War of Emperium

- Side Story 7 -

We had planned a drastic move to be done the next day. There was no way Master Nerva was leaving us, there was no such way. We would all gather, the whole class, and protest before the Arcane Tower if we had to. Such was our great need and love for our teacher and master.

However, when we were discussing the final touches to our plan as we waited for him to arrive, a female Wizard entered our classroom. She was tall, dark and beautiful. Elijah straightened up, frowning at her.

"Who are you?" he asked rather rudely. "Nerva al'Thor's in charge of here, not you."

The Wizard smiled at him. "Yes, indeed, but I am your new teacher. Master Nerva has left, he just submitted a resignation letter a while ago."

A stony silence hung in the class.

We all exchanged meaningful looks, and without further ado, swept our bags with us and started leaving the classroom in droves. We broke into frantic dashes right after we left the door. Our teacher was shocked.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? "she shrieked. "COME BACK HERE!"

She intended to run after us, but Kei and Jin had already used their Frost Diver spells to ram the door with solid ice and keep her inside. Jin was in the lead as we escaped from the Magic Academy, shouting instructions.

"GO AROUND THE CITY! GROUP A WILL PROCEED TO THE ARCANE TOWER AS PLANNED! HURRY UP!" Jin ordered like a true commander of a war.

The tight knot in my chest tightened as we entered the streets of our hometown. I was in Group C, in charge of the eastern gates that led to Prontera. But what if Master Nerva had already warped...?

Oh, great Eye, please let me see him! Oh, great eye, please do not take away my love from me!!!

"We can't find him anymore! He's gone!" Elijah wailed as he sat down on the ground, burying his face in his hands.

"We have to continue! Come on!" Jin protested.

The argument started. I wasted no time at all. I dashed back to our house, snatched some clothes, money and food, and left Geffen in a hurry. I was unstoppable. Surely he was in Prontera. I will follow him and make him come back.

I cannot lose him. I love him. I will not tolerate this...

It had been a week since I have left Geffen. I was currently in the great Sograt Desert, hoping to go to Morroc and find him there. I came from Prontera, but I was met with ill luck there. He was nowhere to be found. I was hoping in Morroc, putting my heart and trust to the Frontier.

I have received magical letters from my parents, begging me to come back. Jin and the others wrote to me to tell me that they were following me shortly. I didn't answer these letters. I had to concentrate.

The heat was intolerable, but I had to continue. I will not stop.

I reached Morroc at last, but I was dead-tired. After resting for a bit and eating my fill of Peco peco steak, I went around the city again. I searched every nook and cranny, every tight street and corner, hoping he would be there.

Nighttime fell. I was sitting by the caliph's palace, crying softly to myself.

There was no way I could find him now...

No way...

I lost him...

"Ah, quit it, Isidore, that is NOT funny..."

"Is it? And I wasn't making you laugh, Kiara...."

"SHUT UP!"

"Nyahahahahaha!!!! For a Blacksmith, you have a remarkably short patience!"

"Shut up, you dunderhead priest!"

I looked up at the sound of these voices. I stood up. Maybe they can help me!
I stood up and ran to them. The blue-haired Blacksmith and the extremely handsome Priest were surprised. But it was the Priest who saw the distress in my eyes and quickly approached me.

"What is it, child? You need Heal? Cure? What is it that ails you?" he asked me kindly.

I cried and cried as I grabbed his black robes. "Please...help me..."

"What is it?" the Blacksmith asked. "Come on, tell us!"

"Do you know, where Nerva al'Thor is?" I asked.

"I have to see him, please! I have to tell him something!!!"

The Priest and the Blacksmith exchanged thoroughly shocked looks. The Priest then returned his eyes to me, his lips curled to a smile.

"Oh yes...come with us and we'll take you to him!"

I felt my spirit soar. "Thank you!"

I saw him again. There he was, looking shocked as I burst in the pub and into his arms, crying my heart out on his chest.

"Master...oh, master!" I sobbed as I hugged him, never wanting to let him go again. "Please come back, master, I, we need you!"

Master Nerva placed a hand on my head and lifted my chin. There was a sad smile on his face.

"I can't change my decision, Cleis." He spoke gently. "I can't come back...you understand that, don't you? My time there as your teacher is over. I am just a Wizard now..."

I trembled. I had to tell him, if that would make him come back...

"But.. but I---I love you...." I said. "Please come back..."

"I know." he said.

I looked up. "You know---? How could you possibly---?"

He kissed me, cutting off my sentence in the middle. My eyes closed. I kissed him back, kissed him back with all that I am. He drew away, placing a hand on my cheeks. He wiped my tears.

"I knew ever since you had started to falter with yourself." He said. "But we cannot do this, Cleis. There is a very great gap between us, and I am afraid I cannot cross it. If only you were born earlier..."

And then, somehow, I understood. I understood completely now. He stood up and helped me stand.

"Go back to Geffen, Cleis." He told me. "Your time there is just starting."

I returned to Geffen the next day. I told the others what he'd told me. We had to accept things....

I studied on to third year and to our fourth and final year as trainees. And in that span of time I never saw him again.

But I knew... that in my heart, he would still hold the biggest place there. He will remain with me, wherever he is.