Chapter 649: New Differences

Chapter 649: New Differences

The view was strange. Sitting on the top of the pyramid, Dallion stared at the horizon. The whole area was barren, even more so than the Fallen South. There were no plants, no animals, just rocky valleys and mountains. Maybe in the past it had been full of lush forests similar to the region east of Nerosal. Maybe in centuries it would become just that now that the void matter was gone.

That was the aetherbirds final act before disappearing: it had effectively purified the area, evaporating any remnant of void mattersolid or otherwise. As a result, all that was left of the unusual modern day structures was sky and the occasional pane of glass. Someone could make a fortune by coming here. Sadly, that person wasnt going to be Dallion.

Your friend from the Order sent you a message, Nil said, breaking the silence. Hannah got it for you. Apparently, its a few areas in which Star activity is suspected.

It was a little too late, but Dallion appreciated the gesture. At least there was someone in the Order with whom he was in good relations with.

Anything else? he asked.

Still nothing from Eury, although I do know that shes left Linatol, the old echo continued. She took all her gear, and its not related to a hunt request.

How do you know?

I have my ways, dear boy.

Dallion would have liked to be with her about now. The last few months had made him a realist, though. The best he could hope for was that shed gone to another province. Her relation to him, combined with the fact that she was a hunter, made her a target for either side. The way things were escalating between the countess and the archduke, more and more people were forced to pick sides. Everyone with links to both would be trusted by neither.

Everything will change, wont it?

The sun was setting beneath the horizon, but that wasnt what Dallion was looking at. Now that he had acquired the magic trait, even at such a lot level, made him see the world in a whole different light. Threads and puddles of color were all about, like awakening markers. The line that Aether had left was also present, slowly fading away like magical condensation trails.

Itll take a while getting used to, definitely. Though nothing to worry about.

Nothing to worry about. As Nil had explained, the Academy had a very strict policy when it came to new mages. Anyone with the trait was quickly approached and brought to the Academy, far from everyone else. On a logical level, Dallion could appreciate it. Since the vast majority of mages emerged during awakening, having a child with the ability to destroy buildings wasnt a terribly good idea. Taking them to a place where they could learn without harming themselves or others was a good thing overall, though not always for the people who were sent there. Dallion would have preferred a few weeks, or even days, to get a few things in order. He could have spent the time seeking out Eury, passing by his home village, or even made an attempt to secretly check on Gloria and Falkner. Instead, he was supposed to wait until the mage scouts reached him.

You know what, Dallion stood up. Im done waiting.

Thats not a good idea, dear boy. Making a bad first impression is not how you want to start your days at the Academy.

I wont run. Dallion looked straight up. All seven Moons had gathered. Felygn! he shouted. How about a little help getting me out of here?

Do you really think that will work? Nil asked with a sigh. Youve already been visited by one Moon today.

I dont need him to visit. Just to send Dark over, since Aether didnt bring me back to the known world.

Almost on queue a flash of green lightning ran through the cloudless sky, like a tear in reality. For a fraction of a second, the rip widened in one spot, allowing a green dragon to emerge.

Dallion took a step back. This wasnt his first time seeing a dragon. Dark, in particular, had spent quite some time with him, learning how to combat split properly. However, looking at a dragon through the eyes of magic was incomparable. The entire creature was glowing, created out of billions green threads of aether that encompassed his entire body. This was the difference between magic creatures and everything else. Normal creatures, even those with magical abilities, held the magic threads within them. Beings of pure magic, on the other hand, had the aether surround their physical bodies, making them seem at far larger. In this case, Dark was the size of his father.

Is that how mages see dragons?

Pretty much. We just know how to separate between the two, so the aura doesnt dazzle us as much. For sure, its one of the things youll need to get used to.

Sometimes you can be so nave, Dallion thought as he climbed onto the dragons back.

There was a lot more space now, making hanging on a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, Dark didnt mind Dallion grabbing hold of his back scales.

So, where to? Are we going to see Eury? I know where she is.

That was one benefit living in the realm of a Moon: one had the ability to see the entire world. Part of Dallion would have liked that, although he knew that it would be better for everyone if he postponed that. Hed already said everything there was in the message hed sent from Nerosal. Seeing him in his current state, after everything hed done, wasnt the best idea.

No. I just want you to tame me to a spot in the forest, and then Ill tell you where to go afterwards.

Oh, ok. More of the threads darkened with disappointment. The dragon attempted to split and try different conversation approaches with Dallion, but the moment he did, he got a tap on the back, causing the instances to fade away.

Not right now, Dark, Dallion said. Shell understand.

I know. I just thought itll be better for the both of you. Dark stretched his wings, then shot into the air. The speed was impressive, even if it still didnt match what Lux was capable of. From what Dallion gathered, it would be a few hours before he was back to the edge of Wetie province.

Normally, Dark would be quite chatty, given how long it had been since the two had seen each other. However, the dragon could sense that Dallion wasnt in the mood for talking, so it remained silent as well.

The reunification with Lux was an entirely different matter. When Dallion got back to the spot, hed buried his clothes and items, there was no stopping the firebird. Although Lux had been with Dallion when they had fought both the cultists and the Star himself, the familiar behaved as if theyd been miles apart. The entire time Dallion switched from what was left of the cultists clothes to his own, Lux kept on chirping, seeping compliments and asking questions. In the end it was Nox who had stepped in, growling at the firebird to cool it a little.

Once he was ready, and all his previous possessions were with him again, Dallion climbed on Darks back once more. This was going to be his final flight with the dragon, possibly for quite a while.

It was agreed that Dark would drop off Dallion several dozen miles from the mage village. Dragons and mages didnt mix well, so having them keep their distance from one another was a preferable solution.

The farewell was very respectful. Dark all but bowed in a display of respectno doubt something he had seen watching someone from the Moons realmthen turned around and flew off.

Do you think hes grown? Dallion asked, watching the dragon disappear into the sky.

If you have to ask yourself, then the answer is yes. I ask myself the same thing when I look at you.

Yeah. As much as Dallion had progressed, he still felt he hadnt grown as much as he wanted.

I know nows not the best time, but let me give you a few pieces of advice. For starters, forget all problems youve had so far. The countess, the archduke, even the order cant touch you now. The moment you walk into the mage village, youll be subject to a new set of rules.

I gathered as much.

However, theres a catch. No one will be willing to give you a chance. Youll have to put in a lot more effort than before to remain where you are, and twice as much to go forward. The academy also banishes people. Many will try to make you rogue. Dont let them.

I know. Im entering a whole different world and

No, not a different world, just one superimposed over what already exists. Being a mage wont take what youve achieved. Youll still be a hunter, but can even explore items if you wish. The difference is that no one outside the academy can force you. Youre spinning two plates from here on. The truth to surviving and getting what you want is not to let any of them drop.

Thanks, Nil, but Id like to follow my own advice for a while. Dallion went through the forest. He had no idea what changes the magic trait would bring, but he wasnt going to let stop him achieve what he had set his mind on. The fight with the Star had shown him there was a lot more to this world that was hidden. Now that the Star was gone, and he had obtained all seven traits, he was going to find a way to look beneath the surface. And he planned to do so with Euryale by his side.