A small rabbit with red fur and ruby eyes jumps up and down in the flower field.
My eyes widen as I run. "Pula!"
But a whirlpool of darkness materialises in the middle devouring the place in one whole, including the red rabbit with white horns. I screamed, crying out Pula's name as I dash even faster to the red rabbit. And before the shadow swallowed Pula in one piece, she turned around, giving me a sad smile.
"Go home," Pula mumbled softly as darkness swallowed her whole.
My eyes widened in horror, screaming her name. "Pula…!" I burst my eyes open, sitting up as I breathed heavily.
[Mortal? What happened?] Bakunawa transmitted to my head worriedly.
I wrinkled my tunic shirt near my chest, feeling my heart rate running so fast. Sweat is oozing out of my pores. My skin is moist and clammy.
I furrowed my brows, looking in a half state trance at the darkness before me. I swallowed with my lungs still out of breath. "Nothing, just a nightmare," I replied with a raspy voice.
[Well, how about you come out and have fresh air?] Bakunawa suggested.
I turn my head left and right around me. The void surrounding me is reminding me of that dream. I grabbed the lamp beside me as I stood up.
"Okay, I'll come out now, I'm done reading anyway," I mumbled, carrying the backpack behind me.
[My mouth is open, you just need to walk out and exit.] Bakunawa informed me.
I hooked the lamp on the white blade, then I gazed down at Pula's body covered with the white fabric.
My brows creased, reaching out to the pink rabbit with my left hand, picking her up as carefully as I could. I have no idea why I dream of Pula in that way, but I don't like it. Well, it probably means nothing since it's just a dream.
I sighed, walking to Bakunawa's mouth.
Anyway, my goal right now is Pula's funeral. The matter about Saint Agatha and Joan. And last but not the least, I have to finish my revenge once I go back to Nilad City. After that, I'll go back to the academy. To find the meaning of my last conversation with Pula.
After discovering that Kendra might be a soul wanderer like me. I'm also interested to get to know and to meet Kendra again. Since Kendra and I might be the same kind in this alien world, I feel curious about who the soul is in the protagonist's body. After all, that soul was the one who led me to the forest and taught me how to sense mana. I owe that soul a huge favour for bringing Pula in my life.
Really, that's all the reason. I'm not returning because I feel embarrassed about the handkerchief.
Furthermore, I'm kind of wondering how Cliopatra is doing in the academy. The last time we parted, we got into a heated argument. That brat is a handful, but I think she isn't a bad person. I just don't know why she hates monsters so much.
Hopefully, I could find the time to talk with Cliopatra again. In addition, I also wanted to warn her about Emilia Iscariot, and send a secret warning message to the aristocrats about the plans of the rebel army in the kingdom.
I just don't want other innocent people to become a victim of this rebellion. It's not a funny experience. Also, this is also another form of revenge against that slug man and to his organisation.
When everything is settled down. I will go become a hermit in a faraway forest. Or just travel the world if I'm bored.
So, even if I know that there is a way to go back, I have no plans in returning to my original world. Especially with the chaotic state I'm in. I'm fully aware that I'm not as harmless as I was before.
I might even bring destruction to my family instead of peace, so I don't think I could face my family again on earth.
Plus, I can't face them without feeling bad about the sins I committed here in this world. And I don't want to feel bad about it. So I can only stay here even if I don't belong in this world.
What I feel at this moment is that I no longer have a home.
After walking more. The sea breeze welcomed my nose. And the sight of the deep blue ocean came into view as I went out of Bakunawa's mouth.
"Are we getting closer?" I asked, sitting down on top of Bakunawa's nose.
[Not yet, but we're near. Still two days away before we arrive there. If you're bored, how about I give you some tips to learn how to control mana while you're waiting?] Bakunawa transmitted.
My eyes lit up as I turned to look at Bakunawa's eyes. "That's a good idea," I replied.
[Alright, the first step that you always need to do is to meditate. You have to familiarise yourself with your own attributes. So you could wield them in a natural way.] Bakunawa explained.
"I think I'm already familiar with my own mana, so what's next?" I asked curiously.
[Well, the next step is to visualise this mana turning into what you imagine. Because Mana can always be transformed based on the individual's thoughts and emotions. However, you can only manifest your mana; if that element you have in mind is also available in your surrounding environment.] Bakunawa explained.
"You mean, I can't use my earth attribute here because there is no soil or ground available?" I asked to confirm.
[Yes.]
"And because I don't have a water attribute, then that means I can't extract and use this environment?" I questioned.
[Of course, you have to try visualising something that is compatible with your own attributes. Otherwise, it will not work, and you will even receive damage internally. So in your case, you will try practising with your wind attribute during the day and your dark attribute at night.] Bakunawa answered.
"Why is there a schedule?" I asked, puzzled.
Bakunawa rolled her large eyes. [Because like I said, you can't manifest an attribute that isn't available with the current environment. And dark attributes require shadow and darkness for you to be able to use it. Well, you can also try practising with the wind attribute at night, but that will lessen the time for you to familiarise yourself with the dark attribute.] Bakunawa explained.
"Mm, then I'll give it a shot now," I said, closing my eyes.
[Hold on, I'm not done yet, mortal, so be patient.] Bakunawa transmitted in a scolding tone.
Hearing the reprimanding tone of Bakunawa, I opened my eyes again. "Okay, I'm listening," I said, looking at Bakunawa's stern, large eyes.
[Mana is a form of energy, and energy is power. And power must be controlled with responsibility. So, when you're using mana, you have to always remember the rule of thumb. Otherwise, you'll end up dying because of mana.] Bakunawa warned.
I gulp, waiting for Bakunawa to continue.
[First of all, the more emotions you put into the mana that you're visualising, the stronger it is. But based on your current body, I think you're not ready to harness a large amount of mana inside your body.] Bakunawa stated.
"What will happen?" I asked, a little nervous.
[You might end up being destroyed if that happens, so be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. And always remember that every individual can only use a certain limited amount of mana that their physical body can handle. Otherwise, you'll explode and die. Additionally, you also can't run out of mana because it supports your whole body and soul to function together. In other words, there is always a limitation to everything, so always be careful, mortal.] Bakunawa explained.
I nodded solemnly. "Okay, I'll make sure to remember that," I replied.
[Don't try to remember them, do it with action and make it a habit.] Bakunawa said, reprimanding me.
"I understand," I muttered understandably.
[Then you can now start meditating and visualising. Follow my instructions. You start by closing your eyes to heightened your imaginations. This will also create a desire in your heart to manifest what's on your mind.]
I nodded, closing my eyes.
[Draw a colourful image in your mind with how you want your wind attribute to appear. And try picturing it coming out on top of your palm. Use your senses and emotions to make it appear and manifest with a strong presence.]
My brows creased, finding it hard to concentrate. The darkness is reminding me of that dream, and I'm not liking it.
[Remember to remain calm. Concentrate your thoughts on your breathing. Then start visualising step by step.] Bakunawa transmitted over my head as a reminder.
Hearing Bakunawa's instructions. It made me recall the time when Kendra taught me how to sense mana in the flower field.
The gentleness of that memory made my stiff face soften, and my heart relaxed as I started hearing a ringing of whistles in my ears.
I felt like I'm being cradled in a warm embrace.
[Oh you did it on the first try. You're quite good for a mortal.] Bakunawa commented.
I open my eyes, knitting my brows in puzzlement. "What do you mean? I asked.
[Look behind you.] Bakunawa transmitted.
I gaze behind me, seeing a humanoid wind resembling Kendra's facial and body features.
My eyes widened in surprise. "What the heck…?"
[I only instructed you to visualise something on top of your palm. But you exceeded my expectations. To think that your visualisation skills are this high. You have potential in this, mortal.] Bakunawa praised.
"I did this?" I asked, staring at the humanoid wind hugging me.
However, the humanoid wind soon disappeared as I felt myself getting dizzy and exhausted. A throbbing pain sensation spread to my head.
My brows furrowed, feeling a headache.
[You overdid it, mortal. I told you that there are limitations to what you can manifest since your physical body is still not that strong. That wind resembling a human is an S-Tier skill. Aish, what are you even thinking manifesting an S-Tier skill, huh, mortal?] Bakunawa transmitted in my head in a scolding tone.
I frowned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I don't even know how I did it, you know…"
[I told you to pay attention to your emotions and to your thoughts, mortal. And you probably imagine someone in your head and started manifesting those features with your wind attribute. You indeed have potential, but your body can't harness this kind of high quality skills and mana yet, so you have to be really careful.] Bakunawa said, nagging me in my head.
I frowned even more hearing Bakunawa nag me in my head. Bakunawa is like my sister on earth who always nags at me. The type of sister who nags at you while you're already having a headache.
I sighed, rubbing the throbbing pain on my temples. "Don't worry, I'll be careful this time," I said.
[No, you have to rest first. Just try again later.] Bakunawa transmitted over.
"Why? I want to try again," I argued.
[Stop being stubborn. You almost depleted your mana, and yet you still want to try again? Do you want to die?] Bakunawa scolded me.
"Well, okay then…" I mumbled helplessly, lying down on top of Bakunawa's nose. "I'll take a short rest since I feel tired for some reason."
[It's because you almost depleted your mana, you dumb mortal.] Bakunawa said, nagging at me.
I sighed, closing my eyes as I instantly fell asleep.
When I woke up, the sky was already dark. "Are we there yet?" I asked, sitting up as I yawned.
[No, one more day and night. Are you still feeling dizzy?] Bakunawa transmitted over.
"I'm fine since I've already slept, anyway, I'll go try practising my dark attributes this time," I said, closing my eyes.
[Wait mortal…] Bakunawa transmitted, making me open my eyes again.
"What is it?" I asked.
[Before you proceed. You have to understand that the dark attribute is one of the most mysterious forms of energy in this world.]
"And?" I urged.
[And dark attributes are also not easy to control or use, so in most cases, the one who ends up being influenced by it is the user.]
I frowned, recalling that there had been many instances that I almost lost control of myself.
"Well, I see, then what should I do to prevent this?" I asked, looking at Bakunawa for answers.
[To prevent that from happening. You must learn how to control your emotions and thoughts, mortal. Otherwise, you'll end up being the one controlled. And try not to think anything negative.] Bakunawa answered solemnly.
"So, you mean, I have to meditate many many times first before I use my dark attribute?" I said.
[Not exactly, but you must become the master of your mind, mortal. Thoughts always subconsciously or consciously guide our words and actions. In other words, whatever thoughts you create in your mind will eventually manifest, channelling towards your heart. And your heart will affect your mana. Thus, the mana will end up controlling you. So you must master your mind first, mortal.]
I nodded understandably. "I understand, and if meditation is the solution, then I don't mind doing it over and over again."
[Actually, there are eight steps I know that can help you to successfully achieve in mastering your mind, and I could tell you but only if you're interested, well, are you?] Bakunawa probed in my head.
I blink my eyes, feeling like Bakunawa is testing me and guiding me to something. However, since it doesn't feel malicious then I won't mind.
"Sure, what is it?" I asked, tilting my head to the side in wonder.
[Well, these eight steps can't be disclosed by yours truly. However, I think I found a book like that in the ruins of Majapahit Empire, an island located on the east near Nilad City of Maharlika Island. And that Majapahit Empire is the home of the dark elves.]
My eyes widened as I remembered the books I read inside Bakunawa's body.
According to those books, after Bathala created the human race, she created more. And Bathala made all those new races live in the Nucleus, the middle realm and the heart of the Acacia Tree.
"Let's go visit that place and take a quick stop there on our way back," I said suggestively.
[Alright then, once we settle your companion's funeral in Maple Kingdom on the west, we'll go take a short visit to Majapahit Empire. But for now, you have to be patient and meditate as much as you can.] Bakunawa transmitted.
"Right," I replied, closing my eyes as I meditated.