Nearly as soon as my eyes closed, the dream began.
This time, instead of a cave, I was standing in a field of wheat. The wind blew powerfully over the field, each gust visibly pushing the wheat down like waves in the ocean. A large mountain stood in stark contrast to the smooth fields around it, and a river wound just past it towards the ocean, which could just barely be seen from where I was standing.
At first I thought the sun was setting, but that theory was quickly disproven as my eyes met a large pillar of light, which also seemed to be the source of the wind. It stood unmoving maybe a couple miles to the right of the mountain, and upon closer inspection I realized the rest of the land was blanketed by the darkness of night. The scene was unnerving, but strangely serene. Nothing moved, and other than the wind there was no noise.
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"Isn't it beautiful?"
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For some reason, hearing my own voice from directly behind me didn't scare me at all. It felt almost natural.
I turned calmly, and saw myself standing only about a foot away. My hair whipping around in the strong wind, but otherwise standing completely still.
My mouth, like the last dream, moved of it's own accord.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMAMbkppRK
"Is this enough?"
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The other me smirked.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBGSXFB5R4
"Not until it's all gone."
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I turned back to the pillar of light which upon closer inspection, was slowly growing larger in diameter.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgwEoWllo3
"And then?"
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There was no response.
I glanced back and my eyes met nothing but more wheat and darkness.
A few minutes passed of nothing but the wind and a faint humming noise which was slowly growing louder as time went on. The pillar was now almost half the diameter of the mountain.
Suddenly, a low rumbling could be heard, and the ground began to shake. The wheat began to move even more wildly, and despite my earlier calmness, I looked around frantically, looking for the source.
The ground crumbled beneath me, and as I fell into the darkness below a cold laugh escaped my lips.
I woke up drenched in a cold sweat, my heart beating so fast I thought I might have a heart attack.
A gentle knock resounded from the door, and the voice of an old woman called me to breakfast.
I got up and stood in place for a minute, gathering myself.
I need to tell someone about these dreams.
Isabel flashed through my head, and I felt a slight pang of guilt.
Thankfully my room came with it's own bathroom fully equipped with a sizeable tub and showerhead to accompany it.
At this point I wasn't even surprised at how modern everything around me was. Seems like even when people have magic, they understand the power of science. I felt a bit better about my lack of magical abilities. Maybe I could help my classmates some other way.
I quickly washed the sweat off my body and got ready. The clothes they provided were all dresses in different sizes, which was somewhat disappointing, but I didn't want to be ungrateful so I picked the one I liked the most and opened the door to leave.
I recoiled in surprise upon seeing that the lady from earlier hadn't moved an inch from the front of my room. I had spent about 10 minutes getting ready.
She looked to be about 70 years old, and was dressed in a black maid-looking dress.
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"This way, please."
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She gave a short bow and began briskly walking down the hall. She moved surprisingly fast considering her appearance.
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"Ah, uh, sorry to make you wait so long…"
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She slowed down slightly.
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"There is no need to worry. However, you may want to hurry so as to not make the rest of the guests wait."
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I picked up the pace slightly to match hers, and after about a minute of walking through the large estate, we made it to a door behind which I could hear my classmates talking loudly. They sounded like they were having fun.
I opened the doors and received stares from about half the students. This must be what it feels like to get to class late.
They were all eating something that looked like duck and eggs. They also had some vegetarian looking dishes, as well as pitchers full of various liquids.
Isabel waved me over with a smile. I still felt bad about last night, so it was nice to see she didn't hold it against me.
I noticed as I sat down that a few of my classmates were still giving me some dirty looks.
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"Do you really want to sit with her after yesterday?"
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The one who spoke was one of the kids who saw how I treated Isabel. I believe his name was Flint Hill. He's a pretty athletic guy with strawberry blonde hair, doesn't stand out much though either than that.
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"Mind your own business."
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I couldn't meet his eyes despite my strong words. I was still thinking about how I acted last night and couldn't help but see his point.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZrkHv9mE3
"Wasn't talking to you." He looked at Isabel, who was fixing him with an annoyed look. "She was being a royal cunt yesterday, that's all I'm saying."
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"I don't recall asking for your input."
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At this point the table was mostly hushed whispers. I felt like I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
Flint shrugged and went back to eating, and despite some more looks sent my way everyone went back to what they were doing.
Nathan was looking at flint incredulously, while Hans just kept eating next to him, like nothing happened.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HalcMVRHt
"He does have a point though."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOERNFbIkpP
I glanced at him as I spoke. He seemed more like he was trying to look out for Isabel than be an asshole.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJwubZPAHu
He noticed my look and gave a sarcastic smile.
I take it back. He's just an asshole.
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"It's understandable to have been a bit upset after what happened yesterday. I just wish he could be a bit more understanding."
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She shot him another angry look, and handed me one of the pitchers that was sitting in front of her.
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"Try this, it's kinda like orange juice. We just got done with the orientation, it looks like we'll begin learning magic today..."
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She trailed off near the end and awkwardly shoved some food into her mouth, as if to shut herself up.
I poured some of the "orange juice" into my cup and took a sip. She was right, it was similar, but more sweet. Honestly I didn't really like it, but drank it anyway, not wanting to be rude. I ignored the part about magic, and admired my cup instead.
The yellowish color of the liquid reminded me of the wheat field in my dream.
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"I actually have something to tell you."
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I quietly told her about both the dreams in detail. She listened pensively, not interrupting and nodding every once in a while to show she was listening despite also shovelling food into her mouth at the same time.
As I described the mountain and river in the second dream, a strange look crossed her face.
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"Wanna go for a walk real quick?"
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She shot out of her chair, drawing a few looks, but everyone quickly lost interest. Apparently we were free to do as we wanted until further notice. Aureo had been in earlier to lay down some ground rules but I missed it.
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"... What?"
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Confused, I got up and followed her as she walked out the door I entered from and took a sharp right in the opposite direction of our rooms.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMysllcVZkm
"Why the sudden desire to go for a walk?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8caqm46Ji4
"You'll see."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S5itecHWT
She responded shortly and kept walking without looking back.
Eventually we made it to a door which, when opened, revealed a beautiful landscape surrounding the estate. It was too dark to see much of anything when we arrived, but the morning sun now illuminated everything around us.
Lush plains spread as far as the eye could see from the doorway, and I stood there enjoying the view and gentle wind for a moment.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYMSdlEV2U
"Over here"
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I walked to where she was standing. She grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.
My eyes opened wide in shock and disbelief at what I saw.
A lone mountain stood in the distance, a large river winding past it towards the ocean, which could be seen clearly from where I stood this time.
It was exactly the same as my dream, minus the wheat fields. Just grass and the occasional large tree dotting the land.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxGe33XVga
"I don't understand."
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My brain felt like it was short circuiting.
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"I thought it sounded familiar. Maybe you can use magic after all?"
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I nodded. "But, how? Do you think that machine really was just broken or something? And does that even count as magic?"
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She shrugged.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98ToBSVGy4
"I don't know. Anyway, you said there was a second version of you in both dreams? Maybe you can create clones or something?"
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If I could create clones wouldn’t they have the same personality as me? Anyway, the “me” in both the dreams was acting completely differently from how I do, so somehow I doubt that hypothesis.
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“Probably not. In fact, it’s probably nothing, we should see what everyone else is up to.”
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There was nothing that could be done about it right now, I'd rather just wait and ask Aureo or someone about it later.
I looked to the door to go back inside, and saw Nathan just make it to the door. He must have followed us out of the dining room.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIjuZyzccE
“Ah, go ahead. I’d like to talk to Isabel.”
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He moved to let me pass. I looked back at Isabel who stood still, looking curiously at Nathan.
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"I'm fine, head on in and I'll see you in a bit."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc39By8UrWR
“Well, see ya then.”
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I went inside past Nathan who watched me as I left, and made my way back to the dining room, only to find it completely empty save for a few maids toting dirty dishes, and an unfamiliar woman. She gave me a small smile to which I responded in kind and made for the door.
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“If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a chat.”
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I hesitated for a moment before reluctantly turning back to the woman whose smile widened as I walked towards her and took a seat.
She was beautiful. Her dress was clearly fit for royalty, and her eyes seemed kind but somewhat vacant.
She sipped some fragrant liquid from a cup and seemed to admire the taste.
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“Did you need something?”
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I tried to say it politely but it still came out a bit strained.
She laughed softly and leaned forward slightly while placing her cup on the table. I heard the door close right as she did.
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“Don’t believe everything Aureo says.”
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Her gaze sharpened, no sign of the previous vacancy left.
I looked around nervously, only to find that all the maids, having finished their work, were gone.
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“What do you mean?”
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XNe3xWska
“He isn’t going to send you back.”
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ANVGQYUk6
She gave me an analyzing look and picked up her drink, taking another sip.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3JTHOomXE
"Who are you?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh5JdqZQIU
"That's not important at the moment. I'd like to ask a favor of you."
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I laughed incredulously.
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"How am I supposed to trust someone who won't even tell me their name?"
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She may be rich or whatever, but I wasn't about to just do whatever she wanted.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, as if she was peering into my mind. It was a bit unnerving. Seeming to make up her mind, she sighed and took another sip of her drink.
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"My name is Decipitur. I was once the crown princess of Terram until Aureo killed my family. I'm taking a great risk doing this. This is one of the only times I've managed to have a conversation with no supervision so if you're quite finished doubting me I'd like to discuss some things before anyone interrupts us."
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I sat, speechless.
Seeming to take my silence as an invitation to continue, she did just that.
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"Aureo is using the artifacts your people will retrieve to further his military might so he can conquer the rest of the continent. Once you've fulfilled your usefulness, he'll 'dispose' of you."
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I could hardly keep up with what she was saying. This was all completely out of the blue, and I wasn't sure how to respond.
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"You're saying he'll just kill us? At that point he might as well just let us go back home, why would he kill us?"
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"Because he's a psychopath, please don't interrupt there isn't much time."
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She continued.
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"The truth is, he already has a functioning teleporter which could likely send you back home. But he won't use it for that purpose. He's deemed you a non-threat, that's why you will have the freedom to steal the machine and get you and your friends home. The idiot is keeping it in this very mansion. He must be having a power trip or something."
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"A non-threat… because I can't use magic? And you say he has a functioning teleporter?"
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She gave me a slightly pitying look. She put her drink on the table and grabbed something from an undisclosed area on her person.
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"Yes, he does."
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"And why should I trust you?"
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I couldn't help but feel that the man I saw earlier wouldn't be capable of such evil. Not a single thing he did or said was indicative of that, while this woman whom I've never met was setting off all my red flag alerts.
She sighed and held out her hand as if to hand me the thing she had pulled out earlier.
I hesitantly reached out and she grabbed my hand with the other hand, while placing a still-warm metallic object into it with the other.
She closed my fingers around it and pushed my hand back to me.
It was a small brass key. I could feel the teeth and the round head of the key in my hand without needing to look.
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"The basement, third door on the left. The guards switch out when the crystal turns green. Wait until you see the guard leave the basement, you'll know who it is when you see them. At that point, sneak in and grab the machine. It's much smaller than the one that was used to transport you, they believe it was the final model. You'll recognize it when you see it, it's the only thing in the room aside from a table and some chairs."
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She pointed to a crystal on the wall as she spoke. It was currently somewhere between a shade of purple and red.
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"Once you have it, the other guard will likely be on his way to the basement, so you need to try and sneak past him. How you do that is up to you."
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She seemed a bit nervous about this part of the plan and frankly, so did I.
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"I don't ask you to believe me right away, but just keep in mind that simply having this key will mean death for you and anyone who knows of it."
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I swallowed nervously and placed the key in my pocket. I had half a mind to just throw it away once I left the room, but if she was telling the truth this could literally be the key home.
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"Why are you so interested in us getting home?"
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The sharp look in her eyes softened somewhat.
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"You didn't ask to be caught up in our country's problems." A devilish smile appeared on her lips "And any chance I can get to hurt Aureo, I'll take. Oh, and one last thing."
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With incredible speed, she placed the tip of her finger on my forehead, and I felt my mind begin to go fuzzy. I tried to recoil, but my body wouldn't respond to my commands.
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"You are not permitted to talk to anyone about the key or any other detail of what happened here. If anyone asks, we simply discussed the weather. As for where you got this key and the information, if you are caught and questioned, it was all provided to you by Capir Emissarius." Her face contorted in anger. "That little rat is a real thorn in my side."
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She removed her finger, and I could suddenly move again.
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"You-"
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"Where did you get that key?"
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She pointed to my pocket.
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"What- y-"
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As I went to say that she did, my mouth suddenly stopped and my mind went fuzzy again.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vwu728uPa
"I got it from Capir Emissarius."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39xu74tpsR
The words came out but I didn't think them. I was starting to get really tired of being unable to use my own voice, now not only in dreams but reality too.
She nodded and waved me out of the room.
I understood she was done talking so I stood up shakily and left, my mind burdened by the new information it had received.
She must have put a curse on me or something.
I opened the door in a haze, and exited the room.
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"What were you guys talking about?"
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I jumped at the sound of Hans's voice right next to my ear.
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"Jesus, where did you come from."
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He shrugged.
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"I heard some of it. Mostly intense whispering."
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My blood ran cold.
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"How much?"
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He shrugged again, he didn't seem to have heard much because he was taking it very lightly.
I relaxed a bit and sighed.
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"Don't worry about it." As I relaxed, a bit of anger trickled into my heart. "You know, it's rude to eavesdrop. What are you even doing here?"
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He chuckled and put his hands in his pockets.
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"I wanted to try and see what the girl in there is doing tonight."
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I stared at him incredulously.
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"My god you're serious right now, aren't you. She's out of your league."
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He shrugged again.
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"And stop shrugging, it's a very noncommittal gesture."
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With that final comment I turned and headed back toward my room.
I wasn't paying much attention as I walked. I wanted to talk to someone about what I'd learned, but that was impossible now. All I could do was go and see the truth for myself and hope Decipitur wasn't lying. Or maybe it'd be better if she was.
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"Excuse me."
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I looked up to see Aureo walking in the direction I had just come from.
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"Sabi, I believe?"
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I nodded, but said nothing. I wasn't sure how to talk to him at this point. It was already a bit odd before, but now I could feel acute anxiety as I tried to think of what to say.
He stopped and seemed to desire a conversation. I could hardly just keep walking while he was so clearly inviting me to talk, so I bit the bullet.
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"Uh, what's up?"
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He gave me a wry smile.
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"Did you talk to my lovely wife?"
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I was still having a hard time seeing exactly where the evil part of this man was.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCkICIMy5r
That aside, did he mean Decipitur? No way. She clearly hated him, and she never mentioned being married to him?
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"By any chance, do you mean Decipitur?"
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"Ah, so you have met her then."
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Sir, I believe your wife hates you.
His expression remained friendly, but suddenly I began to pick up on a different emotion, just under the surface. I wanted to peer into his head and see what he was thinking.
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"She was very kind. You're truly a lucky man."
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The emotion from earlier vanished, or perhaps was pushed deeper into himself.
He laughed a booming laugh which echoed throughout the halls.
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"Yes, indeed. Well, I hope you're finding your stay comfortable. You're free to do as you wish while your friends are studying with their coaches."
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"Coaches?"
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This was the first I had heard of it.
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"Nobody told you? Considering how the maids gossip I would have expected the whole of Terram to know by now."
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He took a moment to chuckle at his own joke before proceeding.
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"Those with magical aptitude who wish to explore the ruins need training in order to use their abilities. You may go see their training if you wish. They should have started just a little bit ago. I can have a servant show you the way if you like."
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"Oh, no thanks. I'll just be heading back to my room. Ill go see how they're doing in a bit."
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"Well, let me know if you have any questions. I'll be in the study adjacent to the dining room." He came a bit closer after looking around to make sure nobody was there. "Don't tell anybody, but I like to sneak to the kitchen occasionally while I work"
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His smile widened into a grin and he continued on his way after bidding me farewell.
I waved and got back to my room with no other major issues.
The "time crystal" as it was called, was somewhere between a shade of yellow and green now. It was almost time.
I left my room quietly and made my way down the hall. A stone bust of Aureo stood about halfway down the hall from the room which led to the basement. I hid behind it and waited. The hall was nearly completely silent save for my breathing.
Right on time, a man left the room and thankfully turned the opposite direction from which I was hiding.
As soon as he was out of sight I went to the door and slipped through.
The stairwell and hallway which connected to it were much darker and more dingy than the rest of the estate. It had a somewhat off-putting vibe.
Per Decipitur's instructions, I inserted the key into the lock on the third door to the left, and began to open it. It creaked loudly, and I felt my anxiety spike. I looked around again to make sure nobody was there and opened it all the way.
A faint purple glow emanated from a suit which was hung on the wall. The one from my first dream.
I walked up to in and the closer I got the more sure I was that it was the same one.
Even the mask was sitting on a table next to it.
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"Hello there. Care to explain what you're doing here?"
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I spun around to see Aureo closing the door behind him, locking us in the room together, a sinister look, much different from the usual expression on his face.
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