Among those enigmatic higher officials of the universe, whose faces remained shrouded in obscurity, an unsettling aura surrounded each of them. It was as if they exuded an otherworldly presence.
When they mentioned choosing an outsider for a significant purpose, I couldn't help but wonder if it could be me. A wave of embarrassment washed over me, though I tried my best to hide it in their presence.
"We have convened you here for a pivotal deliberation. Though we may come across as distant, it is imperative to comprehend that revealing our countenances is a privilege we cannot indulge," articulated a voice that bore an uncanny familiarity from their midst. "We humbly beseech your collaboration, as you shall be required to acclimate to our customs. Your abode shall now be among us."
"Well, I don't mean to be impolite, but why should I stay with you? My permit to stay here expires tomorrow. I was only granted a four-day stay, and it cost me nearly half of my belongings to secure it," I replied, a hint of reluctance in my voice.
"It appears I may not have adequately elucidated the current circumstances," he responded, his voice momentarily halting. "Regrettably, you find yourself without a place of residence to which you can return."
The revelation that I had no place to return to left me stunned. I had expected the visit to the Realm of Gods to be brief, but this turn of events was beyond anything I could have anticipated.
"What do you mean by 'I have no place to return'?" I inquired, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.
The familiar voice continued, its tone heavy with a message that struck me like a tidal wave. "It appears that the realm from whence you hail, if my understanding serves me correctly, has met its demise, or, to be more precise, has been utterly obliterated from existence."
I was rendered speechless. Words simply wouldn't form in my throat, leaving a suffocating silence hanging in the air, making the situation all the more overwhelming.
"You claim to have a heavy heart?" I finally managed to speak, my voice quivering with a mix of sorrow and anger. "You said that so casually! Spare me the empty words!" My outburst echoed in the quiet room, a release of pent-up emotions I could no longer contain. I couldn't make sense of everything so quickly.
Driven by anger and sorrow, I propelled myself at them, determined to confront these enigmatic figures. It was as if I had honed my skills since my arena battle; my movements were sharper and more precise.
But my attack was short-lived. At the next moment, I found myself frozen in place, an agonizing sensation coursing through me. It felt like something was devouring me from the inside, as if I was losing control of my own body.
A voice among the officials spoke once more, its tone measured and understanding. "Young man, please do not misconstrue our seemingly detached demeanor as a lack of empathy. We have borne witness to challenges of a magnitude far exceeding your own."
I collapsed to my knees, the overwhelming power relinquishing its grip on me. When I looked up, expecting to see the officials, they had vanished, leaving me alone with the weight of their revelation.
"What was that?" I pondered silently. "I followed their instructions to come here, and they delivered such a harsh message only to leave me hanging like this?"
The more I contemplated their words, the deeper my frustration grew, eventually bringing me to tears. I harbored an intense resentment towards them, a fury that could have driven me to harm them, but I was acutely aware of the vast chasm in our powers.
For someone like me, who had embarked on this journey into combat just a day ago, my abilities were minuscule in their eyes. I couldn't fathom why they had disclosed this information in the first place. It filled me with anger, yet I felt utterly powerless. It was a stark revelation of life beyond Earth 99, a harsh reality that hit me like a merciless punch.
With no other recourse, I summoned every ounce of my willpower to rise from the ground. It was an arduous struggle, akin to a child's first steps. I can't precisely convey the sensation, but it felt as though I was learning to walk anew. My eyes, devoid of vitality, fixated on the guard who had initially escorted me to the town hall. Even he must have been perplexed by the stark transformation that had occurred in just a matter of minutes, leaving me in such a wretched state.
As I made my way through these bewildering experiences, I sought solace in the colosseum, the only place I knew. I yearned for power. That day, I grasped a fundamental truth, one that I continue to hold dear: power is everything. While I had previously believed that money held the key to success, that notion was confined to my home realm. Everywhere else, power reigned supreme, whether it manifested in authority, abilities, or any other form. Without some form of power, one risked being trampled upon by all.
In my current state, I was far from a position of authority. Thus, I resolved to become stronger. Seated within the colosseum, my mind devoid of thoughts, my eyes nearly drained of tears, my mouth parched, and my breathing shallow, I felt the weight of the officials' message weighing me down.
I yearned for strength, but how could I achieve it? I had no combat experience, no prowess in battles. It was at that moment, in the depths of my despair, that I heard approaching footsteps. As I raised my weary head, my gaze fell upon a glimmer of hope – someone who could train me if he wanted to.
It was him, the trainer who had prepared me for the tournament. He stood beside me, his gaze fixed upon me. Upon realizing his identity, my mood took a further downturn.
With some effort, I managed to speak, my voice trembling, "I'm sorry, even though you trained me so hard, I couldn't even win the first round. I'm nothing but an embarrassment."
"Don't be too tough on yourself. You performed admirably in your first significant bout," he replied, his words carrying a reassuring weight. Although I didn't meet his gaze directly, my exceptional eyesight allowed me to perceive the contours of his face. He drew in a deep breath and went on, "I've heard the news about your realm. I apologize for approaching you during such a trying moment."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Perhaps I can't fully comprehend your emotions right now because I haven't had many people close to me. However, they're all gone now, so... I can grasp at least a fragment of your feelings."
"That's not what I meant."
"Well," he sighed, "I'm aware you can perceive me, even from a mile away at this very moment, can't you? Your powers have awakened, haven't they?"
I was stunned. I had indeed noticed that my vision now extended over a mile, perhaps even further, but how did he know that?
"Son, don't waste your time on fruitless musings," he advised, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Let me make one thing clear: life doesn't come to a screeching halt here. I can see potential in you, provided you decide to stride forward. I'm not suggesting you forget your kin and friends, but I reckon they wouldn't want you stuck in this rut, would they? Give it some serious consideration. Now, I must take my leave or I'll be tardy getting back home."
With those words, he walked away without looking back.
As he said I gave some thought into his words. Even the officials said that I hadn't seen enough of this harsh reality in the universe. What could be more worse than losing family and home? I always thought losing the loved ones would be the most painful. My thoughts went on and on.
The trainer's words echoed in my mind, urging me to move forward. It was a daunting task, but one I knew I had to face.
With his advice in mind, I stood up, already feeling a bit better. I began to make my way out of the Colosseum, and as I passed the trainer, I couldn't help but address him.
"You never did tell me your name, sir," I remarked, making sure to point out his earlier attempt to deceive me. "Late for home, huh? Your excuse wouldn't hold up under scrutiny. Don't forget about my abilities; I'm quite skilled at looking."
The trainer, leaning casually against the wall near the small entrance to the grand Colosseum, was dressed in a striking medieval costume, complete with thick-soled shoes and an intriguing sedge hat that wasn't made from straw but some other mysterious material. Finally, he spoke.
"The whole idea was to catch your attention, you see. It wouldn't serve any purpose if you didn't notice me. Now that you've noticed, I suppose you understand why you're here. Are you ready?"
With those words, he gestured for me to follow him. As we walked through the entrance, he introduced himself.
"By the way, my name is EDMUND DARROW."
"Edmund? That sounded more like a name for food," I couldn't help but think.
Following him, we reached the edge of the realm. The surroundings were rugged, and the intense heat had me sweating profusely. As we ventured further toward the realm's border, I spotted a familiar face. Before I could fully recognize him, Edmund spoke, "This particular region of the realm extends beyond its own atmosphere, you see." He paused for a moment, turning to face me.
"I'll pose the question once more: Are you truly prepared? Your life is poised for a profound transformation as you embark on this quest for strength. Brace yourself; it will be unlike any experience you've encountered thus far."
I remained silent, merely nodding in response. It was strange. It felt like he could somehow read my thoughts, giving the impression that we had known each other for ages when, in reality, this was only our second encounter.
As I ventured further, memories of that person standing there began to resurface. He was the man who fought against a woman in the first round. I distinctly remembered him from that moment; his presence, combined with that of his opponent, was enough to leave a lasting impression. What was such a formidable individual doing here?
Edmund positioned himself at the edge and announced, "We'll be departing from here, beyond the realm's atmosphere."
Approaching the man who stood nearby, I greeted him, "You must be Callum. Ni..."
"Caelum," he corrected, interrupting me. "Don't say anything if you can't say it correctly."
"Apologies," I replied. Even in his passive stance, he exuded an immense aura, which seemed like either soul energy or an overpowering presence. "I'm Ethan."
"It doesn't matter," he retorted. "I didn't come here for pleasantries. I'm here solely to prepare the space for your so-called training, as instructed by the master."
The notion of "Master?" flickered through my mind, but when I glanced at Edmund, it all became clear.
My thoughts raced, "Is this man Caelum's master? That's astonishing. He managed to transform my combat skills overnight, so he must be, right?"
I addressed Caelum, "What do you mean by 'space' while we're standing on this barren, rocky terrain? We can utilize all of this for training."
Caelum responded, "You don't quite grasp it yet. Allow me to demonstrate."
He unsheathed his sword, which hung on his right side.
Left-handed, huh? — I pondered. It piqued my interest; I always appreciated uniqueness.
Raising the sword to shoulder level sideways, he closed his eyes. His lung contractions and relaxations ceased, and in the next instant, he elegantly sliced through the air in front of him. We stood at the realm's edge, where the atmospheric sphere ended, and he had just slashed it. Although I couldn't comprehend the mechanics behind his action, one thing was certain: HE CUT THROUGH SPACE ITSELF. I was confident that even if I asked for an explanation of this feat, I wouldn't comprehend a thing. I remained silent.
After Caelum sliced the space, creating some sort of rift, he swung his sword gracefully and returned it to its scabbard, just like a highly experienced swordsman. The motion was incredibly smooth and beautiful.
"Let's go in. Follow me," Edmund instructed, taking the lead. He grabbed one side of the slashed space and pulled it, as if tearing through a sheet of paper. The rift expanded into a sizable hole, large enough for a person to enter.
Edmund entered nonchalantly, and as soon as he passed through, he vanished, it was like straight out of a movie. Guess it could happen in real life too.
I entered with trepidation, aware of Caelus behind me. Once inside the expanded rift, a narrow pathway materialized before me, almost imperceptible. As I continued forward, an expansive room-like structure revealed itself. I stood in awe, contemplating whether it was a separate space created beyond the realm's atmosphere. The notion of such a phenomenon occurring in reality seemed implausible.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked Caelus, who responded curtly, "Regardless of what I do, your task is to improve, considering that the master himself is your trainer."
His words sent shivers down my spine.
Inside, I found the master standing there, his hands clasped in a simple, contemplative gesture. It appeared as though he had been in prayer. Slowly, he opened his eyes, which had remained closed until now.
"Get yourself ready, young one. Before you leave this sanctuary, you're about to set foot on your maiden odyssey. I reckon your yearning is to fortify yourself, isn't it? Remaining stagnant won't carry you forward. You've got to journey through the boundless realms of the cosmos. With your background as a journalist, you should find this second nature. Remember, power isn't solely sculpted through training. Some lessons can only be etched in the heat of true battle, and a few, perhaps, in the shadow of perilous moments. So, shall we commence?"
In a somber tone, I replied, "You've already mentioned this."
"Let's not beat around the bush. If you intend to proceed on your journey, there's a vital lesson you must grasp. You've encountered the term before, but allow me to elucidate once more: 'Soul Energy.' It's the unceasing energy that seeps from your soul. The energy you expend in your daily life is distinct from this. Despite its continual dissipation, you won't experience fatigue. Nevertheless, once you gain mastery over its outflow, your usual energy reserves will slowly diminish until only soul energy remains. Soul energy then becomes your new baseline. It empowers your combat abilities and even bestows you the ability to manipulate the molecular composition of objects."
As I absorbed this knowledge, I thought, "It's a lot to take in, but it clarifies the mysterious glowing and newfound strength of my sword. I think I'm starting to understand."
The master continued, "The amount of soul energy is intricately tied to the size of one's soul. Curiously, it's the nobility and their offshoots who boast the most substantial souls."
"Size of one's soul?" I inquired with curiosity.
"Yes, everyone has a soul, but not all souls are of equal size," he explained with a seasoned tone.
"So, does a larger body mean a larger soul?" I asked.
"No, the size of one's body doesn't determine the size of their soul," he stated, his tone tinged with the faintest hint of irritation, yet still maintaining a calm demeanor to clarify the misconception.
"Really? I read something about that in mythology," I commented.
"Disregard whatever you've read; it's nothing but myths," he responded, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "Out in the world, there are warriors oblivious to the concept of soul energy, yet they thrive due to their innate abilities. They're blessed with unique talents from birth, even though it may take time to awaken them fully. My friend, you fall into the category of these fortunate souls. Some talents lean towards combat, while others offer versatility. Nevertheless, with the right guidance and training, anyone can learn to harness soul energy."
I responded, "Great, so if we're done with the theory, are we ready to start the training? I assume that's why you brought me here, to learn how to harness and control it, correct?"
And so it began, my training to harness my soul energy.