Chapter 551 - 497: Dont You Want to Know? (1/2)
”Yes yes, my name is Aneirin, a bard extraordinaire.”
The troubadour warmly shook hands with Claud Venice, the two happily smiling. When it was Zodiak's turn, he neither spoke nor raised his hands, turning the atmosphere awkward.
”Don't mind him, he's a bit shy.”-Aneirin
”A-ah, alright.” Claud nodded his head then guided the two upstairs, to his respectable home. He prepared two cups of hot tea for them then waited for them to calm down before talking.
Zodiak remained oddly silent and unresponsive while Aneirin was looking around, fascinated by all the foreign machines decorating the room.
”That's called a TV. It can broadcast many things like movies and news from all over the world.”
Claud was patient as he explained some of the things to the curious bard.
At some point, the silent Zodiak raised his head and stared at Claud with his usual expressionless face.
”Where are we?”
It was the first thing he said ever since coming here. In response, the scientist gave an immediate and detailed answer.
”You're on a planet called Serenity and, correct me if I'm wrong, but you also came from the same planet, right?”
”Yes, that is indeed the case.”-Aneirin
”Would you mind telling me the date? Which Era are you from?”
”5th Era, Year 1694.”
After a short pause, the bard asked: ”Did you summon us to the future?”
Claud smiled and corrected him: ”Quite the opposite, in fact. You're in the past.”
Zodiak flinched but the troubadour didn't seem that surprised.
”What do you want from us?”
Zodiak didn't trust this friendly scientist and fell uncomfortable in this cozy place, fearing that it may be some kind of trap.
”Honestly, when I attempted my summon, I didn't expect it'll really work. After all, Theoretically, time-travel is possible but no one was able to succeed yet. Anyway, you're here because I want to ascertain something.”
”Ascertain of something?”-Aneirin.
”Yes. This planet is crumbling and I kind of predicted that there will be many disasters coming here. If you're from the future and also from a planet called Serenity, it means I was wrong.”
”Disasters? What kind?”
”Both natural and artificial disasters.”
While the two were conversing, Zodiak was examining the place. Though there was an abundance of these 'scientific machines', there was an alarming absence of any kind of energy.
”Why can't I feel any Mana?”
Just as Zodiak said that, Claud hurriedly motioned him to stop talking. He stealthily closed the curtains then spoke with a low, almost inaudible voice.
”Please don't speak of anything magic-related.”
”And why is that?”
The scientist seemed troubled as he replied: ”Magic is banned here and anyone who as much as mutters the word will be punished.”
”Banned? Why is it banned? From where we came from, Magic is a universal thing.”
Hearing this, Claud let out a sigh and spoke again:
”The inhabitants of Serenity despise Magic and think it's dangerous and unreliable. The truth is that they can't find a scientific explanation for its existence so they deem it as a defect, an evil thing.”
”You don't seem like you share their opinion though?”
Aneirin inquired while looking at the anxious Claud.
”Yes, I don't. I do like science and believe it's much suited for our civilization but Magic can do wonders too, we just have to know when and where to use it.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door of the room and a graceful figure entered. She had long silver hair and a small mole under her eye, adding more to her beauty.
”Ah, this is my wife, Angel.”
Claud swiftly stood up and walked up to his wife, who was startled by the presence of the two strangers.
”Hello.”
She softly smiled and bowed toward Zodiak and Aneirin. Her husband, Claud, seemed excited as he introduced them to Angel.