The Hidden Realm

Chapter 28 – CAPITAL CITY

EARLY in the morning, Eleand made his daily stretching after he woke up. He had not seen Enkille these days, and other faeries were looking out for him to serve his meals. Surprisingly, he found Enkille’s absence a little uncomforting since even though he loved his alone time. The current situation was understandable since everyone was busy as usual. And this time, he was thankful that no one could reprimand him once he sneaked out along with Althy and Rade.

The cousins reminded him not to wear winter clothing so they wouldn’t catch much attention when they arrived in Argia. He chose the simple gray tunic accented with silver, paired with black pants and leather boots. He wore a cloak without hesitation since he was used to it, as regular clothing in this world. He picked the crimson-colored with a silver brooch.

Eleand immediately found Althy and Rade outside his room. Both were smiling playfully. They were both dashing in their white tunic and blue cloak. At least he wouldn’t look messy beside them. Their height was almost the same—and he stood six feet and two inches. All of them were lean-built. Despite being a human, he was confident that his physical attributes were not left behind.

Eleand proved that the attractive appeal of the cousins caught a lot of attention from the female faeries around the temple. They would gape in awe as they see them, and his two companions seemed to enjoy the flirty interest from the ladies.

They immediately went to the training ground, and from there, they used the transportation magic to be in Argia. Althy and Rade took turns in using the Vanire to prevent them from draining their energy. Because once they consumed all their mana, they could not go back to Velidia as planned. They disappeared six times before the Capital City materialized before his eyes.

“Is this real?” His eyes beamed in amazement when he looked at the massive structures around him. It was indeed a city! But unlike the place he had visited before or even here in Erganiv, it was like he was inside of a sci-fi movie because everything around him was futuristic. From the structures and to the vehicles around.

There were flying objects—cars, planes, and the subway! It seemed that the faeries living here didn’t use their wings that much. The city resembled the mortal world somehow, but the people around were different. Their pointed ears were prominent, even their innovative fashion style.

“How is this even possible?” He shook his head. He felt like a kid admiring every corner of this place.

“Magic,” Rade simply said.

They walked in the easement, and there was a fountain a few meters away. He witnessed female faeries seated on the side and playing on a hologram in their hands.

A moment later, his eyes widened in shock as he saw a familiar car ran from his sight. Those were famous sports cars in his world, a red Ferrari, a blue Lamborghini, and a gray BMW.

“What the heck! Those cars are from the mortal world. How the hell it came here? Don’t tell me faeries are the real manufacturers of those?” He tried to joke, but he immediately realized it could be a mistake.

Eleand thought that he might be blurting out about his true identity. He swallowed hard. He almost said that those cars came from his world.

The cousins laughed and appeared unbothered by his peculiar reaction.

Rade answered his query. “Some lesser faeries love to steal luxurious things from the mortal world. That’s why you can see those things here.”

“Steal? How? That should be illegal,” he chuckled.

Althy answered this time. “You know some portals are open during the blue moon. Some faeries go out the wall to visit the mortal realm. And they’ll buy all the luxury things they could hoard, including those cars. Not all faeries are the same. A lot of lesser faeries can’t even wield strong magic—the peasants and commoners.”

So, the legends are true. Eleand lightly shook his head. He heard these kinds of stories before, but he did not believe them. And now, he just witnessed it.

They strolled around. Eleand nearly broke his neck looking at the flying cars until they reached the colossal spiral-designed building with a massive hologram of a faerie dancing at the entrance.

Rune magic, he thought. There was a rune below the hologram.

“I’m curious, why are there no flying cars in Noyuh?” Eleand asked. He was suddenly confused because if he could not master the Vanire, maybe he could use the flying car instead. Well, if they allowed him, he could conceal his identity here and probably work until he could go back.

“It’s only allowed here in Argia. It is f*******n to enter in different domains. If they do, it will be an act of war. The laws in Erganiv are strict. Every territory must follow to maintain peace and order,” Rade explained.

“I see,” he nodded.

They entered the building. A group of female faeries greeted them.

“Hello gorgeous!” one of them winked.

Eleand hesitated for a moment when he saw the naughty look of his companions.

“What the hell?” He laughed as his eyes followed the faeries gracefully walked inside the building. He noticed their distinct clothing. Their skin was more exposed compared to the faeries he already met. It seemed like the citizens here were more liberated, unlike in Noyuh.

“They are the Wicilicians, faeries who love music and entertainment.” Althy cackled, glancing at them.

Eleand gaped when he realized the place he was in. It was like a music bar! The vast room was dimmed, and faeries of different forms were drinking while some were sitting on the platform playing musical instruments.

“Is this for real? I didn’t know we had this kind of entertainment.” He clicked his tongue. The faeries never ceased to amaze him.

“Come on, let’s sit and have a drink. We deserve to unwind.” Rade led them to the corner, and they seated comfortably facing one another.

The music reverberated around, sounds relaxing. It was similar to the beat of a bosa nova.

Rade ordered a drink for them. While Eleand was busy looking around. The faeries seemed to have a good time. Even they appeared in different forms. Some were green-skinned. Others were huge built with scars on their body and faces.

“This is going to be our parting gift to you, just in case you leave soon,” Rade said when the drinks arrived. He immediately poured it on his silver glass and started drinking.

“Parting gift? What do you mean?” His forehead crumpled. He casually held his glass and was uncertain for a while. He had not yet tried to drink alcoholic beverages in this world. He wasn’t sure what the effects would be on his mortal body.

“I heard we’ll send you to Croea for your Gaoitherie training with Navi, the one governing the Spring Region. He’s the master of wind magic.” Rade took another sip.

“And if you mastered the wind magic, you will go Aderawiel for your earth manipulation training. The High Priestess there is the master of Erdeterra.” Althy paused as if he remembered something funny, and he added, “But beware of her, of she likes you, just give her what she wants,” he laughed out loud.

Eleand could not understand what he meant.

“Wait, are you saying that I will not train the remaining nature elements magic in Velidia? I thought Fariyah would teach me everything,” he was perplexed. He was not sure whether the faeries in different regions were friendly like these two. If they said it was true, it would mean another adjustment on his part.