Kri Passage

The news came from the Archduchy of Ortiz.

Micah, the acting-patriarch of the Ortiz had been leading the Ortiz House.

The news was a good one for the vassals and the people of the Archduchy.

Micah had been leading the family for years.

It was expected that he would hold the seat of power. His effort had not been wasted.

The folks were happy about this. But their happiness was limited to the idea that finally, the 'head' of the family of Ortiz had finally got it in his brain to do what needs to be done.

Those were the rumors that I was hearing.

I had the memories of the wraith so I could act casually even inside a pub while listening to the rumors and news.

It really does feel like cheating.

I adjusted the tail of my robe and bit on the roasted meat they served me.

I could feel the grease and oil of the meat. I only wore a breastplate and arm guards since being in full plate armor all the time would have been a bother and so that I can move without hassle.

There was a smell of herbs lingering in the air. The pub's keeper was bantering among his patrons while showing off his ability to carve through the meat using his blades.

I dipped the roasted meat on the sauce.

It was then that I saw someone wearing a slightly baggy robe enter the pub. This person carried a staff covered with a cloth and was certainly a teenager in appearance. Not a single one stopped her because she confidently strutted. There was wisdom in her eyes that were impossible to hide.

She scanned the area before placing her eyes on the empty seat. She strutted to where I sat and pulled the stool. She sat first, placed her staff on the side, and asked the serving girl to bring her ale and roasted meat. I kept to my business, drank my ale, and ate my roast.

"You…are strong."

Hmm?

I looked at the person holding the mug with her hands.

"I've never seen someone with the physique or a prana reservoir like this. Sir, may I ask where you might be going?"

She was glancing at the noble crest that I was wearing. It was the sign that even if I had no name. I had no land. I was still someone who was needed to be called Sir. I do not personally mind it, but it bothers me. Then again, the influence of the wraith in my thinking and my habits was slowly ridding me of my previous habits. It was more like I was possessed, and slowly being molded into being Kiran.

"I am planning to head to the Academy in Betia to learn control over my prana. Also, no need to call me Sir. I'm just a traveler trying to better himself, Miss?"

"Meris Guardia," she said calmly. "Just call me Meris."

"Kiran Irvin."

I exchanged greetings. She nodded her head.

"Miss Meris. It seems that you are older than you look."

"You can tell?"

"There is wisdom in your eyes that you cannot hide. And well, you wearing the necklace of the precursor race."

On her neck dangled the necklace of anyone who was a member of the precursor race. It would have a sapphire look on it if it was worn by the precursor race. These people are strong and when I looked through interstice. I could see the power of her prana enveloping her body, compressed, refined, and flowing so rapidly.

"Are you the same? No one has prana like yours, but it seems something is being sustained inside you. A part of you that you could never remove."

"You can see that?"

"My…abilities allow me to see it. And I felt like you were part of my people."

"Would you mind if I touch the necklace? Maybe I really am part of the precursor, or at least have some blood of the precursors."

She nodded her head. She took her necklace off and handed it to me. It was nothing more than an 'identification' for them so it wasn't really a bother for her to hand it to me.

I held on to the necklace and the dull look became almost Sapphire.

"Half-blood, no, even less it seems," she said without a beat.

"Well, that's to be expected," I handed over the necklace. She took it, dipped her roasted meat on the sauce, and took a small bite.

"It's still a surprise that you have this much. I rarely see people who have this kind of reaction. You must be the owner of that red-eyed horse then. Those horses don't follow the non-magic and the cant-chant."

"Dust is an obedient horse, didn't know that he had something like that."

She studied me. "Do you need a companion to the Academy?"

"Are you going there?"

She told me that she was planning to go to the academy herself. I hesitated for a moment because of my past, but it seems that Miss Guardia is a perceptive woman. She had courage as well and her being straightforward made me lower my guard down. It made me believe that she truly was someone older than me. So I didn't hide my intention to learn in the Academy and further my abilities to her as well.

"Still, I think you are strong enough to handle the journey," I said to her.

"Journeys are tiresome, you have a physique greater than mine so it would be no problem. I am only in the intermediate layer of power. Prana can be manipulated through the body, it should be possible to manipulate my body to do the same…but the methods of a martial master and a practitioner of magic are different. So it would be beneficial if we can travel together."

I was about to reply when she continued. "You should be twenty-one right now. I think that a person of peerage usually goes to such academy during their fifteenth year in this world. So there must be something more other than going to Academy to 'refine your control'."

I felt unnerved how she could see through me. "Indeed," I told her. I then told her that this journey was for the sake of making amends for things that I was not proud of. She didn't think much of what I said. Though I could tell from her look that she grew cautious as well.

She was trying to make use of me.

It was clear that she wanted a companion for extra security.

She was blunt and went straight to the point. Honestly, I don't think she would have bothered me if I didn't have this level of prana and she might have tried to hire me for guard duty.

Her equipment and clothes. The way she could confidently strut inside a bar with mostly men inside was a testament to how she was used to this. This pub was full of mercenaries and travelers. No one would walk in here unless they were patrons of this pub or very brave.

She was not backing down on her offer and if she really is heading to the Academy as well.

I had no reason to refuse her offer. Besides, I think she understands the pressure of attending an Academy with people who are much younger than her. I might be twenty-one currently, but I am older inside. The Academy itself is filled with older individuals, but most of them are associated as forces for the Academy or because they want to learn.

"If you're fine with someone like me, then I hope we get along well."

I extended my hand. We shook hands and chatted. We decided to move to the booth in the back.

I had a few casual conversations with her before asking what made her want to seek out a companion for this particular journey.

"I guess it does make you suspicious."

"Who wouldn't?"

She acknowledged and told me about the situation around the Empire. The world was moving. Chess pieces were being placed and there were many abnormal situations that were in regard to the belua, the monsters, and demonic species that are escaping the interstice through vortexes.

She did not need protection.

I did not as well.

But if rumors are true then there is a chance that we might encounter hordes of them.

Actually, I was planning to find a caravan. You could say that this is merely us having an agreement to whose sides we will pick if any disagreements happen if we find a caravan going through the route. Other than that we quietly discussed the rumors around the world. She told me of what she heard. I had nothing to contribute. I felt like a sheltered child and she quickly got a hold of that against me.

"I guess you are one of those who never left their homes."

"I am," I didn't deny it. "I need to enlighten myself."

"Good luck then," she nodded.

#

I started riding from Mutiorase. This town was called Lemikaa and was a town this close to the border. I was still in the Archduchy and the familiar banners of the Ortiz Family would be present.

I left the pub alongside Meris after a day of rest.

I got my Dust back from the stable. She got her own stubborn mare that she called Ruby. It was an ordinary horse compared to my stubborn stallion.

We went out of the town and joined a traveling caravan headed to the Kri passage. A passage sitting in between two border fences. The Empire and the forces of the Kingdom of Cemanor stood against one another.

There were many travelers sticking close to the caravan as well. From what they were speaking I could discern that they have concern over the rumors of how volatile the situation around the continent was.

There was a rule that as long as you don't cause trouble.

No one would do anything. The caravan wagon and train were heavily guarded. They did not allow anyone to stick close to the wagons because of the merchandise inside of them.

"Looks like they are careful."

"They don't do anything as long as keep away."

I nodded. I maintain Dust's pace and rode side by side.

As we continue the dirt road path. I heard the sound of wind resisting something.

Everyone on the ground looked up and saw a flying vessel that had four rotor-blades keeping it afloat.

It was an extraordinary vessel that only a few could possess to shorten their travel time.

Micah had suggested that I would board one, but I refused because it would attract too much attention.

Not to mention that there are many dangers in the sky.

Only a few could afford this way of transportation.

Not to mention that they are heavily regulated and are made used by the military when facing situations that need them to take to the skies.

Teleportation portals were used exclusively for emergency and require energy to power one. Not to mention that they can be unstable, sometimes sending people inside marble and stone. Travel by land was the safest but there was a certain majesty when it comes to traveling using airships.

"The banner of the Ortiz Family," Meris said. She urged her mare forward.

I followed as well.

I looked up and saw the banners of my family. It didn't take long for the airship to disappear from our eyes.

I don't know who was using the airship, but I guess it's Micah's problem now.

The caravan peacefully passed the Kri passage.

After presenting our passes, we entered the valley and found ourselves descending to the lowlands.

The air became warm and the cold that I was familiar with was gone. The scenery changed as if someone decided to swap the colors of the leaves without even me noticing.

I had finally left the Archduchy of Ortiz after many years of shutting myself away from the world.

For the first time in years, I felt…free.