Our Chaotic Order

30: Ingredients

^^ Vault 24 ^^

--- Greta's POV ---

I grinned down at my Class List. "Ha! Take THAT, PAPA!!!" I cheered, and he walked up behind me.

"And what am I taking?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.

I shoved my advancement towards him, but he'd learned his lesson, and caught my hands, reading it at a decent length.

'Glyphs --- Master
Runes --- Master
Circles --- Master
Demonology --- Expert
The Craft --- Master
Musicology --- Journeyman
Potions/Herbology --- Master
Shapeshifting --- Master'

He blinked slowly, cleaned his glasses, and looked again. He chuckled wryly. "Why am I not surprised?" He said softly.

"How long did it take Mama to get these grades?" I asked, grinning.

"She never reached Master in anything except Runes and Demonology, Greta. You've far surpassed your mother... you're almost to where I am." He smiled.

I huffed. "You're a master in everything, aren't you?" I asked.

"Not everything. Musicology was always my weakness. I never even reached Acolyte." He laughed.

I smirked. "So I'm better than you?"

He grinned. "Yep. My adorable Heir, already beating me in all fronts. Good. Advancement is always good. Continue your studies, my girl. I'm very proud of you." He kissed my forehead, and walked away, whistling happily. Then he made me laugh when he laughed, and jumped, clicking his heels together. "HAHA!" He cheered, and whistled louder now.

I smiled. "He's such a Dork."

Mirage patted my hair. "You did well, my dear. Very well."

"Where've you been, anyway?" I asked.

"Hiding, mostly. The Demons of the Ether don't like me very much. If you're getting chummy with them..." she shivered.

"They'll leave you alone, don't worry." I smiled.

"Awe, my fierce little girl, protecting me! Com'ere!" She giggled, tickling me.

---

I hummed, turning the map in my hand slowly. "Where... are... you?" I grumbled, and looked up at the field of ice around me.

Immediately, the ice under my feet shattered, and I dropped into a cavern, activating my wings before I touched the icy stalactites and stalagmites that were abundant in these icy caves. (Luckily my Lion's fur clothes kept me toasty warm.)

I flew towards the back of the cave, and reached a set of stairs. I flew up them slowly, and dropped onto the top step and lifting a torch to illuminate the room non-magically.

In front of me towered a massive iron wall, covered in Cogs and Wheels, all centered around the center like Clockwork.

"So this is what Faust meant..." I referred to Axon Faust, who spoke of a clockwork Vault in the Northern Ice Fields, that thrummed with magical energy, but was impenetrable.

I hummed and cut off a small chip of ice from the door, and cast a spell to tell me about it.

It's composition, while interesting, wasn't what I needed. I tried again, and it's age came back as only 3,000 years, surprising me. "That can't be right... unless this is a whole-lot younger than expected..."