Romulus : The Rise Of The Demon

Chapter 17 : Stars And Stories

"What!? But I didn't meet the criteria", I protest as Axel ties the bracelet around my wrist.

"But you gave your best. Sure, at first you were holding back but you realized it and tried to correct it. That is what matters the most. Results are important but I can't ignore an honest effort".

I look at the bracelet he gave me. It has a leather strap holding two small pieces of jade, which, I believe, is from the cave we visited two weeks ago. The jade pieces are held together by gold wires, which are entwining it, giving me the impression of vines wrapping a stone. Not only that, but I can't help but notice a small loop of the same wire between the stones. I wonder whether the bracelet is complete or not.

"Say, Axel, is it just me or does the bracelet look incomplete to you?" I ask.

"It is incomplete", he replies in matter-of-fact tone. I look at him as he removes something from his pocket and dangles it in front of my eyes. It is a jade eagle, it's size a bit smaller than the smallest bone in the human body. The eagle has a delicate design and on a closer look, you can see feathers carved with ultimate precision. The said eagle is dangling from two loops of gold wires.

"This eagle is the final piece of your bracelet".

"Then why is it not here?" I ask curiously.

"Though you are a S-class mage, I won't allow you to go on S-class quests until I think you are ready. First, I will see how you work in lower class quests and after doing a dozen or so missions, I will take you on S-class job and see how you handle it. Depending on your performance during that job, you will get this piece and my permission to go on a S-class quest anytime with me. But until that time, you will take the A-class and lower class quests though you will still be referred to as a S-class mage".

"Seems legit. But don't you think this bracelet is too delicate, considering my profession?" I ask, worrying that I will ruin it on the first day of my job.

"The jade in the cave is called Night-Jade. This species of jade is tougher than it's normal counterparts and it's also luminescent in nature. So it will last longer than you think".

I look at the bracelet one more time and I must say, it goes well with my ring. Now that he mentioned jade, I notice that the jade on my ring is made of the same species of jade. I look at Axel and say, "Anyway, thank you for the bracelet. I will cherish it my whole life". Axel gives me a gentle smile and we head back to our cabin. I go and have a shower. Soon, it gets dark. After wearing a clean shirt and shorts, I head downstairs but Axel is nowhere to be seen. I'm about to go upstairs to check if he's in his room when my eyes dart to the window and I see him, sitting on the ground beside the campfire, in front of the lake. I walk out of the cabin and head towards him.

Axel is in a black tank top and shorts and I don't blame him. The weather's humid even if we don't use a fire. He has left his hair open, unlike his usual style. He looks up from tending the fire and says, "Took you long enough".

"I never knew you were waiting for me", I retort back and sit down next to him. He looks at me and asks, "Do you want anything to eat?"

"I am not feeling hungry tonight but I would like to have something to drink", I reply back. He submerges his hand into the shadow and pulls out an ice box.

"So you won't mind beer then?"

"I didn't know that you like to drink".

"Well, it is good to let loose sometimes", he replies back.

"Very well then, I don't mind a beer but Freya says that if I get drunk, I tend to act silly", I say, laughing as I remember her explaining and acting out how I had behaved the last time I got drunk. Axel lets out a silent laugh and gives me a can while he helps himself with a bottle. I pop my can open and take a sip. Personally, I am not a fan of beer. It tastes bitter. But as Axel said, it feels good to relax sometimes. I look at him and see him gazing at the stars while sipping his beer.