Darkness Inside The Light

John managed to finish his business while having some time left to spare. He was really satisfied with the new dagger he was holding in his hand. The first thing he did after successfully acquiring it was to attach it with its sheath carefully on his leatherette belt as well as sell his old weapon to a junk dealer.

'Its made from adamantium. I can't believe that I found something so amazing in a small port-town like this' John thought happily, but couldn't help than feel a little dejected when he thought what he promised the old merchant to do to take the dagger...

'That old man even had with him some cursed contracts. I wonder what his identity is... Well, I have a whole year to accomplish the mission he requested me to, so I have a lot of time... Hmm, it seems that I arrived at the coast...'

He looked around curiously until his eyes caught a familiar figure in the distance. With a smile, he walked lazily toward its direction

*********

Vladimir felt like he had made the worst decision in his life when he boasted that he would dispel every single doubt of the girl about magic. Helena didn't stop asking questions one after another to the point that he found it strange when she had the time to breathe

'What is annoying is how impressive her learning capacity is, she grasps my explanations so quickly that she doesn't even let me complete my sentences. Not to mention that some of her questions are too profound even for me. I really would like her to meet my foster father' the silver-haired youth thought absent-mindedly as Helena continued talking nonstop. Luckily for him, his lovely brother appeared like a deus ex machina. He didn't let the chance pass by as he hurriedly opened his mouth...

"Look! Look, Helena, it seems that my brother just came."

Following his gaze, she turned around only to see a brown-haired boy approaching them slowly. She had met him in the inn before, but she realized that she didn't have any impression of him to the point that she didn't even remember his appearance. Feeling ashamed she proceeded to greet him with a warm smile.

"Sorry for interrupting you, but after taking a stroll I happened to chance upon you..." John said with an apologetic expression on his face.

"No, no, what do you say. Since you wanted to walk around the town, you should have come with us" Helena hurriedly replied as a faint blush appeared on her face. How could she not understand the hidden meaning behind his words!

"Don't worry, I like exploring alone, rather than somebody showing me around. It's like a hobby of mine. By the way, you were having an interesting conversation there" John said as he looked at the miserable state of his brother. Others wouldn't be able to find anything strange about him, but it was different for John who had stayed with him for four years.

"Vladimir was teaching me about mana and magic. I feel like a new world has opened the gates for me. The elements, his enlightenment, the way to manipulate mana..."

Seeing that the girl started talking again continuously, Vladimir was slowly freaking out, but the newly arrived victim decisively interjected

"I understand your enthusiasm, but learning about magic can't happen in only one day. You need your own studying as well as experiences. That being said, it's certainly something that needs a lot of time but it's not like there are no ways for you to acquire more knowledge" John said with a smile. Seeing that he had the full attention of the orange-haired girl he continued

"Studying at the Imperial Academy for example."

After saying that he looked with amus.e.m.e.nt at the stunned faces of the two figures in front of him

'This is the best I can do for you, my brother. From now on it depends on you on how far you can go with her'

********

Time passed quickly and the boys had to bid goodbye to their new friend...

"Do you think she will manage to persuade her parents and go to the Imperial Capital?" Vladimir asked while feigning indifference, but the restlessness in his voice couldn't be hidden

'This guy... He really fell head over heels in love with her' the brown-haired youth thought as he let out a sigh from his mouth

"Don't worry, even if she doesn't go to the Imperial Capital, you can always come here and find her, but whether things will work out between the two of you... You can only leave it to fate"