And the last thing the unknown said was:
<[Go back now, Child.]>
Arlios was terrified, completely lost in fear. He had awakened something deep within himself, something that was never meant to be touched.
"W-What's happening?" he stammered, his voice shaking.
His vision blurred. The world around him twisted, warped, and then collapsed into nothingness.
He snapped back to reality with a blinding headache. It felt like his skull was splitting apart. As his sight returned, he froze.
The man who had been holding him was now writhing on the ground, his entire body consumed by flames.
It was horrifying, yet strangely satisfying.
A wave of relief washed over Arlios, but his muscles trembled and his body weakened under the pressure of the aura leaking out of him. It burned like a distant star, bright and merciless, radiating both heat and power.
When one of the men fell, Arlios's thoughts scattered.
What am I supposed to do against the other two?
But to his surprise, the remaining men didn't attack. They stood there, pale and shaking, then turned and ran. They left their comrade behind, reduced to ashes on the floor.
The sight of the flame gave Arlios an odd sense of comfort. It didn't touch the floor or the walls. It only burned the man who had hurt him.
Moments later, his strength faded away. His vision darkened, his movements grew heavy. It felt like falling into a deep sleep, one he couldn't resist.
Everything turned to black.
"Agh... it hurts," Arlios groaned as he woke from what felt like endless sleep. His body throbbed with pain.
Just as he tried to stand, a familiar voice called out from behind the door.
"Oh, you're up? Getting you off the floor is starting to feel familiar," said Mr. Flores in a joking tone, reminding Arlios of how they had met.
He stepped inside and helped Arlios sit up. Flores explained that after Arlios had passed out, he waited for that terrifying aura to calm before carrying him to a bed in the shop.
Arlios stayed there for about a week after the incident. Even after his strength returned, his mind couldn't stop replaying what happened. The power he released... what was it? Where did it come from?
When the week ended, Arlios thanked Mr. Flores deeply. The man had done more for him than he could ever repay.
But gratitude was not enough. He needed answers.
He took one last look around the shop, then pushed open the dark oak door. Cold wind brushed against his face as he stepped into the empty street.
His path was clear. He headed toward the library.
When he arrived, his eyes rested on the grand building ahead. Its design was modern and towering, almost luxurious. He checked his coin pouch, which felt painfully light. Inside were one gold coin, thirty-four silver, and seventy-six bronze. The entry fee was twenty silver. It was a painful price, but knowledge was worth more.
He took a deep breath and stepped through the gates.
That was when a man with a Crescent Moon faction emblem approached him.