As the ship cut through the mist, which was growing thicker by the second, Ron sat on a wooden crate. Raymond stood before him, methodically wiping the blade of his sword with a cloth.
Ron: "Since you are a 'monster' in combat but a 'child' in knowledge, let me explain how this world truly operates. The power we wield is not mere energy; it is a cosmic system built upon four fundamental pillars: Mana, the Source, the Essence, and the Formation."
Ron traced a circle in the air with faint blue mana and began to explain:
"First: Mana. It is the spiritual life force that flows through the universe, existing within living beings, inanimate objects, and the very air we breathe."
"Second: The Source. This is the method of extraction—drawing mana either from internal sources (the body) or external ones (the world around us)."
"Third: The Essence. This varies from person to person. Think of mana as a growing child; but to grow, it needs nourishment. That nourishment is you. It feeds on your emotions, your desires, and your actions. Your Essence will continue to evolve throughout your journey until it reaches the Amethyst Rank. By then, it has matured, shaped by your experiences—be they training, brutal battles, or the hardships you've endured. This is how the Essence transforms to create your own Unique Domain."
"Fourth: Formation. This is the manipulation of mana by altering its properties. It can be done by fusing two elements—like fire and water to create scalding steam, or adding ice and wind to form a controllable thunderhead."
"Alternatively, it can be done by coating a weapon or a part of your body. Knights, for instance, harden their mana into a solid state when coating their blades. In your case, when you shattered the array, your mana was in a liquid state, but the moment you swung your sword, it solidified upon impact. It can even be used like this..."
Ron glanced at a distant oar. "If I wanted that oar, I only need to visualize a way to bring it to me. Like... a spider's web." He closed his eyes, and the mana emanating from his hand began to shift, weaving into a translucent thread that latched onto the oar and pulled it toward him without breaking.
Ron: "That is Formation. Now, let us move to the Ranks of the Essence."
"Every living being is born with mana, classified into seven grades:
1. Gray Rank: Ordinary humans (Dormant mana).
2. Blue Rank: You can sense mana but cannot control it. This includes low-tier knights and mages.
3. Red Rank: You can control mana, coat weapons, or manifest elements. Mid-tier knights and mages.
4. Gold Rank: Nature manipulation begins here. Advanced tier. (By the way, that scoundrel Argeus and I are at this rank).
5. Amethyst Rank: The pinnacle of manipulation. Here, you manifest your Domain—a territory where you control everything, forged from your life's expertise. It is known as the 'Final Rank,' as no one has surpassed it in 5,000 years. All Continental Guardians are at the peak of this rank."
Ron's expression turned grave. "That is what the books say. But what I will tell you now is not found in any text. The Spirits taught me that there are two ranks beyond Amethyst, erased from history. They are exceptions; you cannot reach them through training. To attain them, one must either be born with something 'unique' or sacrifice something 'precious.' The nature of your Essence decides your path:
1. The Black Rank (The Void): It contradicts the laws of the world. It is a power the world rejects, and in turn, it rejects the world. Its abilities include curses, necromancy, and the Black Mana you possess.
2. The White Rank (The Origin): The polar opposite. While the Sixth Rank brings destruction, the Seventh brings stability and creation. Its powers include Purification, Holy Force, the Soul Signature you possess, and the Spirit Magic I wield."
Ron leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Now, my curiosity grows... what exactly did you sacrifice to obtain two contradictory powers at once?"
Raymond: "I have no idea. I am learning this from you for the first time... and I don't even know how to use them yet."
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the rhythmic thud of waves against the hull. Ron watched him with a piercing curiosity, as if trying to drill into the young man's skull to unearth his secrets. Meanwhile, Raymond was fighting a silent battle within.
(In his mind): "If the Sixth and Seventh ranks require a precious sacrifice... what did I lose? Is it my emotions, which seem to grow colder every day? Or those gaps in my memory that I cannot reach, no matter how hard I try?"
"Ron says the Essence feeds on desires... but my only desire is revenge. Is revenge enough of a fuel to forge this contradiction within me? Black mana to destroy the world, and a Soul Signature to build it... I feel like a battlefield between Nothingness and Existence."
Raymond gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly his knuckles turned crimson. He looked at Ron with eyes devoid of expression, but a single question gnawed at his soul:
"If this Essence grows with me... what kind of creature will I become when I reach the final rank? Will I still be Raymond... or just the ghost of a man who made revenge his only purpose, sacrificing everything to become a monster?"
After Raymond had drowned in his dark thoughts, the silence was shattered by the sound of confident approaching footsteps. Prince Erik stood behind them, that ever-present smile etched onto his face.
Erik (curiously): "I see the two of you are in quite a serious meeting. What were you discussing? Did I miss something exciting?"
Raymond ignored him completely, his gaze fixed on the foggy horizon. Ron replied calmly, "Nothing, Your Highness. We were merely trading thoughts on old tales."
Erik (enthusiastically): "Oh! Tales? I adore tales! You should have invited me; discussions of legends are my favorite passion. Speaking of which… come with me to the bow. The mercenaries, pirates, and adventurers are holding a boisterous celebration. They are in the middle of reciting one of the greatest legends of the continent—the story of the Eternal King."
Raymond and Ron followed behind Erik. Upon arrival, they found a large circle of rugged men surrounding a fire roaring in an iron barrel. An old captain with a resonant, gravelly voice began to sing, while the mercenaries struck the wooden tables in a rhythmic beat that was both funereal and majestic.
The song began, its lyrics echoing through the ship like an inescapable decree:
(Chorus of Voices):
"In a world where the living envy the dead... where wars are fires that know no end."
"Fueled by the whims of kings... and fed by the ignorance of slaves."
"From the ashes, a man arose... and from despair, a hero was born."
"From a field of flowers, a child ascended... and from the womb of hope, a monster was bred."
Suddenly, the crowd fell silent, and the captain began to narrate in an epic tone:
"It is said that thousands of years ago, the world was burning. The Empire of the Abyss with its demons, and the Empire of the Heavens with its dragons, crushed humans, giants, elves, and dwarves beneath their feet for a millennium. Until he appeared... Leon. The man who walked alone among the corpses and founded a kingdom for the oppressed."
The singer continued the song:
"He played both sides with brilliant grace... draining the dragons with a cold, cunning face."
"Until the Demon Princes knelt at his feet, saying: 'To you, Eternal King, we surrender in retreat.'"
A drunken sailor shouted, "He fought the Demon Emperor and the Eternal Dragon for three days! He slew the Demon Emperor on the second day and sealed the Eternal Dragon on the third! Leon, the Eternal King, who made the entire continent bow to him—not through strength alone, but through gratitude, and by forging the races together in the blood of his sons!"
The song's melody dropped into a sorrowful, chilling tone:
"But peace is a plague that rots the soul... and in the shadow of light, the nightmare grows whole."
"Behind the palace walls... a maid wails in misery."
"An infant prince born in the lap of death... cold as snow... hair as black as the dusk."
Raymond stopped walking. His hand froze on the hilt of his sword as the lyrics pierced his ears like needles.
The song continued:
"The Absolute Demon... Raymond."
"Who read the books of his father... only to destroy his legacy."
"Who enslaved the dragons and demons, and when they rebelled, he sealed them all in Tartarus."
"Who shattered the Great Continent... turning it into fragments and scattered lands."
"The Demon fell at the hands of his three brothers... 'Edmund' of the Moon, and 'Liam' of the Phoenix."
"And 'Daniel'... the Great of the Diamond Mind family!"
The song ended with a collective roar, followed by laughter and the clinking of drinks. But Raymond felt as though the air had been sucked from his lungs. He looked at Ron, who was watching him with a mysterious, unreadable expression—the look of one who knows that history is not just a song, but a circle beginning to close.
Erik (laughing): "Quite a terrifying tale, isn't it? Imagine a demon born to destroy the world just because he found no love in his youth... Thank heavens these are just forgotten myths!"
Raymond did not respond. He turned and walked toward the stern of the ship. He gripped his sword hilt with his right hand and placed his left over his eye patch. Feelings of longing and rage flooded him simultaneously. He closed his solitary eye, and a ghostly echo from the past resonated in his mind:
But when the Moon returns seeking its shadow... and the Guardian of Tartarus falls... and when the chessboard is full, will the scales be even? And who will win? No one knows... save for the one who started the game from the beginning."
What does that even mean? Oh, Raymond, this is the first time you've seen the Captain like this! Don't mind him. He always talks nonsense when he's drunk, especially after we finish the Song of the Eternal King."
"Ho ho! Look who we have here... the Demon's twin, Raymond, and Keilan Gale! You fool, what are you babbling about in front of the children? Oh, he didn't mean it, he's just wasted and doesn't know what he's saying."
Raymond opened his eye and whispered in a low voice:
"I will think about these matters later. What I must focus on now is Keilan... and reclaiming the Kingmaker."