I JUST STARED AT HIM, dumbfounded.
What is the old bat saying?
"What? You can't be serious, right?" I managed to blurt out.
He just tilted his head in response, and said, "Why not?"
"For one thing, I'm a human. Are humans even allowed to stay in this
kingdom? Also, I need to make sure my family is okay and tell them I'm still
alive," I argued.
At this, the old man went silent, and he pondered a bit before speaking again.
"Living here isn't a problem as long as you're under my protection. I've
chosen to enjoy my old age instead of being burdened with the duties of the
crown, but I still wield considerable power. As for your parents… is it an
absolute necessity for you to see them in person?"
It was my turn to ponder.
"I… I guess seeing them in person isn't strictly a necessity. Although I miss
them, the most important thing is finding out how they're doing, and letting
them know that I'm okay," I answered.
"Then come with me tomorrow morning. I think I have the solution to that.
Once that's taken care of, we can start your training right away."
I stared up at the senior in front of me, dubious of his intentions. "I don't
understand why you want me as your disciple. And you seem to be in an
awful rush. Why can't I go back home and spend a bit of time with my parents, then return here to train with you?"
"I want you to be my disciple because I see your potential. Listen. An
uncountable number of people have asked me to take them on as my disciple
—rich and poor, young and old. But do you know how many I've taken on so
far? None! These new generation brats bore me. These wealthy noble parents
think they're qualified to ask me to be their kid's mentor just because they
thought the brat was special."
I just furrowed my brows, not knowing where Virion was going with this.
"But you're different. I know you have exceptional talent in mana
manipulation, and only the gods know how, but you possess better technique
than even I do—but those aren't the reasons I decided to teach you. Arthur, I
need to ask you: How are you a beast tamer?" All amusement had vanished
from his sharp features, and he fixed me with a deathly gaze.
"Beast tamer? What are you talking about?" I was genuinely confused.
After a moment of silence, the elder said, "It's getting late. Tessia, it's time
you went in to bed." Then he turned to me and said, "Let's go back inside
and talk."
It didn't seem our conversation was going to end anytime soon.
He led me to a living room with a roaring fireplace. Sitting down on one of
the couches, he said, "Let's start from the beginning. I assume you know that
mana beasts possess mana cores, just like humans, elves, and dwarves,
right?"
I nodded at this.
"Right. And just like mana beasts, the mana cores of humans, elves, and
dwarves possess qualities distinct to their own race," Virion continued.
He took paper and pen from a nearby table and began drawing a chart. I
peered over his shoulder to see.
•Water—Ice
•Plant
•Earth—Gravity ,Magma, Metal
•Fire—Lightning
•Wind—Sound
"These are the four basic elements and their higher forms," he said, looked at
me to see if I understood.
"The higher forms—ice, metal, lightning, sound—
can only be controlled if a mage is especially adept at a particular basic
element—in other words, a deviant. This is where the distinct racial qualities
lie." He wrote a brief description under each race, explaining and elaborating
as he went.
Humans:
4 basic elements
–deviants (healers/emitters)
"Human mages," he said as he scribbled, "possess the ability to manipulate
all four basic elements. Humans are the only race whose deviants can control
the higher form of their adept element. There are even human deviants who
can transcend the four basic elements, like healers, or emitters, making their
mana cores the most diverse."
He didn't pause to see if I had questions. His pen continued to fly across the
page.
Elves:
• Water, wind, earth
–No higher forms
–Plants (pure)
"Elven mages can only manipulate water, wind, and earth, but our natural
affinities to these three elements are much higher than humans'. Our race is
unique, in that some very pure-blooded mages are able to control plants.
However, elves don't have deviants who can manipulate water, wind, and
earth into their higher forms."
"Why—" I began, but he was racing ahead, intent on the lesson.
Dwarves:Earth/fire: higher affinity
–Metal/magma
–No higher forms
"Dwarven mages can only manipulate earth and fire but, like elves, they
possess a much higher affinity to those two elements. Their distinct trait lies
in the fact that all dwarves can mold and bend metal. Some deviants also
possess the ability to manipulate both earth and fire into magma, something
even human deviants are not able to do, much less elves. However, dwarves
can only manipulate those two basic elements and, like elves, are unable to
control the higher forms of the basic elements."
"Wait," I said, studying his charts. "I'm not getting all of this. Why can't
humans manipulate plants and magma?"
"Good question. Only elves can manipulate plants—the only living nature
form—because of our lineage being highly affinitive to the nurturing
elements. And only the dwarf race can manipulate magma and metal because,
like us elves, their lineage makes them highly adept with the constructing
elements."
I started rubbing the bridge of my nose as my brain whirled.
"Okay. I think I understand the differences between the three races, but what
does that have to do with me being a beast tamer? What does that even mean,
anyway?"
"I'm getting to that, brat," he barked. "Mana beasts are different from the
three humanoid races, because each species has its own special
characteristics. Listing them all would be endless so I'll give you a simple
example: Mages—whether they are adventurers or not—are classified as E,
D, C, B, A, AA, S, or SS-class. This classification is the same for mana
beasts as well.
"Take the sonic hawk. They are B-class beasts which possess incredible
speed while in flight. They have affinity for wind and sound. These attributes
are innate in their mana cores. Regardless of the hawk's affinity, if the beast'smana core is taken out and given to a human or elf mage specializing in the
wind element, the mage's training will go by much faster than just cultivating
mana from their surroundings. But that's the only impact it will have on the
mage."
I waited impatiently while Virion gulped down a glass of water. Then he
continued. "However! A mana beast of A-class or higher has the ability to
pass on its 'will'—or ability, to be more precise—to one person. I called you
a beast tamer earlier because you have a mana beast's will in your mana core.
By my estimation, it's the will of an S-class mana beast, if not an SS-class.
I'm able to sense this because I'm a beast tamer myself, although the beast I
tamed was an AA-class, the shadow panther."
So that's how he was able to be so unusually fast.
Seeing the look of revelation on my face, Elder Virion chuckled. "Yes, brat, I
was able to bully you that badly by utilizing my shadow panther's will. But I
only used about half my speed." He shot me a wink.
He could move even more quickly?
Everything was beginning to make sense: the strange, faint markings that had
appeared on my mana core after Sylvia gouged through it; how she had said
my future progress would depend on understanding her power…
My eyes welled up and I lowered my head, trying to keep my tears from
falling.
"You must have been through a lot, child. I'm not going to push you for an
answer, but it is urgent that I guide you. You don't have much time." His
voice was warm but stern.
"What do you mean?" I sniffled, looking up at him.
"The power from your mana core is too much for your immature body to
handle. Let me ask you this, boy. Have you recently felt a burning pain
coming from your mana core?" The look on my face must have given him the
answer, because he nodded solemnly. "If you don't learn to control your new
mana core, it'll destroy your body." He looked straight at me, dissolving anydoubt I may have had.
"I understand. It seems I have no choice but to be under your guidance," I said, trying to get my emotions under control. "However, I don't think I'll be
able to focus on training without making sure that my family is all right and
that they know I'm safe too. You mentioned something about that earlier…"
"What is it?" Elder Virion asked at my hesitation.
"Just trying to figure out how to best address you. Is 'Master' fine?"
"Just call me Grandpa from now on. My first disciple should at least be able
to call me that. And who knows, maybe someday I'll become your grandpa-
in-law." He shot me another wink.
My eyes widened in response, and he chuckled as he continued. "We'll go
see an old friend of mine tomorrow who'll take care of your worries. What I
need from you, starting now, is your utmost diligence.
Even I am not sure
how long it'll take for you to master the basics of your beast's will. In all my
two hundred years, I've never seen such a young mage, let alone a beast
tamer. You're going to bring big changes into this world, brat. I just know it."
I was taken aback, not by his praise, but by how casually he'd mentioned that
he was over two hundred years old. I'd read that powerful mages were able to
live longer, but it was still surprising to hear it in person.
"Go to sleep now, Arthur. Tomorrow's going to be a long day. You'll need
the rest."
I got up and bowed before leaving the room.
"Goodnight… Grandpa."
He chuckled, waving me off. I made my way back to my room, where I
plopped onto my bed, too tired to even get under the covers.
I roused from sleep, grunting at the heavy sensation weighing down on my
body.
Were they my worries? My burdens? The expectations placed on me? Were
these things weighing down on me even as I slept?
"G'morning, Art! Wake up!"I opened my eyes to see that my burdens had taken the form of a lovely
young lady very similar in appearance to my friend Tess.
"Come on, sleepyhead! You need to meet Grandpa soon. Hey! Don't go back
to sleep!" She bounced up and down, crushing my ribs.
Was this how elven princesses acted? I doubted that the king and queen
would approve…
"I get it! I'm up, Tess. Please get off my stomach so I can get up," I groaned,
still half-asleep.
Tessia giggled. "Art, your hair looks funny. Hey, hey, is it true you're going
to be staying here for a while?
Grandpa told me this morning. I'm so happy!
You're really staying, right? Right?" Tess had a wide smile pasted on her
face.
How the hell was she so energetic this early in the morning?
Trying to tame my hair, I responded, "We'll know for sure after my trip with
Elder Virion, but it seems I'll most likely be bothering you for a bit longer,
Princess."
She stabbed my side with her finger. "Not 'Princess'. Tess! T-E-S-S! I'm
going to get upset if you don't treat me better."
She was cute when she pouted.
"All right, all right. I have to shower and get ready, so I'll see you
downstairs."
"You better hurry!" she chimed as she pranced out of the room.
Letting out a sigh, I removed my robe, making sure to keep the feather-
wrapped stone safely inside, and hopped into the shower. The warm water
washed away what was left of my fatigue after being awakened so roughly.
After drying myself and getting dressed, I made my way down the flight of
curved stairs. A butler opened the front door for me as I approached. When I
stepped out, I saw a small carriage waiting in front of the castle, with
Grandpa Virion and Tess inside. The king and queen stood next to it, their
backs to me, talking to Virion."Father, it is not appropriate for a human to be residing within this kingdom."
"Alduin is right, Elder Virion. Although saving Tessia is something I will
forever be grateful to the child for, having a human stay here goes against all
traditions."
Virion leaned back lazily inside the carriage.
"Bah! Screw traditions," he snorted. "I've taken a liking to that boy, and so
has Tessia, haven't you, child?"
"Grandpa! It's not like that! He's just…" Her voice trailed off at the end, face
glowing.
Virion laughed. "Anyway, he's going to be under my direct guidance from
now on. Make sure to let everyone know that he is not to be trifled with."
"Father—"
"Enough! This isn't a political decision, but a personal wish of mine. I hope
you can respect that. Oh, brat! You're here," he called, his expression
changing to a smile as soon as he saw me. "Come! We should hurry."
I nodded, then turned to the king and queen and bowed, pretending not to see
their frowns.
A few minutes into our journey, I turned to Grandpa Virion. "Hey, Gramps,
where are we headed, anyway? You said we were meeting a friend of yours,
right?"
"'Gramps,' eh?" he replied with a chuckle. "Well, aren't you awfully
comfortable with me now. Good, good! As for where we're going, it's a
surprise." He threw me a wink.
Tessia must have been tired from waking up so early—she had fallen asleep,
her head leaning against my shoulder.
"Take good care of her, Art. She grew up in a very lonely environment,"
Grandpa Virion muttered. A look of compassion filled his eyes as he looked
at his sleeping granddaughter.
"What do you mean?""Growing up as the only princess of an entire kingdom is very stressful—too
much for a child to handle. She has no close friends, and it has been hard on
her. Tessia has been hurt too many times by people pretending to care about
her, only to use her for their personal gains. This has made her often cold and
distant to those around her. Imagine how surprised we all were when we saw
you two holding hands."
"I noticed that when I heard her talk to the guards," I said.
"Arthur, Tessia has shown more emotion, more smiles and laughter, than she
ever did growing up; around you, she finally seems more like a child. For
that, I thank you." He patted my shoulder.
The carriage came to a gentle halt, and the driver opened the door to inform
us of our arrival.
"Hey, Tess, we're here," I whispered, gently nudging her.
She eventually stirred awake and we got out of the carriage, finding ourselves
in front of what could only
be described as a hut.
Grandpa Virion strode to the door and began pounding on it, yelling, "Hey,
you old witch! Come out!"
The door flew open to reveal a hunched, elderly lady whose grey hair looked
as if it had been struck by lightning. Her wrinkled eyes were a strange
mixture of colors, all blending together, and she was dressed in a simple
brown robe. She barely glanced at Virion before peering down at me with an
appraising eye.
"Took you long enough to get here," she muttered.
"Arthur, let me introduce you to Rinia Darcassan. She's a very special
deviant amongst us elves," Grandpa Virion announced.
"It's good seeing you again, Virion. Charming as always, little Tessia," she
smiled, patting Tess's head.
Then, looking at me again, she stuck out her hand. "We finally meet, young
Arthur. Call me Rinia. I am a diviner."