Butcher's Graffiti 13 Stowaway To Oasis

In the Continent of Verochka, there currently exists 7 powerful sovereigns. Some were established during or after the Great War of Races, while others were remnants of the old powers thriving still through the new era.

The late Hovarin Kingdom was a human stronghold. It was one of the old powers that survived through the war despite being the most inept race in terms of magical apt.i.tude.

They were considered the weakest of the sovereigns until the Orophrus Empire conquered the rich lands of the southeastern mountainrange from the Mother t.i.tan, "Vor Gaia".

The human kingdom was blessed with a boost in the flow of trade as they established friendly terms with the Empire. But Hovarin was no more. The human race has become scattered and labeled as one of the lower races, a fallen clan.

And yet he who stands at the pinnacle of power, the being called Gregory Mistainn, was undoubtedly human.

'The Sanctuary', or 'The Sanctum' as its less knowned for, is the Original Skill of the Professor, recognized as the first known human to successfully overcome the Phantasmal Baptism.

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The trip from the Empire to the Inst.i.tute was quite lengthy with the destination at the center of the Taratect Desert, slowing them considerably despite initial preparations.

The Great Inst.i.tute of Mistainn was a literal oasis, with only its Master's choice preventing it from being declared as its very own nation. There were no walls around it, the sand receding as it was replaced with solid concrete as one got closer to the Metropolis around the inst.i.tute.

16 skysc.r.a.per-esque pillars of weathered stone stood far surrounding the city's perimeter, their purpose unknown.

"I haven't been here in 73 years, everything looks so different now." Phillis mentioned as they entered the Metropolis, sightseeing as they rode.

They were currently on Nikolai's personal carriage, choosing to go with the mobile shrine intead of the royal coach. Rather than horses or pegasi, the Mant Lizards pulling the carriage were migratory and are better adapted for the weather conditions in the desert.

Inside, Phillis was lying down on the left corner of the long couch while reading a book. On the other corner sat the Director of the Alchemical Weaponry and Research Divisions, President Althea Yves.

"This vehicle is very comfortable." she said in a stiff tone, like a robot. "The spring mechanism applied on the wheels are greatly lessening the b.u.mpiness of the ride and the thick soles on the wide rubber tires makes it efficient even on undstable terrain. I have to say, the meticulousness of the craftmanship behind this creation will make every artisan drool. Well done!"

Althea was a Shade.

They were a humanoid race, only second to the elves in terms of magical talent. The natural white skin and hair were a staple trait to the shades, along with a few black stripes randomly running along their skin like tribal tattoos. Hands and feet with only three fingers or toes while their elbows ended in a bony spike. Lastly, their eyes were all black with only the white iris to tell where the pupil was.

"uh...thank you?" Nikolai was feeling a bit unsure, he was bad at dealing with compliments.

"Sir Elliot, would you mind if I asked of you a humble favor? I a.s.sure you we will provide more than sufficient compensation for your time and skills." She inquired, sitting down beside him on the d.i.c.key box or driver's seat.

"Depends."

Althea took a quick glance at the slacking High General, who responded with a light nod.

"Though we haven't met, my curiosity was truly piqued when General Vladimir showed to us Division Presidents how you vanquished the Queen Ghoul."

Hearing those words, Nikolai looked back and glared at the lazy bloodsucker.

"What? I was given permission! I had to prove them wrong after all, they called me 'Mad', remember? And you should thank me, cuz that's free exposure. People would kill to be famous these days!" Phillis defended himself, smirking as he recalled those dumbfounded faces.

"Pah!" Nikolai grunted, turning back to the road.

"As I was saying." the shade continued. "My division stumbled upon this artifact not too long ago in an auction. We tried to activate it with mana as most artifacts are imprinted with the owner's mana before activating, yet it didn't. So we dismissed it as a non-mystic artifact.

However, when I heard how you are able to dispense Life Force like it was Mana, I was struck with inspiration and immediately experimented.

It resulted in one casualty, unfortunately."

(A.N.// No, not all shades are crazy. Just her.)

Nikolai was looking at her with his mouth agape, turning again to Phillis with a flabbergasted expression.

"Meh, they were 'sufficiently compensated'. Also, has anyone seen my breadsticks? My jam is missing too!" the bat rummaged through the baggage.

"I was reluctant on bringing this up before because I had to see for myself if you were capable of wielding the artifact." the Shade stood and opened one of the baggages containing a weapon wrapped in bandage.

u003c'But, I never said I agreed to any of this.'u003e Nikolai thought.

"We call it, 'Goliath's Harvester'."

She unwrapped the weapon, revealing a large and flat, single-edged sword. It was highly unbalanced with its strangely thick and matte-black blade which had a cylindrical handle wrapped in red cloth attached to it. The spiky hilt bore some sort of crest, inscriptions carved on the blade's spine while its reflective edge had a faint reddish hue.

Nikolai was surprised for a second, noticing that the weapon was exuding a malicious aura of its own. But contrary to how most people would react, the giant felt attracted to the sword as he recognized the strength behind this malignancy.

"Wait." Althea halted him before he could touch the weapon. "Please take note that you should only supply it with Life Force when there is plenty of s.p.a.ce available."

"...so this...is my...compen-...-sation." he reb.u.t.ted.

The shade smiled. "Indeed. You figured it out."

u003c'Who in the right mind would give a cursed item as a reward?!'u003e he inwardly scolded her.

"Fine. What do...you want?"

Althea once again drifted her gaze to the general at the back like she was asking for approval. Nikolai didn't miss this, frantically turning to the idiot at the back with an expression half-way between disgust and feeling offended.

"Be my division's test dummy."

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The Great Inst.i.tute of Mistainn was known to be peculiar.

Cutting off the Metropolis from the mainland was a square fence and a dense sea of conifers, the entrance designed like traditional 'Torii' adorned with folded paper charms hanging from thick ropes.

The path was made of smoothened stone bricks placed tightly together in a pattern going all the way to the campus entrance where the forest ends, white walls with tile roofing enclosing its perimeter.

All the structures and architecture were uncannily similar to that of earth's traditional j.a.panese culture, even the clothing that people inside wore resembled that of kimonos and yukata.

It was a perfect replica so to say.

But the true peculiarity lied in the fact that the entire campus was under the influence of the Professor's Original Skill, Wisdom of Solomon; The Sanctuary.

And right now, it was eternally spring.

At the center of the expansive campus was a mountain, in which lies at the very top, the biggest and most beautiful Cherry Blossom or Sakura Tree that one could find. There was a very thick rope of straw wrapped around its trunk and petals constantly fell unaffected by the abnormal and sudden changes in the weather.

Built around it was the Director's Estate, followed by academic buildings and dormitories erected around the mountain down to it's base.

The representatives of the Orophrus Empire were welcomed with hospitality. A Foxbreed-Beastkin and a Draconian, both women dressed in Shrine Maiden or Miko outfits, guided them inside the Director's Estate and into the Mistainn Mansion.

"So, how late are we?" Phillis asked.

"Just in time, Master Vladimir. The other representatives are waiting for you. Professor Gregory will join you shortly." the fox lady answered concisely.

Footwear wasn't allowed inside the mansion so everyone had to walk barefoot, the floor being waxed wood was highly pleasant to step on.

But Nikolai had his own problems.

He had to duck and struggle just to fit inside the hall as they entered, the mansion's dimensions weren't exactly designed with his size in mind.

The estate itself was so mazelike due to its expansiveness. Truly so that they had to establish label signs at every corner to not get lost, some of it partly even goes into the mountain.

The maidens guided the trio into a room with thin paper walls and wooden doors, a label at the top saying "Daimyo no Yoka".

"Greetings! The representatives from the Orophrus Empire has arrived." they announced.

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At the mansion's front porch where the carriages were parked, the couch inside Nikolai's carriage shivered. The seat's foam popped open and levitated as the stowaway came out of her hiding place.

"Achoo!" she could finally sneeze without using the Cradle Spell she learned from Bastian.

Seffa wiped off the stains of strawberry jam on her cheek and dusted off the breadcrumbs on her scarf. Hiding was one thing, not getting caught by Matros's and her father's animalistic senses was another. She was so glad to have found and learned that Stealth Spell at the Palace's library, allowing her to erase her presence to a certain degree.

Sneakily looking out, she flew out of the carriage as soon as she recast the Stealth Spell. A grey aura enveloped her body causing it to turn semi-transparent and erasing any noise she made.

Levitation was only a matter of thought, her eyes glowing blue as she zoomed up to see where she was. Seeing the unusual buildings, different races and strange clothings that she's never seen before thrilled her to no end. The one that truly caught her attention however, was the gigantic tree of pink.

The child caught one of the petals falling from the tree, drawn to the mysterious source of the heart-shaped wonders.

Seffa swiftly hovered towards and around the Sakura Tree, slowly observing the blooming flowers on the branches and picking one of them for herself. She'd reached the very top of the tree playing along with wind and the petals, gazing down with awe as she saw an ever magnificent view of The Great Inst.i.tute of Mistainn.

She saw children playing among themselves joyfully and people enjoying their quiet and simple lives, a tinge of pain growing in her heart. Looking at the flower she'd picked with sentimentality and loneliness.

Seffa brought it close to her heart.

"Why the sad face?" the sudden voice startled her, jolting away from the man that was suddenly beside her.

"Hahahaha! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

He was wearing a blue kimono embroidered with different colors of silk made to resemble a green coiling dragon. The man had feminine features, an oval face, almond-shaped black eyes, and smooth poreless skin while his long black hair was tied in a bun with chopsticks.

"My name is Gregory. What's yours?"

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