The sea is calm, and the sky is bright. Although the sea breeze is getting a little aggressive, the weather is nonetheless still doable to voyage.
Bakunawa and I did not encounter anything strange along the way. Everything is ordinary, and this made me feel at ease.
'Let's hope that the whole journey back and forth continues to be unproblematic,' I thought to myself as I sighed, staring at the straight edge of the sea.
Last night, I did nothing but meditate, while doing each of the basic physical forms of exercise a hundred times.
It's a little tiring to have only one hand available. It's a huge struggle since I'm not used to it.
Right, if I could transform this forged hand into a blade? Then I should be able to transform it back, right?
I knitted my brows, raising the white blade in front of my face.
"Bakunawa, tell me how I can turn back this white blade into my original hand, you know how, right?" I asked, glancing at Bakunawa's large eyes.
[What do you mean?] Bakunawa asked, confused.
My brows furrowed. "Didn't you offer to help me teach how to control my mana?"
[Yes, I did, but what does that have to do with the blade on your right wrist?]
I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling like Bakunawa and I are not on the same wavelength of understanding. Like we're talking about different topics with each other.
I took a deep sigh as I glanced at Bakunawa's large eyes. "When we're on the underground floor of the arena, you suddenly ask if I don't know how to control my mana, right?"
[I did…and?] Bakunawa replied, baffled.
"And so…why did you ask?" I inquired.
[Because your soul looks chaotic, and as a sacred beast, it was still my duty to guide you since you are a soul wanderer.] Bakunawa answered. [Why…?]
"Huh? I thought you asked me because you'll help me turn the white blade back to its original form…?" I said, perplexed.
[HUH? I thought that the white blade attached to your right is originally like that…?] Bakunawa transmitted, sounding even more bewildered.
"What? No! This white blade suddenly transforms like this, but it was originally forged as an alternative hand by Joan, so I don't know how it became like this…?" I said, also confused.
[What? Did it suddenly turn that way?]
I shrugged. "I'm not sure…if I remember correctly, I was looking for a blade, and I was so obsessed with it at that time, then suddenly, the forged hand transformed into a blade," I said, scratching the back of my neck with my left hand.
At that, we both fell in silence.
[Hmm, perhaps you probably manifest your thoughts, channelling your mana to your forged hand, transforming it into a blade.] Bakunawa explained, sounding unsure.
My brows wrinkled, feeling even more confused. "But my forged hand is made from Pula's white horn, so how did I transform it into this?" I said.
[That…I also don't know since it's my first time encountering something like this. You're the first to do this in this world, mortal.] Bakunawa transmitted over my head.
"I see, well, I'll try to figure it out myself," I said, looking down at the white blade.
[Tell me once you figure it out. I'm also interested in this newfound knowledge.]
"Mm," I hum, pondering to myself. I closed my eyes, imagining the white blade transforming back to my right hand.
After a while, I heard a crackling ringing in my ears.
[You did it. The white blade transforms back to your original hand.] Bakunawa transmitted in my head.
"Really?" I asked in disbelief as I opened my eyes, raising my right arm in front of me.
I smiled to myself, seeing my hand back. Although it still appeared weird since the forged hand is milky-white in colour while my complexion is just a little fair, but after being sun-bathed under the burning rays of the sun. The tone of my skin turned sun-kissed. So, the colour difference between my forged hand and natural skin became even more visible.
[How did you do it?] Bakunawa asked, puzzled.
I shrugged. "I don't know, I just tried visualizing the white blade to transform back to my original hand," I said, scratching the back of my neck.
[That's really surprising to me as a sacred beast. How did this happen?] Bakunawa said, sounding amaze in my head.
This made me tilt my head to the side in wonder. "Hmm, do you know what Pula's horn is made of?" I asked back.
[What do you mean?]
"I mean, if you know the properties or components of a red rabbit's horn," I explained.
[Hmm, all horns on top of a monster's head or a sacred beast are both composed of metallic particles.] Bakunawa answered.
My eyes stared at the sea in a trance, thinking hard of what Bakunawa said to my head.
[Actually, this is the reason why humans hunt and tame monsters. The stronger the level of the monster, the higher the quality its horns gets. And that white blade on your right is a Mythril, one of the best types of metals to forge into a weapon. It's stronger and lighter than steel. And its beauty will never fade.] Bakunawa added detailedly.
Hearing the word metal again, an idea flashed to my mind. And my eyes lit up enlightened.
"Oh, I see…" I mumbled, nodding my head understandably.
[Why? Does the mythril have something to do with why your forged hand transforms to a blade?] Bakunawa asked curiously.
My lips curved. "Yes, because earth attributes come from soil, right?"
[And? What's the connection between the two?] Bakunawa urged, confused.
"In my original world, soil is a material composed of five ingredients, and that is: organic matter, living organisms, gas, water, and...minerals," I paused as I smiled even more. "And minerals can be metallic or non-metallic. In Pula's case, I think her horn have a huge percentage of metallic minerals."
[So, you mean, these metallic minerals are the reason why you manage to transform that forged hand into a blade?]
I nodded. "Based on the logical knowledge of my original world, I think this is the best possible answer," I answered.
[Woah, that's mind-blowing. Your world is quite impressive. I heard that some worlds in other dimensions don't have an advanced magic system. And rather focusing their attention on magic, these worlds concentrated on their technology. Is it really true?]
"That's indeed true. We study and focus on science," I said proudly, grinning to myself as I remembered earth.
[Science, huh. So, what type of magic does it do?]
I chuckled, feeling a little nostalgic. Because this is making me remember earth so much. "No, we don't have such things like magic, and science is a general term for studying life or matter across the universe, we form conclusions based on credible evidence and logical explanations," I replied with a soft gaze.
[For real...? I couldn't imagine a life without magic to be honest, but hearing what you said about your world piqued my curiosity.] Bakunawa stated thoughtfully.
Hearing what Bakunawa said made me laugh to myself as I stared at the bright sky. Because I had the same thoughts as Bakunawa when I transmigrated in this world. To discover that magic exists is truly an eye opener. It's really a whole new world for me.
"Actually, when I saw your huge serpent body in the arena, it really brought shock to me as a soul wanderer," I said, recalling the time I met Bakunawa.
[Why? Don't tell me that your world also doesn't have a serpent?] Bakunawa asked, shocked.
I chuckled again. "Yeah, we don't have someone like you in my original world, so I was really scared witless when I saw you," I replied, laughing.
[Oh, I'm sorry about that.] Bakunawa transmitted apologetically.
I waved my hand, shaking my head. "It's fine, we're both forced by the situation anyway," I said, a little melancholic.
[Anyway, it's good that we didn't encounter any pirates during our journey, right?] Bakunawa transmitted, changing the topic.
"I agree," I said, looking at the sea. "What are pirates like in this world? Do they just plunder treasures?"
[Not quite. I don't know how pirates operate in your world, but the pirates here are greedier than that.]
"Oh, what else would they want aside from treasures? I thought they're only interested in shiny things?" I asked, tilting my head to the side in wonder.
[They want adventure and thrill, so some pirate groups would even go as far as to kill people. Because for them, that was the fun in life.]
"That's not good," I said, frowning.
[Indeed, however, last night when you were busy meditating and training, I was talking with my shark friend named Daily Wavey…]
I glanced at Bakunawa. "So you could talk to a fish?"
[Of course, I can. I may not seem like it, but I'm the guardian of the sea, mortal.] Bakunawa transmitted proudly, sounding like a narcissist.
"Oh…"
[Anyway, I heard from my Daily Wavey that there is a newly formed pirate group named Mystic Pirates, and they don't plunder or kill innocent people. They steal from the rich royal family and aristocrats then give it to the poor. There were rumors that the group only has four crew members including their captain. And they're currently looking for more new members.] Bakunawa transmitted over in a gossiping tone.
My brows furrowed, looking disdainful. "But, no matter what their reason is. Stealing is still bad and against the law," I said firmly.
[Well, you're right, but at least their cause is for a good reason, don't you think?] Bakunawa transmitted.
Good cause?
"Heh, stealing from the rich is a good cause because they're giving back to the poor? That's a little discriminating of them," I commented, smiling scornfully.
Then I shook my head, sighing as I felt bad for those poor people. "Not to mention that they're only making the root cause of poverty even more problematic. It doesn't solve anything, but only increases the problem. People might start depending on them once they do this, but the problem is, they can't just steal forever. This will result in a severe economic crisis to the Kingdoms they raided. In the end, the one who will suffer is the poor. Now, do you still think that this is a good cause?"
[Hmm, you have a point there, mortal. Anyway, I don't really care about humans. For me, all humans are bad except for you.]
I chuckled lightly. "No, Bakunawa. I'm also bad like the rest of the human race. I'm no better than them," I said, smiling bitterly.
[I beg to disagree. I could feel that you're still a good soul, but your soul just got tainted by this world, and you feel responsible for it. So what I'm saying is...you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened to you.] Bakunawa transmitted a comforting message over my head.
"It's fine, Bakunawa. You don't have to comfort me, I'm aware of what I am," I said, releasing a sigh.
Bakunawa rolled her large eyes. [Whatever, my opinion still stands no matter what you say.] Bakunawa transmitted, sounding strong and firm.
I shook my head helplessly. "Anyway, I'll go meditate again, tell me when we are near," I said, glancing at Bakunawa's large eyes.
[Alright, be careful of your thoughts and emotions.]
I nodded, closing my eyes as I remained seated in a lotus position.
I spent the days of the journey on the sea, meditating and training my body to become strong. For every minute and hours; I did nothing but train myself.