An Invitation (1)

"What in the name of the chaos realms is that girl?" Aether mumbled as he rested his head on the couch.

Lord Ladran chuckled. He had come and asked for Aether as soon as the class was over. They now sat in Lady Luna's office. "I actually wanted to talk to you because I wanted to warn you about Clara." He said with an amused tone. "But I guess you've already figured her out."

Aether shook his head. "She nearly killed me!" He exhaled.

Lord Ladran's expression immediately changed. "So, holy magic does harm you." His words were a statement. Aether opened his eyes and glanced at him. "Didn't you already know that?"

Lord Ladran shook his head. "How could I? All I know about you is the myths from down below."

Aether laughed. "Right." He raised his head and sat upright. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. I was about to use this chance to threaten you," He added with a mischievous smile. "But that won't quite work now."

Lord Ladran grinned as well. "I know," He said, not surprised in the slightest. "I returned to the Council precisely because of that." The young man's expression darkened as he listened to Lord Ladran's words. "So, I come carrying a gift – a deal, so to speak." He took a small box out of his pocket.

It looked exactly like a ring holder box, if not for all the magic around it. Aether closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they let out a silver glow.

The wooden box was lined with inscriptions. Complex ones at that too. "What is this?" He asked after a few seconds. He couldn't read all of them from where he was standing.

Lord Ladran put the box on the low coffee table between them. "You are Lady Iris' guard, are you not?" He asked. Aether nodded. Lord Ladran's expression darkened. "The Council will protect Lady Iris as well," He offered. Aether's eyes widened as the scholar continued. "We will protect her for as long as she remains within the Academy grounds, or as long as she takes part in any academy related events such as the upcoming tournament." He added.

Aether raised his hand to stop the scholar. "The Council never interferes."

"The Council wishes your services."

"My services can only be lent by Lord Yotsura." Aether slightly raised his voice. "I have no choice or say in the matter, Lord Ladran." He extended his arm, showing the back of his right hand. "Look carefully, and you will understand your words are in vain."

Lord Ladran furrowed his brows as he looked at the back of the young man's hand. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Analyse." He whispered, and strands of his mana reached for the young man's hand.

Aether winced as Lord Ladran's magic touched his hand. "Do you understand?" He asked.

"What have you done?" The scholar asked wide eyed. "How could you-"

"It is not my doing." Aether pulled his sleeve down in a futile attempt to cover his hand. "If the Council wishes for my services, you must talk to Lord Yotsura." He added after a moment's silence. "But to be honest," He sighed. "I do wish I could accept."

"I will contact him then." Lord Ladran took the box and put it back into his pocket. "Until then, there is not much we can talk about, unfortunately." He seemed somewhat disappointed, though it was to be expected.

"Indeed." Aether rose to his feet. "In that case, excuse me." He bowed, as it was custom to a member of the Council, then headed for the door. Just as he was about to reach for the handle, the door swung open, hitting him in the forehead with quite some force.

"Hello Uncle Ladra-" The cheerful voice was cut short as Aether stumbled back and fell to the ground. "Oh no!"

"Aether!" Lord Ladran exclaimed as he ran up to the young man. "He's…" He paused to glance at the young woman. "You knocked him out you crazy rascal." He told her off as he placed his hand on the young man's bleeding forehead. As his magic slowly healed the wound, he couldn't help but glance at his hand. Who would do such a thing?

"I'm so sorry!" Clara's shaking voice pulled him away from his thoughts. "I didn't know he was here!" Clara knelt by the unconscious young man. "Besides, how did he get knocked unconscious so easily?"

Lord Ladran shot her an almost annoyed glance. "Because he depleted all of his mana trying to protect himself against your spell!" He sighed. "He has little mana compared to you, you know that!"

Clara chuckled. "But the spell wouldn't have harmed him anyways. I made sure of it." Lord Ladran shook his head. "Just don't prank him with holy magic, alright? Not everyone feels so at ease with it as you and your mother do."

"Fine, fine. I won't." Clara rolled her eyes. "You know, he almost looks happy to be asleep."

"He's not asleep, he's unconscious." Lord Ladran mumbled as he got up. "Lift." He spoke, and strands of magic reached for the young man, lifting him from the cold hardwood floors and gently placing him on the couch. "Now go and bring some water." He said to Clara. "And your mother."

"Sure," She said with a cheerful voice and ran outside.

Lord Ladran sighed as the door closed behind her. "Crazy girl."

He turned his attention on the unconscious young man. He did seem to be peacefully asleep. "Awaken." He said and sent a portion of his mana to stir the young man's consciousness.

A few seconds passed with nothing happening, but then the young man suddenly shook himself awake.

"Sorry about that." Lord Ladran chuckled. "I'm not too good with healing magic or the sort."

Aether blinked a couple of times. "I hit my head, didn't I?" He asked after a moment of silence. Lord Ladran chuckled. "The door hit your head would be amore accurate depiction of what happened. How much did you deplete your mana?"

Aether touched his forehead. "All of it. I'm barely standing, to be honest." His weak, mischievous smile only made Lord Ladran sigh. "You need to take better care of yourself."

"It's fine." Aether motioned to get up, but the world seemed to whirl around him. "Ah, maybe not." He sighed as the door once again swung open.

"I didn't hit anyone this time, did I?" Clara asked as she barged inside. Behind her was a somewhat confused Lady Luna. "What?" She asked as her daughter put a bottle of water on the table and glared at Aether. "Drink!"

"Why exactly did we gather here?" She asked, glancing at her daughter and Lord Ladran.

"I have something to talk about with you. I don't know why Clara is here – Aether needs a minute before he can walk." Lord Ladran explained.

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding. I actually wanted to talk with you too." Clara said with a grin. "Mom, I've decided who I want."

Lady Luna seemed surprised. "Already?" She asked as she lowered herself onto a couch. "Have you even met all of them?" Clara nodded vigorously. Her serious expression was what incentivised Aether to speak up.

"I should leave," He said, motioning to get up.

"It's him! I want him." Aether froze in place as he came eye to eye with Clara.

"Excuse me?"