Chapter 28 | Season 3

(3'rd POV)

In the big room, a large round table could be seen. 7 people were sitting around this round table discussing important matters.

King and Queen of the Kingdom of Sapin, Blaine Glayden, and Priscilla Glayder. Leaders of the human country.

King and Queen of the Kingdom of Elenoir, Alduin Earalith, and Merial Eralith. Leaders of the Elven country.

And finally King and Queen of the Kingdom of Darv. Dawsid Greysunders and Glaudera Greysunders. Leaders of Dwarven country.

Representatives of 3 races were gathered together, to discuss the future of this continent Dicathen.

But today was a little special day, it was time when the Council of Dicathen would be finally formed. Unlike future days when only Representatives of some political sides will attend, this time few other people could attend also.

Such as Virion Eralith, the most experienced politician from people gathered here and former King of Elenoir. He was allowed to also attend this meeting.

But this wasn't the end. Another person should come to the meeting today, the name of that person was Kaspian Bladeheart, representative of adventurers guild and last member of Council of Dicathen.

"We are waiting 20 minutes already…" Grumbled male dwarf, Even though he did hold Kaspian in high regard for trading deals, he was still King and didn't like waiting.

"Mr. Kaspian shall arrive in no time." Answered Blaine Glayder, he didn't want to make a bad image of Kaspian.

"We are discussing the future of this continent and he is being late heh…" Laughed Virion Eralith, for it was funny, but for others didn't seem to have the same ideas.

Just a few seconds later, a small breach was made in space. People in the room went on guard. Especially, Virion who started channeling mana in his body and was ready to enter his beast will phase.

"I apologize for my late appearance." After the breach was finally formed, the voice of man rang out in the ears of people.

"O-Oh Kaspian you are finally here…" Blaine, who didn't expect such arrival of Kaspian, was surprised.

"Once again, I apologize." Kaspian right now was confident enough in himself not to knee before Royals, Ashborn himself told him to show people superiority, even to Kings.

"I guess, It took time to form Teleportation Gates..." Blaine said and Kaspian just nodded.

This entrance was planned earlier by Ashborn, just to show the council that they aren't on some weak political side. Teleportation gates are thought of as Artifacts, but now it was formed by some human. Intriguing and frightening at the same time, especially for those who saw that in person.

"Please, take a seat and we will start discussions." Blaine motioned Kaspain to sit in a vacant chair.

Kaspian took a seat and so the discussion finally began.

"First of all, I must congratulate all of you. We are the first ones to witness such an amazing act, finally, 3 races are uniting." Exclaimed Blaine.

"Since we don't want to waste our time in meetings, let's discuss important matters first. Then we might even celebrate if nobody is against it." Said Blaine and everyone agreed with him.

"As we agreed, an announcement to the public will be held a few months after forming the Council. Now I want all of us to think about how we will integrate our different communities into one."

Everyone already anticipated such questions, it was the first thought they had after hearing about the alliance. There might be part of people who wouldn't like uniting all 3 races, serious discrimination couldn't be avoided at this rate.

"I have a proposal." Kaspian raised his hand, gaining the attention of everyone.

"We are listening."

"Right now the biggest problem is to get acceptance of all noble houses in 3 kingdoms. I'm sorry to say this but Noble families will be the main reason why discrimination problems might emerge in future. So I propose to integrate the future generation. The younger generation might not take the steps of older ones, so attending one educational facility might make integration a little easier." What Kaspian just said was only lessening problems for the future.

Since they never hoped to completely avoid discrimination, this idea was one of the best for them.

"Yes, that can lessen our burden a little. But that's only one side of the coin." Virion voiced his opinion.

He was happy, he was already accepting this proposal in his mind. But making a new generation of youngsters attend one academy doesn't mean that discrimination acts won't happen there.

"Not sure about this, but I think educational facilities should provide protection to its students… So making strongest young mages of 3 races to protect students might have a greater effect." Kaspian's mind was working so fast that it puzzled the whole council.

One man fixed one of their biggest problems in a few minutes.

"That's an option… We can integrate our societies slowly if nobody agrees to the-'' Before Kaspian could continue he got interrupted.

"No. We were thinking of… bigger measures to fix the situation, but your idea is the easiest and best way to fix the discrimination problem…" Alduin who was now against discrimination between three races praised Kaspian.

Meeting with Arthur changed his perspective about humans.

"But that's only in younger generations."

"Well, for avoiding discrimination to the public eye and to show that we are absolutely against discrimination. We can establish Gendarmeries, to monitor cities." Now, this confused others, since they didn't know what Kaspian meant.

"To explain it easier, think of it as a Military organization among citizens with law reinforcements." Everyone "Ooh" -ed it was visible that they were still confused.

"Gendarmeries will monitor cities to ensure the safety of citizens and not only that. Citizens will work as Gendarmeries and monitor law for payment, of course, they will have to pass special training, and swear upon their lives that they will protect the law." That was a little thing that Kaspian made up in his mind just in a few seconds.

Serious matters such as military organization need more serious documentation, but this was only a light discussion. There, only ideas were proposed, and the actual job was done later.

"Haha, Why did you even form a council of 6 people if only 1 was needed." Virion cracked a joke which made everyone chuckle.

But Ashborn Leywin still had an expressionless face, while watching everything through his shadow soldier.

For him, it didn't matter what they would do to fix "Light" problems. He wanted to hear something more important, where his intervention would be needed.

When Ashborn wanted to leave everything as it is, he heard something that piqued his interest.

"Mr. Kaspian, what we are going to reveal now. Is a Military secret and shouldn't be told to anyone." That was what Blaine said.

"I understand, I swear upon my name and life anything heard and seen won't leave this room." With this said, Blaine nodded and took out two small boxes that he had with him all the time.

All the leaders had serious expressions on their faces.

"Those are artifacts, passed down from generation to generation… Actually, they are what makes Silver core stage mages reach the white-core stage." Said Blaine and startled Kaspian.

Ashborn lost his interest immediately, Artifacts were something that had enough mana in it to make silver core mage reach the white core. Also, it had a curse on it, even though it was hidden well, and the curse itself was high class, its functions were done there, it couldn't do anything more.

'Artifact absorbs ambient mana and later transfers all of it to the user, making his core evolve at a high pace. Only silver core mages are chosen to wear it because they are perfect for rings, they can endure sudden breakthroughs while also adapting to usage later on.' Concluded Ashborn.

Ashborn realized, Artifacts were given to 3 races by Asuras. Why they give artifacts to humans, elves and dwarves was something that Ashborn couldn't understand.

'To ensure survival? As I remember, the continent before was swarmed by mana-beasts. Maybe later when 3 race wars were going on?' The more Ashborn thought about this, the more this played on his nerves.

Also in addition to that, they even added a curse on Artifact, making its users serve their leaders.

'Weren't those Asuras genocidal maniacs?' Wondered Ashborn, by that time the council finished discussing artifacts.

Council decided to "give" artifacts to the best mages of the continent. The 3 Race Tournament was just a facade for that. While mages were battling, country leaders were picking the strongest ones from them, for artifacts.

"Such a shame Mr. Ashborn didn't participate." Muttered Blaine, He did want to somehow take Ashborn under his control, but his sweet dreams were immediately destroyed when Ashborn showed how he could create teleportation gates.

When Virion heard the name Ashborn he tensed up. He leaned towards Blaine a little.

"Mr. Ashborn had important matters to attend. Either way for others it would be total humiliation, this way the tournament would be entertaining at all." Kaspian also concluded why the tournament was organized, but he also knew that Artifact won't be able to affect Ashborn anyway, so he wouldn't be against Ashborn participating, he also wanted to entertain himself.

"By the way, Kaspian. On what stage is Mr. Ashborn?" Suddenly Blaine asked Kaspian.

"I'm already a High-Silver stage core mage and I'm still not able to sense his core. So it's for you to think about it." This sentence has two meanings, but of course, everybody would think that Ashborn has a white core.

"Without the help of Artifact?!" Dwarf King shouted from shock.

"Yes, I'm sure Mr. Ashborn achieved everything without artifacts."

"I also think the same way." Blaine supported Kaspian, In his eyes, Ashborn was still from a not-so-wealthy family. So he was sure before his first meeting with him, Ashborn achieved his strength by himself.

"Hahahhahahah!" Virion to everyone's surprise started laughing.

'I know it's that brat! I'm 100% sure now!' Virion was grinning.

"Anything funny you can share with us, Elder Virion?" Merial asked his father-in-law.

"I remembered a certain monster brat." Virion told them and both Alduin and Merial got surprised at that, they remembered what Virion called Arthur.

"Wait you don't mean Arthur ri-" Alduin got interrupted by his father.

"No, his brother." Virion answered.

Alduin and Merial already knew about Ashborn. They haven't met face to face, but both Virion and Tessia already told them about him.

"Wait isn't he…" Alduin shut himself because he met with Kaspian's gaze.

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Kaspian only said this and got up.

"Excellent saying. Now, the first council meeting is finished. We should prepare everything, Kaspian can we trust you to prepare the necessary documentation for Gendarmerie? While we will support with physical labor if needed of course?" Blaine asked Kaspian.

"Of course, I might have to free up my schedule a little. But it won't pose much of a problem." Kaspian reassured Blaine and with this said teleportation gate opened again and Kaspian went through it.

(Ashborn's POV)

"How was the meeting?" I asked Kaspian. (Even though you already knew)

"Everything is going well, they seem to trust me more than I anticipated. Especially after my entrance." Kaspian chuckled in the end.

"With this, we stood our ground, in their eyes now you have someone strong by your side, that's what we wanted no?" I asked and he nodded.

"What do you think about Artifacts?"

"Great weapon, to be honest, I have never thought that this was how mages achieved white core stage." Said Kaspian.

"Artifact just automatically injects mana in user, forcibly making them breakthrough stages. Even if the results are great, the future potential of the mage is fully stopped." Of course, just by himself user of Artifact won't be able to get stronger.

But with the help of Ashborn, he/she might have great strength in the future. If they will become his shadow servants, their overall strength will skyrocket.

"Also Kaspian, next time I won't be here. So also notify Council to stop some activities in Beast Glades if they have anything planned, you might even ask for Beast Glades now." I said and got up from my seat.

"Oh, Mr. Ashborn is planning something?" Kaspian asked eagerly.

"I'm starting to increase the count of my army."

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Another chappie!!! I wrote on phone, I think there are a lot of mistakes. I tried to edit it a little, but I might have missed something.

Anyway third season of TBATE finally began!

Discord: https://discord.gg/K9QbkGABHu

FF by me and few other authors: https://www.wattpad.com/story/284711075-tbate-severing-fate

Cyaaa