Chapter Four: Wings of Flame and Gold
Albert ventured into the "Forests of Loss" that separated the Starting Continent from the sea ports leading to the Isles of Dispersion. The trees there were enormous, absorbing mana from the air so that the air became heavy and suffocating.
As Albert moved swiftly, using Light Transmission for short distances, he suddenly sensed enormous shadows covering the sky above him. It was a group of Thunderhawks, Rank 2 beasts renowned for their speed and ability to unleash paralyzing lightning bolts.
Activating the Power:
Albert stopped in the middle of an open area. He summoned the Sacred Book of Spiritual Fusion, which he began flipping through frantically until he came to a page depicting a bird with golden flames.
"Aura of Beasts: The Golden Crow!" Albert muttered.
At that moment, enormous, glowing wings burst from his back. They were not mere feathers, but liquid golden flames. He didn't wait for the hawks to attack; instead, he soared into the sky like a bursting arrow. This was his first time flying, and he felt an indescribable freedom.
Elemental Material: Gold
As the hawks closed in, attempting to tear him apart with their lightning-charged talons, Albert activated his "Gold Elemental Material" skill. In certain areas, his skin transformed into a solid, unbreakable golden metal. The hawks' lightning bolts struck his body and dissipated without leaving a single scratch.
With a single strike of his "Blue and Gold Light Blade," he unleashed a slashing wave of mana that knocked the squadron leader down, sending the rest into a panic.
The Voice of Awakening Again:
As Albert soared high above, the voice echoed in his mind:
(Well done... but light alone isn't enough... Prepare yourself, for you are approaching the borders of the "Continent of Dispersion," where mana is not bound by rules.)
Albert landed at the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast sea dotted with scattered islands. There, he noticed something strange; the sea water was rising towards the sky instead of falling, a result of the mana disturbance in that area.
Albert took out his Clan Compass and began planning his next move. He knew that the World Security Forces wouldn't hesitate to pursue him, and that he had to reach the Island of Silence to raise his physical rank to Warrior (Level 2) before he was cornered.
🟢 What will happen tomorrow? (Chapter Five)
In the next chapter, Albert will arrive at the first of the Isles of Dispersion, where he will meet a mysterious figure who works as an information dealer. He will discover that the Isles of the Ruling Families have placed a huge reward on his head or his holy book.