Lyressa Amethien
Lance and I flew along the perimeter of Tseige, heading deeper toward the southern expanse. The wind brushed past us, sharp and cold at night, as we soared side by side, keeping our attention to the land surrounding us. I glanced at him, watching his steady form in the air, when he suddenly veered closer to me.
“Lyressa, you felt it too, didn’t you?” His voice was as solemn as it had been inside the chamber, his expression unreadable yet sharp, but he appeared conflicted, something that Lance only showed in dire times.
I nodded, acknowledging the unspoken weight in his tone. “Yes. The moment he stepped into the chamber, I could tell. Rather, he wasn’t even trying to hide me”
Lance’s gaze hardened, matching the urgency of our task. We both turned our focus to scanning the terrain below, eyes darting across the desolate landscape for any sign of anomalies, the only things visible were weak mana beasts inhabiting the mountains and forest. His hair, catching the moon light, fluttered in the gusts as we shifted westward now. It was only after several minutes of silence that he spoke again.
“Either he’s mastered concealing his mana and stage entirely—even from us—or…” He paused, his brows furrowing slightly, as though calculating the implications. “Or he’s already a stage above us. If that’s the case—which I am sure of—, it makes sense he’s reached the Mystic stage.” His words were deliberate, yet his tone betrayed a trace of unease.
“What I’ve heard from the others,” he continued, voice low, “is that he was borderline reaching it. But even then, defeating a battlegroup should’ve been near impossible for him with his previous strength. Even a newly awakened Mystic stage wouldn’t have had those odds. Even if the two of us worked together, we’d struggle against someone of that level.”
Despite his measured confidence, there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice, one he couldn’t quite hide. For just a moment, his eyes flickered with doubt, as if questioning the extent of our combined strength, against the human.
He exhaled heavily. “But going against an entire battlegroup? That’s another level entirely. Even Beatrix, with all her experience and being on the cusp of her next breakthrough, would find it a challenge.”
“The human has more secrets to him than he let’s on.” Lance mused as his face eased slightly. “And we even found Lady Aurora here, as one of his allies. She seems to be close with the human.”
“The human, he appears different. And Lady Aurora already informed us on how she had met him. I have already reported back to her father and Elder Ramus.” I acknowledged, as I readied myself to acknowledge his other concern.
“True, I was just as skeptical as you in the beginning, before we went to see the wreckage of his battle, and you saw it too, the fortress in Esparossa is left in ruins—it's walls, greenery, land, everything has been marked by the destruction of their battle. But the scale of the battle can be imagined just by looking at the fortress." I admitted, the weight of his words settling on me like a storm-cloud. “Which only makes it clearer—Jiwoo isn’t as simple as he makes himself to be—or either how we first perceived him. The fact that he has a dragon as his bond is extraordinary enough—beings who only appear in rumours and folk stories, having no clear contact with the ash’ari for centuries according to the oldest elders alive—who too rely on the rumours they have heard. And the fact that he is a quadra-elemental mage, a being that is even less common than the ash’ari." I mused as I sighed in relief.
"But it’s a good thing he’s an ally. If he were to be an enemy...” I trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air for Lance and myself.
Lance gave a curt nod, leaping ahead as we veered toward the eastern side. We maintained a measured distance from the fortress—several miles, enough to stay out of immediate range but close enough to react if needed.
“I think Elder Ramus would find someone like him fascinating,” Lance remarked after a pause. His voice had lightened slightly, though it still carried a thoughtful undertone.
I smirked, amused by his musing. “Oh, I’m sure of it. And honestly?” I shot him a sidelong glance, unable to suppress the flicker of curiosity in my own voice. “I think I find him intriguing too. Maybe I’ll challenge him to a bout next time we meet.”
We let several minutes go by in silence as we soared and finally after we had completed the inspection of the lands, we decided to return to the Tseige fortress.
Lance let several minutes pass on in silence, his face a mask of unease and trepidation.
“What?” I broke the lingering silence between us which made the atmosphere awkward. “Don’t tell me you are scared of him—I mean, I would believe it if you said you are of Lord Mordian Astrionyx? But I guess Jiwoo can’t be as underestimated as you thought.” I teased with a mischievous smirk, Lance caught on as his frown returned, making him appear more natural now.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lyressa. Why would I fear a human—they are the weakest race amongst us?” Lance sternly pursed.
“True, but that same human did save the orcs, defeated a battlegroup and is now a mystic stage—a rank of power which we have been trying to reach since ages.”
“Why? Are you taking his side?” It was Lance’s turn to tease. “Did he infatuate you with his looks and talent?”
I reeled along his game, as I smirked and replied. “Yeah sure, his looks did appear infatuating to me, and that fiery look in his eyes, and that mature vibe made him appear older for his age. You know, I like older and mature guys, but I would still settle for someone young like him. Let’s just hope Lady Aurora hasn’t made any moves on him yet; with her looks and female charm, it wouldn’t be an understatement if she has already wooed Jiwoo.”
Lance appeared struck, his words sank as his expression fell.
After a second, he shook his head and replied. “I don’t care about your preferences, or what you think about him in the least. But I’m warning you, he is hiding something.”
“I know, he is definitely hiding something crucial—but everyone has their own secrets, so you can't easily probe someone of theirs when you want to safeguard yours—, but so far, he doesn't seem to have any ill-intentions—he has gone as far as to help the orcs in the war and help them acquire the compass back, putting his own life on the line for mere strangers just for the bigger picture to allow the humans to have a chance at entering the alliance of the tri-union—, that I'm sure of.”
I trailed off, letting the night breeze blow past me as I said almost in a whisper. “Jiwoo is an impressive person indeed. Perhaps even Beatrix would take an interest in him.”
***
Seo Jiwoo
After doing some necessary greetings and being showered by praise after praise from the elders present—feeling the respectful, envious and awe filled gazes directed at me from the bystanders, I turned to the far end of the hall where the celebration was being held.
The entire hall appeared glowing with light, no corner inside left with the gloom offered by the night, as the light artifacts projected bright colours. A chandelier hung in the middle of the hall, a few more encompassing the biggest, as I took a cursory glance around the hall, seeing all the decorations and effort put into the celebration.
Scarlet curtains adorned the windows, bright silk used on the pillars to make them more eye-catching. A soothing melody playing in the air, which echoed gently throughout the hall, filling everyone with a sense of peace and comfort.
But certain parts of the hall appeared damaged from the battle which had ensued a few days ago, the marks still appeared fresh, as I felt the shallow smell of iron lingering in the air inside.
My gaze moved and was drawn to Mordian, who stood amongst the elders and some other important newcomers who had arrived in the orcen world, they conversed with my bond, showing their respect and gratitude through each word, their tones levelled and solemn as they studied the dragon with awe and wary conduct, not to anger him in the least.
Our eyes met for a passing moment and Mordian sent through our link.
‘You should go rest if you’re still not feeling well. No one will blame you.’
‘No, its fine, I want to be here. It’s just, I have so much on my mind, that’s why I want to take it easy for while.’ I sent back as Mordian nodded from the side—I knew my bond caught on to the real reason behind my words.
I walked closer to the table where the food and beverages were placed, already having eaten an adequate amount to quench the pangs rising in my stomach, I picked up a wine glass and then walked out through an open window as I stepped foot into a terrace connected to the hall, leaving the others behind in the bustling hall, entering the quiet and comforting environment offered by the night.
There were a few stairs which connected the edge of the terrace with the hall, and I climbed.
The dusk breeze stirred gently around me as the night descended, and I took a slow sip from the vine-carved glass in my hand. The wine, expertly fermented, sent a subtle warmth through me, igniting my senses even as weariness still anchored my limbs. I felt every ounce of exhaustion from the battle we’d fought—and yet here I was, lingering on the edge of celebration, distant from the lives I had just freed.
They had trusted me, and this time it was my turn to trust them. Zalar’s words had reassured me heavily, allowing some of my worries to be soothed.
I knew it would still be some time until the decision can be made, I can only hope that its for the better. I, with my companions’ help, had laid the foundation with this victory. But I knew things wouldn’t as easy as I thought.
Their opposition has remained strong from years, being prejudice against the humans, so it would take quiet an effort to change their minds, and hopefully our interference in this war would help in that.
And one of the bigger tasks still needing attention is on how to tell the human race about the existence of these several races, and convince them to join in on the alliance. Right now, humanity was like a frog in a well, and we needed to bring them out of it, to show them the bigger picture. But for that I first needed to go home, and if I had any luck, I would need to meet the world-union's current leader, who happened to be Edward Watson, Amelia's father.
To distract my mind from all these thoughts overloading my brain, I finally opened the system interface and checked my stats which I hadn’t in a while. I had already received the rewards.
A shining interface appeared in front of me, which indicated the completion of the trial and now showed the rewards, as I took a quick glance at it.
____
【Dungeon Trials】:「Sub-Trial」: 《Side Quest》
【Quest Type】: 「Survival」; 《Warfare》
【Difficultly】: 「SSS」《Extremely Difficult》;
【Requirements for Clearance】: 「Retrieve the Compass / Liberate the Orcs」;
【Trial Status 】 : 「Cleared」;
【Rewards】: 「X20 Level Increase」; 「X25 All Stats Increase」; 「Synchronization Increase」; 「Requirement for unlocking old skill 」; 「 Increase X5%」;「 synchronicity Increase」
____
At the same time, I opened the status window and scrolled down to take a look at how much my stats had increased. Just the amount left me surprised for a moment, I had made a lot of progress this time. My level had increased so much, with the increase in all my stats evident.
----
----
NAME: SEO JIWOO (???)
HP: <94341> --> <122465>
LEVEL: <152> --> <174>
STRENGTH: <253> --> <319>
STAMINA: <254> --> <304>
AGILITY: <264> --> <314>
VITALITY: <255> --> <305>
INTELLIGENCE: <204> --> <254>
MP: <165690> --> <248535>
POINTS: <8760> --> <17980>
_____________
FATIGUE: <26>
_____________
【PASSIVE SKILLS】
[PERSEVERANCE] [LV. MAX];
[PROFESSION]: [Swordsmanship] [LV: MAX];
[Crescent Moon Style] : [First Movement: Moon Split]; [Second Movement: Horizon’s Edge]; [Third Movement: Space Cleaver];
[Instant Regeneration] [LV: 5];
[Pain Nullification] [LV: 5];
[Poison Resistance] [LV:4];
[Mana Rotation];
[Beast Tamer];
_____________
【ACTIVE SKILLS】
[{??} Acausality]
This skill allows the user to tamper with the flow and structure of time. Allowing the user to stop time for a brief moment upon the activation of the ability and separate himself from the bounds which restrain the physical realm.
Note: An equivalent amount of the host’s Mana will be drained as long as the skill is active. But keeping the skill active for a prolonged period of time can leave permanent damage on the host, both mentally and physically.
*
[{??} Ruler’s Authority]
Under the effects of Ruler’s Authority, the host can dominant anyone and anything through the sheer force of his will. The stronger the host’s mentality and will during the duration and activation of the skill, the stronger the effects of the ability itself. Anything and everything can be bended according to the desire of the Supreme Ruler.
______________
【Returnee’s Privilege】 [Time: ??? ] [Synchronisation 71%] [Timer: ???]
–MIND’S EYE (Sealed) (Unlocked: 84% )
Allowing the host to slow down the flow of time from their perspective, allowing the host to perceive the world in shades of grey through the use of the first phase of the skill. But upon the activation of the second phase the host can also perceive the energy signatures produced by any living being or object, and the ambient structures of mana in the atmosphere and its purest forms. Similarly, the host is able to perceive and feel the demon energy in the air...???
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
–LEAP
This skill allows the user to teleport to a specific location after empowering an image in their mind. The wormholes (pathways) spiralling in the atmosphere, connecting to a specified location by the pulse of mana(?) like a woven interconnecting web, making a gate like connection for the host to bypass through. But as the host’s understanding and insight increases, the host can teleport without any external interference—empowering any location. Allowing the pathways to guide the host, whenever and wherever the host wishes to teleport too.
Each wormhole contains information about a different locations, but connecting every path to every other.
–????
–????
–????
______________
【????】
–???? [12%] --> [18%]
______________
----
----
But my eyes followed to the end, where the obscured percentage had increased a little more. I still didn’t know what this indicated, but perhaps once it was completed I would get to know. Similarly, there was an obscured. indicating timer for the Returnee’s Privilege section now.
All of my stats have significantly increased, so did the synchronisation section. Suddenly the interface brightened from in front of me as I saw another window pop open. On it were my passive skills, and they had levelled up as an additional reward.
__________
【Additional Rewards】:【 Passive Skills Increase】
[Instant Regeneration] [LV. 5] ---> [Instant Regeneration] [LV. 6]
[Pain Nullification] [LV. 5] ---> [Pain Nullification] [LV. 6]
[Poison Resistance] [LV. 4] ---> [Poison Nullification] [LV. 5]
__________
But somehow I couldn’t bring myself to feel rejoiced. I did feel relieved over the increase in my levels and strength, reaching the
I sighed as I took a sip of the wine, reeling in on the moment, as a soft breeze blew past me.
I don’t know if this was fear or regret, but the feeling left me apprehensive and questioning myself over and over again. But I couldn’t seem to come to a conclusion, as if I was circling around in loops.
I felt conflicted—while I had played a big part in the orcs’ victory, I felt like I had lost something too. The sensation of destruction....at one point I had thought that letting it consume me would be fine as long as it grant me the power to end my foes.
But it wasn’t the flame that scared me, I was afraid of myself, my choice; a choice I would have to make at a certain point in time.
I knew that things always pushed me to the very edge, making me take an action which I wouldn’t rationally,—but in pure desperation to safeguard the lives I deemed necessary—but had to in order to win.
For some reason the stern words of the female remnant played inside my mind like a broken tape. How she had told me that these trials were meant to break me, to push me to my very limits, and I finally felt the weight of her words settle in my chest.
But there was still so much to be done—so much left to protect, but no time to fester on the moment. While I was here questioning myself, the enemy would be preparing for their next attack. I didn’t know what to do.
I looked at the Ruler’s Authority skill on the system interface, my eyes wavered slightly as I tried to touch the skill with my hand, trying to rip the skill out of there, but my actions were futile, as my finger touched only the hard screen of the interface.
This skill was the reason for my concern, it had indeed given me a power that I'd grown reliant on, almost too reliant, but just looking at it made me repulsed.
I closed my eyes for a moment, and the memories crawled back like ghosts, sharp and vivid—the smell of burning flesh, the cries of my wounded enemies, the crushing weight of exhaustion that had nearly forced me to my knees. I clenched my hands, trying to steady them, but even now, a faint tremor remained fresh inside my mind.
I clenched the glass in my hand, the surface had a crack over it now, as I breathed and calmed from the anger flaring inside me.
But perhaps, it was all meant to be , I couldn’t stop the actions that would happen even if I wanted to. Somethings would always play out, no matter how much I tried to resist or change its course. That’s what fate was.
A few more minutes went on in silence, as I stood in the terrace, trying to figure my next course of action.
Because with the trial finished, we needed to move on, my job here was complete and I needed to go back to my own quest. And I hadn’t gotten any clues or ingredients through the system for the elixir of life. That was one of my original reasons to come to the trials—to cure my sister.
Then the sound of footsteps echoed from behind me, I slowly turned and saw Aurora entering through the window, her body swayed as she climbed the flight of stairs, her hair caught in the wind, her teal eyes focused over me.
She wore a simple shirt and pants, appearing jn more comfortable and easy clothes, but even that simple attire looked like a fancy garment when worn by her, her cleavage visible through the shirt, as she took the hair tie from her wrist and grabbed her hair into a loose ponytail.
Aurora stood beside me, her brows raised in that faintly amused way of hers, a quiet sparkle in her teal eyes. "Why aren’t you down there enjoying the party they threw together for you—their liberator?"
I turned to her, trying to hid my weariness from the extremely hard battle we'd fought. A faint smile tugged at my lips, though I knew it didn’t quite reach my eyes. "It's their long and hard-won victory," I replied, setting the glass down on the cool stone beside me. "I didn’t do much. They’re the ones who deserve to celebrate today."
Aurora shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "But it’s thanks to you that they can finally enjoy this moment. You have every right to be down there amongst them. This is your victory, too."
My sigh escaped before I could hold it back. I turned to face her, taking a sip of the wine and placing the wine glass back on the stone tile, letting my eyes meet hers directly. “It’s not mine, Aurora. It’s theirs." I paused, gathering my scattered thoughts. "I was just…someone who happened to be there when they needed a hand. In the end, they’re the ones who endured the torment and broke free from the demons’ grip. I only helped them though."
"Not that I walked away empty-handed," I added quietly. "I gained strength and allies. Plus, finally reaching the mystic stage.” But the weight of it all still clung to me, the uncertain path ahead casting shadows over the victories behind.
Aurora’s gaze softened as I spoke, though she stayed quiet, letting me unravel these thoughts I hadn't dared to voice before. I leaned against the stone railing, looking down at the celebration below—a lively crowd of people cheering, their laughter and music floating up to me, bright and uninhibited. They were liberated now, free to reclaim the lives they'd lost. And somehow, seeing it only deepened the knot in my chest.
"You know," I said, barely above a whisper, "during that battle…there were moments when I wasn't sure if we'd make it. The demons came at me in waves, relentless, every single one of them determined to shred me apart. There were times I could feel my own strength slipping, my vision blurring, and I wondered if it would be my last breath. That thought always clawed at me in each battle I fought—would it be my last."
I said to her, feeling my heart grow heavy through it all, pouring a piece of my heart out.
“But…there were times I doubted myself. I thought—what if I’m not enough? What if all of them…all of them die because I wasn’t strong enough to push back those demons? What if I had made a critical mistake?”
My voice trailed off, and I felt the old dread settle back into my chest, as heavy as iron. I hadn’t let myself feel it, hadn’t let myself think too long about what might happen if I failed. But here, in the quiet, with that nightmare behind me, the reality of it all pressed down like a lead weight.
Aurora shifted closer; her expression unreadable as she watched me. "But you didn't fail them. You’re here. They’re here. Look at them, celebrating because of what you did. Because of your efforts.”
I swallowed, nodding, though I couldn’t shake the shadows of doubt. I looked at Aurora, hesitating for a moment, as I swallowed and told her everything that had happened during the battle, going through each detail of how my battle went, her face contorted, as I told her about the destruction, and the concern and fear in her eyes was palpable.
After my explanation, I settled, Aurora’s expression turned complicated, as I gave her a few more minutes to clear her mind.
"I don’t know what to do now?" I murmured, more to myself than to her.
Aurora's hand gently touched my arm, grounding me, her gaze steady and warm, our fingers interlocking as she rested her head on my shoulder, as if to comfort me through the warmth of her touch.
"I don’t think anyone could face what you did without feeling lost afterward," she said softly. "But maybe…maybe that’s okay. Maybe the answer isn’t in fighting every battle alone. You have allies now, you have me and Mordian. People who trust you, who would fight beside you—for you.”
I looked back at her, her words seeping into me like balm to a wound I hadn’t even realized was there. She was right—I wasn’t alone anymore. Even if there wasn’t anyone, I still had Mordian and Aurora—but perhaps our time might come to an end after today.
"You’re right," I admitted, feeling a small sense of release. Letting the feeling settle into my heart, as I came to my final decision, there was still uncertainty heavy in my heart, but I knew what I needed to do now.
Aurora’s lips curled into a gentle smile. "I think that would be a good start. Rely on us more, we are your friends."
I took a deep breath, releasing a fraction of the tension coiled inside me, and nodded.
As the sounds of the celebration rose up to meet me, the warmth of Aurora’s touch still lingered on my arm, I began to feel—just barely—certain of what I needed to do next.
I stirred slowly after a heartbeat, Aurora moved her head, as I turned and looked ahead at the mountain terrains in the distance, sprinkled by the moonlight.
I took a breath, knowing that my next question would be tough to ask, almost too tough.
“Aurora,” I said, feeling the chilli breeze. “With the compass back, and Lyressa and Lance here, I think you should go back home. I can’t hope to put you in more dangerous and life-threatening situations than I already have.” My words left her shocked and betrayed, as if my words had hurt her more than I expected.
But she corrected her expression and spoke. “I know, but I want to follow you. I know it’s selfish of me to say this, but I still want to go with you."
I faced her, my tone calm and rational as I replied—feeling as if I was using Ruler’s Authority, but this level of rationality felt me feeling conflicted. “I know you want to, but you can’t. You should go back, your parents—your family would be worried for you. I think it would be too selfish to make them wait and be concerned about your well-being for this long. I know what its like to long for a loved one you've lost or care about. ” My eyes softened, my voice a gentle whisper as I turned my head and looked her in the eye. “This is a journey that I have to complete on my own, and I can’t bring others along, this is my burden, not yours. You have witnessed the dangers we went through, how we always barely escaped from life and death situations each time through sheer luck. I don’t want you to put your life on the line like this."
Her expression turned desperate, as her eyes looked at me with complex emotions, unable to utter a word against my argument. I knew I spoke wisely over his topic, but I felt like I was doing something else and thinking something else.
I knew it would be selfish of me to ask her this...but I didn’t want Aurora to leave and go home. I wanted her to stay and continue this journey with us, as our companion.
“Please Aurora, try to understand.” I said, as she looked down, her eyes felt distant, as she left the terrace without saying a word, her eyes red from the edges, tears welling in them as she exited and entered the hall as she stepped out through the entrance, only her departing back visible, as her shoulders quivered.
I stood there for a few more minutes, taking the glass and twirling the wine inside before I took a sip and finished it in one chug.
I looked down at the empty glass in my hand, feeling conflicted. ‘Did I make the right choice? Or did I let my emotions get the better of me to rush to conclusions?'
I asked, the words directed more to myself, as I waited for Mordain to say something, but his voice never came, I knew was looking at me from the inside, but I shrugged it as I stood there, feeling unsure of my own choice now.
Unable to tell what was right anymore.
***
Days flew by without any new developments, Lance and Lyressa changed shifts between the inspection of the lands, trying to scrub out any demons or contractees’ still present in the orcen world, Mordian and I also assisted them in this, as we had captured quite a few of them in last few days.
I moved my body, feeling sweat roll down my face as I increased my grip over the hilt of my sword, the air trembled from each slash I produced, as I performed the basic movements of the crescent moon style—the principles Master had taught me before the sword style itself.
I repeated each set of movements for another thirty minutes in silence, directing all my energy and attention to the sword movements, but perhaps I was only trying to distract myself from the inevitable, running away and not willing to face reality. I performed a horizontal slash and shifted it to a diagonal slash at the final moment, the air trembled again and a dim ringing echoed around me.
I turned my attention to the entrance for a split second as I saw Mordian still standing there.
He walked a step closer, a towel in hand, as he threw it in my direction and I caught it effortlessly.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, wiping the sweat from my face and neck—fully aware that Mordian had been standing there since the start of my training session.
Mordian remained silent, but his silence spoke louder than any words he could've said. His face remained a slab of stoicism as usual, as his eyes gave me a look of pity and worry.
“I know you already sensed my presence thirty minutes ago, but decided to ignore me anyway.” He said as I fell silent, bringing the towel down as I moved away from matching his eyes.
I turned and walked back, as I took my sword in hand again. “As you can see, I’m training my sword. Ever since unlocking the capacity to spell cast, I've grown lenient on my sword training. I feel like I rely less on my swordplay than I used to, so I was trying to get back in shape.” I said, bringing the sword closer to my head as I bent my knees a little, getting into a stance.
Mordian kept looking at me, as I distracted myself with each swing. But just as I turned to perform another slash Mordian stood in the way, my swing cut halfway, and the blade stopped only inches away from Mordian’s neck. I slowed my pace and withdrew my sword back into the inventory as I looked back at him and asked.
“So, what do you want exactly? If its about our departure, I told you, we will depart in a few more days. And I already shared with you that we’re not taking Aurora with us.” My words were more rushed and forceful than I intended.
Mordian’s deep eyes gazed at me for a moment, I felt unease rise in my chest for some reason as I stayed quiet.
“You’re not being yourself, Jiwoo. In the last few days, you have been avoiding Aurora more and more, spending more time in training and ignoring other matters entirely.” He mused, his tone levelled and coherent, not offending but it still struck a nerve in me.
“What’s going on with you?” His brow creased as he asked, and I felt conflicted, unable to answer.
I knew that I'd been ignoring these matters since the day of the celebration. I've been consistently training , getting used to my newly acquired strength, but it wasn’t true, I was only looking for ways, no, excuses to somehow coop with these burdens.
“If you have something on your mind, then talk it out with me. You're dragging yourself down, and the others too who care about you. Keeping it to yourself wouldn’t do you any good anyway.” His words remained solemn, but I knew he felt concern for me.
His attitude had significantly changed with me ever since our fight, so I couldn’t tell what to do anymore with Mordian being more expressive of his opinion. Our relationship dynamic had changed, and I wasn’t sure how to take it, I knew, but I was afraid to do it.
Perhaps, change was the one thing which scared me. Just like how I had changed under the effects of the flames.
Even after I had determined myself to carry out my plans, I was left uncertain in my heart. Even if I made up my mind, I would always roll back to square one.
“I-I...It’s nothing, truly.” I said back with an awkward smile, knowing it didn’t quite reach my lips, his words sounded probing, as I felt being pushed to the edge very slowly.
Mordian breathed a sigh and looked at me with his eyes softened. “It’s alright if you don’t feel comfortable enough to talk about it, but if you do I’m willing to listen and lend an ear. You’re the one who said the same words to me; that sharing your afflictions with others can lessen it and make you feel relieved, even if slightly. Its hard to take a step forward with all that regret and sorrow weighing you down.”
I waited for a few seconds, at a standstill, unable to form the right words to rebut him, the knot in my throat slowly loosening.
Mordian drew a step closer and our eyes met, him standing an inch or two taller than me, as I breathed a sigh back.
"My father used to say,” he began, “A weary mind can be soothed, but a weary spirit is far harder to mend.' Jiwoo, this isn't mere exhaustion of the body—it’s the weight on your spirit ever since that incident. I can see and feel your confusion, fear, and apprehension, and I understand why. But if you let it take root and fester in your mind, it will chain you, holding you back in many ways; leaving you unable to move forward. You must confront it, or it will become a shadow you can never outrun."
“You can trust me.” He said, his words sounded reassuring, every syllable laced with sincerity, as if he knew that I wanted to hear those words of encouragement right now in this moment of confusion.
I felt a stir of raw emotions inside my heart, as I felt all that weight and burdens come crashing down all at once. Finally, I let go and asked with my voice quivering.
"Can I be selfish enough to ask for a favour?" I asked, looking conflicted and tone sombre, as my face turned more desperate.
Mordian nodded in acknowledgment, but I could see that he might have already figured out what ‘favour’ I was going to ask him. My thoughts bled onto him and I felt somewhat worrisome saying this.
"If in the future...” I paused, feeling the words caught in my throat. “If I ever go out of control like I did back then..." I stopped as I bit down on my lower lips. My emotions and mind were like an open book to him, as I tried not to put that wall completely between us for this once.
"I want you to kill me without an ounce of hesitation. The way I hurt you...the realization of that had later made me regret what I had done. And if I were to lose it and attack the people I care about...mindlessly, becoming a beckon for destruction,” my voice quivered, as if on the verge of tears. “I wouldn't be able to bear it." I finished with a pained and dark expression creasing my face.
Mordian opened his mouth to rebut my words, but instead my face turned more desperate with a frown, looking at my bond with a mask of worry, sorrow, and helplessness.
"Please..." my lips quivered as I said.
I saw Mordian ground his teeth for the briefest of a second, then looked at me with a hard resolute face. I didn’t pull away and looked directly into his bright eyes, his vertical pupil’s bore into mine.
I knew Mordian wouldn’t say no to my request of all people, because the trust we had built with each other along the way was something I held dear, and perhaps him too.
This request was something I could only ask from Mordian. Because he understood my afflictions better than anyone out there. So, that’s why I had shared my afflictions with him.
"Fine," he spoke without preamble, "if such a time does ever come, I will kill you without an ounce of hesitation. I swear it on my name. I will end your life as you have asked."
The crease of desperation over my face resided ever-so-slightly.
"But,” He suddenly added right after, his tone solemn and sharp, "before taking the measures to kill you, I would try my best to help save you—just like I did this time.”
I tried to say something back, but with a wave of his mana, I hushed in place, feeling the oppressive aura that shrouded the entire chamber as I didn’t even try fighting back.
"That is my decision, and yours is yours. I will do what I want, like you had. Trust in me a little, I'm your bond.” Mordian said with a pull of his lips and I felt the mask of desperation crumble away as I felt more assured, enough that I knew Mordian would be there for me when I would need him—I would do the same for him, too.
Then we fell silent as I smiled back, feeling the weight from over my shoulders release as I took a deep and long breath, feeling rejuvenated.
We stayed in the training room for another hour, Mordian helped me train, being a spar partner as he fought, using simple martial arts to counter each others techniques.
Just as I took a breath I felt the air tremble from around me, the mana and the demonic energy appeared stiff and almost wheezing as I felt the hair on my arms and back of my head rise in fear and trepidation
Both of us turned our head to the southwest direction at the same time as my eyes widened, the burst of demonic energy, the release was coming from several miles away, but I felt it so clearly that it made me apprehensive.
The demonic energy was thick and unforgiving, the stinging chill making goosebumps to rise on my skin. I turned to Mordian, his face covered by a confused frown as we both shared a silent acknowledgement in our mind and immediately flew out of the chamber as we rushed through the fortress corridors and exited through a terrace close to the training chamber. Immediately, we turned and soared at full speed to reach the south-western side, where that signature of demonic energy was coming, and just from the sheer amount, it didn’t appear anything but abnormal.
Whoever the individual releasing this terrifyingly strong amount of demonic energy was, which felt monstrous, just by how its aura enveloped the area and could be felt from miles away.
Things didn’t appear favourable as we approached closer.