“I'm certainly appreciated you convinced Bill to do the right thing Mr. Bernays" Eirian smiles to mask his intention , fearing his next word would seem too greedy, he considers accept the offer right away but his aunt taught him that in business you must be ruthless. 

“But I was offering three times the standard pays at Mechanize Magic Industry before coming here. May I ask what a service of an Amiel would be worth to you?" 

“Three times?" Bill is in shock; currently he works two jobs, one pays minimum wage another offers pay with equipment and undefined amounts of financial support, even if Bill combines what he got from both jobs it won't amount to half of what Eirian would make. 

Bernays moves to tap Bill on the back with his wing. 

“Of course," with Bernays word Bill floored “Amiel skill in magic is indeed an exceptional asset which can't be easily replaced with any machine. Any half-decent shop would do everything in their power to have Amiel work with them." 

“Then..." 

“Still, I will only offer you double the pay since my shop have something to offer you which no other shop can, not even the forge of Alana." 

With an unexpected respond Eirian await Bernays next word while the crow tries to recover Bill posture. 

“We have other Amiel here who is making a core for us. You already seen his work in the showcase below, don't you want to learn from someone who can make such a beautiful craftsmanship?" 

Eirian thinks of the core that was glowing from before and realizes he never saw any core like it anywhere even back at his home where he seen a core made in hundred. 

'Human agency like Mechanize Magic Industry usually sent a mercury ball to Elswyth so our people can turn them into a core so I doubt they would have anyone who can teach me how to make a core here and learning from the master is indeed the best.' 

“So, the Amiel who made your core is here in the city?" 

“Well...I don't know where he is. But according to our contact he will visit me once a month whenever he feels like it." 

“Aren't you his boss?" 

“Our relationship is a little more complicated than that, more like a partner. I help him with something, and he helps me make special class A core. Don't worry I'll discuss with him on finding time to teach you his technique, you have my word." 

“Alright." Corvid might not known for their trustworthiness but since Bill work for him Eirian feels like he can trust him more than other random store from New Terra “It would be my pleasure to working with you sir" Eirian extends his hand to shake with Bernays wing and smile at Bill who he'll be working with. 

'Mr. Bernays help me so much and even though Bill agrees to reduce the money I have to pay this still feels wrong, like I'm still own him. I guess I'll have to make it up to them somehow.' 

“Here a contact you can sign right here, here and here." 

Eirian surprise Bernays already had a contract prepared but he carefully read it once before signing. 

The paper states his duty and pay which is correct and not more than he needed. He only needs to make or refill a core to each month quota and from what he saw other adults did in Elswyth it shouldn't be too hard. 

“Thank you my...Eirian. Sorry almost call you my boy consider you might even be older than me" Bernays laugh. 

“Don't worry sir for our people age I'm still consider a teen." 

“Please just call me Bernays. We work like a family here, Bill why don't you take Eirian to see our storage and let him test refilling a core." 

“Right aways Mr. Bernays" Bill then leads Eirian down to the back of store. 

On the way Bill looked back at Eirian a few times before asking “Eirian I don't want to be rude but is it true all Eirian are rich? Don't you guys live in a forest? I mean I don't want to make any assumption but I heard some stuff from Mr. Bernays so I'm just curious." 

A question is a little straight forward but Eirian answers him “Most Amiel have a lot of money left over from making a core for New Terra because we don't really have a use for money in forest. Anything we need we can use magic to get so most of the stuff New Terra sell especially MAM is not useful to us although we do trade some electronic like radio or vehicle. 

'Still some people do manage to become obsessed over these money.' Eirian thinks of someone he knew. 

“Bill, You don't have to reduce the pay we agreed upon you know. If Mr. Bernays is forcing you so that I take a job here..." 

“Oh not at all" Bill cut “I didn't want more money from you Eirian. It was wrong of me anyway. Mr. Bernays just helped me see that sometimes we just need to invest a bit of money now so we can get more in the future."  

'wait' 

“Consider the reduction part my pay for hiring herbalist to make potion for our team." 

Eirian feels like he should say something but can only nod. 

“And by the way I should let you know that you have my vote for our team leader. One down for you huh." 

“You didn't vote for me because I give you money right?" Eirian stops to make Bill look at him “Please feel free to vote Amy if you think she is a better leader ok?" 

“Of course, I just feel you are best suit for the position." wink. 

“...Please never wink like that again." 

Inside the storage room Bill picked out a few used cores for Eirian to try with a mini magicameter ready to measure. 

With one core a size of thumb in his hand Eirian try to pull magic from surrounding area in this room into a core. He just keep filling it with magic again and again none stop but the core just keep sucking all the magic he gave it and show no sign of being full. After an hour Eirian need to stop because it's taking a toll on him both physically and mentally. 

“How much did I got?" Eirian pant while looking Bill who is reading magicameter. 

“About 10%. Come on don't be like that Eirian" said Bill when he see the shock on Eirian face “Josh try it with my core before and it was barely gone up 1%." 

“The contact say I have to refill up to 30 core per month...that 10 houre per core without break. I thought 30 small ball was just a little...oh no." 

'Aunt Euri is going to kill me if she find out I sign a contact before understanding the work requirment' 

“I thought you just order magic to get in the core? Is it hard for Amiel too?" 

“I've seen people back in my home did it before but I didn't think it would be this hard." Eirian now try to calculate the hour he need to complete his task. 

“Well at least you get paid more than me." there is no contempt in his voice just acceptant. 

“Hey do you...need money for something?" Eirian try to be careful with his word seeing it's Bill sensitive subject. 

“What? Nooo. I'm just love working. Like reallyyy LOVE working you know." 

'Bill is from a rich family right? Then the other reason for him to work so hard is...' 

“You like to hoar—I mean collect money right?" 

Bill blink, trying to intrepet Eirian meaning. 

“I got some uncle I respect who like to collect money too. Never really see the point of it though but he seem to be very happy when he got that pile of banknotes so I guess you are like him?" 

“I guess so." Bill answers after considered his option. 

“Ok then let's us work hard for our money." Eirian extended his hand. 

Bill look at Eirian hand and shake it “Alright." 

In the moment of truth and understanding between two of them Eirian feel more relieve now that he understand Bill a bit more. 

“Actually you know what Eirian, we might be able to help each other here." 

“What you have in mind?" 

“Your new job give me the idea of a new MAM design I can make. A glyph to help you gather magic into a core." 

“That sound amazing." This would really help with Eirian task and fullfill Bill quota of this month as well. 

“Can you draw that glyph right now?" 

“I can try" Bill pick one of the empty glyph slot out and draw a glyph of magic from memory. This is the glyph that will be in most electronic to convert magic into electricity or in a machine that refill magic onto an empty core; Those magic isn't free though because they're came from either converted electricity or stored in a shop for service unlike Eirian where he got free magic from his surrounding. 

“Wear this then press a button here." Bill take out a glove and hand it to Eirian who must admit is a little exciting. Most Amiel have no need for MAM so he never got a chance to use much of them. 

With a button press Eirian try to focus magic from his surrounding into a core again but this time he found that magic is moving on its own and even go againt his intention, worse a magic from inside this glove is also been pulling into a core on his palm crashing with his own magic. 

A blue spark shock Eirian hand and sent a core flying into a cabinet nearby and shatter a glass. Serveral bottles roll down and crack on the floor. 

“What going on in here" Sagax barge in shouting ready to rip the source of the noise out. 

Two boys stand looking guilty. 

Sagax takes one look before grabbing both of them up stair to Bernays. 

'He carry us all the way here. Does all wolf this absurdly strong?' 

“Bernays these kids broke 2 bottles of quicksilver how should I punish them." 

“Oh, Bill did any of those mercury spat on you?" Bernays asked looking worry. 

“Err" Bill look at his leg and arm “I don't think so." 

“Good. Those were mercury before convert into a solid core so it could be poisonous for human. Please be more careful next times." 

“Yes sir" Bill and Eirian look down guilty. 

“2 bottles and a glass cabinet were broken." 

“I'll deduct the cost from your salary at the end of the month then" Bill and Eirian nod “Sagax could you please put them down and told Jeffy to clean it up?" 

Sagax put them down but still unhappy since both culprits didn't get punish “Jeffy is out to get delivery from the port." 

“Then you clean it up." 

“I'm not your maid." 

“You take care of security and a leaking mercury in the air is a danger to everyone in the shop therefor this fall under your responsibility." 

“That some featherly rubbish" 

“Language Sagax. We're with two innocent children here you know." Bernays covered his mouth with wing to hide how pleasing he is. 

Sagax snort at both kids before slam the door on way out. 

“He's so happy he finally got something to do." said Bernays. 

'I'm pretty sure he wants to kill us with that look just now.' 

“Well do you think you can complete the job quota on time Eirian?" 

Eirian pulls himself back from the thought of Sagax ripping his throat “Yes I think so." 

“Actually, we were just testing a new glyph Bill make for me." 

“Really?" 

“It was just a basic magic glyph in most electronic. And clearly a bad idea." 

“No, I think it was great Bill." Eirian interjected. 

“It was?" 

'I need Bill to make me that glyph to help me refill core faster, Bernays won't let us try if you make him think it'll be a waste of time.' 

Eirian turns to Bernays and explains his experience of using MAM and noted “I never feel a magic wave against me like that before, like how water used to flow along the stream but now it flows against me so I was surprised and lost control of magic. Still, I believed that with more test I can use MAM to help me refill a core faster." 

“Seem like you enjoy using MAM" 

Eirian feels strange being an Amiel who got compliment for liking a MAM. He's not sure how should he feel. 

“Why don't you buy one from my shop. We sell one of the best here after all." 

“I was thinking of borrowing from Bill..." 

'There's no way I'm paying over 100,000 Nil for a workplace tool. Not to mention those cores which sell separately over 50,000 for the cheapest.' 

“I see" Bernays smiles as if he can read Eirian mind “Well you can rent our MAM when you want to use them then. I already offer Bill a new MAM but he declines it as well." 

“I just don't want to use other MAM" Bill rubs an old MAM in his hand and ponders a memory of his father he didn't have. 

“Can I borrow one now?" Eirian shifts when he noticed Bernays's eyebrow “I mean rent." 

“Of course." Bernays let Eirian choose the MAM he wants and let the two boys go out to test their glyph. Eirian picks the cheapest glove. 

“Why are we leaving the store" Bill asked. 

“I have a theory to test." Eirian led them to a church in the center of the city where people are praying in silence. A goat, wolf and all kinds of bird walk in together to pray but in the land of faith thing are not so clear cut, some birds do pray to Amalthaea or even månen. Even a few ants who shouldn't believe in anything beyond their queen are sitting here before the Amalthaea. In here everyone is free to choose their beliefs and came here to share their love and devotion. All are welcome, even those like Bill and Eirian who aren't here for their soul. 

“This one won't shoot lightning right?" Eirian looks around where other people are sitting and notices Biscuit praying among the crowd. 

“Maybe. I mean only tinyyy chance." 

Eirian hesitates to take the glyph but if Bill said it wouldn't go boom then he wants to trust him. 

When a glyph clicks in place he flicks a switch. 

Bill bites his teeth in anticipation but no spark this time. “It didn't work?" 

“No" Eirian holds the core in front of Bill “Don't you feel it? The magic it's going in" 

“No, tell me how it is" Bill wheezes, trying to breathe. He is disappointed that he can't see the result with his own eyes but still glad to know it works. 

“Right sorry I forgot" being the only races that can't feel magic made Eirian forget about them sometimes. 

“It's going in much faster and this time the magic seems to follow my thought now. Actually, it might be even be better than I was able to control before. How did you do it?" 

“I added a mind glyph. It's basically let you use your mind to control magic." 

“It's amazing" Eirian looks at a MAM in his hand “I don't think I'm ever felt this close to magic...although it does feels weird." 

“How so?" 

“The magic follows my thought but I still feel a subtle resistance, like a weight on my mind. It's won't go away no matter what I do." 

“Interesting" Bill take noted “That should be expected since magic is a force of nature. Like when you dig a canal to divert river, the water follows the path you laid but it still flows with a strength of its own and if the canal is too thin or small a water can overflow and carve its own path flooding the land. I could try to increase the strength and speed of this glyph but do tell me if it makes you feel weirder." 

“Got it." 

Bill and Eirian kept testing and went to Magus to see if Magus had more magic intensity than the church. 

These places are full of magic because they're artificially made to be or form naturally from an object/plant that was placed here. Eirian explains to Bill that when creature of magic pray they channel their magic inside them and surrounding into a statue of their god or whatever their symbol object of holiness is. 

One time Bill altered the mind glyph to make it as powerful as possible so in theory it could help Eirian refill an empty core in ten minutes but it's turn out to be too powerful. Magic stops follow Eirian entirely and even made him cried from sharp pain in the head. 

“Let's never do that again" 

Both keep testing until finally Bill can no longer endure a headache from being in a place of magic any longer so he asked Eirian to stop and leave Magus. 

“Thank you for helping me" Eirian bring Bill out to nearby lemon stand and brought him a cup. 

“Thank, eek" Bill drank a cold lemon that was very sour but at least his headache subside now. 

Bill twisted face remind Eirian of Bill face when he heard of how much Eirian was offer compare to him so Eirian give a suggestion to Bill “You work so hard Bill and your work help me so much. Maybe we should talk with Bernays about getting you a raise?" 

“A rasie? I didn't offically work for Mercurius though and I just start working there, it would be rude to ask for rasie already." 

“Still maybe..." 

“It's ok Eirian, I already happy with the job I have there is no need to climb too high." 

Eirian doesn't like this self-inflict negative attitude but seeing how Bill just spent an entire day helping him. He doesn't want to rebuke Bill right now. 

“Let's me get something before we leave" Eirian walks to a flower stand and brought a flower bouquet. 

Bill eyes twitch and speak without thinking “If you going to give me a gift just feed me for a month." 

“What" Eirian almost slip “This is a gift for Biscuit." 

“Oh." 

Eirian and Bill then head back to church and arrive just as Biscuit walk out. 

“Biscuit" Eirian call and hand her a gift “Thank for saving my life yesterday" 

Biscuit is surprise with Eirian sudden appearance “That...that was nothing you don't have to...". She didn't receive a lot of gift in her life. And she feels like she didn't deserve these beautiful flowers. 

A few eyes are looking at the two of them.  

“My life isn't nothing Biscuit please accept this. I still need to find a way to make up to you." 

Biscuit feel the eyes around her and that make her even more nervous so she take the bouquet and bite all the top flower off. 

Eirian stunts don't know what to say. 

“Thank you it was really good" She then trots away to run from the crowd who is watching and dump the rest of bouquet in the nearby bin. 

Seeing his friend in shock Bill slowly taps Eirian on the back. 

Eirian quicky compost himself and speak out loud for Bill and himself “I guess goat treat flower in different meaning than us. At least she received the good gesture." 

“Seeing Biscuit take a bite made me hungry. How about we go get a snack of our own?" 

“Yeah let's go eat. You must be bore of those fancy food right let's us go see the street food of Alana then. They must have some foreign dish." 

Bill raises his hand up wanting to say something but put it down and shrug “Free food is free food." 

---*--- 

“Why are we meeting here again? Didn't we just have a meeting yesterday?" Leon looks around the room of 7 people sitting and stops at a small speaking tube connected to a wall next to Osmond. 

“The dead bomber. What else?" Tonia state the obvious and flips the report with her antenna. 

“Bomber killed himself save us the trouble; case close. What else to talk about." Leon pushes the paper forward with his paw. After dealing with all documents from Numenus he doesn't want to read any more report if possible. 

“We still need to find out if he was working for someone and where does he get MAM material from." Hellen turns to look at Roy and Rio. 

“Why are you looking at us" 

“Only human and bird have a tool and skill to create MAM part." 

“And only Amiel has the ability to make a core" Rio state fact without temper. He knows most of the material to make a bomb can be found anywhere on the continent, there is no point playing blame game. But he already read the report. He knows every MAM manufactured would have marking from company who made it as authentication of their brand but every MAM part from the bomb that was recovered none of them have any marking which means they were made to be untraceable from the beginning. Unless others nation manages to secretly research and create MAM without material needed from at least two other nations, it either from New Terra or Avion. 

“What does our spy say?" asked Headmaster Osmond. 

“No movement from any faction or group that we know of." said Rio. 

“From the autopsy, his body suffer from severe malnutrition with a trace of sand in feather, we come to a conclusion that bomber came from city of the dammed," said Fay. 

“That forsaken place in desert up north? They have no reason to attack us." Roy is disturbed with this news “Someone must have hired him to place a bomb. The real culprit could have been any races." 

“Can't we just make them disappear like last time?" said Leon. 

“Can't kill them if you don't know who they are. Last time we were lucky those pyromaniacs were a fanatic Amalthor don't want anything to do with and they were happy to pretend nothing happen in one of their temple." 

“If it was one of their big temples they might not sit quietly though" Fay added. 

“Can we please not talk about taken people out like ordering a food." said Rio. 

“As if everyone here didn't participate in some form of genocide before." Tonia glances at Roy. She still remembers that faithful day when the fire bomb rain down upon her battalion. 

Rio raises his wing to show his innocent. 

“You literally redesign a crossbow that allow bird used to shoot down thousands of wolves to this day." said Leon. 

“I work on that with Shelly so I can only claim half credit. Also, scientist like us shouldn't..." 

“Fine half genocide, now put that wing down." Leon knows he can't win an argument with Rio. 

Osmond bring out a message he received to stop everyone from going off topic “Either way an ambassador from New Terra and Corvidia is coming in a few weeks."  

“They already know? Tsk. Eye and ear everywhere" Leon feel annoy that he might have been watched not only from his old country but from all nation. 

“Officially they are here for other reason but we know the truth." 

 “So, are we giving them fact or blame city of the dammed?" asked Roy. 

“Having an enemy you know is properly better than letting all nation feel like they're in the dark and start blame whoever they hate but if possible I would like to know the real culprit so everyone please go over the report and try to find the source of these bomb via any connection you have. We need to end this as soon as possible before more people question what is happening." 

“I didn't ever start checking student's homework yet." Leon feels like crying. He rather fights an entire army than deal with more paper work. A sentiment which a few teachers here share. 

Fay gives him an encouraging smile. 

“Anyone have anything more to discuss?" 

“Does chief spot anything?" With Hellen word everyone turns to the small speaking tube on the table. 

An ethereal voice utters a simple “no." 

Osmond then turn the speaking tube off after no one else have any more question. 

“That conclude our meeting." 

Everyone quickly gets up and leaves the room. Osmond who was left alone look up past the ceiling where his friend is and slowly take a step up stair with concern in his heart. 

The path was long and he isn't young as he used to be but he took the time walk up here anyway. When he finally arrives, he exclaims “God I'm bone tired" and stretch his skinny leg. 

In the old day this bad joke would get some reaction from him but it's getting harder and harder to talk with his old friend. 

Seeing a figure in cloak sit still Osmond walk past a dusty room of small table and bookshelf to a chair where chief sit overlooks the whole city. If someone were to came in here and see this room right now one might think that a man who live here never get up from his chair at all. 

“How are you feeling." 

“Nothing. As usual." 

Osmond walks closer to a window and looks at the view of the shining city below contrast with a vast dark land under a star. “So peaceful." 

“Yet many chaos lurks." Chief then click open other speaking tube “Robbery at Berry Way section 6" and close it. 

Osmond follows his friend's word but sees nothing. He walks back and dusts a bookshelves and table in the room. At one point he stops to stare at a secret safe in one of the walls behind bookshelf. 

In his head he can almost hear a voice telling him to open it but he ignores this thought since there are more important thing to discuss. 

“The ambassadors, what are we going to tell them." 

“That some deviant from city of the dammed is responsible." 

“A lie." Osmond want to laugh “To think we teach children the important of honestly here." 

“Good thing you are not responsible for that subject then." 

Osmond smiles “Is that your humor still intact I hear." 

“We have a bigger problem than my humor fading. I can't see a bomber when they moving around at all except that last bomb where I see the that bird die" 

“Well, there are many way to evade your..." 

“Only those who knew of my existent know that they need to evade me." 

Osmond face turn grim. He already suspects this but to hear his friend confirm it is like a nightmare made real. 

“One or more of the six nations is doing this. And it came from the top too." 

“Thousands of solider from all races were present that day some might leak it... Erasing history is not so easy, we might not be dealing with the head of state." 

“Perhaps" 

When chief turn silence Osmond feel the need to warn his friend “Please don't do anything without consult with me first, remember you took care of city security, leave the rest of politic and student to me." 

“You have gone soft" even now chief didn't turn to look at Osmond his eyes fixed on the city below, searching, “We must consolidate power as much as possible so no nation or group would dare to break this peace. Take out any pieces that threaten us and that include the student." 

“We are not harming any student of our, studying nor graduate." 

“Why even have a list of dangerous personality whom we know will never unite in peace if we're not using it. They were living under our eyes for years; we know they won't change." 

“Princess Alana would never approve of this. You know it." 

“Alana never manages to stop me before." 

“Stop" Osmond turns back so he doesn't have to look at his friend “It's been a stressful month. We're both tired let's just go back to our duty." 

Osmond then leaves his friend alone once more. The white tower stand overlooks the whole city. Keeping this era of peace. Keeping an old secret. 

---*--- 

The next day Eirian is out with Bill to find an alchemist. Bill insists that they use an ugly old bag so that no one would suspect that they are carrying something valuable and would think to rob them. 

'When he explains it I guess it make sense but did he pick this bag up from the garbage?' 

Eirian sniffs the bag and slowly lowers it down while make sure the bag doesn't touch his body as they walk. 

At the front of herbalist shop Valtos is waiting for them “Hey kid guess who just got release from custody" 

“Mr. Valtos? But how?" 

“It no big deal. I just pay the fine and they release me." 

“That it?" Eirian puzzle at the charge of smuggling illegal drug and wonder how he was let go this easily, it's not even been 2 days yet. 

'Did he bribe them?' 

“Alana always has light punishment of people who brought in contraband stuff since every nation have different law if Alana punishes everyone who unknowingly brought in illegal stuff like goat meat most wolf from Eurdwulf would be in prison and no one would visit Alana." 

'I guess that make sense and it not like he would tell us if he bribed them.' 

“But did you carry that much money with you?" asked Bill. 

“Oh no I ask granny to bail me out using payment I would get from her any way." Valtos shout inside the shop “Hey Granny the kid who save my life is here." 

“Lower your voices my ear is still better than yours" an old black lady human walks out of the shop. Despite her age she still looks hale and hearty. 

“You—Are you Pansy the miracle doctor sir?" Eirian suddenly gets excited when Valtos speaks her name. 

“Miracle doctor?" said Bill. 

“Please I can't perform miracle." said Pansy “I'm just trying to help everyone as much as I can." 

“Do you know her Eirian?" asked Bill. 

“Know her? She one of the most famous doctor in the time of great cleansing. The doctor who go out into a field of war and heal everyone no matter what races they are. All races know her story and she was one of the few who act as Princess Alana representative to help negotiated peace treaty." 

“That was a long time ago and since the princess ask me how can I refuse but enough about me you are here for a potion right?" 

“Yes, can you make a Mundeus decoction for us please?" 

“Of course and since you help Val here so I won't have to find myself a new supplier I'll give you a discount as well. Say 5000 Nil for each bottle?" 

'5000?' 

“The usual cost would be 3-4 times that price so it's a good thing you guy save me" Valtos added. 

“Ah yes what would I do without my trouble maker, are you still going to that black market and buy weird stuff like I told you not to?" 

“Where would I find your rare ingredient if not at the black market Granny and I need to make some profit too you know." 

“Those stuff you randomly brought is going to get you in problem one day." Granny shake her head and take a bag of mundeus inside the shop. 

Bill is quite happy when Granny compliments the boy that they were smart for using a cheap bag to hide mundeus. 

While waiting Valtos pull out a small box of candy “Here boys I got a new product call Mind-fizz. Seller said it a flavor candy that will help enhance your focus and memory want to try some?" 

“No thank you, my mother said not to randomly take candy." Bill hope this won't offend Val. He would gladly eat from a sewer as long as he knows where the food come from. 

“I'll take one" Eirian doesn't see any problem with a small candy. He's an Amiel most poison has less effect on them and Val properly won't try to poison him. 

The moment that candy touch Eirian lip he can feel like his body is lighter and the world is more colorful. He feels refresh like when he smells a mint but so much more. 

“Wow that was so good." 

“Right, I brought a whole crate to sell it here after I got to try one." Valtos speaks proudly. 

“I'll buy one small box." Eirian then pay 25 Nil for a small metal box and puts it in his pocket to eat at later time. On the box is a picture of cute cartoony wolf smiling with a big letter Mind-fizz. 

Granny Pansy then walk out to collect the money and told them that the potion will be complete in a few day so they can come back later. 

Bill and Eirian then head to Mercurius to collect more tool for today test but at the store they meet a man they never seen before. An Amiel.  

“Ah Bill, Eirian lucky timing come meet my partner I told you about. A mastermind behind our special core unlike any other, Mr. Aven" Bernays stands at the back of the store with a several tube of liquid mercury on the table. Next to him is an old Amiel with white hair and tan skin. Despite his age Eirian feels like he is looking at a beautiful painting of an angel in an old text. 

'His hair is all white! Even the elder didn't have this many white hair. He must be one of the first generation of Amiel.' 

“Greeting Mr. Aven, It's such an honor to meet a man who create such a beautiful core. My name is Eirian and this is Bill Henry Smit." 

“Hello sir." 

“Bernays told me about teaching you" Aven speaks with tired and irritating eye “It's was not within our agreement but since Bernays is being very persistent" Aven turn to Bernays who is giving a big shameless smile. 

“I'll teach you today one lesson and will come back later when I have time. Come I don't have time to waste—and you two—leave now. I won't be responsible if anything happens" 

“Someone in a good mood today" said Bernays as he pulls Bill out. Bill wave goodbye to Eirian as he left the room. 

“Make a core" Aven ordered. 

“Eh I never made one before. I can only refill one." 

Aven looks even more irritated somehow “How old are you. Who is your parent to not teach this simple magic." 

Eirian is now irritated. He won't let someone insult his aunt like that “I'm a war orphan. Miss Hellen and aunt Euri found me hidden under a wreckage of a camp that was wiped out by the wolf. I don't know who my parent is but aunt Euri been taking care of me since I remember. Don't you dare insult her" 

Aven doesn't replied but the chance in his expression told Eirian he knew Hellen and Euri. He then simply flicks his hand and quicksilver float up and form into a sphere as it lands on Aven hand, a fully functional core. 

“Euri huh I guess she was always too soft, without Hellen she would have die long ago I'm surprise she survive the great cleansing." 

Eirian doesn't like how Aven talks about his aunt but that transformation was in an instant and a core that was made is also overfill with magic. 

'I can't even fill a core on my own in ten hours. Is that even possible?' 

“Hold your hand out" 

Eirian obeys without question. 

Aven pours a tube of mercury on Eirian hand without caring, some of it drip down on the floor, “feel it and control it like when you move water. The material is different but if you are any good of an Amiel you would be able to feel it." 

Eirian tries to focus on his hand. Unfortunately, just like when he tries to feel blood Eirian can't sense this silver liquid on his hand. 

'I won't lose to a guy who insults aunt Euri' Eirian on his other hand picks his MAM up and activates it with a glyph Bill gives him. With mind glyph Eirian can start to feel this liquid on his hand and order it to form into a sphere but he unable to turn it into a solid core. 

“Amiel using MAM ha! You really have no shame." Aven taunt but he moves his hand to turn a liquid sphere in Eirian hand into a solid core and with it Eirian understands a method of making a core. 

Without waiting for Aven Eirian extend his hand out to another tube of mercury on the table. The silver fluid float and slowly twirling onto itself until it become a solid core. 

“You learn that from sensing how I did it once? You might not be so hopeless after all although it barely has any magic in it." Aven picks a core up to inspect and starts to gather a magic to fill in. 

From Eirian point of view the core starts to glow and immediately crack and shatter into dust. 

“What happen?" 

“Your protection seal suck that what happen" 

“...how can I improve." 

Wits Eirian respond Aven seem to be less irritate and more amuse “Practice for one and other is change your mindset toward magic." 

“My mindset?" 

Aven point to the MAM in his hand “why do you think we Amiel can control magic and use it to do anything while other race can only shift and manipulate their main element and human can't use it at all." 

“Because Astra and Lucena give us their power?" 

“Astra and Lucena was a human before too. What is different about them than other human?" 

Eirian tries think but can't find an answer. 

“It's the will. The will to control. Astra and Lucena have a strong will that made the star and its magic react. Through their will the people of Amiel become strong while other races are inferior to us so they can't control magic." 

“I don't think just because we are closer to the Eternal one we can look down on other races like that." 

“We can and we must. Now that other races control most of the world if the people of Amiel want to survive they need to make plan and prepare themself." Aven speaks of his people's future but somehow Eirian feels that Aven could care less what would happens to Elswyth “Eirian what are you doing here not being with your people. What could this school teach you better than our own people? Hellen is not the only great warrior our people have." 

“I..." Eirian tries to remember his answer he usually gives “I'm here to follow princess Alana dream. To help all races work together in unity. The war took my parent. I don't want to see it happen again." 

 “Then you are a fool. Human are greedy and vile creature and so are the rest of them animal. I saw their true nature in the war and I won't make the same mistake again." 

“You are working with crow right now" Eirian wants to shout louder but try to control himself. 

“Temporary necessity, when I'm done I'll leave this place and you should do the same now." 

“Princess Alana and both her parent support the peace. What would Astra and Lucena think of you now." 

Bam! In an instant Aven shoots a core that he made past Eirian face. A blood flow out from a small cut on his cheek. 

“Don't you dare speak their name in front of me." Eirian felt truly scare for the first time in his life. How could an Amiel be so full of such hatred? He never thought his peaceful people who live among nature far from other races could ever be vicious or cruel. 

“Unlike you I know them. And I know..." Aven turns silent before smile and change the subject “Do you really want to work here for this city when there seems to be something going on? Look at all the bombing and power that this city keeps amasses. For a city that stands for peace most of the deadliest weapon ever created like gun and MAM are made or pass through here. They might not have the large number of troops but their small army is said to be one of the most elite equip with all the best gun, powerful MAM and all new toy that the public don't even know about. Did you even heard about the graffiti at the last bombing site?" 

“There was a written graffiti?" 

“Yes, they are quite good at cover up aren't they." 

Eirian hesitates before asking “What did the graffiti say?" 

“That this city is a lie."