Robert was completely absorbed in Oliver's words, and his brows furrowed in anticipation as the story unfolded. "What happened next?" he asked.
Oliver continued, "Everyone in the throne room rushed to Sierah's side, except the Oldfather, of course, who had already passed away. Theodore, the Oldfather's youngest child, who was a God-level Blood wizard, examined her and concluded that her body couldn't handle the spell's power, and death was inevitable. Xolomon, desperate to save his sister, sought a solution, and Theodore proposed an unconventional plan - that Xolomon link his soul with Sierah's and share the burden of the spell until she reached the God realm - which, apparently, was done successfully."
He paused. "But after Sierah had reached the God level, attempts were made to separate their souls, but was all futile. Despite numerous tries, nothing worked. Theodore ultimately discovered that the Oldfather's Soul sceptre was the only viable solution, but by then, the war had led to its loss. No one could find it, and so nothing could be done. After they passed away, their linked souls persisted, and Xolomon, like other Ancestor souls, was compelled to seek a host. Xolomon's soul, still linked with his sister's, is settled within me, but my body struggles to bear the burden of hosting both souls. I've endured excruciating pain since the day we merged, and it's been unbearable. You may have noticed I rarely use Sierah's Wind magic; it hurts even more when I do," Oliver explained.
"But isn't the soul sceptre in Mr. Williams' possession?" Robert asked. "Can't you just go get it from him?"
"I'm aware that Mr. Williams has the sceptre, which is kinda why I enrolled in Solar Springs. Xolomon tracked the sceptre to the school. I've tried a couple of times to retrieve it from Williams, but he's flat-out refused. I even had to resort to threats of torture but he still hasn't cracked, not even a hint of where he'd hidden it. He's only alive because at one time - a very critical time - I managed to convince Xolomon that killing him would only lead to the sceptre's location being lost again, since only he knows where it's hidden," Oliver said, casting a quick glance around.
"But what does Vanessa have to do with all this?"
"Well, you see, a descendant of Sierah's needs to be present when her soul is being separated from Xolomon's, and as it happens, Vanessa is the only descendant of Sierah's lineage that I know of." Oliver revealed.
Robert's eyes went wide with surprise. "You're serious? Vanessa?! You're really sure?"
"Unfortunately."
"Damn." Robert's hands instinctively went to his damp hair, his fingers twitching with anxiety as he fought the urge to tug at it. "This is crazy!" he muttered. "Are you certain she'll be prepared when the time comes?" he asked, the doubt he felt clearly reflected in his voice.
"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it and hope for the best," Oliver replied with the calmest of tones, though his expression betrayed a deeper concern about Robert's question. For a moment, both their minds fixated on Vanessa.
Vanessa? She was one of the most brilliant science students in Solar Springs High School - I mean, she-literally-has-the-keys-to-the-school-laboratory level of brilliance. Someone like her would undoubtedly have ambitious dreams, a clear future, and targeted career aspirations, all of which would meet a drastic transformation the moment an Ancestor soul possessed her - a reality they both intuitively understood.
"Okay, that is a lot to process," Robert said, shaking his head. "We'll discuss this further later, we need to. But for now, I'm starving. Let's grab these fish and head back to the building."
"Back to Zack..." Oliver muttered defeatedly, prompting a chuckle from Robert. They rose from the boulder and bent to gather the bundled fish. With ten fish each slung over their shoulders, the duo turned from the stream and proceeded to head back the way they came, toward the building.
However, a sudden splash jolted their attention back to the stream, and they turned to face the water with a start. It was clear from their faces that they'd expected to see some kind of monstrous Water magic beast rising from the water, but to their utter astonishment, they were met with the sight of a young woman stepping out of the stream, her movements graceful and relaxed, as if she had just taken a leisurely swim. Clad in black bikinis, her sleek, wet white skin glistened in the moonlight, leaving Robert and Oliver awestruck and their hormones in overdrive. They couldn't help but stare. Their eyes were fixed on her magnificent body, their mouths dry, and their hearts racing. The sight left them both speechless and transfixed. That was the last thing they'd expected to see tonight!
Still captivated by her presence, Robert and Oliver were caught off guard when she turned, scooping up her clothes that lay scattered on the rocky bank - a cyan hoodie, black trousers, and sneakers - and noticed them, their eyes fixed on her... she couldn't pinpoint the exact target - was it her belly, her chest, or her shoulders? Or maybe her b... urgh, boys!
"Hey there! What brings you two to Horkii rainforest? Not exactly the safest place, especially for low-level Common wizards like you two," the girl called out, her voice carrying a bit as she started towards them with a warm smile, dressing as she came.
Robert and Oliver were once again taken aback by her facial beauty, which was now clearer under the moonlight as she drew nearer, and which shone brighter than her physical allure. Her dark red hair, probably dyed, framed her innocent face and accentuated her striking features: endearing eyes, full lashes, plump red lips, delicate nose, and skin that was pale in a sexy way. They watched her every step until she halted before them, and then...
Well, there's a 'then' this time.
The unthinkable happened - an incident so bizarre that Robert would always remember it as the most surreal moment of that day. It wasn't that the girl transformed into a horrific creature, or whatever you might be thinking. Instead:
Oliver dropped the fish from his shoulder with a carefree gesture. "Uhh... Hi, I'm Oliver, and this is Zack," he said, taking a step towards the girl, his hand extended for a handshake and his smile wide with admiration... But wait a moment; Oliver extending his hand for a handshake and smiling with admiration?! Robert's brain seemed to tremble. What the...?
Jaw dropped in dumbfounded amazement, Robert watched as Oliver, who's face was lit up with an uncharacteristic smile, shook hands with the girl, his eyes fixed on her as if hypnotized.
Robert shuddered mentally. "Poison, you're seeing this?" he thought, his mind swirling with confusion as he grappled with the bewildering spectacle of Oliver's peculiar behavior. "Oliver's actually beaming at a girl with a lovesick grin! And he's so besotted that he forgot my name and introduced me as Zack!"
"Primal instincts and nature's call prevails eventually, I suppose," came Poison's laconic reply.
Robert didn't seem to hear him, as he addressed the girl before Poison could finish. "Hey, my name is Robert, actually," he corrected with a brief, courteous smile, "and could you give us a moment, please?" He then pulled Oliver aside.
"Oliver, what's going on with you?" Robert's voice was barely above a whisper, but it failed to conceal his alarm.
Oliver cast him a distracted glance, his eyes could barely leave the girl. "What do you mean, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Robert iterated incredulously. "You tell me what's wrong! You're not even yourself right now - you're acting like a totally different person! Honestly, you look like you just downed a bucket full of love potion! What's gotten into you? Aren't you the same person, half an hour ago, saying you could never be interested in anyone? That you were 'special'? So what's with this sudden caveman response?"
Oliver's eyes shone with unbridled enthusiasm. "Robert, I've had a change of heart! She's it - the girl of my dreams! She's stunning, and charming - and goodness, did you see her walking outta that water? No no no, I am not letting her slip away!"
Robert's eye brow shot up. It all seemed extremely bizarre and awkward, as if Oliver was putting up an act, but, oddly enough, he clearly wasn't. "Hold up, you don't know the first thing about her - where she's from, or what she's doing alone in these woods. She could be a ghost or... heck, maybe even a mermaid, considering she just came out of the water!"
Oliver's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "Mermaids aren't real, Robert."
"That's what I thought about wizards just a month ago!"
"Whatever," Oliver drawled, his habitual indifferent expression returning. For that fleeting moment it did, Robert thought he glimpsed a glimmer of the Oliver he knew, but it was quickly extinguished, replaced by a twisted grimace of distrust. "You know what I'm thinking? I think you're just trying to discourage me so you can make a move on her yourself!"
A self-assured chuckle escaped Robert's lips. "Nah, I've got Dora, and she's way hotter than that girl. Plus, Dora's red hair looks more natural, and she's perfect. I don't need anyone else."
Oliver smirked, "Come on, Robert, we both know that's not true. That girl right there is probably the hottest thing on Kreete. But hey, you've got Dora and Miss Greene, I'll take my chances with this one."
Robert's lips curled into a self-conscious grin. "Miss Greene isn't my woman."
Oliver groaned playfully, "Urgh, spare me the denial. We both know that's just another lie. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a girl to win over," and with that, Oliver turned and sauntered back to the girl, his damp white T-shirt clinging to his physique, showcasing his slim yet athletic build. His silver hair and handsome face rendered him even more appealing.
"Hey, sorry about the interruption," he apologized. "I'm Oliver, like I said."
"I'm Cindy," the girl replied good-naturedly.
"Cindy? Short for Cinisthe? Cynthina? Cynelle? Cynesia? Cynthiana?"
"Cyntara, actually," she chimed in.
"Cyntara," Oliver repeated, eyeing her amorously, "you have a lovely name."
"Thanks."
Just then, Robert walked up to them, but for a split second his eyes drifted to the girl's partially exposed breasts, where he glimpsed momentarily, a strange marking on the left side, before looking away, not wanting to arouse any impropriety. The other two didn't seem to notice. "Hey, can we continue this conversation while we head towards the building?" he suggested.
Oliver asked Cindy, "Do you have a place to stay for the night?"
"Umm... yeah, I've got a camp setup nearby, but I'm intrigued - I would love to see this building Zack mentioned," Cindy's reply was followed by a dazzling smile that revealed her flawless teeth, which gleamed in the moonlight, leaving Oliver - and Robert, arguably - utterly breathless. How does she even do that?! It was as if her smile had a magical quality, capable of winning over even the toughest hearts.
"Actually, my name is Robert, not Zack," Robert corrected her once more, hoisting both Oliver's and his tied fish onto his shoulder, all twenty.
"Okay," Cindy replied cheerfully.
Robert's acknowledgement was a brusque "Good" as his eyes locked with Cindy's for a brief, scrutinizing second. With a subtle shift, he turned to continue towards the building.
The trio made their way through the trees, with one of the moon - the other hidden behind a small cloud - lighting up the path. Robert forged ahead with the fish, while Oliver and Cindy trailed behind, engaged in conversation.
"So, how old are you?" Oliver asked.
Cindy's smile was still disarming. "I turned seventeen last month. And you?"
"I'm seventeen too," Oliver grinned. "My friend there's still sixteen, though," he added, and they both shared a laugh.
Robert glanced back, his expression a mix of stupefication and disdain. "What's so funny about being sixteen?" he mumbled, noticing that Oliver and Cindy were now holding hands. Robert felt a pang of awkwardness. Something was seriously off! Oliver, the human ice wall, the most aloof and stoic person he had ever known had just called him friend? And how the hell could this stranger girl with the aura of a fifth-rank Common wizard survive in this forest alone and make it this far without a single scratch? Most of all, what was behind Oliver's sudden, all-consuming infatuation with the stranger? It was straight-up bizarre!
"So, what's your pump?" Cindy asked, keeping the conversation flowing. She seemed to delight in his company, at least based on the warmth of her smiles.
Oliver's response to her question was laced with amusement. "My pump?" he asked.
"Ah, sorry, force of habit," Cindy playfully tapped her temple lightly. "That's how wizards refer to magic schools where I'm from. It's a thing."
Oliver chuckled. "Alright, well, in that case, my PUMP is the Benign Institute of Magic."
"Benign? Cool. I have an aunt that schooled there actually." Cindy's eyes sparkled as she nodded toward Robert, whose frustrated stride through the thick underbrush ahead made it clear that he was quite displeased. "What about him?"
"He attends Heiss Magic School... I mean, that's his pump," Oliver answered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"The one in Prixeo?" She asked.
"Yup. And which magic school's got the good fortune to have a fine young lady such as you as a student?"
"Twal-Metron Magic Academy in Pichar City," Cindy beamed.
Oliver's eyes widened with interest. "Pichar City? Awesome. I heard the Superior Wizards showed up there last year, is that right?"
Cindy nodded, her smile taking on a mix of shyness and pride. "Yeah, that's right. The welcoming ceremonies had to be scrapped, though, because no one could get close to the Superior Wizards, even though more than half the city had gathered to watch their entrance. Their magic aura was so intense that it literally formed some sort of oppressive, overwhelming field of energy around them. It was almost tangible. In fact, some buildings with weaker structures actually collapsed as the Superior Wizards passed by due to the overwhelming force of their aura. Fortunately, the city was forewarned and everyone was prepared for all that, so there were no injuries or casualties, as everyone watched from afar. On that day, my family and I were on a hill overlooking the route, along with lots of others, and we watched with twinoculars. Some others were even using magic devices."
"Whoa," Oliver breathed, but then he asked, "Wait, since everyone was watching from far away, that means the Superior Wizards just showed up and left without interacting with anyone, not even the mayor?"
Cindy snorted in amused disbelief. "Are you saying Pichar has no Legendary or Formidable wizards?" she asked. "Well, our Formidable wizards handled the aura's pressure with relative ease, while the Legendary ones struggled a bit. In the end, it was just them who were able get close and welcome the Superior Wizards, and our mayor - a Legendary wizard - was among them. Some folks tried to livestream the moment from afar, but their phones gave out - yeah, the aura was seriously powerful, so much so that it even messed with the interlink in the city; no one could get online, till they departed. Despite all of that, I'd still say that was a very remarkable day."
"Amazing. Wizards at the Supreme level are that powerful?" Oliver mused, clearly awed. But Xolomon scoffed within him, "A Supreme wizard is nothing compared to a God wizard."
A sudden, deliberate grunt from Robert cut through their conversation, accompanied by a gruff "We're here," as the ice and rock bricked structure came into view beyond the shrubs and the darkness. Zack's light bulbs still lit the building's interior, casting a beacon-like glow that streamed through the ice bricks and bathed the surrounding area in a soft, white light. Robert carried the fish inside without another word to Oliver or Cindy, who, being relatively far behind, only came into view of the building after Robert had gone inside.
"Whoa," Cindy gasped in astonishment as she beheld the structure, her eyes wide. "You two really built that?!"
"Uh-huh," Oliver affirmed, grinning proudly.
"That's incredible! It must have required an enormous amount of magic energy. How did you even manage to...?"
Oliver cut in. He did quite a good job concealing his unease behind a casual smile. "It's a long story, one you'd rather not hear," he replied evasively.
Cindy paused, her expression thoughtful, but then she abruptly changed the subject in a way that suggested she understood Oliver didn't want to share, and that whatever he didn't want to share, shouldn't be shared. Her charming smile returned, and she asked, "So, what brings you and your friends to Horkii rainforest?"
"We came to capture young magic beasts for a school activity," Oliver replied.
"Same here."
"But how did you manage to survive this crazy forest, filled with unusually overpopulated magic beasts, with only your remarkable yet relatively weak magical strength as a fifth-rank common wizard?" Oliver asked, his curiosity piqued.
Cindy's smile became even more radiant.