Fulilian: Dominate Aura at the beginning

Chapter 23: Agusid's Troubles (Part 1)
In the fourth year of living in the Imperial Capital, the second week after defeating the Imperial Prison Dragon—

The morning after the snow is especially bright.

In the cold winter season, the occasional sunny day always brings people a good mood for some reason.

Even the puppies living in Asperger's are willing to come out and play on the streets at this time.

But in the hut of Agusid and Volame—

In their bedroom, Volame, leaning on the bed, was inexplicably distressed at the moment.

The reason for her distress was undoubtedly Aguishid.

"There's something wrong with him lately."

This is the conclusion that Volame came to after observing for the past few days.

Although in the eyes of outsiders, including Fulilian—

Agushid's mood probably remained the same as before.

After all, he always has a stern face, making it impossible for anyone to see what he is thinking.

But how could Volame not notice something strange about the person beside him?

She placed her fingers lightly on the wrinkled bed sheet, and gently stroked the remaining warmth on it with her palm.

I recalled how those always steady arms suddenly tightened when I was half asleep and half awake last night.

Volame frowned and thought quietly.

"He's worried..."

"Ever since returning from defeating the Imperial Prison Dragon, I've been troubled by something..."

Volame didn't know what was bothering Agusid.

This is a rare situation.

Because whether it was during the ten years of traveling or the four years in the imperial capital.

She could always rely on her understanding of Agusid to find out what was bothering him.

But this time, Volame couldn't find any clue.

"Did something unexpected happen during the subjugation of the Imperial Prison Dragon?"

"It shouldn't be..."

Volame dropped his eyes.

His fingertips slid across the cool silk quilt, stopping at the junction of sunlight and shadow.

"If something unexpected really happened—

Even if Aguishid didn't tell me, how could Fulilian hide it from me?"

The disappointment in his eyes flashed away.

She reached out and picked up a strand of falling hair, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

The silver comb on the dressing table in the corner was placed casually, as if it had not been picked up for a long time.

What kind of trouble is this?

He even forgets to get up and comb my hair every morning...

The greatest magician of the Unified Empire lowered his head.

She sighed silently for not being able to share her husband's troubles.

........................

The sky gradually cleared up and before we knew it, it was noon.

On the back of the Tianmai Dragon.

After slacking off for the whole morning, Fulilian returned to the castle on time.

She sat across from Aguisid, who was deciphering the Sage Evici's Grimoire.

The ancient magic book rustled under Agusid's fingertips.

The folds of the parchment seemed to hide thoughts more obscure than the ancient runes.

But Fulilian couldn't feel it, but she didn't disturb Agusid.

Instead, he lay listlessly on the desk.

Just waiting for Agushid to announce the afternoon classes and plans.

"There's no class this afternoon."

Words like the sound of nature floated into Fulilian's ears.

She slowly raised her head, rubbed her eyes and ears, and said to Agusid:

"Agusid, I seem to be sick."

"Just now I seemed to hear you say, 'No classes this afternoon,' something that only appears in dreams..."

"You heard right."

Agusid's writing finger hovered over a rune for a long time, and the ink dripped into irregular circles.

He repeated what he had just said:
"There's no class this afternoon."

“I’m still dreaming…”

Fulilian yawned and lay down on the desk again.

"Really? 'No need to go to class', how could I have such a dream..."

After waiting for five minutes, Fulilian realized she wasn't dreaming and looked up. She looked at Aguishid, whose eyes were fixed on the magic book.
"Really, you don't have to go to class?"

"No need really."

Agusid's affirmative answer did not surprise Fulilian blindly.

She confirmed this sentence again to Aguishid:

"What does 'no classes' mean?"

Agushide didn't even raise his head, but the quill in his hand paused slightly.

"Volamei seems to have something to ask you."

After saying this, he continued to add:

"Go to Tianmai Dragon's left shoulder later. She will meet you there."

........................

The flames in the fireplace licked the oak wood, sending out tiny sparks.

Volame's fingers gripping the teacup tightened unconsciously, their joints appearing bluish-white against the porcelain white background.

"Flillian, tell me the whole story of your expedition against the Imperial Prison Dragon."

He asked Fulilian, who was supposed to be in class, to stay with him for the whole afternoon from Agusid.

Volame took her back to the living room of the cottage.

Asking little by little what happened during the days she was away.

Volame thought that he would slowly search for the reason that troubled Agusid among a pile of useless information.

But when she heard Fulilian's story...

"After defeating the Imperial Prison Dragon, did you encounter the great demon that once hunted you?"

"What do you mean by that great demon saying that because of Agushid and me, the Demon King intends to postpone the all-out war?"

"and many more……"

"You said that Agushid was acting strangely because that great demon mentioned me?"

Don't ask, don't know, I'm startled when I ask.

After all this time, I still couldn't find the reason. It was all because Fulilian didn't tell me...

Volame breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he pinched Fulilian's cheek hard.

"Stupid disciple, why did you wait for me to ask you about such an important matter..."

"I forgot."

Fulilian puffed out her deformed cheeks and spoke in a vague but confident voice:
"As soon as I came back, I had to attend classes non-stop because my vacation was cut short...

It's normal that I forgot to tell you, Volame, right?"

Volame released the hand that was pinching Fulilian's cheek.

The disciple who was looking forward to the holiday sighed helplessly.

"Okay, I won't hold you responsible."

Volame stood up, touched Fulilian's head and said:
"Consider the rest of this afternoon your day off."

"Remember to come back before dinner."

After saying this, without waiting for Fulilian's response, Volame walked out.

"what the hell……"

Fulilian looked at Volame flying towards the Sky Dragon with flying magic and grumbled in dissatisfaction:

"They said they were giving me a holiday..."

"Actually, you didn't want me to disturb you two..."

........................

In the castle on the back of the Sky Pulse Dragon, Volame stopped in front of the empty study.

The feather pen was inserted diagonally into the ink bottle, and the unclosed "Grimoire of Sage Evish" was spread out in the breeze.

She reached out and pressed down the blown pages, the rough texture of the parchment rubbing against her palm.

"Not here either..."

After searching the entire castle and finding no trace of Agushid, Volame closed his eyes.

Thinking about where he might be going.

"Maybe...he's there—"

Volame opened his eyes, and the faint sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, casting colorful spots of light on the ground.

One of them fell exactly where Agusid often sat, illuminating the grain of the wooden chair back clearly.

Beyond these, Volame looked out the window.

Along a path through the fields near the castle—

Looking further away, at the huge ancient tree standing deep in the dense forest...

This is the hardest chapter to write...The next one will be even harder to write, my hair is about to fall out.

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(End of this chapter)