Moments before that happened Novus was trying to gather his resolve, he needed to go and talk to somebody, but he was getting pushed down by the whole situation.
He had been keeping himself together out of pure bluster and an unhealthy dose of anger after finding out his family and friends lied to him, but right now all of that had been chipped away by the scare he got by using the Chain and confronting Sema.
As much as he liked calling people out for being bastards, he wasn’t one for confrontation.
That even reflected on his Arcane Sciences strengths and weaknesses, as he was much more confident with the theory than the practice and he mostly got himself a quick trip to the infirmary every time he ended up participating in any mock battle or arcane sparring with other students.
Novus, still attempting, fruitlessly, to be swallowed by a wall, noticed that two Ensis were talking and looking towards him.
His brain went haywire thinking about many possible scenarios. Maybe this whole thing was an elaborate prank meant to get him arrested, or maybe he was acting suspicious and they were going to kick him out.
-Mes Igneus?- Callis asked as he stopped around a dozen Eiru away from Novus.
-Yes?- Novus was quite confused. He read books that used “Mes” as an honorary title for individuals, but this was the first time he heard it in real life apart from plays written during Imperial times. -I’m Novus Igneus.-
-Perfect, allow me to introduce myself Mes Igneus.- Callis replied while taking a martial salute stance. -I am Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene, of the Liovetus Family.- Without losing his stance the Half-Blooded Ensis pulled out the scroll given to him by his cousin and extended it to Novus alongside the pin used by workers of the Royal Castle.
-By order of the Magnus Chalearii, leader of the 4 orders of Ensis and Septen Eres, Mes Conatus Canes, I will serve as your guide and bodyguard during the period you serve as the assistant to the Magnum Paeoniis, Berula Medela.-
-Wait… the Magnus Chalearri did what?- Novus was still a bit confused and didn’t pick the scroll and pins, his arms hanging beside his body, matching how his jaw was currently hanging.
Callis didn’t wait for him to do so and continued. -As stated by the laws of the land you will be given a temporary rank as a Merces Ensis, Lowborn Nobility.-
-Merces En… wait, wait, wait…- Novus raised both hands, the sheer shock snapping him out of his funk. -You’re saying that the Prime Minister took the time and resources to get me a personal bodyguard? Why?-
-I do not question orders, Mes Igneus, I just follow them.- Callis replied, his arm still extended with the scroll and the pin, not moving an inch or even trembling on the least.
-I was given the order to be your bodyguard during your stay in the Royal Castle and I will perform that duty at the best of my abilities.-
Novus, incapable of talking, just looked intensely at Callis, still not believing the whole situation. Plus in the back of his mind, he could remember the name Callis Nomene, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
-Please, take the scroll. It includes instructions for your lodging and a date and time for a meeting with the Magnus Chalearii.- Callis added, still not moving an inch, his arm extended straight as an arrow with his palm open, holding in his gloved hand the rolled scroll and the silver pin shaped like a Latrorex, a large predatory bird native to the Western Coast and the Harisse Sea.
The Young Arcanist, still trying to make heads or tails of the whole situation, decided that the best course of action was to grab the items.
He was starting to get a bit perturbed by Callis’ unnatural rigidity. Novus could swear that the man in front of him didn’t blink since he started talking. -Thank you, Callis, was it?-
-Yes, Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene, of the Liovetus Family.- Callis replied, still keeping his tight stance, now with both hands behind his back, crossed over his waist.
Novus was finally growing calmer. He wasn’t the best under pressure, but if he had something to focus on, he could more or less handle it, and right now he had two big enigmas his brain could work on instead of creating negative scenarios.
First, he wanted to know why one of the most powerful men in all of Via wanted to meet him and placed a Royal Ensis of all people as his personal bodyguard.
As he read over the scroll he also considered the second mystery. He had met other Ensis before, in fact, the Royal Academy had a couple of Ensis teaching the more practical sides and none of them seemed as straight-laced, or even archaic as Callis.
The way he talked and moved seemed more out of character from an old book than a real person.
-I see.- He said while reading the scroll. -So my lodgings are on the third tower, below the Paeoniis lab?- He asked.
-Yes, below the Magnus Paeoniis laboratory and residence.- Callis replied and then added. -It has been the historical residence of all Magnus Paeoniis since the first one selected by Rex Primo I created the Royal Laboratory there.-
Callis stopped for a second and Novus thought he could talk, but before he could utter a single word the Half-Blooded Ensis proceeded with what seemed to be a whole book of history memorized word by word. -But at that time it was known as the Royal Dispensary, rather than the Royal Laboratory and the name didn’t change unti-
-Sorry, I don’t mind the history lesson, but could you guide me towards it?- Novus barely knew Callis, but he had the feeling that if unchecked the Ensis would’ve told him the whole history of the Third Tower and the full lineage of Royal Paeoniis.
-I had a really long morning and I would really love to get my things to my room.- He waved the scroll. -I need to get ready to have a meeting with one of the most powerful and influential individuals in the whole Kingdom.-
Callis nodded. -You are right, allow me to carry your luggage.- The Half-Blooded Ensis picked up the large chest Novus was almost dragging with ease.
-Wait, you don’t need to do that, I might be an Arcanist, but I’m a lowborn.- Novus, even knowing that the Noblemen couldn’t actually force Lowborn into their service without reason or payment was a bit scared of being seen helped by a Highborn.
-That’s not an issue anymore.- Callis replied, his stern expression softening just a bit. -As I said earlier, through the authority of the Magnus Chalearii, leader of the 4 orders of Ensis and Septen Eres, Mes Conatus Canes you were given a temporary position as a Merces Ensis, so inside the Royal Palace you will be treated as any other member of Nobility, according to the law.-
-That actually sounds like a nice change of pace.- Novus commented in a whisper remembering all the troubles he had back in the Royal Academy.
-Please follow me.- Callis asked Novus as he started walking towards one of the side doors of the Royal Castle. The Young Arcanist followed him, looking around like a tourist visiting a point of cultural interest.
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