Turning Point 1 [Part 1]

Fracta's warning of an approaching calamity cast a heavy pall over us, leaving us burdened by a sense of impending doom.

Filled with a mix of anxiety and desperation, I found my voice. "Fracta, is there any way we can prevent this calamity?"

Their masked appearance remained mysterious for a brief moment before they shook their head, their response carrying an air of finality. "No, the calamity is an unchangeable event—a thread woven completely into the fabric of fate. It cannot be undone or avoided."

The blunt reality of their words sent a shiver down my spine. The understanding that we were hurtling towards an inevitable catastrophe, beyond our control, was almost suffocating.

Ghislaine's frustration was evident as she voiced the question that surely occupied all our thoughts. "Then what are we supposed to do? Just accept it?"

Fracta's demeanor remained composed, seemingly unaffected by the anger in Ghislaine's voice. "My purpose is to deliver the warning, not to offer solutions. You must think on your own to resolve this."

"Please, Fracta! We couldn't just stand idly by while Roa crumbles! There must be something you can do to help us!" I pleaded, my voice trembling with urgency.

However, the masked figure remained adamant by my appeal, turning away from us and departing with a final cryptic statement. "I apologize, Reine. As much as I wanted to assist you in this dilemma, I cannot risk falling into the hands of our adversaries."

And so, just like that, Fracta left us, vanishing with their cryptic advice, and leaving us with the stark reality that our destiny was firmly in our hands.

Standing there, as Fracta faded into the distance, a dense silence descended upon the courtyard. Ghislaine's hands clenched at her sides, frustration etching lines across her features.

"Now what?" she mumbled, her voice a mix of anger and helplessness.

I turned my gaze to the ominous black dot, still suspended in the sky—a foreboding harbinger of the impending disaster. "We must inform the mayor about this."

Ghislaine nodded, and together we retreated into the manor, heading toward the mayor's office.

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While hurrying through the corridors of the manor, I saw Rudeus on the distance, walking toward our direction. Spotting us, he approached with curiosity. "Hey, Reine, what's going on? Why are you two in a hurry?"

"There's something urgent we need to tell the mayor, brother," I explained, my voice trembling with anxiety.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, my brother became visibly concerned. "Okay... But what's the urgent news?"

"That masked bastard warned us about an impending calamity," Ghislaine interjected, frustration evident in her tone.

The weight of our words momentarily stunned Rudeus, and he decided to follow us in silence to our destination.

Finally reaching the mayor's office, I took a deep breath to steady myself before knocking on the door with measured composure.

Knock, knock.

"Who's there?" came the mayor's voice from inside.

"It's us, master. I'm with Rudeus and Reine," Ghislaine responded, her voice conveying the urgency of the situation.

"Please, enter," the mayor's reply granted us entry.

As we stepped into the office, we found Mayor Philip seated at his desk. He looked up at us, confusion etched on his face as he took in our serious expressions. "What's with the long faces?"

"Mayor Philip, we have urgent news to share," I began, my voice carrying a hint of concern and urgency.

Leaning forward, the mayor's brow furrowed. "Go on, tell me."

I recounted the encounter with Fracta—the masked individual who had delivered a chilling message about an impending calamity set to strike Roa in two years.

"Hmm, that does sound urgent," Mayor Philip commented, his worry evident. But then his gaze sharpened as he looked at us again. "However, can we truly trust this Fracta? How do they know about an event two years in the future?"

"I'm not sure, mayor," I admitted, my anxiety evident. "Their demeanor was so cryptic that it's difficult to know their true intention."

After explaining my impression of Fracta, the mayor nodded in understanding before turning to Ghislaine. "And you, Ghislaine? What is your take on this person?"

She paused thoughtfully before speaking, her voice tinged with confusion. "I'm not sure either, but I could smell a hint of sorrow and regret within them earlier."

The contradiction of Fracta's outward demeanor and the emotions they concealed only deepened the mystery. Were they intentionally hiding their true intentions, and if so, why?

The uncertainty surrounding this person only fueled our urgency to unravel the mystery before us.

"I see, this is quite perplexing," the mayor mused, his concern growing. He then redirected his attention to me. "And what about this calamity they mentioned? What did they say?"

I recounted the presence of the ominous black dot in the sky and emphasized the devastation it was predicted to bring to the city. The revelation not only surprised Mayor Philip but captured Rudeus's attention as well.

"Wait a moment, I spotted that same black dot in the sky too," my brother interjected.

I turned to him, taken aback by his revelation. "When did you see it, brother?"

"Just a while ago," he replied, his brow furrowed. "Lord Sauros pointed it out to me when I explored the manor's tower."

"What did my father say about the black dot, Rudeus?" the mayor inquired further.

My brother took a moment to recall their conversation. "He mentioned that I shouldn't worry, as it wasn't suggesting anything negative."

"It might be a good idea to inform Lord Sauros about this," I suggested, hoping he would reconsider his perspective on the black dot.

The mayor took a moment to contemplate before reaching a decision. "Very well, here's our plan. I'll attempt to contact a group of expert magic researchers to analyze this anomaly. In the meantime, both of you should remain calm and wait for the results before we should plan what to do next."

The mayor's pragmatic approach provided a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty. With his guidance, we stood a chance to uncover the truth behind the cryptic warning and prepare for the looming calamity that threatened Roa.

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Following the mayor's instructions, Rudeus and I settled into a period of anxious waiting, hoping that the group of expert magic researchers would shed light on the strange anomaly in the sky.

At the same time, we informed Lord Sauros about the calamity, and his reaction was less than favorable. "What?! A calamity?! How preposterous!"

"It's true, milord. The black dot you pointed out to me earlier was actually a looming calamity," Rudeus tried to explain the situation.

The lord furrowed his brows in anger and frustration, reluctant to accept the information. He paced back and forth in his study, his hands clenched into fists. "This city has endured so much already. How could fate be so cruel as to bring another disaster upon us?"

My brother exchanged a worried glance with me, his concern mirroring my own. Lord Sauros had always been a strong and determined leader, but even his resilience seemed to waver in the face of this impending calamity.

With a heavy sigh, the lord turned to us, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "Very well, I'll take this information seriously and consider our options. But until we hear from these magic researchers, there's not much we can do."

The sense of helplessness in his voice was palpable, and it echoed the turmoil that had taken hold of all of us. We were all bound by the uncertainty of what the future held and the looming threat that we could neither see nor understand fully.

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While waiting for the results from the expert magic researchers, my brother and I resumed our roles as Eris's tutor and sword instructor, respectively. Engaging in these activities provided a temporary distraction from the impending threat that hung over us.

However, the days dragged on slowly, each moment tainted by the knowledge of the impending calamity. Despite the two-year timeframe mentioned in Fracta's warning, a sense of unease remained, casting a shadow over even the simplest tasks.

In the midst of this turmoil, my focus returned to my duty in teaching Eris the techniques of the Water God Style.

She had mastered the art of parrying and was growing increasingly adept at using the flow technique—a testament to her dedication and hard work.

It seemed that with a bit more practice, she might soon ascend to the Advanced rank, potentially marking the conclusion of my role as her mentor.

During one of our training sessions, Eris's voice broke through my thoughts. "Hey, Reine! Can you hear me? Hey!"

Startled, I refocused to find Eris standing before me, gripping her wooden sword. It was evident that we're in the middle of a sparring match, and my brief lapse in concentration hadn't gone unnoticed.

"Ah, sorry, Eris. My mind wandered for a moment," I admitted, a hint of fatigue in my voice.

She regarded me with annoyance mixed with genuine concern. "What's wrong with you? You've been acting strange lately."

Managing a faint smile, I ran a hand through my hair, trying to ease the lingering unease. "It's nothing serious, just the weight of various matters on my mind."

Almost instinctively, my gaze drifted upward, searching for the mysterious black dot in the sky. Its presence seemed to grow incrementally with each passing week, a tangible reminder of the impending uncertainty that loomed over us.

"Are you worried about that strange thing in the sky?" Eris asked bluntly, curiosity in her tone.

I nodded, confessing my apprehensions. "Yeah, I can't help but worry about what's to come."

Eris observed me for a moment, her expression softening. "You know, Reine, I have no idea what's happening right now. But I'm sure Father and Grandfather can fix everything, so quit worrying."

Her words offered a brief glimmer of comfort in the midst of uncertainty. Eris's unwavering faith in her family's ability to handle any crisis was a testament to her own strength.

"I guess you're right," I admitted sincerely, brushing off my worries aside for now. We continued our sparring match and concluded it in a stalemate.

As the days continued to pass, we clung to our routines, hoping for news from the magic researchers that might shed light on the situation and offer a path forward in the face of the looming calamity.

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Months had slipped by, each day a struggle between maintaining our routines and the persistent worry about the impending calamity. As time went on, the black dot in the sky remained a constant, ominous presence, fueling our unease.

One day, my brother and I received a summons to a large room, where Mayor Philip and Lord Sauros, along with other important figures of Roa, had gathered. We took our places around a long table, a mix of tension and anticipation filling the air.

"Alright, listen up, everyone! We are all gathered here today to discuss the strange anomaly in the sky," Lord Sauros declared, his voice commanding attention.

All eyes turned to the lord, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. The gravity of the situation was palpable, each person presents acutely aware of the impending calamity and the need to address it.

"As you all know," the lord continued, "we've been monitoring the black dot in the sky for some time now. Our expert magic researchers have worked diligently to uncover its nature and potential implications."

A hushed silence settled over the room, broken only by the faint shuffling of papers as officials reviewed their notes. The weight of the unknown and the anxiety of what the future held hung heavily in the air.

Mayor Philip cleared his throat before addressing the gathering. "Our experts have determined that the anomaly is a form of concentrated mana. However, its origin and purpose remain unclear."

"Concentrated mana? Could it be some sort of magical phenomenon?" one of the officials inquired, their brows furrowed.

"It's possible," Mayor Philip replied, "but we must consider all possibilities, including the potential for it to be a harbinger of the calamity Fracta warned us about."

"Fracta? Who is that person?" Another official raised the question, curiosity evident in their tone.

Rudeus exchanged a glance with me before I spoke up. "Fracta is a masked figure who showed up one day and warned us about the impending calamity. They seemed to know about events beyond our understanding."

The officials gossiped not only about the existence of Fracta but also about me since I stick out like a sore thumb within the room.

Mayor Philip then cleared his throat to catch everyone's attention. "If Fracta's warning holds true, then this anomaly could indeed be the precursor to the calamity. We must take action to protect Roa."

Lord Sauros leaned forward, his expression resolute. "Although I hate to say this, I agree with him. We cannot remain passive in the face of such a threat. That is why we've called all of you here in order to suggest plans for tackling this crisis."

The room murmured with discussion as various ideas and strategies were proposed. From magical defenses to evacuation plans, every option was considered in an attempt to safeguard the city and its inhabitants from the impending calamity.

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After an extensive discussion, the officials reached a consensus on two strategies to confront the impending calamity.

The first plan centered around the deployment of a strong magic barrier. This proposal aimed to shield the citadel from the impending disaster's effects.

However, a significant hurdle loomed—the activation of such a substantial protective spell demanded an immense reservoir of mana.

During the discussion, my focus shifted to my brother, who met my gaze with a confused look. "Why are you staring at me like that, Reine?"

I responded in a hushed tone, aware of the curious glances now directed our way. "You have a high mana reserve, don't you, brother?"

My query didn't escape notice. The officials in the room turned their attention to us, and a palpable curiosity hung in the air. Mayor Philip also joined in, his gaze fixed on us, awaiting an explanation.

"Reine, is there something you would like to contribute?" the mayor inquired, sensing that I had something to share.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, my voice steady despite the weight of my proposal. "Yes, Mayor Philip. My brother, Rudeus, possesses an exceptional mana reserve. He might be able to provide the mana needed for the protective barrier."

Rudeus blinked in surprise, his expression shifting from confusion to realization. "Hey! Are you suggesting I contribute my mana for this plan?!"

"I mean, given how you can cast spells almost endlessly, you're the perfect person for this plan," I explained, attempting to convince him.

The officials exchanged glances and gossips, their expressions contemplative. It was clear that the idea had piqued their interest, yet they were cautious about its feasibility.

Mayor Philip, however, seemed to consider the notion more seriously. "It's an intriguing proposal, Reine. But we must also be more cautious. Channeling such an enormous amount of mana could have adverse effects on your brother."

I understood the concerns and nodded in agreement. "I guess you're right, Mayor Philip. We would need to consult with expert mages to ensure my brother's safety and assess the viability of this method."

Lord Sauros, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "While the protective barrier is a promising option, we should also explore the second strategy we discussed, and it is a controlled evacuation plan."

The second plan involves evacuating all of the people in the Fittoa region. This includes the nobles, common citizens, and especially the people in surrounding villages like my family in Buena village. It's a massive undertaking that requires meticulous organization and coordination.

"As much as we hate the idea of abandoning our home, this is also a viable option," Mayor Philip added. "An evacuation would ensure the safety of our people if the worst come to pass."

The room fell into a contemplative silence as the weight of these decisions settled upon everyone present. Our city faced an unprecedented threat, and the choices made in this room would determine the fate of Roa and its inhabitants.

In the end, a dual approach was decided upon. The city would begin preparations for both the magical barrier and the evacuation plan. Expert mages and strategists were to be consulted to gauge the feasibility and potential risks of each strategy.

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As the meeting concluded, Mayor Philip and Lord Sauros dismissed the officials, and they all left the room except for one person—a bald and chubby man dressed in noble attire.

He was engaged in conversation with the mayor and the lord when suddenly he caught my gaze and began making his way toward us.

"You must be Rudeus," the chubby man said as he confronted my brother. "I've heard you have an exceptional mana reserve."

My brother gave a nod, his expression wary. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"

"Ah, apologies. Where are my manners?" The man apologized before extending his hand in greeting. "I am Darius Silva Ganius, Prime Minister of the Asura Kingdom."

"The prime minister? What brings you here?" Rudeus shook the man's hand, his curiosity piqued.

Darius chuckled warmly. "A keen mind, just as I've heard. I've come to Roa to discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly concerning the looming calamity and... your unique talents."

Brother and I exchanged gazes, our skepticism evident. "What's with my brother's talent that interests you, Mister Darius?" I asked, wanting his opinion.

However, once I asked the question, he gave me a contemptuous look. "You must be that brat named Reine. Hmph, I have no intention to answer your primitive-minded question."

My brows furrowed in response to the man's rude words. Something about him was not right, and I couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Rudeus was also offended by what Darius said to me. It seems he take back the compliment that the man said about him, and wanted to defend me.

But just before we could say anything, Mayor Philip and Lord Sauros approached us. The mayor then noticed our expressions and asked, "Is something wrong in here?"

"It's nothing, Sir Philip. Just talking to the children," Darius said as he turned around and headed toward the door. He even gave me one last glare on the way out.

Lord Sauros looked at us thoughtfully as Darius left. "That bastard is known for his cunningness and deception. Be careful around him."

Mayor Philip nodded in agreement. "Indeed, his intentions are often shrouded in secrecy. If he's taken an interest in your brother, Reine, it's best to approach this situation with caution."

Rudeus and I exchanged a concerned look, sensing that this stranger's sudden appearance and his interest in my brother might be connected to the impending calamity and the plans we were discussing.

As we left the room, the unease that had been lingering seemed to intensify. Our city faced not only an imminent disaster but also the potential involvement of a potentially dangerous individual from the Asura Kingdom. The path forward was growing increasingly complicated and uncertain.