24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGxq5AUPxi24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTZC1BTOaV
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....................
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Several days had passed since the Sage spoke to them about the Guild. This time, however, he did not gather his disciples for training. Instead, he invited them to the hill overlooking Aros Village.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN6hLAyGDN
As they made their way toward him, Abdulrahman looked at Khaled and asked,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkL0ajIGJ8
"What about that technique you used against Radis?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInsfeOkI5G
"What technique?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgG3saMjol
Khaled asked in confusion.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E9DEcv6Wi
"The one called King's End. I've never seen you use it before. The way it gathered every shadow in the area... it was truly powerful."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXHVDNBDzB
Khaled replied,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexKqzgzzOT
"I don't know. I just found myself using it instinctively. Even its name suddenly appeared in my mind... as if someone had whispered it to me."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOXVPWN9S5
After that, they reached the top of the hill and the four of them sat quietly, while the Sage's staff stood planted in the ground before him. He looked at them for a long moment before saying,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ79a74Pxmk
"You have learned how to fight... but you still do not understand the power you wield. If you wish to become true warriors, you must first understand the laws of this world."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y6V7nUYM1
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjERUtbP2Q
The Sage raised his staff, and five glowing spheres appeared, floating in the air. One was made of fire, another of water, a third of stone, a fourth of wind, and finally one of light.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHdNxnYVNd
He spoke calmly,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqflHdmbWfj
"These are the five original elements. From them, most forms of magic in this world were born. Even ice is not an independent element—it is merely a branch of water, and therefore belongs to the same lineage. Thousands of years ago, each element had its own king. Together, they were known as the Five Kings who ruled the world."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBuzwtNKwR
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRV8EAqwGC
Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the glowing spheres, but the Sage continued in an even calmer voice.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVGua6CBhe
"Each of those kings forged a Legendary Weapon from the very essence of their element, using a portion of their own soul and power. That is why only five original Legendary Weapons exist in the entire world, and only those who inherit the will of that element can wield them. As for other forms of magic, such as darkness, lightning, plants, or poison... they possess no natural Legendary Weapons."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI3fdgAOxi
Khaled raised his hand and asked,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4gKk425KB
"What if a darkness user wanted to forge a Legendary Weapon?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICKYe4DoNC
After a brief silence, the Sage answered,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjL3Cx2jeA
"It is possible... but the price is terrifying. They must sacrifice all of their original magical power forever, transforming their entire existence into that weapon. That is why... almost no one has ever dared to do it."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4vwFNEWzP
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb04kizO19
Catalina spoke this time.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUQ1mkorcQ
"So... not all powers are equal?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULQ9uHJ03O
The Sage smiled and shook his head.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gxvekMk2K
"On the contrary. They are equal by nature. An element does not make its wielder stronger—the warrior is the one who makes the element terrifying. A plant user can defeat a fire user if they possess greater experience and wisdom. Power does not lie in the element... but in the one who wields it."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn67fGrcjP
Abdulrahman nodded in admiration.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgsURWa4Br
"So Radis wasn't terrifying because he controlled ice... he was terrifying because he was Radis."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7n5l477XK
The Sage smiled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oBHolRBRj
"Exactly."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjf04AWtlK
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBizFzoRVb
Then the Sage's expression suddenly changed.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo4F8lwEJE
"But there is something I have kept hidden from you."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8gy0whqsv
Silence fell.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhurW8fevzh
"During my travels... I discovered ancient manuscripts unknown to the rest of the world."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUg7SGP6Bm
Khaled leaned forward slightly.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyHMZQEd5E
The Sage continued,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfgs52YIYg
"History tells us there were five kings... but those manuscripts spoke of the existence of a sixth king."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsJKMotQtV
Everyone's eyes widened.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ylj1xFxE
"Who was he?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwOrqART9Z
The Sage answered,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2dZjIGhvu
"I don't know."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ180fzfcV3z
"Even his name has vanished."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BuoRgtOUU
"I don't know what kind of magic he possessed."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMcJhWsePk
"It is as though someone erased his existence from history itself."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD13SrLA8n
"But what the world does know is that he was the king who joined forces with the former Fire King to destroy the humans who spread discord between the kings. That is the very legend Zera told you before his death—the story of the two kings. That is all I know about him."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CQf4KzsWv
....................
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Abdulrahman raised an eyebrow and laughed.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGrHjKiHzT
"It seems this world really loves its secrets."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq6qEFSY08
Everyone laughed.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05ZPgAbjwd
The Sage did not.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx2rDImmMk
Instead, he said,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3fxoT7UTm
"There is another law..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp12dDZC4LO
"A law no warrior can ever escape."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuzNCkz41z
They all looked at him.
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"The Price of Power."
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....................
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The Sage placed a hand over his heart.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXF6PPXowe
"Within every person lies a magical core. It is the true source of all the power you wield. Every time you unleash a powerful technique, you drain that core. That is why you feel exhausted after battle. And if you push it beyond its limits, you won't simply become unable to fight..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5MO4iVdPk
"...your magical core itself may shatter."
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"If that happens..."
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"You will lose your magic forever."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5XtIzc4b5
Silence filled the air.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpdoeY4jbD
Then Abdulrahman spoke.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaOUh09AeB
"So that's why my energy runs out so quickly."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ndKYkyPFq
The Sage smiled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RzPrJzZ1e
"Fire is one of the most energy-consuming elements. Its power is immense... but it devours its wielder."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebfJYQ8Kby
Abdulrahman nodded with a smile.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ612rp59Qxt
"I knew that was my greatest weakness."
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....................
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The Sage then turned toward Catalina.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDzOSnXky0
"And you."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q8tn8gg5f
She smiled awkwardly.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonTzt9u1H5
"I know..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJPm5lFyt3
"My defense is exceptional..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFgJHka8S5
"But my offensive power is weak."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo373OkAwb
The Sage nodded.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCES4bU25N
"That is why you should never fight alone. Your true strength shines when you protect those fighting beside you."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRHj4FbBLL
She nodded confidently.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM8WattFAT
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriV56bk8NY
Finally...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1njRIRh9
The Sage turned toward Khaled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8OWnJuT7L
A long silence followed.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBfKI0dIY2
Then he spoke quietly.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSCUdJW9xJ
"As for you..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYqZwKCQxf
"The price of your power..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDENEb3YtTS
"...is different."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlM34NQduN
Everyone looked at Khaled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdamIoBLey
Even he had no idea what the Sage was about to say.
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....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36UL6Asdiu
The Sage asked,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3gxgIOTvo
"I want to ask you something."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQIMXfusnY
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU9KkOUu9T
Khaled answered immediately,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT2QjmzK2h
"No."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ifX8nUbg
But Abdulrahman looked at him.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAast7eekbP
"You killed Neol."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtpUTvsOt
Khaled fell silent.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P77muhHot
Then he placed a hand on his head.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvtyaeuqNc
"I..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIi15EVbz5
"I don't remember."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqYHSiGWTB
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJolQMWpoh
The Sage closed his eyes and sighed.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tnK56anas
"Then it has already begun."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMvqDdxVXf
Khaled trembled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLjDiWQZa3
"What do you mean?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7QEH30wmG
The Sage opened his eyes.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoggtGBFTXF
"Your true power is not darkness..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6LAmxqkIJ
"It is Shadow."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNedqxaJcU
"Your original magical power was weak."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuPbnQ2odh
"That is why no one sensed it after you were born."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMJ8lSaJCN
"But what makes your shadows so powerful now..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgigAoIMlQ
"And what gives you so many different abilities..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEHKfSJca0
"...is Shadow."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN577gDVtX
"The more you use his power..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcbNU3Tq1h
"The greater his influence over you becomes."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnEELWDkoC
"He will not steal your body..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4IjPfWL3L
"But he will begin to change your emotions."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsefhLZ8e6
"He will increase your anger."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlonJKVXOM
"He will increase your hatred."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWNDOPMvzR
"And he will whisper what he wants into your mind."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0NshCZ0Sd
"Until one day..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEa8YRlpRA
"You will no longer be able to distinguish..."
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"Your thoughts..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ0ofLGARt
"From his."
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....................
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Khaled did not say a single word.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO4syTYKZj
He quietly stood up.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Q2cEXhbP
Then said to the Sage,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKdGC2O2dh
"Excuse me, Grandfather."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShHzwUjZVJ
"I have something I need to do."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2OwQdUz9E
"I'm busy."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgor34GPZ
Then he walked away alone.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdndxxZOLP2
Abdulrahman called after him.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c1NHFZNGL
But Khaled never looked back.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpaskjUbFO
For the very first time...
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He refused to join the training.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CnWIYz1Z8
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIRIyHfBcZ
He sat alone beneath a distant tree, silently staring at his hand. He was not afraid for himself... he was afraid that one day he might hurt his friends without even realizing it.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO4jpgQSA5
As he remained lost in thought, the Sage approached and sat beside him without speaking for several long moments.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvGJ5FVRDg
Then he finally said,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbF7j5uRoc
"Power is not a curse, Khaled..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3THbURgDl
"The curse is allowing it to control you."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqcnvrM8Vo
Khaled looked at him and quietly replied,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4oMCbPPEf
"But I'm afraid..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdCuPOAkvY
"...of losing myself."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrS9R6XmUH
The Sage smiled.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpYr1OuuUP
"Then don't fight out of anger."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoowem7vYPg
"Fight to protect."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFvJG3AN6Y
"The reason you choose to use your power..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcicVlBWYx
"...is what determines the person you become."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3INDyLwkH4
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17tBzuBd23
Khaled slowly nodded.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxohbIYQCHr
"I'll try."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbkJ1TR2DZ
"But whenever I see my friends in danger..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjexdMkexGP
"I lose control."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0z9dZBryT
The Sage gently patted his shoulder.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqhb4T2buo
"And that..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP84JBok73
"...is what you must overcome."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVhD49fDoi
....................
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuroV3TuKqH
That night...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDbULY5w9b
Abdulrahman trained alone, striving to increase the endurance of his magical core.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGBobJpTqb
Catalina worked on developing a new healing formula.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyksoSNTup
She also tried to create offensive techniques...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJmV8eVATA
But to no avail.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6mwrUbuuS
As for Khaled...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsOnc0tnXj
He quietly stared at his own shadow.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMKVF3fmT
Then whispered to himself,
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCoxTtsEuh
"I won't use this power..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVyXh0afrz
"Unless there is absolutely no other choice."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrfrUl8RN3
Deep within the darkness...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxmyJll7ll
A calm voice emerged.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHBbzCKlbj
"Do you really think..."
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHYA13DqEc
"...the choice is still yours?"
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXnz95B5wP
Silence fell.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM8RPFSeB0
To be continued...
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvbttd0LCx
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSeRMRP2CW
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN8Iokd1Be
and then Add to home screen.