"I believe I can help you with that. You there, come here," he said, gesturing to Thorsen, Gwili, Neko, Marte, and Leona. "Huuuuuuh?" Marte and Neko asked in unison as their faces paled. "Shut the fuck up and get over there already," Bernar hissed as he forcibly punted Neko's backside, forcing him to move forward.
As the five of them lined up before him, Leona felt a mixture of intimidation and an estranged sort of fatherly love emanating from Ryfon.
His presence really does remind me of Aurae, she thought as she smiled inwardly, though she immediately blanched when she realized the dragon had read her thoughts. Don't worry, I won't tell her you feel that way, he replied with a subtle wink.
"Thorsen, I will share with you and the others as much insight as needed for you to reach the fifth stage, though I must warn you not to overstep your boundaries, as you will still need to get used to it. Do you all understand me?" Ryfon asked. "Yes, sir!" the others replied in unison, though Leona could only offer him a firm nod.
I'll have to work with you last, but I think you know why, Ryfon sent her with yet another smile.
Her eyes shifted away in embarrassment, but she immediately felt his mana beginning to permeate the room, as well as the return of the bright white light. Through the small gaps between her fingers, she realized that he'd placed a hand on Thorsen's core, pouring his own mana into it.
That's Meridian mana again, she realized, astounded at the sheer purity of it just as she was the first time.
Thorsen's aura grew immensely, nearly twice the size it had been when Erumon had him and the others consume their pearls. Tendrils of Shifting and Ethereal mana licked the rooftop far overhead for a few moments, but were quickly brought back under control.
"Not bad for one so young. I hadn't expected you to manage all of that at once," Ryfon said with pleasant surprise. "I've had to hide my mana for many years as an outcast, as well as during my time in the Guild. Although I don't know if I can hide it any longer," Thorsen replied, putting a hand up to his face as he looked into the nearby mirror to see his eyes glowing like Bernar's.
"Quite right, but remember what I said earlier," Ryfon added, patting the giant on the shoulder and moving on to Gwili to conduct the same process. "You've been stagnant with your progress. Why?" Ryfon asked the elf while reaching into his core with his mana.
I can't lie to you, can I? Very well, then. I fear I'm going to fail to live up to others' expectations of me, and this gift you want to give me is far more than I deserve, Gwili took a breath, feeling the mana wrapped around and into his core.
Ryfon, hearing his unspoken reply, smiled warmly and nodded his head, as if he'd already expected that answer.
"Ah, I see. You don't need to fear your past shortcomings anymore, Gwili Gwynn. Embrace them, and understand that they've made you who you are today. In my eyes, you are worthy of this gift," Ryfon said, the strength of his voice changing to an almost other-worldly tone as he commanded the elf to do so.
Gwili's eyes were already glowing with mana, but he closed them once more and allowed whatever peace he felt internally to wash over him like a waterfall. His aura grew to a similar height as Thorsen's, though it took some time for it to die back down.
"You two might not feel like you deserve to reach it, but I've read your cores and know what you've gone through to get here," Ryfon began, darting his gaze between Marte and Neko. "T-Thank you, Ryfon," Marte said bashfully.
Did he read my core that quickly? No, I should consider everything a possibility at this point, Marte thought, getting a soft chuckle from him in response.
"You wouldn't be wrong to do so, but Neko, you should come closer, too. Marte shares many of the same traits as Thorsen, so I can do you both at once," he said with a gesture to call him over. Neko unquestioningly did as he requested and promptly stepped beside Marte, though it was apparent he was extremely nervous.
Even as far from Thorsen as I was, I could already feel it, but being this close to it is incredible, Leona thought as she watched in awe as Ryfon began to pour the pure, white mana into their cores.
Like the others, their auras rose high into the air, but unlike them, it took them nearly five minutes to get it back under control. During that time, however, Ryfon watched them closely and ensured that the two lessexperienced individuals had no adverse side effects. Once he was satisfied with their level of control, he moved on to Leona, who'd been patiently waiting for them to be done.
Ryfon stepped in front of her and placed his hand on her sternum just like the others, but he noticed her expression had shifted from only a few moments ago.
I wonder, Ryfon thought, gently pushing Meridian mana into her entire being, rather than just her core. Oh, how marvelous! Ryfon sent her with a bright smile. W-What is it? I-Is there something wrong with me? Please, be honest, she stammered fearfully, but the dragon smiled as he allowed himself a soft chuckle.
Does he know yet? Rather, does anyone know yet? Ryfon asked, causing her to raise an eyebrow in confusion. Know what, exactly? Leona asked, prompting him to chuckle again. I see. Very well, then, if you wish to keep your child a secret, then I will oblige, Ryfon said, giving her a slow nod.
"MY…" she caught herself, immediately putting a hand up to her mouth, prompting a handful of raised eyebrows. My what? D-Did you just say what I think you said? Leona reverted to their original form of communication.
Y-Yes? If you don't want to bear this child, I can handle it for you without the others knowing. It's your choice, after all, Ryfon said, mildly confused that she didn't know her own body well enough to notice the changes.
Leona froze, still feeling the mana circulating through her body. W-Will this augmentation affect the child if I decide to keep it? I… don't want anything bad to happen to it, you see, she explained, but Ryfon shook his head. No, the child will not be affected by any sort of ailment, if that's what you're asking, Ryfon shrugged, allowing her a few moments to consider his words.
Then I'd like to keep it. I think Bernar would be a wonderful father in time, she said with a determined nod, prompting him to return it in kind. "Very well, then," he said with a smile before pouring more mana into her core as gently as before.
A warm wave of mana raced through her veins from her core, reaching her extremities and pushing her aura outward. Like with the pearl, hers was intertwined with tendrils of gold and scarlet mana that nearly reached the ceiling. Like with Neko and Marte, it took her a few minutes to get it under control, but Ryfon observed her with extra care.
She reopened her eyes and looked in the mirror to find they'd gone from their sky blue to a deep scarlet. "It seems you favor Wraith mana more," Ryfon said with visible surprise. "Well, it's not that I prefer it, but since I'm here in Caegwen to learn it from Aurae, I might as well keep it that way for now. Thank you for this magnificent gift," Leona said brightly, as a single tear of joy streaked down her porcelain cheek.
The others bowed in gratitude, but Ryfon gestured for them to rise. "Now that we've brought nearly everyone up to the same standard, we shou-..." he halted, turning toward the door before it even opened.
A guardsman burst through it a few seconds later with bated breath. "P-Pardon the intrusion, but we've just received word from our scouts!" he shouted, prompting those who were seated to stand up, already fearing the worst.
"What is it, Captain Ense?" Aurae asked, briskly walking toward the man, who halted to catch his breath. "Your Majesty, Soule has reported the presence of a massive orb of mana in the south-western area of Caegwen," he said, causing the others to share a glance. "Has anything come out of it?" Erumon asked, doing his best to hide his anger.
"N-Nothing yet, my lord, but…" Ense stopped the moment Ryfon held up a hand. "There will be soon. There's no time to waste. Erumon, you'll lead a team to protect Myrdin. I'll take Taegin and Bernar with me to Soule to help bolster their defenses. If it's the Rivet mana relay he wants, I won't let him or his ilk have it," Ryfon growled deeply as his mana began to flare.
"As you command," Erumon replied without a second thought.
They have no idea how long he's waited for a chance at revenge, do they? Erumon thought privately, watching the others leave at breakneck speed.