58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMAvrvIakD58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBb6eGTY54
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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.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoq9Q1ociB
As they made their way toward him, Abdulrahman looked at Khaled and asked,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PRhBxltMe
"What about that technique you used against Radis?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PRm3deoD8
"What technique?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k5266vCVT
Khaled asked in confusion.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnR373auGD
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwc2pqBaVJ
Khaled replied,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB5KP4Mvmo
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyv1waeeYo
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,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckXq7AjZWr
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dxk1b4Kmj
....................
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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.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GAoCBnIIc
He spoke calmly,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphAGbE7Bub
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKXeW6GAAq
....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3sj5bLDp5
Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the glowing spheres, but the Sage continued in an even calmer voice.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkCTBYmCVu
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMAQ9lFmjJ
Khaled raised his hand and asked,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi34aExdzr
"What if a darkness user wanted to forge a Legendary Weapon?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUZmg4POTx
After a brief silence, the Sage answered,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ltp7E2LY3
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb25J889q0R
....................
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Catalina spoke this time.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTymt0kEqfB
"So... not all powers are equal?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pLS1zot7G
The Sage smiled and shook his head.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm92elJ23H
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTwNwWMJpO
Abdulrahman nodded in admiration.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Wm9Q3hEE
"So Radis wasn't terrifying because he controlled ice... he was terrifying because he was Radis."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGOcYKM8jO
The Sage smiled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWrSpMp9Oc
"Exactly."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxivdvOR2h
....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj2J5Lmdr0
Then the Sage's expression suddenly changed.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHgnEueA0C
"But there is something I have kept hidden from you."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNifP0fdP1z
Silence fell.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcANXQC9pox
"During my travels... I discovered ancient manuscripts unknown to the rest of the world."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl6KKkiGEA
Khaled leaned forward slightly.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oQO8b0hCa
The Sage continued,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAioN2xGLM
"History tells us there were five kings... but those manuscripts spoke of the existence of a sixth king."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCthwiDtzs1
Everyone's eyes widened.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyQpwJuTSx
"Who was he?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iGBf7DJfQ
The Sage answered,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtSYGLAey7
"I don't know."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJElOWwGTDd
"Even his name has vanished."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETwtibWCwq
"I don't know what kind of magic he possessed."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUPwlk1xO9
"It is as though someone erased his existence from history itself."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEpMIMIi9e
"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."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs39Indt9m
....................
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Abdulrahman raised an eyebrow and laughed.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBh4Kg2EzN
"It seems this world really loves its secrets."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHFiQlu7qY
Everyone laughed.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7lq3OwZaa
The Sage did not.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLIPnXNOPt
Instead, he said,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLaKSDyuBr
"There is another law..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJopqEhOm0A
"A law no warrior can ever escape."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWHe8zdUon
They all looked at him.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxidLlAqZcw
"The Price of Power."
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....................
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The Sage placed a hand over his heart.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ld57HsiXg
"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..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMZPmWP3fX
"...your magical core itself may shatter."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SNyH731rr
"If that happens..."
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"You will lose your magic forever."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUy79Wyjy8
Silence filled the air.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN493hzNYKY
Then Abdulrahman spoke.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWrEtKzHSZ
"So that's why my energy runs out so quickly."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05RnPtwJ1S
The Sage smiled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeykIw0l50d
"Fire is one of the most energy-consuming elements. Its power is immense... but it devours its wielder."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOeZXq2MzP
Abdulrahman nodded with a smile.
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"I knew that was my greatest weakness."
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....................
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The Sage then turned toward Catalina.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dDe3ztFtr
"And you."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ4sMXf1Ez
She smiled awkwardly.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D4pDqW8wF
"I know..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMOHwWwE2B
"My defense is exceptional..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVryFYsz8f
"But my offensive power is weak."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6BFerjEnF
The Sage nodded.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP2O6sLPDz
"That is why you should never fight alone. Your true strength shines when you protect those fighting beside you."
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She nodded confidently.
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....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hr9BdPHBT
Finally...
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The Sage turned toward Khaled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0apuFcqjk4
A long silence followed.
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Then he spoke quietly.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPEWminzOC
"As for you..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0gajoIaeE
"The price of your power..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fglamHqS0
"...is different."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypdCXQq2Fe
Everyone looked at Khaled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJc5B6QNBw
Even he had no idea what the Sage was about to say.
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....................
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The Sage asked,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSduj9TAYa
"I want to ask you something."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfLvtxaN7D
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroyFKDTvvx
Khaled answered immediately,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DxzfYef27
"No."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoueSBQ4KUi
But Abdulrahman looked at him.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRxbsRNpYM
"You killed Neol."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDgdYZjycg
Khaled fell silent.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDGHeZyhOV
Then he placed a hand on his head.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafrfMeL3fp
"I..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsjFbFbtG
"I don't remember."
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....................
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The Sage closed his eyes and sighed.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vAdzXLQCd
"Then it has already begun."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AA5RiVpl1
Khaled trembled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xePstzmp5
"What do you mean?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlTIqm1EeO
The Sage opened his eyes.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnkfQSM8iO
"Your true power is not darkness..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsBadi9ZWI
"It is Shadow."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzTYk2w2OA
"Your original magical power was weak."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpjSLejZi7
"That is why no one sensed it after you were born."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pg8PnYQr4
"But what makes your shadows so powerful now..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6hxTurLwk
"And what gives you so many different abilities..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpC4sFL61Y
"...is Shadow."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJd0HJQp8I
"The more you use his power..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5FlslWsfM
"The greater his influence over you becomes."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV9Ppd7S9V
"He will not steal your body..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVJ0vsKehK
"But he will begin to change your emotions."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSk6A28Dys
"He will increase your anger."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJtbZxGMrT
"He will increase your hatred."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6v2lwsjCI
"And he will whisper what he wants into your mind."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusSxjjUfj0
"Until one day..."
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"You will no longer be able to distinguish..."
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"Your thoughts..."
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"From his."
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....................
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Khaled did not say a single word.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeQb9tdK31
He quietly stood up.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbFqGpQF8q
Then said to the Sage,
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"Excuse me, Grandfather."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRPXEsnTI2
"I have something I need to do."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K14IxFXfP
"I'm busy."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr37ZP3tcee
Then he walked away alone.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxW8KBcEi5
Abdulrahman called after him.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7pSG0C3Ht
But Khaled never looked back.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuZZ5pe0o7
For the very first time...
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He refused to join the training.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS94gHZywAX
....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xf4iUrBl9
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.
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As he remained lost in thought, the Sage approached and sat beside him without speaking for several long moments.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypj8ZkxrJ3
Then he finally said,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdu6coaDLG
"Power is not a curse, Khaled..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6FWRlmUco
"The curse is allowing it to control you."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzICIXOANH
Khaled looked at him and quietly replied,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCCITcNUII
"But I'm afraid..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIbvD83SsW
"...of losing myself."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUkCeqPm4S
The Sage smiled.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWHJKSz3IE
"Then don't fight out of anger."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPWzlhuvuL
"Fight to protect."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKYgKup1FT
"The reason you choose to use your power..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELoPFnA4l3
"...is what determines the person you become."
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....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CWHYWpHb1
Khaled slowly nodded.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt6CIxYoUv
"I'll try."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G4A4fBlOz
"But whenever I see my friends in danger..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80rpJ3Krl9
"I lose control."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY7eShLmNg
The Sage gently patted his shoulder.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRhddNatHb
"And that..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lEPpnh5ia
"...is what you must overcome."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjZZBL1btC
....................
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuoxG57HXy
That night...
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi50ycXFccm
Abdulrahman trained alone, striving to increase the endurance of his magical core.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd2E4ETUH6
Catalina worked on developing a new healing formula.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sXBOYxdaD
She also tried to create offensive techniques...
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8A0yscUc3
But to no avail.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37KHlZu7RQ
As for Khaled...
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIRuJzqp2R
He quietly stared at his own shadow.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sugrmqvwL
Then whispered to himself,
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8RKVcOZ5p
"I won't use this power..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8liBN7GGpI
"Unless there is absolutely no other choice."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwObABeMlN
Deep within the darkness...
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbolQgAKoAW
A calm voice emerged.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCcL0SZ4yl
"Do you really think..."
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu1ifhiiP0
"...the choice is still yours?"
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkRt6FrueE
Silence fell.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP5Y5kl99D
To be continued...
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyvDGEmlMu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D24vNW4Ag
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppvfZt1cSQ
and then Add to home screen.