"Galen, we don't know what happened in there. The boy is leaking mana from his very pores, and have you even scanned him?!" The voice sounded distant to Zion, like whispers through his bedroom walls.

"Of course, I've scanned him, Ludwig. Everyone present has probably done that by now," his father responded, his words rigid. "That's why we do know what happened inside the Weave. Zion met one of Creation. Someone up there has claimed my son."

Zion managed to pry his eyes open a fraction, seeing his father standing protectively over him. Governor Ludwig faced off with him, flanked by a dozen armed soldiers. They stared down at him, hands resting on hilted weapons.

"That's precisely why we need to take him, Galen. There hasn’t been a Herald for thirty years, let alone one from here. He will need protection and guidance during these beginning times," Ludwig pleaded, his hands grasping the hem of his shirt.

"I'm sorry, Ludwig, but he's a Herald. What help could you give him that he won't already receive?" Galen's retort caused Ludwig to start stammering. "I know this is extraordinary. You're shocked, as am I. Still, Zion stays here until he wakes. It’s his choice to make."

Zion decided it was time to end his charade. He groaned, halting their bickering. "Dad?" he groaned, with Galen coming to his side. "Where am I?"

"You're back from the Weave, son, with a mighty fine story, I suspect." His father helped him to his feet, legs a little wobbly. "What did I tell you about straying from the path, you brat." A lopsided grin softened the harsh words.

"You know me, Dad, always got to cause trouble…" He stopped as he finally looked at himself. His hands were blue! He pulled at the straps on his bracers and dropped them. Underneath the fabric of his tunic, his arm was also blue. Well, it was more that the veins beneath his skin were flowing blue, giving his body an unnatural hue. It resembled the color of Ki’s hair, and that's when it hit him. He wasn't human anymore. His mind raced back to those last moments before he passed out. His screen had labeled him as a Manakin, a brand new species.

He caught the knowing look from his father and swallowed his regret. "Yeah, I've got a story, Dad." He looked Ludwig's way and extended an olive branch. "A story open to you as well, sir. But I don't need a crowd gawking at me. If you'd like, you can join me and Dad at our house."

With that, he placed his arm over his dad’s shoulder, and the pair started to hobble towards home. Behind him, he could hear protests from Ludwig, but the man wasn't foolish. He instructed his men to stay behind, and his footsteps could be heard trailing behind them.

"The journey home was a parade of curious onlookers and exchanged whispers as they made their way back to Zion's home. Ignoring the murmurs and questioning glances, Zion resigned himself to the fact that this would be his new reality. It was better to acclimate to the attention his presence would inevitably attract than to be bothered by it.

Upon reaching home, Zion immediately gulped down three glasses of water, an unusual thirst parching his throat. With each sip, the dryness dissipated until his throat felt normal again. "Alright, let's sit down; this will take a while to explain," he said, settling in to recount his experiences to his father and Ludwig.

His father and Ludwig listened attentively as Zion recounted his journey into the Weave, his encounter with Ki, the revelation of his new class, and the discovery of his altered race. However, there was one crucial aspect he couldn't share—the dire situation regarding the Devastation Champions. Despite his repeated attempts to convey this information, his voice inexplicably failed him each time. Frustration gnawed at him until his father intervened.

"Stop, Zion," Galen commanded firmly. "It's evident that the Goddess has restricted this knowledge to you alone. No matter how hard you try, it won't budge. Trust that she knows what she's doing. Relax, son."

"I concur, Galen," added Ludwig, offering an approving nod. "If the Goddess deems it necessary for us to know, we will. There's no point in testing her patience any further."

Resigned, Zion relented, his fingers tapping the table in frustration. "Well, I suppose that's all there is to tell," he concluded.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Then it's my turn to speak, Zion," Ludwig declared, rising to his full height, his bulk causing the table to jostle. "The appointment of a new Herald is an extraordinary event that demands exceptional support. The government of Sphere Terra wishes to provide sponsorship during these initial stages of your development." Ludwig's expression conveyed his satisfaction, underlining the importance of the offer."

"I think you should turn down the offer, Zion. It's just a gut feeling, but I reckon Ki's got her own plans. Better to wait for her advice," Galen suggested, halting Zion before he could respond.

Zion pondered his father's words for a moment. "You may be right, Dad. Trusting Ki seems like the smart move here."

Both arguments held weight. While Zion knew he needed resources, especially given his significant advancement, he wasn't sure if this tier-one sphere could provide what he needed. Moreover, accepting assistance might go against Ki's intentions.

"Before we go any further, I forgot one thing," Zion admitted, feeling a bit sheepish as he accessed his status screen and shared it with both Galen and Ludwig. "I'm not even sure if you have what it takes to support my growth, Governor Ludwig." Their shocked expressions confirmed Zion's suspicion as they reviewed his stats.

"Are these truly your stats, young man?" Ludwig inquired, his gaze fixed upward. "They align with those of a mid to high tier two, and this passive racial ability is extraordinary!"

"Enough, Ludwig," Galen interjected sternly. "Zi, this further proves my point. Starting your career in this Sphere might hinder you. The available resources wouldn't cut it." He paused a somber expression clouding his features. "You must exercise caution with this information, son. It's perilous knowledge to possess. Its dissemination ends here."

Ludwig, catching Galen's gaze, nodded emphatically. "Your father speaks wisely, Zion. Even I cannot risk divulging such sensitive information. It's fraught with danger, especially considering not everyone on Nifell leads an honorable life." His agitated pacing betrayed his underlying emotions. "Additionally, I agree that you require an alternative training approach. I lack the means to nurture your power. You'll need access to dungeons, quests, and guilds to bolster those numbers. Furthermore, you'll require items from a tier above yours to truly benefit from them."

“What do you mean? What does my tier have to do with items? Don’t they just give you effects regardless of your status?” Zion inquired, intrigued by this revelation.

“Zion items give effects based on your tier. Once you have outgrown their effectiveness, they begin to degrade due to the increased stats. The items simply can't handle gaps in power. Take a look at what you're wearing now, I'm assuming it's already started.” Galen explained, gesturing to the gear he still had on. With a mental command, Zion brought up his inventory to confirm his father's word.

Inventory:

Spiritweave Attire (Uncommon): Crafted from the majestic hide of adult spirit bears, this enchanted armor enhances the user's mana regeneration. To fully harness its power, the entire set must be worn. Effect: Grants a bonus of 2 mana regeneration per minute. Durability: 23/100.

Dimensional Belt (Rare): Infused with rudimentary dimensional magic, this belt offers convenient storage options. It boasts 4 potion slots and 1 item slot, allowing for versatile usage. Effects: Each potion slot accommodates up to ten potions, while the item slot supports twenty items, with stacking variations based on weight. Durability: 96/100.

Ki's Embrace (Artifact): Crafted by the hands of the Goddess Ki and gifted to her devoted follower Mara, this necklace is bathed in the divine tears of the deity. Effects: The necklace possesses the ability to store up to 1000 mana and replenishes at a rate of 50 mana per hour. Durability: Soulbound.

It seemed his father was correct; the items were already starting to deteriorate, except for his mother's necklace. He had read that description three times already. Artifacts were the rarest items one could find, with most people never even laying eyes on one in their lifetimes. Yet, Ki had bestowed one upon his mother. That warranted a discussion with his dear Goddess.

A cough from Ludwig snapped him out of his reverie. “Oh, sorry, just noticed something odd and… well, never mind. You two were right; my armor is nearly broken, and the belt won't hold much longer.”

“That's the downside of low-tier gear. It can't handle much mana, and you, Zion, are practically a mana reservoir,” Galen remarked, giving him a friendly slap on the back as if to shake him from his thoughts. “But it just means you'll have to dive into deeper waters than most. It’s still manageable. Go rest for a bit while Ludwig and I brainstorm. Your life's about to get a lot busier.”

Zion didn't resist his father's suggestion. He gratefully retreated to his room and collapsed onto the bed. Strangely, he didn't feel physically tired; it was his mind that felt weary. The whirlwind of events had left him mentally drained. Had he made a mistake accepting Ki’s offer?

His mind kept rambling off problems and solutions as he tried to silence it. The efforts paid off, and slowly, sleep started to come. He really shouldn't sleep, but he just needed an hour..maybe two.

BOOM! The room shook violently, explosions reverberating through the very walls. Wailing sirens pierced the air from all directions. Those sirens meant only one thing: the Sphere was under attack, and its defenses had been breached!