The string tightened around Hal's neck, making him flinch as Joset reechoed her question, "Didn't you hear my question? 'Who are you?"
Hal breathed heavily as he thought about his answer. He had lost his identity and given himself a new name, but would it be the truth, or would mentioning that name end in death?
Either way, he had no choice as he decided to mention the name the name and if it killed at least he had lived a good life.
As soon as the thought went through his mind, his lips moved automatically as he said, "You may call me Hal Leonardo Fernis, a servant to the stars"
'What the hell did I just say?' his fear skyrocketed as he closed his eyes and became ready to embrace death
But instead the string eased around his neck and soon retracted as Joset spoke in a humble tone, "Sorry for scaring you, but I needed to know if you had really received a contract"
Hal became confused. He had gotten into a contract with the lord of stars to reach his own agendas, but he really had no idea what a contract even was
"Umm, if you don't mind, can you please tell me what a contract is?" Joset gave him a strange glance before asking a question of her own
"Before I answer, do you know about the soul flame, mind or even about traits and gifts?" These words held no meaning to Hal; he had heard them before, but they seemed to hold another meaning than the one he was used to
Hal shook his head as Joset sighed and spoke, though her eyes seemed not really interested in the activity.
"I'll explain as briefly as I can. You have a soul that produces a type of energy called soul. This acts as your life force and also fuels your every action, whether it be lifting a spoon or using a special ability"
Joset paused for a bit as if taking the time to prepare her next answer so that it may be as short and precise as it can be
"The soul flame can also be used to induce the evolution of the soul, but that is not for you to know just yet. Now, in this world, we have traits and gifts that people utilise to alter the world, so pay attention as I explain"
Hal paid as much attention to Joset as she explained the abilities in this world and how they worked.
She told him about gifts and abilities that are abilities people are born with and cannot be acquired later in life.
She also spoke about traits, which were abilities that one acquired later in life through vigorous training or emotional turmoil.
The trait was achieved when one underwent evolution to finally acquire the ability, and that the ability would be based on the current state of mind the person is in upon acquiring the ability.
Soon after, she went on to say, "Now the mind, take this as the major control centre of your ability, your mind works together with your will and consciousness to command your ability"
She paused as she saw the confusion well up in Hal's mind and, with a sigh, repeated her explanation.
"Take the mind as a bowl of water that can expand to a certain level, and whatever it encompasses, you can control. Now, your conscious decides what it wants to do as your will is used to invoke this action upon the specific thing you want to affect"
Hal thought about these words as the concept of the mind finally made sense to him; the mind expands forward to encompass what you want to affect.
The conscious decides how you want to affect it and at what intensity, while the will transforms that decision into action.
Joset further explained that another difference between traits and gifts was that the mind of a person with a gift can expand to encompass anything within a certain range, but never their own body.
Meaning they could affect their surroundings but not themselves; meanwhile, traits were the opposite, with their minds only encompassing their bodies, but could not spread out.
Hence, their abilities could only affect their bodies, but never their surroundings. He digested the information for a bit before asking, "How about a contract? What is that?"
Joset smiled at him before answering, "A contract is when two beings bind their souls together using an agreement that offers power to one being while providing a sort of compensation to the other"
So the other being is compensated for offering its power to the other. In his case, it was that the lord of stars would gain all his knowledge in return for power.
Joset stood up and quickly made her way to the door, saying, "I have explained too much today, and I'm afraid that your questions may be endless, so excuse me as I report this to Lady Roxanne"
She opened the door and said as she made her way out of the room, "Actually, Tai has been waiting for you to wake up, so you should go meet him, you have questions, and he may have answers"
Joset left the room soon after leaving Hal to digest the new information he had gathered: 'Traits, gifts, contracts, soul flames, mind, will and consciousness, this really is a new world'
The implications of everything that had happened finally set in. He was no longer on earth, and as for now, he had no way of returning home, but with this contract, maybe hope was not lost yet.
He finally got out of the room and walked through the hall that was filled with doors leading to different rooms.
He did not know who stayed in them and so chose to withdraw his curiosity for now. He finally reached the end of the hall, where he found Tai waiting for him.
'Had Joset informed him about his awakening, ' Tai rushed to him with a smile on his face.
"Dude, you finally woke up. When we were attacked by that grass monster, we got separated. I tried making my way to you, but then you suddenly dashed forward and grabbed me by the hand, and before I knew it, we had left the field almost as if we teleported out"
Tai smiled at Hal before finally speaking again with an excited tone, "When we left the field, I had to carry you until we found a carriage leading into the city, and that is how we ended up here"
Hal was glad that Tai had taken it upon himself to explain that blank gap in his memory. He turned to Tai and gave him a smile, saying.
"Thank you, Tai, my mind has been doing okay after the incident in the field" Tai threw his hand over Hal's shoulder and chuckled before saying.
"Don't be so modest, if all goes well, you will become a member of the Silver Sword Hunter Company, but as of now, I will offer you a tour around the great city of Ortario"
A member of the silver sword hunter company, Joset had mentioned that name before, but why would he be joining? "What do you mean?"
Tai simply smiled and patted Hal on the back, saying, "Don't worry about it, I'll explain everything later. For now, let me just take you on a tour around the city, just because we have an extra coming with us"
He turned to Tai with curiosity in his eyes as the boy replied soon after, "She's outside, come and I'll introduce you"
Tai dragged Hal along, not letting him get a clear picture of his surroundings. As they finally made it outside, it was in the dead of night as the sky radiated with a myriad of stars.
The sight was enough to send a shiver down Hal's spine as he heard Tai speak calmly, "This is Lyrrah, and starting from today, we will be a cohort"
The girl was wearing a hood that hid her face, giving her an aura of mystery. She turned to him and paused for a moment before saying, "Hi Hal, it's nice to finally meet you"