Eternal Elysium

In a room, the soft noise of chair creaking could be heard by two figures.

And they were not amused by it.

Albert, putting some snacks in his mouth, stared at Asher absentmindedly for a few seconds, his interest finally reaching its peak.

The soft sounds of the rocking chair Asher was sitting on were not annoying, to say the least, rather they felt calm in a sense, but something felt unusual about it. And Albert was dying to know what it was, maybe not just him but Elda as well felt the same way he did.

Asher, unaware of Albert's thoughts, continued to relax with his legs crossed and reading an old worn-out book.

This has been going on for the last four hours. He had sat there in the afternoon, bringing along two books with him and switching between them in one-hour intervals.

But Albert could care less about that… Really he doesn't— No, maybe he does care, but just a little bit. Yes, only a little bit.

Shaking his head to wash away such thoughts Albert once again started to munch on the snacks placed on the table and laid on the couch lazily.

Hearing the aggressive munching sound, Elda sighed and placed a cup of cold tea at the small round table near Asher.

"What are you doing Asher?" She asked in a soft voice and sat down on one of the couches.

'This chair is mine!'

Elda still remembers Asher's excited, almost childlike words, when he one day suddenly placed the rocking chair in the common room.

'Not like it's a throne?' She almost giggled remembering that soft expression Asher had made.

"Me? Just reading some books." I said to Elda.

"Yes, yes I can see that. But what's it about?"

"Oh, that's one about monster encyclopedias. You can also read that if you wish." I pointed to the brown leathered book beside the cup.

Elda nodded, showing no change in expression and then asked.

"And what about the one you have been reading all this time?"

My lips curled up into a small smirk and I answered rather excitedly.

'I am going to regret asking this, aren't I?' Elda closed her eyes, ready to hear what was in store for her.

"Ah, I am glad you asked. You see this book is precious, way too precious! So, be aware to never open it without my permission. No, actually just stay away from it for your safety. The book contains cursed knowledge of magic… a very dangerous one actually. Who knows when monster pops out of it?"

Smack!

Hearing the sudden sound both of us turned to look to our left, only for me to frown.

"Of course, it was going to be this kind of shit!"

Albert had smacked his own head for some reason and was cursing out loud.

Albert smacked his own head and cursed loudly.

Who is this guy cursing out loud? I couldn't help but think. And remember, Elda told me that he was learning manners to behave properly. But except for snickering to himself I can't see much change.

'No, actually there is a change. Albert has become more mature lately, I should treat him with some ice cream as a reward.'

I couldn't help giving Albert a proud look — though maybe it came off more ridiculous than anything else. One who seems unable to decide whether to make fun of him or praise him.

Albert sensing my gaze frowned and tilted his head in confusion.

Elda, seeing the two boys' ridiculous behavior, rubbed her temples with her hands and sighed, leaning back.

While Asher has opened up more to them since her good old days in the hospital room. His eerie calmness these days was being overshadowed by his new peculiar way of speaking.

Elda didn't know if what he said in this particular way was the truth or not, but it was undeniably being done knowingly by Asher.

And he seems to be enjoying it a lot.

However, a part of Elda's heart believed everything he said— Maybe to her, it was an obvious thought— Why would her savior lie?

'Ah, I am becoming stupid by the day… Did he also used to smile and joke like this when he lived in his village with his friends and family?'

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Elda smiled thinking as such and ignored his previous ridiculous comment regarding the books.

"So, what's the story behind the rocking chair by the way? Asher. Um, how do I say it?"

"Say what?" I asked, tilting my head toward Elda.

Elda threw a wry smile in my direction scratching her cheeks.

'What is she getting shy about now?'

"Just forget it." She sighed, shaking her head.

Flick—

Closing the book, I frowned.

"If you are asking for this chair, the story isn't something grand. I just liked it so I picked it up."

"But you have been glued to it since yesterday, and didn't you declare that it was yours the moment you placed it on the ground!"

Hearing Elda my lips curled up into a smile, and sighed.

"Elda, you truly overthink sometimes. While it's true that I picked the chair for specific, maybe even emotional reasons. The truth in the end is that the chair was new and was rotting away somewhere. So, I took it for myself since it's comfy and… do you know what the most important reason is…?"

Raising her brow together Elda leaned forward, her interest also peaked by now. From the corner of my eyes, I could also see Albert giving us a side glance, his ears perked up.

Hiding my smirk, I whispered.

"...It's free."

"Ah"

"Pfft—"

Elda let out a stupified sound making me smile harder, while Albert started to laugh, raising his hand he pointed at Elda and muttered.

"Pfft– Elda, did you really expect a serious answer from the boss? Oh goddess that was a good one, your expression was hilarious… Hhahah—"

And then he froze, as he saw the old book being thrown in his direction and closed his eyes.

But the expected hit never came.

"Wh–?" Elda realizing what she had done was about to apologise but stopped mid-sentence.

Albert squinted his eyes open, peeking to see if the book missed his head or not.

"What the fuck?!"

The old worn out book didn't move, floating inches away from Albert's face.

It's time-frozen!

Then an inexplicable sigh, almost tired, pulled their attention back.

Albert and Elda saw Asher stand up from his seat, shaking his head in disappointment

Slowly he walked towards Albert and grabbed the book.

His silvery eyes were calm, showing no obvious emotion as he gazed at them both.

Asher remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed before chuckling in their direction.

"I had just said this book is precious, yet you both are playing with it. Throwing it around as grown adults, really? What am I going to do with you two?"

Saying that he picked up the second book from the table and walked away.

"Shit, that was scary…" Albert mumbled as sweat started to trickle down his forehead.

Asher's silence and almost cold stare made me almost run for his life. Even though he wasn't at fault!

"I didn't get to say sorry…" Elda said under her breath, silently relieved nothing happened to the book.

Even though Asher didn't say anything harsh or scold them. His gaze this time alone was frightening.

And Elda didn't wish to face his wrath… because the last people who she knew faced it were dead.

Elda stared at Albert and he looked back at her.

A common understanding passes through them.

'Let's stay away from anything he brings!'

*****

"Well, they sure did a number on me this time…" I mumbled under my breath feeling my head pounding from all the sudying.

It's been two days since I had bloomed the riverend flower and two more flowers now rest on my balcony after that. My practice has literally rewarded me with something colorful.

"Huff… I was almost scared when the book was thrown."

Morgana the high priestess who speaks less has an abundance of emotions hidden inside of her. The last time I got to witness that was the day she also pointed her sword at me in curiosity at that.

'Yeah, I am not facing that again. I still love my life.'

Everything seems to have calmed down. It's so peaceful that my heart trembles sometimes, unable to decide my future course of action.

"Greth…that snake-like bastard."

Remembering Elda's question regarding the rockingchair— Which in my defense was actually comfortable, belonged to none other than Greth, the one I killed with a smile.

'Yeah, he deserves to die a thousand deaths.'

He was the real reason why Elda and the others have suffered so much, there was no way I was ever going to tell Elda too much about it—At least not yet.

My blood seems to boil at just remembering that psychopath. Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist and placed it above my heart in annoyance.

Exhaling a long sigh, I calmed my racing heart closed my eyes and opened them.

'Let's forget about that for now. I still have many things to deal with.'

'The mark of the star still has a use even if it has already performed its purpose…'

This was the reason I had been studying diligently about runes and the world of abstract, after all the threat it poses is far greater than what Morgana simply told me.

In the end, all I needed was strength, and a lot of it for my goal to come true.

Gazing at the flowers one last time, I felt my mind wander.

I practiced a lot… studied a lot as well.

But I knew the enlightenment was still far away. And I don't mind that. Rather both my advancement and enlightenment last time were way too sudden and unexpected.

The inexperienced me of that time truly messed up… but everything still worked out fine.

Praying diligently in my heart to the goddess who promised to be my site, I felt my eyes close one last time.

*****

The street was bustling, smoke was coming out of houses and the street lamps illuminated the way.

What a pleasant night it was for a walk…

Walking toward the workshop, I stretched my limbs feeling them creak after sleeping too much.

'Elda should have woken me up!'

They both diligently go to check on Silverwill but the time I spend there was less compared to anyone else. But being free from work was the reason I hired both of them in the first place.

As I entered through the door silence greeted me.

Everyone inside stood motionless, my gaze moved through all of them as my blood started to run cold.

Elda was on the ground, her cheeks reddened and bruised.

Several other figures were also present twitching on the ground with some spots of blood stains visible all over them.

My vision seemed to go hazy for a moment as I couldn't comprehend the situation.

At the corner I saw Lilly and Lucy hugging each other above the stairs, their eyes wide open in horror along with the other kids who could do nothing but tremble in fear.

"Ah look who is here." A voice came cutting through the silence.

Ba… thump!

Ba… thump!

"Lath don't play anymore, get rid of him," Hestor spoke from another corner.

Ba… thump!

My heart was about to come out.

It was beating so loud that it was comparable to a train's engine right now.

"Should I inject him with fear or anger?"

Someone came from behind and touched my back, but I didn't react.

"The guy is quite meek, right? Inject anger, let's see how this pussy cat reacts." Lath said with a grin plastered over his face.

Everyone's eyes seemed to widen in horror, as they heard the trio's words.

Hestor could only sigh, but he didn't try to stop them either and simply shook his head.

My vision turned red….

Snap!

And something snapped.