“Hrmm…” Hiro mumbled.
‘How am I supposed to win the tournament if I don’t have a teacher?’ He was sitting alone in Training Room 20 by himself. Earlier that day, when he asked his father about training, his father had refused and pointed him towards the AA.
[Tenga, are you any good at close-combat?]
[I can’t say I am Hiro. I’ve spent most of my life with my nose between books. I’d rather sit back and enjoy an anthology on magical concepts rather than waste my energy swinging a piece of metal around.]
[I see…] Hiro replied disappointedly.
‘Seems like Tenga won’t be much help. Is it even possible to learn sword techniques within a month? What is the point of becoming Romulus’ disciple if I need to learn from someone else to get there?’ He was struggling to find a solution of his current predicament.
[Hiro, if I may add.]
[Eh? Sure.]
[Is magic not allowed to be used in the tournament?]
[If I remember correctly, magic is allowed, but not many use it because it takes too long to cast spells. Battles usually end in moments, so not many mages participate unless it’s a tournament specifically aimed towards spellcasters.]
[If magic isn’t forbidden, why not use magic then? You’ve already succeeded once in casting something, if you focus, you would be able to cast spells by the time 1 month is up.]
[Didn’t you hear me say that it takes too long to cast spells during the matches?] Hiro replied.
[That’s for modern magic, Hiro. Remember how my magic is different?]
‘That’s right! Since Tenga is from a time long before mine, I guess I’ll call his magic Ancient Magic.’
[So about your ancient magic. How is it different again?]
[Well for starters, my so called ‘Ancient Magic’ is only limited by the casters mental strength and imagination.]
[So you mean to say that if my mental strength wasn’t strong enough then I won’t be able to use it?]
[Incorrect. If the caster’s mental strength isn’t strong enough, he won’t be able to control the spell and it will go out of control, draining all the life energy of the caster and depending on how much life energy the caster has, will inflate the strength of the spell. This was the case when we were ambushed in Adetia’s Forest.]
[I see, so the strength of the spell will cause strain upon the user’s mind. If the user were to succumb to the strain, then there’s possibility of losing control and thus resulting in death. Is that the gist of it?] Hiro deduced.
[Correct, back then you actually did burn out all your life energy. Your heart had stopped beating and it was only a few moments until your brain shut down. If I wasn’t there to transfer some of mine into you, you would’ve died.] Tenga explained.
‘So… I died?’ Hiro was shocked.
[That’s why I taught you one of the most simplest of spells. ‘Reisa’ is a spell taught to all beginner mages during my time. I had hoped that by practicing with a small pebble, you would be able to learn about your limits; I was wrong. Who would’ve thought that you would destroy such a huge area with that basic spell…] Tenga seemed to trail on, [Next time think before you act, you were lucky this time. However, I might not be around to help you next time.] Tenga cautioned.
[Right. Moving on, you said something about my imagination?]
[Yes the imagination, where all possibilities exists. This is the root of miracles Hiro, spells are only limited by the caster’s imagination. By learning the true name of things, you are able to conform the ‘thing’ to your imagination. However, there must be an understanding of the true name of the object, for you to be able to truly master the spell.]
[I see… So how am I supposed to practice casting?] Hiro asked.
[Well to begin, you must meditate.]
[Eh? What would meditation achieve?]
[Let me put it this way Hiro. Since you’ve casted ‘Reisa’, I’m sure you are aware of the barrier hidden within your consciousness correct?]
[You mean that strange wall within the black space?] Hiro thought back to the time when he desperately wanted to break free from his dark prison.
[So it’s black huh?] Tenga seemed to mumble.
[Yea, isn’t yours also black?]
[Nay, you’ve already entered my consciousness before, it was blue like the sky.]
[Does that have a meaning?] Hiro was curious.
[It does, but at this time it’s nothing for you to worry about.] Tenga dodged his question, [The meditation is the key to achieving the same state you were in. By meditating you will become more aware of yourself, and hopefully enter your consciousness once more.]
[Right… I guess I’ll start now, since there’s nothing else I could do…] Hiro sat down and crossed his legs. [Wait… Even if I were to win the tournament, do you think I would be able to learn from Romulus?] He questioned Tenga.
[I’ll be honest, Hiro. I don’t think you will be able to. Let me explain before you get all riled up.] He interjected quickly, [The first issue is you are quite small, other men around your age is already a head taller than you. Not to mention their muscles are more developed than yours. The second problem is you have no muscle mass at all, I’ve seen you move around the forest and I can say you are agile, but in terms of raw power, you are weaker and most men around your age; I might even dare to say women.]
[Eh… Isn’t there some way around it? Is there a spell that makes me stronger or something?] Hiro asked hopefully.
[Hm…] Tenga began to rack is brain, [There are a couple spells. However, one is temporary, it multiplies the strength, but it will cause a constant drain on your life energy. The other spell is a type of regeneration; the spell will make increase your muscle mass, thus indirectly increasing strength, but because it’s a regeneration type spell, it will reduce your lifespan.]
[Wait what? Regeneration spells reduces lifespan?] Hiro asked in disbelief.
[Only some, I’m referring to those that alter the physical attributes. For example the elves in my day loved nature. Some even transformed themselves into the animals that they admired and lived alongside them. Of course elves naturally lived almost forever unless they were killed, so the problem with lifespan didn’t matter much to them.]
[Interesting, so you came from a time when information about elves were well-known…] Hiro concluded.
[From your tone I guess that things have changed since then?] Tenga asked.
[Yea, ever since the Demon War, 300 years ago, the elves have retracted contact from everyone and hid themselves away. That’s from what my father told me at least.]
[So now I know that I’ve been sealed in here for at least over 300 years.] Tenga paused and seemed to ponder to himself, [Thanks for that information, now about your problem. I have another method you could use, if you are willing to suffer a bit.]
[Suffer? It depends, are we talking about physical pain? Mental pain?] Hiro didn’t like pain period, but he was willing to compromise if he were able to become stronger.
[There is a spell I know that will increase the weight of things. If I were to use it on you, it would cause you to become heavier, in turn requiring more strength in order for you to do activities. Of course you would have to constantly and actively train while under this spell, but it would exponentially increase your strength.]
[Wait aren’t I supposed to meditate? How am I supposed to do this and that at the same time?]
[Simple, I will keep the spell on you for 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 1 month. By then you’ll become accustomed to the restraints and if I were to release the spell, before the tournament you’ll feel lighter and stronger.]
[I see…] Hiro thought about it, [I guess that could work. Why not, this is my only option after all.]
[Alright hold still…] Tenga’s voice seemed to fade.
Hiro was waiting, expecting to hear Tenga use the spell. Still waiting Hiro soon began to feel heavy. Hiro’s arms felt like magnets, as if they were being pulled to the floor. The strange sensation also caused his head to tilt over and he nearly ended up kissing the floor.
‘Eh? How come I didn’t hear Tenga say the spell?’ Hiro was ignoring the effects of the spell and was wondering about Tenga.
[If you are wondering why you didn’t hear anything it’s because I don’t want you to know the spell.] Tenga answered for him, after reading his thoughts. [It is not safe for a novice like you to use spells beyond your abilities, so until your mental strength becomes stronger I will not teach you anything else.]
[I see… I thought something bad happened, like you used too much energy or something.]
[Don’t worry about me. Worry about entering your consciousness, without that, you won’t be able to progress at all.] Tenga warned before he disappeared from Hiro’s consciousness.
‘Now…’ Hiro began to slowly move different parts of his body. ‘This does feel really strange.’
It felt like there were invisible ropes pulling him to the ground. It was taking his all just to resist tipping over. He slowly got up to his feet and was focusing really hard on not falling.
‘This could take some getting used to.’ He took a few experimental steps around the room, always keeping his right hand along the wall. It was as if he was a newborn beginning to walk for the first time again.
“Hah Hah… Oh boy it’s gonna take a long time getting back to the inn.” Hiro was already beginning to feel tired just from a few laps around the room, which was about 200 meters for one lap. Since the guild was in the eastern side of Adetia and the inn Hiro and his father are currently staying at is in the northern part, it will take a while for him to get back. Plus, he was taking the long way around, to avoid the slave market square.
‘I don’t want to do this but, I’ll probably have to cut through the slave market.’
He slowly walked towards the door, and made his way out of the AA building. Hiro looked up into the cloudy sky, ‘Hm already midday huh…’ He had spent the early morning working out to keep himself in shape, he jogged to the AA building and up until earlier was doing body-resistance training. ‘I better start going back now if I want to make it before dark.’
So, Hiro began his slow trek across town. His arms were hanging loosely around and he was slightly hunched over. If anyone were to pay attention to the black-haired young man, they would think he was suspicious. His feet were dragging on the ground whenever he took a step and he was sweating from the effort of his slow movement.
‘Just 4 weeks of this… Great…’ Hiro already felt like giving up and he wasn’t even out of sight of the AA building yet. He was still currently within the AA district, in this district, there were houses that belonged to adventurers and many more that were being rented out by the association. Of course the district isn’t that large though, the houses that are for rent are only temporary and the houses being sold to adventurers requires the buyer to be at of B-Rank. Adventurers are usually wanderers and because of this, there isn’t a point in buying a house.
‘I wonder if father would buy a house here.’ Hiro looked at the signs that are posted on the walls of the houses. The signs were indicating that the houses were for sale, ‘It would making going to and from the AA building so much more convenient.
Hiro rested until his breathing calmed down and then resumed his walk. After about 4 repetitions of walking and then resting, he had finally arrived in the outer edge of the slave market square.
Breathing deeply to calm himself, Hiro braced himself as he slowly pushed through the crowd. All around him, he could see people of all kinds bidding and inspecting the half-naked slaves that were on display. Looking closer, Hiro could make out that they really were beastmen; they had ears and tails the same color as their hair.
‘Tch! Such despicable people.’ His disgust grew as he saw the look of fervor in the bidder’s faces. The auctioneer was abusing a beastman to get a reaction out of him.
“As you can see ladies and gentlemen! This one is a feisty one, you can put him to good use by making him work the fields! Or he can be a bodyguard! Of course if you are more into a more sexual use out of him, I can assure you he’s well-endowed in that area too! The starting bid for this prime good is 35G!” The hyperactive auctioneer screamed out above the voices of the bidders.
Hiro slowly looked up into the beastman’s eyes. Noticing the stare, the beastman’s eyes which were blazing with hatred turned to meet Hiro’s gaze.
‘What?!’ Hiro was shocked at the intensity that the beastman’s eyes had. The beastman had pure white hair and looked around his 30s, in his prime. He was rippling with muscles and being half-naked only seemed to make him look fiercer. The auctioneer who was using a small cow prod looked so insignificant standing next to the majestic and prideful beastman.
“40G!”
“50G!”
“75G!”
The crowd was going wild, they had never seen such a strong-willed beastman before. Most of the slaves that were brought in were usually broken and didn’t put up any resistance. The crowd felt that they would achieve the ultimate high if they were to break this prideful specimen, thus they were bidding well beyond the riches of average men. In this city, 5C would have gotten someone a piece of bread. 10G would be worth around a house in the residential district. So, with a starting bid of 35G would mean the slave was already worth more than 2 houses combined.
Hiro and the beastman continued to stare at eachother, they were connected by their shared hatred of the act in front of them. So enthralled Hiro was, that he had forgotten the gravity spell that was casted upon himself and made his way through the crowd, until he was standing in front of the stage where the beastman was on. Never once did they both break eye contact and never once did they say anything to each other.
Hiro was currently wallowing in his anger, he could see such a majestic creature and yet there was nothing he could do about it. He didn’t want the proud beastman to become broken like the many others that were standing behind it. Yet there was nothing he could do, if he were to try and free the beastman, he would anger everybody in Adetia. He could always try to buy the slaves, but this one was way out of his range. He only had a measly 30C allowance from his father.
‘Gah!!! If only I was stronger!’ Hiro was mentally slapping himself, ‘Then I would go up there and save them without another thought!’ He was beginning to hate himself and how weak and powerless he was.
Hiro was still silently fuming when a low grumbling sound echoed in his head.
[Little boy… What is your name?]
Hiro, still making eye contact with the beastman, [Are you talking to me?]
The beastman nodded his head as obscurely as possible in order not to draw attention to itself. [It is me. What is your name child?] The beastman went on.
[My name is Hiro…] Hiro hesitated for a bit, [How can you speak to me like this?]
[It is not easy. Hiro, I don’t have much time.] The beastman’s eyes seemed to grow in intensity as he spoke. [You are the only one that doesn’t seem to enjoy this display of inhumanity. That is why I must ask you this, will you listen?]
[Y-y-yea.] Hiro couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that the white haired beastman is using telepathy.
[My name is Whitebearer Fenrir, Chief of the Fenrir Clan. We of the Fenrir Clan were proud warriors and also peace-loving. We would protect the weak and assist the burdened. During the Demon War, we were one of the few that remained neutral. We only killed those who tried to invade our lands, we did not yield to the threats of Demon Lord Magnaris’ army, nor did we join the human alliance. After the war, many beastmen were enslaved, due to them joining the Demon Army. While many of our brethren were enslaved, our clan remained safe and so did our lands.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
This was true until half a century ago! Humans began settling on our lands, we warned them to return and yet they did not concede. So in my benevolence I decided that those feeble looking humans could stay, as long as they do not bear any ill will towards our kind.]
Hiro was silently listening, taking in the amount of anger and rage that was put behind Whitebearer’s words. Through their mental connection, Hiro could feel the beastman’s suppressed rage slowly leaking out. [I assume something happened?]
[You’re damn right something happened!] The suppressed rage leaked out even more strongly, causing Hiro to flinch. [One night, while many of my clan were resting after celebrating. The villagers in the village attacked us. They were helped by a group of mercenaries and in the middle of the night, slaughtered many of us. Over half of my clan perished that night and many more were enslaved. My once proud clan was reduced to a mere 20 in a single night.] Whitebearer’s suppressed rage began transferring over to Hiro, causing his blood to boil.
[If that happened half a century ago, then why are you just now being sold as a slave?] Hiro asked.
[My wife and I, led by my elite guards, escaped that night. I would have stayed and fought to the bitter end, but I was convinced by my guards that I have to avenge the clan. So we cowardly fled our lands and hid ourselves. We began building up our forces, recruited many who were like us. We decided that once our forces are big enough, we’ll save everyone else… However…] Whitebearer began to hesitate to continue.
[However?]
[My wife and her unborn child disappeared… She and her group were going to rendezvous with a few others and guide them back towards our hidden village. That was 14 years ago… I’ve been tracking her ever since and only found out that she was captured and taken to Helena.]
[Helena? What is that?] Hiro wondered.
[That shithole is…] Whitebearer paused as if to calm himself, [A slave farm.] As soon as he said that, Hiro felt a surge of anger rush out at him, knocking down to his knees. [She was sent there because she was pregnant with our child! After finding out where she was, I tried to go there myself and save them both. Who knows if they are still alive?!]
[So…] Hiro was struggling to contain the enormous amount of anger that was present within his consciousness, [Is that how they caught you?]
[That is my story…] Whitebearer’s voice began to calm down in submission, [That’s why I ask this of you, please save my wife and child. If I have anything to give you I would, just please no matter how long it takes, save them!] Whitebearer’s voice seem to fade as his connection with Hiro disappears.
“Sold! To Lord Renart for 500G! Please head over to the pick-up to pay for your item!” The auctioneer yelled as Hiro came back to reality.
‘They will pay, just watch. I’ll save your wife and child. Just hold out a bit longer Whitebearer of Fenrir Clan!’ Hiro thought as his eyes furiously glares back at Whitebearer’s.
---
After leaving the slave market square, it took Hiro a while to make it to the residential district near the north gate.
“Hah Hah Hah… This really is a workout… The BannerMare Inn should just be around that corner…” The whole time Hiro was walking back to the inn, Hiro kept telling himself how much further to go, that in a way bolstered his confidence and kept him going. Managing to force himself to the doorway of the inn, Hiro sat down right in front of the inn.
‘Ugh! I feel horrible.’ Hiro looked at himself, he was drenched all over in his own sweat. His shirt was soaked through and his pants looked as if it was soiled. The amount of effort that Hiro put into the journey back to the inn was enormous.
“Oh Hiro!” Albert said as he was about to walk into the BannerMare Inn, “What are you doing out here looking like that?” He was curious, it looked like Hiro just took a plunge into a bathtub.
“This?” Hiro indicated at his soaked shirt, “It’s a new workout I’m doing, don’t worry about it father.”
“Ah… Don’t overwork yourself now. It’s good to train your physical strength, but doing too much in such a short time would only hurt you.” Albert cautioned.
“Alright father.” Hiro agreed. He had just spent most of the day slowly walking his way back, of course he would understand that the most.
“Now, let’s get you washed up and get ready for dinner. I also have something to tell you.” Albert reached out a hand for Hiro to grab onto, which Hiro gladly took. “Oof! You are heavier than you look!”
Not having the energy to reply, all Hiro could do was laugh.
With some help from Albert, Hiro soon got washed up and had a fresh set of clothes to wear.
‘I think I’m getting used to this.’ Hiro thought to himself as he made the most miniscule amount of movements possible. He had noticed that the multiplied gravity was affecting his posture, which in the long run would have a negative effect, so now he was currently trying to straighten his back all the time.
Making his way down the stairs, Hiro carefully descended to the first floor, where the tavern was located. Seeing his father sitting by himself by the table, with steaming plates of food, Hiro made his way over.
“So? What was it that you wanted to tell me?” Hiro asked as he sat down across from his father.
“First, you look hungry, so eat up.” Albert said as he began to dig into is roast pork chop.
‘Now that I think about it…’ Hiro’s stomach began to grumble, he was usually never this hungry, ‘It must be because of the gravity spell.’
Hiro began to eat, slowly at first, to savor the taste of the nutrient rich foods. However, soon he began to increase his pace and by the time Albert was halfway done with his dish, Hiro had already finished all of his.
“Done.” Hiro said as he was patting his stomach, “So what did you want to tell me?”
“Wow, I’ve never seen you thing hungry before.” Albert observed, “Ok I might as well tell you now.”
‘I hope it’s something important, I wanna go back to the room and meditate.’ Hiro was already making plans for his next day. He knew that physically he was behind everyone else, so only through rigorous training would he be able to close the distance.
Albert moved his dishes aside and placed his elbows on the table, in a pondering manner. “Hiro, I’m thinking of joining the Temple of Sienna.” Albert said with a serious look in his eyes. “I’ve been a firm believer of Goddess Sienna for a while now, and ever since I heard that the temple here in Adetia was being renovated I’ve gone to check it out. It seems some important figure is coming to Adetia, so they had the whole run-down temple fixed up just for that person.”
‘He’s right, there was quite a ruckus near the harbor. Lots of quarried stones were being delivered to the southern part of Adetia.’ Hiro had seen a ship deliver a huge amount of quarried stone while he was on his way to the AA building that morning.
“You might not know this, but I’m already 45. Past my prime Hiro.” Albert seemed to look down, “Ever since my injuries from the ambush, I haven’t been able to use my left arm the same way. Of course I could still perform simple actions, but if I were to lift too much, or swing a sword, a shock of pain would erupt in my left shoulder.” Albert pointed to his back, where the arrow had ripped through most of his shoulder.
“I see…” Hiro grew depressed, since it was him that had caused that wound.
“Don’t worry! Haha!” Albert tried to laugh it off, so Hiro wouldn’t get depressed, “At least the temple would provide living quarters for me. Since you’re an adventurer now, there isn’t any point in buying a house here in Adetia.” Albert seemed to sigh at the thought of his boy, travelling around Arcadia.
“Ok father.” Hiro accepted his father’s decision, there wasn’t anything he could do. He still felt guilty for damaging his father’s shoulder beyond repair and he respected the man who raised him alone for 16 years. So the only answer Hiro could give was respecting his father’s decisions.
“Now that that’s over, let’s talk about something more interesting shall we? Hahaha.” Albert had sensed the depressing atmosphere and tried to change it as quickly as possible. “I heard that a couple days ago you went to see Kent and his family.”
‘Urk! I don’t want to talk about that…’ Hiro was still embarrassed at the way he had acted during his encounter with Lena. Ever since her aggressive maneuvers that she had made on him, Hiro had tried to avoid her at all costs. ‘Good thing she doesn’t know where I am and that Adetia is a big city.’
“Can we talk about something else?” Hiro begged.
“What? Did it not go well?” His father showed a teasing smile.
“Let’s just say, I don’t want to go back there for a while…” Hiro hesitantly answered, slightly blushing.
“Ah… So Kent caught you two-“ Albert held up a circle and was slowly poking it through with his index finger.
“Father! Of course not!” Hiro yelled in protest, “We didn’t go… that… far…” Hiro began to blush even more after catching himself as he revealed what happened.
“Ah… Like father like son I guess Haha!” Albert began to laugh.
“Father!” Hiro yelled embarrassingly, “Hmph!” He had enough of his father’s teasing and went back upstairs to their room.
‘I swear, everybody loves to tease me…’ Hiro thought to himself as he slowly made his way up the stairs. After arriving in their 2 person bedroom, Hiro sat himself down onto his bed.
“It’s pretty quiet up here. Good, if it was anything like the tavern downstairs, I don’t think I would be able to concentrate.” Hiro said to himself.
‘Now let’s begin.’ Hiro crossed his legs and soon found himself in a relaxed state. He began to imagine all the soreness evaporating from his limbs as if a cool stream was flowing through him. Then he began to arduous task of empty his mind, he began to slowly remove all unnecessary thoughts and focus only on his body.
He was gradually taking in deep breadths through his nose and exhaling it through his mouth. Although Hiro tried to remove all stray thoughts from his mind, there was still one strong imprint that wouldn’t remove itself. Hiro kept on thinking back on Whitebearer Fenrir’s conversation. Hiro remembered the overwhelming amount of rage that the beastman radiated when their minds made contact with each other.
‘Don’t worry Whitebearer, I will save them.’ Hiro promised to himself, in order to remove that thought away from his mind for the time being. With that out of the way, Hiro soon began to feel as if he was drifting in place.
‘Wait this was how it felt!’ Noticing the change, Hiro began concentrating even harder than ever before. He focused on the feeling of emptiness, hoping to reach the realm of his consciousness.
Slowly, Hiro’s self-awareness seemed to double. He could feel each part of his body trembling as it began to relax from the work out. He could feel every breadth rejuvenating flow in and out of his lungs. Every heartbeat, pumping fresh oxygen rich blood throughout his body.
‘This is the feeling!’ By becoming aware of himself, he began to wander once more in his dark prison. However, this time he didn’t panic, he embraced this feeling. Knowing that hidden within this dark place, there was a great barrier that held the power to create miracles, excited him.
‘Where was that barrier again?’ Hiro’s ethereal self was wandering in a random direction, hoping to stumble upon the same wall that took great effort to break through. ‘If I am currently within my consciousness, wouldn’t it be possible to create whatever I want?’ Hiro thought to himself.
He began picturing the soulstone that held Tenga’s soul. ‘Hrm!’ Only through some effort did the stone actually appear in his palm and dimly glowed. Shedding some light around Hiro, the stone only revealed how vast and endless his consciousness was.
‘That was harder than I thought.’ It took effort just to conjure up something that was important for him. Hiro couldn’t imagine how hard it would be if he were to simulate a memory, just the sheer amount of mental strength required for that would fry his brain. ‘Well, here goes nothing…’ Hiro began to imagine the same barrier that held his life energy.
Hiro pictured the same invisible force that seemed to resist him as he lightly touched the wall. He pictured the solidified barrier as it braces itself from impact. Hiro also thought back to the same feeling he had when he was able to break through, the huge rush of energy. He remembered how every cell in his body came alive and how he felt so powerful. The rush of adrenaline as the life energy behind the wall gushed out onto him.
‘Yes it should be like that.’ Breaking a sweat, Hiro held out a palm. He once more felt the same resistance from last time. He gently placed his palm against the soft resisting force and closed his eyes, ‘Behind here holds the power to grant wishes, create miracles, destroy lives, and corrupt the weak.’ Hiro knew that if he were not careful he would become controlled by the power hidden behind that barrier.
‘Alright…’ Hiro pulled back his arm and curled his hand into a fist. ‘If my consciousness adheres my ability to imagine, then this should work.’ Hiro began to imagine his right fist as a needle and the wall has a piece of thin fabric. He imagined how easy it was to puncture the fabric and create a hole that would be large enough to let things through.
“Hah!” Hiro screamed out as he strikes the wall.
*Bam!* Hiro felt the wall.
‘Tch! One more!’ Hiro did feel the barrier give away, but with that one punch, there wasn’t enough power behind it to fully puncture through its defence.
“Hah!” Hiro screamed with more force, aiming at the same place where he had previously struck.
*Bam*
Suddenly, he felt his arm go through. A rush of the familiar energy gushed out, dousing him its stimulating properties. Hiro began to feel the same high he had felt before he casted the spell ‘Reisa’.
“Hahaha… I did it…” He said out loud in his consciousness, he couldn’t believe it. Hiro was ecstatic, now that he could tap into his life energy, he really could become a mage now. What’s more, this ancient magic has more potential than modern magic and Hiro understood that. Without the unnecessarily long chants, he would be able to use spells in the middle of combat, provided that he is able to enter this state.
‘What do I do now?’ Hiro asked while floating there, ‘I could practice casting Reisa, but I don’t have anything to use it on. First of all, how do I even cast the spell, whilst I’m in here?’ Hiro began to wonder. It was true, Hiro was still stuck in his consciousness and didn’t know how he would be able to go back to his physical body, ‘What if I imagined myself returning? Will that work?’.
While floating there lost in thought, Hiro began to feel the energy that he received from the barrier recede. ‘Eh?’ He thought, as he once more felt empty. He once more imagined the barrier and placed his palm against it. ‘I see… So if it goes unused, the life energy will return to its container. I guess that makes sense, if the barrier remains open all the time I would die.
Satisfied with his observations, Hiro tried to imagine returning to his physical body. With a couple tries, he was once more back inside the two person bedroom at the inn.
“Wow…” Hiro laid there, exhausted from the effort of diving into his consciousness. Now that Hiro wasn’t in a meditated state, he began to feel the soreness from his muscles, his mind was tired from the effort put into the dive and he needed some rest.
“I guess that’s a start…” He mumbled satisfied, as he drifted off into a deep sleep.