The butler leads me and Carmen into one entrance while the sorcerer leads Harrold through another.
When we enter the room, we see it is a ballroom with 4 entrances. There are stairs shaped like a 'Y' with 3 doors along them, two of which were at the left and right, the remaining of those three was at the split. The final entrance was opposite the stairs.
(Stair shape [Image 2])
(Ballroom look [Image 3])
We enter at the left entrance and then are told my father enters through the right, the center is reserved for special guests, and the remaining is used by the rest.
Upon our entry, silence, to the extent of being able to hear a pin drop, enters the room as well. I see, as he starts to speak, my father, standing in front of the middle entrance.
"This is my son, Dawson Sen, and his lovely bride to be, Carmen Shawl" his voice carrying throughout the room. (Ernest)
I see that most eyes are on Carmen, I look over to check if she is okay, then I actually see it.
"Wow!" escapes my lips before I can stop myself. (Dawson)
"Don't worry Carmen, they just can't help to stare, you are just that beautiful." (Dawson)
She lightly blushes.
"Dawson, do you have anything you would like to share to start off this day" (Ernest)
I look at the butler for assistance on what to do here. He mouths the words 'Nothing sad, just introduce yourself a little then introduce Carmen'. I give a small nod hoping that no-one else noticed, then started speaking.
"Yes, thank you father," reached the center of the stairs and then looked towards the crowd, "As my father said, I am Dawson Sen. This may come as a surprise to all of you, as it did for me, but I entered this world just three days ago, and then learned that King Dawson is my father. As such, I know my role here would be that of a prince. I know not what's expected of me as of yet, however, I hope you can support me, and my fellow world traveler and love of my life, Carmen Shawl." (Dawson)
As I finish, I gesture towards Carmen, and immediately thereafter an applause breaks out through the previously silent room.
The butler then says something to Carmen to where only we four, he and father included, can hear.
"Start with what you think you'd normally say under more common conditions, then add to the end of it, your request… and sorry your majesty, I am only giving her permission here because I know you would approve given the time, but that we have not." (Butler)
"It's fine… Just do what's necessary Carmen, I trust you" he says at the same volume. (Ernest)
Carmen, somewhat loudly, clears her throat, so the room quiets down slowly, and by the time of her third word, is once again to the same level of silence as when we entered.
"Thank you, as you have heard, twice now, I am Carmen Shawl. I came here three days ago along with Dawson, um, I'll just call him Sen for convenience' sake here. So, as I was saying, I came to this world with Sen three days ago. Since then so much has happened, including our engagement. As per the… Rules?... of this world, we will wait until I turn 18 since Sen is 6 months older than me, to go in front of the mirror. At present, I am 15, and...…" (Carmen)
A small amount of talk starts up. Her eyes widen, and she looks at me with a culmination of elation, shock, and sadness in her eyes.
"Sorry, as I was about to say, my birthday is coming up. The pause was due to me realizing how soon so." (Carmen)
I realize then that the incident with Honey made it leave my mind, but I had been thinking before that 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺.
"Though, even though I turn 16 tomorrow, I have something more important to share with you." (Carmen)
The butler's, and father's, eyes widen in shock, and the room becomes silent for a third time. We actually hear someone's ice from their drink hit the ground. There is a pause that seems to last a lifetime.
"My betrothed's personal guard in training's wife, Honey, is currently at death's door." (Carmen)
Father's jaw drops slowly, he looks at the butler and receives a short nod of confirmation.
"The spell that has her there is unknown to me, but it was told to me that it is a forbidden spell." (Carmen)
Many gasps are heard throughout the room.
"I was quickly taught, and performed, the spell 'Cure all' on Honey." (Carmen)
A light applause started.
"STOP!!! This is no time for an applause!" (Carmen)
The room was dead silent once again.
"As it stands at this time, Honey is still at death's door, even after receiving that spell!" (Carmen)
More gasps were heard.
"SO!... I ask you NOW!... Is there any of you that have void magic that has even the slightest chance to be able to heal her!? If so, PLEASE! DON'T hesitate to speak up." (Carmen)
Another too long silence.
"Umm… I might have such a skill that can do that… It is choosy on whom it'll heal, but if it will heal the person, no matter the spell, it will reverse the effects, as if you were never hit by the spell." (Misc. Man)
"Please come forward." (Ernest)
The crowd separated to reveal a man who, if I put it frankly, looks like Abraham Lincoln, walking towards us.
"What do you call this spell, and how does it choose?" (Ernest)
"The spell is called 'Chance Heal', and it does not seem to have any rhyme or reason to whom it heals, it's just random chance as the name suggests." (Man)
"Understood, and what is your name?" (Ernest)
"I am Sorcerer Nlocnil Maharba" (Nlocnil)
"A sorcerer, may I see your mark?" (Ernest)
While Chandra and I look at him with a question in our eyes, Nlocnil shows my father what looks like a tattoo on the palm of his left hand, it looks like a cross between a dragon and a dog, the best example I can give is the dragon from T̲h̲e̲ ̲N̲e̲v̲e̲r̲e̲n̲d̲i̲n̲g̲ ̲S̲t̲o̲r̲y̲, just make that a black line drawing.
[Image 4]
"So, it's a Unique Dragon. So, I'm guessing you have quite unique abilities, not exclusive to your 'Chance Heal'?" (Ernest)
"That'd be correct. I am a Pinnacle Void user, and am only able to use Dark and Void." (Nlocnil)
"WOW! Pinnacle Void user, is the moon blue tonight? I never thought I'd meet a Pinnacle Void user!" (Ernest)
Nlocnil only smiles in response, then makes a suggestion.
"My king, I know that this is a unique experience for you, however, I implore you, for the sake of the befallen, guide me to her quickly so that I may attempt to heal her." (Nlocnil)
"Yes," looks at the butler, "Please guide this man to the woman in need." (Ernest)
"Right away sire… Please follow me, sir." (Butler)
"Go ahead," I say to Carmen.
Carmen and Nlocnil follow the butler to Honey, and I think I see the royal sorcerer and Harrold leave out the common entrance.
After that, I don't really remember much of what happened that day until I meet up again with Carmen and the others with exception to an explanation that was given to me by one whose name escapes me.
"While a Royal Sorcerer only needs a king's approval to gain the title, a Sorcerer needs to gain another Sorcerer's approval to become a Sorcerer, then the two perform a spell that is only learned when one becomes a Sorcerer, and the one becoming a Sorcerer gains a mark on the palm of their left hand that is an example of the power they will hold once they get to the top of their ability." (Party A)
"And what of this 'Pinnacle' stuff?" (Dawson)
"Each of the 7 elements has 5 stages; the first stage is called 'Simple' it's the stage where any magic within that stage can be performed by anyone with the right mana amount. 'Cure All' is one such light spell. Void magic has no spells in this stage, yet still has this stage, which is something I don't myself understand. The second stage is what's known as the 'Taught' stage, only around 78% of people in the true elements can reach this stage, while 99% of those in the void element reach this stage. This is where you are able to create your own spells, only others in this stage can do those spells though unless the spell is a void spell. If it is a void spell then the only spells that can be taught to others, and that's only others in that stage or higher, is Pinnacle. The third stage is 'Master' only those who reach this stage or higher can learn the spell to become a sorcerer, and there are also some spells that can only be done by this stage or higher, 45% of 'Taught' stage users become 'Master' stage users within the true elements, while within Void only 10% reach it. The fourth stage is 'Pinnacle', the stage you asked about, once here you can do anything that can be done with that element, including learning all spells for it, even all 'Taught' or higher spells of Void if that's the element you are 'Pinnacle' in, there is one exception, you can't gift another the ability to use that element if they don't already have it, that is gained in the fifth stage. Only 5% of all 'Master' level true element users can reach 'Pinnacle', while only 1% of Void 'Master' users can reach 'Pinnacle'. The fifth stage is called 'God', across the board, only 0.000000001% of 'Pinnacle' elemental users can reach 'God', those in 'God' stage can gift anyone they want to the gift of the element they are 'God' in so that person who couldn't use that element before can use it now." (Party A)
"Wow, that's a lot of information to take in." (Dawson)
"And that's not all" (Party A)
"It's not?" (Dawson)
"No, when you increase stages in any and all elements you gain years to your life expectancy… going from 'Simple' to 'Taught' increases your expectancy by 5 years… from 'Taught' to 'Master' increases it by 50 years, from 'Master' to 'Pinnacle' increases it by 1,000 years… and from 'Pinnacle' to 'God' increases it by 1,000,000 years, and I've heard that if you reach 'God' of all 7 elements you become a true immortal God." (Party A)
And that was the entirety of what I remember of that conversation.
--Point of View: Carmen Shawl—
Very shortly after we left the banquet, we were joined by Harrold and the Royal Sorcerer. We all follow the butler to a room in which Honey is being guarded by two guards. Once we enter, we see that 3 maids are nursing her.
"Could you step out for a bit? We are going to attempt to save her life, and I want as few distractions as possible." (Butler)
The maids simply not then walk out.
"Please, whenever you are ready Shan-Nlocnil." (Butler)
"Alright, we'll know quickly" (Nlocnil)
He places his hands on her breasts. Then stands there for what seems like hours on end, probably concentrating magic.
"Chance Cure" (Nlocnil)
A shadow covered her then disappeared.
"I'm sorry, if that had been light, she would now be healed, but since that was a shadow, nothing has happened. I'm terribly sorry." Ending with a small bow. (Nlocnil)
"You already said that you did not know if it'd work, that as far as you knew, it was impossible to know, so you did nothing to apologize for" (Carmen)
He bows in response to my words.
"Mister Butler? Why did you add Shan to the beginning of Lincoln's name?... oops, I mean Nlocnil." (Carmen)
After a short chuckle, "It's a respectful title for Sorcerers that allows you to skip having to say, Sorcerer, Miss Carmen." (Butler)
"Okay, now…" (Carmen)
I stop because of the door opening.
--Point of View: Dawson Sen—
A maid that had left Honey's room grabs me once the room began to clear out and leads me to Carmen and honey. When I open the door, I hear Carmen is speaking. I see their faces and reply based on the emotion of the room.
"So… you weren't able to save her Sorcerer, Sir?" (Dawson)
Shakes his head, "I'm sorry my prince." (Nlocnil)
After this, we realize how late it is.
"Harrold, if you wish, please, feel free to spend the night. I believe that under the circumstances, that's what father would prefer." (Dawson)
"Thank you… Dawson," then looking at the butler, "Is there a way for me to stay in here for the night, without having to disturb her?" (Harrold)
"Yes, I'll have the maids prepare you a cot" (Butler)
"Thank you" (Harrold)
Harrold then goes to Honey's side and holds her hand, the rest of us leave.
To the maids waiting outside, "Mister Shew will be staying the night at his wife's side, one of you, please, go prepare him a cot, the remaining, get back to the task you were doing before we interrupted." (Butler)
"Yes, sir." (Three Maids)
"Can I speak with you in private Shan-Nlocnil?" (Sorcerer)
"Pardon me, but, who are you?" (Nlocnil)
"I am the Royal Sorcerer serving under King Dawson." (Sorcerer)
"Oh," signaling as if to say 'lead the way', "By all means." (Nlocnil)
They then walk off another direction.
"Don't worry about us, I'll escort Carmen to her room, then after a little, go back to my room. We know the way." (Dawson)
With a small bow, "Yes sire, I understand. I shall then report to the king." (Butler)
I nod, then he walks off.
"I was hoping we could talk in your room?" (Dawson)
"Of course." (Carmen)
Carmen and I walked to her room. When we entered, we headed to her bed and sat on it.
"I was hoping you would tell me what happened between when you left and when I arrived." (Dawson)
Carmen recounted, from her point of view, what happened during that time. Then I follow suit and explain to her about sorcerers and stages of elements. After that we 'kiss' goodnight, then I go to my room.
--Point of View: Dawson Ernest Boulders—
"The prince has escorted Miss Shawl to her room." (Butler)
"Thank you, please send out all possible solutions to the matter of Honey." (Ernest)
"Right away sire." (Butler)
I sit on the chair in my room, hoping that we will be able to save the lass.
______
For Images:
http://tiny.cc/WOI-Images
Chat with author
https://discord.gg/nFu7gHS