Author's Note: Alright, what's up, my readers! This is might come off as some sort of a surprise if you're new but, there is a tradition of adding a Character Introduction in every volume. So, we will all have this short refresher before we go back to the main story. As you should know, these sorts of chapters are always 700 - 1000 words! Enjoy!
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"I sense an odd aura at least 500 meters away from us."
"You do? Then, please go investigate, Reginn."
"Yes, Sir!"
I slowly open my eyes after I heard Reginn leave. It is this early in the afternoon and something significant is already happening? I don't think that they should be checking every single thing but, oh well. He is probably compensating for Verinn, as he is still sick and is staying here at home.
Still, an odd aura, eh?
I haven't heard a report like that in around 300 years. I wonder what the source of it is this time. The last time that happened, the source was an unusually strong Apex Garuda. That was a weird time as the place I live is not exactly a safe place as every monster here is at least higher than Rank C.
So, something that could be compared to that creature must be a magnificent specimen. As I wait for Reginn to contact me, I slowly shuffled out of my room and towards the outside. The first thing I saw was my old claymore, Archaic Starsilver.
Ah, those times when I could still fight at tip-top shape are now just a fleeting memory. I walked on until I reached my garden, where Verinn was healing up. I put my hand around a bag filled with food and carried it towards a cage.
"Hey, Verinn, are you doing alright?"
"Oh, Sir. Yes, I am coping just fine but, I appreciate your concern."
"Here, have some lunch."
"Thank you."
I get a handful of bird-food from the bag I was holding and put them inside of his food tray. I will never get tired of doing this sort of thing, no matter how many years pass. After I finished putting his food inside, I use Ocean and Earth magic to create a bottle filled with pure water.
"Have some water too. I hope you get better soon."
"Yes, I hope so too, for Reginn's sake."
After feeding Verinn, I suddenly get a call from Reginn.
(Sir, I have finally located the source of the odd aura.)
"Okay, can you let me see what it is?"
(Alright, borrow my eyes.)
I feel a sensation of body being pulled towards an area at unbelievable speeds before I arrived inside of Reginn's body. So, this is the place? I look around and see a large cave with structures built around them.
"Oh, so, what place is this?"
(This is the goblin nest that was established 243 years ago.)
"Ah, now I remember this place. I never thought that this place would still be standing and still be relevant. Is the odd aura coming from a goblin inside?"
(No. Look there. There is a child, which is odd in of itself but, observe the lizard next to him. The lizard is the source of the aura.)
I felt Reginn's head move to the side to allow me to see what he was describing and, I was certainly surprised. A child, dressed in clothes that are mostly black but have ornate designs on them. Next to him is a small, red lizard which Reginn's says is the source of the aura. The both of us observed their actions in silence as we tried to appraise them.
I was surprised yet again as I saw the young boy silently, and masterfully, execute the goblins who were keeping watch. He looked to be familiar with those techniques as he didn't falter one bit. Though, he definitely still had lots of room for improvement.
(Are you thinking of mentoring this child? You did mention that you wanted to pass on a sword technique that you created before, right?)
"No, not yet anyway. I want to know if he is good enough. Plus, he might not be able to as he might have family."
The minutes passed and I noticed that the boy's face seemed like he was preoccupied with something. I wanted to know why so, I asked Reginn.
"Reginn, you can transfer me into his consciousness, right?"
(Sure, but, are you sure? It could take some time to get you back.)
"That's quite alright."
Reginn transferred my consciousness into the boy and I was able to learn that he was somehow capable of telepathically speaking with the lizard who came with him. I just listened to their plan to save some people and I noticed that the boy might not want to be found out as before I went in, I saw that he kept touching his clothes, maybe because he wants to wear something different?
So, I thought to myself that I should at least lend a helping hand to him.
"Disguise will be needed, right?"
I asked him that and he immediately reacted by turning around. He actually seems to be blind as he isn't thinking about sight at all. But, his thoughts said that he actually found some birds behind him so, I'm lucky that he didn't attack Reginn, who was one of those birds.
I continued watching for a long time. Once the whole show was over, I had Reginn return my consciousness back to my body. When I returned, I was greeted by Verinn.
"You seem to be excited. Was your trip that interesting?"
"Yes, it definitely was."
As I fell into deep thought, I thought that I have already found a successor to learn my techniques. That is very good as I think I only had around 25 years left to live anyway.
"Citrinitas, I think I have finally relieved my duty of protecting this place. I believe I found both the successor of Prime Cyclone AND the one to unseal the one you have guarded for so long."