The Beginning After The End (New Heights Book 2)

The Beginning After The End

Volume II. New Heights

By TurtleMe

Table Of Contents

Chapter 22:
 
Royalty

Chapter 23:
 
Auction

Chapter 24:
 
Aftermath

Chapter 25:
 
Partners In Crime

Chapter 26:
 
Worth Fighting For

Chapter 27:
 
Examination

Chapter 28:
 
Changes In
Dicathen

Chapter 29:
 
Sword and Body

Chapter 30:
 
Last Leg

Chapter 31: Dire Tombs

Chapter 32:
 
Dire Tombs II

Chapter 33:
 
Dire Tombs III

Chapter 34:
 
Rash Actions and
Limits

Chapter 35:
 
Precautions

Chapter 36:
 
A Son, Brother,
and Friend

Chapter 37:
 
In the Meantime

Chapter 38:
 
Introspection

Chapter 39:
 
New Winds

Chapter 40:
 
I’m Not That Nice

Chapter 41:
 
A Ball

Chapter 42:
 
A Ball II

REYNOLDS
LEYWIN’S POV:

I’m sipping
on a cup of coffee and almost burn my tongue.  We’ve been discussing some
business plans on the Helstea Auction house and how we’re currently on the
topic of restructuring the guard teams.  We recently managed to recruit a
couple of long range Augmenters, which make an extremely powerful addition to
the security.  Most Augmenters choose to go the melee route and it makes
sense since it is a lot easier, but ranged Augmenters like archers and
crossbowmen are much more useful in a defensive setting.  Vince asked me
if we needed some Conjurers for the upcoming event.

“Hmmm…I know
how beneficial it’d be to have Conjurers that could set up barriers and help
support the Augmenters, but, I’m against it.”  I take another sip of my
coffee.

“You mind
elaborating?  You just said how helpful it’d be to have them.”  Vince
just gives me a quizzical look.

Putting down
my cup, I reply, “If we’re just talking about just firepower, I’d be all for it
but you know it’s not as simple as that, Vince.  It’ll affect team moral
having a couple of Conjurers in a team of Augmenters.  You know yourself
how snobby most Conjurers are.  I swear they think they’re angels
incarnate and find Augmenters barbarians for using their hands to fight.
 Even if we do manage to find a couple that aren’t so bad in personality,
the team would start thinking we’re hiring Conjurers because I don’t trust
them.”

I see Vince
just look down, focusing on a stained smudge on the table while thinking.
 “You have a point.  We’ll go with what you say but we need to be
absolutely sure the 10th Anniversary Helstea Auction goes well.  Even the
Royal Family will be there this time.  We can’t let any commotions get too
big.”

I just nod
in agreement.

“Oh right!
We need to take your son with us to the 10th Anniversary Auction.  He said
he wanted a sword right? I didn’t know you taught him how to use the sword, I
always thought you focused just on the Infighting style with your gauntlets.”

“Sigh.
 I never taught him how to use the sword Vince.  He knew how to use
the sword pretty well since he was four years old.”  I just shake my head.

“You can’t
be serious right?  Lilia was still scared to go down the stairs by herself
when she was four.”  A bewildered Vince sputters.

I continue,
“He apparently learned by watching me train and reading books on swords.
 Vince, that’s not even the part I care about.  It’s when we spar
though.  His gaze when we practice, his reactions and fighting style.
 I don’t feel like I’m sparring with my 8-year-old son.  It feels
like I’m fighting a veteran sword master.  The only reason I can handle
him right now is because his body is still immature but the way he reacts to my
moves…it’s only something that only comes with decades of experience in
life-or-death fighting.”

“Mmm…I can’t
say I don’t know what you’re talking about.  I sometimes find myself
wondering if your son is actually only 8 years old.  Are you scared of him
Rey?” He asks seriously.

“No.
 That’s one thing I’ve become more and more sure of.  No matter what,
he’s still my son.  I know he cares deeply about his family too and that’s
all I could ask for as his father.”

ARTHUR
LEYWIN’S POV:

During these
past two months, it was evident that there was some progress in Lilia’s and my
sister’s mana manipulation.  I don’t need to infuse my mana into them
anymore so they can train by themselves now.  Of course, it’ll still take
a couple of years for them to form a mana core, especially Ellie and her short
attention span, but I did drill it into the both of them how important it is to
keep their training a secret.

I didn’t
need to remind my parents and the Helstea parents that keeping this a secret was
important but I could tell that all four of them were excited for the day Lilia
and Ellie would awaken.

Sylvie has
been sleeping a lot more these past two months but there were changes that
happened to her.  For one, her intelligence was rapidly rising.  Her
thoughts to me are more complicated and contain hints of mixed feelings.
 In just a few short months after she was born, it feels like she’s gained
years of emotional intelligence.  One major changed happen recently.

She learned
how to transform.

Okay, it
wasn’t really something as drastic as transformation, but she was able to
manipulate her body a little.  I feel like it happened so suddenly.
 I was pondering how to hide her appearance in the days to come when she
gets bigger.  She was next to me when she suddenly excitedly goes ‘papa
look’ and retracts her red spikes while her horns got smaller.  That was a
mind-blowing surprise.  Now, most of the time, Sylvie just keeps her
spikes and horns retracted which makes her look like a cute scaled fox with
little horns.

Throughout
this time, both Vincent and Tabitha insisted on giving me more gifts. Even if I
couldn’t get the cloak or mask, I was planning on training Lilia.  After
all, she’s part of the family that helped my family so as far as I was concerned,
there was nothing to lose in helping them.  After numerous refusals, we
finally settled on something they could get me.

A sword.

My body was
finally big enough to handle a small sword.  It wouldn’t be bigger than an
adult sized dagger but it finally allowed me to train my swordsmanship with
something other than a wooden stick.  We decided to make it a family event
and have both my family and Vincent’s family go visit the 10th Anniversary
Helstea Auction.

Waiting in
the living room downstairs for my father and Vince to get ready, I hear an
obnoxious knock from the front door.

Sheesh,
knocking a couple times is plenty.

I shout that
I’ll get it since I’m close by anyway. No need to trouble the maids when I’m
right next to door.

“Who is…?
OOF!”

I’m hit with
the nostalgic sensation of getting smothered by something that feels like
pillows.  A classic way of assassination but shouldn’t it be used while
I’m sleeping?

“Oh my
goodness! You were alive! Look how big you’ve gotten! Uuu I’m so sorry Art! I
wasn’t able to protect you! I’m so glad!”

“Mmfph!
Mmmfph!”

“Angela, I
don’t think he can breathe…” I hear a comforting voice.

“Eep!
S-sorry!”  Angela squeals.

Peeling my
face away, I smile “It’s so good seeing you guys again!”

I start
tearing up.  Don’t misunderstand… These are tears from almost suffocating
to death.

My guardian
angel Durden pats my head and I see a tear forming in his narrow eyes.

Adam smacks
me on the butt.  “Little brat! You know how devastated everyone was
because of what happened? It’s good to see you again Hehe.”

“You’ve
gotten better looking Arthur.” I see the charismatic Helen Shard with her
signature bow strapped to her back squat down in front of me.  She lightly
pinches my cheek and gives me a smile that I swear could make even the ladies
blush.

Suddenly,
I’m embraced again but this time, I was thoroughly surprised.

*Sniff*

It was
Jasmine.  That cold, aloof Jasmine! She doesn’t say anything, just keeping
me in her arms and letting out soft sniffles.

I can’t
resist the urge to pet her head to comfort her when she suddenly peels herself
away from me, her face bright red.  She quickly stands back up and turns
her body away from me.

At this
time, Sylvie wakes up from her nap on the couch and trots towards me.

“WOAH! What
is that?”  I hear Adam exclaim.  The rest of the Twin Horns have the
same expression of surprise and even Jasmine turns back to look at the cute
mana beast.

“Her name is
Sylvie and she’s my contracted beast.” I say while Sylvie hops on my head.

“Holy crap!
You already have a contracted beast
?!
Do you know how
valuable it is to have a Bond? Oh man, I’ve been trying to look for a beast to
tame these past few years but with no luck.  The ones that they sell are
way too expensive too! Gaah!! Lucky brat!”  Adam is practically pulling
his hair out in jealousy.

Bonds, or
Contracted Beast for the official term, are highly sought after by both types
of mages.  It is a bit more advantageous for Conjurers since the Bond can
protect their master while he’s preparing a spell, but it’s also very useful
for Augmenters as well.

“What’s with
all the commotion down…
Ah!
You guys are here!” My
father, wearing his uniform, jumps down the flight of stairs and rushes toward
his ex party members.

He gives all
of them a hug before my mother and sister comes down as well.

“Everyone!
Uu… So good seeing you guys again!”  My mother exclaims.  The girls
all throw themselves at my mother and start drooling over my baby sister, both
of who are dressed very nicely for the event.  My parents haven’t seen the
Twin Horns for almost as long as me so everyone is just as excited.

“Oh my
goodness! Alice, Ellie looks just like you! She’s going to grow up to be so
pretty!” “…Cute” “Rey is going to have his hands full soon with potential candidates
kukuku.  Can you tell me how old you are?”  “Four!”

The girls
were a jumble of excitement and estrogen as they ogled at Ellie.

Vincent came
down soon after with Tabitha and Lilia.  The mother and father duo were
matching in a black suit and black dress while Lilia was sporting a flowery
dress under a warm cloak.  After everyone introduced each other, it was
decided that the Twin Horns would come with us to the Helstea Auction house for
the 10th Anniversary event.  On the way there, I filled them in on what
happened after the fall.  My dad filled them in on the basics in his
letter but they were dying to know the details.  They were quite shocked
when they learned I was in the Kingdom of Elenoir for over 4 years.

The ride was
pretty short so I couldn’t finish telling them everything before we got off.

Vincent sure
put in a lot of work.  The Helstea Auction house was breathtaking.
 I’ve been to many national and historical monuments that were created by
the most famous architects but this was on a different level.  I suspected
that they had a lot of help from Conjurers because of how big it was.  The
Auction House looked like a magnificent theatre with intricate designs all
over.  The main doors were over 4 meters in height and were made from
petrified wood.  Compared to the naturalistic and elegant designs that I
saw in the Elf Kingdom, this was more complicated and grandeur.  It was in
the shape of a half cylinder with detailed stone sculptures of different
weapons as supports.

We arrived
early so only the workers and guards were there, preparing for the event.
 The inside was equally, if not more stunning.  The front door opened
to a path that lead to a stage all the way on the other side.  To our left
and right, there were rows of escalating seats made from high quality purple
leather.  This place could easily house over ten thousand people.
 Upon looking up, I noticed that there were incased booths at the very top
of the rows of seats and even further higher, there was room attached to the
ceiling and back wall with glass surrounding it giving a clear view to the
stage.  I guess those booths and that room is for the VIP.

Turns out,
that VIP room on the ceiling was the room we’d be staying at.  Father and
the Twin Horns separated from us first to coordinate with his guards.  The
Twin Horns decided to help my father and the guards to prepare for any unwanted
commotions or outbreaks.  Vincent separated from us next, shouting some
orders at the workers and preparing to greet some of the more important guests

Tabitha led
us to the viewing room that was intricately designed and furnished.  There
was a wine rack and a few couches and tables with closer seats by the window.
 I made myself comfortable on a seat right in front of the window.

It was
getting pretty loud, as there were crowds of people who were no doubt people of
some sort of influence, filling the lower seats.  There were a couple
groups that seemed distinguished from the rest that were personally escorted by
the workers to their booths.  I guess they were some of the more affluent
nobles in the Kingdom.