A river tore through the land, with cedar and maple trees lining its banks. The air was so fresh that it felt intoxicating.
Klein walked along a cemented path with a briefcase in hand, approaching a three-story stone building shaded by lush greenery. This was Khoy University's history department.
As he proceeded down a tree-lined road, Klein stopped in front of the same three-story stone building. After registering successfully, he entered and easily found his way to the office of the person who had tended to Klein previously.
He knocked lightly on the half-closed door.
"Come in," a man's voice said from inside.
A middle-aged instructor dressed in a white shirt and black tuxedo frowned when he saw Klein enter. "The admission period has already ended. Please apply again next year," he said impatiently.
"Mr. Stone, do you still remember me?" Klein asked calmly as he removed his hat. "I am a student of Senior Associate Professor Cohen. My name is Klein Moretti. You have read my recommendation letter before."
Harvin Stone stroked his black beard, his expression turning puzzled. "Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"Here's the situation," Klein explained politely. "I have already found a job, so I did not participate in the Tingen University interview."
"I see…" Harvin Stone said after hearing the reason. He stood up and extended his right hand. "Congratulations. You are a very polite lad. I will inform the professor and the other senior associate professors."
Klein shook his hand and asked, "Where can I find Mentor Cohen at the moment?"
"He is in his office," Harvin replied.
"Thank you," Klein said, giving a gentlemanly bow before leaving for the professor's office.
Klein walked down the corridor and arrived at the office. He entered and saw an elderly man with silver hair, a figure that left a deep impression at first glance. His deep blue eyes were sunken, his face bore only a few wrinkles, and his sharp features stood out beneath a black tuxedo.
"Good afternoon, Mentor," Klein greeted respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Klein," Professor Cohen said warmly, a faint smile softening his usually stern expression. "It's good to see you in person."
"I sent you a letter. Did you receive it?" Klein asked.
"Yes," Professor Cohen replied. "That is why I did not send anyone to check on you."
"What kind of job did you get?" Cohen asked as he gestured for Klein to sit.
"It is a security company that seeks, collects, and protects ancient relics," Klein replied. "They needed a professional consultant and are paying me three pounds a week." He said, then added, "As you know, I prefer exploring history rather than merely summarizing it."
Cohen nodded slightly. "Everyone has their own choices."
After a brief pause, Cohen sighed. "Klein, do you know what happened to Welch and Naya? I read in the newspapers that they were killed by burglars."
"I am not very clear on the specifics either," Klein replied honestly. "Welch obtained a diary belonging to the Antigonus family of the Solomon Empire from the Fourth Epoch. He asked for my help in interpreting it. I assisted them for the first few days, but later became busy with job hunting. The police even came to see me a couple days ago."
"The Fourth Epoch…" Cohen muttered with a frown. He then looked at Klein seriously. "I hope you have found some closure regarding their deaths."
Klein only nodded in response. He then asked, "Mentor, it was very nice meeting you. But I am looking for Professor Azik. Is he on campus today?"
"Hoh… and what business do you have with him?" Cohen asked as tilted his head out of curiosity.
Klein picked up the suitcase and showed it to the professor. "I have been tasked with delivering this to Professor Azik by an acquaintance of his."
"Oh… then… he should be in his office, I believe, diagonally opposite mine," Cohen said as he began organizing the papers. "If not, you can find him at the library."
"Thank you. I will take my leave." Klein said as he gave a polite nod, and began to step toward the door, then suddenly stopped and turned around. He gave a deep bow toward his mentor and spoke sincerely, "Thank you for looking after me all these years. Your teaching has meant the world to me."
"Ah… you are making me emotional. You are welcome, Klein," Cohen said with a soft chuckle. "I hope you find success in all your endeavors."
Klein returned a gentlemanly bow and stepped out of the room. He made his way to the office diagonally opposite Cohen's. Approaching Azik's desk, he spoke respectfully, "Good afternoon, Mr. Azik. May I have a word with you?" He removed his hat and bowed slightly.
"Good afternoon, Klein," Azik replied softly as he turned halfway in his chair to face him.
(Image)
Mr. Azik was a man with tanned skin, gentle facial features, and a small mole below his right ear. He pushed his chair back slightly and gestured toward the seat across from him. "Have a seat, Klein. Make yourself comfortable." Saying that, he stood up and brought out a tray containing two cups of coffee.
"Help yourself to the sugar and milk," Azik said, setting down the silver saucer and gesturing toward the milk jar and sugar container.
"Thank you," Klein said, nodding with gratitude. He added three cubes of sugar and a teaspoon of milk.
Azik leaned back slightly. "What do you need… Did you fail the interview?"
"Oh no," Klein replied as he shook his head. "I didn't attend the interview. I found a job elsewhere… but I'm here for another reason."
He placed the briefcase on the table. Azik's brown eyes lit with curiosity. Klein opened his mouth and continued, "Yesterday, I met someone who called himself Merlin Hermes, a magician. He gave me this suitcase and told me to bring it to you… if I wished to help you recover your memories. I don't know what he meant… and I don't trust him. I've come here to get your opinion on this matter, Professor."
There was silence in the room for a moment.
"...The magician is correct, I do indeed have a memory problem... Before I entered the Backlund University's history department, I lost most of my memory. I only remembered my name and some basic knowledge. Luckily, I still had my identification documents. Otherwise, I probably would have ended up homeless. All these years, I've tried to search for my parents using my identification documents, but I never found anything.
"After I left Backlund, I started dreaming. I dreamed about a lot of strange things…"
Klein listened attentively and asked, "Mr. Azik, why did you lose your memory? No, I mean, did you find out why you lost your memory?"
Azik shook his head vigorously.
"No, it felt like I just had slept, I've forgotten everything that happened in the past."
He took a sip from his coffee as he looked at Klein and spoke with a sigh. "Did he say anything else."
Klein nodded slowly. "He said that if we want to recover some of your memories, we need to go to Lamud Town, and there we should open the suitcase."
Azik looked at the suitcase on the table. "You didn't check what's inside it?"
Klein gulped and looked away. "I did… I don't know how this connects to your memory loss, though."
A moment of silence passed. Then Azik stood up, walked to the coat rack, took his coat, and put it on.
"Let's go and find out."
...
When the rays of the setting sun dyed the pinnacle of the town's cathedral, The carriage containing Klein and Azik finally arrived at Lamud Town.
The town was located at the northwest edge of Tingen. Many buildings still had the unique characteristics of the era before the Age of Steam.
Both of them walked through the street in the town and headed toward the mountain when they reached a fork in the road.
As they walked, Klein realized that Azik was walking faster, to the point of him having to break out into a small jog to keep up. In the end, it was Azik who led the way.
It wasn't long until they saw a collapsed outer wall of an ancient castle. On the outer wall that was still standing, there were green plants crawling all over it while the exposed part was mottled.
Azik looked at the ancient castle and slowed down his footsteps.
He stopped there and his gaze looked profound but lost, as though he was hovering between dreams and reality.
Suddenly, he groaned in pain, lifting his hand to pinch his forehead while his muscles looked distorted with agony.
"Mr. Azik, are you okay?" Klein asked carefully as he got close, he could feel a piercing chill as goosebumps formed all over his arms.
"I'm alright… But…" Azik said as he took another two steps forward with a pained expression.
"I've seen this ancient castle before in my dream.
"Back then, it was still complete with a robust outer wall and a high spire."
Both of them scaled the pile of rocks, passing through the collapsed outer wall before slowly entering the castle which had lost its main entrance and was filled with broken tiles.
The hall of the ancient castle was full of collapsed stone pillars and was covered with moss. It was spacious, but the windows were narrow and placed high on the walls. Hence, the lighting was poor. It looked dim and gloomy inside.
Just then, an illusory yet piercing roar suddenly burst out. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a thick cloud of black fog filled the air.
A tall figure suddenly surfaced amidst the black fog. He wore full-body, black armor and carried a broadsword that a commoner would have found difficult to lift.
Azik pinched his forehead as if a headache appeared once more
"You have disturbed my slumber! You will have to pay with your flesh and blood!" He suddenly launched himself forward, instantly shortening the distance to Azik, who merely waved his hand
In the next moment, the ancient castle, the wraith, the collapsed pillars, and the moss-covered floor shattered eerily. Everything returned to black fog in the air, just as it had when the black-armored knight first appeared.
"…Tano." Azik whispered as a black gauntlet holding an ornate black sword fell to the ground with a dull clang
He walked forward and picked up the sword. The metal felt familiar in a way that pressed against old memories. His gaze lingered on the gauntlet for a moment, before he slid his arm into it. The fit was perfect. Aura of death seeped out from his body, spreading slowly like translucent mis
Azik raised the sword and swung it diagonally. The motion was simple, yet a powerful shock wave burst outward. The ground cracked and the air trembled.
"Mr Azik..." The voice of Klein broke him out of the melancholy. He looked at Klein standing there with genuine concern on his fac
He relaxed the hand that was holding the sword. He then pointed forward with a dreamy tone and took a couple of steps forward.
"I remembered that there was a stable there, a water well there, and a barracks there. Over there was a garden that was used to plant potatoes and sweet potatoes...
"I remembered there was a training field. My child, he was a boy. He was only about seven or eight years old, but he enjoyed running around while dragging a broadsword that was taller than him. He said that he wanted to become a knight when he grows up.
"My wife always complained about it being too gloomy in the castle. She liked the sunlight, the warmth..."
Azik's voice faded as he stopped walking and looked around. His eyes landed on a hidden gear along the wall, partly covered by moss. It felt familiar. Without thinking too much about it, he walked over and turned it.
The floor split open, revealing a set of steps heading down. A cold and corrupted vibe emanated, seemingly condensing into something corporeal
Klein followed behind Azik as they walked down along the stairs. The flight of steps wasn't long. It only took about fifteen steps to reach the ground.
He surveyed the surroundings and noticed that it wasn't a huge basement. It was no longer cold and sinister, but the dampness remained.
In the middle of the basement was a black coffin, with dark red nails driven into the lid.
The lid of the coffin had been pushed open slightly, but not too much.
Azik walked in front of the coffin, and extended his hands to push the coffin lid until there was a gap.
He gazed at the skeleton without a skull for a long time, and he suddenly wailed in pain and sorrow.
He lurched backwards with heavy footsteps. He staggered and fell against the wall before Klein managed to respond.
He covered his face with his hands and sat there dispirited. The surroundings suddenly became even darker.
After a while, Azik lowered his hands and slowly pushed himself to his feet.
"Klein… can you give me the suitcase?" he asked quietly..
"Here, Mr. Azik," Klein replied and hurriedly hand it over.
Azik opened the case slowly. Inside lay a skull. Beside it was a sealed letter. He picked it up as he frowned slightly. The seal felt familiar, though he couldn't place why.
It depicted a pupil less eye with contorted lines beneath it. Azik broke the seal and unfolded the letter. He read in silence. When he finished, a long sigh escaped his lips.
"You have joined the Evernight Goddess' Nighthawks, correct?" Azik asked without looking up.
Klein was seemingly taken aback before collecting his composure, then slowly nodded in affirmation.
"Was there a ritual performed recently?" Azik continued.
"Yes," Klein replied. "Two days ago, the Aurora Order carried out a ritual in the warehouse district. They summoned the Child of the True Creator into Tingen. The Goddess' Sword dealt with it. No civilians were harmed, aside from the accomplices used as the ritual material."
"Huh…" Azik murmured. "So that was the strange feeling I sensed. It disappeared before I could investigate."
Klein hesitated, then asked, "What did the letter say, Mr. Azik?"
"It explained who stole my child's skull," Azik replied slowly, "and why. It also mentioned the current state of the culprit."
His fingers tightened around the paper.
"I don't like that my child's remains were touched," he said in a low voice. "But it does ease me to know he was avenged."
He paused, then added, "The letter also suggested what I should do next."
"And what is that?" Klein asked as he tilted his head slightly.
"It advised me to go to Backlund," Azik said, "and meet an old acquaintance. Someone who can give me answers."
After finishing what he had to say, He carefully returned the skull to its rightful place in the coffin and closed it, then placed his hand on it. Power radiated from his body as he resealed it. When the coffin was fully closed, he let out a sigh of sorrow and whispered, "I'm sorry."
He picked up the sword from where it had fallen and said to Klein, "Let's go."
After leaving the basement and closing the secret door, the two of them walked along the road covered with weeds and brambles. Neither of them spoke as they made their way back from the abandoned ancient castle.
After reaching a nearby hill, Azik pierced the sword into the ground and placed the gauntlet in front of it.
Both of them stood there in silence until Klein finally broke it.
"How do you feel? Do you… remember who you are?" Klein asked.
While staring at the sword, Azik shook his head. "I regained some memories. The rest is a black void."
"Klein… perhaps… perhaps I am someone who has lived for a very, very long time," he said quietly.
"I may have lived many different kinds of lives," Azik continued. "I have flashes of memories of the interiors of a dark mausoleum. I remember ancient coffins with corpses inside them. White feathers grew from their backs. I remember being a knight clad in armor, holding a three meter long spear as I charged toward the enemy.
"I remembered myself being a feudal lord, having a rich and fertile fief, with a beautiful wife and three children. On some memories, I remembered myself being a tramp, walking on a muddy road in the rain, feeling cold and hungry.
"I remembered having a daughter, a different daughter than the previous children. She would have long smooth black hair, and she enjoys sitting on the swing that I made. She always asks for sweets from me. I remembered myself standing next to the gallows, looking towards a dead body hanging up there coldly.
"The Feynapotter Kingdom in the south believes in Earth Mother, and the Church of Earth Mother promotes a belief. They believe that every life is a plant, absorbing the nutrients from the earth. Growing slowly, prospering, and withering.
"When they wither, these lives fall to the earth and return to the mother's embrace. In the coming year, they grow again. They would blossom then wither, year after year. Life is as such, one life after another.
"After remembering such memories, I am very willing to believe in this concept. I believe because of my uniqueness, I can dream of previous lives, and the lives before that.
"I should've paid some sort of price in exchange for this long life. I've lived since the end of the Fourth Epoch, like a wandering spirit across the continent…" Azik's voice deepened, as if he were trying to suppress his emotions. "I don't remember the past fully. These flashes of memories didn't tell me about the people and things that I've sworn to remember…
"Until this matter is resolved, I will follow his suggestion, quit my job, and leave Tingen to look for my lost past."
"Thank you for accompanying me, Klein. This was very important to me," Azik added, his voice calm but sincere.
"You're very much welcome, Mr. Azik… I will search for anything I find regarding your past lives as well," Klein replied.
Azik was silent for a moment. Then he reached into his left sleeve and pulled out an ornament.
It was an intricate, though old, copper whistle. Unique patterns covered its surface, giving it a mysterious aura.
"This is something I had with me when I woke up in Backlund," Azik explained as he held the whistle carefully. "When you blow it, you'll summon a messenger that belongs to me."
He smiled faintly. "If you learn anything about me, write a letter and summon it, then pass the letter to it. After that, blow the whistle again to end the summoning. It will send the letter to me very quickly, in a secretive manner."
Azik then took out a gold pocket watch and checked the time. "It's well into the night. Let's return to our residence."
Klein nodded. Together, they walked along the road covered with weeds and brambles, heading back to where the private carriage was waiting.
AN: Do you think I handled his situation well? Azik's arc hasn't ended yet. Next, he will travel to Backlund and meet up with Katarina to get some answers about his situation… of course, he will have backup from our dear Mr. Fool - the King of Fraud and Glazing.
PS: What kinds of expies do you think would fit Bernadette's Crew? Give me some ideas and characters that might fit, and also suggest what kind of pathway they would have.
PPS: I'm trying to show my perfectionism the middle finger and upload a chapter if I think it's good enough, lol.