CH-5: RAVEN'S DILEMMA

As the two were chatting, Axel recollected that it was a mystery as to why some people started gaining psionics. Some fans theorized, it could be the mysterious pond on Mt. Jequin, or even witchcraft. He also remembered that back in his own world, the novel's story remained unfinished by the author. "STUPID AUTHOR!" Axel cursed inwardly, and suddenly asked Elias out of the blue- "So... could you tell me where the psionics are coming from?" Elias looked at him as if he'd seen a chicken dancing.

He asked him quizzically- "You don't know Odion? Everyone knows the legend..."

"I'm afraid, I'm not certain. I moved to this town from a far away mountain not many days ago and that's why I was curious. I heard it was some strange pond."

"That's right! The strange pond appeared three years ago suddenly on Mt Jequin, the mighty mountain guarding this town as well as the entire Avallone kingdom. No one knew its source or why the pond was so sparkly. Slowly, people started to gain strange powers. And this anomaly caused everyone to realize that only the people of the Avallone kingdom especially ones of our town, are being exposed to magic and are the only ones gaining psionics, even if not all. So people have collectively accepted the fact that it was indeed the strange pond, now known as the 'Water of the Divine.' And since then, neighbouring kingdoms have been attacking Avallone to seize the source of its growing power, constantly bombarding the borders. That's why the Grand Duke has created the legion in order to defend the kingdom."- Elias explained.

Before Axel could part his lips to speak, he looked ahead of him as what stood before him was the Grand Duke's palace and beside it, stood the Dorwine Legion's headquarters. The palace had two towers on each side which resembled German Architecture. The buildings were massive, gilded with embellishments. It represented the power and grandeur of the Duke. Elaborate carvings were made on the glass panels of the palace. The environment here was filled with splendor and grace. "This is...MAJESTIC!"- both of them remarked at the same time. 

But their fascination for the castle soon faded away, when they saw the long queue in front of them. "Damn! Such a long queue! I might die in hunger and thirst!" - Elias exclaimed in a troubled expression. "Its alright... How long could it be?"

After an entire hour which felt like an eternity, passed, it was finally their turn. Elias quickly picked up the form, filled it up and submitted it. After he was done he gave way to Axel but noticed that he had become oddly nervous. Axel started chanting some Hindu mantras in his mind which he had learnt from his mother as soon as his eyes fell on the blank given beside the psionic. "Its my first day and I'm already on the verge of death! If I recall correctly, Odion had Heliokinesis but I don't have that power! Ok so... which power could be considered cool if I need to steal a psionic? Pyrokinesis? No! too dangerous. Hydro? nope! Not cool. Cryo! CRYOKINESIS!!" - he thought thoroughly, unsure if there is even such a way possible to gain a fake psionic. He filled up the form with a heavy heart, as the form read:

"First Name: Odion

Surname: -NA-

Psionic: Cryokinesis

Age: 21

Father's Name: -NA-

Mother's Name: -NA-"

When Axel submitted the form to the two men on the counter, he noticed that they gave him a pitiful look, perhaps because he didn't know Odion's parents, as the book never described Odion's family. "STUPID AUTHOR!!" he cursed inwardly again. After successfully signing up for the legion, the two friends chatted a little and had lunch. After spending the entire day with his new friend, Axel decided to part ways with Elias. They bid each other goodbye and went on their ways. Axel walked towards his own cottage and decided to find out someone as quickly as possibly who could supply him a psionic.