The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield

Chapter One-Hundred-Four: Reaching Ria’s Ruins – Part Three

Our group had been traveling without incident when we ran into a pair of scouts dispatched from a hastily constructed checkpoint about a mile from Ria.   

Construction began late last night, so an expedition must’ve been granted. Guess this is getting ready for the worst.   

“I must ask you to stop,” said the one on the left, his voice slightly quivering from Surtr’s imposing presence. My lion met his frigid eyes and stared. “For—For what business do you have here?”  

“My name is Lyudmila Vredi Springfield,” I said, standing. “I have Seraphina Vredi traveling with me and my allies. We’ve come to speak with the commanding officer overseeing Ria’s ruins.   

“…” The guards looked at each other as a third approached from the south. The silence irritated me, so I waited for the straggler to show up before repeating myself.   

“Ah—Of—Of course! You, run ahead and tell our commander!” The one who had just arrived turned on his heels and darted off. “Forgive me for the delay, lady—”  

“It’s Lord Springfield,” I corrected him. He jolted in his armored boots.   

“Ah—Of—Of course. Forgive me! We'll escort you to our camp if you'll follow us. ”  

“Very well. Follow our guides, Surtr,” I said, sitting.   

Our transport gently jerked, and we made the final leg of this journey in mostly silence. Before arriving, we had told Quella the others how they should act since they were under the guise of being mercenaries that had helped us in Aetos Village, so they were probably pondering that.   

Still, even though we were silent, the guards we passed were anything but. Their whispers sounded like shouts if I focused my hearing. They all wore helmets and full-body armor, so I only saw their eyes…except that wasn't true-- I knew much more because Tris had already used [Deduction] on everyone present. Their biological information was immediately categorized in her vastly improved databanks. She was already searching for letters and notes to learn everything she could.    

“A flaming lion? Here? Do you think that’s the one from the rumors?” asked someone.    

“You mean the High Elf of Liberation? Why would she be here?” replied another.    

“The tree? It’s probably something related to the Vredi.”  

“What’s a Vredi?” The two looked at the new speaker.    

“Seriously? How much of a country bumpkin are you?”  

“Excuse me, you pampered know-it-all. Some of us never learned how to read until we were 16. Some of us didn’t have the luxury of buying books when the farm required all their time.”  

“Okay. Cut it out. Lower your voice.”   

“This…is an ill omen,” whispered a fourth, her voice raspy. “The little girl must be a Vredi as well. Three from an extinct forest showing up simultaneously?”  

“Hey, what do you think the deal is with that lion knight? Rumors say the lion belongs to the High Elf of Liberation, but what if that’s false?” asked a fifth. The soldiers were closer together nearer we got to the city’s destroyed gates. Hearing their hushed whispers over the nearby rushing rivers wasn't hard. Ria had two or three that snaked in through the city. However, the fight between Sekh and Ira had geographically altered them.   

“I haven’t heard anything about a lion knight. It’s news to me,” said a sixth. “I’m more concerned with the one wearing a hood. You don’t see prosthetics like that around here. That equipment isn’t cheap.”  

Niva pulled her hood tighter while making herself smaller. “You don’t have to keep it up,” I told her. “You don’t have to hide away because you’re technically still wanted. I won’t let anything happen to you.”  

“Neither will I,” added Yew, her voice determined. “You’re my friend, Niva. Friends protect friends!”  

“Yew’s right,” said Sera.   

“We won’t force anything. Do what’s comfortable to you, okay?”  

Niva silently nodded.  She looked at Prim’s hand before gently grasping it. Coming here wasn’t easy. Less-than-desirable memories probably swarmed through her mind the closer we got to the city. The line of soldiers to our sides didn’t help, either.   

Soon, we reached the gates, entered the city, and made it to where the city square used to be. Most ruined buildings had been hauled away. The largest structures still stood like the faded remembrances of a horrid past. I didn’t know what Gloria’s plan with the city was. It wasn’t like she could wipe away what had happened. Her actions had probably scarred the place even discounting the obvious.   

I mean, shutting down the dungeon was something I still didn’t understand. It was so dumb, so why? What were we missing? Tris and Tilde tried to follow Gloria’s mindset, but her actions were illogical.   

Whatever. It doesn’t matter that much. Ria’s a bygone memory at this point. I doubt it’ll ever recover.   

“Our commander is in there, Lord Springfield,” said one of our escorts. He pointed to the tent behind twenty smaller ones.   

Altogether, there was enough room for seventy soldiers—the same amount occupying the city.   

The flaps fluttered. An overweight, sweaty man with armor that barely fit his thick stomach waddled out—wet rag in hand to dry his drenched forehead.   

“Ahh—You’ve arrived! Greetings, I am the commander of this garrison,” he said with an unsteady voice. I’d have asked if his parents were a bucket of oil and fryer grease if I didn’t know better.   

He’s nervous to a fault, huh? I can’t blame him. Almost anyone would if two Vredi’s suddenly appeared. That woman with the raspy voice seemed like she knew how malignant our presence could be.    

“Please, enter my tent. We can discuss further inside.”  

I nodded as we disembarked. “Stay here,” I told Surtr, unhooking him. Sekh, Sera, Tris, and I followed the commander while the gathered soldiers watched.   

“I’m afraid it isn’t luxurious,” he said, sitting at the table—the only piece of furniture. The commander was right. The tent was for him, yet it was very rudimentary—with nothing but a straw to act as padding for his bed.  I half expected to see gross indulgence of wealth, like bottles of booze, yet it appeared the commander lived the same quality-of-life as the men serving under him.   

Consider me surprised.   

“Luxury isn’t everything,” I said, sitting beside Sera. Sekh and Tris stood behind me. “Some would consider it dishonorable to live lavishly while the rest squandered in poverty. For what it’s worth, my first impressions are above average.”   

“Thank you, Lord Springfield. I strive to lead my soldiers like ancient warriors of old. My position may rank me higher, but we all serve together for a greater cause. Now, what can I do for you?”  

Sera met my eyes and subtly nodded her head, the signal for me to begin.   

“We are set to arrive in Requiesta within the week,” I said, folding my hands. “Yet it would be improper to do so without sending advance notice. I know your unit has a teleportation mage, so I ask that you use his magic to send a message.  If possible, we’d like to arrange a teleport of our group. Time is of the essence. We must meet with your lord sooner rather than later.”  

“Well, the first is doable. A letter can be sent before nightfall. The second is possible, yet it cannot be rushed. It’ll take our mage time to organize with the unit overseeing the teleportation circle within the capital. As a precaution, large groups necessitate further planning since even adding one more person complicates things.”  

“How surprising,” commented Sera. The commanding officer jumped in his skin. “You’re correct. The safeguards take time to implement. My teleportation magic is of a higher tier. My coordinate crystals solve the calculations without my input.”  

“My mother was a royal mage. I never grasped the intricacies behind magic, but she used to explain her theories as bedtime stories when I was younger.”  

That’s…pretty adorable.  

The officer whistled, causing a guard to walk in. “Deliver a message to Lord Gloria informing her about our guests’ arrival. Also, begin the preparation to teleport their group to Requiesta. Both should be done as soon as possible, but do not take any shortcuts on the latter." 

“Sir!” saluted the guard. He avoided our eyes and rushed away as quickly as he entered.   

“Now…” I narrowed my gaze. “You’re curious, aren’t you?”  

“I’d be lying if I said no, Lord Springfield.” The officer had calmed down, ceasing his endless sweating. “I have many questions concerning Aetos Village, the Eagle Yew, and more. I’m certain you can answer them—”  

“Why remain silent? Do you fear being disrespectful? If so, push the worry aside. Ask what you wish.”   

The man was perplexed. He blinked twice. “In that case… Please permit me to inquire a few things I’m uncertain about…”  

He asked about the obvious—what happened to the village, and I told the technical truth. It came under attack, so we fought back. “The mercenaries who arrived with us offered their assistance in the fight. Unfortunately, the Eagle Yew had suffered too much to be saved. Both during the clash and when it endured the attack that shattered its bounded field.”  

“It couldn’t be saved? Does that explain the green light we saw some time ago?” 

“Indeed. That was the Eagle Yew’s final breath.”  

“My heart felt like it wanted to stop,” said the officer. “It was magic? Although I felt a sense of loneliness once the tree vanished. I’m sorry for your loss. We reported it to Lord Gloria as soon as possible, but…”  

“You didn’t offer aid? It’s understandable, commander. The time between the Eagle Yew catching flame and passing was far too short for Lord Gloria to offer aid.”  

That I couldn’t deny or fault that damn bitch for. Yet Gloria wasn’t out of the dog house. The vile wrench deserved everything that was coming for her.   

“However, I’ll turn the question. What has transpired since the incident?” I learned a few things—all I could’ve guessed. Word spread to Gloria, who immediately sent soldiers to Ria and the surrounding towns to quell any panic.   

“There are still many mysteries. No one knows who destroyed the dome Bellerophon constructed over the city. Rumors say it was a fire spirit. Someone else says a dragon hatched.”  

Dragon?  

“I’m the second commander, by the way. My predecessor was relocated to a post near the Ashlands almost two months back. Our orders are to keep watch around the Ria Waterfront Territory.”  

Ria Waterfront Territory? Huh. I never knew the actual name.    

“For anything specific?”  

“I’m not sure, Lord Springfield. Lord Gloria only said to alert her if anything changes or happens. To be truthful... A message was sent immediately when the Eagle Yew caught fire. Another was transmitted when it vanished. If I had to guess… I believe Lord Gloria is still readying a search and rescue party.”  

That could be it. Although I doubt it. The highest level here is Lv. 46. The average is 38. Not strong by any means, but also not the weakest. I wonder… Tris, ask Imposter Remy if her agents in Requiesta are involved.  

One moment… Yes, my lord. Her spies have orders to intercept anything sent by this unit. Gloria doesn’t know the Eagle Yew’s fate.   

Okay. Tell Imposter Remy to have them stand down until further notice. You have permission to orchestrate their deaths if you feel it’s necessary.    

As you wish, my lord.    

“You may be correct,” I replied, lying through my teeth. “Lord—”  

“Niva is in danger, my lord. Something is happening.”  

I immediately stood as Niva’s cries pierced my ears.  

“What the hell?!” shouted another voice. “That’s—That’s Lady Noelia’s slave! What—AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”  

I bolted from the tent and saw the inevitable. Quella, Greggie, and Ami were near Niva—the latter two ready to fight. The rest of her team crowded around her. The wind was strong—a gust had most likely blown her hood down.   

Yet it was Surtr who caught my eye. His mouth was bloody as he stared down a man bleeding profusely from his missing arm. Flames spread from the wound as slowly as a snail, burning his pitiful light away.   

He tried to grab Niva after seeing her face, my lord.   

I saw red. Immediately, I turned around. The commanding officer was frozen stuff, yet it didn’t stop me from effortlessly lifting the bastard by the neck with one arm. 

“What the hell are your soldiers doing?!” I demanded, squeezing my nails into his fat neck. Guttural groans and snot oozed from his nostrils. “Are they so woefully untrained that they’d put their hands on not just the ally of a visitor-- but the ally of a Vredi?!”  

“Let him go!” shouted a soldier. He drew his weapon, becoming the catalyst for the others to unsheathe theirs.  Yew ran to hide behind me. Sekh took a hand-to-hand combat stance since using her mace wasn’t a good idea. Sera didn’t look that perplexed. She gripped her staff, but she wasn’t worried about the situation. The officer heaved and slapped my arm, pathetically failing like a helpless whelp.  

He's about to die, my lord.    

We don’t want that just yet.    

“That…woman…fugitive… Wanted…” The officer heaved after I weakened my grip. I grabbed his upper left arm, squeezed it, and shattered the bone.   

“What was that? I’m sorry. I don’t think I heard you. It sounded like you were saying my companion is a criminal?”  

“She…is!” For his credit… The man didn’t scream. He grunted through the pain. “I will not be deterred! Lord Gloria has issued a warrant to capture Niva on sight!”  

 I broke his other elbow and threw him like trash. Tris kept an eye on everyone else as the onlookers tensely watched. I wondered who would make the first move? These soldiers surely knew the fate awaiting them if anyone did something stupid.  

“I will ask you a third time, and you shall speak what I wish to hear. Niva is now under my protection. She is a trusted ally. Going after her means making an enemy out of us. You do not want that, and I will show you why. Surtr. Frighten these fools. Make them fear death.”  

Surtr flashed his flaming fangs and jumped high in the air. He balanced on platforms of ice and fire, roared loud enough to shatter glass, and formed a tremendous ball of bright crimson fire. It radiated unnatural heat that warped the surrounding air. Another roar caused it to fracture, causing a hundred sharp fragments—each taller than an Oni—to swirl around like piranhas waiting to be delivered prey.    

“One command. That’s all it would take to unleash the horde. You’ll die. Your soldiers would die. Ria’s been victim to one baptism by fire. Another one would flood the city with ash so thick nothing would grow for decades. So, tell me, commander.” I approached the man after flourishing Kronto. The fearsome point rested against his frail neck. The slightest pressure would remark his end. “How soon do you wish to enter the cycle of reincarnation? That’s your fate if you continue to ignore my wishes. Now. Tell me. What. Do. I. Want. To. Hear?”  

“Niva…” The officer coughed bile and mucus. “Niva is your trusted ally! Stand down, soldiers! Put away your arms! It’s been a misunderstanding! Listen to Lord Springfield's truthful words.”  

I waited until our enemies had begrudgingly obeyed their commander’s orders before telling the others to do the same. “Extinguish your flames, Surtr.”  

He landed with a mighty stomp that quaked out three hundred feet, toppling the still-standing ruined buildings. The flying flames rammed into his body as he absorbed them.   

“Consider this reparation for my portion of the misunderstanding.” I silently healed the commander’s broken arms, although I refused to help that piece of shit who grabbed Niva. He’d have to find his own treatment. Sekh canceled the flames burning the wound, though. That was all the mercy he’d be granted.   

If he dies?  

He dies.   

I wouldn’t lose sleep.   

“Another thing. This will not be reported to your lord. Why should we bother the busy woman with yet more to manage when this was, like you said, a misunderstanding? Besides, Niva is no longer hers. She does not own her. Logically, Niva is not her slave. Do not deviate from the message I want you to send. I will know if it includes something it’s not supposed to.”  

I summoned a dozen wooden puppet birds via my flute. “They’ll ensure my orders are being carried out. I will impart one final warning. Should I detect trickery or foul play… I will not stop at just your arms.  I’ve too little patience to play these childish games when I’m still anguishing over the Eagle Yew and Aetos Village because your Holy Lord refused to send even the smallest ounce of aid once the bounded field shattered.”  

“You’ve done well, sister. However, I have something to add.” Sera calmly lifted her staff and gently tapped the bottom against the ground… 

...the following earthquake was anything but.  Soldiers fell to their knees, crying for mothers and fathers as Sera’s localized spell divided Ria’s remains into two halves. A fault line ran from east to west, spreading across the city. Whatever buildings that were standing weren’t standing anymore. Only the tents avoided certain destruction, which showcased Sera’s masterful control over magic.   

“That is your half. This is ours. Intruding upon our claim without a good reason will see me less reasonable than my sister. I have no mercy for anyone who dares to harm my allies.” Sera’s voice was cold. She absolutely meant her warning. Now that she’d found two more Vredis... 

She would not risk anything to lose them or their friends. “Your lives would’ve been forfeit the moment you touched her.”  

I turned to Niva, who was comforted by Tilde and the others. The spirit summoner clenched her fist—that expression was a blanket to hide her true feelings.   

It didn’t take a genius to guess she was scowling more than ever at her weaknesses.     

I knew it.   

Tris knew it.   

Tilde knew it.   

Sekh knew it.   

*****

***** Niva's PoV *****

How many times did that make it?  

How many times must I be rescued like some princess in a story because I wasn’t strong enough to defend myself?  

That man… Everything I never wished to experience again rushed to my mind when he grabbed my arm. Yet even if I had some brevity of bravery within my cowardly body…  

Could I have won?  

…  

I kept to myself after the incident, choosing to be alone with my thoughts as the others prepared the camp. The soldiers failed to hide their scornful gazes—I kept spotting them from the corner of my eye.   

Tilde tried to cheer me up, but…  

I was merely pretending.  

Someone like her knew that. She didn’t interrogate me further.   

“Primrose?”  

“Yes?”  

“I…” I looked at Mila. She seemed so socialized around the others. No one could’ve guessed she desired Quella’s team’s deaths two weeks ago. My words never left my mouth because Sekh approached. She pointed to a glowing square a few feet from camp as that ‘gym’ appeared, eliciting gasps from those seeing it for the first time.   

“Care to join?” she asked, extending a hand. I couldn’t see her face through the helmet, but I knew her expression was soft. For better or for worse… Someone like Sekh regarded someone like me as an ally.   

“You should take her offer,” said Tilde, who rolled over with great effort. “Geez… The shoulders are still stiff. That’s a workout and a half, right there. Anyway, pumping some iron—I guess it’s wood in this case—can help your mind. Gains are gains, after all. Remember that for later,” said the fairy before she rolled away.    

“I’ll show you what I learned from the others.”  

“Okay. Thank you.” I took Sekh’s hand as she led me to the gym. The equipment looked strange. Just how did someone come up with this stuff? Who would’ve thought of a device to replicate an infinite staircase? Or a pathway six feet long that looped itself at different speeds?  

Or even cables and a handle attached to a pulley?  

“Overwhelmed?”  

I nodded.   

“You don’t have to do everything. Tilde says people have a routine. They split their exercises into different sections to focus on specific areas. We’ll start small, okay?” 

There it is… That pleasantness… I should be happy, so… Why do I feel anything but?  

I sat on a machine designed to strengthen my arms. A bicep curl, it was called. Sekh adjusted the seat and turned the knob to 10 pounds. Grasping the handles, I followed her advice, lifting my arm at the elbow while ensuring I focused on that area.   

“Good. Now, try to do nine more.”  

“Okay,” I replied, getting it done. I was frightened earlier. Why? I didn’t need to fear these things. Using them would only help me in the long run, right?  

I’ve always had a frail body not meant for Barbil’s harsh winters or strenuous labor. My experiences had only weakened it even more, but my recovery made strides to fix that.   

“So, do you feel it?”  

“I feel something here,” I said, rubbing my arm. “What do we do now?”  

“A break. You rest between sets. Or jump into another exercise that targets a different muscle group. See?” Sekh pointed to Elly, who used a…chair with a bar for her legs?  

“That’s called the leg extension.”  

“Her face looks… Does it hurt that much?”  

“That’s how muscles grow, summoner. You break the fibers, which heal when you rest. They regenerate tougher and stronger, permitting you to lift heavier.”  

“Yep! That’s the basics.” Elly grunted, her face oozing with thick sweat as she stood.   

“Woah!” She stumbled over her feet, catching herself on a different device. Sekh said it was called the shoulder press machine, and Elly began using it. Her teammates were also strengthening their bodies. Mila wasn’t participating, though. She chatted with Tris, Tilde, Yew, and Sera near the campfire while focusing on dinner. Lei was hopping around the different devices like a curious cat.    

Sekh called my name, regaining my attention. “Shall we continue? Do you want to stop?”  

“No. I can keep going! Prim, you need to join, too. I want to do it with you.”  

“Of course, summoner. Lead the way, Sekh. We are in your guidance.”  

“Gladly. Tris gave me a routine for us to follow, so let’s ease into it.” 

*****

*****

This was hard.   

It was more than that.   

The shoulder press caused a burning feeling to inflame my upper arms. The seated tricep dip, whatever that was, hurt my forearms. The leg extension and seated leg curl were set to 60 lbs, but it felt like the weight of a dragon. The kickback turned my legs to jelly. The soreness quickly spread to my entire body…  

Yet…  

I…  

I didn’t want to stop because the pain meant it was working, right? Primrose probably didn’t feel what I felt because she was a spirit. Physical activity didn’t benefit her as much as it did me.  

“Eeerrrgghhhh…” I silently groaned, straining with my whole being to do one more rep with these weirdly shaped objects called dumbbells. I just wanted to get one rep to prove that I could—even if I were using both hands to ‘cheat.’  

“That’s called ego-lifting. Don’t work beyond your means because you’re bound to get injured.”  

I wanted to ignore Sekh…but I couldn’t. I let go. The weight dropped, yet it produced no sound because it turned into mana before reforming on the nearby rack. Sighing, I sat and hugged my knees, ignoring the awful discomfort. Sekh looked down.   

“…” She said nothing, but her actions spoke for her as she kneeled and hugged me.   

How awful was it that my first thought was to push her away? Here she was…pitying me…   

Protecting me…  

“You still hold resentment in your heart. It’s okay, Niva. Let it out. Don’t keep it locked in,” she whispered.   

I…  

I wanted to cry… Not just for the prior incident—but because…I had to be warned by Sekh to not injure myself.  “I can’t stop this inadequacy.” The words flowed from my mouth before I knew what I was saying. Primrose didn’t stop me, though. She softly encouraged me to continue. “I just can’t. I hate it. It… It doesn’t feel right. I know I shouldn’t feel like this, so how can I stop? How can I become confident in myself? Sekh, I don’t know what to do… It feels like… No matter where I look…or where I turn… Someone is always saving me. Someone's warning me… I can't do anything myself. It feels like I can’t do anything right. Even learning to see…wasn’t my power because Mila gave me the SP. Everything came from her. Or it came from someone else. Nothing…came from me…”  

Do I even deserve…to be here? Sekh… If I had her power. Or if I was as strong as her… If… If…  

“If I had…” My voice trailed off. Something stupid, dumb, and upsetting to someone I deeply cared about was about to flow from my mouth.   

Sekh, however…  

She knew. 

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re wrong, Niva. My power isn’t enviable. No one deserves my fate.”  

“I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean it, Sekh. I—”  

Please don’t hate me…  

I feared for her following words. Yet...like most things…even this mercy, which should’ve relieved my anxiousness…just fed it.  

“It’s okay. I’m not upset. I swear I’m not. I know things aren’t the easiest for you.”  

Again… Again… Again…  

“Have you recovered?” I looked past Sekh at Sera, who approached with a thin cookie between her slender fingers. Her staff rested on her back. "Do you think you can train with Lord Aetos tonight? It won’t be physical, mind you. It’ll be in your dreams, yet I’m unsure how…” Sera gestured broadly to the gym. “That will affect your sleep. On the one hand, physical lethargy helps you rest. A deep slumber is imperative for proper muscle development, so the goal should be to enter a restful sleep.”  

“I’m ready. This means you’ll have to teleport me every night, right? Then bring me back every morning?”  

“Yes. Is there an issue?”  

“Is it a hassle?”  

Sera confusingly tilted her head. “Why would it be? The magic I use is efficient. I can teleport from here to my home a thousand times and still have enough to make the trip ten thousand more if I use my coordinate crystals. Believe me, Niva. It is the furthest thing from a hassle.”   

“…”  

Sera sat beside me and hugged her knees. “You aren’t the only one to feel like this. You won’t be the first, and you won’t be the last. My sister was so much stronger than me. She was my hero—my role model. However, the pride I felt for Susize turned to envy. For a while, the love I held had vanished. I saw her as an obstacle to overcome. My failure to do so almost made me do something irreversibly stupid.”  

Is she talking about her obsession with Murag?  

“I cannot read minds, but I’m certain I know what you’re thinking about. It will not be easy to overcome the struggles of your soul, yet you must embrace the reality of your situation and understand you cannot acquire the power you desire overnight. Life doesn’t work like that. People wish it did. I won’t lie—I wish it did. However… It doesn’t. We must put in the work to extract the results we desire.” Sera smiled. “We aren’t so dissimilar, Niva. We’re alike in more ways than you think.”  

Are we, Sera? Can you really say that…  

Before I knew it…  

I was crying. 

I wiped my tears, stood, and approached Mila, who opened her arms for a hug. It felt like talking would…cause something bad, yet words weren’t needed. Emotions and actions were often more effective than speaking—this was one of the situations.  

“We’ll be here in the morning, okay? Talk with Lord Aetos,” she said. “Tell him everything.”   

Sekh patted my head as Primrose took my hand in hers. We approached Sera, who silently raised her staff after forming a coordinate crystal for our return.    

Seconds later…  

Mila was gone. The camp had vanished from sight, replaced by a whimsy light as the ever-abundant verdant of nature mana flooded my vision.  

“Niva! She’s here!”  

“Niva’s back!”  

“Sister Primrose!!!”   

The excitable voices reached my ears before [Mana Perception] accumulated to the new environment. When it did…  

It was like I was in a fairy tale or fable… The trees felt like they stretched for miles. The bark seemed so healthy. The leaves were fluffy and full. The moon wasn’t out, so the time difference had to be a few hours at minimum. That wasn’t enough for me to deduce its location, but Tris could’ve probably done it.    

“It’s wonderful to see you all again,” said Primrose, head patting the children who swarmed us. They looked at us with bright, vivid smiles before turning to Sera.    

“Welcome, you two.” Aetos flew from a distant branch and manifested his flowerpot on the ground before me.   

Today’s… Today’s the first day of many, huh? Tilde would say it’s the beginning of my brand-new life… How accurate is it? I know this won’t be easy. I’m just…afraid…that my efforts…  

No.  

Thinking like that wasn't healthy. It wasn’t needed, either. The part of me that kept me producing those thoughts had a slight grip over my anxious heart. Even if it was minor, I felt the dark influences when they weren’t needed.   

Getting rid of them by tonight wouldn’t work. I’d need a miracle's miracle to accomplish my goals in one training session.