Chapter 2

(So I decided to update every Thursday and Sunday. Special thanks to @Apooh for beta reading.)

ARTHU- GREY

I walked back to Caera after my talk with Seris. What she said surprised me. To learn who Agrona is, I had never expected that Alacrya was ruled by a tyrant and the fact he is an asura. To think such a being exists, but I shouldn't think about him right now. Seris said he mainly stays in the Balisck mountains.

To think that Sylvie was Agrona's daughter, it's a shame that she doesn't know more. She also promised that she'll convince Caera's parents to take care of me, which didn't surprise me since I have a ton of potential. She also asked me to help Caera in her training, I happily agreed since she's already helped me out alot.

She offered me a new life here and in return I would help her in the future. I told her about my abilities so it makes sense, but what could she want with me?

I brushed it off and returned to Caera. "So what did Scythe Seris say to you?" Caera asked, worry was evident on her face. "She said she'll try and convince your parents to let me stay with you. She also said that I'll be joining you in your training."

Caera practically squealed in excitement before running up to Seris to confirm it. "Is he telling the truth? Please say yes!"

"Yes he is. Although Grey, if its secrets that caused your friends to hate you then you should probably reveal everything you're comfortable with right now," Seris said to me, Caera was I was disturbed and ran up to me.

Caera grabbed my hands. "I know you have a deep secret so I'm not going to ask, but I promise you I won't see you differently if you ever decided to tell me. "

I was slightly taken aback by her words so I gave a genuine smile as an answer. "Now then, let's get you two home. "

CORBETT DENOIR

I sat at the table with lunch prepared for when Caera returned from her two week training with Seris. Since she had to survive in the wild I was sure she would appreciate the fancy food. Then one of the maids walked in. "Mr. Denoir, Scythe Seris wishes to speak to you,"

"Alright, I'll go meet her now," I replied as I got up. "Did something happen to Caera? Did her blood finally manifest?" I thought as I entered the room. Sitting there was Scythe Seris, Caera and an auburn haired boy I didn't recognize. "What is it that you wish to speak to me about Scythe Seris. " I asked politely, making sure not to annoy her.

"It's about this boy here, I wish for you to watch over him. He is very powerful and I can guarantee that he will be of great help to you in the future. He also befriended young Caera here and has improved her swordsmanship tremendously since they met during my test," Seris replied, almost as if she was flaunting him as her new toy.

"For a young boy who looks no more than twelve years of age is spoken this highly by a Scythe. It's a good thing Caera befriended him then, I could also get them to marry if they develop feelings for each other." I pondered. I thought about how this boy could further our blood in the future.

"I agree, I will gladly take care of him for you," I responded. Then Scythe Seris came up to me and whispered into my ear. "If you can take care of him then, even if Caera does not manifest her Vritra blood your blood will not lose its position."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, "How important is this boy? Who is he and where did he come from?" I couldn't come up with any scenario that would explain this situation. Seris then left leaving the three of us in the room. "Well, I have a lunch prepared, while I was not expecting another person I'm sure we can prepare something." I needed to take care of this boy, if what Scythe Seris said is true then he'll be a huge help to our house.

"Thank you Mr. Denoir, I apologize for intruding like this," the boy replied with a slight bow. Although it was just a bow I could feel the raw power he had. "Why does this boy give off more pressure than any Highblood?"

"You are forgiven, since you have a connection to Scythe Seris then just you being here is of great help to us," I replied, motioning them to the dining hall.

We entered the dining hall to see Lenora, Sevren and Lauden already at the table. "I would like you all to meet… " I paused, realizing I had not caught his name.

"Grey, my name is Grey," He finished for me. "Yes, Grey here will be staying here on the request of Scythe Seris." I finished. Everyone's eyes went wide. I took my spot at the head of the table and Grey sat at the opposite end with Caera sitting on his right.

I knew that Caera knew what sitting to someone's right meant when they were at one end of a table. She was practically yelling out how she felt about this boy. Good then, she already likes him. "Mr. Denoir, I would like to speak to you alone after this meal. I have some information about myself I believe you would like to know."

"Very well, meet me in my office when we are done." I replied. What was strange was that this boy had been trained in advanced etiquette. No one dared to speak to him except Caera who spoke to him in a low whisper. Once we were done, Grey followed me to my office, Caera came with him but I didn't say anything.

Once I was in my office Grey sat down next to Caera. "So, what did you want to say to me Grey?" I asked with authority, Grey didn't seem phased at all.

"For starters, I'm from Dicathen. I came here to Alacyra by accident." Grey said with full composure. My eyes went wide before I quickly calmed myself. "I have very little knowledge on Dicathen, if you don't mind I would like to learn of it." I asked.

"It's probably not a good thing to tell him about how we're preparing for war. Although we have no plans I'm sure he'll detest us." I thought. "I see, how does your magic work? I am aware of the fact our magic is different but I don't know how." I said.

Grey didn't respond and instead put out his hands and manifested three spells in each hand. Each spell was that of a different element. "In Dicathen we don't have spell forms and instead we have affinities. We can use an almost infinite amount of spells using our affinity. Then we have the evolved form. Lighting and Ice are the evolved forms of fire and water. The normal person will have 1 sometimes two affinities. I'm a bit of an anomaly in the fact I can use all four and two deviants." Grey explained before canceling his spell.

"So they specialize in being versatile instead of a few powerful spells. That's dangerous, it makes it so every individual fighter can be very deadly in a fight." I thought.

"I see, I would like to speak with Caera for a while, a maid can escort you to your room." I replied as I motioned for a maid to come in. "Your hospitality is greatly welcomed Mr. Denoir, I'm sure we'll get along in the future." remarked Grey as he left.

I then turned to Caera. "Caera, I would like to congratulate you on befriending him. Although, he seems a bit too cooperative." I noted.

"That's because before we met he had run away from home because they all hated him. He said he had a secret that once he told them they distested him. Grey didn't tell me what the secret is and I don't think he will. I suggest that you don't push him. Also, I befriended him not knowing anything about him." Caera replied, something had changed in her. She seemed more true to herself but didn't show it. At least not to me.

"I would also request that Grey can come with me to school. He is the same age as me, being twelve." Caera requested. I was taken aback by her sudden request. Caera usually never ask for anything. "Very well, I'll have a spot ready for Grey." I replied. Normally I wouldn't agree to such a request but since it's Grey I gladly accepted.

I couldn't help but to be afraid of that boy. He told me his abilities so I could help him in the future. "Things are sure to change," I thought as I went to talk to Lauden as to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.

GREY

The maid led me into my new room. It was fancy, so much so that even the elven castle couldn't compare. I was about to change out of my clothes to take a shower before Caera burst into my room. "Caera, I was about to change!" I screamed at her.

She ignored me before speaking, "Grey, you're twelve right? Why don't you come to school with me?" I pondered her question. "I guess I need to. I don't know anything about here and Caera would be upset. I'd also be stuck here in the Denoir estate if I don't go."

"Sure, I'll come. I can't let you go alone if I'm your first friend, now can I?" I replied. Caera's eyes lit up and she pulled me into a bear hug. "Oh thank you Grey!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she yelled as she lifted me into the air.

"You're welcome but I was about to clean up so unless you want to join please get out of my room," I teased.

"As long as we're both wearing a swimsuit I don't see why not," Caera replied smugly. "Just get out of my room," I said, pushing her out as she laughed.

Once I got out of the shower I heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was Caera I opened the door. Instead of the blue haired girl that seemed really happy just to be around me I saw Caera's older brother.

"Hello Grey, may I please come in?" he asked. "Sure, but who are you?" I asked letting him in.

"My name is Sevren, I have a question for you Grey," he said while giving me a death glare. I started to think about why he could hate me but nothing I could come up with made any sense.

"What question is that?" I replied, I even released a bit of bloodlust but he kept his cool.

"What is your relationship with my sister?" he asked. I was about to laugh when I noticed his serious expression. "As of right now we're friends," I replied, it was only after I said it I realized the second intention of my words.

Then Sevren's bloodlust increased. "As of right now?" Before I could respond Caera barged in my room. "Sevren! What are you doing to Grey?!" Caera screamed at him.

Sevren's bloodlust disappeared immediately, "I-I was just going to talk to him, Caera! I wasn't going to do anything!" Sevren said as if his life was being threatened.

"Sevren if you keep annoying Grey I won't talk to you anymore!" Caera yelled as she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my room. I turned back to see that Sevren's face was plastered with what I could only describe as pure terror. "It seems that Sevren cares about Caera a lot. He reminds me of me and Ellie," I thought.

At the thought of Ellie and how she might be feeling without me my heart started to hurt. Noticing my change in demeanor, Caera pulled me into a hug, putting her hand on the back of my head, forcing it into her neck. "Calm down, I'm not going to say forget about them because I don't think that it'll help. So instead, think of the future, think of what you want to do. Maybe one day they'll warm back up to you, but until that day you're Grey. The Grey that was my first friend."

"Thanks Caera, I needed that." I said before giving her a genuine smile. Caera's cheeks flushed red before she started to pull me by the arm again. "Come one, we need to get you school supplies."

I chuckled and followed her to the carriage that'll lead us to the market. Once we got inside Caera sat across from me. "So what do I need for school?" I asked.

"You don't need anything you wouldn't need for a normal school, Wait, what will we do with your runes?"

I pondered it for a second, I was ashamed to say I didn't have a plan. "Why don't we ask Scythe Seris for a way to create fake runes. Oh, a Scythe is what her position is called by the way." suggested Caera.

"Sure, and thanks for clarifying that," I replied. We made small talk for the rest of the way there. I found myself comparing her to Tessia a lot. Compared to her Caera seemed much more mature and refined. She was also much easier to talk to. She did get embarrassed when I teased her but she didn't become completely flustered like Tessia. She's a genuinely good person, if not a bit lonely. Her brother Sevren is also very kind, he's also very overprotective of Caera which is a plus in my book.

***

Once we arrived in the market I noticed that everything was more advanced compared to Dicathen. "Even though everyone discarded me, I really hope Alacrya and Dicathen don't go to war. The people of both sides would suffer, and it's the people that really matter." I thought as Caera dragged me into what looked like a general store.

"Just follow me Grey, I've been here before so I know where everything is," said Caera excitedly. She then pulled me up and down every aisle picking out everything I needed to start school. She wore a huge smile the entire time which I later found was contagious.

"Here Grey, this artifact can write without any ink," commented Caera as she handed me a fancy pen. I studied the pen to try and figure out how it worked when 3 boys approached us. They held themselves in an arrogant manner as one of them bowed to Caera. "Lady Caera of Highblood Deboir, if I may do the honors of escorting you today?" he said in a 'superior' tone of voice.

I mentally rolled my eyes thinking about how even here there are people like this. "Who are you?" Caera asked, her voice cold and if I didn't see her say it I would've thought it was someone else speaking.

"I am Eujean from Highblood Stronghead," he said it as if everyone should honor him just by being in his presence.

"Eujean? His parents must hate him. Also, 'Stronghead'? Isn't that just another way to say your entire family are idiots?" I thought as I internally chuckled at his name. I made sure not to laugh out loud so as not to embarrass Caera's family.

"I am here on orders from highlord Corbett to assist Grey in preparing for his enrollment into central academy." replied Caera before she brought us to the counter to pay. I turned back and saw Eujean red in anger. He couldn't do anything because if he did it would be as if he was challenging the entire Denoir house since it was orders from Corbett.

Once we paid, me and Caera returned to the carriage since we had gotten everything except the uniform. Realizing Caera was angry that Eujean interrupted our shopping I decided to tease her a bit. "Upset Eujean interrupted our little date?" I asked in a teasing tone.

" I came out with you so that you wouldn't be a friendless loser when you went to school. If you need to fantasize about me that badly then make sure not to let your innermost thoughts out into the real world." Caera replied smugly, directing my tease back to me.

I felt as if I had been stabbed. She had redirected my tease back with such force that it physically hurt. I looked Caera dead in the eyes as she was laughing maniacally. "She's dangerous," I thought as I stared at her with pure hostility.

***

It was now late as the sun had already set. Once we got back I went to my room to find a present on my bed. I opened it to find a note and a bracelet. "This will allow you to create fake spell forms on your back, it'll even adjust itself if you ever have to do a bestowment ceremony, From Seris."

If I remember what Caera told me, it's that a bestowment ceremony is one of the ways that they get their runes. Suddenly my door flew open to reveal a very excited Caera who was holding books in both of her arms.

"Grey, I just realized I never told you about the relictombs, you'll love them, trust me." Caera said as she hopped on my bed. She then put all of her books on my bed and spread them out. I sat next to her letting our legs and shoulder touch but neither of us took notice.

"I wish you wouldn't break into my room, I had a friend who did that. She was the one who hurt me the most," I said, turning Caera's happy expression dark. "I-I'm sorry." she replied, turning her head away.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to say that, really, you can barge in if you want. I'm sorry for even bringing it up," I said trying to lighten the mood. Luckily Caera's thrilled expression returned as she picked up an old book. She even had to blow dust off from the cover. She then started to explain the relictombs.

"Basically the relictombs are old runes made by the ancient mages, ascenders form teams to explore them. If you're lucky enough to find a relic you'll be famous, fame and wealth beyond your wildest dreams. You could probably be a solo ascender because of all your affinities and spells. Because we can't use such versatile magic we're kinda forced to be a team, frankly I'm kinda jealous of you on that part." Caera said as she flipped the pages looking for something.

"Made by the ancient mages?!" I was surprised. I knew the ancient mages had left stuff behind but to hear they left so much behind here in Alacrya surprised me.

"Yeah, apparently they built it to preserve their knowledge after the asura's massacred them. I really want to go on an ascent but we have to be older than that. We won't be able to go on one till we're done with school." Caera said, sounding disappointed.

"What are the relictombs like anyway?" I asked, I was really curious since from how she described them, they sounded completely different compared to the dungeons in Dicathen.

"Once you enter a relictomb you'll find yourself in a zone. Once you're in a zone the only way out is to clear it by killing monsters or solving a puzzle. The other way is to find the teleport gate that leads to the next zone. There are an unknown amount of zones but they have types. There are normal zones which only have you and your party. Sanctuaries which are safe places and convergence zones. Convergence zones bring multiple parties together to finish one zone. Also, time flows quickly so that when you're inside time flowers slower out here. " Caera explained showing me a few pictures that showed groups of people fighting monster I've never seen before.

Caera then turned to me, "Grey, when you go on your first ascent-because I know you will regardless of what anyone says- you have to promise me that you take me with you."