Year 782 Octavus, 8th of the seventh-month Domorus

A week had passed since their conversations with Vis and Saefir. Akana had embarked on their lessons in Elementalism. For the most part, the overwhelming emotions had evaporated, but every time he used magic, they flared up again. This knowledge frightened Akana but it was also something... Seductively with the emotions.

Seductively with the emotions.

Every time he ate something that tasted delicious, the emotions blazed up and made the experience so much more intense.

Every time he talked to Ceva Le Gu at Diplomacy, he was cheerful about having a confidante that he could talk to and felt safe with. Every time he kissed Sidastir...

There were no words that could describe what he experienced when he was with Sidastir.

Everything from loneliness, joy, longing, irritation, laughter and that warm feeling inside the chest that warmed up the whole body. Happiness, Ceva called it. He was happy.

Akana had come to appreciate the emotions more than he initially thought was possible. He would evoke the white fire specifically for the rush of emotion he could get from seeing Sidastir. He had tried to stop but it has become increasingly harder to do so when he witness Sidastir’s joy over Akana’s minor outburst of emotions.

Most had avoided Akana since the incident in the alley. He could see the horror in their eyes. This was not something that affected Akana, but the same could not be said of Sidastir and his relationship with his friend, Magnus Ferrum.

Magnus and Sidastir have barely talked after the incident. Sidastir says that it doesn’t bother him, but Akana could see it took on Sidastir’s wellbeing at the thought of him losing his sole friend at Virtus Scolaris.

Akana sat at the desk in their chamber and read the instructions for the Elementalism with Naga in his lap. The little dragon growled contentedly when Akana scratched him on the head. He had grown relatively larger over the last few weeks and would soon have to sleep on the floor because he was getting too massive to be in his lap.

Sidastir stepped into the room after his lesson in Sanguism. Akana did not wholly understand the point of blood magic, but he saw no reason to complain about Sidastir’s choice of curriculum. He was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished among pupils of Virtus Scolaris, so he must be doing something right.

“Did the lesson go well?” Akana asked more out of habit than of curiosity.

Sidastir always did well.

“Sanguism is an easy form of magic to master... at least for me,” he said with a boastful grin which Akana both loved and loathed.

“You can avoid boasting for those who have trouble with the basics of magic,” Akana said and Sidastir’s eyes sparkled with mischief when he sat down on the bed.

"Vis and I began conversing about the Mayin. Apparently, no answer has yet to arrive," Akana said.

“There is nothing to worry about. People presumably have no clue where Mayin is located, so the message will take longer to arrive,” Sidastir said casually and shrugged.

“So, he is not in the Relevium’s capital, Parcis, with the rest of the council?” Akana asked prudently.

Sidastir grinned when he began to perceive what Akana was inquiring about.

“Why don't you inquire what you desperately desire to know?”

Akana replied with a sigh. It must be apparent. He has asked discreet questions all week.

“As you wish, what is the Council of the Nine Kingdoms?”

Sidastir released a content laugher. Akana had not wanted to ask straight out because everyone seemed to possess knowledge of the answers. He didn't want to seem ignorant.

“The issue is far more complicated than you may think, but the straightforward answer is that the Council of the Nine Kingdoms are the five most influential people in the Nine Kingdoms,” Sidastir said and when Akana merely frowned in confusion, he began to explain.

“782 years ago, the volcano on the island Paat’lumil erupted and demons with their black fire arrived into our world through the volcano. The Nine Kingdoms were in constant wars during this time and with the new threat from the west, we had big problems on the continent defending ourselves against the new threat,” Sidastir started to explain. Akana had turned towards him and listened attentively.

“The last of a dying line of emperors, Ardens Equbella, did not want to give up. He collected four other champions who all possessed their unique expertise and with Ardens at the front of the Nine Kingdoms united. Together they sealed the portal inside the volcano which the demons came out of. Ardens and his four champions became the first of the Council of the Nine Kingdoms. They stand above common politics and their quest is to keep the nine kingdoms united,” Sidastir said, but soon laughed at Akana’s facial expression.

“Why haven’t we in Auone heard of this event?”

“You may have just placed your finger on a crucial aspect in this context. Among the united, only the significant lands were counted among the nine kingdoms. The demons never reached the outer countries like Balkrav, Eitir or Auone. We did not unite along with the other countries. That's most likely why we have never had a member of the council from our country,” Sidastir explained and laid down upon the bed with his arms folded beneath his head.

"So Mayin is a member of the council?" Akana asked out of curiosity.

“Mayin is a title. Keiser is the title of the leader of the Council. The title can be translated to emperor, after all. Only one person has been Keiser through all the ages,” Sidastir said.

“Ardens Equbella?”

“Correct, he possesses the blood of the Sunelves in his veins and has he lived much longer than an average human. He has been Keiser for over seven hundred years. Mayin is not far behind. The first Mayin died during the war with the demons and the current Mayin, named Kara Vasin, ascended to the title.”

Akana frowned at a Sidastirs explanation, “So the current Mayin also elven blood?”

Sidastir merely shook his head.

“He is fully human, or at least human enough, but he has not aged for seven hundred years,” Sidastir said slowly.

“Kara Vasin is known to desire knowledge of all forms of magic. Even the more ... Forbidden kinds. The kind of magic that can turn an ordinary man more ... Demon than human.”

Akana shuddered over this revelation but rapidly shook off.

“The other members of the council. Who are they?”

“We have the title Kryger, the warrior, which is held by Saiga Shi, whose ancestor was the first ones to hold the title.”

Akana shuddered when he heard the name. The name was from Huzhidi, and he did not feel safe when one of the most powerful people in the nine kingdoms was a Huzhidi.

Sidastir continued hastily, “Then we have Sagart, the priest. Whose mission is to unite and be a diplomat for the various religions in the nine kingdoms. If I do not remember totally wrong, then the one who holds the title is Eiri Lumier. There was a tremendous commotion as she is the first council member from Balkrav.”

“The last should be of interest for you. It is the Curare. The title was firstly borne by a healer, but today, it is the title of the person considered to be the most prominent in the scientific field. The title is currently held by one of the last pure-blooded dwarves, Helder Oe. He is considered to be the most outstanding Mechanist in the nine kingdoms,” Sidastir said and laughed when Akana made a grimace.

“Auons has developed more advanced mechanics for centuries!” said Akana who felt offended.

Why is the title being held by a person who would not even be able to compare himself with a child to Auone? He knew this to be a lie as the abandoned, underground cities of the dwalves were mechanical wonder which could measure themselves with the auonian cities.

“You are not completely mistaken. I know your Merchant princes have for over a century been trying to get an auon as the bearer of the title Curare. They have been denied although Auone is known to be superior in mechanics and science,” Sidastir admitted.

Akana frowned as he could not comprehend why they were rejected.

“There is no point in asking as I yield no answer. Many of the countries, which include Balkrav, Relevium, and Eitir, have filed a complaint about the decision to reject an auon as a candidate for the title. Some believe that it may have something to do with the Keiser feeling indebted to Huzhidi because they sacrificed many warriors in the battle with the demons and Huzhidi ... You know what they feel about Auone. They were vocal with their protests when an auonian candidate stepped forward,” Sidastir said and shrugged.

Akana understood the Keiser’s reasoning. It was logical to decline an auonian candidate if only to keep the peace. If an Auon had been elected, then Huzhidi would have challenged the decision but Auone would never contradict the decision even if it was illogical. He chose other candidates for the sake of peace, but the decision felt... Immoral.

“The council sounds like influential people. Will the Mayin really take notice of us?” asked Akana who wasn't sure he wanted the attention of the Mayin.

“We can merely hope. He is interested in all kinds of magic and has presumably never witness Dragonfire so it should capture his interest. If nothing else, we turn to the Keiser... I have... an interest in bringing the case to his attention anyway,” Sidastir said with an increasingly furious voice.

“If he desires to keep the peace between all the nine countries. Why, then, has he tolerated that Huzhidi has been carrying out genocide for centuries without stopping the incidents?”

Akana insides chilled when the question was asked. The question was valid...