir…Lord… Where are you going? Where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you." Said Leylin. Rayleigh suddenly resigned his position and disappeared like the wind. Leylin was one of the people who looked for his lord for quite a while before he gave up. Thinking of this, he also felt a bit resentful.
Rayleigh sighed "How long do I have?" 'if I were a normal ability user, they wouldn't have minded this anonymous test. But now this could get complicated' Thought ray.
"That's was a bricked orb. I'd say an hour at best before they start snooping around." Said Leylin. 'Maybe even sooner' he thought to himself.
"There are sick people outside, if I spend too long here it will be problematic for you, we can't talk right now.Is there a good inn around here?"
"East side of the district there is an Inn called the Sleeping Rabbit." Commented Leylin.
Ray nodded and said "Right meet me there at the bar maybe. After work, then we will talk."
Rayleigh got up and left. He tossed a gold coin towards the lady on his way out of the clinic. She was surprised, the services here barely costed as much as a gold coin. She understood she had underestimated him.
Ray left the clinic and quickly went east to find the sleeping rabbit inn.
Elsewhere in the Lagrange city.
Priest like men in long white and blue robes were running around. A few minutes ago they had detected the power of a Unique thanks to the Golden Veil. The golden veil was a kingdom wide defence system that carried out a lot of activities. It housed a spirit that communicated with these people. This organization was known as the Round Table. The round Table dealt with many matters of the kingdom, among these matters the security & defence of the kingdom.
"Where was it detected?" asked an old man. He was standing before what looked like a golden curtain, situated within a large spacious hall. This was the golden Veil system. It shimmered with magic as a monotone voice sounded from it. The voice could be heard all over the room.
"Lagrange, Eastern Region. Residential district."
The old man sighed, "Anywhere specific?" the residential district of Lagrange was home to the middle citizens of this particular city. There were too many places where this could've happened. And it would take too much time searching through that place.
"Unable to identify specific location." Said the Golden Veil.
"Alright." The old man began to walk away from the veil, when one of the workers ran towards him.
"Sir we managed to locate the signal, to somewhere close to the market at the eastern district."
"Good. Do we have anyone operating there?"
"Yes, we have members of the 3rd Division close by. We understand that the captain of the 3rd division is at Lagrange on important business with a noble."
"Slifer? Good let him know."
"Yes sir."
When the worker left. The old man caressed his beard. 'If we can obtain a decent Unique. Even the Elysium kingdom would begin sweating. He smiled in delight.
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