A Subtle Beauty

Their mountains are quite different…

Formations with tops that curved like half moons, or that were circular with holes in the middle, Ekkarys’ mountains almost look like they had been sculpted by hand, with curves, shapes, and colorations that vastly differed the ones from Earth.

As they crossed the plains, never straying too much from the road, Yuushin continued to admire the sights, the two moons shining proudly in the dark, night sky. Heidi and Johnny were passed out beside him, their bodies sprawled on top of their belongings.

Their first day had passed with no occurrences, and Yuushin hoped things would continue like that. According to Kez and Vel, they still had two more days until they reached Khunar—though the dragon wanted to arrive before, if they could.

Yuushin did ask if either of them could summon an air elemental, like Lyr had done when he first arrived, yet apparently things were not that simple.

“By law, only Veritux’s affiliates have permission to call out to elemental beings.”

Kez’s lips curved into a smirk. “It’s also quite tricky for newbies, you know? Gotta have skill to call out to these folks like that.”

Vel nodded. “Even if I or Kez’Vethra were to summon one of them, it would immediately cause suspicion upon our group. So it’s best for us to use what any noblewoman would be able to afford—a pureblood, Soma enhanced stallion.”

Above him, thousands of stars shone in the sky. The kind of view he had never been able to see before, even in the most remote and rural areas in Japan.

I guess I really know nothing about this world, huh?

He knew about the races, he knew about Veritux, he knew about mana and Soma—at least to some extent. But his knowledge was scarce and shallow. Since Yuushin was risking his life to go against the organization that ruled the place, the least he could do was learn more about Ekkarys.

”What is wild magic?”

Both Vel and Kez seemed surprised by his sudden question, the female demon taking a few more sips of her tea before replying.

“As you may have assumed, it’s the magic originated from Chaos energy.”

“Those Veritux folks hate it, because it’s cooler than their primeval magic,” Kez added with an amused grin, resting her head on both her hands as she leaned back.

“Each magic has its own value and utility.” Vel’s remark earned a scoff from the dragon, one that was promptly ignored.

“But what’s the difference between them? These types of magic, I mean.”

“The way the flow into your mana channels. If you do one, you can’t do the others, basically.”

Though Kez didn’t explain how she normally would things, Yuushin was no less confused than he was before.

*clink*

Making the tea set disappear, Vel adjusted her dress’s skirt as she spoke, her voice poised and calm.

“There are three main types of magic. Primeval, which comes from Order energy. Wild, that comes from Chaos, and raw—a neutral, natural form of magic that does not seem to derive from any energy in particular.”

“Yeah, and most folks have one type they have more affinity to. That friend of yours was lucky, since his test showed primeval instead of wild.” Kez said while pointing to a sleeping Johnny, the man hugging tightly a bag of provisions.

“Each magic flows and manifests through the mana channels differently, shaping them in a certain way. Primeval magic demands structure and straight paths, which makes the channels narrower and longer. Wild magic, on the other hand, is unruly—it expands and shortens the channels, creating many divisions and short-cuts along the way. And while raw magic doesn’t influence one’s channels this much, it can't flow if the body is already used to either of the other two.”

Yuushin widened his eyes, wondering which kind of magic he would’ve been able to use had he not busted his channels. He turned to Kez.

“Why did you say wild magic is cooler, though?”

The female dragon giggled, the sound mischievous and mocking. Yet instead of letting her answer, it was Vel’s voice that reached him again.

“Primeval magic is second to none when it comes to healing and barrier spells. It’s also really good for assembling and some weather spells. Yet its offensive power is very lacking.”

“Those charlatans keep spouting nonsense about wild magic being too destructive and dangerous, but they are just bitter after sitting with their jealous asses all day.” Kez burst out laughing with her own remarks, the sound joyful and amused.

Yuushin glanced at Johnny and Heidi. Given how loud Kez was being—

I’m surprised they didn’t wake up…

“What about Soma?”

Vel and Kez frowned at his question, the former meeting his gaze. “What about it?”

“Are there different types of Soma too? Like wild Soma, or something similar.”

While Kez started laughing again, holding her stomach as she did so, Vel let out a soft chuckle as understanding shone in her eyes.

“Ah. No, Soma is one’s own energy, so it doesn’t derive from any other. The same goes for Soulchant.”

The man gave a slow nod, trying to organize all those things in his mind. Magic was a lot more complex than he had previously thought, apparently. And thought at that moment, there was nothing else in particular that he wanted to know, Yuushin kept trying to think of questions and things to be curious about.

The way Vel explains things…I like it.

He liked the flow and tone of her voice, from the way it reached his ears to how it would be etched in his memory, echoing within his mind like a sweet lullaby.

“Back in my world, we don’t have anything like that.” But when he couldn’t think of something to ask, he decided to share something instead. “Magic, demons, dragons—these are things we only ever saw in made-up stories.”

While Kez seemed only to be mildly interested, something sparked within Vel’s lilac eyes. Something genuine and inquisitive.

“Your kind creates stories about other worlds? Why?”

Why?

Sometimes Yuushin wondered about that, himself. Why he liked drawing so much, why he found so much comfort in the fantasy stories he helped animate, why he went out of his way from Okinawa to Tokyo—being shunned and ostracized by his family—only to keep seeking those same stories.

…

Maybe…

“…to feel less lonely.”

Whether Vel realized he was speaking strictly about himself, she did not show. Yet as the silence stretched between them, the demon ruler looked to the sides before extending her hand toward the trees.

A gentle breeze passed through them, bringing to the cart a few leaves that came dancing with the wind—one landing right on Vel’s palm. The leaf was almost as big as her hand, its blueish tone enhanced by the moonlight.

Then she turned to Yuushin, a warmth spreading in her gaze.

“I noticed how our trees seem to amuse you, so perhaps it’s different from where you come from. Here, the flora changes based on the temperature.”

A flame flickered on her other hand, and as Vel approached the flame toward the leaf. And right before his eyes, Yuushin watched the blue leaf turn a beautiful shade of purple. Then the flame disappeared, an ice crystal appearing in its stead. As the seconds passed, the leaf absorbing the crystal’s coldness, the purple faded until it became a rich, almost fluorescent green.

Yuushin lost his breath.

How come I never noticed this before…?

“I’m certain there are many things here that differ from your old world. Yet if you wish, I will teach you each one of them. Little by little.”

Their eyes met then, and within that lilac gaze, Yuushin thought he saw the same loneliness he felt. The same old ache that afflicted his heart, after never being able to call a place his ‘home’. And whether Vel had seen that same ache in him—whether she had understood the true meaning of his words, and what he searched for—her eyes pierced his own with their own kind promise.

A smile touched his lips, one that reflected the gratitude wrapped around his heart.

“Yeah, I would really like that.”

Kez remained silent in that whole exchange, looking at the distance with a contemplative gaze. And though Yuushin wondered what thoughts afflicted the female dragon, he preferred to give Kez the space. Not only because he had no wish to pry, but also because he didn’t think he knew enough about Ekkarys or Kez herself to help her lessen her worries.

So Yuushin did the one thing he could. He closed his eyes and continued to train. Trying to reach the core and its itch, while praying the rest of their journey would be just as peaceful.

And just as beautiful.