First Mission

Krain’s POV

“Krain.”

The scent of a familiar flower greets my sense of smell even before I could open my eyes. I walked out of the bed and headed for the living room where a bouquet of white gardenia was placed.

Who put this here?

Despite the confusion, I rubbed my eyes with my hand as I walked back to my room. My forehead creases when I see a small hole in my window? Did someone break my window or something?

“A threat. I need help,” I said as I pressed the gemstone on my ring. I tied my hair into a messy bun and went for the door when a knock dominates.

“Threat?” Neym asked when I opened the door.

Why is it Neym? I mean, Nashin is the nearest higher rank student here. It should be him who is giving me a hand.

“What happened?”

I moved the door wide open, enabling him to go inside. I led him to the room and pointed to the broken part of my window.

“When did this happen?" Neym questioned as he looked closely at the hole.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I just woke up with that hole and a bouquet of white gardenia over there.”

He walked out and checked the flowers that I was talking about.

“Something must’ve happened when you were asleep,” he concluded. “Are you certain that nothing unusual happened last night?”

I shake my head. “Unless I forget something important, which is impossible.”

“I’ll report it to the headquarters.”

Neym left so I did my morning routine and dressed for school. I stopped at my doorstep, trying to see if someone was inside my neighbor’s house but guess no one. Or maybe he is asleep?

But why do I even care?

I was an hour early, so I spent some time walking in the gardens made by Guerrerians. It was an artificial ecosystem that looks so natural, except for the big carved logo of Quintessence in the middle.

I would really love to boast that my great grandfather made that logo.

“I don’t trust her and she’s not even my friend. That newbie, let her be.”

That’s Nashin’s voice.

I made my way back to the academy. I don’t want to hear information that might put my life in danger. The last time I was with him, I was caught in a serious situation. I don’t want that to happen again.

“Hello Chimsy!”

The side of my lips rose when Chiena waved at me upon seeing me entering the room. I sat beside her with a smile on my face, but it disappeared when I saw her swelling cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You don’t deserve to have that traumatic experience.”

“Not your fault, Chimsy. No need to feel sorry. I even awe it to you—”

“ALL NEW STUDENTS OF QUINTESSENCE, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE FIELD FOR RANKING.”

Ranking?

“It's the beginning! Let’s go, Chimsy!” Chiena grabbed my hand and pulled me with her. “You know what’s with the ranking?”

I shrugged. I am aware that higher rank students are responsible in guiding the new ones with their concerns. Like Nashin who always shows up to help me when I have concerns.

“There is a ranking here in Quintessence based on how strong a person is. As for new students like us, we are automatically identified as rank 4. I have no idea how the ranking change.”

There’s ranking. It makes sense. Neym blabbers about ranking when I first met him. It must be the reason why students glared at me on my first day.

“New face means new potential rival.”

Rivalry is the product of having the ranking. A normal student commonly aims to be at the top of the ranking. But not me. I should stay away from attention.

“Oops, sorry!”

I looked down on my arms when I felt a slight pang of pain that was caused by a small but deep cut. I throw a blank gaze at the culprit who is walking in my direction.

“I’m sorry! I tried to summon some weapons, but I accidentally released them on your way. I’m so sorry.”

He was about to touch me, but I was fast enough to move back. I looked at his ID lanyard and it is brown.

Guerrerian…

“It’s fine.”

“But... you’re wounded. Let me take you to the clinic.”

“It’s fine,” I repeated. “It’s really fine,” I assured.

“GUERREIER,” the guy who was on the orientation called. Our eyes met and he smiled at me before calling out to the district again. “GUERREIER.”

The guy hesitated a bit, whether to go get his ranking badge or force me to go to the clinic.

“Your ID is brown. You need to receive your ranking badge there,” Chiena pointed out.

He looked at me again before finally going away. I looked at the weapon that caused the cut in my arm. A blade made of stone.

“Chimsy, do you want me to walk you to the clinic? The blood is already at your elbow.”

What a bummer.

“KAUMA.”

I held my arms and maintained my balance when I felt the slight turning of my vision. It is not even painful but why did my vision become blurry?

“Chimsy,” Chiena called, worrying over me.

“Just go there,” I said, looking at the line of students who are receiving their ranking badge. “I’m fine.”

She nodded hesitantly. “I’ll be back, Chimsy,” she said before leaving.

Sitting down on the grass, I held my forehead and closed my eyes. I tightened my grip on my arms. I surrounded it with a thin layer of water to start cleaning it. Is it possible that the weapon that cut through my skin is poisonous?

“Should we bring her to the clinic?”

“I refuse. She might hurt us, like what she did with the elder official yesterday.”

“She’s losing a lot of blood.”

“We should call for a higher rank.”

My eyes remained closed. They are afraid of what I did yesterday? That was just a small thing and now, they’re scared? They’re seeing me in a bad light.

“Excuse me?”

I momentarily opened my eyes. I looked up to see who it was, but it was an unfamiliar figure.

“I know you’ll decline my offer of bringing you to the clinic so instead, I would like to ask permission to heal your wound.” He kneels beside me and puts his hand on top of my bleeding arms. It glows so I remove my hand from gripping it too tightly. I could literally see the tissues going together.

A healer?

“You’re from Heilsen?”

Heilsen, land of healers. Aside from that, they also have the ability to see either the past or the future.

“I’ve already seen this coming. I tried stopping that guy, but his moves were faster than mine. I’m sorry.”

A healer with the ability to see the future. “What’s your name?”

He meets my eyes boldly. “Snyp Tan of Heilsen,” he said and smiled, making his eyes form a straight line. “You are Chimsy Morgan of Gelare, right?”

“Have you foreseen this to happen, so you already know my name?” I asked with all seriousness. If the answer is yes, then that’s something to worry about. He might know that I am not the real Chimsy.

“All the students were talking about you since yesterday. A lot of them were upset but they did nothing when they learned that you are the sister of the strongest Gelarian here in Quintessence.”

Neym is that influential and scary?

I should be cautious. I don’t know him well. He is not just Chimsy’s brother. Maybe he is, but he is more than just that.

Snyp stood up so I looked at my arms and the cut disappeared. I don’t feel dizzy too. He offered his hand, but I just stood up on my own.

“Thank you, Snyp Tan of Heilsen.”

He smiled before walking away. He went straight to the line of students and get his ranking badge.

He could be a comrade..

I felt better so when the district of Gelare was called, I joined the line. I am the last in line and the guy with glasses put my ranking badge on my uniform.

“An iconic newbie from Gelare,” he said. “You’ll surely be remembered.”

I stared into his eyes. He smiled so I bowed my head a little before turning my back on him. Chiena and I went back to the academy, together with other students.

“It's so beautiful!” Chiena exclaimed in excitement. “Rank 4. I’ll make sure my rank will go higher.”

I touched my badge. Roman numerals 4. This is the starting badge.

“Some students said that rank 1 or 2 receive extra allowance. That will be my goal.”

I smiled. I don’t really care about the ranking. My safety is all that matters.

“Nashin Laurel? What are you doing in the building of new students?”

“Merely passing by.”

“You are discouraged to visit this part of Quintessence except for special or important occasions. You know you could harm others unintentionally, Nashin.”

I stood up and walked out of the door. Our eyes met but he acted like he didn’t see me. He just headed for the opposite side of where I was.

“Oh, Chimsy,” Draceline smiled. “Your professor for Weaponry is on leave so I’ll be sitting in your class instead,” she explained. She went inside the room, so I followed behind her.

“Hello! I am Draceline Gomez of Bizarro. A thio in Quintessence.”

Thio. Two. Second rank.

That’s where I noticed her ranking badge. She’s two ranks higher than us.

“All new students were divided into two sections. I’ll be your student guide until your professor in Weaponry come back.”

She explained that she’s in her third year here in Quintessence. The first two years are more on the discussions and introductions on the field in general like the basics in controlling our powers.

“Miss Draceline,” Chiena raised her hand. “Who is the other rank 2 students aside from you?”

“Hmm.” She looked up while holding her chin. “Neym Morgan of Gelare..”

Si Neym.. no doubt. He is the strongest Gelarian, after all.

“Xyra Coon of Hatian, my friend, and Ashinaida Laurel of Guerreier.”

Ashinaida is from Guerreier?

“Princess Ashinaida is indeed strong,” one of my classmates commented which caught my attention.

She's a Princess? That explains her room that is as big as a house. And that's why she has someone to drive her to Quintessence using a luxurious car. It means she belongs to the Royal Family that rules Guerreier.

According to history, they are a family of elite who were appointed as the ruler of Guerreier by Raphael Rodrigo, my great grandfather. They were then looked up as a Royal Family over time.

"Ashinaida is a Laurel, so it is expected that she'll be strong. But you can drop the 'Princess' honorifics if you are here," Draceline stood up. "Here in Quintessence, we are all equal. Despite our state of living outside Quintessence, no one is higher or lower than the others."

But that has exceptions, of course. Like how the elder officials pay respect to Nashin who is a higher-ranking student.

Ashinaida's a Guerrerian. She must've been good to me when we first met because she thought I am Neym's sister. If she get to know my real identity, she could be the one to bring me to the hands of Guerreier.

I can’t let that happen.

"There are only four students who reached the second rank?"

She nodded, smiling. "It is difficult to become a thio since the ranking exam is crazy. But who knows, one of you here could be the next student who will claim a higher ranking."

I don’t need a higher rank. I just have to survive.

“Chimsy, are you alright?”

I looked at Draceline when she asked. I could everyone's eyes on me so stood up.

“Comfort room.”

“Sure, you can go,” she motioned the door.

I walked out of the room and just walk, having no exact destination in mind. I just feel like the need to have a breath of fresh air.

In all honesty, I could feel the sudden change of atmosphere in the room. Why would they even be so serious when it comes to ranking? For what? Fame? Power?

“Chimsy Morgan of Gelare,” a familiar man blocked my way, the one from the orientation. “If you have time to spare, we need a hand in the admission.”

I stared at his eyes and pointed at myself. "What can a mere newbie like me do to help?"

“Your curiosity... that would be a big help.”

Is he offering me to be an interrogator?

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I still have class to catch. I'm sure you could find someone else to help you."

I turned my back and took the direction where I came from when he speaks again.

"A corpse was found in Lar River and Nashin Laurel of Guerreier will go out to dig deeper about it." He walked pass me and stopped halfway. “Your mission is to report the exact information from there and make it back alive.”

I stared at his eyes. If I could only read his mind...

“Why should I do that mission?” I asked bravely.

“Aren’t you curious about it?”

“So what if I am curious?”

He smiled and moved his glasses.

“Will a protection be enough compensation for going into a mission?” He started walking away with his hands on his pocket. “I could assure your safety in exchange for being in the mission.”

Sending me in a mission and giving me protection as a compensation? How ironic.

Missions are dangerous. Why would he offer such mission to me? He's not even aware of what I am capable of doing or to what extent my power could go and yet he is sending me to a mission?

Something’s wrong here.

When the bell rang, I made my way to the village. I rest on my bed while reading the book that I've borrowed from Ashinaida until I fall asleep. I just woke up to the sound of loud knocking at my main door.

11:58 midnight?

I carefully went to the living area. I looked around before walking to the main door. The knocking is consistent, but I just stay in front of the door.

“Open it. I know you’re there.”

I opened the door upon recognizing his voice. I was greeted by Nashin's blank face. He looked down at his wristwatch and motioned me to step out.

“What do you need?”

He pulled a timer from his pocket and put it in my door. He handed me a black cape and walked to the nearest tree. I just look at him, obviously confused by his actions. He didn't even bother saying a word or two.

He held the trunk of the tree and closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, a door was made from the trunk and it opened.

“We have 4 hours to do the mission.”

A what?

My reflexes make me close the main door and run to his direction. He went inside the tree, so I followed him. Suddenly, we went out of the narra tree and we are not in the village anymore.

“Wear those,” he demanded, looking at the cape in my hand.

I wore it like he said. I was putting the magnetic buttons together when he offered a green hair tie.

“I don’t need—”

“Take it,” he said using a tone that no one can resist.

I took it and used it to tie my hair. It is an elastic thing that is made of soft stem. Probably made out of his element.

“You’re from Gelare so you know where Lar River is.” I nodded. I don't really know where it is but I could hear the flowing water somewhere so it must be it. “Then lead the way.”

Following the sound of the water, I went inside the forest with Nashin following me from behind. The sound of different life forms in the forest became louder in my ears. I closed my eyes and focus on the sound of water and followed it.

In a couple of silent moment, we found Lar River. I let my eyes roam the area while remembering what happened here. It is where Chimsy died. It is where I nearly...

“They were attacked here,” Nashin whispered so I looked back at him.

“Who?”

He glanced at me and walked towards the river. He kneels before touching the flowing water.

“My people. They were attacked here.”

Guerrerian. Of course, they are HIS people.

“By whom?” I asked despite knowing the story.

“Probably a group of people from different districts.” He stood up, eyes on the river. “Kauma, Gelare, Liht, Hatian and even Guerreier. One from each district.”

I wanted to ask for forgiveness. I hurt those people, but it was self-defense. They tried to kill me and I am not foolish enough to let them do it.

“Do you know why they’re here in this river?”

“That.. I don’t know.”

He doesn't know that his people are running after a Dauthinian? Or he is sugar coating it so I wouldn't know a thing?

“How does it feel to have a normal life in Gelare?” He suddenly asked. He looked up at the stars without saying anything else so I answered his question.

“It is... not so normal.”

I never went away from house. I literally grew up within our backyard. Mom said that aside from our family, no one could see our house. It was hidden from the naked eye and people who visits near our place will only see a huge tree. Lar River is the farthest place we visited.

"Gelare is a nice place."

"What about Guerreier?" I asked, changing the direction of the conversation. "You must live in a castle."

"Yes, I do," he admitted. "But what makes it special?"

“Prince Nashin.”

We looked back at the same time when an old man called. He bowed at Nashin and stared at me for a second before smiling.

“Can we see the corpse?”

He bowed again and went inside the tree. I followed them quietly. When the door behind me closed, another door in front of us opened and that's where we exited.

“This is the corpse that was found.”

I was stunned. My feet were nailed when I saw Chimsy's corpse. I did my best to make my legs move and go to Chimsy. I carefully touched her cheeks. She looks like she’s just sleeping but she’s ice cold, an indication that she’s not alive.

I subconsciously formed my hands into fists.

We were supposed to be entering Quintessence together. She should be happy to fulfill her dream of being in Quintessence. But she can no longer do that.

“No one knows her identity?” Nashin asked.

“Krain,” I said coldly. “She’s Krain...” I trailed off before looking at them seriously.

“A Dauthinian.”

...