Alek Aundra

CH 115 - House of Arankagul (Part 1)

"These are all the merchandise," Louis concluded the tour and handed me a parchment summarizing the items I saw.

My eyes skimmed through the list of goods on the brink of spoilage if not moved soon.

"I'm surprised we're having trouble moving the Totus Elixirs." I looked up at Louis.

We were currently below in the massive cellar of the Frey Manor. The ballasted ceilings were at least the height of four grown men, and the halls, vast enough for a carriage to come through, seem...

CH 114 - The Vote (Part 8)

Home, sweet home. Or at least one of them.

The carriage rolled up at Duncan's family mansion in the capital city—they had several more spread across Adovoria and even a couple in a few nearby countries. However, this was likely their most impressive estate, having been built five centuries ago.

The grand mansion stood tall and proud, its white marble façade glistening in the afternoon sunlight with carved depictions of the great wars of the past that the Genuiver Duchy...

CH 113 - The Vote (Part 7)

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Remlend's shoes tapped lightly against the quartz floors of the Frey Manor.

It was a conscious effort. There would have been no sound if he didn't think about it. Not that it would have mattered even if he stomped through the hallways—no one would have been able to notice him anyhow.

His eyes rested on a reflection of himself in a large hanging mirror.

Ordinary. Even in his own eyes, his appearance was so ordinary and unmemorable that he wouldn't have ...

CH 112 - The Vote (Part 6)

The twins got out of the carriage first.

"I wish you all the best," I told Duncan, who remained sitting inside.

"Thank you." Duncan waved goodbye, and the carriage door closed on him.

"Take him to the Genuiver estate in the capital," I told the driver.

"Very well, young master Luca." The driver tipped his cap, and the dark carriage rolled away.

"Young master Luca." Remlend appeared. "I was informed that Kathy had stopped by earlier and left a box for you."

...

CH 111 - The Vote (Part 5)

"Children, come down from the carriage," Mother called out. "Micah, please stay with them."

We descended from the carriage and stood amid a serene apple orchard. The sun bathed the surroundings in a warm glow, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow on the ground beneath our feet. The sweet scent of apples filled the air, mingling with the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

As in the previous round, we remained before the cave's entrance while Mother and Ben disappea...

CH 110 - The Vote (Part 4)

"Luca!" Elda exclaimed.

Full of boundless energy, my red-haired little sister leaped out of her chair and hurried over to greet me. Her twin, Jarvis, however, lacked all energy and just nodded toward me from his seat.

Ah, she must have drunk all the sleeping potion on their ride here in this round again.

Elda eagerly took hold of my arm, tugging me toward the small table where I had shared meals and engaging games of chess with our beloved grandmother. However, this round, t...

CH 109 - The Vote (Part 3)

"Hah, that was one heck of a battle."

"Agh…"

Groans filled the air as members of The Order wearily collected their scattered weapons, the aftermath of a grueling fight.

"Good job, soldiers! That was a good fight," Grandov's booming voice echoed across the battlefield, a strange sense of satisfaction in his tone.

A good fight?

I wiped the blood dripping from my broken nose and down my chin, the metallic taste lingering in my mouth. My tongue explored the inside ...

CH 108 - The Vote (Part 2)

"And I thought my Whispering Necklace was overpriced…" I muttered.

My eyes were closed, but they felt like they were bulging out at the shocking price tags of the objects that appeared before me as I swiped my fingers.

I glanced to the upper right corner of the screen.

[ 68 Nexus Tokens ]

That was how much I had in my current balance. It was certainly better than nothing at all, but it wasn't all that helpful either.

I looked back forward and frowned at the rid...

CH 107 - The Vote (Part 1)

Leona and Azgralos had mentioned prior summonings, however, I didn't know one had occurred so recently.

<<System, do you have any insight into the Game that occurred about twenty years ago?>>

[ Yes, as I did not oversee the one that Chase Daylan mentioned, the only information I can share is what I learned from other Players that played the Game I'm overseeing. ]

[ Based on a few Players' accounts, it was a multi-Player Game whose objective was to guard ...

CH 106 - You Changed Something (Part 5)

The room held its breath, awaiting my response, the weight of Chase's words sinking in as the gravity of the situation unfolded.

However, I didn't have the slightest damn clue why Queen Yadana Daylan had died. I was at as much of a loss as anyone else.

"As if I know," I responded honestly.

Chase cocked his head to one side and continued to stare at me. The dim light of the dining room reflected off his round shades, making it impossible to discern his true emotions.

"I...

CH 105 - You Changed Something (Part 4)

“What do you think?” I asked.

Duncan and I were seated on one of the plush sofas in my grandmother’s opulent library. The scent of the leather-bound books mingled with the faint aroma of the lukewarm tea that had been abandoned on a nearby table.

Leona was munching away on the remaining pastries while listening to our conversation.

With meticulous detail, I had outlined to Duncan the two looming disasters that threatened the Genuiver Duchy in the coming years, just as ...

CH 104 - You Changed Something (Part 3)

How long has it been?

Duncan looked out wearily at the moving crowds of people. Laughter and chatter filled the air, intermingling with the enticing aromas of sizzling street food and the melodic tunes of street musicians. The festival grounds were adorned with colorful banners and streamers, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that danced under the warm sun.

However, not all was well and pleasant.

Above each person's head was a number written in red smoke, indicating...

CH 103 - You Changed Something (Part 2)

I walked onto the patio where my grandmother was already sitting. The morning sunlight cast a golden glow on the serene view of the town below and the vast green farmlands stretching out into the distance. As I approached the table, my grandmother looked up from her cup of tea.

"Luca, my dear, you look exhausted," she remarked.

I took a seat next to her and yawned. "I am a bit tired, but it's nothing to worry about."

"Is that so?" She poured me a cup of black tea. "I heard y...

CH 102 - You Changed Something (Part 1)

Luca, that dragon you're speaking to, it must be Azgralos.

Leona's voice continued to ring in my mind.

He is a malevolent being who had been locked away for devouring hundreds of phoenixes in his foolish quest for eternal life. This evil being had eaten many of my ancestors' longtime friends.

I felt the hairs on my arms stand up, my mouth go dry, and a knot of unease tightened within my stomach.

Thank goodness I didn't bring Leona down here with me, I...

CH 101 - This Isn't Our First Time Meeting (Part 9)

I exited the bathroom, adorned in the soft white linen garments Remlend had set out for my slumber. Droplets of water clung to my black hair, which I dried with a small towel.

Looking at a nearby clock, I noted that I had stayed in the bath far longer than intended.

"Leona?" I called out softly.

I found her fast asleep atop a cushion at the foot of my bed.

"Leona…" I cooed.

Her little body stirred, but she was still fast asleep.

"Leona, I'm going on an ad...

CH 100 - This Isn't Our First Time Meeting (Part 8)

// Author's Note #1:

Wowza! We've made it to 100 chapters! 🎉 Thank you so much for sticking with me and the story, and for supporting me on this journey. I can't tell you how much it means to me as a first time author.

I hope you've been enjoying the story so far, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. As always, I'm open to feedback and suggestions, so don't hesitate to let me know what you think. 2023-05-12 14:10:34 +0000 UTC View Post

CH 99 - This Isn't Our First Time Meeting (Part 7)

Dinner had long ended, with Leona pecking at a slice of carrot cake on the table. Several chess pieces that had been knocked off the board sat beside her.

My eyes scanned the chessboard as I contemplated my next move, but my mind kept wandering.

I had gone through seven rounds, and yet I had made little progress. If anything, more dangers had reared up.

I sipped my warm chamomile tea and gazed out the large window. It was late. Outside, the town below was lit up like a starr...

CH 98 - This Isn't Our First Time Meeting (Part 6)

I gazed over the array of mana-embedded artifacts that Orla had displayed on her stall.

"I didn't have much time to look at your wares yesterday. Mind if I take a closer look now?" I asked.

"Of course, of course," Orla said, gesturing to the artifacts around her. "Take your time. Let me know if you have any questions."

I felt Leona flutter her wings atop my head.

"Peep!"

I thought you were going to take me to get food. But fine, I do believe you ought to prot...