Chapter 33: Entering the canyon (part 1)
After the initial shock, Jax reacted quickly and blocked the follow-up punch that Theresa had prepared.
He quickly took a step back and closed the door again. „Boys, you didn't tell me that you were accompanied by this young lady. Now get ready. It's already dawn"
‚That's one way to maneuver around a weird conversation' I thought.
Meanwhile Theresa held on to her armour for a moment before sighing and donning it immediately.
While everyone was getting ready, Mercy briefed Theresa about yesterday's conversation with Jax.
Five minutes later we met Jax in front of the inn, like we originally had intended.
He was smiling amiably and nobody would suspect a thing if not for the pink-glowing pulsating hand mark on his face.
Both Theresa and Jax avoided eye contact with each other.
On our way towards the entrance of the canyon which was about half an hour of leisure walking speed away, Jax talked quite a bit about Daterna and Lifey and how they are really strong but also very nice people and that he would prefer it if we walked around the canyon. It would only be an extra month and one that would most likely bear no risks for us whereas the canyon is danger-ridden.
„Thank you for your suggestion" said Mercy „but for Master Val's sake we have to utilize as much time as possible to have a chance for him to enroll in Seadawn academy."
Jax grew silent for a while
„I see" finally he looked me in the eyes „if you can stand your grown against one of the sisters there won't be a thing able to stop you from being successful in Seadawn. But as for Seadawn academy. You should know that there is more than just the monetary prerequisite. Do you have trust in your abilities?"
„Jax, you don't have to worry about that.
An old man had once told me I should become a wizard. What man would I be if I don't live up to his expectations?"
Jax didn't quite understand the depth of these words but Mercy and Theresa did and Jax couldn't help but wonder why the three pairs of young eyes in front of him were now filled with ambition and determination.
He only sighed and pointed forward.
„Behind this hill you might be able to see Daterna and Lifey. You are lucky. It is surprisingly quiet which means they don't fight today. You might even be able to convince them to let you through the canyon."
After we had ascended the hill we could indeed see two small houses at each side of the canyon. The one on the left side of the canyon was painted using yellow golden and white colours and when we walked closer we could see the intricate beautiful carvings across its entirety whereas the one to the right didn't look very impressive. It was simply made from a certain kind of wood that had a deep shade of black to it.
When we closed in on the houses to a distance of about a hundred meters both doors suddenly flung open and the two sisters walked out.
Lifey walked out from the house to the left clad in an armour of light and was already preparing a spell while Daterna was rushing out and immediately cloaked herself in darkness while looking around.
This marvelous scenery was suddenly destroyed when Jax shouted out „Hey girls! Sorry to disturb you. How are you doing lately? Rosemary would like it to have you around for dinner again sometime soon."
The two elves suddenly smiled and both spells ended just as suddenly as they had begun and they smiled amiably while jogging towards us.
Up close they were as different as night and day. Lifey wore thin glasses and had long blonde hair that was flowing down her body almost reaching her waist. Her golden eyes that seemed to study us all seemed endless and since her light armour had dissipated we could see her long bright white green-golden robe. In her right hand she held a staff as beautifully carved as her house.
Daterna on the other hand looked like the incarnation of ferociousness. Her skin was as dark as a moonless night's sky, her eyes only slightly brighter, a shade of deep brown.
Her hair was slightly curly but shortened to a degree where it was impossible to hinder her sight. Therefore her short pointy ears pierced through her hair. She was clad in black leather armour and equipped with an incredibly thin blade of dark metal.
The only thing similar between the two was their obvious elven heritage although nobody would have the idea that the two of them are siblings.
Daterna arrived before us in the blink of an eye and immediately hugged Jax.
Upclose it was now obvious that she was a short woman whereas Lifey who arrived a few seconds later was almost as tall as the huge Jax.
When Lifey arrived she also went to greet Jax albeit not as enthusiastically as Daterna.
They talked a bit before he introduced the three of us to the elves.
Daterna was a very courteous woman which was contrasting to her appearance. It was similar for Lifey who had a very gentle appearance but she appeared slightly arrogant and unapproachable to me.
After some smalltalk Jax paused a second and said in a serious manner „these three want to enter the canyon."
Almost immediately the mood changed from a happy meeting to a cold atmosphere.
„Why can't they just go around it like everyone else" said Lifey coldly
„Kids, the Canyon is dangerous. You had better take the detour" added Daterna.
„Unfortunately" I stepped forward „that will not be possible. We are short on time. I want to be enlisted in Seadawn academy during the next application process and we have to earn money as adventurers to pay the fee."
After a second of silence Lifey started roaring with laughter. „Every year, thousands of talented young people apply there and you think you could pass it that easily. I'll do you a favor. Let me check your affinity. If you are talented in magic you should know these orbs right?"
Then she brought out a magic detecting orb out from her ring.
„This is an advanced modell. It will only measure the element that will show the highest numerical value upon inserting your mana. That means it will show your strongest magic elemental affinity. A one is the absolute minimum for someone who can use their mana and 99 the maximum.
If you want to have a chance in Seadawn you have to have at least 5 in one element. Geniuses have up to 25 if you want to have a comparison" she said mockingly.
„Now let's get started"
Now she held the orb in front of me.
„Come on! I don't wanna wait for a whole day."
When I touched the orb I let my mana connect with it just like a did back them with Maverick's orb.
It showed the number eleven in a bright light inside it but Lifey looked confused.
She thought ‚how can his mana be like this
She thought ‚it is not that strong of an affinity but the intensity is overwhelmingly strong for someone who is rather new to magic'
„Have.... have you ever encountered a very strong light elemental magician who was currently battling or did you ever consume some light elemental beasts or medicine?" she inquired.
„Yes, there was indeed such a magician. He..."
She immediately interrupted me and looked at the two others „were you present as well?"
„Yes, we were" answered Theresa.
„Then please use the orb as well. There is a small chance that all of you might be blessed with light magic."
Mercy stepped forth immediately and laid his hands on the orb. Meanwhile Theresa was deep in thought whether it could have something to do with the <forbidden light>.
Lifey almost lost her temper when she realized that Mercy had no clue how to activate the orb after proudly stepping forward.
„You are a warrior, right? Just focus and think you had to calm down before you will have to fight a strong enemy. If you possess a hint of affinity for magic this will activate the orb although you don't know how to control your mana properly." she sighed.
After her detailed instruction the orb actually glowed dimly with the same light and showed the number 5.
„It indeed seems to be a light elemental blessing. Although your affinity is not even an average score for someone who wants to be admitted to Seadawn."
She looked at Theresa and asked her to come closer and when she laid her hands upon the orb it immediately glowed with an intense white light.
It even took Lifey a second to see the number displayed: 30
Her mouth wide agape she searched for words.
Finally she recollected herself and put her hands upon Theresa's shoulders.
„Young girl, if you go to Seadawn I will personally write a letter of recommendation to Principal Luflon. A genius like you needs to be nurtured no matter the cost. Your application can definitely be skipped.
As for you, young man..." she looked at me „your affinity is about average. I can mention you in the letter but you will have to pay the fee as usual. As for the third of you. I advise you not to pursue magic in depth." she paused for a moment.
„Since you want to go through the canyon we will still have to test you, no matter your affinities. You will fight against the two of us. I will not use offensive magic and Daterna won't employ lethal dark magic. I take it you are tamers. Inside this canyon there might not be enough space to employ your beasts therefore they will be excluded from the test.
If you agree to these conditions, meet us in front of our houses, if not you can collect the letter of recommendation at Jax's place tomorrow and you will have to take a detour around the canyon."
She then turned around and the two elves positioned themselves in between their houses.
Meanwhile Jax still wanted to convince us not to fight but our opinion didn't change. We would go to Seadawn as fast as possible.
After leaving our famialiars with Jax we walked towards the elven siblings who were readying themselves for battle.
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