16 Parting Ways

The morning returned with the distant chirping of songbirds. Jack and his companions went about their usual routine, though today, he felt particularly refreshed, eager to set out on the journey to find his family.

During breakfast, they stuck with the usual sausage and eggs served at House Tasmania. It was uncommon for slaves to dine at the same table as their masters, and Frain's presence among them drew curious, sometimes disapproving, glances from onlookers.

Some stared with disdain; others were simply intrigued by the unusual dynamic.

Lupus, however, paid no mind to the attention. Nothing ever seemed to faze her. Her will was like a granite mountain, unwavering and resolute.

"By the way, sleepyhead," Lupus piped up after a bite, her gaze landing on Jack, who had woken up late.

It wasn't entirely his fault, given that his sleep had been disrupted by her trick with Frain the night before.

"Hm?" Jack responded, turning his attention to the bunny-eared woman.

"I got this for you!" Lupus's voice was bright with excitement, her fangs glinting as she pulled out a peculiar tome.

The book had an ancient-looking cover adorned with intricate glyphs, framed in silver metal with elaborate engravings. It even came with its own metal holster so it could be carried on a belt.

Jack squinted. "What's this antique?"

"It's a beginner's tome. In layman's terms, let's call it 'Arcane 101'," Lupus explained, gesturing for him to take it.

Jack accepted it eagerly. "Wow, this looks expensive."

Awe gleamed in his red eyes as he ran his fingers over the intricate design and the protruding engravings of ancient glyphs. The book had an inviting aura, as if beckoning him to explore its contents.

"When did you get it? And how much was it?" He questioned with a light frown.

Lupus smiled. "Well, I enjoyed our conversation yesterday, and you seemed genuinely interested in the Arcane, so I thought I'd get you something to help." Avoiding his question with an expert misdirection.

"Oh… thanks," Jack said, flipping through the pages. He recognised some of the alphabet but couldn't decipher the runes and glyphs.

The truth was, she had bought the book early that morning while he was still asleep. As for the cost, it had been worth more than twice the price of Frain.

"You've done so much for me, Lupus. I truly appreciate it," Jack said, bowing his head slightly.

Ah! It's all worth it in the end, that's a relief. Lupus thought, a private smile behind her golden eyes.

"Thank you!" Frain chimed in cutely before returning to her meal.

Lupus blushed at the praise and waved them off. "It's not a big deal! Let's just call it a parting gift… and my apology for trying to strangle you to death."

Frain's lion ears twitched. "Strangle to death?" she repeated, unblinking.

"Oh, my bad. It's a long story, fufu!" Lupus laughed, amused at herself.

After checking out of the inn, Jack and his friends received complimentary rations from the staff, enough food to last them a week. Jack glanced at his datapad, making sure everything was in order as he prepared for his next steps.

The air outside was crisp, but a lingering sense of dread remained. The streets were still crowded with refugees, their coughing and chatter a constant, suffocating echo.

The reality of the war crept in.

In the town square, Willhelm Mae Arden stood elegantly, performing a ritual. Glowing glyphs and ancient runes fluttered like butterflies around him as he moved his hands in precise, rhythmic motions, his lips chanting in a low voice.

He brought out a strange gem, an Arcanite Harnesser, just the size of his thumb. It shone brightly as it lifted from his palm, hovering momentarily before dissolving into the air, taking its light with it.

"That's Sir Lunarius Willhelm. What's he doing?" Jack whispered to Lupus.

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"He's creating a barrier using the Arcanite Harnesser as a mana source," she answered eagerly, watching in awe.

Moments later, a semi-translucent barrier expanded over two kilometres in diameter, enveloping the entire camp. It shimmered as it distorted the light, creating a mesmerising, wavy backdrop against the clear, pastel-blue sky.

The refugees gasped in astonishment, offering their gratitude to the elven mage who had shielded them from enemy forces. Some even bowed before him as if he were a deity. To commoners, seeing a mage of such calibre was a rare spectacle.

While most assumed he was merely a Novitcius mage, he was, in fact, a Lunarius — the highest tier obtainable by study and progression alone.

The barrier was but a small display of the miracles Lunarius mages could perform. With a single spell, they could level a city, ward off calamities, calm raging storms, or even command a volcano.

According to legend, Renaissance mages could heal the sick, feed the starving, and restore entire cities within days. However, as technology advanced, commoners took over the task of rebuilding with machines and tractors.

This shift allowed Renaissance Lunarius and Stellius mages to focus on mastering their craft, honing their skills for dire times such as these.

"Sir Lunarius!" Lupus greeted the elf as he approached, his movements ever regal, his cloak billowing dramatically in the wind.

Willhelm studied the group with mild interest. "Hmm, you've added another member to your party, I see." His tone carried a note of amusement. "A slave Wildren, a debris collector, and an Olympian mage. What a mismatched party."

"Oh! Thank you," Lupus replied, taking his remark as a compliment despite its ambiguity. Perhaps she simply didn't care what his intricate mind thought of them.

Jack, however, raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if he's praising us or mocking us," he muttered, standing between Frain and Lupus.

Willhelm turned slightly toward the rabbit Wildren. "Ah, Olympian mage. By any chance, may I inquire about the purpose of your travels to Southern Germund?"

"Well, I was on vacation when the war began. I received the signal for the camp through the arc comm," Lupus replied matter-of-factly, lightly tapping the Stellius ring on her index finger. A holographic interface materialised in the air. "I gathered a few citizens on my way here."

"How noble of you," Willhelm nodded in approval. "What about your future plans, if you don't mind me asking?"

She shook her head. "Umm, since I haven't received any orders from my division or my Lunarius, I figured I'd visit my clan in Hasenwald."

"Hasenwald?" Willhelm mused aloud. "Ah, I know of that place. Such a scenic view with its burrow-style architecture. Is it in Western Germund?" he asked, extending his palm towards her.

"Yes! You're quite knowledgeable, Sir Lunarius. For a moment, I almost believed you were from Germund."

The elven mage chuckled softly, his eyes growing distant as though reminiscing. "Aha, I think they also have an amazing carrot cake!"

Lupus nodded vigorously, soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere. It had been three years since she left her parents, twelve brothers, and seven sisters to pursue her dream of becoming an Olympian mage. When she finally achieved that dream a few months ago, she had decided to spend at least a month sightseeing before returning to her clan with the good news.

Yet, fate was a menacing trickster, bringing war to her at the peak of her proudest achievement.

After a brief pause, Willhelm spoke up. "Well, I must take my leave for now, just in case the enemy mistakes my barrier for an invitation to war."

With a polite nod, he strode away.

***

At the edge of the barrier, the crowds began to thin. Only a handful of people remained in this desolate area, where ruined buildings stood abandoned, their structural integrity too compromised for safety.

Most survivors huddled together in the overcrowded square, uncomfortable, but safe. Occasionally, caravans of refugees trickled into the camp, seeking asylum.

There was no sign of the Armatus mobile suits. Are they regrouping instead of attacking? Jack pondered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. A full squad of Bronze Rank soldiers couldn't possibly challenge a Lunarius, could they?

Lupus approached him, her usual bright smile wavering at the edges. "So… this is where we part ways…" Her voice faltered slightly, followed by her trademark chuckle. Jack had noticed it was a habit of hers whenever she felt uncomfortable or anxious.

The breeze softly carried her silver hair, making it flutter beautifully. With it came her warm, sun-kissed scent — the sweetest and most innocent aroma, one Jack knew he could never forget.

He cast his red eyes downward for a moment before meeting her gaze. "Yes… This is goodbye, Lupy. Thank you for everything."

His fingers tightened around the tome she had gifted him, the dangling book brushing gently against his thigh.

As he turned away, stepping into the post-apocalyptic war zone. His footsteps grew fainter with each passing moment.

The past couple of days had been a wonderful experience, almost surreal and dream-like. Yet like all things, there was a beginning, and there must be an ending. Jack understood that notion better than most.

"Jackie!"

A sudden shout echoed behind him, followed by the hurried footsteps of his companions.

Jack glanced over his shoulder, startled to see Lupus and Frain running towards him. Did they forget something?

Lupus stopped just before him, struggling to find the right words. "Can… can we come with you?" Her golden eyes shimmered like sunlight dancing on a pristine wave.

A soft smile adorned Jack's face, a warmth spreading through his chest.

"Yes," he invited them wholeheartedly.

"Let's go together."

Her excitement surged as she jumped around happily, urging Frain to join in.

"Yippie!" they both exclaimed, and the lion Wildren followed with a reluctant hop.

Thus, the mismatched party — Jack, the master tactician; Lupus, the Olympian mage, and Frain, the strong Wildren — set forth on their journey to Steinburg, in Western Germund.

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