Twelve Rays, One Shadow

Never once did Yuushin think he would ever feel this way.

Never once did he consider his heart would be racing, his palms sweating, his muscles tensing, because of something like that.

He never considered he would be having those kinds of feelings.

This kind of thought.

I…

Actually know how Lyr felt, now…

“Can’t you transform into a bug or something?”

Vel frowned, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“A bug?”

“Or at least something less…conspicuous? What if someone uses magic and finds out you are, you know… You?”

The demon crossed her arms, the bright sunlight reflecting her black hair.

“Are you questioning the quality of my transformation?”

Yuushin sighed. “I’m not, but—”

“Then are you insinuating we will encounter someone as powerful as the Arch Bishop in this place? Or that I would commit the pathetic mistake of—”

“I’m just…! Hah…” The man buried his face in his hands, letting out a sigh before meeting her gaze again. “I’m worried about you. That’s all.”

Vel looked no different than an average human. No horns, no wings and long black nails, no purple skin—just a woman with lilac eyes and long black hair. She also switched her imposing black metal armor for a black and purple laced dress.

While she had explained enough about how the transformation worked, waltzing into one of the cities under Veritux’s protection with the Church’s number one enemy kinda made Yuushin, somewhat, a bit unsettled.

Especially when said person was the last survivor of her kind.

Though she could pretend to be from the dragon clan, in the worst-case scenario…

After being on this world for so long, Yuushin was finally learning more about things. Sure, Vel had only taught him the very basics so far, yet getting to know how everything worked there was very helpful—especially when he had decided to help her wage war against Veritux.

That world was called Ekkarys.

There were three main civilizations, four if he included the almost extinct demon race. Humans, theryans, and the dragon clan. Apart from the reclusive dragon clan, the Veritux Church had an iron grip on the other races and their kingdoms.

For the entire world to be a theocracy, being forced to follow the same religion…

Within Veritux, there were seven positions—going from a deacon to the grand Arch Cardinal. There were a total of twelve regions in Ekkarys, each region being governed by one of the Twelve Rays.

“The Twelve Rays is a group composed of Veritux’s greatest Stellar Arch Bishops. Some of them are even on a Cardinal level.”

The female demon had explained it to Yuushin earlier that day, before they arrived at the city. She told him there were three main stages used in Ekkarys to measure proficiency and skill level; Lucent, Nova, and Stellar. The equivalent of Beginner, Intermediary and Advanced.

“Which level would I be?”

Vel tilted her head, analyzing him.

“A Stellar Arch Priest, perhaps? It’s difficult to gauge your power when you have no mana.”

After an Arch Priest, we have a Bishop and then an Arch Bishop…so according to her, I’m an advanced Arch Priest, now.

Guess I need to get a lot stronger, then.

With his heart racing in anticipation, Yuushin gripped the metal staff tighter. The region they were, Khunar, was overseen by Arch Bishop Decimus—the Tenth Ray.

The man who had sentenced Yuushin to death, and planned an excursion to kill Vel.

“For years now, Veritux has been on a quest to eliminate all creatures of Chaos, as well as wild magic. Yrun’Dïr is a Chaos domain within Khunar that I oversee, so once it's free from my 'interference', Decimus will convert Yrun’Dïr’s energy into Order.”

“I’m assuming this would create some problems.”

Vel didn’t go too much into detail with her reply, yet the shadows that crossed her eyes said plenty.

“Not some. Many.”

Arch Bishop Decimus was in the city of Khurio, the place where Yuushin stayed when he first arrived, and where Veritux’s Khunar headquarters were. And in order to stop him—in order to protect Vel and her home—Yuushin needed to become stronger.

And for that, Yuushin needed to learn more about Soma. Which was why he and Vel were at Orsyr, the city famous for its great Soma masters and techniques.

The problem was how every time he saw a Veritux knight glance at Vel for more than two seconds, Yuushin started having a mini heart attack.

Which was why he decided to take them to an inn—to give his poor heart a break.

Fortunetly or not, the inn was not crowded at all, with only a few small groups here and there and a single barmaid tending the place.

Hopefully, no one will pay much attention to us…

Though Vel’s appearance alone, even as a human, attracted more than enough attention—for both of them.

They chose their seats in a more reserved spot, with Yuushin pulling Vel’s chair and taking his seat only after she permitted, since they were playing the part of ‘A Nobleness and her underpaid Servant’.

“In your world, were you a warrior?” She asked the second he sat down, her eyes looking elsewhere.

Hah, Lyr asked me the same thing.

“No, I was just an artist. Made some money by painting and illustrating others’ creations, most of the time.”

Vel’s gaze shifted to his then, her voice skeptical.

“Do all artists in your world fight like you? Your body moves with experience.”

Oh, she was probably referring to his karate…

A bitterness spread across his mouth as Yuushin fidgeted in his seat.

“Well…no, that’s because… Let’s just say I learned how to fight because of my family. I don’t actually have a lot of experience with real fights.”

She stared at him, in silence, for some long seconds—her eyes piercing his more and more by the second.

“I can teach you the sword. If you would like.” And when she finally spoke, nonchalant and poised, her words actually surprised him.

Yuushin blinked a few times before his voice spiked, the excitement bursting out of his heart. “Y-you can?! I-I mean, this would be great! I would love to.”

For a second, he swore a faint smile touched her lips. Yet it was gone in a second.

“After we eat, we can start with the basics.”

Only after Vel’s words did Yuushin realized how hungry he was. Excusing himself, he walked toward the barmaid, his stomach rumbling as he ordered the food and drinks. The woman told him she would call when it was ready, which hopefully wouldn’t take long.

And just as he was walking away—

“…Yuushin? Is that you?”

His body froze.

Because that, that was a very familiar voice. One he never thought he would hear in this place.

Yuushin turned, the man’s eyes widening as they landed on a woman with short red hair and freckles, and the tall, blond man with bright brown eyes standing at her side.

The other man spoke, staring at Yuushin almost in awe. “Am I dreaming right now…? I’m not, right? That’s him, isn’t it?”

With his mind still trying to think of words to say, Yuushin opened his mouth—no sound coming out. And before he could ever reply—

*thump*

A tight, warm hug.

“My dude, I thought you were as good as dead—like, holy shit, bro, you’re Asian Gandalf for real!”

Yuushin didn’t even know how to react, much less how to reciprocate, the man’s hug. So he met the woman’s gaze again.

And waved.

“Hey. Long time no see.”

Johnny and Heidi.

I can’t believe they are here…

Yet more than reuniting with the two, there was another thing throwing Yuushin for a loop. While Heidi was dressed in leather clothes, with gloves, boots, and goggles—

Johnny was wearing a robe.

Giving Yuushin’s brain one more reason to go into a halt.