Horizon's Edge

by TurtleMe

  And furthermore, what was going on inside his crooked head.

  “Grandpa~?”

  I was meditating on the living room floor with Sylvie still sleeping on my lap when Tess came out rubbing her half-opened eyes, bed hair ablaze.

  “Huh? A-Art? Where’s Grandpa?” Flustered after realizing it wasn’t Virion who she called out to, Tess quickly turned around, frantically matting down her hair.

  “Good morning, or rather, good afternoon.” Smiling, I got up and handed her a glass of water. “Your Grandpa went back to your house in the morning to get everything sorted out.”

  “O-oh. Maybe I should go too… I was the one responsible for all of this, after all.”

  “There’s nothing either one of us could do. Don’t worry too much for now. Virion and your parents will probably be back here later tonight. We’ll go back to my house in Xyrus after making sure everything is okay since we have to go to school tomorrow,” I explained.

  “Still… there must be something I could help out— wait what? I’m going to your house?” She still had her hands glued to the side of her head when she reeled back in surprise, once again unleashing her bed hair in all of its glory.

  “Pfft~ yes. Virion asked me yesterday. It’ll be easier that way, and it’ll probably be more comfortable than staying at this inn.”

  “I think my heart would be a lot more comfortable staying here.”

  “Well, none of your family will be able to be here with you, so I’m sure Virion would feel a lot more reassured if you stay with my family until we get to the dorms,” I rebutted.

  She stayed quiet for a moment before timidly nodding in consent. Even with her hair reminding me of an unkempt lion’s mane, she was still somehow cute.

  “Kyu~” ‘

  Sylvie woke up to the lingering scent of food and leeched a few bites to eat from Tess.

  After finishing her breakfast, the princess sat down next to me on the living room floor where I was training where she petted Sylvie, who made herself comfortable on Tess’ lap.

  “Hehe, so cute,” Tessia cooed as she rubbed my formidable draconic Asura’s belly.

  “Tess, what did it feel like when you activated the first phase of your beast will?” I asked.

  “Umm, it felt like a sudden surge of power spilled out and surrounded me. Then, all of a sudden, I couldn’t really move my body,” Tess explained as her eyes looked up and leftward trying to remember. “It felt like I was trapped in someone else’s body, but I wasn’t really scared though, for some reason.”

  “Mmm,” I nodded.

  The beast will wouldn’t attack its host so it made sense for Tess to have a lack of fear. It didn’t make sense, though, for the beast will to have such a strong sense of defiance. Even if she skipped the integration stage, Tess’ body still had fully fused with the beast will. The will might be difficult to control and to use properly, but it shouldn’t have gotten that out of hand. Ironic as it sounded, it felt like the beast will had its own…well, had its own will.

  “I want you to rouse the Elderwood Guardian’s beast will.” I kneeled down in front of her before instructing.

  “W-what? Is that safe?” Tess looked up, her eyes widening.

  “It should be; you're not going to initiate the first phase. Just get a sense for the beast will inside of your mana core and let it stream out into the rest of your body. That way, I’ll be able to sense more clearly what’s going on.” I scooted arm’s length of Tess, making the princess shuffle away.

  Wasn’t it her that so boldly initiated a kiss last time? Why is she being so shy now?

  “I’m going to have to place my hand on your abdomen, Tess. Don’t move,” I sighed, scooting closer forward.

  “You make it sound like touching a girl’s belly isn’t anything serious,” Tess pouted, clicking her tongue.

  “It’s not if it’s for the sake of training.”

  “Tch…”

  As she began meditating, I placed the palm of my hand on her abdomen, stopping my 13-year-old body’s curiosity from making my hand venturing upward. Closing my eyes as well, I began examining her mana core. Soon enough, as Tess began to release the innate mana from the beast will, a flood of emerald-green particles of mana flooded over the golden gray specks of wood and wind attribute mana that circulated inside her body.

  “Mm.”

  Tess had a strained look as beads of sweat rolled down her cheeks. Small sparks of mana began bursting out of her body as her cramped face told me she was doing her best from releasing the beast will’s power which seemingly wanted to break loose.

  “Tessia, it’s okay! Stop now!” I hurriedly yelled.

  As the princess began trying to recall the beast will back into her mana core, she began convulsing. As I put my hand back to her mana core to try and sense the activity going on inside of her body, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

  The Elderwood Guardian’s beast will that occupied Tess’ mana core and was integrated with the rest of her body was fighting back, trying to take control over the rest of Tess’ innate mana.

  What was going on? How could the beast will go against the host’s will like this? This was different from Tess actually manifesting the first phase of her beast will and having that go out of control. The beast will’s mana particles were still inside of her body when this happened.

  A rather crude comparison popped into mind while thinking of this. People of this world didn’t really suffer from this, but from my world, nonpractitioners who couldn’t reinforce their body with ki suffered from diseases and illnesses. While there were horrible diseases that aged the body twice as fast or burned the organs from the inside, I would have to say that the scariest disease would be the Drackins Virus. This virus would spread through the nerves and make the victim lose control of their limbs and eventually their mind. Since the virus couldn't infect practioners it was contained fairly quickly, but even then, the epidemic that lasted a year had over three hundred thousand fatalities.

  This phenomenon that was happening to Tess reminded me of something akin to that virus. Just like the Drackins Virus, the beast will’s mana particles weren't integrating and reinforcing Tess’ body, but instead weakening the mana formed from her own mana core. It didn't seem to the degree of taking over Tess’ body and mind at this stage, but it was still eerily comparable.

  As the internal battle between Tess’ innate mana and her beast will ensued, I could sense the mana levels in her core slowly dwindling. The beast will was clearly less rampant than when we were at the training grounds back in Xyrus Academy; whether that was thanks to the help of Windsom, I couldn’t be sure. However, I doubt even Windsom predicted that the Elderwood Guardian's beast will that I acquired would be such an unpredictable outlier.

  As Tess continued to fight, trying contain the beast will that wasn't even fully released, I gathered some mana into her body as well, making sure to incorporate all four elemental attributes so it wouldn't be rejected, before transferring it directly to her mana core. While I didn’t give as much mana to Tess as I did to Prince Curtis back down at the dungeon, I still felt a tangible drain from my core.

  Meanwhile, Sylvie circled around us, wearily, knowing that something was wrong. She tilted her head and peeked around me, trying to get a better view of what was going on until Tess collapsed on her back, her chest rising and falling from the shortage of breath.

  “Well, that didn’t go quite as planned,” I huffed, leaning back on my arms as well.

  “Tell..tell me about it. I don't get what’s wrong though. It feels like I’m holding onto a gate, trying to keep some sort rabid monster caged inside from breaking free.”

  I couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh at the accuracy of such a metaphor. Tess’ mana core quite literally was serving as the “cage” that kept the rabid beast will from coming loose.

  With still a pile of questions unanswered, we decided not to touch the Elderwood Guardian’s beast will for the time being. We were either g
oing to have to find an unconventional way to have her gain control over this power or have her become stronger in order properly keep the beast will in check.

  Grandpa Virion, along with Tessia’s parents, Alduin and Merial Eralith, arrived at the inn suite later in the evening. Needless to say, the former King and Queen of the elves were relieved seeing for themselves that their daughter was safe.

  The five of us and Sylvie, who was curled up on my lap, sleeping, situated ourselves on the couches before getting into the topic of what’s to come.

  We discussed briefly about what happened exactly at the castle, but when Tess tried to chime in, Virion cut her off and explained in her stead. Gramps played the whole thing down, mentioning that part of the explosion was actually his fault and that he was just trying to test the limits of Tess’ beast will.

  I sat there, perplexed for a moment as to why he might have been hiding the true reason, but when our eyes met, his gaze told me that he would explain later.

  It was decided that, while the Eralith castle was being rebuilt, the family, minus Tess, would stay with Rinia.

  Now that was a name that I hadn’t heard in a long time. I owed a lot to the granny that had the extremely rare gift of foresight. She was the one that allowed me to make contact with my parents after first arriving at the Kingdom of Elenoir after rescuing Tess at the time.

  “Arthur, why don’t we go together to Rinia’s house before you and Tessia set out for Xyrus? The journey is a bit far after she moved but since you saw her as a child, I'm sure she’d appreciate it if you came by and said hello,” Merial chimed. “She is going to be very surprised at how much you’ve grown.”

  “I’d like that,” I responded back with a nostalgic smile reaching my cheeks.

  “Ooh, I haven’t seen Grandma Rinia in a long time too!” Tessia leaned forward, her expression indicating that she was looking forward to it as well.

  “Hmm, while you’re at it, having her get a good read on you should be a good idea.” Virion’s gaze was focused on some random spot on the ground as he pondered at the idea.

  Alduin nodded in agreement before saying, “Yes, I think so too. Father, I remember you telling me how Rinia was rather interested in Arthur's future.”

  After that, it was decided that before leaving for Xyrus early in the afternoon, we’d stop by Grandma Rinia’s house, or cottage to be more precise.

  Needless to say, it was odd. I, myself, was sleeping on the same bed with Grandpa Virion while Tess and her parents slept in the other room. I was rather fine with it but sleeping in the same quarters as the royal family of the elves would put anyone else on pins and needles. I still wanted to sleep in the living room, for comfort’s sake, but Gramps refused, saying that only through sharing tight quarters do men truly bond.

  That and bathing together in the nude…

  Supposedly…

  Elves have some weird customs.

  Chapter 88: A Stroll

  ARTHUR LEYWIN’S POV:

  As we made our trip to Rinia’s cottage, I couldn’t help but sigh in awe at how perfect a spring morning it was; simply one of those scenes that you couldn’t help but appreciate. As it was just past dawn, the morning air was still cool and crisp. On both sides of the road, bright morning dew on the moss-covered rocks sparkled from the Sun’s rays peeking through the old trees that seemed to tower over us.

  The carriage we were riding in hardly shook from the even, marble-like paths smoothed from centuries of use. Sylvie was a ball of excitement as I had to grab her by the tail a couple of times to keep her from jumping out of the carriage to catch the passing butterflies and birds.

  Sylvie surprised the royal family when she, while still in my grasp, shot out a small blast of fire, charring the curious bird that was unfortunate enough to fly too close.

  “Arthur, I have to say that your bond continues to intrigue me.” Alduin Eralith raised an amused brow as Sylvie promptly shot out and grabbed the bird with her jaw as it fell.

  “Now now, leave the boy and his pet alone. In such a vast and mysterious land as ours, you can’t be so surprised at things like this,” Virion chided at his son with a wagging finger.

  “I’d normally agree with you as well, Grandfather, but Arthur’s bond really is unique compared to all of the other mana beasts I’ve seen. Even though it’s an infant, its gaze twinkles with intelligence.” Merial leaned in closer to Sylvie, who was still chewing on the bird she shot down.

  “Don’t forget that Sylvie is super cute too!” Just as Sylvie let out a satisfied belch, Tess picked her up and hugged her.

  “Bahaha! I can’t help but worry that my granddaughter will one day choose her precious bond, not by its strength but by its appearance!” Virion howled in laughter, making everyone but the princess snicker in agreement.

  The trip was fairly long, even with a mana beast pulling the carriage. Tessia soon fell asleep with her head against her mother’s shoulder, as Merial slept alongside her daughter with her head leaning against Tess’.

  “Arthur, I told my son this already but where we’re headed, it’s not a normal cottage. Rinia, for some reason, chose to isolate herself near the edge of the kingdom. As for why, she wouldn’t tell me, but last time I chose to make an unannounced visit, I almost died from the traps and defenses she put up,” Virion spoke in a hushed voice.

  I raised a brow at Virion’s serious tone. “For what reason does Elder Rinia need to protect herself to this extent?”

  “My guess is as good as yours. I told her that we were visiting this time, so it should be safe, but I want you to watch out for any signs of intrusion. The fact that she needed to set up all of these precautions means that there are people out there to be cautious of.”

  My mind immediately went to her unique abilities as a deviant, however, no one but a handful of trusted people should’ve known about it.

  “Okay.” I nodded solemnly.

  Soon after the conversation, Gramps had also fallen asleep with his arms crossed and head bobbing, leaving only my bond, the driver, Tess’ father and myself, awake.

  Sylvie had her front paws against the window of the carriage in hopes to catch more unlucky birds, her tail wagging rhythmically.

  Alduin had a relaxed look on his aged face as he gazed vacantly at the moving scene outside the carriage. I knew that each of those wrinkles and creases came from the burden of being a king and now a leading figure of the continent.

  “I feel like I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you,” he said as his eyes still stayed focused outside of the carriage.

  “For what, sir?” I replied.

  “For taking such good care of my daughter. From what she and father tells me, Tessia made it out of some dangerous situations thanks to you.” Alduin turned his head and looked at me for a brief moment before revealing a weary smile.

  “It’s nothing, sir. Tessia has helped me a lot of times as well.”

  “Oh? Like how?” he tilted his head.

  I had to think to for a second before responding. “In keeping me sane at times.”

  “Not exactly what I expect a thirteen-year-old boy to say, but when it comes to you, I can’t help but see you as an adult.” The former king smirked before shifting his gaze back outside.

  “Your words are kind.”

  “I somehow feel utterly confident that you will be able to protect my daughter in my and my father’s stead.”

  My eyes narrowed in thought at the meaning of his statement, but before I could say anything, Alduin just chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

  “Just an overprotective father’s thoughts running wild. Don’t mind me, Arthur… but say, have you ever thought of one day marrying Tess?”

  “Sir?” I said, taken aback by the sudden shift in course of this conversation.

  “I mean, sure, she’s a bit rough around the edges and Merial and I may have spoiled her a bit, but she’s a good girl! I bet she’ll be quite the looker given a few years.”

 
; “I thought that traditionally, elves dated and married a lot later—”

  “Ha! Tradition? At how fast Dicathen is changing, there’s no room for tradition,” Alduin scoffed.

  “...”

  “Arthur, do you like my daughter?” He bent forward, leaning his arms on his knees.

  “...yes.” I hesitated at first but I replied confidently. There was no denying what my feelings for the elf princess were. The inner voice of reason that made me back away from falling in love with a child was beginning to dissipate. Of course, this didn’t mean that I would boldly profess my love and consummate my feelings for her, but I wasn’t going to use my mental age as an excuse.

  “Good!” Alduin nodded as a row of perfect teeth revealed underneath a charismatic smile.

  ‘Hehe, I knew Papa liked Mama.’ Sylvie’s voice rang in my head, surprising me.

  I took a peek at Tess to make sure she was still asleep before reaching for my bond.

  TESSIA’ ERALITH’S POV:

  He admitted it! I almost shouted out loud in excitement.

  Arthur finally said it! He said he likes me. Well... he said yes after he was asked, but that’s good enough!

  Way to go, Dad!

  Oh no, keep your eyes shut, Tess… keep your eyes shut.

  Slow down your breathing.

  Shoot, I wonder if he can hear how fast my heart is beating. His hearing can’t be that good, right?

  I’m so happy that I woke up when I did. I wasn’t going to pretend to be asleep at first, but I got scared when I heard Father talking about me.

  He’s so cruel… how can he say that I’m rough around the edges…

  ...and that I’m spoiled! I’m not spoiled!

  It would be embarrassing to wake up just then, so I kept my eyes closed, but who would’ve thought that my father would ask if Arthur likes me… and that Arthur actually admit it!

  He’s only said that once, and that was after I got angry at him. He surprised me when he kissed me all of a sudden.

  Hehe…

  Oh no, don’t smile, Tess.

  “We’re here, Tess. Come on, now, wake up.” My father’s voice saved me as he gently shook my shoulder.