Year 2031, Caballus Mensis
Terreus, Akla Region
In front of them was a massive wall filled with shuk. It feels overwhelming to look at, A border that protects the region from any monsters that may break out from the Forest of Tulus.
"So here we are... we have now arrived at the border of the Southern expanse. Listen, Nin.....with your current looks and status, you will not be permitted to enter, and you also do not have some sort of an identification mark", Lorenzo said
"What do you mean....by an Identification mark?"
"Oh right... I forgot to tell you. The Imperial arms and the Polus Familia decided to create markings that will help identify the people of this realm; these markings are engraved on your body. Still, it is commonly placed on your arms or hands."
Lorenzo then explained how the markings work; there are 5 types of markings. The first is the Citizen's mark, which signifies that you are just an ordinary resident of the realm. Second is the Merchant's mark, which Lorenzo has, which means they are part of the Merchant group and work with commerce and trades. Next are the Imperial and the Polus marks; these marks identify that a person is part of the Imperial arms or the Polus Familia and can train with their respective ARTS. Lastly is the Seeker's mark, which proves that you are part of the individuals permitted to explore and discover the secrets of the abyssal tree.
"And right now.....you don't even have a Citizen's Mark, that is why you need to hide for now", Lorenzo worriedly said,
"Wait.....Even if I enter the border right now without them noticing. What would happen if soon someone asks for my mark and I cant show them something.... won't that be a problem?" Nin confusedly asks.
" Then you.... just beat them up, then run, I mean, I'm sure you could effectively do that", Lorenzo sarcastically replied.
"Huh........"
" I'm just kidding......First, it would be impossible for you to get the Citizen's Mark because they give this mark at the early age of 11. Right now, you are 15....you know what I mean......but, with your strength, you could join the Polus Familia or the Imperial Arms...... No, wait, I think it would be pretty difficult for you to enter with their current regulations. And for you to join the merchant group, you need to have a business.....hmm, let me think."
"The only choice now is the Seeker's mark...." Nin suggested
"Yes..... that could be possible. The World Guild doesn't really have strict specifications. You just need to have the power to prove it...... and, I mean...... you are pretty monstrous yourself ", Lorenzo sighed.
"Okay then......let us go to the World Guild..." Nin enthusiastically remarked.
" The World Guild is Located in the Valley of Giants, Agantis; the smallest region located near the boundaries of the West and South Expanse...And with the current tension between the Imperial Arms and the Zyphyr Kingdom, we can't just waltz our way there.",
" So then what would happen to me, Lorenzo.......huhuhu", Nin weeped
" I mean, we could just go directly to City of Seekers, where the Abyss tree is located: Lugus.... that's where most people register to be seekers."
" Then why didn't you say earlier...."
Lorenzo replied, laughing, " It was fun teasing you.....I mean, look at your face."
" Aaaaah...., seriously, you keep talking about the Imperial Arms, The Polus Familia who are these people and what this tension about between the Zyphyr Kingdom and..... Imperial Arms!?" Nin asked
" I will answer your questions later.....but first you need to hide. We are almost near the gates".
As they arrived at the gate, the guard approached their carriage and checked its content. The guard then asked for some identification and the purpose of their travel. The guards didn't seem to notice Nin's presence. After passing through the gate, it was now time to relax. They have now Entered, Akla.
"Nin, you could get out now..."
"hoooo, Lorenzo......that was thrilling."
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" I first need to go to the Merchant group and process my Goods. For now, you can just explore Akla.... we will meet up later at the Wolf's Inn.."
"Okay, okay..... can I have some money...pleaseee.."
"aaaaaa, you and your thick skin.... okay, here are 3 pieces of gold, use this wisely......you little shit."
"Thank you, uncle....hehe."
They parted ways; Lorenzo immediately went to the Merchant group while Nin obviously spent his money on food and useless trinkets. It was Nin's first-time seeing large houses and glass buildings. The kid's running under the sun. The streets were filled with people; performers were dancing, playing tricks, and doing acrobatics. Nin was filled with happiness and joy. It was as if he had regained the childhood he once lost.
Nin noticed some sort of gathering, so he approached the group out of curiosity. He saw children lining up and was being filled with shuk by a man in a robe. He couldn't understand what was happening, so he asked some residents about the activity.
"Excuse me.......what are those kids doing lining up and who is that man with the robe," Nin asked.
"Oh.....that man is from the Imperial Arms..... and right now he is conducting the rite of potentia",
" Wait... I don't understand what is this rite of potentia?"
"Wait......Kid, have you not done the rite."
"Yes...?..."
the man looked at Nin bewildered, and Nin just smiled nervously.
"Okay.... I'll just briefly explain what the rite of potentia is, so this rite is done every 2 years. Children at the age of 10 or below are checked by the Imperial arms if they can "effectively" use their shuk.....So that means they will inspect the child's soul and core. This will help them determine if the child can use shuk in combat and the attributes that they have."
There are currently 7 basic attributes; Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Wood, nox, and lumen (arrange based on their rarity). These attributes are created through the merging of the soul and core. People with Innate ARTS or those at the peak of their elemental abilities have some unique elements that do not follow the sense of the primary attributes like sound and summoning.
The kids then started to sit down and meditate. Every child then released their shuk. It was as easy as breathing. Nin then noticed that their shuk is different from each other: but most of the color is either red or brown, there are some with gray and green shuk, and one with a yellow shuk. Nin then asked the man.
"is there is a shuk that is white or transparent in color?"
"No, ever since....there has not been cases of a shuk that is transparent or white-colored,"
"Oh, okay... thank you",
Nin was concerned about why his shuk is transparent. He wanted to ask the man from the Imperial Arms some questions. But to not raise some suspicion, he just walked away and proceeded to the Wolf's Inn.
After Nin and Lorenzo met up at the Wolf's Inn, they decided to have dinner. After eating their feast of Drakepig's meat, Fire shrimps, and some Angelthorn Noodles, they carried their discussion to their room. Lorenzo then started the conversation.
"So let us start with the Imperial Arms; They are the largest Group that governs the Southern Expanse. This Group is controlled by the 9 families; they have one of the greatest military power just below the World guild and 4th when it comes to wealth and assets. On the other hand, We have the Polus Familia, A group of monstrous people led by the 11th generation master, Aguil Inoh. They do not have the military numbers of the Imperial Arms. Still, each member of Polus is strong enough to wipe out a single battalion."
"But..... where are they located?" Nin asked
"Oh.....that's the fun part, as of right now....people do not know their current whereabouts....you see the Polus Familia is residing up in the sky on a ship called the cloud vessel."
"So how do they let people join their group....... or what about their food!?"
" Every 3 years, members of Polus descends from the cloud vessel and either recruit or join some expeditions on the Abyssal tree."
"There really are a lot of things in this world, Lorenzo..... I wish I could visit some of these places, but right now there are more important things to do ", Nin uttered those words with a menacing look. Lorenzo noticed and quickly changed the subject.
"So about the tension between the Imperial Arms and the Zyphyr Kingdom; Truth be told, I don't really have much information about them. All I know is that a war between them is probable and that the only thing that is neutralizing that possibility is the presence of the World guild."
"So that's what you mean about the tension...... I don't really have to mind that; I still have my problem of getting a mark". Nin chuckled
Out of the blue, Nin accidentally blurted out his concern about his shuk.
" Lorenzo, what's the color of your shuk?..."
" where did that question?...come from...HAHA", Lorenzo laughed and noticed that Nin was serious about the question.
" I'm sorry.....so I have the wood attribute, but the amount of shuk that I can control is low, so I can only use some tracking techniques through the trees. That is one of the reasons why I was confident in traveling through the Forest of Tulus."
Lorenzo then released his shuk, a green-colored shuk emanating from his body. That's when Nin realized that something was wrong.
"So Nin, why did you ask about the color of my shuk?" Lorenzo inquired
" It's...I don't know... A little while ago, while watching the Rite of Potentia. It was my first time seeing a colored shuk; I always thought that everybody has a transparent shuk like mine."
"Maybe you are just too powerful that...the color of your shuk turned white", Lorenzo jokingly replied
" AAAAA......I don't want to overthink....." Nin screamed.
"Yeah, man..... you are capable yourself..... that is why there is no need to doubt yourself".
After talking, they organized their stuff and prepared for their journey to the Imperial Arms.
After the break of dawn, they took their breakfast and set out.
"How was the sleep.....Nin?"
"It's pretty shitty......Just kidding"
They have now exited Akla and embarked to reach Imperial Arms.