"Nestor!" Capellia shouted as she ran toward me. Seeing the state I was in, she blinked almost right up to me, thrust her hand against my chest, and began healing me while simultaneously sharing her mana.
My jaw slowly began to regrow, and mana poured into my body, granting me a little strength. I fell to my knees to make it easier.
The fifth lower-style spell — Ita. The ability to share mana with another person, creature, or object. A recipient can block the transfer at any time if they do not wish to receive it.
"That body… is that Ivan?" she said, steadying me and glancing over the battlefield.
Anna ran up as well and started examining me.
"Yeah," I said, rising slowly as some of my strength returned.
"There must have been real carnage here!" she exclaimed with awe. "We've already dealt with the skeletons, so let's head back to the city. Can you teleport?"
"No, let's walk."
"Alright!" She beamed, then glanced me up and down once more, checking if I truly could stand.
Anna said nothing further, but, seeing everyone was safe, began speaking over the audio channel:
"We're finished. Mission complete? What about your side? Yes… understood. And the princesses? Perfect. Everyone, I'll head toward the city; there are still skeletons left along the road. Capellia, stay with Nestor for now. The students have already returned to the city, but skeletons are still wandering nearby."
"Yeah, we'll head out slowly too," Capellia confirmed.
I stayed silent, staring at them both with an expressionless calm.
"Well done, Nestor. I caught glimpses of that battle. You saved us," Anna said.
I gave no reaction, only fixed her with my steady, unreadable gaze. Anna understood what that look meant. She merely placed a hand on my shoulder, smiled, and ran toward the ravine.
Capellia and I walked slowly in the same direction — toward the city. She pulled out her phone, slipped it from its heavy case, and watched a recording of the fight captured by one of the cameras fastened to the canyon wall beforehand. She hadn't heard or seen the details of my exchange with Ivan, but she still caught the flow of the duel.
"You look half-dead… You alright?" she asked, slipping the phone away.
"Yes."
"I know that look! Want me to guess?"
I turned to her and her bright, genuine smile.
"A look? Go on then."
"It's the look of a cynical, selfish, utterly emotionless person, someone who reaches the peak of hopeless cynicism and starts seeing all people — all living beings — as chunks of meat, as machines to be used or destroyed for one's own purpose," she said cheerfully as we made our way out of the ravine toward the city. "Did I get it right? I think I did!"
"Hopeless cynicism. I like it. I knew there was more behind your cheerful grin."
"So I was right?" she said with playful certainty. "I knew it! And that's absolutely not true, by the way. I'm exactly as I am. Besides, I've got plenty of battle experience, so I know exactly what you're going through. It's your first time, after all… the key is to manage to sleep tonight. Or better yet — a woman! Nothing helps after battle like a woman!"
I smiled.
"On that point, you're right. Though first I want a shower, food, and rest."
"Good! You know, you handled yourself surprisingly well for your first battle. Your father trained you on real corruptions, didn't he?"
"Something like that."
"Oooh, so mysterious! Then what's the real story?"
"Drop it."
"Ah, it's nothing! I'm just joking. You did great, honestly. Judging from the footage, that Ivan was stronger than me or Anna, so you really did save us," she said brightly, clapping me on the shoulder in encouragement. "Anna will report in, so we can go back to my estate. You'll rest there! I'll give you the full post-battle relaxation treatment."
"You fought too."
"Yes! But I didn't face that monster," she said, her tone softening. "I couldn't have held against him — maybe not even with Anna at my side. You had it far worse. You've earned rest."
"I want a woman tonight. Will you be her, or should I call one of yours?"
"Oh-ho! Now that's blunt! Though, knowing your personality, I expected nothing less. I like honesty — you're already picking that up from me!" she said with the same lightheartedness, not embarrassed in the slightest. As a seasoned warrior, sorceress, and grown woman, she never seemed ashamed of her actions. She knew what she wanted and what it took to get it. "But seriously? I don't mind! It'll be fun. We could even call Anna… though no, she said she's busy today and tomorrow. Well, no matter! I think the two of us will be more than enough, right?"
"Yes." I turned toward her. "I like you. You're like me. Tell me, why do you do all this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Working as a knight in the Order. You could be a healer and live comfortably."
"Hm… and what do you think?"
"No. You answer."
"Well, fine! But only between us, agreed?"
"Yes."
"Money and power!" she declared boldly, planting her hands on her hips with a fierce smile.
"Is that true?"
"Yes. Healers don't earn nearly as much; there are plenty of them. Enough people are kind — or pragmatic — enough to heal for coin. But people who can stop an entire army of skeletons, led by a deadly sorcerer? There are only a handful. I expect a hefty sum, or a manor, or land for this mission! And with that, I can spend my time with the finest men in this world!"
"I really do like you."
"Hee-hee… Of course, one day I'll give up this dangerous life. Buy myself a county, maybe even a principality, and live there. It's really that simple!"
---
The next day, after a warm night with Capellia, I stood on a barren plain beside a thirty-meter-wide hole in the earth. It looked as though dwarves had carefully dug a massive sinkhole right in the road.
This was the corruption hive, formed where once stood a small town on the eastern road from Ashtaron. The outskirts lay desolate, and for several kilometers around the abyss sprawled the remains of buildings, shops, and streets. The town was abandoned, its people fled to Ashtaron. The pit lay square in the center, splitting blocks cleanly with its perfect circle.
I called Ariel.
"Hello, Ariel," I said.
"Good morning," she replied from her bedroom in Lornhall, surrounded by a swarm of maids.
The maids, realizing who was on the line, hushed in awe and leaned closer to hear the conversation.
"Morning. Are you ready yet?"
"Yes, I'm preparing now. And you, where are you?"
"Standing right before the hive. Will you be here soon? We're waiting."
"Alright, I'm ready. I'll send the request now."
"Go ahead."
"Yes, right now," she said, then hung up with satisfaction.
I felt the request for teleportation, focused, and fifteen minutes later the spell was complete. Ariel appeared before me in light, comfortable clothing — perfect for cleansing a hive.
"Whew, hello. With you, teleporting is so quick. Usually, it takes me at least half an hour."
"Hello. Did you have a good breakfast?"
"Yes," she smiled. "As you told me: porridge, fruit, and salad."
"Really?"
"Honestly," she laughed. "You can ask my maids."
"Good. You'll need the energy to clear this hive."
"Yeah, and it's…" She turned to the abyss. "Oh my! It's enormous!"
I stepped beside her to the fenced edge. Cool wind rose from below. Around us stood soldiers and Order managers, responsible for organization, security, and recording the operation. Their work was already done, so they stayed out of the way. Ariel had registered yesterday, so all that remained was to descend and cleanse the hive.
"How do we get down?" she asked.
"I can fly, remember?"
"Oh, right. Then I'll trust you with that," she said, smiling with her graceful princess charm.
What was this? She was unusually sweet today. Perhaps she had fallen for me after witnessing my power. I had also helped calm her and restore part of her magic. I didn't mind; she was beautiful, and her demeanor had softened. Likely, she wanted my favor. Still, not bad.
"And you haven't changed your mind about being my apprentice?" I asked.
"Of course not," she said, turning toward me with a radiant smile. "I gladly give myself to you as a pupil. I look forward to whatever you can teach me." She gave a light bow, grasping the sides of an imaginary gown.
"Alright, alright," I said with a smile. "Then let's descend."
I chuckled at her little act, and she giggled in return.
"In that case, you'll clear the hive yourself. I'll cover you, shield you if needed. You'll get practice."
"Perfect," she said, then hesitated.
"What is it? Say it if it's important."
"No-no. It can wait."
"Fine." I signaled to one of the Order managers, a broad-shouldered man in his forties with thick mustache and tablet in hand.
He approached and bowed to both of us.
"Are you ready?" the man asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Then here's your gear." He and his aides set down two full backpacks.
"Thank you," I said, slipping one on with Ariel. "Don't put yours on. I'll be carrying you. Just hold it."
"Oh, right, of course," she said with a smile.
"This has everything: provisions, water, medicine, ropes, a shovel, sleeping bags. I haven't seen corruption like this in years, so be cautious. And look after your princess," the man said.
"Don't worry. I'm sure my prince will protect me from anything," Ariel said.
"If it were anyone else, I'd never let just two descend into such corruption. But Anna herself rated you S-rank. From what I've heard of yesterday, you earned it."
I nodded. Ariel smiled sweetly at me.
"One more thing. I hope it won't come to this, but the hive's entrance is difficult. If something happens, we won't be able to reach you quickly. The other knights are also on missions. In the worst case, you may wait more than a day for rescue. Be careful."
"Understood," I said.
We turned again to the edge of the abyss.
"Alright," Ariel said, blushing faintly. "You'll carry me along with the pack?"
"Exactly," I said, lowering my arms to lift her.
She swung the pack forward, lifted one leg, and I scooped her carefully in my arms.
"Ready?"
"Yes!" Ariel said with conviction.
I rose above the ground, drifting into the center of the pit.
"Do we go slow or fast?" I asked.
"Better slow. Slow and careful," she said, a little anxious, eyes fixed on me.
A sly smile crept over my face.
"You know, we could make this part of training. As I said before — nothing ever goes as planned."
"No, Nestor, please, let's—Aaah!!" she screamed as I abruptly released the levitation spell, and we plummeted like two sacks of sand.
We fell no more than ten seconds, but to Ariel it stretched into eternity. She screamed with all her might, clutching her pack in one hand and my vest in the other. When I stopped, she gasped for breath.
"Idiot! Fool!" she cried, smacking me with one hand. "I asked you nicely to be careful!"
"Hahaha! At least you're wide awake now."
"Oh, all boys are the same," she said with exasperation, glancing around while we still hovered. "Where are we?"