Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 3 - The Non-Mage

In the previous Episode:

Kiel is confronted by a mysterious quest seeker that had been monitoring him for an entire week. She offers to help him become a first class mage and a student of Ashar University of Magic.

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"You need my help to become a first class mage and a student of Ashar University of Magic."

Kiel's eyes narrowed, he fought the urge to step back.

He shaped words 'Not interested' but they never left his mouth. And no matter how much he struggled to push them out of his throat, reasoning that he was done with that silly wish of his, they never vocalized.

He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.

"What makes you think I would be interested in attending the University of Magic?" Kiel asked, his face turning into a cold mask.

"I've been observing you." She stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You mean stalking me?" Kiel smiled coldly.

"Call it what you will." She shrugged.

"So, what was it that you 'observed' that gave you that impression about me?" Kiel wondered. He had been trying to bury that dream for the past year. There shouldn't have been any remnants of lingering sentiment left for the world to see.

"You are a Rroda. Not wanting to be a great mage while being raised as a part of a famous mage family would be downright bizarre. And yet, although you finished high academy you did not apply to the University of Magic. Now, that is quite strange, considering the fact you enjoy using magic so much."

So she knew who he was? Well, that part was not difficult to figure out. Everyone called him either 'Kiel', 'Master Rroda' or 'Young Master'. He also lived in the Rroda mansion.

"Attending the University of Magic is a waste of time. I want to be a quest seeker." Kiel reasoned. How did she know he didn't apply? Because he was not getting ready for the entrance exams?

"Do you really?" She smirked. "For days I've watched you complete numerous mundane quests with a straight face. But then, every once in a while, the quest required you to use magic. And then, in that single brief moment, you transform from a bored, empty doll to a shining star!" She did a graceful pirouette for emphasis.

"Are you insulting or complimenting me?" Kiel raised his eyebrows.

The girl chose not to answer that question and continued on with her explanation.

"You love magic so much you want to learn everything about it. You crave it to the point of wanting to devour it."

Kiel gave her an icy glare. His aura transformed into a chilling snowstorm; dark and frightening.

She infuriated him; a stranger, thinking she knew him.

His fury gave him a push to finally say what he should have said from the start

"You know nothing about me. I am not interested."

She just smiled softly, undisturbed by his glare or the sudden change of mood. Not many had an ability to stay composed when faced with Kiel's cold fury. That girl was either clueless or had nerves of steel.

"Then let me tell you what I know, and you can be the judge of how much I know about you."

Kiel quietly dared her to continue. Her confidence disturbed him. Did she have him investigated?