<< Me, who dreamed of grandeur, glory, and wealth, I've been insulted like this!! Me, a royal guard, when I spent a large part of my life training as a squire, I wanted to be assigned to the front lines!! >>
This was what a young man of about 22 years was muttering to himself with clear irritation on his face. He was sitting on a bench outside a building that seemed to be reserved for guards.
He had an ebony complexion and black hair tied back, he was about 1m80 (5'11"), and had dark blue eyes. He wore the simple, functional silver armor of the royal guard. No frills, just the essentials for a novice. The cold metal weighed on his shoulders, a constant reminder of his duties. His helmet, unadorned, masked a face indifferent to this role he nonetheless had to assume.
<< Hey Nico!! What are you boasting about over there!? >>
<< Ah Albert, it's you, what do you want from me?! >>
The person who had called out to Nico was a young man of about twenty, of average height and slender build. His black, slightly wavy hair fell in messy strands on his forehead. His gray eyes always seemed a bit tired, but their gaze remained sharp and attentive. He wore the same armor as Nico, meaning they were from the same faction.
<< Still lamenting your post? It's been two months already, >> he said with a teasing smile.
<< You can't understand, all the suffering I endured for sword and bow handling, hand-to-hand defense, and so much more... >>
<< Precisely, it's because you were the best in your class that you were assigned to the royal guard... You know they don't assign just anyone here! >>
Nico looked at him with a sarcastic air and retorted.
<< I see they made an exception to the rule... >>
His comrade stared at him for a moment.
<< That's it, keep it up and I'll spill what you did in the girls' dorm last year. I'm sure Jeanne will be very happy to hear about it. >>
Hearing these words, he jumped in fear.
<< I beg you, we're brothers, aren't we? You're not going to betray your buddy for no reason. >>
With a long sigh of exasperation, he pulled his friend by the collar, saying:
<< I came to warn you that we have a meeting. We have to go. >>
<< For what reason? >>
<< I don't know, we'll see when the time comes. >>
The Royal Palace of Meylir was nothing like an ordinary castle. Built in a spiral around a blue prism enclosed in a giant crystal suspended in the center of the main dome, the palace seemed to breathe the magic that animated it. This prism, beating like a frozen heart, powered every stone, every wall, every breath of this ancient place. Its bluish glow circulated through an invisible network of lines engraved in the walls, lighting up in slow pulses, like a living organism.
Outside, the structure rose in irregular levels, its walls of rough-hewn gray stone almost austere, giving the impression of an impenetrable bastion. But this roughness hid another reality. Inside, the corridors opened onto immense galleries with polished marble floors, translucent quartz columns, and ceilings adorned with moving frescoes—scenes of battles or ancient magical pacts animated by an ancient spell.
As they headed towards the meeting room, they saw a group of mages going the opposite way and shook their heads in a silent greeting; the mages did the same. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived.
<< We're here. >>
Once on site, a few people were already present.
<< Yo, depressed guy!! >>
Nico looked at his interlocutor with a killer glare.
<< What do you want, Kai!? >>
<< Nothing at all, I was just saying hi, hehe >>
It was another friend of Nico's. Compared to Nico or Albert, Kai was very tall, about 1m95 (6'5"), and had chestnut hair.
Although Nico's attitude could seem unpleasant, he was a kind person and well-liked by everyone, which meant he had quite a few acquaintances.
<< Come on, I saved you some free seats! >>
They sat down without a word, staying calm while waiting for the meeting to start.
It was an amphitheater that could accommodate up to 100 people, very well maintained, with tables and benches of polished brown wood.
The meeting began.
The one in charge of its supervision was a middle-aged man with a cross-shaped scar on his forehead; grey hair could be seen on his head and beard, disrupting the rousse (reddish) color of his hair. And his armor seemed much more sophisticated than the others', reflecting his status.
<< Very well, today I will name those who will be in charge of escorting the princess during her stay in the Kingdom of Ima... >>
Nico jumped slightly. When he heard the mission order, when Albert saw this gesture, he was certain his friend had messed up again but didn't yet know how.
Meanwhile, the chief continued the meeting.
<< I will designate 10 people to accompany the princess... >>
At the same moment, Albert raised his hand to make a suggestion.
<< Sir Léon, I would like to recommend my dear comrade Nico. >>
The person in question looked at him with an expression of incomprehension on his face.
<< Albert, you bastard!! >>
He was about to cry.
<< Oh? And why him? >>
<< Don't forget he was one of the best in his class, and moreover, he seems to want to stretch his legs; a bit of air would do him good, I think. >>
<< Very well, I was planning to choose him anyway. >>
He sat down, proud of himself as if he had accomplished one of life's many objectives.
<< Why did you do that to me!? >>
<< Do you remember what you told me earlier? I'm very vindictive, did you forget? >>
Nico was two seconds away from strangling him.
Sir Léon continued to call out the names of those who were to participate in the escort.
<< Good. In two days, the journey will begin. It will last about two months, so prepare yourselves. >>
Everyone was leaving the meeting room, and Nico was still sitting there in shock.
<< I'm screwed. >>
<< What did you do this time? >>
It was Albert speaking.
He looked at his friend with tears in his eyes.
<< The other day I was late for my surveillance post, so to avoid being spotted, I climbed a wall at the back of the courtyard... you know, since I don't yet know the castle surroundings perfectly... >>
<< Stop lining up synonyms and spill the beans. >>
<< Well, I saw an open window and went in, hoping it was a kitchen or anything else but... >>
<< But? >>
<< It was the princess's bedroom! >>
Albert's mouth dropped open in shock at the news.
<< You're definitely an idiot... >>
Cutting him off, he added:
<< That's not the end of the story... she... she was there! And she was just getting out of her bath... >>
Putting his hand on his shoulder, Albert said:
<< Say no more, I don't want to be considered an accomplice in this story. I was glad to have known you. In a next life, perhaps. >>
<< You're not going to do anything to help me? >>
<< You got yourself into this mess. Seriously, what idea goes through your head to climb the castle walls because you were late? How did you even do it? >>
<< I'll tell you if you help me. >>
<< I can't do anything for you. One piece of advice: during the entire trip, keep your helmet on your little head. >>
Nico put his head on the table, exasperated.
---
Trying to return to his room, he looked dejected, imagining every possible scenario.
<< Maybe with a good night's sleep, everything will be fine. >>
His room was one of the many in the dormitory where the royal guards resided.
It was a modest 12 m² (130 sq ft) room; the walls were made of bricks but the floor of brown oak wood. It had the necessities for one person's comfort: a wooden table, a chair, a single bed, a wardrobe, and an armor stand next to it where his armor now rested.
Wearing a simple tunic and leather pants, he threw himself into the embrace of his bed, wanting to forget his problems.
The next day, Nico had to go to the blacksmith to have his equipment checked before the escort.
On the way, he was called by a shy young girl; she must have been 18. She had striking red hair but it seemed disheveled as if she was in a hurry. She must have been 1m60 (5'3") or so and wore a black robe that went just past the elbows; underneath, one could see a pale pink dress with flowers.
<< Ex... excuse me! >>
He turned around.
<< Yes, what? >>
<< I would like to know where to find the mages' department. I'd like to register; I awakened a while ago. >>
With a slightly surprised look, he showed the girl the way.
<< It's that big building near the fountain. >>
<< Thank you very much. >>
He shook his head in response.
< Is it me or are the Awakened becoming rarer and rarer? >
This world was composed of five races, all descended from a common ancestor: humans, elves, nogards, demi-humans, and silmats. Each of these races was unique and had a mana affinity specific to them. Humans were fairly low in the ranking due to their weak affinity, but not too low either because their inventiveness and adaptability made them formidable.
A human could awaken their mana core at any age, so it wasn't something easy to predict, especially since the rate of mages was quite low. That's why when someone awakened, they were asked to register for research purposes.
Walking a few hundred meters, he arrived at the blacksmith's.
<< Hey, old man, where are you?! You need to check my gear! >>
<< Is that how they taught you to talk to your elders!!? >>
<< Yeah, yeah, that's right. Come on, do your job. >>
Someone hit him on the back of the head.
<< Ouch, what the hell is this?! >>
<< That'll teach you! >>
With clear irritation on his face, he exclaimed:
<< Samantha! >>
Samantha and her grandfather Gibs were both in charge of a modest forge. Samantha was about Nico's age; she had a dark brown complexion and ruby red eyes that burned like the fire of her forge. She had braids tied with a blue ribbon that reached her shoulders. She wore a long-sleeved linen shirt with leather gloves at the end, plus sturdy black cloth pants and boots. Her grandfather wore much the same thing.
<< What's wrong with you, hitting people with your hands like tempered steel? >>
<< What are you implying? >>
<< That you're anything but gentle. >> <
Nico could do nothing against her; in comparison, Albert was kind.
<< Anyway, moving on. I have a mission and I'd like you to do a check-up on my equipment tonight, please. >>
Samantha asked:
<< What kind of mission is it?! >>
<< An escort. >>
She made a slight sound of understanding. He continued:
<< I have other errands to run, so I'll come back tonight. Here's the money. >>
He hurried towards the door, leaving Gibs and Samantha with his armor and sword.
<< Quickly, I need to find something! >>
---
On the day of departure, the ten royal guards in charge of the escort stood nearby. For once, Nico was not late.
<< Please, let her not recognize me! >>
The princess came out of the Palace and headed towards her carriage...