Year 3988, 8th Day of the 9th Moon
Continent of Humana

THE GLITTERING rays infiltrated the gap between the curtain as it billowed from the soft breeze. It was perfect weather to enjoy a cup of tea in the garden but the library had always been Elise's sanctuary that she never planned on leaving.

She could have spent her time in Orin's Medicine Hall but she heard he was occupied these days so there was no way she could enter his private space. As much as she loved Hadrien's Medicine Chamber, she could not stay as well since she needed books from time to time and the two rooms were on opposite wings.

If one was to come inside, they would have thought that they entered a medicine room rather than the library. The whole ground floor was rearranged with additional tables that stored different herbs.

After that incident days ago, she decided to have more extensive research on fading and the use of plants as a replacement for an element.

Gustavious had learned about her study and sent her a bulk of rare ingredients. Although Orin had a wide variety of herbs as well, the resources of Gustavious were incomparable. She only needed to ask Aricson to send an orb and Gustavious would send anything she wanted. 

It was a pure haven for her not until Aricson made an appearance with her maids in tow. He did not even wait for her reply and explained why she had to get dressed.

After she was done, she was led to the castle's entrance. Aricson stood beside the carriage and her arms crossed on her chest.

"Now what?"

She already prepared her reading list for the whole day but his abrupt plan ruined it. If he did not mention it was urgent, she would have retaliated. It really annoyed her when her schedule was interrupted.

"I just got a letter from my godfather and he said we can go," he said.

"So? Why am I also going?"

"This might be an overnight trip."

Her brow raised. "Then?"

"I want you close to me."

'My god!' He just dropped the bomb and helped her get in the carriage as if nothing happened. After the case of May's husband, it seemed like she and Aricson had a tacit agreement to keep whatever they had. His shower of affection truly helped and motivated her to do her best.

"Besides, this concerns you. You want to go back to your world, don't you?"

'Oh... right.' She almost wanted to slap herself.

His words struck as lightning and anxiety crept into her heart that the day would come when she would forget her real goal — one that should not have involved anything about her research on magic and herbs — yet there she was becoming too engaged in their world. 

She cleared her throat. "So, where are we going?"

He was not able to answer as the carriage rose from the ground. She unconsciously touched her ears to reduce the sudden nervousness. Not a second later, fingers clasped her free hand.

Both the apprehension from earlier and the ride had vanished in an instant. Her emotions were always easily stirred but with him, he could make her calm with just a touch or simply showing up. It was a strange feeling to have her mood dependent on someone. She hated that kind of relationship and vowed to never act like that but when it came to Aricson, it was not bad as she presumed.

He flicked her forehead and all her contemplating ceased.

"Hey! Don't you think you're getting carried away hurting my head?" she grumbled and glared at him.

"You're so easily distracted. As I was saying, we'll be meeting the Oracle since they may have a way."

"Oracle?"

That term was awfully familiar with some classical myths she read.

"Are they like the fortune teller or something? The one that can see the future and messenger of gods?"

Arcison's eyes squinted with skepticism. "You knew about them?"

"Well, we have them in our world too, but only on stories. I did not expect to see one here. Can they really see the future?"

"Not precisely. It is the Overseers that can see the future and the Oracle is their messenger. You might want to hear the answers directly from them," Aricson explained.

She leaned closer to his side as her arms circled his waist. "Thank you, Aricson."

He did not say anything more and only pulled her closer. There was a tingling warmth on her hair as the softness of his lips descended.

She was aware he was reluctant and so was she. Knowing that she could have limited time, Elise resolved herself. This could be a short time but she wanted to experience falling in love with someone like him. Even if she had to regret it later on.

WHEN ELISE thought about it, this would be the first time they were spending alone together without any of her maids and it would be an overnight trip to top it off. Her conventional self would have reprimanded her but it was not the time to have reservations.

This was almost like a date and her heart thumped in an unsteady beat. It always raced when Aricson was there but it had gradually soothed down after she got used to his presence except now. She was not a novice when dating but it was indeed true that it was different once you go out with someone you actually loved.

In spite of all the overthinking, it was not even an hour when her bubble of excitement popped. The carriage halted and two people entered. 

It was a drunkard and a love rival.

Exel reeked of booze but thankfully he seemed sober and Isabella was staring at her with those penetrating crystal blue eyes.

"Finally, I am able to meet you. I believe you know my name but I don't know yours, my fair lady," Exel said.

Her lips twitched. That frivolous act was so similar to Erkhan. He was about to take her hand but Aricson slapped it away.

"That was impolite," she chided before turning to Exel. "My name's Elise."

"Exel, Elise. A beautiful name that sounds as beautiful as mine."

Her eyebrow almost shot up to the peak of her temple. 'Just when can I meet ordinary people?'

Everyone she had seen so far had such colorful personalities but this guy ranked one on her list. She was not sure if it was a simple boast or plain narcissism.

"Isabella."

The opulent tone was music to anyone's ears. She wanted to be lulled in that kind of voice but her body stiffened when Aricson chuckled and ruffled Isabella's hair.

Elise could swear her expression was indignant at the moment. Aricson squinted in indulgence as his lips curved on both ends. It was a far cry from his remote guise. 

"You are the same as usual, Bell. By the way, this is Elise. Elise, this is Lady Isabella Morgian Aertian," he introduced.

She forced a smile and held out a hand. "It is nice to see you again, Lady Isabella."

"You met already?" Aricson inquired.

"Met."

"What a surprise when you two like to be indoors."

"It was when Faylinn and Erkhan took me out," she explained.

"I see." Aricson faced Isabella who was seated in front of him and patted her head once more. "You should go out more often."

It was a passing second but Isabella's face lit up before reeling back to being stoic. Elise could surmise why Aricson could not detect her feelings and it was not him being dense. This woman could revert back to her blank expression faster than a blink of an eye.

"Aren't you curious why we're here?" Exel questioned out of the blue.

"Why?" She rode along seeing the eager expression that he wanted to tattle about it when she was not that interested in the first place.

"Actually Aricson is one of the strongest mages, aside from me of course. He's even a U-class like me and Isabella. I swear on my grave that he can handle any enemies but he wants us to bodyguard you! Imagine hiring two U-class just for guarding. Talk about being protective! I guess our boring chap has finally bloomed!"

"The way to the Oracle is the most dangerous. We can encounter a lot of unexpected enemies so it is better to be safe but I don't want too many people either," Aricson reasoned out.

"Where are we going anyway?" Elise inserted.

"The Divine Peak in the Aerith Kingdom. We'll arrive early in the evening if there are no troubles."

Aricson took out the box underneath their chair. He opened it and she beamed.

"It is a long ride so I brought some books."

"That is so sweet!" She squealed in delight and kissed his cheek.

They had been touchy-feely these days that she had fully disregarded her sense of propriety and forgotten that this was a different world and they were not alone.

"Ahem, Bell, we should have taken another carriage."

She swiftly scooted away from him but the pink tint was obvious. Public display of affection was not that of a big deal but with such a closed space and having someone who liked the person she liked made it ten times more discomfiting. The intense gaze of Isabella did not help either.

"My bad," she softly muttered, hiding her face in the book and muting everything out.

THE CARRIAGE came to a full stop when Elise was halfway through her third book. Exel who fell asleep flinched from his seat while she did not expect anything less when Isabella woke up in such a graceful manner. Her lashes fluttered and she rubbed her eyes but her posture was intact. It was a disparaging contrast to Exel who was slouching the whole ride.

"Are we there?" Elise turned to Aricson.

He had been slumbering as well but he roused up a little bit earlier from the two. If not for the ache on her shoulder, she wouldn't have woken him up.

"No. It is forbidden for flying carriage to travel inside Aerith in respect to their mountains that's why we have to change to horses once we cross the border," Aricson explained.

She peeked outside and saw the bird being replaced by horses. The carriage rattled for a little bit before they set off once again but it was a lot bumpier than their ride midair.

Their travel continued but it was not that long before they were stopped by a loud crash.

"Floian." Isabella cast as the carriage went into smithereens in mere seconds. An invisible barrier seemed to block off all the debris away from them.

"Give us the badge!" One of the men shouted. 

"As if, morons!" Exel rebutted.

"Then we'll take it ourselves!"

Tens of them appeared and they were surrounded. Elise did not need to do the math to know they were outnumbered. They were only four of them but the other guys could form a whole gang.

"Stay with Isabella," Aricson commanded which could only be meant to her.

She nodded. They had magic and she had none. She was in no rush for a suicide mission.

"You handle those who are hiding, I'll do the rest," Aricson ordered and stepped away from them.

"Got it."

What awaited next was like a scene from a movie. The soil rising, flames hovering, plants attacking, and dark heavy smoke combined to form a chaotic mess.

Her jaw was already stuck on the ground witnessing such a sight. Elise did not need to come closer to know that they were dead. Some even approached them but no one was able to with Isabella on her side.

She could only watch but then a glint of the iron sword appeared distinct by the light enveloping the weapon. The man was sneaking behind Aricson and her feet moved on their own.

"Stay." Isabella held on her wrist. She struggled but she did not expect such strength from a small body.

Her eyes returned to Aricson but that man was already set ablaze. The fight ensued until it became a disturbing vision where countless limbs had been detached with charred bodies.

"Is that all?" Aricson's voice became clear upon the simmering noise.

"Yes. I already cleared the ones lurking around," Exel replied.

Isabella released her and Elise sprinted to Aricson's side who was covered with blood.

He backed away after seeing her. "You don't have to come here."

"Huh? Let me see your wounds!"

"I'm not wounded. These are their blood, not mine."

She grimaced. The time at the beach flashed in her mind. She was terrified by what she saw, to be honest, but she had long understood that it was a normal occurrence for them.

Aricson remained standing and so did she. He said it was not his but he was too bloody that she could not let it pass.

She drew nearer but he inched backward. Her forehead wrinkled with his evident dodging.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"I killed a lot today. Didn't you hate killing people?" he mumbled.

It was strange to hear him unsure as he acted like what he did was a grave sin and it surely was but their morals were different here. It was either to kill or be killed. If they did not protect themselves, it would be them who would be lying on these stained lands.

"That's not the point right now. Tell me the truth, are you hurt or not?"

"Just a graze."

She scanned his body and then spun him around. That slight graze was a huge slash on his back.

He seemed to know what she was thinking and spoke, "There was a medicine box beside the chest earlier."

She went to the ruins of their carriage and searched for the box. She found it amidst the other luggage and carried it back to him, her hands trembling.

Whether or not it was due to the current events that had finally sunk in or the flashing memories of the dying man, she had no time to analyze.

Elise kneeled behind Aricson and put down the box. Her nails dug on her palm, trying to get rid of the tremor. She lifted up his shirt but then something blocked her view.

It was a folded fan but the wider edge was pointed so that it could absolutely prick the skin when touched.

"What are you doing?" she asked and scowled at the holder.

"She's a Healer, Bell. She knows what she's doing," Aricson said.

Nevertheless, Isabella didn't budge.

"Show your name block," Aricson requested.

Elise took out the rose-colored name block that was chained along with the black feather. Aricson had always reminded her not to take it off since it was pretty much the same as the license of a doctor.

"Damn it, chap! Is that your Ink Plume? But wait, you have a different name block?" Exel's voice rose higher the longer he spoke.

"Contributor," Isabella muttered and pulled her weapon away.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I had a patient in hand."

She cleaned his wound and put a balm on it. Her hands were quick as she wrapped him with bandages. She did not even notice the other two left until they returned.

"We've scouted the area. I could estimate the nearest town will be two hours if we'll walk. But, if you wanted to follow our itinerary then you need to summon your familiars," Exel stated.

"Alright," Aricson agreed.

He whistled, seconded by Isabella. Minutes passed and the trees swayed with the huge flaps of wings.

Two gigantic animals appeared in front of her. One was the familiar blazing head of the Vermilion and the other was something that she was never inclined to encounter. It was a freaking dragon!