Deep within the Royal Ship, the sorcerer Argeus stood alone in his darkened cabin. No lamp was lit, yet his eyes glowed with a faint, predatory blue light.
Suddenly, his body stiffened. He closed his eyes tightly as a sudden chill swept through the room. Inside his mind, a deep, distant voice resonated—a sound heard by him alone.
The Voice (via Telepathy): "Argeus... do you hear me? Tell me what happened. Why did the matrix shatter?"
Argeus bowed his head into the emptiness, answering with a silent voice within his mind.
Argeus: "Yes, my Master. I have found something extraordinary. A mercenary who possesses more than just a 'Soul Signature'—he carries the Black Mana of the Void. He shattered the matrix with a single strike of his sword. His mana... it is not of this world."
He paused, a dark glint in his mind's eye.
Argeus: "Furthermore, Master... I believe he is a suitable candidate to be a vessel for His Majesty."
The Master (Voice dripping with greed): "Hmm... you are right. Where else would we find such a unique individual? To carry the 'Forbidden Mana' and the 'Soul Signature'—the two most contradictory forces in this world—at once? If his body can endure them both, he is indeed the perfect vessel. Argeus, bring him here at any cost. Ensure he does not slip through your fingers. And do not forget our true objective; that foolish Prince is merely a facade; use him as bait to reach the heart of the Archipelago. But that mercenary... he is our key to breaking the Final Barrier. If he truly wields the power of the Void, he can certainly pierce through. Keep him close, and reclaim what was stolen from us."
Argeus: "Do not worry. He believes he is using us to reach his vengeance. He has no idea he is already a prey caught in my web. I will let him face the horrors of the Barrier first, and if he survives... I will tear from him the secret he hides beneath that eye patch."
The Master (Whispering in sudden wonder): "Hmm... an eye patch and a Soul Signature?"
Argeus: "What was that, Master?"
The Master: "Ha... nothing. A foolish thought just crossed my mind. Focus on the mission. And protect that royal idiot as well; he is essential to the plan. I must go now and inform His Majesty. Contact me if anything changes."
The telepathic link snapped. Argeus opened his eyes, staring at his reflection in the glass window with a terrifying grin.
Argeus: "That senile old fool. As if I'll do as you say. I will take everything for myself... and I will disappear. Hahaha!"
On the deck, the atmosphere was charged with the sailors' shouts and the heavy rattle of chains as the anchor was raised. Raymond stood at the stern, watching the port of Arkan fade into the horizon. The wind whipped his cloak, and his hand never left the hilt of his sword.
Ron approached him slowly, biting into an apple with a nonchalance that felt out of place.
Ron: "This place is good for relaxing, isn't it? The Royal Ship is luxurious, but the scent of death clings to its wood more than the salt of the sea."
Raymond did not respond. It wasn't a deliberate ignore; his mind was a storm of questions. He analyzed the illusions; the second memory was definitely his—etched into the eye he lost before it was even etched into his mind.
But the first memory... the dark hall, the mysterious figures... it didn't resemble anything he had experienced. It felt like someone else's memories forced into his head.
And then, there was that "Black Mana." He remembered the expressions of terror and shock on everyone's faces—even the sorcerer Argeus couldn't hide his shock.
Raymond (To himself): "Damn it... why were they looking at me like that? What exactly does this mana represent?"
Bitter regret filled his chest as he clearly remembered Maxim's words, sounding as if he were standing right beside him:
("Remember, boy, no matter how hard you train, whether in swordsmanship or magic, you will eventually reach your limits. You must also study to understand the nature of the power you possess, its strengths and weaknesses, so you can wield it as you wish. Knowledge is also a weapon, Raymond, and if you stay as you are, a day will come when you regret it.")
Raymond (Whispering bitterly): "That day has come, Maxim..."
Ron broke his thoughts, tossing an apple core into the sea. He tilted his head to look at Raymond with curiosity.
Ron: "You're terrifyingly quiet. Still thinking about your 'magic show' at the harbor? A piece of advice from a friend... don't let Argeus see you lost in your thoughts. Sorcerers are like sharks; they smell confusion from miles away."
Raymond turned toward Ron, his features returning to their harsh coldness, but his eye held many questions.
Raymond: "You. What is 'that mana'?"
Ron: "Well, I don't know either. And my name isn't 'You,' it's Ron."
Raymond (Placing his hand on his sword hilt): "Don't play dumb. I saw you. While some were surprised and others confused—even Argeus—you were smiling. Tell me the truth. Who are you, why are you following me, and what do you know about this Black Mana? Now."
Ron froze for a second, then his smirk returned.
Ron: "Oh, you caught me. Fine. Where to begin? First, about the Black Mana—information on it is scarce since it's an ancient power. Let's say it's the power that shouldn't exist. It doesn't consume nature; it devours it. Legend says whoever wields it is not entirely human... it is a gateway to something else. And the reason I smiled? It's because I'm a sorcerer."
Raymond: "Are you mocking me? Argeus is a sorcerer too, so why didn't he know?"
Ron: "Don't compare me to that failure. I am no ordinary sorcerer. I am a Spirit Sorcerer. I didn't learn about the Black Mana from books. The spirits told me when we first met at the manuscript shop. The moment you entered, every spirit turned and flocked to you. I was stunned—spirits are usually wary of humans, but they approached you as if you were one of their own. It's because of your Soul Signature—and not just any signature, but that of a Great Spirit. But the spirits told me something else: they feel comfort around you, but at the same time, fear. Not of you, but of what sleeps deep inside you."
The smile vanished from Ron's face for the first time, replaced by a serious expression.
Ron: "Now, it's my turn to ask the questions. Who are you? Your knowledge of the world is almost non-existent, yet you have a Great Spirit Signature and Black Mana—things that were supposed to have vanished 5,000 years ago."
Ron (Thinking to himself): (My grandfather sent me because he felt the Emperor had a darker goal for this expedition, and that this struggle between princes is just a cover. But now I've found something even more dangerous than what the Emperor might be planning. A person carrying two opposing ancient powers in his body, knowing nothing about them, living a normal life. Everything about him is suspicious. Now, after telling him all this, his true nature will surely emerge.)
Raymond: "Wait... Soul Signature? Spirits? Things from 5,000 years ago?"
Ron's eyes widened in disbelief. "Don't tell me you don't even know about a Soul Signature?"
Ron didn't believe Raymond's shock easily, so he decided to verify. He closed his eyes and communed with the surrounding spirits. Spirits can tell truth from lies through a person's mana; if someone is truthful, the mana is as calm as a lake. If they lie, the mana ripples like a pond under light rain. However, this varies from person to person depending on the amount of mana they possess.
What the spirits saw was neither a lake nor a pond. Raymond's mana was like a massive waterfall thundering from a mountain peak, yet it poured into the lake below with absolute stillness, without breaking its surface. The spirits told Ron what they saw—that Raymond wasn't lying; he truly knew nothing.
Ron thought in shock: (Impossible! This means he is leagues stronger than me and that bastard Argeus, and he's roughly our age! But if he has this much mana, how did he fall for the matrix illusion? He should have been able to control his mana to prevent it... Wait! Don't tell me he never learned mana control and only learned how to pump it into his sword? Damn, that's possible given his ignorance of everything else. Hmm, a thought just occurred to me that will make this two-month voyage very interesting. But how do I convince him? He's the type who doesn't trust anyone easily. Hmm... oh right, people like him... this is the best way to handle them.)
Ron looked at Raymond again, his smile returning. "Well, Raymond, since you are completely 'ignorant' of what you carry, it seems you'll need me more than I thought. I have a plan. Since we have two months to reach the Fog Islands, let's research this power and how to handle it together. What do you think?"
Ron (Thinking to himself): (Well, I don't think he'll agree easily, so—)
Raymond: "Fine."
Ron (Confidently): "I knew you wouldn't agree easily, so— Wait, what did you just say?"
Raymond (Coldly): "Are you having hearing problems? I said fine. Since there's nothing else to do for two months."
Ron (Astonished): "Oh... okay." (Thinking: What's going on? Isn't he the type who trusts no one? Damn, I'll never believe anything written in books again. But whatever, the plan hasn't failed. I'll teach him, then use him to shatter the Emperor's goal for this trip. Hahaha.)
Raymond (Thinking to himself): (Since you're so insistent on getting close to me, I'll use you and steal your knowledge to help me achieve my goal.) Raymond touched his eye patch. (This is how we get things done, isn't it... Gale?)