On the hard stone floor, I found myself kneeling before my liege, my eyes showing clear doubt as I repeated what I had just
heard.
-"Leave..?"-My voice almost cracked due to shock.
-"Yes. I order thou to depart."-A calm, almost cold voice answered my question.
-"Why?"-I raised my head to look at the figure sitting gracefully before me.
-"You dare to question my will?"-The woman didn't dodge my gaze.
She was much taller than I, more so with me kneeling in front of her; she towered over me like a giant. Her long red hair accented her pale skin, while her deep blue eyes seemed to pierce even my soul.
-"No, I merely wish to comprehend it."-I shook my head.
-"So be it. A war is coming, my loyal knight. A war that will turn these lands into ruins, pitting me against my brothers and sisters. And yet, my royal mother..."-She looked pained, sighing slightly before continuing.-"The Academy had chosen its stance. While thanks to thy work it's not betrayal, their isolation left us vulnerable."
-"But Golden Order..."
-"What Golden Order? One who put us here by ordering that man to return? One that can't even keep their own in check?"-Her voice still flat, yet the anger beneath it couldn't be hidden.-"Carians can't allow a war to happen. Your Mentor left, my mother is in the depths of depression, and our allies are nowhere to be seen. My brothers also saw writing on the wall. Rykard took his entourage and distanced himself to pursue his taboo, while Radahn made it clear that his Redmanes are not under our influence."
I lowered my head in silence, having no rebuke.
-"I understand their will, the Carian Royal Family can't have a lord to compete in this war. And so I order you to depart, my knight."
-"Then you..."
-"You needn't worry about my safety. For what it's worth, I'm chosen Empyrean, none would dare to act against the will of their 'God'."-She scoffed.-"But I understand your feelings, as such, I shall give you another order. During your journey, you shall seek allies. So that on the day I recall you, Carians won't stand alone. Now leave."
-"As you wish, my Princess."-After bowing one last time, I left in silence.
Unknown to me, after I left, another voice echoed in the room.
-"Are you sure, my child?"-A sad voice asked through a communication tool lying nearby.
-"Yes. He shouldn't be entangled by my plan. It's for the best."-The woman closed her eyes as if to assure herself of her decision.
-"Then what about that sword? Do you plan to give it to him?"
-"Not now. If we can meet again, I will give it to him with all that comes with it."
-"Don't regret it, my child. Who knows what he will become after long years apart?"
-"No matter what, it's my choice. I believe he will still be himself: my knight."
After that, there was silence, only a slight glimmer of moonlight from a sword that at some point appeared on the table.
After I left the tower of my liege, I walked toward the manor grounds, and as I was passing through the Moongazing Grounds, a calm yet slightly soft voice called to me.
-"Eno."-An armored figure approached on a horse.
-"Loretta, how are you?"-I responded after hearing my name.
-"Not good, not bad. Somewhat lost."-She shook her head, feeling helpless.
-"Still thinking about Albinaurics?"
-"Yes."-She admitted it instantly.-"Not sure what I should, or even can do."
-"I know some Albinaurics, fought side by side with some of them. If you want to know more, I suggest you seek Lanetta, an archer traveling those lands for the future of her people."-I waved my hand and conjured an image depicting Lanetta on her wolf.
-"I will look for her. What about you? A new order from the Princess?"
-"Yes."-I sighed, still feeling a little lost.-"I was ordered to leave."
-"Leave?"-Loretta showed some surprise before chuckling to herself.-"It would seem that Princess truly cares about you."
-"You think so? I feel that I failed her."-A bitter smile appeared on my face.
-"The whole world can fail her, but you won't. Well, you should be on your way, Princess orders are absolute after all."
-"Take care. Please guard her well."
-"I will."
I continued on my. Walking through the grounds and halls of the manor, I looked around me at many knights who trained, rested, or stood watch. Every time I passed by, they would stand straight and salute me, showing full respect. As the knight of the Princess, I was their direct commander, inheriting this position from my mentor along with the sword that hung on my back.
I had led them to battle many times, achieving countless victories with their blood and magic, and now, I was to leave them to fend for themselves. Exiting through the gate felt as if I aged decades, but my back never slumped, never showing anything disgraceful.
Whistling, I called my loyal spectral steed, Arion. Soon, a black maned horse with blue eyes that gleamed with intelligence far beyond what a horse should possess approached me and nudged me with its muzzle.
-"I'm good, don't worry."-I pet her while climbing on her back.-"Let's go. I need to get some things from academia before setting off."
Arion neighed and started galloping to where the academy was beyond the horizon. Even with her speed, to travel from Carian Manor to the Academy, we would need almost the whole day. As we sped through between lakes and small settlements, I looked into the waters that Liurnia is so proud of.
In reflection, I saw myself, a knight in Carian attire, adorned with blue and silver. My face, while not one that would turn every head, was still far from the rough faces of people of this land, being fair, almost ladylike. As if to reinforce that image, my long hair bound in a high ponytail, with a singular braid hanging from the left side of my face, swayed behind me. They were devoid of any color due to my prolonged contact with magic and other forces that made me what I was now.
But if one were to see me, all that will be but an afterthought compared to my most striking characteristics. My whole left arm was purely crystalline, reflecting light from the setting sun. The deep but pure blue crystal that looked like a sapphire, which was now a sign of my magic prowess, was in truth a symbol of my powerlessness that resulted in my arriving in this world. And to further prove that I was an outsider in these lands, right above my head, a sapphire-blue halo floated calmly, accompanied by wings of light of the same color behind my back.
I was a Sankta, a race that existed in an entirely different world. That crystalline arm? Simple. This was Originium that mutated into my Primal Glintstone, turning me part crystalian in the process. While it solved my Oripathy, most of my internal organs
were solid crystals, moving only thanks to magic. Luckily, my head was clear of any crystals, leaving my thoughts, senses, and emotions normal, so at least I could still consider myself 'human' though I often doubted if I was still 'alive'.
But it was the same Oripathy that made me what I am now. As Sankta, manipulating magical energy, was a piece of cake for me, resulting in my quick learning in the Academy, and thus, becoming hailed as one in a century genius. With resources on my side, I was able to fuse magic and my Originium arts, allowing me to wield magic with such mastery that I attracted the attention of the Queen herself.
After that, I began to learn everything I could. The orthodox Carian, Glintstone, Gravity, and Crystalian sorceries, even the marginalized Ice, Blood, and Fire spells, landed on my desk. In the end, I was even granted the honor of learning Moon sorcery, and while I was able to learn them, I 'lacked my own moon' to truly exhibit their might.
As years continued to pass, I grew closer to the Carian Royal Family, cooperating with two Princes in their research while receiving teaching from both the Queen and my Mentor. Even the Queen's Consort taught me his Golden Order orthodoxy during one campaign we were we fought side by side. Sadly, due to my lack of faith, I could barely use miracles in action.
Finally, it culminated in me being appointed as a Knight of the Princess, and the rest was history. Thinking back on all of it, my wish to return home got forgotten at some point; maybe this is why Princess gave this order. Mulling over such thoughts, I arrived at the gates of the Academy, towering over the quiet but still vibrant city.
Passing through the gate, I dismounted and let Arion return to her space while I walked into the halls of the Academy. Passing through corridors filled with students and full-fledged sorcerers, I soon arrived at a room that was place where I spend long years studying. As I was to enter it, a melodious voice sounded near me.
-"Look who it is. The Knight returned to his roots?"
-"Sellen."-I looked at the figure approaching me.
-"What's the matter? Now that your Princess doesn't want to make a move, you finally returned to your research?"-She asked, still seeming to resent me for choosing Caria.
-"No. I'm leaving."-I opened the doors to my room.-"Seeking the way home."
-"Oh?"-This gave her a pause.
-"Can I leave everything here in your care?"-I asked while rummaging through my shelves looking for some things.
-"This room?"-She asked about the meaning of my words.
-"No. The Academy."-I corrected.
-"They will stand by, no matter who is left in the end."
-"It's enough. I hope this place can remain as it is."-I finally found the old key I was looking for.
-"Well, I owe you after you help me with that whole wanted thing, so you can leave it to me."
-"Thanks. Take care."-I left after looking at her one last time.
-"You too."
As I was walking away, Sellen shook her head and muttered one word under her breath, too quiet to reach me.
-"Fool."
Having nothing else to take, I started to walk back, and I was about to leave when I was stopped.
-"Eno."-A Tall woman wearing an ornate robe walked toward me.
-"Your Majesty."-I knelt as soon as I noticed her approach.
-"Rise. I'm here to give you something before you leave."-She waved to her guard, who was standing by.
He approached and handed me an ornate box.
-"This is something to show my appreciation for you, but also a promise. No matter where you end during your journey, you will always be a Knight of Caria."-She looked at me, her face haggard by the deep sadness, but her nobility couldn't be marred by it.-"Go, seek your home, your purpose, and your moon. But by the end, return. This is my last order to you: return and stand by my daughter, no matter where her path takes her."
-"I will."-I bowed while tightening my grip on the box.
-"Good."-She nodded and left.
After that short scene, I left the Academy, traveling far away to where I first arrived in these lands. On my way, I opened the box given to me by the Queen, and inside lay a scepter, one that only the Queen should be allowed to wield. Next to it were a few
scrolls and three letters, one from the Queen and one from each Prince.
I opened and read them one by one. They mostly bid me farewell while wishing for my safe journey, but they also explained some matters I was unclear about. The scrolls were their personal research, Radahn's own Gravity magic, Rykard's taboo Gelmir sorcery, and Full Moon of the Queen. After sorting them, I once again looked at the scepter.
This scepter symbolized the Carian claim over the Academy, and now it ended in my hands. In the letter, Queen explained that while the Academy and Carians were still allies on paper, in truth, they weren't on the same side for a long ago. Only my appearance, which was able to fuse beliefs of both sides, allowed this fragile peace to continue. As the Princess will one day inherit the Carian crown, the Academy also needs the next head, and there is no one better qualified than me.
Receiving this scepter is the promise she mentioned. That after I return, I won't be just a knight, but be of a similar, if not even equal, standing to them. The Glintstone in the staff was already replaced from Queen's to mine own. Picking it up, I cast a few spells, feeling the smoothness of magic flow in the scepter. While I mostly used magic directly with my crystalline arm, the scepter would help me perform some more detailed spells. Hanging it at my side, I continued riding.
It took me two weeks to arrive at the Weeping Peninsula, where, in a certain hidden dungeon, I started preparing my way home. While I was busying myself, a guest arrived at my doorstep.
-"So you finally decided."-A Female voice made me look up from what I was doing.
-"Melina..?"-I was surprised by her appearing here.
-"Who else knows about this place aside from us two?"-She looked at me, her smile strangely unnerving.
-"What's the matter?"-I asked calmly.
-"I'm here to bid you goodbye."-She approached me.
-"I see..."-I looked at her, still doubting her intentions, as I knew she was all but direct.
-"What's your plan?"-Melina looked at the dense carving covering every surface of this place.
-"First, stabilize the passage, then probe what's on the other side, and repeat until I find the right world."
-"That sounds like you."-She nodded.-"Mind me looking?"
-"Make yourself at home."-I answered while returning to the tasks at hand.
I continued working, and not even an hour later, the whole room glowed blue with countless magic runes everywhere. In the middle of the room, a dark, gaping hole in space appeared at some point, attracting my and Melina's attention. After checking everything once more, I approached the gap and began to use spells that allowed me to perceive what lay on the other side, but as I was focused on that, I didn't notice Melina approaching me.
She looked at the gap, and then at me. After a silent moment, she extended her hand and patted me on the shoulder to get my attention. As I was turning around to ask her what was wrong, she stepped forward and left a brief touch on my lips before pushing me into the gap. Her hands that were lit with a golden flame still extended forward.
As I was comprehending what had just happened, I felt how the flame she touched me flowed into my chest, settling where my heart should be, before everything went dark.