Obinai slowly pulls his hands from beneath the covers, his fingers trembling faintly. He stares at them, turning them over. His hands ball into fists, shaking with the effort.
“I have to figure out why…” he mutters under his breath, his voice hoarse and low, the words barely audible over his ragged breathing.
A voice interrupts him. “It seems you’re awake,” Vale says.
Obinai jerks his head to the side, startled. Vale is seated in the corner of the room, a steaming cup of tea in his hands. His crystalline eye glints faintly in the soft light of the cottage.
Obinai narrows his eyes, his breath still uneven as he asks cautiously, “You didn’t… do anything to me, right?”
Vale lowers the cup slightly, studying Obinai with an unreadable expression. He sighs, setting the cup down on a nearby table. “I apologize,” he begins. “I should have told you, but I had to make you go back to sleep.”
Obinai stiffens, his eyes narrowing further. “You what?” he snaps.
Vale sighs. “Let me explain. While you were sitting at the table earlier, it was clear to me you hadn’t fully recovered. You were pushing yourself too hard, even if you didn’t realize it.” He leans back slightly. “I didn’t spike your drink, if that’s what you’re thinking. I used a subtle spell—a gentle nudge, if you will—to help you rest.”
Obinai stares at him, his confusion evident. “A… spell?” he echoes.
Vale nods, folding his hands in his lap. “There’s magic in this world, Obinai,” he says simply. “Some of it can influence the mind—create stress, panic, fear… even exhaustion.”
Obinai shakes his head slowly. This is insane, he thinks, his eyes darting around the room. Magic? He presses his palm to his forehead. I mean… he did kind of mention it before—something vague about it—but why would I believe him? His brows furrow as the memories of the past day—or however long it’s been—swirl chaotically in his head. Still… think of everything I’ve seen. The lights on the vines, that strange dome, the food materializing out of thin air. Beelzebub…
His breath hitches slightly, and he forces himself to exhale.
He looks back at Vale, skepticism flickering in his eyes. “How did you find me?” he asks, his tone cautious but laced with curiosity. “I mean… how did I end up here?”
Vale takes a slow sip of his tea, his expression thoughtful. When he sets the cup down again, he smiles faintly. “To be honest, I didn’t exactly ‘find’ you,” he says, his voice carrying a hint of dry humor. “Not in the conventional sense, anyway.” He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “I was passing through this realm, as I often do, checking on the natural balances here. And then—” He gestures vaguely toward the floor. “There you were, collapsed at my feet.”
Obinai tilts his head slightly, mulling over the explanation. “So… you just happened to stumble across me?” he asks.
Vale chuckles softly. “I suppose you could put it that way,” he says. “But fate, chance, or whatever you prefer to call it, works in strange ways.”
Obinai exhales through his nose, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. He nods slightly, accepting the explanation for now.
Vale’s crystalline eye glints as he leans back in his chair, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “So,” he asks casually, “do you believe in magic now?”
Obinai snorts faintly, managing the smallest of smirks. “I think I have to,” he says, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. “After everything I’ve seen so far… how could I not?”
Vale chuckles again, the sound light and warm. “Good. That’s a start.”
Slowly, Vale rises from his chair. He groans softly, his age showing in the way he braces his hand on the armrest as he stands. His robes shift around him, the faint embroidery of vines catching the light from faint falling light.
“Come,” he says over his shoulder, his tone inviting but firm. “Join me outside.”
Obinai hesitates, his eyes flicking toward the ladder that leads downward. He takes a moment to steady himself, flexing his fingers one last time before pushing the covers off. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he plants his feet on the floor and stands. His knees wobble for a moment but hold steady as he straightens up.
Vale pauses at the opening, glancing back with a small, knowing smile.
“There is much to show,” Vale says simply. He pauses at the opening of the ladder, glancing back over his shoulder. A faint smile tugs at his lips.
“And tell,” he adds...
Obinai watches him go, his mind still churning with questions. Taking a deep breath, he follows.
...
Standing outside the cottage, Obinai takes a moment to glance upward, his gaze drawn once again to the massive dome of trees surrounding them. The forest canopy stretches high, curving inward like an enormous green shell, with its centerpiece—a giant crystal—suspended at the very top. The crystal glows faintly, casting soft beams of light down onto the forest floor like a miniature sun.
Obinai exhales, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this at all,” he mutters, his tone half-joking, half-resigned. He rubs the back of his neck, his eyes still darting to the unnatural beauty around him. After a pause, he looks over at Vale, who stands a short distance away, leaning lightly on his staff. Carved from a dark, polished wood, its surface glistens faintly as if coated with dew. Intricate patterns of leaves, vines, and curling tendrils spiral up its length, the carvings so detailed they seem almost real. Near the top, the staff branches out into a delicate cradle that holds a smooth, glowing orb about the size of an apple. The orb pulses gently with a soft, shifting light that alternates between hues of pale blue and green, casting faint patterns of light onto Vale’s face as he moves. Thin, silver filigree wraps around the base of the orb, securing it in place while adding an air of elegance. The bottom of the staff tapers into a sturdy, reinforced tip of metal.
“Alright,” Obinai starts, crossing his arms with a slight smirk. “You’ve been talking up this magic stuff so much. Hyping it like it’s the best thing ever. So… can I do it? Like… actually?” He grins, making an exaggerated gesture as if casting a spell. “Because that would be so cool.”
Vale chuckles, the sound deep and warm, like the crackle of a fire. “It’s a bit more complicated than that, Obinai,” he says with a faint smile. “But listen closely—just for a moment.”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Vale straightens, tapping his staff gently on the ground as he speaks. “Magic,” he begins, his tone shifting to one of quiet reverence, “is just a word—a label we’ve given to the unknown. It describes one of the energies and forces that operate beyond common understanding, the things most people can’t see or grasp.”
Obinai tilts his head slightly, his arms dropping to his sides.
Vale continues, gesturing broadly to the clearing around them, his staff pointing toward the cottage, the forest, both in front and above. “But what lies beneath this word? What connects it to everything around us? The answer is simple, yet profound: Essence.”
Obinai furrows his brow but remains silent, watching as Vale talks of objects. “A table,” Vale says, “the fire in the hearth, the water you bathed in, the air we breathe—they all contain Essence. It is the thread that binds the universe together. Not just a part of it, but the universe itself. It flows through everything like a cosmic river, invisible but indispensable.”
Obinai nods slowly, his fingers flexing slightly. His lips curl into a small, eager smile. If I can use this... I’m definitely blowing some shit up.
Vale’s sharp gaze flicks to Obinai, as if sensing his train of thought, but he doesn’t comment. Instead, he continues. “Every creature, every plant, every grain of earth and drop of water holds its own unique Essence. And it isn’t static—it’s alive, constantly shifting and interacting. It influences and is influenced by everything around it.”
He pauses, switching his staff to his other hand, his eyes scanning the forest. “True practitioners of magic don’t just use Essence. They connect with it. They tap into the flow of all things to create effects that might seem miraculous.” He looks back at Obinai, his expression patient but firm. “It’s not just about power, Obinai. It’s about understanding the web of life, about harmony and balance.”
Obinai nods again, this time more eagerly, his earlier grin widening. “Right, harmony and balance. Got it,” he says quickly, then pauses. “But… wait.” His brows knit together as something clicks in his mind. “You said there are other forces at work too. Like, besides magic? What else is out there?”
Vale chuckles, shaking his head lightly. “Ah, you caught me,” he says. “How can I dive into one and not touch on the others?” He straightens slightly, looking back at Obinai with a wry smile. “My apologies.”
Obinai shrugs casually. “Nah, it’s fine,” he says, waving it off. “You’re already blowing my mind here, so might as well keep going.”
Vale chuckles again. “Very well,” he says, his tone taking on a more instructional cadence. “Essence, as I mentioned, is the foundational energy that permeates everything. But from this raw force, many distinct powers emerge—each of them shaped by different aspects of life and the world.”
He begins to pace slowly, his staff tapping the ground rhythmically. “The four most commonly known—and the ones you’re likely to encounter the most—are Ki, Mana, Aura, and Sciencia.”
Obinai raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Ki, Mana, Aura, and Sciencia?” he echoes, testing the words on his tongue. “Alright, I’m listening. What’s the difference between them?”
Vale pauses, turning back to Obinai with a faint smile. “Ah,” he says. “That’s where things get truly fascinating.”
Obinai’s brow furrows. He scratches the back of his neck, thinking to himself, Damn, I swear I’m interested… but why did I say that? I thought the complicated stuff would end. He exhales, glancing around. This feels like more work—geez… just when I tho— His thoughts suddenly falter as he feels something strange. A warmth washes over him, subtle yet unnerving. For a fleeting second, his mind slips, his thoughts slurring together.
“Fascinating…” he murmurs aloud, surprising himself. Vale pauses, raising an eyebrow. Obinai catches himself immediately and waves a hand. “Sorry—uh, please continue,” he says quickly, his cheeks reddening slightly.
Vale chuckles, clearly amused, but doesn’t press. “So first,” Vale begins, turning to face him fully, “let’s talk about Ki.” He taps the ground lightly with his staff, the glowing orb atop it pulsing faintly with each word.
“Ki is the energy that flows through all living beings,” he explains. “It’s a force that can be harnessed to enhance physical abilities, sharpen mental focus, and perform extraordinary feats. You’ve likely heard of martial artists—those who dedicate their lives to pushing their bodies. With Ki, they can go beyond what the body should be capable of.” Vale pauses. “It’s grueling work, though. The scars on their hands often tell the story before they even speak.”
Obinai nods slowly, picturing it. The thought of physical enhancement intrigues him, but the mention of scars makes him flinch slightly. “Alright… Ki’s for martial arts,” he says, repeating it to himself. “Got it.”
“Correct,” Vale says, shifting seamlessly. “Now, we’ve already touched on magic, but let’s dive deeper. Magic’s source is Mana—the form of Essence that mages draw upon to shape reality itself. If Ki is about controlling and refining your own energy, Mana is about projecting your will outward to influence the world. Spells, enchantments, incantations—they all stem from Mana.”
Obinai tilts his head, interest sparking in his eyes. “So Ki’s internal, and Mana’s external… that’s cool,” he murmurs.
Vale smirks knowingly but continues. “Then there’s Aura,” he says, tapping his staff again for emphasis. “This one requires finesse. Aura involves gathering Essence and infusing it into weapons. It’s what allows practitioners to perform what some call weapon arts. For example, certain sword techniques have been revered for their ability to ‘slice through the heavens.’”
Obinai’s jaw drops slightly. “Damn…” he mutters under his breath.
Vale chuckles at his reaction, clearly pleased. “Yes, it’s impressive,” he says with a nod. “But we’ll come back to that.”
He shifts, beginning to walk slowly toward the edge of the clearing. Obinai falls into step beside him, glancing up at the towering trees that surround them. “You know about the races, yes?” Vale asks.
...unsavory memories resurface...
“Yeah,” Obinai replies, shivering slightly. “I know the basics.”
“Good,” Vale says with a faint smile. “I won’t dive into all of them now, but there is one I need to mention. The gnomes.” He pauses, glancing at Obinai to gauge his reaction before continuing. “They’re the ones who monopolized a force known as Sciencia.”
“Sciencia?” Obinai repeats, frowning. “Alright, what is it? And how’d they monopolize it?”
Vale’s smile widens. “Sciencia isn’t like Ki, Mana, or Aura,” he explains. “It wasn’t much to look at initially. It simply enhanced intelligence. But one particularly brilliant gnome discovered something extraordinary: Essence—the raw force of the universe—could be analyzed, calculated, and even manipulated mathematically. This discovery changed everything.”
Obinai’s eyes widen slightly as Vale continues. “Using Sciencia, the gnomes gained fame, fortune, and power. They could bend reality to their will, creating miracles that made them seem like miniature gods.” Vale’s expression darkens slightly. “But there’s a cost. The excessive use of Sciencia tore their minds apart, leaving them fragile, broken. It’s a cruel irony, really. The only ones capable of wielding such power are the ones most vulnerable to its dangers.”
Obinai shifts uncomfortably, his gaze flicking to the ground. Damn… that’s brutal, he thinks, flexing his fingers slightly. After a moment, he looks back at Vale. “Alright,” he says, “if Essence is in everything, why can’t I see it? Or humans in general? Like, how come we don’t notice it?”
Vale glances at him, a faint sigh escaping his lips. “A fair question,” he says, his tone softer now. “The reason you—and most humans—can’t perceive Essence directly is simple: you weren’t born with the ability to do so. Humans, in this world, are considered to have less innate capacity to wield any of the four main denominations. That includes the ability to see or manipulate Essence.”
Obinai frowns, his jaw tightening. “Great,” he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “That’s why I was treated like something… less.”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Vale says, nodding. “Humans often find themselves at the lower rungs of society here.” He gestures to himself. “However, I am… an exception.”
Obinai’s gaze flicks to Vale’s crystalline eye, his curiosity sharpening. There’s definitely more to this guy than he’s letting on, he thinks.
Vale continues, “I was born with a rare affinity for Essence. This allows me not only to perceive it but to interact with it in ways most creatures cannot.”
They arrive at the edge of the plain, where the towering trees of the forest stand like silent sentinels. Obinai stops, craning his neck to look up at the dense canopy above. A heavy sigh escapes him. “There’s so much out there…” he says softly.
Vale lets out a small sigh. “More than you know,” he says with a genuine smile.
Obinai hesitates, glancing at him nervously. “So… is there a way for me to manipulate Essence too?” he asks, his voice uncertain but hopeful.
Vale’s smile grows as he turns to face Obinai fully. “Ah,” he says,
“that’s a conversation worth having...”