956 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The thunder roared. It felt as if the air was twisting, invaded by an unknown force. Thump-! My heart raced wildly, overflowing with energy without restraint. It was a defense mechanism. My body reacted on its own, sending a surge of energy coursing through my meridians and spreading throughout my entire body. Not only did a protective aura envelop me spontaneously. Whirrr---!!! The ring of the Nine Flames Wheel Art expanded and began to spin. Heat surged intensely, and the top of my head felt searing hot. '...What is this...?' What is this sensation? It was too alien to merely classify as hostility or killing intent. Yet too familiar to dismiss as merely an external sensation. 'Is it sorcery?' I decided to categorize this sensation as a form of sorcery. If that's the case, should I acknowledge it as an aura manifesting through sorcery? The display of aura is tied to one's emotions and intent. The intensity depends on the caster's level. In that case, the energy used to manifest sorcery must be something else entirely. 'Is this the consequence of that?' A manifestation of aura through sorcery. And the anomaly intertwined with the turtle's realm. If this is the current situation... 'Interesting.' Regardless of why the turtle reacted as it did, I found the situation intriguing. Sorcery is a complex force, a mystery to me. 'So, it can be used like this.' To learn that even sorcery could be utilized in this manner. The realization evoked a different feeling within me. 'What is the difference?' The pressure continued to intensify, gradually affecting me as well. I focused my mind to understand how it was being manifested. 'It's inherently different from my intent.' Then the method of manifestation must differ too. Should I approach it from the perspective of sorcery? Thump. I infused strength into my heart, stirring the threads of sorcery. It didn't seem to be direct pressure like my intentions used. If we were to analyze it further... 'Disarray. Or anomaly.' And transformation. Turning truth into falsehood. Or creating truth from falsehood. That was the essence and power of sorcery as I saw it. 'Perhaps this too.' It's not applying pressure with aura. Rather, it creates the illusion of pressure through sorcery. It might sound like a common wordplay, but... Hooo-! I moved the energy according to my realization. At that instant. Crack-! "...!" The phenomenon created by the turtle cracked. It collided, clashing like a frictional spark. "Aha." Seeing that brought a smile of joy to my face. "So, this is how you do it." "...Ha." Within the clash of phenomena. The turtle looked at me, letting out a hollow laugh. "...An absurd fellow indeed." As the turtle spoke, seemingly in disbelief, I noticed the pressure easing. I clicked my tongue, feeling regret. 'Just a bit more could have sufficed.' Just a little more. If I could have sensed the energy just a bit longer, I might have grasped it fully. 'For now, I should hold back.' Given the circumstances, restraint was necessary for the moment. Then. "What are you thinking right now?" The turtle's words refocused my mind from where it had wandered. "Oh. Right. What were we talking about again?" "..." My words made the turtle look incredulous. "We were discussing how your mother is the Master of Myriad Worlds." "Oh, that's right." Indeed. That was what we were talking about. I nodded, recalling. To see my mother, I had decided to learn about sorcery. And upon hearing this, the turtle had... "You referred to her as 'Yohou', right?" He called my mother Yohou (妖狐). "Is that my mother's name?" "…You don't even know your own mother's name?" "She wasn't exactly called that. Though she may be known differently here." "…" The turtle's face bore an inscrutable expression at my calm explanation. Being such an expressionless entity, reading him was no easy task. A moment passed. "…It's not quite that. 'Yohou' is more of a moniker." "A moniker only you use? Or..." "There may be others who called her that. However." Thud, thud. The turtle tapped the ground with his staff, making a soft noise. "I'm curious if any are still alive." "…" His voice, tinged with a chill, was mournful to hear. It wasn’t a good sign. 'From that kind of reaction...' Could it be that my mother had done something? 'Hmm.' What on earth did my mother do? I'm curious, yet I don't intend to pry. 'I doubt anything good would come from asking.' Unless he speaks of it himself, it's better not to inquire. "…Phew." The turtle sighed, seemingly quelling a storm of emotions. As he repeated his breaths, I simply watched him in silence. "…This is ridiculous." Finally, the turtle looked at me exasperatedly, his voice barely audible. "From your reaction, it's clear I don't hold favorable feelings toward your mother. Yet, even now, you sit here unfazed." "Well…." It was obvious to anyone observing. "It's not as if I've done anything wrong. It's something my mother did." "…" The turtle was rendered speechless at my straightforward statement. "What an impudent fellow." "Impudent? I prefer confident." I shrugged my shoulders, emphasizing my words. "I was just as surprised to hear that my mother is an extraordinary figure in these parts. It's not as if I particularly wanted to come here." That was a half-truth. When I mastered the Nine Flames Wheel Art, there was a promise with my father. -When you master the Nine Flames Wheel Art, I'll tell you where your mother is. That was the agreement between my father and me. As soon as I heard it. 'I was determined to find her.' I intended to head to wherever my mother was. However. 'It wasn’t solely to see my mother.' While I did yearn for her deeply, that wasn't the sole purpose. 'There was something more important than longing for her.' At present, there were concerns that took precedence over the yearning for my mother. '...I needed to find out what was happening to me.' If anyone knew, it would surely be my mother. Additionally, 'I also had to confirm things about the Divine Sword.' When I saw traces of her at the Shrine of the Divine Dragon. My mother had emerged then, getting involved in matters. She had instructed me to absorb the Divine Dragon and embody it. 'But I don't know what happened afterward.' She didn't appear again, leaving me clueless about the fate of the Divine Sword. I had come to her seeking that knowledge. Yet, '...It's kind of troublesome if she doesn't even remember me.' No matter the circumstances, the idea that she might not recognize her own son and even attempt to kill me seemed unfair. The situation was as unjust for me as it was for anyone else. Thus, "Please, help me." I needed the turtle's strength. "...Why are you leading the conversation in this direction?" At my words, the turtle frowned, as if he found the conclusion baffling. What was so strange? "I need to see my mother. For that, I must learn sorcery. You're the only one who knows it." "That's all very well... but why should I help you?" "Well, can't you just offer a bit of support?" "...You mean to say you're going to throw a tantrum." Sharp of you to notice. The longer our conversation dragged, the more the turtle seemed at a loss. "You're asking me to help the son of a woman I have ill feelings toward?" "Yes." "Even you must find that a rather strange thing to say." "It is weird." I wouldn't deny it. It was indeed a presumptuous request. However, "That's why, instead of a mere request, let's make it a deal." "A deal?" The turtle's expression turned curious. "Yes, a deal." "What kind of deal are you proposing?" "You teach me sorcery, and in return, I'll listen to a request of yours." "...What?" For an instant, the interest faded from the turtle's face. "I have no requests to make of you, so how is that a deal?" "Something will come up." "Pardon?" "Whether it's a request related to my mother or something concerning yourself, I'll fulfill it." "..." One of the turtle's eyebrows twitched. I focused on that spot. It's a ridiculous proposition. How could that constitute a deal? The turtle could have argued that. Yet, instead of arguing, he seemed lost in thought. This clearly meant, 'He has something he wants to request from me.' Or that such a situation could arise. I wasn't about to miss that. "As long as it's not about killing my mother or starting a fight with her, I'll do it." "...Click... Killing her? What a preposterous notion." "Right? Patricide is a bit..." "Even if you were to die and be reborn countless times, you could never kill your mother." "..." Ah, so that's the issue. I awkwardly scratched my cheek. Is my mother truly such a formidable being? Well, she’s known as the ruler of a world... 'Does that mean she's stronger than the Blood Demon?' Curious as I was, I dismissed the thought. That's not the pressing issue. But then. "...Perhaps not." The turtle, recalling something, drifted into contemplation. Mulling it over, "I see. Maybe... perhaps not." "What are you suddenly talking about?" "...You said you'd honor my request?" "Yes, as long as it's not one of those previously mentioned." "Anything as long as it's not?" "That phrasing makes me a tad nervous." "Say it clearly." "I reserve the right to refuse if it’s completely unreasonable. But I’ll agree to most things." "...I see? Understood." The turtle seemed to accept this, which raised another question in my mind. "You're fine with me reserving the right to refuse?" That statement implied I'd turn down anything unreasonable. Yet, he seemed unbothered. "It's fine. Because... I'll ensure there's no reason for you to refuse." "...Wow." That's a rather intimidating remark. Should I back out now? I briefly pondered. "I'll come to regret this later." The turtle said to me. "My foolish stubbornness is leading me to dabble in things I shouldn't. But it must be fate." With a squeak, the turtle rose from his chair. Then, Whoosh-! The scenery around me changed suddenly. The cozy tea room disappeared and we stood on a vast plain. A vast field brimming with vibrant life stretched out before us. There, the turtle and I stood. "I ask you," the turtle said to me. His voice curiously resonated, echoing deeply. Gradually, it crept into the depths of my heart. "What is it you wish to gain from me?" Chilling and yet persistent. It seemed as though the vibrant field could become a swamp in an instant. A confrontation with a master felt like two sharp blades clashing. But facing the turtle was like colliding with the four seasons. At times it was cold. Other times hot. Sometimes refreshing. And yet other times humid and dark. A kaleidoscope of twisted senses. Facing the turtle was an act of transformation. With that sensation, I answered the turtle. What do I wish to gain? The answer was decided long before. "Everything." Leaving nothing behind, everything. I intended to gain everything from him. Comments 1 Rating: 3.1 / 81 Yeon Woo 2024.10.29 15:48 Report Your sorcery level will definitely rise. 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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