BK1 Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Rian stayed with us as we cooked some breakfast. She surprised us with some of the meat from the Agiluf she had saved. Teresa's joy from being able to eat meat that wasn't charred was shared with me as I excitedly showed her my new cooking skill. Rian taught Teresa like she had for me, and we congratulated her when she gleefully pumped the air at gaining the skill for herself.

The smell of our cooking drew Harold and Garret from their slumber as they joined us around the fire and partook in some of the shared offerings. As the morning's rays grew higher in the sky, Rian eventually left our group to rejoin her own as the camp began to pull down their tents.

Harold helped Teresa and me as we snuffed out the fire and packed away our things preparing for our daily march. Garret didn't really say much to us, choosing to avoid us for the most part as he packed away his own things. I did notice his occasional glare toward Teresa, however, and noted to keep an eye on that. Garret was a man who held grudges, and I feared his conflict with Teresa may worsen.

"Since when did you and Lady Thornfax become close?" Teresa asked as she stuffed the metal cooking pot into my backpack. "I thought you didn't get along, you know, from her comments to you back in Talbour."

"Oh", I said, a little taken back by Teresa's questioning eyes. "It sort of just happened", I smiled, adjusting the straps on my shoulders.

"That's great" Teresa grinned. "I wish that would happen to me with the others from Ingalham", she sighed dramatically as she stepped beside me. "Lady Thornfax seems nice."

"They will come around", I pattered her back reassuringly. "How could they not once you show them how great you are."

"Oh, they don't know what they're missing" Teresa wiggled her eyebrows, and we both burst out into laughter as we fell into position for the march.

Harold stood on my right and Teresa on my left as we lined up at the front. Garret shuffled in beside Harold as the other Trainees began to line up behind us. I flashed Rian a smile as she stood behind me with Lacey Weadall and Kit Balburn, along with their fourth member I wasn't familiar with. The second group of Trainees mirrored our lineup as the commoners without cores stumbled into place. They looked ragged compared to our group, their skin rough and eyes filled with a determination I hadn't seen in many of the nobles. They must have struggled on this march; unlike many of the nobles here, I doubt they would have had much prior training, much like me. Lieutenant Cragborn was over to our left, a little distance away with Lieutenant Sharpclaw, they were discussing something, and from the look of Lieutenant Cragborn's features, it was a serious conversion.

A small bump on my side brought my attention to Teresa as she nodded to something over my shoulder. I turned my gaze and immediately grimaced as my eyes met Callan's staring at me.

He stood with his group, but he ignored them as they prepared for their guard of us trainees. A mixture of emotions played across his face—regret, hesitation, and perhaps a hint of longing. I blinked, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the box above his head.

Vishka's Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 10% (+18%)

I quickly broke away from his gaze, pinching my lips. I did not want to talk to him, not yet. It didn't matter if his opinion of me had improved; I had pushed back my pain from his betrayal every life; trying to ignore it for so long has only hurt me more. I wasn't ready to forgive him; I don't know if I even could. It was plenty enough that he no longer hated me enough for my life to be at risk.

"Trainees", Lieutenant Cragborn approached, commanding our attention. We all straightened our postures and saluted with our fists over our chests.

"Lieutenant", we all called in union as a greeting as he stood in front of us, his red eyes roaming across our formation.

"Today, it is our turn to install the deterrent device. I assume you know what that is?" He said, and many people nodded, but a few looked puzzled. I felt my fingers curl around my backpack strap; I had heard of those. They were designed to repel demonic beasts.

"What do they teach youth these days" he muttered quietly so only those close to him could hear. "As part of the yearly expedition to the deadlands, it is the Army's duty to upkeep the deterrent devices that keep these paths safe for merchants and travellers. Our journey has come across demonic beasts purely because these devices have been drained since our last visit. Each section of our brigade takes turns refuelling the devices as we march. Now it is our turn." he explained, his tone drawing on boredom. "Lieutenant Sharpclaw has the device. I want you all to watch as part of your education as Trainees. Come." he swiftly turned and headed towards Lieutenant Sharpclaw.

We followed Lieutenant Cragborn as he led us toward Lieutenant Sharpclaw, who stood at the centre of the two Trainee groups holding a large metallic contraption. The device looked like a combination of a vase and an intricate sculpture. Metal tubes extended from it, and a dull pale white glow emanated from the centre.

"Trainees, gather around!" Lieutenant Cragborn called out, his voice resonating with authority. We formed a semi-circle around Lieutenant Sharpclaw, our eyes fixed on the deterrent device.

"This is the deterrent device", Lieutenant Sharpclaw began, his voice sharp and authoritative as one of his furry ears twitched. "It harnesses the power of Aether to create a barrier that repels demonic beasts. As we march, Summoners are responsible for refuelling these devices, ensuring the safety of the path."

"Don't demonic beasts consume Aether?" A commoner asked from the second group as he leaned closer to get a better look at the device.

"Yes." Lieutenant Sharpclaw answered, "Demonic beasts consume the Aether of other living creatures. However when Aether has left the vessel of our cores, it can not be consumed, but it can be harnessed", he explained. "Summoners channel their Aether through their cores, which can then be used to generate powerful attacks, or in this case, fuel the deterrent device, reinforcing the barrier it creates and ensuring its effectiveness."

"How does it work?" The same commoner asked with bright eyes as he looked towards Lieutenant Sharpclaw with reverence. The commoner's scraggy grey tail swished under his black cloak, and a small smile broke on my face. This young boy clearly idolised Lieutenant Sharpclaw, a fellow beast-kin.

"The deterrent device creates a focused barrier of Aether around a distance of about one hundred and five foot. The barrier acts as a blockage to Demonic beasts as it sends out a charge that repels them. As the Aether is drained, the barrier size diminishes like this one has. Currently, this device is only able to deter a demonic beast from two feet."

A small gasp inhaled from the commoner as his eyes widened. The barrier right now would barely reach past Lieutenant Sharpclaw. No wonder we had come across a grade-seven demonic beast if the deterrent devices had drained this much.

"Now, observe closely," Lieutenant Cragborn interjected, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Summoners, step forward and demonstrate the refuelling process."

I stilled as Callan's group moved to the forefront. His grey eyes caught me for a moment before he refocused on the deterrent device. Each of them surrounded the device as Lieutenant Sharpclaw placed it on the ground and stepped away. With practised precision, they raised their hands above the device and took deep breaths centring their bodies to a calm stillness.

Felicity, the earth Summoner in Callan's team, then moved her hands, controlling the ground to rise beneath the device, lifting it to the height of their waists. The fire Summoner, Lord Cavendish, I had heard Lieutenant Cragborn call him, then hardened his expression and flexed his fingers.

"Together", he nodded to his team, and they leaned back on their left legs extending their right hands towards the device.

All of their hands began to glow the colour of their affinity; Aether strands leaked from the skin on their palms, drifting towards the device. The pale white centre of the device all of a sudden flashed, and I had to shield my eyes as the Trainees mumbled at the shock. Blinking away the disorientation, my eyes widened at the four Summoners around the device.

The Aether from the Summoners was being sucked rapidly from them. Callan's expression strained as the flow of Aether increased from his palm, and I saw his arm begin to shake. The air Summoner began to sweat, his light blond hair tied at the nape of his neck. Felicity adjusted her position as she fell forward a little, and Lord Cavendish stared at the device as he fiercely concentrated.

The pale glow at the centre of the device brightened as more Aether was sucked in. The light thrummed as it expanded, filling the diameter of the device until it flashed again. I squinted at the brightness, afraid of missing anything if I looked away. All four of the Summoners dropped their hands, their breaths heavy as their shoulders heaved, stepping away from the device. Strained, Felicity pulled her arm back and, in a quick motion, lowered the ground pillar dragging the device deep beneath the earth and burying it.

"That Trainee's was Aether transference. The first skill I will be teaching those of you with the talent to become Summoners" Lieutenant Cragborn scanned his eyes across our group with a narrowed lip.

"Remember, Trainees, this is an essential part of a Summoner's duty", Lieutenant Sharpclaw said, walking over to Callan's group. "The upkeep of the deterrent devices is crucial for maintaining the safety of Zopan and protecting those who travel through these lands." Callan's group lined up in front of the Lieutenant. Lieutenant Sharpclaw raised his hands, and they glowed red, his Aether forming into strands and spreading out onto Callan's group, sinking into their skin as he replenished them. It was the same as when Zachary had restored Lorand.

"As you progress in your training, you will learn more about the intricacies of Aether manipulation and how to wield its power effectively." Lieutenant Cragborn elaborated. "If you do not master this skill, you are unqualified to become Summoners."

I heard a few of the Trainees gulp around me. I looked at Teresa and grimaced as she paled, sharing my trepidation. My core was almost non-existent; I could only produce one mote of Aether. There was no way I could produce what was needed for maintaining a deterrent device. The gathering technique Albus had given hadn't improved that as I had hoped.

"Now come. We should be arriving at the Capital in a few days. Then we can begin your training." Lieutenant Cragborn directed us back to our position within the brigade as we awaited the horn to signal the march.

The trainees stood a little taller, a sense of responsibility settling upon our shoulders. The realisation of our role in safeguarding the path and the importance of our training became more tangible. I had always known the Army was the safeguard of Zopan; I had been warned as such by General Saika that we could not refuse if called upon. I thought that just meant engaging with demonic beasts. Clearly, there was more responsibility than I knew. My life's as a civilian had never borne such responsibility.

The horn blasted from the front of the brigade, and Lieutenant Cragborn commanded us to move. We, trainees, moved forward, our steps filled with determination and a newfound appreciation for Summoners settled in my heart. I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope, knowing that I was part of this united effort to protect and secure the lands from the threat of demonic beasts.