CHAPTER 39: 36: A SUDDEN MEETING.

[ All four Nexus has been gathered, the story will now begin. ]

[ Goodluck, Edward Myrvale ]

huh...

What did that mean?

Panic rose from within him, and Edward frantically looked around the chamber for anything that was out of place.

Contrary to his worries, nothing was on fire, neither was anything blowing up. There wasn’t any fights happening either, and he was sure that he couldn’t feel any murderous intent oozing out of some maniac. It was safe to say that the initial panic had given way to confusion.

Did it just say that to scare me?

He took another glance at the panel.

[ ♡ ]

Despite his best efforts, a vein popped up in his forehead, and he did his absolute best to keep himself from scowling. Which ended looking rather comical as his expression twisted into something akin to the face of a comic character.

He took in a deep breath to steady himself.

Just what was this dumb thing planning this time?

"Selene?"

She hummed in response.

"How safe is this place?"

She tore her gaze away from the main stage, looking at him with a weird expression in her mesmerising eyes.

"Where did that come from?"

Edward gave her a nervous smile.

"Uh..." He avoided looking into her mesmerising eyes. "I just wanted to know."

She considered something for a long moment, still looking at him as she decided on what to say.

"Well, this is probably the safest place in the entire kingdom, at least for now."

Edward blinked.

"Thats... nice to know"

Selene let out a sigh when she realised that Edward wasn’t completely convinced.

"How much do you know about mages?"

Edward stopped glanced around at that question, finally meeting her eye.

"That they’re very mysterious, and probably powerful."

She gave him a nod.

"Correct. Mages are singular existence even among the most powerful beings. And do you know who leads this particular group of people?"

He shook his head, indicating that he didn’t.

"A Grand Mage." She paused for a moment, "just one of them is powerful enough to take down an entire army of soldiers. There are currently three grand mages attending this ball"

She fiddled with the cup in front of her as she continued her explanation, her voice strangely clear in Edward’s ears even in the turbulent sea of noise.

"You might not feel it because you don’t study mana. But people who can sense it can see the sheer concentration of power in this room right now, Those foot soldiers outside are more for show than anything. Even if a dragon decided to attack right now, it wouldn’t be able to do much."

A what?

"That sounds scary..." He blurted out before he stop himself.

Selene just gave him a nod.

"That is true..."

[ Bond Progress: Selene Verdigris (40%+1%) ]

He tried his best to ignore the annoying chime.

He then considered what Selene had just said to him.

Now that Edward knew about it, actually thought about it. He could sense the faint pressure that was pressing down on him from all angles. It almost felt like he was moving in something that was a little thicker than regular air, but lighter than something terrifying like water.

Still, he wondered at what kind of power these grand mages held for them to be so revered even by the usually nonchalant Selene.

Mana huh...

He remembered Elias, who was a mage residing under the Myrvale banner.

Wait. Now that he thought about it,

He hadn’t ran into him much after that initial meeting over breakfast.

He hadn’t seen Armand at all as well.

Weird....

Shaking off the unimportant thoughts that clogging his brain, he focused on the party instead, trying to look at ease as much as he can.

***

It was when he had stepped out for a quick restroom break when he met her.

The woman before him stood like she’d stepped out of a painting—tall, poised, and frighteningly composed. Her gown was a cool shade of lilac brushed with silver threads that caught the light like frost. A slim chain circled her throat, and her hair—pale as winter sunlight—was braided high and pinned with a single ornament shaped like a lily of glass.

They both managed to stop before they ran into each other.

"I’m so sor-" Her sentence stopped midway through when her gaze landed properly on Edward.

She tilted her head.

"Edward?"

Edward meanwhile, felt his heart jumping out his body when he heard his name being spoken out loud by a stranger.

And seizing the perfect moment, the system chimed as well.

[ New Objective: Proceed smoothly. ]

He managed to hold barely back from cursing, and instead, gave the lady in front of him a small bow.

"My apologies, I was in a-"

Before he finish though, the girl placed her hands on his shoulders and gave him a little shake.

"What are you saying Edward? Its me Aria."

He just gave her a nervous stare. Not really knowing what he should do in such a predicament.

She looked back at him, probing for something that was familiar most likely, hoping to find the person she knew.

Time slowed down for him for a brief moment.

The feeling of nausea that had been drying off rose within him once more, and the guilt seized him by the throat.

He still managed to hold his composure though, internally thanking Emilia for all the strength she had drilled into him.

"Pardon?"

She just blinked at him.

"That’s weird..." She seemed to be in a intense moment of thought before she spoke again.

"Who did you come with?"

Edward took a moment to reply, in the meanwhile which Aria swiftly let go of him.

"The young lady of Verdigris."

Recognition flashed through her eyes. "Oh!"

Edward just nodded along awkwardly.

"that’s great to hear, can you take me to her?"

Edward hesitated.

"Uhm..."

She waited for him to speak.

Edward tried his best to avoid eye contact, glancing around at the walls as he said his next words.

"I... need to find the restroom first."

Damn you stupid luck.