Covenant (End)

In the morning, Valan with the whole Telderan family had boarded a tourist steamboat. They made tours inside the city as planned the day before. There many kinds of people here, from high-class to commoners, from adult to kids.

On the side of the boat, Valan gripped the railing. He fought the urge to shut his eyelids.

"You look dreadful," Celica announced cheerfully, her tone definitely mocking. "Did you spend the night wrestling with ghosts?"

"Something like that," Valan muttered.

"Are you feeling unwell, Valan? You barely touched your breakfast."

"I'm fine, Mrs. Telderan. Just not much of a morning person."

Kara bounded over. "Your eyes are all red and puffy. Did you cry yourself to sleep?"

"Kara!" Maya scolded her. "That's not polite to ask."

Celica laughed, clapping her hands together. "Maybe you're too excited about Weldphal? What are you, a child?!"

"Don't assume everyone's the same as you, Celica."

"Hey! At least, I still had a good sleep."

Of course, the truth was far more complicated—he only managed a few hours of sleep. After the incident with the masked rider, he tried to go to Weldphal by himself without sneaking, but the townguards chased him instead because they thought he was related with the masked rider.

Not wanting to blow his cover and create more trouble, he decided to wait out the night. He returned back without much problem, and nobody seemed to notice his escapade a few hours back.

Sailing close to the coast, the steamboat passed through the river mouth that split Glendione into two parts: west and east. Weldphal and the Telderan's estate were at the west part of the city, whereas the eastern part was dominated by factories and warehouses.

Merchant vessels of every size crowded the waterway—cargo haulers, passenger ferries, even smaller fishing boats weaving between the larger ships like minnows around whales.

"Those ships are big," Maya breathed, pressing against the railing.

"Big! Big!" Kara followed with excitement.

Valan forced himself to focus on the conversation, using it as an anchor against his fatigue.

But it was the sight ahead that truly captured his attention.

The Archwater Bridge rose before them like something from a dream. Valan had seen many wonders in this world, but the one in front of him never ceased to amaze him.

Made only by manipulating water, it stood around a kilometer from the river's mouth, around five-hundred meters wide and probably a hundred meters tall at the middle—almost like a skyscraper. Ships passed both above and below the bridge in order, some sailing through the river channel while others crossed overhead.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Mrs. Telderan said, noticing his stare.

"How does it work?" Valan asked.

"There's an arcane generator underwater," Arline suddenly answered. "They channel mana upward, creating stable water structure in mid-air."

"You seemed to know a lot."

Celica rolled her eyes. "She's also a nerd, although without the glasses like you."

As their steamboat approached the bridge's base.

"We'll be taking the upper channel," the captain called out.

The boat began to rise, water flowing beneath them as if solid ground. Valan gripped the railing tighter, but weirdly enough, he didn't feel the gravity pulling him, despite the boat climbing into a gradient.

Seemed the arcane somehow also helped with that.

From the bridge's peak, Glendione spread out below them.

People began to crowd the railings, not wanting to miss the scenery.

Valan had seen the city from ground level, but this view revealed its true scope. The western district rolled across hills in organized blocks.

"There's Weldphal," Arline pointed toward what looked like a military fortress on the western hills. In a few days, he'd be taking the admission exam there.

To the east, smokestacks belched dark plumes into the air. Warehouses stretched in endless rows along the waterfront.

Valan traced the river's path. It went through the city's heart before splitting into smaller channels, basically became the veins of the factories.

The boat began its descent on the eastern side of the bridge. As they returned toward the normal sea level, people began to comment how exciting the view was.

Without warning, Kara tugged on Valan's sleeve. "Look! That lady has the same glasses as you!"

Valan followed her finger, pointing at a woman in her forties near the bow. She stood alone at the railing. Her hair were pulled into a knot. She wore a navy jacket and glasses, whose frame was actually different than what Valan wore.

"Don't point, Kara," Maya whispered. "It's rude."

But it was too late, the woman turned at their voices. When her eyes met Valan's, Arline suddenly said, "Is that the headmaster?"

"What?" Celica asked, following her sight. "Wait, it is! It is her!"

The woman, seemed to recognize the two girls, approached them. "Good afternoon."

"Mrs. Ardella." Mr. Telderan stepped forward with a polite bow. "What a pleasure to see you here."

"Ah, Mr. Telderan. It's been a while," her gaze shifted to Mrs. Telderan. "Rhea! Didn't expect to meet you here."

"Nice to see you, Yulie." Mrs. Telderan and she shared a hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you're busy preparing for the admission."

"Can't a woman take a break between now and then?" She sighed. "Especially after a long, tedious job."

Mrs. Telderan just laughed.

The woman—Ardella—shifted to Arline and Celica. "I thought I recognize these girls, so I just want to say my greetings."

"It's an honor, headmaster," Arline replied, her usual composure intact despite the surprise encounter.

"You're not my student, yet." She laughed. "Pass the admission exam first."

Celica, for once, seemed speechless.

The headmaster's attention settled on Valan. "And you are?"

"Valan Ferndall, ma'am—from Isvania."

"He stays with us for a while," Mr. Telderan interjected. "He's also applying to Weldphal."

"I see." She nodded. "Do you have a letter of recommendation?"

"…I have." Valan said carefully.

"May I know from who?"

Arline and Celica stared at him.

"Unfortunately, I don't know her name—but I have the letter if you—"

"It's okay, Ferndall. It's a matter for later. Well, I look forward to reviewing your examination results. Weldphal Academy always welcomes students of exceptional talent, regardless of their origins."

"Thank you, Headmaster," the three bowed.

"Rhea," Ardella's attention moved to Rhea. "Might I have a word with you and your husband?"

"Sure. What's the matter, Yulie?"

"There's a matter I'd like to discuss privately."

Mrs. Telderan narrowed her eyebrows, then she looked at Valan and the two girls. "I'm sorry, but can you keep an eye for Maya and Kara?"

"I'll take care of it, Auntie," Arline nodded.

Valan then watched them disappear into the cabin.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Celica whispered to Arline.

"Maybe some important matters—it's not our business anyway," Arline replied.

“Look! A silver fish!” Kara yelled. "Silver fish!"

“It’s a sword, silly!” Maya shouted louder. “It’s got a pointy nose!”

Suddenly, the kids' shout hurried Arline and Celica towards them.

"Hey! Be careful with the railings!" Celica said.

As both went away, Valan was left alone. He struggled to keep himself awake. His eyes felt too heavy already.

With nothing to do, his attention went into the Telderan's and the headmaster. He wondered what they were talking. Slowly, he walked closer to the cabin where they had entered.

"Whisper step." Valan's hearing sharpened as the spell took hold.

The conversation from the academy boat's cabin became clear as if he were standing beside them.

"How badly was the girl injured?" Mr. Telderan's voice mixed with both concern and barely controlled anger.

"She's still breathing, but won't wake up. The attacker ripped her soul—but somehow her family escaped with only injuries, although it's still bad."

"How can this be?" Mrs. Telderan asked. "Do the townguards have any leads?

"From how they told me, I think they're still in the dark. The dad described the attacker as wearing a dark mask and cloak."

Valan couldn't believe what he was hearing. The masked rider from his midnight encounter had attacked someone? That explained why such a pursuit happened last night.

Ardella continued, "What concerns me most is that this masked man. seems to be a strong arcanist. That family he attacked wasn't weak, but he managed to defeat them all."

"Why the newspaper didn't report it?"

"It happened before dawn. There's no way to print it but for tomorrow," the headmaster continued. "I'm saying this because the girl actually is about to apply to Weldphal as well. I know there's no proof if this is just a personal vendetta or targeted attack, but better safe than sorry."

Just after that last words, Valan broke his spell. He then happened to caught Arline staring directly at him.

As their sights locked, she just looked away.