... 2000 years into the future.

In a cozy cabin fashioned from sea stones, an old Walteran sits in her creaking wooden chair, fingers dancing over needles as she weaves a grand dress, a labor of love for her cherished granddaughter. As the fire's warmth wanes, she stirs, tending to its hunger with a fresh offering of coal. Just as the flames dance to life anew, the door swings wide, and a young girl bursts in, embracing her granny with a hug.

?? "Granny! Granny! I'm back!"

?? "Indeed you are, my dear Margaret. And a very happy birthday to you."

Margaret "A dress?! I love it, Granny Gala. It's so beautiful!"

Gala "Your smile always brings me joy. It's remarking that you get closer to looking like her every day."

Margaret "Her? Who granny?"

Gala "Your great ancestor and a friend to one of the legendary heroes."

Margaret "What?! No way! You never told me that before!"

Gala "You know how excited you are when comes to that topic. You even made a fan club at school. Oh, what is that, Margaret?"

Margaret "Some delicious glow plums I picked for us, Granny."

Gala "Ah, it's been ages since I've tasted these. What a delightful treat! But I won't lose in this battle of gifts, my dear, I have another surprise for you."

Margaret "Really? Oh, is it a costume worn by one of the heroes?"

Gala "Ho ho! Not quite, my darling. Take a second look at that dress you're holding. It's a replica of Amelia's red dress."

Margaret "But the stories always describe her wearing a mix of blue and pink, Granny Gala."

Gala "Ah, my dear Margaret, finer details often fade with time. You'll come to understand that as you grow older. Now, if you're eager for my second gift, it's time to sleep in for the night."

Margaret "Okay, Granny!"

With a swift motion, Margaret swims out of her dirty farm clothes, eyeing her pajamas momentarily before fixating on the red dress. She slides into it with ease, earning a chuckle from Granny Gala. Gala then strides toward a concealed floorboard near the door, retrieving a large, transparent crystal. Margaret's eyes widen in amazement as she recalls a lesson from school mentioning that such ice crystals are only possible by the work of the most potent hydromancers. She claims the left side of the bed while Gala settles beside her. With a determined face, Gala's hands hover over the crystal, conjuring swirling vortexes that gradually dissolve the massive ice crystal.

Margaret "These books! There are eleven of them. Wait... you mean... No way! Are these what I think they are?!"

Gala "Indeed they are, my dear. Penned by Adrian himself, as a gesture of friendship to our forebear."

Margaret "Adrian! The Adrian?! The Protector! Oh, All-Mother! I need to read these now!"

Gala "Ha! Patience, my child. It would take ages to even skim through them all at once. How about this- I'll read a portion from each book every evening. That way, the joy will last for months."

Margaret "Oh... alright, granny."

Gala "Good girl. Now, which hero's tale shall we embark upon first?"

Margaret "Kanji, The Ursurper! He is the coolest!"

Gala "Ah, the one who forged the earliest bond with our ancestors. Very well, let me regale you with his saga..."

Once upon a time, a young man awakens amidst a sea of swaying seagrass. Each movement he makes meets resistance, confirming his submerged state beneath the waves. Yet, to Kanji's astonishment, the sky above is as clear as if he were standing on land. Tentatively, he takes steps, feeling the familiar sensation of solid footing, and then, with a thought, he imagines swimming, and his body obediently follows suit. With a snap of his fingers, electricity crackles and bursts forth in all directions, illuminating his watery surroundings.

Kanji "As anticipated, this is rather convenient. No need to expend energy on Energy Wave. But..."

He sends out an electrical bolt, only to watch it disperse like a shotgun blast.

Kanji "That could be troublesome- Hey! Who's there?!"

Turning, he spots a petite humanoid figure, her demeanor nervous yet adorned with a gentle smile. Kanji quickly discerns her femininity and takes in her appearance. Her azure skin complements a onesie dress adorned with pearl buttons that trail to webbed hands and down to webbed feet. Beneath oval glasses, her face exudes a shy, nerdy charm, accentuated by floppy-finned ears and delicate, stringy fins cascading like hair over one side of her head. Folding her hands together, she emits a soft, melodious hum...

?? "S-Sir, you've been staring quite intensely for a... human? Am I correct?"

Kanji "Yes, are humans rare around these parts?"

?? "Everything is scarce in The Outer Edge, stranger. Whether you're human or not doesn't particularly matter. I'm here to investigate a loud noise. It sounded like a cannon firing."

Kanji "No cause for concern. Just experimenting with some tools."

?? "You do give off a mechanic's vibe. It's refreshing to encounter someone both kind and honest. I'm Ara. Ara Typhin."

Kanji "Kanji Kimura. As I'm new here, I'm keen to learn more about The Outer Edge, and about you."

Ara "Straight forward I see. You remind me of an old friend. Come along then, follow me!"

She leads him across the field, heading southward, where the grass gradually dwindles until they step onto a dull, dark green, stone-like surface. Squinting, Kanji discerns a structure near the continent's edge— a colossal snail shell covered in sea moss, its spiral pattern culminating in a large door woven from sea grass. Ara unlatches the door, ushering Kanji into a well-lit chamber. There is furniture resembling a bed, yet fashioned from a material that reminds him of a sea sponge, dots the corner of the room, while two wooden chairs and a table occupy the center. Taking a seat, Kanji's gaze drifts to a basket brimming with glowing orbs resembling plums, though radiating a brilliant blue hue. His attention then shifts to the walls adorned with what appear to be luminescent lichens.

Kanji "These resemble lichens, but they emit light."

Ara "They're lumalins. Not the most practical choice for lighting, but they're prolific and spread quickly."

Kanji "And these are... plums?"

Ara "Glow plums! Simple name, but then again, one wouldn't give a fancy title to a common food reserved for the poorest Waltarens."

Kanji takes a bite, experiencing a wild ride of flavors starting from extreme sour and drops to sweetness.

Kanji "Now that's quite the flavor trip!"

Ara "It may lose its novelty over time. Alright, let's get down to business. Do you have any other questions for me, or shall I proceed?"

Kanji "I'll be courteous and let you decide."

Ara "Very well. I assume you're familiar with Waltarens history?"

Kanji "Once a unified planet, now divided into six factions by All-Mother's wrath. One devoted to law, another to trade, one to knowledge, one to tradition, one to non-belief, and one to carnage."

Ara "Quite a blunt description. Allow me to provide more detailed insight into this continent, what you refer to as 'The Split' we call it 'Reckoning'. As you're aware, we once inhabited a vast landmass covering the planet like the shell of an egg. The All-Mother sent down six divine catalysts, shattering the shell into six fragments. To simplify, imagine splitting a sphere in half, resulting in two rounded caps. One cap is divided into two halves which are Wal' Ordan and Wal' Evolan. The other is divided into 4 pieces, Wal' Mindan, Soulan, Origan, and Tradan."

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Kanji "I've always been curious about the appearance of each nation. They seem to resemble curved fans. I assume Ordan and Evolan have the largest lands cause they held the most influence."

Ara "Correct, and we currently reside on Wal' Ordan, the realm of rules and order. I loathe this place."

Kanji "Is it because you're in the Outer Edge? Judging by your isolation, I suspect you were exiled."

Ara "In a way. You see, these 'divine catalysts' grant us powers based on our beliefs. In Ordan's case, when a young Rulen reaches maturity, they make contact with the catalyst before declaring the desired power. However, it comes with a price. One must impose rules upon oneself and designate a punishment to balance with the power granted. It's a convoluted process. So much so that one of the subjects in school guides us on how best to approach the catalyst. The aim is to exploit a loophole, though most attempts end in failure."

Kanji "I presume the one who succeeded now reigns over Ordan.

Ara "Yes, that conniving, ruthless bastard of a king. As monarch, he can enact countless continental laws using the catalyst, all of which must be obeyed by every Rulens. He also determines the punishment... everyone you know and love will despise you. Alternatively, you can opt for exile, bypassing the punishment. I, however, chose voluntary exile. I couldn't bear the weight of that burden, and... I'm doing this for someone's sake."

Kanji "Someone... you love."

Ara "... Yes. But let's not delve into that. Returning to our discussion, Exiled Rulens are forbidden from interacting with any Waltarens, whether they're from Ordan or other nations. However, they can communicate with other species, so some exiles seek companionship with Castastrians or Gassions, or even keep pets to stave off loneliness."

Kanji "What if foreigners attempt to engage with you anyway?"

Ara "The catalyst would instantly kill them and the same goes for Rulens from the city. The same fate awaits me if I try to communicate with them first. Now, onto The Outer Edge..."

She slides aside the basket and lifts a floorboard, revealing a map beneath. Ara takes it and lays it out in front of him.

Kanji "It resembles a giant letter 'D'. Intriguing that all structures are concentrated along the spine of the 'D'."

Ara "That's because they can easily descend and travel to other nations. The Outer Edge outlines the continent, extending from the top along the curve and terminating at the bottom. We're located at the southern end, or The Southern Outer Edge. These six walls here... Starting from the outer sections, four are governed by the grand nobles. One section is divided among the five royal children. The largest area bordering the edge is under the king's rule."

Kanji "I think I got the gist of it. Time for me to head off."

Ara "Before you go, I would like to give you something."

Kanji "Uh, sure."

From her pocket, she produces a flower pin adorned with 2 shiny petals, blue and pink, affixing it to the right side of his lab coat.

Ara "Thank you for your company. Accept this as a token of gratitude. I wish you success in your goals and ambitions. Oh, and here's a guidebook."

Kanji "Thank you, Ara. I'll make good use of it and try my best not to damage the pin."

They exit the cabin, and Ara points north. Without a single word, Kanji sets off, returning to the grasslands. This time, he notices an increased abundance of fish swimming by as he ventures further and further north. Soon, he finds himself traversing a dense forest populated by trees resembling mangroves, yet their trunks appear lifted, revealing countless roots with large bubbles nestled between the gaps. Intrigued, he examines them closely, noticing a white, pus-like substance swirling within.

Kanji "Is it sap, or perhaps..." "It's remarking to see so many trees thriving here, able to withstand the seawater and pressure."

He retrieves the guidebook from his pocket and flips through the bookmarks before turning to the ecology section.

Kanji "So, it's called a Mostra tree. These bubbles contain sugar?"

He presses his finger against a bubble, finding it surprisingly solid. Using both hands, Kanji grasps a bubble and lifts it to his mouth, consuming it in one swift gulp. Analyzing the sugar, he discovers a natural taste akin to honey. Satisfied, he gathers ten more bubbles, storing them in the system's Universal storage. Venturing deeper into the forest, he hears the sound of footsteps and loud yelling.

Quickly, he hides behind the nearest tree, eavesdropping on the conversation. The hero hears two distinct tunes, a classy jazz and a rough melody like someone slamming their guitar.

??? "Y-You can't do this! Do you know where we are?! The Rulens won't let this slide!"

?? "Oh, really? Last I checked, the guards were napping on the job. What a bunch of hypocrites! Now, old man, I won't repeat myself! Hand over the merchandise, or else!"

??? "Not one step closer. You won't like it when I unleash my power!"

?? "Did you hear that, fellas? The 'Tradan' thinks he can harm us! HAHAHHAHAHA!"

His party follows up with an orchestra of laughter, filled with malice.

Kanji "What should I do, I wonder?" "It's not my affair, but then again... forging an acquaintance wouldn't be so bad. He might even offer help through Ordan. As a merchant, he likely possesses considerable wealth. Alright, let's proceed! But... I won't reveal all my cards-

A sudden clang interrupts his thoughts, prompting Kanji to peer into the commotion.

Kanji takes note of the peculiarities of the merchant and his assailants. The merchant, resembling a humanoid blobfish adorned with a monocle and a top hat, sports a bright red coat with gold buttons, paired with a puffy inner shirt and pantaloons. A name tag identifies him as "Charles A. Fishbiscuit." His wooden cart, pulled by horses with four giant flippers instead of legs, boasts seaweed for hair and is shielded by a large clear gold dome repelling multiple attacks from his enemies. Surrounding him are five bandits wielding spiky clubs, their unclothed bodies covered in sharp scales, save for their scarred faces. Lacking ears, hair, or noses, they sport gills and bear a symbol of a crossed-out prayer. Their skin, varying shades of green, contrasts with the absurdly large figure among them, whose height reaches the canopies of the trees. This alpha Walteran possesses an appendage protruding from the center of his head, glowing like an angler fish.

The big guy clenches his teeth like teeth in anger as his minion's clubs break into pieces.

Minion 1 "S-Sorry, boss Jack Mauler! I didn't know that-

Jack "SHUT UP!!! DO YOU EVEN REALISE HOW EXPENSIVE THOSE CLUBS WERE?!"

With a mighty kick, he sends all of his minions hurtling through the canopies and out of sight.

Jack "Useless bunch of idiots. I'll handle this myself!"

Charles "G-Go ahead and try! Your club will break too!" "Shit! Shit! Shit! Someone help! That club will shatter the barrier!"

Jack "We'll see about that-

Suddenly, he feels a sharp pain radiating from his sides, but before he can react, the large bandit crashes into several trees.

Jack "What... the h-hell... w-was that?

He spots three nearly invisible forces hurtling toward him. Fortunately, the bandit manages to roll and evade them, but they collide with and demolish several more trees in their path.

Jack "Such force of tides. This is... it can only be possible by- No! You bastard! You hired an advanced hydrofighter!"

Charles "Err, what?-

Jack "Fuck this! I'm not taking my chances!"

With fear, he rises to his feet, swiftly turns 180 degrees, and disappears into the woods. Though Kanji can still hear the echoing thuds of his massive footsteps, he opts to let the bandit leader retreat. Instead, he marvels at his own fist, satisfied with the results of the physical training. With a mere push of his palm, Kanji can unleash a powerful jet of water pressure, capable of obliterating anything in its path.

Kanji "Perhaps this will be easier to conceal than I anticipated."

Charles "Umm, excuse me, young... human. My, my. This is the first time I've encountered a human. Nevertheless, I must express my utmost gratitude. If not for you, myself and my precious cargo of pickled glow plums would be in dire straits."

Kanji "No probs. I can't just ignore an unjust act."

Charles "Oho! Your presence here suggests you plan to remain in Ordan. You'll blend in like a coral mouse in a field of seagrass! If you wish, I can assist you in navigating the city. I could even offer some complimentary accommodation, my friend."

Kanji "That would be convenient. Hey, what are these beauties called?"

Charles "Ah, my beloved kelpies, Angel and Clover. I raised them myself in the fields of Tradan. Let's hop on! We're almost there!"

The Kelpies quickly carry them through the forest until they reach the entrance of Ordan.

Charles sneers at the slumbering guards as they ride through the imposing gates. They emerge into a bustling marketplace, vendors lining the streets as far as the eye can see. Contrary to Kanji's expectations of a tightly governed nation, the people in this district are all smiles and cheer. As the carriage passes, the locals wave to Charles as if he were a long-lost friend returning home. They also acknowledge Kanji's presence without any concern for his humanity.

Charles "Cheerful lot, aren't they? And fortunate too. Any Rulen would give anything to live under Duke Jerry's jurisdiction. Happy people also mean good business, which is why I've established my produce company here."

Kanji "I find their happiness somewhat unsettling."

Charles "A life of hardship, huh? I get it. I had the same first impression. You'll get used to it. Ah... Here we are!"

Kanji steps out of the carriage and gazes at the enormous villa before him, its sign reading "The Great UnderBed." The door swings open, and they are greeted by a humanoid blobfish adorned in a maid costume. The first floor exudes a homely atmosphere, furnished with old-fashioned décor and accompanied by the soothing melodies of slow jazz. A pool table adds to the ambiance. Charles heads to the kitchen and retrieves two bottles of soda, offering one to Kanji. As he sips the drink, it tastes like grape soda but there are sudden jolts of spiciness, eliciting a smile of amusement.

Kanji "An exquisite drink. Is this one of your finest creations?!"

Charles "All-Mother, no! As a renowned food connoisseur and producer, I have countless other products. This was one of my earliest creations, enjoyed only by a few. A gift worthy of my hero. Anyway, I must attend to business. I suggest you rest for the day, and we'll discuss matters tomorrow. Jona here will cater to your needs as if you were a second me. Oh, by the grace of the All-Mother! I neglected to ask the name of my savior."

Kanji "No worries. It's actually rude of me not to introduce myself earlier. My name is Kanji Kimura."

Charles "A fine name indeed. Farewell, Master Kanji. May your stay be enjoyable."

Jona "Allow me to escort you to your quarters, Master Kanji."

They ascend the stairs to the second floor, where they encounter a large wall with a door.

Kanji "Hold on! Is the entire floor my room?!"

Jona "Yes, please make yourself at home."

Opening the door, Kanji enters a spacious living room adorned with three large sofas and a television. An enormous private bath and kitchen area are situated to the left, while a bedroom with a king-size bed occupies the right. Kanji gravitates towards the bed and sinks into its comforting softness, immediately succumbing to a deep slumber.