Seo Jiwoo

  Our conversation drifted into more political suggestions—until I saw the bright rays outside turn a more dull shade of gold-orange—about how the agenda between the other races would be brought up, and how I was thinking of adhering to these points.

  There were some points that Ramus corrected me on, politely suggesting a better approach to take care of the entourage of elders in this world. His points were important for the plans I had in mind, because, even if they made the decision, they still needed the backing from the other elders that were appointed to the respective positions adhering to their different aspects and military factions.

  Mordian supported me on this topic, bringing up his own qualms, knowing well that the elves and dwarfs didn’t see well of the humans—even if I’d come to get the orcen factions’ support somehow, there was still so much to be done. This was a fact I’d observed so far since coming into contact with their kind.

  We’d first have to deal with that prejudice—that deeply rooted, racist mind-set. I couldn’t completely sway them with facts or a fancy speech. They’d need something tangible. Proof. Something they could feel in their bones before any real conviction could take root.

  Ramus adjusted in his seat, leaning deeper. “Everything you told me is brilliant and a very well thought up strategy for future objectives. But,” Ramus paused for a heartbeat, I could see his brows twitch, slightly hesitant. “Blindly believing doesn’t change anything.”

  I breathed, knowing what to expect. “I know, and I understand. No one wants to blindly jump into an alliance that would come to bite their own tail. But, you can’t say there is no risk in anything we do. The ramifications are like a ticking bomb, ready to burst and engulf everything, to bring either utter chaos or...hope.” I crossed my legs, clasping my hands over my knee.

  I looked above at the ceiling, the intricate carvings of the study still preserved their charm. I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking of activating Ruler’s Authority to speed run all of the scenarios and possibilities I could, but, I dared not to. It was simple.

  I would need to present my point in front of an entire group of elves, hoping to convince them with as minimum opposition on my side.

  It would be tough...but, yet again, was anything in my life ever easy.

  I straightened my head, looking determined, sharing an understanding glance with Ramus.

  “Everything we have discussed just now would do. I trust that the next we get together will be with the council.” I stated, there was no hesitation in my tone, only conviction.

  “I will try to support your notion as much as I can. But, in the end, it will be upon yourself to convince those old fashioned elves.” Ramus said, adding a wry smirk at the end.

  I shared his expression, taking the last of the liquor left in my glass and downing it. The lukewarm liquid washed down my throat and kicked my body into gear, but relaxed me.

  Ramus relaxed further into his seat, the old leather clung to his robes. “I think we should end it here for today. I have taken most your time. And...if I don’t now, Aurora might get irritated at me for keeping her friends entirely to myself.”

  I nodded, “yeah, I was just looking for a break. But, I guess, I can’t get one with a certain princess being on my back.”

  That got a laugh out of the old elf. He brushed his hand through his beard, his aged eyes returning to that same collective and caring demeanour as our meeting came to an end.

  Ramus turned to look at the empty glasses. “You two really held your tolerance. I might have started getting tipsy if I had another glass right after the end of our game.” His laughter rang out, tone old and charming. “You both seem fine. I guess, my days have finally caught up to me. Seems like I’m getting outmatched—both in strategy and in the one thing I’ve prided myself on since I was young.”

  “Really?” I rose a brow in question. “But, I have a different belief. My master told me once: that a blade only gets sharpener the more battlefields it has seen. Same with a mind, struggle and temper.”

  Ramus nodded once, his lips parted slightly. “Truly, words of wisdom.”

  For now, this was enough. I slowly rose, bowing my head in respect. Ramus stood himself, fetching something from his dimensional artifact resting over his thumb.

  A silk pouch manifested over his palm, it wasn’t bulging, but still adequately filled, he moved his hand and I heard the clank of metal hitting metal.

  Without a moment wasted, I rose a brow in confusion, not knowing what he was thinking. “What’s this?”

  “Let’s just say, I lost a bet on a friendly game of imperial quarrel.” Ramus said, handing me the pouch, I took it reluctantly. “You don’t have any currency used in this world. I don’t think you will get to enjoy the festival with an empty pocket, and more or less with a certain princess on your back.” He winked at me, a grin palpable over his face.

  I replaced his expression, knowing what he was getting at. It would indeed be the festival in three days, but also, Aurora’s birthday.

  I gave him a knowing look. “Well, why don’t we play imperial quarrel more often? I wouldn’t mind stealing your fortune.” My smile widened, storing the precious coins he had given me.

  “I might have to try harder next time.” He replied.

  After our conversation, we bid farewell to Elder Ramus and exited his study, walking a good distance, Mordian was by my side, quiet as usual. We came near a window, reflected with the rays from outside. The scenery painting the outside was almost too peaceful.

  The castle ground, the capital outside, the trees growing in line like some formation of nature.

  “What are you thinking?” I said aloud, not speaking telepathically for once.

  Mordian turned to me, his vertically slit pupils turned in my direction, eyes burning like molten gold with a hint of iridescent mixed together.

  Mordian’s expression hardly had any change before me spoke. “Just that...I no longer have a race to call my own. That’s what I thought, but, I believe, even if the dragons have ceased to exist I can still play my part in helping you save yours.”

  His voice trailed into the gust of wind flowing right past us.

  He was right. Mordian was my partner, someone I trusted with my very life. And, without him, I don’t think I would be able to do all this.

  A knowing smile overcame my face as I tilted my head. “Oh, has the brooding, nonchalant dragon lord’s heart finally softened?” My smile widened out of habit. “Now that’s what I call character development.”

  Mordian stayed quiet, no rebuttal to my joke. No grimace or glare.

  We shared a knowing moment in this peace and quiet, looking outside the window.

  But, it didn’t last long before we heard footsteps approach in our direction. We weren’t that far from Ramus’s study, and it had only been a few minutes seen we parted ways.

  I turned my head, and there I saw an elven maid, dressed in her formal working attire, dull golden hair neatly combed and tied into a braid.

  Her hands were clasped—one over the other just above her hips—, a bow gracing her charming but mature face that exuded discipline. “Lord Jiwoo, I was ordered by His Majesty, King Silverlight, to inform you that he seeks your audience in his private chambers.” Her eyes bobbed upwards at me, not daring to turn to Mordian. She looked reluctant to even glance at the dragon standing by my side. “Preferably, only you.”

  She added, and I looked at Mordian, who didn’t show any interest in the summoning.

  Well, today was turning hectic, one thing after the other the moment we arrived back.

  Holy shit! Well, no reason crying over things I can’t control. I knew I’d have to come face to face with Neil at some point, but if he was calling for me this early and on his own accord, then, I wouldn’t what to find any excuses to do so later.

  I nodded, communicating with my bond through my mind, he said he’d go to Aurora and wait for me until I was done with everything Neil had to say.

  I thanked, genuinely, for his understanding.

  I turned to the maid, asking where Aurora was. She swiftly replied that she was in the garden with Elder Camus and Lady Ariem.

  Soon after we parted ways, Mordian went his own way to find Aurora where the maid that just pointed and I followed her from behind.

  She stayed quiet along the way, not one word, just our boots clicking against the hard cobblestone floor. After a good walk, we arrived outside Neil’s quarters, a shining wooden doors, intricate pattern carved over it.

  The maid stopped, knocking on the door and announcing my arrival from outside, a masculine voice rang from the inside immediately, it seemed rushed somehow.

  The maid took hold of the handle and opened the door.

  It was strange enough to be summoned by the elven king. Stranger still was being invited into his private quarters. I remembered clearly how both of us had parted ways on bad—no, that would be an understatement to what happened, bitter terms would be better.

  Well, I did stand up to a king, disrespected him, and almost handicapped his royal guard. If I was one of his subjects, he could’ve already had me executed for my unfaithfulness against the throne.

  As I veered myself in, my mind kept flipping through the possibilities of what he could want. And when I saw him, pacing and casting glances at me that he probably thought were welcoming, I braced myself for…whatever this was about to be.

  “Ah… Jiwoo,” Neil began, his voice lighter than I’d ever heard it, and just a touch hesitant. “Thank you for…joining me. I hope I didn’t intrude you right after your discussion with my father. I thought we might speak in a more…informal setting.”

  I nodded, watching him closely. He was oddly stiff, almost nervous, which threw me off more than I’d ever admit. Neil, the elven king, was trying to look friendly—smiling, even. And not just with his usual formality, but in an uncharacteristically…awkward way.

  “Right,” I said, maintaining my usual calm mask as he poured me a drink. I accepted it, glancing at the clear liquid and then back at him with a half-smile, he settled himself across from me. “I didn’t think I’d see this side of you, Your Majesty. Should I be worried?”

  He stilled, and I almost thought I’d broken him with the joke, but he let out a forced chuckle, shaking his head. “There’s no need to be nervous. I’m just…trying to be hospitable.”

  If I hadn’t known better, I would have sworn I saw a flicker of embarrassment. Maybe even...hesitation? Somehow, it was the most unnerving thing I’d seen all day.

  “Of course,” I said smoothly, allowing a small smile to touch my lips. “You’re an excellent host. I’ll be sure to keep my guard up.” I intended to claw deeper at his notice, but he didn’t give me the ground to do.

  A strange silence fell between us, but just as I was about to let him know he didn’t have to try so hard, his face grew solemn. All the awkwardness vanished in an instant.

  When he finally spoke, his voice came out quieter than usual. “Jiwoo,” he began, his tone unexpectedly hesitant, “before we go any further…I wanted to apologize.”

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  That caught me off guard. Apologies didn’t come easily to rulers. What the hell was happening? I collected myself and met his gaze, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise. “For what, exactly?”

  His lips twitched, as if he wasn’t quite sure how to word it. “I…I’ve been rather unkind to you,” he admitted, looking slightly uncomfortable. “I judged you harshly when we first met. I didn’t fully understand the circumstances, and I…I may have misjudged you. Poorly.”

  I smirked, tilting my glass towards him. “Only a little,” I replied, feigning casualness. “You only implied it like I was a threat to your entire kingdom.”

  A small chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head, staring down at his own glass. “You’re right. I may have let my…assumptions get in the way of seeing you for who you are. I regret that.”

  “Apology accepted,” I said, the hint of a smile on my lips—taking our animosity any further was foolish, and if Neil had come to apologize on his own accord, then, all the better for me. “I’d probably do the same if our roles were reversed.” I took a sip of the elven wine, finding it surprisingly smooth and light for an after drink for dragon’s breath.

  I was drinking a lot today.

  He let out a quiet sigh, seeming to relax a little more. “Thank you,” he murmured, lifting his glass as well. We shared a small toast, the silence between us now feeling less tense, more like the tentative beginning of understanding.

  So, all is in the past. No more glares, or grudges. We are off to a good start.

  After a few more sips, Neil leaned back, his expression turning thoughtful. “I heard you were quite…impressive in the last skirmishes with the demons. In the orcen lands, wasn’t it?”

  I nodded, recalling the bloodshed and chaos of those battles, somehow still fresh in the back of my mind. “Yes. Orcen lands. Their world…” I paused, feeling the bitterness rise at the memory. “It’s been through hell—their people. We may have put an end to their schemes this time...but, I can’t give any assurance for the next.” I said plainly, no emotion in my words, only facts and the crushing weight of reality.

  Neil studied me closely, clearly weighing his words. “They say you defeated an entire battlegroup. None below the Enlightenment Stage. Quite a feat.” There was something like admiration in his voice for a change, a grudging respect that seemed new—almost unheard of from him.

  I was surprised and repulsed for a moment, but hid it perfectly.

  “Yes,” I said with a half-smile, taking another sip. “Let’s just say they weren’t prepared for what I brought to the battlefield. The risks outweighed the odds, but with everything we put on the line, we came out in triumph.”

  He gave a small, impressed nod. “Perhaps. But few could say they’ve faced that level of opposition and walked away. I can see now why Aurora admires you so much.”

  That one surprised me, I felt a sigh coming but held it back. “Aurora admires a lot of things she probably shouldn’t,” I replied dryly. “I’d rather not be another reason she charges into danger.”

  Neil chuckled softly, the awkwardness fading. “You and I might be in agreement there,” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “She has always had a mind of her own. Sometimes, I think I might as well be talking to a stone wall.”

  “A stubborn wall, at that,” I added, sharing a look of understanding with him. We both knew how difficult it could be to sway Aurora once she’d set her sights on something—or someone. She was like a force of nature, unpredictable and relentless.

  Neil let out a deep sigh, his gaze growing distant. “There is… so much more at stake than she realizes,” he said quietly—his voice seem to age so much in that one moment that passed, almost as if he was about to be crushed by the weight of his crown. “The wars we face now—the alliances we’re trying to hold together—it’s a delicate balance. A misstep could tip everything into ruin.”

  I nodded, sensing the gravity of his words. The politics of this war were a constant struggle, with each realm balancing its own priorities against the threat of total annihilation. “You’re not wrong,” I said. “Between the ash’ari, the humans, and the demons, everyone’s fighting for survival, but half of them are fighting each other. And the demons…” I trailed off, the memory of their relentless attacks fresh in my mind. “They’re on a different level. They’re not just trying to win territory; they’re out for complete dominance.”

  Neil took a slow drink, his gaze still fixed on some distant thought. “I fear it may be only a matter of time before they push further into our lands,” he murmured, his eyes looked uncertain, filled with the responsibility that he had to carry for his people. “And if they do…all of this, everything we’re trying to protect, it could be lost.”

  For a moment, we shared a sombre silence. I could see the weariness in his face, the way the constant pressure weighed on him. And in that moment, he wasn’t the untouchable king but a man caught in a battle that seemed impossible to win.

  After a long pause, Neil finally met my eyes, his expression softer, more vulnerable. “Jiwoo,” he said, his voice breaking the silence, “I know this is an unusual request, but…please, don’t take Aurora with you on your next journey.”

  His gaze was intense, almost pleading. “I’m not asking this as a king. I’m asking as a father,” he continued, his voice thick with emotion. “Just the thought of losing her…it scares me to death.” He lowered his gaze, his hands clenched as if to keep his composure. “Please.”

  I studied him, this man who had first regarded me with such mistrust and anger. Now, he looked at me with the desperation of a father who had seen his daughter put in harm’s way and knew how easily he could lose her.

  I took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. I knew what he was asking, and a part of me understood all too well. Aurora’s safety was something I’d always wanted to ensure myself. Still, I knew how determined she could be, especially when she thought she could make a difference.

  After a moment, I nodded slowly. “I can try to convince her, Neil. I really can. But you know better than anyone just how stubborn she can get.”

  He let out a weary chuckle, nodding. “She takes after her mother, I suppose. And I have my fair share of stubbornness as well.” He looked at me with a rare, genuine smile of gratitude. “Thank you, Jiwoo. Even just your trying…it’s more than I could have asked.”

  “Don’t mention it,” I replied, offering him a small smile in return. “I don’t want her in danger either. But…well, let’s hope she listens.”

  Neil’s shoulders visibly relaxed, and he let out a deep breath, relief clear in his eyes.

  For a moment, we simply sat there in silence, two very different people bound by the same concern for a reckless, stubborn girl.

  Neil breathed, raising his glass in a final toast, his expression softening. “To peace,” he murmured, though there was a hint of irony in his tone.

  “To peace,” I echoed, our glasses meeting with a quiet clink, though we both knew peace was a distant hope.

  ***

  The door shut quietly behind me, muffling the soft breaths of Neil and the strange vulnerability of a king turned father. The cool stone hallway greeted me like a familiar silence—one I could finally breathe in again.

  I didn’t make it far.

  “Ah, Jiwoo,” came a voice, old and slick with amusement, like honey over aged oak. I turned to find Camus, my mentor of six months—his robes lazily moved about him as if they obeyed their own mood. He always looked like someone who had just finished a nap and decided wisdom could wait until after tea.

  Well, my mentor for a reason.

  He smiled knowingly. “She’s already caught Lord Mordian. My sweet granddaughter rarely fails when she puts her mind to something. I presume you’re heading to them as well?”

  I blinked. “Yeah, getting ready to get a nagging from her royal highness.”

  “Are you now?” Camus said airily, starting to walk, and of course I found myself matching his pace. “It’s all good. She’s been really diligent in the last six months apart. She’s been training with Ramus and Beatrix in the meantime you were gone, sometimes, the entirety of the brigade Zero helped her through her rigorous training. She’s been saying, I can’t let Shun be the only one to come back stronger.” Camus added, his tone comical, but the genuine care in it visible to anyone.

  We turned a corner, the tall stained glass casting patches of coloured light along the polished stone floor. My fingers drummed lightly against my hip. Camus didn’t press, but I knew the question was coming.

  “How did your little chat with Ramus go?” He asked, as casually as one might comment on the weather.

  I gave a quiet hum. “Better than I expected. He was…more understanding than I thought.”

  Camus laughed softly, eyes twinkling. “Well, he still is a man who the demons fear for his sharp brains.”

  “I can agree to that,” I remarked with a knowing look.

  “I added something extra to get him on my side, same with Neil.” I said, almost offhandedly.

  Camus arched a brow, glancing at me like that was something expected from me. “Bribery, blackmail, or genuine sincerity? With you, I can never quite guess.”

  I smirked. “Let’s just say I let him see the part of me he could sympathize with. And, his cold heart even pumped on my words.”

  “A touch of truth is more dangerous than a sword, if you know when to use it.” His gaze wandered to the large archway that led toward the courtyard. “Speaking of dangerous things…”

  He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. I followed his gaze.

  “I can feel Mordian,” I said before he did. “He’s outside.”

  Camus nodded once. “Yes, I returned to fulfil my natural tendencies to mother nature. I was just returning when we bumped into each other.”

  I shook my head on the detail. He shot me a smirk.

  The double doors groaned faintly as we pushed them open, stepping into the dusk illuminated courtyard. A refreshing breeze greeted us, the last birds chirped somewhere above, blissfully unaware of how tense the world could be beneath them.

  Clouds trailed away lazily, the sky looked like a comforting canvas.

  And there they were.

  Aurora sat at the edge of the courtyard fountain right beside a gazebo, arms crossed, gunmetal hair catching the light as she spoke animatedly to Mordian, who—judging by his expression—was neither amused or irritated, just quietly sitting in the shade of the gazebo, Lady Ariem sitting only a few feet away from him.

  But, somehow are expression made me smile. She always looked like a calm and collected figure—if we forgot about the crash outs I’d seen. But in Mordian’s presence even she seemed reserved somehow.

  I noticed another face at the table. Beatrix Runao. The leader of brigade Zero.

  Her dull-green hair cut into a bob was just as I last remembered, slick and neat, her form still draped by her military uniform, a golden sash hung from her shoulder band to hip. Beatrix leaned against a pillar nearby, flipping the pages of a book she was reading, while also taking notice of her surroundings. Her green eyes moved with caution.

  Her face was calm, but there was a peaceful sight to the way her eyes moved from the surrounding to the pages of her book, her fingers flipping the pages as the wind whisked past her.

  She looked at our approaching figures. She straightened and greeted her mentor with a slight bow. “You have returned, Master Camus.” Her gaze jumped to me, her head nodding and eyes blinked once as she greeted me alongside her master.

  Camus nodded to her ex-protégé, the current second strongest elf in the elven world, holding the highest authority just below the royal family as their royal guard.

  Camus let out a pleased hum. “Look who I found along the way. You know, how busy his greatness has been. His popularity has skyrocketed since he’s returned.”

  I eyed him for a moment. “I’d rather stay as inconspicuous as possible than garner unnecessary attention. But, even I can’t help place these matters above my own needs sometimes.”

  Camus chuckled. “Yeah, we get it, Mr. Inconspicuous.” He said, his words were exaggerated. “All you have done since the moment I first heard of you has been the opposite of being inconspicuous. Are you a hard-core attention seeker, or just trying to hide it?”

  I shrugged, walking closer to the gazebo, Lady Ariem waved at me to join them at the table, I nodded and sat down.

  Aurora stayed by the fountain, Camus took a seat at the table, I looked at Mordian, our minds already sharing one word for the next.

  ‘Was that all Neil asked?’ He sent.

  I simply sent my affirmation to him, not trailing into the conversation longer than I needed. But, my gaze drifted to Aurora. Her skirt pulled up slightly, her legs submerged into the fountain, she caught my gaze over her, looking back at me sideways and giving me a beaming smile.

  For a moment, I felt everything crash down. And out of it all, I didn’t want this girl to get hurt because of a choice I made. I wanted to protect her smile.

  I mirrored her expression, as Aurora turned her face, enjoying the water.

  I breathed, watching Lady Ariem strike a conversation, dragging us all at the table into it. Even Beatrix was no exception, she seemed slightly awkward answering all of the questions and giving her suggestions on her casual topics.

  Her soldier type demeanour felt like a thick skin wrapped around her like armour, but there were times that armour cracked and she smiled and genuinely answered.

  Occasionally, I could feel her gaze turn to me. Her piercing gaze seem to assess me, perhaps she was trying to gauge my current level, but I suppressed my mana the best I could.

  With all the training I’d done so far, and after my recovery, I could perfectly control my mana, in ways stronger than before. Perhaps, after the damage done to my channels, they had become far stronger.

  But, my ability to conceal and hide my rank stemmed from the natural ability the thalassalithions used, manipulating their mana in a way to perfectly conceal their presence into the atmosphere around them. Maintaining that form to appear as harmless as the atmospheric mana around us.

  I still had a long way to fully master their technique, but the last thing I’d seen before exiting their world via portal, it had given me the inspiration to create something slightly closer. And ever since, I have been working on it.

  I turned to Beatrix, she caught me staring right at her. “Is there something?” I asked plainly.

  “No,” she said placidly. “But, I am curious as to how your training with Master Camus went. I did hear some rumours while you were away from Lady Aurora Silverlight, but I wanted to get a look at you. Your mana and stature is completely different from the last time we met, even for a passing moment. Given the fact that I can’t even assess your current stage or the potency of your mana.”

  Her tone sounded impressed, no wry humour in it, it was plain curiosity of a fellow student who I shared the same mentor with.

  “I appreciate your assessment over me. Lady Beatrix. And yes, I am also curious about you.” I said, sharing a smile with her.

  She seemed amused, her expression seemed genuine. “Is that so?”

  I nodded my head. “Yes. I didn’t get a chance to meet you back in the orcen world due to the circumstances of my following battle. And even missed my chance right after waking up in this world.”

  “Haven’t we met now?” She shot back, her words sharp and precise.

  I grinned, matching her intensity. “Of course. But, I suppose we both are curious to see the other, over how well we perform?”

  Beatrix’s lips curled into a smirk, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She looked fierce, but somehow amused on this development. “Then, I suggest the day after tomorrow? It’s when the whole of brigade Zero is gathering for their final training assessment before the start of the verdant moon festival, and Lady Aurora’s last training session.”

  She stepped forward, her presence suddenly heavier, deliberate, but I didn’t mind, making light of it. “I accept. I want to see what all the fuss is about. And, I wouldn’t want to miss a chance to meet brigade Zero.”

  Aurora from the side seemed more excited than I was. Her face looked like a kid trying to hold in a scream after spotting her favourite dessert at a festival—barely containing herself, eyes sparkling, lips twitching with a grin she couldn’t hide.

  “Picking a fight right after you come back. I can never understand why you people like to fight so much? Is this like an animal instinct mages share, huh?” Lady Ariem huffed from the side, her brows slightly raised.

  From the side, Camus rubbed his beard that clung to his face. “A duel between my protégés? Interesting! I am down for it. But I won’t root for either of you. Betting is different.” Camus shot us a smirk, which I obviously cringed on it.

  “Alright. Then, let’s all meet at the training grounds the day after tomorrow.” Aurora said from the side, her excitement beaming out of each word.