Deep in Ferdinand’s eastern reaches lay the monster forest. Marked on the map as an impenetrable tangle, it was a place where sunlight struggled to pierce the dense canopy. This was the breeding ground for those twisted creatures, a stark contrast to its former beauty as a haven for deer and migrating birds. A stark iron fence now served as a grim reminder, restricting access to the corrupted wilderness.
“Alright, is everyone ready?” Yvonne’s sharp command silenced the knights, their focus snapping to their weapons with practiced efficiency.
Kaon couldn’t help but notice Alessia’s stiff posture. The air near the forest entrance crackled with a tension that mirrored her anxiety. It was understandable – simulations paled in comparison to the real deal, and the first brush with genuine danger was always terrifying.
This, after all, would be her first encounter with a monster.
“Alessia, focus on your breathing,” he murmured, placing a hand near his heart in a reassuring gesture. “Slow and steady.”
Alessia’s eyes darted to him, a flicker of doubt quickly replaced by a resolute nod. She let out a dramatic exhale, the kind that almost made him chuckle despite the circumstances. Her shallow breaths calmed, her shoulders relaxing as she regained her composure.
A fleeting smile graced Alessia’s lips as she met his gaze. It was then a disapproving click cut through the air. Kaon whipped around, catching a glimpse of the sour expression twisting the mage’s face beside Alessia. Their eyes locked for a tense moment before the mage quickly looked away.
‘What was that about?’ Kaon thought, briefly glaring at the back of the mage’s head before forcing a smile for Alessia.
“Let’s move in.”
Following Yvonne’s lead, they plunged into the sunless forest. The towering trees seemed to writhe together, their gnarled trunks and interwoven branches forming an oppressive canopy. Cool air hung heavy with moisture, a stark contrast to the sun-drenched plains they’d just left.
“Stay close,” Yvonne barked. “No stragglers.”
A chorus of “Understood” echoed through the silent trees.
Two barriers existed within the forest depths. The first, predating even the founding of Ferdinand and the Gaios Kingdom itself, served as a natural boundary against the monsters. The second barrier, erected by a Tower mage two centuries later, lay closer to the forest’s edge, reinforcing the weakening power of the original.
Legend spoke of an ancient archmage from Ingelos and a legendary Ferdinand swordmaster who’d driven back the initial wave of monstrous invaders. Back then, hope flickered – perhaps these creatures would vanish entirely. But that hope soon died. The monsters returned, mutated and grotesque parodies of their former selves, united only by their corrupted animalistic form.
The second wave breached the first barrier, forcing the then-Duke of Ferdinand to commission the construction of the second barrier – a costly endeavor that unfortunately fell short of the original’s effectiveness. The burden of defense fell once more on Ferdinand’s knights. Regular patrols scoured the forest, hunting down any monsters that dared to slip past the weakened barrier.
Initially, large teams were sent on these inspections. However, a horrifying discovery was made – the new breed of monsters seemed to react poorly to large groups of humans. Increased numbers fueled their aggression, making them stronger and more ferocious.
Thus was born the specialized inspection team, composed of a select group of knights and mages.
“It’s eerily quiet,” Alessia whispered, the tension in her posture noticeably easing.
Kaon kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings as he replied, “They don’t always appear, so the forest is mostly silent.”
The inspection continued, a slow and meticulous process punctuated only by the crunch of their boots on the fallen leaves. They pressed on, deeper into the heart of the monster forest, hoping for a quiet and uneventful patrol.
***
Relief washed over Kaon as they entered the mansion. Alessia let out a sigh that mirrored his own, the tension of the inspection finally easing from her shoulders. He wouldn’t have let anything happen to her, of course, but it was undeniably better that they returned unscathed.
‘Damn it,’ he cursed inwardly as he stepped out of the bathroom. A mountain of paperwork awaited him on his desk, crushing any visions of immediate rest. Baroness Robert’s insistence on proper conduct was one thing, but homework? Kaon wasn’t a child anymore.
Two months under an etiquette tutor felt like an eternity. ‘Liberal arts’ and ‘courtly language’ sounded like distant nightmares. He’d already learned this stuff once, why the repetition? The years hadn’t been kind to his memory, and the homework loomed like a menacing beast.
‘This is pointless,’ he thought, a flicker of embarrassment warring with frustration. Why not arithmetic or history? At least those held some value – or so his fading memories suggested. Courtly language, on the other hand, seemed utterly useless. He had no desire to mingle with nobility at stuffy banquets, nor did he envision himself a close confidante of the king. Three royal visits a year and the occasional aristocratic gathering were hardly enough to warrant this torture.
“Kaon, are you asleep?”
His head snapped up, a tired smile replacing the furrow in his brow. “No, I’m wide awake,” he replied, his voice warm.
“Can I come in for a moment?”
“Absolutely,” he said, welcoming the distraction. His homework could wait – a future Kaon’s problem. Today, Kaon wanted to talk to Alessia.
A moment later, she peeked through the curtain, a sweet aroma clinging to her. “Albert baked these for me – a reward for the inspection. I felt a bit silly not contributing, but I was so grateful.”
“The first of many, I’m sure. You did great.”
“That’s what I figured you’d say.” She placed the basket on the table, offering him a share. The smell was undeniably tempting, but the basket overflowed with tarts. Chopped peaches and apples glistened under the light, but Kaon wasn’t much of a sweets person. Still, Alessia’s happiness was contagious. Maybe tarts deserved a chance, just this once.
“What are all those?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Kaon winced slightly. “Ah, those are the liberal arts assignments I mentioned.” The untouched papers were a dead giveaway.
“Wow, you must be incredibly studious! Can I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Alessia, napkin clutched in hand, approached his desk. Her gaze flitted between the books and the untouched exercises, a glimmer of understanding dawning in her eyes.
‘Madeleine did say once that she spends a lot of time in the library,’ Kaon thought. Most mages were fond of reading, so it was not a surprise to him.
“It’s a very different way of learning,” she mused. “Did you have to study courtly language too?”
“No lessons for me. Courtly language is basically just the ancient kingdom tongue, slightly tweaked.”
‘Ancient language lessons?’ Kaon wondered, a new question mark forming in his mind. Alessia seemed to pick up on his unspoken curiosity.
“The language of magic is ancient,” she explained, a touch of wistfulness in her voice. “It’s natural to read, write, and speak it, even in everyday life. In fact, most mages would struggle without it.” She ran a finger along the text in a book, a flicker of loneliness crossing her features. “But that’s a thing of the past.”
A quick flash of sadness darkened her red eyes before they regained their usual vibrancy, but the lingering trace of melancholy piqued Kaon’s interest. There was more to Alessia than met the eye, a hidden story he longed to unravel. He felt a growing desire to get to know her better.
🍉🍉🍉
