Kael's third attempt ended…
Once again, he had failed.
With disappointment weighing heavily on him, Kael slowly stood up from the ground. His eyes were heavy, almost as if he had lost all hope.
He slowly made his way to the wooden chair in the backyard and sat down. He began taking off his clothes, his Invention, and the other equipment he had been using.
Aeronis followed him, watching as Kael gradually calmed himself down.
Sigh…
Kael covered his face with both hands.
"Why is it so hard to catch that badge, huh? Did you put an illusion on it or something, Commander?" Kael asked in frustration.
Aeronis chuckled.
"There's nothing illusionary about this badge, Kael. Here, I can give you a touch if you want."
"No, Commander!" Kael immediately refused. "I wanna grab it myself. On our last attempt… I'll do it myself."
Aeronis shrugged his shoulders.
"I see, Alright, then."
Eventually, all of Kael's other friends gathered around them. Elvareth also came out of the house, carrying a few bandages and some medicine for Kael's light scratches and wounds.
"Thanks… old elf…"
She smiled and continued treating Kael's injuries.
Kael looked up in confusion, noticing that Aeronis was still there.
"Uhm… Why are you still here, Commander? Wanna rage-bait me with that untouchable badge of yours again?" Kael grunted.
"Hahaha, you're funny, Mikael. It's not like that. I actually have a few questions I want to ask you."
"Questions?"
"Yeah…" Aeronis's expression became slightly more serious. "It's an important one, actually… I hope you're willing to answer it."
"Of course I will. I also have a question for you. But you may ask yours first."
"Good…. First things first."
Aeronis reached down and picked up Kael's flamethrower, which he had thrown onto the ground earlier. He defrosted it by absorbing back the ice Might.
"How are you able to create flames? You said you're Mightless, right? I never thought you would actually use something like this until now."
"True, I am Mightless, Commander. I'm Mightless, and I always will be…"
Kael glanced at the flamethrower in Aeronis's hands.
"The flame you see is identical to the flames found in the underground levels of Kallidorra Forgehold."
"It's artificial…"
Commander Aeronis nodded.
"So it's not from Might?"
"Correct. It comes from a fuel that I mix with ethanol."
Kael took the flamethrower from Aeronis's hands and pulled the trigger.
THUMMPH!
A burst of flame erupted from the weapon.
Aeronis's eyes widened.
"Th… That's amazing… This alone is something I've never seen before…"
Kael placed the flamethrower on his wooden table before continuing.
"And? What other questions do you have, Commander?"
"Oh yeah, I actually couldn't hear your full name when you said it before our attempt."
"My name?" Kael asked, while Elvareth had already finished treating his wounds.
"I told you earlier, Commander. It's Mikael Insa—"
"Yeah… I couldn't hear the last part of your name, Mikael…"
Aeronis looked at Kael.
"Is this some kind of poison from your invention?"
"Poison? Nah. I wouldn't play with something like that, Commander."
Aeronis sighed.
"If you also don't know about it… I guess there's no use forcing you to answer it…"
"And yeah, one more thing"
Aeronis suddenly remembered something and pointed at Kael's shoulder, then glanced at the other parts of his body that were wrapped in the same material.
"Why do you have that? And it's all over your body? I've never seen someone bandage their body parts before a fight even started unless they were already injured."
"Oh, these?" Kael looked down at the strips around his joints. "These aren't bandages, Commander… They're a support tape!"
"Support tape?"
"Yes, It supports my joints and prevents them from getting worse injuries…"
Kael explained while pointing at the support tape wrapped around his shoulder.
"Ohh, I see…" Aeronis nodded. "So that's why you were still able to stand up after my Tan'Mara attack?"
"Actually… Not really. It still hurts like hell when you do that. I'm still wondering how I was even able to stand up after that…"
Aeronis' eyes narrowed as he remembered something.
Hmm… Ignoring the pain and continuing forward?… That's something you really, Mikael…I supposed you've grown well.
"Alright. That's all."
"And? What's the thing you wanted to ask me?" Aeronis asked, looking at Kael.
"Uhm, yeah… It's about… a book called Buku Lalu."
"Buku Lalu?"
Aeronis's eyes widened when he heard the familiar name.
"Where did you hear about that?" he asked, his expression suddenly becoming serious.
"It's from CC Yiell."
"Commander Candidate Yiell…" Aeronis narrowed his eyes. "That guy…"
"Where did you meet him?"
"Well, he's been around here sometimes. I talk with him a lot! He's a nice guy!" Kael smiled, explaining Yiell's personality.
"I don't know him that well. But if he told you about Buku Lalu, I guess you two must have had quite a lot of conversations."
"Yeah!" Kael nodded.
"Buku Lalu can only be read by us nobles, right? Anyone who comes from a noble family is also obligated to read this book…"
"So what exactly is in it, Commander? I wanna know!" Kael asked excitedly.
"It's just history of thi—"
"Huh?… History?… Boooooringggg…"
Kael suddenly interrupted him, making a completely flat expression.
"See? I knew you wouldn't like it anyway…"
"But CC Yiell told me there's a quote about Legacy or something in that book… I can't really remember the exact words."
"Legacy?"
Aeronis paused.
"Oh, that part… Yeah. That basically mentions longevity and continuation of generation in this realm."
"Wait. If Normal families can't read it… but you can tell me the content of it just like that, does that mean you still can tell us the contents of the book?"
Kael looked confused.
"I mean, yeah. We can tell you guys the lessons from the book or simply explain our interpretation of it. There are certain things, though… If I tell you about them, you either won't be able to understand it, or you'll immediately forget them once you try to understand them."
Aeronis shrugged.
"So, in the end, there's no real use."
"Nothing to worry about. It's not something particularly heavy that we don't want others to know. As I said, it's just a story about this realm."
Kael nodded.
"That's all I wanted to ask you, Commander."
A short silence followed.
"Won't you have any battles today?"
"Of course. I think I'll go for one after this."
Aeronis answered confidently.
Kael nodded and rested on his wooden chair, looking at all his inventions scattered around the field. Despite losing, he seemed calmer than usual.
"Hey, Mikael."
Aeronis suddenly called out to him as he was about to leave.
"You know after this is your last attempt, right?"
"Yeah… I know."
"Mikael. If you fail this last attempt, I won't give you any more chances. And even if I did… you would have to wait another five years for the next ceremony."
Aeronis looked at him seriously.
"And I know you wouldn't want that."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"So, try your best to grab this badge and show me that I wasn't wrong to have you as my student."
Aeronis' face turns more serious as he demands Kael to take this matter seriously.
"Oh, I will, Commander…" Kael answered confidently. "I'll show you what a final showdown looks like."
"I like that confidence…" Aeronis smiled slightly. "However, confidence alone isn't enough. I need proof, Kael. Prove to me that you're capable of grabbing this badge and earning my approval. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Commander!"
Kael immediately stood up and saluted him.
"Today, your performance deserves my praise. I admit it your training has had a great impact. Your sword skills and strength are truly impressive for someone who has only trained for a year and a half…"
Aeronis's eyes moved toward the various inventions scattered across the wooden table.
"Especially your inventions, Kael… It's honestly difficult for me to understand how they even work."
He paused before giving a small nod.
"Anyway, I'll take my leave."
Aeronis extended his hand toward Kael.
Kael immediately stood straight and took Aeronis's hand, bowing his forehead toward it.
The rest of his friends followed the same gesture.
It had become a habit among them.
After shaking all of their hands Aeronis nodded before turning his back and preparing to leave the backyard.
"See you guys in the next attempt!"
He waved without looking back.
His red cape billowed in the wind as he walked away.
Slowly he disappeared from their view.
"Fuh…"
Kael sighed as he sat back down on his wooden chair, looking at all his friends' faces.
"It's alright, guys… I almost made it…"
He leaned back in the chair and his eyes over to the inventions he had used during the attempt.
"Yeah…I definitely need some restoration for this one…"
Kael's other friends looked at him, slightly confused by his behavior.
"Hey, human? Don't ya feel panic or sum?" Nibsken asked.
"Panic? I don't have time for that…"
Kael glanced at his damaged invention.
"And besides… I already know what Commander Aeronis does when he's in a chaotic situation."
He smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, guys… I already have this fourth attempt figured out in my head. What's left is the execution"
All of them nodded in understanding
"Good Kael… I hope the best for you" Liraen said
"Since it's still early I think we might continue our work at the forgehold, so we are leaving, Kael. Make sure you get enough rest Okay?" Liraen continued.
"Thanks Guys…." Kael let out a light smile
All of his friends nodded and prepared to leave the backyard.
"Bye, Kaeeell~~!"
Nylum slid out of the backyard, his liquid body flowing effortlessly across the ground.
Grak'Mar and Nibsken gave Kael a fist bump before leaving.
Lirean and Reyvik climbed onto Volgran's shoulders before waving goodbye to Kael as they left.
Soon, the only ones remaining were Kael and Elvareth, sitting beneath the roof that protected them from the afternoon sun.
"So, what's your plan next, human inventor?"
Elvareth broke the silence between them.
"Plan? Oh, I've got a few new things in mind, old elf… But for now, I'm planning to work on my current invention and improve it."
Kael looked toward the inventions scattered around the backyard.
"I also have something in mind that I've wanted to do since the beginning of my training with all my friends…"
He paused.
"And for that, I need to wait until the final attempt is about to begin."
"Okay, Kael… Whatever you're planning, make sure you stay safe and don't get yourself too badly injured. Or else…"
"Yeah, yeah, old elf… Jeez. I'm already a grown man."
Elvareth chuckled.
"Alright… Hey, you're not going anywhere tonight, right?"
"Tonight? Nope. I'm planning on resting."
"Great! Don't forget your promise to help me in the kitchen tonight."
Kael sighed.
"Yeah, I remember that as clearly as this hot afternoon, my elf mother."
Elvareth nodded.
"Good."
She then entered the house.
Kael remained outside, still looking up at the hot, cloudless sky.
"Arghh! I'll win no matter what! Just you wait for the final attempt, Commander!"
He clenched his fist toward the blue sky.
He made his resolve.
He swore to his goal.
And he still held onto his promise.
Night came.
After a chaotic process of helping Elvareth in the kitchen, they finally sat together at the table for dinner.
"Sigh… I told you, I'm not good at cleaning that smelly sink…" Kael complained as he bit the meat off a bone.
"You don't need to be good at it to help me, am I right?" Elvareth replied.
"Alright, alright, old elf…"
Elvareth chuckled.
"Uhm, when is your last attempt? Is it before another Ansalar Festival?"
"Yeah. Why? You guys wanna prepare for something that's never gonna happen again?"
Kael looked at her.
"Look at Miss Ogre, your friend. She was terrified of the moon turning white! She kept saying, 'Oh, we must plant our crops, this and that…' And then it turns out nothing even happened!"
Kael laughed as he mimicked the female ogre's voice.
"You!" Elvareth raised her hand, about to smack him.
"You're lucky we're eating right now, Kael…"
"But actually…" Elvareth let out a small laugh. "I also find her opinion quite ridiculous when it comes to the white moon."
"See? I told you!"
"Yeah, but that's not a reason to disrespect her like that..."
"Okay, old elf…I got it…"
Kael continued eating.
"My third attempt is before the Ansalar Festival."
"I see," she replied.
"Finish your food. And thanks for helping me tonight, Kael."
"Hahaha! Don't ya worry, Mother. As long as I'm here!"
Elvareth let out a gentle smile, followed by a proud expression as she looked at his face.
She knew that once Kael went to the academy, she would be alone here. She was proud of him, but at the same time, as his mother figure, she knew she would miss him.
It was difficult for her to let Kael venture into unfamiliar parts of the realm. She didn't want him to leave her side, but she knew what was best for him.
What was best for this last human…
What was best for the relentless mind of his and what it could accomplish for this realm.
She didn't want Kael's brilliant mind to go to waste.
And she had already made up her mind.
She would let him go.
Keeping a ship anchored at the shore keeps it safe… but that was never what a ship was made for.
Especially when that ship was built with advanced technology and invention.
"Kael, can you promise me something?"
The sudden question caught Kael's attention.
"What's that, old elf?"
"Promise me you'll become a Realm Protector."
Kael looked at her.
"I will!"
He smiled.
"I will… And like you said, if I want to become one… I have to become the best at it, right?"
"Of course, Kael…"
She smiled.
Deep down, Elvareth knew that Kael had already grown up.
He was no longer the little child she had once raised.
After finishing dinner and helping Elvareth clean the table, Kael went upstairs to his room.
He sat at his wooden desk beneath the bright lamp and began working on a few of his inventions. He tightened loose screws, repaired damaged components, and carefully inspected every scratch left behind from his failed third attempts.
Tonight…
He didn't want any noise.
Kael wanted to clear his mind.
Because inside his head, he had already figured out how his final attempt would go.
I know what I will do.
And I must do it.
I will take that badge from him.
"Don't ya worry, guys…"
Kael looked toward the three guidebooks sitting on his desk, the X, Y, and Z books.
"This is my dream…"
"Of course I'm gonna make it happen."
He smiled faintly.
"It just takes a little effort. So… just trust me, okay?"
Kael reached for the three books.
"Yeah…"
"Trust me…"
He grabbed all three books and held them close.
"And with these three…"
"Everything is going to be fine."
"I will…"
"I will…"
"Definitely…"
"Make it…"
end of chapter