Cyril successfully escaped from Demon Mouth Cave and ran all the way back to Reed Peak on that very day, He assumed Drao and Master Mayher to be dead, since the chances of them surviving was extremely slim, he ran into the Slayer guild, bursted through the main door, startling all nearby slayers and adventurers, He rushed at the counselling counter, to the lady that manages the guild's services, " Quick!! Erene, Call guild master!!, " his eyes were full of horror and it didn't fail to portray the urgency and seriousness of the matter.
Erene being startled and confused, nodded, " Alright!, Alright, I'll go right away, " said Erene and disappeared into a back room behind a curtain. After some moment, she appeared back and signalled Cyril to follow her, she led him to a backdoor hallway and into a room where Guild Master, Orshen Driyan, was waiting for him, he was looking at a map with red markings, Erene led him in and closed the door.
" What happened, Cyril?, " asked Orshen calmly.
Cyril face expressed utter defeat and hopelessness, " The rumor about Demon Mouth Cave is true, there was indeed a classified division varae in the Decay strata, the Nightcrawler Lord, "
" How can you be sure it's a Nightcrawler Lord?, and where is Master Mayher and Drao?, " asked Orshen.
" Master Mayher and Drao stayed behind to stop it, I was tasked to deliver this news at any cost!, It's a Nightcrawler Lord, it has horns and it can also speak human tongue! Have you ever seen a Nightcrawler that can speak?? Its the calamity beast from the legends. We need to assemble a team of Grandmaster slayers before it starts attacking villages and towns, " said Cyril panting.
" It can speak?? This is really bad, the legend states that the Nightcrawler Lord possesses incredible strength and intelligence that can rival human intelligence, if a varae of such capability were to let loose in the world, it would be a disaster. " Orshen said.
" What do we do? Guild Master. We have to at least assemble a team of grandmasters if we want to take down this monster, " said Cyril.
Orshen contemplated for a moment and replied, " I will sent an emergency notice to the main guild and initiate the Javeline operation, meanwhile Cyril go to Dragon Horn academy and inform Grandmaster Archanole of the Javeline Operation and ask for help, at least one or two grandmaster has to come. I will try to gather other High level slayers in my network, "
" Yes, Guild Master, I'll dispatch right away, " said Cyril and proceed to leave.
" Wait, Cyril!, " Orshen called out.
" Yes?, " said Cyril.
" What of Master Mayher and Drao?, " asked Orshen.
Cyril eyes casted downwards and said, " I don't think they would be alive but can you send a search party?, "
Orshen said, " I see, that's impossible at the moment, As much I want to save Master Mayher and Drao, we must prioritize assembling a team to hunt down the Nightcrawler, I'm sorry Cyril. " said Orshen.
" I understand, " said Cyril and left the room in a gloomy air, sadness hovering around him.
" I need to go see Grandmaster Arilyne, " I said to the guard who was guarding the eastern court gate.
" I received no such news, " replied the guardsman.
I knew they wouldn't let me in easily. " It's an urgent matter, she is expecting me. " I lied.
He looked at me with skepticism, not sure whether I was lying or speaking the truth, though I retained a confident face, hoping it would be enough to fool him. He took a moment to process the situation and replied, " How about I go ask her?, "
" Mister, just let me in.. I was with her during the alpha red hound battle, she asked me to write a report, that's why I have to meet her " I said stubbornly.
" Alright, Alright... Just go in, these kids nowadays, " he said in defeat and let me in.
Finally, I got in, Hilarious how I was able to lie my way through, not very proud of it but effective. Now that I was walking in the eastern court, I realised it was quite spacious with tiled floors on both sides of the pathway, Both the fields were used for training, there were target practice equipment and banners at the edge of the walls. It was quiet and peaceful, I only heard birds chattering and faint noises from the central court, I could hear subtle footsteps far away, maybe hunter students in classroom?
I approached the main building, remembering the path last time I came, I navigated through the, as usual, empty hallways and rooms. It was so surprising that I didn't even come across any hunter students or any grandmasters. Maybe they are still in the dormitory, I thought.
Standing at the front of the grandmaster Arilyne's chamber, I took a deep breath and knocked twice on the door. No response, I waited for another minute and knocked again, still no response. I guess she hasn't yet come, maybe I was too early? or was she out in some mission? I checked the door, surprisingly it was unlocked, it opened. I took a peek and let myself in, she wasn't there, I guess I was too early, I came out after Master Senx's class. The room was dark and curtain closed, so I opened the window and let the morning fresh air and light in to rejuvenate the room. I looked around, books on the shelves, she had an archive of varaes, poetry, Sir Sarun's tales, History of Pheonix kingdom by Horae, Guide to illusionary spells, etc.
I picked up a small book named "A collection of poems by Paleo ", I navigated through the pages and came across one of the author's poems named " Spring of my soul ". The poem started out in very striking line;
" Hundred bonds of mortals, let me unchain it
For the divine presence is cherished in releasing
Just like the rise of earth saplings,
my soul rises in thy eternal essence.
Break my petrified self, let me see
Hundred bonds of mortals, let me fly
The spring of my soul awaits my arrival,
grant me the permission, thy work burden
Thee is me, Thou is everything and self no- "
Grandmaster Arilyne entered the chamber and at the sight of me, she was startled and screamed in fear, her heart sank, I couldn't help but laughed out, it was too funny, I would never expect that a woman of such calibre as she would be frightened so easily.
" My god- ! What are you doing here?, " she said with one of her hands pressed on her chest in relief.
" Sorry, Grandmaster, " I said with a smile trying to calm down my laughter, " I let myself in, the door was open. I wanted to talk you about something, "
She removed her robe and as usual she flung it on her chair and she seated herself and said, " Normally students are only allowed to talk grandmasters when we call them but you let yourself in, impressive. How did you even get past the guards?, "
" I said I have reports to submit about Alpha red hound, " I smiled foolishly.
She sighed, " Nevermind, so what do you want to talk about?, " she said.
" I got the spot for the Wingless tournament, " I said.
" Oh, really? that's good, who else is there? " she asked with her eyes kept firm on me.
" Apart from your hunter class students, I believe there will be Dan Vonter and Ellena Raskira, " I answered.
" The Pillars, huh " she said softly.
" How are they? Can you win them?" she asked.
" I have to win, " I replied confidently.
" Oh right! I forgot to say this, " I interrupted her. " The student council has asked me to join them,"
" Why would they? What did you do?, " she said confusedly.
" One of their members challenged me to a duel and she lost, " I said.
" Hahahaha- Impressive, they must have underestimated you because you didn't have magic, " She laughed joyfully.
" So should I join them?, " I asked.
" Well, it doesn't matter with me. It's your choice, " She replied.
" Okay then but will it be okay if they know later I'll be your apprentice?, " I said.
" That won't be affected regardless of whether you join them or not, in fact if they know you will be my apprentice, they would be even more delighted, They are always looking to compete against our hunter class students and if a student from central court is selected as my apprentice, it's the same as acknowledging the central court students as an equal, " She answered.
I nodded in affirmation, " Well that's good then. "
" That is if you get into the top seven, Kid! " she said with a smirk.
" I'm not worried about that, " I replied.
" Hooo, I don't know where you get that confidence from... I get that you are a bit special but it is as if you are looking down on everyone including my hunter class students, " she said.
" I'm not, What makes you think like that? Grandmaster, " I asked perplexed by her complaint.
" You are not even worried, is it because of the demon you possess? I heard it from Nyaka. " she said curiously, changing her tone at the end of the sentence.
" Oh no no, that's not it. I have skills I learnt in the wild, " I smiled.
" So it's true? the demon?." she said.
" Yes, he is true and he exists inside me, " I replied.
She looked at me deep in thought and said, " Okay, "
" By the way, this is a nice poem," I was still holding the book in my hand. " Can I borrow it?, "
" Ha!, you came in uninvited and even scared me to death and now you ask me to borrow a book? Fine, take it! '' She sighed.
" You are so kind, Grandmaster " I smiled happily and thanked her. " Alright then, I'll be taking my leave. " I bowed and was about to leave when a man burst opened into grandmaster Arilyne chamber in hurry.
" Pardon my intrusion, grandmaster ! we have a matter of urgency, Headmaster Archanole has asked for your immediate presence at the courtyard, " said a man, who looked like a staff or a secretary.
" What's the matter? Wallan. " asked Arilyne as she rose from her seat.
I stood there forgetting that I was supposed to leave.
" The slayer guild has initiated Javeline operation, a classified division varae of calamity rank has escaped from the Demon mouth cave, " he informed.
" What?!! Alright lead me to Headmaster Archanole, " she was in a hurry and rushed to the door,
" Lan !, " she shouted from the hallway. " Take my sword and robe and follow me!, "
" Yes, Grandmaster," I replied and quickly retrieved her robe and sword and obediently rushed after her.
I had no idea what was happening and I didn't know what he meant when he said, a classified division varae of calamity rank, but that was no ordinary classified varae, calamity means something big has happened. My instinct told me something dangerous has escaped from the cave he mentioned. I was about to get caught up in the worldly affairs as if I was destined to and I was walking blindly into it.