Chapter 16 Part 1: Artifacts

“Why don’t we spar?” Princess Anise’s chipper voice broke his focus. Jun grunted as his finger slipped, blood forming a small bead where the tool had hit. He heaved a sigh as he turned, pinching his fingers together and circulating his prayer. The wound closed without hint of a scar.

Anise’s shoulders were raised, her head tucked in-between.

“Oops.”

Jun’s lips furled as he looked at her, raised brow.

“Sorry… But we really should spar. I bet you’ve gotten rusty.”

Jun took a deep breath as he tidied his workspace. She was right. He had lost himself in the runes and had neglected his training. Though he found it annoying that it was now that she brought it up.

“Looking for an easy target?” he grumbled, though he let a smile display. Anise smiled, her eyes closing as her head tilted.

“Hardly. I’m curious how good you are even when out of practice. I’m sure Ol’ Bernard’s teachings were so strict that it’s still second nature to you.”

Jun flicked his eyes as he listened. She was buttering him up, flattering him, all to get a sparring session. Kids these days could be so predictable and easily read.

A crunching sound of feet stopped him from answering his retort.

“Ah, Mei. Arvad.” He greeted. Anise’s eyes were wide with shock and she looked to Jun and then Arvad. She shook her head helplessly and then stumbled over her feet as she left. Jun watched her go. What was that about?

Mei’s eyes lingered on her as she left, folding her arms with furrowed brows. Arvad flicked his hand, calming whatever that was about. Mei harrumphed, her nose pointing away. There was clearly something going on between those two. If only kids were easier to understand.

‘Is she gone?’ an old figure melted out of the beads on Arvad’s outfit and around his neck. Jun blinked rapidly as he comprehended that. Arnold appeared from the wand whip at Amalie’s side. Was this grandpa Frosty’s Artifact? The beads?

“She is. What did you come seeking me out for?” Jun hummed contentedly.

“Arvad mentioned something today that I wanted to talk about.” She elbowed him and Arvad shrugged. “Oh come on. It was about your artifact.”

“Oh right. Well. I don’t have it.” His nonchalant reply was so contrary to the idea that Jun couldn’t help but let his jaw hang at the revelation.

“As in you didn’t get one or-“

“I don’t have it. I mean, it’s at my dorm room, but I don’t wear it or touch it.”

Jun shifted on his stool, leaning back against his work table. His left hand came to his lips as he thought about this.

“That’s not even the crazy part. Remember how he doesn’t remember swear words? Well, he can’t remember most things about his past, and it’s all because he doesn’t have his artifact.”

Jun nodded slowly as she spoke. Arvad had mentioned not remembering about his past. Yet it was tied to his artifact. Jun recalled the Silver Flame and offered a prayer, almost inviting her to the discussion. She didn’t answer but he felt something warm in his chest.

“So how did you remember the tale of Cinderella?”

“You really are quick on the uptake.” Arvad laughed.

‘Simple. He told the other children about it when he still had his artifact.’ Grandpa Frosty chuckled. ‘Though they had a hard time grasping what a princess was.’ Arvad growled at that. Jun could only hazard a guess how that had gone.

“So, in short, you can remember remembering. Ha.” Mei laughed at the phrasing. Arvad affirmed it, chuckling as well.

‘Arvad… is also a special case. He was so despondent when he came here. He had a weight, a burden. I talked with Arnold about it and he gave some practical advice.’

Jun rested on the edge of the work table while Grandpa Frosty hovered a bit higher, sitting on nothing but air.

“Alright. I can tell the tale, or at least what I can recall.” Arvad growled. Jun smirked. It wasn’t fun having someone else sharing your secrets.

“Only if you want to.”

“You think they’ll remain quiet?” Arvad sighed. Jun shrugged, fully aware, but still offering the figurative olive branch. Arvad twisted his lips as the silence grew. Jun began to wonder what made his tongue tie so much.

“I… killed someone back on earth. At least I think so. It’s been a while since I thought about it.” Arvad exhaled, then pulled one arm close, resting his elbows on his thighs. Mei’s eyes were soft. Jun kept his expression calm and patient. This was not an easy subject. While killing was somewhat more common here, especially the idea of killing monsters. It didn’t mean that back on earth, he could be pardoned, just because he was in a new world.

“I think I didn’t mean to do it, but it happened. After coming here. I wanted to forget it.” His foot shifted and he forced it to still. “Arnold mentioned that if I gave up my artifact willingly, I could forget my past and start over.”

Jun waited an appropriate amount of time before raising his voice.

“And?”

Arvad looked at him, eyes wide and arms drawing in a bit closer, shrinking away from him. However as their eyes met, he eased up .

“I can’t say I judge you for that. In some ways, life could be easier if I wasn’t burdened with my past. However, I don’t think I could choose that, knowing who Mei really is.”

“You better not!” Mei griped, hands on her hips before she shifted a bit closer to Arvad. Jun half chuckled, rolling his eyes. He would never entertain the idea of marrying her. She was his beloved little daughter, not a love interest. Besides, she clearly loved the other man who was present.

Jun stilled. This man, Arvad, had been a killer back on earth. He chewed his lips. Intentional or not, was he fine with Mei being close? He mentally kicked himself. Arvad wasn’t a ‘bad’ person, and he regretted the outcome, even if he couldn’t remember the details. He had been forthcoming with it as well. Jun wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but there was still that fatherly urge to keep her safe.

‘Well, your regret was neither here nor there when you made the final decision.’ Grandpa Frosty huffed. Jun waited, his inner mind pausing to listen. ‘You said you wanted to ‘honor my new life by being fully present’. Now ain’t that nice.’ Grandpa Frosty laughed as Arvad stiffened, his face turning red.

“Gramps! By the sands! You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone!”

Even Jun forced himself not to laugh at the situation. However, his mind reeled with the revelation and Arvad’s youthful perspective. If he had to put his finger on it, Mei seemed almost to mirror that idea—the ‘living fully present’ aspect. Jun closed his eyes as the conversation continued.

However he contemplated what was said.

I’ve been chasing after the past and not really living as Jun Jinshari.

His right ear tickled. ‘Indeed.’

Now you talk to me.

‘Only as you realize what you have been doing. But for now, that’s not why I reached out. Store up your prayers. Tonight, we will chat.’