The end of a month soon came to a close, and with every passing day, my practical lessons grew more intense, and I kept learning the full extent of a power I now possessed, although due to the esoteric restrictions it wasn’t exactly difficult to adapt to.
There was no denying I felt better, like I had the ability to do anything, and the training seemed to make me grow stronger in the process. The seal for my core was completed as well, and Indrath said I was now limited to what my core could do, but that didn’t change how I felt.
The time we spent together was rather enjoyable. It was clear despite Indrath's young appearance, he somehow lived a long life, and yet there was a kind of maturity he carried with him. It was almost as if he knew so much more than I could have ever known, yet at the same time, he remained humble and compassionate.
Another day of lessons was upon us as an afternoon sun shined down on the clearing that was located some distance from Carith, but the day had been rather peaceful as we continued my lessons.
“… Magical energy is capable of more than the basic manipulation of physical energy. To put it bluntly, it can reshape itself to a will of its owner, this comes in the form of an ability known as A Mana Art, which is a magical manifestation, rooted in a profound understanding and control over magical energy, that empowers the wielder to command the intricate flow of mana, defining rules and properties or in other words, They impose their will, determining the rules and effects of their magical creation, dictating the conditions of a battle, a Mana Art gives a strategic edge by directing magical energy in a way that aligns with their emotions, goals and intentions. It’s a devastating sight, yet it is among the highest form of Magic that allows its user to influence the very world itself.” Indrath’s usual explanations went on with his endless knowledge.
“… sounds like it, won’t be something I will be able to use,” I said, taking my sealed core into consideration.
Indrath gave me a thoughtful hum in response, “true, but that’s not entirely a bad thing. Those who are able to use Mana Arts and Magical Energy are often beings who exude Aura’s Unique to them. Even those known as Monarchs possess this capability, but it's also something you possess, and the reason why I took priority in sealing your core. The Xios had a distinct Aura they exuded, and it was terrifying, yet to some, it was the purest form of life itself. chaos… beautiful, awe-inspiring,” Indrath said as his gaze became lost in thought while his golden eyes reflected memories in the air. A small smile formed on Indrath's features before he cleared his throat with a cough to recover from his daze. “A certain Xiao created an Artifact that hid his Aura, one that restricted his presence and hid his very existence. I’m quite sure that Artifact is lost in time, however this Seal I placed on you to hide your peculiar Aura was the only option at my disposal, and I’m glad I did. In this world, the power you possess would be considered a threat, not something to be coveted or desired. It would be a reminder that their thrones of power mean nothing to the one who brought them crumbling to the ground,” Indrath said in another lapse of nostalgia, but as he finished, his golden gaze fixed on me before he let out one of his usual smiles.
It was almost like he was seeing something other than me in front of him, and yet a moment of silence passed before Indrath continued on with his lesson. "Although the seal isn’t entirely unbreakable, it is possible for your core to break free and unleash its power with dire consequences, for your future and safety don’t allow your core to break free. And above all else, know that your Esoteric restrictions can break the seal when it suits your needs, don’t allow that to happen. Your Esoteric Restrictions are just as powerful as your magical energy. Rely on them to enhance where you lack. You have a future ahead of you that a past of this world will never allow you to experience unless it’s this way." Indrath said as his words held a certain weight behind them.
I simply nodded at his words, "... I get it, I won't break the seal," I remarked in response while Indrath's smile held no end, chuckling in response.
"I'm glad,” he hummed before clearing his throat, “Now then, there are still some things to go over, shall we get started?" Indrath asked with his usual warm smile.
Another day went by as I sat in my usual position across from Indrath, and the occasional example or story of his would fill my ears, the subject being the final part of Magical Energy Manipulation, which was called Summoning Magic, the same category A Mana Art fell under. Indrath explained it as a plane of reality that manifested itself in a manner unique to its user and it wasn’t only limited to that. It could also move a living being from anywhere to any location at a whim of the caster.
It was clear Monarchs used this magic, I could only vaguely understand about it being a mana art, seeing as causing a mana art was summoning your will. As for moving beings which was widely known as Teleportation, a means of travel in Aterius, the constructs known as gates were among the most commonly used methods, however they were restricted to those of great power, such as a Graced Clan, an Apostle of a Monarch, or notable figures. Each led to each domain's capital, I’ve only seen the one in this city.
However, Indrath didn’t linger on that and explained it would be out of my reach but simply made me aware of the power magical energy possessed, a mere gateway into the concept of Summoning Magic itself.
Eventually, my lessons came to an end, and we headed back to my home, the day had been a long one, and yet the conversations between us were just as lively as they always had become despite his mystery.
“I suppose during this past month, you have learned much of the Magic in Aterius. I am rather proud of your progress,” Indrath said with a hum as we walked on the stone path leading toward the City of Carith.
I let out a scoff at his words, "Proud of me!? What am I five?" I said, only for him to let out a small chuckle.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"I would hardly consider it, But your progress has been remarkable nonetheless, and your Esoteric Restrictions are nothing less than help now that you are aware of the capabilities available to you." Indrath said before his footstep stopped in place and for a brief moment the usual gaze of warmth he had, was replaced with an intense weight behind them.
And yet that reaction wasn’t directed at me but something beyond us. Indrath's golden gaze sharpened, and his posture shifted as he radiated with authority, and his eyes followed something my gaze couldn't seem to find, something I couldn't sense, almost as if his very being was focused on something far from this world. “… It would seem we have a guest." Indrath spoke under his breath.
I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that until a sudden wave of energy surged through the area, causing every fiber of my being to ache as the air around me became thick with pressure. I turned to Indrath who not only wasn’t affected by the pressure as his golden gaze fixed on something beyond us, yet there was something strange about him, almost as if his presence became larger as he stood there waiting, an iron mask of indifference, but it was clear there was some hidden rage or anticipation behind it.
And then I felt something that I hadn't felt in a very long time. The sensation of someone standing above me, someone looking down on me with their gaze filled with malice, one that disgusted me.
The familiarity of it, the sickening feeling it brought to my Esoteric Restrictions, the air itself seemed to contort as if it were out to get me, The presence felt similar to Kairo's, yet it wasn’t, the intent behind it was foreign to me.
It wasn’t till a second passed and a figure appeared in our path, an aura that radiated off him poisoning the air with every step he took, an aura that pierced my skin, almost like a cold hand of dread.
And before me stood Indrath, and his golden eyes glared at the enigmatic figure covered in a long black robe, yet the face of this man was covered behind a mask, a white mask that seemed to devour the sun as a crimson gaze bore on us. "I would call this an interesting meeting, but I find myself not enjoying it." A voice rang from the mask, a heavy and slow voice that was filled with venom, "That was on your mind, wasn’t it… oh Almighty Archon of…" the man began to speak but was interrupted by Indrath who made this figure halt some distance away in what looked to be a cautious manner.
"Strange, I was under the assumption you weren't here to greet us," Indrath said as his golden eyes pierced into the man shrouded in darkness.
The man's voice was filled with a cold and silent laugh, "you must think quite highly of yourself. if I need to remind you of what I am capable of, I won’t hesitate. You gave everything up and for what…? Mortals!? Or those weapons you made from chaos? " He said with a sense of his own rage behind his arrogant attitude.
Indrath only sighed in response, almost as if the man's words weren't worth his time, before he turned to me, his golden eyes seemingly telling me not to worry.
The crushing weight behind these two was intense, a pressure that seemed to keep me in place despite my efforts. something beyond human nature came from their words and a coldness that chilled me to the very bone.
"If that is the way you choose to see it, then so be it." Indrath answered as he remained absolute, his aura felt even stronger than before, like at any second this golden being could shatter the world around him, and yet he remained calm, unshaken.
The man in the dark robes only gave another cold laugh, "A coward like you has no place to speak of anything. You’ve already interfered with my plans…” the man stated from underneath the mask, the sound of his voice filled with hatred, before his gaze shifted to me as if he was studying me, and at that moment a brief sudden wave of fear and hatred surged through me. "This Xiao's existence is the key for me to create a new world order, not to sate your guilty conscience. You are merely a shadow of your former self, and the very thought of your interference with my plans is revolting" he said to Indrath, making it clear I was his target, even if I had already speculated that.
“Tut Tut. A New World?... Such an empty goal with no substance, the only thing you can do is let your own petty grudges fill you with hatred. Don't confuse it with the truth.” Indrath said as a wave of amusement seemed to resonate from him, almost as if he were mocking the man's existence.
The man simply scoffed in response, before i could feel his gaze on me once more, "... has this man told you of your existence? What you really are? I can give you that knowledge, as well as all you could have ever known and more, create a new world with me, a world where you wouldn't be an outcast, those they called a cursed clan. You’ve seen the true colors of this world haven't you, and you despise it don’t you?” The man said, almost like he was appealing to me with a sharp smile behind his mask.
For a moment, I couldn't tell if I should believe him, the feeling he gave me was nothing short of disgust, and his aura was so powerful I couldn't help but feel unease, but he also wasn't entirely wrong, I did see the true nature of this world and there was nothing but hate and contempt for me.
Yet the gleam of hope and sincerity in Indrath's eyes seemed to hold my gaze, something he always did when we spoke like he was the only person I could trust.
"... So what?" I said in a momentary lapse of anger, the words left my mouth almost as if I were speaking through gritted teeth and I didn’t even know they had left me.
“So what…!?" the man in the black robes laughed, mocking my answer before he shook his head. "You are a Xiao! A being of chaos, a demon created from a celestial, an ancient existence that was forgotten in this world, a being who once sought the truth behind this very world and brought forth its end…” he stated with a sigh as if he was unable to believe my response, but his words shuttered within me and somehow, they were inaudible to me, almost as if I wasn’t meant to hear them. “… no matter, you’ve made your choice. You’ll still serve your purpose, it is inevitable. This man nor you are capable of stopping anything to come. I’ll adapt to anything, I am the only one who can do that. I've waited so long for this. The Fates of Time are a wonderful thing." The man in the robe said, his voice filled with a sense of confidence as if he could crush me if he wanted to. “Since it will be this way now’s a great opportunity to show you what exactly what magical energy is capable of, the exact power you will never possess under the constraints of this poor… Celestial," The man said with his smile hidden behind the mask before his palm lifted.
Indrath’s indomitable golden aura seemed to boil with anger at his words, knowing what was to come.
[Mana Art: Temporal Sanctum]
Within moments, a surge of power and the sound of shattering glass filled my ears, and suddenly myself and Indrath seemingly became sluggish, almost as if we were frozen in time.
A sense of fear and dread ran through my body not because it felt like I was about to be killed, but because something within me despised this feeling and resisted it with everything it could. A spell that manipulated time itself, something I had never seen before in my life.
Although my nostalgic feelings of weakness were short-lived as one man remained completely unaffected by it. Golden eyes that could seemingly pierce any darkness bore into the masked man before this Mana Art began to consume the air around us, changing the laws of time itself.