My father's hands began to glow, as if filled with an otherworldly light. I could feel the energy pulsating in the room, a mixture of both excitement and apprehension building within me.
"Grab hold of my hand, Max," he instructed, his voice calm and steady. The Teleportation Rune on the quest papers shone with a green hue, a magical aura that seemed to dance and beckon.
I reached out, my fingers trembling as they met his. "Is this completely safe, Dad?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looked into my eyes, his own filled with unwavering certainty. "It will be, Max. I've done this plenty of times...5 years ago, however."
"Five years ago?!" My heart leaped into my throat, a sudden fear gripping me.
But before I could say anything more, the room swirled around us, a whirlpool of green energy that seemed to pull us from the very fabric of reality.
In a heartbeat, we were standing in an unknown forest, the sound of birds chirping and the scent of fresh earth filling the air.
"That was fun and exciting!" I exclaimed, my fear forgotten in the thrill of the moment.
My father's laughter boomed through the trees, his voice filled with joy. "I didn't botch the Teleportation spell this time!"
"This time? It failed many times before, Father?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
He simply winked at me, his face alight with mischief. And as I looked around, I noticed a large wooden shack standing behind us.
"We need to put on a brave front, Max," he said, his voice filled with determination. "That shack belongs to our client. We need to be presentable."
My eyes drifted down to his pajamas, and I couldn't help but smirk. "Presentable, eh?"
"Give me a moment," he said, stepping away. I watched, mesmerized, as he began to channel green mana that swirled around him. Then, with a shout, he declared, "Alternation of Royal Guard's Armor!"
His pajamas glowed green, transforming before my very eyes into a knight's armor. The soft cotton became sturdy, shiny metal, covering his entire body except for his head. The armor was adorned with intricate lion designs, etched with golden trimmings.
I applauded, awe-struck by the epic transformation. Approaching my father, I reached out to touch the armor, surprised to find it hard and sturdy, real metal indeed.
"Of course, I'm always ready," he said, grinning at me.
"Teach me that spell next time?" I asked, my eyes wide with wonder.
He looked at me, puzzled for a moment. "Didn't you always use that spell as well?"
Then his face fell, and he quickly added, "I'm sorry, Max. I keep forgetting about your amnesia."
But I didn't mind. In that moment, standing beside my father in a world filled with magic and mystery, I felt a connection to something greater, something that transcended memory and time. Together, we were ready for anything, and I knew that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it with courage, determination, and the unbreakable bond of family.
"What about your weapon and shield, Dad?" I asked, my eyes wide with curiosity as I took in my father's newly transformed armor.
Antrodos grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes as he reached for a tree branch. He held it aloft, a triumphant smirk on his face. "This will do, Max."
I blinked, unable to hide my surprise. "Your signature weapon is a tree branch?"
My mind raced, and I quickly guessed, "You'll transform the tree branch into a sword or a greatsword, right?"
He swayed his head, a playful look in his eye. "Wrong, my boy. Sometimes, simplicity is the key."
"But now, we must go to the client's shack," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
I nodded, and we approached the shack together. The wooden door creaked as Antrodos knocked.
A minute later, the door opened to reveal a humanoid cat. My heart skipped a beat at the sight, and I found myself lost in thought, amazed by this fantastical creature. But I quickly stifled my surprise, knowing that I couldn't reveal my true feelings.
"Welcome," the cat greeted us, his voice soft and melodic. "My name is Axon. Are you here to take up the quest I published?"
Antrodos and I nodded, and my father spoke with a firm voice. "We are ready for the extermination quest."
My stomach turned at the word 'extermination,' and I couldn't help but gulp. Extermination? I hadn't done any fighting training yet. What had I gotten myself into?
After a quick chat with Axon, we left the wooden shack and ventured into the forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and the distant sound of rustling leaves filled the silence.
"Dad?" I stammered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "Can I fight, even with my amnesia?"
He ruffled my hair, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Don't worry, Max. We'll figure it out."
"Do you know how to use basic magic at least?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I shook my head, my heart heavy. "No, I need some blank mini-scrolls for it to work."
For a moment, I saw a flicker of doubt in my father's eyes. But then he smiled, his face filled with warmth and understanding. "What if you sit this one out, Max? Let me handle the action."
I felt a surge of determination, a desire to prove myself. "No, Dad. I want to make you proud."
He looked at me, his eyes filled with love and pride. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Max. Especially since you're sick with amnesia."
I fidgeted, uncertainty gnawing at me. "Can you teach me magic, Dad?"
He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a gentle wisdom. "I'm not good at magic, except for alteration-type magic. Even then, only basic spells."
I nodded, my heart swelling with gratitude. "That's fine, Dad."
He grinned, his face alight with excitement. "Then let's begin our lesson."
And so we stood together, father and son, in a world filled with wonder and magic. The forest seemed to come alive around us, a place where anything was possible. And as my father began to teach me, I felt a connection to something greater, something that transcended the ordinary world. Here, in this dreamlike place, I knew that I could face anything, as long as I had my father by my side.
"Dad, how do I start?" I asked, filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
Antrodos smiled warmly, motioning for me to outstretch my arms. "Channel your mana, Max. You know how to do it, right?"
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as I began to channel my mana. "What spell do you want me to use or imagine, Dad?"
"Just channel it into the palms of your hands," he replied, his voice gentle and encouraging.
I did as instructed, focusing on the energy within me. Moments later, a colorful display of energy began to emit from my palms. I watched in awe as my mana swirled around my hands, vividly shifting from erratic movements to a slow, almost solid form.
To my surprise, I saw my father's eyes widen. "Max, your mana is rainbow-colored!"
I looked at him, my mind a whirl of questions. "What does that mean, Dad?"
He smiled, a touch of wonder in his eyes. "Usually, this process is done to determine someone's signature mana. Let me show you."
He outstretched his arms, channeling his mana. I watched, fascinated, as green energy manifested around his palms. Unlike mine, his energy was minimal and static, solidly surrounding his hands.
"That's my mana signature, Max," he explained. "Alternation of Solids. Green signifies the root of Alternation, and the static, slow-moving mana bears the meaning of solid mastery, compared to liquid and gas."
"So magic revolves around the three states of matter?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
He nodded, his face animated as he explained further. "Magic also revolves around different types of magic. I master Alternation, which is the alteration of matter. But there's also Conjuration, Restoration, Destruction, and Illusion."
I was amazed, my eyes wide as I took in the information. "There are so many!"
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Indeed, but I'm not well-versed in the others, so I can't explain them to you."
"That's okay, Dad," I said, still awed by the world of magic he had opened up to me.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with pride. "Judging from your signature mana, Max, no wonder you were chosen to walk the path of a Dragon."
"Why is that?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation.
He pointed towards the rainbow colors, the movement of my mana reflecting in his eyes. "You can virtually master all types of magic and states of matter. Your mana is unique, versatile, and filled with potential."
I stared at him, a newfound sense of purpose rising within me. Here, in this moment, with my father's guidance and the world of magic unfolding before me, I felt a connection to something extraordinary.
The forest around us seemed to come alive, whispering secrets and ancient wisdom. The colors of my mana danced and played, reflecting the endless possibilities that lay ahead.
My father's voice broke through my reverie, his words filled with love and belief. "You have a great destiny, Max. Embrace it, learn from it, and never forget who you are."
I nodded, my heart swelling with determination and hope. "I will, Dad. I'll make you proud."
He smiled, his eyes filled with tears of joy. "You already have, Max. You already have."