Lotus Year 94
Once inside my cave, I begin to assess the fruits of my hard work over the past few years. The underground cave now has real grass! The grassy area stretches beyond my "experiment zone" to the deepest part of the cave—Where there’s no artificial light. The lake I created in these "plains" is filled with magical water from the skill [Azure Torrent], and various plants, including moss, grass, flowers, vines, vegetables, roots, and other foliage, flourish here.
While I wouldn’t claim to have a full plain at my disposal, it’s not far from it. The magical lake has brought life to this place, soaking the ground and air with [Water] affinity, gently influencing everything around it.
All the plants have a bluish-green or turquoise hue. The earth is moist but not muddy, and the air is thick with humidity that condenses on the cave walls, forming small drips from the ceiling—A kind of periodic rainfall. The magical lake has also become the favored shelter of my older, and more powerful axolotls. Most of the older axolotls eventually died—Either being eaten by the Tieflings or in territorial fights. Not long ago, Uchiki killed several 10-to-15-year-old axolotls in a dispute for control of the deepest regions of the lake. Unfortunately for the axolotls, Uchiki excels at water manipulation, and being a veteran in the lake gave her a clear advantage.
Uchiki is a cowardly fish, often hiding at the bottom of the lake among the sponges, rocks, and algae. But when it comes to fighting for her life, she doesn’t hesitate to give it her all. She took care of the problem swiftly, and now the deepest part of the lake is dominated by carp-like fish. Over the years, Uchiki has had many children and various partners. She’s like a guardian fish, protecting her descendants and similar.
The poor axolotls had little choice—Either move into the underground cave, which is saturated with volatile mana, or remain in areas of the lake with lower energy concentration. This was especially hard on the younger axolotls. Those that stayed in the cave couldn’t handle the high levels of ambient mana, and those that stayed in low-energy zones became stunted, weaker, and smaller than their siblings raised in "richer" regions. And beacause of that, most of the weaker's axolotls ended up as lunch or pets for the Tieflings.
Still, the high energy concentration wasn’t all bad. The older generations of axolotls adapted relatively well to these regions and experienced significant growth, particularly four large axolotls that now dominate the magical lake inside the cave.
These four have grown to the size of crocodiles, in a way that they no longer resemble conventional axolotls. Their once colorful skin has been replaced by thick leather in varied, faded tones, with some scales strategically placed. Their cute "antennae" from youth have disappeared, replaced by small warts below their simple ears. Their once-adorable black eyes have turned into large, menacing reptilian eyes. They still have retractable teeth, but the older axolotls' mouths are now filled with serrated teeth that secrete a paralyzing substance. Their legs have grown larger and more muscular, developing threatening claws, while their tails, once adorned with a vertical fin, have transformed into normal reptilian tails with spines. It’s hard to imagine that these strange creatures were once the adorable, gentle little axolotls from the lake.
These four "axolotls" may not be cute anymore, but I believe they’re incredibly strong. Even Uchiki avoids clashing with all four at once. They don’t seem interested in fighting her for territory, as they appear content living in the cave, occasionally venturing out to hunt for fish.
I’ve given each of them a blessing. Why? Because unlike the whiny Tieflings who feel entitled to my blessings, these four are loyal servants. They don’t care about "greater reasons" to receive a blessing—They know I provide them with food, shelter, power, and protection, so they obey and naturally respect me. It’s far simpler than dealing with Tieflings, who complicate everything unnecessarily.
I’ve even named each of them based on their personalities and behavior. The large axolotl that spends most of her time sleeping on the rocks near the lake is Hirune. She’s a female with a grayish-blue body, white markings, and relaxed, carefree blue reptilian eyes. Then there’s Ikari, a quarrelsome male who fiercely defends his "personal space." He’s larger than most, with an earthy-brown body and blood-red eyes. Next is Suro, a male with a stone-gray body, black spots, and yellow eyes. He once fought Uchiki and lost, but he doesn’t seeked for revenge until now. Instead, he’s like a protector, caring for the smaller axolotls by bringing them food and watching over them during hunts. Last but not least is Chi, a female with moss-green colors, yellow spots, and dark green eyes. Cautious by nature, she would likely be the last to survive in a territorial fight. She relies on patience over brute strength and is even capable of using a bit of magic!
Axolotls are clearly more suited for hand-to-hand combat. Their crazy regeneration and innate biological weapons make them efficient fighters, unlike fish like Uchiki, who rely more on magic for daily survival. Uchiki uses magic to create water currents for faster swimming or bubbles to escape tricky situations, but she's not built for direct combat like the axolotls.
However, Chi isn’t the type to "Get her hands dirty." Instead, she surprised me by learning magic—Specifically, a unusual, poison magic. I’m not sure how she managed to get it, but I imagine it’s similar to how I acquired my water magic. She must have followed the “call” of the elements, aligning with something that better suited her needs and natural affinities.
Chi’s spells aren’t flashy, or anything between "Magical", but they are certainly lethal. She can create poisonous clouds in the water, infect enemies with toxic scratches, and even cure her siblings from certain types of poison.
These four axolotls are essentially the leaders of the magical lake, and I like having them around. While I’m not opposed to sharing or giving up parts of my territory to other forms of life, it's absolutely essential that I remain the master of this relationship. If I can’t control the creatures that live near me, they aren’t allies—They’re threats that need to be eliminated or neutralized.
The four of them control the cave. Uchiki controls the surface lake, my elementals guard the lake where my main body resides, and my Earthwards manage all the ground where my roots extend. It’s a perfect system. Letting others handle these areas for me is far more efficient than doing it myself. If someone tried to enter the cave through the surface lake, they’d first have to get past a large school of Uchiki's descendants. While they’re not individually strong, they’re formidable in numbers, and unlike their progenitor, they’re more than willing to fight for their territory.
If an intruder managed to enter the cave, they’d face a rain of water elementals and Earthwards, backed up by the axolotls, not to mention dealing with me personally—Which I don’t plan on letting happen anytime soon.
As the cave expands, I’ve started to feel that my main body isn’t as protected as it could be. That’s why I keep digging deeper and deeper. Once I reach a satisfactory depth, I plan to move my main body to the deepest and safest part of the cave. I’ll create more and more areas between the entrance and my chamber, turning it into a labyrinth of caves filled with magical beasts, spirits, and elementals—All serving to protect me from invaders.
"For that, I need to keep digging… But I’m not exactly skilled at drilling through rock's. It’d be great to get a digging ability or a specialized spell. Sure, I already have a spell to turn rock into mud, but that’s not enough—I need something stronger."
My Earthwards are good at digging, but I have about 60 or 70 of them scattered around, and I’d have more if it weren’t for the mana limitations. Unlike water elementals, which are self-sustaining once summoned, Earthwards need to be "recharged." If I create too many of them, I’ll end up draining too much energy trying to keep them "on."
"It would be nice if I could create an upgraded version of the Earthwards..."
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Lotus Year 95
Notice The hero's party defeated the Demon Lord of Plague
Notice The hero [Emily Ashllen] has died.
Notice The hero [Jonny Aister] has died.
"FINALLY!"
They did it. The heroes finally did it. Unfortunately they died in the process, but they really managed to kill that damn bastard!
As if by magic, the blood-red sky began to disappear. The ominous clouds lost their black and red hues, turning into ordinary, harmless white clouds, while the sky once again became blue and peaceful. I watched as several zombies collapsed to the ground while black smoke comes out of they orifices, a sign of the strength in them fading with the death of the demon lord, while others seemed severely weakened by it.
The village residents celebrated joyfully, and for the first time in years, I was able to create functional leaves on the surface of the lake again. My leaves spreaded quickly across the water surface, and I finally felt a long-forgotten sensation—The sweet and soothing touch of sunlight.
"Oh!! Good heaven's, how I missed this feeling..."
After so many years without sunlight, the simple act of basking in its warmth brought me a deep sense of comfort, easing the pain of the lost time. Making me remember that i had forgotten just how relaxing and satisfying it is to feel the natural light of the world.
"The heroes died... I feel... greate... but... Also... bad for them. I think I had disrespected their efforts all my life. I was so angry at the constant threat of demons, the poison, and the lack of sunlight that I became... bitter. But now... I realize the weight of their sacrifice. You guys may never know how grateful I am for what you had done, but I owe all of you my deepest thanks. At least one of you survived... At least i think she is? The saint. I don’t know how she’ll fare against the next demon lord, but at least she’s alive i guess."
Regret washed over me for the way I had once mocked the death of hero Kevin Loopen a few years ago. I was in a bad mood, irritated by my situation, and I made light of his sacrifice. But now, I understand the significance of his actions, and I feel ashamed for what I said about him.
"Forgive me... I will at least honor your death and your sacrifice."
As a sign of respect, I carefully dragged my roots to a large stone wall in the cave and began carving the names of the heroes one by one. Even if the world forgets their names, I feel it is my duty to remember all of them. To remember their work and their sacrifice. I may not known them, and I may not have admired them before, but now, I’m eternally grateful. If I had been forced to live in darkness for the rest of my life because of that demon lord, I would’ve gone mad.
Plants weren’t made to live in darkness.
"I wish I knew what they looked like... so I could create statues in their honor. I guess writing their names on a cold stone will have to do. Sorry, but that’s all I have to offer in your's memory."
As the world returned to its natural colors, I continued to sculpt, the feeling of tiredness, anger and sadness seemed to be disappearing for the first time in a long time. I felt lighter, as the Tieflings did. It seems a new era is beginning.
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Lotus Year 96
Rain falls from the sky above—A semi natural phenomenon that hasn’t occurred in years. Gray clouds fill the heavens, and a delicate, pure rain showers the earth below.
The rain washes over the small village, where simple wooden houses line stone-paved streets. Smoke rises from chimneys, and the warm glow of torches and hearths fills the homes. A few villagers, wrapped in heavy fabric and leather cloaks, walk quietly through the rain-slicked streets.
The village is surrounded by a large stone wall—Once a vital defense in harder times, now standing as a reminder of the past. The walls that were once heavily guarded day and night were now only guarded by a few men who occasionally patrolled the area, while most of the guards rested atop the battlements. Beyond the walls, new homes and streets are under construction. Green fields stretch into the distance, filled with crops and fenced-in animals resembling buffalos. In the distance, young trees are planted in orderly rows acros the road.
Inside the walls, a large lake lies nestled against the edge of the village, with a grand black-stone temple at its shore. Stone pathways weave around the temple, where statues of a mysterious figure stand guard. The lake glows with mystical light, dotted with magical flowers and surrounded by dense vegetation resting peacefully on its surface.
The people around the temple are always busy, rushing back and forth, scrolls and books clutched under their arms. Curiously, all of them wear pure white robes embroidered with floral, water waves, and roots patterns—A sharp contrast to the dark temple they work on. Despite the rain, none of them seem to be geting wet by it. Upon closer inspection, the raindrops slide off their clothing without soaking them for some reason. Some carry objects embedded with glowing blue jewels, while younger members simply wear their cloaks.
Outside the village walls, a small dirt road leads south toward a melancholic field. There, rows upon rows of stones mark the village cemetery. Flowers, vases, and handmade wooden statues adorn the graves. Life thrives here, with roots, leaves, and green grass covering the ground. Among the headstones, some people kneel in prayer, while others leave offerings for their departed loved ones.
This is Mysticfall, or so that's how the villagers call this place —A place brimming with magic, protected by a great spirit of nature. It stands as the promised land for its people, a fresh beginning born from the ashes of the fallen Cidervill.
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I love the rain i always loved. I like sunlight, of course, and I enjoy bathing in moonlight even more, especially on rare full-moon nights. But rain is comforting, calming me like nothing else. So i used [Call Storm] to summon this rain. It took a few weeks, but eventually, it came.
The rain stirs the water element, making water magic flow more easily while suppressing other elements like earth, air, and fire. My temple is thriving, and even little Kiiro is growing into a stubborn, mischievous teenager. I must admit, the boy has talent with magic. He can walk on water and create simple things like water blades, bubbles to drown enemies, and water projectiles.
It’s not impressive by my standards, but compared to the other youths in the village, Kiiro is quite powerful. Selene and I have both been teaching him—She focused on more academic lessons, while I showed him how to trust his instincts and use magic practically. I’m not sure why, but people here don’t seem to know how to use magic in an "improvised" way. For example, I can sense someone approaching and easily trap them in a water bubble or create water chain's to immobilize them without any effort.
While, most people at best, can only use magic in the way they've been trained to. A mage who learns offensive magic can only use it offensively, while a defensive mage sticks to defensive spells. Even experienced mages have their specialties. Take Selene, for example—She excels in incantations and spellcasting but struggles with pure water manipulation.
This is ridiculous for me. I’m incredibly versatile—I can manipulate water offensively, defensively, or even in a utilitarian way, all with equal mastery. It’s like they don’t understand the limitless potential of each individual element. Water is excellent for attack and individual use, but it falls short when it comes to defense. Earth, on the other hand, is perfect for defense and has great practical value, but it’s not really suited for offense. Your best options are either trowing a rock at your enemy -Something that is not discreet at all. Fire is exceptional for attack—Most living beings are vulnerable to it—But it’s lacking in everyday utility and isn’t great for pure defense. However, its destructive power more than makes up for those weaknesses. Air is probably the most flexible element. It’s great for offense, evasion, and utility. Air users can use that to manipulate other elements in the world or deflect upcoming attacks, making them surprisingly strong defenders.
Still, it amazes me how people can't seem to master the full scope of their elements. They either go all-in on one aspect or another, ignoring the rest.
Take Kiiro, for example. He’s been training under my guidance, and I have to say, he’s not bad. He’s good at using water for attack and mobility, but he struggles with shaping it for more creative or practical uses. He can’t, for instance, create a water mannequin like I can, or form water into furniture, fish, or objects.
But Kiiro excels in something I didn’t expect—Spiritualism. He’s quite skilled at controlling water elementals and using his little water spirit with impressive finesse. The contract with Suzuke still haunts me, though. I fear that if Kiiro can’t protect himself, I’ll be the one who gets hurt in the end. That’s why I need to find a way to shield him, something that fits his unique strengths and needs. And I already know the answer—A water spirit.
If I could create a strong enough water spirit to guard Kiiro, I’d feel much more at ease. But there’s one major problem: I can’t summon spirits. I don’t know how to call one or how to bind it to Kiiro.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
So that brings me to plan B—Water Elementals. They’re easier to control, and if I can create a powerful one to protect Kiiro, I can keep an eye on him and safeguard him, even from a distance. The challenge? How do I hide a water elemental?
I can’t just have an elemental hovering around Kiiro 24/7. That would be way too obvious, not to mention inconvenient. The elemental needs to provide discreet, behind-the-scenes protection, not broadcast its presence like a beacon.
Which brings me to now—Standing in front of my creation altar, surrounded by a pile of failed attempts, frustration boiling over.
"The goal is simple: create an artifact that can house an elemental. So why is this so difficult?"
I’ve made several items that can grant a minor affinity with water, provide temporary abilities, or store small amounts of pure energy, but nothing that works for this specific situation.
"What am I missing? What do I need to change to get this right? I’ve experimented with different ingredients, adjusted the energy inputs, even modified the 'data' in each item, but nothing seems to work. Maybe the ritual itself isn’t suited for creating what I need?"
Feeling disheartened, I shift my focus to the magical lake. The axolotls rest peacefully among the rocks, while lush, green vegetation thrives around them. Insects crawl on the ground and fly through the air, accompanied by tiny, glowing blue orbs that hum softly, their sounds meaningless and unconnected.
The small lights are the result of my [Azure Torrent] spell—weak water elementals born peacefully from the lake's enchanted waters. They’re fragile creatures, too underdeveloped to maintain physical forms or follow even simple commands. They live here, feeding off the cave’s natural energy, slowly growing into full-fledged elementals over time.
“Wait a minute... what if I...?”
Using my roots, I pull metal, jewelry, and some colorful stones from deep within my “trash bin,” carefully placing each item on the pedestals that surround the cave's ritual altar. After meticulously carving and correcting the errors in the magic circle, I harness my energy manipulation to draw the small elementals toward the altar.
Without hesitation, I activate the ritual. The magic circle etched on the floor begins to glow with a vibrant blue light as I channel my energy. The ritual unfolds seamlessly, and soon I reach the critical moment—the point when the items start melting and merging. As the jewels, stones, and metal magically coalesce, I compress the elementals into a single sphere of energy. Soon, muffled screams and whispers fill the air as the elementals begin to unite. I focus, condensing the small, feeble ball of blue energy until it’s ready. Then, I gently drop it onto the amalgamation of magical items above the ongoing ritual.
As soon as the energy sphere makes contact, the forming item begins to distort strangely, pulsating like a heartbeat and emitting a peculiar energy. Suddenly, the sounds of screaming and crying erupt from the creation.
“Damn it! I messed up!”
In an instant, the pulsating amalgamation explodes, scattering shards and debris everywhere. Smoke and dust rise amid the chaos, and I can feel a disturbance in the cave's natural energy, as if a small bomb had detonated underwater, sending ripples across the surface. When the dust settles, I’m shocked to see the altar completely obliterated and fragmented, with large sections of the magic circle carved into the floor damaged. Debris and fragments litter the ground, smoke still curling from the remnants of the altar, mingling with the acrid smell of burnt metal and earth.
“A failure... but not entirely?”
Winding my roots like snakes, I soon come across a peculiar, half-destroyed object—A bizarre blend of blue stones interlaced with golden veins, metal, and grayish-blue fragments.
Description
[Nature's Junk]
The flawed result of trying to fuse a nature spirit with natural elements.
'The flawed result? Does this mean that it is really possible to unite an elemental with these items?'
As they say, failure is the mother of success.
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Notice
Do you want to fuse the skills [Earthward Caller] and [Aquatic Allies]?
I’ve thought extensively about how to create an item or amulet that can house a spirit, elemental, Earthwarden, or mana creature. Earthwardens are relatively simple; their cores are made from magical gems sourced from the lake, and they can enter a “discreet” mode by transforming into balls of earth. However, this isn’t very practical, as carrying around stone balls would be inconvenient.
Elementals can do something similar, especially water elementals. A water elemental can use mud to take on a solid physical form, and they can disguise themselves with cloth, sponges, jars, containers, or even living creatures. As long as they have an appropriate environment, they can remain hidden in their pure water form, but this requires energy and emits a distinct aura that practically shouts, “I’m here.”
Higher-level elementals are even less discreet; the more powerful the elemental, the harder it is for it to conceal its presence. So, this option isn’t the safest. Then there are spirits. I know very little about them, their nature, powers, or magical abilities. What I do know is that they resemble elementals, but unlike elementals, spirits seem to possess consciousness and a will of their own.
The wind fairy that the green-haired man summoned in the past appeared to be a spirit, though it could also be a high-level elemental. Given its reactions and autonomy, I would bet on it being a spirit.
Now, the question that keeps nagging at me is: How does one summon a spirit?
I tried to sneak a look at Lettuce Head’s little pocketbook, but he always keeps it close. I’m not keen on starting a conflict with the nobles just out of curiosity. Maybe I could trade some trash for the book, but if the magical formulas inside turn out to be useless to me, I’d just look foolish and give the wrong idea to this people.
So, the next best option is to evolve my skills until I unlock one that allows me to summon spirits, or to test my luck at the star shop in hopes of acquiring such a skill. Both options are bold and unreliable; expecting to find something specific at the star shop is like hoping for rain in the desert.
“Yes!”
Notice
The skills [Earthward Caller] and [Aquatic Allies] had fused in the skill [Mudskipper Caller]
Skill
[Mudskipper Caller] - Lv 1
Use an anchor to summon a Mudskipper, the summoned creature can grow over time as it absorbs magical energy into its core.
“Well... Agood failure? Not exactly what I wanted, but it could be useful. First of all.... What the hell is a Mudskipper? Are they elementals, spirits, or just living creatures?”
As I analyzed the skill, I soon grasped its basic functions. The “anchor” mentioned in the skill is akin to the “heart” of the Earthwardens—A magical object that serves as the primary core of a magical creature.
“Could the jewels from the lake serve that purpose?”
While jewels work well as hearts for Earthwardens, using them as anchors for Mudskippers? I’m not so sure it’ll work...
Instead of dwelling on the uncertainty, I drag my roots through the cave until I reach the magical shells nestled within the lake where my main body resides. I approach a large brown shell covered in algae and slime and give it a gentle touch. At my touch, the shell delicately opens, releasing a small wave of bubbles to reveal a large, uniform blue jewel growing within its soft light blue body.
Carefully, I extract the jewel and carry it to the shores of the small magical lake. I begin to activate my new skill, and in a flash, a torrent of magical energy flows from my main body into the jewel, which now glows intensely with a pale blue light. In moments, mud, slime, and algae rise from the ground, delicately wrapping around the magical jewel that pulses with magical energy. Before long, the mud and slime accumulate, forming a sizable ball that slowly begins to take shape. The ball morphs into a lizard-like creature, complete with a thick tail coiling around itself in a spiral, four small limbs reminiscent of pig's legs, a slender body adorned with stone-like scales, and a delicate face topped with a tuft resembling fins.
The creature possesses two large black eyes but lacks a nose or a proper mouth. Once fully formed, it gently falls to the ground. A tongue made of mud emerges from a hole that suddenly opens in the spot where its mouth should be, shamelessly licking its own eye.
The little creature quickly retracts its tongue, causing its “mouth” to vanish once more. It begins to explore the cave, moving its head in astonishing directions before shaking itself like a wet dog and wandering carefreely through the space.
The creature wandered around, completely indifferent to the presence of the elderly axolotls, other creatures, or even my main body. It moved along the walls with the same ease as it did across the floor, magically sinking into the damp earth of the cave and vanishing, leaving behind only a small mound of wet soil.
Soon, it reached my makeshift trash can and did something that left me speechless. Upon discovering the blue stones I had "saved," the little creature eagerly swallowed small pieces, as a satisfied expression crossing its face, before violently shaking its body. Moments after consuming the strange rocks, its body made of mud and algae began to transform. Blue and gold scales, mirroring the color and texture of the stones, sprouted across its material form. It grew larger until the mud and slime were fully replaced by blue stones veined with gold and white.
Once the transformation was complete, the creature resumed its odd habit of licking its own eye with a tongue still made of mud. Then, it burrowed into the floor of my garbage dump, leaving only its head exposed while the rest of its body sank into the cave floor. It looked like a crocodile floating in a lake, but instead of swimming through water, it moved through the land. Its unique coloration allowed it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding rocks, making it exceptionally camouflaged.
“Wow... What an interesting little creature! I think I’ll call him Hyeo! He seems oddly cute to me for some reason. I still need to test his defensive and offensive capabilities, but that can wait. The skill clearly states they grow stronger over time, so I’ll give him time to 'mature.'"
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Today is a special day for me. Why? Well, it could be because it's another beautiful day without the disgusting presence of filth demons! Or maybe because a large bird visited the lake today—Something that hasn’t happened in decades! Or perhaps it's simply because I feel alive, healthy, and satisfied. There’s no longer the stench of death in the air, and the land is far easier to purify than it used to be. Every day, there are fewer and fewer zombies in the world!
Amalgams of flesh? Gone. Rotten, poisonous zombies? Practically extinct! Soil and air contaminated with demonic rot? Never again!
I never imagined I could be in such a good mood! But that's not the only reason today is special. Today is important because Selene and her group of templars are organizing a small "festival"—Something done under my guidance. Some time ago, I asked Selene to find unique talents—Not just for battle, but people skilled in magic, administration, learning, research, teaching. Anyone I could use! She spent weeks preparing for this event, which is essentially a massive talent show!
Near the lake, close to the temple, flower-adorned banners are spread throughout the area. A large grandstand has been set up for the public, and in front of it, there’s a rough stadium made of wood and stone—Not meant to be permanent. The whole place is packed with people chatting while a small group waits behind the stadium.
The people gathered behind the stadium carried a variety of items—Some held weapons, tools, books, crude instruments, while others had nothing at all. These were the candidates for the talent show, and the winner would earn the "honor" of becoming a full member of the temple.
The first Templars were "fortunate." They were taken under Selene's wing and are now part of the most "influential" institution here. Nowadays, to become a Templar, one must possess magical talent and be chosen by an existing Templar as their "master." Since only the powerful Templars have the authority to recruit, the number of new members remains low—Mainly because the Templars are highly... selective.
They only accept individuals with magical abilities, and even then, their preferences are often shaped by class. Templars from humble origins tend to take on disciples of similar backgrounds, while those from noble origins only choose disciples from noble families. Given that nobility often has more magical talent, the Templars are largely composed of people from higher social standings. Selene works hard to prevent a "coup d'état" from the nobility, but it's difficult to turn away talented recruits. As a result, most new members are "lesser" nobles—People who once had some wealth or property in their former cities. However, there are no Templars of true "high nobility" like the Crying Woman, the Head of the Alfasse, or the Old Man of Bronze.
This makes it difficult for commoners and the untalented to enter the organization. The talent show is an attempt to recruit individuals for smaller, more specialized roles, such as teachers, artisans, or alchemists— Positions essential to the temple but outside the realm of magic, which most Templars prefer to avoid.
Today is a perfect day for the festival. The sun is shining bright, and I can hear laughter and lively conversations from the streets of Mysticfall's. People gather as they climb into the stands. Nobles discreetly arrive to observe, while the common folk and working class eagerly fill the seats without a care. The crowd is diverse—Children, pre-teens, and young adults are common, as families now often have three to five children. Elderly folks wander peacefully through the grounds, while some of the candidates backstage nervously prepare themselves.
Among the group, a few stand out. There's a young girl with clothes stained by who knows what, carrying clay jars and pots strapped to her belt. She wears thick, cracked glasses inherited from her late grandmother. Then there's a tall, robust man, hauling stones in an old sack. And finally, a teenage girl, thin to the point of looking malnourished, with rustic, faded horns, pink skin, and purple hair. Her yellow eyes are striking, and she carries a flute made of rusty metal—Likely to be one of the few 'relics' that survived the fall of her last city. Though the flute shows signs of wear and patches, it's clearly well cared for.
The girl wears a worn, faded cloak and has an aura of sadness surronding her, as if she’s on the verge of giving up on everything. Yet, she grips her flute tightly with her thin, fragile hands. Soon, the show begins, led by one of Selene's Templars. The early performances are simple—Basic magic tricks, a crude mix of innate abilities and learned skills, but nothing impressive. They failed to catch my attention.
Then, a woman in her 50s, carrying a thick book with a worn cover, takes the stage. She calmly walks to a small bench, sits down, and begins to read. As she recites the words, small magical images materialize in the air—Words, shapes, numbers. It's similar to my magical illusions, though more of a magical "projection" than an illusion. Her talent as a mentor and educator shines through the crowd, as she captivates the audience atention with ease.
I remember her, when she arrived here she was nobody, even to this day she is nobody. Just another survivor trying to escape the clutches of death, she worked for years as a cook, and occasionally gave classes to groups of children, teaching them basic things like reading and writing.
And it was from there that she developed this talent over the years, she always seemed like someone who "Doesn't fit into a group of warriors", that is, someone who survived by siding with the right people, which shows me that even though she is physically weak, she has a good head on her shoulders, she probably did some administrative or non-combat work before the "event".
Everyone is fixated on her, and it doesn’t take long for me to decide to grant her a standard blessing. When the mark of a lotus flower magically appeared on the woman's chest, the audience began to applaud as a Templar announced her acceptance into the temple.
A short showcase followed, featuring a mix of mediocre and talented performers. Some were disappointed and upset when they weren't "chosen." Out of over 30 participants, I selected just four: the elderly woman, a girl who made potions, a nurse who worked with Suzuke, and a muscular man who lifted heavy stones with ease.
By the end, it was late, and only one performance remained—The young girl with her faded flute. There’s not much to say about her. She’s a commoner who once lived with her family, but one by one, they all died— Disease, hunger, dangerous work, you choose— Until only she was left behind. Now, she lives in a stable, working as a coachwoman for a farmer’s family. She works for food and shelter. It’s not a happy life, but she do what it takes to survive.
I don’t remember her name; I never bothered to rememeber a name of worthless people. I only recall her because I’ve occasionally heard her flute in the village. To be honest, her playing is... Mediocre at the best. She’s out of tune, lacks skill, and shows no passion. Despite years of playing, she hasn’t improved, and frankly, I have little faith in her.
The girl slowly climbed onto the stage, walking hesitantly on the wooden floor that creaked with every step. She sat down heavily on the bench placed in the middle of the stage, gripping her flute tightly and staring at the ground. After a long pause, the head Templar gave an impatient cough, jolting her from her thoughts. She raised the flute to her lips, takes a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to play.
What followed was unlike anything I had expected. This was no ordinary melody. Her music carried harmony, rhythm, and passion—It was telling me a story.
The air was soon filled with a delicate, clear rhythm—Fast, but not rushed. As the music continued, I felt something unusual—A weight in my chest, like a gentle pressure across my body, followed by a shiver acros my roots. Then, a memory surfaced.
...
...
People. So many people, dressed in beautiful, formal clothes, their faces blurred by erratic, dark scribbles. The scene was faded, like an old photograph drained of color. I could hear voices, but their words were unintelligible. The setting seemed to be a busy street or square, filled with a chaotic mix of sounds. For some reason, I felt pain across my body. My vision was blurry, my head ached, and though I wore a coat, it wasn’t cold. I felt exhausted—sad, even—but I kept moving, stumbling through the crowd. Then, amid the noise, a soft, delicate melody reached me.
I followed it, slowly weaving through the crowd going after the melody, and soon came upon a water fountain—An angel-shaped figure pouring water into the air. The fountain, made of white stone, was cracked and weathered, covered in graffiti, coins inside, and trash on the water. But what caught my attention was the man standing before it. His face, like the other's, was tangled in black scribbles, and he played an old, worn flute. Despite his shabby appearance, his music was beautiful, filled with passion. At his feet lay a hat, along with a sign asking for help, surrounded by crumpled bills and coins.
I stood there, listening, lost in the music amid the bustling crowd. For the first time in a long while, I felt... Happy. People passed by, few stopping to listen, but I stayed, rooted in ground, absorbing every note i heared. Time seemed to freeze somehow. The noise of the crowd continued, but the flute’s melody cut through it with easy, offering me a small, fleeting moment of peace.
And for a while, the music made me forget I was alone.
...
...
When I came back to my senses, the girl's performance was still going. The music hadn’t stopped any moment, and the audience watched intently—Some in awe, others bored, a few impressed. Her music wasn’t special; It wasn’t magical or useful for the village, and it clearly wasn’t the kind of performance anyone would pay for.
But still…
A memory? A... happy memory? I... No...
The performance continued, each delicate, flowing note carrying the weight of the girl's miserable beauty. Her sadness, misery, regret, loneliness, and anger bled into every part of her melody. You only had to stop for a single moment, to really look, really hear... And you’d feel it too—Everything hidden behind this miserable image.
‘U-Ugh–’
If I could grab my head with my hands right now I would. The memories keep repeating themselves, fragmented into waves that never stop beating against my head. I tried to stop listening, tried to stop remembering, tried to stop feeling like this. But no matter what I do, I have too many eyes and too many ears all over the place and I can't stop listening to this damn music. My head hurts as I try to cover my nonexistent ears, and close my eyes so I can forget about this life that was left behind, but I can't.
The music doesn't stop playing.
I look at these broken pieces of memories, disjointed and fragmented. The scene of the man playing in front of a beautiful water fountain starts to freeze. I can see blurs and strange lights, like the image of a VHS tape that freezes. I soon hear a voice calling me in the background; I can't understand the voice of whoever is calling me, but I feel scared, stuck and incredibly stressed.
My hands are ringing, my heart is beating fast, the owner of the mysterious voice is approaching from the crowd. I can't see his form, or hear him properly - his voice is all distorted and glitchy, and his form is all stained black. His only distinguishable feature is his large, cold, red eyes.
I-I don’t want to remember! Stop!! STOP NOW!! SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP!
Behind the bleachers, unnoticed by the captivated crowd, a massive sphere of water rose from the lake. It quietly shifted and stretched, forming a large arm with an open hand made entirely of water. Moments later, the audience began to notice something dripping from above, followed by the sudden appearance of a shadow that hadn’t been there before. When they looked up, they were met with the sight of a giant, open palm, completely made of water. Moss, algae, fish, and tadpoles swam within the liquid limb. In an instant out of nowhere, the massive hand came crashing down on the crowd, and the haunting melody was drowned out by screams and panicked gurgling from those caught beneath the deluge.
And finally, the music stopped.