Lacerta stood before the familiar white-haired figure. Haldran sat in his pristine chair, hands resting on his chin as the two looked at one another in silence.
Lacerta's usual indifference had returned since the emotional incident, though a flicker of something else remained in his gaze—something akin to determination.
Haldran's dark eyes flickered with interest as he noticed the change in the boy before him.
An interesting little one, Lacerta. Brought straight to his doors by his own daughter, Althea, for a simple 'mission'—a mission that ended with the death of his comrade.
And yet, the child was still here, stood before him. And noticeably more impressive than the last time they'd sparred... which was shocking, considering that that their spar was yesterday.
In their first battle, Haldran had dismantled the boy with relative ease. It wasn't a gap in prowess; in fact, Lacerta's physicality with the flow method was superior to his own.
It was a gap in experience. The one thing Lacerta desperately needed.
But now....
Excitement flickered within his confusion.
Would I win this time around?
The thought was as surprising as it was thrilling.
The thought was as surprising as it was thrilling. He was utterly confounded. Why had the world granted this one a talent that bordered on absurdity? He burned to know.
But more than anything… he wanted to see just how far the boy could go.
————————————————————————
Lacerta: ["Well...?"]
Haldran blinked, snapping out of his internal stupor as he leaned back in his chair, fingers overlapping.
Haldran: ["Of course, of course. Your prize will be secured before you are granted your full freedom to leave, stay, or do as you please."]
Lacerta merely nodded, as if in thought.
Haldran: ["I'm not entirely sure why the 'Big Man' of all people has drawn your attention, but I do tend to hold my promises."]
Then, Haldran leaned forward once again, his casual, easy-going expression shifting into something a tad more experienced as he placed his hand onto the wooden desk.
Haldran: ["—The 'Big Man' isn't a person who tends to stay still. Tracking him down wasn't exactly easy for me. But assuming past rumors and information are accurate, he is quite the.... interesting person."]
Lacerta frowned.
Lacerta: ["C'mon already..."]
Haldran smirked at Lacerta's impatience, a humorous reminder that the one before him was still a child despite his overwhelming talent.
Haldran: ["That man operates in the Fortified City of Garkla, far north of the country, bordering Lugunica and Kararagi. He possesses considerable influence over mercenary companies... I do not quite agree with his methods, assuming these rumors are true, but..."]
Uncapping his palms from one another, he pressed them against the surface of the wooden desk and stood upright.
Haldran: ["Supposedly, he only speaks to those he deems worthy. And you, Lacerta, may possess the strength to earn that privilege."]
Lacerta: ["———"]
Lacerta's face warped in annoyance at those words. His current strength was a pathetic joke. A cruel joke, especially considering he couldn't even prevent a friend's death before his eyes.
Haldran noticed Lacerta's clear and sudden surge in anger, finding himself interested but opting not to question it.
Emerging from behind his desk, Haldran slowly strode toward the wall, deftly picking the steel longsword off its display hooks. He gave it a casual flick through the air before turning toward Lacerta.
Instincts instantly flared. Whether it was a sense of danger or simply a fresh scar from their last fight—his hand went to the hilt of his katana in an instant. Yet, he paused before he could fully clutch it.
can't use this. If I swing with it, it'll break...
The katana Glenn had paid for, of course, was in tatters, completely cracked and on the cusp of shattering from his last battle with Vola Dardain—the battle that claimed Glenn's life. He wouldn't break this sword. He couldn't.
Haldran: ["—What are you doing?"]
Haldran just shook his head and reversed his hold on the longsword, throwing the blade straight toward Lacerta, who caught it with confusion.
Lacerta: ["Why...?"]
Haldran: ["I can't just allow you to leave with that broken weapon, now, can I? While I doubt any mercenary could best you alone, caution is never unwelcome. Consider it a little gift from me to you."]
Lacerta: ["But isn't it yours? Why would—"]
Haldran: ["—Don't misunderstand me. That weapon isn't all that important; it's merely one of many I've... displayed. I simply opted to have this one within reach."]
The declaration was hard to believe, but he had no choice but to accept it. Lacerta nodded, placing the longsword over his shoulder.
It felt wrong. Unfamiliar. Not like his katana, which had fit as if molded to his hand. But it would have to do for now.
Lacerta: ["The Big Man can wait. My past can wait. Teach me magic."]
Haldran froze, his composure cracking for the first time. His eyes flared with a raw mix of confusion and surprise.
Haldran: ["....What?"]
Lacerta: ["You can have your sword back if you want. But teach me magic."]
Stepping back, Haldran leaned against his desk and crossed his arms, tilting his head as he studied the boy.
Haldran: ["Firstly, I gave you that sword. Keep it. Secondly... magic isn't something I can teach. Frankly, it's something nobody can teach."]
The words snuffed out Lacerta's hope like a candle. How could that even make sense?
Haldran: ["....At least, not in Vollachia..."]
Haldran's words were a near-silent murmur, but not quiet enough to escape Lacerta's keen ears. Instantly, he perked up, stepping forward again.
Haldran's frown deepened as he stroked his chin, weighing his words.
Lacerta: ["Well? You can't just say that and not explain."]
Haldran: ["I'm not sure I should. It's... risky."]
Lacerta: ["What? How? Why? It's just traveling, aren't you rich?"]
Haldran let out a long, weary sigh.
Haldran: ["Money isn't the problem. The fact is, Vollachia's relationship with... Lugunica... is a tense one. The two nations are constantly scuffling with one another over almost anything."]
Lacerta: ["I suppose that makes it difficult... then what about that other place... Kararagi, I think?"]
Haldran shook his head.
Haldran: ["They likely would have more mages than the Vollachian Empire, but Lugunica is the only real choice... because of him."]
Lacerta: ["'Him'?"]
Haldran: ["A certain court mage. A bold man, to still have any connection to Vollachia... but yes. He could work."]
Lacerta couldn't follow Haldran's internal debate, but one word cut through the politics like a blade: 'mage.' The name was a hook, sinking deeper with every mention.
Lacerta: ["So he could teach me magic?"]
Haldran scoffed.
Haldran: ["If that man couldn't, no one could. He is, in all likelihood, the most powerful mage in the world."]
Lacerta's eyes widened. Perfect. The grudging respect that had settled on Haldran's face was all the confirmation he needed.
Lacerta: ["And his name...?"]
Haldran: ["That would be Roswaal L. Mathers, of course."]