ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 182 AN OLD FRIEND

Castaneda's expression suddenly softened slightly as he stood up from his meditative pose and took in the hazy figure before him, the shadows shifting just enough to reveal familiar features beneath the veil—a wiry man with keen, piercing eyes and a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. The figure gave a scoff, crossing his arms as he looked Castaneda over.

"Marel," Castaneda murmured, a hint of surprise crossing his otherwise composed face.

"Surprised it's me?" Marel replied with a raised brow, his voice losing its edge as he spoke in a familiar tone. "I'd be surprised too, considering how many times I've called for you over the years. Thought you might finally come by. Just once." His words held a mix of disappointment and an old camaraderie that had been left to linger too long.

A shadow of guilt flickered in Castaneda's gaze, though his calm tone remained. "I never forgot, Marel. Duty—well, it can be a binding thing."

Marel gave a small, dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Duty. Of course, it's always duty with you. But I didn't come to discuss old excuses." He paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Castaneda. "You owe me one visit, Castaneda. Just a simple promise. And it's been years."

The chancellor was silent, feeling the weight of the words. It was true that Marel had once asked him to come to his dwelling, a place secluded deep within the forests where secrets of old magic thrived. Castaneda had made the promise, thinking it would be a brief detour in his life's work. But time had slipped by in the tides of responsibility, and Marel's request had become another forgotten relic of his past.

Finally, Castaneda inclined his head. "You're right. A promise delayed is a debt unpaid. I should have visited."

Marel's smirk softened, his eyes holding a strange, almost knowing glint. "Then let's not leave it any longer. You'll come, yes? I'm not getting any younger."

A faint smile ghosted across Castaneda's lips, rare and nostalgic. "Consider it done."

And right after, Marel tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the horizon beyond the temple walls. "I can sense something... off. A dark presence lurking just outside your precious academy grounds. What are you waiting for, Castaneda?"

The chancellor closed his eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath before replying. "That's precisely why I'm meditating here, Marel. This presence—it's cunning. Moving in subtle waves, waiting for a sign of vulnerability. I can't afford to leave this to chance."

A gleam of eagerness flashed in Marel's eyes. "So let's go knock some respect into it." He crossed his arms, giving Castaneda a look that was part challenge, part invitation. "Just like old times."

Castaneda raised an eyebrow, knowing Marel's penchant for direct action and his skill in dealing with troublesome threats. Still, he felt a tug of reluctance, bound by his usual patience and strategy. "Marel... I'm no longer as free-spirited as I was back then. There's protocol, and—"

Finally, as the last remnants of darkness dissolved, the elders staggered, weakened and defeated. Castaneda stepped forward, his voice calm but resonant. "The Dragonyx may have once held sway in the shadows, but your time has passed."

With a final, decisive sweep of his hand, Castaneda's wind swirled around the elders, consuming them in a storm that dissolved their forms into the air. Marel watched with a satisfied smile, his eyes glinting with fierce pride.

When the wind settled and silence fell, Marel clapped a hand on Castaneda's shoulder. "Just like old times, eh?"

Castaneda, breathing calmly, allowed himself a faint smile. "Yes, Marel. Just like old times."

As the air grew still in the aftermath of their battle, Marel turned to Castaneda, an intrigued expression crossing his face. "But tell me," he said, his tone sharp, "why would anyone from the tyrannical Dragonyx family come all the way here, skulking around in the shadows just to mess with you?"

Castaneda's gaze drifted into the distance, his face contemplative. "It's not me they were after, not directly." He paused, letting the tension settle. "The Blade of Eternity... it's been found—and it now has a new master."

Marel's eyes widened, a flicker of shock breaking through his composed demeanor. "The Blade of Eternity?" he repeated, his voice low with awe. "It's truly resurfaced? And what's more, it's chosen a master?" He gave a slight shake of his head, trying to comprehend. "Who could be formidable enough to earn the acknowledgment of such a legendary weapon?"

A proud smile played on Castaneda's face, and a glint of pride shone in his eyes. "It's none other than a student of my Academy," he said, his voice resonant. "His name is Kaelen."

"Kaelen..." Marel echoed, clearly still processing the information. He raised an eyebrow, a spark of curiosity flashing in his gaze. "You mean to tell me that some young student managed to achieve what countless warriors and mages have dreamed of for centuries?"

Castaneda nodded, his smile widening. "Indeed. Kaelen is no ordinary student. He possesses a determination and resilience beyond his years, as well as an intuition for magic that borders on prodigious. The Blade of Eternity itself saw this in him."

Marel looked away, a chuckle escaping him as he absorbed the weight of Castaneda's words. "You've always been lucky, Castaneda, drawing in these rare talents. But this... this is beyond luck." He gave Castaneda a sidelong glance, admiration clear in his gaze. "How is it that you always find yourself at the heart of legends?"

"Perhaps it's simply destiny," Castaneda replied with a light shrug, though a flicker of concern lingered in his eyes. "But that destiny comes at a price. The Dragonyx family and others will not stop. They will come for him—and for the blade. But Kaelen is strong, and with proper guidance, he may become the kind of legend even they dare not challenge."

Marel placed a reassuring hand on Castaneda's shoulder. "Then let us ensure he has every chance to become that legend."