Chapter: The Inheritance of Indrali Mehari
Bhoumik stood before the stunning woman, his mind still reeling from the beauty and power she radiated. The glow of her eyes seemed to pierce through him, seeing into his very soul. Indrali Mehari's presence was both captivating and intimidating. After a brief moment of silence, Bhoumik cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Well... my name is Bhoumik Pal. And what if I told you that I ended up here by falling from the sky?"
Indrali's eyebrows arched slightly, her interest clearly piqued. "Falling from the sky? What do you mean?"
Bhoumik let out a small chuckle, unsure of how to explain it in a way that didn't sound absurd. "I mean exactly that. I don't know how I got here. One moment, I was unconscious, and when I woke up, I found myself in the frozen wilderness of this place. I can't explain it any better because I don't know what happened to me before that."
He chose not to reveal the full truth—that he had come from an entirely different world. There was no telling how Indrali or anyone in this new world would react to that kind of information. Only Maya knew because she was a beast, bound to him in some strange way. Bhoumik decided that secrecy was his best protection for now.
Indrali studied him with those piercing eyes, her gaze never leaving his. "So, you don't know how you came here. Interesting..." Her eyes flicked toward Maya, who had coiled around Bhoumik's arm. "And what about the Heaven-Swallowing Python? Did it come with you?"
Maya slithered forward slightly, her voice calm but firm. "No, I followed him. He accidentally saved my life, and as repayment, I chose to follow him. I have no debt now, but I'm here because I feel a connection with him."
Indrali nodded, as if this explanation satisfied her. "I see. So, that's how it is. But you... Bhoumik, you arrived here out of nowhere, with no recollection of how you came to be. Are you sure you don't remember anything from before?"
Bhoumik shook his head slowly, playing along with the lie he had constructed. "No. I can't remember anything before waking up here."
Indrali's expression didn't change, but there was a slight hint of curiosity behind her calm demeanor. "So, you ventured deeper into this place, seeking the inheritance of this ancient sect, am I right?"
Bhoumik hesitated for a moment. "Well... yes, that's true. But to be honest, I don't really care much about the inheritance. I just want to start my cultivation."
A slight smile tugged at Indrali's lips. "But you hold the memories of this sect, do you not? That alone qualifies you for the inheritance. You may not want it now, but it is bound to you."
Bhoumik frowned, surprised. "How do you know that I have these memories?"
Indrali stepped closer, her voice lowering as though she were sharing a great secret. "Because only those guided by the old sect master can open the doors that led you here. The fact that you were able to open them proves you carry those memories within you."
Bhoumik processed her words, a deep sense of realization dawning upon him. "So... you're saying that because I have these memories, I can take the inheritance of this sect?"
Indrali nodded, her expression serious. "That is correct."
Bhoumik looked around the chamber, searching for something—anything—that resembled an inheritance. The room was vast and empty, save for the dark stone walls and the faint glow of spiritual energy swirling in the air.
"But... where is the inheritance? There's nothing here." Bhoumik's voice carried a hint of frustration as he scanned the room again. "This place is completely empty."
Indrali's lips curled into an amused smile as she stepped forward. "You are looking at it."
Bhoumik blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I am the inheritance," Indrali said softly, her voice echoing in the chamber. "I am bound to this sect, to guide its chosen inheritor, and to help them rise once more. I am the one who will help you unlock its secrets and restore its power."
Bhoumik's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to comprehend what she had just said. "What nonsense are you talking about? How can you be the inheritance? Inheritances are supposed to be techniques, secret arts, or treasures, not people!"
Indrali's expression remained calm, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, that may be true in most cases. But this sect is different. I am the last remnant of the ancient masters who built this place, and my role is to guide you. Whether you accept it or not, I am bound to help you rise and restore the sect."
Bhoumik felt a strange mix of emotions—confusion, disbelief, and a lingering sense of awe. He stared at her, still unable to fully grasp the reality of what she was saying. "You... you're telling me that you'll guide me? That you'll be with me the entire time?"
Indrali nodded. "That's right. Even if you do not accept me now, I am bound to you. My purpose is to help you rise and restore this sect to its former glory."
Bhoumik's thoughts whirled. His mind raced with the possibilities. Having someone like Indrali at his side, with her immense power and knowledge, could be the key to not only surviving in this world but thriving in it. He glanced at Maya, who was watching the interaction silently, her eyes sharp and thoughtful.
After a long moment of contemplation, Bhoumik finally sighed and nodded. "Fine. I'll accept your help. But restoring this sect... is that really necessary?"
Indrali's eyes flashed with a determined light. "It is more than necessary. But first, you must become powerful enough to handle the responsibilities of leading a sect. That is why your cultivation comes first."
Bhoumik couldn't help but smile slightly at the practicality of her words. "You're right. I do need to start cultivating. But... I have no idea where to begin."
Indrali's smile softened, and she nodded. "That is where I come in. I will help you start your journey. But first, we need to see what elements you are attuned to."
She reached into the space ring on her finger and pulled out a glowing glass orb. Its surface shimmered with an ethereal light, and Bhoumik could feel the energy radiating from it. She held it out to him.
"Place your hand on this orb," Indrali instructed, "and it will reveal the elements you are most attuned to. Once we know, we can begin your cultivation."
Bhoumik stepped forward, hesitant but curious. He placed his hand on the cool surface of the orb, and for a moment, nothing happened. He furrowed his brow, confused.
"It seems like nothing is happening," Bhoumik muttered, pulling his hand away.
But just as he was about to remove his hand completely, the orb began to glow. At first, it was faint, but then the light intensified. Colors began swirling inside the orb—blue for water, red for fire, green for wind, and more. Soon, the orb was glowing with every color imaginable, filling the room with a brilliant display of light.
Bhoumik's eyes widened in astonishment. "What... what does this mean?"
Indrali, who had remained calm up until this point, now looked completely shocked. Even Maya had coiled herself tightly around Bhoumik's arm, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Indrali's voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke. "You... you have an affinity for every element. Water, fire, earth, wind, lightning, and even... space, time, and void..."
Bhoumik blinked, utterly confused. "What does that mean?"
Indrali regained her composure, though her eyes were still wide with shock. "This is... unheard of. Most cultivators, even the most talented, can only control one or two elements. Only after advancing to realms like the Manifestation Realm can they control more. But you... you can control every element, including the rarest ones—space, time, and void. This is beyond rare... it's practically unheard of in the entire universe."
Bhoumik, still absorbing all this information, felt a growing sense of unease. "So... what do I do now?"
Indrali stepped forward, her tone now serious. "You must keep this a secret from the outside world. If others learn of your ability, you will become a target. There are countless powerful cultivators and sects who would hunt you down just for the chance to exploit your potential. You cannot let anyone know about this, not even your closest allies."
Bhoumik nodded slowly, still overwhelmed by everything he had learned. "I understand. I'll keep it hidden."
Indrali's expression softened slightly, and she reached into her space ring again. This time, she pulled out an old, weathered scroll. She handed it to Bhoumik.