NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: 23 - Farewells
Rygar ran alongside Verdia, both of them in a comfortable silence. The air of the Great Forest was filled with the soft sounds of nature, but neither seemed inclined to break the moment. For Rygar, each step on this journey felt like a quiet farewell. He glanced at his master, mentally recording every detail of her confident posture, the lightness with which she moved, and even the way the breeze swayed her hair.
The hill they were seeking was farther than Rygar had ever gone before. They climbed a slope, reaching a large hill. When they reached the top, the view was breathtaking: the vastness of the Great Forest stretched as far as the eye could see, with the blue sky blending into the horizon.
Verdia broke the silence, "This is the perfect place to test what you've learned. As you've already learned, this Earth King-level magic can cause some irreversible damage if you're not careful."
Rygar nodded, taking a deep breath and letting the scenery fill his senses.
Verdia looked at him with a firm, encouraging gaze. "Let's start with Cumulonimbus. The Water Saint-level magic, as I mentioned, this magic can be transformed into the King-level magic, Thunderbolt. Just like how the Tornado can turn into a Hurricane. I will demonstrate it once, pay close attention."
She then began the chant, "Great spirit of water and imperial prince of lightning who ascends to the heavens, grant my wish and bring forth a wild blessing. Show your power to insignificant beings. Astonish with a strike of your divine hammer on the anvil and cover the earth with water! Ah, Rain! Sweep everything else and expel all! Cumulonimbus!"
The clouds rose quickly, forming dark towers that seemed to touch the sky. The air grew thick, and a cold wind swept across the field, carrying leaves and dust. Lightning pulsed within the clouds, illuminating their outlines like glowing veins. The rain started suddenly, heavy and relentless, transforming the previously calm forest into a tempestuous chaos. Thunder roared like a primordial warning, and the strength of the storm felt overwhelming.
Verdia maintained the magic for 1 minute before gradually dissipating it.
"Your turn, little Rygar, go ahead."
Rygar closed his eyes, letting his mind connect to the mana flowing around him. He began to recite the chant Verdia had taught him:
"Great spirit of water and imperial prince of lightning who ascends to the heavens, grant my wish and bring forth a wild blessing. Show your power to insignificant beings. Astonish with a strike of your divine hammer on the anvil and cover the earth with water! Ah, Rain! Sweep everything else and expel all! Cumulonimbus!"
As he recited, he felt the mana around him stir, as if the air carried a heavy energy. He opened his eyes and saw clouds beginning to form above. The sky, once clear, began to darken. The wind picked up, and he felt the humidity in the air condensing as the clouds gathered.
Rygar extended his hand to direct the flow of magic. The feeling was powerful and overwhelming, like trying to control a wild beast. Lightning flashed within the growing cloud, and raindrops began to fall.
He closed his eyes again, feeling each drop, each gust of wind, and the pulsing of the lightning inside the cloud. Slowly, the storm began to respond to his command. He shaped the clouds into a large whirlpool, controlling the reach and intensity.
As the magic raged above, Rygar felt the mana pulse around him, a dance between water, wind, and electricity. He closed his eyes, trying to understand the flow of the magic. Focusing on the lightning, he extended his hand, guiding one with effort. For a moment, he managed to shape its trajectory, feeling the electricity vibrate through his body.
But the energy was untamable. When he tried to stabilize it, the lightning dissipated in an explosion, vanishing into the Cumulonimbus. He breathed deeply, frustrated. "I neglected to control the water magic," he thought, acknowledging his failure.
Still, he didn't let himself be discouraged. He had learned the Saint-level magic and could try again whenever he wanted in the future. After receiving his Master's approval, he dissipated the magic, a bit disappointed.
When the magic finally dissipated, Verdia smiled. "Very well, Rygar. You have mastered Cumulonimbus. You can now consider yourself a Water Saint-level mage."
Rygar sighed, a mix of relief and complaint for not achieving what he wanted. He had always trained less on water magic because the immediate usefulness of his other magics was much greater. His logic was simple: what hurts more? A Stone Cannon or a Water Cannon? He looked at the clouds slowly dissipating in the sky and then turned to his master. "Earth magic now?"
"Yes, but let's wait a bit. Casting a Saint-level and King-level magic consecutively is my mana limit."
After a brief pause, Verdia led Rygar to the next challenge. "Now, let's move to the Earth King-level magic: Earth Rift. This is a powerful magic, and the most devastating magic I know. I tried to learn the superior version of it 400 years ago, but I didn't have enough mana. The next level is the Emperor-level magic, Earthquake. I don't know if you'll be able to use it right away, but I recommend not testing it here. It could be dangerous."
She then recited the chant clearly, "Oh spirits of the eternal earth, hear my call! I invoke the power of the deep heart of the world! May the primordial forces that sustain mountains and valleys awaken at my command! Split the foundations of creation, unleash your unyielding roar, and may your fury carve the earth beneath my feet! Oh ancestral spirit who dwells in the depths, show your immeasurable strength and reveal the hidden abyss! May those who dare challenge your stillness tremble before your unwavering power! Let the earth open and the hidden truth come to light! I command you, spirit of stone, king of the unfathomable depths! To you I call, Earth Rift!"
With the final cry, the world seemed to hold its breath for a moment before exploding in a terrifying spectacle. The ground opened up into an immense abyss, a crack that seemed endless. The earth roared violently, echoing through the forest like the roar of a colossal beast.
Rocks shattered, dust was thrown into the air in a suffocating cloud, and the smell of damp earth filled the air.
When the earth finally settled, silence reigned again. Before them, an impressive rift crossed the clearing, its depth and width so vast that it seemed impossible that something like this could have been created by mortal hands.
Verdia appeared somewhat exhausted after using the two spells. She said, "Go ahead, use your magic alongside mine, or else you could damage the forest."
"Okay, Master."
Rygar then closed his eyes, connecting to the mana, but this time to the earth beneath his feet. He recited the incantation:
"Oh spirits of the eternal earth, hear my call! I invoke the power of the world's deep heart! May the primordial forces that support mountains and valleys awaken at my command! Split the foundations of creation, release your relentless roar, and let your fury carve the earth beneath my feet! Oh ancestral spirit dwelling in the depths, show your immeasurable strength and unveil the hidden abyss! Let those who dare challenge your stillness tremble before your unshakable power! Let the earth open and the hidden truth come to light! I command you, spirit of stone, king of unfathomable depths! To you I call, Earth Fissure!"
Feeling the power accumulating, the earth began to tremble lightly, as if responding to the call. Suddenly, he felt something different. It was as if his consciousness stretched beyond the surface, reaching deep layers of the earth. He could feel the subsoil very deeply, the heat and pressure hidden beneath his feet. It was an overwhelming feeling, but also exhilarating.
Carefully, he channeled the power to create a controlled rift. The ground before him split in a straight, deep, and well-defined line. But at the same time, Rygar realized the destructive potential of that magic. He felt he could go deeper, manipulate the tectonic plates, and replicate something close to an earthquake.
He hesitated. He felt this magic was within his reach. The temptation to test this absolute power was there, but responsibility spoke louder. If something went wrong, the Great Forest could be devastated.
He interrupted the flow of mana and observed the results of his magic cautiously. Verdia stepped forward, "By the hesitation on your face, I can see you could have used the Earthquake, couldn't you?"
"Yes, I think so... I'll have to find a more desolate place to test it one day," he replied resignedly.
She smiled, proud. "In terms of magical ranking, there's nothing more I can teach you. It's been five years of learning, with some breaks, but I can safely say you're the most talented disciple I've ever taught."
Rygar smiled back, but the moment was bittersweet. He knew that this milestone also meant the end of his time with her as his master. The farewell was getting closer.
Rygar and Verdia returned to the village, talking about the possibilities of magic. She advised him to go to the dwarves' territory to embed a Magic Stone into his sword, Tsukikage, saying that a better focus for spellcasting would greatly improve his magic.
The weight of the moment hung between them, but neither needed to speak of it for the other to understand. As they approached the tribe, he saw the crowd gathered. Much of the tribe was there, waiting to say goodbye to one of their own, a young man whose strength and determination had inspired many, but who would now follow his own path.
Rygar felt a wave of emotions seeing everyone together. He hadn't expected so many people to come to say farewell. Children looked on with admiration; adults with respect, and some with concern. He walked toward his family, where the most important members of the tribe were also waiting for him.
His father, Hontar, was the first to approach. His usual serious posture showed no signs of weakness, but Rygar could see a hint of pride in his eyes. Hontar pulled him into a rare embrace. "Don't forget where you came from, Rygar. Whatever you find out there, carry the name of the Doldia tribe with honor."
Rygar nodded, returning the embrace. "I promise, father."
His mother, Selene, came next. She couldn't hold back her tears as she hugged him tightly. "Take care of yourself, my son. The world out there is dangerous... Even though you're strong."
She gently stroked his hair. "I'll be back soon, it'll only be a few years."
As Selene stepped back, Gyes approached with his characteristic scowl. He crossed his arms, looking bothered. "I hope you know what you're doing, kid. It's not just you who will be in danger. Everything you do out there will reflect on our tribe. Be careful who you make enemies with."
Rygar kept his calm in the face of the harsh words. "I understand, Gyes. I'll be careful."
Gyes grumbled something inaudible and walked away. Then, Gustav, the tribe leader, approached with a slight smile. He placed a hand on Rygar's shoulder. "You've got a long journey ahead. No matter the challenges you encounter, remember that we'll always welcome you back."
Rygar bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, sir."
Kilian was next. He turned to the Legion warriors behind him and shouted, "Legion!"
All the warriors kneeled on one knee and responded in unison, "At your command!!!"
Rygar was shocked. He had never taught them that. Was it Kilian? Where did he get this idea from? Was it from the stories I told him...
Rygar smiled awkwardly, still feeling good about it, though he couldn't deny it.
Kilian turned and spoke, "We'll give our best to live up to your expectations, Leader!"
"I expect a lot from all of you. Surprise me," he said, thinking that he didn't need to say much more than that. Almost all members of the beast races respected the strong, and if they chose to follow him for his strength, he would give them a purpose.
Lisena was watching him from a distance, holding back tears. She had tried to convince him many times to take her with him, but he had refused over and over again. She was still just a 7-year-old child, innocent and immature, and not strong enough. He knew it would hurt her, but this wouldn't exactly be an easy journey. Many things could go wrong.
Soon, two small girls, Linia and Pursena, appeared. Both stared at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, their tails drooping sadly, showing the mix of sadness and anger they felt.
"You're so cold-hearted, Chief! Heartless! You're abandoning your best students..." Linia complained.
"How can you leave like this?" Pursena added, still chewing on a piece of meat despite her sadness.
Rygar gave a faint smile and leaned down to meet their gaze. "Don't let this distract you. Keep training hard. Listen to Gustav and Kilian. I want to see both of you stronger when I return."
Linia pouted but nodded. Pursena wiped her stubborn tears with her sleeve. They hugged him, trying to hold back their sadness as Rygar gently patted their heads.
The circle of goodbyes seemed to be finally coming to an end. Rygar turned to Verdia, who had silently watched everything unfold. "Ready?"
Rygar looked around once more, taking in the faces that would now be part of his memories. He took a deep breath, the weight of responsibility mixing with the emotion of departure.
"Yes."
Rygar walked to the outskirts of the tribe, where the 30 warriors who would accompany him were gathered. They were lined up in groups of ten, their weapons at the ready. The group included experienced veterans like Kibar, a warrior with over 30 years of experience, and young hopefuls ready to prove their worth.
The supplies were carefully packed into large backpacks: enough food for weeks, medicinal herbs, and water reserves. Taes was at the center of the bustle, checking everything for the third time. He looked up at Rygar when he arrived and nodded.
"Everything's ready, Chief," Taes said, his face serious. Despite being only 11 or 12 years old, Taes had grown quickly, already standing at 1.60 meters. He would likely be very tall in the future.
Rygar felt a sense of anticipation and pride as he looked at them. He scanned each of the warriors, studying their expressions. There was determination, but also anxiety. Some whispered to each other, exchanging words of encouragement. Others were silent, focused on what lay ahead.
"Do you trust me?" Rygar asked, his voice firm.
"Yes!" the group responded in unison, their voices echoing through the forest.
Rygar nodded and walked to the front of the group. He stopped, took a deep breath, and then began to speak: "This is a journey that will mark our lives. We will be pioneers, explorers who will forge paths for our tribe. What we do here will not only be for us, but for all who come after. The world out there is vast, filled with dangers and opportunities. It won't be easy, but together, we are stronger. Remember this—no matter what we face, we will triumph."
The warriors' eyes shone with renewed determination, their hands gripping their weapons tightly.
As Rygar finished speaking, something caught his attention from across the path. Verdia was there, dressed for travel, with a small backpack on her back. He walked over to her, surprised.
"You're leaving too?"
She smiled softly, crossing her arms. "I'm heading back to the elven village. I've said my goodbyes to everyone. I'll spend the next few years resting there. If you return, come find me. I might lose track of time."
Rygar fell silent for a moment. He felt that this was his last chance to say what he felt to his Master. He didn't consider himself worthy—his Master had lived for hundreds of years and had never found someone. Why would he be the one chosen? But he wasn't willing to give up just because of a few setbacks. He might be a child now, but beast races lived long lives. He could take his time to win her over.
For now, he would take the first step. "Master... what would someone have to do to win your heart?"
The question caught Verdia off guard, but she laughed, a light sound that seemed to dance in the air.
"That's a tough question…" she said thoughtfully. "I don't think it's something anyone can force. Destiny is the one who dictates such things. We don't choose who we fall in love with."
She paused, her gaze drifting to the blue sky. "But, if I had to say something... I've traveled to many places, mountains, deserts, cities, and forests, but I've never had the chance to fly freely in the skies or explore the depths of the seas. After all my travels, those dreams remain unfulfilled. Whoever could achieve that would surely earn a few points."
Rygar smiled. He knew her comment wasn't a promise, but it wasn't a refusal either. A chance, that's all he needed. Those words were etched in his mind. He tilted his head in respect, a gesture that spoke more than words ever could.
"Then, until we meet again, Master," he said.
"Until then… Rygar," Verdia replied. They exchanged one last look, and Verdia turned, leaping nimbly through the trees.
Rygar then returned to the waiting group.
Taes raised his hand, signaling the warriors to prepare.
Rygar looked to the horizon, his heart pounding with anticipation. He took the first step, followed by the 30 warriors.
Their destination was the port city of Zant. The future was full of uncertainties, but Rygar was ready.
Taes Dedoldia
Age: 12 years and 1 month
Mana Reserves: Advanced Level
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Intermediate
Earth Magic: Intermediate
Water Magic: Elementary
Healing Magic: Intermediate
Howling Magic: Minor Mastery
Combat Skills:
North God Style: Advanced
Sword God Style: Elementary
Battle Strength: Advanced (Quasi-saint)
Intellectual Skills:
Reading in Beast God and Human languages
Mathematics Basic
Practical Skills:
Good hunter, Good Leader
---
Kilian Dedoldia
Age: 8 years and 9 months
Mana Reserves: Saint Level
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Advanced
Earth Magic: Advanced
Wind Magic: Advanced
Water Magic: Intermediate
Healing Magic: Intermediate
Detoxification Magic: Intermediate
Howling Magic: Minor Mastery
Combat Skills:
Water God Style: Intermediate
Sword God Style: Elementary
Battle Strength: Advanced
Intellectual Skills:
Reading and writing in Beast God and Human languages
Mathematics Basic
Cartography
Practical Skills:
Good Leader, Excelent Navigator, Good Strategist
---
Lisena Adoldia
Age: 7 years and 5 months
Mana Reserves: Saint Level
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Elementary
Earth Magic: Intermediate
Wind Magic: Intermediate
Water Magic: Advanced
Healing Magic: Intermediate
Detoxification Magic: Intermediate
Howling Magic: Basic
Combat Skills:
Water God Style: Elementary
North God Style: Elementary
Sword God Style: Elementary
Battle Strength: Advanced
Intellectual Skills:
Reading and writing in Beast God and Human languages
Practical Skills:
Excelent craftsmanship, Good Cook
---
Pursena Adoldia
Age: 5 years and 7 months
Mana Reserves: Advanced
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Elementary
Earth Magic: Intermediate
Wind Magic: Elementary
Water Magic: Intermediate
Healing Magic: Intermediate
Detoxification Magic: Elementary
Howling Magic: Basic
Combat Skills:
Water God Style: Intermediate
North God Style: Elementary
Battle Strength: Intermediate
Intellectual Skills:
-
Practical Skills:
Good stealth
---
Linia Dedoldia
Age: 5 years and 8 months
Mana Reserves: Advanced Level
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Intermediate
Earth Magic: Intermediate
Wind Magic: Elementary
Water Magic: Elementary
Healing Magic: Elementary
Detoxification Magic: Elementary
Howling Magic: Basic
Combat Skills:
North God Style: Elementary
Sword God Style: Intermediate
Battle Strength: Intermediate
Intellectual Skills:
-
Practical Skills:
Good climber
---
Rygar Adoldia
Age: 8 years and 10 months
Mana Reserves: Emperor Level
Magical Skills:
Fire Magic: Advanced
Earth Magic: King
Water Magic: Saint
Wind Magic: King
Healing Magic: Advanced
Detoxification Magic: Advanced
Barrier Magic: Advanced
Howling Magic: Conqueror's Haki (?)
Combat Skills:
North God Style: Advanced
Sword God Style: Saint
Water God Style: Intermediate
Combat with Natural Weapons (claws, instincts, etc.): Advanced
Battle Strength: Low King-Level Warrior
Intellectual Skills:
Reading and writing in Beast-God, Demon-God and Human languages
Mathematics (University Level)
Practical Skills:
Excellent hunter, Good teacher, Very bad cook (It's almost inedible, but it can be eaten to avoid starving to death), Excellent Builder (Earth Magic), Good swimmer, between others.