Before I get into the part where I almost die (fun times), let’s talk about magic. Turns out, in Krishara, magic isn’t just some flashy spell-slinging nonsense like "answer to my call blah blah blah"—it’s an entire force of nature which works when it really acknowledges you. The locals call it “Ether,” an energy that flows through all living beings, the land, and even the air itself.

Firstly Elemental Magic, the most common, used by mages and warriors alike. Fire, water, earth, air, lightning, and ice. Each region has stronger concentrations of certain elements. (Volcanic lands? Fire users. Frozen mountains? Ice users. You get the idea.)

Then Runic Magic, used by scholars and enchanters, this involves inscribing ancient symbols onto weapons, armor, or even the body to harness magic. (I still have no idea how it works, but it looks cool.)

After that Spirit Magic, mostly used by elves, druids, and priests. It lets them communicate with spirits, heal injuries, or even influence nature.

And lastly Demonic Magic, dark, but not necessarily evil. Demons use this naturally, but some non-demons can learn it. (Seraphis, my demon travel companion, casually mentioned she can set people on fire just by thinking about it. How comforting, just imagine a guy hitting on her, i already feel bad for him.)

Now, onto the part where I almost die and discover my own magic.

As the caravan neared Solkris, we were passing through a dense forest when the air changed. I didn’t notice at first, but the experienced travelers did—Torin the dwarf grabbed his axe, Heraphis narrowed her eyes, and the elf bard finally shut up.

That’s when it struck.

A Skarnix, a massive, panther-like creature with six glowing eyes and shadowy tendrils—lunged from the trees, aiming for the nearest wagon. It moved fast, like a blur of living darkness. Before anyone could react, the beast had already smashed through the wooden frame, sending supplies flying and knocking a young elf girl off her horse.

The others went into battle mode immediately. Torin charged in with his axe, Seraphis lit up the night with hellfire, and arrows flew from somewhere in the trees. But I? I was frozen. Because let’s be real—I AM NOT A FIGHTER.

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Then I saw it.

The Skarnix was going for the elf girl, she was pinned, unable to escape, and nobody else was close enough to reach her in time. My body moved before my brain could catch up. I sprinted, dived, and shoved her out of the way, And that’s when I got stabbed.

One of the Skarnix’s tendrils pierced straight through my stomach. It burned. My vision blurred. I could hear shouting, but it was all fading.

Then something inside me snapped.

The moment my blood hit the ground, something activated. It felt like fire and lightning surging through my veins, like my entire body was being rewritten by pure energy. My surroundings blurred, and suddenly, I could see everything, the magic flowing through the air, the movement of the Skarnix before it even attacked, the faint glow of life energy in the people around me.

Instinct took over.

I gripped the tendril impaling me and, without thinking, channeled the energy inside me. Light erupted from my hands, coursing through the Skarnix like a living current. The beast screeched and recoiled, its form crackling with energy before it collapsed, twitching and defeated.

I, on the other hand, immediately blacked out.

When I woke up, I was in a soft bed, bandaged and very much alive. Sitting beside me was the elf girl I had saved—Lyria Vaelora.

Turns out, she wasn’t just some random traveler—she was a healer-in-training from an ancient elven family. While I was unconscious, she had been the one to keep me from dying (which I really appreciate, by the way). But what really got me was what she said next:

"I’ve never seen magic like that before. You... shouldn’t be alive, and yet, you are."

Apparently, whatever power I unlocked wasn’t normal. The way Æther responded to me—the way I instinctively channeled it—was something completely unheard of. A unique, unknown magic.

I should’ve been worried. But honestly? I was too busy geeking out.

Because let’s be real—I just unlocked a secret power in a fantasy world. If that’s not peak isekai protagonist material, I don’t know what is.

Lyria, for some reason, seemed really impressed. In fact, she straight-up told me she wanted to join me on my travels. Something about wanting to study my magic, help me stay alive, and, um... make sure I don’t do anything stupid. (Rude, but fair.)

So now, I have a new party member—a skilled healer who may or may not have a growing crush on me.

All in all, 10/10 adventure so far.

But really the experience was very scary, I just want to hide in my blanket and cry but in front of her I have to be the "MEN NEVER CRY" person.