Valflame Palace.
Around a half hour later.
Princess Alfin's Private Quarters.
Back inside the private quarters of Princes Alfin, which resided in the upper floors of Valflame Palace, a couple of maids could currently be seen standing outside the door with their eyes shut, calmly waiting for Princess Alfin to leave the bedroom. They're acting as if this was natural to them. That's because it is their job after all, to wait upon Princess Alfin and service her should their services be required. As for what was happening inside, the large, circular bed had its translucent drapes partitioned off, only to reveal a violet-haired boy currently sat in a lotus position.
The boy's arms were crossed over one another, similar to how Goku does it from DBZ whenever he meditates to circulate his Qi. But over here, he wasn't circulating Qi, even though Battle Qi did exist in Zemuria. If one looked closely, five different types of Elements could be seen happily floating around his body without a care in the world. One was colored red, then ocean-blue, then icy-blue, one crimson red, and one that was pitch black. Fire, Water, Ice, Blood, and Dark respectively!
Of course, that boy was of course, me. Hello there, world! It is now the beginning of S1200. Only two years remain until Trails in the Sky kicks off, and I'm all here for it. I am so ready to see Estelle and Joshua set off to become Bracers while I take on the Vermillion Trials to acquire one of the seven Divine Knights, Testa-Rossa!
I currently let my Mana roam free inside my body. I didn't have any particular path for them to go around, but it was enough to complete cycles. Every time I finished a cycle, my mind felt more and more refreshed, like taking a hint of dopamine without a single side-effect. You know, the same feeling you get when you pull your favorite gacha character? That's the constant feeling I get by using Meditation, and it is heavenly. This is very similar to how one trains in Battle Qi once they unlock it, like the orange, earthly glow that surrounds Sherryl's body when she uses it. I still can't believe she has already unlocked Battle Qi. I am a little jealous because of that. She has something I don't have!
It does beg the question, though. If I do unlock Battle Qi in the future, what color would my aura be? In other words, Battle Qi is known as the Breath of Life. It signifies one's own Vitality. And knowing that Sherryl has Enhanced Vitality from Gnosis, it just makes sense for her to unlock Battle Qi this early. It provides many benefits, such as prolonging one's lifespan, or even gaining power that could topple mountains. And to girls in particular, it can enhance one's beauty severalfold. You know, the very same beauties who appear and attempt to face-smack those main characters in eastern stories, haha!
In a way, it's the same, but that eastern influence isn't here. Sherryl has been keeping to herself for the most part while she traveled with Zin, and now, she has her next stretch of her life to handle before she can return to Grancel.
In regards to Mana, it works similarly to Battle Qi, in the way that it is entirely internal. At the same time, it did not interact with Qi. On the contrary, once someone circulates Mana inside their body, an outside phenomenon would start to happen. An example is the present scene happening around me. I couldn't see it, but I could feel the Elements all around. The same five Elements that I have come to learn or acquire in my thirteen years of living.
I didn't just train in my foundations nor my swordsmanship. Apart from wanting to continue doing that, I also dabbled in Mana, trying to train in it when I can. It has reached the point where I can use Teleportation across long distances, and have access to five Elements! The only downside is one didn't appear equal over the other. I could feel Fire and Water much closer compared to Ice, Blood, and Dark.
Before long, an azure glow calmly wrapped over my entire body, letting it harmonize with the Elements that I knew. My Mana grew thicker and thicker before dispersing across my body, only for the cycle to continue again. Like I said, it allowed my mind to be free of any stress whatsoever. It is very refreshing! My muscles screamed in joy, and I felt like I could tackle any problem that would get thrown at me next. Or in this case, the harsh training that is to come at the Vander Dojo. I am considering paying a visit there in the afternoon, instead of during the week. If I do, I very well may have the spar I requested with Sherryl then.
Nonetheless, my eyes remained closed, unmoving. With each passing moment, I soon heard a soft yet firm voice speak out to me. That was enough to make my Meditation come to a close. I was expecting it to be Princess Alfin, but this voice belonged to someone else entirely.
"Umu. You have not been slacking off I see. To think you can interact with five elements now. Well done, boy.", A familiar voice spoke out. Apart from last night, I haven't heard this voice in quite some time. Only on rare occasions when I wanted to prepare the incantation to potentially save Guy Banning's soul from true death.
A flash of light materialized beside the bed not too far away, revealing a golden, blonde-haired girl who hadn't seemed to age a day since we met last. The five elements happily danced around me while my EP and HP remained full. The elements soon vanished the moment I opened my eyes, ending my Meditation. What replaced my view was the very long and golden blonde-haired girl appearing beside me. A smile crept on my lips seeing this person arrive in person without any pressing itinerary.
"Look who it is who decided to drop in. It is good to see you, Rose. Long time no chat.", I said, greeting the woman who happened to be over a millennium years old. Let's just ignore that fact. I'm really grateful for everything Roselia has done for me until now. I say that, but I heard a harrumph escape from Roselia's lips.
"Hmph. I'll permit that. For now.", Roselia said. "It is good to see you again, Naoto. I am quite pleased with how far you have progressed in your Mana. Your will is much more steadfast too. Are you ready to take on the Vermillion Trials?"
This woman was, of course, Roselia Millstein, the last living vampire and the elder of the Hexen Clan, a hidden organization within Erebonia who are known as Witches. Once upon a time, they once had the duty of watching over one of the seven major treasures of the Goddess Aidios, the Sept-Terrion of Fire. Ark Rouge. Until now, Roselia has only made brief appearances, and is one of few people who I have come to accept as Master. I've learned a lot from her!
Well, if you include my Child of the Progenitor Occupation, Roselia is no longer alone when it comes to being a vampire! I haven't used that Occupation since I created Crimson Wings with Ennea's help during the mission against the One of Swords. Will it see some use today?
For now, I happily nodded in agreement to Roselia's words.
"Yes. I am much more ready now compared to what I felt a couple years ago. The plan is already in motion to evacuate the immediate surroundings. It won't be the entire capital as that is over 800,000 people. The Infernal Castle shouldn't extend outward to engulf it all, just a certain number of its districts.", I explained. "And even if you brought the entire Hexen Clan together, it would be a struggle to transport over five-hundred thousand people, right?"
"Umu. All thanks to you, no less. You made me prepare that forbidden Soul Bind incantation again to be ready to use at a moment's notice. And well, it's ready, it is all up to you whether to use it or not. All you need to do is call upon Tamamo. My Presence is not required for it.", Roselia responded. "I'm now in my recovery period again, hence why I look like this."
"Haha.", I laughed. "Thank you. I do have some regret requesting it a third time of you. You've seen my memories. You should know how pivotal of a role Guy plays to the SSS until those events conclude. He should experience that death of his in this coming year or two. This time around, since I intervened with the DG Cult, I do not know how much of an impact he will have. I might have to do some intervening too. Right now, Tio has zero reason to join the SSS. I was the one who brought her out, not Guy.", I continued, and sighed.
"Oh? Are you having second guesses this late into the game?", Roselia responded, grinning back at me. "You know we can't have that. You need to hold your head up high, boy. You've caused a lot of waves since I first met you. Even I do not know where they will ride. You've even taken out an entire "Game". And well, if that October War still does end up happening, those Nobles will need to enact it through a different means."
"True enough.", I said, and chuckled again. "It is reassuring to hear you say that, Rose. Nonetheless, it is nice to see you. Just seeing me isn't the entire reason why you're though, is it?"
"Well, checking whether you are confident to take on the Vermillion Trials is a major part as to why I decided to pay you a visit, since you are here in Heimdallr. And well, your answer satisfied me for the time being. While you may not have met the last of its goal, the majority of what remains now falls onto Emma.", Roselia responded. "While she is still classified as a Witch-In-Training, I have already given her permission to head out as a Wandering Witch, and permit her to guide you through the Vermillion Trials."
"Makes sense. Otherwise, Emma wouldn't even be allowed to leave Eryn, right?", I asked.
"Exactly. It is only because I permitted it that Emma can do that. It is time I teach the two of you the forbidden incantation to make the Infernal Castle rise up from its ashes. I couldn't care less as to which day you choose, but without the means to do so, you will not be able to become the Vermillion Awakener.", Roselia responded. "And from what I've seen of those memories of yours, it is Vita who originally cast it, but as you can see, she is busy with guiding the Azure Awakener through his trials. And well, since you have tasked me with the other forbidden incantation, it must fall onto Emma to guide you. There is no other way. As such, it is time to teach you Lucifen Lied, the Hexen's Clan's most forbidden incantation of what exists in our archives. Testa-Rossa's will is on its last strand, and it won't be long until it is fully corrupted by the Dark Dragon. You best be ready to face him head on."
Hearing Roselia speak in such a serious tone, which is out of her character, I turned silent for a moment. I know she means well and was truly looking after me. Still, to think she would teach Emma and I Lucifen Lied. A look of anticipation filled my eyes, but I was also left with a question or two.
"So it is time to learn the final piece to trigger the Infernal Castle. I'm not those Nobles though. I have zero intention of re-enacting the War of the Lions. I do not want any bloodshed from this.", I said.
"Umu. You have your own role to play, and Noble you may be, you are not one to cause an entire civil war just to re-enact the War of the Lions. Even if you are of the Chancellor's kin.", Roselia nodded, agreeing with me.
"Heh. That means a lot more from you than you may know, Rose.", I happily replied. "But it sounds like that isn't the reason why you're here. What else is---?", I tried to ask. Sadly, I couldn't even finish saying that before I heard two very familiar voices reach our ears.
Full pun intended there, haha!
"Master, we're back!", A happy voice spoke out. Blink!
All of a sudden, I felt something very fluffy reach my lap, appearing out of nowhere. I forgot she has that ability. Must be nice, being able to Blink around without a care in the world. I mean, I have Teleportation and all, but Blink is one of the most broken movement abilities you can get, regardless of what story you find yourself in.
"Sheesh, we already explored the entire capital and you still have this much energy. Seriously, you've been feeding off of Naoto's Mana too much.", A second voice said, appearing to be tired and annoyed. The first voice belonged to a silvery-white fox with six tails happily slapping the bedside while a black cat with a blue ribbon tied around her tail somehow jumped into the room all the way from the window outside. Oi, we're high up in Valflame Palace, you know!
Who else could they be but Tamamo and Celine? And yet, the moment Celine's gaze grew clear, she saw Roselia and I seated at the bedside, chatting away with one another while Princess Alfin and Sherryl were still freshening up for the day. And for some reason, Roselia already had my chin cupped in one of her hands, ready to do something.
"...What exactly are you doing, stupid Rose?", Celine questioned.
"Perish the thought. I am merely here to recharge my battery. I demand nourishment.", Roselia said, and grinned. This time, I could see her fangs bared at me.
I already know where this is going...