I looked back at him, curiosity blooming.
"An opportunity?"
Avan started at me with his fluorescent green eyes and let out a smile, the first smile that could barely contain his excitement. He put his ntoebook away in his bag and started off into the sunset, the branches complimenting the winds blow.
"Well, something akin to an opportunity."
He looked back, this time his eyes seemingly glistening.
"Noah Cyprus, you are an odd case. You are a mark 2 insignia, but you have the capabilities to become a mark 4 in a matter of weeks. But that isn't the most interesting part about you." He walked up to me and gestured me to walk alongside him, heading back towards the group. I scanned Robin and Lucy's faces and saw worry and excitement plastered on their faces, wearing it like perfect masks.
"You, kid, have a dual affinity."
I had stopped for a moment and had taken a glance at him, hoping to hear more.
"You are not just an ice mana arts user like you had thought you are, but you also harbor something else that seems to be more affiliated with your mana orb."
"What's this mysterious affinity?" I asked, begging to know what else could be in within me.
"That is a question I cannot answer yet kid, but keep this between just the two of us for now, got it?"
I nodded, a little disappointed but also intrigued. A dual affinity, huh? I wonder what that second affinity is to, but it was a little soul crushing that I was only a mark 2, considering my mana arts control was much better than the other two.
Lucy and Robin walked over to us as we got closer, both watching me with anticipation.
"So, what did he say?" Lucy asked, her bright pink hair covering her left eye as the wind blew the rest all around.
"Heh, I'm a mark 2," I replied. Both of their faces turned to shock and they turned to look at each other, Robin looking at the floor with defeated eyes.
"But, he will get to mark 4 before you both," Avan said, roughing up Lucy and mines hair.
"Huhhh, that's not fair," Lucy replied, her recognizable smile returning as she delivered a soft punch to my arm. "We can't let that happen, right Robin?"
Robin looked up and blushed, a smile forming on her face as well.
"U-um, yeah, we can't lose!"
"We'll see about that, losers," I scoffed playfully, warranting a hard pat on the head from Avan.
"Love to see the spirit, now onto the next stage," Avan said, leading us back into the house. "Time for you three to begin your grand journey."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Do not spend your money recklessly, got it?", Mom stated with authority. "The last thing we need is another one of your father running around."
"Hm," I responded, pondering what I might be able to conjure up. With how this worlds magic system works, it's basic yet complex as there are multiple layers to it.
Dad looked over at me and placed his hand on my head, patting it.
"Whatever the case may be, stay safe. Even the strongest of mages can be overwhelmed, copy?"
I gave him a smile and nodded my head in response, continuing my conversation with him.
We continued to travel for a few hours, most of us dozing off and sleeping. Me and Avan seemed to be the only ones awake, giving me a chance to really absorb the scenery around us. It was gorgeous, with trees having leaves with different shades of colors and creatures roaming all around. They were called Beast Spirits in this world, roaming in the wilderness with the more dangerous ones in dungeons or other areas similar.
It must have been around midnight when I felt myself falling asleep. Might as well, I thought to myself, it will only make the trip easier to bear since this was a two day journey. Closing my eyes, I slowly drifted to the dark void, feeling all the muscles in my body relax.
"Don't get too close, they will only leave like she did."
Running, I turn the corridor and hide behind the wall, the voice only creeping in closer.
"Take a look around you. Even with a new name, the same tragedies will occur. Same feelings of hurt and sorrow. Do you want that to happen?"
"Shut up, this is different," I screamed out, taking a peek over the corner. My old self from Earth, looking mangled and torn, took slow but heavy steps towards me with a frown. "That won't happen again."
It smiled to my response, speeding its pace.
"Really now? Why don't I remind you how everything felt, huh?"
It began to sprint, causing me to run with all my might. The hallways were dark, but lit. Paintings of my old life splattered all over the walls, thousands of doors on every side. I slipped and fell, taking a heavy blow to my head. Looking back, I can see the creature slowly change. The hair lengthened and turned into a shade of red, the body morphing and height decreasing.
"Don't worry, Sylas. You only killed us both, taking away my freedom of choice. Let me see that fake smile you always put up, won't you?"
Springing up, I opened my eyes and began to breath heavily. Everyone looked at me and grabbed me, asking if I was ok.
"Yeah, sorry. Had a bad dream," I replied, shaking away the hands and sinking back into my seat.
Comments (0)
See all