TBATE: The Rook

For the past several weeks, nothing noteworthy has happened. Time has passed quickly, and my routine hasn't changed much. I wake up in the morning, go through my morning routine, and then head out for my class. After that, I have my own training session until the princess arrives in the training room. She is making great progress, which is wonderful, but I'm not entirely satisfied. I don't want to make the training sessions too difficult; while I know she won't complain, it wouldn't be productive. Sometimes, I skip training altogether and go café hunting instead. It's my new hobby, and I'm rarely alone—either Kathlyn or some of my classmates join me, so life is good.

Last week, a butterfly effect occurred: Arthur was injured while saving Tess. But why did he have to save her? The core is with me, and I don't know what happened, but I do know that Tess didn't have a beast will, so something must have transpired. After some investigation, I discovered that Tess is pregnant.

Just kidding! She actually suffered from a spell backlash, and Arthur had to intervene. Director Goodsky has been visiting me frequently lately, discussing various topics. The last one was about the angry students who gained power overnight. She asked if I could help, and I agreed. You see, I don't dislike the director; she is a good woman. However, I feel the need to keep my distance for now. 

The Disciplinary Committee has a meeting coming up, and I have permission to attend and participate. Although, to be honest, the meeting is likely to be boring—it's about the bullying that occurs on campus.

This reminds me of Kai Crestless. I began investigating him the moment I entered the academy. He is a fourth-year student at Xyrus Academy and a member of the Disciplinary Committee. It was later revealed that Kai is a spy sent from Alacrya to infiltrate Xyrus Academy. He was considered one of the strongest students at Xyrus, having been scouted to join the Disciplinary Committee. 

As a mage, his overall level has never been disclosed, as he is skilled enough to conceal his full powers from his colleagues.

As a spy, Kai excels in infiltration and intelligence gathering, having spent four years at Xyrus Academy undetected by his peers and even by Director Goodsky. He possesses the ability to shoot metal strings with a wave of his arms, allowing him to form a metal fence. I really don't need him as one of my contractors, so death it is.

My Deviant Magic Theory class has been progressing quite slowly, as our professor has explicitly stated that she will cover new material only after we finish our mid-semester tests. Since a semester lasts sixteen weeks and we've only completed four weeks of school, it will take another four weeks before she starts teaching the topics I'm eager to learn. Not too eager I just want to see the different answers they came out with about some elements and how did it manifest, 

Oh, and Arthur is in the same class as me. He's a chill guy, and we've become friends—at least, that's what he calls it. It's a strange feeling to talk to someone you know a lot about while they know nothing about you; I can't quite describe it but it's quite refreshing to talk to someone in the same situation as you. His bond likes me too much and it's scary I don't want to remember it now.

Last week, he asked me for love advice regarding a situation involving his friend. I know it's about him, but I played along and offered some , cough *advice * cough , for his friend.

They have a class dungeon excursion this weekend, and the time for my first contractor is drawing near.

_______________________________________

I awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the cracks in my modest room. The sounds of the chirping birds outside were a distant hum, but my mind was consumed with thoughts of the task ahead. 

Today was the day i would confront Alea Triscan, and i have a singular goal in mind: to secure her as my first contractor through a soul contract. 

Alea Triscan, also known by her code name Aureate, was one of the six Lance of Dicathen, representing the Kingdom of Elenoir. Alea was the first of the Lances to encounter the Vritra, before ultimately losing her life to one. Following her death, she was replaced by Arthur Leywin.

Alea is polite, friendly, and encouraging. She acts as the most social person amongst the Lances, with an odd sense of humor. When the situation demands it, Alea can be very serious and perceptive, analyzing her surroundings and assessing her situation. Alea possesses a slight inferiority complex towards the rest of her comrades, as she fully admits that she is the weakest among the Lances. Alea values her soldiers and was willing to put her life on the line to protect them, and was traumatized when she was forced to listen to them scream in agony as they were butchered by Uto , I'll try to change that give her power and more, forge her to be a better version of herself.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cool wooden floor grounding me in reality. The memory of Alea's frail form lingered in his mind, a reminder of my mission. She was not an ally to be cherished; she was a means to an end, a way to be used to further my own ambitions.

I moved through my morning routine. I donned my clothes, the fabric fitting snugly against my body,. As i fastened the last strap, i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back was a blank expression , but also cold .

"She's just a means to an end," i reminded myself , the words echoing in my mind. "A pawn to help me navigate this war." , i don't have time to sugar coat my words or asking her nicely.

After gathering my gear, i made my way to the small kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air. I poured myself a cup, the warmth seeping into my hands, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in my gut. I had to approach Alea carefully; she was fragile, both physically and emotionally. But i couldn't let her reluctance dictate her fate.

He knew all too well what would happen if he didn't act quickly. The knowledge from his past life weighed heavily on him. He had read the novel that chronicled their fates, and he understood the consequences of inaction. If he didn't secure her through the soul contract, she would likely perish, and he would lose his chance to gain a valuable piece in his plans.

As he finished his tea, he glanced out the window, the sun half risen, illuminating the path to the dungeon. The Widow's Crypt loomed in the distance, He could almost hear the whispers of the shadows . 

With a final deep breath, Ellis set his cup down and steeled himself. 

I have to make her understand the importance of the soul contract , It wasn't just about binding her to me; it was about gaining an advantage in the ongoing conflict. If she signed it, she would become my first contractor, a vital piece in his plans to gather intelligence and strengthen his position within the Lance , so I wrote the contract so it seems she have freedom , with enough back doors i can use if needed.

" The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure he never knows he's in a prison " — Fyodor Dostoevsky.

I intended to make it seem as though the contract was designed to protect my information from being disclosed, while also providing me with benefits such as access to her knowledge and connections with the lances. I could still enlist her for missions, I need her to think that I would never betray the continent and I was on their side in the end.

However, there was more to the contract than that. It would forge a bond between us, intertwining our fates. I knew this connection would be addictive, drawing her in and making her dependent on me. Despite understanding the risks involved, I was willing to embrace them and this is the outcome I seek.

As he stepped out of his home, the cool morning air enveloped him like a refreshing wave, invigorating and sharp. He made his way toward the dungeon.

"I won't let you die, Alea," he thought silently, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and ambition. "You and I are just pieces on the board, for now."

________________________________

As I stepped through the teleportation gate, my senses were jolted by the vibrant scenery. The City of Xyrus boasted the highest number of teleportation gates among all cities, as they were the only means of entry to this floating marvel. The gate we crossed led me directly to the area known as the Beast Glades.

The symphony of nature enveloped me: the cheerful chirps of birds, the occasional cries and roars of beasts, and the constant sound of flowing water created an enticing backdrop.

Tall trees and rolling hills, adorned with a variety of plants and shrubs, painted a breathtaking landscape that seemed almost too beautiful to harbor magical beasts.

Taking a deep breath of the crisp air, I murmured, "Ahhh, I'm back. I've missed it here." After savoring the moment, I summoned Nue, my owl, and leaped onto his back, setting off toward my destination.

I traveled in silence, observing the nearby mana beasts. Soon, the trees parted as I began to descend a slope. "We're almost there, buddy," I said, landing in front of the dungeon. I glanced around before unsummoning my owl.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by a narrow stairway that led into darkness. In single file, I began my descent, each step accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperature. The darkness was so profound that I could only make out vague outlines as I walked silently down the seemingly endless flight of stairs.

Even without augmenting my body , the frigid air of the dungeon was bearable. However, as the light began to filter in, that soon changed. 

A gust of biting cold air rushed through the opening at the end of the tunnel, forcing me to shield myself with mana. As my eyes adjusted to the new brightness, excitement surged within me at the sight of the first floor of the Widow's Crypt.

The cavern stretched for hundreds of yards, leaving me in awe of how it could even support itself. The stone walls sparkled with a dim blue light, and a thin layer of ice coated the floor, forming icicles that hung from the ceiling. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a nearly transparent layer of moss that enveloped the cavern walls and ceiling, casting a serene glow over the floor.

Suddenly, hideous noises echoed around us. Peeking out from behind boulders and small caverns were countless beady red eyes.

"That's a lot of snarlers... No way am I fighting them all; I don't have time," I thought, activating my spying spells to obscure myself from their view.

Even among mana beasts, snarlers were particularly grotesque. With thick gray fur, their 140 cm bodies resembled muscular mini gorillas. Their faces were a disturbing blend of a boar's snout and tusks, complete with beady red eyes and long ears. At first glance, their powerful jaws might suggest they were formidable foes, but I knew they were merely E-stage mana beasts—weak compared to me. I had no need to engage them.

"GREEARRRR!"

"SSNNNNRRRKKK!"

"GRAAHHK! GRAAHHK!"

As dozens of snarlers revealed themselves, they snapped their jaws, letting out low growls and sniffing the air in search of me. I swiftly dispatched the nearest one, cleaving it into pieces, which alerted the others. I remained still for several minutes to test a theory, and to my not-so-surprise, they began to feast on the one I had just killed. 

"They are cursed," I thought to myself as I 'gentle stepped' to the stairs.

After what felt like hours of running down the stairs, I finally reached the last floor. 

Searching for a hidden passage, as the time passed I finally noticed a suspicious wall. 

Approaching it, I placed my hand against the surface and sent my sound spell through it: "Echo." 

"That's it," I muttered under my breath as I broke down the wall.

Stepping inside, I attempted to survey my surroundings, but all I could see was darkness. It wasn't just dark; it was pitch black. It felt as if I had shut my eyes so tightly that different lights were oozing around in my vision, and no matter how hard I squinted, my eyes couldn't adjust. However, my eyes were not ordinary, so I augmented my vision and could see again. 

I walked toward the edge of a giant abyss-like hole and jumped, swirling wind around me to ensure a safe landing.

As I fell down , I sensed no floor beneath me. How deep is this fucking hole? I vented my frustration aloud. After some time, the surface of the walls changed; they were smooth—too smooth to be natural.

150 meters…

100 meters…

50 meters…

I spotted a faint light!

20 meters…

5 meters…

Two meters from the ground, I released one last, powerful pulse of compressed air directly below me, landing perfectly.

As I lifted my head from the ground, faint lights illuminated the area. Looking around, I realized I was in a passageway of some sort, with small lights lining the sides. Further down the hall, a brighter source of light beckoned.

"Wh-Who's there?" a female voice echoed.

I opened my mouth to respond but hesitated, closing it again. I wanted to answer the frightened voice, but instinct urged me to remain vigilant for a possible attack.

"Please... I need help," she murmured.

"Hold on…," I replied weakly, but she heard me.

I could hear her harsh, forced breaths before she responded with a faint, "Okay."

"Hello?" I called as I walked through the passageway.

"I'm... here." The voice sounded even weaker than before.

As I approached the growing light at the end of the tunnel, I called out to her again.

Upon reaching the end of the tunnel, my vision adjusted almost instantly from the darkness to the brightness.

"This... cough... way."

"..."

Before I could respond, I stand still at the sight before me.

The warzone created by the hundreds of snarler bodies scattered and piled on top of each other was a gruesome sight, but it paled in comparison to the scene I couldn't tear my eyes away from.

Corpses. Corpses of humans, elves, and dwarves lay strewn about, some in pieces, around a cavern that would have been considered beautiful under different circumstances.

The once vibrant green moss that carpeted the ground was now stained red, while a stream running through the cavern carried floating bodies, their blood mingling with the water.

Around forty to fifty corpses were scattered throughout the cavern, their weapons lying beside them. The damage inflicted upon their bodies spoke of unspeakable torture; some had limbs torn apart, while others bore deep cuts across their beheaded forms.

I heard her cough again. "Are you... still there?" The weak voice came from my left.

"I'm coming... oh..." I couldn't finish my sentence .

The woman lying against the cavern wall was in a far worse state than the scattered carcasses.

The elf had most of her limbs torn off. Where her right arm and both legs should have been were gaping holes, cruelly sealed by burns.

Her eyes were missing, and dried blood streamed down her cheeks from the empty sockets. A sleek black spike was impaled through her abdomen, right where her mana core resided, and it too was sealed.

"How?" I dropped to my knees in front of her, inspecting her closely I asked despite knowing how.

The Six Lances... She was one of the six strongest mages in all of Dicathen, chosen to represent the continent, and yet here she lay in this state.

"You're one of the Six Lances," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Indeed I am..." She let out a ragged sigh.

"If you're asking how I'm still alive in this state, it's because he left me alive." Her eyebrows furrowed, and the dried blood crusted between her eyelids crumbled, releasing a faint stream of fresh blood.

"He?" I asked, realizing how foolish the question sounded, but I was lost in my thoughts thinking about Uto .

"Yes, he. He called himself Vritra." With her remaining left hand, she slowly reached behind her and pulled out something.

In her palm lay a sleek black stone fragment. Squinting to analyze it, I recognized it as his horn. My entire body shook with a mix of anger and excitement. I couldn't understand why I felt this way; I didn't know her, so why was I angry? The emotions surged within me, a tempest of confusion and rage. I had never met this woman, The sight of her, once a powerful mage, now reduced to this pitiful state, was unbearable.

I understand why....

I unconsciously said out loud " How pathetic ".