Listen

“Just listen, Keldric, I'm not trying to trick you or anything; just join me and let's finally end this!” The rain kept pouring down on them; the drizzle was turning into rainfall. “I will lead West Acluraria into a peaceful time; every commoner wants this. Some mages even do. You hear those councils and generals. All those people on the top layer using communication magic to hide their intentions.”

“I know they do, but if everything collapses now, then the east will come for sure. What if word gets out that they were overthrown? It would lead to us just being used by them.”

That's a valid point; I can't believe he's thinking this much about it. We have to try and have support from everyone so we can defend; that's why commoner support is so needed. Is this really the joking friend I used to talk to? He really grew up from flicking my forehead, but I suppose It's time to remind him.

Sorin used wind magic to dash straight into Keldric; his eyes were too slow to register Sorin, but there was one part, a hurting pain right above his nose.

“Man, what was that for?” Keldric looked annoyed at Sorin, who just smirked towards him. “That really brought me back, though.”

Sorin just laughed. “You will have plenty of time to get revenge then. I have no intention to be turned in or to fight you.” A flame erupted above his hand. “Look at this. Staffless magic- she taught it to me as thanks, basically, or to gain my trust further; I don't know which, but I know that it's useful.”

“That's so cool… could I learn that too? I mean not like I really care right now but once it's all over, would you teach me?” Keldric stood still; the amazement was clear, but there was an underlying layer to his words.

“I suppose once we do end this, then yes, I can teach you, but ruling a country must be pretty tiring; perhaps being part of the internal security would be nice with you?”

Keldric shook his head. “Like anyone can defeat Boyle; his firepower is the strongest of them all. Even if he only wields fire, it's basically pointless since even buildings collapse in front of him.”

Sorin then nodded. “I will have to fight him anyway. It doesn't matter, but he will try to stop me, but we won't stop. We will take him down to achieve this goal.

“Don't get me involved in that at least. Just let me stay at rallying. I'm still trying to live.” Keldric sighed out before turning his head into the sky, remembering that day it all started, his false ideas. “So you really didn't kill them. I wonder who did.”

Sorin then gave a small smile. “It was the east, and perhaps Ino too that dark purple-haired girl. She and they have plotted this, but I can't kill Ino because I can't confirm anything yet. So she gets to live, but her plans are going too far anyway.”

“Then we have to take down everything here and then find out who did it. I won't ever let them leave after killing the old man and our classmates.” Anger rose within him, but he tried to bury it at the moment.

He likewise understood Keldric's pain. “I already promised myself I would figure that out, and I will promise you now, even if you were to die. I won't let anyone get away with what they did.”

“Man, good to see you're not some evil traitor. I started having doubts since Aizo, and then hearing all of them talk, I thought it was pointless. I would never get the chance to fight back, or that I would have continued working for people that don't care about me. I just had no choice.”

That's right, I know exactly how that feels. When I was cut off from Farmouth, when I only had the choice to follow Ino's plan, but now giving the choice to someone who didn't have the choice before. I feel really like some hero; I might cringe.

Sorin then cleared his voice regaining his composure. “Teach the communication to every mage you can, and then they will make their own choice. Just don't get caught.”

“I won't get caught. Also, switch those colours up; I'm creeped out. But is that really all I have to do? Doesn't seem like much.”

He got a slight nod back. “That's all; that woman definitely has a plan for chaos and to allow me and her to take to the council. We are taking out the head and establishing me as the single one that way. You and I aren't working together, and she won't be afraid to kill you. She has three elements and staffless magic. She would rip you to shreds, so stay away from her.”

“Alright man, just make sure to stick to your end, or I will kill you personally next time.” Keldric turned the opposite way; the threat wasn't empty, but he didn't doubt Sorin would stick to his word.

The guilt he must be feeling.

That's the only thing Sorin could imagine: The fact he believed Sorin betrayed everyone, then condemned him, and now found it wasn't even him but the east and Ino in a way. It must be eating him on the side.

That little amount of work shouldn't be too much; however, he has to spread it internally. Paper isn't needed anymore, it seems; even Boyle won't be able to cut out this source unless he somehow finds Keldric in the act. As that guy would ever get caught, he's grown so much over these three months; I feel so old already.

Sorin then ran towards the cottage from before using the seal that enveloped him in an orange hue; he then appeared back at the base, his clothes fully drenched, almost leaking onto the floor, as Chikaru gave him a dirty glare as it wetted her seals.

“I'm sorry, Chikaru.”

“You should be sorry for running out like that, instead of being sorry to her.” Ino sat on top of the desk with her legs crossed, staring at him. “I see no piece of paper, so I assume they got spread out. I heard massive commotion in the main street, which I was planning to tell you about, but you ran! How immature you still are, my little student.”

Sorin ignored the comments. “Did you get your new mages? I'm assuming that's what you did anyway; what else is there to do.”

“Of course I did; they will explode into beautiful spells consuming the streets as we planned.” She laughed to herself.

He gave a sharp shake of his head. “As you planned, but it better be worth it. I'm tired of this chasing game with all these mages.”

“Don't worry, just trust your master! I never let down a student.” Ino laughed.