Aeneas acted as if he didn't notice Alistair. He looked straight at the majestic view in front of him. But, Aeneas could see Alistair approaching closer in his peripheral vision.
"You're Aeneas, right?"
The Alistair in Aeneas's mind was someone enveloped with pride, someone who looked down and didn't speak to those he thought weaker than him. Aeneas never thought that the same Alistair would go out of his way to strike up a conversation with him.
"Yes, we fought twice in Pergis months ago," Aeneas replied. He also wanted to say that he saw him in the previous expedition but didn't want to appear as if he was watching him without his knowledge.
Alistair stared at Aeneas with an expressionless face, "Small world. I also saw you on the expedition… It was a tragedy," he said. Then, Alistair's eyes widened a little, "Ah," he muttered before showing Aeneas a Panteran bow.
Although a bit confused, Aeneas returned the gesture.
"You're also heading to Laochyro?" Aeneas asked.
Alistair shook his head, "We'll make a stop there. But, mother and I are going to Strilas."
The city of Strilas is located west of Laochyro. Although a lot smaller when compared to the latter, Strilas is also a vibrant city with the same amalgamation of cultures similar to Laochyro and other cities or towns in Decatris. Since the citizens of Decatris were combinations of all people from the twelve kingdoms, the resulting and dominating culture was that of open-mindedness. Although misunderstandings still occur, the citizens of Decatris have come to a point where they understand and respect each other's culture. Those who were descendants of the ones who settled in Decatris hundreds of years ago had even forgotten most of the culture of their ancestors' homeland.
"You're going to Laochyro?" Alistair asked.
"Yes."
Alistair stared at Aeneas before looking at the horizon.
"Ah. I'm going to meet someone who will train me so I can enter the World Academy."
"What a shame."
Aeneas's brows furrowed, "Why?" he asked.
Alistair faced Aeneas, "You were a great fighter. I was expecting to see you within the order of knights."
Aeneas never expected to hear such words from Alistair. Even in his wildest dreams, he thought that it was a combination of words that had the lowest possibility of being mixed. Thus, hearing it from the mighty Alistair made Aeneas befuddled.
"Then," Alistair said accompanied by the Panteran bow.
Even though Aeneas was still lost in his thoughts, his body reacted and returned the same gesture. Alistair left after that.
Their short conversation made Aeneas question his decision again. But it didn't last long. The boy took a deep breath and muttered, "This is my fate."
Anastasia waited for Aeneas and Lyra at the port of Laochyro. She already hired a magic carriage (engine-powered vehicle) to bring them to the entrance of Silas's wooded area. Once there, the driver of the magic carriage refused to go further. Although people aren't disallowed by law to go to the deserted wooded area of the academy, rumors of a dangerous beast kept by the academy were said to lurk in the place. Because of that, people make sure to not even set one foot at the entrance of the wooded area.
"Should I just head straight, mother?"
The boy's question made the driver of the magic carriage confused and worried. He told them about the rumor of the dangerous beast and that they should just turn back.
In response, Lyra paid the driver and asked him to take his leave. Although a bit reluctant, the driver left after receiving his payment. In his mind, he did what he could and warned them, what they do after doesn't concern him.
When they saw the magic carriage already in the distance, the three entered the wooded area. Lyra and Anastasia helped in carrying a few of Aeneas's luggage.
Aeneas could feel a great sense of familiarity the closer he got to Silas. When they reached the open area, they saw the old man lying at the table near the hut. It seemed that he was asleep.
The three decided to walk closer when Silas said, "Leave the boy there and go on your way."
Lyra turned to Aeneas. She was teary-eyed as one of the conditions she didn't tell Aeneas was that they weren't allowed to visit him while Silas taught him. The next time they would see each other would be when Aeneas enrolls at the academy.
"I'm so proud of you," Lyra said as she gave her son a tight hug. She let go and looked him in the eyes, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
Aeneas replied with a nod. He turned to Anastasia and smiled. To which his aunt Ana reciprocated.
Silas sat up when Lyra and Anastasia left. Aeneas stared at him. He remembered the sensation he felt the last time they locked eyes. The boy approached closer to Silas, he dropped his belongings and showed the old man the Panteran bow.
"Greetings master, I am Aeneas Caspius."
Old man Silas wiped his face and then scratched his thick disheveled white beard.
"What's with that bow? You should kneel if you want to become my student."
Aeneas was left speechless. His confused expression turned serious, "Then… I guess I should take my leave."
The boy picked up his luggage and turned back. He stopped in his tracks when he heard Silas's full-blown laughter.
"You Panteran's truly are serious ones. It was just a joke."
Aeneas smiled, "Should I bring my things inside your hut, master?" He asked.
Silas stared at Aeneas, "Before that… I thought I told your mother that you should come alone?"
Confused, Aeneas moved his head left and right to look behind him. He became more puzzled when he saw no one.
"But I am alone… Are you speaking in riddles, master?"
Silas pointed with his right hand, "There, in your shadow. It's my first time seeing such a creature, what even is that thing?"
Aeneas looked over his shoulder in a swift to see his shadow. He couldn't see anything and thought that the old man was making a fool of him again.
"There's nothi–"
The boy's shadow started to become darker till it turned to pure black. His eyes widened. Aeneas gulped when a pair of small eyes appeared from his shadow. It was like a lizard's, but the sclera was white and the vertical slit pupil was pure black.
"S-so you were there," Aeneas muttered. It was the same eye he saw last night, from the bizarre creature that hatched from the black egg.
The pure black parts of Aeneas's shadow started to focus on one area. Then from it, emerged the otherworldly being. Aeneas could only see its figure since it was still painted with the darkest black, absorbing all light. The creature stood on four legs, the shape of its tail was similar to that of a dragon but there were no fins or spikes on its back. It had wings larger than its body, and the shape of its head was wide, but both Aeneas and Silas couldn't see the intricate details of the being. They couldn't even tell if it had nostrils, a mouth, or ears. Aside from that, the being was as big as the average melon.
Although the creature was intimidating due to its outlandish appearance, its size didn't give both Aeneas and Silas a feeling of immediate threat.
"What? You didn't know you had that thing with you?" Silas asked.
Aeneas glanced at Silas and shook his head. When he looked back at the small creature, it jumped towards him. It made Aeneas block by crossing his arms. But, the creature merely wanted to stand on his shoulder and rub its head on his cheeks.
"It doesn't seem hostile," Silas said. He caressed his beard before continuing, "I guess I'd allow a pet. But, just that one. I'm also curious as to what it is."
"Thank you, master!" The boy replied. Sensing no danger from the small creature, Aeneas took it from his shoulder and sat it on his hands. He carefully examined it, but couldn't see anything past its eyes and figure.
After that, Aeneas placed the small creature on the ground but it flew and returned to his shoulder.
"Do you have a name for it? Or should we just call it black?"
Aeneas patted the creature on his shoulder as he thought of a name to give it.
"Ah. I guess we should call it Aether."
Silas nodded, "A great name. Let's just hope that it's a male," he said before laughing aloud.
Aeneas grabbed Aether off his shoulder. Then, he reached around the area between its hind legs, "Master… I think it is," he said. But Aether didn't seem to enjoy being touched in that area and bit Aeneas's hands playfully. The boy laughed and apologized to his small companion.
"Now then…" Silas paused and stared at Aeneas with a serious expression. He took a wooden sword resting at the side of the table and threw it to Aeneas.
"Stop playing with it and attack me."
"R-right now?"
Silas responded with a nod.
"But–"
"I am the strongest. I don't take just anyone as my student, even if you are someone with the same Zeal you must still prove to me that you are worthy of being taught. If you aren't able to even touch me, just return to where you came from."
Silas's words and voice felt heavy. But after hearing it, the excitement buried deep within Aeneas's piles of worries started to crawl up with furious haste. The boy became serious, but his lips formed a smile. Even Silas's body felt excitement at the sight of the boy's reaction.