Chapter 194: Vanedenis

Chapter 194: Vanedenis

You have reacquainted yourself with the young woman, Lord Juler says.

Meh, big words. We are getting intimate. If theres something more, well find out eventually. Im not getting my hopes up too much. Women, Lord Juler, they are dangerous. They get inside your head. Like some other [Supreme Archmagi], Id say.

The old man raises an eyebrow and curls the corners of his mouth. However, he moves his gaze to the horizon right after. Its dawn. I spent most of the previous day gathering my strength and resting. And, yes, fooling around with Lucinda a little. Im only human, after all. Lord Juler is showing me, from a huge, warded window, the last tower standing in the Nine Towers Academy.

Sziezais was an [Archmage] here. For a while. Im not sure what these Elves know. But I can still feel his magic there. Valarith told me that she tried to enter, but the traps, wards, and monsters over there are extremely dangerous. She almost died. There are numerous suppression spells, and she couldnt even safely teleport herself out.

Its comforting to know that shes not that strong. Would you say shes stronger than you were at your peak?

Lord Juler looks at me, this time with a wide smile.

I come from the greatest generation of [Heroes], and I was the greatest warrior and spellcaster, bar none, Joey Luciani. Do you think that a misguided child would be stronger?

I mean, you were both studying important stuff. And you fangirled a lot, to be honest. Who knows?

I am a shadow of my peak, Joey Luciani. Valarith has made incredible progress on her own, but shes more of a [Scholar] than a warrior. I could have brought down that tower in a day if I had wished so.

So long? Betcha Ill take it down in a minute in a few years, I snort.

I hope I will see that, the man replies, still looking at the tower. Now, his expression has turned somewhat melancholic. Great enemies plague my people, Joey Luciani. Great enemies that even at my peakthey are too strong. And Valarith has uncovered, through painstaking and religious studying, things that deeply unsettle me. Ill need to research, to study. If it were up to me, I would come to see you grow into the strongest [Mage]. And I would try to bring you on Kome to let the rest of my family see how a [Mage] should fight. Im sure I could even arrange a marriage with a woman that would throw herself in flames for you. But I know your heart is still not set, is it?

The deep talk that suddenly spurted out of Lord Juler has me reeling. It honestly hits differently when an old man goes a bit sentimental on you. Theres no denying the Freudian principles of paternal figures here. The man in front of me is the person who kept me sane for so long.

Im sure that fate will bring me to see your people, Lord Juler.

Foolish disciple... my people are dying. Maybe they have already died. Even Valarith is but a shadow of greatness. And this is not by chance but by design. I've already said enough; let me speak no more of it.

Am I worth it? Am I worth saving? Did they not come because I am not worth it?

Am I the problem? What was I supposed to have done to be loved enough for them to help me or even just protest?

Lord Juler, I have one question before I make the decision. Its going to sound really stupid; I know. But I need an answer.

Go ahead, Joey Luciani.

If the Vanedenis had seen what happened in the arena, what would have happened? If I had found friends among the Vanedenis, would they have helped me? Would they have jumped in the arena for me?

Lord Juler looks at me, knowing Im just looking for a place to belong.

If you became one of my people, Joey Luciani? Is that the question? Would the Vanedenis jump in the arena for one of theirs?

I mean, can I even be one of you? Isnt that given by blood?

Lord Juler snorts and shakes his head.

We dont believe in silly things, Joey Luciani. If you have the spirit of a Vanedeni, you are one. We have exiled and excised the dry branches. We are losing the war against the Ahali because of our declining and partially extinguished spirit that was the priceless thing about us. So, are you asking me, if you proved to be worthy of my people and bonded with some of them, would they jump in front of an [Archmage] to protect you? Is that the question?

Yes.

If you were a Vanedeni or even just a friend of my people, Lord Juler turns to me, staring dead in the eyes, they wouldnt jump.

I sigh, ready to resign myself to a mediocre life

They would raze this entire Nation to the ground.