They couldn't imagine what type of magic prevented someone from leaving a guild. "I'm sorry I can't say I know.." Sylvie hesitated before answering, "Considering how dangerous you said she is, could it be something related to mind control or maybe some sort of explosive magic?"
Sylvie, eager for answers, leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. Jack's tone grew more serious as he leaned forward, his gaze locking with hers. "Kimi can manipulate mana on a subatomic scale and make it explode. Let that sink in…" He leaned back, letting the gravity of his words settle in.
Haruto, being familiar with the concept of mana from his previous life, was the first to grasp the full implications. "Wait… if she can do that, and everything has mana…" The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. The horror of what Jack was saying became clear.
Jack nodded solemnly. "It's an immensely powerful and dangerous ability if left unchecked. That's why she rarely leaves the guild. We provide a controlled environment where she can practice and hone her skills without endangering others."
Sylvie covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "She's a walking calamity. She could destroy the world if she wanted to. Nothing stands a chance against her." Bane, too, was finally beginning to comprehend the magnitude of Kimi's power.
"Impossible. How can such a person be allowed to exist?" Bane's voice wavered, his mind struggling to reconcile the concept of someone wielding such catastrophic power.
Jack's expression darkened at Bane's words; his gaze sharp. "Allowed? Who are we to say who can live and who cannot? Sure, we were gifted these abilities through awakening stones, but it's no different than a game of chance. We aren't gods. Are you saying you hold such a high position that you can decide if someone shouldn't have a life without just cause?"
Bane stiffened, realizing how his words must have sounded. "Apologies, my statement was unbecoming of a prince. But how can someone like that be contained?"
Jack's demeanor softened slightly as he continued. "Kimi is the only Warlord who hasn't actually taken the Initiation."
Sylvie felt a wave of dizziness. The Initiation was sacred to every Warlord. For someone to become a Warlord without even participating… it was unheard of. She would be shunned if others found out this information.
"She wasn't allowed because she's been with the King since she was an infant. Kimi was born in a village about a three days' journey from here on foot."
Sylvie frowned, trying to recall the geography. "But sir, there aren't any villages nearby that... Sorry, please continue."
Jack cleared his throat and continued, "On the third day after her birth, she was stung by a Jigsaw Scorpion. Now, under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be cause for alarm. But for Kimi's village, it spelled the end. They practiced a highly unusual ritual. Instead of finding them later, they were given awakening stones after birth. Their elders believed this was the only way to fully harness their magical abilities once absorbed. But with Kimi, she possessed a high mana level and an unusually high affinity for the stone she was given. We assume it was of the ancient grade."
"Being only an infant, Kimi was akin to a baby venomous snake—highly potent and unable to control the release of venom. Her body's painful response caused her to lose control of her magic immediately. Her magic ran wild. Due to the potent signature of magic, the King himself decided to go in person as we feared it was an extreme monster invasion. But when he and the Vanguard members arrived... The entire village was gone. Not a single structure was left standing. To put it in perspective... The King and Vanguard arrived by portal. Let that sink in..." Jack sipped some tea, letting the information sink in.
All three felt a cold sweat and chills running down their spines. The idea that a mere infant, in a moment of uncontrolled pain, could annihilate an entire village was terrifying beyond words.
Jack drained his cup of tea and leaned forward, appearing momentarily drained from recounting the story. He motioned
that they could leave, signaling that the story was over. V and Jynx led them back to the main hall, where everyone was lounging around. Suddenly, a burly woman who looked like she could be a powerlifter stepped in front of the trio. She had thick curly hair, carried a massive battle axe, and was covered in scars. Her thick red shirt and trousers, paired with sturdy boots, made her look even more formidable. She looked down at the three, then over at V and Jynx.
"Well, well, so these are the three newbies, huh?" she asked sarcastically as she spit a glob onto the ground. Jynx smiled. "Oh, Sue, you know they are. Aren't they cute?" He winked at Haruto, causing both Haruto and Sue to visibly cringe at his flirting.
"By Valhalla, I don't know what Jack was thinking when he recruited your fairy ass," Sue grumbled.
Jynx suddenly smiled creepily. "I can show you anytime you want…number…4. Come to my room, and maybe we can play a little..."
Sue visibly shuddered, pretending to puke. "Anyway, Kimi, let me get a drink, will ya? I tell ya, those damn Ifrits are getting annoying. They're even attacking other monsters. I just came from Sandra's. I had to team up with a damn Demon folk clan. They wiped out an entire sect. The D King will not be happy about that."
V looked uninterested. "Did you report this to Jack?"
Sue grabbed the booze from Kimi and gulped down the entire glass. After wiping her mouth, she replied, "Yeah, I gave him my report via the channels so the King and Servious could take a peek. Which one of you is Kage, by the way?"
Haruto nervously raised his hand.
Sue looked him up and down, unimpressed. "Humph... Fine, I guess you'll do. Drop your shit and come find me after. We have a mission. Time to nut up."