Stepping into Terra’s travel square felt odd. Unlike the bustling streets of Valor, Terra was eerily quiet, with only a few faces utilizing the pillars to travel. Surrounding him, the sounds of construction filled the air. The town was still in the midst of rebuilding. Wood and earth mages were scattered everywhere, erecting new buildings and repurposing the debris left behind by battle. It was a marvelous sight, filling him with a sense of wonder at the power of magic. However, it also brought forth memories of his father.

Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, Zion pressed on from the pillars, making a beeline for Governor Ludwig’s office. As he moved forward, the faces in the area froze, their eyes fixating on his altered appearance. Whispers began to circulate among them, some oblivious to his ability to hear, while others simply didn't care.

"Is that Zion?"

"No way, I knew he changed, but he looks so out of place. Is he even one of us anymore?"

"We should keep our distance. I heard a rumor he was the cause of the attack."

s Zion walked, the scene played out repeatedly, and it was hard to ignore everything that was said. He could handle the jokes and insults about his new appearance. He could even handle people accusing him of causing the battle, as it was true. What he found difficult to stomach was when people mentioned his father dying uselessly for the child born through Mara.

Old anger surged within him when he heard those words, and it took all he had not to confront the sources then and there. It would have been easy, his power far surpassing theirs. But his heart settled when he thought of the kind and determined words Camila had spoken in the dungeon. The heartfelt respect she had held for his mother helped shield him from the hurtful words. He took that shield and held it close to his heart.

Finally arriving at the government building, its two-story height seemed insignificant after traversing the streets of Valor. While it didn’t boast the same grandeur as the buildings in other Spheres, this one exuded a welcoming atmosphere. Its sturdy wood construction matched the brightly painted entryway, giving off a warm feeling akin to returning home after a dreary day.

As he stepped into the building, it caused a commotion. People flew out of their seats, papers fell to the floor, chairs slid back, and squeaks of surprise echoed from the office workers.

“Herald!” one of the female office workers squeaked, “Welcome back to Terra. Please make yourself comfortable; I'll go get the governor.”

“Thank you very much, ma’am,” Zion responded respectfully, ignoring her lingering gaze on his skin. At least she was trying to be polite.

He spent the following minute watching as people tried to work while stealing glances at him from the corner of their eyes. The only difference between them and the ones on the street was that these stares were born out of curiosity, not judgment. Those stares he could handle.

He felt a tug on his tunic sleeve and looked down to see a girl no older than five. Her little blonde pigtails bounced as she tilted her head to examine him.

“Why are you blue?” The question was asked so openly that Zion couldn’t help but smile at the girl.

“My dad always told me not to eat all those blueberries. He said I needed to slow down. I ignored him, and just like he said, I turned into that which I ate,” he jokingly told the child, giving her a playful wink.

“But I don’t want to turn into a cookie!” She yelped, hastily dropping a cookie to the floor.

“Don’t worry, little one, no need to be worried,” Zion reassured her, kneeling down and grabbing the cookie. “If you eat all the other foods your mom feeds you, you’ll be fine. Mommy always knows best.” He handed her two silver coins. “Here, for a treat to share with your mom. Head on back; she's waiting for you.”

The mom was indeed waiting for her little one, hands covering her face, ears burning red. Zion smiled and laughed at the little girl's bravery. She had not hesitated at all to talk to him, even when he looked so different. Kids really were open to everyone.

"I didn’t think I would get to see you again, Zion," came the familiar nasally voice of Ludwig. The plump man approached with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "At least not in Terra. But it's so good to see you again!"

Zion stood up and embraced him. It still felt odd being so informal with the governor, a person he used to feel was so above him. Which didn't really make any sense, seeing as his father and Ludwig had always been friendly, sometimes even going drinking together. That bond seemed to have passed from father to son.

"I'm happy to see you again, Ludwig," he said, patting his back. "I've missed this place, and I'm glad to have come back. Though this will be my last time here." He emphasized the last words, and Ludwig understood immediately.

"Yes, Zion, I do believe that to be so," replied Ludwig, gesturing for Zion to follow him towards the door. "Let’s walk and talk. I can show you the repairs as we discuss your next steps."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The pair strolled through the streets of Terra, an odd duo indeed. One was a well-defined and obviously powerful blue adventurer, the other a middle-aged man who appeared as if he had never faced the dangers of battle. Yet, they conversed openly, as if it were a common occurrence.

Zion recounted everything that had happened since he left – the girls and their wacky personalities, his first fight in Neva, and the missions the fake Randan had sent them on. But when he reached the topic of the dungeon, especially Jura, he found it harder to speak.

"No one can be prepared for the loss that comes when a party member dies," Ludwig began, stopping their stroll. He locked eyes with Zion, wisdom buried within his gaze. "A party member is not a friend, nor are they family. They are a special entity that holds a huge place in one's heart. I'm sorry you already had to experience that loss, Zion. It is not an easy one. But if you hold onto that feeling, it will empower you to protect others more fiercely."

Zion listened but did not respond. Ludwig didn’t seem to mind, merely squeezing his shoulder and continuing the walk. He appreciated the silent support and finished his tale with the news of Randan, Yon, and the coming wars.

Ludwig took the news in stride, his expression one of contemplation. It seemed word had already started to spread that true war was coming to Nifell once again. He and every Sphere around Nifell were beginning to build resources for the coming tide.

"So you've come here to level your professions and then ascend tiers?" Ludwig finally asked after explaining war preparation to Zion.

"Yes, though I can't understand why Yon would want me to come here and not to a second-tier Sphere," Zion replied, waving his hands as he realized how that sounded. "Not that there is anything wrong with Terra, just that no one here knows about ascending."

Ludwig chuckled at his embarrassment but simply waved away the unintentional slight. "I know what you meant, Zion, and take no offense. I know why Yon sent you here; it was something I had planned on delivering once I knew of your location."

Zion's hands trembled slightly as he took the leather-bound book from Ludwig's grasp. The worn, brown cover felt familiar beneath his fingertips, its faded surface a testament to years of handling. Embossed on the front, in elegant script, were the words "For Zion." He glanced up at Ludwig, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"It's from your father, Zion," Ludwig explained, sensing the unspoken question. "We found it while cleaning out your house. I didn’t read much, but it's a message for you and information on tiering up."

With eager anticipation, Zion hastily flipped open the book, momentarily forgetting the bustling town square around them. Inside, he found pages filled with meticulous notes on ascending tiers. Some passages delved into the intricacies of skill balance and ability enhancement, while others emphasized the importance of identifying one's cherished values. But it was at the very back of the book that he discovered a message, a message meant solely for him.

Zion, if you're reading this, then it means I am dead. I can only hope that my passing came in old age, my mind faded with time, and this book serves as little more than a family keepsake. But if fate has been unkind and I've met an untimely demise due to my own foolishness, then let this book be a guide for you.

I wasn't the legend that many believed me to be, Zi. I didn't possess flashy techniques or conquer the toughest dungeons. My fame stemmed from ascending tiers at a remarkable pace, a rather silly reason for renown, in my opinion. It wasn't about skill; it was about mindset.

You see, I didn't need to envision grand feats or visualize my future achievements. I didn't concern myself with external factors; instead, I looked inward. Within myself, I saw a stone wall – steadfast and enduring. I witnessed the ebb and flow of the earth the resilience of soil and rock. That was my vision for the future.

Zion, you needn't dwell on tier five or even tier three, for that matter. Focus on the present, your essence, and what you will always be. Solidify that vision until it permeates every fiber of your being. Whether you aspire to be as unyielding as a boulder or as free as the wind, let your actions embody that vision. Make a choice, any choice, but make it yours.

Son, I sincerely hope I'm passing this to you of my own volition, unburdened by grief. If not, know how deeply I love you. Not a day passed that I wasn't proud to call you my son. Your mother and I were blessed with one of the world's finest souls. You are destined to change the world; I'm certain of it. And when you do, when you stand at the pinnacle of power, remember your true self. Uphold what is right and defend it with everything you have.

Read this book, Zi, and challenge the views of the ignorant.

Your father, Galen Earthrender.

Zion looked up from the book, his eyes moist with emotion. Ludwig stood nearby, his expression one of patient understanding. "Let's get you home, Zion," he said gently, leading Zion through the streets with a presence that commanded respect, causing the murmurs to fade and people to part in their path.

The following month passed in a blur of activity. Zion's days were filled with daily excursions to the outskirts of Terra, aimed at honing his professions. Mornings were spent mining ore and gems, dispatching monsters that lurked in the area. While the rewards were often meager, consisting of low-value items and training gear, Zion persisted, driven by determination.

In the afternoons, he would sit at a table, surrounded by a plethora of small gems and crystals collected from his mining expeditions. Though they lacked the brilliance of dungeon gems, they served their purpose as vessels for gathering elements. With practiced hands, Zion imbued them with absorption enchantments and meticulously ground them smooth. What initially took hours became more efficient, yielding one gem per hour by the end of his first week.

Lark's remark about costs proved true, the supplies costing him a mere ten gold for polish, replacement grinders, and containers. In the evenings, Zion placed the enchanted gems in various environments, marking them for retrieval the next day. Then, he would visit his old school to practice swordplay with Korian, who, to Zion's surprise, had become a lesser swordsman over time. Though he was not far behind Zion in skill, Korian's nine years of additional experience made a noticeable difference.

Despite the rigorous training and tasks, Zion found solace in these moments. It felt like a step back into the past, where he could almost envision his parents waiting at home. He could imagine his father teasing him for getting beaten in sparring matches and his mother playfully chiding his father. It was a simple retreat to a happier time, allowing his fractured soul to heal.

During the intervals between his other tasks, Zion sought out Ludwig for help in practicing his speech skill. Surprised to learn of Zion's acquisition of the skill that he, too, possessed, Ludwig was intrigued by the reasoning behind it. This led to Ludwig's insistence on Zion mastering the skill as quickly as possible.

With this goal in mind, the two spent countless hours practicing the art of speechcraft. Initially, Zion recited famous speeches in the privacy of his room, focusing on the delivery of words and the nuances of enunciation. They delved into the details of body language, exploring how emotions could be conveyed through gestures as effectively as through words. As the month progressed, Ludwig pushed Zion onto a stage in front of soldiers, making him the voice of the impending war.

For Zion, this was a nerve-wracking experience, as he had never been comfortable in the public eye. However, to his surprise, the soldiers responded enthusiastically, chanting his title loud enough to echo beyond the walls. Zion even practiced incorporating his blessing, attracting a following of devoted followers who pledged their lives to Ki.

Though overwhelming, this experience was transformative for Zion. His confidence soared, and he felt the bond between himself and Ki strengthen with each person who pledged their allegiance. But more importantly, he witnessed the spark of hope ignite in the eyes of the men and women around him – hope that they could endure the trials ahead.