Saber 11
As Bloom was in a booth at the White Horse cafe, she saw Austin walk into the restaurant with a hardcover copy of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in hand.
"Honestly Bloom you were right, this book was an amazing read." Austin said as he took a seat in the booth.
Bloom smirked "You really think so, I thought as someone who actually lives in a magical world you'd might think it was weird."
Austin shook his head "Sure some of the concepts seem a bit weird but it's definitely interesting seeing how Earth's views on magic and they got a few things spot on."
"So exactly what was you favorite part, favorite character. Honestly it's rare to talk to someone who hasn't read the books or seen the movies." Bloom began to ramble on.
Austin excitedly exclaimed "Hold up, books? movies!? As in there's more."
"Seven in fact, well eight if you count the play but I don't recommend it."
Bloom said as she pulled out a copy of "The Chambers of Secrets".
The beast tamer accepted the book as he looked at the cover in awe "I seriously don't know how to repay you Bloom. I mean to grant me access to such rare literary is way too generous."
Bloom chuckled "Don't worry, my hardcover set was only 150 or 15,000 ore."
"Seems you've been getting better at conversation rates, so you know which bills you need for that?" Austin asked with a kind smile.
Bloom said "You could use a prince and a king bill, 3 prince bills or 15 squire bills."
Austin patted the girl on the head "You've truly learned a great deal in your time in Magix."
Bloom noticed the several bruises and marks on Austin's hand and asked "Did you always have those marks?"
Austin noticed the marks "Oh they're probably from training with Yukio, he's this mercenary that decided to become a Red Fountain teacher and has been putting everyone through the wringer. Team SABER got it the worse since he has a thing for Kenny."
"Like a thing or a "thing" thing?" Bloom asked with a mischievous smirk.
The beast tamer chuckled "Not like that perv, he's a battle manic. But it's not too bad, I've had stricter masters at the temple."
Curious Bloom asked "So what was that like, training at a temple?"
"Well it's pretty much like how it is at Red Fountain minus the technology. Though the real stories come from the people you met. In fact you would probably get along with my old roommate, Helia." Austin said.
"Oh yeah Saladin's grandson, Jackie told me about…." Bloom noticed she brought up the beast tamer's cursed friend as she hung her head in shame.
Worried by the abrupt silence, Austin asked "Hey, what's the matter?"
"It's my fault, wasn't so adamant on trying to find out more about Daphne, I would've realize it was a trap. Jackie and Mirta wouldn't have risked themselves to save me." Bloom blamed herself."
Austin argued "You're not to blame, it's the Trix's fault. They don't care who they hurt."
"Still if I wasn't so adamant on trying to find out more about Daphne, I would've realize it was a trap. Jackie and Mirta wouldn't have risked themselves to save me." Bloom argued.
Austin sighed "You know the story of how the Magic Universe came to be right."
Confused Bloom began summarized the story she read a few months prior "It was created by the flame of the Great Dragon who chose Domnio as its resting place. But about 16 years ago, a coven of witches tried seeking its flames out. But when they failed , they destroyed the whole planet."
Austin mentioned "You have part of the story but let me fill in the blank. The Great Dragon are actually two, the one you know of is named Apollonir with its counterpart being Lunadra. The dragon gods of creation and destruction respectively."
Shocked Bloom asked "I never heard of the latter."
"Though an important aspect in the balance of the universe, people didn't worship or respected Lunadra. The only exception being the cult, Infershia."
Bloom asked "I'm guess the witches that attacked Domnio are apart of that cult?"
Austin nodded "Yes, they're commonly referred to the Ancestral Witches. They managed to corrupt Lunadra's power to craft an opposing force to the Dragon's Flame, the Shadow Fire. You know the rest, they attempted to join the two half's together in an attempt to control reality but failed and ended up taking their anger up on Domnio."
"Okay but what does this have to do with me?" Bloom asked.
Austin theorized "I believe that Daphne sent the Dragon Flame to Earth and at some point you've came in contact with it. In fact it might be the reason for your powers to have awaken and why Stella was transported near your location."
Bloom exclaimed "So the Trix think I could to lead them to it. But I have no idea where it could be."
"You might not know, but if your power is linked to it, they could trace it back to the Dragon Flame." Austin said.
"This is honestly a lot to take in but how do you know about Daphne?"Bloom asked.
Reluctantly Austin revealed "She was my godmother and I learned about it from survivors from Domnio. Though it's not the same as knowing her myself."
Bloom reached out to touch Austin's hand "I'm sorry if I brought up any bad memories."
"No I'm fine, besides we got a common goal. Might as well work together on it." Austin says.
Excitable Bloom asked "Great, what can I do to help?"
Austin took a second to think before telling her "Try to go around Gardenia and feel out the Dragon Flame. If your power is linked to it, you'll feel a surge of power."
"Seriously that's it, can't I help you out with research or something else?"Bloom asked.
"I already have a lead to potential embers of the flame, remember why I tamed Polaris." Austin said.
Bloom recalled their conversation prior to the break "Yeah, in order to explore Domino. I'm guessing your lead is there."
Austin nodded his head "I plan on going on an expedition at the end of the school year. I'd take you with me but I can't guarantee my own safety let alone yours."
Bloom states "Come on I dealt with ogres and the Red Willow, what's a bit of a snow storm."
Austin argued "You're still learning about the magic universe, I'm not taking someone with me if they're unaware of certain dangers. Besides how is Kiko adjusting to Magix?"
Bloom looked up from her book on magical creatures and said "He's doing okay, I don't know why you always ask that."
"It's been centuries since Earth seceded from the Magic Dimension. So I want to ensure that the different atmosphere and food is something he can handle." Austin explained.
"And yet I'm handling things just fine." Bloom countered.
Austin states "We're still unsure of your origins, you could have some Fae ancestry in you. Kiko is a pure earth rabbit. For all we know foods grown with magic could lead to health issues."
Bloom reassured Austin "Don't worry, I took him to the vet during the break and Kiko is doing just fine."
Austin breathed a sigh of relief "Thank gods, I was worried for a moment."
Bloom chuckles "Honestly you sort of remind me of my friend Roxy."
Curious Austin asked "Is she a friend from Earth?"
"Yeah, her dad Klaus worked in the same station as my dad. So she's sorta of like a little sister to me." Bloom explained.
Austin says "Well I'd be glad if you could introduce me to her someday, possibly after you introduce her to magic."
Bloom says "Maybe if you let me go on that exhibition, I'll do it."
A smile formed on Austin's face as he compromised "If you get an A in magical biology and at least a B in self defense, you can come."
Bloom jumped in excitement as she says "Lucky for me I'm already acing the former class."
Curious Austin asked "And the latter?" Bloom hesitated before answering "A C."
"Well then, you got some work to do." Austin said as he patted the top of Bloom's head.
Later that evening, Austin walked into the training area to see Yukio standing over an exhausted Timmy and Riven.
"Where's Brandon and Sky?" Austin asked as he pulls out the Varia-Rod.
Riven propped himself up "They're relaxing in the infirmary. So we're pretty much buying time for their recovery."
"Look at the positives, it seems you boys are improving with these training sessions." Yukio commented.
Timmy states "And you said he wouldn't be hired, now he's practically our personal instructor from hell."
Yukio chuckles "Not inaccurate, but as a reward for your hard work, take the rest of today and tomorrow to rest."
The samurai began walked out of the training before stating "Because that's when the real training begins."
The 3 boys groaned at the thought what they've been dealing with was just a prelude to their suffering.