Chapter 756: Scrambled Eggs or something (1/2)

Ilea sat on a mountain peak with Claire and Trian. Various Shadows and Sentinels had chosen the same mountain for the close vicinity and wonderful view of Morhill. Most of the nobles had chosen to remain in a less adventurous environment to watch the closing fireworks.

Impressive displays of pyromancy and alchemy as Claire had informed. And an apparently particularly wasteful manner to throw out rare ingredients.

Ilea didn’t really mind. They looked nice, and something enjoyed by thousands of people couldn’t be an absolute waste. What she did instead was compare the displays to various spells she had seen from monsters in the wild. She judged them lacking, but there was something nice about not having to dodge everything or worry about one’s life. From time to time.

“What are your plans now?” Claire asked as she looked over from the rock she was sitting on.

Ilea glanced at her before she returned her attention back to the yellow sparkling light exploding above Morhill. Now would be the perfect time to attack, hmm. She knew that Wayland and plenty of high level individuals were taking care of security. She assumed seeing all those devastating rituals and summonings left more than just an impression.

“Further into Karth and I still need two more keys. I hear there’s an entire committee planning the distribution of gates. To get the most efficient coverage. I suppose I can help with that too, it’s going to be a busy time for a lot of people,” Ilea said.

“I wanted to ask if you could lend a hand. I assume once a few important gates are set down, others can take over. It should save us weeks or even months if you’re the one placing those with Iana and Chris. A few Shadows could at least try to match your speed but we can only trust people so far,” Claire replied.

“Talking business again? Why don’t you two relax, at least for one evening,” Trian said as he swirled a glass of wine.

“You look like a noble,” Ilea said, adding ash to the rock she had chosen to make it far more comfortable.

Trian shrugged. “Can I get some of that too?” He gestured to the ashen rest supporting her back.

“Sorry. Old noble,” Ilea corrected as she added to his seating situation.

“You’re ruining the entire point of being in the wild. It’s supposed to be uncomfortable and cold,” Claire said, another set of fireworks exploding above the town below.

“You’d need a little more to make me feel either uncomfortable, or cold,” Ilea said.

Claire waved her off. “Can you even feel cold?”

Ilea nodded slowly, remembering the Ice Elemental. She had changed since then, that much was true, but she still assumed the being could affect her form. At least to the extent of her feeling cold. Might take most of my body being frozen though.

“Where’s Kyrian?” Trian said. “He’s not been around since you flew off with him.”

Ilea smiled, summoning a bottle of ale. “He’s fine.”

“It sounds like you know more than that,” the headmaster said.

“He’s probably with Aliana,” Claire said.

“Oh? Ah right, she was around,” Trian murmured.

“Well informed, you two, aren’t you?” Ilea commented.

“He’s mentioned her before. Once or twice, maybe ten times,” Trian said. “It’s either that or his birds. Only two things he seems to enjoy talking about.”

“Well you go on and on about your Sentinels,” Claire mused. “I do wonder when you’ll finally fall for one of them.”

“That is not a consideration. Besides, a lifestyle like that is far too dangerous for my liking,” Trian said. “Plus my entire authority would be shattered.”

“What about Sidney?” Ilea asked, a smile on her face.

“Far too obsessed with battle. Our conversations die beyond combat evaluations and strategy,” he said. “She’s competent, but as far as romantic interest goes…”

“Wasn’t there another one in the faculty?” Claire asked, looking at Ilea.

“Lyza, yeah. She’s a little… hmm… direct and… unorthodox,” she said. Crazy would’ve been the word she had chosen but then who was she to talk?

Trian remained suspiciously quiet.

So that’s how it is.

“Did she reject your advances?” Claire asked.

“She… there were no advances,” Trian said.

“Doesn’t sound like that’s everything to the story,” Ilea mused. “Noble.”

“I have made… attempts. To show my interest in courting her. We always have wonderful conversations but I believe she is not exactly interested,” Trian explained.

“Describe the attempts,” Ilea said.