As he approached the mansion, his mind wandered. Compared to a few hours ago, when he was excited for the journey, now... he stopped thinking. "I can't wait," he murmured. The sheer number of people outside this world who saw him as mere sand in the dust was enough motivation to aim for greater heights. His thoughts shifted. "I wonder what skills Elara and Anna have," he mused, already at the gate. Pushing it open, he still felt a sense of ignorance. "Rasvian energy," he said to himself, looking at his palm.
[This radiation is ultimately known as Rasvian energy, an omnipresent energy source that constitutes all conceivable matter, even within the museum. Rasvian can be augmented through natural training or the slaying of other entities and is the sole means of enhancing attachment and all other skills,]
his mind raced to the explanation Tour Guide Milah had given him before the abrupt end. "unknown," he thought again. "How long will i be here, even after i'm done, i'll still have to go to that era..." His mind raced with the unexpected load placed upon him. "I wonder how dangerous the Deplorable Era is. This is similar to training" he paused, thinking of a better word, "Anna would say a better word. 'To-tutorial,'" he tried to say.
Already at the front door, he walked in and saw Richard sitting down on the couch. "Ah, Leonardo, I've called another train," Richard said, then continued, "It should be here in three hours.
Elara and Anna should be awake by then." He turned to look at them; their breathing was evident, showing they were getting better.
"Oh, okay," Leonardo replied, then sat on a couch opposite Richard. He stuttered for a moment, "Ahem, do you know anything about the 17 wonders?" he asked Richard, initiating a conversation that would reveal more about the world's functionalities.
"The 17 wonders?" Richard repeated, his confusion evident. "You don't know of it?" He continued, surprised. "Almost everyone knows of the wonders. It's even taught in schools and not secluded to tower kids." This only raised suspicion about Leonardo as a person.
"You're a tour guide," Richard said, trying to change the conversation and learn more about Leonardo. Leonardo's gaze was unwavering, signaling he wanted an answer to his first question.
"Uh, um," Richard said, feeling the weight of Leonardo's determination. This was the third time he had been threatened by a child not even old enough to be his son. "The 17 wonders..." he began, searching for the right words.
"The wonders are extraordinary places and phenomena that hold significant power and mystery within our world," Richard explained, his voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge.
"They range from ancient structures to natural formations, each with its own unique history and abilities. Some of the most renowned wonders include Unviewability.." he pauses then rethinks his steps slowly,
Leonardo listened intently, his curiosity piqued. "What kind of abilities do these wonders have?" he asked, eager to learn more.
"Each wonder possesses its own unique abilities and characteristics, considered a threat even by the sages," Richard continued. "For instance, Unviewability is a city shrouded in pure illusion.
Most who enter lose their way instantly and remain trapped, wandering its planes. However, advanced users of Rasvian energy can traverse it more easily.
Richard paused, sitting down heavily as the weight of his thoughts bore down on him. "The 17 wonders should be 15 instead," he muttered.
"Those two are in a league of their own. What is the sage thinking, issuing a quest of this size to kids who aren't yet of age? He wants to eliminate all the minor families," he thought grimly.
"He only wants the strong in the tower, only those who can withstand the pyramid scheme played by the sage.
A new era is rising for this realm," he sighed, the weight of the statement hanging in the air.
Leonardo sat back, absorbing the information. "Uncle—" he began, but Richard cut him off gently.
"Richard is alright," he replied instantly, a faint smile softening his stern features.
"Richard, I've heard Rasvian energy is made up of everything," Leonardo continued, his voice filled with both wonder and confusion. "There is alot to talk about ," he tried but faltered.
Leonardo's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the vast implications of what Richard was saying. " everything in this world, every ability, every phenomenon, is tied to Rasvian energy in some way?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and inquiry.
"Precisely," Richard confirmed. "Rasvian energy is the fundamental force that underpins our entire existence," he says again.
"Fundamental force," Leonardo repeated, the words echoing in his mind. The gravity of Richard's explanation about Rasvian energy weighed heavily on him. Suddenly, Elara and Anna began to stir, their movements slow but steady. Though they hadn't awakened as abruptly as Leonardo, their recovery was notably faster than average.
"My head," Anna groaned, cradling her forehead in her palm, clearly in pain. Leonardo knew it would subside before the requested train arrived.
He walked over to them, his steps deliberate. "Hey, Elara," he said softly. Elara's eyes widened with fear, her vulnerability starkly evident. She was a teenager thrust into a perilous quest, and her bravery was a fragile facade.
Elara turned towards him, her voice trembling, "Where's Marquis?" She must have glimpsed him before she collapsed.
"He left a while ago," Leonardo replied gently. Elara looked down at the flame scars starting to heal on her arms, her expression distant.
"How'd they leave?" Anna asked, her voice weak but curious.
"A train came, and Richard requested another one," Leonardo explained, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
"Nice," Anna said flatly, her tone devoid of enthusiasm.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy with unspoken fears. Their physical wounds were healing, but the mental scars were fresh and raw. Leonardo stood up, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders.
"You guys should rest some more," he said, his voice firm but kind. "You need it."
As he turned to walk towards the couch, exhaustion finally overtook him. He collapsed onto the cushions, his eyes fluttering shut almost instantly. Anna and Elara exchanged a glance, the tension easing slightly. They couldn't help but laugh a little at Leonardo's sudden nap, a brief moment of levity in an otherwise grim situation. Then, they too succumbed to sleep, their bodies seeking the respite they desperately needed.