Tatsuki's consciousness wavered in the timeless abyss of his crystalline prison. His voice echoed through the eerie, mirror-encased chamber. "It's been such a long time... aahhh..."
He pondered the last time he had a visitor, a warm meal, or a comforting bath. A mumble escaped his lips, "Oh well, who gives a damn. It's not like I don't have time in this eternal hell." Immortality had seemed like the ultimate boon when he struck a deal with one of the four great elemental creators, but it had transformed into an eternal curse.
Tatsuki's gaze drifted to the world outside, visible through the mirror's reflections. He longed for a breath of fresh air, the serene beauty of the pond, and the lush greenery of an open field. "How long will these shackles bind me?" he sighed, frustration building. "I swear upon the name of my father, that traitorous bastard... when I find out how to get to him..he is, I'll rip his flesh one second at a time with my own hands."
With an angry shout, he declared his determination, "Just you wait, Father! I'm going to survive this hellhole, and when I do..." The intensity of his voice faded, and he sighed again. "Oh well, there's no point shouting now; it'll only make my throat even sorer."
Tatsuki's thoughts turned to nostalgia, his desire for a taste of the old town's legendary sake. The memories of the people from his hometown, the ones who had betrayed him, filled him with bitterness. "Damn those cheeky old farts."
As he contemplated his revenge
" a light introduction provided insight into the world outside his prison. The Collaborated World, or CW, was a union formed by multiple states and higher authorities, governing most of the world. It had arisen after the Grand Mana Burst (GMB) incident, a cataclysmic event caused by a reckless alchemist. The world had changed, and becoming an official mage now required attending government-run facilities."
Tatsuki continued to mumble about his revenge plans, imagining the old geezers as nothing but bones. He chuckled at the idea of making a bone stew but acknowledged his inability to cook and doubted the dusty bones would taste good. "This sucks," he lamented.
Then, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "I bet it sure does, huh... champ." Tatsuki was taken aback, looking around frantically. "Who is it? Are you here to toy with me too, you stinking, moley, stupid dumbass hiding in the shadows?"
An imposing figure materialized before him, an older man with a muscular physique and a flowing white beard. He wore a long black leather coat and silk pants, his presence both intimidating and enigmatic.
The man responded, "Kid, you are not too good at passing insults, so why not leave that part... huh?" he said, his voice laced with annoyance. Tatsuki defiantly called himself "Tatsuki," and challenged the man further, "And what makes you think I'll stop? However, if you manage to get me out of these shackles, you kind-hearted old pop, soon you're gonna die, good-looking, crappy person. Then, that's a different end of the pole, pretty please."
The stranger was unimpressed, noting Tatsuki's ineptitude with flattery and insults, "You are not too good with flattery either, so don't try that. Also, I feel sick around you." But despite his annoyance, he agreed to help Tatsuki break free from his shackles.
As they bantered back and forth, Tatsuki wondered if the stranger had any affiliation with the Collaborated World, but for now it seemed he didn't. Grateful for the assistance, Tatsuki's demeanor shifted from snarky to appreciative.
The stranger then performed a mysterious act of magic, conjuring a complex circle. Tatsuki's panic surged as he suspected the involvement of the CW. However, the stranger's actions defied conventional magic, leaving Tatsuki bewildered and curious.
With a resounding shout, the stranger summoned a mystic weapon, called hell katana. Tatsuki's excitement surged as he watched the blade manifest, his path to escape taking a new, enigmatic turn. He wondered what adventures lay ahead and what secrets the stranger held, and how their fates would become intertwined in a world reshaped by magic and politics.