The view around me had changed dramatically. The ground I was once standing over was level to me. And my body had seemingly disappeared from view. I was able to look around, but my head was not poking out. Instead, I was just a puddle, a puddle of dark energy on the ground comparable to the size of a tire.
'I'm actually in a shadow right now! This is so cool!'
I played around with my new ability for a bit and discovered some interesting things. Firstly, while I was in this form my energy was constantly being drained. It drained almost three times the speed I could take in energy. Secondly, I was fast! Much faster than I would ever be normally. Even with enhancing my body with Xoul energy It wasn't even close. I could scale the walls of the training field and blend in with my surroundings. But the cost of extreme speed and mobility drained my Origin's energy tremendously. Within a few minutes, my energy was completely exhausted, and I had returned to my original state. The feeling of your body being pulled from a shadow was something I never thought I'd experience.
'That- that was surreal.' I wave of excitement and joy washed over me as I had finally discovered an ability I can use. Months of being stuck at a dead-end finally gave me some results. I was a little disappointed with the overall power it held, but I knew it could be used in many different ways.
My mind raced with ideas of other abilities I could use with the affinity. Trying to not get too ahead of myself, I began to recharge my origin. Filling up my Origin with Xoul didn't take long, but it required a lot of concentration. If I was to run out of energy in a fight, I knew I couldn't replenish easily. With that in mind, I knew the new ability I discovered should only be used as a last resort. To escape a bad situation, or even get the drop on someone.
Feeling satisfied with the energy I had re-acquired. I went back to the library to try and learn anything else I could about affinities and how they're used. Previously, I had completely overlooked that affinities were used differently for everyone, that's why even if you had the same affinity no one would have the same abilities as another person. I had tried to mimic Cal and use it how he used earth. But Cal and I are extremely different. No wonder it took so long.
Two weeks had passed by in what felt like a day as I was getting ready to leave this morning. Katoka was located in Bulgaria's capital, Enshissia. Cal had told me previously that the trip there was one week on foot and a trip on carriage is about three to four days depending on conditions. I wasn't particularly excited about the long trip there, but I was looking forward to the start of a new adventure of sorts.
In my previous world, I hated school. I hadn't even finished middle school but it was probably the worst experience I've had in my short life. I never got along with anyone there, while everyone was busy talking about what clothes to buy or who looked cute. I'd much rather research quantum physics or read fantasy novels. After all most things kids my age liked I had no interest in. Because of this I was an outcast, or to some, an easy target. I was constantly harassed for seemingly no reason and I began to dread school. However, currently what piqued my interest the most was Xoul and what I could do with it, and I had a feeling that others would feel the same way. There was also the task practically forced onto me by that goddess, but I wouldn't be able to complete that for a long time so I put it off for now.
"You better be awake in there or I'll let you have it!" Zora shouted from the other side of the door. Lord Aiken allowed Zora to accompany me to the capital, mainly so she could have a little fun I presumed. I only hoped she wouldn't make the trip worse.
"Yeah I am. Is the carriage ready to leave yet?"
"Yep! We should get going as to not keep them waiting."
Leaving my room I followed Zora to the front gate I had first come though when I arrived here. There was a luxurious black carriage waiting for us with gold accents and symbols beautifully drawn on its corners. It was being drawn by two large white beasts I had never seen before. They resembled the appearance of lions but had very distinct features. Their fur was crystal white with accents of blue at the tips. The way their fur flowed seemed as if it was on fire.
"I assume you are both ready to depart yes?" The man standing at the gate looked down at us showing a light smile.
"Yes Kirin we're ready. If it weren't for Shin taking fifty years to get ready we'd have already left" Zora showed a playful smile looking back at me.
"haha Ah I see, well you best get going, and remember to be careful in the capital."
Letting out a sigh, I gave kirin a nod before entering the carriage. I hadn't seen Kirin often while staying at the castle. I knew he was an advisor for Zora but that was it. He seemed to possess the space attribute from what I saw when I first arrived here. Cal was already inside fast asleep inside occupying one side of the carriage.
"I guess he's not used to getting up so early." Zora and I chuckled at the snoring Cal. His body was so large it covered one of the two sections in the carriage to sit. A little cramped for space I sat at the farthest end near the window with Zora next to me.
"We're off!" The man controlling the beast at the front shouted. The carriage jolted forward marking the beginning of our journey.
There wasn't much to do in the carriage except make conversation and gaze out the window. I spoke to Zora about the capital and what to expect when we arrived. I only heard good things from her but I was sure she's only seen the good parts.
"I'll show you to an awesome bakery I know! And we neeeed to go ride the carps it's so fun!"
"hehe sure thing, just don't wear me down too much ok."
Zora was joyful as ever as she made plans of what'd we do once we got there. She would only be there for two days but she had planned enough to do for a week.
'girls are scary.'
Eventually, Zora fell asleep after an hour's worth of rambling. She had past out with her head on my shoulder. I couldn't help but stare, her skin was crystal clear and she slept soundly without making a noise. There wasn't a doubt in my head that if she went to school in my old world or even this one, she would be extremely popular. Afterall she was pretty.
Cal had just woken up after sleeping for a while. He let out a loud yawn before looking at me and Zora.
"How long have we been on the road?" He asked still half asleep.
"A little over an hour. Are you not used to waking up this early?"
"Hardly, my eyes felt as if they were being weighed down by boulders."
"I feel you man, I feel you." It seemed Cal was not used to waking at the crack of dawn. I had to a few times for school in my old world but I still wasn't completely used to it. Cal looked outside the window for a brief moment for what I assumed to be checking our position. The scenery was already different from the milky white and red trees I had usually seen.
The trees had turned a mix of red and lite orange giving off a warm autumn feel. The trunks were now more a shade of brown than white. Cal looked at Zora and me with a playful smile over his face.
"haha! It seems you both were getting rather comfortable while I was out. Just don't go getting too comfortable now!" He said giving a playful wink.
"Y-you know we are just friends right?" I said nervously putting my hands in front of me.
"Don't worry I'm aware. Sigh, Shin even though you have no memories I'm assuming you have no experience with girls. Picking up the signals is a part of a man's Instincts ya know!" Giving another haughty laugh he continued.
"You might be too young to understand what I'm saying, but you'll get it eventually. I'm just saying to think about Zora's feelings before you say things to her. You might not think it's bad, but to her, It could mean something different entirely."
"That doesn-"
"I know it's confusing but trust me you'll get it soon." At first I thought he was just talking nonsense but I could tell he wasn't joking.
"I'll make sure to keep that in mind."
Cal and I didn't talk much after that. Like both of them, I was tired. My eyes weighed down on me and It became harder to stay conscious. And within a few seconds, I was asleep.