Cipher felt satisfied, his heart lighter than it had been in years. Finally, he had the chance to see all the sights the town of Sol had to offer. Toli had guided him through every nook and cranny of the vibrant city, even introducing him to a variety of restaurants he had missed during his rigorous training. Every moment was a sensory delight: the aroma of freshly baked bread, the cheerful chatter of merchants, and the warmth of sunlight on cobblestone streets.
It was a day Cipher wouldn't soon forget, a rare moment of peace amidst the storm of his life. He was determined to make the most of Axel's gift—this day of freedom.
Finishing his last bowl of food, Cipher leaned back and looked at Toli with gratitude. "Thank you, Toli. I can't say enough how much I appreciate everything you've done for me today. It was amazing to experience the town, the food, and to meet all these wonderful people."
Toli smiled warmly, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "It's always a pleasure to share the beauty of this town with others. And…" Toli's eyes twinkled, "the townspeople and I have a gift for you to take on your journey."
Cipher's eyes widened as Toli handed him a neatly folded piece of silver fabric. Holding it up, Cipher saw it was a light silver hooded jacket, simple yet elegant. Toli gestured toward it, his tone suddenly serious. "As a Knight of Light, we know you'll be venturing into places most wouldn't dare. This jacket is made of dream thread. It's water-repellent, fire-resistant, and the attached face cover will shield you from poisons, toxins, and shadow vapor. It should even withstand attacks from B-Class Nightmares. But," Toli added with a chuckle, "don't go using it as a shield. We haven't tested it that far."
Cipher ran his fingers over the smooth fabric, marveling at its craftsmanship. He stood and gave Toli a customary bow, his voice sincere. "Thank you. This means more than I can say."
After saying goodbye, Cipher made his way back to the Church. Night was falling, and he still needed to meet with Axel. Quickening his pace, he entered the familiar hall, where Axel stood waiting.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself today," Axel said, his tone measured. "Unfortunately, we can't rest just yet. We need to go over a few things before tomorrow. Follow me to the library. We'll multitask—while we talk, DEM can gather information for you."
In the library's quiet confines, Cipher sat near the end table, his hand brushing its polished surface as Axel took a seat across from him. Adjusting his glasses, Axel began, "Cipher, you've worked diligently these past two years, proving your worth through your actions. Now, before we continue, I'd like you to pull up your stats screen and tell me your role."
Curious, Cipher accessed his stats screen. His eyes immediately locked onto something new.
[System Display]
Name: Cipher Starlight
Age: 17
Role: Knight of Light - Counter (Immortal)
Strength: B-Class (12%)
Magic: C-Class (75%)
Endurance: B-Class (15%)
Intelligence: A-Class (27%)
Weapons: Twin Stars {Mastery Level: 12%}
Learned Magic: Amplification {100%}, Sound Manipulation {60%}, Reinforcement Magic {65%}, Sound Magic {100%}, Dimensional Magic {2%}, Void Magic {???}, Extradict {100%}
Dream Credits: 200
Reading aloud, Cipher paused at "Knight of Light - Counter." Looking to Axel, he asked, "What does 'Counter' mean?"
Axel sighed deeply, his expression a complex mix of pride and concern. "It's not what I expected. Given your past, I'd hoped you might become a Guardian or Scout. But with your natural aptitude for magic and skills… I can't say I'm entirely surprised."
Cipher frowned, confused. "You never mentioned roles before."
"We're prohibited from discussing them during training," Axel explained. "This way, you develop naturally, without being confined by a predetermined path."
Cipher nodded slowly. "What's the difference between the roles?"
Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, Axel began, "Guardians are protectors, assigned to specific towns or regions. They're the first line of defense against the Darkness. It's a role that allows for stability—ideal for starting a family." Axel hesitated, his tone softening. "Given your longing for connection, I thought it might suit you."
Cipher listened intently as Axel continued. "Scouts, on the other hand, are more mobile, searching for Darkness hotspots and reporting back to the Church. Their work is crucial for tracking the spread of corruption."
Finally, Axel's tone grew heavier. "Counters, however, are different. They're the sword that strikes back at the Darkness. Your role is to confront it head-on, venturing into dangerous territories, battling deadly creatures, and completing tasks from the Goddess of the Void. It's the most dangerous role and the loneliest."
Cipher absorbed the explanation, a sense of clarity washing over him. He understood Axel's earlier hesitation. Yet, the idea of being a Counter resonated with him—it was a path of strength and purpose, a chance to fight back against the shadows that plagued his world.
Axel studied Cipher's expression. "I know you want to grow stronger. But if you ever have the chance to experience a real family, take it. Don't lose yourself in the fight. Remember, your job isn't to eliminate all the Darkness—that's impossible. Your role is to counter it, to keep it in check."
Cipher nodded solemnly, but Axel wasn't finished. "One last thing. When fighting Darkness, you must use Extradict. If you destroy lower-class Nightmares without sending their Darkness to the Void, it can combine to form something worse—a higher-class Nightmare. A swarm of zombies might seem manageable, but if that Darkness reforms, you could face something far more dangerous."
The weight of Axel's words settled heavily on Cipher's shoulders. He now understood the stakes of his role—not just the physical dangers, but the responsibility of wielding his power wisely.
As Axel concluded, Cipher's resolve solidified. His path as a Counter wouldn't be easy, but it was his. For the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face the future.