Something Immortal

02: Diplomatic Mission

The hallway was vast, wide, and packed. In fact, it totally resembles a church, and everyone was seated properly and behaving obediently. Som guessed the person standing on the platform and speaking on the podium was none other than Sri Vaiyasingha.

Sri's description in the novel doesn't seem to differ much from the one in front of him. He was described as "pretty" rather than handsome despite his muscular appearance, with small crescent eyes and dimples on the side of his face when he smiled. He couldn't help noticing how white his skin was, similar to his. Sri was born to be a leader, and with one look, Som could tell that he was designed to be just like that. His voice was soft but clear. He enunciated each word properly, and he looked scholarly, intelligent, and articulate.

For some reason, Som couldn't help feeling proud. There was a part of him that rejoices, knowing that he has a relative in this novel. Back in his original world, he was practically a nobody. He has no family, no siblings, no relatives. Even his name came from a nun who took pity on him. Now, he has a brother, and that brother turns out to be the Jarl of the Sri Empire. To someone like him—that sounded so cool!

Sri easily spotted him from the crowd and smiled pleasantly. Som froze when everyone turned to him. He didn't expect the sudden attention, and this was also the first time people looked at him with keen interest.

"My brother is finally here," he spoke, and everyone listened. "Perhaps we can talk about a more serious matter now. Som, can you please come closer?"

Left without a choice, Som walked closer to the platform, and his brother, Sri, immediately ushered him to sit behind him next to the podium. There was no microphone in this world, but Som thought that they didn't need it. Every corner of the assembly hall seems enough to make even the tiniest voice echo at high volume.

"This year's diplomatic mission is special because it is not only to celebrate the signing of the Peace Treaty but there will also be an eclipse happening on the same day. Therefore, all the Councils of Asturia have decided that for this year's diplomatic mission, all the leaders, envoys, and emissary would gather to meet at The Summit Isle, where we will announce a representative to send to the Arcane Academy for a month to study the cultures, history, language, and heritage of each race. This allows us to better understand one another, strengthening our bonds with our neighboring legions."

Legions. This was the word used to describe the races that shared the world of Asturia. As far as Som could remember, there were five continents in this world, and under those continents were the cities dominated by a certain race and governed by their leaders. For instance, Clearwater Valley or also known as 'The Valley' was a territory owned by the druids and governed by the Sri Empire. Som suddenly felt excitement knowing that he has the opportunity to explore this world. Back then, he was just reading about it. And even though he wasn't talented enough to imagine the world, the words of Darren Pike were enough for his brain to be fed off these wonderful, majestic sites that sometimes left him wishing that there was a visual to justify those words.

"As you may know," Sri continued. "I plan to send my brother to the Arcane Academy for a month. If there's any objection, now is the time to raise it. If you think that there's someone deemed more deserving of this honor, I will listen with an open mind."

Of course, there will be no one. Som thought seriously. Not to brag, but he was the topnotch of their race, and he managed to beat all the scholars in every town during the first exam. As expected, no one responded to that, and Sri seems pleased with this.

"Very well, then my brother will represent our race for this year's Arcane Academy."

Applause followed that announcement, and Som only smiled and bowed his head to acknowledge the praise. In his mind, he was trying the recall the next chapter. The Arcane Academy chapter marks the official entrance of the significant characters of this novel, he thought. He was supposed to meet Kali there, and because they were childhood friends, it wouldn't be difficult for him to approach him.