… [ Mana Type: Fire (awakened), Wind (awakened), Water (voided) and Earth (voided) ]
[ Mana Tier: Fire (5), Wind (6) ]
[ Sword Style: The style of the Ezurewrath (novice) ]
[ Soul fragment: Orc soul fragment: Awakened [1/3]. Goblin soul fragment: Woken [1/1]. Wolf soul fragment: Woken [1/1]. Mana beast soul fragment: Emerged [0/2] ]
[ Core type: ***** ]
Xerxes couldn't believe his own ears. He hesitated, then spoke, "Ai…ri."
Sharing the same awe, Airi didn't need Xerxes to say it; she could sense it. "Xerxes, you have another element? Is it the work of the third person?"
Her question was completely warranted. Aliya had already made a slight conclusion that it seemed like Xerxes had 'three' times the strength of an ordinary mage. Did it potentially allude to the fact that Xerxes had other influences on his power?
He had himself, which was natural. Then, his soul was tethered to Airi's, meaning that her strength also had an added bonus. But that only happened when he had given her a name.
Xerxes held his chin, his brows furrowing with every moment of thought, "It would only mean that the thing within my soul core is an influence, but how? It doesn't require me to call them by a name, which is what worked for me and you, Airi, so what could it possibly be?"
Airi truly felt the worry that was running through Xerxes' being. It was evident he was troubled, not only by that being, but by something else he had said. "I fear that you aren't concerned with that as much as you are with his message, aren't you?"
His face faltered. What he had come to realise quickly was that being some invulnerable person on the outside could fool many, but it couldn't fool Airi. She knew everything about him, well, almost everything. Which made it frustrating when she could immediately tell what Xerxes feared.
Despite the terror of someone being in his soul core, what he feared more was something happening. He feared the unknown more than anything.
All his life had been surrounded by the unknown; the reason he was born was unknown.
And now with this, it was far more uncertain than anything he's encountered for a while; he couldn't simply just push it down as he always had.
Placing a hand on his head, he trailed his finger through his hair, whilst looking directly at the floor, "I guess you're right, Airi, I can't hide the fact that I'm scared. Why do I need to leave immediately? What's going to happen if I don't? I'm not sure if I'm ready for either of the outcomes and the answers they hold."
He sighed whilst lifting his head. Trying to distract himself from the worrying thoughts, he focused on what could perhaps bring him more joy. At least he had finally become a tier 5 mage, but it didn't bring him the happiness he thought it would.
Additionally, there seemed to be some knowledge on his soul fragments, "It seems as if the wolf and goblin soul shard won't really excel further. Presuming it starts at 0, which would be voided, then 1 which would be woken, then 2 being emerged and 3 being awakened. I still find it hard to believe that the Orc was that much stronger than the mana beast. It sure wasn't like that for me, but then again, the Orc had been far from its former strength."
Adding to the insult of the unknown, Xerxes spoke exhaustedly, "And of course, this 'core type' is a mystery too; it didn't even say anything, it was like muffling within my ears."
Airi was as clueless as Xerxes in that department, but what more could they do? The only thing that seemed to be a prominent matter at hand was something they decided to discuss immediately.
"Do you plan on telling Aemon, Leiya, Conrad and Aliya about this? What can we possibly do amidst all of this mess? I believe what you should do is spend time with them; after all, they did say to you that we were forbidden to tell, and who knows what adverse effects it may have."
Xerxes nodded with her reasoning. If something terrible could happen as a result of speaking on it, Xerxes wouldn't ever be able to forgive himself, so he decided on spending time with the Truth family.
"I'm sure they will all be proud that I have reached tier 5, but do I tell Aemon of me having wind mana as well? It would be beneficial for him to teach me, and how long can I even keep a secret like that; surely he would be able to sense it."
Airi eased Xerxes' mind and spoke to reassure him, "I believe things that would be overt, such as physical changes to your body and mana, would be acceptable; after all, I could sense it instantly. I believe you should go along now and find them. Whilst you do that, I will have a very well-earned rest!"
Managing a smile, Xerxes chuckled, "Wasn't sleeping for almost a millennium not enough?"
Airi breathed a small flame towards Xerxes to startle him, as the mood lightened very slightly. He then picked her up, placing her on a little stand where she rested.
Then Xerxes decided to go off towards the town to locate Leiya; he wasn't in the mood to test out his new abilities, not yet at least. He would definitely come around to it though, because if he truly needed to leave immediately, then Xerxes wanted to know everything about his body and his limits.
That would also mean Leiya would have to train as seriously as well; they did mention 'Leiya is key', but why was she a key component in his life and destiny? The thought troubled him; he had only known Leiya for roughly four months, yet, she seemed to be so crucial to him.
Not only that, it felt as if he naturally wanted to know more about her; he was drawn to her in a very peculiar way. Xerxes didn't want to rule it as anything else but his caring personality, but what if all of this was a part of a larger game? The game being his conquest for strength.
Aemon mentioned to Xerxes that 'destiny' led people in unique ways to reach greater tiers of strength, so perhaps meeting Leiya's family and now leaving immediately would set him on course for something else.
Xerxes didn't want to wrap his head around it, so he continued making his way throughout the city, admiring things a bit more. The streets were lit with beautiful and vibrant hues of sapphire from lamps and bright flames.
Many stalls were propped up, with banners donning the colours blue, white and gold, the colours that represented the Truth family. All of this was for Leiya's upcoming birthday that was just shy of a month away.
"I should at least let her celebrate her birthday with her people before saying this stuff to her. I'm not that shameless to rid her of this privilege."
Xerxes walked with a smile, and after an hour or so, he found Leiya and Aemon battling.
Her water mana was amazing; it was tier 5 and domineering by all means. From a very young age, she had been training with an apostle, learning Aemon's techniques, possessing the same magic that he had and the same mentality and approach to battle as her father.
She combined her water mana with her physical strength to make her a feared opponent on the battlefield; that wasn't exclusive to one trait, she had it down. She also bore a simple rapier, but Xerxes had never seen her use it.
And after a few seconds, the battle was over, and Leiya sat down on the grass chugging from her bottle of water, "Ah, training like this gets me beat, but I see myself improving with every growing second. Thank you, grandfather!"
Aemon chuckled and clapped his hand, "It seems as if your strength speaks for itself, Leiya; it even awarded you with an audience."
Leiya looked over her left shoulder and noticed Xerxes, who was standing there after observing her battle; and as a result of the battle, her senses were highly alerted, this included her mana sense.
She narrowed her eyes, and then asked with enthusiasm, starting to raise herself from the ground, "I can sense it, Xerxes! You've reached tier 5, haven't you!"
Aemon also noticed this, having to clap once more for the young mage, with Xerxes putting a thumbs up, "I only did it thanks to all of you. Which means I'm catching up to you, aren't I, Leiya? You ought to train hard, because I still haven't forgotten about the battle we need to have."
Leiya leapt towards Xerxes, placing her fist right by her chin, "Oh yeah? I'm ready whenever you are, scaredy cat; then I'll show you how a member of the Truth family really kicks ass!"
Aemon cleared his throat, making Leiya squeal slightly.
His voice then came out with more clarity and severity, "Xerxes, my boy, I do sense that your fire mana is tier 5, but I also sense something else. Am I mistaken, but have you also achieved Tier 6 wind mana?"
Xerxes' body flinched slightly as Leiya looked at him with a difference in her gaze. His voice came out unsteady, but then he muttered, "I think so... I was going to ask you about it, but I didn't really know how to ask or even what to say."
Aemon nodded his head quite slowly, "I understand, but do not try to worry. In fact, it is something to rejoice in, Xerxes!" A smile then pinched the corners of Aemon's lips.
"You're doing exceptionally well, and it could be down to the fact that you are tethered to an ancient beast, so do not try to worry. Even I do not know the full capabilities of an ancient beast, so be proud and keep on training. Maybe now you have a chance against my granddaughter." A raspy old laugh escaped his mouth.
Nevertheless, he walked on forward, off the hill that he had built with one of his old friends, "Well then, Leiya, Xerxes, I shall leave you to yourselves, as I am needed elsewhere, but please do come to see me after. Leiya, you cannot skip out on the homework I set you, and Xerxes, I need to test how far you have grown."
He waved them off, simply walking down the hill, leaving Xerxes and Leiya next to each other, as the sun began to cast the rays of sunlight down on them, with nightfall approaching.
Xerxes looked at Leiya, whose face was slightly darkened. Not in a physical sense, but an emotional sense.
Trying to break her out of it, Xerxes then sat down on the floor, tapping it. "Can we talk, Leiya?"