A few days had passed since Haruto discovered his newfound magic power, and he had been rigorously testing various theories about it. He found that summoning elements required tremendous amounts of energy, making it more efficient to manipulate what was already present. One day, while experimenting with just a bead of sweat, he nearly flooded a neighbor's farm, realizing then the vast potential and danger of elemental magic. The possibility of cataclysm from a mere miscalculation was all too real.
Haruto's experiments extended to water, wind, fire, and earth. Earth proved tricky; he almost buried himself in quicksand during one test. Fire was similarly challenging; it left him utterly drained, though he found that creating conditions for a flame—like sparking a fire from flint—required less energy.
In a nearby cave, Haruto used his pickaxe to mine ore, painstakingly crafting two metal finger sleeves over several hours. These sleeves, fitted snugly over his fingers, allowed him to snap and create a spark. This tiny flame, when amplified by his wind abilities, became a controlled blaze.
Having gained a confident understanding of his powers, Haruto shared his plans with his mother. She had suspected something, noting his daily excursions and the tiredness that dogged his steps. She was not surprised when he expressed his intention to participate in the Warlord Initiation, which, as it turned out, was set to begin the very next day.
On the morning of the Initiation, his mother handed him a box. "Mother, what is this?" Haruto asked. She opened it to reveal a slightly worn, green jacket with a stiff upper collar. "Your father wore this during his Initiation. He saved up for many years to buy it. It's not only stylish but provides some protection; it's made from the skin of a beast known for its hardened hide."
Slipping on the jacket, Haruto approached the mirror. The fit was perfect, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. "Your father would be proud," his mother said, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, I'll be sure to protect it!" Haruto affirmed, stepping out the door with resolve.
"Wait! Take this. Sir Gorin dropped it off yesterday. It's your official invitation to the Initiation. Don't lose it."
Kage took it and smiled. "Don't worry, next time you see me, I'll be a Warlord!" he called out, sprinting into the forest toward the Capitol.
As Haruto used the wind to hasten his pace, he fantasized about the possibility of flying—an ability that no longer seemed beyond reach. His mother had mentioned their proximity to the Capitol was because of the dangerous creatures that lurked deeper in the wilderness.
The deeper he ventured into the forest, the larger the trees grew, making him wonder if the vegetation absorbed magical essence from its surroundings. But he shelved the thought as he reached a hilltop clearing that offered his first glimpse of the Capitol of Mordell. It looked like something out of a medieval fantasy, with massive stone walls and imposing towers.
Descending the hill, he re-entered the woods, but the atmosphere shifted; the wind grew erratic. Suddenly, a massive figure loomed ahead. Before he could slow down, Haruto collided with it. Shaking off the daze, he touched what felt like fur and froze as the creature—a bizarre amalgamation of eagle and lion with massive wings—turned its head towards him.
RaRrrrrrrrrr!!!
The griffin screeched, and before Haruto could react, it kicked him, sending him flying into a tree. The impact would have killed an ordinary man, but thanks to Dimitri's enhancements, Haruto suffered only the wind being knocked out of him. As he staggered to his feet, he stared in disbelief at the mythical creature before him. "A fucking Griffin?!" he gasped, realizing the fantastical and perilous new reality he was now a part of.