Traxons

Kairo may have been a focus for the derby event, but that didn't mean he could rest on his laurels. In fact, Lyon had requested he work as a commoner, to increase his favorability with the people. For once, Kairo didn't mind as it would keep him busy on tasks that didn't involve near-death experiences.

So, work began at the crack of dawn on the derby day. Kairo was assigned to help set up the arena stadium alongside Lady Candice and Lady Bluesteed. Lady Foster was their go-to supervisor for tasks.

Genie was assigned to Aldrick-pasha for security detail, where his perimeter and scope magic would come in handy.

Kairo was relieved he wasn't going to be the entertainment this time. But he wondered why he was assigned manual labor, considering the event was supposedly in his honor.

Still, it was oddly enjoyable work. He found the mundane routine of putting royal ribbons around the stadium rails and laying out small magic lamps along the aisles a calming change of pace. Helping a crew of workers set up a racetrack on the pitch felt rewarding. But he frowned when he saw the track was too narrow for horses or similar-sized beasts. He wondered if centurions were going to do the racing.

Lady Candice boldly answered his questions on the matter when they broke for lunch on one of the stadium benches.

"We use monsters for the racing," she said whilst chewing a piece of her cheese sandwich, and shoving grapes and berries into her mouth.

Lady Bluesteed sighed and daintily sipped her tea from a fine porcelain cup. "Believe it or not we have non carnivore monsters we use for livestock and domestic purposes outside the palace."

Kairo listened enthralled as she told him of the breed types, where most lived on plains or mountain landscapes. The monsters they used for derby races were called traxons. They were six-legged creatures with rat bodies, and grew to 16 inches in height and 32 inches wide—from what he understood of her description. Their legs made them fast.

"How do you race them?"

"With our mind-links," Lady Candice factually answered between more mouthfuls of food.

Lady Bluesteed explained that centurions could somehow share a mutual bond with the monsters, which would form a master-servant connection.

"Our thoughts and intentions are fed into the traxon's mind to temporarily override their consciousness."

Kairo paused from taking a bite out of his pie. "Wait. Isn't that mind control?"

She nodded.

He frowned, not likely the idea. No one should force a creature, even a monster, to do something against their will.

Lady Bluesteed could tell he didn't find this fact comfortable, which made her like him even more.

"Don't worry, their will is intact at all times. They can break free from the control at their will. Remember, the link is a mutual link. If anything, we're only riding their consciousness to achieve a purpose."

He eased back with a sigh and chuckled with understanding. Rather than ride the mount physically, they were doing it with their minds.

"Ah, well, fair enough. So where will the riders be if the traxons are on the racecourse?"

She smiled and explained. 

A gong went off that signalled break time being over. They returned to finish their tasks. Lady Foster had arrived at the end of the day to check their progress and quality.

"You did great work. Our prince shall be pleased." Lady Foster praised them.

Kairo noticed tension in her hands when she mentioned the prince. He didn't know why, but it made him feel suspicious. He brushed it aside as paranoia, considering the unexpected late night warning.

They were eventually dismissed for some free time before returning to the arena for the event. Kairo headed back to the villa on his own. He saw Genie stretched out on a sofa near the hearth. The man was whining into a cushion about being overworked.

"Working for Aldrick-pasha is that bad?" He chuckled when Genie sat up to make some space for him: he slumped down next to him.

"Bad?! The man's a true demon!" Genie huffed and listed out his complaints.

"He made me climb a steeple to activate a barrier. Steeple! You know how bloody high they are?!" He groaned with exaggerated exasperation.

Kairo laughed heartily and patted his head, "There, there, at least you can get some rest before the event."

He jokingly pushed Genie off him when the man demanded more head pats, then rose to go to his room. Midway up the stairs, he paused and gripped the rail when he felt his spirit form pulsating outward. It made his bones creak with threats of cracking and his muscles tense with sharp aches.

Genie stood when he felt a power flux from the stairs. He rushed to Kairo, who was sweating profusely and struggling to stand. Bolstering his strength with his magic, he scooped Kairo into his arms and carried him to the bed.

Kairo's body was releasing magical power waves with a strength and velocity that had both of them tumbling about the bed. Genie's head slammed against Kairo's forehead.

"Genie, what's going on?!" Kairo gasped when he saw where they ended up.

Genie glanced around Kairo's Spiritual Sea, which was a galaxy map of star systems unrecognizable to him. Every step he took was like walking within a deep blue sky among stars. In the distance, he saw the wizard restriction as a small, smoky ball of light emitting sparks, like it was fighting to survive.

"The wizard restriction has almost faded." He carefully approached it with Kairo next to him, and felt smug with understanding. "You've leveled up."

Kairo stepped back to glance around his sea. "It wasn't like this before."

"Of course not! When a mage levels up, it's expected for their spirit network to evolve."

A cheeky expression showed on Genie's face. "While we're here, let's fight and check how powerful you've become."

Kairo groaned and thought of their exit.

"Phooey." Genie moped when their consciousness returned to their physical world, then gulped when he felt Kairo's breath on his cheek, stirring blushes. He hastily pushed Kairo to the far side of the bed and got up.

"Whelp. Seeing that you're okay, I'll get back to it." He hurried back downstairs.

Kairo awkwardly scratched his head. He was enjoying his time with Genie, and didn't mind if the man stayed longer. A thought occurred to him: he had yet to show his appreciation for everything he had done for him.

"Never mind. I'll ask him what he likes later," he brushed off, and sat cross-legged on his bed to slip into meditation. Within his spiritual sea he checked his magic levels, which had increased from 0-20. His rezenens mage level was close to reaching Level-2. He exited his spiritual sea.

"My magic has seriously gone up to 20 levels?" He looked at his Holy Ama Cross pendant resting proudly against his chest, which looked shiner than before. He smiled and decided to prepare himself for his evening duties.

The palace courtyards and grounds were swarming with people from all walks of life. Who either used Movement Talisman scroll portal spells to arrive or spent hours taking the long ride via various transportation methods. Some flew overhead on magically fueled hoverboards or arrived on silver carriages or lavish and posh looking cars powered by magic jets.

Kairo giddily entered the outer courtyard of the Chamber of Petitions. The other staff had early set up market stalls, game booths, and magically powered theme park rides. They were now in full swing: packed with people trying out wares or going on thrilling rides. The atmosphere was charged with joyous exhilaration; savory and sweet food smells, and even the blissful aroma of cotton candy wafted about the air.

"This is amazing!" His eyes were swimming with awe at the theme park event.

"Isn't it just?" Genie smiled at Kairo's child-like-wonder. He grabbed his hand and led him to a dart throwing range. "Give this one a go."

"Oh?" Kairo felt a challenge coming on. Then men paid for their darts and started a match.

But Kairo paused his throw when he saw Lady Bluesteed and Lady Candice walk up to them.

Lady Bluesteed's blond ponytails were softly highlighted beneath the colorful floating lamp lights. She looked radiant in her blue sari dress, which gently accentuated her womanly curves.

"You look beautiful," he said to her and accidentally dropped his dart on his foot, causing him to hop about.

"Are you okay?" Lady Bluesteed worryingly asked Kairo, with her ears tilting forward.

Kairo awkwardly laughed off his pain. "It's nothing. Just a flesh wound."

Lady Candice giggled when Kairo awkwardly picked up his dart and threw it at a game target without looking to hit a bullseye.

Genie stared at their moment with a scowl. He unleashed all his darts to his target in quick succession to ease his tension. They hit every bullseye.

The games booth worker looked in awe at the two men as he handed Genie their prizes.

Lady Candice sidled up to Genie and shoved a candy apple on a stick before his face. "Eat this, I hear it makes the jellies taste sweeter."

He flashed her a wry grin. "Once again your tact and observation skills don't match."

She laughed as she took back her candy. "Looking at him, I think you won't have a problem. Either way, good luck." She slapped his back and skipped to stand next to Lady Bluesteed.

"Come on. We've got work to do. So do you." Lady Candice pointed to Kairo with her candy apple who groaned at her reminder.

She dragged Lady Bluesteed away.

"Your prize." Genie shoved a stuffed plush toy before Kairo who blushed, feeling touched and timid by the gesture-win, but was puzzled at what it was. It looked like a pig but had horns and a devil's tail.

"It's a porkle, if you're wondering," Genie answered.

"That's the creature where dicks come from?" Kairo shook his head to clear it and returned his focus to work.

"I guess we split ways here. Lady Foster has me working the food stands at the entrance."

"Really?"

"She says I should live the 'commoner' life once in a while." Kairo laughed. "But I've always been a commoner."

Genie shook his head, doubting the fact. "Says the rezenens mage."

The men parted ways to attend to their duties.