Blood in the Deser

by Sophia Schmidt

  Arj?n rushed all the way back using air fusion, slowing down only to avoid the traps. Suddenly, a man with a wizard attire and a couple of guards popped out of a corner, managing to sound the alarm the moment they spotted the intruder.

  Cursing his bad luck, Arj?n darted forward, his stilettos made short work of the guards and the mage, that died before having the time to cast a single spell. More and more guards flooded the corridors, dying like ants under Arj?n's stilettos, their corpses piled up as fast as they arrived.

  The alarm kept resounding in the building, forcing an assistant to alert his mistress.

  "Mistress Hatorne, there is an intruder in the Kandria's lab." Her voice was full of panic.

  "How far has he gone? What has he taken?" The old, hoarse voice was more annoyed than worried. They had disturbed her during a crucial point in her latest experiment.

  "We don't know. He's about to come out from the underground lab. I don't know how long we will be able to stop him. Please, help us!"

  "Help you? A bunch of incompetent, ungrateful idiots? You are all fired!"

  Coirn Hatorne took out a glass pearl from her dimensional amulet, crushing it under her heel. A second later, a powerful but controlled explosion erupted from the underground lab, turning everything and everyone in a radius of five meters (16') from the shop into ashes.

  Then she took her communicator amulet, informing her client.

  "Lukart, old fart, I have good new and I have bad news. The bad news is that an intruder screwed up your little master plan. I had to destroy everything to prevent him from escaping."

  "What's the good news?"

  "I'm still not finished, you idiot. My old student, Professor Reflaar, had come to collect his order, and he is probably dead too. If I'm right, and I usually am, the intruder was sent here from the Queen.

  The death of the Professor is ill timed, they will probably think he was one of your lapdogs. Also, I don't know if there was more than one intruder or what they have found out.

  The last batch is either lost or in the enemy's hand, if I were you, I would make haste. If they find out their content, you'll fail even before you start."

  Archmage Lukart's voice was full of anger and impatience, he would have buried alive that old hag years ago, if only he had the chance. But Hatorne was too smart and knew too much.

  "I am still waiting for the good news." He roared.

  "The lab was insured."

  Chapter 124 Exordium

  Lith waited for his companions to fully understand the seriousness of his situation. Without their aid, he feared to be forced to expose himself and his family to countless dangers. Each one of them was forced to a really difficult choice.

  Either to back up his story, lying to the Headmaster and put their academic careers and family name in danger, or refuse, leaving him to shoulder alone the consequences of his attempt to prevent the ruin of the academy.

  "I'm aware I'm asking much from you, but please know that I'm not doing this lightly. If any of you doesn't want to get involved, I would understand and bear no grudge."

  An awkward silence ensued, most of them didn't know how to answer. On one hand, they felt proud of our friend, not only willing to risk so much to protect the Country from the civil war, but also having enough trust in them to reveal his secret.

  On the other, though, they felt scared by the consequences both choices would bear. But most importantly, they realized that he was asking from them a leap of faith. If his revelation had proved something, was that they actually knew nothing about him.

  Lith was already eerie back when he glared all the time, breezing through the classes and single-handedly disposing of magical beasts in the mock exam. But now, didn't he has just admitted not being a normal human?

  For all they knew, his unnatural speed and strength could be just the tip of the iceberg.

  That wasn't a situation any of them had ever taken into account when joining the White Griffon academy. For Yurial the plan had always been to study hard, have as many flings as possible before his arranged marriage, and inherit the family assets.

  Phloria's only aim was to graduate with grades high enough to allow her to avoid any arranged marriage, and live her life as she wanted.

  After finding out that her mother didn't care for her as a daughter, but only as a tool for her plots, Friya had become determined to become as successful as possible to give her the middle finger before leaving the household for good.

  Quylla, instead, just wanted to never suffer from loneliness and starvation again.

  Things had just turned so much complicated.

  Contrary to everyone's expectation, it was Yurial the first to answer.

  "You can count on me." He gave him a thumbs up.

  "Quylla would probably follow him even if he revealed to be an undead or a shape-shifting monster." Yurial thought. "Friya will simply come along. Those two are so glued together that I wouldn't be surprised even if she accepted to take part in a threesome.

  That leaves out only Phloria, but she seems too much bounded to honour and loyalty to abandon a teammate in dire straits. Hence instead of looking like a coward, is better to move first. Besides, no pain no gain.

  Once it gets out we 'managed' to kill a monster, my reputation will go through the roof, and if somehow 'our discover' prevents the civil war, I'll take credit for that too." ¨C

  Although cynical, Yurial's reasoning was in the ballpark. He had anticipated Quylla of a split second, and as soon she spoke, Friya agreed too, leaving the flabbergasted Phloria looking like an egotistical jerk.

  "What the f*ck¡ I mean, I'm in!" She blushed so hard to almost look cute.

  After thanking them Lith proceeded to describe again the fight versus the Abomination, concocting with their help a believable team victory.

  They were still discussing when a voice resounded in the air, just like the gong for the lessons, summoning them in the Headmaster's office. They walked as slowly as possible, trying to fix the last details.

  When they entered the office, Linjos was waiting for them, standing up in front of the glass window.

  "We are ready to report, sir." Phloria stepped forward, straight as an arrow in a military-looking pose.

  "No need." He replied without even turning back, prompting them to get close with a wave of his hand.

  While they obeyed, each one more nervous than the other, Linjos spun his index finger in the air, and the whole tower where the office was located started to turn around, until it faced a particular region of the forest that was completely bald.

  The whole group was shocked, if not for the change in the landscape they would have never guessed the tower was able to move. It all had happened without the slightest vibration.

  "That's where the fight took place, correct?" Linjos asked.

  "Yes." Phloria replied swallowing down a lump of saliva.

  "Good gods, how big was that thing? How strong Lith really is?" ¨C They thought as one.

  "Normally I wouldn't believe a word of your story. Too many things do not add up. But even if that horrible withered scar wasn't proof enough, I have already contacted the Lord of the forest, which confirmed everything.

  So, either you are telling a truth worthy of being sung by bards, or I'm the victim of an incredibly elaborate joke."

  When Scarlett had received Linjos' call about the Abomination, it had immediately understood what was happening.

  Knowing what humans would do to an Awakened one, and being still interested in Lith's development, the Scorpicore nodded to everything, even introducing to Linjos the rescued dryad before hanging up the call.

  "Animals can talk?" Yurial couldn't avoid asking out in surprise.

  "Animals, can't. Monsters, instead, speak fluently just like you and I."

  Linjos turned around, looking Lith in the eyes.

  "That leaves me with only a couple of questions. How come Lith was the one to decide what to do with what you found?"

  "Beca
use the dryad sensed that was his soul being in danger." Phloria promptly improvised.

  "Everything we found seemed to be linked to his destiny. We simply thought we had no say in the matter."

  "And that leads to the second question.

  Why you contacted Marchioness Distar instead of coming to me first? I could have expected that from Lord Deirus or Lady Ernas here, giving such important news and evidence to their families to gain the Court's favour. But you?

  You are just a commoner, why you decided to overrule me?" His voice didn't sound angry, as much as dejected.

  "With all due respect, sir, I'm not overruling you." Lith replied.

  "Marchioness Distar is not only the ruler of this region, is also one of those that taught me magic." He clung to the lie that got him admitted in the academy months ago.

  "Also, I think she is better suited to handle the matter, since she is more detached from the problem that albeit just in part, you contributed to create."

  "Explain." Linjos' eyes steeled, a tinge of anger appeared into them.

  "In my opinion, your reform of the academy system is a true paradise for those who work hard and commoners, and that's the problem. Have you ever heard the fable of the boiling frog?

  If you put one in hot waters, it will jump away to safety, but if you rise the temperature slowly, it will die without even noticing it. The problem was already there, you had the right solution, but implemented it too fast.

  I believe that a man of your knowledge should have been able to predict it and proceed with more caution."

  Linjos was already hurt by their lack of trust, the last remark hit a nerve, tinging his cheeks red with anger and shame.

  Chapter 125 Bombshell

  After Linjos delivered both the magically sealed dimensional box and the coded letter, Lith felt like a burden had been lifted from his chest. It was the biggest, yet just one among many.

  Now he had to prepare for the next dimensional magic exercise, research the runes sealing the boxes hidden inside his pocket dimension with the library's help, study their pseudo core with Invigoration, and find the time to use Accumulation to keep refining his core.

  Now that he had finally overcame the bottleneck, he could use his first breathing technique again, to amass the world energy and strive for the blue mana core.

  Worst case scenario, it would make him as powerful as the Headmaster or a Professor. Lith had not missed how the more he refined his core, the more dramatic changes he experienced.

  At the beginning, Lith had thought that by absorbing the world energy, he was simply overcoming his natural lack of magical force. But over time, by expelling the impurities accumulated in his blood, organs and now in his bones, things had become unsettling even for him.

  So many things didn't add up. At the White Griffon academy, there were plenty of students with a mana core stronger than his own, even his teammates. Yet none of them exhibited a physical prowess like the one Lith now possessed.

  Hence, it wasn't just a matter of the mana core. As for the impurities, it couldn't be as simple as that. In the past he had removed them with Invigoration from his parents and sisters, but again, no such thing had happened.

  Science could not help him; it was clearly related to the different biology of the new world. And then there was how Kalla had reacted to his last metamorphosis, saying that his smell had become less human.

  Lith had so many things to do or think about, that his headache started getting worse again, reminding him that first of all he had to sleep. His vision blurred, while his knees became so weak that he had to lean against a wall to keep standing.

  "Are you alright?" Yurial asked.

  "Not really. I think the fatigue from the fight in the forest is about to kick in. I don't know how long I can hold on."

  A sudden pang made him fall on his knees, holding his temples between the hands, trying to withstand the blinding pain.

  He had yet to express his gratitude for their help, but the only thing Lith could do was getting back to his room with the help of his friends, falling asleep as soon his head touched the pillow.

  The next morning, not even the breakfast gong managed to woke him up. In the end, Yurial had to bang on his door for several minutes before Lith managed to crawl out of the bed.

  "Is that a wand in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?" He said with a cheerful smile.

  "What the heck is happening? Has the civil war already started?" As soon he managed to regain his senses, Lith realized it was already morning.

  "I was about to call for help and have the door kicked down. Yesterday you almost fainted. How do you feel now?"

  "Tired." Despite the full night of sleep, he was still very weak. Invigoration still had no effect.

  "Solus, why you didn't wake me up?"

  "I tried multiple times, but your consciousness was beyond my reach. Besides, I think you still need plenty of rest." She sounded really worried.

  "Why do you say so?" Lith asked.

  "Because while you were sleeping, your body kept syphoning the world energy non-stop. Your mana core is still half empty.

  It seems that overcoming the bottleneck caused such radical changes to almost deplete your system. Whatever happened this time, you still need time to adapt. ¨C

  Despite his weakness, Lith decided to continue his day as normal. At every meal he ate more than Quylla, feeling like his stomach had turned into a bottomless pit.

  During dimensional magic practice, he discovered that his mana sensitivity was still crude, but his mana efficiency had gone up a notch. Magic flowed freely through him, encountering no resistance.

  Casting any spell now required less mana, reducing the burden that such powerful energies exerted on his body. Sadly, that was still not enough.

  Even training under Quylla's guidance, making any progress was a real struggle. Usually Lith would compensate his lack of talent with all-nighters and endless energy from Invigoration, but this time he lacked both.

  When he was too tired to continue, he went straight to bed, asking his friends to wake him up at all costs, in case he couldn't manage on his own.

  The following day, Lith woke up full of energy, his body was light like a feather and his head was finally clear. Both Invigoration and Accumulation seemed to work as normal.

  "Luckily, I contacted the Marchioness before going to sleep, otherwise I would have lost a lot of time. Seems that the refining process now needs a lot of preparation. If I stepped in a new stage during an exam, or worse, after a fight, I would be as good as dead." ¨C

  During breakfast, the whole canteen was shocked by the latest news. Everyone was discussing the mysterious explosion happened in Kandria that had killed Professor Reflaar, the Master Alchemy teacher.

  At those words, Lith almost choked on his food.

  "Isn't Kandria the city from which the mercenary team received both the hunting and the delivery mission?" Lith pointed out to the others with a whisper.

  "Yeah, it's too odd to just be a coincidence." Friya said.

  "Do you think that Professor Reflaar died trying to protect the academy, or because he was part of the conspiracy too?" Phloria's question was on point. Based on what they knew, even professors were untrustworthy.

  "He was a good man. I can't believe he would have brought any harm on his students." Solus refused even to consider the idea of Reflaar being a traitor. "He was an alchemist, and that was an alchemy shop. Maybe he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

  "I believe you. I'm really sorry for your loss." Lith replied. ¨C

  Losing one own's first crush so abruptly was never easy, so instead of expressing his usual doubts and paranoia, Lith decided to let her grieve in peace. Even if they had never directly talked, Lith knew how much Solus had valued his company and enthusiasm.

  Lith's group kept discussing all the possible implications the explosion could have, and who were the professors more likely to be a traitor. It goes without saying that
Professor Rudd was on everyone's top of the list.

  Once in the Dimensional Magic training hall, everyone took his place. This time, knowing that Professor Rudd would not give any pointers, Lith positioned himself right beside Quylla, to be able to both learn by imitation and asking her for help.

  Only twelve students had to execute the second exercise, Pilfer. All the others were still stuck at the Loop spell.

  Pilfer consisted in creating a dimensional door big enough to let the hand slip in and emerge above a table full of quills. Unlike the Loop spell, the students had now not only to open a bigger passage, but also to regulate the distance on their own.

  "Begin!" Professor Rudd's voice roared even before the last gong signalled the start of the lesson.

  Lith struggled with Pilfer from the first seconds, that soon turned into minutes and then in a whole hour. In all that time, he had made no progress. The only Gates he had managed to generate were all too narrow for his hand to pass, not to mention their exit was still too far from the table.

  Quylla was faring way better, her Gates were almost of the right size and distance, but still unstable, disappearing within seconds with a loud bang. She tried to explain what Lith was doing wrong, but what was simple for her was a mystery to him.

  Soon the air filled with the bangs from the students' unstable Gates and their curse words, tired of failing while Professor Rudd would only laugh in the face of any plea for help.

  Suddenly, a bang resounded louder than ever, soon followed by another and then still another, until Lith started to think that the training hall had suddenly turned into a firing range.

  "What in the gods' names is happening!" Professor Rudd's voice had no trace of hilarity anymore.

  The space around the students was filled with cracks, small black holes formed and dissolved, causing the bangs that they had just heard. A student curious enough, tried to touch the cracked space, resulting in it exploding with the strength of a grenade.

  Professor Rudd managed to save him, Blinking both of them out of the danger zone.