Age of Beast Tamers and Exorcists

Was this really happening? Or was it also an illusion?

The other students had no idea who Silvan Ferox was. But there was still one who couldn't forget the face of his kidnapper.

Zmey glanced left at Nero. He seemed as curious about who the beast tamer was as the other students.

It was only reasonable that this guy might have never met him despite living in Frosthaven. Or he just didn't know him by name.

The instructor, Magnus, strode forward and backward. He looked at the students with an intense expression, something hardening on his own face.

Zmey glanced back up and sighed. 'I don't know why I'm interested in the captain's business. I can't help it when he keeps lingering in my mind.

My meridian... who else but him must have opened it? Losing my powers closed it, yet he reversed it to allow me to cultivate. Why?'

Magnus screamed out of his throat, "Silvan Ferox was our hero! His accomplishment not only saved the other kingdom's inhabitants. It also proved that humanity may one day defeat our threats."

Things got somehow clustered at this point. The man had first been a threatening sight, then a lively one.

Now, he was a serious one, dripping with it. Which one was his exact personality, for real? Besides, a person can't have three personalities.

"... The Necrots had once plagued the world a long time before beasts came into existence as well.

Despite a few of our people gaining great power from the Sable Mark disease, we still lagged behind. Humans struggle at the bottom of the food chain. But we folks never gave up!"

Zmey felt thrills running through him. One of excitement. He was right about getting a clearer view of what this world in the Magic Sanctuary, after all.

If the dragon's memory remains adamant on not submitting to him.... Why exactly?

Meanwhile, a confusion grew within him. They injected the Sable Mark serum into them back then. Why was this man calling it a disease now?

"And among those worthy of remembering in history is this man. We will take a few minutes to respect him. He wiped one of the Necrots from our land with success.

This has happened in a century now. He died when he used a powerful spell. One which involved combining the power of tames and himself to create a magic field called Rain of Stars.

The tamer and the one trapped inside this field will lose their lives.... even so, he didn't hesitate."

"Raise your salutes high up for Division Two Captain, Silvan Ferox!"

Coats snapped in unison as hopefuls pressed fists to hearts. Their rhythmic movements echoed through the air. They clenched their jaws in resolve.

The sacrifice the beast tamer had made echoed in their hearts. The person might have had their own purpose, either external or internal.

But still, his action symbolises hope for humanity to conquer both beasts and Necrots one day.

Maybe it was because he had met the guy once. Or, it was the hint at the world's history. Either way, Zmey felt absorbed. Sweat oozed his palm as his fist remained on his chest.

***

The class ended after some time. Everyone exited through the portal. And like Zmey and Nero, most took the path towards the Southern part.

Zmey could recall some faces among the active disturbers in their living unit. For the first time ever, these same guys composed themselves right after the class.

He understood, though. They must have felt motivated after that tight class session, like he was. And that feeling finally led everyone to the entrance of the Sanctuary's library.

If cultivation won't start soon, they might as well know what to expect in the next classes.

People flooded into the library. As Zmey was about to take a step inside, Nero's grip around his arm made him pause. Glancing back, he could read something in his eyes. Something like hesitation.

"Can't we... do this some other time? We had a tight class just now. So shouldn't we... like go and rest? Learning later would be fun... I guess," Nero asked, stuttering a little.

Zmey didn't answer immediately. Because there was something unusual about Nero.

He seemed like he was hiding something, shifting his glance to avoid his own intense gaze. What was the matter?

Well, he won't ask. Not like he cared that much.

Zmey gestured at his arm, jolting Nero into his senses to let go of his arm.

"You can head back first. I will be staying here for a few hours," said Zmey in a dismissive tone. He glanced straight ahead, then proceeded through the entrance without warning.

Nero stepped forward without knowing it, calling him back halfway. But he stepped backwards.

The dim light of the library corridor seemed like an abyss as he pondered whether to enter. One that could trap him if he set foot inside.

He turned his back. He walked away from the vicinity with his shoulders slumped. And his head turned downwards. He frowned in rage. His chest tightened.

Zmey paused in the corridor, inches from the inner room's door. He glanced at Nero.

Seeing his current self, it dawned on him that he always remained in that state whenever he sat around the oak tree. Not the playful and jovial guy he knew him as.

'He's strange. Will being with him later affect me?'

Sympathising with the guy could strengthen a risky bond between them. Besides, people appear to get close to each other when one is at their low.

He couldn't risk giving the ritual an advantage to have a trustee lucky card any more.

It was either he killed himself after getting fed up, or he kept on living as a mortal apprentice here. Also, either he breaks free from the ritual or dies while trying to.

Then, he opened the door and entered the inner room.

Nero clenched his fist as he strode on. The more he thought about agreeing to stay in Eldengrove, the crazier he felt. The more foolish he saw himself as!

"Why Eldengrove of all places? Why the Magic Sanctuary!? Why?" he groaned. "How much more foolish can I be?"

Reaching the corner near the library's brick fence, he turned and jabbed his fist against the wall. Blood trickled down; only he damaged his fist, but the fence stood gallant.

Tears streaked down his face.

"I shouldn't have been here. I'm not supposed to be anywhere! Curse my existence... whether in Eldengrove or Frosthaven, I'm still a murderer! All died because of me in both places! I killed them!"