Yaxoc groggily opened his eyes, wincing as he felt the ache of freshly treated injuries. His vision cleared to reveal Mr. Hight standing over him, arms crossed, an unamused look on his face. Yaxoc jumped, startled by the intense stare, and promptly tumbled out of bed.
"Hello, Yaxoc," Mr. Hight said flatly, showing no reaction to his fall.
Rubbing his head, Yaxoc muttered, "Ouch…" before grabbing a nearby tin pot to wear as an improvised helmet. "What do you want, Hight?"
Mr. Hight's eyes narrowed slightly. "Follow me. I have a secret to share," he said, gesturing for Yaxoc to come along.
Intrigued, Yaxoc shrugged and began following, trailing a few paces behind. "So...what's this secret ab—"
Mr. Hight silenced him with a curt wave. "Be quiet."
After winding through countless hallways and descending a staircase Yaxoc didn't even know existed, Mr. Hight finally stopped in front of a mysterious black door. He opened it, casting a meaningful glance back at Yaxoc, then stepped aside, motioning him to enter.
Yaxoc hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside, a chill running down his spine as Mr. Hight closed the door behind them.
"Listen, Yaxoc," Mr. Hight began, his tone more serious than Yaxoc had ever heard. "This situation with Lucius, Ogamak, and their plans for world domination is growing more dangerous by the day. You're one of our strongest and earliest saviors, and we need to push your power further." He paused, a glint of determination in his eyes. "So, here's the secret I brought you here for."
With that, Mr. Hight reached behind him and pulled out a sword, its blade glowing faintly with a mysterious energy. He handed it to Yaxoc, who took it carefully, feeling an unusual warmth radiate through the hilt. "This blade carries something known as 'Artificial Magic,'" Mr. Hight explained.
Yaxoc's eyes widened as he examined the sword, his fingers tracing the intricate runes etched along the blade. "Whoa, I can feel its presence—it's… different."
Mr. Hight nodded approvingly. "You'll get accustomed to it in time. Artificial Magic is an extremely rare element. Its aura is similar to traditional magic, but it's unique. Unlike other magical elements, it can't evolve or be upgraded. This will make it easier for you to execute powerful techniques without the usual limitations," he explained, his gaze fixed on Yaxoc. "With this blade, you'll be able to perform advanced moves faster and with greater precision. This sword is your edge against Ogamak and his kind."
Yaxoc tightened his grip, feeling a surge of confidence. "Alright, let's see what this sword can really do."
Yaxoc raised the sword confidently and began his first chant.
"Artificial Magic: Water Strikes!" he called out. Swinging the sword through the air, he summoned small drops of water that glistened as they spiraled toward a nearby object, striking it with gentle, controlled force.
He looked at the object, half-expecting it to be drenched or shattered. "Uh…"
Mr. Hight chuckled, reassuring him. "No worries, it's intact. That was a strong first attempt. This sword will be your companion for a long time, and you'll learn more with every swing."
Placing a steadying hand on Yaxoc's shoulder, Mr. Hight spoke with deep conviction. "Listen, Yaxoc, I believe you—and Marcus—hold the power to change the future. You're both capable of stopping this threat, but it will take relentless training. Spar with each other, push each other past your limits. You're not just fighting for today; the future depends on you."
Yaxoc's eyes lit up with determination. "Got it, Hight. I won't let you down!"
As Yaxoc stepped out of the room with his new sword strapped to his back, he immediately felt the curious gazes of other saviors. They paused mid-conversation, some exchanging bewildered looks, others watching him with raised eyebrows.
One of the saviors, barely containing their curiosity, walked up and asked, "Hey, Yaxoc, what's with the sword? Didn't think you were the sword-wielding type."
Yaxoc shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Guess there's a lot you don't know about me."
A few saviors murmured among themselves, intrigued by this unexpected development. They couldn't help but wonder what kind of power he now wielded.
Hours later, Yaxoc found himself surrounded by enemies, wielding his new sword with precision and strength. One by one, his foes fell, and as he dispatched the last of them, a slow clap echoed across the battlefield.
Ogamak strode into view, wearing a smug smile. "Well, well, a lone teenager wiping out my soldiers like they're nothing."
Yaxoc turned, eyes narrowed, and replied with a smirk, "Maybe your lackeys should train more. They're terrible at their job."
Ogamak chuckled, unfazed by the insult. "Confident, aren't you? But I didn't come to trade words—I came to put an end to you."
Without warning, Ogamak lunged forward, his hand crackling with dark energy as he aimed a strike at Yaxoc's chest. But Yaxoc was ready, raising his sword to intercept. Their clash sparked with raw energy, and Ogamak's eyes flicked to the blade.
"Artificial Magic? Fascinating," Ogamak sneered, but his intrigue was short-lived as Yaxoc's foot connected with his torso, sending him stumbling backward.
"Going to just stand there?" Yaxoc taunted, raising his sword. "Artificial Magic: Zero Gravity!"
Ogamak's smirk faltered as he felt himself lift off the ground, weightless and vulnerable. "What trickery is this…?"
Before he could fully comprehend, Yaxoc launched himself at Ogamak, delivering a relentless barrage of strikes from all sides.
"Time to end this!" Yaxoc shouted as he charged his final blow, ready to bring Ogamak crashing down.
Yaxoc delivered a crushing blow to Ogamak's chest, launching him through a line of buildings like a wrecking ball. As Ogamak's body vanished into the rubble, Yaxoc sheathed his sword with a satisfied smirk. "And stay down, jerk," he muttered, turning to walk away from the destruction.
Up on a nearby rooftop, Lucius observed the entire scene, eyes glinting with interest. "That kid's potential is undeniable," he murmured, noting Yaxoc's newfound power. "He took down Ogamak without much trouble… but Ogamak was holding back, not even tapping into his demonic essence."
Lucius activated his own demonic energy, his eyes analyzing the fight's outcome like a strategist. "Based on that exchange, Ogamak would need to use around 0.5% of his essence to match Yaxoc's current strength. But there's a catch."
Lucius's gaze narrowed, thoughtfully. "Without an angelic essence, Yaxoc's attacks can't truly harm Ogamak—they can knock him back, sure, but not deal any lasting damage. If Yaxoc wants to stand a real chance… he'll need something much more divine.