Chapter 101 - Newman Highlands - Part 1

After Lady Rose had left, Aron gazed at the map with a satisfied expression, this expression didn't last long as his eyes glowed momentarily and displayed a strange crest. Aron then showed a frown before looking out his window. What he observed was the city's stunning night lights that most people would describe as beautiful, his focus, however, wasn't on this beauty.

His pupils contracted and his vision increased by an insane margin. What those eyes were currently observing were two luxurious airships over three hundred kilometers away. 'Galos academy... Anastasia must be with them. I guess we'll be leaving tonight, then,' Aron thought before quickly turning away, grabbing the map and leaving the the room.

It was currently nighttime and most of the members had already gone to sleep. Aron glanced on both sides of the empty hall way before banging his hand against the marble wall.

Immediately upon contact, a shockwave travelled through the entire building and made it rumble, bringing most people out of their sleep.

The quickest to react was Jagu, who burst out of his quarters seemingly ready to fight. He and Aron only exchanged glances for a moment before he walked passed him, leaving a message: "Have everyone gather in hall immediately, we leave Findel tonight." He then went over to Evanora's room.

He slowly opened the door and closed it behind him. Unlike the others, Evanora's room was unusually dark but upon entering, two pairs of glowing eyes and a set of extremely sharp, white teeth followed.

"You doesn't fear us, why do you visit." An echoey voice that sounded neither male nor female but a disturbing combination of both resounded in the room.

Aron ignored the voice and walked towards Evanora's bed where she was sleeping soundly. Aron then proceeded to hold her nose shut, preventing her from breathing, he did this until she couldn't take it anymore and woke up. In that same instance, the mana demon vanished.

A while ago he had tested to see if Evanora could be awaken when she was in that state. Things like sound and touching her proved to be useless but when her mana demon sensed she was in danger, it would vanish and she would wake up.

Since he couldn't physically harm her, he opted for this simple trick to awaken her if the situation ever called for it.

After waking up, Evanora leaned forward towards Aron and held his hand before trying to take one of his fingers into her mouth. "Hmm, this isn't Evanora's dream." Upon coming to his realization, Evanora looked around her dark room a bit lost.

Evanora almost never woke up during nighttime, so even when Aron had first tested waking her up she was fairly confused as to what was happening. It seemed so traumatic to her that she checked the entire building to make sure no one had died or left.

"Calm down, everything is okay. We're just leaving town so get up, okay?" Aron could immediately tell she was agitated and he comforted her by letting her feel the warmth of his hand. Evanora held it slightly for a few minutes before giving Aron a nod. "Evanora understands..."

The two soon left the room and proceeded to go to the dinning area where the other members were gathered and looked ready to go, including Rose, who only held her notebook in hand and stood a distance from the others.

Upon seeing Aron, Claudia came forward and immediately asked what was on everyone's minds. "Did something happen?" she asked in a calm tone to mask the anxiousness she felt.

"No, we've narrowed down the possible location of the ruin, so it's best we leave immediately to avoid competition." Aron's short explanation had calmed the hearts of those present. A great deal of the members thought their sudden movement had to do with an impending danger and, in truth, they were right.

Thanks to Anastasia, Aron had been able to find out two top quality airships from the academy where on their way to Findel and would likely reach by morning, which wasn't all that far. Without knowing who was present on the airship, it was best he just set off.

Claudia, however, found the lie he told reasonable and immediately turned to the others and began to pass instructions. "Evanora, go to the airship with them. I won't be far behind," Aron instructed the even sleepier looking than usual Evanora, who just nodded softly at his words and walked over to Claudia.

"So you found out they're coming, too," Lady Rose said in a low tone as she passed by Aron and began walking towards the airship docks.

After everyone had gone, Khalifa jumped down from atop one of the supporting pillars of the ceiling and gave Arias a small bow. "What are your instructions?"

.....

Meanwhile, over two hundred kilometers away from Findel, on the deck of one of the two luxurious airships Aron had seen, a lone girl stood quietly leaning against the rail with her gaze forward. Juliet Lamarck.

"Lady Lamarck, it's getting pretty late, don't you wish to rest? If you're worried about a night attack, leave the look out duty to me." Suddenly, a voice interrupted the seemingly tranquil moment and caused her to turn around, her gaze cold and expression emotionless.

"You are Lucas, correct? I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine." She acknowledged the person who came only for moment and replied rather coldly before turning her attention back forward.

"Apologies, Milady, we'll be very busy once we arrive, so I just thought you'd need a good night's rest before then." Lucas bowed slightly and stated his intention but this time, Juliet didn't even turn around as she replied.

"I'm not weak like the rest of you. If anyone needs rest, it's you," she answered bluntly but that was indeed her honest thoughts on the matter. Lucas couldn't help but smile rather awkwardly at having the tables turned, what was worse was that he couldn't refute her statement at all.

"You're absolutely right, I'm sorry for my lack of strength but I'm working hard every day to grow stronger. Forgive me for assuming but I just thought you looked lonely standing here, so I wanted to try and cheer you up, I used to be the same back in my village. Sorry for interrupting." Lucas scratched the back of his head as he continued to laugh awkwardly at how things turned out, he then prepared to walk away.

However, just as he was doing so, Juliet spoke once again with her gaze fixated in the direction of Findel. "It's lonely at the top... but I don't have to be alone anymore," she said with a bit of emotion in her voice and showed the smallest of smiles.

Lucas couldn't help but stare at her beautiful expression in that moment, but didn't know what to say. Before he could figure out what to say, she continued to speak.

"Which is why I can't sleep. I'm looking forward to reaching Findel, so I won't be lonely at the top anymore." As she said this, she sighed slightly and her smile faded. 'That feeling of being looked down upon... that aura of sheer confidence... and those murderous eyes. I want to fight you so badly,' she thought with visible determination in her eyes.

Lucas couldn't understand the meaning behind her words and he simply stood there, dazed for a moment before excusing himself to go train. 'One day I'll also reach the top, maybe at that time she won't have to be lonely....' he thought to himself and seemed even more motivated than before.