Chapter 89: Blackrich Isles
"Yes," Jaegar replied softly, taking a seat beside her. His gaze lingered on her.
"Do you regret it?" she asked, her words barely audible in the quiet room.
"No," he answered, the weight of his feelings echoing in his simple response. The memories of their shared night were etched vividly in his mind, a memory he knew he couldn't erase, even if he wanted to.
"It was a beautiful night," he added, his voice a mixture of understatement and longing. The connection they had shared had been undeniably intense, a fleeting moment of passion and vulnerability.
"It was," she agreed, her tone carrying a sense of melancholy.
"Should I tell Pierre?" he asked, the weight of their secret pressing upon him. He wondered if revealing the truth could shatter the delicate balance they had maintained in their lives.
"No," she replied thoughtfully, her words punctuated by a sigh. "Only if you really have to."
"I see no reason why I should," he admitted, his heart heavy with the unspoken truth they both understood.
"You're a true gentleman, Jaegar," she murmured, her hand reaching out to touch his cheek. But he caught her hand before it could make contact, his actions revealing his internal struggle.
"I believe it's best if I leave today and not come back," he declared, his decision final. He couldn't bear the complexity of emotions that threatened to engulf them both.
"I really want to say no," Fiona confessed, her eyes reflecting the turmoil she felt deep within.
"But you can't," he stated, his own emotions mirroring hers.
"It was a beautiful night, Fiona," he reiterated, his voice filled with fondness.
"It really was."
"Goodbye, Fiona," he said as he stood up, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of her head before he left.
"Goodbye, Jaegar," she whispered, watching him leave, her gaze locked on his retreating form.
He talked to Pierre and told him that Parkar wanted to meet him.
He saw Fiona looking after him as he got ready to leave.
She stood still in front of her window, but it was too far for him to make out any emotions on her face.
It was better like that anyhow.
As he departed from the house, his feet set upon the path leading to the grand hotel where Parkar and the team members had taken up residence. He tried to push the thoughts of Fiona aside for now. He didn't regret doing that with her, but when he thought about Pierre, he didn't feel good about doing that to him.
The carnival's main event was about to start today.
A culmination of talent and potential was poised to be showcased at an event where chosen students from the esteemed academy would test their mettle.
Amongst these, Lorcan, Veronica, and the irrepressible Parkar stood as emissaries of Cledwarys, marked as participants.
In tow with Parkar, Jaegar embarked on the journey towards the prestigious venue where the grand spectacle was poised to commence. Perched upon an elevated knoll, the arena lay, a vast open-air auditorium that beheld a panoramic view of the encircling hills.
After they arrived, several minutes later, Pierre along with Jennifer came along. Pierre, consumed by the company of Jennifer, appeared oblivious to Jaegar's presence, lost in the enchantment of their interaction.
Initially congregated within a cavernous hall, the assembly anticipated the pivotal moment when the names of the chosen contenders would be unveiled, thus affirming their participation.
The arrival of Arthur and the heads of the various academies heralded the commencement of this auspicious occasion. Poised before a substantial crystal display, conspicuous enough to be witnessed by all present, they awaited the names to be illuminated.
The anticipation was such that even the clamour of the crowd was hushed by Arthur's sonorous voice, marking the commencement of the ritual.
In a mesmerizing sequence, the names of the selected students began to be unveiled on the luminescent board. This was not merely an event; it was a gateway to opportunity for the fledgling wizards and witches.
Their fortune would find them spirited away to an isle known as the Blackrich Isles, a place that beckoned with the allure of mystery and possibility. As the names cascaded into view, everyone started talking about the ones selected.
The isle, resembling a battlefield adorned with a plethora of enchanting artefacts, radiated an air of mystique and challenge.
This was no ordinary contest; it was a confluence of arcane prowess and perception. The victor, the one who emerged triumphant from the intricate labyrinth of illusions, would etch their name as the ultimate victor.
The magnitude of this event had garnered the attention of grand wizards, who sagely foresaw its potential ramifications.
The anticipation in the air was tangible as the names resonated through the hall, each one carrying the weight of aspirations and possibilities. For young men and women, it will be an opportunity to grow and increase their potential.
The students' names were unveiled, and among them, Cledwarys' champions were proclaimed. Yet, a palpable hush blanketed the gathering as one more name materialized on the shimmering surface: Jaegar Ambrose.
A collective murmur of bewilderment swept through the hall, for it was known that each participant was bestowed with a magical medallion, serving as a key to the island. How, then, did Jaegar's name find its place without a corresponding medallion?
The crystal board, intricately linked to the island and these enchanting tokens bore witness to this conundrum. It was the very portal through which participants crossed into the realm of illusions.
Arthur and the academy heads convened, deliberating on the enigma that had transpired. The Blackrich Isle was not to be taken lightly; it teemed with malevolent creatures, both mundane and supernatural. Survival hinged on mastery—only students attaining a mastery level of 10 and beyond stood a chance. Jaegar, they knew, stood at level 6.
Jaegar's level, according to them, was at level 6, but his magic arts of Choas and his bloodline abilities have reached the realm of perfection. But the immemorial arts were the initial stages, and his levels were being upgraded based on the immemorial arts, which are the main magics his core was based on. And this was known only to Angelina and himself.
The council contemplated the unprecedented predicament. They pondered if they could prevent Jaegar's entry, given the apparent disparity in his mastery level. However, their deliberations were rendered moot, for the crystal's resonance held dominion over their decisions. Resistance was futile; the crystal bore the name, and the island beckoned.
Amongst the voices of concern and unease, one figure seemed resolute—Ashfield.
An air of confidence surrounded him as he suggested that perhaps Jaegar's inclusion was not a folly. It was an assertion born of intuition, a conviction that lay beyond the tangible parameters.
The hall was rife with uncertainty. All kinds of gazes were locked on Jaegar. He was rather surprised to find his name on the board. He had no idea about the isle or how the names would appear on the board.
Pierre asked him, "Jaegar, when did you roll in it?"
"I have no idea."
Jennifer said, "The names appearing on the crystal board mean that you will be teleported to the island no matter what you do now. It's the main purpose of the crystal, teleporting the candidates to the isle."
Then Professor Isadora and Ashfield came to him, and Ashfield said, "Jaegar, you will have no choice but to go. The mechanisms of the medallions and crystals are unknown to us. And I personally think it would be an opportunity for you to learn about the world of arcane magic."
Isadora wrinkled her eyebrows and said, "Headmaster, what are you saying? He isn't ready for this yet. And moreover, hadn't he gone missing for more than a dozen months? How can he defend himself against the other students and the wild beasts there? When he doesn't anything about defence spells or offence."
"Isadora, I have confidence in Jaegar that he can take care of himself," he said, looking at Jaegar with a knowing smile.
Jaegar frowned a little, but he didn't say anything.
"No time to worry about it now that it has already happened. I will see for myself what all the ruckus is all about."
All the students with medallions walked onto the platform, which was in front of the crystal. The crystal shimmered with an otherworldly glow, captivating everyone's attention.
From the Tegorths, Ivar and two other students stood on the platform.
Milos and Denica have with them one other student from the Douxmarth School of Arance.
From the Raerath Institute of Magic came three students.
And the last one was Cledwarys. Lorcan, with an angry look on his face, stepped forward; he was looking at Jaegar. And Veronica and Parkar have joined him.
Jaegar slowly strode towards the platform amidst the scrutinizing gazes. His identity as Ambrose was now revealed, and the son of Chaos witch were the words that hung in the entire hall. The tension in the hall grew discernible as whispers of Jaegar's true identity spread like wildfire. Students from different schools exchanged curious glances, their curiosity piqued by the revelation.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as everyone saw him walking towards the stage.