"So how has it been with the students?" James was the first to inquire, his eyes locked with Eric's. As of late he had encountered rumors about his daughter in a relationship with a wretch. He brushed them off but his curiosity was present and his mind demanded answers.
"It's fine, they're all doing less than expected save for two people. Callista Vaewlyn and Jarren Velros. I'm sure that all of you are aware of the latter's glyph work." Eric said, his eyes reciprocating James intense stare. "But of course, however how did the young lad manage to form such a glyph?"
Toren asked, his lips curling into a light frown. With the rampant deaths of elites and the fall of a kingdom, paranoia was to be expected. "A mystery to us as well. We haven't intercepted the two for answers as instructed." The four looked at Eric, inwardly gritting their teeth as they wished for answers.
"But I'm sure that they'll come clean sooner or later." He nervously took a sip of water hoping to brush the gazes off. "Didn't Timothy manage to pick something up from the boy? Where is he?" Dren Volaric, the minister of trade and finance finally spoke. As a person with keen eyes, he knew what this meant.
"He's somewhere under study, so far from what we've learnt is that the glyph he manipulates is quite perculiar. Capable of halving the cost of malcore spent on a spell." Toren mused, his gaze shifting from minister to minister. "Well are you going to be a selfish bastard or are you going to spill what you have?"
Seris asked, his tone now clear of the wine. "It's still a complicated subject at the moment for us to divulge. After all this might be what we need to stay on top of the other nations. With such rampant cases of death pilling up, who knows what might happen." Toren's words firm.
He was more than just familiar with Seris's games. "Hahaha! Still as uptight as ever." Seris laughed it off as he took another sip. "As of late I've been hearing wisps of romantic gestures between my daughter and this... Jarren Velros. Is this true?"
James asked, went on with his probing. The glyph-work though curious came in second in his mind, the first was about the controversy that surrounded his daughter. "We can't say for sure at the moment that the two are in a romantic relationship." Eric mused curtly aware of where this conversation could end up.
Before James could continue with his questions, a servant walked in and whispered in Eric's ear. His face visibly frustrated as he shooed the butler off. "What's wrong Eric? Kids thrashing the place?" Seris laughed it off before a light hiccup cut off his snarky words.
"It's the pair, they're a little too advanced for this program." Leaning closer to the table and making light taps, a screen came into view. Jarren and Callista came onto the screen and what followed was a series of fights. The two locked in engagements that lasted no longer than five minutes.
The faces worn by the ministers descended into intrigue the more they watched before the video came to an end. The room fell silent, aware of what they had watched. "It would seem that your program is rather pointless Eric." The rest ignored Seris's words as Toren finally asked.
"I didn't think that they would be so capable." His tone that of admiration. "The dreadhorns they were designed to fight had yet to fully awaken. Had the physical attributes of one but lacked the elemental aspect of one. If they are capable of easily wiping every dreadhorn then I wonder whether they even need this program."
The rest quickly realized what they had on their hands. Seris fell silent as a dark premonition rose in his mind. Rather than celebrating the birth of two prodigies, the ministers looked at what would happen in the shadows. The sudden rise of Callista into fame could be handled but Jarren was a complete mystery.
They were aware of his somewhat lackluster background. Noble yes but nothing too major for them to care. "Should we have him pulled out and have him interrogated?" Toren asked though his mind ran the possibility without their knowledge. "Hindering his growth at the moment would be detrimental to the kingdom. Let's see if he actually needs this training, if not then we can ask him questions."
Dren posed, his fingers locked as his mind all kinds of possibilities. 'If I were to get the base of this glyph and auction it off, the current state of the world and the looming war, I would be able to make massive profits!' The rest had somewhat similar thoughts. Seris imbuing the glyph with technology, Toren applying it to the military.
James was the only one left sober. "Something's wrong with this." Toren's eyes narrowed in with their technique. "From Timothy's findings, it stated that the glyph took a toll on the caster's soul. Unideal for malcore experts but suitable for the humans of earth." The other four immediately found problems with this line alone.
'So that's why he won't reveal his findings to us.' Dren concluded. 'If such a glyph fell into the hands of those earth inhabitants then it could result with a rebellion. A problem not just for us but the other nations as well.' Everyone present drew in a short sharp breathe of air.
"With such a risk, should we let him keep on living?" James finally said what was on their minds. "As much as it would seem ideal to get rid of Jarren and Timothy, the rewards would be of massive help to the kingdom. If my technological advancements managed to negate this flaw then it would be a monumental leap for Reuthar."
A gambit that split the four ministers. Some opting to get rid of the glyph as a whole and others choosing to keep it. "I'll relay this matter to the king for his final decision." James declared, his voice leaving now room for negotiation. James rose to his feet taking his leave. Eric left right after.
The three ministers cast knowing glances at each other. "It would seem that these two could be fitting killing machines. With such artillery, we would be unstoppable." Toren was the first to point out. "It would be foolish to pass such an opportunity like this." Seris added. Dren, a seasoned barter and expert in the world of trade could tell that the two were blinded by profit.
"Gentlemen, let's not be driven by impulse of self interest here. If such glyph work could land in the hands of the earth refugees then it could spell trouble for all of us. Even though we do come victorious the damage enacted would without a doubt be large." His words shedding a light to the two.
The room fell silent once more. "James should consider himself lucky to have his daughter meet such an anomaly." Seris shrugged as he poured himself another glass of wine. Toren pressed a button, a butler marching through came into the scene.
"This Jarren individual, have his parents here as soon as possible." His orders clear. The butler made a respectful bow before taking his leave. "We'll get to the bottom of this but we can't be too rash here." Dren mused, rising to his feet letting out a groan. "Of course, we have to keep the interest of the kingdom ahead." Seris added as he barely managed to stand on his feet.
*Thud*
He crashed back into his seat. The two despite their resentment to his drinking knew the genius behind his aloofness. He might have been a ladies man but his intellect when it came to earth's technology was unmatched. One of the political axis that changed overtime.
One by one they all left leaving Seris sprawled all over his chair. Tapping a button, he relayed his commands which were quickly executed. A harem of ladies making their way, wearing beauty and charm like a favorite mask.
***
'I didn't think that those two would be so powerful already.' Eric mused, making his way to the chopper before a set of words brought him to a stop. "Eric, if you do find anything odd, don't hesitate to inform me." It was Toren Durne, his smile light and warm followed with a chuckle. "Of course minister, I'll make sure that my task is well executed."
Eric responded, his tone exuding confidence. "That's great to hear." Toren brushed past him, heading elsewhere. Eric glanced at the minister's back, his mind aware of the implications of his words. His navy blue suit riddled with ornaments showcasing his achievements glimmered in the light, his wrinkled face reflecting his age as an air of experience hung around him.
Brushing it to the back of his mind, he made his way onboard the chopper before his figure finally left the grounds. A sigh of relief escaping his lips as the chopper headed back to the Ark. 'I would have never thought that those bastards would be so self centered to that extent!' For the greater majority of the conversation was about he glyph.
After his departure, he was sure that they would come up with ruses from which they would profit from, Reuthar's interest coming second. However that was the game, something he had grown far too familiar with to the point it was natural.
The laptop on his lap flickered on. "I apologize for interrupting your meeting but the message was far too perplexing to ignore." Maeve said, her tone dripping with concern. "It's perfectly understandable Maeve, let's just hope that the two won't face a fate too harsh for them to bear." His words heavy as he ended the call.
Mindlessly watching the clouds drift past him, he remained aloof to the eyes that surrounded his presence. Not one but all over him, Jarren's. Listening and watching the entire time. The people he felt sorry for were long aware of what was to come and their reaction to it far worse than what was planned that it felt ironic.
"These mortals never fail to entertain me." Above the planes above, Jarren emerged, his figure constituted of dying stars and gods. Next to him was Crimson, patiently waiting for his arrival. Her face had a look of anticipation, ready to divulge what was on her mind.
"Fear of losing myself? I've been through hell and you know this so there's nothing left for me to lose." Her remark laced with pride but Jarren's smile didn't falter. "And that is where I can see you bleed. You've grown far above the pond and now dominate the oceans and heavens but I can feel that fear of falling back to where you were. Afraid of feeling that kind of pain once more."
His words tore through her as she fell silent. Unlike Orsen or Callista, she akin to Clomere preferred the role she played. Forced but embraced it far more than the prior pair. The silence capable of driving horrors mad was finally shattered. "Well will you let me fall?" Her words on the edge of hoarse trying to masquerade playfulness.
"Do you dread of it? If so then you will after all who knows what awaits you." His calm unnerving smile making her being rattle. Her breathe slow and deliberate as she went on. "I'm not afraid of falling back there."
In an instant Jarren reappeared next to her ear akin to the devil. "Really? I admire your courage but please don't delude yourself in whimsical fantasies. You might fall farther than you think." His words a whisper that made her skin crawl. He grabbed her hand, perfect porcelain that glimmered in the white void. "But don't fall for there are still greater height to achieve, Crimson."
Their fingers intertwined, akin to soulmates bound by fate itself never meant to be separated. "The higher you climb, the harder you'll fall and when you do, reality itself will eat you whole and spit you into purgatory. After all filling my place is no easy feat as you still have a long way to go little one."