Volden Markings

After what happened on the carriage all of the passengers made it out safely including the drivers. Turns out that due to the darkness the person who thought finished them off actually missed, instead they only had a major cut on the side of their face. Once we got into the Trade Post we all were able to stay at the inn free of charge due to what happened. However, everyone but the old man decided to call it a night, he said he needed to go report everything to the guards in charge of this area, I asked if I could go with him but he declined.

The next morning everyone got back on the carriage and before we knew it we were on our way to the Town of Voltin. Thankfully nothing happened during the trip this time, so we safely made it into the town. I do wish, however, that I was able to explore more of the Trade post… but I can always come back if I really wanted to.

…

"Thank you so much, Auric!"

Who's this, turning around I notice almost all of the people who were on the carriage have surrounded me.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For what you did when we were attacked obviously. The majority of us didn't know we were being attacked until we were taken hostage, the rest of us were too scared to do anything."

"I didn't really do that much though, honestly I thought I was going to die there."

Again I don't see why they're thanking me, all I accomplished was wounding one of the hijackers, and someone also escaped along with the other guy who I assume was the leader… also how the hell do they know my name.

"But even so, you didn't, you're still here, and that means we must thank you."

All of a sudden everyone around me started thanking me all at once, making quite a racket, a lot of attention was being drawn towards me, and I felt my face getting quite hot, all I could think about was getting out of there when suddenly I was lifted into the air and pulled away from everyone.

"Look at Mr. Popular over here, don't go gettin a big head."

It looked like the old man saved me from that, as I landed right next to him.

"Haha, thanks, old man."

…

"Stop calling me old man! I preferred Sir Volden!"

Now he's the one acting all weird with me. he started shaking me, he was doing it so fast that I was starting to get dizzy. After about ten seconds it looked like he calmed down a bit.

"So what are you going to do now?"

I just wanted to check whether or not we were parting ways here or another time… he is a Volden after all, I'm kind of hoping he'll guide me to where I need to go.

"To visit ma son"

So he is going to see his son… hmm, I wonder if Volden Markings is where his son is, it has to be near though.

"Can I tag along?"

"Don't see why not, I'm heading to Volden Markings after all."

Great so he is headed to that place. That works out for me, may as well follow him until I get there.

"Great, Thanks!"

As we prepare to head into the main part of the town I decided to look back, everyone else was still standing outside the carriage, but they were waving… to me. My face started getting hot again, no idea why but that goes away instantly when I directed my attention to the previous group of four who I previously met.

The familiar girl seemed to be discussing something with the other three, and from what I could tell they weren't very happy about whatever it was, as the guy I talked to looked quite sad. But what I find even more worrying is that I haven't been able to see auras since I left Betwin, there I was able to see everyone's aura and was only able to sense someone's feelings if I was talking to them.

I press my hand against my forehead.

"Well, at least my head isn't hurting."

Mumbling that I turn back around, only to see that the old man had started walking off without me. That bastard.

"Hey wait up!"

I shouted, but he acted like he didn't hear me… well whatever, guess I'll just run to catch up which didn't take too long, only about a few seconds. Once I slowed down I began looking around, straight ahead I noticed that the town seemed to be built on a massive hill, it was so high I couldn't see the top, it was just so far away.

I then looked to my left and noticed that quite a few people were staring at me with their mouths open, as if I just did something amazing.

"Huh?"

…

"Oh shit!"

I silently groaned to myself, It must be because I don't have my hood on. I quickly pull the hood of the oversized cloak back over my head, I don't want anyone notifying that Spectica group about me.

We had seemed to be walking for quite a while, maybe around fifteen minutes until we were out the front of a building, I looked up and read the sign, it read 'Volden Markings'. I breathed a sigh of relief, perhaps I'll be able to learn something from here.

I followed the old man inside, as I was walking in I took the hood off my head, Laloo said I could trust whoever was in here.

"Well if it isn't Atlas, mah dear grandson!"

Huh, grandson… he didn't mention having a grandson, only a son.

"Oh, it's you old man"

Hearing his voice was quite a shock to me, I'd never heard anything like it, it was so devoid of life it made me feel empty. Despite that, I looked in the direction of where I heard that voice and saw him.

It seemed he was sitting on the very top of a shelf, hidden away where no one would even know he was there without him speaking or someone else giving him away.

"Who's that."

Huh is he talking about me?

"Just an aspiring fifteen-year-old wanting ta go on an adventure!"

After he heard that, he jumped down from the shelf. How did he not hurt himself, that was quite high up. It was at least five meters high. He then walked right up to me and looked into my eyes, which allowed me to see him more clearly. He had the dirtiest hair I have ever seen, followed by incredibly Light Grey skin, dark brown eyes with bags under them, and a tiny bit of facial hair growing on his chin. But that's not all, the hair on the right side of his face was way longer than the left and I think I know why. Going from the right side of his forehead and all the way down to his collarbone was one massive scar, I wouldn't know what it's from, however, it does look quite cool.

"Stupid."

Huh did he just call me stupid, what for I didn't do anything?

"Huh?"

"Get a better reason to become an adventurer, not a silly one like that."

What is this dudes problem, the first thing he says to start the conversation is 'Stupid', why, I haven't done anything.

"Oi Old man, I'm going up to my room, go find dad if ya want him."

And just like that he walked up the stairs to the left and disappeared up them… I look towards the old man. He looked upset.

"Do ya see now… why I don't like being called an old man. That grandson of mine always does that, but he refers ta his father as dad… it's not fair!"

Oh here we go again, it looks like he's whining again. But ignoring that, I walk right up to the counter and see something that says 'press this for assistance', I press it. It lets out a sound that created a ding, like a small bit of metal hitting a larger bit of metal.

A few seconds later someone bursts through the door at the back around the counter, he was wearing a pair of goggles and was covered in black powder, I couldn't quite tell but he looked to have mid-length brown hair, and his skin was light but looked a lot more healthy than his son.

"Sorry for making you wait!"

He looks towards the old man.

"Oh it's you Dad, I was expecting ya, but you're later than expected… what happened?"

"Just ran into a few problems on the road, but it's all good now."

"Ya better not have caused any trouble for anyone ya hear me!"

He did in fact cause me a lot of trouble, hell it took him so long to use his magic, that I thought he planned the whole thing, no to mention the fact he never told me he was strong.

"I didn't, I didn't!"

The man looked at me.

"Who's this?"

"His name is Auric, I met him on the way here, and said he needs ta get his mark… and Auric this is Marx, my son."

Marx stretches out his hand, is this what a handshake it is, I grab it firmly.

"Nice to meet you, Marx! | Nice to meet you, Auric!"

We both greeted each other at the same time.

"I believe ya have something ta show em?"

Ah, that's right, the blank piece of paper Laloo gave me… I put my hands in each of my pockets trying to find it.

*scrunch*

It wasn't until I put my hand inside one of the pockets on the cloak that I found it, pulling out the piece of paper I hand it to him… he grabs it, and upon noticing that it's blank he puts his goggles on and began rubbing his chin with his thumb, to show as if he was in deep thought.

"Mhm, I see, well alright, come with me, Auric."

He folds up the piece of paper, walks behind the counter, and places it in a black box that had a lock on it, he then walks over to a doorway but instead of a door, there was a curtain.

"Right in here please"

He pulled back the curtain and signaled me into a chair. 'What the hell is this' this does not look safe… but I sit down in the chair anyway. A few seconds later Marx came around the corner holding what seemed to be a stick with an extremely sharp end.

"Oh right, I should tell ya what I'm about ta do."

I must have had a strange look on my face as when he looked at me he had a slightly shocked expression.

"Well first, everyone throughout the world has ta get this, we call them 'Marks'"

Marx… Marks, that had to be on purpose, I wish I could see that old man's face, he's probably laughing… now that I remember Laloo mentioned something about a mark. Or was it rank, I can't quite remember.

"Now these marks are invisible don't worry, people like me are called 'Markers' we're skilled in Status Type Magic, the definition meaning Magic that is imbued into things permanently, leaving no connection with the caster."

Status Type Magic huh… how many types does that make now, around three… I wonder how many there actually are.

"By imbuing a small section of someone's choice with their mana gives them many different tools, such as seeing the body's vitals, which is useful for doctors and on-site healers. Another one is their identification, which shows your full name, date of birth, as well as your occupation, and title in that occupation. For example, It would show me as a Marker, but due ta there being no ranks with that job I won't have one shown."

Wait, so it's possible to basically carve magic into someone at no risk of danger… but.

"So does this magic just lay dormant or…"

"It practically becomes one with your magic flow, it's impossible ta make any changes with it, whether that be you or someone else."

That makes sense, it literally just becomes a part of me, it doesn't become an active part of my magic flow but it's connected in some way… interesting.

"With that, do I have permission ta give you yours?"

There's no harm, right?

"I mean, sure."

"Great, now where do you want it?"

"What's the most common spot?"

"Most go for their upper arm, but some choose their wrists as well!"

The upper arm, or wrists? Which one should I choose, I would prefer a place away from my face so…

"I'll go for me left wrist… would that work?"

That sounds like the best possible spot, if I need to use it throughout the day it's in a comfortable spot, and in my case, it's away from my right eye.

"Sounds good! But first, could ya touch this for me"

He pulls out what seemed to be an incredibly thin plastic tube, and when I touched it I saw it instantly fill up with something… it kept changing colours. Marx then inserts the small tube into the stick he was holding.

Marx then moves to the left of me and pulls out a chair to sit on, he then places the tip of the stick slightly above my wrist.

"So what actually is that?"

I pointed to the sharp stick with my right hand.

"It's a magical tool, a specific one at that. Others like this are used ta write or draw with magic. However, this one is used for Markings…ya ever heard of a tattoo?"

"No, I haven't?"

"Tattoos are quite similar ta this actually, except they're visible… some people get them ta express themselves where others get them due to symbolic value ta them."

Now that he mentions it, I think I saw a few people walking through this town and the last town that had strange marks on them… they all varied in colour though.

"Are you referring to those coloured marks I've seen on people?"

"Correct."

"But why were they different colours?"

"It's due ta the magic basically being constrained ta one spot, however, it still has the connection ta the individual's mana flow. It's still quite unknown but, magic doesn't have a set colour… it can be green, it can be blue, red, and so on, and so on. All depends on what the person wants really."

Wait a minute! wait a minute! He said that magic doesn't have a set colour, could that mean my right eye is just a magical eye? And he said it all depends on what the person wants, does that mean I could force my eye to be yellow?

"I see."

The Marking was surprisingly short as it only took around five minutes before he was done.

"All finished!"

Marx said as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"So what's the point in this being invisible, how do I see the stuff you were talking about earlier?"

"You can't, not yet, that's why ta start off there's something else we need ta do."

As he was saying that he placed a rectangular-shaped thing onto where he put the mark, it looks like the thing Laloo used to exit Movia and also what he handed to the guard outside Betwin.

He then placed it into a machine that seemed to pull it inside of itself. Soon after it came back out and he handed it to me.

"Here ya are"

I grab it out of his hands and look at it.

_______________

Auric Redfurn

15 Years Old

-No Job-

-No Title-

________________

Redfurn? What the hell does that mean?

"So what is all this stuff?"

"Well the first one is your name, including your family name, then your age, occupation and then rank."

Family name! Redfurn is my family name. But how did it know that, not even I knew that… Marx seemed to be looking at me with an intrigued look, did he perhaps see it.

"Are you his son… what is your father's name, Auric? Do you remember him?"

My father's name… I have no clue, I don't even know what to say or how to reply to that question, shit.

"Uh… no I don't."

"I see you must have become an orphan after what happened."

*STOMP STOMP STOMP*

"DAD! How long is this going to take you!"

After hearing those loud footsteps our conversation was interrupted by who I believe is Marx's son. The curtains where we were flew open and he stood there fuming.

"Atlas! What are you doing! I told ya not ta come out when there are customers!"

"It's fine! This kid ain't from around here."

"Still, what would ya do if it was someone who lived around here? You remember right."

It seems that I've been caught in the middle of an argument. to my right was Atlas, who was Marx's son, and to the left of me was Marx himself. For the next five minutes, there was nonstop shouting which I couldn't even make out, except all I knew was that Marx was worried his son might be seen by a local of this town… I don't know why though.

*sigh* "sorry about that Auric."

We made our way to what looked to be the back room of the building. In the middle of the room was a table with a rolled-up piece of paper… however, in the room were me, Marx, and Atlas. the old man was nowhere to be found.

"It's fine. Was just a bit shocked, that's all"

I looked over to Marx and he seemed pissed the hell off.

"Apologize Atlas!"

"Why should I!"

Looking at Atlas I noticed that he didn't look angry however, he looked quite frustrated.

"I see…"

However, after those words left Marx's mouth I watched Atlas' face turn from a frustrated look to an extremely scared look.

"Wait, dad, no…"

"I've warned ya over and over again, that the next time you cause a fuss, you're to leave."

"Please don't"

"Pack your bags Atlas' it's time ta go."

With a defeated look Atlas leaves the room, I assume to go collect his things. I then look back at Marx.

"Hey Auric… can I ask ya a favor."

A favor, what could it be?

"Yeah sure, what is it."

"Would you take Atlas with you?"

Is he serious?

"Now I know what you're thinking but please. He may seem arrogant and stubborn but… he's a good person and, I've wanted him ta leave this town for so long but… I was scared, I didn't want anything ta happen to him. But he's getting more and more lonely, I'm afraid he can't stay here any longer, he needs ta go."

Well, it won't hurt to have someone join me, especially if they're around the same age as me, I do kind of need someone who knows their way around to show me what to do. However, did it really have to be him, he's done nothing but make fun of me the second we met.

"Well, I don't kno—

*SLAM*

"Please I'm begging you!"

All of a sudden he was now on the ground in what seemed to be a begging position.

"Well if you insist I wouldn't mind it."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

"However, I can't force him to come with me. That will only work if he wants to himself."

I'm fine with Atlas coming with me however, it's ultimately his decision if he wants to or not… Marx stands back up.

"Yeah, you're right, sorry I'll go up and let him know."

"Sure thing."

After saying that Marx walks up the stairs in the room. 'They must have multiple staircases' I, however, decide to walk back into the lobby to wait.

*creak*

As I opened the door, I went to close it behind me and noticed that Atlas was standing next to the door. He was leaning on the wall with his arms behind his head. Did he hear?

"Well, I guess that settles it!"

"Settles what?"

*smack* "let's go"

He smacked me on my back and made his way to the door, with the only things he was bringing were, a bow and a quiver.

"C'mon hurry up! before my dad has a chance to say goodbye."

"Well okay then."

I guess that means he's coming with me then.

I begin walking out the door. And as I was nearly out of it I started hearing hurried footsteps.

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! "ATLAS! Where did you go!"

"Quick! Go, go."

After that, I was practically thrown out the door, and after I regained my balance I noticed Atlas had already started running down the street… he then waved for me to follow. I began running after him, and as I did, I heard the door of the shop fly open.

"Wait just a minute!"

He walked out into the middle of the street and I noticed that he had the biggest smile on his face, with tears running down. He then raised his hands to his mouth.

"THANK YOOOOOU!"

He began to wave, not to me but to his son. I look back at Atlas, he was still running, but now he had one of his hands raised as a goodbye… Marx then proceeded back into his shop.

…

"Hey, can you wait up!"

We had been running for around five minutes, without slowing down. After saying that however, he suddenly stopped and stepped into an alley. 'Where the hell is he going'. Turning into the alley I noticed he was leaning on the wall… in the dark.

"Could you please explain to me what just happened, why did you run off like that. I also never would have thought you would agree to come with me."

…

*sigh* "I've caused a lot of stress… to the people who care for me. If I didn't leave like that I never would have been able to… I despise face ta face goodbyes. And the reason I chose ta go with you, doesn't really matter does it."

He didn't sound upset or angry… he didn't sound like anything. I wonder what caused him to have such a dead tone. I won't question him about that yet, now I need to figure out what to do next. I pull out the card I received.

"So you still plan on adventuring?"

"Of course I do."

"Why… what's your actual reason? I know gramps made that up earlier."

My actual reason. Well, I do want to find my family and understand the ability I possess.

"I have a lot of reasons, but I guess you could say that I want to learn. Discover. find the reason as to why I exist."

Looking at his face he seemed quite shocked to hear that.

"Interesting. I'm quite similar…"

"You don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

Even though I do want to know more about him. From the look on his face, I'm getting the feeling that I shouldn't pry too much into his history.

"Heh. Well. I suppose we should make our way to the Halls then."

"The Halls?"

"It's the place that tests whether or not you have the skills ta hold the title of an adventurer."

The Halls huh. I hope with Atlas here now I'll be able to learn more about the world and how it works, I'll try however, to not make it too obvious of how naive I am. Wouldn't want him questioning where I came from, but… looking at my card I wonder why my family name is Redfurn. That should be the first thing I should investigate.

"Oi Marshmallow hair, hurry the hell up!"

Marshmallow hair! Wait… speaking of marshmallows, I want to try one. I heard they're really good.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."

Catching back up with Atlas I then realize I don't actually know how old he looks, even though he's the youngest person I've talked to he still looks around twenty-five.

"Hey, how old are you? you mentioned that you need to take the test as well. To me you look in your mid-twenties, so I just assumed you already were an adventurer."

"TCH!"

Uh oh, did I say something bad, he looks pissed.

"I'm seventeen actually! Where the fuck did you get mid-twenties from!"

"Uh… my bad, sorry"

"Whatever!"

He then sped up his walking pace, I assume to get away from me. Not my fault he looked old, from his looks, mostly his dirty appearance is what makes him look older than he is.

Well, I guess I'm one step closer to becoming an adventurer… eh Laloo, I wonder what your doing right now, hopefully, you're not locked up.

…

"WHERE IS HE!"

*THUMP!*

"Argh!! who are you talking about…"

*chains rattling*

"ARRRH! Don't play dumb Arya. Several witnesses spotted you with a white-haired child, who's said to have the eye! Why are you hiding him."

"Hmmmm. Wish I had white hair, that's pretty cool. Haha."

"Stop fucking with me! Here I'll give you two options. One, you stay here until you speak up, who knows how long that would take. Or two, you tell me where he is right now, and I might just tell you your son's whereabouts. How about it?"

"What!"

…

章節 7: Volden Markings

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Baitozz

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章節 7: Volden Markings

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