The ball of light that stood unmoving for so long suddenly shot towards the dead forest.
Len frowned but didn't follow.
'Janmini is full of dangers so the return point should be in the safe zone somewhere but I am fully depleted' Len thought as he swallowed the urge to vomit. Using more, he would have suffered from mana overuse and blacked out but he stopped at zero.
'I failed my promise again'
He had failed to kill Asghan. In hindsight, he should have never said it as lichs weren't creatures that could be killed conventionally. He hadn't been prepared and didn't have any soul based attacks so it should have been obvious. It was unlike him.
'The side effects of A-156 are really so subtle yet so obvious. Any more and I would have gone insane.' Len thought looking at the pure white sword that was lying on the rubble undamaged.
Sighing, Len looked at the forest again before looking at Nier.
"So...yo-"
Before Len could continue, Nier passed out.
In the forest. A ball of light moved speedily passing through trees leaving a tail. The light that was shining brightly was tainted by a darkness that seemed to be moving shakily inside the sphere waiting to swallow it. The brightness of the sphere was dimming as darkness consumed it when suddenly, tiny dots of lights began appearing in the soul's path.
Ghostbody Fireflies.
A blue haired man looked at the scene from the sky, a smile on his face.
_____________________
Somewhere...
Artifact Grade : A ( Ancient ) - Only to be used by grade four or above sorcerers.
Number : 156
Name : Maha's Gift, Dragon Tooth, Maha's Tooth.
Origin: Hundred years ago in 1458, A young Elder dragon named Maha, containing immense potential rebelled against the draconic race. The rebellion was put to stop when a True dragon killed Maha and turned him into a weapon as punishment.
Description: The sword is shaped exactly like the tooth of a dragon being curved and conical rather than flat. It is ivory white in colour and the texture is the same as a bone. The handle and handle guards are brown and wood-like in texture but have same durability as the sword itself. It hasn't shown any signs of communication but seems to be filled with Maha's hate and thirst for battle. No signs of rust or degradation and is immiscible with any liquid.
It's abilities include complete mana resistance and extreme durability.
It is one of the least dangerous ancient artifact as long as it is used in battle every month.
Side Effects: Affects the user's mind and turns them insane by increasing aggression and bloodthirst. The effect is is guaranteed and instantaneous for sorcerers below grade three and for grade four and above, the time it takes to turn insane depends on the user's mental fortitude. If not in use or contained, it can affect those in ten meters around it but the effect is considerably weaker.
Warning! : If any user loses a battle when using this sword, they will die without fail. Victory against a non-dragon opponent doesn't need to be the opponent's death. A dragon opponent must be killed.
Containment Method : No magic seal works on it due to the high mana resistance.
Keep it in a 2 x 2 meter square pool of dragon blood, one feet deep. Needs to be renewed every month or it will go berserk and begin to kill anyone it can find.
Appendix -
...
*Pa
The sound of a file closing echoed in a silent room as the figure holding the file turned around. The gate to the room opened as a woman in maid uniform walked in and bowed
"Mistress...Lord Asghan's true body and return circle has crumbled"
The 'Mistress' raised her eyebrows and frowned.
"Any news about Karaki and Bolluk?"
"There hasn't been anything yet" the made replied.
The 'Mistress' turned around again facing the window, showing her back to the made and flicked her hand signalling her.
The maid nodded and simply moved out the room closing the door.
*Click
'Asghan died...but how? Although he was young for a lich and extremely talented, Renley and Len are definitely stronger. Still, to kill him while protecting that kid...did they possibly know about it?
Could they have brought a counter for Asghan? I cannot rule out the possibility that Asghan simply met a bigger, more dangerous fish. Hmm...Asghan didn't even tell me what he wanted in Janmini or the purpose of 'Unwordly'. He was only loyal to himself but I doubt he has given my name yet. The return circle should have been a good enough leverage.
It's unfortunate that spying on Karaki isn't possible with his mana revealing all dangers. Even the Janmini Hall of Assassins would take too much for it. I'll take this slow but I doubt that 'he' will wait. It's almost time we take over.'
______________
Blinding light entered Nier's eyes causing to flinch as he opened them slowly.
The sound of wheels entered his ears as the kid looked around.
They were currently in a carriage movie in place that seemed to have sunlight.
"Oh you are awake" Nier heard a high pitched voice and looked to his left. Kyber sat there leaning against the window.
"What is this place?" Nier asked rubbing his forehead. There was still some headache left.
"Well, we are outside Janmini now. We'll be heading to...I guess that will be discussed right now" The one who said it was Renley sitting on the opposite couch. He wasn't wearing his mask so Nier for the first saw his look. Renley had a rougher face than Len with small facial hair and longer hair but his eyes were shining brightly. He had a trustworthy stoic face.
Nier looked back and realised that Len was driving the carriage. Nier looked around once again. They were on a dirt road surrounded by what seemed to be a farm. Sunlight covered the place as Nier felt it's warmth for the first time since he awakened.
He suddenly had a realisation as he looked back at Kyber, more specifically at the arm wrapped in clothing.
Before he could say anything however, Kyber opened his mouth.
"It's okay, I know that was an accident. Things like that always happen between friends" Kyber said laughing.
"...Sorry" Nier said after a pause. He hadn't meant harm Kyber...He needed to control that silver energy or it might one day be too harmful.
"Haa kid. Magic is deeply rooted to emotions and desires. You don't have your power under control so it followed your emotions. Don't fret over it. You only had it for some days now." Renley said smiling.
"What did you find?" Nier asked.
Renley didn't immediately reply and looked out the window. Sighing, he adjusted his position and took out a file. Pulling out the papers inside, Renley paused and put most back in leaving only some.
"Well...there was nothing about your past, but it's now clear what happened to you there." Renley said offering one of the papers left.
Nier took the paper in hand, looked at it and looked back at Renley.
"I can't read this"
Renley's eyes widened and he put all the papers back in the packet. Kyber chuckled but didn't add anything.
Renley forgot the child in front of didn't know how to understand much less write Janmei.
"I haven't told even them yet but I guess I'll speak, does it bother you? Others listening to what happened? it is sensitive information so it should be kept as a secret from everyone..." Renley said glancing at Len and Kyber.
'Heh... Renley...one of the only few who would treat children as equal' Len thought smiling.
Nier stayed silent for some time before nodding.
"It does bother me"
Kyber shot open his eyes bamboozled.
He wanted to know!
"Just kidding" Nier added with slight smile.
'Haaaa...when did he begin to joke? He was like a block of wood just before he woke up.' Kyber deflated hearing Nier.
"Alright.." Renley wiped his smile off and seriously looked at Nier.
"As I said before, we got nothing on your heritage but one thing that could be a possibility is that you did not have white hair originally. Extreme stress and the experiment's effect are probably the reason behind it. And your age...you are eight according to the Unworldly's analysis."
"Wait what? He's eight?" Kyber looked flabbergastedly at Nier. Nier looked big for his age.
Nier looked at him.
"My birthdate was 7th January 1560"
"You remember that!?" Kyber exclaimed.
Nier nodded.
"Well, it is now 1568 March so missed your birthday. Well, that aside. The 'Unwordly' found a 'stone' that resembled mana cores and seemed to reject mana. Even atmospheric mana around the 'stone' was simply...non existent. A mana core outside of a body has never been seen before so they realised that the 'stone' could likely adapt unlike normal cores. Naming it the Anti-core, they abducted children as kids have undeveloped mana which could make the substitution easy. They planned to install the Anti-core in other bodies. All experiments ended in extremely painful and gruesome deaths... except one." Renley closed his eyes and leaned back. Looking at Nier, he continued.
"You. You somehow made it alive. There isn't a mention of how or why but now, you have a new core that resides in you. Your original one has been broken into pieces."
At this point, both Kyber and Len had their eyes wide open. This was unimaginable. For something like an Anti-core to exist? Something which rejected the foundation of human life? How did it even exist?
"This...I have no words" Kyber muttered in shock.
"Ughhh...This is...Tch." Len groaned as he stopped the carriage momentarily.
It made sense now, why Nier's aura would fluctuate'
"..." Nier remained silent. Even after being told what happened to him, Nier wasn't angry, sad or happy. He didn't even have a past self to feel bad about. Without his memories, Nier felt nothing from the revelation but instead decided to focus on the future.
What could this Anti-core give him?
"Okay...first of all. How did the Unworldly come to the conclusion that the 'stone' they found could actually work as a mana core?" Len asked.
"It is mentioned that they were inspired by Queen Quesara Akhun' but there should be more to it. Those magicist kept mentioning the end and the experiment's importance again and again so they must have had some kind of information. Nothing about that is written in the files though." Renley answered
Len nodded as he thought back to Asghan's words and actions.
"Same happened with that Lich...do you think there is someone behind it? Some large perpetrator hiding in the shadows? The lich had been powered up mid fight and I think it was due to some outside influence" Len said.
"They all probably had some kind of safety measure that didn't allow them to speak of important information. In any case, all we can do is speculate without concrete information" Renley said sighing.
Nier went into thought before replying.
"There might be someone..."
This caused the three in the carriage to be surprised.
"Last night...wait...was it night? Yes it was...Umm...Last night when the skeleton almost reached me and the shadow man returned. A blue ha...
...and he read the file before moving away"
The paladins and Kyber took in the information completely shocked.
To be so easily overpowered. If Saturn wished, they would all be dead and they wouldn't even know what killed them.
"A Demigod no doubt." Renley muttered.
"Definitely. Though he was likely not hostile considering my mana didn't flare up. His involvement was likely more positive and not to our detriment" Len said holding the reins. He suddenly paused and said.
"Well...my mana only informs me about things related to myself so I don't know if Saturn knowing about the Anti-core would harm Nier himself or not."
"That's true but he could have easily done something if he wanted to. Besides, he said he had some speculations on Anti-mana, didn't he? So it doesn't change much. He also saved the boy's life there"
Everyone nodded at Renley's words before Len spoke.
"The factor we have been ignoring till now. A supreme element. Time. No words on that?"
"Most likely an ancient." Renley said.
"Saturn as he said looked young didn't he? Is he from Karma Shadowborn's generation"
"I don't know. If that is the case than what can I say. This generation had been so promising that I myself believed we'll see new gods. The ancient had been revealed and monsters were born but the one who lead it is now locked up in the strongest and most protected jail. The demons have perished. So much has happened in last few years that it feels like decades have passed"
"It's not time for such discussions. You should focus on Nier's situation."
"You are right. So where was I...