Chapter 19

STANNARD BERWICK (More building on underrated characters! Yay!)

"Stannard Berwick, please come with me," said the general that led my group.

Here I am, in the war and clearing dungeons to kill the mutated mana beasts. I had two teammates, Caria and Darvus. I couldn't handle Darvus thanks to his arrogant personality but luckily Caria was easy to be around.

I was picked on because of my deformed mana core which made it hard to use basically any mana but my special deviance made up for that. I had the unique ability to store a spell inside of a beast core to use for later. I was a dual conjurer of wind and fire. My deformed mana core made it so I couldn't hold the same amount of mana a normal solid orange core could.

Darvus was a really good ax wielder, apparently the style was passed down throughout his family for generations. He was cocky though and lazy but he was strong. He was able to take on people twice his size with a smile on his face. I was envious of his talent, yes.

Caria was headstrong and quite optimistic. Her weapon was an artifact that looked like gauntlets but would cover her entire arms when she imbued mana into them. She was somehow in love with Darvus, it made no sense to me.

"Yes, general?" I asked. I then saw Gideon approach me,"Hello Stannard."

"Hello Gideon," I replied. I met Gideon about a month ago when I was training near one of his lab's. He took a keen interest in my ability. "What is it that you need Professor Gideon?" I questioned.

"I would like you to meet someone," said Gideon. "Who is it?" I questioned.

"You'll see, he's just inside of the tent," said Gideon as he led me into the tent that served as the meeting room for high ranking generals. Once I entered I saw an old elf sitting at the table. "Commander Virion, I have someone I think fits the criteria," said Gideon as he bowed.

I quickly followed suit and bowed. This is Commander Virion? I've read stories about his bravery and cunning from the elf and human war. Despite having the advantage in number's, the humans were easily pushed back. It's said that the entire council looks to him for advice in this war. Why did Gideon want me to meet him of all people?

"Thank you Gideon, you may take your leave now," said Elder Virion as he put down his tea. "Now, what is your name?" He asked me. Answering should've been easy but being in the presence of such a powerful person made it difficult.

"S-Stannard Berwick, Commander," I answered. "I see, Stannard. I would like to ask a favor from you," said Elder virion. What could I possibly do for him? I'm just a soldier.

"I would like it if my granddaughter could join your team," said Elder Virion. "I would be glad to let her join," I replied with my best polite voice. I secretly didn't want it. Since his granddaughter would be the princess she was probably spoiled and arrogant.

"Good. I will ask you one thing, please help her. She's going through a hard time and has been for a while. Whatever you do, do not let her keep to herself. Try and get her to open up, please," said Elder Virion. He was almost begging me.

"With all due respect Commander I don't think my team would be the best option," I said. If the princess was really in such trouble then Darvus would probably be the worst thing to help. Caria could probably help her in some way but Darvus's negativity would outweigh the positives Caria would bring.

The commander raised a brow, "And why not?" I gulped," One of my team members isn't a very kind person, He would probably insult her even despite her being your granddaughter. He's very arrogant and cocky," I explained.

"I see, it's a good thing then. Someone like that might be what she needs," said the commander as he rubbed his chin. "Exactly, that's why she shouldn't joi-. Wait, what did you say?" I asked, utterly confused.

"Please call your team, I would like to introduce you to her as soon as possible," said Elder Virion. I just noticed how tired he looks, it's like he did something he regrets. "Very well sir," I said as I bowed and left to grab the two idiots.

I found them arguing over nonsense like usual. "Hey, the general would like to see us," I told them. If I said Commander Virion wanted to see us they wouldn't believe me. "What does he want with us?" asked Dravus with an annoyed tone.

"Would it kill you to just do what you're told?" Caria asked. "Maybe it would," retorted Darvus. In the end I had to drag them to the tent.

"Commander Virion, I have brought the rest of my team," I said as the two of them looked at me with stupefied expressions. "Very good Stannard," said the commander as he turned to Darvus and Caria. "I have made arrangements for my granddaughter to join your team," the commander explained. I'm not sure if they heard him since they were still shocked.

"Tessia, please come in," said Virion. Once he did, an elf entered the tent. She was beautiful, long gunmetal hair, turquoise eyes and smooth skin. She put every other girl I ever met to shame. But her appearance wasn't what shocked me, rather it was the aura she gave off.

It wasn't oppressive, at least not overwhelmingly so. I couldn't check her core, she must be really strong. But it was her eyes that scared me;they were lifeless. Has she just been drowning in self pity? But she's a princess! She can basically have everything she wants at her fingertips. Why was she so…sad?

"Tessia, these are the people I would like you to team up with," said the commander. "As much as I would love you guys to introduce yourselves I must return to my work," said Virion as he left.

"Thank you for having me," said Tessia in an emotionless tone. She had the same look of regret in her eyes that Virion had. What had happened to her?

"Welcome to the team Princess Tessia! I'm Caria, this is Darvus and this is Sannard!" exclaimed Caria as she motioned to us. "Why do we have to have a snot-nosed princess like you on our team?" Darvus asked, acting cocky like usual.

"I am here because I wish to find someone important to me and I believe I can find him if I clear dungeons like this. And please, just call me Tessia," said the elven princess.

"If it's formalities we're skipping, can I just call you Tess," asked Caria in a happy tone, most likely trying to kick things off with her. Tessia however, started to shake upon hearing the nickname Caria came up with.

"N-No, please just call me Tessia," she said as she took a seat, presumably to calm down. Had we somehow brought up some old trauma? I don't see another reason she's acting like this.

Right after she replied she added something under her breath. I don't know if Darvus or Caria heard it but I did. She said, "Only Arthur can call me Tess." I wonder who Arthur is.

"Ok, if you're going to be on our team we need to know your core stage," I said, trying my best to figure out a way to comply with Elder Virion's request of helping her in some way. Which was hard since he didn't tell me how I was supposed to do that since he never told me in the first place.

"Solid Yellow with cracks," Tessia answered. What???? Even Darvus, someone who has been considered a genius since birth is only dark yellow. "Wow, I don't even know what to say. I guess the royals are just built differently compared to us," gasped Caria in surprise.

I looked over to Darvus to see his reaction. He was stunned silent, his mouth hanging open as he tried to process the information. "Can you please lead me to the next dungeon?" asked Tessia. "Sure," I replied, still trying to get used to the lack of emotion in her voice.

TESSIA ERALITH

"Grandpa, I would like to join the war."

It's been a few months since the attack on Xyrus. The war has also started but we have still to tell the public. Our main forces consist of teams that dive into dungeons and kill off the mutant mana beasts inside.

I felt horrible when I lost Sylvie. I isolated myself for months, doing nothing but training. Once I broke the news to Ellie she punched me saying how much she hates me and I should never have looked after Sylvie. Maybe she's right, maybe I don't deserve to.

I just wanted to say sorry to Ellie but she hasn't talked to me anytime I try to see her. Nowadays the only people I can talk to are Kathyln and Claire. Everyone else is still flooded with self hatred.

I want to join one of the dungeon clearing teams. Not because I don't think I can't kill a human. No, I can do that very well. But because dungeons have high mana concentration so it'll be easier to get stronger. I can also build up battle experience and make allies that might help me in the future.

"Little one, are you sure? I know you're strong but dungeons are dangerous and unexpected. You could very easily get hurt," said Grandpa.

Grandpa has turned all his focus into war efforts. He barely even does anything he would normally do like go out for a cup of tea. I can only assume it's because he wants to forget how he too treated Arthur.

"Please Grandpa, I wish to get stronger so that I can find Arthur and then stand by his side," I said in an emotionless tone, but it came out as a sort of beg. "Very well, but only if you can prove your strength," said Grandpa.

I nodded and followed Grandpa to one of the many training rooms inside of the floating castle. Once there I drew my blade and stood opposite to Grandpa.

I ran forward, using wind magic to people myself and cover my blade. Grandpa brought his sword down above me which I parried. I then delivered a roundhouse kick using the momentum from my parry.

Grandpa blocked it with his arm but I retaliated by forming 3 twisters around him. They did some damage but Grandpa created 3 twisters spinning in the opposite direction to disperse my own.

That's exactly as I hoped. Using the technique Claire taught me I focused wind mana to the tip of my blade and launched it forwards. Grandpa's face turned to an expression of surprise as he blocked the wind bullet.

I was about to launch a wind blade but "Enough!" said Grandpa. "You've gotten much stronger Tessia," praised Grandpa as a rare smile flashed on his face.

"No I'm not, I didn't even get you to use your beast will," I said, feeling disappointed in my own strength.

"No, that's where you're wrong. I had to use my beast will in the final moments of the fight. In fact, the condition to let you go was that you make me use a beast will," exclaimed Grandpa.

I should've felt happy. I made my grandfather – one of the strongest people in the continent – use his beast will. But I wasn't. I felt lacking. Why? Why can't Arthur return? When will I be able to get him to acknowledge me? When will I be able to tell him that I truly love him?

"Now, let's get you a team," said Grandpa in an attempt to comfort me.

***

Stannard is currently leading me to the dungeon. From what I know it's an A rank dungeon, meaning it doesn't have very many people stationed here. That doesn't mean the mana beasts inside are weak.

"Stannard, I'm told you're a unique type of deviant. What is it that you can do?" I questioned. Stannard looked back at me. I couldn't understand what his expression was but I did know he wasn't expecting me to be so cold.

"My mana core is deformed so I can't hold the normal amount of mana but my deviant is the ability to store spells inside of beast cores," Stannard explained. How useful.

"What about Darvus and Caria? How are they in a fight?" I questioned. "In a fight? Really good, as people? Caria is good but Darvus is just downright unbearable," replied Stannard with a tinge of annoyance when talking about Darvus.

"Anyway, who is that Arthur guy you mentioned earlier?' asked Stannard innocently. "Did you hear me?" I asked in a threatening tone.

Stannard shook at my unexpected aggression. "Y-Yes I did," he answered. "Please forget what you heard," I pleaded. Stannard nodded in approval. I don't know if he will or not but I'll have a sense of peace if he keeps quiet.

"Here, this is where our team stays, you'll be sharing a tent with Caria since she's the only other girl," explained Stannard. He quickly ran away, I mean, hiding my emotions doesn't make me very approachable.

I made my way to the tent, if you could even call it that. It wasn't like the typical tent but rather it was basically just a room. Wasn't very big but it could fit two people inside comfortably. "Hey Tessia, sorry it's such a mess. But I still think Tess is a good nickname," argued Caria.

"Maybe it is," I mumbled under my breath; remembering Arthur and how he would call me Tess. "Anyway, we have a dungeon tomorrow, better get some sleep tonight," said Caria as she jumped into bed. I did too, I wasn't sure if I was excited or afraid to face tomorrow.

NICO SEVER

Grey… Ever since Agrona brought me into this world I've only been able to grow stronger thanks to my hatred for him. He killed Cecilia. And After I told him about Vera! He said he didn't kill Cecilia! I know he did it! He only cares for power!

But why? Why is there a seed of doubt in my mind? Was it because of what he said? I want to deny it, I wish it wasn't possible, wasn't true. No matter how much I think about it he shouldn't have been able to kill Cecilia. Even back when we were kids he struggled to even approach her when she was doing nothing more than hiding from herself.

Was he telling the truth? I-I don't want to admit it but it's impossible for him to have killed Cecilia. Why? Cecilia, why did you kill yourself for me? If anything you should have been the one to live, not me.

I should make up with him. At this point he's gone through the same as me, losing everyone he loved. Although it was with different ways, everyone I loved died while everyone he loved betrayed him. If anything, he's had it worse. Thinking back, that muscle head probably blamed himself for Cecilia's death.

I should make up with him. But not before I give him a good sucker punch. I do wonder though, Agrona said it's possible to bring Cecilia back. I have to tell Grey! We'll be back together. The legacy trio, that's probably what we'd call ourselves if we were a band.

"Nico, how are you doing?" asked Cadell. I wish he would stop barging into my room. "I'm doing fine, I was just thinking about how to reconcile with Grey," I replied truthfully.

"I see then, that's very good. What do you think is the possibility of him joining us," asked Cadell. "If I'm being honest, I don't know. From what I can tell he's already put himself past being both King Grey and Arthur Leywin," I answered. "As long as the ones he cares for are safe he'll probably do anything."

I wasn't wrong, he would. The only way that he wouldn't is if said people betrayed him. "Anyway, what did you want Cadell?" I asked, annoyed he kept entering my room.

"I was sent by the High sovereign to make sure you would make up with your friend. I'm glad to see forcing you wasn't necessary this time," smiled Cadell. It wasn't a kind smile, but an evil one. "The High sovereign also wishes you to go to the lab."

"Very well," I said as I followed him. The lab. It's where every Vritra blooded human is brought. They're put through dozens of tests and if they're lucky enough to survive they're turned into living weapons. I, of course, am not immune to these tests either. I do feel horrible though, these are innocent people. Sometimes, even a child would be brought here, none of them have survived, I wish I could save at least one of them.

"Hello Agrona," I said as I entered.

"I see, welcome. Cadell told me you already wish to forgive Grey. I'm glad," replied Agrona. "Are you ready for the tests?"

"Yes, I am," I responded. This was the only way I could bring Cecilia back, I'll do it no matter what.