"Lyren."
"Seraphina or you can just call me Sera. I shall be taking you back," she said and Lyren looked at her with a knowing smile which she replied with her own deprecating smile.
"You don't have to cut your mission short. I can tag along and I promise I won't be a liability. You know I survived alone… Sera," he continued with the same smile.
"I really do hate sharp kids," Sera said in defeat as she knew there was no shaking him off. "As long as you don't hold us back. No one will come to save you."
They let go of each other's hand and the Sera stood up as she walked towards the entrance. She stopped and turned back as she spoke.
"Come out soon. We shall be setting off soon."
Lyren nodded as she left. He was left with numerous questions especially the fact no one had seen the palm pattern. Could it be it was only visible to him or could it conceal itself?
He recalled the youths back in the ruins had reacted to it but it appeared that not everyone could see it. Well, this was going to save him the time of trying to conceal it.
He wanted to look at what the sect mistress had left him but he decided it was not time yet. He could not be impatient and it was not like it was going to disappear.
He stood up and walked out and again he was blinded by the light. He squinted his eyes and when he could see again, it appeared that they had finished packing the tents and it was only the one he was in that was still standing.
When they saw him walk out without any shoes, Sera commanded the guy with the spear to fold the tent. The rest were seated on the ground listening to instructions from Sera.
Kaelen was somehow attentive and it appeared like they were on an important mission. His eyes lurked for a split second before he went back to listening to the plan.
Lyren did not overstep his boundaries and he decided to help the guy fold the tent. Seeing him, the guy shooed him away like a chicken.
Lyren once again chose peace because he did not want to fight anyone yet. Not that he knew how to fold a tent in the first place. He just wanted to make himself useful but it appeared that his services were not required anywhere.
He went and sat at the base of a tree where he decided to look at what the sect mistress had left him. He leaned on the tree and closed his eyes.
He opened his minds eyes and when he looked at the ball of light, he saw what appeared like a scroll unfold. He read through the first line and he realized that it was about arrays.
"The art of using arrays is the highest form of interaction between a person and nature. Arrays are the only few things that can tap into the universal laws and alter them…"
Lyren was shocked by the introduction because altering of laws seemed like a big loophole and he had the talent to use the arrays.
"Arrays have functions varying from creation, destruction, amplification, concealment, defense and various other functions. The power of an array is not only dependent the power of their drawer.
"It is possible to create an array far more powerful than you and it is also possible to light one even if you cannot personally offer that amount of energy yourself.
"There are two ways of doing so and to begin with, the most convenient one that involves use of energy stones. The array can last as long as the energy stones still have Elyria in them.
"The second method is more complex and can only be sustained through the fengshui of a place. This is where the application of nature energy comes in.
"With the correct land marks, it's possible to light an array for forever. It is a strategic array and it is often times used for ultra defense, attack or concealment.
"These are large scale arrays and they can even be used to attack. These arrays will be covered last because they are just as difficult to draw.
"The basic arrays are used for attack. Attacking using arrays can be in form of traps or direct attacks. The basic attacking array involves sending attacks with your element using arrays.
"After learning this array, one can do a few tweaks here and there and they can amplify the power of the attacks. This is an example of a basic attack array."
Lyren looked at the image and it was somewhat familiar. It was the core array of the first row from the major array he had studied.
He did not bother memorizing it and he just chuckled at how he had learned something so important through trial and error. He almost activated the array but he recalled that he was not alone and he went ahead to read the scroll.
"Amplification arrays are tweaked from attack arrays. Attack arrays can also be tweaked to become defensive arrays. The following arrays can fall in this category."
The arrays that were shown were all second row's arrays and Lyren realized he had been brought up as an anomaly by the sect mistress because there was no one else who had learned the arrays first before the introduction.
"Another important array is the creation array. These arrays are more complex and using them is like acting like a god because as the name applies, it's a creation array.
"Creation arrays as the name implies are used to create inorganic things. It's impossible to create life through arrays and thou shall not attempt to create life using arrays or you might end up drawing upon yourself a calamity from the heavens."
The arrays that fell in this category were those from the third row. There were arrays that could create things like fabric and when advanced, one could even create metal.
Lyren now felt that this was an actual anomaly. The fact that arrays existed was probably against the heavens themselves and his thoughts were confirmed because a line went ahead and explained just how the heavens were against arrays.
Lyren thought that he was going to learn new types of arrays but the next point seemed to start a new chapter.
"Drawing Arrays.
This is the most important part of being an array master and how fast you can draw an array will determine your survival.
"Array masters must know how to draw fast and accurately. There are three concepts that arrays must follow. Three components that make up an array. To begin with…"
Lyren was forced to open his eyes because someone had interrupted him by calling his name. The voice was all too familiar and Lyren could not be irritated because it was the girl who had lied.
When he opened his eyes and saw her looking away with one hand clutching tightly at the biceps of the other, he could not help but feel he had to help set her free of her guilt or she was never going to recover.
"I think I can understand why you did what you did. I don't plan on forgiving you," he said as he watched her grab her bicep even tighter but he was not yet finished as he continued.
"This is because not even for a moment do I blame you. Instead, I am actually grateful because had you not spoken up for me, I might have been beaten up to death. Your courage is the reason that I am alive. Do not let that one moment of weakness erase the good that you did.
"I know that you think I am saying this to make you feel bad but I have no such thoughts. It's understandable that you chose one of your own and not a stranger.
"This shows where your loyalties lie and that is with your academy and comrades. That is why you did nothing wrong. What if I was an enemy and I caused you all harm? Wouldn't you all suffer?"
Lyren tried to reason with her and he hoped that his words had gotten through her. If not, then it was her problem from then on because he did not have time to babysit grown-ups. He was younger than her in the first place so she ought to get her wits together.
"Don't be a burden to the group because your bad decision is affecting your conscience."
Lyren stood up and walked past her. He was about to leave when he decided to take a look around and then he saw something interesting. The shape of the land here somehow made him think of only one thing.
"Fengshui…"