176. Volume 4 – Parallel Bubble Universes and the Quest for Identity
Ludonia Kingdom
Mana, a mysterious form of energy that existed for as long as people can remember, an invisible energy like air, that when inhaled and incorporated into one’s body will give that person power, powers that divides the weak and the strong, power that would give one an identity and even power to dominate the heavens.
And for a long time, unraveling the secret of becoming stronger was the sole objective of mana cultivation until one day, mages would hit an impassable wall, a stopping point where one realizes that the peak they once thought was the apex was mere step on an infinite stairs of their insatiable desire for power. For the ambitious, this would be nothing but a mountain to be climbed over but fate is never kind to the greedy. It punishes mages and make them realize that mana is but a pile of resource that when continuously consumed, there won’t be any left for everyone.
Faced with a cruel reality of being unable to move forward and couple that with dwindling resources, mages can only step back and re-evaluate their ways, understand the world around them with a more disciplined and well-reasoned approach allowing the birth of science.
And for the past hundreds of years, science had brought unimaginable improvements be it mana cultivation or practical quality of life.
However, why is it that within a growing civilization, that despite obvious and irrefutable advantages brought by technology that some portion of society still refuse to embrace its advancement and remain blind to its endless possibilities? What is it with science and primitive ways of living that it divides a society into two?
While it is an interesting subject, not many would even bother entertaining this idea as they all busy with their lives, not that they don’t care but they just have some bigger things to think about.
Like the boy who is supposed to be chopping firewood. Instead of holding an ax, on his index finger is coin and with a flick of his thumb, the coin was thrown into the air.
Ting!
With no expression on his face, the boy stared blankly on the flipping coin and right before it hits the ground, he made a guess as to what side will it land to.
“Heads”
Sigh!
Elifar City, Viscount Myrikel Fiefdom, Ludonia Kingdom
South of Ludonia Kingdom, there is a dense forest but not far is a city spanning at least ten kilometer radius and is surrounded by walls and at the center is a towering castle, home of Viscount Myrikel.
While technology is continuously growing, the Myrikel family is among the viscounts that would immediately vote to pass a law to stop these developments. It is not that they abhor change, in fact, many products of technology that improves mundane day to day activities like mana-cook wares, mana-clothing washers, fans, and other household utilities that relies on mana-batteries can be found on almost all household including his castle.
The real problem is the growing concern for security.
Unlike in the past where only the selected few can wield mana-based weapons, today even a normal citizen has the ability to kill without restraint.
The city was once plunged into chaos that Viscount Myrikel was forced to impose a law where movements are restricted and mana-based weapons can only be worn by authorized citizen and to this day, he has yet to unban the use and entry of vehicles and it is probably the only city within west of Ludonia Kingdom where cars are prohibited.
With the passing of time, it will eventually become a normal city as everyone has to cope with changes brought by technology but there will always be things that remains unchanged and that is Mana Affinity.
Meanwhile, within a residential area a few minutes walk on border of the town, a smoke is coming out from a chimney of a two-storey house. The smoke smelled like burnt feathers infused with the scent of a pine-wood burning and occasionally, another set of smoke would come out but this time, a languid sweet aroma that makes anyone passing by salivate.
And the culprit is a group of three generations of women.
“Hand me that white bowl.”
“Here, Grandma.” A little girl with a pony tail around the age of eight handed a porcelain bowl of sliced potatoes.
“Isn’t already five? Why don’t you call the boys. Dinner is almost ready.”
“Lyzette, go call your everyone and tell Theodore to take a bath.”
“But, Ma” The girl pouted and continued, “He’s playing with a coin again.”
“I know, baby. Just tell him there’s mushroom and broccoli tonight.”
“But, Ma”
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“Just go.” The mother paused and gave teasing smile, “Or do you want broccoli on your plate tonight?”
The little girl scratched her head then slowly walked outside where his eldest brother, Byron is currently sparring with his grandfather with a wooden sword.
*Clack!
(Can you block this?)
*Hya
(You’re too slow)
*Clack!
Lyzette ignored the two and walked on the side towards shaded courtyard where his other older brother is currently seated on chunk of firewood and when she was a meter away, she said, “Mom said to take a bath or there will be no mushroom or broccoli tonight.”
After delivering the message, she turned around and ran back towards the kitchen to watch her mother and grandma cook.
Meanwhile, Theodore watched his sister frolicked and when she disappeared, he tossed the coin again.
*Ting!
When the coin was mid-air, he thought, “610, tail.”
*Tick!
When the coin landed, it was facing head.
*Sigh!
Theodore exhaled slowly. It has been ten years now since he came to this world. The first time he opened his eyes, he felt like he was dreaming, that everything around him felt unreal.
He thought that if he closed his eyes, that he would wake up and escape this illusion yet the next thing he knew, a long time had already passed. And the reason he thinks he is dreaming is because he is aware of another life.
But the problem is, he can only recall a figment of that life and anything before or after that scene, everything is just fuzzy.
He recalls himself being a grown man and was standing before a mythical and powerful gigantic snake-like creature whilst surrounded by darkness. That scene of him calmly facing such creature can be vividly played in his mind but even after ten years, he has yet to know who that creature is, why was he there and for what purpose was their meeting. However, for some reasons, he felt like he made a deal with that creature.
And the fact that he is on another world after their conversation, he is convinced this world is an illusion.
But part of him did not want to rush and wake himself up. His instinct is compelling him to investigate and have full knowledge and awareness of his situation. After all, that creature did not look like hostile or enemy.
However, no matter how much he observed the world, he did not find any clue of what he should be doing.
If there is something he believes might be related, aside from broccoli which a normal kid would hate, it was another fuzzy memory figment triggered when her mom dropped a coin. He was only a toddler then but that memory is telling him to toss a coin and tabulate the results of his guess with respect to Fibonacci Sequence. As to how he knew this sequence, it just came natural to him like adding and multiplying numbers which no one ever taught him, which to him is another proof this world can’t be real.
Since he did not have any lead, he can only toss the coin six hundred ten times almost every day for the past ten years. He was anticipating another revelation but to his disappointment, he only noticed that every time he tossed the coin and it is within Fibonacci Sequence, the coin lands on a side consistent to opposite of his guesses.
What is weird though is when his siblings would do the same, their guesses are random when compared to his guesses when the coin lands.
“Come here son, let’s get you a nice bath.”
Theodore’s thought were disrupted when she heard a woman’s voice. When he turned around, he saw a middle-aged woman wearing apron. It is currently his mother, Veronica Ebonar, who married Charles Rosenthal, his father.
*Mmmmh
Theodore nodded and got to his feet. Unlike his older brother and younger sister, he is neither cheerful nor expressive. Convinced that everything around him is unreal, he had always worn a blank expression and normal face and on top of that, he has not uttered a word aside from “Mmmh” making him labeled as mute.
There are many times he would like to express himself but to this day, he is still suspicious of everything. Although this world felt real, in the world of supernatural, he believes that creating an illusion so life-like is not impossible.
After taking a bath, Theodore put on some new clothes then walked and sat in the kitchen. As he waited, he could not help but salivate. Illusion or not, the aroma of food prepared for dinner indeed is irresistible.
(Papa!)
(Oh, look at you, you’re so heavy. What did you eat for breakfast.)
(It was fish and… )
Theodore did not need to step outside to see his father has arrived and welcomed by his sister.
In this world, he was born as the second child, and according to what he had observed since he gained consciousness, his father is a city guard and so is his grandfather and his forefathers. As for his mother, it was a carefully arranged marriage to ensure the offsprings will have better chances of Mana Affinity.
Arranged or not, their relationship is not at all superficial.
As everyone is slowly taking their seats, Theodore placed his chin on the table while staring at a coin.
“So what’s the occasion? I thought Lyzette’s birthday is in two months?” Charles quizzically inquired as he slowly placed Lyzette on the chair.
“It’s me, dad. I’m an official Nordstrom student as of today. And I am with 3-Star Section!” Byron happily announced.
“3-Stars?” Charles eyes widened.
“Yes, honey. We just got the letter today.” Veronica added.
“Thank the heavens. Then why are you not bringing THE wine? This calls for a celebration.” Charles could not help but embrace her from behind.
“We are reserving that for my parents visit, remember?” Veronica whispered and pinched Charles signaling him to step back.
Theodore inwardly smiled. Three stars meant his brother has Cultivation Affinity above average which means his brother has the qualifications to become Warrior, a term they used for martial artists.
As for him, he had never been tested as he had always been labeled mute which is equated to being talentless. It’s not that he wants to but he has yet to fully grasp his current predicament. Besides, he does not want to immerse himself to a world which will crumble any second.
For whatever purpose he had been thrown into this illusion, he plans on observing everything for now.
Theodore grabbed on broccoli as he watched everyone’s smiles until everyone was full.
After dinner, Theodore brushed his teeth and went to his room. He wanted to perform another set of coin toss but he felt exhausted.
Earlier today, his grandpa started to teach him how to use the axe by splitting firewood. It felt like his back was torn apart after those thirty swings.
*Exhale
Theodore laid on his bed.
Sometimes, he wonders what kind of life he truly has. While he is convinced he is under a spell of illusion, part of him wants to live a peaceful life like what he has now.
As Theodore is occupied in his thoughts, he felt his parents walking towards his room.
(We’ve gone over this. My uncle is willing to take him in. Even your brother wants to take him in.)
(But he’s weak. I won’t be able to sleep knowing he could not even lift a bag and being forced to work. He’s my son and he should have a decent Mana Affinity.)
(And if he’s enlisted?)
(I’ve already spoken to our leader. After Theodore drinks the booster, he will be the first to be eliminated.)
(What are you saying?)
(It will only cost us one years of salary.)
(A year? That’s too much.)
(Come here, honey. We still have savings. Tomorrow, we’ll take him to the temple.)
While listening, Theodore felt a slight tingling pain on his chest.