Illumi looked at Kori with curiosity, braving himself for a question, “What do you mean we’re trapped?”
Kori looked back at Illumi, and was a bit surprised. “You must have been living in a really isolated village, if you didn’t know the state of our kingdom right now.”
“I was… there’s much that I don’t know, part of the reason I started my journey…” Illumi replied.
“Well then, get ready for another story. But I’ll make this one short, since there isn’t much record of the history.” Kori pulled out a ledger from his backpack, and cited the passage from the ledger.
“I’ve tried my best to record most of what happened in my ledger. Some of the details only come from words of mouth. While the one that was written had blanks events and some doesn’t match the events. It started somewhere around 250 years ago, where this kingdom is still at war. The kingdom had poured all of its resources into protecting themself, but it was not enough. The king had been pushed to the brim, and with the help of the magic researcher’s assistant, and the goddess of the kingdom, they managed to summon a hero from another world.” Kori read from his ledger.
Illumi’s expression turned sour, sweat ran down his body, as if he had a cold, but no one had seen him, as they were too focused on the story.
Kori continued his story, “With the help of the hero, the kingdom managed to survive the attacks from neighboring kingdoms. After the war, with the help of the goddess and the wisdom of the hero, the kingdom thrived to be one of the wealthiest and strongest kingdoms there was. But all of the effort was thwarted by one grim day. An attack was launched by a wicked sorcerer, few of the written records even compared his strength to the god itself. The goddess and hero fought countless days and nights, and alas, the hero was killed by the wicked sorcerer. But the hero’s death was not in vain, the wicked sorcerer was wounded badly and on the verge of dying himself. Refusing to give up, the wicked sorcerer used all of his power trying to consume the whole kingdom. Thanks to the power of the goddess, she was able to erect a barrier as wide as the kingdom, from the deep underground, and to the highest of the sky. We were saved from the evil miasma, but in turn we are trapped. Anyone who tries to leave is affected by the miasma, all of their energy is sucked from their body, leaving them an empty dried husk of a human being. They said you’d need to be as powerful as the hero and the goddess themself to be able to survive the miasma. But those who were strong enough, and able to leave, never came back… Maybe they’ve just given up on us… But either way, us hunters in the guild have only one thing to do.”
“Hunt and preserve the wild animals as best as we can.” Mi said with pride.
“And kill the crazed beast that came from the outside and is affected by the miasma!” Eric shouted.
“Do you now understand Illumi?” said Kori looking at Illumi.
Illumi sitting in silence, sweating drips all over his body. “I-It’s quite a story… and I think I’ve understood the situation well…”
“What’s wrong Illumi? You look sick?” Kori rushed to tend to Illumi.
“I-It’s nothing, I just feel a bit overwhelmed, that’s all. I think I need to take a short rest at the moment…” Illumi said, breathing heavily.
“Look at what you’ve done Kori! You’ve drowned his head with too much information! Now he’s sick because of you!” Eric rambling in panic.
“I don’t think that was too much information. Stop exaggerating!” Kori replied, as he helped Illumi lie down on the ground.
Mi knocked Eric on the head and said, “You’re the medic, do something. Idiot.”
“Oh! You’re right! I almost forgot.” Eric quickly tends to Illumi. Raising his hand on top of Illumi who’s lying on the ground. Taking a deep breath and focusing, Illumi’s body started to glow faintly. Illumi’s pale face started to blush red again, and he was able to breathe calmly.
Eric falls on his bottom, and sighs in relief. “He was just a bit stressed out. Almost gave me a heart attack…”
“I think you’re the only one who was too excited about the situation. As a medic, you should really learn to calm down a little bit.” said Mi towards Eric.
“Of course I’d be worried! Everyone’s health and life rests entirely on my hands, of course I’d panic!” Eric said as he pouted.
“I’m glad it’s nothing serious. But next time, if you’re uncomfortable, you should inform us. We will help you as much as we can.” Kori said, reassuring Illumi.
“It’s nothing really. I was just a bit tired, since I didn't sleep that long yesterday.” said Illumi to the group.
“You’ll get used to it. Us hunters are needed 24/7. That’s why most rest when they can, you’d never know when you need to sortie, or when your last day will be.” Mi tried to cheer up Illumi, but ended up turning the mood grim.
“We should continue our training. Let no time be wasted. Tomorrow Illumi will have to engage in real fights. So let's do our best to teach him everything we can.” Kori led the group back on to the topic.
“Sorry Kori. But I had other plans. I only came to check the newbie’s capability. My roommate had been needing my help for a while, since we have the day off, I would like to help him really quickly, then I’ll come back once I’ve finished.” Mi said, as he rushed towards the city.
“Don’t worry about it Mi!” Kori shouted his goodbye.
“How about you Eric?” said Kori as he turned to Eric.
“I don’t have anything to do anyway, so I’ll just sit on the side and look.” Eric said with a smile and a thumbs up.
Kori led Illumi a bit more center on the field, and they both sat down on the ground. “First I want to test your imagination. So let's sit and face the west a little bit, and I want you to conjure a ball of fire using only your imagination, instead of nature’s law.”
“You should also imagine the ball of fire a bit further away from yourself. Otherwise you’d burn yourself. Easier to do, instead of conjuring 2 magic at the same time.” Kori said, as he had Illumi focus.
Illumi raises his hand towards the open field, thinking of nothing but fire. Trying not to think of how a fire works scientifically, he only imagines the fire itself, and imagining the floating and burning. A small ball of fire the size of marble started appearing a meter away from Illumi. But the fire quickly disappears as Illumi loses focus.
“So close. You almost clear the basics. You’d need to keep it burning at least a minute, before we’d go through the next lesson.” Kori said, praising Illumi’s effort.
“We are limited by our knowledge. The things we know now aren’t good enough to overcome our imagination, which is limitless. With our imagination, we can imagine fire hotter than something a wood, or oil could have produced. That’s why level 3 magic is the most popular, and better choice. You need to get rid of what you know, and rely on your imagination.” Kori said with full inspiration
Illumi looks at Kori with a face filled with glee. “Does it work if I just rely on the fuel instead? I can’t help but put forward nature's law in my mind.”
“If you can think of better fuel than wood or oil, then go ahead. But as I said, our knowledge is limited. I’m sure there are better ways to utilize nature’s law. But using nature's law is the first step of magic, conjuring the result instead of the process is what you’d strive for as a magic user.” Kori said, intrigued by Illumi’s words.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Illumi closed his eyes, thinking to himself. “I will start with the basics. With the chemical compound of gasoline as the fuel, and have a strong steady wave of oxygen to get the ball of fire burning even hotter.”
A ball of liquid formed 1 meter away from Illumi. The stench is quite familiar to him, but Kori was taken aback by the smell. A small spark ignites the ball of liquid instantly, followed by a strong blast of wind devouring the flame, burning the fire even hotter than before.
“I can feel the heat even from here, and it’s getting hotter. Shoot it away Illumi, or we’d actually burn ourselves!” Kori screams to Illumi in a rush.
Illumi opened his eyes, but the bright light and the heat had Illumi squinting and shooting the ball of fire straight ahead. The ball of fire explodes like a bomb, as it impacts the tree in its way. The shockwave had blown them back and deafen them.
The fire spread really fast, burning trees after trees. Kori panicked and tried his best to put out the fire, but his magic only covered a small area of the burning area.
Eric was panicking and hid behind a rock, screaming. “Quick, put out the fire you idiots, you’re gonna get us in trouble!”
“I’m trying my goddamn best! Stop screaming, you’re distracting me!” Kori screamed back to Eric.
Illumi stood up in awe, taking in his surroundings and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. Opening it back, he extended his hands towards the burning forest. Exhaling, in an instant, all of the fire disappeared, leaving nothing but charred trees and ashes. Kori was surprised at how quick the fire disappeared, and looked back at Illumi who’s standing calmly still.
“W-What did you do!?” Kori asked with a big smile on his face, curious at the action Illumi took.
“I was using nature’s law. I somewhat already expected that to happen, but I never actually applied it in real life.” Illumi said, with an obvious look of excitement. Kori ran towards Illumi and grabbed him by the shoulder. “I knew you were different! You have to teach me what you did! This will be a big change towards magic theory!”
“I’m not sure how to explain it to you. But even if I do, it might take a few years for you to learn most of it.” Illumi said.
“Years or decades, I don’t mind! With this level of magic, we could get rid of the evil miasma, and save everyone! We can finally be free!” said Kori with a smile from ear to ear.
“It’s the advanced level of nature’s law. It’s called scie–” Illumi word’s cut short, as he fell to the ground, fainted. His body temperature increased rapidly.
“Illumi!” both Kori and Eric shouted. Illumi’s eyes slowly closing, falling into a deep sleep.
Cawing of birds echoes through the sunny sky. The hot blazing sun, scorching the land, woke up Illumi from his sleep. Illumi slowly opened his eyes, noticing that he’s being carried back into the city. His body is still a bit weak, tapping on Kori who’s carrying him, trying to get his attention.
“Oh! You’re awake Illumi!” Kori responded in surprise.
“Sorry for passing out. I feel a little bit weak, but I think I can walk on my own.” said Illumi.
“You’re finally awake… I’ve been giving you medical aids for an hour and you didn’t wake up… You made us worried there…” said Eric from behind, trying his best to walk and looking exhausted himself.
Kori slowly put Illumi back on his feet. “Slowly there.”
“Since you didn’t wake up, after everything Eric did. We were taking you to someone more professional. I’m glad you’re awake now. I guess we could call off for today. It might have been short training, but I have confidence you’d do great.” Kori said, as he supported Illumi’s walking.
“Good… after all of that, I need to sleep.” Eric moans.
The group walked back to the hunter’s assembly point. Eric takes his leave as they reach the hunter’s guild room. The room was empty, except for a few injured hunters that had been given medical aid. Both Illumi and Kori took a seat at the corner of the room.
“When can you start teaching me about the stuff that you mentioned? Sci something?” Kori whispered softly.
“I can start whenever you like. If you have any papers and pens, it would help the process.” Illumi replied.
Illumi started to explain the basics of science, starting from the definition until the basics of math. Kori gave his full concentration, copying what he heard and the things Illumi had written down, in his ledger. Illumi noticed that Kori had a somewhat basic understatement of the things he’s explaining, and made the explanation easier. Illumi seems to be having fun sharing his knowledge, as Kori nodded and shared the things he had learned himself.
Dusk fell, and half of the hunters from the early morning had returned, tired from their hard day at work. The other hunter bears no mind to Kori and Illumi as they seem to be having fun chatting with each other. They all left and returned to their home.
Kori had to stop their lesson short as he noticed the other hunters.
“Sorry Illumi, but I have to go home for now. We’ll continue our talks when we have the chance.” Kori said, packing his things and rushing out.
“See you tomorrow.” Illumi whispered to himself, as Kori had already left.
Illumi decided to go home after he sat silently for another half an hour, staring at the hunters that were coming and going from the guild hunter’s room alone.
“Hey, you there, kid.” someone shouted at Illumi as he’s about to get out of the room.
Illumi turns around, and notices it was Robert, as he walks up to Illumi and hands out a small cloth sack with some bits of metal on the inside.
“What is this?” Illumi asked.
“It’s your salary for today.” said Robert.
Illumi held back the sack and said, “But I haven’t done anything today.”
“Consider it an advance payment. Phil said you have potential. Having that guy praise you is like having a blessing from a god. He never even praised me once!” Robert said, looking a little bit dissatisfied.
Illumi pulled the sack back closer to him and said. “Thank you…”
A group of hunters about to leave, and calling out to Robert. “I have to go now. Good luck little one, may you survive this hell hole.” he said as he walked towards the hunter’s group.
Illumi waved back and watched as the group left. Putting the sack in the small pocket of his pants, he leaves the room and heads home.
The street had gone dark, and all of the vendors had packed their stuff and went home. Illumi tried his best to remember the route he took the morning earlier.
Most of the home he passed by had lit candles, cheerful chatters of childrens and their parents having their dinner. Illumi's somewhat cheerful expression had changed to blank, and continued his way.
After taking the familiar route, Illumi arrived at the inn he’s staying in, and proceeded to his room, trying not to make a sound. He stopped and stood in front of his room door, and slowly opened it.
The room still looks the same as when he left it. He sat down on his bedding and scrounged in his sack of resources, to look for something to eat.
Only a few berries were left in the sack, other than the herbs and medicinal plants he had gathered. Tears started to flow from his eyes, emotions started to emerge from deep down. Illumi lay down on his bedding, crying himself to sleep, as the lunar light shines down from his window.
The memories of the little boys flow through Illumi’s mind as he sleeps, mingling together like a dream.
Deep in his sleep, Illumi once again woken up by a knock on his door. Illumi got up and checked on the door.
“That took longer than yesterday. What's wrong? Had a bad dream?” Robert asked, looking at Illumi covered in sweat.
“No-No! I was just very tired, that’s all.” Illumi tried to hide his sweating.
“I don’t think that’s how that works, but whatever. I forgot to tell you the usual meeting time, but since your inn is quite far from the meeting point, you'd have to wake up around this time and start your journey over there, or you’ll be late. So after this, I won’t be there to wake you up again, so you better not oversleep.” Robert warns Illumi.
“Understood. I will do my best to remember the time!” Illumi replied.
“Since you got back to your inn, I assume you’ve memorized the route as well. So, I won’t have to show you the route again. Then I will take my leave. Better get a move on. It’s your first day on the field, show us what you can do!” said Robert, encouraging Illumi to do his best.
“Understood, Mr.Robert! I will get going as well.” Illumi said, closing his door and heading out with Robert.
They both went out and headed to the assembly point. They walked the same route, but stopped halfway. “I’m taking a different path from this point. Good luck little one.” Robert said as he walked in another direction.
Illumi continued his journey, and had arrived at the assembly point while it’s still dark out. Most of the hunters had already been in the room, chatting with each other. Illumi spotted Kori and his group and went straight towards them.
“Morning.” Illumi greeted the group.
“Morning Illumi!” Eric greeted back gleefully.
Ire face away from the group, still ignoring Illumi.
“Good morning Illumi.” Mi said with a smile.
“Morning. Did you have a good sleep!?” Kori asked.
“I did. I’m fully rested, and ready for the day.” said Illumi.
“Attention everyone! There won’t be a roll call for today. Group 1 through 5 will group up with me and head east. Group 6 through 9 will go north. This is an emergency. A herd of crazed beasts is headed towards the kingdom. We had been tasked to slow them down, or at least get rid of as many of them as we could. Some of you might not make it back. But we’ll make sure to compensate it to your family later. So, fight like hell!” Mira shouted from the front of the room.
Some of the hunters panic, while the others cheer out loud, shouting out their thirst for blood.
“We should pack as many supplies as we can. Looks like your first mission is a tough one, Illumi.” Kori said to the group, as he looked sternly at Illumi.