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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.
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As they made their way toward him, Abdulrahman looked at Khaled and asked,
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"What about that technique you used against Radis?"
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"What technique?"
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Khaled asked in confusion.
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"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."
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Khaled replied,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHSXLCbG7r
"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."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG2MhGH0UP
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,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY67ZmGwx0
"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."
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....................
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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.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMInqYWxcJ
He spoke calmly,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5VC8MxVhf
"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."
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....................
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Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the glowing spheres, but the Sage continued in an even calmer voice.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbHDmxkvh3
"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."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVPX5nVgPb
Khaled raised his hand and asked,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG3dy1QM7K
"What if a darkness user wanted to forge a Legendary Weapon?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlOwWegvLH
After a brief silence, the Sage answered,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhzClMJBgq
"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."
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....................
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Catalina spoke this time.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZAZmlY1Gt
"So... not all powers are equal?"
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The Sage smiled and shook his head.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrOX3BG5tr
"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."
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Abdulrahman nodded in admiration.
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"So Radis wasn't terrifying because he controlled ice... he was terrifying because he was Radis."
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The Sage smiled.
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"Exactly."
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....................
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Then the Sage's expression suddenly changed.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgNRANNncD
"But there is something I have kept hidden from you."
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Silence fell.
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"During my travels... I discovered ancient manuscripts unknown to the rest of the world."
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Khaled leaned forward slightly.
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The Sage continued,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A0R8yTfoB
"History tells us there were five kings... but those manuscripts spoke of the existence of a sixth king."
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Everyone's eyes widened.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDLMjTPVh2
"Who was he?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpQAlsyAOU
The Sage answered,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrqoYNJI30
"I don't know."
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"Even his name has vanished."
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"I don't know what kind of magic he possessed."
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"It is as though someone erased his existence from history itself."
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"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."
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....................
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Abdulrahman raised an eyebrow and laughed.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeS60vOnpx
"It seems this world really loves its secrets."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcvk7hduiv
Everyone laughed.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZvzyQnGpG
The Sage did not.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXOlE4AZ7K
Instead, he said,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoiuBKcAMH
"There is another law..."
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"A law no warrior can ever escape."
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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.
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"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..."
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"...your magical core itself may shatter."
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"If that happens..."
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"You will lose your magic forever."
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Silence filled the air.
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Then Abdulrahman spoke.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuQKnaWoiy
"So that's why my energy runs out so quickly."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68EA6b8jcP
The Sage smiled.
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"Fire is one of the most energy-consuming elements. Its power is immense... but it devours its wielder."
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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.
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"And you."
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She smiled awkwardly.
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"I know..."
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"My defense is exceptional..."
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"But my offensive power is weak."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2jgLW28WN
The Sage nodded.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ913ImdGoPm
"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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....................
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Finally...
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The Sage turned toward Khaled.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4cpQuUfEh
A long silence followed.
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Then he spoke quietly.
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"As for you..."
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"The price of your power..."
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"...is different."
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Everyone looked at Khaled.
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Even he had no idea what the Sage was about to say.
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....................
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The Sage asked,
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"I want to ask you something."
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"Have you ever killed anyone?"
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Khaled answered immediately,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ZZjNPAYU
"No."
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But Abdulrahman looked at him.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau3tBlGaX3
"You killed Neol."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AO8PP9hoq
Khaled fell silent.
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Then he placed a hand on his head.
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"I..."
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"I don't remember."
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....................
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The Sage closed his eyes and sighed.
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"Then it has already begun."
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Khaled trembled.
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"What do you mean?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWc5pcJhSx
The Sage opened his eyes.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9wmXXrAd1
"Your true power is not darkness..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8oCVXJgtj
"It is Shadow."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDXW6EPtiw
"Your original magical power was weak."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb4ZtqySPK
"That is why no one sensed it after you were born."
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"But what makes your shadows so powerful now..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqfzlp6YQP
"And what gives you so many different abilities..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRCiPcanQr
"...is Shadow."
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"The more you use his power..."
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"The greater his influence over you becomes."
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"He will not steal your body..."
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"But he will begin to change your emotions."
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"He will increase your anger."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMPsphRTTN
"He will increase your hatred."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qYHbHrZLT
"And he will whisper what he wants into your mind."
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"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.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo1wr6Arrb
He quietly stood up.
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Then said to the Sage,
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"Excuse me, Grandfather."
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"I have something I need to do."
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"I'm busy."
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Then he walked away alone.
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Abdulrahman called after him.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFknXXQ6gY
But Khaled never looked back.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkRlvNEjW3
For the very first time...
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He refused to join the training.
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....................
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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.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHyDdhXka6
Then he finally said,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaswajPFxr
"Power is not a curse, Khaled..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1nzlQSjkp
"The curse is allowing it to control you."
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Khaled looked at him and quietly replied,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDkqIOvxMb
"But I'm afraid..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp0wW4AVFN
"...of losing myself."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdptzWxcpr5
The Sage smiled.
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"Then don't fight out of anger."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ZbycxShm
"Fight to protect."
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"The reason you choose to use your power..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPoS2ZquSG
"...is what determines the person you become."
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....................
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Khaled slowly nodded.
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"I'll try."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjee1EoTQlL
"But whenever I see my friends in danger..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfyrAc38TF
"I lose control."
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The Sage gently patted his shoulder.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVXwW6LftJ
"And that..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06pTowHsE3
"...is what you must overcome."
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....................
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That night...
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Abdulrahman trained alone, striving to increase the endurance of his magical core.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl3RFplVsx
Catalina worked on developing a new healing formula.
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She also tried to create offensive techniques...
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But to no avail.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnIpLxKOkc
As for Khaled...
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpLitBgVXK
He quietly stared at his own shadow.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IxPzBSH1G
Then whispered to himself,
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS0vW3GUvt
"I won't use this power..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSoKYEdqpG
"Unless there is absolutely no other choice."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAOvK1I3hO
Deep within the darkness...
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdtrfiheKY
A calm voice emerged.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl7lqcq1zl
"Do you really think..."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOwXPmL5vE
"...the choice is still yours?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm8aXV2AGN
Silence fell.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNE1gU1XkJ
To be continued...
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H8WxSyFIS
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MCmw6YPNj
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and then Add to home screen.