An hour later, Zayzal and Ingrid were sitting on the floor in her study with the former behind her. Sera was leaning against the wall, watching them just in case anything happened.

After a long talk and a few examples from Sera, the two finally came to an agreement. Zayzal would help Ingrid realize her talent and take it to the next level in exchange for a 1999 Volkswagen Polo and a tank of gas.

Was it a good deal? He didn’t know, but it gave them what they needed in the shortest possible time without having to steal or kill. Plus, since Ingrid was willing, it gave him a chance to understand his talent better.

“Just to remind you, while I do have some experience with my talent, I’ve never tried it on the brain. There’s no telling what could happen if things go wrong.” Zayzal said with a deep voice, making sure she understood the severity of what they were about to do.

Ingrid was quiet for a moment, contemplating if she was really going to go through with this, but when she saw her own neighbor’s remains lying in a pool of blood, rabid animals on the TV, and potential monsters roaming the streets, she steeled her mind.

‘Now’s not the time to stay safe! I’m an old woman now, surrounded by other old people. Who’s going to protect me if a monster comes knocking on my door? I don’t want to be left at the mercy of hope. Hope that someone will save me in my time of need. I’m too old for that!’ She closed her eyes for a moment, secretly cursing her past self for not grabbing a husband who could step up to the plate for her before opening them with resolve.

“Doesn’t matter.” She said, her voice full of conviction. “I’m bound to die anyway if things keep getting worse. If what you’re saying is really true, then maybe my chances of survival will increase, at least a little.”

Zayzal sighed but nodded. “...Very well. Then, let’s get started.”

The atmosphere in Ingrid's study was thick with tension and expectation.

Zayzal sat behind her, his hands hovering above her head, prepared to delve into the mysterious pathways of her talent—[Enhanced Comprehension]. To prove to her that he wasn’t just blowing smoke, he helped reveal her talent as they were negotiating.

Sera stood watchfully against the wall, her eyes darting between the two, ready to intervene should anything go awry.

"Are you ready?" Zayzal asked, looking at Ingrid's determined face in the reflection of a small, ornate mirror on a shelf.

Ingrid took a deep breath and nodded. "As I'll ever be."

Zayzal closed his eyes momentarily, focusing his senses on the cyan orb he had perceived earlier in Ingrid's brain. His eyes flickered open, glowing a soft silver hue.

"Alright," he murmured, "here we go."

Carefully, Zayzal's hands made contact with the sides of Ingrid's head, his eyes immediately turning silver.

He sensed her pathways, illusory lines webbing throughout her brain and trickling down her spine. These pathways represented the foundation of her talent, the scaffold on which her abilities would eventually develop.

Tentatively, he directed a stream of his own energy into Ingrid's pathways. His intent was to highlight these mental avenues for her, making it easier for her to channel her own mana into them.

"Tell me, do you feel anything?" Zayzal asked.

"Yes," Ingrid responded, "a tingling sensation, like a cool breeze brushing against my mind."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Excellent. Now, try to focus your attention on that sensation," Zayzal instructed. "Imagine your mind as a landscape. Can you see any roads or pathways there?"

Ingrid paused, her eyes shut tightly. "I think so. Yes, I see them. They're faint but becoming more distinct."

"Good. Now, consider your talent, Enhanced Comprehension. Envision it as a tool, a key perhaps, to unlock those pathways."

She nodded, still immersed in her internal world. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she pictured her talent. In her mental landscape, a bright key materialized, inscribed with the words [Enhanced Comprehension].

"Got it," Ingrid said, her voice quivering with excitement. "The key is in my hand."

Zayzal was pleased. "Now, try to unlock the pathways. Use the key on them. Turn it and channel your energy into them."

Ingrid felt like she was standing on the precipice of something monumental. With bated breath, she imagined the key fitting into the locks along the pathways. She turned it, and suddenly, a surge of energy cascaded through her mental landscape. The pathways lit up like never before.

"Did it work?" Zayzal inquired, unable to see what was happening inside Ingrid's mind but feeling a change in the flow of energy through her pathways.

Ingrid's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with the same cyan hue as her orb. "Yes," she breathed, looking at Zayzal with newfound clarity. "I think I understand now…"

Zayzal withdrew his hands and sighed in relief. "I'm glad it worked. How do you feel?"

"Enlightened," Ingrid said, standing up. "As if layers of fog have been lifted from my mind. I can perceive things more clearly, and it feels like my brain is working a thousand kilometers per minute."

Zayzal grinned. "That's great to hear."

Sera, who had been silently observing the entire process, spoke up. "Looks like we have a deal then?"

Ingrid smiled, her eyes meeting Zayzal's. "Yes, we do. You've given me something invaluable today. The car and the fuel are yours."

"Excellent," Zayzal said, extending a hand to shake Ingrid's. "Thank you, Ingrid, for trusting me with this. I know it wasn't an easy decision to make."

Ingrid shook his hand warmly. "No, thank you. I feel as if I've gained a decade of wisdom in a matter of minutes. You've given me a fighting chance, and that's more than what most people have right now."

Sera pushed off the wall and walked over to them, smiling at the successful conclusion. "Guess we have a road trip to prepare for then."

Zayzal nodded. "Indeed, we need to be smart about this. With the chaos going on, the road will be dangerous. We should stock up on some supplies."

"I can help with that," Ingrid offered. "We have a store of preserved foods, medical supplies, and other essentials. Consider it a small token of my gratitude."

They spent the next half-hour gathering supplies. Ingrid led them to a well-stocked cellar, where they filled several bags with canned foods, bottled water, first aid kits, and other necessities for the journey.

While they were busy packing, Ingrid turned to Zayzal. "If you don't mind me asking, where do you plan on going? The world is a different place now; it's not the same as what you remember."

"I have to get back to Greece to see my family. I need to know if they're alright and, if possible, bring them to safety."

Ingrid nodded, understanding the gravity of his need. "That's a long journey. Make sure you're well-prepared."

Zayzal looked up from the bag he was filling and met Ingrid's eyes. "I will. And please, take care of yourself as well. Also, keep in mind that this may only be the start. I can already see faint outlines of other pathways in your brain, which I can only assume can make you stronger. So, don’t think this is the peak."

"I don’t intend to," she said, her voice filled with determination. "If these are the end times, then I plan to go down fighting, not cowering. If I can get stronger, then I’ll do my damnedest to make it happen!"

Now that she had gotten a taste of what was possible, she wanted more!

Unfortunately, Zayzal and Sera were leaving, and from the giant axe on the latter’s back and the almost feral look in her eyes, she didn’t have the guts to ask them to stay, nor did she have the ability.

"Spoken like a true warrior," Sera remarked, sealing the last bag and hoisting it over her shoulder.

Soon, they were standing next to the 1999 Volkswagen Polo that was now theirs. The vehicle was old but seemed sturdy, exactly what they needed for a long, unpredictable journey.

"Take care," Ingrid said, handing the keys to Zayzal. "And remember, you're always welcome here, should your paths ever bring you back."

"We'll remember that," Sera said, climbing into the passenger seat.

Zayzal turned the key, and the engine roared to life. "Thank you, Ingrid. We’ll stop by if we’re ever in the area."

"Good," Ingrid replied, stepping back as Zayzal shifted the car into gear.

With a wave, they pulled out of the driveway, each lost in their thoughts about the perilous journey ahead and the uncertain world they were navigating.

As the car turned the corner, disappearing from sight, Ingrid stood there for a moment, contemplating the strangeness of the times they were living in. She then turned and walked back towards her home, her mind abuzz with plans and possibilities, fortified by her newly activated talent.