5 Almas Blessing (1/2)
Reed smiled bitterly and started felt bad for the trio, but couldn't find any words of comfort to give them. The way Horatio described their predicament gave Reed the impression that it was a problem that would be solved so easily.
”I've never heard of princes and princesses being ostracized for having been born into power. There's a first for everything, I suppose,” he replied.
”But if they fear you three so much because of your status, why were so many people sucking up to the crimson-haired ponytail and the girl with the ebony hair? You know, the ones that withstood the instructor's sneak attack. They also seemed like bigshots and everyone started sucking up to them without a problem.”
Astor's face scrunched up and he angrily replied, ”Those are the Ashborn and Dragoncrest bastards I told you about. Those thieves are from the eastern empire and despite their actions, they had the nerve to choose the northern training ground. They truly go wherever they want and do whatever they please, acting like they've done nothing wrong!”
Reed felt lost and did not understand why he had gotten so heated up about them. Sure, that whole bloodline fiasco was kind of messed up but didn't every powerful family intermingle and marry their kids off like that? Even in the mortal world, the aristocracy would only marry people within their social caste, so to speak.
”Is it such a big matter, the whole bloodline business that the two families orchestrated? I thought that was the norm, although I will admit they got a bit carried away with the whole thing.”
”No, it's fucking not! The sovereigns personally might not care about what their descendants do, as long as they don't burn down the four empires, but we do! Aside from the Flower King's nanny act, the four royal families have been governing Mulia for thousands of years without change, but now these upstarts have started stirring up some very concerning talk.”
”These bastards want to carve up the four empires for themselves using the bloodlines they stole as proof of their right to rule. Common folk and lesser noble families see the two families as a potential golden ticket, one that would have them set for life. If they supported the Ashborn and Dragoncrest families and they succeeded in their goals, they'd be rewarded handsomely for their contributions. Money, fame, and all the authority the could ever want.”
”Enough incentive to win over those weak-willed bastards that you saw back then; they're nothing more than losers who are trying to scramble over each to please their potential masters. No respect, loyalty, or gratitude towards the royal families who've been protecting them for millennia.”
”Most people are too lazy and weak-hearted to even put their feelings into action, let alone support a political revolution. Astor's just paranoid. Even grandfather hasn't made an effort to stop them, just goes to show that it'll probably die out sooner or later.”
”I think we should call it for the night, guys, it's already past midnight,” warned Ophelia. She stood up and said, ”If we stay up any longer, we'll probably wake up late tomorrow, so I'll be turning in for the night,” as she quietly walked back towards her room.
Horatio and Astor said their farewells as well and retreated to their rooms, leaving Reed alone in the empty hall. He originally planned to stroll around the spire, but this detour wasn't too bad either. He'd made acquaintances with some powerful people if they were to be believed and gotten a clearer perspective on some of the local culture and history. Couldn't have asked for a better situation.
Slightly tired, he decided to call it a day like his newfound friends and went back to his room. That night he slept like a rock for an unknown reason.
Morning came around and Reed was jolted into consciousness as his tome blared a piercing noise. It sounded like someone had run their nails across a chalkboard right next to his ear. Reed found that it was unpleasant but effective. He simply couldn't force himself to sleep through the damn noise no matter how hard he tried.
Forced against his will, he arose from his slumber and clothed his in his new uniform. Fit him like a glove. Also had him wondering how they had gotten his measurements down so precisely. Another mystery that had no discernible answer.
His tome began to shine and all of a sudden a sweet voice came out of it and it said, ”Good morning, little chicks. Sleep well? It's time to start your training so follow your tomes to the designated location. I'll see you there.” He took one last look in the mirror and headed out to the teleportation altar.
A small crowd of trainees were already teleporting over to the training site, but Reed noticed a familiar bunch were standing around waiting in front of the altar. Astor, Horatio, and Ophelia stood beside the altar and once they finally spotted Reed they called out to him happily.
”Heavy sleeper, man? You came out a bit late, most of the group has already left to the training site. We were wondering whether or not to barge in your room and wake you up ourselves,” Astor said.
Reed shrugged his shoulders and said, ”It was certainly weird. I don't think I've ever slept that soundly before. Thanks for waiting, guys.” The trio grinned and Astor pulled him along into the altar, all the while joking about nonsense.
A flash of light enveloped them and they were instantly sent to the designated site, which appeared to be a massive sinkhole, so wide and deep that it was impossible to see how far down it went. It was wider than the spire itself, which should have been impossible in theory.