Chapter 25 - Stupid decisions

The potions classroom was the same as always, the air dense with the aroma of strange ingredients, the murmurs of still-sleepy students, and the professor standing at his desk with his usual stern expression. I had barely settled into my seat when he struck his cane against the floor, calling for everyone's attention.

"Listen carefully," he said in his raspy voice. "Today, there will be no regular classes. The academy has organized a field trip to the kingdom of Eldrathar."

The classroom erupted in murmurs of surprise and excitement.

"Today?" someone asked.

"That's right," the professor replied calmly. "A portal will open in the courtyard after the next class. You will be free to explore the city—the market, the royal library, the knights' coliseum, the grand central plaza… as long as you respect the academy's rules."

The students' chatter grew louder. Some were already planning to visit the most popular spots, while others seemed more excited about the street food.

But I knew what this trip really meant.

I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms. In a story like this, a field trip is never just a field trip.

Classes continued as usual, but I could barely concentrate. My thoughts revolved around Eldrathar and what would happen there. I had no idea where the story would go after Act 1, but there was one thing I was sure of—this trip marked the closing of the first act with the introduction of the Djinns.

As soon as class ended, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. However, as I turned down a hallway, I ran into Darius. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking at me with a serious expression.

"So, you've figured it out, huh?" he said bluntly.

I sighed and placed my hands on the sink.

"Yeah… I know something big is going to happen on this trip. This is the point where the Djinns make their first appearance."

Darius nodded.

"It's not just a casual appearance," he explained. "Djinns are humans who made deals with demons. In exchange for their humanity, they receive increased strength and hidden potential. They are also given the opportunity to climb the hierarchy of the Demon King's army."

I frowned.

"That means they're not only powerful but also highly motivated to get stronger… Do you know how long we have before they appear?"

"Not exactly." Darius closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, determination gleaming in his gaze. "No matter how many there are, I can handle it alone."

I looked at him skeptically.

"Are you sure you don't need help?"

"I'll be fine." He smirked, exuding his usual arrogance. "I can do this on my own."

I didn't argue. If Darius wanted to take care of it, I'd let him. After all, it was one less burden on me, and it meant I could avoid unnecessary interaction with him.

When the time to leave arrived, all the students gathered in the academy's main courtyard. The professor stood at the front, gripping his cane with both hands.

With a flick of his wrist, he traced a complex pattern in the air, and a massive luminous rift opened before us. It was a transport portal, large enough for us to pass through in groups.

"Enter in order and don't stop," he ordered in his rough voice. "The portal will take you directly to Eldrathar's central plaza. Remember, you must follow the academy's rules."

One by one, the students crossed. It only took me a few seconds to step onto the other side.

The sensation of passing through the portal was like plunging into icy water for an instant. When I set foot on solid ground again, I found myself in a vast cobbled plaza.

All around, buildings of white stone and dark wood stood tall, reflecting the wealth of the kingdom. Eldrathar had an air of grandeur that set it apart from any other city I had been to.

As the other students dispersed, I spotted Tesline, already taking in the surroundings with excitement.

"So, what do you plan to do first?" I asked.

She grinned and stretched, as if preparing for a fight.

"I'm going to the Knights' Coliseum. They say there are always exhibition matches, and I want to see how good the warriors in this city are."

A predictable response from her.

"And you?" she asked, turning to me.

"I'm going to the museum. I want to see the weapons of the ancient heroes."

It was a solid excuse. It made sense that someone like me, interested in history and weaponry, would want to see legendary artifacts. But in my mind, the real reason was different.

This trip wasn't just a casual visit. If everything followed the correct sequence, this was where the Djinns would make their first appearance. I needed to confirm if everything played out as expected and, more importantly, gather information about the Djinns.

The professor struck the ground with his cane, drawing our attention. The students' chatter gradually faded until only silence remained, broken only by the murmur of the wind in the plaza.

"Before you begin your exploration, it is important that you understand the history of the kingdom you are standing in," he said in his deep voice. "Eldrathar was not always a single kingdom. Centuries ago, this land was the battleground of a brutal war."

Some students exchanged interested glances, while others seemed less enthusiastic about the history lesson.

"Hundreds of years ago," the professor continued, "there were two kingdoms in these lands. To the north, the Kingdom of the Lionheart, a human nation ruled by a royal family that carried its lineage with pride. To the south, a younger kingdom, founded by various races in an attempt to create a home where all could live in peace."

The professor paused, leaning on his cane as he observed us.

"However, peace was never a luxury in those times. The King of Lionheart, a man known for his strength but also for his fear, viewed the other races with distrust."

"Why?" a student asked from the back.

The professor nodded, as if he had been expecting the question.

"Because the Demon King and his armies constantly attacked human lands, and among their ranks were creatures of all races. The king began to see anyone who was not human as a potential threat."

Some murmured among themselves. It wasn't uncommon for humans and other races to have tensions, but declaring war out of fear was another matter.

"The conflict erupted," the professor continued. "Prince Faelric, the king's son, blindly followed his father's orders, even though in his heart, he did not share his hatred. On the other side of the battlefield, the queen of the nation was an elf named Zyphera, who did everything she could to protect her people."

"But… if her kingdom was young," another voice interjected, "how did they expect to win?"

The professor smiled slightly.

"They didn't. Most of the inhabitants of her kingdom were villagers, merchants, and artisans, not warriors. They had neither a strong army nor experience in war. Zyphera's resistance was brave, but not enough."

Some students shifted uncomfortably, already imagining the fate of Zyphera's kingdom.

"However…" Aldric raised a finger, "the war soon took a back seat."

The anticipation grew.

"As humans and other races fought each other, a general of the Demon King saw the perfect opportunity to attack. His armies first besieged the Kingdom of the Lionheart, destroying the capital and killing thousands, including the king himself. Faelric, who had fought under his father's orders, suddenly found half of his people reduced to ashes."

The silence became heavy.

"When the demonic tide turned toward Zyphera's kingdom, she and her people had already accepted their fate. They knew they would not be able to resist. But at the last moment… Faelric appeared."

"Did he turn against his own kingdom?" someone asked.

"No, but he realized that the war between humans and non-humans made no sense. With the soldiers he had left, he went to Zyphera's kingdom and fought to protect its inhabitants."

Some students looked surprised.

"Zyphera, distrustful at first, soon saw that Faelric was serious. Together, they joined forces. Desperation turned into a solid defense, and not only did they resist… they fought back."

The group was now completely attentive.

"Their resistance was so strong that even the demons were forced to retreat. Some of their generals came to respect the bravery of Faelric and Zyphera. But the real reason the demons abandoned the siege was not just the fierce defense of the united kingdoms… but because, elsewhere in the world, the Hero of that time was threatening the life of the Demon King himself."

The professor took a moment to observe us, evaluating our reactions. Then, with a slight smile, he rested both hands on his cane and continued his story.

"Over time, the union between Faelric and Zyphera was not only political… but also personal."

Some students exchanged curious glances.

"That's right," the professor confirmed. "What began as an alliance forged in desperation eventually became love. Together, they ruled the new kingdom of Eldrathar and, over time, had a son named Elenvar Lionheart."

I heard some surprised murmurs among the students.

"That child was born with both human and elven blood," he continued, "and his existence marked the true beginning of a new era. As he grew, Elenvar demonstrated wisdom and strength worthy of his parents, and when the time came, he ascended to the throne."

"So, was he the first king of Eldrathar?" someone asked.

"Not exactly," Aldric shook his head. "Eldrathar already existed as a kingdom when he was born, but it was under his reign that it truly consolidated as a stable and prosperous nation."

There was a tone of respect in the professor's voice as he spoke of Elenvar.

"And here comes the most interesting part," he added with a smile. "Elenvar Lionheart is not just a historical figure. He is still alive today… and is the current king of Eldrathar."

A complete silence fell over the group.

"What!?" a student exclaimed loudly. "That makes no sense! If centuries have passed since the war, he should be dead!"

"A human, yes," Aldric replied, as if he had anticipated the question. "But Elenvar is a half-elf. His elven blood has given him a much longer lifespan than an ordinary human."

Expressions of astonishment and confusion spread among the group.

"And that brings us to another mystery…" the professor continued. "No one knows for sure what happened to Faelric and Zyphera after their son took the throne."

"Did they die?" someone asked cautiously.

"There are no records of their deaths," Aldric said, shrugging. "Some believe they simply retired to live in peace, far from politics. Others say they continue to explore the world in secret."

I glanced at Tesline, who seemed to be reflecting on the story.

"But… Faelric was human, right?" another student interjected. "How could he still be alive after so long?"

The professor smiled slightly at the question.

"Ah, that is a good observation," he said. "There are many ways a human can extend their lifespan."

"Magic?" someone guessed.

"Magic, ancient artifacts, contracts with beings of great power… There are multiple methods, though few are accessible. But if anyone had the means to achieve it, it was Faelric and Zyphera."

More intrigued glances were exchanged among the students. Some seemed skeptical, others completely fascinated.

"In any case," Aldric concluded, "the mystery of their fate remains unresolved. And to this day, Elenvar Lionheart continues to rule these lands, ensuring that his parents' legacy never fades."

"So…" Tesline murmured beside me, "this place was born from war and a miracle."

"Exactly," the professor affirmed. "And that history still shapes the identity of this kingdom today."

The professor cleared his throat and struck his cane against the floor, drawing everyone's attention.

"Before I let you go, there is one more thing you need to know," he said in his measured yet firm tone. "We don't want you getting into trouble or getting lost, so your academy bracelets serve as trackers."

Some students exchanged glances, and one of them, clearly annoyed, raised their hand.

"Are we being watched all the time?"

"Yes, deal with it, there's nothing you can do about it anyway," the professor replied calmly. "The academy only uses this system to ensure that everyone is safe. If you wander too far or end up in a dangerous situation, the kingdom's guards will be alerted and can intervene immediately."

"Guards?" another student asked in surprise.

"That's right. Eldrathar is a safe kingdom, but we are cautious," Aldric explained. "The academy has coordinated with local authorities to ensure there is surveillance in the main streets and in areas most visited by tourists. So, while you will be exploring freely, you won't be completely alone."

The explanation seemed to reassure some, but others still murmured among themselves with skepticism.

"That being said," Aldric continued in a more serious tone, "there is one rule you must not forget: everyone must return here by seven o'clock sharp."

"And if someone is late?" someone asked from the back.

The professor smiled, but it was not a kind smile.

"If someone is late, they will receive an appropriate punishment."

A murmur spread among the students. It was rare for the academy to grant such broad permissions, but if anything was clear, it was that they would not tolerate irresponsibility.

"Now then," Aldric gestured with his hand, "get lost. I want to enjoy these few free hours I have, it's the closest thing I'll have to a vacation."

Immediately, the students began to disperse, each taking their own path.

I made sure Darius didn't notice me before heading to the museum. I didn't want him lecturing me about not interfering. Once I arrived, I looked for a secluded spot, somewhere I could observe without drawing attention.

In the game this world seemed to be based on, Djinns were fairly common enemies. They were cunning, dangerous, and could easily blend among people since their appearance was nearly identical to that of normal NPCs.

Their true form was only revealed when they attacked or were forced to show their nature. At that moment, their skin turned grayish, their eyes black, and their pupils glowed a bright red. However, despite how well they could camouflage themselves, there was something that always gave them away their awful fashion sense.

I scanned the museum visitors, reviewing the faces around me. I couldn't remember every Djinn model from the game; there were too many. But one thing I did recall was that, for some reason, they always dressed as if they had stepped out of a time capsule. It was a curious pattern they could imitate humans, but they always seemed to wear outdated clothing from my world.

And then, I saw them.

Two figures in the crowd, seemingly normal… except for the fact that they looked like they had stepped straight out of a 1950s photo album.

One of them wore a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, jeans rolled up at the ankles, and his hair slicked back with way too much pomade, like a rebellious biker from an old movie. The other was dressed in a gray wool suit with a bow tie and perfectly polished shoes, as if he was about to invite someone to dance rock & roll in a 1950s diner.

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as I muttered:

"The '50s called… they want their clothes back."

But seriously, what logic was there in these Djinns dressing like this? Was it some kind of inside joke, or what the hell? It was incredibly anticlimactic when everything else had a medieval theme.

According to the game this world was based on, they were vulnerable to holy magic, which included light and electricity spells, but if I could discover another way to deal with them, even better.

I watched them more closely. They weren't interacting with anyone, and although they pretended to be looking at the exhibits, their posture was stiff, tense, as if they were more focused on keeping watch than admiring history. Were they waiting for something? Someone?

I leaned back in my seat, pretending to read a museum pamphlet while spying on them from the corner of my eye. If they really were Djinns, I needed to see them in action to confirm their weaknesses. Was there any way to force them to reveal themselves without taking too much risk?

It didn't take long for them to expose themselves.

In the middle of their fake admiration for a relic on display, the two guys dropped the act and, with a dramatic shout, revealed their true appearance. Their skin turned gray, their eyes black with glowing red pupils, and the magical energy around them intensified as if they were preparing for a grand spectacle.

I rolled my eyes.

"Of course, because if they hate having their sneak attacks ruined, the logical thing to do is announce themselves by screaming. Geniuses," I muttered sarcastically.

Before I could do anything, the Djinns raised their hands, and a magical barrier formed at the museum exits, preventing the civilians from escaping.

"Oh, fantastic," I scoffed. "Why didn't I see this coming?"

Panic spread among the trapped visitors. Some tried to push against the barrier, others screamed, unsure of what to do. Just as I was considering my options, two familiar figures burst onto the scene.

Darius and Elaine.

They didn't waste time with unnecessary words. Darius unsheathed the Dragon Fang sword. Yes, the same one I lost in battle against him, while Elaine readied herself with one of the ancient weapons from the exhibit.

"I guess I don't have to do anything… perfect," I thought.

Time to use my best technique: casually walking away from danger.

While Darius and Elaine stood against the Djinns with heroic determination, I discreetly slipped away to a safer spot. No one paid me any attention because the Djinns were too busy doing what they did best posing dramatically like they were in a cheap action movie.

Finally, I reached a secure hiding place. From there, I peeked… and they were still posing.

I couldn't help myself. I took a deep breath and, with the most exaggerated and dramatic voice I could muster, shouted:

"Would you just do something already!?"

The Djinns broke their synchronized pose and shot me furious glares.

"Shut up, human!" one of them growled.

I crossed my arms and responded with a smug smile.

"Oh, yes. I'm trembling with fear. You're absolutely terrifying."

The other Djinn tensed and scowled.

"You're an idiot."

I grinned even wider.

"Maybe, but at least I don't dress like I just had an aneurysm."

Both Djinns spun around angrily, looking in all directions for me.

"Go to hell!" snapped the one in the leather jacket. "We look amazing!"

I laughed mockingly.

"Oh, sure. It must be tough being so 'cool' when you look like a walking hair pomade commercial."

The one in formal wear clutched his chest as if he had been stabbed.

"You insufferable bastard!"

I put on a fake sad expression.

"Oh no, what a low blow… and just when your moms told me how much they liked me."

The silence that followed was pure gold.

"Come over here and say that to my face!" one of them yelled, completely furious.

"I'd love to, but I'm busy… unwinding with your moms," I shot back with absolute audacity.

Darius, who had been focused on the fight until now, turned his head, looking for the source of my voice.

The Djinns, on the other hand, looked ready to murder me. Well, at least they weren't posing like idiots anymore.