King Of Limbo

"Who are you really?"

The moment of silence that had enveloped the library was brought to an end as Rose parted her lips and asked this question. Aron looked at her directly and showed no shifts in his expression as he gave her an answer. "I'm Aron, who else would I be?"

His reply had Rose stare at him for a moment, her cold deep gaze seemed to be scanning every feature about him before she finally blinked and nodded her head. "It was a silly question, pay no mind to it." She replied before turning her attention back to the now labeled sketches.

"All these creatures have recently been sighted in the Northern region of Drotzi. A single new creature appearing isn't all that odd but the number has now exceeded seven and so this was brought to the academy's attention for answers." Rose explained as she began arranging the sketches by order of sightings.

Aron crossed his arms as he looked down at the sketches in thought. 'No matter what angle I look at it from, the only possible reason would be a Limbo crack or am I just lacking in knowledge?'

Aron's idea could explain the random appearances of the new species of beasts but that didn't necessarily mean it was the only possible circumstance. Seeing Aron deep in thought but saying nothing, Rose brought out a map and placed it on the table.

"The conclusion so far has been the possible presence of a ruin in the area from which the beasts emerged from." She said while tracing her slender fingers over the northern region of the Drotzi continent.

"Should you be telling this to a simple student?" Aron asked with a brow raised as he thought if that truly were the case then knowledge of its existence would be hidden as much as possible so that the academy could discover the ruins for themselves.

"It will be public knowledge soon enough, you knowing a little earlier changes nothing. Provided it is a ruin, it will be anything but simple to discover." Rose's gaze remained firm on the map as if in a daze. Aron's thoughts however had already shifted from the main topic and onto measures he could take against Rose already.

"Seems you'll only achieve answers if you launch an expedition into that region." Aron became a bit more relaxed as he pointed out this fact. Rose raised her head and looked at him before replying "And I take it you want to be a part of that expedition? Out of the many options of Vanguards, why would I chose you?"

"My airship is far better than the standard ones of Galos Academy, my faction is independent from external influences but most importantly... no one in all of Pesia possesses the knowledge that I do regarding beasts." Aron's confidence was extremely clear in his words and Rose had little doubts in him in that regard.

It was clear to Aron that this woman may have knowledge concerning Limbo that few in Pesia could possibly know. His blunder must've already revealed he held a connection or knowledge to Limbo in some way and to prevent that from being used against him he volunteered to assist her.

With or without her, his interest on the matter wouldn't decline but being a part of a different expedition would mean them going against each other.

Even if people came from the same force, who didn't want to be first and reap the most benefits? Aron wasn't willing to gamble on just how capable she was and directly go against her and it didn't seem she was willing to risk it either.

Strength was superficial in this matter, the one who held the most knowledge would arrive to the answers quicker and come out victorious.

.......

A short while later, Aron emerged from the library and had numerous gazes on him which he paid no mind to. Agnes was quick to rush to his side and ask why he was called and he revealed that Lady Rose was seeking knowledge about beasts so she asked him who killed a lot during the Journey.

This reason was accepted by all those who heard it in the corridor. Why? Their minds didn't want to believe there was a deeper meaning to Aron visiting Rose so they would of course accept it easily and even spread the matter, actively seeking knowledge to please Lady Rose and perhaps gain their recognition.

'This is no longer love or admiration but a mental illness.' Aron concluded as he looked at how easily they accepted his lie. He let out a snicker and began walking away with his next move in mind.

By the time it was noon, many people knew of Aron's private visit to Lady Rose as well as what she was seeking. Be it students or even some professors, many made their way to the library in an attempt to provide their expertise.

Meanwhile seated in her private room at the top of the golden tower, Lady Belle learned of what was occurring in the academy and she was anything but pleased. "I see, keep up the good work you two." Belle maintained her noble and elegant expression on the surface as she dismissed Aela and Reginald who had been the two who delivered her the news on the matter.

After receiving praise, Aela showed a bright smile before bowing and dragging Reginald along. Only when the two left did Belle's expression shift, he mouth curled into a frown and her brows became furrowed.

'Knowledge on beasts? How stupid does one have to be not to see that she's trying to recruit Aron. Could she have succeeded?' Belle questioned herself before tossing the small tea cup she held against the wall furiously.

She then stood from her seat and made her way out of the room with a burning determination in her eyes. 'Don't think I'll just sit and watch you win Rose.'

Unbeknownst to her, Lady Rose was currently within the arch-Mage's office, seated comfortably opposite of her.

"This year really is full of surprises, Rose are you truly sure about this? I understand that things are growing heated and the contest for my seat is rising but I guarantee you I'm not standing down anytime soon. If you do this then..." Lady Uva let out a sigh and looked at Rose with great concern but before she could finish speaking, Rose interjected.

"I appreciate the concern but I have already thought this through. Someone like me is unfit to be here, I appreciate the years of refuge you've provided me so far but it's time I continue looking for answers." Rose maintained her usual stoic expression and mature elegance. Her words carried a sincerity that she showed no one else which led Lady Uva to look even more concerned.

"You say that like you don't plan on returning..." Lady Uva muttered and showed a weary smile as if helpless to the matter. "That remains to be seen but given the circumstances, the possibility is indeed high. It would be best for us both." Rose replied and Lady Uva reluctantly agreed.

She turned her attention to a sheet of paper Rose had given her that had sparked the entire conversation to begin with. She read through the contents once more with a heavy heart before sighing and picking a stamp from the table and placing her seal on the sheet.

"Thank you, for everything." Rose retrieved the sheet of paper and gave Lady Uva a small smile that seemed almost foreign to her but still lovely to see for anyone lucky enough to gaze upon it.

Lady Uva could not find the right words to say to her and so she only smiled back and gave her a nod. Without exchanging anymore words between each other, Rose left the room and Lady Uva remained feeling like she had aged from the conversation alone.

'I never thought they'd be a day where I hoped a ruin would go undiscovered...'