*San's POV
His name is indeed Seon. Although everyone in Calmora calls him Mr. Director, he allows me to call him by name.
It feels strange. Who is he? What is his connection to me? How do I know his name? Moreover, why do I feel guilty for him?
After asking Layla to leave, Seon stood still in his place, inspecting each weapon on the rack. This ran for almost five minutes until he finally looked at me again. "Did Layla have explained about Atma?"
I nodded.
"As you know, even though Weavers can control elements, it doesn't make them invincible. The more Atma used to control the elements, the faster the Weaver will vanish."
Disintegration, Layla said, is the form of death for every Weaver. When a Weaver dies, their body slowly erodes into particles of light or black smoke, depending on the dominant emotion at the end of their life.
"That's why we train ourselves with weapons and combat techniques. To minimize the use of Atma in dangerous situations. So, what weapon do you like, San?"
I was silent, thinking about that question for a few moments. Then I stepped closer to Seon between the weapon rack. There were many weapon types: batons, spears, swords, knives, axes. What do I like? No, the real question is, what would suit me? I'm quite weak in frontal combat. All I can do is use teleportation to dodge and counterattack. Knives might be flexible enough. I remember a moment sparring with Layla in the facility, although somehow, I dominated the fight, I felt knives were not so comfortable. Batons and spears have a wide reach, but I'm not that skillful. The same goes for axes; they would probably feel too heavy. Which means there's only one weapon that might suit. It has a wide and close attack range, flexible enough for offense and defense. I picked up a sword. Feeling the weight of the 90-centimeter iron blade, it felt just right in my hand. With a wooden handle wrapped in white cloth, the grip felt comfortable.
"Have you ever used a sword?"
"I've only held one."
"It's all right, Layla also uses a sword. I think she can teach you," Seon said, stepping to another rack near the wall. He took a small leg pouch the size of an adult's palm and tossed it to me.
The texture was rough, probably made from animal skins. It was dark brown with a black button.
"Put your sword in there."
I frowned. This pouch wasn't long enough to store a sword.
"We made it with magic. Well, it's a product of the Republic."
I tried putting the sword into the pouch. The blade vanished as if swallowed. I remember Layla explaining that magic is divided into three categories: creating, combining, and manipulating. I guess this pouch was made with one of those. As I tried putting the pouch to my right thigh—which turned out to be uncomfortable—Seon now stood by the window near the door, looking out at the field. Again, he was silent, but I felt he wanted me to approach.
The view outside the window was the same as when I saw it directly outside. The only difference was the dew on the glass.
"I built this place 50 years ago with a witch named Vena," Seon said. "At that time, the situation didn't allow us to go to every devastated area and pick up all child who lost their home. Vena refined the protective magic of Calmora. She planted it on a giant banyan tree, and it would guide every child who lost their home to come here."
I tried to digest his words. Fifty years isn't a short time. Oddly, this man didn't look that old.
"We provide the same protection magic offered by every major kingdom. A chance to sleep comfortably at night without worrying about attacks from Nien."
"Why only children?"
"It's a long story. But Vena thought adults were more complicated. They're better at hiding things."
When talking about Vena, Seon's expression changed. He seemed uncomfortable with the memories resurfacing.
"But I've also begun to think of opening Calmora to Republic. Do you think it's a good idea, San?"
Considering what Layla said about the Council and all their interference in the human world, I think the Republic is much more complicated than adults. "I don't know, why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Seon sighed. "Hasn't Layla told you about the war?"
"I don't know anything."
Seon turned and looked at me. His face was still expressionless. "War is coming. But there's no guarantee all the remaining kingdoms will survive. What if Calmora apparently is the last fortress seen by Syblil?"
"Does that mean you're preparing these children for war?"
"No. I'm preparing this place as a host."
Silence again. I still didn't understand what he wanted to talk about. Honestly, I didn't care about the war. I came here because Layla brought me. I had no other purpose. "Are you saying this because I have the Enigma power?"
I thought the reason was simple: the power to change fate. He must have believed that it was just me who could do that.
For the first time, Seon smiled. "I'm just trying to know you."
What does he mean? Like he said, is he trying to be a good host? No, clearly not. There are too many suspicious things. Too many questions arise from him.
"I guess you are a different person," Seon muttered, back facing the window. "you can go now, Layla will take you to the tent."
I stood still for a few moments, pondering our conversation. My tongue itched to throw out one more question. What does he know about me? But I also felt he wouldn't answer clearly. So I nodded and walked to the door. Opened it and left. Leaving Seon alone with many secrets he was hiding.
Outside, Layla was still waiting for me. She sat leaning against the wooden wall, hugging her knees and hiding her face. Not long after I closed the door, Layla lifted her head and looked at me.
"I thought it would take longer."
"Why don't you join the others?" I asked, looking at the field filled with other children.
"I'm not the one who brought them here," Layla replied indifferently. However, I felt she was joking because she said it with a smile.
Layla stood and stretched her body. "So what did you guys talk about?"
Maybe if the topic Seon discussed earlier was explained by Layla, I could understand better. But, I guess I don't want to talk about it for now. "He said you'd take me to the tent."
Layla raised her eyebrows. "Oh, right. You don't have a tent yet," she said. "Come on, I want you to meet someone else."
"Not to the tent?"
"After that, aren't you hungry?"
Layla was right. The last time I ate was yesterday before I went to the roof and ended up here.
Layla guided me again, explaining that Calmora is a home for 300 Weavers. The oldest is 24 and the youngest is 6 years old. Layla explained that every month there's always a new child arriving. They can find this place because of the protective magic that guides them mysteriously. Layla also explained that usually when they reach the age of 20, they will leave Calmora. Maybe to a kingdom or the Republic. Becoming soldiers or finding jobs.
I could see some Weavers practicing their element control. They had their training areas. Fire, wind, and earth as Layla explained. Each zone was different and adapted to the element being trained, such as the Earth Weavers' area, which was shaped like a small battlefield with some earth walls for cover. The fire and wind Weavers' areas were equipped with target boards.
"There are no mixed Weavers here," Layla said. "They're strong enough to survive outside. That's why most mixed Weavers become soldiers in the Kingdom or Republic."
Layla then pointed to the lush trees in the south. "Geographically, Calmora is in the south of Altheren Land. Directly bordering the Rivera Strait."
I remembered Layla explaining about Solaris being divided into two major lands, Altheren and Dhelteren. The Republic and four major kingdoms are in Altheren, while Dhelteren is more like abandoned land after the war a hundred years ago.
We walked south. Quite close to the camping area. But Layla turned towards the forest to the west. I saw a cave entrance with earthen steps leading down.
"What do you think is the strongest element in Solaris, San?"
If Layla said there are five types of control, then for the single-element form, I think its strength is judged by its destructive power. "Maybe... Fire?"
Layla led me down the stairs. "Fire is strong, but only one element that has most destructive power."
From the narrow corridor, I heard a thud and rumble. At the end of the corridor, there was an iron door. Layla waited a few moments until the thud and rumble began to fade.
Layla then touched the door handle and pushed it. The room inside was bright and spacious. Each side was lined with metal plates. In the middle of the room, a man stood panting. As he tried to catch his breath and looked at us, a lightning sparks still occasionally appeared from his body.
"He's the person I want you to meet, San. My only friend in this place. Weaver with the strongest element in Solaris," Layla said, looking at me with cheerfully smile. "The only Lightning Weaver in Calmora, Kevin."[]