40 Maiden Elru (2/2)

Rainer tested it out versus a moving object by using [Arcane Spear of Holy Judgement] on himself. The violet spear soared straight into the sky. Its energy contained in a condensed spear of light and Arcane. Reaching its peak, Rainer commanded it to descend upon him. A surge of mana followed and…

He reset his body. He had been far too slow. Rainer performed the task repeatedly before finally he timed it perfectly, shifting the spear to his side, and only suffering death at its resulting explosion.

[Spatial Domain: Spatial Shift has reached level 2]

This new task had caused him to understand more about shifting space, and how to prepare the spell ahead of time. Having achieved a satisfactory result, he thought over his [Gravity Domain] and the fact he had no [Spatial Domain] related Gravity spells.

So why is [Gravity Domain] separate?

Gravity was manipulation of space and so he repeated his preparations for learning the [Spatial Domain: Spatial Shift], and even formed the wooden box in front of him.

With a burst of Mana, the box collapsed under a massive pressure of gravity. Rainer had solely used a combination of [Spatial Domain] and [Spatial Manipulation] to achieve this.

He repeated the attempt endlessly, each one costing far more Mana than a normal use of [Gravity Domain]. Slowly, however, his attempts shifted over from being based on [Spatial Manipulation] to [Spatial Domain].

After some time the [Spatial Domain] alone manipulated Gravity.

[Spell Gained: Spatial Domain: Gravity Slam lvl 1/10]

[Spatial Domain has reached level 3]

Each level of [Spatial Domain] improved the spell itself significantly.

Rainer thought over the two tier 4 spells he had gained and thought it was enough for tonight. Thinking over his other magic three stuck out as the most important to him for the coming fight or any fight, his [Arcane Blade] and his two [Arcane Awakening] branch skills.

In terms of power, he knew not a path forward with [Arcane Blade]. A copy of his hilt formed in his hand and a shimmering [Arcane Blade] jutted out. Tendrils of Arcane spiraled around the powerful blade; that cycled at such speed it appeared as a singular blade.

Rainer waved the Blade around before he garnered an idea similar to his [Arcane Awakening: Final Arcanum]. He would force the energy of the blade to go out of control and then aim it forward. Lacking the full power of his Arcane Power, it would be a far weaker version, but then even if an opponent dodged his blade, they might not avoid such an aftermath.

He held the Hilt with both hands and aimed it forward. His mind followed along with the rapidly cycling Arcane Energy. He interrupted this cycle with a random influx of Arcane Energy and focused all his will on shooting this energy forward. Instead, it immediately backlashed exploding outward in a fury of Arcane.

Rainer screamed in pain, as the explosion had not killed him. He refreshed his damaged body as fast as he could and laid down on the ground. During such experiments, he often died at its failure, meaning his actual discomfort was not high. But now, having been partially successful in attacking outward with the [Arcane Blade], the blast wasn't enough to kill him.

Even if he could get the blast only to go forward, there was no purpose to it in such a manner. He may as well just use other Arcane Magic.

[Arcane Awakening: Final Arcanum] was different. It was a concentrated blast of Arcane Power, not just a localized explosion and it extended beyond just its original target, as evidenced by the destroyed ceiling.

He started again, forming another hilt, though the previous had survived the blast, it had lodged itself in his stomach. This time, he formed an [Arcane Blade] half the size of the previous at 1 and a half feet. Focusing on the cycling of the energy, he tried to a create a way to cause this cycle to go out of control and yet still focus solely forward.

He monitored the cycle, but soon his thoughts drifted. No different than when he had created the [Arcane Awakening] skill he found himself lost in the cycle of the blade. He left the trance after what felt just a few seconds but found his time asleep ending.

Waking up he noted Kara still sleeping. Counting the time in his head, he now realized the time for switching classes was up. Carefully he woke up Luna.

”No…No…Luna can't do that…” She mumbled before waking up.

”Luna, I need your help to change classes.”

She only nodded as she opened up the class change window for Rainer.

Rainer looked at his classes with Luna's help. To his surprise and jubilation, he found the new class, [Voidwalker].

[Voidwalker: A being who crosses the omnipresent void, surpassing the restrictions of Space and Time. One who can reach out their senses and grasp at the elusive yet all-encompassing void. Few can block the path of one of the Void. 100% General Improvement to Space and Time Magic and Skills. 50% General Improvement to Space and Time Manipulation skills. 40% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. +1 Intelligence, +2 Affinity, per level past 1]

He couldn't understand why the attributes were so low, until he realized that [Arcanist] originally did not have an increase to Arcane Attunement. He thought this could only mean most of [Voidwalker] improved on a still hidden and locked attribute.

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He immediately switched to it, relegating [Chronomancer] to a subclass slot, keeping a 25% bonus to Space and Time and 10% of its attributes. He wanted a place to put his Attribute points without feeling like there was a better option, he saw [Voidwalker]'s hidden and locked attribute as a possible solution.

His thoughts went to what exactly it took to reach the 3rd Tier. In his mind, the 2nd Primary Class Slot wasn't a reward; it was a requirement.

While he didn't like Kara's choice never to take a Fruit, she would be the proof of his theory upon reaching 25 with both her classes and taking the Trial, with ample preparation, of course. Rainer had several thoughts beyond just the Wyvern on how to make her far stronger. One involved the very Fae he fought and their Runes.

His theory could mean he too, no longer would have an interest in using the Fruit. He couldn't bring himself to restrict his future in such a manner.

In any case, I still have you.

He thought as he felt the spot where Little Snake hid, and part of his fear of the Trial faded. Ascertaining the existence that seemingly lived in his body needed to be done long before any such Trials.

Rainer noted Kara still sleeping as he rolled out of bed. Luna sat on his head, resting, but awake after helping him change his class.

”Luna,” Rainer asked as he moved away as not to wake up Kara, ”Can you change your own class?” As of now, he saw the best solution for Luna who still had most of her life ahead of her, to level up sub-classes.

”Luna can't, she needs to visit World-Tree.”

”Do you know which ones you can switch to?” Whether it was his Arcane that altered her or her Sacred Faerie Flame he knew there should be something of value. Even if she would never advance it to the 2nd Tier such a rare class could be of use.

However, most in their first-tier class would never have such thoughts. Charles, as a level 25 [Knight] spent nearly his whole life training in this singular class.

Luna tilted her head in thought before speaking, ”Luna doesn't know.”

Rainer nodded, it made little sense for her holders to let her get a powerful class.

Now, out of all of them, only Luna could afford to switch to a level 1 class as her first one. Her mana was already large without any levels, and her flame already was powerfully capable of healing.

His hope was more of a class relating to his Arcane, rather than just the flame, as he recalled her skill store as a [Fae Enchanter] had a skill to improve her flame. So even if her flame was special, it was still within the bounds of a [Fae Enchanter], even if no one else had it. Still, a class relating to both, he saw as ideal. And, in the end, he did not have a full understanding of the skill store. Perhaps, none did, he thought.

”We'll visit the tree later today.”

Rainer took Luna's nonresponse as a yes. She laid down comfortably on his hair.

A knock on the door took Rainer out of his thoughts as he went up to answer it, he used [Soul Detection] as a precaution. He opened the door and saw a strange letter in Gunthar's hand.

”This was delivered to the Baron, addressed to you, Sorcerer. My Father inspected it, but it's best you do as well before touching it.”

Rainer nodded as he used [Arcane Sight]. He even brought [Arcane Awakening] to 100% to be sure in his check, yet he found it no different than the paper Luna oft made for him.

”It's from the Fae…” Rainer immediately assumed as he took the letter and headed to a desk inside the room.

Theodore and Gunthar both headed into the room upon hearing this. Kara had already awoken from the knocking. They all stood behind Rainer as he opened the letter and read it.

Archon,

I request a parlay, in my haste I had intruded upon your home and I wish to speak anew. I will be sitting alone in a café known as Redguard's', at 14:00:00 of the day you receive this letter. I imagine you will find me easily despite my glamour.

I await your coming,

Maiden Elru

”Rainer, what does it say?” Kara asked.

”Kara, you can't read?”

”Of course, I can read,” She said lightly pinching his ear, ”But I have never seen a language like this. The letters, everything about it is so strange.”

Rainer froze in understanding.

”A test…” he growled out.

”A test to see if you have the translation ability either granted by a Fae or had a Fae directly read it for you,” Gunthar added, knowing of Luna's skill.

”Still, a meeting like this shall be better than constantly waiting for her to attack,” Theodore spoke.

”I agree, but first, Luna, do you know this Maiden Elru?”

”…Luna's caretaker mentioned Elru before!” She excitedly said, ”She said Elru is Heroine of Fae, helping lost Fairies come home, and punishing their captors.” Luna's face, however, dropped soon afterward as she recalled her caretaker who had helped her escape.

”Then, she's being used? No, we can't be sure it's even her. In any case, I don't wish to fight her if she is unrelated to Luna. I'll meet with her.”

It was only a few hours before they needed to meet her. They discussed their plans as well as any fallback ones.

With their discussion ended, Rainer spoke a final word to Kara, ”Kara, no matter what, if combat starts, instantly shift to your Werewolf form.”

”Rainer if I do that, you could be permanently associated with working with demons! If such a thing spread…”

”I don't care. Your safety is first,” He said putting his hand gently on her face, ”There are worse things than making enemies.”

”Let's head out early then, we should clear as many people as we can from the place,” Gunthar added, worried of the aftermath of a possible fight.

No one voiced disagreement as they left, and getting directions from a guard, headed to the location.

As they approached Redguard's Rainer's group went around telling people to leave by order of the Lord Magus. They went into all nearby shops except the intended one. All it took was a flash of their Aura for people to listen to them. While ordinary citizens lacked detection skills, the powerful presence of an unleashed Aura would give them sufficient motivation.

Just before entering the Coffee Shop, Rainer changed his primary title. He didn't wish to fight, which meant to a figure capable of [Appraisal], he needed to appear a certain way.

He changed his title to one a Fae, chosen of the World Tree, would fear the most. And with his second class already changed to [Voidwalker], he had high hopes for her being more amiable to negotiation.

Walking in, [Arcane Sight] activated on Rainer's eyes and he immediately found Elru sitting in the back, alone as promised. He walked up to the counter to the stares of all the customers who recognized the Lord Magus from the rumors.

”Have everyone leave, now.” Rainer simply spoke before heading to Elru. Regarding pure speed, he could not compare to Elru, but with his high Intelligence, it meant he could react faster than her. And bringing [Arcane Awakening] up by a fraction to 5%, he needed only a single thought to activate Shield Mode.

Elru appraised Rainer the moment he entered the store. She first paused on his second class, but not out of fear or shock, rather that she had never heard of such a thing.

Elru had been in the Fae's archives studying an ancient book on history, with a new language she had never seen before, before being called by Yulia's servant. Of course, with her translation skill, like most Fae, she could read it. And among Fae, she was a most ardent scholar of history and knowledge, yet she had never seen the term [Voidwalker] in any shape or form. Nothing even containing the word ”Void” in a purposeful manner.

She readied herself as she felt the all too familiar surge of magic but calmed down noticing that he made no other action beyond walking toward her. She couldn't help but take a longer glance at the human she's not sure she's seen a more alluring version of. But to a Fae, it was not of consequence.

As he sat down, however, she finally looked it over, the title he held.

The words of greeting about to come out her mouth left her. Her [appraisal] at her age was high enough to read the title's description, high enough to not even notice Rainer's [Appraisal Resistance].

Various [Blasphemer] titles existed, yet that's all it was. There was no bonus beyond a small experience gain, as many titles had. It acknowledged they had blasphemed a Divine Power and were labeled as such. But this title, went beyond any of her expectations and had affirmed to her that Yulia had only sent her here to try and kill her. For the first time in centuries, she found herself afraid.

Seeing her not speaking, Rainer started first.

”Look, let's cut to the chase. I know about your little test, to see if I had a Fae to translate for me, sending that letter in that Archaic language. Now tell me one simple thing are you a servant of the Queen?” Rainer prepared at any moment to fight.

Elru displayed a stunned look on her face, having just now realized she wrote the letter in the wrong language. She was confused. The [Archon] truly had a Fairy, so she couldn't understand why Yulia would hide his level to such a degree.

She collected herself, partially, before answering.

”N-no, I am not. I have merely come to return a daughter of our race home. Do not take my offer of parlay as a sign of unwillingness to do battle. I will return her home,” Elru paused for a moment, she could not last remember when she was this wary of an opponent, ”with or without your agreement. I am, however, willing to…trade.”

Trade…

She thought in derision. A word she never thought to use when returning a Fairy home.

”And if the Fairy herself is unwilling?”

This caused Elru's next words to stutter. She had not even considered such a situation.

”T-then, of course, I would not force her…” She answered a bit meekly.

”Luna doesn't want to go home,” Luna said with her head now popping out of Rainer's coat.

Elru looked at the little fairy and could not believe she had been unable to notice her.

”This…” Elru could hardly contain her anger. Not only had the [Archon]'s level been under-reported the Fairy may not even be a prisoner. She didn't completely trust the man in front of her, but it wasn't hard to see the fairy's comfort with this man.

Looking at the expression of the Fae across from him Rainer decided to share some information, though of course, he had no intention of revealing exactly what Luna was. With his [Arcane Sight] he could, in fact, see both her true form and facial expression. Added on was this whole time Rainer used [Mana Reading] and found nothing she said was a lie.

”She had been fleeing from the Queen. I found her in the hands of some goblin mage who wished to steal her dust from her. And from then on, I've dealt with damned Fae like you who refused to leave us in peace. Am I supposed to believe anything you said when you prepared an ambush for me in my home?”

”No, you should not,” Elru responded.

Rainer couldn't help but be surprised at the genuine regret the Fae in front of him felt.

”I feel like such a fool. I knew Yulia was using me, yet I still believed I was doing good…”

”Now what?” Rainer asked. He didn't believe she would just leave. This whole time he remained in [Arcane Awakening], though a small percentage, prepared to activate Shield Mode.

Elru looked to the [Archon] for a moment before speaking, ”For my transgressions…I might offer you aid; I can answer many questions about Yulia, The Queen as you've put it,” She said with annoyance, ”Yet I have a request. I have a skill which can determine truth from lies, so long as you do not heavily resist I need not even touch you.”

Using [Mana Reading], Rainer noted she wasn't lying. Nor she was a mage, so he felt little fear from such a skill.

”Go ahead,” Rainer said as he flared [Arcane Awakening] to 100%. The moment he felt anything off, he would strike.

She stared curiously for a moment at his Runic lines, never having seen before such a technique, before refocusing. Elru stared into his eyes as hers glowed entirely in a vibrant blue. Rainer noted he felt slightly buzzed, as if having just taken a few drinks, but beyond that, there was no effect. More importantly, he understood how easily he could resist such a thing were he to try.

”Is the Fairy, Luna, with you of her own accord?”

”Yes,” Rainer found himself slightly compelled to answer and let the feeling through.

”Have you, or ever had any plans to take her Fairy Dust forcibly?”

”No.”

”Are you an enemy of the Fae Queen?”

”Yes.”

Elru's eyes stopped glowing as she canceled the skill. Her face was visibly tired. She had never tried to use her skill on someone with such a degree of Willpower. She could not see his exact attributes but the effort alone, even with him letting her in, she had not ever experienced before.

[Mana-Reading] did not show any inconsistencies. Rainer had many questions to ask about Fae society, and now no longer pressed for time, he'd ask for his desire.

”How about answering some of mine?”

Several miles outside of the Capital of Mier…

Deep within a forest, at a small camp, a man stared at a bounty poster. Said bounty had long since been rescinded. Not all evidence of it existing had been removed. His eyes were blood red and had a serpentine slit as a pupil. A singular horn jutted from his forehead and curved around over the top of his black hair.

”What do you think?” A kneeling hooded man asked.

”I think the Prince shall be pleased…what else do you know?”

”I've inquired about her; she seems to be traveling with some sort of Lord Magus. I have conflicting information. Some cite her as a guard, others as his lover.”

”We shall report it as the former,” The serpentine man immediately replied, ”Gather the agents. And one more thing, have you knowledge of her current whereabouts?”

”No…only the place last seen, was the town of Grimlar's Pass.”

”We shall move immediately. We will not lose her again, however, make it clear no one is to attack until the Prince's order. We are only to follow,” The serpentine man's horn receded and his eyes turned blue, still retaining their slit, as he took on a less demonic appearance. There were races which had such eyes, and as well, the blue scaly skin that covered the sides of his face and hands.

Different from Kara's transformation, anyone with even a basic [Aura Detection] skill could see through him so long as they focused on him. But it was enough, to slip past most.

They had waited a few hours before all were gathered and they moved forward, intent on capturing their target for their Prince. Moving about in Mage Guild lands presented a large risk. Nearly all demons considered capture by Mage Guilds a fate worse than death. Yet given the reward offered by their Prince even the least loyal of his subjects were interested in locating this Wolfkin.

They did not know of her true nature nor why the Prince would be interested in her.

But they cared not.