A pitch-black stone about an inch of diameter and a small parchment about the size of a palm.
"So this is it? Looks like I'm being too optimistic.." Aster was a little bit unsatisfied since it doesn't look like it can help him in his predicament. But he was still thankful as it was a gift from his late parents.
Aster examined the stone and tried to identify what kind of rock it is. He has read many types of books including magical items and magic stones. But after many types of tests, he can't still identify it.
"Well, it is bound to be something great. It's just that I'm lacking some knowledge." Aster knew that his parents will not give him something useless nor prank him for this kind of thing.
Nex, Aster checked the parchment. This parchment appears old but it is actually extremely durable. At least, he can't leave even a scratch in it using his current strength.
In the parchment, there is a sketch of mountain ranges, a castle in the center, and an "X" mark.
"This looks like a treasure map. But the X mark appears where the Devil' Abyss." Aster turned solemn as the Devil's Abyss is a taboo location of the empire. They said that there is a mysterious power hidden within it.
"Hey, what is this? A map?" then a female voice was heard behind the back of Aster.
Aster flinched in surprise when he saw Alice beside him. He immediately kept the parchment inside his pocket and just smiled.
"Why would you be here Alice? I thought you will spend more time with your family today." Aster diverted the topic.
He can't reveal to anyone that he has a map that leads to the Devil' Abyss, including Alice. This could bring trouble for both of them if this news is leaked.
"Well, I'm trying to find you. Other than the training ground, this place is one of your favorite places to train. So I came here." Alice didn't dwell over the map and just replied to Aster with a grin.
"And why?" After seeing the broad smile over this girl's face, he knew that this girl is here for trouble.
"I just want to go shopping today. And you will be my chaperon for a day." Alice said while pointing to Aster. Her eyes can't hide her determination and excitement to take Aster as her accompany.
"And why I should accept it? As if I will gain something from it?" Aster didn't fell for her exploits since he knew how hard to be her assistant.
"Yes, you will. My father will give you some pointers tonight about magic arts and weapon arts. Your father is my father's best friend. So it is logical for him to help you." Alice said and raised her head in victory.
Aster ponders for a bit and then he nodded in acceptance. Alice's father was a high ranking Arcane Knight. He should know something about how he could help him overcome his crisis.
"I will not give in to my fate. I will become an Arcane knight no matter what." Aster's resolve was solid as a rock. He doesn't want to become a common person. He wants to be something great.
Aster and Alice immediately came down the mountain and started their shopping in the plaza. As Aster has expected, Alice made some trouble to him along their shopping trip.
Alice bought too many things for Aster to carry. She has also treated all the people inside the fancy restaurant they have eaten. She completely shows how a spoiled rich kid would swagger in the city.
It was already evening when they are decided to go home to the mansion of Alice. Luckily for Aster, a family-use carriage came to pick up both of them and their things. If not, Aster will carry those pieces of stuff all by himself
When they are about to enter the carriage, an old man in tattered clothes walks in front of them.
"My Lady, please I beg you to help us. My granddaughter is dying from sickness. She needs to see a doctor but I got no gold pay." the old man kneeled and stooped until his head hits the ground. He was crying and begging for help.
Aster pitied him and he was thinking that Alice would definitely help him from his predicament. But when he looked at Alice, he could see a hint of disgust in her face. Although it was just a short moment, that expression remained in his mind.
"Are you from the East district? You can't use magic arts are you?" Alice asked without telling him to stand up.
"My Lady, I may not have the ability to perform magic arts. But my granddaughter can perform vibration magic. Please help her to survive." The old man said while shaking in fear and nervousness.
He knew how people without magic were treated unfairly in the city. But he can't just wait for his granddaughter to die. He only tried his luck to this young girl who treated the people in the restaurant a meal.
"Oh. Your granddaughter huh? Well then, I will help you." Alice clapped her hand twice and two bodyguards mysteriously appeared beside her. Both of them wore black light armor and mask that covers their face entirely.
"Help him up and bring his granddaughter to the healer." Alice snapped her fingers and a small bag of gold coins appeared instantly on her hand and handed to the guards.
"Thank you, My Lady. Thank you.!" the old man bowed many times before he left together with the two guards.
"What are you dazing off? Let's go!" Alice waved her snow-white hands in front of Aster's face and entered the carriage.
Aster was looking at Alice the whole time. And he felt like he was looking to a new person. The disgust and irritation she has shown broke her innocent image inside of him.
"Looks like I don't completely know her at all." Aster thought and entered the carriage. He stayed silent yet he can't help looking at her from time to time.
"If you want to say something, just say it. After all, we've been friends for a long time." Alice said when she observed something strange about Aster.
"Well, I'm just thinking if you will still treat me as a friend if I can't use magic arts," Aster asked while looking at her sparkling eyes.
"Of course I will treat you as my friend. But it is impossible for you to be crippled right. After all, your parents are one of the strongest magic-user in our Capital." Alice said while grinning beside Aster.
But Aster felt his hair stand on their ends when he saw the wide smile of her face. He can't determine if it is real or fake. But he felt slight fear on her as her expression before was still fresh on his mind.
"My Lady, we're here." The coachman stopped the carriage and opened the door for them.
"Let's meet my father first. I know he will be excited to meet you." Alice pulled Aster inside the mansion in rush.
Aster was very nervous as it was his first time in her house. But he kept his calm demeanor along his way inside.
The mansion is impressively grand and elegant. It also has classy decorations and paintings which gives a highly sophisticated atmosphere. The floor is tiled with unique black marble with gold lines. This kind of marble can store the origin energy and help the people to easily assimilate them.
When they reached the main hall, a middle-aged man was standing in the center. He has grey long hair and a sculpted face. He looks refined and valiant on his formal black suit.
"Father, I have arrived. And I brought Aster today just as you asked." Alice said and went beside him.
When Aster saw him, he felt his body got heavier. The magical pressure the man radiates was too much for him to take. He immediately knelt down in respect while ignoring the sweats on his forehead.
"That's Leonard Cameron for you, a grand arcane knight that accomplished many S-class missions. His magical aura was suffocating and dense. With his strength and connections, maybe he could help me in my situation." Aster raised his hope in solving his incomplete energy path.
But he also felt shame as to how weak he was. He realized that he always hope for others to help him because he was too weak to help himself. The weak can't live they wanted to be.
"It's nice meeting you again Aster. You're just a small kid the last time I saw and now, you have grown up well. You look more and more like your father." Leonard gestured Aster to stand up and patted his shoulder.
When Aster raised his eyes, he saw the deep green eyes of Leonard. He felt like he was standing in front of a mighty dragon.
"Let's have dinner first. Then we shall talk." He said and walk inside the dining hall. He saw the fear in Aster's eyes but he decided to ignore it.
Aster followed up in the dining hall. There's a long table with lots of food. They all sat up and enjoyed the food. Aster, however, acts as careful as possible.
"My daughter has updated me some things about you. And according to her, you have a commendable sword mastery. What exactly is your current sword mastery level?" Leonard said while looking at Aster.
"Sir, I already reached Perfection in the Foundation Stage Sword Mastery. But I got stuck for three months already." Aster answered in a respectful manner.
Foundation Stage is the first stage of sword mastery. And every stage in sword mastery are divided into four levels,
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Perfection.
"Well, it's already a great outcome for you to reach Perfection in Foundation Realm without any swordmaster to guide you. But for reaching the next stage, it's impossible unless you create your own swordsmanship in a combination of your unique magic." Leonard explained in all seriousness.
"Although you reached this sword mastery, it's still not enough to qualify you in the exam. Even you can use your magic, two weeks of practice are far from enough. That's why I decided to offer you something." He said while looking solemnly at the ruby eyes of Aster.
"Please do tell, Sir," Aster replied while contemplating what kind of offer he would give. He knew himself how hard the exam was and how unqualified he was in his current state.
"I will teach you the way of the magic sword and take a pledge under the Arcania, the God of Arcane Knights," Leonard said directly. His voice and expression were only deep and serious.
Aster was petrified in shock. This offer was far greater from his expectations.
Having a Grand Arcane Knight as a master,
Receiving a blessing under God Arcania to become an Arcane Knight
These are the best possible offer to any aspiring arcane knights out there. Anyone would fell for their knees in hearing this irresistible offer.
"Sir, pardon me but may I know what kind of price I have to pay for this valuable offer?" Aster gathered his composure and courage just to tell these words.
He knew that every offer has a price to pay. After all, there's no saint in this harsh world who would just give these things out to anyone.
"Price? Haha. You are thinking too much. I have a Testing Orb here that can detect the type of magic seed and it's tier. If you can give me a satisfying result, I'll take you immediately to the Arcane Sanctum to take the pledge." Leonard laughed when he heard what Aster just said.
He swiped his golden ring on his thumb. Then in an instant, a black orb floated on his hand. This fist-sized orb looks mysterious as it pulsates a unique type of energy surrounding it.
"Just hold this orb and visualize your magical seed inside of you. This orb will show what kind of seed you have and it's tier." Leonard pushed the orb slowly towards Aster.
The orb flew like a leaf blown by a wind. Then it slowly fell in front of Aster. But he didn't touch the orb instantly. His instinct keeps on telling him not to touch the orb by any means.
"Father, I'll show him first how to use this orb first." Seeing how fearful Aster was, Alice took the ball and asked his father. Without waiting for her father to reply, she closed her eyes in concentration.
After a few moments, the black orb turned transparent and a cyclone manifested inside the orb. Then the orb showed a letter 'A' inside of it.
"My magic seed is a wind-type seed. And it's an A-tier. As you know, there are five tiers of magic seed. D-tier as the lowest one and S-tier as the highest one. " Alice explained and she handed over the orb towards Aster.
This demonstration made Aster gain some confidence himself. But he just remembered that he has a crippled energy path.
"Nevermind. I'll just have to do it. The offer was too precious to let go." He made up his mind and held the orb with his hands. He started to visualize his magic when suddenly the whole mansion shook violently.