-"There is one more matter."-Cellinia spoke up after I finished talking with Alexandrina.-"I found out two backers of Echoes of Herkunftshorn. The first ones are the Sarkaz mercenaries originating from the Military Commission. I also found traces of Confessarii."
I felt Shining's emotions stir after hearing this.
-"The second are from the Siracusan Famiglia, and not some minor one but the Bellones."
-"Isn't it the Famiglia that helped you?"
-"Yes, it's them."
-"What are your plans then?"
-"I want to contact the Don directly."
-"Good, arrange for it under my name. You'll be there as my entourage."
-"But..."
-"No buts. I planned to visit Siracusa, so it's a good occasion to do it. I'll send Spectral Hawk with a teleportation anchor later today."
-"Mhmm."-Cellinia seemed not happy with my decision, but I could feel that inside, she was all but that.
This matter finished, I chose to return to my room, as I needed to prepare the teleportation anchor. After doing this so many times, I already had some training, and as such, I finished it within an hour. But before sending it out, I decided to write a letter to send as well.
Since our meeting, I have exchanged letters with Talulah at least twice a week, talking about our beliefs and ideas. At first, she seemed a little awkward in her writing, but later she slowly got more natural, especially after I asked about her giving me her flame. But lately I felt that her letters started to change again, slowly being less honest and more perfunctory.
Now that I have met Alexandrina, I have an idea to connect them as their ideas and needs can complement each other nicely. But after considering that Talulah has her hands full at the moment, I decided to push my idea back in time a little. I quickly wrote my letter and had the Spectral Hawk deliver it after drooping of the teleportation anchor.
As I was about to stand up, I heard my door open.
-"Eno."-Shining walked in.
-"What's the matter? No, let me guess. It's about the Sarkaz and the Confessarii?"
-"Yes."-She sat on my bed, her face showing a troubled expression.-"Eno, do you know why Confessarii target you so much?"
-"No, I always assumed it's because of my Status and typical Sankta-Sarkaz animosity."-I admitted.
-"Back then, when I took part in the attack on you, I did think the same, but when I was about to leave their ranks, I uncovered something known only to Regent and his closest conspirators. They called you a tool in the hands of the Creator."
-"Creator? Are they calling Law as Creator, or referring to something else?"
-"I don't know, but I don't think so."
-"But that makes me interested. If you had such knowledge, why did you follow me back then, even becoming my knight?"
-"Because Liz approached you. At first, I would ignore you, but seeing Liz approach you made me think that if you truly are some tool, then she and you are no different, and I shouldn't treat you with different attitude."
-"Liz? How is she doing right now?"
-"She is traveling around the mobile monasteries, especially the ones that accept Infected. While she was somewhat angry at being left behind, she seemed to meet a new friend, so it's ok now."
-"Sorry for separating you two."
-"Don't mind it, I can't stay by her side forever, and now she can meet others without worry, thanks to you sealing these things and giving her a halo."
-"I'm also happy that she can live a normal life."
-"Eno. I don't care about whether you were created as a tool or not; I already decided to stand by your side no matter what. But I hope that you can be careful of that Creator."
-"I already have quite a hatred of the so-called gods or creators, so I will never trivialize one."
-"Good."
-"What about those Sarkaz?"
-"If they show up, just leave them to me. I won't let them trouble you."-She said with full confidence.
I smiled at that.
She also smiled slightly, finally relaxing after she shared her worry. So we shared a moment of silence like that, enjoying our companionship. After a while, she stood up and left my room, turning one last time at the door and looking back at me for a few seconds.
Some time later, I returned to the Ludwigs-Universität, planning to consult Fremont on the matter of Witchcraft due to some points that neither Shining nor I could understand. When I entered his classroom I was surprised to see him discussing something with another student who was familiar to me.
-"While your approach is interesting, you were successful only because of your talent and luck. I suggest you train your control over the Originium more before attempting to delay your Arts like that."
-"I see, thank you for the advice, teacher."
-"Oh? Eno, what brings you here?"-Fremont spotted me approaching.
-"I have something to ask you about Witchcraft."-I answered him.-"We meet again, Graf Urtica."
-"It's an honor to be remembered by the Holy Son."-He bowed to me.
-"Right, Franz has an interesting idea about his Art, maybe you can also give him some advice."
-"Oh? I don't see why not."
Franz nodded and explained his idea of storing already cast Arts, making one capable of preparing multiple of them before using them at once. It was an interesting idea, but of little value to me.
-"It's a technique worth developing, as one precise attack can often resolve the battle. But I would be careful about these Arts being used by your enemy, as even slight interference can cause them to detonate. You should work on the stability before employing this technique in combat."
-"How can I make an Art more stable?"
-"Give them more solid form and purpose."-I cast the Glintblade Phalanx.-"Simple orb of exploding fire can't control when it explodes, but a tool like a sword needs to be wielded to attack. This is only an example; you should create something more fitting for you."
-"I see, thank you, Son."
Franz thanked and left.
-"Sigh, I can admire those young men who wish to prove themselves, but I hope they could stop being in such a rush."
-"That's a privilege of youth."
-"Don't praise yourself."-Fremont rolled his eyes.
I just smiled. No matter how much I tried to explain my real age, the date of my birth is not hard to know in this world, so I was barely twenty in the eyes of others.
-"So what's the matter?"
We quickly lost ourselves in the discussion about Witchcraft and the differences between ancient and modern techniques. Our conversation flowed smoothly, and even Shining joined us at some point to offer her own perspective. And before we noticed, we talked for more than an hour, the previously empty classroom started to fill with students for their next lesson.
I could feel many eyes focusing on me, as my identity wasn't hard to guess, more so in a group with many children of aristocrats I had met. Fremont also finally remembered that he had a job to do, so we finished. But before I could excuse myself, he got an idea.
-"How about being my assistants?"-He looked with an amused smile.
-"Sure."-I also smiled, feeling that this might be fun.
Shining also nodded, having no reason to disagree.
And so he started his lecture. The subject was one of the six classical schools of the Arts. The six schools are: Beschwörung, the school of Conjuration; Hervorrufung, the school of Evocation; Umwandlung, the school of Transmutation; Verbesserung, the school of Augmentation; Wiederherstellung, the school of Restoration; and Wahrsagung, the school of Divination.
-"Last time we spoke about Verbesserung Arts, explaining their use and showing some examples, today we shall focus on Wiederherstellung school. First, who can show me..."-Fremont began explaining the subject, engaging with the class on many occasions.
He quickly finished the theory, mentioning some research subjects for those interested in developing in this field, before moving to the practical part of the class.
-"Now, as we have two assistants today, let us see their insights into the Arts of Restoration."-He left the floor to us.
Shining walked up first, talking about her arts that combined the Witchcraft of Sarkaz into the school Restoration, creating an Art that was existing for field use, not pure healing, but also prevention. An Art that could further enhance strength of a combatant.
Her perspective on the Wiederherstellung Arts made some of the students interested as well, as Casters don't respect this school due it it's perceived weakness. More so when the average Verbesserung Arts user can at most heal superficial wounds, making it quite useless when compared to normal medicine.
When she finished, it was my turn to step forward. When I did so, I let my aura emanate around.
-"While not my strongest field, my expertise indeed has some overlay with Wiederherstellung Arts. Physical wounds are one thing, but the Arts have an enormous advantage over medicine in the spirit. As Casters, you must know the importance of spirit to a person; in fact, it's so important that touching it at all is a taboo due to the danger."
Hearing the word taboo made the classroom stir.
-"Spirit, an attribute of self opposite to physicality, a combination of will, personality, intelligence, knowledge, and other non-physical characteristics. Together with the soul and body, forming what we call a person. Arts often focus too much on the material aspect, forgetting that they work only because will of the caster, and Restoration is no different."
I made my golden flame appear on my palm.
-"In essence, the school of Verbesserung focuses on manipulating the vitality, while Wiederherstellung Arts are solely about how to prevent its loss and speed up its regeneration. It's the school of Wahrsagung that is more closely connected to the spirit, but this shouldn't stop one from applying its principles to the Restoration Arts."
-"Sir."-One of the students spoke.-"Can our spirits even be wounded?"
-"Have you ever felt exhausted after casting? Or have you heard of those who fell into a coma after their Arts backfired? Those are examples of spiritual overdraft and wounds. Learning how to avoid those is something you are taught from the first lesson, but have you ever thought about how to restore your spirit from its weakened state if it ever occurred?"
Almost everyone shook their heads.
-"Sankta possesses natural talent in the spiritual field due to their racial characteristics, but it can be overcome with enough work and care. As an example of my Art."-I partly manifested my Azure Dream, letting everyone present feel the rejuvenation from the vitality inside.
After a moment, I stepped back, returning the control of the class to Fremont. He continued his lecture, mentioning our different approaches to the subject as an example of how mature Casters engage in research while taking the core from the foundation established theories. The class ended shortly after, with Fremont, Shining, and me returning to our previous discussion.
We worked together for the rest of the day, even planning to continue this talk tomorrow after bringing some references and experimental results to back our ideas. And we did just that, but when we returned next day, I saw Fremont with an expression far more stern than he was normally.
Next to him stood a Sarkaz woman whom I recognized from paintings and stories I heard from time to time, a living legend and one of the Six Heroes, previous Great Banshee Laqeramaline. Noticing my arrival, she visibly reacted, grabbing her staff in preparation.
-"Eno."-Fremont greeted me.-"Always on time."
-"But not the occasion. Should I wait?"
-"Nah, there is no need for secrecy on this matter."
-"Are you sure?"-Laqeramaline asked him.
-"Sure, don't look at this guy as fanatical Sankta, treat him like those crazy researchers, even I sometimes think like I'm back in my young days with the Witch King while talking with him."
-"I see. I'm Laqeramaline."-She greeted me politely.
-"Holy Son of Laterano, Enoch. It's an honor to meet one of the Six Heroes."-I responded with courtesy.
-"Those are just stories of old."-She smiled sadly.
-"Yet they still give hope to those who were almost hopeless."
-"Stop with that sickly politeness."-Fremont interrupted us.-"I'll prepare a response to the Regent, but I can tell you directly that I don't agree with his methods; the purpose is something I can understand. I will assist but I won't get involved in the politics of his court."
-"That's what I expected."-She turned to leave.
-"Wait, now that you are here, mind sharing your knowledge with us?"-Fremont stopped her.
-"Knowledge? On what subject?"
-"Witchcraft."-I explained.-"I'm researching some things, so I seek everything I can find about ancient Teekaz Witchcraft."
-"You a Sankta?"
-"I believe that Lady Laqeramaline knows about our origins, as among high-ranking Sarkaz, it shouldn't be a secret."
She nodded and looked at me in a new light.
-"It's rare for Sankta to acknowledge their origins."
-"That guy is almost as much a Teekaz as he is Sankta."-Fremont rolled his eyes.-"I tested his blood, with his purity, he can pass as a pureblood of almost every tribe of modern Sarkaz. He is more Lich than I and more Banshee than you."
Laqeramaline blinked her eyes, unsure how to react.
-"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be a 'tool' that even your Regent fears."-I shrugged.
-"Not that I mention that, how about you leave that LED behind and instead became Sarkaz King? With your character and talent, in a few years, you would be the next Witch King, easily taking a piece of Terra for Sarkaz."
-"While I don't mind helping Sarkaz, I won't renounce who I am. Even though I do still hate the blind fanaticism almost all the Sankta follow me with, running away will never change anything. Not to mention that even if I agreed, Sarkaz won't recognize me as their ruler, and I certainly won't work with that Regent. No person capable of killing their family for power deserves my trust."
-"It was worth a try."-Fremont shrugged.-"Now let's move to some productive subject."
We resumed our discussion, quickly getting back to exchanging our ideas and theories. At this point, we entered the depths in which even Fremont wasn't able to speak without thinking for a while. Many of the ideas and theories were far beyond current utilized Witchcraft, entering the realm of ancient techniques.
Laqeramaline at first was skeptical about my purpose, but after getting involved in the discussion, she quickly forgot about that, focusing solely on the subject of our talk. Her mastery over Witchcraft and Arts was something truly impressive, but she wasn't a researcher, only a pure Caster.
But her knowledge proved much more important to me than most of Fremont's collection; the Banshee Arts of imbuing meaning into words was much closer to the magical runes and circles that I preferred. So our discussion slowly changed from the research aspect into an exchange of techniques between me and Laqeramaline.
She was especially interested in the Primordial Runes I got and learned from Scáthach, seeing that their power was even greater than their techniques. And that way we quickly get acquainted, by the time we ended our conversation not only did I exchange the knowledge of runic magic for their tribal Witchcraft, I even got myself an invitation to the legendary Convallis of the Banshee.