I looked at her eyes, it emanated impersonal intention and coldness behind the stare, there wasn't a single of ounce of welcoming energy in her voice, it was strict, rigid and felt commanding, although she may be simply asking due to curiosity, it felt like I was already under her grasp and being interrogated.
" It's a breathing technique, by changing the behaviour of my breathing, I gain a surge in physical strength and endurance for a short peroid of time but it takes a heavy toll on my body as I'm not quite strong enough to handle it. " I said.
She didn't even react but just kept looking at me and replied, " Interesting but also absurd, how can a mere breathing enhance your strength to a level that you are able to fight that beast? that is simply impossible, you must be hiding something. "
I felt like as if she was scratching to my secrets but I have no intention of revealing sloghk to her. It could be dangerous and she is someone I just met not long ago.
" It's complicated, I grew up in an unusual environment and I had to do things to survive, my breathing technique was one of my tools that helped me and along the way, it has evolved a lot. I know it doesn't make sense to others but this is what I did, I cannot use any magic or sorts not even enhanced slayers weapon if you are suspecting of me lying then that's not it, " I said confidently.
It's not related to anything magic, It's just a way of breathing that gives me raw physical strength for a short time " I added.
" Did you learn about it from anyone ? " replied the Royal Inquisitor in a cold voice.
Although I developed the breathing, Sloghk has helped me master it, improved its potential and how to overcome the side effects of raven breathing, if not for the pact with Sloghk, I could have been rendered incapacitated now.
" No, " I replied confidently. Her eyes still looking into me for truth and trying to uncover the secret.
" Hmmm " she rubbed her chin and finally took off her attention away from me. I felt like a tension lifted from my chest.
" By the way, Royal Inquisitor, Why have you decided to join this hunt? " asked Leon.
" Job, a rat has escaped " she replied indifferently.
Leon didn't ask further and just nodded in silence. After a couple of hours, some of the grandmasters returned and reported that the Nightcrawler lord escaped into the restricted zone, restricted zones are highly dangerous region, condensed with magical residue and crystals of magic, it attracts high level varaes and has become a nesting ground for them, so the Nightcrawler lord escaping into it is both good and bad news, bad news is that what will happen if it distrubs their ecosystem and balance of power gets collapsed, good news is that there are no human settlements in restricted zones, vice versa slayers won't able to venture there. Grim Doctor and Leeben Hestra decided to stay behind to scout the area to make sure that it doesn't come back, they decided to sent more slayers to guard the perimeter of the restricted zone for the time being, with none of us not being injured critically, we decided to return back to the guild and report what come of this hunt.
After reaching Reed Peak, I jumped onto the bed and took a long breath and fell asleep, Grandmaster Arilyne went downstair to discuss the consequence and strategy of the battle along with other grandmasters and guild master. Four hours later I woke up and found grandmaster Arilyne sitting by the window forging a letter, rubbing my eyes and yawning I said, " So what happens now? "
" There is nothing we can do at this moment, as planned guild master will send slayers to guard the perimeter of the restricted zone. Venturing into restricted zone is a suicide even with a team of grandmasters. " she said.
" Well, I guess then it's time to go back to the academy, " I replied.
" Yes, at dawn, next day, " she answered.
" Grandmaster, " I called.
" Yes?, " she said.
" Did the Royal Inquisitor said anything to you?," I asked.
" Did anything happen with her when I left?, " she finally looked at me.
" Well, she was rather curious of me, she was asking about where I learnt this power, " I replied.
" Anyone would be surprised if a student with or without magic fighting Nightcrawler Lord head on, I even find rather intriguing to be honest, " She said with a smile.
" I agree but she was rather pressing me as if I was hiding something, " something felt uneasy about her.
" So what did you say to her?, " she asked.
" I said it's a breathing technique and has nothing to do with magic, I don't know whether she believed it or not, " I said staring at the ceiling, getting lost deep in thoughts.
" Royal Inquisitors know a lot of this world, as they are always travelling and learning secrets of this world, they are also the same as scholars but with they power they yield, they are very powerful, the existence of Royal Inquisitors is what makes the royal family extremely powerful in this kingdom, with their unquestionable loyality towards the royal family, they exert significant influence towards the stability of this kingdom. " she said.
" How strong are they in terms of slayers ranking?, " I said.
" They may not be as good as grandmaster slayers when it comes to hunting varaes but in terms strength alone, they are as strong as any renowned grandmasters. " she replied.
" Woow, so they are really strong, " I commented.
" Ah yes, she did say 'we will meet again', " She added. " I'm not sure what it means at that time but it looks like she was talking about you, "
" Really, that's rather uncomfortable, why would she want to meet me again?, " I answered and turned towards the wall.
" Haha- Looking forward to it, " she replied.
" That's very cold, Grandmaster, shouldn't you be worried about me that the Royal Inquisitor might come looking for me?, " I said.
" Not one bit, " she replied back sharply.
The air was getting rather heavy in the room, I was about to head to get some fresh air when grandmaster Arilyne said, " Good job surviving there, " and she smiled as if she was really relieved.
I smiled back to her and headed out of the room, reminiscing what happened today and wondering how long the day felt, alot of has happened in such a short peroid of time but as far I know, this was a nostalgic thrill, it felt good, I enjoyed the adventure, it was risky but it was full of life. It reminded me of B-12 wilderness, where everything out there was a predator and a slip of mistake could end my life but I played in it, in the playground where I was outclassed, just like now playing in the world of adults, does danger seeks me or I lean towards chaos? which one is it? I would never know.