Chapter 16: Insomnia (Fuck Xiro)

Day 7 of 2nd Fire Cycle, 1995 g.c.

Back in Talasi, the sky put on a grand show. The civil twilight painted the heavens in strokes of red, orange, yellow, and azure, as the rings of Gaia glowed in the fading light, hinting at the coming of the stars. The town itself moved at a slower pace now. Most people were leaving their shops and workstations, heading home for the night. Children, their laughter fading into the distance, were being called in for dinner by parents. Celestials, Dark Elves, and the few freed Light Elves made up most of the population here, but recently, a small number of additional Demi-Humanoids had begun to settle in Talasi. Over the last three years, they had trickled in, many having escaped the city of Lashun. Once the great Celestial capital, Lashun had fallen under Human rule, and now, if you didn’t look human enough, you found yourself pushed to the fringes or outright driven away.

Now, here's the thing—"monster" was a racial slur for Sociovores, a blanket term the Humans threw around when talking about people like us. The more open-minded races, though, referred to us as Demi-Humans. We were among the first mortals on Gaia, ancestors to the Elves and Celestials. Majins, like myself, were typically at the bottom of the popularity totem pole, facing the brunt of prejudice, especially from Humans. Majins were a class of demonic Sociovores who originated from the Infernia Realm. On the mortal plane, they slapped that nickname on all of us who carried a hint of demon blood. But you know what? None of that ever bothered me. Here in Talasi, I wasn’t a "monster"—I was a local legend. The "Child of Lady Vericka," the "Devil of Velonica." Names and titles were tossed around more often than my actual name, and when folks approached me, I usually got genuine smiles. They looked at me, not through me.

Talasi resided in the boondocks, but even so, the stateless nature of Velonica made survival challenging for the weak anywhere. Without strength or the means to defend oneself, Gaia could be a brutal world. Word had been spreading about highwaymen and raiders harassing trade merchants passing through the town. Thanks to my [Super Hearing], I picked up snippets of their whispers in the marketplace and behind closed doors. Trouble was brewing, like always in this part of Velonica.

Walking down the cobbled streets, I flanked the Prince's carriage alongside Alex and Steez. The setting sun cast long shadows ahead of us. Luda had asked me to come to the inn, wanting to discuss arts, skills, and strength before I returned home. I didn't mind. My little cousin, Alex, had tagged along, eager to learn how I got this strong. I found myself growing attached to these people. My "Day Ones," if you will. If I could teach them, shape them; I would.

I paused for a moment, the cobblestones cool beneath my boots as the thought hit me: Why was I getting so attached? The Creator had placed me here to disrupt this existence, to break the system wide open. Yet here I was, building bonds, living this life like it was my own. Wasn't I supposed to be indifferent, detached? I had no thoughts of destroying the Prime Realm System. Why would I? This was my new home. With [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] and [Midnight Star: Belial] in my arsenal, I felt invincible. Nothing Gaia could throw at me would bring me to my knees. This feeling, this lust for life—it was something I never had in my old world. Death had already claimed me once. That cold, suffocating emptiness of returning to nothing... I wasn't going back to that. Not when I was finally starting to savor life.

We had finally made it to the Talasi Inn, the town's rest spot for artists. The inn welcomed us with the scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of roasted herbs drifting from the kitchen. Warm, amber light flickered across the room from a few wall-mounted lanterns, casting playful shadows on the rough-hewn beams that supported the ceiling. The stone foundation, solid and unyielding, anchored the building against the whims of time and weather. Its walls, a patchwork of heavy oak panels and plaster held the stories of countless travelers who had found refuge here over the years. The floorboards creaked underfoot, each groan telling its own tale of age and resilience.

Mrs. Clark, the inn’s receptionist, stood behind a worn wooden counter polished to a dull shine from years of use. A large, cast-iron key rack loomed on the wall behind her, its hooks occupied by brass keys, each tagged with a faded number. The warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the now cooling wind outside, drawing us in like moths to a flame. She was an old Light Elf with an aura as inviting as the inn itself. Her pale beige skin and striking jade hazel eyes hinted at the deep wells of mana within her, eyes that seemed to glow under the lantern light. She wore a simple brown dress with a green shawl draped over her shoulders, a modest garb that still bore an air of dignity. Her most striking feature was the absence of the barcode on her wrist—a mark that usually branded Light Elves in this region. Mrs. Clark was freeborn, a rarity that set her apart and made her all the more memorable. Her gaze softened as she recognized Steez and me from our last visit.

"Over here little ones," she said with a warm smile, her voice carrying a melodic lilt. "Come this way so I can assist ya" Her eyes crinkled at the corners, a sign of genuine warmth rather than forced politeness.

I nodded, smiling back. "Good evening, Mrs. Clark." The counter felt cool under my palms as I leaned against it. Her presence always had this calming effect, like sitting by a warm hearth on a cold night.

Behind her, the kitchen door swung open slightly, letting out a brief waft of savory steam that smelled like a stew in the making. The low murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of dishes came from the dining area down the hall, where a few guests were already settled in for the evening. The inn wasn't bustling with activity, but it had a cozy, lived-in feeling, like a place where time moved a little slower.

Her eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, Lord Xiro, is that you? And Lord Steez, I see you're here too." She then turned her gaze toward Alex. "Hey there, kids."

"Hey, Mrs. Clark," Steez responded, his voice carrying a casual warmth.

Alex offered a small bow. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Clark."

"Ahh, you're Lady Glynis's boy, aren't you?" She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening. "I can tell. A pleasure to meet you as well."

"Mr. Wooden's out getting supplies, but he'll be back soon," she said, her voice warm. "You should have seen him this morning, fretting about the weather like it was the end of the world." She chuckled softly, her laughter mixing with the ambiance of the inn—steady, reassuring, and just a little bit magical.

I got to the point. "Did someone named Sir Edwind check in here? Had a kid with him."

Mrs. Clark nodded. "Ah, yes. He mentioned he was expecting a local to swing by. I take it that's you all?"

"Yes, ma'am," I confirmed.

She gestured toward the staircase at the end of the hall. "Upstairs, Room Four."

"Thank you, Mrs. Clark," Steez added as we headed toward the stairs. The wood creaked softly under our weight as we ascended, each step bringing us closer to the prince awaiting us.

When we made it up to the room, Edwind greeted us swiftly after a quick tap on the door. His eyes flickered with recognition, and he opened it without hesitation. The six knights traveling with them had taken up residence in the room across the hall, with two stationed outside in the corridor, standing rigidly at attention. Luda’s room itself wasn’t anything spectacular. The inn didn’t offer anything resembling a suite or royal accommodations, so we were looking at a modest two-bedroom setup. White sheets hung loosely over a plain wooden bed, their corners barely tucked in. A simple wooden couch, its cushions worn and faded, rested against the far wall. Overhead, a mana crystal lamp swayed slightly, casting a soft, warm light that barely touched the room's shadowed corners.

Edwind maintained the same cheery, relaxed demeanor he’d consistently showcased since we'd met. After healing Luda earlier, I noticed he'd developed a new level of respect for me. His eyes focused more intently on my presence as if I were a puzzle he was trying to piece together. Luda, on the other hand, seemed more at ease. A weight had visibly lifted from his shoulders, allowing him to breathe without the ever-present worry of losing face. He lay back casually on the bed, waiting patiently as we entered. I could tell he was eager for answers, finally able to voice the questions he’d been holding back.

"What's up, my niggas," I said, announcing our arrival with my usual bravado.

Edwind chuckled lightly. "Lord Xiro, fellas, come in," he said, waving us into the room.

"Haha, now you too?" I replied with a grin. "Just call me Xi."

"Sure, Xi," he agreed. "In return, call me Ed."

Just as I took my first full step into the room, an intense shiver jolted through my entire body. My mana flow spiked erratically; like it was spazzing out, throwing me off balance. A shockwave of agony rippled through me, as if every muscle fiber had been set ablaze. My body seized, locking me mid-stride, and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach. My knees buckled, and I would have hit the floor if Luda hadn’t caught me by the shoulders. Everyone’s eyes locked onto me, concern washing over their faces. Nobody knew what was happening, not even me, until [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] kicked in to assess the situation.

"Master," Tsukuyomi's voice resonated in my mind.

"Tsukuyomi, what the hell is happening right now?" I thought back, fighting to maintain my composure. "My muscles are on fire. Are we being attacked? Am I being burned?"

"It seems we're having a feedback issue with your mana circuits," Tsukuyomi responded calmly. "The skill [Neutrino Rush] did massive damage to them. Without proper bio-mana flow, your body is becoming uncooperative. Repairing them now."

[Midnight Star: Belial] chimed in next. "We maxed out on the first go. Seems your mother was right about you not being ready for a Lord Seed."

"A Lord what?" I managed to think back, though the pain was overwhelming.

I couldn’t hold back the yell that escaped me. "Ouuouww! Fuck!"

"Yo, Xi?" Alex called, his voice tinged with worry.

"Ay, broseph!" Steez added, patting me on the back.

He'd never seen me this vulnerable, and I could tell he was trying to reassure me. Edwind and Luda stood frozen, their confusion evident. To them, it must have looked like I was under attack, yet no assailant was in sight.

It was an agony I hadn't felt in ages. The last time I'd experienced anything close to this kind of heat was when I got shot and died on Earth. But this wasn't a single, focused point of pain—it felt like molten lava was coursing through my veins, searing every nerve in its path. It was all-consuming. The former euphoria of [Neutrino Rush] had finally taken its toll, and now I was paying the price.

"Is he okay?" Edwind's voice was tense. "He looks like he's in pain. A delayed effect from an attack?"

His hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white as he watched me writhe. Luda stared at me, watching my breathing as my body locked up in place. He began gathering healing mana into his palm, readying himself to chant a spell.

I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling over. Was my own body really holding me back? Why was anything holding me back?

"Fuck this pain," I thought, willing my body to obey.

This was my body, and it would listen to me. That defiance stirred [Midnight Star: Belial], and I heard a low, demonic growl.

Seconds later, [Adaptive Predator] triggered, activating [Super Self Regen] as well. I felt the processes kick in, working to repair and fortify my mana circuits. A cooling effect spread through my body, quelling the burning pain. I couldn't have been more grateful. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] chimed in again, updating me on my condition.

"Analyzation complete," Tsukuyomi informed. "Do you want to install the defensive skill [Paralysis Resist]?"

"Ahh, that feels much better," I thought, finally able to breathe properly again. "Yeah, install it."

With that, I regained control of my muscles, pushing off Luda's shoulder to stand on my own. He stepped back, watching me with a mixture of concern and understanding. It was clear to him that whatever just happened wasn't normal.

"I think I get it," Luda said, piecing things together. "That skill you used, like my [Journey of Ra]—was it your first time?."

"Yeah," I admitted, my voice steadying. "I think it might have stressed a nigga more than I planned for."

"I thought so," he nodded. "Something similar happened to me when I first used [Journey of Ra]."

"Yeah. Thanks for the heads up," I said, genuinely appreciating his insight. It was a reminder that he wasn't just another prince; he wanted me to get stronger too. For a kid, Luda was pretty damn mature.

"You are now safe to use [Neutrino Rush]," Tsukuyomi confirmed within me. "You have now mastered the skill and will not experience this reaction again."

"Tsukuyomi and Belial, you two are quite the cheat codes," I thought, shaking off the ordeal. I forced a grin and stood tall, ready to address the room.

"You straight?" Steez asked, still eyeing me with concern.

"Yeah," I replied. "[Adaptive Predator] fixed that lil' problem."

"If I had to get a skill like you, that one would be it," Steez admitted with a bit of awe.

"What's Adaptive Predator?" Edwind inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"One of Xi’s unbeatable abilities," Steez answered before I could.

"[Adaptive Predator] allows me to adapt to any problem while rapidly increase my overall abilities," I explained. "I even get stronger the longer I fight stronger people."

"Hmm... Sounds close to my [Overcompensation]," Luda mused. "Except mine only gives me a power boost if I lose in battle."

"That is a powerful skill," Edwind remarked, visibly impressed. "Both of those straddle the line of an Ultra Skill in capability."

"Wow. I hope I get something that cool one day," Alex chimed in, his eyes wide with admiration.

I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms while Alex plopped himself down on the bench. Steez made himself comfortable at the foot of one of the beds, stretching out as if he owned the place. Luda, on the other hand, remained standing, eyes locked onto me with an eagerness that practically radiated off him. You could see it in his posture, the way his fingers twitched at his sides. The questions were there, bubbling just beneath the surface, ready to spill out of his mouth. I figured it was best not to leave him hanging. So, I gave him a nod, letting him know I was ready to talk.

Luda didn’t waste a second. "Forgive my earlier introduction and attitude," he started, his voice wavering slightly; like he was trying to find the right balance between pride and humility. "I think my ego got the best of me."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Don't sweat that ish," I said with a casual shrug, my eyes on his, reading him as he spoke. It was clear he had more on his mind.

"You lived up to the stories that were said about you," he continued, his tone more measured now. "I've never seen someone cast magick without chanting."

The room fell silent at his words. Edwind and Alex were practically leaning forward, hanging on every syllable. Even Steez, who usually looked bored in these situations, turned his gaze toward Luda, a slight smirk playing on his lips. The prince was just getting started.

"I've trained with our kingdom's strongest," Luda went on, his voice taking on a hint of reverence. "And comparing those fights, and knowing you still had more to show…" He hesitated, eyes searching mine as if looking for some hidden answer. "I'm sure you can beat my nation's strongest M-Cees. So, I must know... How are you so powerful?"

His question echoed in the room, hanging in the air like a storm cloud. I had to admit, listening to him phrase it that way showed just how mature he was. This wasn’t the kind of question you’d expect from a kid his age back on Earth. It reminded me that Celestials matured twice as fast as humans. The kid impressed the hell out of me.

I glanced around the room. Edwind and Alex were sitting there, eyes wide and anticipation was written all over their faces. Steez, on the other hand, let out a yawn, clearly unfazed. He’d already been through this with me.

"Well," I began, taking my time with the words, "probably because I have two V-Skills. And from what I know, both of my shits are pretty unique."

The reactions were instant. Luda’s eyes went wide, and he let out a gasp. "What? Two?"

Alex leaned forward, his voice high with disbelief. "Woah, can you do that?"

Edwind, however, was already lost in thought, stroking his chin. "Well now, this is incredible," he murmured. "While I've heard of Mythwalkers having dual V-Skills, a Godwalker with two V-Skills? This is proof of an upcoming power shift that will threaten the Human kingdoms."

Luda's gaze snapped to Edwind, eyes narrowed in concern. "Are you talking about that Babylon guy? Do you think he'll attack Xiro or the Kingdom of Braye?"

Edwind nodded solemnly. "You are on your way to being A-Class soon. Your Vessel Skill's subskill currently can give you near S-Class levels of power. If Babylon can't control either of you two, he will definitely see you as a threat."

"Who's Babylon?" I asked, curious now. This was the second time I’d heard that name.

"A High Human King who rules the strongest human nation, Babylonia," Edwind explained, his eyes serious. "He's popular for his M-Cee Battle Arena and turning Babylonia into a Golden City, bringing in artists from all across Arcadia. Human and Sociovore alike."

"High Human?" Alex chimed in, tilting his head like a confused puppy.

"Super Niggas," I replied without missing a beat. "They are the superheroes of mankind. I heard they got hands."

Alex blinked in confusion. "Do Humans not normally have hands? I thought they had the same amount of fingers that we do."

I couldn’t help but chuckle. "N-No, that's not... Let's just say, they can fight."

Luda crossed his arms, a gleam in his eyes. "I plan to see just how good. When I evolve, I’m going to enter the Battle Arena."

He looked at me, a sudden seriousness in his eyes. "Speaking of which, Xiro, why haven't you evolved yet?"

Edwind leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "I am a bit curious as to how your body is housing so much mana."

I scratched my head, letting the question roll around in my mind. I was still trying to wrap my head around this whole evolution thing. When I’d asked my siblings about it, they didn’t have a clue either and had basically told me to "handle it, big bro." [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] had broken it down for me, but he said he needed me to evolve again to complete his analysis.

"Well," I finally said, "if a nigga can be honest, I don't fully get it, yet. What I do know is I'm an Oni Sage, which is a variant of Oni."

Luda’s eyes widened. "Oni... Sage? Like the one from The Hels's myth books?"

Edwind’s jaw dropped, and for a moment, he looked like a kid who’d just found out Santa Claus was real. "Xiro, you are quite the unique one. You are a variant of Oni that went extinct. Do you know that most people don't even believe an Oni Sage was a real thing? This is amazing information."

He leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "It makes sense, though. I've never seen an Oni so brilliant with magick. Oni Sages were known to be gifted with all forms of battle."

Steez finally spoke up, a frown on his face. "What's so unique about big bro's race?"

Edwind turned to him, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oni Sages were last seen over 500 years ago before the first Trap Raid Invasion. They were mostly from the Mayonaka Clan; a Clan of powerful Oni who used to control the entire continent of The Hels."

Hearing him say that triggered a memory of my mom speaking about my father. The man had been absent, yet, I was always hearing about his side of my family. But I didn't feel that was the time to give that thought more attention, so I pushed it to the back of my mind

Edwind continued, "They were legends on the battlefield and killed most of the billions of Watchers that were released on the planet."

Steez's eyes widened. "Yo, Xi, that name... Ain't that yo' dad's clan?"

Edwind’s head snapped back toward me. "So you are a part of the Mayonaka Clan!?"

Luda nodded slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, your strange crazy power is starting to make sense now."

Alex let out a low whistle. "So Xi is connected to an old famous family of demons? Dope."

"He is something out of a fantasy book," Edwind said, shaking his head in amazement.

I couldn’t help it. A chuckle burst out of me. The idea of being considered a myth or legend was funny. Gaia compared to Earth was already like living in a damn fantasy novel. But here, they saw me as the stuff of legends. This place was truly a world of wonder, and I planned to live here forever.

"Look," I said, taking a breath, "I won't lie, I've been blessed by The Creator. But I plan to look out for my family and close friends. After talking to Luda, I realize that if I plan to one day rule this land and put this nation back together, then I have to see the nation as my family and close friends as well."

Edwind's eyes softened as he nodded in approval. "So you will be succeeding your mother then?"

Luda's grin grew wider. "I look forward to calling Velonica a full ally to the Kingdom of Braye."

"Hell yeah," I replied, extending my fist.

He bumped it with his own, a serious yet content expression on his face. In that moment, the atmosphere shifted, becoming nostalgic. It reminded me of those old times back on Earth, talking with Lan LaQuintin after martial arts training. He had that same kind of seriousness about him that would melt away after a good fight and hanging with the boys. Maybe that’s why I felt a kinship with Luda. His soul felt like my best friend from my old life.

"Yo, cousin," Alex cut in, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I'm curious. What does your ID Status look like?"

It was like a bolt of lightning struck the room. Everyone straightened up, eyes turning toward me. It was like they had all been dying to ask that question but had kept it buried for some reason.

"Oh yeah," I said, scratching my head. "I forget [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] blocks any scan attempts on me."

Luda nodded eagerly. "I must admit, I too, want to see this."

Steez chuckled, leaning forward. "It's been a minute since I've seen it, but I can't wait to see y'all faces."

Edwind arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

I smirked, feeling the anticipation build. "Well, since we're all gang, I don't mind showing y'all. Even I haven't seen it in a while."

I normally kept my information hidden, as knowledge is a weapon for an artist. And the more you knew about your opponent and their abilities, the more options you could figure out when combating them. So unless I deemed you close, I didn't share that info. But everyone there at the time, was different, so I didn't mind.

I closed my eyes, searching for that familiar mental tingle I’d felt as a newborn. That nostalgic cellphone vibration. The sensation buzzed through my mind like an old friend, and I projected my ID Status window. A harlequin-green light flashed from the center of my forehead, forming an ethereal screen with the following data.

[Battle Class]: A

[Name]: Xiro Mikazuki

[Alias]: Devil of Velonica

[Vessel]- Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi/Midnight Star: Belial

[Race]: Oni Sage

[HP]: 15250

[MP]: 66000

[Offense]: A

[M. Offense]: S

[Defense]: A

[M. Defense]: S

[Speed]: A

[Mana Affinity]: Yin Mana, Wind Mana, Water Mana, Fire Mana, Electric Mana, Lunar Mana, Devil Mana, Anti Mana, Storm Mana, Deadwind Mana, Yang Mana, Solar Mana

[Defense Skills]: Mental Nullification, Astral Resist, Wind Resist, Yin Cancel, Space Resist, Physical Damage Cancel, Toxin Nullification, Heat Nullification, Fire Resist, Paralysis Resist

[Ultra Skills]: Heaven's Kaleidoscope*

[Personal Skills]: Dominus Superbiae, Super Self Regen, Belial: Adaptive Predator, Tsukuyomi: Absolute Memory, Tsukuyomi: Mastery of Abilities, Accelerated Mind, Kinetic Eyes, Super Hearing, Parallel Thinking, Future Sense, Energy Devour, Tsukuyomi: Analyze, Tsukuyomi: Sage Wisdom, Belial: Skill Copy, Belial: Skill Synthesis, Belial: Skill Imprint, Strong Will, Mana Sight, 6th Sense, Area Detection, Master Caster, Perfect Mana Control, Memory Recreation, Limitless Stamina, Chant-less Cast, Tracking, Yin Control, Spatial Control, Water Control, Air Control, Fire Control, Transmutation, Molecule Manipulation, Enhanced Body, Diamond Skin, Mana Recovery, Soul Domination, Neutrino Rush, Mana Disruption, Atomic Control

[Mana Arts]- Yin: Shadow Storage, Yin: Night Blanket, Wind: Flash Step, Wind: Wind Cutter, Wind: Tornado Fist, Storm: Electric Circus, Storm: Crashing Birds, Yin/Storm: Black Lightning, Water: Hydro Missile, Devil: Dark Transfer, Yin/Fire: Hell Mines, Deadwind: Crash Out, Lunar: Photon Beam, Fire: Cardinal Arrows, Solar: Sun Disc, Yang: Golden Fist

[Martial Arts]- Crescent Moon Blade: Lunar Reflection, Crescent Moon Blade: Lunar Eclipse, Crescent Moon Blade: Tidal Surge, Crescent Moon Blade: Moonlight Veil, Crescent Moon Blade: Wanning Slash

I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, enjoying the scene in front of me. Steez just sat back, smirking like he'd been through this all before. But the other three? Their reactions were priceless. They gawked at my ID Status, their eyes darting back and forth as they read through the long list of skills.

Edwind broke first, chuckling to himself like he'd just discovered the punchline to some cosmic joke. "Damnit, Xiro," he said, his laughter building into a full-on belly laugh. "When do you stop changing the rules of everything I know? Hahaha!" He shook his head, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "And here I thought the prince alone was a future crazy powerful force. It goes to show just how big the world is."

Luda stood there, mouth slightly agape like he'd found a new mountain to climb. His eyes locked onto mine, wide with a mixture of disbelief and admiration. "Xi, the hell? Do you have Limitless Stamina? Is that Super Self Regen?" He pointed at different spots on the projection, almost like he needed me to confirm it was real. His voice rose an octave as he continued, "Xiro, can you copy skills? You copied all of my attacks from the battle!"

Alex just shook his head, letting out a low whistle. "Heavenly snaps, Xiro! You are incredible, bro." His eyes flickered with amazement as he tried to process everything in front of him.

Edwind, still catching his breath, examined the details with a more analytical eye. "Xi, you have so much MP. It's almost frightening." His gaze lingered on the projection as if trying to calculate just how deep my mana pool went.

Once they'd had their fill, I ended the projection with a sigh, feeling a bit exposed. It was a strange mixture of pride and embarrassment. I’d known I was different, but seeing their reactions made it real. I mean, Omnia did say I would be special, but I was just starting to grasp how special she meant.

As the evening wore on, the conversation became less about me and more about us. We shared our stories and our backgrounds. I told them I was from another world, and, surprisingly, they didn't reject the idea outright. After everything they'd seen from me today, maybe it wasn't so far-fetched in their minds. Luda made me promise to train with him, practically wringing it out of me with his newfound determination. Alex quickly jumped in, wanting to join the training sessions too, afraid of getting left behind.

It felt...good. Bonding with them in a way I hadn't with others in this world. Even Steez had finally lightened up, throwing in his two cents here and there. We joked, laughed, and argued over who had the best fighting style. The room was alive with energy, each of us getting a little more comfortable in our own skins and with each other.

Then, like any group of boys left to their own devices, the conversation took a turn to more random topics. We debated the best weapons for mana users, whether a sword or a staff was the superior choice. We discussed theories about mana and shared ideas. I showcased a few of my latest mana techniques, stuff I'd been tinkering with when I had the time. They were receptive, eager to learn, and quick to offer their insights. It was then that Luda casually brought up something that caught my full attention.

"As intelligent and strong as you are," he said, leaning forward, "I'm surprised you haven't tackled a labyrinth yet."

I blinked, caught off guard. "What are they? How much do y'all know about them? My mom has been recently bringing up something like that."

Edwind’s eyes lit up, a rare glint of enthusiasm replacing his usual scholarly calm. "Makes sense. A labyrinth is the only place to develop a Lord Seed or a Saint Egg without the need to kill for souls." He adjusted his glasses, his expression becoming serious. "If you don't mind," he continued, "I'll gladly tell you what I know."

And just like that, the room fell silent. Even Steez leaned forward, his earlier boredom replaced by curiosity. I felt my pulse quicken. This was something big. Something that could change everything.

Edwind’s eyes gleamed with a scholarly glint like he was about to drop some ancient knowledge on us. "From the old Dark Elven bibles," he began, his voice taking on a tone of reverence, "it talks about how The Creator had a deep love for creating skills and items that could defy logic. Her favorites were the Tenka Goken. Those weapons are said to originally be Guardian Armaments with unlimited potential to grow in power with the owner."

I watched the others' faces as they absorbed the information, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and awe. Alex was the first to break the silence. "Guardian Armament? What's that?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

I jumped in to explain, leaning forward with my hands clasped. "It's the result of a [Spirit Weapon] fusing with an external spirit. From what I read in Mom's books and with my skill [Sage Wisdom], Guardian Armaments are basically powerful living magick weapons with a soul and will of their own."

I let that sink in for a moment before continuing. "Unlike normal forged weapons, [Spirit Weapons] are produced by a person's soul. They can damage both the body and soul of a target during attacks, making it harder to defend against with regular tactics. But Guardian Armaments take it a step further. They combine the spiritual essence of a sentient being into the weapon, elevating it's capabilities. They can exude incredible power while taking on the shape and image of the owner's soul and become nearly indestructible, as long as the wielder holds a strong will during battle."

"Woah," Alex muttered, eyes wide with amazement. "How many of those exist?"

I shrugged, feeling the weight of the unknown. "I don't know, but I do know the sword Mom wields seems to be a [Spirit Weapon], as it lacks the sentient soul. Honestly, there's no telling how many of either exist in the world."

Edwind nodded in agreement. "He's right," he said thoughtfully. "But even with the knowledge that came with researching the pair of Tenka Goken once wielded by the founder of the Mikazuki Clan, the recreation of Guardian Armaments still remains difficult to replicate."

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Wait, so how is she using a weapon connected to a dead man's soul?" My mind raced, piecing together fragments of legends and stories I'd heard. "Mom, what else haven't you told me yet?" I muttered to myself.

Edwind raised an eyebrow. "Belief is the Tenka Goken existed before sociovores and humans. But not much study is out about them. Even with its current form being a shell of its true power, the legends say that sword should be quite capable."

Luda chimed in, a knowing smile on his face. "My mom was part of her party, and she said Lady Vericka used to casually destroy mountains with some of her swings of that blade."

Steez finally decided to speak up, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "That sword always starts pulsing when Xi gets near it."

I turned to him, eyebrows shooting up. "It does what?"

Steez gave me a deadpan look. "Wait, niggah, you ain't notice that? Look at it next time."

"Well now," Edwind whispered, rubbing his chin. This was news to him.

I scratched the back of my head, feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. "Interesting. But Mom don't be having it out of her magic bag often," I said, my mind already planning the next time I'd sneak a closer look.

Alex tilted his head, clearly still processing everything. "So, is that all there is to them?"

Edwind shook his head. "No, while I only know of two labyrinths that were cleared in the history of Gaia, most Artists enter them due to the ability to develop a Lord Seed; unless you're Human, then it would be a Saint Egg."

Steez frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Lord Seed?"

Edwind glanced around the room, making sure he had everyone's attention. "A Lord Seed is the magical fuel essentially fed to your soul, causing your power to grow into that of a True M-Cee Demon Lord. It's written down in the Dark Elf bible as The Creator leaving Gaia to its true rulers."

My head swam with the information, and then suddenly, it all clicked into place. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] activated within me, triggering [Sage Wisdom].

Tsukuyomi’s voice echoed in my mind, calm and precise. "The Lord Seed is concentrated Omnis Mana filled with Ether, designed to transform and evolve the soul. Once the Lord Seed blooms within the soul, the being will become immortal to time and enter the realms beyond S-Class in terms of battle power. These sociovores with access to this power are normally called Demon Lords."

He continued, "For Humans, the Saint Egg transforms the soul into an Ascended Human, giving them their own version of S-Class and above warriors."

Steez’s eyes lit up as he connected the dots. "Oh, so basically how Mom became a Demon Lord. Bet."

Edwind nodded, his face growing serious. "It's said that labyrinths have a strong concentration of mana within them, and being able to adapt and overcome it is believed to be the key. Although it would be better to ask someone who actually did it, like Lady Vericka."

Luda perked up at the mention of Lady Vericka, his eyes shining with determination. "And from reading the letter that my mom wrote for yours, it seems she was planning to send me to one nearby here once I finished my training."

There it was—the storm of excitement I’d been waiting for. If Luda was about to tackle one of these bitches, then hell, I was definitely about to throw my hat in the ring. Knowing that I could actually become one of those powerful beings, like the creatures from the video games and animes back on Earth, had me practically giddy. No way in hell was I finna miss this.

"Oh shit, gang gang," I said with a wide grin, feeling the thrill surge through me. "Cause I'm going too. This is clearly my next step in getting stronger."

Steez crossed his arms, looking smug. "You know the Realest Nigga Alive gotta hit this. Xi ain't the only genius in the family."

"Hell yeah, I'm family too," Alex chimed in, his eyes burning with the same determination.

"Damn right, y'all are," I said, feeling a swell of camaraderie. "Let's do this shit."

Luda nodded, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Now things are becoming interesting."

Edwind stayed quiet, his eyes reflecting a deep contemplation. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. "I feel like I'm watching the beginning of something historical," he mused silently, his gaze distant. "I can't see the ending of the bible coming to pass with kids like this existing. I can only hope the prince truly is the one to save us from that revelation."

After hours more of chatting, our energy finally winding down, we left Ed and Luda to rest, deciding to head back home. The air around us felt different—charged, like we had crossed an invisible threshold. For the first time, it honestly felt good to say I had some Day Ones... These were my niggas. They were family.

[End of Chapter]