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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Categories:
F/MMulti
Fandoms:
転生したらスライムだった件 - 伏瀬 | Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - FuseThe Beginning After the End - TurtleMe
Relationships:
Manas: Ciel/Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest/VelzardManas: Ciel & Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest & Velzard
Characters:
Rimuru TempestManas: Ciel (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Velzard (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Arthur LeywinJasmine FlamesworthTessia EralithCaera DenoirSeris (The Beginning After the End)Agrona VritraSylvia IndrathSylvie (The Beginning After the End)Varay Aurae
Additional Tags:
MagicAetherRomanceDramaPsychological TraumaTraumaThrillerIsekai and TransmigrationTime TravelTime ShenanigansReality BendingDeveloping RelationshipCharacter DeathCharacter DevelopmentAngstFluff and AngstCrossoverCrossovers & Fandom FusionsFate & DestinyFateAngst and TragedyTragedyFanfictionCross-Posted on WattpadBlood and ViolenceOriginal Character(s)
Language:
English
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Published:2024-12-19Updated:2025-03-18Words:107,665Chapters:20/?Comments:10Kudos:24Bookmarks:10Hits:2,552
A New Life [TbatexTensura]
Asuryii
Chapter 14: Intertwined Fates
Chapter Text
Chapter 14: Intertwined Fates
Varay/3rd Person POV:
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I couldn't help but marvel at the view of the world; of the beast glades to the West, the Elshire Forest to the North, the Kingdom of Darv to the South, and the impossibly small world below the floating city of Xyrus.
At times when I need some peace of mind or to think I head to the edge of the City and look out over the vast lands of Dicathen, the howling winds rushing through my hair. Yet unlike usual- I am not alone. Though I can't help but wonder if what I did was the correct thing to do. Blissfully unaware and unbothered, my baby sister lay sleeping peacefully in my arms. Wrapped up in a bundle of cloth her small body sat comfortably using my arm as a pillow. A small soft smile plastered on her face, small dimples formed at the sides of her lips atop her chubby cheeks.
I was an older sister. A notion I once thought incomprehensible. I severely doubted that mother and father would ever have another child but they did, and in a sense– I hated it.
I'm not one to typically express myself strongly or feel strong emotions, I was raised to keep all of my feelings and thoughts in check and lock up my emotions. I was brought up to be a soldier– the nature of my childhood growing more cumbersome as my talents were shown.
Yet despite my childhood and the way I was taught and raised. I hated that I had a younger sibling for the sole reason that I didn't want them to live the life I did.
The look in my parents eyes when my baby sister was born was not that of a loving pair who hoped to raise a child with love or even cherish them. She was a heaven sent gift to be used to gain more power and status. A daughter born to be sold off as a bride and raised to be a perfect little doll.
I had long since renounced my parents and lost interest in them, they nor I loved each other. I accepted this. It was an irrefutable truth, I couldn't do anything to change or alter this. But I at least didn't want someone else to become like me, I was my baby sister for the first time and I made my decision.
I would raise her, take her in, and protect her. She would not turn out like me. I decided she would be free to be whoever, whatever, and wherever she wanted. Her life would be solely ordained by herself– no paths laid in the ground, no forced partners, and no limits.
My baby sister Velzard– I refused to let her suffer the life of a tool; the life of a puppet. Since I had come of age I was granted my own manor and estate to manage in Xyrus, my parents hated the idea of leaving the capital city of Sapin, the main house of the Aurae family. So I took the liberty of claiming the Xyrus estate for myself when I came of age and was no longer fully bound by my parents.
The life I lived served as a great motivator for me in becoming a successful mage and unrivalled in the manipulation of Ice Magic. Recently I even reached the Solid Silver Core stage, my new strength and core stage leading the Royal family of Sapin- The Glayders to watch me closely and interact with me with keen interest and hope.
I knew without a shadow of doubt with the birth of my baby sister, the newfound interest in the Aurae house as a whole by the Glayders, and recently born Prince Curtis Glayder that my sister would've likely been practically sold to royalty. All as a means for the Aurae house to gain more power and increase their political status along with shackling me to the Royal family.
I was becoming far too strong to be left alone– once one reached the Silver Core stages the Royal family was sure to follow. It was a dream of mine as a child- one practically instilled in me- to be a royal mage, to be a leader of soldiers. But the odd timing of everything, the easily connectable dots and the knowledge I'd been recently burdened with told a story that shifted my narrowed perspective.
"Mistress Varay." As if comedic with his timing as usual he appeared, his calming voice breaking my thoughts. The man who practically changed my life. Yet I don't wonder what my life would be if I didn't meet him– he gave me something I didn't know I needed.
A reality check.
-
Several months before the birth of Velzard Aurae, Varay found herself in the same place she currently sat looking out over the continent from the edge of Xyrus. A few moments ago she was made aware of the soon expected child of house Aurae- her younger sibling.
At the time Varay held no particular feelings regarding the matter, it was a sort of revelation that had yet to click. Yet she found herself once more at the place she goes to think, her unconscious steps to a place of clarity for her mind. The situations along the borders of Sapin and the Elshire forest had been growing more restless, the issue of Slaving was quite a prevalent issue that plagued the relationship of the humans and elves. Although not inherently illegal, it was not something Varay supported.
She was against the idea of innocent and unrelated people being made into slaves– she was a just person who felt it was only a proper treatment for those who had committed heinous crimes or had to pay back a debt over time. But she had no right to question the decisions of those who stood above her, she was a cog in the wheel as things were– a cog has no right to ask questions of the person grasping the cables turning the cogs.
Her eyes looked out over the land solemnly, a sense of peace washing over her partly as she mired in the beauty of the rising sun over the continent of Dicathen. In these moments all the stresses she tackled on a day to day basis, the worries that could plague her, and the anxieties she may feel washed away as if she was standing under a waterfall washing the dirt and grime off her skin.
Amidst this sensation of peace and the air of calm Varay felt her hairs stand on end. A chill crept up her spine, her body shivering for an instant. Her eyes widened as the sensations washed over her and a drop of sweat trickled down her face. Feigning a false sense of calm, Varay stood up and surveyed the area. Her eyes scanned everything– looking for a sign, for a source.
Yet she found herself unsuccessful in this pursuit. Varay was left somewhat disappointed and worried but she was mainly disappointed and cursed at her lacking ability in tracking and sensing targets.
While not the best at sensory magics, or general sensing of intents- Varay was by no means bad at it, or even average. She was still quite adept but not to the level of professional trackers and sensory mages. A flaw in her eyes, one she would work to fix.
Disgruntled slightly Varay left the edge of Xyrus and walked to the Adventurer's Guild intending to take a quest to get away from everything for a short while. She walked in a calm and paced manner, her steps even and delicate- minimal sounds escaping as her boots clicked with the ground. Yet oddly enough she found the hairs on her neck stood up- she was trailing the thing that caused her to be sweatdropped unintentionally. She tried to act as if she was unaware, to hopefully foot whoever or whatever she was accidentally trailing after. Amidst the growing crowd of people the sensation grew weaker but Varay had her eyes trained on the figures she recognized for the longest time.
The figures made no effort to evade her, she hoped that they hadn't noticed her– they did. Her eyes narrowed as several figures vanished into thin air, only one of the figures she recognized remained.
The man she followed seemed to fit so neatly in with the crowd but at the same time he stuck out like a sore thumb. With a single glance you'd miss him– his natural air of blandness and mundane appearance would flash by your gaze; perfectly fitting in with the people around him. Yet a second glance would catch your eyes, your gaze drawn to him and trained on him.
Varay slightly hastened her steps but as she grew closer the man turned towards her for a moment- his unbothered violet gaze burning a hole through her before he seemed to slink into the shadows as if he was a wraith that didn't exist.
The hair on her neck settled and the odd sensations left her- a feeling of disappointment growing greater nestled inside her chest. Yet Varay shook off the feelings to the best of her ability and continued to her destination.
She entered the guild hall without much care and quickly procured the most interesting quest she saw at a glance. Without wasting a breath collecting it and accepting the quest– promptly leaving the hall. Yet she couldn't as she stopped dead in her tracks seeing the man she was trailing enter the guild hall- oddly not a soul bothered to acknowledge his existence, or even seemed to notice him.
Yet Varay did. A feeling of dread drowning her as she was a dark grey fog-like air radiating off of the man. The air around him seemed to crack as if it was glass, the fog distorting the visage of the man. The light from the morning sun and the shadows cast over him seemed to pass right through him as if he wasn't there. The patterned window panes shadow passing through him– it was as if he was a ghost that didn't exist, his body not casting a shadow.
Varay looked at the other adventurers in the guild hall seeing them still unfazed and unbothered by the man's sudden appearance. Yet Varay noticed without needing a second glance the signs of fear filling all the men and women in the Hall.
Men and women alike seemed to quiver and quake, sweat fell to the ground, hair stood on end, and gazes shuttered. Yet no one seemed to realize it- they didn't realize the fear that their body felt. Then it occurred to Varay, she hadn't even heard the door to the Guild hall open, she didn't hear his footsteps, the rustling of his clothes, or his breaths.
Stealing her resolve Varay turned back towards the man- his visage distorted and warped. The space and air around his head and ears oddly enough were far more distorted than the rest of his body. Varay was the only person who knew he was here, even as the man tore a quest from the quest board no one noticed him pushing through the crowd.
The man seemed to walk with such purpose and intent that Varay couldn't help but question it and follow after him silently. Yet as he got to the reception desk he was finally acknowledged by the clerk at the desk.
"Ah! Mr. Ouroboros I didn't notice you until now. My deepest apologies." The clerk Julie apologized sincerely as if she had been ignoring the man not realizing he was here until now.
"That's quite alright. May I take this quest." The man, Ouroboros spoke in a soft and calming tone yet his voice expressed an air of authority and nobility that Varay hadn't heard before.
"No no. I apologize. An S-rank Adventurer like yourself should be treated with the utmost respect and yet I falled to notice you until now. I can't imagine how long you stood there." Yet again the clerk apologized, confusing Varay slightly- it was as if this was a normal occurrence and him not being noticed was just normal. She even went as far as to bow apologetically before quickly allowing him to take the quest without even confirming his identity.
Ouroboros left the desk after the quest was processed without wasting a moment. His gaze flickered towards Varay, meeting her eyes directly. But rather than approach or acknowledge her even a little bit- he walked through her. He genuinely walked through her as if she wasn't there. She quickly turned on her heels to see he had disappeared again.
"Julie! Did we miss him?" A frantic voice startled Varay for a moment as a horde of adventurers began questioning the poor clerk. "I'm afraid you did, you all failed to notice him again." A symphony of curses and sighs of defeat filled the room. The adventurers hadn't known Ouroboros was here until he left and then finally they realized as if they had escaped a trance-like state. "Next time then next time, we owe Ouroboros a great deal."
Varay was somewhat left starstruck as she heard the recounts of the man's deeds and the constant assistance he seemed to give his fellow adventurers. Yet something didn't sit right with Varay so she quickly ran out of the guild hall and towards the warp gate to the beast glades. Within a few minutes she found herself in the beast glades and within a single instant she caught sight of him as a flash of light burst from him and a long trail of iridescent light appeared on the path he seemed to run.
Varay chased and chased after the man, after Ouroboros. Soon she found herself in the center of the beast glades. The man stood next to a great oak sat atop a small hill, his hand resting on the tree's bark as he looked out over the glades.
Then something happened, the distortions around the man's head– more accurately his ears broke and Varay's eyes widened. A pair of unnaturally long pointed ears adorned the sides of the man's head. The man wasn't a human- he was an elf, but elves were not allowed to become adventurers.
He was an illegal adventurer. Varay had a duty to detain him but before she blinked. And there he was standing right infront of her. His sudden appearance and the massive torrent of wind that followed behind the man sent Varay reeling back and onto the grassy floor.
Her eyes met his. His narrow violet eyes looked down on Varay with– Pity. She couldn't look away from him, her eyes looked in a conflict with his. She felt drawn into his gaze as she noticed the waves of swirling blues, reds, and purples of various shades and natures. It felt as if an abyss of incomprehensible knowledge laid behind those violet hewed eyes of inexplicable nature. A sigh escaped the man's slightly parsed lips, his eyes turned downward as he rubbed his temples in a stressed manner.
"Varay Aurae of the noble house of Aurae, currently a Solid Silver core mage. Specializing in ice deviant magic, leaning more towards constructs and combat as opposed to sensory or sealing magics. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Ouroboros spoke in a tired and uninterested manner, his uninterested eyes peering out from between his fingers as he stopped rubbing his temples. His bored gaze and blank expression somehow burned through me as if he was annoyed. A certain weight was left behind his gaze– it was as if in all the boredom he expressed, countless centuries of experiences and life were laid bare and before me through his eyes. His expression and gaze acted as a window to his soul.
Resolved I pulled myself to my feet, I wasn't such a weak willed woman that I would stay locked to the floor after being momentarily surprised. Ouroboros was fast. Fast beyond any and all reason, he seemed to defy natural order in his actions. He walked through me as if I didn't exist, he was able to deceive the adventurers guild for likely years and was able to evade me without breaking a sweat.
"Ouroboros, you are illegally registered as an adventurer. I will need you to come with me." I felt somewhat unnerved by the information Ouroboros had on me. It was as if he knew everything about me and could reveal anything I asked him at an- "Any point in time and even tell me what I was thinking exactly? Sound about in line with your thoughts?"
Before I realized it I found myself several meters away from Ouroboros, a blade of frost in my hand and a spell forming in the other. A chill ran down my spine as I realized I had instinctively backed away from him. His words mimicking my thoughts as they concluded and were in progress left me disturbed and somewhat at a loss.
"I doubt you'd believe me but your thoughts were so obvious that I could guess them just based on the look in your eyes." I remained on guard even as Ouroboros displayed an unnerving level of calm and disinterest. "Let's start over, I would say let's introduce ourselves but we both clearly know 'Who' the other person is. So instead I will ask-" His eyes narrowed as his head tilted slightly to the left, his eyes seemingly burning a hole through the core of my being. "Why should I not feed you to the wolves?"
An immense weight beared down over me as his words hung heavy in the air, his voice rang with malice. Ouroboros was genuinely asking me, why he shouldn't just kill me. I knew his secret, but we were alone entirely isolated from the rest of society. I could sense it inherently, he could kill me without me putting up a fight.
Running away, calling for help, fighting back. All these possibilities lead to one thing– Certain death. I tried many times to see his core level but all I got in response to my attempts was a raging headache that would've debilitated me if I continued trying. I had no choice but to talk. Even if I finished this spell in my hand and conjured a mountain of ice on Ouroboros I knew he'd just walk it off, maybe he'd even counter my spell. Aside from knowing he was clearly stronger than me, I knew nothing of his ability. That iridescent trail he left as he ran like a bolt of lightning left me perplexed as to what magic he wielded.
"I won't arrest you, I know I don't have that ability. I can sense that a fight between us would result in my defeat. So how about I employ you-" I held his gaze resolved, not letting myself even blink- I knew within the blink of an eye he could be on me again. I tightly gripped the blade of frost, the tip pointed towards him. Even if it was meaningless I still felt like I was in a better position with the blade pointed towards him.
The pressure weighing down on me slowly began to lighten, yet the sudden release forced my body to react unwillingly- blinking. Yet Ouroboros didn't move. He stood there. Unmoving, his head tilted back slightly, a curious and interested look plastered on his face. He began to take a step forward. In that single step, he was instantly in front of me crossing several meters in a single casual movement.
His left hand grabbed the icy blade in my hand and in an instant the blade turned into mist, disappearing without a trace. Simultaneously his right hand found itself on my chin tilting my head up slightly- our eyes locked. "Interesting offer, but I'd only ever accept that offer if I knew you weren't to become a slave to the royal family. A pity, you won't be able to live freely once you accept that artifact they'll offer you in a year's time. The trend of this artifact being offered- the lance artifact- it's a timeless classic. Once someone, a human mage of noble descent becomes a known silver core they get offered the artifact that will thrust them into the white core stage." Ouroboros' words left me taken aback and confused– they were cryptic and yet I understood everything he said.
"So you'll kill me since my offer doesn't please you due to this fact." Unintentionally my voice cracked as I spoke- I was inherently fearful of the possibility of dying in this moment, especially knowing that soon I was to be an older sister. "I know I won't win, but I won't go out so easily." Resolved I tried to get the mana in my body to move so I could get the first move on Ouroboros but it wouldn't budge, I couldn't even move. I was locked in the position I was standing in.
"No, I won't, you're still too fascinating to kill. Besides, your future is quite curious. So how about this. Varay Aurae, let me give you a reality check."
"A wh-" I tried to voice my confusion but couldn't. Ouroboros pressed his left thumb to my forehead as a wave of memories began to play in my mind. The vast collection of memories weighted heavily on my mind and psyche. I saw- dozens of instances of mages reaching the silver stage receiving an offer. An offer of power- to become a lance; later only to become a mere puppet of their kings and queens unable to refuse or reject orders and requests. No matter what they were.
It felt like days, months, years had flashed by in my mind as memories from Ouroboros played in my mind. Each memory being unique yet so similar- it felt like insanity. Each time I saw the events play out- events Ouroboros shouldn't have been able to witness but did.
I fell to my knees exhausted as the show of memories ended, a pitying look shown on Ouroboros' face. "How does it feel? How does it feel to have gotten a reality check Varay?" I was left at a loss as I met his eyes once more. Yet now I knew what I had to do. I was granted knowledge, and a chance to create a new perspective.
I had always been at odds in some sense with my family but now I was certain in my actions. I wouldn't let my sibling live the life I did, and I wouldn't be a slave- if not for myself but for them. It was a risk I couldn't take. Even though I knew the path I was starting to walk would be treacherous and dangerous I felt- unbothered. Since now I had an opportunity to change that and at the same time grant my sibling a good life.
"Ouroboros." Forcing myself to my feet I met his gaze standing tall, "I will employ you, I want you to be my personal butler and assistant. I want you to serve me and my future sibling. Only us."
A glint of curiosity filled Ouroboros' eyes, it was as if he was witnessing something fresh and interesting. "Curious, curious offer indeed. Alright. I accept. I hope this is a fruitful experience."
I honestly hadn't expected him to accept, but I was by no means complaining. I didn't know why but I felt as if I had just gained the strongest ally Dicathen had to offer. Ouroboros grasped my hand gently and kneeled down pressing my hand to his forehead.
"I, Ouroboros, do swear to serve Varay Aurae and {Velzard} the future {Daughter} child in the Aurae house solely to the best of my ability." Some of the words Ouroboros spoke escaped me, the words distorted and broken a static mess drowned in an abyss of incoherent sounds. But I ignored it, I knew for some odd reason that the words didn't matter now. "Just call me Fey, that's my only request– we can't be revealing so easily who your new butler truly is."
I nodded, and Fey stood up straight, snapping his fingers and dusting the both of us off. I hadn't known at the time but I just made a deal with the devil.
-
"Ah Fey. Just who I was thinking about." I signaled to my side and Fey compiled without a word sitting by my side looking out over the land with me. He knew my intentions and as such didn't question them.
"This is my baby sister Fey. Her name is Velzard. I-" My words trailed off as he shook his head in understanding. Fey's unspoken words showed he understood practically saying- you needn't speak, I am aware of all I need to know.
It was simple speaking with and working with Fey, he didn't make me speak unnecessarily or requested of me to share more than needed. He was the type to be given the bare minimum and find the deepest depths of what you shared with him. He was quite a masterful conversationalist- it made dealing with my parents and other nobility quite a sinch. It's only been about 6 months since I employed Fey, and he alone has made a name for me just by his actions and words- his mannerisms. After practically making myself a notoriety of an entirely fresh family of nobles due to Fey- I received dozens of more proposals than I had before.
The proposals ranged from- business opportunities, marriage proposals, requests for teaching, sharing of techniques, duels, and more. Fey thankfully was very adept at finding what was a good proposal. His experience and wisdom helped greatly in lessening the stress that he effectively brought upon me- thought it was welcome stress.
"You know Fey, you've received quite a number of marriage proposals from various noblewomen and women of high society for your skills and looks, despite being an elf." Forcing a new topic I tried to bring up Fey's increasing popularity among high society but as I turned to look him in the eyes all he did was roll his eyes. A look of disgust plastered on his face.
"I'm most keenly aware. I just don't care, and I have made it clear to you and all women who have pursued me. I am a married man. My wife Alestra is the only woman for me, now and forevermore." Fey spoke in a manner that expressed his distaste and disdain for the women proposing to him.
Despite holding no romance interests or curiosity I had to admit- Fey was quite the attractive man. He had what could only be described as an ethereal beauty about him; when you looked at him from the side you were able to see his long and lush eyelashes that would be the object of female envy. But looking at him from the front revealed the true uniqueness about his appearance. At first glance it seems as if he has simple brownish-red hair but upon looking a second time you realize far more. His shoulder-length hair is styled in an elegant yet simple slightly parted manner letting you see the true unique and incomprehensive nature of his hair. The roots of his hair extend out in a deep violet coloration before shifting into a brown and red mix. Each follicle of his hair seems to exist in its own tinge of red or brown as parts of his hair seem to burn brightly and look almost as red as blood while other parts of his hair seem to sit in a mundane yet simple brown. Most of the reddening in his hair exists near the top of his head about where his crown is before it starts to become more browned and eventually shift at points into black tips. Almost as if to compete with the one-of-a-kind stylation of his hair his deep violet painted eyes seem to hold an immensely deeper abyss of shifting colors.
To be blunt- Fey is an immensely attractive man, who exists as an object of envy and desire. I only feel nothing for him for the sole reasons that I don't care for romance, he treats me like a child, he's married, and I don't particularly enjoy the idea of being married to him of all people.
He's a perfect father or older brother figure, but in my eyes I cannot see him being a great husband. He pursues his entertainment and fascinations a bit too much.
Yet according to him he's been happily married for several hundreds of years to his wife. I do question how he and his wife have lived so long at times but I know questioning it will only lead me to a mischievous smirk or an evasive answer.
He is a pain in the ass but at the same time– he's the best supporter you could ask for.
He does his work without question. He doesn't need to be told what to do, he just does it. His actions seem to always lead to the best outcome as if he knew the future. He has a wealth of knowledge that surpasses what even libraries and archives of knowledge hold. He has the strength to seemingly accomplish anything. He doesn't work for attention and instead highlights others– the attention he receives is always credited to me and my work. He seems to always know what to say and when to say it. But best of all, he knows when to not pry.
I know that he is only by my side and supporting me now since I am a fascinating subject to him, I am a good source of entertainment and a decent passtime. He's voiced as much, but at the least I am thankful for the work he does in my name.
It's almost too perfect…
I've always felt it but, something about Fey- about Ouroboros- always left me unnerved. I just can't put a finger on it.
He's always there, but never feels like he is. He seems to always find the answer but never reveals it until the results are bared before you. When you seem to grasp one thing about him it's overwhelmed by something you haven't grasped. It seems as if your mind, your knowledge, and your comprehensive abilities are oppressed and distorted just by being aware of his existence.
I feel his gaze on my back when I know he's in another room, I lock eyes with him and feel his gaze trained onto something impossibly far. It feels as if all his actions are lies, but then those lies are seemingly the truth– a truth forged from lies and deceit. His warm smile- it feels forced and like a mask he's simply painted onto his face. The cold and emotionless stare that bares down on your soul feels as if it was drowned out in an ocean.
He seems to exist as if he is one with light, but yet he defies the darkness. For everything I learn or figure about him- I see a contradiction.
Fey- Ouroboros- I can't seem to trust him, but I also can't begin to be truly suspicious of him. Everything about him seems to be a lie, all the words he spouts being methodically planned and test interactions– somehow someway though he seems so spontaneous.
I get a headache and nightmares every night when I ponder on what Fey- what about Ouroboros is true and what isn't. About what he is and where he came from. It's as if I am speaking and thinking about something that doesn't exist, but I know he does.
I've touched him– it was only once but I felt it, I felt it. I felt an immense and illogical wealth of power and force existing inside a single man.
Fey, Ouroboros. He is a truly Incomprehensible man, but he's also one you can't help but want to comprehend.
-
Velzard POV:
—-----------------------------------------------------------
Fey and I sat silently. An immense weight carrying in the air. My sister Varay had been out of the estate on a mission and now he and I were alone. I say sat silently when in reality he was sitting silently with a book in his hands- the only sounds filling the room being the paced flipping of the pages and his small breaths. I am still a baby laid in a crib, unable to do anything but observe him. It's only been a few weeks since I was born into this world. Today just so happens to be the first day my sister has had to leave the estate for work.
She could no longer delay her work and instead promised to return quickly- leaving after planting a soft kiss onto my forehead. It was an odd feeling being kissed on the forehead by Varay but I can't say I didn't like it. I felt quite reassured- my infantile body reacting heavily to her actions. To her affections.
Even in the short time I've been reincarnated into this world I was able to tell. Something about Fey wasn't natural. It wasn't due to the fact that he was an elf working as a private butler and servant to my sister and I apparently. This was odd but not something I couldn't reason about. No, no the oddity was the familiarity I felt looking at him, something about him was familiar.
I couldn't put my finger on it, but the look in his eyes and the mannerisms he displayed– they all felt familiar. It was as if I'd met Fey before but if I had met him that would've meant he was from the Central World. That possibility alone should be feasibly impossible.
No lifeform could cross the transdimensional voids and gaps between dimensions and the different layers of reality. Rimuru made it impossible. Or at least it should've been impossible. He never limited what the lower realities could do to each other, the influence and power they could amass was of no worry to us in the Central World. As even a child in the Central World could cause the total collapse of the lowest level of reality. So someone like myself– A true dragon would be unbothered in causing the collapse of most levels of reality without breaking a sweat.
Yet here I am, at a loss. Fey. He doesn't make sense. Looking back at Fey I caught his gaze flicker towards the corner of his eyes and directly at me. A single eye meeting mine for an instant– the familiarity about him becoming more and more certain.
Fey gently closed his book and placed it on the table to his right before turning towards me. He tapped on the birch table before bringing his hands together crossing his ten fingers. He brought his left leg over his right and positioned his chin atop his crossed fingers. Leaning back into his chair slightly a small smile painted across his face, a look of satisfaction filling his eyes before he spoke. "You can address me as Ouroboros, or Fey as I go by for now."
His words came out broken and rippled– the tone was calm and devoid of any emotion but I understood his words perfectly. Even if I was learning the language of this world unnaturally quickly by normal standards– I shouldn't have been able to fully comprehend his words.
He spoke in the language of the Central World.
Fey, or Ouroboros leaned back, a satisfied grin plastered on his face as he brought his hands down towards his lap. A moment later he raised his left hand holding something- I watched closely, curious of what he was going to show me. Then something I never expected to see fell from his hand and dangled in his grasp.
A necklace made with what appeared to be a black rope with a pendant in the shape of a multi pointed star- made from an ice crystal. It was a perfect replica of my pendant– the one I wore back in the Central World.
Fey, or Ouroboros– whatever his name actually is. He is an Incomprehensible Creature.
________ POV:
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What does it mean to be a mage? Does it mean you are superior to others? Does it just signify your capacity to wield mana and fire magic spells? Or could it mean you are closely connected to the world around you?
The answers both do and don't matter. The real issue is what you think the answer is. If being a mage means to be superior to others- then superior mages are by proxy higher life forms; superior beings. If it solely signifies the capacity to wield mana and fire magic spells then that means even normal people who aren't mages but possess magical artifacts or magic relics are mages.
But what would it mean if being a mage meant you were closely connected with the world? It's simple, you create a divide. Those who are one with the world- mages, and those who are a part of the world- non-mages. This idea alone spreads the concept of mages being deemed superior to non-mages but at the same time it gives value to those who are not mages all the same.
Those who are one with the world can only exist if there are those who are a part of it. If we look at people as parts of a machine- mages would be a crank and people who weren't mages would be a cog. The crank only has its uses if a cog exists, but a cog alone cannot move without a crank. The crank exists to move the cog and the cog exists to be moved by the crank. Without one, the other is useless.
If normal people didn't exist then the problems and uses of a mage would disappear. If everyone is something– that something becomes more meaningless and the meaning of a mage begins to change. If everyone was a mage, then those who are superior mages would become superior life forms to those who are weaker.
The existence of those who lack magical potential- who cannot awaken as a mage give value to those who have magic across the board.
If you are burning alive- a mage can douse the flames, if a fire needs to be lit a mage can conjure a flame, when you're buried under rubble a mage can break the debris quicker.
But what happens when a mage has no mana, when they are tired? A man can rush over with a bucket of water, a person can light a fire with flint and steel, and a group of men can throw the debris aside.
If everyone could use magic- the value of magic would decrease and the reliance on it would increase. The existence of those without magic- non-mages- create the innate value and meaning of mages and non-mages alike.
An excerpt by Alestra Transient
"You asked for the thoughts of others on what it means to be a mage Lady Velzard. These are the thoughts of my wife Alestra, thoughts I myself find most agreeance in." Velzard's brow furrowed as she read the small booklet containing the thoughts of various peoples on the topic "What does it mean to be a mage?" She was slightly disappointed that it was such an easy task for Fey, for her butler to complete- still it was satisfying.
"Aside from your wife and your own thoughts, I certainly wasn't expecting you to get 224 excerpts on the topic for me in a day." Closing the booklet Velzard gently placed it onto the coffee table situated at her side, grabbing the cup of freshly brewed Gray Tea in the process.
"In 7 hours my lady." Fey wore a wry grin as he corrected his lady on her statement. In response Velzard rolled her eyes and groaned at his particularity in this instant- annoyed in a way at his failure to get her point, or better put his indifference to the point.
"No need to get into particulars," Velzard pressed her lips to the edge of the porcelain cup and took a delicate sip of the tea. An air of regality and nobility radiated off of her figure. The subtle notions and particulars in her posture and the manner in which she carried herself with grace spoke immensely on her natural noble presence.
The slight jutting of her pinky finger as she held the cup of tea, the manner in which she held the tea plate in one hand- her arm slightly raised from her lap, the subtle cross of her legs, the tall confident posture she wore, and the partial closing of her eyes as she tasted the tea. All the subtle mannerisms that she displayed without a second thought screamed of grace and elegance.
"You have gotten quite accustomed to the mannerisms and pleasantries of nobility. You truly are shaping nicely Lady Velzard." A soft expression slowly painted on Fey's face as he complimented Velzards mannerisms and admired her quick uptake on noble customs quite naturally.
"Spewing sweet nothings and pleasantries don't suit you. While I appreciate the compliment and your dedication to your role as a butler to the Aurae house and the private servant of my elder sister and I. The act- it doesn't suit you, forget the meaningless softening of your features." Placing the tea cup onto its tray Velzard narrowed her eyes to a glare as she scowled at Fey for his actions and words.
"If that is what you wish- I must sincerely apologize as it is quite difficult to transition from acting as a perfect servant to the Aurae House and an enjoyable piece of company." Fey subtly rolled his eyes as he rubbed his temples gently with his thumb and ring finger in an exaggerated manner. He was finding his current assignment quite cumbersome and unpleasurable but worked to keep his true thoughts and feelings hidden. It wasn't the most precarious or difficult task but it was annoying nonetheless.
His task was as such ordered by his Mistress and the master of the manor Lady Varay- "Listen to my little sister's every whim and request, beyond this– show my sister the world she has been missing." This alone wasn't a hard or difficult task by any means and the notion entertained Fey to a degree– he found some hilarity and comedy in the notion of the second piece to the request. As if he wanted to, he could take it as she said it directly– taking her sister to Alacrya, the unexplored reaches of the Beast Glades, the royal palace of the elves or the dwarves, or even take her to Epheotus. Yet he knew- that wasn't what Varay meant; she meant– to take her into the town for a shopping trip or whatever Velzard desired.
The issue came about when Velzard began to make absurd requests of Fey– the two would be alone in the manner until Varay's return expected in a month. Velzard seized the opportunity and got Fey to leave the manner consistently on absurd mission such as-
Querying the town and its people on various topics such as– philosophical debates, magical queries, polls on the ratio of mages of certain types opposed to others, finding the ratio of conjurers to augmenters, and more.
Everytime Fey would hastily complete his task as requested by Velzard and return to the manor and do his daily tasks. The topics, although fascinating and interesting, bored Fey after a while. He was the type to act solely for his own entertainment so he said 'Fuck it' and began heading over to his wifes coffee shop as opposed to completing the requests of Velzard.
He would spend an indeterminate amount of time with his wife Alestra before deciding to leave- asking his wife alone her thoughts and then using his own networks and prior knowledge to forge answers within the time it took him to walk from her coffee shop to the manor.
But the most recent one- 'What does it mean to be a mage?', this topic~ It was entertaining. He took this topic seriously, even if the previous topics had a false sense of seriousness and proper handling. This one was different- Fey actually did the work.
Inherently Fey is a curious and deceptive man– he has his ways of handling things or dealing with issues but he also has his interests and the things he finds interesting are where he finds himself truly working.
His lady alone gave a unique perspective on what it was to be a mage, but he wondered after hearing the curiosity and request of Velzard what was the meaning. Finally he found his answer- it was one so obvious, but so easy to overlook and gloss over.
"You're looking for someone, aren't you Lady Velzard." Velzard froze mid movement as she reached for the booklet, intending to analyze the contents while she enjoyed her tea and the array of sweets and snacks Fey prepared. It was for a mere nanoangstrom's worth of time she froze but Fey noticed- a glint flashing in his eyes and a fire began to rage in his chest at the possibility.
His expression remained blank, empty and devoid of any emotion but inside his heart was burning with a fiery hunger and curiosity.
Velzard's eyes peered up at Fey through her snow white hair, a blue fire practically raging in her eyes as she glared intensely at Fey for the prying question. No, it wasn't for the prying nature of his question or statement– it was that he was correct, and Velzard's suspicions of the man grew more.
Forcing a smile Velzard played off her glare and reaction as if she had gotten a hair in her eye and was irritated, but Fey wasn't interested in pretending to fall for the act– falling for her game. He was already a veritable ball of bursting fire as his curiosity raged in his heart.
Velzard played at her eyelashes- hoping the forceful act would make Fey realize he was beginning to cross a line he shouldn't but as she looked up he was sat crouched in front of her. His expression slightly altered from the usual blank and empty face he showed– the look in his eyes was of an insatiable desire for knowledge– for answers.
The two sat silently for a moment, their gazes locked in a tidal conflict– Velzard's resolute position to not answer and Fey's hunger for knowledge. He wasn't going to do anything- if she didn't answer, she didn't answer; that alone would be an answer in itself.
He won this exchange regardless. Velzard was keenly aware of this and sat in contemplation for a moment as she went into a trance-like state as she debated on her situation and actions.
Fey found this entertaining- Velzard had yet to fully adapt as of yet to this world; she still had the habit of freezing up when she was in deep thought while in the safety of her own domain– only now she wasn't free to think for an eternity undisturbed.
"I can find him, Milady. All I need is details of his personality and nature. Nothing more, nothing less." Fey stood up straight taking a step back, gently dusting off his pants. His expression calmed and he was once again in his normal state– his expression empty, but an air of warmth and reliability was felt about him.
Velzard locked eyes with Fey for a moment trying to read his intentions and his thoughts. The two sat silent for a minute, then two, then five before Velzad sighed resignedly. "Fine, I will talk about him. I can tell as is– you know too much so it doesn't matter. If you find him, tell me." Rubbing her furrowed brow Velzard spoke in an authoritative and demanding tone- Fey only nodded in response, pleased with the turn of events.
She hadn't known then but this deal- this request of hers whether intentionally or unintentionally forever altered the course of fate and the future as the world knew it.
A new schism was formed in fate, and Velzard unknowingly had a hand in creating that divide.
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Chapter 14 End~ 8086 Words
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