After three days of travel, Alex and Leo finally arrived at the village. Unlike Alex's quiet hometown, this place was lively and picturesque, nestled along the slopes of a mountain. A crystal-clear stream flowed gently along its borders, glimmering under the morning sun.
The homes were simple, mostly wooden structures with slanted roofs. However, a few cement houses stood out—single-story buildings that seemed newer and sturdier. The entire village exuded an earthy charm, the air fresh and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine.
As they approached the village entrance, two burly men in leather armor stepped forward. Their short swords dangled at their sides, and they stood with the easy confidence of seasoned guards.
"Yo!" Leo greeted, raising a hand.
One of the guards broke into a smile. "Mr. Leo! It's been a while."
"Who's the kid?" the other guard asked, pointing at Alex with mild curiosity.
Leo grinned and ruffled Alex's hair. "My son. Thought it was time to introduce him to the villagers."
The guards exchanged looks, one of them scratching his chin. "I heard he was sick and could barely walk. Is he all right now?"
Alex stepped forward and bowed slightly, his tone polite. "My health has improved a lot. Thank you for your concern."
The first guard squinted. "Are you sure this polite kid is your son, Mr. Leo?"
Leo rolled his eyes dramatically. "Of course. He gets his good manners from me."
"Doubt that," the other guard muttered with a smirk.
Laughing, Leo waved them off, and the two of them entered the village.
The narrow streets buzzed with life. Villagers greeted Leo as they passed, some offering hearty waves, others stopping to exchange a few words. Children played in the dirt paths, their laughter filling the air. Every so often, Alex caught someone glancing curiously at him, but he brushed it off.
After a short walk, they reached a building that stood out from the rest. It was a single-story structure, but its polished exterior and carefully maintained garden made it clear this was no ordinary house.
Leo stopped at the front door. "Come on. I want to introduce you to someone."
Before they could knock, the door opened, and a man stepped out. His appearance was ordinary enough, but Alex couldn't shake the odd feeling he gave off—a strange air he couldn't quite place.
"You must be Mr. Leo. Sir Gerrard is expecting you," the man said with a practiced smile, stepping aside to let them in.
The corridor they entered was narrow and dimly lit, the faint smell of old paper lingering in the air. The man led them to the end of the hall, where he knocked gently on a door.
"Sir Gerrard, Mr. Leo has arrived," he announced.
"Let them in," came a voice from inside. "And bring some coffee."
The man opened the door halfway, motioning them inside. Alex stepped into a cluttered but cozy room. Piles of papers and documents covered the desk at the center, and behind it sat a wiry man with frizzy hair and round glasses. His sharp eyes softened as he spotted Leo.
"Tsk, still buried in work?" Leo teased, dropping into one of the chairs.
Gerrard sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "If you find someone else to handle the mine's funds and contracts, let me know."
They bantered back and forth, their friendship evident. When Leo introduced Alex, Gerrard leaned forward, studying him.
"So this is your son? Hard to believe. The last time I saw you, Alex, you were a baby," Gerrard said, his smile warm. "You've grown well."
"Thank you, Sir Gerrard," Alex replied, bowing slightly.
As they spoke, a young boy entered the room. He looked to be around Alex's age, with tousled brown hair and bright blue eyes. He carried himself with confidence, but his expression softened into respect when he saw Leo.
"Uncle Leo!" the boy exclaimed. "I didn't notice you were here."
Leo grinned. "Ethan! Perfect timing. Meet Alex—my son."
Ethan turned to Alex, offering a hand. "Hi, Alex."
"Hi, Ethan. I hope we can be good friends," Alex said, shaking his hand with a polite smile.
"Take Alex around the village, will you?" Gerrard suggested. "Let him get to know the place."
Ethan nodded. "Sure. Come on, Alex."
The two boys left, walking through the lively streets. At first, the silence between them was awkward. Finally, Alex broke it.
"I didn't expect the village to be this big."
Ethan glanced at him, his expression softening. "A lot of people moved here about a decade ago, after they discovered an adamantium mine nearby. Things were chaotic at first, but once my dad became the village head, it all started falling into place."
The mention of adamantium piqued Alex's interest. He knew it was a highly sought-after metal—strong, durable, and with an exceptional affinity for mana. It was prized among swordsmen for crafting powerful weapons.
The conversation flowed more easily after that. Ethan showed Alex around, pointing out the shops and landmarks, and by the time they returned, the awkwardness had melted away.
***
After returning to the inn with Leo, Alex sat down to dinner, his appetite sharpened by the day's events. The simple meal of roasted meat and fresh vegetables, paired with warm bread, filled the room with a comforting aroma.
"Eat up," Leo said with a grin. "You'll need your energy for tomorrow."
"For what?" Alex asked between bites.
"Hunting," Leo replied casually. "The monsters in the area have been getting bold. We're going to thin them out a bit, and you'll get some hands-on experience."
Alex smirked. "So, you got yourself a job here, huh?"
"Not exactly," Leo said, sipping his drink. "I'm just helping out. And I heard Ethan's joining us."
"Sparring wasn't enough?" Alex muttered under his breath. "Fine. Let's see what monster hunting's all about."
After finishing their meal, Alex retired to his room. The quiet of the inn was a stark contrast to the lively streets outside, and he welcomed the calm. However, instead of immediately going to bed, he decided to train. Stretching out, he began a routine of pistol squats and other exercises, focusing on his lower body strength.
As he worked through his exercises, a familiar presence filled the room. Varlak, the enigmatic being bound to Alex's soul, materialized on the bed, his dark figure leaning lazily against the headboard.
"Still avoiding mana cultivation, I see," Varlak said, his voice a low rumble.
Alex paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "Not yet. Dad might sense the mana fluctuations. I can't risk it."
"You underestimate Dark Void Energy," Varlak replied with a sly smile. "It's not just mana—it's beyond it. A force that transcends the elements, invisible even to the most sensitive warriors."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "That's a bold claim. What exactly makes it so special?"
Varlak's expression grew serious. "Dark Void Energy isn't bound by the natural laws of this world. It's a phenomenon—a power capable of bending causality itself. Even the strongest beings cannot detect it unless you wish them to. That's why you should start cultivating it now."
Alex hesitated, his curiosity piqued. "How does it work?"
"Simple," Varlak said. "Sit. Close your eyes. Focus inward."
Alex sat cross-legged on the bed, his breathing steadying as he closed his eyes. The room seemed to fade away as he turned his attention inward, searching for the energy Varlak spoke of.
"Feel the mana in the air," Varlak instructed. "Draw it into your body, but don't let it settle as mere mana. Let the Dark Void Energy within you absorb it."
At first, Alex felt nothing. Then, slowly, a warmth spread through his body—a faint, almost imperceptible current that pulsed near his heart. He concentrated on it, and the warmth grew, spreading through his limbs. His body felt lighter, as if he were floating.
Varlak placed a hand over Alex's chest, a faint shimmer of black energy passing between them. "This is your mana heart. Open it, and let the energy flow."
With a soft push of energy, Alex's mana heart responded. The ambient mana flowing into his body began to converge at his core. As it swirled within him, the dormant Dark Void Energy awakened, absorbing the mana like a black flame consuming kindling. Alex opened his eyes, and to his surprise, wisps of dark fire flickered over his palms.
"That," Varlak said with a smirk, "is the power that stands above all others—the Dark Void Energy."
Alex stared at the flames, their inky blackness mesmerizing. They didn't burn or hurt; instead, they felt cool, almost soothing, like a gentle wind on a summer night.
"You've barely scratched the surface," Varlak continued. "This energy has no limits. The stronger you grow, the stronger it becomes. And with it, you can achieve feats that defy logic itself."
Alex clenched his fists, extinguishing the flames. "What's the catch? Power like this doesn't come without a price."
Varlak chuckled. "The only price is your determination. This energy thrives on willpower and intent. The more you push yourself, the more it will answer your call."
Alex leaned back, his mind racing. A power without limits—it sounded too good to be true. But if it was as Varlak claimed, it could change everything.
"You've seen my past," Alex said suddenly, his voice low. "You know I'm not exactly a saint. Why trust me with something like this?"
Varlak's expression softened, his smirk fading. "Because I've seen your potential—not just as Alex, but as Ren. You've faced death and come back stronger. That's the kind of resolve this world needs."
Alex's jaw tightened. Memories of his past life surfaced, memories he had tried to bury. But Varlak's unwavering gaze pulled him back to the present.
"Fine," Alex said, his voice steady. "I'll learn to use this power. But don't expect me to become your pawn."
Varlak chuckled. "Fair enough. For now, focus on mastering the basics. You've only taken the first step."
As the night deepened, Alex continued his cultivation, the black flames dancing on his hands a testament to his newfound potential.