The Harbinger's Children (Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles Vol. 2)

Chapter 2: A Cut Above The Rest

Fun Fact: Sirius City is not the only country with a front-facing elite group of warriors such as the Guardian Council.

Other notable examples include:

'The Hero Society' from Hydrus City, and

'Magitek Legionnaires'; a team of Grand Artificers from Pollux Isles who specialise in devastating technomagick weaponry.

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"No, no, you don't understand. I absolutely cannot deal with children. Surely, there is someone else more patient and qualified to handle-"

Cicero raised a hand to stop Felix's desperate pleading.

"If there was, that's where I'd be." He chuckled, clearly amused at how pitiful the young man looked. "And don't be so hasty to knock down the idea just yet. You two may have a lot more in common than you think."

A little girl poked her head around the corner of the wall, as though she had received some sort of hidden cue to show herself. Her shoulder length hair bobbed as she walked nervously towards the adults. Felix folded his arms without bothering to hide the exasperation on his face.

"Gods, how old is this girl?" he thought to himself. "Ugh, this is so annoying. I'm gonna have a word with Vulcan the next time I see him-"

"I'm thirteen," the girl spoke up softly. "I'm sorry for being annoying. I... I think it's best that I just drop out of this program..."

"Nonsense, don't be afraid of this man here." Cicero patted her head gently. "He doesn't bite. Right, Pagonis?"

It took a moment for Felix to notice that the man was glaring at him. He broke his gaze from the girl's odd coloured eyes, although his eyebrows were still furrowed.

"Did... Did you just read my mind?"

"I believe she did, Sergeant." Cicero nodded. "She's a very powerful telepath. A Tier Five just like you, and at such a tender age too. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she's an Omnipath."

"An Omni...path?" Felix asked slowly. "Meaning?"

"Meaning her mind can connect with anything. Past, present, future... Even across the infinite universes beyond our own."

"How curious..." Felix muttered to himself as he unfolded his arms and turned to Aglaia. "Psychic types have always been theorised to be able to carry the energy from other worlds into our own, though I've personally never felt a trace of this... 'otherworldly' power before."

"Dangerous, is what it is. But Aglaia Helenus here was the only candidate for this newly launched program," Cicero replied darkly, shaking his head. "I wasn't expecting much, to be honest. Not many meta parents want to give up their children to a primarily magi organisation, especially not during these times. But only one? That's just pitiful."

"I suppose it's easier for me too; I'll also be learning on the job." Felix bent down and gave Aglaia a warm smile. "Aglaia, was it? Pleasure to meet you. My name's Felix Pagonis. I'm sorry about earlier. I promise we'll take good care of you, alright?"

"I'm sorry for reading your mind without permission too," Aglaia said timidly. "I promise I won't do that again."

"Well, well! Looks like you guys are warming up to each other nicely!" Cicero clasped his hands loudly. "And with that, my job here is done. Cleric Vulcan, shall we head to somewhere a little more private to discuss the developments for the Guardian Council?"

"Certainly. Right this way, Druid Cicero." The sound of trotting boots signalled their departure, and Felix turned his attention back to the girl.

Calm down, Felix. She's not Marcia... Nothing bad's gonna happen again. Come on, keep it together...