Page 204 of Axis of Fire

“You know Magicslan that well?” I glanced at the blonde. “I thought you said you were born and raised in the City of Light.”

“My parents are divorced,” Stasia replied. “My mom and I live in Utararus, while my father and sister stayed in Istarus.”

So that was it.

“I visited them all the time growing up, so I know Magicslan like the back of my hand.”

I stayed quiet for a moment, turning her words over in my mind before finally asking the question that had been bothering me ever since I met her.

“Maybe this isn’t any of my business, but Airis is apparently over a hundred years old. And he and Tarven have known each other since childhood.”

I glanced at her.

“Since you know Tarven so well, I just assumed...”

I stopped as Stasia burst into laughter.

“No,” she said, still smiling. “I’m not a hundred years old. Not even close.”

She shook her head.

“We’re actually the same age. I’m twenty-five.”

“How do you know how old I am?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Tarven practically put together an entire file on you,” she replied with a grin. “I already know quite a lot about you.”

“Oh, really? And when exactly did he have time to do that?” I asked skeptically.

“The day he found you in Vuduarus after you ran away from Airis.”

“Oh my God, I wasn't running away,” I sighed. “I just needed to figure something out.”

Realizing Stasia definitely shouldn’t hear about my second ability, I quickly changed the subject.

“So how many sectors is Magicslan divided into?”

“Twelve.”

“I probably should’ve guessed that,” I muttered. “Why is the number twelve so important in Noveris? Twelve months. Zodiac signs. Worlds. Energies...”

I paused thoughtfully.

“Although if you count Arus too, it becomes more like a thirteenth element.”

I waited for her answer.

“Twelve represents a complete cycle,” Stasia explained. “And mathematically... it’s also an incredibly convenient number.”

She gave a small nod, almost agreeing with herself.

“It divides evenly into equal parts. It’s practical for systems and measurements.”

She smiled.

“It’s almost like a language humanity invented to organize chaos.”

That was actually a good point.