Batara suddenly woke up in a place that looked like the night sky. There is nothing beside some stars and mists, he even walked on the sky. Suddenly, Nyx appeared before him. Batara said “Nyx?”. Nyx replied with a super deep voice “Greetings human Batara.” Batara was surprised and asked “Y-you can talk?” Nyx replied “Yes in this realm, I can.” Batara felt weird by how Nyx's voice was like a mature gentleman but his body is still a cute little owl. Batara then felt curious and asked “Where are we?” Nyx replied “We are in my realm of consciousness.” Batara looked around and thought to himself “So this is what its like inside Nyx’s mind.” Nyx replied “Indeed.” Batara was surprised and replied “You can read my mind?” Nyx replied “Yes in this realm, I can.”

Batara then asked “Why am I here?” Nyx replied “You are here because you tried to form a pact with me.” Batara wondered if that was the case, shouldn’t Nyx be the one that entered his consciousness, since he should be the familiar. Nyx replied to Batara’s thought “That would definitely be the case if I were a magic beast like that gnome Illana said.” Batara forgot that Nyx can read his mind, but he didnt mind since it saved the trouble of actually having to talk. Batara began to talk only in his mind and asked “So what are you then?” Nyx replied “Throughout history I have been referred to as many things by humans. Deity, Celestial, Phantom, Spirit, Elemental, and now, Nyx. However, to make it understandable for you, I am on the same level as Elementals. I am also a higher being than you, thats why you’re in my consciousness.” Batara thought “Elementals? Just like Theresia’s Phoenix then.” Nyx replied “Almost but not quite. We may be on the same level but we are entirely different beings. Unlike other beings, we dont communicate, get attached, or even acknowledge other existence. The Phoenix live as the embodiment of fire magic. Whilst I, of nihility.” Batara was confused by Nyx’s explanation and only able to comprehend pieces of it. Nyx replied to Batara’s thought “Your confusion is understandable as we live by different concepts. However, do take your time, this realm is not bound to any concept of time so it will not affect anything in Eidel.” Batara was amazed by how surreal this experience was.

Of all his curiosities, one was at the top of Batara’s mind which is why Nyx, the Embodiment of Nihility, was following him. Nyx replied “As the existence that I am, I only live based on instincts that revolve around nihility. In regard to your question, I followed you because my instincts were drawn to your aura, more so, your soul.” Batara thought “My soul?” Nyx replied “Indeed. Your soul almost has no attachment to this world at all. Should you vanish from this world, none shall change, none shall mourn, and none shall wonder why including yourself, for your existence is only a mere echo in the void.” Once again, Batara could not fully grasp what Nyx was saying but he felt the emotional resonance Nyx’s words carried and it felt terrifying. Batara didnt feel like staying longer in this realm and wondered what would happen to him and the familiar pact he tried to form. Nyx replied “The familiar pact the gnome casted wont do anything for reasons I have mentioned. However, I will always stay by your side as long as your soul remains unchanged.” Batara didnt sure how to felt to that after hearing what Nyx’s said before.

Nyx continued “Also I will let you out of this realm if you wish to do so. However, before I do, I will bestow upon you my blessing.” Nyx suddenly vanished and reappeared touching Batara’s forehead with its own. Nyx recited ancient unknown language as a black mist suddenly appeared surrounding Batara’s body. Batara was startled and overwhelmed by whats happening before him but he was somehow unable to move at all. The black mist then got sucked into Batara’s heart and Nyx stopped reciting as he flew away from Batara. Batara, who felt very confused, finally talked out loud and said “What just happened?” Nyx replied “Apologies if the ritual startled you. I just bestow my blessing upon you “Nihility”. It lets you turn into a black mist and disappear from the world. You could use it to protect yourself, but if you use it for too long, you will become a Nihility, just like me.” As terrifying as it was, Batara still wondered why Nyx grant him that blessing instead of just making him disappear if his purpose was for Nihility. Nyx replied to Batara’s thoughts “Ironic isnt it? I live to represent Nihility. By granting you my blessing, I will be protecting the existence of non-existence which is your soul. However, should you disappear from the world with my blessing, you will become nihil. So either way shall fulfill my purpose.” Once again Batara didnt understand what Nyx was saying. Nyx then said “Looks like I have confused you enough with my concept. I shall return you back to your world now.” Batara’s consciousness slowly fading but before he was fully unconscious he heard Nyx say “I hope we shall communicate again, human Batara.”

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Batara woke up to the sight of Lana talking in confusion with an old lady back at the magic shop. From the look of it, it seemed Batara hasnt been gone for a while since he was still on Lana’s magic circle. Lana then noticed Batara had woken up and immediately said to the old lady “Look he’s not dead!” The old lady checked on Batara and felt very relieved. The old lady then said “Ugh you fool of an apprentice! What would you do if he never returned to his consciousness!” Lana rebelled “Oh stop exaggerating old hag! No way someone will die just because of a familiar pact. Besides, he’s just out for 5 minutes!” The old lady raised her voice and replied “Silence! Go make herbal tea for the customer.” Lana walked away while grumpily saying “Ugh why should I make tea for this damn human when he’s the one asking for help!” The Old Lady sighed and shook her head. Even though the Old Lady raised her voice, she still sounded very subtle and her anger was barely noticeable. The Old Lady then helped Batara up while asking “Are you alright young man? What do you feel right now?” Batara took her hand and slowly stood up then said “I’m fine. My head’s a little dizzy.” The Old Lady replied “The magic circle mustve taken up too much of your mana. Come let me help you walk.” The two then walked to the nearest chair.

While helping Batara walk, the Old Lady said “I only went back to the shop to check on the close sign when a bright rainbow light was coming out of the window. Then I opened the door only to find my fool of an apprentice was experimenting with someone else's life.” Batara was stunned as he heard that Lana was only experimenting with him. Seeing Batara’s reaction, the Old Lady tried to calm him down and said “Oops, forgive my rudeness, my name is Madna Ultreas, a Wizard of Quarzith. I am this magic shop owner and Illana’s teacher.” Madna continued, “What’s your name, young man?” Batara replied “Batara, adventurer.” Madna replied “Alright Batara, please sit here and wait for the herbal tea, it will quickly cure your state of mana depletion.” Lana then came over with the tea and put it down harshly on the table in front of Batara while saying “Ck, here!” Madna said “Stop being rude Lana. Tell me what happened.” Batara drank the herbal tea and his dizziness slowly disappeared. Lana then said to Madna “I didnt do anything dangerous. This boy just showed up here asking for a familiar pact with the Misty Owl he came with and I helped him form it.” Madna replied in disbelief “You what!? Misty Owl is an ancient creature and you never even performed a pact before!”

Lana rebelled to Madna and turned towards Batara “Ugh who cares! I have enough knowledge from my research. So how is it Pale Boy, did the familiar pact work?” The audacity of Lana asking the result of her malpractice really irritated Batara. However, after everything that went through with Nyx, Batara didnt want to go through any more trouble and simply replied “No it didnt.” Lana shouted in reply “What!? After all that trouble. Something mustve happened right? Where is that owl?” Something definitely happened but Batara refused to go through the trouble telling her when she was merely toying with him. Batara replied “Nothing, you just dried up my mana.” Lana knew that was in fact happened, but she wasnt convinced with Batara’s response and replied “But the rainbow light-“ Before Lana could finish her sentence, Madna interrupted her and said “Enough! Youve done too much damage already. Go back to your desk.” Lana clicked her tongue and walked away.

Madna turned towards Batara and said “Im so sorry about her. What can I do to make it up to you?” After drinking the herbal tea, Batara felt better and since he didnt want to be involved in any more mess he replied “Nothing. I’ll walk out.” as he stood up and walked away. Madna then took some ingredients and caught up to Batara. Madna said “Wait!” Just before the exit door Batara turned his face towards Madna. Madna handed over a bag of ingredients to Batara and said “Here. This wont be enough but at least let me give you these.” Madna continued “These are the ingredients to make the herbal tea you drank. It should last for a while and drinking this daily will relieve the symptoms of mana depletion.” Since Batara experienced mana depletion a lot lately he decided to take the ingredients and nodded his head in approval. Batara then left the magic shop. Nyx then suddenly appeared and sat on top of Batara’s left shoulder. Lana saw the two through the magic shop’s window and began to ponder.