Chapter 36: Gathering

After leaving Ned and his group, Master Will went to Granny's cabin to give the book Ned made for her.

Granny was surprised that it wasn't a day after Ned left, but he already finished the book.

Master Will helped Granny in treating patients since he knew some tier-one healing spells.

Hours after their treatments, and with small talk, Master Will left.

It was almost midnight when Master Will arrived at a forest, south of O'rriadt. The smell of wet leaves spread the place, barks are moist, some dew dropped off the leaves, and the sound of midnight insects entertained the forest.

Master Will leaned on a tree, the shaft of the moon hit his face, and a blank look revealed itself. Deep thoughts as always, as if he had been thinking all the things he has done his past life.

Not long after, leaves rattled. Master Will heard a whizzing sound coming from behind. It was McGreedy. Looking pale, nervous, and doubtful.

"As always, never late," looking at Master Will with recognition. McGreedy shook the leaves that rested his shoulder.

Master Will pulled a scroll out of his hunting pocket and injected Mana into it. The dark surrounding was lit by the light coming from Master Will's energy. He raised the blank scroll and seconds later, writings appeared. It read, 'Owed'. "What's this?"

McGreedy wasn't shaken at all, for the scroll was his. "I owed you big time, that's what it is."

McGreedy was alone, he even wore plain clothes, and a hood made of rag that covered entirely his face. It was to hide from others who might recognize him. Especially the town guards.

Master Will turned around, ready to leave, without saying a single word after he heard McGreedy's reason.

"Wait!" McGreedy's face puffed, waving his hand trying to stop Master Will. "Will, wait."

"I'll ask you again," Master Will throw the scroll right in front of McGreedy. "What's this?"

The town Lord retrieve the scroll off the ground and stared it blankly for a moment. "The Organization." He whispered, his lips trembled, trying not to say too loud, enough for Master Will to hear.

Hearing McGreedy, Master Will turned around facing an old acquaintance with curiosity. "What do they want?"

"No, it's what they need."

"Tell me everything."

The same time, not far from them, inside the town hall. People were gathered to welcome the new participants that passed the Selection.

Inside the circular room, pillars stood resembling an old forgotten Greek architecture. The walls were engraved ludicrously, raising suspicion as to where McGreedy took all the resources to make such room. The roof was made of stone, painted with an enormous tree that holds seven globes. The globes were attached to a vine, and each globe was represented by many different races. Human face in the middle, magical creature besides the human globe, at the topmost part of the tree, another human face was painted, but slightly vicious than the humans in the middle. And each globe was connected by some sort of threads.

In the middle of the room was a vacant space, and the food was lined at the side most of the room.

Ahead was a long table, prepared for the selected person only. In the middle sat Sir Edwin, vacancy welcomed his sides. Mage Park was gone for almost two days, while McGreedy was nowhere to be found. Next to Mage Park's seat was Allaina, looking pretty decent as always. Next to her was a lady almost chubby, she chews meat and drank some juice from time to time.

Allaina was looking straight ahead, where Ned and his group were arguing with the Wereman Greg.

"So it was you," Ned gripped his sword. "You almost killed him."

Greg's eyes widened out of shock. He made sure that his target, Xi, was killed. For a second he thought deeply. Moving on, he showed a face of discontent. Retracting his shocked eyes, he whispered to Ned again. "I don't know what he did, but next time, I'll make sure he'll die," he smiled warily.

"And I'll make sure you won't," Ned said, half drawing his sword.

Toni and Naa'ri were confused, as to how the escalation went in too deep between the two.

Naa'ri was about to stop Greg when a voice echoed behind her.

"Hey, hey, that's enough," a kid or a guy said. He's looking like a monk with his outfit. Cleanly shaved head, tiny and small eyes.

He throws an eye on Naa'ri and Toni before he approached Ned and Greg.

Patting both their shoulder, he smiled. "Save it at the academy, in there you can fight to your heart's content."

"Who are you," Greg sneered.

"I'm Jason, who are you?"

"Tsk, leave us, this is none of your concern."

Ned kept silent for a long time, in his head he was trying to simulate how he would dismember Greg, slowly without killing him. Ned wanted to make sure that Greg would suffer.

Greg exposed a part of his Mana, enhancing his body. Soon, muscles started to grow and hair stretched out. Without a warning, he shoved Jason's hands on his shoulder and attacked Ned with a scratch, claws blurred midair.

Looking at Greg, Ned slowly pulled his sword out, he doesn't care anymore, he just wanted Greg. The moment Greg transformed, Ned revealed a smile, he's just waiting for him to attack first. And as Ned predicted, an attack came in.

The blurred claws were hard to discern. But not for Ned, with his keen eyes, he blocked the scratch with the Butterfly. The claws and the sword met, almost an inch away from Ned's face.

"I said that's enough," Jason, who was shoved by Greg, and was trying to stop the two, revealed a condensed aura. Then, energy formed beneath the two, and rock dug up dividing Ned and Greg. Jason revealed a smile towards Naa'ri and Toni. Trying to show off his Terra magic.

But the two, especially Toni, were worried about Ned, that they don't notice the smile given by Jason.

"Enough!" One of the Handler cried.

The fight between Ned and Greg was fast and looked flashy, added with Jason's Terra magic, onlookers thought it would have been an awesome fight.

But for the people in front, especially for Sir Edwin, the fight was nothing but a child's play.

The fight ended, with Ned having a small scratch on his left cheek.

The group was surprised when Jason used a tier-one healing spell 'Heal' to heal Ned's scratch. It was in fact, a Light Magic. The rarest form of magic together with Dark.

People, especially the participants were at awe when they learned that Jason was a Terra and Light Magic-user. Once a light user was discovered, factions from different guilds and organizations will do everything to gain the trusts of the Light user. Luckily, for the Griffith Kingdom, it was Sir Edwin who discovered Jason through Selection.

Not far from them, Allaina saw what had happened, and revealed a faint smile. She stood and walked towards Greg, who was now totally pissed off.

Ned thanked Jason and introduced him to Naa'ri and Toni, with Coco nowhere to be found. Again.

After this, Ned shared what had happened to Xi. Upon learning, Naa'ri was furious with what Greg did. She was furious, but she knew, she can't do anything about it since they were on the same Clan.

This was Ned's first time to join a gathering in a different world. The banquet was filled with food. And drinks, but no wine. Ned would love to try this world's wine. As he loved to drink wine. When he and Kamma explored the earth, they visited a winery in a Sector called Italy. There they tasted a drink that none in the Empire of Sskat could match. Ned accepted the faith between him and Kamma, he already moved on. What's left was now a memory he cherished. He already decided to move on, start a new life, with a new body. A body is given as a second chance. A body and life he will use to explore the world of Earflgard.

After introducing all the participants, sir Edwin left the gathering. With only a handful of Handlers left and Allaina took in charge.

Allaina, was excited, for she had her own agenda regarding the party. After reorganizing the gathering, and with enough time that wasn't enough to be called night. She reformed all the participants. In the middle of the circular room, she stood.

Her armor shined, her swords danced, and her wits flared for she was eager to test the only Hollow that passed the Selection. It was Ned.

Toni saw Allaina staring at Ned even the Gathering has started. She knew, right from the start, that Allaina will never stop until she proved her points to Ned. With a new problem at hand, Toni prepared for the worst. Cause now she knew how to control her Gift. It was to be with someone that she cared deeply. Someone that she wanted to protect. Aside from her little brother, it was none but Ned that took Toni's heart.