Punk was acutely aware that the present situation left him with no option but to admit the truth. When the case came to be heard and confronted in the church, it was inevitable that everyone would presume the abducted elf was in their possession.

However, he was completely unable to produce the elf. Thus, he had no alternative but to confess. Nevertheless, they needed to fabricate a unified account, stating that the elf had been executed by them, and the body had been cast into the river or disposed of elsewhere, making it irretrievable.

They would offer whatever compensation was deemed appropriate. Although this would undoubtedly result in a significant financial outlay, it would, at the very least, spare their lives.

Furthermore, the majority of the blame should be shifted onto the third son, in the hope that the punishment imposed on the family would be somewhat mitigated.

...

The Demonfall Valley.

Daof led Glen to an expansive, verdant locale.

From this vantage point, one could behold the distant, undulating mountains, bathed in the resplendent glow of the cerulean sky. A refreshing breeze wafted across the vibrant expanse of land.

"Now, I shall guide you to attune to nature. Many mages often have their apprentices bypass this crucial step, yet I firmly believe it to be of paramount importance. It will bestow upon you numerous benefits," Daof intoned softly.

Glen indulged in the sight of the scenery, a rarity in his previous existence, and responded with a murmured assent.

"Come, assume a cross - legged position, close your eyes, and embark on your inaugural meditation. Here, you shall experience something truly extraordinary," Daof instructed.

Glen complied with the directive. Just as he was about to inquire about the proper method of meditation, Daof's voice once again reached his ears.

"Relax every pore of your being and become attuned to all that surrounds you. Each gentle zephyr, the rhythmic pulsation of every plant, and the resounding roars of the animals."

The voice carried an ethereal quality that lulled Glen into a state of deep immersion. So much so that he failed to notice Daof's slightly calloused palm gently alighting upon his forehead.

"Can you sense it? Has the external world now permeated your consciousness? If so, softly articulate what you perceive," Daof prompted.

As the words registered, Glen slipped into a peculiar state, as if his soul had disengaged from his corporeal form, enabling him to observe the world from an entirely novel perspective.

The world underwent a profound transformation. Myriad elements coursed through the surroundings, operating in accordance with some intricate, unfathomable schema.

However, by concentrating his focus on a single point, Glen could discern the corresponding real - world entity, be it a plant, an animal, the wind, or water.

"I perceive countless elements, akin to flowing currents, each tracing its own unique trajectory. It is truly a marvel," Glen murmured, his lips moving ever so slightly as he slowly recounted the world revealed to him.

A flicker of surprise danced in Daof's eyes. He had anticipated that several attempts would be requisite for success, yet achieving it on the first try was rather anomalous.

This phenomenon was not contingent upon innate talent, for entering the correct meditative state typically necessitated the body to undergo a series of changes following multiple attempts before attaining success.

However, Glen had achieved success on the very first attempt. This could be attributed to either his having had at least one prior meditation experience or to the uniqueness of his physical constitution.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Moreover, Glen's ability to describe his experience with such clarity was reminiscent of seasoned mages who engaged in regular meditation. Yet, it was evident that he had not been a mage hitherto.

This was, indeed, an exceptional circumstance.

Nonetheless, Daof refrained from interrupting Glen, as meditation was not known to have any adverse effects. He continued to guide Glen, saying, "Beyond this, can you perceive anything else? Something more profound..."

Glen offered no resistance and, in accordance with the guidance, delved deeper into his exploration.

The elemental world surrounding him seemed to fade into a more translucent state, revealing the voids beneath the veil of elements, akin to an expanse of nothingness.

As the elemental sea continued to dissipate, another form of existence emerged from the void. Glen struggled to find the words to describe it. The entities appeared chaotic at first glance, yet upon closer scrutiny, they seemed to adhere to some underlying, hidden order.

A faint, almost imperceptible drumming sound reached Glen's ears. He strained to distinguish its origin.

No, it was not the sound of a drum. It bore a closer resemblance to a heartbeat. Could it be my own? Yet, it did not seem to be the rhythm of a human heartbeat... Glen's brows furrowed slightly as he once again spoke in a measured tone.

"I behold something truly peculiar. I am at a loss as to how to describe it. I also hear what seems to be a series of heartbeat - like sounds..."

Daof's eyes took on a contemplative depth. This was, to some extent, an anticipated outcome. Those who delved into deep meditation often experienced similar phenomena, though the specific perceptions of each individual might vary.

Just as he was on the verge of terminating this meditation session, Glen's next utterance left him stunned.

"No, the heartbeat sounds persist. Above me, no, there are numerous heartbeats, each beating at a different tempo. It is not only eerie but also somewhat... strange?"

Daof, naturally, did not comprehend the Chinese term Glen employed at the end. He continued to ruminate on whether there were any analogous cases in the annals of history.

Among those who had experienced deep meditation and perceived similar phenomena to Glen, the prevailing conjecture was that the heartbeat sounds were those of the earth, though this remained unsubstantiated.

Heartbeat sounds from above? How could this be? Could Glen possibly be hearing the heartbeats of the gods?… Daof was utterly perplexed.

At that precise moment, Glen abruptly toppled backward, his hands instinctively flying to cover his eyes as he emitted a stifled groan.

Daof was jolted into action, hastily casting a healing spell.

However, Glen showed no signs of improvement. He rose to his feet, still clutching his eyes, and rivulets of blood seeped through his fingers.

Just as Daof was about to attempt another spell, Glen's head transformed into a massive wolf's head. Points of light gradually materialized in his eyes, after which he reverted to his human form.

"What on earth transpired? What did you witness just now?" Daof inquired, his voice laced with concern.

Glen rubbed his eyes, his tone equally bewildered. "I merely intended to look upward, and then I saw what appeared to be someone hurling an object at me, resembling a spear. Subsequently, the searing pain in my eyes jolted me back to reality."

Upon hearing this, Daof was at a loss to provide an explanation. He had never before witnessed anyone nearly incur eye damage during meditation. It was an unprecedented occurrence.

His tone grave, he said, "I have never encountered a situation of this nature. I am uncertain as to whether it will have any implications for your future journey in the realm of magic."

Glen scratched his head and cast an upward glance at the sky. A sudden, whimsical thought of constructing a rocket to explore the outer reaches of the heavens flitted through his mind.

However, he was well - aware that this was an impossible feat. He simply did not possess the intellectual capacity for such an endeavor.

"Shall we attempt it once more?" Glen proposed.

He was eager to catch another glimpse of that shadowy figure. If the opportunity presented itself in the future, he intended to exact retribution by poking the figure's eyes.

Yet, Daof firmly declined. "No. I have no prior experience with a situation such as yours. In the event of any unforeseen safety risks, I may not be able to manage them effectively. It is advisable not to take such a perilous chance."

After much deliberation, Glen was left with no choice but to reluctantly abandon his idea. Although his curiosity burned bright, he deemed it prudent to exercise caution in the face of such unknown perils.

"Then, should I refrain from engaging in meditation henceforth?" he queried.

Daof's brows had been furrowed since the incident occurred. In response to Glen's question, he replied, "It is advisable not to do so until we have a clearer understanding of the situation."

Glen fell into a pensive silence, resuming his seated position, his mind filled with unspoken thoughts.

"I believe I must make a journey to the royal capital and conduct a thorough search of the royal library to determine if there are any relevant records. Although this will entail a certain amount of time, it is an essential step," Daof suddenly declared.

"Delaying for a day or two should not have any significant consequences," Glen concurred, seeing no reason to object.