Chapter 5: Mission

"I need you… to go into the mortal world." 

Upon hearing that, Aella's brows formed lines. Her mind began to form questions. 

A mission to the mortal world is unusual, typically those are tasks of the equilibrium council. 

"Is this because of Ms. Gale's shortcoming?" Aella thought.

Aella is still processing the information when Alpha showed the map that was presented in the meeting earlier. 

Alpha did not say anything, she stared at the map with softened yet worried eyes. "An immense dark energy… it was frightening." 

Aella now realizes that this might be connected to her mission, or this is her mission itself. "Do you want me to do something about it, Your Majesty?" 

Alpha looked at her, her eyes pleading and hoping. "This might be too much." She moved closer to Aella, reaching her hands. "Can you look for one of the Abyssal Order while cleansing the dark energy?" 

Aella does not show any sign of shock. She herself knew that facing and fighting with the Abyssal Order is Beta's lifetime mission. 

They are already prepared for that. They trained for it, they are even willing to face them head on anytime. 

They are built to be on par with them but losing to them is not even a choice. 

"Who among them, Your Majesty?" she asked, unbothered by the mission. 

Alpha smiled when she saw how unfazed Aella is. "That's my child," she proudly stated, caressing Aella's cheek. She paused for a minute, before seriously mentioning, "It was the Obsidius." 

Hearing that name made Aella's formed lines between brows. "The shadow manipulator?" 

Alpha nodded, turning her gaze to the huge tree. "The power bearer has finally emerged. It's been a decade since we last received a report about Obsidius." 

To Aella's knowledge, the last Obsidius gave a hard time to the fourth generation Beta. 

"I need to find that person… in the mortal world?" 

"Yes, the dark energy that is spreading in the mortal world is made by the Obsidius."

"Should I… kill that person?" Aella straightforwardly questioned, yet she cannot hide the uneasiness and hesitation in her tone, especially in front of the highest rank.

Alpha gently smiled, "I know you very well, dear. You cannot kill anyone even if you can," she said, but there's no tone of mockery nor belittlement. She knows how pure Aella's heart is… even to the enemies.

Aella was stunned yet managed to reply, "If you ordered me to do it, I'll do it. I would kill Obsidius." 

"You don't need to do that." Alpha stared at the map, as if analyzing it. "Dark energy is unstable… it was scattered unintentionally." 

The Beta stared at the map, and eventually widened her eyes, full of confusion. "Indeed, it seems… agitated." 

"That person holding the power might be clueless, he might not know the power he holds." 

"It's unstable… yes," Aella agreed but still having doubts, she's uncertain. "Pardon my questioning, Your Majesty. May I ask how sure you can be? And, did you already assume his pronoun?"

Alpha momentarily closed her eyes, trying to remain composed. "Clairvoyant relayed to me, she is anxious about her vision about a shadowy man bringing destruction in the mortal world."

Hearing it, made Aella swallow hard. She knew how accurate and precise those visions were. Her eyes widened slightly, and softly whispered, "That's… really disturbing." 

Alpha takes a slow yet deep breath. "Is that okay with you?" 

Without thinking of refusing the mission, she declared, "I am honored, Your Majesty." She's unbothered nor wavering about the mission assigned to her. 

"That's my Beta," Alpha proudly stated, chin lifted and standing tall. "The equilibrium council would be your guide."

She obediently nodded. "I'll do my best but I have a concern, Your Majesty." 

Alpha nods slowly while smiling, acknowledging it.

"I do not have enough training in concealing my energy, Your Majesty."

"That is not a problem, my dear," she smiled gently. "Mr. Rusty would create a necklace that can hide your energy." 

Aella's eyes shimmered. "A rare arcane device?" she asked, calmly yet excited. 

Alpha gently nods, quietly chuckling upon seeing Beta's reaction. 

"If that is so, I would make my training focused on aquatic healing."

"I am counting on you, my dear."

It's been days since the awakening, Aella focused on training her skills in aquatic healing. 

Ms. Yen, one of the skilled aquamedics, is her trainer. 

"Act casual," Ms. Yen strictly commanded. 

No hesitation to talk to a Beta that way, as if she was a far higher rank than the Beta. 

"You're like pickpocketing!" 

"That's so slow." 

"Are you flirting with them? Are those flirty touches?" 

"Wow! How soft and demure a woman you are."

Aella has been trying to do aquatic healing without getting notice. A swift way of doing it, accurate and precise. 

It's been hours since they are training, Aella's getting the hang of it. 

"That's good, you are getting there." 

She keeps on trying, practicing a perfect execution of it. 

Swift. Accurate. Precise. 

Those things are needed, there's no space for even the smallest mistake. 

Their training got interrupted by an Epsilon. "I am sorry for disturbing your training, Young Lady Aella. The Majesty is asking for your presence in the Sacred Chamber." 

Aella smiled at Epsilon, and turned to her trainer. "Thank you for the guidance, Ms. Yen."

"It is a pleasure to guide a Beta. May the water guide you, and good luck on your mission." 

Excitedly, Aella rushed to the Sacred Chamber. 

She cannot wait to see and try the new arcane device. 

"Your Majesty," she greeted the highest rank.

Alpha's holding a red colored box. "Here," she extended her hands to give it to Aella. 

She opened, and sighted a simple pearl necklace. No extravagance, not fancy even. 

"Try it." 

To Aella's feeling, nothing changes. However, she trusted the council of crafts, they do exceptional arcanes. 

"It's working," Alpha gently smiled. "I can't sense your energy." 

Aella's lips slightly parted, shocked at how this simple necklace does conceal her energy. "But, it doesn't change anything about me."

Alpha chuckled, "Of course, it will not. It was made to conceal your energy, not to change anything about you." 

A letter O formed in Aella's lips, amazed by the function of this simple thing. "Is this a new arcane device?" she asked while carefully holding the pearl pendant of the necklace. 

"Yes, it's called Arcane Veil." 

For a few minutes, they admire the arcane veil. How simple it was, yet it can do a terrific thing. 

This arcane device could really help her, concealing her energy would be convenient to move around without getting any attention from the Erobosian. 

Until her hunting and finding a clueless man, fighting would only cost damages.

She cannot afford to hurt any mortal, they are innocent and don't know anything about them.

"Should I start my mission, Your Majesty?" 

Alpha lifted her chin, and spoke solemnly, "May nature guide you, and shield you from any harm."