Center Borough, at the Sallon University.
Skyler Hall was in the library located on the third floor of the university building.
She sat at a long mottled table with a couple of books placed beside her with most of the titles written in the Crerian and Aetherian languages, the scent of aged papers was heavy in the air, blending with the quiet rustle of pages turning.
In front of her, a young woman with long, wavy brunette hair and brown eyes—Evelyn, who was sitting adjacent to her. The library was half empty as she elegantly wrote down what she read on a goatskin sheet.
Skyler sighed, and asked in a low voice, "Evelyn, how long do you have left to finish?"
"Oh come on, don't be such a slacker, all that's left is this research for the next month and then we're done." Evelyn said, placing the quill on the ink bottle.
Blinking in bewilderment, something about Evelyn caught Skyler's attention. Despite her seemingly normal demeanor, Evelyn's face was quite grim and pale, as if she were a ghost.
It seemed like a small thing typical of noblewomen, but she found it very unusual.
"You are right." Skyler pursed her lips, flipping through the pages of the book, "It was not the best, but we are doing it."
Evelyn stood up abruptly, the corners of her lips curving as she looked at Skyler, "Look on the bright side, at least we may now shift our attention to the subject I love the most, dare I say."
Seeing Evelyn's dazzling smile and her brown eyes shine made Skyler's heart beat wildly like she had been infected by her enthusiasm. While her body flicked faintly like a leaf, she closed the book, resting her face on her right hand.
Skyler looked at Evelyn and said, "Here we go, now your passion for the Old Testament Century is awakening as usual."
Evelyn tilted her back, moving closer to Skyler, "As it should be, I dare say, after all, the Old Testament Century is the origin of the world, of the birth of humanity and civilization."
Upon having her face close to Evelyn's, Skyler looked away quickly, her heart pounding as she gripped the speckled table with her fingers.
Skyler took a deep breath and eyed Evelyn, "So, since you are an expert in the matter, why don't you elucidate everything from the beginning? At least I'll know what to say if Mrs. Essie call upon my name."
"Eeeeh, thou art truly incorrigible Skyly." Evelyn sighed softly, sitting down composedly on the wooden chair while maintaining her smile, "Let's see… A long time ago, two meteorites collided with each other, creating our world. Shortly thereafter, the Ancient Sovereigns who ruled the world were born. The elves with pointy ears, the vampires with blood eyes, the dragons that flew in the skies, the cute demihumans, the beautiful mermaids that swam in the Five Seas and other life forms that began to expand in the various continents of the world. Legends say that it was the Mother Earth of Origins that created the first life forms."
"I already heard this myth before. They said that she looked after the planet like it was a child after she created the worlds." Skyler proffered down her fingers as she was deep in thought. "Umm let me think… ah, she created the Human World, the Demihuman World, the Dragon World, Ocean World and the Daemon Realm if I'm not mistaken."
"Well done my Skyly, thou earned a point." Evelyn took the quill that was on the ink bottle, and continued to write on the paper, "Well, anyway, Mother Earth of Origins took care not only of our world, but all of Outer Space. After the birth of the first life forms, she blessed the humans and prayed for many years that they would maintain their purity."
"But it doesn't matter how many times she prays. In the end, humanity will always be corrupted by their own sins." Skyler added, her smile turning wistful as a pang grew intensely within her.
She knew perfectly well that despite everything, nothing would change, and that they will always give in to their sins. It was a bitter truth that she had struggled to accept over time.
"Eeeh, thou art right, they always repeat the same mistakes, however, there art exceptions. Not all humans art consumed by their own sins." Evelyn retorted as she kept writing.
Having finished taking notes, Evelyn placed the quill on the table next to a stack of books. Silence fell majestically as she picked up a book beside her and began flipping through the pages with trembling fingers.
Skyler straightened her back, her tone becoming reassuring whilst clenching her fists, "Mhh… you're right, we praise the gods that not all humans are like that. The prayers of the Mother Earth of Origins have not been shattered, and her legends will thrill the future people."
She momentarily eyed Evelyn's body, noticing something unusual around her friend. Despite her normal behavior, she could notice that Evelyn was trembling weakly and flipping through the pages of the book without bothering to read it, as if he did not want to show his face to her.
Having known her since they were little, Skyler realized something was wrong with her.
"I think so too. She spent thousands of years watching over the living beings in Outer Space and praying for us…" Evelyn's voice grew faint. "It's a very melancholy thing to be alone…"
Without seeing Skyler, Evelyn looked down at the table, her brunette hair falling onto the table. Her voice carried sadness clear like golden chimes while her white-gloved hands gripped the woody surface.
"Evelyn…" Skyler's voice was filled with sorrow.
Evelyn laughed softly, her voice was akin to a wistful sigh. "Heh... in the end we art prisoners of our loneliness."
Skyler extended her right hand towards Evelyn trying to reach her, however she stopped. Whilst blinking, Evelyn placed her hand on top of hers, feeling the fabric of the gloves on her fingers, resting Skyler's hand gently on the table.
Having their hands together, she felt Evelyn's soft, smooth hand trembling faintly as though she would collapse emotionally at any moment.
"Thou knowest Skyly, loneliness is the most agonizing pain thou may endure, and it makes thee nothing more than an external spectator in a place where thou dost not belong. A destiny quite sad and bitter like coffee." Evelyn murmured wistfully. She slowly raised her head, a smile forming on her lips, "However, we shall focus about the present and not the past, otherwise, we shall be victims of our own mind–"
Just how far would Evelyn continue with this sad speech? What will happen if Skyler doesn't say something? It was so sad that she could not bear it anymore.
"Evelyn, are you alright? Did anything happen?" Skyler asked, narrowing her eyes as she stared intently at Evelyn.
Her voice was filled with concern for her friend. Although Evelyn was a cheerful and more positive person than her, Skyler deeply understood what it means to be alone, after all, deep down she also felt the same thing just like her.
"Thou already understood, right, that I wasn't feeling alright?" Evelyn's voice grew weak.
Skyler gently squeezed Evelyn's hand, "Tell me everything, you know you can rely on me."
Just as she always counted on Evelyn when she had problems, she herself wanted Evelyn to count on her when she had problems.
Evelyn looked into Skyler's eyes, her lips trembling, "Um, where do I start… yesterday… I did the ritual to become a Daredevil of the Darkness Class."
"Em uh, what? D-did you seriously do that?" Skyler asked incredulously.
Her mouth suddenly dropped open, her eyebrows shooting upward as she stared in amazement at Evelyn's smiling face. As she narrowed her eyes, she thought back to the conversation she had with Countess Throne on the anniversary, and what she told her about her niece. Evelyn Throne was so distraught over the death of her parents that she attempted to become a Daredevil as a child, putting her life in danger.
Skyler was so curious about what kind of powers Evelyn wanted to have that she wanted to talk to her about it when she found the right time, but the fact that Evelyn confessed to her that she had become a Daredevil put her off guard.
"So you did the r-ritual? N-nothing serious happened to you, right?" Skyler stammered as she waved her hands.
"I'm quite well, there is nothing thou needst to worry about, I dare say." Evelyn replied calmly.
Skyler jumped up from her chair, "Are you really sure about this? You weren't in danger of being possessed or facing inhuman monsters during the Trial, right?"
"Nay, I didn't encounter monsters in the Trial." Evelyn's voice was barely a whisper, "I know... now thou shall say that it's untrue, that I'm mad for putting my life in danger, and that I never should've done it–"
"Ehm… If it's any consolation, I became a Daredevil too, and I'm Light Class." Skyler gently interrupted Evelyn, trying to reassure her.
Even though they were from different social classes, even though they had different personalities, they weren't all that different after all. She understood that Evelyn's action was reckless since she herself had risked her life to become a Daredevil, she understood her action better than anyone else.
Evelyn instinctively covered her lips with her hands, "Eh, What? Seriously? Skyly became a Daredevil too? I can't believe it!"
Her brown eyes opened wide in shock, and a moment of silence fell upon the two. Skyler's eyes would not waver, she looked Evelyn straight in the eye.
Skyler sat down in the chair, and said with a chuckle, "It's funny isn't it, that we both decided to become Daredevil's?"
Evelyn giggled softly. "Thou art right, it seems like we were meant to be, I dare say."
She wasn't wrong, it was as if their destinies were in parallel with each other, and that their bond was further strengthened.
As their hands were joined, Skyler composed herself, "What kind of abilities do you have?"
"Let's see…" Evelyn licked her lips, tilting her head upwards. "I possess extensive knowledge of fighting styles with daggers, knives, and swords. Furthermore, I have abilities related to death, like being able to see wraiths and ghosts, and regulate my body temperature as it pleaseth me."
"What... what surprising abilities she has, they're almost better than mine. But I wonder if it's dangerous to use them, and then, who knows what kind of ritualization she may have done?" Skyler thought to herself.
While her mind was completely deep in thought, Evelyn looked at her with a look mixed with curiosity and melancholy, the library was lit by the sun's rays coming through the windows as they looked at each other.
"Skyly, what abilities dost thou possess?" Evelyn asked, her eyes sparkled like jewels.
"Erm… well, I don't have much to say other than I've abilities related to blood like creating pins and chains. My wounds can regenerate, and I feel like I'm much faster than normal." Skyler sighed as if she wasn't disappointed, waving her hand, "Very useless my ability, I know."
Evelyn shook her head, trying to reassure Skyler, "But thou art mistaken. I really like these abilities, I dare say. If thou get injured thou can heal yourself automatically like nothing happened. In my own estimation, thy powers are most useful for helping thyself."
Her smile was so radiant that it made Skyler blush, and she could not help but look away quickly. It was as if she would go blind if she kept looking.
Skyler waved both hands, "Err? I-I t-think y-you are exaggerating as usual!"
"Thou art truly incorrigible." Evelyn murmured softly.
As Skyler glanced at Evelyn, she noticed that she clenched her fingers, her gaze bleak as if she were tormented by some torment as her eyes glittered. Skyler took Evelyn's left hand, the fabric of the glove was thin, her hand was soft and warm that made her heart beat rhythmically.
Evelyn placed her other hand on top of Skyler's, her voice close to a whisper, "Skyly, mightst thou keep this matter a secret? Thou knowest full well that my aunt would be unhappy if she learned that I risked my life."
Skyler placed her right hand on her chest, "I will take this secret to the grave. But promise me that you'll be very careful when using your powers, please."
"Of course, but thou shall have to be careful too, otherwise I'd be sad." Evelyn nodded.
After nodding, Evelyn took Skyler's other hand, raising both of them as she gently rose from the chair. Closing her eyes, she bent her back, smiling.
"Secret between dearest friends?" Evelyn said.
Skyler stood up from her chair, bending her back as well, "Secret between dearest friends!"
Upon having their foreheads met, Skyler's heart pounded, warmth coursing through her body as the corners of her lips curled.
The sun's rays majestically illuminated the library like sacred light while silence fell for a few seconds between the two.
Evelyn gasped, her voice like melody, "Now I shall be able to add that to the list of things I know about Skyly."
"Evelyn and her list will drive me mad." Skyler thought as she gave a sweet giggle.
In the Sallon University Library, Skyler Hall and Evelyn Throne made a promise to each other. It was a hopeful promise, an important promise, a solemn promise between dearest friends.
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Seraphina, capital of the Kingdom of Aetheria.
A few steps from the hotel where he was staying, Sebastian Blackwood found himself in the Silver Soul Restaurant, one of the most popular restaurants in the capital.
Sebastian, Cleo, Russell and Duncan had booked a table by the window, where they could admire the streets bustling with royal carriages and the majestic buildings around the area while enjoying the local dishes.
He stared intently at the plate in front of him. The dish was an inviting pasta seasoned with aromatic spices and crunchy-looking pieces of meat, all wrapped lightly in grated white cheese. He wrapped the pastry around his silver fork and brought it to his mouth, the juicy, crunchy flavor of the flavored pastry melting into his taste buds as he swallowed sweetly.
"As I expected, Aetherian food is much tastier than Steatha food." A thought raced through Sebastian's mind whilst continuing to eat.
At the square table wrapped in a ruby-colored tablecloth, Cleo, who was sitting on the adjacent side, was sipping a glass of dark red wine in his right hand. Russell, who was sitting on the right side of the table, placed his knife and fork on the table after finishing the steak he was eating.
Cleo placed the glass tumbler on the table. "Ooh, this wine is truly sublime, it feels like thou have ascended into the sky."
"For once I agree with you, I have not tasted such fine wine in months. It is just a shame that Duncan is not here to taste it." Sebastian advocated with an amused look.
Cleo waved her left hand. "Forget him, he must be engaging in adultery with his fiancée."
Russell rose from the table. "Well gentleman, I'm going to the Vatican. See you later."
Whilst Russell left the luxurious restaurant, Cleo continued to deliciously drink the remaining dark red wine in the glass tumbler, occasionally pouring the wine from the dark-colored bottle into the glass.
Sebastian finished the plate of flavored pasta, and delicately wiped his lips with a white embroidered napkin that was placed on the table.
"Cleo, you should not drink like that. Wine is meant to be savored deeply, and not drunk all in one gulp." Sebastian exclaimed in a pedantic tone.
Cleo placed the glass and bottle of wine on the table. "Huh, what a short temper we've between us. Pray, Why dost thou not eat your steak and let me drink?"
"Just do not exaggerate like you usually do." Sebastian said, closing his right eye.
After sighing, Sebastian glanced at the plate of steak covered with a light brown gravy on top and surrounded by cooked potatoes that was to his left. The scent of cooked potatoes entered his nostrils as he cut into the steak with his knife.
"How unfortunate, it takes a couple of days for the organization to finish analyzing the document we brought, and we were here idly doing nothing. To not waste my time in vain, maybe I will do some research to find the Portal and take the Trial in the Doom World, so I can become a Master. At least I will finally be able to transmute weapons to my liking and increase my physical and mental abilities, and then I think I'll have to look in the area for specific places where they sell the masks." Thoughts flashed through Sebastian's mind as he ate the juicy steak.
Having been in the Kingdom of Aetheria for a few days, he had already planned to inspect the various areas of Seraphina and other cities to find the place where Mr. Harlan's killer obtained the golden mask it wore during the crime. He was not sure if the clue he was following would lead him directly to the killer, but he wanted to follow it anyway.
While he was deep in thought, a male sommelier dressed in red and white with a grape pin attached to his shirt was walking to his table with a bottle of wine in his hand.
Cleo raised his right hand at the sommelier, speaking in Aetherian language. "Excuse me, could you tell me the name of the wine you are holding?"
"This is a Petresch, an excellent quality wine from the Creria Empire." The sommelier explained to Cleo.
"The wine the Hodor Royal Family drank during the New Testament Century, a high-quality product much loved by the citizens of Aetheria." Sebastian thought, laughing lightly.
While attending Riverdale University in Shadenville County, he had extensively studied the royal family, their daily habits and favorite foods and drinks. He knew that the Hodor family were fond of Petresch and that they occasionally drank it during ceremonies with aristocrats.
Sebastian gave a dry laugh. "It is clear you are not a real wine connoisseur. Petresch is a wine that requires five years of aging to be tasted."
Cleo raised the glass in his hand. "Oh, I apologize, professor. It means that from now on I shall take lessons from thee about esteemed wines."
The sommelier gave a light laugh and asked, "Do you want me to pour you some?"
"With pleasure." Sebastian replied in Aetherian, raising his glass tumbler.
The sommelier delicately poured the wine into Sebastian's glass, the scent of grapes and apple entering his nostrils as the clear glass filled with pinkish liquid.
Whilst the sommelier poured wine into Cleo's glass, Sebastian noticed that someone had entered the restaurant. He was a young man with short brown crew cut hair and brown eyes wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. The person who was next to the man was a beautiful lady with long wavy brown hair with blue eyes, with soft features and wearing a long white dress that fell to her legs.
"Uah, Look who's here, Mr. Duncan with Mrs. Emeline coming to the restaurant after committing adultery." Cleo leisurely commented with a giggle.
"Your jesting are so bad I am almost ashamed of you." Sebastian thought as he eyed Cleo.
Duncan placed his hand on Emeline's hip. "Heh heh, let's hope we are not late. I wouldn't want my Emeline to be sad."
Emeline bowed her head, her voice was soft. "Hello Mr. Sebastian and hello Mr. Cleo, long time no see."
"The pleasure is ours. It's a joy for us to be able to see thou again after 2 years." Cleo said with a smile.
Sebastian nodded. "Don't worry, you can sit down, we were about to taste this fine wine anyway."
Duncan and Emeline sat down on the two vacant seats at the table. The atmosphere was becoming much more peaceful and Cleo, Duncan and Emeline laughed harmoniously.
"Do you want me to pour some wine for you too, young couple?" The sommelier asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes, please. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a good wine in company" Emeline expressed with a soft laugh.
As the sommelier poured the wine into Duncan and Emeline's glasses, a pang grew in Sebastian's chest, as though the calm atmosphere that had been created was a mockery. He glanced at Duncan and Emeline cuddling sweetly together, their soft words made his body tremble, a sense of inadequacy growing within him as he sipped the wine nervously.
The taste of sweet honey melted in his mouth as he took a deep breath to chase away his negative thoughts, reorganizing his thoughts.
"I am such a fool." Sebastian thought deeply whilst biting hardly his lower lip.
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Republic of Steatha, Conan County, North Borough, at 15 Angel Lane Street.
Skyler found herself sitting at the desk in her room completely absorbed in reading.
As the sun went down, she lit the lantern beside her with the match, the yellowish desk with scattered books and goatskin sheets were illuminated by the bright and warm orange color. She continued to write on the sheet with a black quill.
Since she was a week away from her final history exam and two weeks from finishing her first year at university, she spent the entire afternoon reviewing the books she had borrowed from the university library.
She took a picture book from the top of the pile, the smell of bronze paper wafting through the room, and delicately flipped through the first few pages of the book with her slender fingers. She knitted her eyebrows, reading the first page of the book with a pinch of curiosity.
"During the New Testament Century, the Forsaken Garden of the Tower Keeper stretched high into the skies of the Berlin Empire. In that garden, the Divine Keeper not only worshiped the citizens, but helped the Emperor Eshton Berlin to confront his enemies and his dilemmas of emperor. Shortly before the end of the New Testament Century, the Divine Keeper was sealed away by the Vineyard family."
"The emperor had sacred clans supporting him at that time, namely the Starblessed Clan, the Sauron Clan, the Songster Clan, and finally the Earthhbringer Clan." Thoughts raced through Skyler's mind as she turned the next page.
"No one knows what the Forsaken Garden of the Tower Keeper looked like or the origins of the Divine Keeper itself, however, the inhabitants of the empire speculated that it was a deity created by the gods to watch over the empire.
"A family of the Earthbringer Clan, the Vineyard family, betrayed the Divine Keeper, which caused the empire's annihilation. Now the Vineyard family and their descendants are despised and sought by the world…who knows what the Vineyard family will be doing now? It must be sad to be hated by everyone only because one of their ancestors betrayed the empire." Skyler continued reading curiously.
She was silent, completely absorbed in her thoughts, thinking deeply about what the culture was like in that century. Goosebumps ran down her back making her long hair weakly flutter as curiosity was consuming her.
Whilst the corners of her lips curled up, something landed on her window handle. A transparent bird surrounded by a white aura perched on the handle, having a letter on its beak. Its presence was surreal, as though to deny all logic as it fived before her.
"What, a bird? No, it looks like a kind of projection." Skyler thought, her heart pounded while she pressed her lips together.
Enthralled, she raised her right hand to the window, the bird landing on her index finger as she took the letter from its beak. After a five-note sound, the bird magically vanished, leaving Skyler dumbfounded for a few seconds while opening the letter.
"Dear Mrs. Hall. I am writing this letter to inform you that you have been invited to a meeting to be held at the Hermit Exorcist headquarters. Please come to West Mennork at 5 Rose Street on May 26th. I would like to discuss with you what to do and the necklace you are keeping. Kind regards, Extie Wheeler."
Skyler's lips trembled as she held the letter in her swinging hand. A feeling of warmth and satisfaction grew in her heart, her blue eyes shining while she raised her eyebrows.
"Ah… finally… finally I can become an Hermit Exorcist...." Skyler murmured, standing up from her chair, unable to hold back her emotions.