《The Last Legend: The Rise of Destiny》


 Chapter 1 "The End of an Epic."

    Start writing here¡­The piercing screams had risen to such a crescendo that even the stormy winds seemed ashamed. The labor pains were unbearable, and Queen Alder writhed in excruciating agony. The Sacred Tree, as if to honor this woman¡¯s endurance, had lowered its branches. The sky, once bright, had now darkened with storm clouds, as if mourning the pain itself.


    One of the midwives, her face smeared with the queen¡¯s blessed blood, said in a trembling voice, ¡°Your Majesty, please hold on a little longer.¡± The queen, her voice raspy and full of pain, replied, ¡°I know¡­ It feels as if even my child doesn¡¯t want to come into this wretched world...¡± She had reached the limits of her endurance.


    Finally, the boy was born, but he made no sound. The queen also lay motionless. The atmosphere grew overwhelmingly tense. The boy was brought to his mother, but the queen gave no reaction. Suddenly, the baby began to cry; not to show he was alive, but as if mourning the loss of his mother. King Atrius, hearing the cries, rushed to his wife¡¯s side, but his smile froze in place. Queen Alder was gone.


    The king cradled his lifeless wife and cried out in grief, ¡°Alder! Wake up! Please, come see... our son is waiting for you! Please¡­ you know I¡¯m terrible with children. Please, wake up¡­ Alderrrr!¡± Every member of the Legendary race knelt in honor of the queen they had lost, shouting her name in unison. The Sacred Tree shed some of its blossoms at the queen¡¯s feet. The sky let out a thunderous roar, as if weeping in shared sorrow.


    The child, now cleaned, continued to cry. After endless sobs, Atrius rose, his face blank, and approached his son. Holding him gently, he said, ¡°My son¡­ my dear son¡­ I know you want your mother¡¯s embrace, but I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry for being an unworthy father and husband. Your name shall be Arian, as your mother chose¡ªa name meaning pure and noble.¡±


    Turning to the assembled people, he declared in a loud voice, ¡°Today, we have witnessed tragedy. But we cannot remain in mourning forever. A great battle lies ahead. I have lost my wife, and you your queen, but I have a son, and his name is Arian. He is your crown prince. Please, guide him as you have guided me.¡±


    The people fell into a heavy silence, as if they resented Arian, believing him the cause of the queen¡¯s death¡ªa curse upon them. King Atrius cradled Arian and walked away, heading toward a dark, misty forest. He vanished from sight. His face was wet¡ªwhether from rain or tears was unclear¡ªbut he pressed his heir close as he approached a small cabin deep in the woods. The child wept incessantly, and the rain visibly soaked the king¡¯s cloak, now stained with his wife¡¯s blood. Arian¡¯s cries echoed through the forest, yet no creature dared move in the presence of Atrius.


    The cabin door creaked open, and an elderly woman emerged. Her radiant skin and amber eyes reflected her wisdom. Atrius approached, bowed his head, and spoke softly, ¡°Zynarfil... I must leave. Please, take care of Arian.¡± Zynarfil bowed deeply, mourning the queen¡¯s death, and took Arian into her arms. With sadness, she replied, ¡°Rest assured, I will raise your son as if he were my own. Now go.¡± Atrius, his eyes lifeless and his smile hollow, nodded and left.


    Meanwhile, murmurs spread throughout the allied forces¡¯ camp. Soldiers whispered endlessly until a commander roared, ¡°What¡¯s all this racket? Do you think this is a women¡¯s bathhouse? Shut up and get back to your posts!¡± A soldier hesitantly reported, ¡°Sir, a messenger pigeon just arrived. It says Queen Alder has passed, and Atrius has vanished.¡± The commander snarled, ¡°I know! What now? Should I send him my condolences?¡± Ashamed and bitter, the soldiers dispersed.


    Inside the royal tent, a discussion was underway. One king suggested, ¡°King Andreas, now is the perfect time to attack. The grief of losing their queen has weakened the Legendaries.¡± King Andreas responded, ¡°I know, but remember, a wounded lion is most dangerous. What do you think, King Dracencius and King Eldinor?¡±


    Dracencius and Eldinor paused before agreeing, ¡°We stand with King Raxleus. Let¡¯s mobilize our forces. Besides, our armies outnumber the entire Legendary race by forty to one. Victory is assured.¡±


    After a moment of thought, Andreas ordered, ¡°Very well, we prepare for battle to extinguish this race once and for all. Raxleus, your sword-wielding vampires and human warriors will form the front line. Dracencius, have twenty of your warriors transform into dragons and attack from the skies. The rest of your warriors, skilled in close combat, will form support teams in pairs for the front line. Eldinor, instruct your elf archers to ride the dragons and provide aerial cover while your magicians split into two groups¡ªone for the rear, and one to lead alongside me on the ground.¡±


    The three kings nodded and departed to implement the strategy. Meanwhile, Atrius returned to his people. During his absence, the queen had been laid in a coffin crafted from the Sacred Tree¡¯s branches. He mourned her one last time and called the people together.


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    After a moment of silence, Atrius spoke with a commanding voice, ¡°People! Today, we have witnessed a grievous event¡ªthe death of my wife. But we cannot wallow in sorrow forever. In a few hours, we will face one of history¡¯s greatest battles. I cannot promise victory, as I have no reason left to live. Yet, I thank you all for standing by me in these dark times. Now, as not a king, but as one of you, I ask that you leave. For if you stay, death awaits you.


    But if you choose to remain, know that we fight not for revenge or conquest, but for honor and dignity.¡±


    As Atrius concluded, the Legendaries¡ªgathered around the Sacred Tree, as their traditions demanded during the birth of a crown prince¡ªerupted in unified cries, ¡°Long live the king! Long live Queen Alder!¡±


    Atrius gave a faint smile before resolutely commanding, ¡°Now, soldiers, come with me to plan our strategy.¡± He approached the Sacred Tree and rested his head against its trunk.


    In a soft voice, he whispered, ¡°Today, both you and I meet our end. But fear not, for Arian will return one day, and you will be reborn. As for me... I will not. So please, keep my memories safe for him?It seemed as though the Sacred Tree gently swayed in response, as if understanding Atrius¡¯s thoughts and feelings.


    Atrius gathered with his soldiers in the camp tent, strategizing for the battle. With a firm voice, he addressed one of the commanders, ¡°Commander, the enemy¡¯s forces will number close to 40,000, while our entire population is merely 1,000, of which only 560 are fighters. But remember, the strength of each of us is equal to four of them, so do not worry.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Given the dark and cloudy sky, the vampires will be at their peak strength. Therefore, I expect they will lead the first wave of the attack. Send a few men now to set locking traps on the battlefield to slow them down.


    The other major threat is the dragons. I estimate only twenty or thirty of them will shift into their dragon forms and attack from the sky. Do not worry; I will personally handle their aerial forces. As for the rest attacking on the ground, they will be yours to deal with.


    There¡¯s nothing else special. Quickly, go and prepare for the battle, and please leave me alone for a while.¡±


    The soldiers left their king alone, overwhelmed by a profound sense of sympathy for him. How could one endure so much misfortune and still stand tall against fate?


    After hours of preparation, the battle finally began. The battlefield was filled with emotions of doubt, anxiety, and fear on both sides. On the allied force¡¯s side, Andreas, Dracencius, Raxleus, and Eldinor were all mounted on their horses behind the front lines, staring at the battlefield with determined gazes.


    In contrast, Atrius, as the leader, stood on foot shoulder-to-shoulder with his soldiers. His steady and determined gaze inspired the hearts of those around him. Emotions swirled within him; not only was he thinking of his soldiers, but also of his beloved Arian and the legacy he must leave behind.


    A cool breeze swept through the battlefield, intensifying the tension. Both sides approached each other slowly, the sound of their own heartbeats louder than that of the impending war. Atrius took a deep breath, turned to his soldiers, and said, ¡°Today, none of us will grieve a second time. There is no retreat; only the path ahead is open because behind us are our children.¡±


    With these words, he sought to lift their spirits and ready himself for what lay ahead.


    He then turned to face the enemies and declared in a loud voice, ¡°I am Atrius, the 20th King of the Randera Dynasty, the Keeper of Balance. I stand before you today. I assure you, if you retreat now, you will live; if not, you will die a gruesome death. Four kings, it would be wise for you to abandon your folly, for this battle will disrupt the balance of the world!¡±


    Dracencius roared in fury, ¡°You¡¯re the fool, Atrius! Look around you! You stand with only 600 against our 40,000! Do you really think you can win and maintain balance? What a ridiculous joke! Your own Legendary race is the disruptor of balance!¡±


    Dracencius glanced at his soldiers and shouted, ¡°Attack! Let¡¯s show them how we deal with a false king and his pitiful army!¡±


    The battlefield quaked with the roar of warriors and the clash of chains and weapons. Atrius looked at his soldiers, seeing the passion for the fight burning in their eyes. He knew today would be a historic day. With a heart full of hope, he stepped forward and shouted, ¡°Together, we fight for honor and freedom! Today, we will prove that the power of faith and unity can overcome any force!¡±


    Thus, the two armies surged toward each other, sealing their fate and the fate of the world in this decisive battle.


    Atrius strode forward resolutely, drawing his longsword from its sheath. With a simple swing, the sky trembled, casting doubt among the enemy forces. A yellow light radiated from his sword, strengthening the resolve of his soldiers once more.


    He infused his sword with mana and launched his first strike with immense power. With a single swift blow, several enemies fell to the ground, the stench of blood and death filling the air. The dragons and enemy elf archers turned their gazes toward Atrius and attacked him.

 Chapter2:;The Wooden Sword

    The vampire-locking traps emerged from the battlefield''s horizon, seeking an opportunity to halt those deadly attacks. Amidst this chaos, a powerful war erupted. The earth trembled from the pain and damage caused by the battle, and the sky could no longer bear the sound of clashing magic and swords. Atrius''s magic, like lightning, illuminated the sky, as if the world itself had momentarily gasped for breath.


    Magical rifts appeared in the air, and his sword strikes, like massive earthquakes, shifted the tide of the battle. Yet the enemy, especially Dracensius, refused to surrender. With a roar filled with rage and determination, he commanded his forces to attack.


    The allied forces, holding faith in Atrius, advanced with all their might. In this historic encounter, amidst a ruthless battle, the fate of two worlds rested in the hands of warriors fighting for faith and honor.


    While Atrius fought in the heart of the battlefield, Andreas stood in a corner with a mysterious smile, thinking to himself, "Just as I predicted, this battle is ours." He gestured to his remaining forces and shouted, "Attack, everyone! Now is the time to show our strength!"


    With Andreas''s command, the battle intensified once more. Despite the stark difference in numbers, the Legends unexpectedly gained the upper hand. The power of faith and Atrius''s courage inspired his soldiers to fight to their last breath.


    An hour passed, and the brutality and violence of the battlefield persisted. Atrius fought valiantly, but the cost of his bravery was steep. In exchange for taking down approximately 6,000 enemy forces, he lost his right hand and part of his abdomen. Deep wounds on his body and face bore the marks of his resilience and bravery.


    Now, he stood alone on the battlefield, surrounded by about 28,000 enemies in a tight circle. All his comrades had been slain, and he now faced the challenge alone, weary and wounded.


    Atrius looked around. He heard the triumphant roars of his enemies, but within him, a flame of hope still burned. He knew this battle was not just for himself but for all those who had sacrificed their lives for courage and faith. This warrior of war, alive and unyielding, was ready to fight to his last breath against all enemy forces.


    At this moment, despair did not allow him to surrender. He looked at the ground with his wounds and said to himself, "Today is my day. As long as I have a breath in my chest, I will not surrender."


    Atrius glanced back and saw the sacred tree on the horizon. It was engulfed in a sorrowful silence, screaming in his heart. He saw how defenseless infants, women, and children were slaughtered by the vile sorcerers. It seemed as though there was nothing within them¡ªnot even mercy for the smallest victims.


    Andreas, at that moment, mockingly looked at Atrius and said, "Now, who is the fool?! Take a look around! All your people are dead, and you are the only one left alive¡ªif we can even call you alive."


    Then, with a savage move, Andreas severed Atrius''s leg. He barely endured the pain but was ultimately dragged toward his wife''s coffin. The coffin, made from the branches of the sacred tree, symbolized Atrius''s love and loyalty to his queen.


    In the queen''s embrace lay an infant, but Atrius quickly realized it was not Arian. This infant was the child of one of the Legends, sacrificed to prevent the enemies from pursuing the prince.


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    Pain and despair gripped Atrius''s soul, but in his mind, courage and a strong will burned brightly. He could not allow the names of his wife and child¡ªeven if the child was not his¡ªto fade into darkness so easily.With all his might, he shouted, "I will not surrender! My name is Atrius, and I will fight to the last breath to protect what I love!" With these words, his resolve was renewed, and he steeled himself to thwart Andreas''s plans and save what remained of his family.


    Roxelius gazed at the sacred tree and, with a mocking tone, said to Atrius, "Do you know why this is called the sacred tree? Because the first of the Legend race was born here. Your child is the last, but unfortunately, he is dead. Now, I will destroy this tree so that no more Legends are ever born!"


    With those words, Roxelius unleashed destructive magic upon the sacred tree, and the tree began to wither and perish. The tree, a symbol of life and hope for the Legend race, gradually disintegrated with each strike of the magic. As the tree was destroyed, the ground beneath Atrius shook, and he felt as though his world was collapsing.


    But this was not the end of the story. Following this, Andreas, with cold, unfeeling eyes, decapitated Atrius. He believed that by doing so, he had eliminated the last Legend, but the truth was far more complex than he could imagine.


    In a cottage deep within the forest, baby Arian, nestled in the arms of Zynarfil, suddenly began to cry. Zynarfil, who had never lost hope, gently tightened his embrace and, with tears in his eyes, whispered to the child, "So, you felt it too, my boy?"


    Zynarfil knew there was still hope in this dark world. He deeply believed that Arian, Atrius''s son, represented the Legend race and all the dreams this land needed. In his heart, he felt that even in the darkest moments and direst circumstances, there was a light that could guide the way back.


    History would forever remember the story of Atrius and the hidden secrets of the Legend generations. Life always finds a way, even in the midst of darkness.


    Seven years had passed since the fateful battle, and the world had returned to its former calm. During this time, to honor the victory and maintain peace between the four races, a school was founded in the capital of Calostia, the realm of humans. The school was named Chrysalis.


    Arian and Zynarfil were living together in their cottage. Now that Arian was seven years old, he was learning more about martial arts and magical skills. His mentor, Zynarfil¡ªa dragon and the very one who had raised Atrius¡ªwas in charge of Arian''s training.


    "Alright, Arian," Zynarfil said, "before we start our work, first tell me¡ªwhat do you know about the geography of the world?"


    "Well, Master, as you know, our world consists of two major landmasses. The larger one is called Ugandra, and the smaller one... is named Zilandra. There''s also a large ocean between these two continents, named Thalaris, in honor of the goddess of water."


    "Good job, boy. Now let me tell you about the details of Ugandra. This continent is home to four races: dragons, vampires, elves, and humans. Each of these races, based on their powers and attributes, has claimed a region. Humans, being stronger in diplomacy, share borders with all three of the other races. And their country? That''s right¡ªit''s called Calostia, with its capital located near the ocean. Let''s talk about the dragons. They''re the only creatures capable of flight, so their country lies in the Argolin Mountain Range. Between this range and the human lands lies the Magic Swamp, where, if you''re not careful, the creatures there might devour you. At the northernmost point of the swamp and the continent is a land that is mostly in darkness. Why? That''s right¡ªbecause the sun rarely shines there. That''s the kingdom of vampires, known as Darkland. Lastly, the land of the elves lies in the forest, and it''s called Silanderin."


    "Master, I have a question. If we''re in a forest right now, does that mean we''re in the land of the elves?""Not exactly, my child. We are in the forest of the Calostian kingdom... Now, come on, let''s teach you some swordsmanship. Hurry, go grab your wooden sword!"


    Arian and Zynarfil practiced together every day. Zynarfil prepared him for the future and answered all of the little one''s questions¡ªexcept for those related to his parents. To those, he would only say, "They were great people."

 Chapter3:?The Secret of the Black Crystal?

    Hours passed in this manner, and Arian grew stronger each day in knowledge and combat skills. Realizing that this method of training was no longer adequate for Arian''s progress, Zynarfil proposed, "Arian, what do you think about going on a journey? I think it''s time for you to see the world beyond the forest."


    "Yes, Master! Please... let me quickly pack my things. Where are we going? To the sea? Or the Argolin Mountains, hmm! Or maybe the Dark Marshes?!"


    "Calm down, this isn''t a leisure trip. We''re going on a mission. And the first place we''re heading to is the capital of Calostia!"


    Both Arian and Zynarfil prepared for their adventure. They traveled on foot to build Arian''s endurance, while Zynarfil taught him how to absorb the mana around him while walking, without meditating. In the early days of their journey, they left the forest where their cottage was located and entered a vast, lush plain. In the center of this plain was a road that connected the capital of Calostia to the border town of Irwana, which was near the land of the elves.


    "Master, look at those butterflies! Why are they behaving like that?"


    "Arian, be careful. Every beautiful thing has its dangers. These butterflies, if you notice, hover more around insects than flowers. Do you know why? Because the mana within insects is tastier for these butterflies."


    "So why should I be careful, Master? I''m not an insect!"


    "True, but if you bother one of them, they''ll all attack you together because they have vengeful personalities."


    "What fascinating creatures. We didn''t have them in the forest. I guess they''re afraid of that place. Oh, Master, look at that dog! This one doesn''t seem very dangerous, huh?"


    Their journey continued in this way, encountering other travelers along the road who were heading to Irwana. Near nightfall, Zynarfil suggested they rest for the night. They went over other lessons, and Arian helped Zynarfil prepare food.


    "Well, Arian, tonight I want to teach you about the anatomy of different races. Although there are significant differences, the bodies of all of us work in similar ways. For any being to use mana, they must have mana veins and a mana core, forming a mana circulation system similar to a blood circulation system. However, these veins and cores form at different ages for different races. For example, in humans at age 8, elves at age 12, dragons at age 20, and vampires at age 31. Of course, this is an estimate, as some, like you, form their mana core much earlier."


    "So, Master, does that mean I''m a genius? And how come I didn''t even realize I had a mana core?"


    "Yes, Arian, you are a genius, an exceptional case. You formed your core at the age of 3, which is why you''ve forgotten about it. But remember, don''t tell anyone about this except your closest loved ones, okay?"


    "Yes, Master. Now, can you explain the rest of the lesson?"


    "No, Arian, that''s enough for tonight. Now, go to sleep. I''ll join you shortly."


    After putting Arian to bed, Zynarfil walked toward a dark spot in the plain. With each step closer to that point, the suffocating feeling in the area intensified.


    "You''re the ones heading to Irwana, aren''t you? What happened? Why are you back?"


    "Please forgive us! We didn''t know that... ugh!"


    "Didn''t know what, huh?! I despise fools like you, whose mana cores are still in the red zone even at the age of 30, yet you take up banditry."


    The sound of breaking. Zynarfil sent the two bandits to the next world, then returned to Arian to rest by his side. The next morning, Arian and Zynarfil resumed their journey and training. Zynarfil handed Arian a transparent crystal, one designed to be used after awakening one''s mana core.


    "Arian, my dear, take this crystal and try to inject your mana into it."


    "Why, Master?"


    "Well, because I got this from a traveling merchant, and since we didn''t have it before, we couldn''t figure out your primary mana element."


    "Alright, Master. But... what is a primary element?"


    Zynarfil replied, "Do the test first, and I''ll explain afterward." During the test, Zynarfil''s eyes widened in shock. He was witnessing one of the wonders of the world.


    A primary element indicates which element someone is most attuned to and may learn related elements with effort. Most of the time, a person only has one primary element, and the crystal displays that single color. Rarely, someone might have two primary elements, and the crystal shows two colors. However, for Arian, the crystal displayed all four colors¡ªand, additionally, a black hue appeared, a color said in legends to manifest only when nature itself chose someone.


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    Another legend, known only to Zynarfil, stated that if black appeared in the crystal, it meant the person had been chosen by the goddess of death and creation herself!


    "Master, what happened? What are these colors?"


    "Sorry, my son, I got distracted for a moment. Let''s continue. The primary element shows which type of magic someone can use. As I''ve taught you before, there are four primary elements: air, which appears green; water, blue; earth, brown; and fire, red. The color in the crystal indicates which element the mana user can harness. With effort, they can also use related elements. For example, someone with fire as their primary element could potentially use lightning."


    "That''s so cool, Master! Does that mean I''m the ruler of all elements? And what does the black mean?"


    "Yes, Arian, you have the potential to rule over all elements¡ªif you work hard. As for the black... In ancient times, it was said that anyone with black in their crystal could become something beyond this world''s imagination. But in the 23,000 years since the first wizard, you''re the only one who''s had this element."


    "So, if I''m the first, how do they know what this element does?"


    "It''s said this element was first seen in the forgotten goddess, the goddess of death and creation. But that''s just a theory."


    "Alright, Master. Now will you teach me how to use magic? So far, you''ve only taught me to gather mana around my fists and sword as a shield, that''s it!"


    "Yes, but first, you need to determine which category of mana users you belong to: mages or enhancers! It depends on the capabilities of your mana veins. I already know which category you fall into, but what do you think?"


    "Well, Master, you taught me that mages manipulate the mana in their surroundings to cast spells, while enhancers use the mana within themselves. So, I guess I''m an enhancer!"


    "Bravo! Here''s a candy as a reward. Now, let me explain in more detail. Mana veins in the body connect to the outside through points with gateways. Mana flows into and out of the body through these points. In mages, these gateways are fewer but larger, allowing them to release more mana from a single point compared to enhancers. Enhancers, like you, have more points in their bodies, but the gateways are smaller. That''s why your mana spreads evenly across your body rather than concentrating in one area."


    "Okay, Master. So, I have many points in my body but can''t cast big spells?"


    "You can, but you''ll need to work hard. First, let''s learn how to distribute elemental mana within your body. How does that sound?"


    Arian and Zynarfil continued their journey, learning more about the world around them. Arian encountered fascinating creatures, like bird-hunting mice and wolf-eared cats, while Zynarfil laughed at Arian''s playful antics.


    After three days, they reached the capital, a bustling city filled with crowds and shops selling all sorts of items, from magical wands to furniture. The streets were paved with stone, and everyone seemed to be heading toward the central square in front of the king''s palace. After the global peace treaty, different races began living together, so people from diverse backgrounds could be seen everywhere.


    "Wow, Master! It''s so big! What''s that? And that? Oh, what''s this? By the way, why is that man''s skin so pale? Oh, Master, can I buy this, please?!"


    "Arian, you''re all over the place! What do you want now?"


    "Look! They''re selling magical eggs. Maybe I''ll get a rare creature!"


    "Oh, madam, please don''t break your son''s heart. Little boy, you''ve come to the right place. These eggs were brought from the continent of Zilandra. They say they could hatch into a phoenix, a demon, or a wolf¡ªI''m not sure!"


    "Master, please, can I get one?!"


    "Fine! Stop giving me that look with your eyes! Alright, sir, how much?"


    "For this charming boy, I''ll only take ten rants."


    "Alright, here you go. Arian, pick one."


    "Hmm... I''ll take the black one!"


    "Here you go, little one. Come back anytime!"


    After buying the egg, Zynarfil visited an information shop and purchased a map of Calostia and its surroundings. Then, the two headed to an affordable . "Master, what do you think this egg is?" "Look, Arian, I think it''s probably a regular chicken egg since it only cost ten rants. If it were a real magical egg, it would''ve been over seventy rants. Now forget the egg and go eat your dinner! I want to teach you some more¡ªhurry up!"


    Both of them ate their dinner, sat in the middle of the small rented room, and prepared for their lesson.


    "Alright, Arian, so far we''ve figured out that you''re an enhancer with all the elements. Now tell me, does that make you invincible?" "No, Master. If I don''t work hard and get stronger, then no. There will always be someone stronger than me!" "Good answer, my boy. Now let''s talk more about the mana circulation system. The core is the main part of the system. If you want to disable a mana user without physical harm, you can destroy their core¡ªthis will prevent them from using magic ever again! The core acts like a pump, moving mana in and out of the body. The mana core itself has levels, which you can notice by looking within yourself at the area where your core is located. Each level is represented by a specific color. The difference in levels and colors lies in the density of a person''s mana. Let me explain with an example¡ªit''s like polluted water. The more polluted it is, the murkier it gets. Now focus inside yourself, around your stomach. What color is your core?" "...Hmm, Master, I think it''s red!" "Exactly correct! You get a chocolate as a reward. Now let me explain the levels. Red represents the beginner or amateur level. The amount of mana in your body is very low, so with this amount, you can only form a thin protective layer around your body. The next color is orange, which is denser than red, so your magical range increases. After that comes yellow, then green, then blue, purple, and finally white. That''s the order of mana levels. Most people in the world fall into red or orange levels, with only a few reaching purple or white. The four kings, along with me, have white-colored cores. But there''s also a legend about another color¡ªblack! According to scholars, if the mana inside the core exceeds a certain limit, a fusion process occurs within the core..."


    "Wow, that''s so interesting, Master! Does that mean you''re that strong?!" "Yes, my little rascal¡ªof course, that''s the only part you paid attention to!"


    After continuous discussions about who was stronger, the lesson paused as playful Arian steered the conversation away. They both rested in their small room and woke up early the next morning.


    During their journey, Zynarfil decided to review the map he had bought. Since it was cheap (five rants and three rents), it only showed borders and area names¡ªnothing more. Zynarfil decided they would stay in the capital until noon and then head toward the Amurna Desert in the center of the continent. For this, they would need to cross the border of the Silanderin nation.

 Chapter4:Dance of Mana in the Desert"

    "Master, what do you think would happen if I injected my semen into an egg? Would we end up with some kind of hybrid creature?" "I think you should give it a try¡ªbut be careful to use only an ounce each time since your supply is limited." "Alright."


    After that, Zinarfiel decided that the journey could be made more comfortable if he purchased a horse. He acquired a striking steed that Aryan had chosen¡ªa horse whose legs were as white as snow, while the rest of its body was painted in deep blacks and burnt browns, and whose mane sported a bone-like hue. The price came to about 87 rants, an expense that thoroughly broke Zinarfiel''s bank.


    Their journey continued as they retraced the route by which they had previously arrived at the capital, and this time they headed toward the city of Iroana. This city, a border town with Silandrin, exuded a decidedly military atmosphere. Dangerous characters¡ªsmugglers and slave traders¡ªroamed its streets, making it, by all accounts, an unsuitable place for a young boy. Once famous for its iron mine and once dedicated to supplying war weaponry (though nowadays it mainly produces agricultural implements and the like¡ªimplements that, if wielded by the right hands, can be as lethal as a sword), Iroana was not exactly the bustling metropolis of the capital.


    "Master, where exactly are we going?" "Well, I''m going to take you to the desert so that we can begin your practical lessons in earnest!" "Oh, this is so cool¡ªat last I''m going to cast offensive spells! By the way, Master, what kind of place is this desert?" "Hmm¡­ It''s an enormous wasteland, riddled with traps and teeming with magical creatures. Because of these very traits, the Rank Hunters Organization has classified this desert as high-level and dangerous! But do not fret¡ªI''ll be by your side, and we won''t venture too deep. Just remember: until your core level reaches purple, you must never brave this desert alone!" "Understood, Master¡ªbut one more thing: what exactly is the Hunters Organization?" "Well, it''s a collective of wizards and enhancers responsible for hunting down dangerous magical beasts and monsters, and for rating the threat level of different regions. I even spent a short period in that organization myself¡ªand I took your father there when he was just a youngster." "Wow¡ªmy father was a hunter as well! Then I''ll become one, too; I''m eager to learn more." "Not yet, Aryan. You must first attend school; when you feel strong enough to fight, then you can embark on that journey."


    Overcome with curiosity¡ªand thrilled to learn that his father had once been a hunter¡ªAryan paid little heed to the rest of Zinarfiel''s explanations.


    The two continued across the lush, green plains, riding their horses as gracefully as a gentle breeze. Finally, after three and a half days of travel, they reached the city of Iroana.


    "Master, why is this city so quiet? It''s nothing like the capital!" "Perhaps it''s because it''s a border town¡ªor maybe its inhabitants are just lazy! Either way, stay alert."


    Upon arrival, Aryan and Zinarfiel immediately noticed the city''s dreary atmosphere. Owing to the nearby mine, Iroana reeked of iron, and its residents were more rugged fighters than simple townsfolk.


    Zinarfiel approached a local¡ªone who looked more like a merchant¡ªto inquire about the routes that led to the desert. Having lived for nearly eight years in a cabin in the forest alongside Aryan, the man was not well aware of recent changes. "Master, I must admit, I''m a bit frightened¡ªthis fellow is terribly intimidating!" "Don''t worry, little one; he''s our Guardian, which is why he has such a fearsome look."


    Even after the merchant''s answer, Aryan could not shake his uneasiness. The Guardian was of vampire lineage¡ªthe deep, chasm-like quality of his eyes struck terror into anyone who met his gaze. Observing this, Zinarfiel once more recognized the boy''s remarkable instinct.


    "Madam, I think you''d do well to take care of your Guardian¡ªhe might soon cause you harm!" "Pardon me, madam?" "Look, he''s become utterly blood-addicted, if you catch my drift. Now, if you''ll excuse us, we''re on our way¡ªand thank you for the information!"


    Mounting their horses once again, Aryan and Zinarfiel set off. The desert, much farther away than Aryan had ever imagined, would have bored him long ago were it not for the enchanting magical creatures that roamed its fringes¡ªand the magical egg he had purchased.


    Approximately two months after their encounter with the merchant, one night as Aryan and Zinarfiel had camped by the roadside for a rest, the sounds of rustling and the movement of unseen creatures enveloped them. "Do not open your eyes until I tell you to, Aryan. Now, get into the tent," Zinarfiel instructed firmly.


    After Aryan had retreated inside the tent, Zinarfiel glanced toward the far side of the road and murmured, "It appears that that foolish merchant was even dumber than his words suggested."


    Then, from the darkness emerged a figure¡ªthe merchant''s Guardian! His face now looked more terrifying than ever; his fangs were permanently bared, and his bloodlust had reached its peak. Chunks of flesh still dangled from his maw. When a vampire becomes so blood-addicted, it loses all sense of reason and follows nothing but its raw instinct¡ªto hunt.


    "Since you''re not going to answer, I''d better wrap this up quickly¡ªI can''t bear to keep my boy waiting," the Guardian snarled.


    In an instant, Zinarfiel launched a swift attack, but the Guardian seemed to vanish¡ªhis speed increasing to a frenzied pace under the light of the full moon that bathed the plain. At that moment, Zinarfiel felt a prickling sensation around his neck and quickly shifted to avoid the monster''s fangs from latching onto his skin. Yet, a kick¡ªhurled with force by the Guardian¡ªstruck him squarely, sending him reeling backward.


    "Well, well¡ªit seems I''ve gotten a bit older; my bodily strength and physics just aren''t what they once were," Zinarfiel grumbled.


    Changing tactics, he invoked his earth magic to increase the gravitational force in a one-meter radius around him, causing the Guardian''s bones to shatter as he stepped into the field of magic. With a swift movement, Zinarfiel seized the Guardian by his hair and lifted him from the ground. Though the Guardian struggled fiercely, Zinarfiel''s power was unmatched. In a calm yet icy tone, he declared, "Alright then¡ªit''s time to finish this." With a resounding, forceful kick, the sound of the Guardian''s skull shattering echoed across the night.


    For a moment, Zinarfiel regarded the lifeless body, then let out a bitter laugh: "It''s been ages since I last got to hunt a bloodsucker." He made his way over to Aryan''s tent. Casting his gaze upon Aryan''s peaceful, sleeping face, a gentle smile graced his lips. "My dear Aryan, are you awake? ¡­ Hmm, it seems you''ve fallen asleep."


    Settling down on the ground, Zinarfiel gazed at the starry sky and murmured under his breath, "By the way, let me not forget¡­ Tomorrow is your eighth birthday. I must make preparations for you."


    The next day, with bleary, half-asleep eyes, Aryan awoke and began scratching himself, searching for Zinarfiel¡ªbut his master was nowhere to be seen. Determined to find him, Aryan stepped out of the tent. "Hmm¡­ doesn''t that smell like chocolate? Master¡ªwhere are you? Hello?" "What''s with all this yelling at the crack of dawn, kid? Yes, I''m old, but my hearing still works far better than yours!" came the reply. "Ah, Master, where have you been? And what''s that in your hand?" "Well, what do you know? This is your birthday present, boy. Today you turn eight, and it''s high time you set out on your own path¡ªI''m tired of all this! ¡­ Don''t laugh, kid; you''re really exhausting me. Grab your gift, and I''ll go gather our supplies. Then we''ll be on our way." "Alright, Master¡ªbut aside from you, I don''t know any elder! ¡­ Okay, Dad, why are you teasing me¡­ Let''s see what the gift is!"


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    Bursting with excitement, Aryan unwrapped his present. Inside the small box lay a pair of black gloves¡ªreminiscent of something emerging from the depths of the darkest chasm, albeit a bit worn, a clear testament to the many battles fought. "Master, you retrieved this from your stash, didn''t you?" "Yes¡ªbut note that it belonged to your father. Like you, he was an enhancer. With these very gloves, he once removed Tarentis'' heart right from his body." "Tarentis? You mean that rare creature mentioned in the book¡ªa being with six legs and a bizarre body, its lower half resembling a scorpion and its upper half somewhat akin to a human (not exactly human, but in a way¡­)? Thank you so much, Master; I''ll treasure this forever!" "Indeed. Now hurry and prepare yourself¡ªwe must swiftly make our way into the desert." "Yes, Master."A


    ryan and Zinarfiel resumed their journey. Along the way, Aryan busied himself with the gloves he had received as a gift and with injecting his mana into the magical egg he''d brought from Kalostia. During their travels, they observed many curious creatures¡ªsuch as a long-tailed gecko and a desert cat¡ªthat seemed to spend most of their lives near this barren land.


    About a month later, they arrived at the Amorna Desert, also known as the Endless Desert or the Desert of the Lovers of Death. Over the course of that month, Zinarfiel explained much about the history of this desert to Aryan. "Look, Aryan, despite its unassuming appearance, Amorna is dangerous. In fact, it acts like a virus¡ªconstantly growing and expanding. The desert has a living essence, so be cautious. Many battles have been fought here¡ªfor example, there was once a duel between two enamored elves fighting over a girl, a battle that was renowned for its heart-felt intensity. That''s why they also call it the Desert of the Lovers of Death."


    "Wow, Master, this place is incredible! The sands are even more golden than gold. Look at that gecko! I''m telling you, Master, where''s the danger? It looks more like an ideal destination for scientific expeditions and adventure. For instance, have you noticed how at sunset the sun''s path almost seems to cling to the desert, creating a perfectly flat expanse?"


    "True enough¡ªit''s breathtaking, yet utterly deceptive. At first it seduces its visitors, drawing them in, and then tests their worth. If a person has a stable spirit and a strong purpose, the desert spares them. But if not, it drains and withers them away."


    "Wow, that''s so strange! So¡­ what do you say, shall we head back? We had fun, and we''ve seen the desert already!"


    At that moment, upon learning the true nature of the desert, Aryan broke into a run. But Zinarfiel formed a gust of wind beneath him, lifting him off his feet¡ªand then flung him deep into the desert.


    "Hey, kid, here''s your first test. When you have no purpose, you must create one. I''m right behind you, but try your best to stay alive!"


    With eyes bulging from his sockets, Aryan fixed a devilish grin on Zinarfiel and silently hurled thousands of curses at him before finally accepting his fate. After being thrown onto the sands, he lay there for a few moments, gazing up at the blue sky.


    "Hmm¡­ It''s so warm and soft here¡ªperfect for a nap. But¡­ where is that Master, huh? Master! Master! It seems that everywhere I look there''s nothing but sand. When did I ever decide to come to the heart of the desert?"


    Thus began Aryan''s trial. The desert had absorbed him and was scrutinizing him. Hours passed, yet he remained seated on the same spot, staring at the ground. The sound of the wind and the shifting sands had grown ominous, and as the sky darkened and the sun''s glow faded rapidly, Aryan began to panic.


    "¡­I¡ªI''m scared. Why isn''t anyone here? Master¡­ Master¡­ The air is so cold and dark¡­ Master!"


    Time and again he called out for Zinarfiel, but there was no reply. The darkness in the desert deepened steadily¡ªthe far edge of the dunes now resembled black tar, as deep and endless as the abyss of the Talaris Ocean.


    After a short while, something began to tremble in Aryan''s pocket. At first it terrified him, but he soon realized the quivering belonged to the magical egg he''d taken from the Capital. Initially, the egg shimmered in a metallic black, yet its darkness exceeded even that of the surrounding sands. It kept shaking¡ªalmost as if it were reacting to the desert or to Aryan''s unease.


    "Don''t worry, Dad, I''m here¡­"


    "Whaaaa!! Who is this, Dad? Who is it¡ªis that a voice in my head?"


    "Why are you yelling, Dad? It''s me¡ªthe egg, or rather, the creature within it¡ªplease, I¡­"


    "Hey, why did you go silent, kid? Do eggs even talk?! ¡­Enough fooling around; I''d better go find this damned test¡ªbut how?"


    After about three hours of tears and whining, Aryan finally decided he had to face the test, even though he still didn''t know what kind of test it would be. He continued his solitary walk through the desert, day after day. There was no sign of Zinarfiel, no hint of the promised test¡ªonly the black egg, clutched close to him, growing larger with each passing day, as if nourished by the very life of this arid place.


    In a distant, disembodied voice, someone mused: "This foolish kid¡ªwho would have thought he''d venture so far? By God, he''s my very student, yet it''s odd: this is the first time I''ve seen the desert treat someone with such care. Even Atrios¡ªif he were here¡ªwould have only encountered mirages and those geckos. And that egg itself! How bizarre¡ªit''s steadily absorbing Aryan''s mana and expanding, its color deepening from black to an even darker shade!"


    The continuous sound of shifting sands and whistling winds, along with the weight of the egg, wore Aryan down both physically and mentally. The scorching heat of the desert grew ever more intense, fraying his nerves.


    "Why won''t this cursed test reveal itself? My dear egg, why don''t you conserve some mana for me? If the environmental mana concentration weren''t so overwhelming, I''d have died a hundred times over from its shortage¡­ It''s been days now¡ªwhere is Zinarfiel? I''d better get some sleep."


    Overwhelmed by exhaustion from a week of relentless walking¡ªand despite his fear of the unyielding desert¡ªAryan finally closed his eyes and sank into a slumber deep enough to be called the sleep of the Seven Kings.


    The incessant rustling of compacting sands by his ear tickled his mind, rousing him from his sleep. When his drowsy eyes opened, he saw a black creature standing directly above him. Terrified, he reacted instantly: drawing upon the mana-transfer technique Zinarfiel had taught him during their journey, he summoned a flow of mana beneath himself and harnessed the power of the wind element to put distance between himself and the being.


    "Oh my God, what is that?! I was lucky to have slept just a few hours¡ªotherwise I almost died! Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Why the cocked head, you black dog?! Wait¡ªlet me see¡­ isn''t that egg''s skin over there? Ah, no way!!"


    "Indeed, Dad¡ªit is my egg, but I''m no dog!"


    At last, the creature within the egg emerged fully and began communicating with Aryan telepathically.


    "Really? You emerged from that egg? And how can you speak directly into my mind? But you''re¡­ beautiful. You''re not frightening at all; in fact, those big, adorable eyes of yours are irresistible! And why do you call me ''Dad''?"


    "I''m not entirely sure why, but ever since you transferred your mana into the egg, I felt the warmth of your mana drawing me in. Your mana is remarkably gentle¡ªeven unlike the harsh energies around¡ªand it was the first time I managed to connect with someone from within. So, you are my Dad! As for what I am¡­ I''m not exactly certain, but I suspect I''m more like a wolf than a dog."


    "Very well. Yet it''s obvious that you''re just as alone as I am¡ªa being who doesn''t truly know who or what he is. I was raised by a great dragon, though I belong to a different race entirely. You, on the other hand, were born in the heart of the desert¡ªdevoid of any parental guidance¡ªso whether you''re a dog or a wolf (though I suspect more the former), it doesn''t matter. I''ll raise you!"


    For a long time, Aryan and the newly emerged creature engaged in warm conversation. After several days, Aryan finally shook off his loneliness and even managed to smile. Through his own insight, coupled with the creature''s explanations, he realized that his new companion was nothing more than a wolf.


    "Alright then¡ªnow that I know what you are, and since you call me ''Dad,'' let''s give you a name. Hmm¡­ let me think. Your fur is so black that without the metallic glimmer in your eyes, you''d be invisible in the dark. And, since you''re a wolf, I''ll call you ''Shadolf''¡ªa blend of shadow and wolf. How does that sound?"


    "Any name that you, Dad, bestow upon me, I accept!"


    "Excellent. Come on, Shadolf¡ªlet''s get out of this miserable desert and track down that wretched Zinarfiel!"


    Thus, Aryan and Shadolf set off together through the desert. As they advanced, the character of the desert gradually shifted; more mirages appeared¡ªespecially as Aryan''s water supply dwindled. Meanwhile, high in the sky, Zinarfiel observed Aryan, employing his dragon powers¡ªthe very privilege reserved for dragons, the only race in this world granted the ability to fly.

 Chapter5:"The Desert Trial: The Unseen Border"

    "Well, well, it seems the desert trial is finally beginning. A week has passed, and Aryan has held up surprisingly well so far. Who would have thought that black egg would turn into one of the rarest creatures on earth¡ªa Shadow Wolf. Let''s see what these two can do!"


    Below, where Shadowlf and Aryan were, the scorching heat of the desert was intensifying, with the golden sands amplifying it even more. Gradually, the number of lizards and scorpions appearing around Aryan increased, constantly trying to get closer. "Shadowlf, stay alert! I think it''s time for the Amourna trial to finally reveal itself!" Two hours passed in a calm-before-the-storm kind of silence, and at last, the battle between Aryan and the desert creatures began! "Hey, buddy, watch out! These tiny black six-legged things are dangerous. Their tails are venomous." "I know, Shadowlf; they''re called scorpions. Thank goodness it''s daytime, or we wouldn''t be able to see them in the dark..."


    Aryan stood still for a brief moment, leaving the battle to Shadowlf. "Hmm, okay, let me focus. My mana reserves are limited, so if I activate all my mana channels, while it protects my entire body, my attack power decreases. So, let''s redirect all my mana into my hands and the soles of my feet... Alright! I''m an enhancer. I can''t cast grand magic, but punches? That, I can do! Shadowlf, move aside!"


    After a brief pause and a sharp command, Aryan leapt high into the air and slammed his fist into the ground. His punch radiated with a red glow, causing a rain of sand to rise slightly around him, and a mild tremor shook the earth. This tremor momentarily stopped the scorpions! "Alright, Shadowlf! Now, attack!"


    With his small yet agile body, Shadowlf moved like a shadow within the dust stirred by Aryan''s punch, shredding the scorpions with his sharp claws.


    "Hmm, good, good. This boy recognizes his weaknesses and knows how to use his body effectively. But because of his smaller frame, he can''t fully utilize what''s in his mind. And that wolf? You''d never guess it was just born! Aryan, you''re lucky to have such a great companion! Let''s see how you survive this next phase, my boy!"


    After hours of continuous battle between Aryan and the scorpions, the sun began to set, painting the sky a reddish-golden hue, as if the desert''s image was reflecting in the heavens. "Dad, I''m exhausted. I can''t go on... It''s getting dark. I''m hungry... and thirsty..." "It''s alright, Shadowlf. I know; I''m tired too... It seems they''ve stopped attacking. Alright, you rest, and I''ll keep watch. Then you can take over while I get some sleep."


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    After their conversation, Aryan sat cross-legged and began meditating. Shadowlf lay down beside him, soon drifting to sleep. As Aryan meditated and absorbed the surrounding mana, he started expanding his senses, scanning the environment.


    "Alright, so far, I don''t know how long it''s been since I entered Amourna. But judging by the fact that my rations have run out, it seems about a week has passed. I spent about a day motionless when I first arrived, and the rest wandering almost three tarns. But I can''t seem to locate the outer environment. My senses previously extended to five tarns, but now it''s just this much, and I still haven''t found the entrance!" (Note: A tarn equals one kilometer.)


    "Today, for the first time, I managed to throw a real punch¡ªa strong punch at that! But clearly, it wasn''t my strength alone; it''s because I used the wind element. Reflecting on the battle, by redirecting my mana into my hands and feet and sealing the other channels, I managed to increase its density in those areas. This caused the interaction between my mana and the environment to act like a positive pressure pump, generating propulsion. That''s how I achieved both a higher leap and a stronger punch. But it''s not enough¡ªmy mana concentration isn''t high!"


    "Quiet down, Shadowlf! Your snoring will wake up the entire desert... Okay, it''s clear¡ªI''m weak. I don''t understand how that witch thought I could handle this trial!" Aryan, after cursing Zynarfil, switched places with Shadowlf and lay down to sleep.


    "You''re clearly trying, Aryan. Based on the flow of mana around you after the battle, it''s evident your mana veins are absorbing more. You also successfully used the wind element. Sure, wind is weak, but even that''s challenging for an eight-year-old¡ªespecially if you''re an enhancer relying on a mage''s body magic. Focusing mana in a single point as a trigger, not a shield!"


    The cold, dark winds of the desert began to blow, making Shadowlf''s black fur dance. The sands, once as hot as a furnace during the day, now turned into shards of glass carried by the wind, attacking Aryan and Shadowlf''s bodies. The desert, indeed, was home to venomous scorpions by day and razor-sharp winds by night.


    "What''s going on, Shadowlf? Why are you howling!?" "Shadowlf! Hey, boy, where are you? Or better yet, where am I!? Wait... how do I know this is the border of Cilandrin!? Hold on... I''ve never been here before!

 The Encounter and the Secrets

    After awakening, Arian found himself near the borders of Silandrin, at the Sacred Tree¡ªthe very place where he was born and where his parents had perished! Yet he remained unaware of this fact, and was astounded to see that in this storm-battered locale¡ªwhere he could glimpse figures and hear the battle cries that made the hairs on his body stand on end¡ªhe had somehow arrived. ¡°Surely the desert doesn¡¯t possess the power to teleport me such a distance¡­ but how on earth did I get here?!¡±


    For a moment, Arian¡¯s mind reeling with confusion, the scene before him shifted. He now found himself in an empty, boundless expanse where only one figure stood facing him: an Elf. ¡°Who are you? Where is this place? I¡¯m asking you¡ªanswer me quickly!¡±


    The Elf replied, ¡°You know, Arian, it is quite extraordinary that for the first time an eight-year-old boy ventures into the desert alone¡ªa boy whose mental capacity is so vast! Now, to answer your first question: Who am I? I suppose Zinarphil¡ªthe female dragon who recounted a bit of this desert¡¯s history¡ªtold you. I am the Elf who created this place, though everyone gets the story wrong. What can you do?¡±


    Arian retorted, ¡°Hold on¡ªwhy should I trust you? Perhaps you, too, are merely a test?¡±


    The Elf answered, ¡°I understand your doubt, but let me say this: the test is over¡ªin fact, I finished the test myself. I thought it unwise to subject you to further risk, for your destiny is far more intricate than you imagine!¡±


    Arian, incredulous, cried out, ¡°My destiny? What do you mean? Where are you going now?!¡±


    ¡°Listen closely, Arian¡ªI cannot reveal everything at once, but remember that all things will be made clear in due time. Farewell, King!¡±


    ¡°Speak up, man! I can¡¯t make out a word!¡±


    After the Elf departed, Arian¡¯s senses gradually returned to reality. To his great astonishment, he found himself¡ªand Shadowwolf¡ªat the very spot where they had entered the desert. A gentle breeze stirred, carrying with it the faint aroma of Zinarphil¡¯s presence, and suddenly Zinarphil herself dashed toward Arian. ¡°Hey, Arian, how are you? Congratulations on completing the desert trial. I¡¯m truly proud of you¡ªyour father never finished it this quickly! But why are you so quiet?¡±


    Arian snapped, ¡°Quiet? Why am I quiet? I mean, I¡¯m practically dying of hunger from all this, and you¡ªyou were nowhere to be found in that damned desert! Where were you?¡±


    Observing Arian¡¯s flushed face and hearing his furious outburst, Zinarphil burst into hearty laughter¡ªwiping tears of mirth from her eyes¡ªand exclaimed, ¡°Oh, my little chick, I said, ¡®What happened now?!¡¯ Now, tell me, whom did you fight in your visions?¡±


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    ¡°Nobody!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, ''nobody''? It can¡¯t be!¡±


    Arian explained, ¡°The visions occurred in my subconscious¡ªinitially near Silandrin, then in an empty void¡ªuntil, all of a sudden, a tall Elf with white hair appeared by my side.¡±


    At these words, Zinarphil¡¯s expression turned serious and agitated. ¡°What are you saying, kid? You saw that tall Elf¡ªand why did he appear in your subconscious? Does that mean there was no actual battle?¡±


    ¡°No, Master,¡± Arian replied, ¡°he told me that he had ended the trial¡ªit wasn¡¯t worth endangering you¡ªand he said that my destiny is far more complex than you think!¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that one of the creators of the desert came to you and warned it wasn¡¯t worth killing you¡ªhe personally came?¡±


    ¡°Yes! How many times must I say it?!¡±


    Zinarphil was visibly taken aback. Here was one of the most powerful Mana Users in history¡ªwhose own battles had forged an area that now posed a threat to others¡ªgazing at Arian with eyes that conveyed both astonishment and recognition of something special within him. ¡°You know, Arian, that Elf you saw is the mightiest sorcerer in the 23,000-year history of Mana Users. If he deems you special, then you undoubtedly are!¡±


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s best that we return to the capital, Calustia, for by then you¡¯ll be nine years old. With a little party trick, I¡¯ll enroll you at Crocealis Academy. Your initial training is complete¡­ But mark my words, if what I suspect is true, your future will not be an ordinary one. And tell me¡ªdidn¡¯t they give you any other title, like Soldier, Commander, or Sage? No honor, then?¡±


    Arian countered, ¡°Master, you broke my hands a bit¡ªbut as for a title¡­ I think in the end you said, ¡®Farewell, King!¡¯ Though your voice became somewhat indistinct as you departed.¡±


    Upon hearing these words, the ambient mana¡¯s flow became tumultuous, and Zinarphil was so astonished that her heartbeat¡¯s sound reverberated around them. ¡°Arian, were you really told ¡®King¡¯?!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®What is a king?!¡¯¡±


    ¡°Idiot! If a powerful sorcerer addresses someone as ¡®King¡¯, that indicates he is stronger than¡ªor will become stronger than¡ªthe one he addresses. Understand? It means you are destined to be the new marvel of history!¡±


    Arian retorted, ¡°Master, I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m to be a king or the strongest, because even a single scorpion could kill me. So let¡¯s go eat¡ªplease, by the goddess of fire, let¡¯s hurry; poor Shadowwolf is almost dead from hunger! Oh¡­ by the way, Master, what species is Shadowwolf?¡±


    After hearing Arian¡¯s remarks, Zinarphil shook her head and laughed at the simplicity of the young boy before her. ¡°Well, kid, he¡¯s a Shadow Wolf¡ªbut more precisely, a ¡®half-wild wolf¡¯. I never imagined that that cheap egg would hatch into such a rare creature. To put it simply, if you are to be the king of the Mana Users, then he is the prince of magical beings¡ªonly surpassed by the Black Phoenix.¡±


    ¡°Wow, did you hear that, Shadowwolf? You¡¯re one of the strongest¡­ well, not yet. With your small, puny body, you¡¯re more akin to a puppy than a proper wolf!¡±


    ¡°I promise, Dad, I¡¯ll grow stronger so I can protect you!¡±


    ¡°I know, my son.¡±


    Watching them from behind with a mixture of longing and pride, Zinarphil internally murmured, ¡°Atrius, your son will one day change the world¡ªjust as you always said

 Return and Change

    After finishing their meal, Arian, Shadowwolf, and the third member resumed their journey and chose the route back to Calustia. Along the way, Arian and Zinarphil discussed the proper use of the elements.


    "Look, Arian¡ªjust as you yourself said, to use any element you need a specific concentration and compression of mana. But the more important condition is whether your mana veins absorb that element or not! In fact, to be precise, mana in the environment isn''t only present in one form¡ªit exists in various states. Each person, based on their mana nucleus and veins, only absorbs the state that carries the primary element they need. However, since you have all the elements, your mana veins are capable of absorbing every form of mana!"


    "Now I understand! It makes sense that if concentration and compression were the only factors, then a mana-user of the fire or earth element would have started using magic much later!"


    "Bravo¡ªexactly. But I won''t teach you too much now, because your schoolteachers already teach you about mana and magic much better than I can. However, let''s modify your training over the remaining time!"


    "How, Master?"


    Zinarphil flashed his devilish smile once again, and that was enough for Arian to grasp how challenging this training would be.


    "Well, using mana even for protecting your body is forbidden!"


    Just that one sentence made Arian collapse to the ground; he was so astonished he didn''t know what to say. In a world where even plants use mana, its use for self-protection was off-limits to him.


    "Master, have you lost your mind?! What do you mean, ''using mana is forbidden''?"


    "I didn''t say you wouldn''t use mana at all¡ªprecisely the opposite! Listen, Arian: mana is indeed an important element, but it isn''t everlasting. In the midst of battle, you might run low on mana at any moment, and then you''re done for! As a mage, I have a supporting role at the rear in battles¡ªso my exhaustion comes only from mana consumption and not physical strain. But you, as an enhancer specializing in close combat, must be at the very front line. That means you''ll tire both physically and magically, so you need to strengthen your body!"


    "Master, what you say is true, but I can''t even defend myself without mana!"


    "I know you can¡ªbut I''m not saying you''ll never go to war. From now on, your training will include running, weightlifting, and doing push-ups!"


    "If that''s the case, then it''s nothing¡­ Why are you laughing like that?"


    "Well, you''ll understand later. Today, I''m giving you a break; tomorrow, training begins! Now, enough about you. Let''s move on to this little one! Shadowwolf, come here¡ªlet me inspect you first. Hmm¡­ It''s obvious you''ve absorbed a lot of mana from Arian, and as is typical for your kind, your primary element is already set. Well, you need to eat more to become stronger, so you must go hunting!"


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    "What do you mean, Master¡ªcan magical creatures become stronger by hunting? I wish I were a wolf!"


    The discussion among the three continued extensively throughout the journey.


    The next morning, Arian began his training. At first, he simply did ordinary exercises: jogging, dragging Shadowwolf along, sitting down, and standing up repeatedly. But after several months, Zinarphil started training Arian using gravitational magic. Poor Arian was forced to climb trees or rocks along the route!


    "Master, what should I do today?"


    "Let me see¡­ hmm, today is battle day. It''s been four months now, and during these four months you only used mana at night to level up¡ªeven though you''re still stuck in the red, it''s good for tradition!"


    "Yeah, finally¡ªI''m not a loser anymore. But then, who am I supposed to fight?"


    "With me!"


    "What?! Don''t be ridiculous!"


    Arian and Zinarphil moved apart and prepared for battle. Zinarphil, calm and serious with a penetrating gaze, stared at the nervous Arian standing opposite him.


    "Alright, Arian¡ªI''m standing my ground. You attack; if you can do something that makes me move, then you win!"


    "Okay, that makes it a bit easier!..."


    Arian focused intently. Over these four months he had undergone many behavioral changes¡ªhe was no longer the kid who always babbled nonsense; a newfound seriousness had set in. He took a deep breath and increased the flow of mana in the veins of his legs. Thanks to all his constant running, his muscles were more conditioned. With just a small injection of mana into his muscles, his movements grew much quicker. Rapidly, he closed the distance between himself and Zinarphil and launched a powerful punch toward him¡ªyet Zinarphil effortlessly deflected the blow. However, the punch''s force and pressure caused Zinarphil''s magically whitened hair to ripple in the sky.


    "Bravo, that was a good punch¡ªbut it''s still weak, kid. Your ability to channel mana isn''t fully developed yet. Not a problem, though, since you haven''t been seriously trained in this area."


    "I know, because you never let me be¡ªbut this is just the beginning."


    Arian''s punch still lingered in Zinarphil''s grasp. Then, with a slight jump and an arched motion of his body, Arian delivered a hammering kick to Zinarphil''s flank. But Zinarphil, being more alert, pushed the kick back before it could land, disrupting Arian''s balance and causing him to fall.


    He got up again; this time he advanced slowly toward Zinarphil, gathering all his mana entirely into his fist with each step.


    "Alright, just like before¡ªthis time increase the compression even more: increase, increase, increase! Feel the heat, let the wind flow¡ªhurry up!"


    Arian''s punches charged the space around him; a stream of warm wind formed around his hands. He had combined the elements of wind and fire. Zinarphil, inside, was so astonished he didn''t know what to do¡ªthe combination of elements can only be effectively used once your mana nucleus has at least attained a blue level.


    "This boy is getting stranger every day, generating warm wind! Imagine, if he gets even stronger, what won''t he be able to do?!"


    Arian concentrated all his mana into the punches he hurled at Zinarphil. With the aid of the hot wind that emerged, the speed and power of his punches increased, forcing Zinarphil to retreat to deflect the blow¡ªhe didn''t want his clothes to catch fire from the wind''s heat.


    "Yay, I did it!"


    "Bravo, kid¡ªyou did well, but when did you learn to combine elements so effectively?"


    "Well, I don''t really know. Honestly, I only set one condition: if I heat up the environment, it will naturally generate wind. I never expected to inadvertently harness the element of wind within my mana flow!"


    "You see, you haven''t understood anything¡ªbut that''s fine! You''ll grasp the real principle later. Now go get ready, because it''s time! By the way, where''s Shadowwolf?"


    "I don''t know," he replied, "he said he''s going hunting¡ªthough he isn''t very far, just around the corner. Let me call him."


    After Shadowwolf arrived, they continued their journey. Then, after about eight months, on the 23rd day of the Dambul month in the year 23001, they finally reached the capital, Calustia