The Scepter of Marahuyo

Chapter 023

After my one-sided fight with Aaron, I return to my habits—I read books with Olivia at the library and clean Master Orson’s room. However, this time I added practices of my transportation magic in the training area.

It’s been almost a week since then, and now I am trying to make my transportation magic mobile but have been failing so far. I have proper control over it, but until now I still can’t move it. I sit on the grass and look at the two targets that I set in front. The target on the left is now crumbling, while the one on the right is still in its pristine condition. There’s no improvement at all.

“Are you trying to move your transportation magic?” a voice asks.

I glance up and see Sir Philip looking down at me. I nod.

“Instead of trying to move it, why not enable it in one place and then disable it. Then enable it again in another area, one centimeter at a time? In that case, you will get the illusion of moving it. Other than that, something like that would be hard to destroy since it’s tough to see the real ones from the afterimage. The fast activation can also benefit you with your other skills.”

I blink. He could be right. Why am I practicing a skill that can be shattered, anyway? However, doing it that way would mean that I need to reactivate my blessing in a split second. That’s the hard part. Even in my previous timeline, it takes a minute before I can finally use my anito’s abilities.

I stand up and try it; I trap the target in the transportation box and deactivate it. Then I reactivate it again for the next and the next until it reaches the target on the right. It looks like it’s moving, except my blessing is too slow.

“But that would require a great deal of practice and experience,” Sir Philip comments.

I sigh. At least I hit the other target. That can be considered as progress, right?

“By the way, I’m here because Master Orson would like to discuss something with you.”

“He’s in the workroom?” I ask. I thought it would take a while before he could finally finish the research with Master Deborah.

“You should meet him. You might get some pointers about this self-imposed training of yours.”

I nod and Sir Philip taps my shoulders and leaves.

*****************

I open the door to Master Orson’s workroom and find him looking at a document on his desk. When I close the door, he looks up at me.

“I heard from Master Deborah about what happened outside the zone,” he starts. “You fought against a paraduno?”

I nod.

“How was it?”

“Surprising.”

“That’s what I heard from them, too. They said that your ability to react was surprising.”

“I’m about to die. I think anyone can do that in that situation,” I answer. Besides, Master Deborah told me I need to practice more, so I’ll be able to fight against tougher monsters.

“Master Deborah and Nico actually commend you for defeating it.”

I frown. Did I make another change in this timeline again?

“They’d like to do it again.”

“Does that mean the research that you’ve been doing for them will take longer?”

“Actually, I have done it earlier than expected.”

I nod and purse my lips. Somehow, I’m getting used to the changes I’ve been experiencing from the current timeline.

“So about the training, they’d like to continue it with you every weekend. But they plan to go deeper into the forest.”

“And they need your permission?”

“Yes. Besides, if you find some high-level monsters. I will need to research it too, but as Master Deborah says, I need to gather students this time. Do you think any of your friends will be interested in research?”

“If you announce it, you’ll easily get assistants.”

“Yes, but the nature of my research means that I should be able to trust that mage.”

I thought about it for a while. In my previous timeline, no one became Master Orson’s assistant with his dealings with the warriors. No one comes to mind either. But if I would choose, “How about Denise?”

“The girl with Lalahon as anito?” I nod. “Why?”

If I remember correctly, she’s become a Scepter even before Benia starts its own Scepter selection. Having the blessing of Lalahon, she can use fire, but her abilities are more than that. She can even summon lavas and can erase an entire nation. Before the Scepter selection starts, there are rumors that Denise ravaged a village as per the command of her Ruler.

“Denise can receive a massive amount of Lalahon’s blessing,” I say.

And this output in blessing depends on the gods themselves or the mage’s skills to increase their retrieval of magic.

Master Orson nods. He seems troubled now as he leans on his chair. For a few minutes, he did not speak. Then he reaches for a trinket and activates it. It covers us in a type of glamour—a magic wherein we can speak anything inside, but we won’t be heard outside. Or rather, people eavesdropping will hear mundane things being discussed, like the taste of meals, the events that happened a day before, or the state of the weather—pretty common things to talk about.

Then he asks, “Do you know anything about the Time Palace?”

“What is that?”

“It’s a place where all the original anitos of our gods and goddesses live. It’s where they are frozen in time, according to the legends. And the anitos we refer to these days are just mediums between us and the gods.”

I knit my brows. “I did not know.”

“Understandable, since that is something not taught in any academy. I’ve learned it only because I am a Scepter.”

“So, why are you telling me about it?”

“Because, if you’re gonna become a Scepter, take note not to mention it to anyone because its existence can corrupt a mind.”

“If that is so, why are you telling me?”

Master Orson smiles. “Because you’re the only one who knows about my secret room.”

I don’t like where this is going.

“Did you take something from that room, Holly?” he finally asks, pointing at the room where I’ve seen the thieves before.

“Last night, when I’m hiding there,” I start and point at my usual spot. “Two people came out and talked about something that isn’t there anymore. I don’t think they stole anything, but they’re planning to do it if it is there.”

Master Orson. “Just as I thought. They’re careful, but I see the tampers done on my security magic.”

“Does it have something to do with the Time Palace?”

“Yes, and no. The reason they do not teach the Time Palace is because it doesn’t exist. They say it’s there, but there’s no proof that it actually exists. It’s just a legend.”

“So what’s with the glamour if it’s just a legend?”

Master Orson smiles. “You don’t let it skip, huh? That’s why I think you’ll be a great Scepter. Lemuel will benefit from your talents.” 

I frown. He’s referring to the new Ruler that’s being trained in the capital. “I won’t become a Scepter. I told you I will become a traveling mage. So what was the yes part answer to my question if it has something to do with this Time Palace?”

“Non-mage can find the Time Palace fascinating, but that’s something I leave up to you for the reason.”

“Did you find out who those two people are?”

“We’re still looking into it, as none are stolen, then no reason to investigate it further, unless independently,” he says.

Then Master Orson deactivates the glamour and says, “I guess I am not as popular anymore?”

I get his hint. If there really is someone listening to our conversation, then the pivot in conversation will seem like we are just continuing with our conversation when the glamour is up.

“Cara and Ethan have overtaken your votes.”

“They did. Those two. I should have joined and made a very gallant costume.”

“You’re old already. You’ll just damage your reputation,” I say and laugh.

“I visited them last night. They are doing great.”

I agree. The last time I visited them, Ethan was sweet to Cara. I just hope that it will last so Cara won’t continuously pester me with motherly stuff. More so, I hope Ethan falls in love with her before he completely heals.

“And the nurse says, in confidence, that a dash of poison was found in Ethan’s body.”

He knows and I bite my lips. I thought that this is supposed to be a pivot in our conversation? Am I going to be scolded for that?

“Did the nurse tell both Ethan and Cara?” I ask. 

“Oh, there is no need to tell them that. I think Cara already knows, as smart as she is. But as for Ethan, let’s wait for him to realize. It will be nice to see their romance unfold.”

“Romance? They got closer than before, but romance?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Master Orson opens his desk drawer and pulls something up. “Here,” he says and hands me a little figurine.

I snort. “What is this?”

It is a tiny figure of Ethan and Cara. It is the same scenario when Cara thought Ethan was dead and she covered herself and him in vines. But the figure shows the vines only halfway to give a better view of the two.

“That’s the most popular item in town now, aside from Ethan and Cara’s figurines. They got new designs. You and Aicelle have one too, but they copy your designs from the costumes you wore at the parade.”

Master Orson is referring to the fact that if one is a popular mage, a figurine is made for them by an artist and merchants sell it to the people. I’ve seen several Master Orson, Sir Philip, and Axel, even if Axel’s not a mage and he’s not from Marahuyo.

“I’m not popular enough to get one. Besides, I didn’t even get to the top five spots.”

“Seems like some artist liked what you’re wearing at the parade and created a few.”

“Then good luck on his sales then.”

“Who knows? Someone might be interested in them, like Aaron.”

At the mention of his name, I feel a lump in my throat. We separated awfully that night. I don’t think he’ll like to see me again after all that I’ve said.

“We’re not on good terms right now,” I say.

“Is that the reason you weren’t in the inn this weekend?”

I nod.

“Pablo was waiting for you to come. He mentions you ask him to teach you both Benia and Caltra combat style?”

“It’s Master Deborah who suggested.”

“Oh, that girl! Aside from the weekly training that she has requested, she’s also asking you to train in a Sword-like style? What else?”

“Activation control of my transportation magic.”

“Ugh, why does she like to keep people busy?”

“It’s fine. I kinda requested it anyway. Besides, I will need it as a traveling mage. It’s better to get acquainted with the job soon.”

“But Deborah won’t stop once she starts!”

“I won’t give up this time,” I say.

“That’s good to hear, but you should know that you can come to me if she becomes uncontrollable.”

I nod. He’s referring to the fact that I’ve stopped midway during my training before when we get to the hard part. I should’ve continued back then, despite the time and effort that I need to spend on it. Then maybe I won’t be forced to join the Scepter selection. 

To be continued…