Chapter 32 - To the Capital (1)

Felicia’s sword flew through the air as she repeated her usual training routine. Her breath was even, her movements graceful, and her face calm, but she always poured all of her being behind every swing. Whether it was meant to split the leaves in front of her, or to bring down an ogre, Felica always swung her sword sincerely.

‘Sharper, more precise…better..!’ She repeated those words constantly as she trained.

When Felicia performed her last movement, a gust of wind brushed past both Sinna Rella and Erilsa. As she fixed her hair, the glowing energy which had been surrounding her sword dimmed, and her blade soon found itself in its sheath.

Felica then turned to the Queen of the Forest, and bowed, her fists pressed against each other. “How was it, Master?”

Sinna smiled softly. “Magnificent.” She stood up, slowly walking toward Felica. “You still have much to learn, but to think you’d manifest aura already…”

Erilsa scoffed. “Two months…That’s even faster than you, Sinna.”

In the past two months, Felica had trained restlessly with Sinna, and Erilsa at times, which she now knew to be this forest’s Guardian Beast. She had been swept by the moment upon their first meeting, but Felicia had had a hard time shaking the unease of training under a complete stranger.

She knew nothing of this place, and although speaking animals -or spirits- weren’t enough to surprise her anymore, she couldn’t say that she had felt comfortable.

Upon their initial meeting, Sinna had been the one to approach Felicia and request to become her Master. Of course, this only made the young woman even more apprehensive. What could this person want from her? It was already clear to Felica that Sinna’s swordsmanship was unfathomable, but what reason would she have to share it with a complete stranger?

The Queen’s explanation had been convincing, however.

The Heavenly sword needed a successor, and the reason was simple. Sinna Rella had immediately noticed Felicia’s unease when they had first spoken to each other, and she had quickly identified the reason. So, with a measured movement of her palm, she had removed an inconspicuous mask which had covered her face. What Felicia had seen under it had almost made her gasp.

Under the mask which displayed deep blue eyes that soothed any who looked upon them, rested a deep scar. It spanned the entire top half of her face, and as Sinna had explained, it was the scar that had made her blind. A vestige from a battle that had occurred decades prior.

And a wound that made it so that she would never perfect her swordsmanship. She compensated with aura, her spatial awareness and a detection skill, but the wound could not be healed, and her eyes could not be replaced.

Sinna had accepted it long ago. She would never reach the summit of swordsmanship she had so often dreamed of, and she did not know of a person with sufficient talent to pursue that goal… until Felica had run into her, that is.

The spirits had warned her, but it was only when she saw Felicia in action that Sinna firmly believed that they were meant to meet. It was fate, Sinna was meant to teach the human woman.

Hearing her master’s praise, Felicia smiled back. “So then… Is today the day I can leave the forest?” She asked, her eyes glinting with hope.

She’d been informed about the world’s outlook on other worlders, and the consequences she may face if she did not have the strength to protect herself. That’s why she’d confined herself to this forest for two whole months, despite her burning desire to find others from Earth and to know more about this strange place.

Of course, Sinna had made sure that Felicia’s mana signature was masked, using the magic of a trusted elf, but even with this safety measure, she was still hesitant when it came to that topic.

Sinna sighed, and placed a hand on Felicia's shoulder. “...Do you wish to see your friends, my disciple?”

Felicia shrugged. “Yes… but I also want to see what’s out there.”

Sinna let go of Felicia’s shoulder and turned around, an unreadable expression covering her face. “Perhaps… you’d need slightly more training, for good measure...?”

Erilsa chuckled. “You’re too protective of her.” She said, amusement in her voice. “The child has been isolated, she grows tired of us old souls.”

Felicia nearly tripped. “N-No! I appreciate you both! Just… you know?” she stammered.

She looked at the trees surrounding her, trying, but failing to see past them. ‘I wonder how that guy, Verity… is doing.’

Sinna could sense that her disciple no longer wished to be shackled in this place, but even then, she hesitated. Felicia Harbridge was a talent that could exist only once in ten thousand years. If, Terras forbid, something happened to her, the loss to the world of swordsmanship would be unimaginable.

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Sinna wished she could just go with her disciple but to keep her safe but…

‘I cannot leave the forest… not right now.’

Her hands were tied. Sword Aura, especially in its earliest stages, was far from enough to guarantee Felicia’s safety. It was impressive, yes, but it was not all-powerful, so Sinna bit her lip. Though she knew it would displease her disciple, she had no other choice but to refuse.

The Queen’s lips parted, on the verge of delivering her will, but just as she was about to speak, Erilsa’s body shrunk in a flash of light. Now no larger than a bunny, the Great Beast sighed. “What I wouldn’t do for you Sinna…” She said as she jumped onto Felicia’s shoulder, startling the young woman. “I’ll go with Felicia, that should be fine, right?”

Felicia’s head slowly turned toward Erilsa. “...You can do that?” She asked in shock.

Erilsa wore a smug smile. “I can do a lot of things, human.”

Both Erilsa and Felicia’s gazes turned back to Sinna. The former was full of exasperation while the latter was filled with hope. Sensing those strong emotions, Sinna could not help but pinch the bridge of her nose. “...Alright.” She whispered almost inaudibly.

Felicia's eyes widened. “Serious-”

“But… there are conditions.” Sinna cut sharply, turning around to face them. She raised one finger. “Your training is not over, hence, I will allow no more than three weeks of absence.”

That was a short amount of time, but it had to do.

She then raised a second finger. “Erilsa is powerful, yes, but do not fight something you cannot defeat by yourself. Erilsa is your last resort, in case of emergency, not your bodyguard.”

Felicia nodded. That was a reasonable condition, and she wasn’t planning on picking fights either way. Well, at least not unwinnable fights.

And finally, Sinna raised a third finger. “We’ve taken precautions… but if you ever run into a Terras Templar of the Cardinal rank or above…run” Her expression turned somber, and Felicia could feel the gravity in her voice. “...Do not engage, do not speak to them, simply. Run. Is that clear?”

The last part sounded especially ominous, but Felicia nodded nonetheless. She assumed that, even if her master believed them to be quite dangerous, such a person wouldn’t be that common. Plus, if she did run into one of them, she doubted they’d be able to catch up to her in a foot race. Even if high-ranked, how physically fit could a Templar be?

She pressed her fists against each other. “Yes, master! I promise I’ll respect all the conditions!” Felicia exclaimed excitedly.

Sinna sighed once more. She couldn’t even believe she’d agreed to let such a disciple go before she was complete.

“...Erilsa, your first stop should be the capital. Felicia needs to register at the guild or she will not be allowed anywhere. Oh, and…” Her brows furrowed in worry. “...Make sure she comes back, alright?”

Erilsa rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, and you protect the forest in my absence.”

Before allowing Sinna to reply, Felicia stormed toward the small wooden house to pack her few belongings. That included the clothes Sinna had given her, a handful of hygiene pills, and a handy communication bracelet she’d bought in the tutorial shop not long after arriving. It was useless, since the person she wished to speak to also needed to own one, but it was quite pretty nonetheless, and she thought it fit her well.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve spoken to another human…!’ She thought as she stuffed her dimensional bag with the essentials.

Still attached to Felicia’s shoulder, Erilsa chuckled. “If she were to see you right now, poor Sinna’s feelings might be hurt.”

Felicia froze for a moment. “...You know that’s not how I mean it.” And hastily finished packing her things.

She could have waited a day or two before leaving, but there was no time like the present. Plus… she needed to make sure she left before the Heavenly Sword changed her mind.

As she stepped out of the wooden house, Felicia turned toward her Master and bowed deeply. “Then, I’ll be off, Master.”

When she raised her head, her eyes lingered on Sinna’s scarred face. She wished she knew the full story behind it, but Felica was not insensitive enough to ask, so all she could do was wait for her Master to tell her. For a moment, all that existed between the two of them was the rustling of leaves.

Felicia hesitated. A strange, irrational thought crossed her mind, but then she shook her head. ‘What am I thinking… There does not exist a blade that can cut Master.’

Swiftly, Sinna turned around, allowing Felicia to only stare at her back. “Be safe, my disciple.” Her words, carried through the wind, reached Felicia’s ears, and she smiled.

“I’ll be back soon.” She replied.

Soon after, she stormed off into the trees, leaving the camp behind.

Sinna told herself that Felicia was so precious because of her talent in swordsmanship, but in these past two months she had spent with the young woman, she’d come to enjoy her presence, not for her sword, but for who she was.

Her fingers twitched as she sensed Erilsa and Felicia’s energies fade into the distance. ‘I must be getting old…’

Erilsa, who was enjoying the wind brushing against her fur, turned her snout toward Felicia. “Do you even know where you’re going?” She asked.

Felicia grinned smugly. “Better! the spirits will guide me!”

Erilsa raised a brow, a knowing smile on her face. “Oh, really? Do demonstrate.”

Ignoring the Guardian Beast’s skepticism, Felicia closed her eyes, and felt the energy of the forest. When she was ready, she called upon the spirits surrounding her.

‘O spirits, please lead the way to the capital.’

The spirits loved Felicia, and so they were quick to respond.

Harbrudge! Harbrudge!

She was still working on getting them to say her name correctly. ‘Can you all tell how to get to the Terras Kingdom’s capital?’

Capital! Capital!

Over here! Over here!

‘Too easy!’ Felicia thought as she ran, but a she could hear the stifled chuckle trapped in Erilsa's mouth.

Over where? Over where?

Capital! Capital?

What’s that? What’s that?

Not Forest? Not Forest?

Capital where? Where?

Felicia’s triumphant grin froze, and she halted her stride.

Erilsa laughed. “Was that your great plan?”

Felicia had no answer. She looked away, embarrassed.

Erilsa then glanced at the young spirits floating around them, an amused smile on her face. “You ask for too much. These children have never even left the forest.” She told Felicia.

Felicia sighed. “...It seems I still have some things to learn. Please lead the way, Erilsa.”

“With pleasure.” Erilsa answered.