Chapter 130

"I don't know why your masters didn't tell you anything, but perhaps like me, they didn't expect that any of you would have to get involved." Said Wilfred who was still holding his hand out and showing the sigil.

His words were then followed by the others' who told the tale of how they knew of their pupilship.

The first was Sajae as he said, "In my case, as some of you might have figured out, I'm a half-dragon by heart— literally."

He then began to show the scales trailing down his neck, and claimed it was most obvious around his chest where his heart was located.

Although that information would normally be quite baffling, Lesjon and the others who didn't know, simply nodded without batting an eye.

It seemed by then they were already accustomed to big revelations, as all the information they had been learning that night never ceased to surprise them.

"When I was dying, it was my master- my adoptive father who gave me half of his heart. So ever since I was young I knew I was a pupil."

Nevertheless, Naell and Owly now understood why Sajae's "fire" was different, as they now knew that it came from his breathing, a natural fire that he inherited from being artificially turned into a half-dragon.

After Sajae, it was Drhys. "I met my master ten years ago when I was living a boring life in Encantadia, she is also a vampire like me."

He then looked at Naell and added, "It seems you don't know this, but the Witner Family once ruled the entire northern continent... and those ancestors of yours used to be pure vampires."

That was the first time Naell heard the history of his mother's descent. Drhys who also had noble blood shared the history of vampires alongside his master.

"Far from what I know, our lineage used to support the demon king... And when your great-grandfather chose to do otherwise, we were almost annihilated."

Naell now understood why perhaps Phoenix was quite familiar with his ancestors. Afterall, the demon king whose defeat involved the guardians, also fought against the clan of vampires who turned against him.

"I did come from the Duke family of Racule. Unlike those who became human over time, my dwindling family tried their best to remain as vampires."

Hearing this, Naell quickly asked about the "curse of Winter", yet to no avail as even Drhys himself had no inkling as to what that was about.

By the time he finished, Lesjon then asked gazing towards Wilfred, "You say we are pupils. Does that mean we will succeed you?"

In response, Wilfred nodded and explained that since the other guardians weren't able to make a successor before their death, the 12 Guardians of old that were initially composed of twelve dwindled into the number they had now.

"Guardian of speed is a title I inherited from my master. Yet in the past, there used to be a Guardian of dexterity and agility."

While listening, Naell once again remembered Phoenix' explanation. From what he could surmise, the information he got from her was the same as what he just heard from Rizaul's father.

At that moment, he truly wanted to share that revelation, yet he remembered how Phoenix told him that her existence should remain a secret for now.

With a glance, Naell could tell that Owly was thinking the same thing, regardless of how the people there were trustworthy.

"Other than that, what's our purpose besides succeeding the guardians?" The one who asked was Rizaul.

Before Wilfred could continue, Klata stood up, it was her turn to speak, "With a deep breath and a calm facade, she then said, "I'll explain it to them, Master."

"You don't have to call me master anymore. We're colleagues now, Klata."

However, that reply she got from Wilfred broke her smile. Momentarily, she remained quiet, yet soon she managed to face those words.

"I can't do that yet." Replied Klata, which in turn made Wilfred nod.

He knew it was mean of him to test her but out of everyone there, she was the one who truly had to face onwards with her new responsibilities.

As that ended peacefully, Lesjon also asked, "Colleagues? I thought she was supposed to be a pupil like us?"

That was when she showed her hands; a bright big letter of V. She then said, "Just days ago, I already inherited the guardianship."

"Unlike my master, I'm not strong though." Said Klata who began discussing her role.

Ever since the disappearance of the first Guardian of vitality, and the death of the second, much information vanished along with them.

"It was because the guardian of vitality's role was to oversee the history of the world."

Yet when even they could not escape death, the third master began choosing a successor that could record the happenings of the world.

"And that was when the third master chose humans for their love of writing history."

Although that proved to be useful, unlike other races, humans were comparably weaker, especially scholars who often then inherited the title of vitality.

"My master, Wisdell Wigence was abnormal though, he was really powerful."

Klata however, was an average human. Even though she could use some mana, she was not at all strong.

"Your dad, Baron Fharom used to be his student, but after the war of the continent, he asked master to disinherit his pupilship."

Since Guardians are neutral from the happenings of the world aside from the demon king, it was only suitable for Fharom who chose to become a baron to be with his wife, to resign from his position.

"That was why I was chosen because of my love of books."

An abnormal silence then began growing in the room. Drhys and Sajae's faces were downcasted, Klata and Wilfred were smiling yet their eyes had hints of sadness.

No one asked but from the discussion they had, they knew Wisdel Wigence, the Wizard of Books, went missing after the mission.

"My master—"

And before Klata could continue, Wilfred signaled her to stop and then said, "In being a guardian or a pupil now, our lives will be in constant threat. Simply put, although you are pupils, you are currently tasked to bear the same burdens as your masters, and fight any prospect of the demon king rising in Mundo."

Looking at everyone, the elf sighed knowing the looming danger these young kids would enter because of them.

He especially wanted to remove his son from everything, yet Rizaul had already declined that option to flee.

"If anyone wants to leave this mess, "I, the Guardian of speed, could relinquish your pupilship under my authority."

Truth be told, Wilfred could only really remove his successor from the picture. Yet the mere chance of them not wanting to partake in the duty as pupils was a thing he would fight for even against his peers.

All had a brief moment of deep consideration, that is, until the two scholars spoke beginning with Drhys, "I am and always have been a proud pupil of my master. I will resume and perform my duty."

"I, Sajae, the pupil of the Guardian of strength will perform mine as well."

They nodded at each other before grinning at Klata who then smiled and said in a low voice that only Naell could hear. "Thank you..."

Rizaul then stood up while looking at his father and said, "I will perform. My friends and I already decided to eradicate the pieces of Lucile anyway, so this will not change my mind."

Wilfred also nodded while smiling at Rizaul. If there was one thing he regretted about leaving him behind, it was that he was not present for his own son's growth.

As for the others, it was Lesjon who spoke up first while still looking at his hands, "I do owe those pieces of Lucile a warm greeting from the Star family... for attacking all of us."

His smile was as cold as his piercing red gaze, yet everyone who was in the room listening felt only warmth towards their new comrade.

While all of that was happening though, Naell was lost in his thoughts. He still couldn't believe how a minor villain like him had such lore and deadly encounters ahead of him.

'The moment I learned magic, I think that was my downfall.' He thought as he sighed.

Although if he could turn back time, Naell knew he would still learn magic as it saved him more times than it did any harm.

'No... it was also because I became close with the protagonist party.' He thought some more.

Yet even he knew, regardless of his initial thought of not being acquainted with them, the protagonist's party as friends was something he wished for. As his mind was going back and forth it was Owly's hoot that awakened him.

At that moment, far from the young owl's haughty-looking face, a kid that seemed to be on the verge of tears was looking at Naell while trying to look proud as usual.

"Sorry noo— Naell. I know you don't want any trouble, but I gotta save my mom.. so this is it, I guess, HOOT."

Owly did consider Naell as his best friend and likewise, he knew the young master of Beryldot considered him also as a friend.

Therefore, if there was one person that knew how unlikely Naell would want any kind of involvement in that situation, it was him.

"I had fun, HOOT." Silently Owly uttered.

Just before the owl could even turn his back, a cold hand that he was familiar with rested on his feathers, before finally performing a light chop on his head. Naell then said, "Stupid."

Owly was just about ready to rebuke him yet when he saw Naell's cheeky smile, the young owl could only try his best not to cry. It was then they both knew that their adventures had only just begun.