Chapter 8: (9/9)

“A black ball?” Kain looked carefully into the black ball and almost screamed when he saw there was a big red eye opened to look at him.

“This is the Tykan Eye. Do you know why Master Whistler forced you to train in warrior arts?”

“Because she wanted me to be able to fight even when my mana pool is depleted.”

“Haha… that is true. But think carefully, a Saint-tier mage can easily defeat ten or even a hundred of Saint-tier warriors. Why would Master Whistler want you to waste your time on training warrior arts instead of magic?”

“I’m sorry, Guild Master. I do not know the answer to that question.”

“It's because you were chosen to be one of our test subjects. We needed your physical body to be strong to improve your success chance.”

“I don’t understand. What kind of test are you mentioning?”

“A test to see if you can enhance your Twin Soul. If you succeed, you can copy your Twin Soul and duplicate it which will greatly enhance your Blood Magic training and allow you to choose another Elemental Magic to train in.”

“Wait, do you mean that I can pick another Elemental Magic to train in besides Conjuration?”

“Yes, but that is not important. The important thing is this will greatly enhance your Blood Magic training, which means you will train much faster than you can right now. You knew about Twin Soul magic casters training much slower compared to other Elemental Mages because our meditation progress was split into Blood Magic and another Elemental Magic training of our choosing.”

“I understand that.”

“Kain, I know you have trained very hard to catch up to other’s normal training speed. But if you can duplicate your Twin Soul, you will no longer have to train hard just to match other’s normal training speed. Do you understand?”

“I do. You have mentioned if I succeed, but what if I fail?”

“You will die. That is why I’m loaning you my Magical Life Bracelet to help you revive.”

“Is there any other side effect?”

“This is a one-time thing. If you fail, you won’t be able to try again. And… you will never advance further than Master-tier. That means level 30 will be the maximum level you could reach.”

“May I refuse to take part in this test?”

“Of course you can. I respect your decision if you choose not to do it. But Kain, this is a one time offer. Not all Blood Mages received this kind of offer. Think carefully before you give me an answer.”

“Can I wait until I reach Legend-tier or Saint-tier to-”

“It wouldn’t work. I attempted to duplicate my Twin Soul when I first discovered this Tykan Eye a hundred twenty years ago but because I was already at the Legend-tier, it wouldn’t even allow me to try. None of the Masters could try either because they were already at the Legend-tiers.”

“How do you know I won’t be able to advance further than Master-tier if I fail?”

“Rogal Caligarus was one of our test subjects, and he failed. That is why he can never train past level 30.”

“Did any of your test subjects succeed?”

“Yes, that is how I know Twin Soul could be duplicate.” Etgar smirked as he answered that.

After several minutes passed, Etgar asked, “Kain, what is your answer going to be? Yes, for a chance of gaining new power that could dominate even someone such as myself in the future. Or no, and continue to be just another normal Blood Mage. If you refuse, I will offer this chance to someone else. The Tykan Eye can only be used once every ten years. There are more talented Blood Mages waiting for this chance but I’m offering it to you.”

“I’m sorry, Guild Master. I rather slowly get stronger through my hard training than risk my entire future for a shortcut that may take away the chance for me to advance into Legend-tier in the future.” Kain humbly told Etgar.

Etgar shook his head and said, “Wrong answer, kiddo. But I will have to respectfully accept it.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Guild Master.”

“Kain, what do you want to do now? Continue heading toward Ganarion or go back to Nosh?”

“I have learned my lesson, Guild Master. I will go back to Nosh and be patient for the next two years.”

Etgar nodded his head in agreement. He said, “It was nice meeting you, Kain. I will leave now.”

“Safe travel, Guild Master.”

"Keep the Blood Ring."

"Thank you."

Etgar casted [Wind Walk] and flew away from Kain’s location. Kain slowly walked toward the direction of Nosh city. The entrance/exit gates will open in the morning. Kain won’t have any problem entering back into Nosh city since this is the time of peace. In the time of war, city guards will strictly check each and everyone that wants to enter or leave the cities.

Kain suddenly sensed someone heading toward his location at a very fast speed. At the time he turned around to see who it was, a black figure appeared and that was the last thing he saw before he lost consciousness.

"Kain, Kain, Kain… Kain!" A voice kept calling out to Kain louder and louder. Kain opened his eyes and saw he was sleeping under a big tree in a green grass field.

"Kain!" The loud voice called out again. Kain looked around and saw a man was waving at him. "Who is this man?" Kain asked himself while walking toward the man.

"Son, are you daydreaming again?" The man asked in an annoyed tone.

"Father…?" Kain recognized the man. He is his father, Hagar Bersk.

"Snap out of it and go help your mother." Hagar continued getting back on packing stuff.

Kain had no idea what’s going on. He walked toward the female that was busy passing out food to other people. Kain asked, "Mother?"

"Kain, help me bring the soup over here. Hurry up!" The female said.

Kain looked around and saw the soup was being cooked closeby. He grabbed some towels placed next to it and brought the soup to the female per her request. While the female was passing soup to other people, Kain slowly recognized her. She is his mother, Natali Cobb.

"What is going on?" Kain confusedly asked himself.

"Son, go eat lunch quickly and we will resume." Hagar said as he approached Natali to get a bowl of soup and some other food.

Natali gave Kain a bowl of soup and some food as well then she said, "Go eat with your father. After you have done, come help me clean up and we will continue."

"Continue what?"

"We will continue escorting the merchants to Flumen city. Kain, what’s wrong with you today? Why are you asking stupid questions like that."

"Flumen city? We can't go there."

"Why not?"

"Because…" Kain forgot the reason why. He dug through his memory but he couldn’t find a reason why they can’t go there.