A year had passed, and the now five-year-old Setchi and the eight-year-old James found themselves in a dense forest. They stumbled upon a colossal centaur-like creature, towering at least a mile high. The beast had four massive arms, each wielding a sword the size of its own body. Its upper half resembled a gorilla, and it wore a metal helmet that gleamed menacingly in the dim forest light. Setchi sat calmly on a log, licking a Popsicle, while James stood bravely in front of the creature.
Setchi glanced up at the towering figure and asked, "James, that thing looks big. Are you sure you can take it?"
James nodded confidently. "This thing is a Vermile Centaur. It's an invasive species that's completely different from the rest of their kind. These ones are rampaging monsters with nothing but destruction on their mind. They're capable of single-handedly destroying villages."
Setchi looked curious. "What does Vermile mean?"
James explained, "It's not really a word. It's where they came from, the Continent of Vermile. It's a seriously messed-up place, full of monstrous counterparts to almost all the races outside of it. Creatures there seem to lack intelligence and usually fight and act on instinct. This thing is no different."
The Vermile Centaur let out a deafening roar and charged towards James.
"This thing might look tough to take down," James said, his eyes narrowing, "but with my magic, it's a piece of cake!"
The Centaur swung all its blades at James simultaneously, but suddenly, James's eyes glowed dark blue. "Refuzo!" he shouted, and his eyes returned to normal.
The Centaur was abruptly pushed back. Seizing the moment, James leaped towards the beast and touched its leg before scurrying back.
"Thorn Magic: Thorns!" James declared.
Instantly, multiple thorns sprouted from the Centaur's body, piercing through its flesh, bones, and organs. The creature let out a final, anguished roar before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Setchi looked at the fallen beast in awe. "What did that do?"
James smiled, catching his breath. "Thorns is a mana invasion spell. Mana invasion is the act of your spell turning itself into mana and entering someone else's body as supportive mana. It mixes itself with certain parts of that person's mana—in my case, all of its mana—and uses it to cast a spell. It can work on people without mana by just simply turning into their mana. My spell causes thorns to manifest from its victims' bones, organs, and flesh."
Setchi looked up at James with wide, eager eyes. "When can I learn any of that?"
James shook his head, smiling. "Setchi, you're too young."
"But you're also young," Setchi protested.
James hesitated, then explained, "S-Setchi, you... don't have that type of destiny magic."
Setchi tilted his head, puzzled. "What even is my destiny magic again? Construction magic, right?"
James nodded. "Yes, and construction magic would make you a freakishly strong kid, with the ability to construct almost anything out of magic."
"And that's so cool! I want to hunt monsters just like you, James!" Setchi's eyes sparkled with determination.
James chuckled. "I bet you do, Setchi. We should get back home before it gets too dark. I'm confident that I could take on some monsters, but monsters at night are just stronger."
Setchi stood up, shoving the Popsicle into his mouth before throwing the stick behind him. Almost immediately, his face contorted in anguish.
"Brain freeze..." Setchi groaned.
Meanwhile, back at the village, Duro was taking a pie out of the oven while Schicht sat at the dinner table, sipping tea.
Schicht looked at Duro with a smirk. "So, Duro, this is what your life has come to, huh? You're now a stay-at-home father."
Duro smiled warmly. "Yes, I am. Why do you say that?"
Schicht shrugged. "Back in your day, you were such a strong wizard. Why not capitalize on that reputation of yours? Become a professional wizard or mage."
Duro shook his head. "Schicht, in all honesty, I'm not doing any of this for myself, but for my kids. Pursuing a career in magic is never the greatest. You're always far away from home and never usually get to see them. I want to give both of them a fun and loving childhood, something that I never had, and I will stand by that until the day they can forge their own paths."
Schicht nodded, understanding. "Well, if that's the way you see it, I won't try to get in between that. But when they are old enough, what will you do?"
"Maybe then I might start my magic career," Duro mused.
Schicht smiled warmly. "Well, you have my blessings, Duro."
Schicht stood up, placing the cup of tea down. "I'm going to find Setchi so I can spar with him. For someone only five years old, he's doing things I'd expect some insanely strong teenager to do. Bye, Duro."
Duro nodded as Schicht left. He placed the pie on the table and stared at it, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Setchi..."
Meanwhile, somewhere within the village, Setchi, James, a girl, and two other boys sat around a large tree in someone's backyard. The group chatted animatedly, the sun casting dappled shadows through the leaves above.
James's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'm learning a new type of magic. I'm going to show my dad soon, but I think I should give you guys a preview."
Will, one of the boys, perked up. "Is it fire magic? Because fire magic is sooo cool! Like—the ability to set things on fire is so, so, so, so cool. Imagine toasting bread with it!"
Carlos, the other boy, interjected. "I hope it's water magic so you can beat any fire user!"
Will shot Carlos a look. "Did you say that because I picked fire?"
Carlos grinned. "Yes! Water beats fire!"
Will crossed his arms defiantly. "With enough fire, fire doesn't water!"
Carlos countered, "Well, that's true for both fire and water!"
The girl, Suzi, spoke up. "Can we race now?"
Will, still caught up in the debate, waved her off. "We're in the middle of an important debate, Suzi!"
Setchi stood up. "I'll race you, Suzi."
Suzi beamed. "Thanks, Setchi!"
James tried to regain their attention. "But I was going to show you guys my magic—"
Setchi shouted, "First one around the tree fifteen times wins!"
Suzi nodded eagerly, and they both began to run.
Carlos's eyes lit up. "Oh, that sounds fun!"
Will couldn't resist the challenge. "I'll join in!"
The two boys stood up and joined the race, laughter filling the air. James watched them with a smile, his frustration melting away.
"I guess if you want to have fun, you guys can have it," he said softly, enjoying the sight of his friends playing together.
Suddenly, a woman wearing an apron walked out of the house and into the backyard.
"Kids! I have lemonade and cookies made for ya'll!" she called.
Suzi's face lit up. "Oh, thanks, Mom!"
Suzi, Will, and Carlos sprinted into the house. Setchi started to run towards the house but stopped when he noticed James still sitting, staring at the tree with a now upset face.
"James... Are you okay?" Setchi asked, concern in his voice.
James forced a smile. "Yeah, Setchi... I'll come in soon..."
Suddenly, Schicht jumped over the fence and into the backyard.
"Setchi! Up for some training?" Schicht called out.
"Sensei! Heck yeah!!!" Setchi replied enthusiastically.
"Right, let's go!!!" Schicht said, jumping back over the fence, with Setchi following closely behind.
James continued to stare at the tree. "Setchi..." he murmured.
Moments later, James entered the house. Will, Suzi, and Carlos were all seated at the table, eating cookies and drinking pink lemonade. Suzi's father was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading the newspaper.
James walked over. "Hey, Mr. Kyu."
Mr. Kyu looked up and smiled. "Hey, James. It took you long enough to join the rest of the gang here! Was the weather good outside?"
James sat next to Suzi's father, his face thoughtful. "Do you ever... think about Suzi's future, Mr. Kyu?"
Mr. Kyu set down the newspaper, intrigued. "Oh, of course I do, James. As a parent, it's my job to make sure my kid grows up to be better than me, to live a life better than mine. Anything less would mean that I failed my job as a parent. Why do you ask, James?"
James's voice trembled slightly. "What if you... outlive her?"
Mr. Kyu's eyes widened in shock, and he dropped the newspaper. "James... w-why would you ask that?"
James's eyes filled with tears. "Because my father can't answer me. Both he and I will outlive Setchi in the future. It's destined; he and I are both immortal. So how does it feel to outlive someone that you expected to outlive you?" His voice broke, and he looked at Mr. Kyu with watery eyes.
Mr. Kyu's expression softened with understanding. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on James's shoulder. "James, it's a fear every parent has, even those of us who aren't immortal. We love our children so deeply, and the thought of losing them is unbearable. But we cherish every moment we have with them. It's what makes life precious, knowing that time is limited, even if it's not for us personally. You focus on the love and the memories you create, and that helps you bear the burden of time."
James nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Mr. Kyu. I guess I needed to hear that."
Mr. Kyu smiled gently. "Anytime, James. Now, how about you join the others and enjoy some cookies and lemonade? Suzi's mother makes the best."
James managed a small smile and joined his friends at the table, feeling a little lighter after the conversation.
Meanwhile, in a large white room, a sea of government soldiers stood in disciplined ranks in front of three tall podiums, the middle one being the tallest. On the middle podium stood Ikio, while on the other two podiums stood two hooded figures. The one on the right wore a black hood, and the one on the left wore a white hood. Above them all hung a large blue magical screen, illuminating the room with a soft glow.
Ikio raised his voice, addressing the soldiers with authority. "Alright, soldiers, today we'll be initiating a search and destroy mission. Since we expect at least a little bit of trouble, the great wizards have blessed me with the presence of two Royal mages!"
He raised his arms dramatically. "Like we practiced, guys," he whispered, prompting the hooded figures.
The one in the white hood took his hood off, revealing a somewhat young-looking man with long blonde hair, golden eyes, and extremely fair and clean skin. A singular green earring adorned his right ear.
"Right here, I have Savan Sirri, the Royal mage of horror!" Ikio announced with pride.
On the screen behind him, Savan's magic ID appeared, displaying his full name (Savan Guld Sirri), his race (Ascendant), his age (1825), his height (6'1), his destiny magic (Eldritch Magic), his mana type (Supreme Mana), his class (Sorcerer), his mana level (7500), his skill level (Master Class), and his government position as Royal Mage.
"And over there is Biby Tena, the Royal mage of beasts!" Ikio continued.
The other hooded figure pulled down her hood, albeit a bit late, revealing a rather young-looking female elf with long braided silver hair and green eyes.
Kind of late on the reveal there, Biby... Ikio thought, but didn't let it show.
On the screen behind him, Biby's magic ID popped up, showing her full name (Biby Tena), her race (Elf), her age (761), her height (5'6), her destiny magic (Beast Embodiment), her mana type (Supreme Mana), her class (Fighter), her mana level (7500), her skill level (Master Class), and her government position as Royal Mage.
Ikio stood before his assembled soldiers, his voice commanding and clear. "The trip is simple," he declared. "You all activate your speed boost technique, and the mages will boost the proficiency of it, causing you guys to reach unfathomable speeds. Now, unless we recruited honey bunches of dumbasses, you all should stay in the 5th procedure positions, which means stay far away from each other until you reach the destination. After that, once you get to the location, get into the 97th army ambush position. I've already explained all of that to you guys plenty of times, so you should understand what to do. SO SOLDIERS, ARE YOU READY?!"
In unison, the soldiers responded with a resounding, "YESSIR!!!" Their voices echoed as they stomped their feet in perfect synchronization.
Meanwhile, Duro was washing dishes, his mind drifting. What a curse... he thought.
Flashback – A Few Days Ago
Schicht lounged back in his chair, relaxed.
Duro, with a contemplative expression, asked, "What do you think about immortality?"
Schicht raised an eyebrow. "You're asking what I think about something? Something's gotten into you, Duro. But I think immortality is one of the worst curses to have. There's the simple 'watch everyone around you die' answer, but in such a big world like this, there is bound to be at least a few groups of people or races or villages where everyone is immortal. But what sucks about that is time. You never experience loss in those groups. I don't know, it just feels so unnatural and scary to talk about."
Some time later, Duro sat in a living room with Mr. Kyu. He asked him the same question.
Mr. Kyu pondered for a moment before replying, "I think it challenges one's ideals and beliefs. I'm an astronomer, and there are countless planets out there, so many that a lot are out of our reach. There are many multiverses out there with planets that have living beings on them. They don't have magic, nor do they have confirmation of their afterlife, if the laws of their reality even have an afterlife. Immortality embraces the fear of the unknown, and rather than allowing you to accept the cold hands of death and go wherever you think you'd go when you die, you live a life knowing that no matter what you do, you'll end up alone one day. One day you will end up drifting without consciousness in the void of space, alone, and with no other thoughts to accompany you other than your own. Even if you do find others, it only repeats the cycle."
Duro, curious, pressed further, "What kind of immortality do you think I'm talking about?"
Mr. Kyu continued, "Physical immortality? Where you don't physically age beyond your prime and stay forever young, or is it literal immortality? You still age, and forever suffer with an old body until the bitter end. Or is it vital immortality? Where you can't die from any form of physical abuse. Or is it absolute immortality? Where there is no way to kill you and there is no way to die. All of them are horrible for your mental health. It's just a fact of 'will it change you as a person, or show who you are as a person?'"
Another time later, Duro was in Jame's room, sitting next to Jame on his bed. He asked James the same question.
James's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's cool! It's the perfect risk and reward. It's like, experience your life to the fullest, but pay the price when the time comes."
Duro tilted his head. "When the time comes?"
James nodded eagerly. "Yeah, for what it's worth, it's not half bad. I get to live forever with the world, and never have to fear death. Well, unless it comes for me. I wish everyone had immortality, actually, so everyone could live good lives!"
Back to Duro, who continued washing dishes. James... he mused. He's a smart and talented boy. I'm proud to call him my son, but sometimes his intelligence scares me. He's never like any of the other kids his age, and I surely didn't raise him that way. He taught himself magic, he hunts on his own, he takes time out of his own day to read. I'm proud of him, but... all of that childhood charisma that's in other kids seems almost completely absent in him. He seems almost as mentally capable as adults. I can't imagine him any older. Will he take a bad path? Will Setchi's mortality play a role in it?
Schicht kicked down the door, a sense of urgency in his movements. Setchi clung to his back, riding piggyback.
"My door—" Duro began, his voice trailing off in frustration.
"I'll fix that later—" Schicht interrupted, his voice hurried and uneasy.
Schicht gulped, visibly nervous. "Hopefully. But we have a problem on our hands, Duro."
Duro's expression shifted from annoyance to concern. "What seems to be the problem, Schicht?"
Schicht's eyes widened with incredulity. "YOU'RE telling ME that YOU OF ALL PEOPLE can't SENSE all of that mana coming our way?"
Duro's face fell as realization dawned on him. "Oh my, I got too caught up in my own thoughts to—"
"Look, whatever," Schicht cut in, waving his hand dismissively. "But the fact that whoever it is isn't suppressing it tells me one thing. We're getting a warning shot. Whatever it is is letting us get a head start, so we have to get ready for it, because this is a lot of mana I'm sensing. Even a few strong ones..."
Duro's demeanor hardened, his focus sharpening. "Very well then."
With a mere thought, Duro's scepter floated into his hand. I had a feeling a time like this would come, he mused. But who could it possibly be?
He turned to Schicht, his voice firm and commanding. "Schicht, bring all of the villagers into the dungeon and put an invisible mana-canceling barrier around it, and grab Trachak while you're at it. After that, come back to the front of the village, from the direction they're coming from. That's exactly where they will be."
Duro clenched his scepter tightly, determination etched on his face. "Join me on the front line. By the time you're done, I will have an army."
"Roger that!" Schicht responded without hesitation.
Setchi piped up, his voice full of youthful eagerness. "Can I fight too?"
Duro's stern gaze softened slightly as he looked at the young boy. "You're too young for that, Setchi. I don't want you getting hurt or worse. Maybe when you're older one day."
Setchi pouted, disappointment evident in his voice. "No fun! What about James? He left Mr. Kyu's house to hunt!"
Duro's expression turned to one of urgency. "He—" His words were cut short as he clenched his fist and, with a burst of energy, ran through the wall to the outside.
"Woah!" Setchi exclaimed in awe.
Schicht took a deep breath, his resolve steeling. "And that should be our cue!" He bolted out the door, still holding Setchi securely on his back.
Meanwhile, Duro was sprinting through the village, his eyes wide with urgency. "MAKE WAY!!! VILLAGERS, EITHER LEAVE THE VILLAGE OR GO TO THE DUNGEON THIS INSTANT!!! WAR IS ABOUT TO START!!!" His voice boomed, resonating through every corner of the village.
As he dashed past, Duro waved his scepter, transforming houses, trees, bushes, and even the ground into humanoid beings. Each creation bore eyes identical to his and emitted a powerful blue aura. Villagers scattered, fleeing in panic.
They're already here, how?! Duro's thoughts raced. How so quickly?! I can't even save James, my own son! He'll just have to fend for himself, and I won't let him down!
Duro skidded to a stop at the village's edge. Behind him, chaos erupted among the villagers. Suddenly, a loud, commanding voice cut through the din, freezing everyone in their tracks.
"STOP IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIVES!!!" The voice belonged to Ikio.
Duro's eyes widened further as he took in the sight of Ikio, flanked by thousands of armed men. Soldiers on flying brooms aimed their staffs down at the villagers and Duro, while others soared even higher, their magical wings keeping them aloft as they too aimed at the ground below.
"Goddamn he's tall," Ikio whispered, his voice echoing eerily in the sudden silence. "Damn, I didn't say 'stop panicking' or something..."
Duro scrutinized Ikio. That man... I can't sense his mana... but wait, he has seals all over him.
From Duro's perspective, Ikio's body was completely wrapped in magical chains. But again, those are extremely weak seals... is he holding himself back?
Ikio cleared his throat. "Ahem. I'm Ikio Surukru, the world's punishment."
World's punishment... Why is he here? Wait... no... this can't be happening... Duro's mind raced.
"I'm here on official government orders to wipe out this village," Ikio continued.
"For what purpose exactly?" Duro demanded. "Everyone in my village is innocent, including myself. I've even worked on the government's behalf before, so what's the problem now—"
"The problem is that the government needs to eradicate your entire bloodline before it becomes a problem," Ikio interrupted.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Duro stammered.
"I'm saying that if your bloodline spawns a super duper strong and potentially evil baby in the future, it may or may not endanger the world."
"I can't reproduce any—"
"But your son can," Ikio cut him off.
"We can make a deal then! My son won't have any children, and nobody gets hurt," Duro pleaded.
"That's too risky. There's no way we can ensure that your son will keep his promise. Furthermore, our second reason for violence may seal the deal," Ikio replied.
"What is it?" Duro asked, dread creeping into his voice.
"We want the Origin Heart."
"No! I can't give you that," Duro exclaimed.
"And that's why I'm gonna kill ya!" Ikio said cheerfully. "As much as I would like to rip your son's balls out, it's funner to murder him than to neuter him. So how about this, I had some games arranged."
Ikio took a piece of paper and flung it at a villager, who barely managed to catch it.
"Read one line and pass it to the next person," Ikio ordered.
"Ink," read the first villager, passing the paper along.
"Stink," said the next.
"Poop," read another.
"Fart," continued the chain.
Finally, a villager looked up in confusion. "There's nothing on—"
"Out," Ikio interrupted coldly.
A broom-riding soldier shot a fireball at the unfortunate villager. The fireball hit, and the villager's agonized screams echoed through the village as he burned slowly, collapsing to the ground in a charred heap.
"Damn, that was one weak fireba—" Ikio started, but was cut off by a woman's shriek. She fell to her knees, crying, and was instantly obliterated by a much stronger fireball.
"Better," Ikio said, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
The entire group fell silent, paralyzed by fear.
Ikio smirked. "Cold audience... Let's play another game. Ahem"
He took out a boombox and turned it on. The boombox blared a hardcore rock song's instrumental.
"On a sunny day, I'm a halo in the darkness!" Ikio sang. His singing voice was surprisingly good, though a bit too refined for the raw music playing. He stopped and pointed at a random villager.
The villager hesitated before singing, "Oh, uh... When the tides turn low, I never forget." His voice was off-key but somehow matched the rough music. Ikio pointed to another person.
"Too many times have I—" another villager began, but she was instantly hit by a fireball and obliterated.
"Don't push me forward, the shrill laughter makes me conscious," Ikio continued. As he was about to point to a different villager, Biby stepped forward.
"Ikio, at this rate, we're going to get this mission done at the pace of a snail," Biby interjected.
Ikio sighed. "You're right about that..."
Suddenly, Schicht burst through the crowd with Trachak following closely behind him.
"We're here, Duro—" Schicht called out.
Ikio's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"
Duro responded urgently, "We're under attack by the government. Please delay them so I can continue making soldiers! EVERYONE, RUN FOR IT!!!"
Duro bolted away, followed by the villagers' panicked screams as they scattered, leaving only Schicht, Trachak, and a few of Duro's created soldiers to face Ikio's army.
"Well damn, the fun was short-lived. Kill them all," Ikio commanded coldly.
Tons of fireballs erupted from Ikio's army, each one a blazing comet of destruction. They singlehandedly demolished large buildings with ease and struck down several fleeing villagers. The chaos intensified, the air thick with smoke, flames, and the acrid scent of fear.