“Gold Narvar, Soft Soul Yelleda has called for you,” Hursia, the servant girl, said as she walked into Narvar’s office.

  “Oh? Alright, I’ll head up to see him,” Narvar said.

  Hursia smiled brightly and excused herself, leaving Narvar’s office.

  Is even she affected? I guess she is not a mage, so perhaps she doesn’t have much resistance. Is that how it works?

  Narvar shook his head with a sigh. He still didn’t quite understand his Gift. At first, he had thought he was just convincing when he needed to be. But he had realized by now that even without actively thinking about it, his words had a certain effect on people. It wasn’t anything drastic, but he couldn’t ignore its effect completely.

  If it was only a conversation, he might not notice anything. But over time, with plenty of interactions, it seemed that he built up a trust that wasn’t entirely natural.

  He only first found out when he had talked about aura with Adion a few days ago. Apparently, the boy wasn’t just a monstrous genius when it came to mana, having advanced to middle Silver at 17. He was also quite spectacular when it came to aura. He could go up against plenty of Diamond mages when it came to aura control, being able to hide his strength and element from basically everyone he encountered.

  Narvar himself never spent particularly much effort on aura, he had been focusing his attention solely on trying to achieve the Gold stage. So he became a little scared at Adion’s abilities and couldn’t help but ask if he could see through his aura.

  Narvar had phrased it as helping him with his training, and Adion had obliged. To Narvar’s great dismay, Adion had no trouble at all seeing through his aura, making lying very difficult.

  And yet, Adion had apparently never thought of using his aura sense against him. Narvar could lie and the boy didn’t even doubt him enough to check his aura for hints of deceit.

  I can’t help but feel terribly guilty. He has such trust, and I exploit it without a second thought.

  I know it is all for the greater good. But a lot of horrible actions can be defended that way.

  If I continue down this path, what will I become?

  I thought I could make a difference, perhaps small, but positive, before my time came. But will I end up doing the opposite? One final act of evil before I leave this world?

  Perhaps I will truly advance to Diamond. In that case, I will have a lot more time to make an impact. But to what effect…

  Perhaps, if I advance, I should just head to the Outskirts and fight beasts until my time comes.

  Narvar let out a sigh as he got up from his chair and headed up to the surface. These thoughts had troubled him a lot recently. At first, he could somewhat view Adion as a dangerous enemy that could be changed, used for good.

  But now, Narvar and Adion had moved past the initial stage of suspicion. Especially during the last few days as they spent time together preparing for their journey, Narvar found himself growing increasingly fond of the boy.

  Adion didn’t seem evil, far from it, he was quite considerate. And he cared a lot about his family, often mentioning them. Yet, Narvar watched as his impression of his family grew more and more distant.

  I will find a way to make it right once he has let go of his hate for Heavenly Light.

  Narvar reached the surface and headed over to Yelleda’s office.

  Now that he had been made aware of his slight effect in gaining people’s trust, he noticed it not only in Adion, but Yelleda as well. Even if it wasn’t anything too strange, when Narvar gave it some thought, Yelleda acted far too approachable for a superior. He was a Soul mage, after all. And yet, Narvar often felt like they spoke with each other as equals more and more.

  Has this always been the case? Have the people I have thought of as friends just been manipulated by me?

  Did Angelica really love me? Or was it all a lie as well?

  Narvar couldn’t help but feel drained. He couldn’t help but think that perhaps it would have been better to never accept Heavenly Light’s proposal. He should have just stayed at home, taken care of his family for a few more years, and quietly pass.

  “Narvar,” Yelleda called out as he opened the door to his office. Narvar had stopped outside without knocking or announcing his presence.

  “Is everything alright?” Yelleda asked with concern.

  Do you truly care?

  “Everything is fine,” Narvar answered with a smile, “Can I help you with anything?”

  “Come inside and take a seat,” Yelleda said, opening the door wide for Narvar to enter.

  As Narvar took his seat, Yelleda looked at him with a contemplative expression and said, “You look tired. Is everything going well with Adion? Has he caused any trouble?”

  “None at all,” Narvar said, “I have just been busy preparing.”

  “That’s good in a way I suppose,” Yelleda said, “Because you will have to leave as soon as possible.”

  “Well, we’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow, no?” Narvar asked.

  “The Academy has moved swiftly,” Yelleda said, shaking his head, “They set out from Cyalis right away, as we suspected, but that was through the Melorian Bay. It will still be quite a while before they reach here. If that was all, you could set out as scheduled, but the higher-ups have just received word from Mitomera. Our people posted there suspect that a few powerful mages set out from there a few days ago.

  “It’s far from certain that they are heading our way, but the timing makes it worrisome. So it has been decided that you should leave right away, so nothing unexpected happens.”

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  “I see,” Narvar nodded slowly.

  “Do you think you can manage?” Yelleda asked.

  “That shouldn’t be a problem,” Narvar said with a reassuring smile, “Everything is prepared, and Adion shows no signs of rejection toward me. I don’t think there will be any issues.”

  “Good,” Yelleda said with a smile, “In that case. Go get him and set out as soon as you can.”

  “Alright,” Narvar nodded, getting up.

  “It’s been a pleasure,” Yelleda said, stretching out his arm with a smile, “Hopefully we can work together again in the future. I’m expecting to hear news of your advancement soon.”

  “Thank you for the kind words,” Narvar said with a smile, “I look forward to working together again as well. Do be careful. You should set out as soon as you can as well.”

  “I will,” Yelleda assured, “Take care, Narvar.”

  “You too,” Narvar said with a smile.

  Surely, Yelleda must be unusually friendly. I can’t possibly have this kind of effect on a Soul mage after only a few weeks. Narvar thought as he made his way back down to get Adion.

  No matter. Do I have everything I need?

  Narvar once again went through everything in his head, making sure he didn’t forget to bring anything. He had already prepared more than enough rations. Those, as well as some handy tools for traveling the desert, were already properly loaded onto the senba in advance. He had known he might have to set off unexpectedly, so he wasn’t caught completely unaware.

  Narvar reached Adion’s room and knocked on the door, “Adion, can I come inside?”

  “Yeah,” Adion called out in a muffled voice.

  Narvar stepped inside to see that the boy still hadn’t finished eating his lunch.

  “How are you feeling today?” Narvar asked as he came inside.

  “It’s still a blurry mess,” Adion said with a sigh, “These past days all blend into one another. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  Narvar put a comforting hand on his shoulder and said in a gentle voice, “I’ll make sure to get you a healing pill, don’t worry. Besides, it’s not been that long since you were injured, so it’s quite normal.”

  “I know,” Adion said, and Narvar could tell he wasn’t distrustful.

  Narvar had pushed his Gift a lot in recent days, making sure Adion didn’t suspect anything strange about his memory loss. He had told him about similar cases of memory loss in passing several times, and by now, Adion was somewhat assured that everything would work out once he got his hands on a high-quality healing pill.

  “Well, I have some good news to cheer you up,” Narvar said with a smile, “It’s time to leave this place.”

  “Today?” Adion asked.

  “Yes,” Narvar said, “I finished everything I had to do slightly ahead of schedule, so we can set off immediately. I’m sure you’re keen to leave this cramped old place, right?”

  “Definitely,” Adion said with vigor, standing up.

  “Hehe,” Narvar chuckled, “Finish your meal first, it’s no rush.”

  “Fine,” Adion said, sitting back down.

  In what felt like two seconds, the meal was finished and Adion stood up, looking eagerly at Narvar.

  “Very well, then,” Narvar said with a smile, “If you’re ready, we can go.”

  Adion nodded and the two left the room. Narvar passed his office to collect a few of his belongings he hadn’t already packed onto the senba.

  As they walked toward the staircase, they met Hersia, who wore a slightly sad smile as they approached.

  “I wish you a pleasant journey, Gold Narvar,” She said with a bow.

  “Thank you,” Narvar said with a smile, “Take care of yourself.”

  “Yes,” Hersia said with a firm nod.

  Someone will make sure she leaves in time, right?

  Hersia was one of only perhaps ten people Narvar knew worked down here. He hoped Yelleda remembered to send them away.

  I should remind him.

  “What is that girl’s name?” Adion asked in a low voice as they left Hersia behind.

  “Hehe,” Narvar chuckled, “Why? Have you taken a fancy to her?”

  “Of course not,” Adion said with a scowl, “I just thought I should know.”

  “Do you have a girlfriend, perhaps?” Narvar asked. He knew about Sellitha Amyss, of course. But it had become a habit to ask about Adion’s life, to see what he still remembered. It also made for a good conversation.

  “I…I do,” Adion answered hesitantly.

  Doesn’t seem to be so clear anymore.

  Narvar felt a little bad, but he still asked with a smile, “What’s her name?”

  Adion hesitated for a while before shaking his head, “Doesn’t matter.”

  Did he forget? Or does he feel it is private?

  “Well, you’ll soon be back together again,” Narvar said.

  “Right,” Adion answered.

  They reached the surface, and Narvar once again felt the hot sun bearing down on him.

  Why did they have to place us in this desert of all places?

  Though, I guess Adion would have managed to escape if we were anywhere else.

  He’s quite impressive, isn’t he?

  Narvar was quite curious about what Adion could accomplish in the future. He had never heard of someone as talented as him. And he had the space element on top of everything.

  Maybe I can say that he isn’t quite on our side even when he forgets about his past. The higher-ups would surely not risk sending me away to recruit again.

  That would let me keep an eye on him. Eventually, I can see if there is any way for him to reunite with his family.

  Narvar made a quick stop to remind Yelleda about the people working down below, and Yelleda assured him that he had it under control.

  Reassured, Narvar reached the senba, and he Adion got everything ready with practiced ease. They had been coming out here for the previous four days, so there was no unfamiliarity.

  Maybe I should give my advancement a little more effort. That would let me have more of a say in the future, and I could make sure Heavenly Light doesn’t stray from its original intent.

  Narvar knew he was valued because of his Gift, but he had no actual authority. He just did as told, hoping that the higher-ups knew what they were doing.

  I would be more at ease with a little more control, I guess.

  Well, let’s worry about that once we get to Valis.

  “Are you ready?” Narvar asked Adion as he prepared to conjure his wind.

  “Ready,” Adion said with a slight smile. Sitting comfortably by the rudder, preparing to guide the ship back home.

  “Let’s go then,” Narvar said with a laugh. After these past days with Adion, he couldn’t help but look forward to the journey.

  Although I don’t wish for any danger, I also hope it won’t be too boring.

  A little adventure as we travel wouldn’t be bad.

  Narvar conjured the winds, pushing it into the sail, and the senba took off.