It was Saturday evening, and Caleric was heading to the grand divination club Fine Divine. He had been considering the entire day and had finally decided that he would go.
He made his way to Thisia's room. The room was shrouded in darkness just like the previous time. He entered the secret entrance with her and arrived at the Blue Preservation hideout.
This time there were more people. There were two new faces: a young girl who looked around his own age, wearing a straw hat, and a man dressed in expensive formal attire.
Apart from the new faces, Caleric recognized Corvin and Arven. The baby was also present, sitting on the center round table and busy playing with the girl who Caleric thought to be the same age as him.
"Everyone gather around. Our new member is here."
The eyes in the room shifted and fixated on Thisia and the guest that had arrived with her. Caleric felt a bit nervous, sensing himself becoming the center of attention. He simply bowed without saying anything.
"Huh? A kid?" The man dressed in expensive-looking clothes spoke. His tone was full of arrogance.
"He is smarter than you, shut it," Thisia said.
"Wait for Mariel to arrive, then we can finally start with introductions."
Just as Thisia spoke, the wall behind the couch slightly moved as another entrance appeared. The receptionist from yesterday walked into the room. It was Mariel.
"Perfect timing, let's begin with introductions then. Since I am the one who gathered all of you here, I will start first, though everyone already knows me well.
"I am Thisia, your seer and diviner. I am your guide on your future ventures, and I've gathered you all to be members of Blue Preservation so that we can help each other out of our predicaments."
While Thisia gave her introductory speech, the man dressed in formal attire picked out seven glasses and placed them on the table. He then took a bottle of expensive Coscore wine and started pouring it into the glasses.
Meanwhile, Mariel picked up the baby from the table. From his memories, Caleric recalled that it was Mariel's child and that Corvin had briefly told him about it yesterday.
Next was Corvin's turn.
"I am Corvin Marric, a former assassin. I am adept in combat, a tri-wielder, and can use multiple types of weapons ranging from knives to long swords.
"As of right now, I am carrying a big bounty on my head, and multiple factions in the underworld are after my blood."
Caleric listened to Corvin's introduction carefully. He realized that he had been correct about Corvin being a dangerous person. Not only did he have the eyes of a killer, but Caleric could also feel the intense bloodlust just by being around him.
Something is odd about him. It's as if he wants to kill, but something is haunting him. I can see it in his eyes. I had missed it yesterday, but maybe his story is more than just a bloodthirsty murderer with a big bounty.
Next was Arven.
"I am Arven Kael, a researcher of forbidden knowledge about the world of manalogy. I am adept in rituals and formations. I myself belong to the Jester formation, and I can create illusions.
"I want to find the truth about my mentor. I believe he was falsely accused and disgraced, and I was branded guilty by association. I managed to escape, but he was imprisoned."
An expert in manalogy even better than Silas? This might be really helpful. And formations? What exactly is a formation? Anyway, he seems quite knowledgeable. I wonder what exactly his master was accused of?
Next was the man dressed in expensive-looking attire.
"I am Eryonder Valcrest, son of the house of Valcrest. Do not let my current... humble circumstances fool you. While lesser men may see me as a fallen noble, I am a Valcrest, and that name alone carries more weight than any title those fools could ever strip from me."
The man spoke while lifting his chin at a forty-five-degree angle, his tone full of pride, even more so when he spoke of his family name.
A fallen noble? They have an actual noble in this group. No wonder he carried that expensive air about himself, not to mention the Coscore wine, which is quite costly. I wonder how exactly his family fell. I don't remember ever hearing the name Valcrest.
Before the man could continue speaking, Thisia interrupted him, handing him the glass of wine he had poured earlier and quickly gesturing to the next person to continue their introduction.
Next was Mariel.
"Good evening everyone, I am Mariel Thane. I work as the receptionist here at Fine Divine, and I am sure everyone knows about me.
"This is my daughter. My husband was a smuggler, and he was murdered. My only wish is to find the people involved. After his death, I escaped from Grimland using my husband's connections and arrived here in Virelia.
"My husband's connections helped me get the job because the owner of the place was good friends with the faction my husband used to work for. This room was one of their storerooms for goods, which was later renovated and now serves as our home."
A widow seeking revenge? Quite like my case... Even though she must have gone through so much, she barely shows it on her face. She is really strong. And she has connections, which would give an advantage in the underworld.
"What's her name?" Caleric asked Mariel, looking at the baby in her hands.
The room suddenly became silent. Everyone bowed their heads slightly as the air grew solemn. Mariel spoke, her tone wrapped in grief.
"She was in my womb when my husband was killed. According to our traditions, after the child's birth the father whispers the given name into its ear. Only then can a child be named. My husband was killed, it is considered a bad omen, and so she does not have a name."
The atmosphere of the room, which had been joyous up until then, had turned gloomy. Caleric felt a hint of guilt for ruining the mood, so he decided to cheer them up. Though he had no experience with this, as a psychology freak who understood people a little too well, it wouldn't be too difficult.
"Then let's name her right now." Caleric glanced at Thisia.
Thisia, who was looking at him, understood what he wanted to do and quickly played along.
"Right, Mariel, she should have a name."
"But... wasn't it you who said it would bring bad luck?"
"Yes, I did, but today, no, right now is the perfect moment. As a seer, you should trust me with these things. I see good luck and prosperity."
"Why today?"
Thisia smiled, looking back at Caleric. "Because he is here. According to her destiny, Caleric would be the one suggesting a name for her."
Eh?
All eyes were once again focused on Caleric, and he now found himself under great pressure. He had only planned on suggesting naming the child but had not considered having to name her himself.
Damn you, Thisia.
Caleric thought for a while. After a minute of silence, he finally spoke.
"How about 'Bloom'?" As one could've guessed, Caleric was really bad at coming up with names.
Everybody was silent. Finally, Mariel asked,
"Why?"
"Bloom, because if we were to make it shorter, as a nickname, it would sound like 'Blue,' and our group is called the 'Blue Preservation.'
"The other reason is that your daughter will grow up healthy and become a fine lady, or in other words, she will 'bloom' into the most beautiful and loveliest of flowers."
The room fell into silence again. Caleric was so nervous that the few seconds of quiet felt closer to eternity.
"That is a good name" Mariel said.
The others joined in, as the joyous atmosphere of the room returned once more.
Destiny huh... Maybe you really are. Thisia smiled slightly looking at the group mingling well.
Did I just say "our" group? Have I already started thinking of myself as a member? Well, it doesn't feel bad though.
It was then another thought struck him.
What did you mean when you said I had a fear of people, Mom?
...
After a while, the introductions resumed. Next was the young girl whom Caleric recognized as being around his age.
"My name is Mara Veyren. I am adept in theology and a former scholar from Carvax Academy. Two years ago, I ran away and arrived in Virelia fairly recently. My goal is to uncover the true history of the world, then travel to Zamaria and publish my own book."
She took out a book from her handbag. "My chronicle."
After everyone had introduced themselves, it was Caleric's turn.
Caleric was lost deep in thought. He was considering whether he wanted to join this group of misfits who called themselves the Blue Preservation.
They are all unique; they have their own problems. I see what Thisia meant. This is a group assembled so that everyone can work together to help each other get out of their predicaments.
He thought for a while; it was an important decision after all. His future ventures in the underworld would depend on his decision. Whether he would survive in the underworld, or become prey to the organisations that lurk in the dark, would depend on his decision..
The memories of him spending time with the Gnalets flashed before his eyes: how he used to play with Mira and Mari, how he was taught by Aron and Silv...
This is a group of misfits; I myself am a misfit... a misfit in this world.
With that, Caleric had made his decision.
"I am Caleric Gnalet."
As he spoke, he gathered all the attention; the name carried fame, everyone in Virelia knew of the prodigy.
"I might not have as much knowledge about manalogy as Arven, nor can I fight like Corvin. Despite having belonged to a noble family like Eryndor, I can't provide financial support, nor do I have any connections like Mariel. I don't possess the expertise of a scholar like Mara, nor can I assemble such a fine group of individuals of unique and different talents like Thisia.
"But I have one thing that this group needs, that this group lacks, someone who can plan. I believe in my resourcefulness. I am the one who can use your individual talents and weave them into one. I am not asking you to believe me right away, but provide me with a chance to prove myself.
"Will you let me join Blue Preservation?" Caleric finished his speech, bowing his head.
Oh my god... That was so cringe. Why did I do that? Why did I say that? Someone kill me already.
As soon as he finished speaking, he was met with a big round of applause. Even Bloom, who was now sitting on the round table in the middle, was clapping just like the others.
"Well said my friend!" Corvin said.
"No wonder the Eye said you would make a good leader," Thisia added.
With that, Thisia stood up, extending her arm forward, right above the table.
Bloom was watching her palm from below.
Corvin, Arven, Eryndor, Mariel, and Mara all joined, forming a circle around the table which Bloom was sitting on. She watched them with wide eyes as they stacked their hands atop each other.
The eyes turned toward Caleric.
He too walked forward. Perhaps he was a little happy—the grief from yesterday's incident had left a deep wound, but such small moments, despite being the most embarrassing and cringe, would slowly heal it. Caleric joined them, placing his hand above theirs.
"We are Blue Preservation," Thisia said.
As she spoke, Bloom, sitting beneath their hands, was struggling. She was trying to reach for them. As she desperately tried, she managed to push herself up without any support, standing to meet everyone else's hands.
Mariel glanced at her daughter in absolute shock. Those were Bloom's first ever steps!