Regnum Aetern: Dual Rebirth

Chapter 120: “A-Adi, what is, what is going on r-right now?!”

"Demonstration?"

Adrian nodded.

"You were unable to learn spell creation, correct? How about you learn to craft magitools? It is not complicated at all; you just need to learn the sealing magic. Sealing magic is a branch of neutral magic, so anybody can learn it with enough effort. After that, all you need to do is cast elemental spells and seal them into objects."

She blinked.

’That’s...’

"Since you have four different elemental affinities, you will have a lot of freedom in what kind of magitool you could create. Not only that, the process itself will greatly help you gain understanding of your elemental affinities. Apparently, it will be a lot more efficient than your usual training."

As he finished speaking, Evangeline could only stare at him blankly.

’This... really...’

The way he talked, it was as if he knew everything and understood her powers better than she did. He told her the best way to utilize her abilities—something she wasn’t able to figure out.

’He’s like an expert.’

Moreover, if she did as he said and learned to craft magitools, then she herself would be able to create the kind of wands she wanted. And she would be able to make as many of them as she wanted.

Suddenly, Evangeline frowned.

’This all... is this what I think it is?’

The two of them were going out into the city to buy the wand that she wanted. But if she were to follow what he was saying, she could create them on her own. Then what was the point of buying the wand right now?

Moreover, Adrian would usually not do something like this.

All the dots slowly began connecting in her mind, allowing her to understand the true reason for his actions.

’He is trying to butter me up.’

Adrian was practical, and he would’ve discussed this topic in the guest room first before leaving. But he was choosing to discuss it after they got into the carriage.

To think he was using such tricks to convince her to agree.

She smiled.

"Adi, couldn’t you have simply asked that we help each other out? I wouldn’t have refused, you know."

"No." Adrian shook his head. "I would rather keep things straight; it makes things easier and simpler. If you are still not convinced, I have a lot more things I can offer. Things like creating spells according to your desires, being a sparring partner for you to train with, and much more. All I need from you in exchange is that you help me whenever I ask. Now give me an answer."

Evangeline ’pretended’ to think for a bit.

’Honestly, it isn’t even something that I need to think too much about. The benefits are too good to pass up.’

She was pretending to think and taking her time to answer because it felt like she currently held the advantage. Adrian was looking quietly, calm and expressionless as ever, but he must have been curious about the answer she would give.

As the carriage rumbled through the city roads, Evangeline curled up her lips into a smile and replied.

"Well, it sounds like a good—"

But as she was speaking, a blindingly bright flash of light enveloped the entirety of the carriage, causing them to squint their eyes.

"Ugh?!"

The light faded moments later, allowing Evangeline to open her eyes and look around.

"What just happened?"

Where did that bright light suddenly come from? The carriage had suddenly come to a stop as well.

’Uh?’

Outside the window, the scenery had changed completely. She couldn’t find the buildings and streets, nor could she find the people walking around. Instead, what she saw was...

’...A jungle?’

All she could see outside was trees, a lot of trees blocking her view. Most of them were tall, stretching up towards the sky. The ground beneath was also covered in leaves. She couldn’t think of it as anything other than the forest.

’Just what is even going on?’

The carriage was in the middle of the city moments ago, so how did the scenery outside suddenly change?

She turned to Adrian in confusion but paused the moment she looked at him. He looked extremely on guard, tensing the muscles of his entire body as his sharp gaze remained fixed on the scenery beyond the window.

The atmosphere around him had completely changed, and now he seemed completely on edge.

"Adi, what is—"

But just then, Adrian grabbed her hand and rushed out of the carriage, pulling her along.

"—ugh?!"

Getting outside, she could see the scenery even better. The sky above was covered in thick, dark clouds, making the surroundings dim, as though it was moments away from nightfall. Trees stretched out in all directions as far as one’s eyes could see.

As she looked behind to see the carriage, she couldn’t find the horses attached to it, nor could she spot the carriage driver.

Pulling her along, Adrian ran at incredible speed, making sharp turns to avoid the trees blocking his way. He was running so fast that it was hard for her to keep up.

And then—

BOOM!!!

The sound of an explosion rang from behind her as flames rose high into the air. The explosion happened at the same spot where the carriage had been.

A chill ran down her spine, and her heartbeat sped up as she imagined what would have happened had they not run out of the carriage in time.

A thick cloud of smoke was rising from the explosion, and she could even spot a few trees catching fire.

Throughout it all, Adrian continued running without looking back, pulling her along.

Evangeline’s throat slowly began feeling dry from continuously running, and her whole body was burning, covered in sweat.

They had run so far away that the cloud of smoke from the explosion was no longer visible.

Just then, she tripped over a tree root and fell down, causing Adrian to stop running.

"Ack-!"

’Agh, I think I hurt my knee.’

Adrian helped her up to her feet. But maybe after seeing how tired she was, he made her sit down on the large tree root bulging out from the ground. He stood on guard in front of her with his back against a tree.

It seemed like they had stopped for a brief rest to recover their stamina. No, it was more like that they had stopped to allow her to recover her stamina, since Adrian didn’t look too out of breath.

The only sounds they could hear in the dense forest were the noises made by insects. Their surroundings were otherwise completely silent.

Evangeline pressed a hand to her chest in an attempt to calm her wildly beating heart as she turned to Adrian and asked in a trembling voice.

"A-Adi, what is, what is going on r-right now?!"