"Will this place be alright?" Orpheus appeared in the middle of the forest with the other four behind him
[It should be enough if nature doesn't surprise us… never mind. Just out on your masks]
"Okay, so what's the first step?" Orpheus asked after putting on his mask
[External circulation]
"What does that mean" he asked
[I'll explain. But first, can you four patrol the forest and make sure no human or beast comes here – not even a plant]
"Okay" the four demi human disappeared
[Now, external circulation means mixing your energy with the atmosphere and circulating it around your body]
"Isn't that just putting a layer of energy around your body?"
[Not exactly. In that context, you are using your own energy. But in this particular context, you are controlling the energy of the atmosphere. It's just that you are using your own body's very own energy to guide it]
"So that's the first step" Orpheus nodded
[The second step is expanding it. Also, you have to be very careful in expanding it so as not to lose control over the energy. As for the third step, you have to take complete control over the magical energy of the atmosphere]
"Okay. Any other thing before I begin?"
[Um, apart from the fact that you can interchange the second and third step and domain formation puts a strain on your mental energy, nothing else]
"Those were really important facts man" Orpheus facepalmed "Fine. Which element should I use for the domain formation?"
[Use fire]
"Why do you love fire so much?"
[I don't know. Maybe it's because it always attacks your clothes. Who knows?]
"… Damn you" Orpheus sat in the lotus position and closed his eyes
[Look for the fire energy in the atmosphere...]
~How would I know it is fire energy? ~ he opened his eyes
[Don't know. You'll just know. Like breathing]
~That doesn't help ~
[Whatever. When you find the energy, try to use yours to guide it towards your body]
~Okay. Anything else? ~
[Try to take control of the atmospheric energy. Once you've fully taken control of it, you'll be able to utilize the energy like it's your own]
Orpheus closed his eyes once more and he began to follow Costas' instructions. A minute later, his face began to contort in pain
"Move, dammit!" he shouted in frustration
[What is it?]
"The fire energy is surprisingly hard to control. In addition, it's taking a toll on my mental strength"
[It's normal with the energy if the of nature. You have to treat it a an intelligent being with thoughts]
"Why didn't you say so? I've ended up wasting my precious time on this shit"
[Sorry, it skipped my mind]
"Ugh" Orpheus grunted and closed his eyes to concentrate again
…
"Keres, what is it? You rarely speak to us" Clotho said with a faint smile while staring at the translucent figure of someone
"Greetings, sisters" the translucent figure of Kers bowed to the three women "I've come to talk about something important"
"Out with it dear" Atropos said
"*Ahem* It's about a mortal. A special one at that" Kers said "I believe you've already noticed"
"Oh, that mortal. What about him?" Lachesis asked
"For some reason, I can't foresee his death or that of any of his companions"
"Hold on, which of them?" Clotho asked
"The one named Orpheus Athanasiou" Kers answered
"Oh, that one. I thought she was talking about the King" Atropos muttered under her breath
"What?" Kers asked, not seeming to hear what Atropos had said
"It's nothing" Clotho spoke hurriedly before shooting a glare at Atropos
"Well, you see, we also have a problem with that" Lachesis said
"What problem if I may ask?" Kers ears perked up
"We also cannot see his fate or alter it" Atropos said slowly
"Wh… Wha… What?!" Kers stammered in shock
…
*Achoo* Orpheus sneezed "Oh, not again"
[Why couldn't you hold it in?]
"I don't know. It just came so suddenly" his nose twitched "Damn. I was so close"
[Someone should be talking about you then]
"Whatever. I'm getting it this time" he closed his eyes another time
A few seconds later, the temperature around him began to increase at a snail's pace
~That's right. Keep coming… and… ~
"Yes!" Orpheus immediately opened his eyes, releasing an energy surge to his surroundings. Instantly, the grasses and trees, surrounding him, within a 30-yard radius turned to ashes
"Shite!" Orpheus' jaw dropped to the ground "I just formed my own domain"
[A 30-yard domain?! This is…]
"What's wrong?" Orpheus stood up from the ground
[How far did you go to gather fire energy?]
"I don't know. I just pulled all fire-type energy from my surroundings" Orpheus shrugged "What happened?"
[For you, a beginner, to take control of fire-type energy that far, it means you're a peerless genius]
"Does the distance of the energy I'm controlling affect the size of my domain?" Orpheus raised his brows
[Yup. That is why…]
"You damn idiotic soul!!" he interrupted Costas "Why didn't you inform me of this?"
[You don't have to be so harsh with your words, man. Even if I'm a soul, it still hurts]
"Whatever. Answer my question"
[I didn't think you'll need it as you're a beginner]
"Of course, I need it!" Orpheus yelled exasperatedly "I'm about to fight an opponent who is supposedly and advanced magus with pure knowledge of his or her elements and here you are telling me I don't need it?!"
He released another energy burst, larger than the last while the temperature spiked up once more.
"Whoah! What happened here?" Aster exclaimed on seeing the burnt crisps of grass and trees around Orpheus
"We'll talk on the way" Orpheus opened a spatial tear then, they walked through it and disappeared
…
What do you mean you can't see or alter his fate?" Kers asked
"We don't know" Atropos shrugged
"Unless, he's not a mortal" Clotho pointed out
"What do you mean?" Kers asked
"Like yours, our power allows us to determine the fate of only mortals" Lachesis said "Unless he's a minor god that hasn't awakened his powers or someone from the undead race of demi human race like elves, dwarves"
"He can't be a minor god" Kers aid "He awakened the dark element and possesses four more elements and the undead don't move among humans. With those two ruled out, he can only be a… I have to go now. It looks like I am needed"
"Okay. See you soon" Clotho waved at the fading figure of Kers
"Why didn't you tell her?" Lachesis asked Atropos
"She's not supposed to know yet" she sighed "It's better she finds out on her own"
"By the way, what are we going to do about the King?" Clotho asked
"We have nothing to do with the lives of mortals" Lachesis shook his head "We'll leave it in his hands"
"Up to who?" Clotho tilted her head in confusion
"The Chosen One, of course" Atropos stood up and left
…
"It's already getting dark but he's not here yet" Rhea muttered
"Why are you so obsessed?" Raya asked her "According to the information we got, he just has five elements while you have ten. He's just in the top 30 by luck"
"I know" Rhea sighed "I just have a feeling that fighting him will benefit me. And, there's also that feeling"
"What?! That feeling?!" Raya gasped. Rhea always had a strong battle instinct to the point that she could predict whether she would win or lose a fight
"I don't know. I'll just have to fight him to find out"
"When did you have this feeling?" Raya asked
"Just a few minutes ago" Rhea said
"It could be for something else. Just ignore it" Raya said
"He's here!!" a student yelled while staring at the academy's entrance
"He's ready. Time to go" Raya said and they walked to the gate of the academy
"Can we all calm down, please" Aella said to the gradually forming crowd "Let's allow him to make his choice"
"Fine" Orpheus sighed "I choose…"