Valerian, The Legendary

It will take him seven hours to climb the stairs, and the same amount to get down as well, this time, Fallax will not send him down with a spell. A total of fourteen hours, more than half a day would be spent at this rate. Valerian knew that he will not have time to read a total of fifty books this month at this rate.

So, he decided to climb the stairs with a book in his hand. This will allow him to read and temper at the same time. He was aware that the pace will be slow but it will still be an improvement. That said, Valerian picked up a book and walked ahead while reading, the training began.

However, the boy underestimated the difficulty and overestimated himself. The pressure from the spells was the same as that of the trial. However, the difference was that the attribute arrangement has changed. When he was about to climb the steps of the first floor, he found a note saying, “The arrangement will change every half an hour, you must be careful to detect the changes to avoid getting hurt severely.”

Valerian scolded himself for being naive, how can things be so easy as to let him walk, of course, there was a catch. He walked up with the fire attribute mana channeling through his body, the first opponent was the pressure of water, and the chill from ice.

While the boy was climbing steps, Conixia was passing by an empty room in the warrior halls. Suddenly, she stopped and heard a few students talking, “Do you know Tyrant has gone to seek out the help of a stronger warrior to help him deal with it.”

Another person shook his head and said, “Forget it, Princess Azula has never been the one to take a loss if someone targets her people.”

“Indeed, but Tyrant is also aware of that, so he might be trying to get back at that kid in secret.”, sounded a deep voice.

The students kept on talking and Conixia heard all this, suddenly, she heard someone approaching the place and quickly hid away. From the hiding spot, she saw Tyrant walking over with a young man wearing beast pelts. He had long hair and his body was bulging with muscles.

.....

Conixia knew where this outfit was from her pupils constricted. Yet, she did not run away from the place until the two went inside the room. Conixia turned around and made a beeline to look for Azula and inform her about the activity.

...

Priscilla was standing outside a mage tower, this place was where the mages with water attributes came to study. If you use a mage with an attribute other than water, then your entry will be barred. As a dutiful aid, she was waiting for the princess outside, and a lot of other maids were also standing there, however they were not talking to anyone, because they all had an arrogant image to uphold.

Conixia spotted Priscilla and rushed over to her side. She wanted to say something when Priscilla said, “Catch your breath first.”

Her advice seemed to be caring, but it was basically an ultimatum not to speak as there were a lot of people here. Conixia caught up her breath and after organizing her language she leaned over to Priscilla’s side and whispered to her the details of the matter.

Usually, Priscilla would have taken action as she was a member of the Shadows, they would eliminate everyone who targeted their master. But this time she chuckled and said, “Let them try and get to Valerian if they can.”

Conixia was surprised and Priscilla said, “He will not be stepping out of that tower until Magnus Magister Fallax sends him out. Tyrant can plan all he wants. He will not get anything. Don’t worry and focus on your education.”

Conixia nodded and stood at the side. Priscilla and she exchanged a few words before the former went back to the warrior hall. The latter told Azula what she had learned and the princess said, “None of them can harm Valerian, he is protected by the Magnus Magister.”

The girls became busy with their work, and time passed by. However, Azula could not scratch away the itch caused by the unexpected alliance of the princes from the Stella Empire and the Valkyria nation but since she did not know what was exactly going on, she could only put this matter aside.

...

Valerian had finally finished climbing the seventh floor and he was dripping wet. It took him eight hours to finish the task because of the random change in the attributes of the spells. He could not help but curse Fallax in his mind for setting up such a notorious trick.

A lot of times, when Valerian was immersed in the contents of the book in his hands, the attribute of the mana changed and it will almost harm him. The most troublesome was the light attribute, his eyes had been left blinded by the glare.

He sat down on the floor and started reading the book while regaining his strength. He had to climb down the stairs again. However, at this moment his stomach growled, he sighed and distracted himself by reading the book with a lot more concentration.

The content of the book was related to the changes of Mana attributes and how to turn things to one’s advantage while facing a stronger attribute. Valerian realized that the book can help him in adjusting to the changes in the spells cast on the staircase.

Raising his head, he saw that the sky was gradually turning darker with every passing moment. Sensing his strength the boy stood up from the floor, stretched his muscles, and began to climb down. The knowledge from the book became useful and the time to climb down was reduced by half the time he took to reach the seventh floor.

When he came to the reception table, he found two plates filled with meat and rice placed on it. The stomach growled and the boy began to eat. He was tired because even if the time was reduced, his body was still hammered by the changing attributes.

...

Fallax was sitting in a dark attic, he seemed to be meditating. Suddenly the old man opened his eyes and mumbled, “Come out, Bloomkin. I can smell your kind from a mile.”

A spore appeared in the void, emitting a dim golden glow, followed by an ethereal voice, “It has been a long time, Magnus Magister Fallax.”

“Not long enough, Boo-too.”, Fallax was nothing but cold to this voice.

The light gradually intensified and the same creature that appeared in front of the Driads appeared in front of Fallax. The creature let out a sigh, and said, “I have no hobby to seek you out, Fallax. It is only because of your student, that I have come here.”

Fallax’s eyes flickered with a cold glint and he asked, “What is it about Valerian?”

Boo-too said, “Do you know his origins? Do you know what is he?”

Fallax asked, “He is the first battle mage to use seven attributes. What else is it? I do not like build-ups.”

Boo-too suddenly snorted and the tension in the attic multiplied, she yelled, “You ignorant human!!! Your kind can never look past the gifts wielded by someone, can you? It is a waste for him to be among your kind.”

Her rage was so sudden that Fallax was shocked, he did not understand what did he say wrong. To know the truth, he must appease this flowery creature. He said, “I apologize, Boo-too. Tell me who is he, I seek your guidance, oh wise bloom.”

Boo-too looked like a ceramic doll, and was utterly adorable, as if harmless. But one must not judge a book by its cover. This little creature was so powerful that she could have killed, at least, half the people inside the imperial academy, before Fallax could put her down.

The bloomkin reined her rage and said, “Since you do not have the knowledge to look past what stands in front of you, I have no obligation to guide you, I am here to pass on the message of my queen, train him well.”

Fallax said, “I will do that without even your interference, Boo-too.”

Boo-too shook her tiny head and said, “Words are wasted on your arrogant self, you will know in the future, that Valerian is not just a battlemage with seven attributes, he is far more than that.”

Fallax looked calm on the surface but his heart was palpitating. He did not know why but these repeated words of the bloomkin were making him uneasy. While he was lost in thoughts, Boo-too vanished into the void, just like she had appeared.

...

A shadow appeared beside Fragrantia, who was dealing with some documents in her study, and said, “Your Excellency, there is news, Stella and Valkyria empires have reached an alliance.”

The empress stood up from her chair in shock. However, she quickly regained her composure and said, “Get me the shadow commander, we are running out of time.”