Foreboding Storm - Chapter 115

Crown Prince Lail and Princess Qamari, completely in the dark about each other’s true identity, mulled over the mystery of how the other’s name continued the beginning characters of their own.

‘Laila. Just one letter difference.’ He thought in wonder.

‘Qaliq. Qamari. How strange.’ She thought in confusion.

Both stuck in their own thoughts, the two’s figures flashed into the distance as they raced towards Bansi village.

*

At this moment, in a shop in the Bansi Village, a crowd of well-dressed males and females sat together in groups and chatted animatedly.

“Everyone is already gathered here. What are we waiting for? When are we going to the Forbidden Zone?”

“No one can enter the Forbidden Zone during the day. The magical spells strengthen themselves under the stimulation of the light. Moreover, the black shield only weakens at night.”

“So, does this mean we are going to sit here until nightfall?”

“That’s exactly what it means.”

“Well, I guess we can use this time to get to know each other a little better.”

The males were impatient to get started on the mission. But having no other option other than to wait, they chatted about their elemental training. The females, on the other hand, were more interested in the academic environments of their fellow magicians.

“Is the Sealand Academy very competitive?”

“No, aside from the missions that are a requirement to upgrade one’s status, it is not that competitive.”

“Oh, how fortunate you are! Our Mistland Academy is a land of competition. It was barely tolerable with Senior Murong lording her talent over us. But with the appearance of our new admit, Brother Lail, the atmosphere became even more suffocating.”

“Brother Lail? Is he a new student that joined this year?”

“Oh, no! Brother Lail didn’t join this year. He only joined six months ago. Because of his special status, he got directly admitted into the academy without going through the selection process.”

“A special status? One that can even bypass the selection process? What sort of status is that special?”

“Heh…you don’t know. Brother Lail’s status isn’t anything ordinary. He is a descendant of the Mistland Academy’s Founder, Master of elemental magic-wielding.”

“No way! The Mistland Academy’s Founder is the Founder of all the Seven Academies! You’re telling me that a descendant of the Founder got admitted to the Mistland Academy?”

“That’s not even the end of the Matter. Not only does Brother Lail possess an excelled status, but he is also very handsome. He is more talented than all of the academy elders combined! Among the students, there is an unspoken belief that his magic level might be at purple level.”

“Purple-level magic talent!? Who are you trying to fool?” The Sealand Academy student could not believe the ridiculous notion of a purple-level talent and scoffed in disdain. After all, the elemental magic in the realms was no longer at the same level as the time of man and beast.

So how could a purple-level talent appear in such an environment?

“Purple-level talent? Who is a purple-level talent?”

“A purple-level talent? Do you see us as fools with no brains?”

“If you are trying to deceive, why don’t you find a more believable lie? A purple-level talent…even brainless fools will not believe in such a blatant, obvious lie.”

“Hahaha…purple-level…how outrageous!”

The surrounding apprentices from the other academies laughed in ridicule as they mocked the Mistland academy apprentice that brought up the topic.

“She isn’t lying. There really is such an individual admitted into our Mistland Academy. In fact, because of his status as the Founder’s descendant, he didn’t go through the selection process. He was only admitted six months ago and already takes on missions that only seniors and those close to graduation have the ability to complete.” The speaker was a white-robed third year from the Mistland Academy.

“That’s Wu Lin, the leader of the Mistland Academy’s apprentices.”

“He is a third-year, isn’t he? Why would a third-year student support the lie of his junior?”

“Maybe…she is not lying?”

“How is that possible? If she isn’t lying, then are you saying that a purple-level talent has really appeared in the seven realms?”

“Hahaha…A tale of an ancient dragon living in a city of humans is more believable.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Wu Lin, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that your Mistland Academy really has a student with purple-level talent? Do you think that is believable?” The leader from the Nar realm’s Blazing Academy sneered.

“Whether you believe it or not is up to you. However, my junior wasn’t lying when she said that.” Wu Lin indifferently replied and turned, ignoring the fuming male.

“Hmph! Don’t pay any heed to what he says. Its all just a bunch of lies to garner everyone’s attention!” The apprentice snorted and went back to discussing with his companions.

As the clash between the two leaders started abruptly and ended just as abruptly, no one knew what the do. The second and first-year apprentices exchanged glances and leaned their heads together to continue their conversation.

“Su Rui, tell us the truth. Is there really such a magician in your Mistland Academy?” The Sealand Academy girl asked with a serious expression.

Her earlier disdain and disbelief could no longer be found on her face, vanquished by the calm and composed manner in which the third year of the Mistland Academy affirmed.

“A purple-level magician?” She emphasized again.

Su Rui’s eyes turned distant as a forlorn emotion appeared in their depths. The scene of the man firmly and unwaveringly refusing Murong Ling’s absolute devotion and complete submission reappeared in her mind. That man, how could she ever forget him?

With a frustrated sigh, she nodded.

“Seriously!? There is really a purple-level magician in your Academy?” The Sealand Academy student shrieked, her eyes widening incredulously.

“Yes, there is. Not only is he a purple-level talent, but he is also the Founder’s descendant.”

“This…you said that he is also handsome?”

A faint smile graced her lips as she heard the hesitant question. Raising a brow in pleasure, she gave an understanding look to the girl.

“Yes, Luan, he is handsome. But if you decide to chase him, I will warn you in advance to be prepared for a painful heartbreak. The man is married. He is happily and devotedly married.” She ended with a painful smile.

But Luan was too caught up in the following words to notice the strange expression of the girl sitting before her.

“He is married!? Isn’t he only a student? How can he already be married? Who is the tramp!?” She asked in displeasure, the fierce flames raging in her eyes making it seem as if she was a wife whose husband had been stolen.

“Even if I tell you her name, what can you do?” Su Rui asked in curiosity.

Her friend from her hometown hadn’t even met Brother Lail, and yet she was screaming for his wife’s name.

“I would like to know who the tramp is. She was able to ensnare and marry such a fine specimen, so her appearance must be outstanding.”

Su Rui’s eyes immediately filled with tears when she heard the words. Looking aside, she secretly chanted a spell and cleared her eyes. Her heart still hurt as painfully as if it happened yesterday.

The ache was so deep that she found it difficult to stay within the academy and took on the Magical Kilin Mission. She thought that once she left the academy and got her mind occupied with other matters, the pain would gradually dull and fade away on its own.

However, what happened was exactly the opposite of what she planned. Everywhere she turned, her eyes sought his silhouette. Everything she heard, her ears sought his voice, and everyone she met, her mind overlapped them with his appearance.

Instead of dulling and fading away, the longing desire in her heart grew and expanded like a prairie fire gaining fuel.

“Oh? But that might not be the case.” She dully replied.

“What do you mean? Are you saying that his wife has an ordinary appearance or that she isn’t that good-looking? Which one is it?”

At this, many eavesdropping females looked expectantly at Su Rui. Even though they hadn’t joined the conversation of the two, since they were females, they were naturally interested in the new admit of the Mistland Academy that was a purple-level talent.

Who knows, they might encounter him on a mission one day and become a magical pair with him…

“Neither. The thing is, Brother Lail himself doesn’t know what his wife looks like.”

“Huh?”

The answer wasn’t the one they were anticipating, stumping them for an instant as they blankly stared at Su Rui.

“Su Rui, what did you say? I don’t think that I heard you right.” Luan frowned at Su Rui, wondering what the girl was playing at.

How was it possible for a husband to not know what his own wife looked like?

In the same dull tone, Su Rui repeated her words.

“I said, Brother Lail does not know what his wife looks like.”

“Impossible! How can he marry a person whose appearance he hasn’t even seen? How can he?”

“That’s what every female in our academy wants to know. He married a woman whose face was covered with a veil. A woman who didn’t even have the courage to show her face on her wedding day.” This fact painfully stabbed her heart and filled her with endless regret.

If only she had met him first…

A woman who was covered in a veil married the man she loved most. A woman whose very appearance was a mystery. But most heart-wrenching was the fact that the man didn’t care about her appearance.

He clearly and explicitly said that he loved her for her character, self-esteem, self-respect, cold front, kind heart, and fearless and majestic nature. He loved her for who she was and not what she looked like.

That woman was a beloved of the heavens since they blessed her with such a man. Now, even if she was ugly, her husband would still love and treasure her. He wouldn’t abandon her for not being beautiful or enchanting enough.

‘If I had met him first, he would’ve probably loved me as deeply and devotedly as he loves her. After all, he is above shallow and superficial beauty.’

“My heavens, Su Rui! Did he seriously marry a woman whose appearance he hasn’t even seen yet? How is that possible? Is that even possible?”

Su Rui did not say anything. She had nothing to say.

The matter of the fact, as unbelievable and unacceptable as it was to many, was that the most outstanding magician in the Mistland Academy, and even the Seven Academies, married a woman whose face he hasn’t seen to this day.

“Now I really have to know who this woman is. Su Rui, tell me! What is the name of this outrageously fortunate woman!?” Luan got out of her seat and moved to Su Rui’s side, her fierce eyes brooking no room for refusal.

‘Sigh, what does it matter? It’s only a name. Saying it won’t change what has already happened.’

“Alright, I will tell you. The name of Brother Lail’s mysterious wife is Princess Qamari.” She nonchalantly said and looked in the direction of the Amayan Realm.

‘Brother Lail, how are you doing in the academy?’

In her reverie, she failed to hear the whisper of the girl standing beside her.

“Princess Qamari? Why does this name sound familiar? I feel like I have heard it before.”

“Princess Qamari!? How can it be her!?” Another Sealand Academy student, sitting among the group of eavesdropping females gasped in astonishment and exclaimed with wide eyes.

“No way! How can she be the wife of a purple-level magician? No, this won’t do! I need to immediately return to the Sealand Academy and inform Aarya Quime about this shocking news. The Magical Kilin Mission was never my motive for tagging along, anyways.” Standing up, she hurriedly walked out of the shop and shot into the distance.

Her yellow robes and black hair fluttered noiselessly behind her as she raced towards the nearest portal to the Laining City and then to the Sealand Academy.

This individual was Marui Osklain, who had joined the Magical Kilin Mission squad with the sole purpose of killing Princess Qamari.