.
The elder's feathered mantle rustled as he stepped forward, the sun painting his jade medallion in gold.
"The boy must come to Ixaocan," he said, puffing up his chest. "Good job, Fang. The Yuns will be very pleased."
Fang stood unmoving, arms crossed, his brow furrowed.
"No."
The elder's smile thinned.
"…What?"
"He stays," Fang said plainly.
"My methods will serve him better."
"Your... methods?" the elder sneered.
"You think the disgraceful hunter's teachings can rival that of our finest?"
He held up his medallion like a weapon.
"You see this? This is real merit. Proof of mastery, knowledge, power—The kind someone like you will never have!"
For a single second,
Everything slowed down.
An immense sense of wrongness pierced through my chest. My lungs seized. My legs locked, roots of terror sticking me to the spot.
It felt like I was standing before a lion.
I forced myself to move but my instincts screamed me to run. But there was nowhere to. And no strength to stay. Like grinding stone, I managed to roll my eyes. The acolytes were pale ghosts, one stumbling back, another gulping air as if drowning. The elder—his fine mantle was dark, soaked through with sweat.
Only now it was crystal clear: this wasn't aimed at me.
Every trembling gaze was locked on Fang. He hadn't moved an inch.
The medallion slipped and hit the ground, then—
All the pressure vanished.
Even though it lasted a breath, they all pulled in long sighs.
For another moment, we stayed there, waiting for the sound of hard breathing to stop.
'…What just happened? Was Fang mad?'
I'd never seen Fang get mad. Annoyed, yes, but never like this.
'I don't think that was magic…'
Fang uncrossed his arms—they flinched—resting them on his hips.
"Sigh…" He shook his head. "He stays."
The elder was hesitant, avoiding Fang's gaze, but still mustered strength and knelt to meet my eyes.
"What do you want, child?"
He forced a smile.
I looked at Fang. There was no pressure anymore.
'…'
I looked back at the elder.
"Sir, I'll stay. Freedom suits me better."
'I'll have time for that later. Right now I smell fortune.'
The elder's nostrils flared.
"I see."
He turned sharply, feathers blowing, but halted mid-step.
"They will hear of this."
Then he moved again.
I watched as they left.
The ceremony ended abruptly and everyone went home. I'm curious, but I better not to press Fang for now.
.
.
Later at dawn, I was inside my hut, sitting on my hard, flat bed.
'This is no different than wood. It's messing with my concentration.'
I shut my eyes, meditating.
In my internal world, I searched for the strange new feelings I'd gotten since the ritual.
At first, everything was dark. But as I traveled through it, collored lights appeared.
The red glow was by far the easiest to sense. Huge. Imposing and hot. The element of fire.
The white was less about shearching, and more about feeling it. Myself. My heartbeat, my lungs breathing. My spirit.
And, after drifting for longer than I'd liked, I found the last one: Darkness. More like I understood, because the dark space I traveled through was actually, the dark element itself.
So: Fire, Spirit, and Darkness. Three elements.
Was this a coincidence?
'I guess not,' I reasoned, rubbing my chin.
'It makes logical sense. I kinda died and returned, so Spirit. For fire, I have a long history with it, so it's far from random. But Darkness…' I considered it dispassionately.
'My methods are pragmatic at times, not moral. I suppose an outside observer could mistake that for malice.'
How do I use them?
I'm not dumb, so of course I asked around. From what I could piece together, basic activation is related to gestures and will.
There are many things I'm not sure about, so going to Ixaocan later is a must.
'I heard they have something similar to schools. I wonder how that works.'
I smiled, but as I recalled certain events, the smile faded.
'If I want peace, then I should learn more about magic. I need to be powerful.'
There are so many powerful beings here. Viego, for example, is a global threat. Maybe I can run or hide, survive at least.
…But there's no place to run from the Watchers.
'Perverted freaks.'
I remember reading something about the year 997 AN. Everything past that mark is dangerous. Probably a Void War for the sake of reality's survival.
'They left it blank purposefully, but everything clearly culminates to all out war.'
The Watchers.
From my understanding, they live in the void between realms. So they're also called the Void. Monsters, gods, as big as universes—or perhaps they are one? Whatever.
'…Speaking of gods, there's also Aurelion Sol. A star-forging dragon. I remember something about him being held captive by the Aspects.'
Aspects—Justice League lookin'-ass crew, but named after constellations. The real ones are like gods, but the vessel form are demigod. That's what I recall, at least.
I finally opened my eyes and muttered:
"What should I even do against such insanities?"
Sigh…
"I should just concern myself with growing stronger."
I looked into my open hand. A numb, gas-like pressure expanded under my skin. A familiar sensation.
The feeling of [Gathering Storm].
It was rising again.
"What even happened back there? Why it disappeared?"
Damn it. There's so much.
My exploit was reset, god-like threats, and all I have is a game interface and some magic.
I don't even know where in the timeline I am.
'—Fuck it, I'll just sleep.'
Thump!
I fell hard onto my thin mattress, passing out.
.
.
. . .Fang hauled me out before first light. Staying up late last night wasn't a very good idea.
'Why is my nose in so much pain…'
As usual, Fang led the way, splitting the jungle's living vines. Once again, we entered a place I'd never visited before.
Sometimes I ask myself if I'm really a resident of this place.
'Well, technically I'm not.'
After what felt like a hour of walking, we arrived.
"Maybe not knowing this place was for the best."
I couldn't help but comment after seeing what it was like;
The jungle had been converted into someone's sadistic playground. A maze of uneven posts rising from muddy ground—perfect for breaking ankles—and areas with suspiciously loose soil, probably pit traps.
Oh, and of course, the classic swinging log routine.
I looked back to where we came, confirming the vines were closing in.
Yep.
I'm trapped.
.
…After Fang had basically kidnapped me, we were now sitting on the cold, stone mossy ground.
"—He just wanted to earn merit. You'll go when you're ready." Fang finished commenting about yesterday's events.
"And what about the Yun'Tal?" I questioned.
The Yun'Tal.
The peak of the elite elementalists. There are seven in total, each the master of their respective field.
People told me they've transcended their own realms multiple times. Many even treat them as demi-gods.
'Doctorates in elemental magic. Sounds like a nerd's wet dream.'
I was concerned, so I questioned Fang because if they're told a child with three aptitudes refused to join them…
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
"…"
"The reason I wanted you to stay is… to pass on something to you. My technique."
'A technique… without magic?'
"But for that, you'll need training."
Shit. Maybe I was wrong.
I wanted to practice magic, but now It will take a while before going to Ixaocan. Let's just hope he will teach me something as good as that pressure from before.
"It will take about four years."
"F-Four years?"
Fang noticed my wavering.
"Don't worry. I understand you don't wanna waste time on a talent alone. So I will reward you accordingly—I'll bring you a book."
"Book?"
"It's about magic. So just focus on training from now on."
Yeah, right.
Like I had any choice.
But if I get to practice both, then I guess it's fine.
"And what about this technique of yours anyways?"
"Oh, that. Mnh. You'll see soon enough. But I name it... critical sense."
.
.