《Chains of destiny》 War of magic This world was one where magic was both a gift and a curse. In the early days of the planet''s history, gods fought for dominance. It was the battle between Seth, the god of reincarnation, and Opera, the god of space, that changed everything. Their conflict caused the very fabric of existence to ripple, creating a violent storm of magic that shook the realms. Seth, in his desperation to escape Opera''s superior powers, fled to a distant, lifeless planet¡ªEarth. He released the magic from other worlds, an immense surge of energy. This release gave birth to the first beings of this new world, a spark of life igniting the lifeless stone. But this influx of magic also created a problem. As the magic flowed, it began to create pollution¡ªa toxic byproduct that would become the bane of existence for all living things. The demons, led by Diablos, sought to harness this pollution for their own ends, while other gods, like Opera, observed from afar, wary of the power growing on Earth. Yet, there was hope. Amidst the chaos, the World Tree, Yggdrasil, took root and grew. It became the stabilizing force of the world, a guardian of sorts, its branches reaching into the fabric of reality itself. But even the World Tree was not immune to the power struggle between gods. It attracted the attention of powerful beings, demons and gods alike, all vying for control. And it was in this world of growing tension, amidst a cycle of wars and conflicts, that Kael, the hero born of free will, emerged. --- Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched his target. A massive boar, its hide thick and matted with mud, barreled through the underbrush. Standing at five feet tall, the boar had tusks that jutted out like the horns of an elephant, sharp and deadly. It snorted angrily, trying to flee from the human that had been pursuing it for the past hour. But Kael was relentless. The boar¡¯s name was Gorrak, the Mammoth-Horned Boar. It had terrorized the surrounding villages for weeks, its massive tusks carving destruction into fields and settlements alike. Now, it was Kael¡¯s prey. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. With each step, Kael calculated. He wasn¡¯t just a hunter¡ªhe was a tactician. Gorrak¡¯s movements were predictable. Kael had already studied its behavior, predicting the animal¡¯s path through the forest with precision. His boots barely made a sound on the dirt path as he followed at a steady pace, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger, ready for the final strike. Gorrak had stopped momentarily, snorting as it turned to face its pursuer, eyes wild with fear. It wasn¡¯t ready to die. Kael¡¯s fingers twitched, the air around him shifting with intent. He muttered under his breath, calculating the magic he needed. He needed something strong, something that would end Gorrak¡¯s life with a single strike. His mind spun through possible combinations in the Chain System, recalling the correct formula he had used countless times before. Firestone, Windroot, Earthcore, Waterleaf, and Lightbloom. These were the elements he would use to craft his magic¡ªa five-chain combination, powerful enough to bind the boar¡¯s eyes and leave it vulnerable for a kill. With a deep breath, Kael summoned the magic. His hands moved gracefully through the air, the elements twisting and combining at his will. In an instant, the spell took shape, a web of energy wrapping itself around Gorrak¡¯s eyes. The beast let out an enraged screech, its vision obscured. Kael seized the opportunity, sprinting forward and drawing his dagger from his belt. The blade was light but deadly, designed to slip between the ribs and sever the heart. In one swift motion, Kael lunged. The dagger plunged into Gorrak¡¯s neck with a sickening crack, and the beast collapsed to the ground, dead. But as it died, something unexpected happened. The body began to writhe, and a dark, polluted energy began to leak from it, swirling in the air like a thick, black smoke. Magic pollution. It spread quickly, poisoning the ground around it. Kael stepped back, watching the pollution spread. He grimaced. ¡°Too bad we can¡¯t salvage the body. The magic pollution is too dangerous. No one will be able to use this creature for anything.¡± The pollution continued to billow from the corpse as the last remnants of the beast¡¯s life force dissipated into the air. Kael sheathed his dagger and turned away, his thoughts already moving to the next hunt. The story of Kael was only just beginning. The hero born of free will, a man who rejected the fate others tried to impose upon him, would soon find himself drawn into the war that raged between gods, monsters, and mortals. As Kael continued his journey, he would uncover the mysteries of magic, the truth about the gods, and the secrets of the Chain System. But for now, all he needed to do was survive the next hunt. Kaels hunt Kael walked back to the village with his usual calm demeanor, the air thick with the lingering remnants of magic pollution, a faint buzz in the atmosphere as it steadily worsened the M.P. around the village. He didn¡¯t feel any particular unease, though. He¡¯d faced far worse than this in his time, and the consequences, while real, were not his to fret over. What mattered was what came next. The village came into view, the small wooden structures nestled against the edge of the dense forest. The elders had already gathered, their angry voices cutting through the air as Kael approached. He had expected this. The explosion of the boar in the high-M.P. zone had made the magic pollution around the village even more unbearable, and now, they were ready to let him know just how unhappy they were about it. "You fool!" one of the elders snapped, her face twisted in anger. "Do you know how much worse the M.P. is now? You¡¯ve made everything even more unstable!" Kael met the elder''s gaze without flinching. His face remained unreadable, but there was a calm certainty in his eyes. "The boar ran into the M.P. zone on its own," he replied, his voice steady. "I didn¡¯t force it." Another elder, grumbling in frustration, waved his hands as if to dismiss Kael¡¯s words. "That doesn¡¯t change the fact that you killed it there! Now the M.P. around the village is worse, and we¡¯ll have to deal with the fallout!" Kael didn¡¯t react to their anger. He knew their words were born from fear and frustration. Their concern was understandable¡ªno one wanted the M.P. to spill over, affecting crops and livelihoods¡ªbut Kael had done his job, and that was the end of it. The village chief, a wise figure whose voice carried authority, stood up to address the elders¡¯ growing fury. His calm voice cut through the chaos, silencing the room. "Enough," he said, raising a hand. "Yes, the M.P. around the village is worse now, but the boar is dead, and we still have food. We¡¯ll adapt. Kael, though you¡¯ve caused more M.P. to seep into the area, you¡¯ve done your part. The village needs the food, so we¡¯ll give you one-third of your payment. But in return, you¡¯ll have three days before you must leave." Kael simply nodded, his expression still neutral. He wasn¡¯t bothered by the reduced payment; he was used to this kind of reaction. He wasn¡¯t here for approval or accolades. He had a job to do, and that was all that mattered. "Understood," he said softly, turning to leave. He didn¡¯t need to hear the rest of their complaints. The deal was made, and he had no interest in staying in the village any longer than necessary. Kael didn¡¯t feel the burden of the village¡¯s anger weighing on him¡ªnot in the way others might have. Instead, he moved with purpose toward his favorite place in the village, a small eatery known for its pork dishes. It was a quiet refuge after a long, tiring task. The chef there, once a skilled hunter himself, had always prepared food that Kael enjoyed. When Kael entered the familiar shop, the warm air, thick with the aroma of cooked meat, washed over him. The smell was comforting, grounding him in the moment. The chef, an older man with graying hair and a kind smile, greeted him with a nod. "Ruden always said you''d come by after a tough job," the chef remarked, his voice warm and casual as he readied a knife. "What happened this time? You look like you¡¯ve seen better days." Kael slid into a seat at the counter, his gaze distant as he spoke. "The elders are angry," he said flatly. "The boar exploded in a high-M.P. zone. The village will suffer for it. They¡¯ve given me one-third of the payment and told me to leave in three days." The chef shook his head in mock sympathy. "Ha, it''s your fault for killing the boar in a high-M.P. area. If you¡¯d taken it outside, it would¡¯ve exploded without all this extra mess." Kael glanced up, his tone dry. "It wasn¡¯t me. The boar ran there itself. You can¡¯t change the past, can you?" The chef let out a laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You¡¯re right about that. Can¡¯t change it now. But we can at least eat well while we¡¯re here, right?" Kael nodded, leaning back as the chef prepared the meal. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax. Life wasn¡¯t easy, and the future was uncertain, but for now, there was food¡ªand that was enough.After Kael¡¯s report to the elders, which had left him with little but frustration and a reduced payout, he sought solace in his favorite spot¡ªRuden¡¯s small shop, where the aroma of grilled pork wafted through the air, reminding Kael of simpler times. As he walked in, the familiar creak of the door sounded, and Ruden, with his usual half-smile, greeted him from behind the counter. Ruden was a man of simple pleasures¡ªpork, a good drink, and the occasional hunt. His knife skills were legendary, not just from his work in the kitchen, but also his years as a hunter before he¡¯d settled into his current role. Kael had always appreciated Ruden¡¯s pragmatic approach to life, even if the older man¡¯s advice often came with a fair share of mockery. Kael sat down at the counter, his usual quiet demeanor hiding the frustration he felt. He stared at his half-empty plate of food before he finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing left. The elders are pissed, I¡¯ve got barely any coin, and this place¡ª¡± He gestured around at the modest restaurant, ¡°¡ªis the only place I feel like I¡¯m not losing.¡± Ruden let out a laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Ha! It¡¯s your fault for killing the boar in such a high M.P. area. If you¡¯d done it outside, you wouldn¡¯t be in this mess. But hey, can¡¯t change the past now, can we?¡± Kael simply sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°True enough. But it still doesn¡¯t change what¡¯s going to happen next.¡± Ruden paused, his playful grin vanishing as he eyed Kael for a moment, sensing his frustration. Then, after a long silence, he spoke again. "You know, I might have something that could make us both some money." Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Ruden said, leaning in a bit closer, ¡°a gate appeared out in the forest, and something nasty crawled out of it. Monster, big one. Dangerous. But if we kill it... well, it¡¯s going to pay us big. Big enough to make up for your little ¡®boar incident.¡¯" Kael was immediately alert. "Where¡¯s the gate? What kind of monster are we dealing with, and how do you know this?" Ruden¡¯s smirk returned. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. But what I can tell you is that this thing? It¡¯s worth hunting. The payout¡¯s huge.¡± Kael frowned slightly, his instincts telling him that Ruden was holding back details. He didn¡¯t press further, however. Money was tight, and a large payout could mean survival for him and maybe even a way out of his current predicament. ¡°Fine,¡± Kael said, standing up. ¡°But if we¡¯re going after it together, you need to tell me what we¡¯re up against.¡± Ruden gave a shrug, unconcerned. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about it. Just that it¡¯s tough, and the rewards are plenty. But we¡¯ll figure it out together.¡± Kael¡¯s mind worked quickly, weighing the situation. He didn¡¯t have many choices left, and the risk seemed worth it. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, pushing his plate aside. ¡°When do we start?¡± Ruden¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Tomorrow. Meet me at the village gate in the morning.¡± Kael gave a curt nod. ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡± The following morning, Kael and Ruden stood together at the village gate, exchanging brief nods before heading into the forest. Kael wasn¡¯t sure what to expect from the monster they were hunting, but both of them were cautious¡ªRuden especially, though his usual cocky grin never fully left his face. They spent the morning traversing the familiar paths of the forest, searching for the mysterious gate Ruden had mentioned. However, the two hunters had no idea that they were heading directly toward the creature that would almost cost them their lives. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. When they finally came upon the gate, it was far more imposing than they¡¯d imagined. The air around it crackled with an unnatural energy, and the very ground beneath them seemed to pulse. Out of the gate, a massive figure stepped, its wings unfurling like a dark omen against the daylight. It was a bat. Enormous, its leathery wings stretched wide, creating a shadow that darkened the entire area. Its eyes glowed with an eerie crimson, and it moved with unnerving speed, the air around it humming with deadly intent. ¡°What the hell is that?!¡± Kael asked, his voice low. Ruden just laughed, though it held a hint of uncertainty. ¡°Guess that¡¯s our target, huh?¡± At that moment, the battle began. The first encounter was chaotic and disorganized. Kael and Ruden had no real plan other than survival and a vague hope that they could bring the creature down together. They learned quickly that working together wasn¡¯t as easy as it seemed. Kael launched his thread-based attacks, using his magic to ensnare the bat and trap its movements. But Ruden, wielding his blades with precision, unknowingly cut through Kael¡¯s threads whenever he tried to entangle the creature, disrupting the plan. The bat was fast, its movements unpredictable, and it evaded most of their attacks while retaliating viciously with sharp claws and teeth. In the midst of the fight, Kael¡¯s threads got tangled up in Ruden¡¯s strikes, creating a series of close calls that made both of them grit their teeth. They argued briefly, but both knew they couldn¡¯t afford to waste time. They were barely managing to avoid being overwhelmed. ¡°Watch what you''re doing!¡± Kael snapped, pulling back after another near-miss. ¡°Me? You¡¯re the one with the damn strings everywhere!¡± Ruden shot back, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the bat¡¯s claws. Kael grimaced, but he didn¡¯t have time to get angry. ¡°Just... keep it busy. I¡¯ve got a plan!¡± The bat, distracted by Ruden¡¯s attacks, charged at Kael. Without hesitation, Kael threw his threads at the creature, his magic activating just in time. The threads unwound into a delicate, cocoon-like structure, designed like interwoven shoelaces. As the bat bit down on the threads, they unraveled, solidifying in its teeth and covering its sharp fangs, effectively locking its feeding system. The six chain spell Kael activated was no ordinary thread. The threads created were infused with the elements: Kinetis: A kinetic blast allows the threads to unravel when given enough force, making the bat''s attempts to bite more destructive to itself. Solidon: This element allows the threads to solidify quickly, trapping the bat¡¯s jaws in place when it tries to pull away. Slippen: The threads take on a flexible nature, making it more difficult for the bat to break them as they coil around its fangs. Twiriton: This element allows the threads to wrap around the bat''s fangs and teeth before solidifying, making the trap more effective. Leighton: When touched, the threads visibly strengthen, making them harder to cut or damage and providing additional support to the entrapment. Limos: The threads naturally take on a symmetrical shape, which makes the overall structure of the trap more durable and evenly distributed, ensuring that the bat can¡¯t easily escape. The monster screeched in frustration, trying to pull away, but Kael had already begun to retreat, knowing that this would buy them time. ¡°We need to go back to the village!¡± Kael shouted as he ran, his eyes darting around for Ruden. Ruden, who had been barely holding his ground, nodded in agreement, and together, they made their way back to the village, their retreating footsteps echoing in the woods. Later that day, Kael and Ruden regrouped at the village. Despite their earlier failure, Kael had formulated a plan to ensure they wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake again. They visited a local wood shop and ordered a small figurine of Kael, which was meticulously crafted by the village artisan. Once it was completed, they wrapped the figure onto a stick, fashioning it into something like a makeshift fishing rod. ¡°Now, we just need to get the boar,¡± Kael explained, determination in his voice. Ruden, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re telling me we¡¯re going to use this stick to fight the bat?¡± Kael smirked. ¡°No, not exactly. We¡¯re going to use the boar.¡± The next day, Kael and Ruden made their way into the forest again, this time with a clearer purpose. Their target: a mammoth horned boar. Kael had a plan, and this time, it was calculated. They didn¡¯t want to kill the boar. They just needed to control it. With some effort, they managed to mount the boar, and Kael directed it toward the bat¡¯s cave. As they approached, they placed the Kael figurine in front of the boar, hoping to trick it. The boar, thinking it was Kael, charged after the figure. Ruden and Kael, riding on its back, guided it forward, pushing it deeper into the forest, closer to the bat¡¯s lair. The boar continued running, its massive frame charging ahead with little regard for the world around it. When they arrived at the bat¡¯s cave, the weakened creature still tried to attack, but it was slow and disoriented. Kael and Ruden wasted no time. They leaped off the boar¡¯s back, and Kael launched a dagger straight at the bat. The boar, however, was in a high M.P. zone, and as it died, it exploded with violent force. The explosion was timed perfectly, hitting the bat just as it was still recovering from its earlier injuries. The bat was caught in the blast, taking the full brunt of the M.P. shockwave, which killed it almost instantly. Kael and Ruden scavenged what they could from the bat¡¯s remains, but as the M.P. pollution began to fill the area, they realized they had to leave quickly. The high concentration of magic was dangerous, and neither of them had much time before they too would succumb to the effects of the pollution. They grabbed what they could, but they didn¡¯t linger long enough to harvest everything. As they fled the scene, Kael noticed the toll the M.P. was already taking on Ruden. The older man stumbled and collapsed first, the effects of the magic too strong for him to handle. Kael caught him in his arms, grimacing as he felt the exhaustion from the battle. He didn¡¯t know how much longer they could keep going like this. ¡°Hang on, Ruden,¡± Kael muttered, holding his friend close as he began the long trek back to the village. Ruden barely responded, too weak to speak, but Kael knew that they had to make it back, or everything they had just fought for would be for nothing. When suddenly kael noticed a mark on his hand it has its own magic core like it''s a magic weapon ... The bat named sanguinor is a bat that evolved in an area with very large predators so it evolved to be big itself but due to a genetic disorder it''s heart didn''t grow along with it not allowing blood to properly circulate throughout it''s body and instead of making it''s heart bigger nature decided to give it multiple hearts 3 specifically but it had a genetic disorder so in the process of gaining 3 hearts it lost it''s stomach so the only way to gain proteins was to suck other creature''s blood to do so it developed multiple rows of needle like teeth that are hollow and have holes in them to suck blood ... The chain system is a system in which multiple elements are combined to cast a spell.these elements aren''t single atoms but compound molecules.these elements are named mostly on their function when they actually are part of the periodic table.atomic number in this world is the amount of chains a single element can go up before changing completely.while valence number is the fusion power of an element the higher the valence number the harder it is to combine these elements The last hero The air of relief was thick as Kael and Ruden finally returned to the village. The hunt had been dangerous, but the spoils were worth it. After selling the parts they collected from the bat, they received a decent sum. The village, once tense and fearful, seemed to relax, their expressions lighter. Yet, amid the bustling marketplace, Kael felt something off. His palm tingled¡ªthe mark. It had grown. Not only that, but it was moving, circulating the M.P. around him and refining it into pure magic. That explained why he had suffered far less damage than Ruden during the battle. The mark was acting as a shield, purifying the chaotic energy before it could harm him. Curious, Kael withdrew to a quieter place and began analyzing the magic formula behind it. His eyes widened. A tenth-chain spell. That was already beyond what most high-tier mages could wield. Yet, something wasn¡¯t right¡ªit wasn¡¯t behaving like a normal spell. Instead, it was sending signals¡ªelectromagnetic pulses radiating into the distance, as if reaching out. Somewhere far away, someone received the signal. A figure stood in the darkness, eyes narrowing as magical instruments hummed and flickered with the reception. A smirk formed on their lips. "So, we found you¡­ Last Hero." Kael didn¡¯t dwell on it. There was no immediate danger, and there were more pressing matters¡ªsuch as his unexpected acceptance within the village. The elders, once dismissive, had changed their stance. The village chief, who had been cautious of Kael before, now saw him in a different light. After all, he had unknowingly prevented a catastrophic event for them. Even Ruden was being thanked¡ªhis bravery earned him a nomination as a candidate for the next village chief, though he now had to compete with the other chefs for the position. Kael, however, didn¡¯t react to the gratitude. He never did. He always wore the same blank expression, his emotions buried deep. The only time he showed any sentiment was out of respect¡ªtoward people and even the creatures he hunted. But happiness? Sadness? Anger? They never surfaced. Even when he had been banished from the village, he had felt nothing. The sound of hooves and clanking metal broke the moment. A carriage, flanked by mages on horseback, rolled into the village. Their shields, embedded with magical artifacts, radiated energy¡ªthese were not ordinary weapons. They were specifically designed to circulate M.P., preventing the high magic density from affecting the carriage itself. Kael watched with interest. That was the very reason he had stayed in the village for so long. He never thought he could survive outside the high M.P. zones. Yet, despite the magical turbulence, his mark had allowed him to endure. A man dismounted. His blue hair was slightly unkempt, his black t-shirt torn at the edges. Despite his middle-aged appearance, his eyes were sharp, analyzing Kael with an amused smirk. He crossed his arms. ¡°Hmm¡­ not bad for a starter.¡± Kael¡¯s Departure Their conversation was brief, but direct. Kael, as always, didn¡¯t hesitate to ask questions. His curiosity was unfiltered¡ªwho were they? Why did they come? What did they want? The blue-haired man gave only vague answers. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± There was little time to argue. Kael turned to Ruden, offering him a short but meaningful nod. Ruden had been the closest thing to a friend he had in this village. They didn¡¯t need words to understand the farewell. Then, Kael left with the mages. The journey was quiet at first, but Kael couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. The carriage, the mages, the secrecy¡ªeverything was suspicious. Yet, none of them seemed hostile. They weren¡¯t treating him as an enemy. They were treating him as¡­ something else. Arrival at the Gate When they reached the city gates, Kael finally saw something that made him pause. Golems. Towering, menacing constructs of metal and stone stood as guards. Unlike ordinary magic constructs, these were alive in a way. Their cores pulsed with ancient magic, their very presence radiating power. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Kael¡¯s instincts screamed at him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t win against them. If the bat had been a challenge, these were on an entirely different level. He wasn¡¯t arrogant. He knew he was still weak. But knowing it firsthand, witnessing such an undeniable gap in strength, made it real. The golems scanned them, detecting the magic fluctuations in their bodies. Then, after determining their identities, the massive stone gates groaned open, welcoming them inside. Kael stepped out of the carriage and was escorted by the man into a grand church The grand hall of the Holy Church of Uppretas was vast, its ceiling stretching impossibly high, adorned with golden murals depicting ancient battles between angels and demons. The air was thick with sacred energy, almost suffocating. Kael stood before the pope, alongside seven others. The pope, an aged man dressed in elaborate white and gold robes, watched them with an unreadable expression. His presence alone radiated authority, and the bishops, priests, and high-ranking mages surrounding him seemed to hang on his every word. Then, in a solemn tone, the pope spoke. "You are the last hero to be chosen." Kael remained expressionless. He traveled from village to village, but the title of ¡®hero¡¯ meant nothing to him. He had heard myths, of course, but none of them had ever seemed relevant to his life. What exactly was a hero supposed to be? A woman stepped forward¡ªher very presence felt different. She was dressed in silver priestess robes, a sacred aura surrounding her. The Saint of Uppretas. She looked at Kael with a mixture of reverence and curiosity before speaking. "Let me explain" "One hundred and twenty-nine years ago, the world stood on the brink of destruction." The saint¡¯s voice echoed through the grand chamber, her words carrying the weight of history. "Most people did not have magic, and the demon hordes attacked relentlessly. The world was on the verge of collapse¡ªuntil the god Uppretas answered our prayers." A magic circle, immense and radiant, had appeared in the sky¡ªa conduit connecting the god to his believers. As it descended, a blinding light engulfed the land. From within the light, a small idol emerged. Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed. A toy? At first glance, the idol was no more than a figurine¡ªan angel wrapped entirely in cloth, as if concealing something beneath. But its significance was far greater. "This idol contained the genetic blueprint of an angel," the saint continued. "It was capable of reconstructing every cell of a human, turning them into something beyond mortal comprehension." The first Angel of Humanity was born. With powers unknown to both demons and humans, the angel ended the war single-handedly. Yet, upon realizing his own death was inevitable, he made a deal with Riovana, the God of Destiny. "From that day forward, eight heroes were destined to rise¡­ the ones who would defeat the Demon King." The room was silent. The weight of the prophecy hung over them all. But something gnawed at Kael. A blond-haired young man stepped forward, a royal insignia shining on his ornate armor. His gaze was sharp, his posture regal. Prince Adalric. A natural-born leader, his very presence commanded attention. He was arrogant, but not reckless. He turned to the pope and asked, "So what does this mean for us?" The pope¡¯s voice was unwavering. "You are not heroes yet." A murmur spread among the candidates. "You will face many obstacles before you can be recognized as true heroes. And even then¡­ there is no guarantee all eight of you will make it." Kael listened in silence, then finally spoke. "Even if we kill the Demon King, what happens next?" The room froze. Kael continued, his tone as blank as ever. "The demon army doesn¡¯t die with him. They can just elect a new king. And if a battle of that scale happens, the sheer amount of M.P. released could turn an entire continent upside down." The hall fell into an unsettling silence. Not a single bishop, priest, or high-ranking mage had an answer. Even the saint seemed at a loss for words. Finally, the pope¡¯s expression darkened. His fingers curled around his staff, and his voice carried a dangerous edge. "You dare doubt the prophecy?" Kael¡¯s blank expression didn¡¯t waver. "This can be considered treason," the pope declared. "If you ever question the prophecy again, you will be labeled a demon¡¯s pawn." Kael said nothing. But in his mind, he made a mental note to never forget this The tension passed as the pope moved on. "Until you become true heroes, you will be separated. Each of you must face your challenges alone." A glowing magic circle appeared above them. "As a gift from our god, the Hero¡¯s Mark will grant you your first skill." The mark engraved on their palms reacted, glowing with divine power. These were passive skills, never turning off, each crafted by the M.C. (Magic Circle) to adapt to its user One by one, the heroes stepped forward, receiving their Hero¡¯s Mark¡ªa passive skill that would never turn off, crafted by the M.C. (Magic Circle) based on their magic fluctuations. As each candidate received their mark, something unexpected happened. For the first time in history, the Hero¡¯s Marks didn¡¯t remain in one place. Instead, each Hero¡¯s Mark shifted, relocating to different parts of their bodies, as if symbolizing their unique abilities¡ªa sign that the magic crafted for them was personal, a manifestation of their individual potential. Finally, Kael¡¯s turn arrived. He raised his palm. The Hero¡¯s Mark flickered, and then it shifted, crawling up his arm and spiraling upward like a living thing. Then, the mark shifted once more¡ªit moved into his eyes. A sharp, burning sensation rippled through his head. His vision wavered. Then, he saw it. Chains¡ªthick, ethereal, metallic strands¡ªextended from every person in the room, reaching out toward something beyond his perception. The others didn''t seem to notice, but Kael¡¯s instincts told him that this was significant. For the first time since he¡¯d arrived at the church, Kael found himself overwhelmed with questions. Questions that no one seemed prepared to answer. ... M.p or magic pollution is the disordered atoms and elements that are in a place this m.p is dangerous because one when someone casts a spell their organized elements can collide with the disorganized elements causing unpredictable outcomes.second when disorganized elements get too dense they may cause a spell to occure naturally but since the magic formula is set at random the naturally occurring spell could be a natural disaster or it could attract monsters.third it hurts your magic core being in an area with a lot of disorganized elements can affect your magic core leading you ton pass out or even death ... Magic cores are an organ in your body that is not made up of flesh but magic the core has an storing effect and organizing effect .the core is located just below the brain allowing nerve signals to reach it faster essentially making your sixth sense sharper than the others as it reacts the fastest magic cores have an organizing effect which is used to single out elements for spell use.after it gets organized it gets stored for later use .the longer disorganized elements are kept in the magic core the more organized it gets but since the magic gets circulated quickly the only way to keep it longer is by crating a maze the harder the maze the more time it spends in the magic core the more organized it is.so generally magic cores are divided into four 0 dimension magic core-it means you literally don''t have a magic core and can''t use magic 1 dimension magic core-a straight line that only circulates for a second leading to repetitive circulation making it harder to use magic. 2 dimensional magic core-your core now has width allowing for complex magic cores for better circulation. 3 dimension magic core-now having length your options have skyrocketed this is also the peak of mortal power 4 dimension magic core-a well let''s save this for the gods Chapter 3.5:rudens culinary clash Ruden stood in front of his shop, arms crossed, watching as the dust settled from the carriage that had taken Kael away. He had always known Kael was different, but now he was officially something else¡ªsomething important. As much as he wanted to be happy for his friend, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little bitter. Kael had been his only real competition in the village, and now that he was gone¡­ Wait a minute. Ruden¡¯s eyes widened. That means I¡¯m the strongest hunter left. I basically took down Sanguinor too! A smug grin stretched across his face. He could already imagine the respect he¡¯d get, the free food, the admiration from the villagers¡ª Then reality hit him like a runaway ox cart. People were already lining up outside his shop. ¡°Hey, Ruden! You¡¯re the guy who helped take down Sanguinor, right?¡± someone called out. ¡°I heard you make the best roasted beast in town!¡± another shouted. ¡°I want to eat the food of a hero!¡± Ruden¡¯s grin stiffened. His pride swelled, but at the same time, he realized something terrible¡ªFame means work! He barely got a moment to rest before the flood of customers swarmed his shop. From sunrise to midnight, he cooked, grilled, served, and repeated. No time to experiment, no time to enjoy himself, just constant demand. By the end of the day, his arms ached, and his back felt like it had been trampled by warhorses. This is too much. I need a break. So, when news of the upcoming cooking competition spread through the village, he seized the opportunity. The Cooking Competition Begins The village square was packed. Colorful banners hung from the rooftops, and the smell of fresh ingredients filled the air. The competition had one simple rule: contestants had thirty minutes to hunt, cook, and serve a dish that would impress the judges. As Ruden scanned his competitors, his gaze landed on the current village chef¡ªa man whose very appearance screamed "gluttony." His white chef''s coat was stained beyond salvation, and his rectangular face seemed to stretch from years of overeating. This was the so-called Taste Master, a title given less for his cooking and more for his ability to "appreciate" food. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Ruden couldn''t help but laugh aloud. This guy¡¯s my opponent? Easy win. The village chef turned to glare at him. "Something funny, boy?" Ruden waved his hand. "No, no! Just¡­ appreciating the competition." The other contestants gave him wary glances. He had already made an enemy before the competition even started. The countdown began. Three¡­ two¡­ one¡­ "Start!" Immediately, chaos erupted. Contestants dashed toward the forest, hoping to catch the best game for their dish. Ruden, however, froze. Wait¡­ We have to catch our own ingredients? His eyes darted around. One contestant had already prepared beforehand, pulling out a Melon Bird, known for its soft, easy-to-cook meat. Others rushed off to hire hunters. Panic set in. He had assumed ingredients would be provided. Think, Ruden, think! Then, a realization struck him¡ªhis shop still had meat left over from yesterday! He sprinted back to his shop, threw open the storage room, and grabbed the first thing he saw¡ªseveral pig heads. Triumphantly, he dashed back toward the square¡ªuntil he stopped mid-stride. Wait¡­ I need the bodies, not the heads. He groaned, turned around, and ran back again. By the time he finally returned with the right ingredients, most contestants had already started cooking. Only one other contestant had finished his hunting process early¡ªthe same guy who had prepared beforehand. His dish was already halfway done. So it¡¯s between me and him, huh? Ruden took a deep breath and focused. If he wanted to win, he couldn''t just cook any meal. He had to make the meal. Memories of his childhood flooded back¡ªthe first time he had ever tasted truly delicious pork. That flavor had driven him to become a chef. That taste had become his standard of perfection. He wasn''t just cooking now. He was recreating a dream. With expert precision, his knife glided through the meat, cutting it into perfect slices. He seasoned it instinctively, his hands moving faster than his thoughts. The fire flared as he seared the pork, locking in the juices. The rich aroma filled the air, making even the spectators drool. Minutes passed in a blur, and before he knew it, time was up. The contestants lined up their dishes before the judges. The Taste Master stepped forward first, inspecting the dishes one by one. First was the pre-prepared contestant¡¯s Melon Bird Steak¡ªtender, flavorful, and well-cooked. The village chef nodded in approval. Then, he reached Ruden¡¯s dish. The moment he took a bite, his eyes widened slightly. He chewed slowly, as if savoring every moment. Ruden smirked. I got him. But then¡­ The chef set his fork down and cleared his throat. "The Melon Bird Steak wins." A hush fell over the crowd. Ruden''s smirk faded. "What?" The village chef crossed his arms. "Your meal was good, but the other contestant was better. That¡¯s my decision." Ruden clenched his fists. He could tell¡ªthe village chef had been biased from the start. Then, the village chief stepped forward. "Let me try." The village chef hesitated. "There''s no need¡ª" The chief silenced him with a glare and took a bite of Ruden¡¯s pork. Immediately, his expression changed. He nodded slowly, then turned to the crowd. "The real winner is Ruden." A cheer erupted from the spectators. The village chef paled. "But¡ª!" "My vote counts as two," the chief reminded him. Ruden threw his hands up in victory, already turning to the other contestants with a smug grin. "Haha! I told you all! I''m the best chef in town now!" But before he could finish celebrating, the chief clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, and that''s why your new title is Village Chef¡¯s Assistant." Ruden froze. "...Wait. What?" The village chef, who had been fuming moments ago, suddenly grinned. "You still need to learn, boy. If you''re gonna take my place one day, you¡¯d better be ready for some real work." Realization dawned on Ruden. He had just secured himself a full-time job under the very man he had mocked. The village chef''s smile widened. "Better wake u p early tomorrow. We start at dawn." For the first time that day, Ruden''s face fell. He had just won the battle¡ªonly to lose the war. A journey starts The chains disappeared like they were never there making kael confused like never before but this time he didn''t have time to ask questions suddenly the saintess told them to line up.the heros lined up doing what they were told suddenly a priest rose from his seat and stepped forward then he began to announce where the heros were being sent too. "Kael - Arcanis Prince Alderic - Baldorath Teshira - sellarith Lucian - Seraphal aureil- ivaria Tatsuya - Lithessa Caius - Althera Sienna - Valdor" After he finished he sat back at his seat. Kael and the other heroes were given their assignments ¡ª to travel to their respective kingdoms. The pope''s words echoed in their minds: ¡°It will be a treacherous journey ahead, and we won¡¯t know how many will make it.¡± The prince, Alderic, responded quickly, almost as if he were mirroring Kael¡¯s thoughts. ¡°What about our escorts? How are we supposed to travel to those kingdoms without any protection?¡± The pope looked at him without much sympathy. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s something you should be complaining about, prince.¡± Alderic, unbothered by the dismissal, pressed further. ¡°But what about the others?¡± The pope''s tone didn¡¯t change. ¡°Half of you came here on your own. I¡¯m sure they can handle it.¡± Alderic was about to continue, but Kael cut him off, his patience thinning. ¡°So the other half of us are just supposed to die before we even begin the journey?¡± The pope, nonchalant, responded, ¡°Well, that¡¯s your problem. You¡¯re heroes destined for greatness. I think you can handle it.¡± Kael clenched his fists, the frustration rising inside him. But he couldn¡¯t argue back ¡ª not with the pope. Without another word, he stormed out of the room, muttering to himself. ¡°What a joke for a church. No good paintings, no real leadership... no wonder we can''t defeat the Demon King.¡± He was almost outside the gates when a voice called out to him from behind. ¡°Kael.¡± The voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet carried an undertone that made Kael stop in his tracks. He turned around to see a man standing against the wall of the church, his back to it, arms crossed. The man had blue hair that fell just past his shoulders, the color striking against the backdrop of the stone building. ¡°What do you want?¡± Kael asked, his voice edged with irritation. He had no time for strangers, especially ones who didn¡¯t offer answers to his previous questions. The man with blue hair didn¡¯t move, his posture relaxed, as if he hadn¡¯t a care in the world. His eyes seemed distant, as if observing something beyond Kael¡¯s reach. ¡°You have a lot of questions, don¡¯t you?¡± the man remarked, an almost amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I know the feeling." Kael¡¯s brow furrowed. He didn¡¯t like how the man seemed to know him so well without even asking. "Who are you?" Kael¡¯s patience was thinning. The man with blue hair didn¡¯t respond immediately. He just gave Kael a long, measured look, sizing him up. ¡°You didn¡¯t think you¡¯d just walk into your chosen kingdom, did you?¡± the man said after a moment. "You¡¯re going to need help. And I¡¯m here to offer that." Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed, not quite trusting this stranger. ¡°And why do you care?¡± The man shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that only made Kael more suspicious. ¡°Who says I care? But I¡¯d rather not see you wander into that forest alone and end up as monster food. You¡¯re not the first hero to be sent off with nothing, but... you''re going to need an escort.¡± Kael bit back a retort. He didn¡¯t need someone looking down on him, especially not now. "Fine. I¡¯ll take your help, but I¡¯m not one to follow orders blindly. Who are you, really?" The man¡¯s eyes darkened for a second before the smile returned. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re in a position to be asking that.¡± Kael clenched his teeth, but he kept his cool. ¡°If you¡¯re going to help me, you should at least tell me your name.¡± The man with blue hair remained silent for a moment, then sighed. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. My name¡¯s Michel.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Kael stood there, silently processing the words. The man¡¯s tone didn¡¯t quite match the name, but he let it slide. ¡°Alright, Michel. Now I know who I¡¯m dealing with.¡± Just as Kael was about to ask more, a priest appeared behind the man with blue hair. He was dressed in the church¡¯s robes, his face solemn, but there was a warmth in his smile as he stepped forward. ¡°Ah, I see you two have met,¡± the priest said in a soft voice, his eyes glancing between Kael and the man with blue hair. ¡°Kael, I¡¯m Samuel, a priest here. It¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± Kael was still a little irked by the situation, but he offered a curt nod. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± The man with blue hair turned to Samuel, his expression momentarily more serious. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow. There¡¯s a lot to discuss, and I¡¯m sure Kael will have more questions.¡± Kael¡¯s annoyance flared again, but he bit his tongue. He wasn¡¯t going to get any answers right now. As they made their way through the church grounds, the man with blue hair turned to Kael with a glance that suggested he was about to impart something important. ¡°Kael, let me give you some advice. You may think that answers are simple, but in this world... deception, trickery, and manipulation will be your constant companions. People will lie, hide their true selves, and sometimes they¡¯ll trick you. Always be aware of that.¡± Kael nodded, trying to absorb the information. He wasn¡¯t sure how much of it he could trust yet, but he would keep it in mind. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡± Samuel said with a polite smile before entering the church. The man with blue hair turned to Kael. ¡°Stay with me for now. You don¡¯t want to get lost or worse, find yourself in trouble alone.¡± Kael, though still annoyed, didn¡¯t argue. He had no choice but to accept. ¡°Fine,¡± Kael muttered, following him. As they walked toward a nearby inn, Kael couldn¡¯t help but notice the building¡¯s impressive architecture. He wasn¡¯t expecting something so elaborate for an inn, but it seemed like a nice place.then when kael was about to walk in the man with blue hair stopped him he said"we have something we have to do first".kael asked then why did you bring is to the inn.the man with blue hair smiling said you will see. ... Magic weapons are weapons which have their own magic core.they can be used to cast magic the owner can''t use circulate m.p so the owner will not be distracted and can be used to store magic for later use. ... A chaThe chains disappeared like they were never there making kael confused like never before but this time he didn''t have time to ask questions suddenly the saintess told them to line up.the heros lined up doing what they were told suddenly a priest rose from his seat and stepped forward then he began to announce where the heros were being sent too. "Kael - Arcanis Prince Alderic - Baldorath Teshira - sellarith Lucian - Seraphal aureil- ivaria Tatsuya - Lithessa Caius - Althera Sienna - Valdor" After he finished he sat back at his seat. Kael and the other heroes were given their assignments ¡ª to travel to their respective kingdoms. The pope''s words echoed in their minds: ¡°It will be a treacherous journey ahead, and we won¡¯t know how many will make it.¡± The prince, Alderic, responded quickly, almost as if he were mirroring Kael¡¯s thoughts. ¡°What about our escorts? How are we supposed to travel to those kingdoms without any protection?¡± The pope looked at him without much sympathy. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s something you should be complaining about, prince.¡± Alderic, unbothered by the dismissal, pressed further. ¡°But what about the others?¡± The pope''s tone didn¡¯t change. ¡°Half of you came here on your own. I¡¯m sure they can handle it.¡± Alderic was about to continue, but Kael cut him off, his patience thinning. ¡°So the other half of us are just supposed to die before we even begin the journey?¡± The pope, nonchalant, responded, ¡°Well, that¡¯s your problem. You¡¯re heroes destined for greatness. I think you can handle it.¡± Kael clenched his fists, the frustration rising inside him. But he couldn¡¯t argue back ¡ª not with the pope. Without another word, he stormed out of the room, muttering to himself. ¡°What a joke for a church. No good paintings, no real leadership... no wonder we can''t defeat the Demon King.¡± He was almost outside the gates when a voice called out to him from behind. ¡°Kael.¡± The voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet carried an undertone that made Kael stop in his tracks. He turned around to see a man standing against the wall of the church, his back to it, arms crossed. The man had blue hair that fell just past his shoulders, the color striking against the backdrop of the stone building. ¡°What do you want?¡± Kael asked, his voice edged with irritation. He had no time for strangers, especially ones who didn¡¯t offer answers to his previous questions. The man with blue hair didn¡¯t move, his posture relaxed, as if he hadn¡¯t a care in the world. His eyes seemed distant, as if observing something beyond Kael¡¯s reach. ¡°You have a lot of questions, don¡¯t you?¡± the man remarked, an almost amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I know the feeling." Kael¡¯s brow furrowed. He didn¡¯t like how the man seemed to know him so well without even asking. "Who are you?" Kael¡¯s patience was thinning. The man with blue hair didn¡¯t respond immediately. He just gave Kael a long, measured look, sizing him up. ¡°You didn¡¯t think you¡¯d just walk into your chosen kingdom, did you?¡± the man said after a moment. "You¡¯re going to need help. And I¡¯m here to offer that." Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed, not quite trusting this stranger. ¡°And why do you care?¡± The man shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that only made Kael more suspicious. ¡°Who says I care? But I¡¯d rather not see you wander into that forest alone and end up as monster food. You¡¯re not the first hero to be sent off with nothing, but... you''re going to need an escort.¡± Kael bit back a retort. He didn¡¯t need someone looking down on him, especially not now. "Fine. I¡¯ll take your help, but I¡¯m not one to follow orders blindly. Who are you, really?" The man¡¯s eyes darkened for a second before the smile returned. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re in a position to be asking that.¡± Kael clenched his teeth, but he kept his cool. ¡°If you¡¯re going to help me, you should at least tell me your name.¡± The man with blue hair remained silent for a moment, then sighed. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. My name¡¯s Michel.¡± Kael stood there, silently processing the words. The man¡¯s tone didn¡¯t quite match the name, but he let it slide. ¡°Alright, Michel. Now I know who I¡¯m dealing with.¡± Just as Kael was about to ask more, a priest appeared behind the man with blue hair. He was dressed in the church¡¯s robes, his face solemn, but there was a warmth in his smile as he stepped forward. ¡°Ah, I see you two have met,¡± the priest said in a soft voice, his eyes glancing between Kael and the man with blue hair. ¡°Kael, I¡¯m Samuel, a priest here. It¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± Kael was still a little irked by the situation, but he offered a curt nod. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± The man with blue hair turned to Samuel, his expression momentarily more serious. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow. There¡¯s a lot to discuss, and I¡¯m sure Kael will have more questions.¡± Kael¡¯s annoyance flared again, but he bit his tongue. He wasn¡¯t going to get any answers right now. As they made their way through the church grounds, the man with blue hair turned to Kael with a glance that suggested he was about to impart something important. ¡°Kael, let me give you some advice. You may think that answers are simple, but in this world... deception, trickery, and manipulation will be your constant companions. People will lie, hide their true selves, and sometimes they¡¯ll trick you. Always be aware of that.¡± Kael nodded, trying to absorb the information. He wasn¡¯t sure how much of it he could trust yet, but he would keep it in mind. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡± Samuel said with a polite smile before entering the church. The man with blue hair turned to Kael. ¡°Stay with me for now. You don¡¯t want to get lost or worse, find yourself in trouble alone.¡± Kael, though still annoyed, didn¡¯t argue. He had no choice but to accept. ¡°Fine,¡± Kael muttered, following him. As they walked toward a nearby inn, Kael couldn¡¯t help but notice the building¡¯s impressive architecture. He wasn¡¯t expecting something so elaborate for an inn, but it seemed like a nice place.then when kael was about to walk in the man with blue hair stopped him he said"we have something we have to do first".kael asked then why did you bring is to the inn.the man with blue hair smiling said you will see. ... Magic weapons are weapons which have their own magic core.they can be used to cast magic the owner can''t use circulate m.p so the owner will not be distracted and can be used to store magic for later use. ... A chant is a combination of words used to help spell casting.it works by associating a word with a magic element a full chant is a full magic formula therefore casts a spell. Your familiarity with the word may impact the outcome of the spell so strong mages use their own magic language to cast spells. Music is a complex version of a chant the rhythm and the sound impact the spells out come. The city of eternal rain Kael barely had time to process what had happened before he found himself standing on the rooftop of the inn, the cool night breeze brushing against his skin. The man with blue hair stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes fixated on the sprawling city below. The sudden shift in location left Kael disoriented. "How...?" he muttered, looking around in confusion. The man with blue hair simply gestured for him to sit down. "Relax," he said, his voice calm yet unreadable. "Enjoy the view while we talk." Kael hesitated but eventually took a seat, his gaze following the winding streets of the city, illuminated by lanterns and magic-fueled lights. The buildings stretched far and wide, a true testament to the city''s grandeur. "You think you reached the Grand Hall of Uppretas today, don¡¯t you?" the man with blue hair suddenly asked. Kael frowned. "What do you mean? I was inside the cathedral. I saw the people, the sacred halls, the pope himself." A chuckle escaped the man''s lips. "That wasn¡¯t the Grand Hall." Kael turned to face him sharply. "What?" The man leaned back slightly, supporting himself with one arm. "There are eleven churches across different cities," he began. "Each one is made to look important, to give the illusion that anyone who enters has reached the heart of faith. But in reality, the real Grand Hall of Uppretas is far beyond what you saw today. You weren''t even close to stepping inside." Kael clenched his fists. He had felt something was off, but hearing it confirmed so casually made his blood boil. Before he could question further, a faint drizzle began to fall. Kael instinctively looked up at the dark sky. "Rain?" he muttered. "But¡­ it¡¯s not even the rainy season yet." The man with blue hair smirked. "Welcome to Rainfall City." Kael turned to him, waiting for an explanation. "Every week," the man continued, "the priests and mages of this city gather at specific locations¡ªthe rain holes. These holes contain water from previous rains, carefully stored underground." Kael narrowed his eyes. "So?" "So," the man went on, "they add a special powder into these pools. Something they call Ash Rinse. The moment it mixes with the stored rainwater, it boils into steam, rises into the sky, and condenses into clouds. Within hours, it rains across the entire city." Kael looked at the sky in astonishment as the drizzle thickened, turning into a steady shower. The streets below glistened under the magical rain, reflecting the golden glow of lanterns. "They do this every single week," the man with blue hair said. "That¡¯s why this place is called Rainfall City." Kael sat there in silence, absorbing the weight of this revelation. This city was not just advanced in faith but in magic as well. Even nature itself was shaped by human hands here. As the rain intensified, the man with blue hair stretched and stood up. "Alright, that¡¯s enough fresh air for today. Let¡¯s get inside before we catch a cold." Kael hesitated for a moment, still mesmerized by the artificial rain, but eventually followed him back into the inn. The warmth inside was a welcome contrast to the cool, damp air outside. The two made their way to the counter, where the innkeeper handed them thick bundles wrapped in rough rope. Kael raised an eyebrow. "What¡­ is this?" The man with blue hair took one without hesitation and began rubbing it against his arms and face. "Towels," he said casually. "What, never seen one before?" Kael grabbed one and examined it closely. The outer layer was rough, but as he peeled it back, he found soft, absorbent wool inside. He rubbed it against his arm, marveling at how quickly it soaked up the moisture. "This is amazing," Kael muttered. "It drains the water so fast." The man with blue hair smirked. "Of course. In Rainfall City, things like this are normal. You can expect all sorts of tools made to deal with the rain." Kael nodded. It made sense. A city that rained every week would naturally develop ways to stay dry. However, as he continued using the towel, he quickly noticed an issue¡ªthe rough rope on the outside scratched painfully against his skin. He winced, then frowned in thought. After a moment, he started untying the ropes. The man with blue hair glanced at him. "What are you doing?" Kael held up the now-loose bundle of wool. "The rope is too rough. It hurts to rub against the skin. You should use threads instead." He extended his hand and cast Fifth Chain Magic¡ªa spell that combined five elements but excluded kinetic energy. The magic wrapped delicate threads around the wool, trying to hold it together. However, as soon as he tried to use it, the wool slipped apart in his hands. Kael sighed in frustration. "It''s not working." The man with blue hair chuckled. "If there was a way to make it better, someone here would¡¯ve already figured it out." He leaned against the counter, smirking. "The only ones who could probably solve that problem are the people of Arcanis." Kael''s eyes widened slightly. Arcanis¡ªthat was the kingdom he was heading to. He turned to the man with blue hair. "You know about Arcanis?" This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. The man with blue hair shrugged. "We¡¯ll talk about that after we get a room." They walked back to the counter, where the innkeeper was waiting. The man with blue hair smirked and turned to Kael. "Tell you what¡ªI¡¯ll pay for your room, but only if you beg for it." Kael didn¡¯t even blink. He simply reached into his coat and placed a few coins on the counter. "I have money." The man with blue hair raised an eyebrow. "You do?" Kael nodded. "I looted it off the Sanguinor I killed." The man was silent for a moment before laughing. "Well, well. I didn¡¯t expect that." He paid for his own room, shaking his head in amusement. Kael took his key and turned toward the stairs. Tonight, he would rest. Tomorrow, his journey toward Arcanis would continue. Morning light filtered through the windows of the inn as Kael stretched, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The rain from last night had stopped, leaving behind a cool, fresh scent in the air. The man with blue hair was already up, waiting for him by the door. "Come on, let¡¯s eat before we head out," he said, leading the way downstairs. They sat at the same table as yesterday, and the innkeeper approached them with a casual nod. "The usual?" he asked. The man with blue hair smirked. "Yeah, get me the usual." A moment later, he was served a dark, steaming cup of high-energy coffee¡ªstronger than any normal coffee, dense with magic-infused nature. It was potent enough to serve as a full meal, and it even boosted reaction speed¡ªsomething the man with blue hair openly admitted he lacked. Kael, on the other hand, simply ordered pork. Just normal pork. No magic, no special properties¡ªjust a simple meal. As they ate, Kael brought up the question that had been nagging at him since last night. "So¡­ tell me more about Arcanis." The man with blue hair took a sip of his coffee, sighing in satisfaction. "Well, it¡¯s the most technologically advanced kingdom on the continent." Kael¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "Seriously?" "Yep. But because of that, they tend to keep to themselves. They see other kingdoms as barbaric." He smirked. "Kinda ironic, don¡¯t you think? You look like a total barbarian yourself, so I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll fit in." Kael ignored the jab, thinking about it. "But if they¡¯re so secretive, why would they allow me in? Wouldn¡¯t sending me there mean I could learn their secrets?" The man with blue hair leaned back. "Normally, yes. But everyone is threatened by the Demon King. No one can deny that. If Arcanis refuses to cooperate, they lose the Grand Hall¡¯s protection against the Demon King." He took another sip of coffee. "And no one is willing to risk that." Kael let the thought settle as he finished his meal. After paying, they stepped outside into the city streets. As they walked, Kael noticed children laughing and playing in the water puddles. More interestingly, he saw small mini rain holes scattered along the streets¡ªeach one draining the water away. "Those lead to the main rain holes where the water is stored for next week''s rain," the man with blue hair explained. Kael nodded in amazement. The city was built around controlling the rain itself. It was an impressive system. Empty Spells As they continued walking, the man with blue hair glanced at Kael. "By the way, you still haven¡¯t figured out your Hero Skill, have you?" Kael hesitated. "I''m¡­ not sure. I think it has something to do with my eyes." The man with blue hair rubbed his chin. "Then why don¡¯t you try using Empty Spells to activate it?" Kael frowned. "Empty Spells?" "You don¡¯t know? Well, let me explain." He raised a finger. "When you cast magic, the elements you memorize are stored in your body and combined to form spells." Kael nodded. He understood that much. "But with Empty Spells, well¡­ it''s just like its name. Instead of casting a spell, you push magic out of a specific area¡ªlet¡¯s say, your hand. Your body senses that there''s no magic stored there and tries to refill it. But since you¡¯re pushing it out, the magic gathers around it instead." Kael was beginning to understand. "So¡­ when I release it?" "BOOM. The stored magic bursts out instantly. It¡¯s dangerous if you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing, but it¡¯s useful for spreading your magic reserves or even force-casting a spell." Kael thought for a moment. "So, you¡¯re saying I should use Empty Spells on my eyes?" The man with blue hair smirked. "Exactly." Kael took a deep breath. "Alright¡­ I''ll try." He focused, following the instructions carefully. He emptied the magic from his eyes, feeling the energy drain from them. And then¡ª For the first time in his life¡ª He felt what it was like to have no magic. His vision dimmed. His world went dark. His eyes felt empty. The man with blue hair counted the seconds. "Alright, now release it." Kael let go. A surge of pain shot through his eyes as if he were opening them for the first time. His vision flooded with light, and for a moment, everything was blurry. His eyes swelled as if something inside them had awakened. And then¡ª He saw them. Chains. Golden chains attached to everyone¡¯s backs. Kael¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He turned, his gaze darting from person to person. Each one had chains extending from their backs, disappearing into the air. The man with blue hair frowned. "Kael? What do you see?" Kael opened his mouth, but no words came out. Because when he looked at the man with blue hair, something was different. Half of the nodes on his chains were dimmed. But on one of them¡ª Kael saw an image. A vision. The man with blue hair stood, holding a sword to the throat of an ox. But the ox¡­ looked wrong. A monster? A beast? Kael¡¯s mind spun. Was this the past? The future? He had no idea. His eyes burned, the swelling pain beginning to fade. He could feel the effect wearing off. He stumbled toward a nearby water puddle and looked down at his reflection. And then¡ªhis breath caught. He had no chains. Unlike everyone else around him¡ªKael had nothing attached to his back. Kael stood frozen, staring at his reflection in the puddle. No chains. Why did he have no chains? His mind raced with possibilities Then, after a moment of frantic thought, a simple answer clicked in his mind. "I can¡¯t see my own chains." It made sense. If this ability allowed him to see the chains of others, then it wasn¡¯t strange that he couldn¡¯t see his own. A wave of relief washed over him¡ªbut it didn¡¯t last long. "You¡¯re not ready to use your Hero Skill yet." Kael turned. The man with blue hair stood beside him, arms crossed, watching him carefully. "Until you understand what you¡¯re seeing, don¡¯t use it again." His voice was firm, but not unkind. "Let¡¯s go. We need to meet my team." Kael hesitated but nodded. He still had no idea what the chains meant, or what he had seen in that strange vision. But for now, he pushed the thoughts aside and followed. --- Meeting the Team The streets of the city bustled as they moved toward their destination. Kael kept glancing at people, instinctively searching for chains, but without activating his power, they were nowhere to be seen. After a few minutes, they arrived at an open training ground near the city¡¯s outskirts. Waiting there was a group of four people. Kael¡¯s eyes widened when he saw a familiar face¡ªSamuel. The priest from the church stood among the group, looking exhausted. His eyes were heavy, and his posture slouched, but despite his fatigue, he had still come. "Samuel?" Kael said in surprise. Samuel offered a tired smile. "You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d just sit around praying all day, did you?" Kael felt a strange sense of comfort seeing him here. Though they hadn¡¯t known each other long, there was something steady about Samuel¡ªsomething that made Kael feel like he wasn¡¯t completely alone in this unfamiliar world. "Alright," the man with blue hair said, gesturing toward the others. "Let me introduce you to the rest of my team." He pointed first to a short, stocky figure. "This is Borin." Borin was a dwarf, short but broad-shouldered, with a thick beard and a heavy steel cape draped over his back. His helmet had ox horns¡ªbut they weren¡¯t the same as the ox from Kael¡¯s vision. They were shaped differently. Still, the resemblance made Kael uneasy. Despite the weight of his armor, Borin moved easily, as if it were light as cloth. He gave Kael a quick nod. "Looks like we got a fresh one," Borin said, his voice deep and gruff. "Try not to slow us down." Kael raised an eyebrow. "I could say the same to you, shorty." Borin let out a laugh. "Hah! I like this one!" The man with blue hair smirked before moving on. "This," he said, gesturing to the next person, "is Eris." Kael turned his gaze to the woman standing beside Borin. Eris wore a plain white mask¡ªa featureless circle with only two holes for the eyes. The mask had no design, no markings, nothing to give it any personality. It was eerie in its simplicity. Kael had no idea what the point of such a mask was. But then again¡­ he hardly understood this world¡¯s customs. Her attire was light, and at her waist, she carried two daggers. Everything about her suggested she was an assassin. She tilted her head slightly, regarding Kael in silence. Then, without a word, she turned away. Kael frowned. "¡­Is she always this quiet?" Borin grinned. "If she talks to you, that means she likes you." "¡­So I should hope she never does?" "Exactly!" The man with blue hair chuckled before moving to the last person. "And this," he said, "is Riven." Kael¡¯s eyes landed on a tall, slim man holding a longbow. Riven looked plain¡ªhis armor was unremarkable, and he didn¡¯t carry himself with the same intensity as the others. But what stood out the most was his red hair. It was long¡ªtoo long¡ªand it covered his eyes completely. Kael blinked. How the hell does he see? He looked at Borin, then at the man with blue hair, but neither of them seemed to find it strange. Kael crossed his arms. "¡­How do you even shoot like that?" he asked. Riven, without looking at him, simply said, "I don¡¯t need eyes to aim." Kael stared at him, waiting for an explanation. None came. Borin patted Kael on the shoulder. "Don¡¯t bother asking. I¡¯ve tried. Just accept that the crazy bastard can do it." Kael sighed. "Fine. Guess I¡¯ll just go with it." The man with blue hair clapped his hands together. "Alright, now that introductions are done¡ªlet¡¯s talk about the mission." Kael turned his attention back to him, pushing aside his lingering thoughts about the chains, the vision, and his new strange teammates. He had a feeling that whatever came next¡­ It wasn¡¯t going to be easy.