n

n

n

"I see...

" The fairy floated around a bit as she pondered things,

"What she smelled was nothing of what I asked, or rather it was everything. It reminded her of her parents. And what had happened to them.

"

nErik nodded, curious what Akarui had been through. However, he would rather not pry and bring her more pain. If she wished to bury it, he would let her.

n

"Why do you care for her so much?

" The fairy asked, aligning herself again with Erik's eye height.

n

"How can someone not care for her?

" Erik replied, curious what his feelings towards her were. He never had siblings, nor was he a parent. He was quite certain it was one of those two kinds of love.

n

"Fair enough. Why did you come here?

" The fairy asked, and Erik pointed to Akarui.

n

"She found a special flower called a Trainta Roz. I do not quite know what that flower is, but it seems to be capable of storing massive amounts of mana. I was following her, wanting to know where they grow.

"

nThe fairy moved up and down in a nod motion,

"I see, but how did you reach us? Not only does the Trainta Roz grow far from here; there is also a spell cast to keep people from entering.

"

nErik shrugged as he heard this question,

"She has some special talent. I do not know how, but she always managed to find plants with special properties. Maybe it guided us here?

"

nThe fairy nodded again by moving up and down.

"That is likely the call of nature within her.

"

n

"Call of nature?

"

n

"Mmm... How to explain it?

" The fairy pondered for a bit,

"She has a very special talent, some might even call it an aura. They would not be wrong.

"

nErik just stared at the fairy and waited for her to make sense, which took quite a while. Finally, she dumbed it down so he could understand.

n

"Much like you can feel what plants feel, allowing you to tell if they are growing well. What they could be used for, where they liked to grow. She is attracted to nature, and not to just anything. But rather to special and unique kinds of things in nature.

"

nErik nodded to show he was following, not asking anything until he was sure that Nerenth was done talking.

n

"Due to her age and personality, she is likely only interested in pretty things like flowers. However, if she can learn to control her talent, she will be able to find all kinds of special plants. We call people born with this trait Fysi.

"

n

"Normally this talent only appears in a select few dryads and elves, while all treants naturally have this talent. It appearing in a human child is abnormal.

"

nThe fairy took a slight pause, turning to look at Akarui playing with some vines Fecil was manipulating. Tickling her if she failed to keep them in sight.

"I am glad the flower worked...

"

n

"What?

"

n

"The flower, it is a special kind. It can be quite dangerous if in the wrong hands, as the aroma it releases causes one to be overflowed with happiness. We rarely make this flower, and even less often would we give it to someone. It is too easy to become addicted.

"

n

"I am glad that she had already stored it in her basket. It is more proof that she is a Fysi. Most people would be unable to let go of something which gives them endless pleasure.

"

nErik gulped hearing this, wondering if he would have managed. He also recalled some of the things Eldrian had shared with him and wondered if he might become dependant on it. Even in reality.

n

"Do not worry, she is in full control.

"

nErik nodded, not wishing to clarify that he was worried about himself. Not Akarui.

nThe two looked at Akarui playing with the plants for a while. Enjoying her innocent joy. However, after just a few minutes of playing she had to sit down and rest. Sparking Erik to recall why he was here.

n

"How can I help her?

"

n

"I am sorry, I honestly do not know. A Fysi in a human body is unheard of. The children born with the talent are always frailer of body. However, they become better simply by staying in nature. As their race already does.

"

n

"Then... Would it help if we stay here?

"

n

"While it would not hurt, she is past the age where the most improvement is normally seen. I would offer a fruit of life, however, the energy contained in it might be too much for her.

"

n

"Then what about just a slice of the fruit?

" Erik pleaded, hoping for a solution. Not knowing what he would do if even such a strong being had no answer.

n

"It does not work that way. The fruit of life is not something physical, its physical form is just an appearance. Used to beguile the weak and disgust the worthy. Its true power is in that it works on the soul.

"

nErik did not quite follow, other than realizing he was part of the weak. The fruit appearing like the most delicious thing he had ever seen. Sighing, he asked,

"Then?

"

n

"There is one race who is even more attuned with nature than even us.

" Nerenth said,

"However, I doubt they would take in a human. They do not even trust the elves and dryads fully.

"

n

"Who are they?

" Erik asked, his concern for escaping the kingdom decreasing as he realized there was a problem he seemed to be incapable of solving. One that might make escaping inconsequential.

nThe fairy did not respond immediately, instead, she disappeared. Erik became quite worried by this, however, he stopped himself from acting out. Standing and watching Akarui who was again on her feet, and then back to sitting and recovering, he waited.

nFinally, after nearly ten minutes, the fairy appeared again.

n

"Have you ever heard of Alicorns?

"

n...

nFollowing the road they had created, Eldrian soon found a group of centaurs and centaurettes busy installing some kind of marble pillar. With a few more standing guard and staring at him.

nHe observed the group for a while, until he recognized Thesolis among them. Busy carving arrays on the pillar.

nMoving closer he explained to those standing guard that he was sent by Pelaros. After they used Observe, they let him through.

n

"Thesolis!

" Eldrian called out as he neared the centaurs busy on the pillar.

nEldrian realized his mistake as he saw Thesolis hand shaking as she was carving. Ignoring the call, she finished the convergent rune she was carving. Once she was done she threw down her chisel and looked to the source of the disturbance in anger.

nHer anger turning into confusion as she saw the elf standing there twiddling his thumbs.

"It's you...

"

nEldrian nodded,

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking when I called out.

"

nThesolis nodded and waited, Eldrian continuing as he saw she wanted him to explain why he was here.

"Pelaros sent me to deliver some crystals...

" Adding after a bit of a delay,

"He also said you can teach me about arrays.

"

nHearing the added part, Thesolis sighed, extending her hand towards Eldrian.

"Give me the crystals.

"

nEldrian nodded and quickly pulled the mana crystals from his inventory, Thesolis only taking one.

"Keep them, I'll explain once we are done with this pillar.

"

nEldrian nodded and stored the other four crystals in his inventory again. Taking a step back he looked at the centaurs working. A total of three were carving, while one was chanting to the side.

nIt took nearly an hour for them to finish, Eldrian having lost interest after 5 minutes. However, when he used Mana Examination, having simply planned to practice, he instead saw a very curious sight.

nThe pillar was surrounded by soft white mist, just barely visible. What was strange was the fact that raw mana never appeared in the surroundings. In all the time Eldrian had been using Mana Examination he had never seen the white mist. It was always element-mana that filled the surrounding.

nCuriously, the mist would change in density with each rune finished. The space it filled would change with each pathway, and the brightness with each chant finished by the chanting centaurette.

nWith them finally done, most headed back to the base. Thesolis however led Eldrian to another pillar, explaining what they were doing as they walked.

n

"The pillars act as a sort of relay. Generally, this is only done when making walls, as each pillar requires a mana crystal and cannot be past a kilometer from another. On top of that, the crystal needs to be changed every month.

"

n

"Luckily mana crystals can be recharged, however making them is still expensive. Each pillar is worth nearly 150 gold.

"

nHearing the cost, Eldrian's jaw nearly fell to the ground.

"Wh-w-what?

" He stuttered, realizing that his struggle to help Erik make a 100 gold was laughable when views by craftsmen and nobility.

n

"That is the same census everyone had when Pelaros told us to make a defensive network. However, he is the leader.

"

nEldrian nodded absentmindedly as he asked,

"How many are you making?

" Unable to accept that it would five.

n

"Five... Along with a control pillar which will be done last in the center of the entire array.

"

nEldrian was dumbfounded. Only after half a minute had passed could he ask his next question.

"And... What are these pillars supposed to do?

"

n

"Unlike those in the fort, these are designed to counteract the undead. Do you remember how you got through the barren lands? What you did at night?

"

n