After Limo's revelation that Varin also possessed a Rebirth Core, his perception of his mentor shifted. No longer did he see Varin as just a guide—he now saw him as a close confidante, someone who shared a deeper connection with him than he'd realized. The bond between them felt different, heavier with unspoken understanding.
Could Varin have come from the same world as me? Kael wondered, his curiosity now a storm brewing in his mind. If they both had a Rebirth Core, maybe they had more in common than he'd imagined. Was he reborn too?
On his way to their secret training spot, Kael's thoughts raced. Varin had promised to show him his own skills today—a rare display of power he hadn't yet seen.
I should ask him later... Kael mused. If he's like me, if he's also a Reborn.
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the secluded training grounds just outside the guild. Kael and Varin had taken to the quiet of the woods for their training sessions, away from prying eyes and ears. The atmosphere was tense yet charged with anticipation; Kael felt invigorated every time he trained with his mentor.
"Today, I'm going to show you the true depth of my skills," Varin said, a hint of pride in his voice. "It's time you see what an assassin can really do."
Kael nodded, eager to learn. "I'm ready, Varin."
Varin took a deep breath, centering himself. With a swift movement, he disappeared from view, enveloped by the shadows around him. Kael felt a rush of energy as he sensed Varin's presence shifting through the darkness.
"First, let me show you Void Veil," Varin's voice echoed around him, as if it were coming from all directions. Suddenly, the shadows coalesced into a dark mist, swirling around Varin's figure as he reappeared in a burst of shadow energy.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Void Veil (Mastered)
Effect: Grants increased agility and makes the user nearly invisible.
Kael watched in awe as Varin moved with newfound grace, his form nearly blending into the surrounding shadows. "That's incredible!"
Varin then transitioned into a swift series of movements. "Now, witness Shadow Strike!" He lunged forward, a blur of motion as he slashed through the air with a shadowy dagger. The air crackled with energy, and a dark streak followed his movements, landing a devastating blow on a nearby tree, splitting it in half.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Shadow Strike (Mastered)
Effect: Delivers a swift and deadly strike, dealing massive damage to a target.
"Unbelievable!" Kael exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration.
But Varin was just getting started. He took a step back and raised his arms, gathering shadows around him. "Now, prepare yourself for a combo skill: Shadow Rend!" He moved with precision, slashing at the air multiple times, sending out dark blades that sliced through the atmosphere like invisible arrows.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Shadow Rend (Mastered)
Effect: A powerful combination of Shadow Strike and Void Rend, launching a flurry of shadowy blades at multiple targets, dealing damage to all in range.
Kael felt the gust of wind as the blades zipped past him, striking the ground and leaving deep cuts in the earth.
"Now watch as I combine my skills for an even more powerful attack," Varin continued. "Void Rend!" He summoned the shadows around him, swirling them into a massive sphere before releasing it in a sweeping arc, the darkness swallowing everything in its path.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Void Rend (Mastered)
Effect: Unleashes a concentrated wave of dark energy, dealing heavy area damage to all enemies.
The shockwave of dark energy knocked Kael off his feet, and he struggled to regain his balance. The ground trembled underfoot as Varin's power unleashed itself.
As the dust settled, Varin staggered slightly, breathing heavily. "That… is the essence of our art. Speed, precision, and overwhelming force, all in harmony."
But the display of power came at a cost. Varin's expression shifted, and he suddenly collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. Kael rushed to his mentor's side, worry flooding his chest.
"Varin!" Kael knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Varin attempted to smile, but it faltered. "I'm… fine," he lied, but Kael could sense the truth. The Mentor System activated, allowing him to feel the weight of Varin's exhaustion and pain.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Status: Varin is experiencing significant strain due to the recent skill display.
"No, you're not," Kael pressed, his voice firm. "I know about your Rebirth Core. I know it's damaged."
Varin's expression shifted, and for a long moment, he remained silent, staring at the ground. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and somber. "You're right, Kael. I do have a Rebirth Core… but it's broken."
Kael's heart sank. "How did it happen?"
Varin looked away, his eyes distant as he relived the memories. "I was too confident in my abilities during the battles against the Rift Lords. I thought I was invincible. I pushed myself too far, and in the chaos of battle, I was betrayed by someone I trusted. That betrayal shattered my core and my spirit."
Kael felt a surge of anger at the thought of Varin's suffering. "You didn't deserve that."
"No, I didn't," Varin agreed, his voice heavy with regret. "I left my old guild because the others feared my power. They didn't understand what it meant to have such abilities, and they turned on me. It was then that I realized there were others like me—those who felt out of place because of their strength. That's when I noticed you."
Kael met Varin's gaze, understanding dawning on him. "You saw yourself in me."
"Exactly," Varin said, a faint smile touching his lips. "That's why I chose to mentor you. I wanted to help you grow strong enough to protect this new world you've come to accept as your home. It's not about healing my core, Kael; it's about helping you become the protector you're meant to be."
Kael felt a swell of gratitude and determination. "I want to help you too, Varin. I want to find a way to heal your core. You've given so much to me; I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Varin's eyes softened. "Kael, you don't have to carry that burden. My path is my own, and you have your own journey ahead. Focus on your growth, and the rest will follow."
"I won't abandon you," Kael said, his voice firm. "We'll find a way to heal your core together. I promise."
Varin regarded Kael with admiration, pride swelling in his heart. "You have the spirit of a true ascender, Kael. Remember, your journey is just beginning. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I believe you can achieve great things."
Kael nodded, determination etched on his face. "Together, we'll make it happen. I won't let you down."
"Before we continue our training, allow me to show you one last skill that every Rebirth Core user should master: Shadow Step.
"What I am about to show you is another way of using it through the shadows, hence why it's called that."
Kael felt a jolt of excitement at the mention of the skill he was very familiar with. Varin explained, "This skill allows you to traverse through shadows instantly, evading attacks or repositioning yourself in the blink of an eye."
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Shadow Step (Mastered)
Effect: Instantly teleport a short distance to the nearest shadow, allowing for evasive maneuvers or repositioning in combat.
With that, Varin vanished again, this time using Shadow Step to reappear behind Kael. The movement was so fast that it felt as though Varin had merely flickered in and out of existence.
"Now you try it," Varin encouraged, standing back up, though still appearing fatigued.
"Find a shadow nearby and use the skill."
Kael focused on a shadow cast by a nearby boulder. He felt the energy of his Rebirth Core swell within him as he activated Shadow Step, his form dissolving into the darkness before re-emerging next to the boulder. The exhilaration coursed through him as he accomplished the maneuver.
System Notification:
Mentor System Activated
Displaying Skill: Shadow Step
Effect: You successfully teleported to the shadow.
"Excellent!" Varin said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You're picking this up faster than I expected."
As the two sat together in the cool night air, the moon shining down on them, Kael felt a renewed sense of purpose. They would face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.