The light inside the room was falling on the red body of the "Cleanse Octopus," creating a strange glow. Historia's words had put both me and Den into deep thought. One out of a thousand Paragons is of this kind… and Historia is one of them. Historia's capability had turned out to be far beyond my expectations.
Then Den narrowed his red eyes and went closer to the small octopus. The Cleanse Octopus looked carefully at Den, and Den said, "Its 'Eating Cleanse' ability is quite useful."
But Historia froze upon seeing a snake speak. She said, "W-what… this snake can talk too?"
I replied, "Oh yes, sorry. I didn't tell you that Den is not some normal Underworld creature. He is very intelligent. And why are you so surprised? I told you before that Den can speak—that's why he was able to help me become a Paragon."
Historia responded, "Yes Master, you did tell me that Den can speak, and Captain Victoria also told me that many Underworld creatures can talk. But until now I had never seen something like this with my own eyes, so as a human, my being this surprised is justified. And my summoning octopus cannot speak."
After that, Historia gently patted her tiny companion and pointed it back toward the notebook's array symbol, and the octopus disappeared in a flash of light. Historia let out a sigh of relief and closed the notebook.
But Den's red eyes were shining. He slithered toward the notebook and, with the help of his tail, quickly flipped through its pages. Amid the rustling of the turning pages, Historia and I just stared at him.
Den then said, "Jona, Historia… would you like to see another miracle of this notebook?"
Historia asked, "Den, what miracle of my notebook are you talking about? Captain Victoria didn't tell me anything like that."
Den gave a crooked smile and said, "Wait a moment, I'll show you its real miracle."
While flipping the pages, Den reached a section where both sides of the pages were completely blank. There were no words or symbols on those white pages. Den stopped and signaled to me with his eyes.
He said to me, "Jona, first place your hand on one side of these pages."
Hearing this, both Historia and I fell into thought. We looked at each other's faces, wondering what Den was trying to make me do. The page was completely blank; there wasn't even any magical array visible on it.
Hesitantly, I extended my right hand and placed it on the blank page. The moment my palm touched the paper, I felt a slight tingle, as if my Thunder Nature electricity was being drawn into the notebook.
Historia said, "Master! Are you feeling something? Den, what are you doing?"
Den replied to stay calm.
After a few moments, I removed my hand from the page, but in the very next instant, dark black words began to emerge on the blank page. Strangely, there was no magical light coming from it—just ink spreading on the paper by itself. Within moments, the entire page was filled with words.
Seeing this, Historia and I were stunned once again. The page that had been completely blank just seconds ago was now filled with information. Den wagged his tail and smiled, saying, "Jona, look! What you are seeing right now is nothing else but the list of your Abilities. From the information written on this page, you will clearly know which abilities you can use at Sequence 1."
Excited, I picked up the notebook and asked Den, "Does it really contain information about my abilities? Then let's read it."
I fixed my eyes on the notebook and began reading my abilities one by one:
Jona – Sequence 1 (Thunder Nature) Abilities
1. Spiritual Vision
Reading this did not surprise me much, because almost every Paragon receives this at the initial level. With its help, I can see spirits and invisible things that a normal human can never see. This is why I am able to coordinate with creatures like Heater and Den.
2. Thunder Strike
This was my first offensive power. With this, I can strike my enemy with lightning. However, for now, its possibility is only 30%, meaning not every strike will land accurately. But the notebook mentioned something interesting—if the weather is rainy or cloudy, the accuracy of this attack increases up to 50%. Nature enhances my power.
3. Hertzian Veil
This is the ability through which I can lift pieces of paper. The notebook explained in detail that with this ability, I can generate a very high amount of Static Energy in my body. While a normal human's static energy can only move a small piece of paper, as a Thunder Nature Paragon, I can generate enough energy to attract large objects toward me or alter their direction. In the Blue Moon Bar fight, I saved Helena from that 'Hunter' attack using this very ability.
4. Paper Hardening
This ability was perfect for close-range combat. With it, I can convert any type of paper into a hard weapon like a knife or shuriken, giving me an advantage in hand-to-hand fights.
In addition to these, there were some additional abilities like sensing danger beforehand, running faster than even a Paragon of another nature, and using low-rank Thunder domain spells.
As I read, my eyes shone. Now I was beginning to understand my strength. Den looked at Historia and pointed toward the other blank page.
Den said, "Now it's Historia's turn. Historia, place your hand on the other page."
But Historia looked at me, as if asking for my permission. The tension and excitement in the room increased. I signaled to her.
Without delay, Historia placed her hand on the other blank page. As soon as she infused a little Aurum into it, the same magical process began again. Within moments, the blank paper filled with dark words. Historia's Water Nature Sequence 1 abilities appeared on the page.
I began reading them eagerly:
Historia – Sequence 1 (Water Nature) Abilities
1. Water Whip
With this ability, Historia can create a thin but extremely sharp stream of water rope in her hand. Though not strong enough to break stone, it is sufficient to tear skin or disarm someone. Its range can extend up to 5 meters.
2. Aquatic Bind
Even more impressive than the previous ability. With this, Historia can suddenly lift nearby water (like from a bucket or tap) and wrap it around the enemy's legs or body. It restrains the enemy for a few seconds, though they can break free with physical strength.
3. Pressure Jet
With this ability, Historia can release a sharp burst of water from her mouth. It can disrupt an enemy's balance or push them backward. If it hits directly in the eyes, it causes unbearable pain.
4. Vapor Screen
She can create dense fog within a 5–6 feet radius or inside a closed room. This fog completely blocks the enemy's vision, providing a great chance to hide or escape.
5. Moisture Sense
Perfect for spying. With this ability, Historia can sense where water is nearby—even if it's a pipe behind a wall or an underground water source.
6. Surface Tension
With this, Historia can harden the surface of water enough to walk over it without sinking or getting wet.
7. Spiritual Vision
We already knew about this, so there was no point reading it again.
Complementary Abilities:
In addition to these main powers, Historia gained some natural traits. She can hold her breath underwater for 15 minutes, and her swimming speed underwater becomes as fast as a fish. She can also use some minor Water domain spells.
Seeing Historia's capability, a thought came to my mind that at Sequence 1 she already had more abilities than me. But I did not dwell on it much and instead asked Den,
"Den, how exactly can we bring these powers into use? Even though I now know about my abilities, I still have to use them—otherwise what's the point? And I still don't even know what pathways exist after Sequence 3."
Den was thinking when Historia spoke,
"Master, what do you mean? Don't you know what pathways exist at Sequence 3?"
She continued, "Captain Victoria told me that some people have very little knowledge about sequences and pathways, yet they become independent and illegal Paragons. Later on, due to half-baked knowledge, they face many problems."
Hearing this, I felt slightly embarrassed—because it directly applied to me as well. The truth was that after coming to this world, I had done many things carelessly that could have cost me my life.
Seeing my expression, Historia said,
"Alright Master, if you don't have complete knowledge about sequences and pathways, I will explain it to you."
Hearing this, I felt happy inside. Finally, I would gain full knowledge about powers and be able to think properly. I said,
"Alright Historia, tell me everything. I'm ready to listen."
Historia began explaining that after becoming a Paragon, she had spent some time in the special headquarters library, where the books were not ordinary at all. There she gathered all the information Captain Victoria wanted her to know, so she could understand the Paragon world deeply.
She then came to the main point. She explained that in this world, any normal human has 5 main options to become a Paragon:
First Fire, second Water, third Wind, fourth Thunder, fifth Earth.
If a normal person wants to become a Paragon of any of these, they must perform a separate ritual for each nature and consume different ingredients. Only then does a person become a Paragon of their chosen nature.
Then Historia shared her own experience. When she was becoming a Water Attribute Paragon, she had to perform a ritual. She explained in detail: the subject is made to sit at the center of a circle filled with intersecting lines. The lines appear as if they are a single continuous structure covering the entire circle. In the end, all lines connect to a central point created by their intersections.
After sitting in the center, the most important thing is Rainy Weather conditions.
Hearing this, I was shocked. "How did weather conditions get included in all this?"
Den explained, "The process of becoming a Paragon depends on many factors, one of which is the surrounding environment. If the environment is not compatible with your nature, many complications can arise."
A realization struck me. I asked, "But Historia, it didn't even rain today! Then how did you become a Water Nature Paragon?"
Historia explained, "Yes, the environment should be suitable, but it doesn't always have to be physical. If there is a Paragon who knows magic capable of creating a 'compatible environment' inside the subject's brain, then the subject will feel as if they are already in that environment."
Then came the ingredient consumption part. Historia said that in front of her was a glass filled with Tainted Blue liquid. To prepare it:
First, a fish called Atvik Blue Fish is crushed into liquid.
Then Sapphire Liquid material is added, which is a crucial ingredient and also reduces the density of the crushed fish liquid.
After drinking this blue liquid, the subject must begin Aurum Cultivation, and eventually becomes a Sequence 1 Water Nature Paragon.
Then Historia looked at me and said,
"But Master, your case is truly unique. You became a Thunder Nature Paragon without any ritual and without suitable weather conditions."
She presented a theory that it might have been possible due to that Dark Energy.
I began thinking that indeed my case was extremely rare. Becoming a Paragon without a ritual was a huge and strange thing. But now, with Historia's knowledge, I could understand Paragons and their sequences much better.
"Anyway, Master," Historia continued, "now I will tell you about the further sequences."