Chapter 28: Wrong Way.
The sky was dyed a thick leaden gray, heavy and cold. Gloomy clouds pulled thick patches together, stretching across the sky like a mournful curtain. The space became strangely silent, leaving only the faint rustle of foliage swaying in the wind. The small birds had disappeared since who knows when, no chirping as usual. The wind changed direction, bringing an earthy smell of soil, wild grass, and water vapor rising from the ground as a signal for something about to happen.
Then a raindrop touched lightly on a leaf. Tick. Like a timid greeting. Then another drop, and one more… drop by drop, pattering on forest leaves, rippling on mossy stones, on soaked grass. The rain sound initially was sparse, gentle, as if the sky was still hesitant, not wanting to pour out all its secrets. The rain came like a silent traveler, taking slow steps in stillness.
Then… swoosh… like a wall of water just collapsed from above. The sky seemed torn apart, pouring down torrential flows of water. The rain was no longer gentle, but became a vast flood pouring down throughout the forest. The sound of falling rain echoed, dense, pounding on trees, on the ground, into every corner as if wanting to wash away everything. The ground quickly became muddy, rainwater splashed every time it hit a branch or a cliff. The air became colder, more humid, heavier, and it seemed the whole forest was holding its breath amidst nature's fury.
Small streaks of water followed tree trunks, each drop dripping from branch tips like nature's tears silently pouring down. Everything was now murky, blurred in a white curtain of rain. Under that great rain, time seemed to stop, leaving only the sound of water merging into soil, the wind whistling in gusts, and the sound of nature screaming, wild and soul-stirringly real.
Kazuka immediately ran to the door and opened it.
"Oh my god, the rain is white out there."
A flash of lightning ripped across the sky, bright like a silver sword slash cutting the night. That light illuminated the whole forest for a moment, then everything sank into darkness as if nothing had happened. Kazuka suddenly looked in that direction.
"Oh, lightning. One, two, three... Six."
Boom!
A sound of thunder rang out from afar, dull and prolonged, like the roar of a giant beast hidden in black clouds. The ground seemed to shake slightly, the air suddenly compressed.
Kazuka immediately turned into the house, walked near the small stone slab, seeing Takeshi with one hand flickering with energy then dying out. Kazuka crawled up and lay down, he turned his head to look at Takeshi. The stone slab was covered by a fairly thick mattress layer as if to eliminate the hardness and coarseness of the rock.
"Are you getting more familiar with energy?"
"Yeah."
Kazuka glanced up at the large stone slab, Airi was lying facing the wall, he turned back to Takeshi.
"Is Airi asleep?"
"Probably."
Airi didn't turn around but she raised her voice like that.
"Sleeping in this rain is wonderful, I think you guys should rest too. After all, we did a lot of work today."
Kazuka immediately closed his eyes.
"Okay, good night then, I'm sleeping."
But Takeshi didn't let him sleep, Takeshi pointed at the wooden wall, gaze directed at the wall.
"Hey, it seems we forgot to make a window?"
Kazuka opened his eyes wide, he sat up, face a bit bewildered looking at Takeshi.
"Oh right, I totally forgot about it."
Takeshi immediately brushed that topic aside.
"Never mind, we can do it when the rain stops."
"Yeah."
Five days later. The sky after the rain appeared like a perfect picture, crystal clear and vast. Dark clouds had vanished, leaving a peaceful, gentle light blue. Streaks of white clouds, thin as fine cloth, gently drifted past, reflecting the sun just emerging, creating a thin metallic sheen in the air.
The air now was still saturated with moisture, bringing a fresh soil smell, faint scent of leaves and wet wood. The last rain drops, like crystal beads, fell sporadically on tree branches, then gradually stopped, leaving only shimmering water streaks on leaf surfaces.
The ground beneath feet was soft, still bearing traces of small puddles, reflecting the deep blue sky and newly bloomed flowers. The wind gently brushed past, carrying away moisture, bringing a refreshing, cool feeling.
The sunlight, just emerged, shone through low clouds, creating shimmering gold-like rays, shining down onto the ground, making everything look bathed in a gentle, warm light.
The rain-stopped sky had no trace of the previous storm, leaving only silent peace, as if all things were resting, waiting for a new day full of hope.
Kazuka frowned slightly, eyelids twitching as a reflex before a dazzling unfamiliar light. It wasn't the warm morning sunlight filtering through foliage, but a cold, sharp, and harsh light that made him turn his face away instinctively.
He slowly opened his eyes. The cave ceiling was still dark, but in some corner, a pale blue light was shining in, flickering, fluctuating like fire but not carrying heat. It made surrounding objects appear murky, distorted, and strange like in a half-awake dream.
Kazuka sat up, breath still bearing sleepiness. That light still silently shone in, no sound, but strong enough to wake a deep sleeper.
The air around was colder than usual. He raised his hand to shield his eyes, glancing towards the source of light. Turns out it was light from the window. He was suddenly surprised by this new window.
"Huh? Window? Did Takeshi and Airi make it while I was sleeping?"
He turned his head to the side to search for his friends, but only saw the blanket. Raising his head to look at the large rock, Airi wasn't there either.
"Where did they go? And now noticing, it's not raining outside anymore. They must have gone out, why didn't they call me."
Kazuka stepped to the door and opened it. A cool moist air immediately rushed in, bringing the pungent scent of wet soil and young grass. He narrowed his eyes, gentle light poured down from the clear blue sky, making everything look covered in a soft silver layer.
Outside, the forest seemed to have just woken up after a long dream. Leaves were still beaded with water, shimmering under the sun like thousands of small crystals. Each branch gently swayed, letting the last rain drops drip onto the soft damp ground. Beneath Kazuka's feet, the waterlogged forest soil imprinted bare footprints, soft and cold to the point of being chilling.
A few birds had begun to move between branches, chirping echoed sporadically in the space, merging with the dripping water sound creating a strange peaceful harmony. Far away, the sound of a stream flowing could be heard somewhere in the forest, the water flow seemed stronger after the rain, washing away fallen leaves and broken branches.
Kazuka stood still at the cave entrance, his gaze swept around. Thin mists still hovered between tree trunks, drifting lazily like forgotten spirits not yet willing to leave. The air was clean, fresh, and had something strangely silent – as if the whole forest was holding its breath after the rain, waiting for something about to happen.
"Seeing the natural landscape after rain is truly beautiful."
Airi was walking from afar, her figure growing larger with each of her steps. Seeing that, Kazuka also walked over.
"Kazuka, follow me to meet your master."
Kazuka asked back bewildered:
"For what?"
"To teach you, obviously. It's been a week already, did you forget?"
Kazuka suddenly remembered, he scratched his head laughing.
"Oh right, where is that old man?"
"Follow me."
On the way, they walked side by side, Kazuka turned.
"Hey, where is Takeshi?"
"He's there too."
"Oh."
"Were you too bored yesterday? Did you do something and stay up late?"
"Huh? I didn't."
"It's currently preparing to move into the afternoon."
Kazuka with a look of surprise.
"Really? ... It's because you guys didn't call me, calling early and I would have helped you make that window."
"Takeshi made that, I'm too lazy to touch it, besides it just rained so I didn't want to touch them, very dirty."
"And when you slept, you slept so deeply, who would dare wake you?"
"Where is Raiga? You didn't let him come along?"
"No, he's still sleeping in the house."
Passing the old wolf's house, they went deeper into the forest. A while later, they reached a large clearing. Takeshi and the old wolf were also sitting on large long logs, seeing him come, they turned.
The old wolf immediately dropped the unpleasant attitude and looked at Kazuka.
"Brat, you are too late."
Kazuka scratched his head and sat on the log with Airi.
"I apologize. So why did you call me here?"
The old man suddenly lost his temper and shouted at Kazuka.
"To study obviously, why do you ask so stupidly."
The old wolf raised his hand to his mouth and gave a loud cough.
"Fine, today is the first lesson so I will just go over things briefly."
He was about to say something then stopped midway, glancing his eyes over with a probing look.
"Ah, hold on, brat, where do you come from?"
Kazuka shook his head clearly showing ignorance.
"I don't remember clearly, only remember I came from the East, I once lived in a village, then that man died. My village had no one to protect it and was attacked by a group of people. I was separated from them."
"Don't you remember them? Why don't you go find them instead of wandering around?"
Kazuka closed his eyes, face turned up to the sky a bit as if proud of his family.
"Of course not, I remember they ran in groups, so it's fine. Besides, I trust my family will be okay, so I'm not very worried."
His gaze dropped, eyes carrying a bit of thought.
"Just that I miss them a bit."
Takeshi and Airi both looked at Kazuka with eyes carrying a bit of distance. But the old wolf grabbed a branch behind and threw it at his head. He got angry and pointed his finger at his face.
"I don't need to know those details."
Kazuka clutched his head, hand rubbing the bump caused by the branch the old wolf threw.
"Oh, is that so? Sorry then."
"So do you know which country we are currently in?"
"I don't."
The old wolf sighed.
"You know nothing about this world but want to travel everywhere? Brat, you must be stupid."
"Fine, then I will tell you things you need to know about this world. I guessed you knew nothing anyway."
The old wolf reached behind the log, it was a parchment roll tied by a crude string. He tossed it towards Kazuka, who caught it bewilderedly.
"Huh? What is this? A map?"
"It's a map, brat, open it, I will explain."
Kazuka pulled the string tying the parchment and opened it, he placed it on the ground and observed. The old wolf gave a loud cough.
"Fine, let me tell you briefly."
Kazuka glanced at the map, countries were divided with many different colors and symbols, different names.
"In the middle of the map is a nation with a symbol of two crossed swords and a sun above, that is the Helioncrest kingdom. It is the kingdom we are in. This kingdom is ruled by King Aurelius Solvarion and the current queen is Seraphine Elowen."
"They have five children who are all very strong with their own talents, two princesses and three princes. The oldest is 27 years old, the youngest is 15."
"Below are the 5 most powerful Great Families of this country, they are families with much merit for this country, from ancient times until now. About this country, knowing that is enough for you."
The old wolf coughed a few more times and continued. All three sat intently, eyes directed in one direction listening to him.
"Around this kingdom, it is surrounded by 5 kingdoms."
"To the North is the Thalvaran kingdom. You can see it on the map with the symbol of black eagle wings wide spread on a white ice background."
"Oh, I see it."
The old wolf with an unpleasant tone, eyes glancing at Kazuka.
"Brat, be quiet for me to tell, when I speak you must not say anything."
"This is a cold, rugged kingdom with many snowy mountain ranges. Thalvaran residents live harshly, are good at survival, and famous for snow wolf-riding warriors."
"This kingdom was once an old ally with our kingdom. But about over 30 years ago this country had tensions due to disputes over snowy mountains containing precious minerals with us so they canceled the ally agreement."
"Next is the Maraveth empire located to the East, you can see it has the symbol of a sea snake coiling around an ancient stone pillar."
"This empire is a maritime empire, controlling bays and eastern islands. Rich through commerce, ruthless in politics. Relationship with our country is unclear, currently neutral, but in trade interactions, one can see a few plots and probing from this empire."
"To the South is: The Scorched Sands of Valmyra. You can see the symbol is: A purple flame burning in a palm. This country features vast deserts with nomadic tribes and cities hidden under sand. Place producing sorcerers controlling fire and wind. Relationship with Helioncrest sometimes involves academic exchange, sometimes conflict due to differences in belief and territory. Generally very troublesome and you don't need to care."
"To the West is the Sylvaren Domain with the symbol of a golden leaf surrounded by a moon ring. Features ancient and sacred forests covering almost the entire territory. Residents are the Sylvani – an ancient race close to nature. Relationship with Helioncrest is Non-interference in worldly affairs, but when the forest is threatened, they will act without mercy."
"To the Southeast is the Drakkenfell Kingdom with the symbol of a brilliant red dragon head spitting fire to the sky. This is a land of volcanoes and deep caves, great ones using fire often emerge from here. Relationship with our Helioncrest is neutral and doesn't lean to any side."
"Those are just the 5 countries surrounding this country, out there are over 100 other countries. One day you will know them all."
Kazuka had a face of amazement.
"Oh, it seems I once passed through the Maraveth kingdom, I walked a bit in that city then there was a place selling fish, and those fish looked very strange too."
"You seeing that is normal, there are even types of fish there that exist nowhere else. Therefore this is the richest country among the 6 countries."
"Furthermore, the kingdom we are in is in an alliance of 25 countries protecting each other safely. You will know this in the future, it's not too late."
"Fine, you know enough of that, next are the races."
The old wolf rolled his eyes around observing all three of them, gazes still directed at him with intent. Seeing that, he continued.
"Speaking of races, let's talk a bit about energy too."
"Hey brat, who taught you to use energy?"
Kazuka who was intent was startled hearing him call.
"Huh? Ah, previously I was taught by sister Kuroha, she's an Elf who taught me how to use energy."
The scarred face showed clear surprise, hand raised to stroke his chin.
"Oh, so the first time you absorbed energy into your body, how did it feel?"
Kazuka scratched his head laughing.
"I don't know, but then I felt it was quite easy, thought it would be very hard."
"So the next time you absorbed energy, how did it feel? Was there a difference?"
Kazuka froze for a moment, his eyes opened wide, then blinked a few times as if something just flashed in his head.
"Oh right, you said it then I remember. The first time I did it very easily, afterwards I had a different feeling, but didn't care and kept absorbing energy, I had a feeling like I absorbed very weakly compared to the first time I did it."
The old wolf turned backwards, reaching for something wrapped in a black cloth. Peeling the cloth, it was a meat leg of some very large creature. The wolf mouth opened wide, sharp teeth like a wolf bit into that leg and ripped it hard. While eating he talked, words sounded a bit difficult, but still audible.
"So that Elf didn't tell you? Then let me tell you."
"This world has 5 different types of energy. The first time you absorbed energy was helped by that Elf to filter energy, and push up the energy you absorbed. That's why it was easy."
"After that time you felt it harder because it's raw energy, each race only absorbs one energy, so you absorbed everything already, but the organs that absorbed energy will automatically push it out, but it will be very difficult. This will make you much weaker."
Kazuka was surprised by that, he raised his palm and looked at it intently.
"I used it wrong?"
The old wolf still sat there looking at Kazuka with a fixed stare.
"Was that Elf stupid to teach the brat like that?"
"So, after teaching you did anything happen?"
"Seems after a few days, she told me to release energy outward and absorb it again, then also taught me a few other things. But unexpectedly the village was attacked by a murderer so I fought him, after being heavily injured and recovering I set off to your house."
The old wolf stroked his chin in thought.
"What about the brat Haruki? Didn't he say anything?"
"Seems after being taught for a few hours he came to talk, then a few days later I didn't meet him because I had to stay in the forest."
"So it means that Elf though an Elf also knows nothing, even something so simple she didn't know."
The old wolf sighed in annoyance.
"You brat are lucky to have met me."
Takeshi sitting nearby until now silent was also surprised and spoke loudly.
"Oh, so that's it, then Airi taught me also forced me to only absorb one that she said."
Airi sitting nearby with a look of pride.
"Of course, I have to be different."
The old wolf sighed once more, the meat leg was bitten again in a large chunk. He pointed that leg at Kazuka.
"You are truly young and green Kazuka, you need to learn more about this world, no one will teach you anymore."
Kazuka waved his hand as if wanting to ignore the old wolf's statement.
"Fine, tell more."
He returned to a calm face and told.
"Basically that Elf taught you wrong, seems an Elf but knowledge is quite poor. She taught you how to use energy and helped you absorb easier but didn't mention 5 energy sources."
Kazuka was surprised, face as if unable to believe his eyes.
"Sister Kuroha taught me wrong?"
"But never mind, although you did it the wrong way you are quite strong, that's acceptable already."