Alfin studied the contents transcribed in the manual titled — Mystic Heart. He was shocked and at the same time couldn't believe the contents present inside it.
'A transcended-grade technique that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of the spirit seal or Elemental affinity. How can it be?' Alfin thought as it's his first time seeing one.
"Gildfus, have a look!" Dean Alfin passed the manual to Gildfus under the fervent eyes of Baste.
Gildfus didn't open the manual, he looked at Gin as if he's asking for permission. Discerning his thought, Gin quickly agreed by saying, "Please!"
Gazing at the contents for a minute, Gildfus was astonished like Alfin. "It's a mysterious technique and a high-grade one that focuses on the essence. If wielded well it's a treasure that can guide humanity to the next level."
'He's definitely an expert as he could even discern the transcended-grade technique in a matter of minutes.' Gin thought. Even though he seems like an ordinary middle-aged man, Gin knows he's not.
Gildfus closed the manual and passed it back to Dean Alfin while Baste tried his best to show his presence. Hoping Alfin would at least let him take a peek at the contents inside; Pity, he was ignored, again.
"What happened afterward, Mister Gildfus?" Gin asked.
Gildfus chuckled, knowing Gin was asking about their story. "Silver Dragon Domain agreed to help, not us but the Northern Wind domain.
It's pretty simple, it's just we haven't understood that. Compared to annoying an entire domain for a single person, it's simple to hand that person and come to an agreement.
As for the Human Union, they agreed to help us but the pretext is, I need to hand over the copy of the technique that I acquired in the ruin.
The rule of the Human union is simple, they won't fight the entire domain for us, not for anyone. They just agreed to safeguard our lives for a period of time.
In the end, we were forced to hand over everything we had and could save neither of them. The Northern wind domain simply killed Melix and Grisha saying, we didn't hold up our end of the bargain.
The fact is, we were just another two ants in their daily life and they don't care about us. The Human Union didn't do anything apart from keeping us safe.
The problem didn't end there, they wanted a copy of the transcend-grade technique imprinted in Alfin's mind. So he was brought back to the domain under the guise they are going to discipline him.
I was left alone. Rage blazed in my heart and I roamed the continent searching for ways to become stronger so that I can avenge my dead friends and rescue Alfin.
I did become stronger but I know that's not enough. Only breaking past my mortal constraints and becoming a transcendent, I can face them and it's the hard truth.
Countless years passed by. Suddenly one day I heard a piece of shocking news—that Alfin betrayed his domain and was soon going to be executed.
Yes! After forcing everything out of him, they decided to kill him. If not for my sudden appearance and shocking growth in my strength, they would have killed him.
Even so, I couldn't stop them from crippling him under the pretext that one of their young masters died because of him.
After that incident Alfin can't practice anymore, his strength is also regressing at a steady rate. Right now, his strength dropped to that of someone who destroyed two hidden seals."
Gin looked at Alfin, he didn't know his Dean was hiding such a painful past. Gazing at his aged face, grey hair and wrinkle skin, Gin felt a pang in his heart.
"Is the Human Union just for a show then?" Gin asked, stifling his anger.
"Do you know how the Human Union came into the being and for what purpose?" Gildfus asked while Gin shook his head and said, "No".
"Not many people knew about this truth, as it happened 10,000 years ago when the Fiends first invaded the Human continent.
Before that, there was no Human Union only Eight ancient powers that ruled different parts of the continent but now they are called Eight domains.
To fight back the Fiends, the Eight powers jointly established an organization called Fiend Hunter Alliance. After they banished the Fiends to the Lost continent, the Fiend Hunter Alliance lost its purpose.
But some powers loved the idea of Alliance because the joint fight against the Fiends enhanced the relationship and ended the struggles between some of them.
After much discussion with the other powers, a new organization—Human Union—was formed with many rules and restrictions for maintaining peace and keeping the other powers in check.
It's also the reason why none of the Human Union's presidents till now doesn't hail from the Eight domain. It's to make the Human Union non-discriminatory and upright in their decisions.
Even so, the Eight powers always had the Human Union under their control. But, at some point, the Human Union developed beyond their control after some capable and strong figures took the role of President.
For example Madman Eternus, I don't know if you have heard about him or not but people like us read a lot about him. There were many books about him, written by the peoples who lived in his age.
From outside it may seem like the Eight Domains can't do anything to the Human Union, but it's not true. The power of Eight Domains far surpasses your imagination, it's just they were keeping their silence at the moment."
"Why, do they have Transcendent among their ranks?" Gin asked, curious.
"As far as I know, there's no Transcendent in our continent." Gildfus shook his head.
"Then why?"
"Don't forget these ancient powers were in existence for tens of thousands of years, but who knows how long. The treasures and techniques they accumulated during the long years were numerous.
They possess Transcendent-grade weapon and treasures, capable of obliterating beings at the transcendent level, save for people like you and me." Gildfus stated.
"If the Eight Domains are as powerful as you say, then why do they keep up this pretense of acting submissive and accept the Human Union's demand, if it's not overly excessive." Gin asked as he couldn't understand.
"It's because they fear the Fiends, no...not the Fiends but the Fiend Lord behind them and want the Human Union to deal with him.
It's two birds in one stone, their move will weaken the Human union and keep it under their control and at the same time, they don't have to break a sweat.
The irony is, even though the Human Union knows about it, they couldn't do anything and can only follow along with their plan because they are the HUMAN UNION.
Do you understand now?" Gildfus asked while Gin smiled bitterly and nodded.
"I heard the current President is someone very strong and was able to bring all the power under his control, is it also untrue?" Gin asked, recalling something.
"No, it's true. One of the chief reasons why the Eight domains act submissive is because of him. It's only because his way of doing things hasn't angered or provoked them till now.
If one day his actions crossed their limit, they will do whatever it takes to eliminate him. Simple!" Gildfus chuckled.
The mysterious Human Union president piqued Gin's interest, he wants to know what sort of person he is to make the Eight domains fear him, even it's for a little.
After learning about the history of the world, Gin got a general idea of how things work. Also, Gildfus and Alfin's life struggle showed him the ugly truth and how he should act in the future.
"Gin, I don't know anything about you and even so, I have told you things which I haven't shared with anyone. Do you know why?" Gildfus asked with a smile.
Gin shook his head, he trusts him because he's Dean Alfin's friend.
"Alfin said you are special and he firmly believes that in the future you will become transcendent. After watching you yesterday, I too think so.
I think Lady Moon also saw something similar, it's also the reason why she recruited you into the Blue Orchid academy." Gildfus explained.
"How am I special? I was forced into accepting her condition...not recruited." Gin corrected his words.
"Haha, you're right. But I personally think it's for the best. If I wanted, I could have saved you from that situation but I did not.
Unlike us old men, she's different; young, energetic, and powerful. Even if you bring any trouble, she can handle it well and won't let you die.
Anyway, I doubt you're any troublemaker compared to her." Gildfus commented.
"What do you mean?" His words baffled Gin.
"Hehe, you will understand as time passes. Just a word of advice, don't anger her." Gildfus mistily said.