Kai arrived at the hill just as the sun cast its golden glow over the cylindrical building below. The light shimmered off its smooth surface, making it look almost ethereal. With only a few hours left before nightfall, Kai knew he had to act quickly. Whatever secrets this place held, he needed to uncover them before returning to Umbra’s lair.

  He closed his eyes and activated his new sense, a gift or curse, he still wasn’t sure. Energy pulsed around him, and he focused it outward, scanning the building. It was wrapped in a dome of energy, seamless and impenetrable, like a blanket woven from light itself. No cracks, no doors, no weaknesses.

  “There must be something here. I can feel it,” he muttered, stepping closer.

  He placed his palm against the wall and focused his energy into it. A ripple spread across the dome, distorting the air like a stone dropped into water. Then, something responded.

  A surge of foreign energy shot through him, scanning every inch of his body, mind, and soul. It was invasive, intimate, nothing was hidden.

  Kai gasped and stumbled back. What was that?!

  A voice echoed in his mind, cheerful and amused.

  “Ooh, interesting. I didn’t expect you to approach it this way. Very, very interesting.”

  “I think you passed the test. Come on in, then.”

  Suddenly, a doorway appeared in the dome, shimmering like liquid glass. Before Kai could react, it pulled him in and sealed shut behind him.

  Inside, the air was thick and ancient, as if the building hadn’t been opened in centuries. Light crystals embedded in the black walls cast a soft glow, illuminating a circular chamber. In the center, a radiant blue circle pulsed with energy.

  As the light faded, a creature materialized, small, translucent, and feline. It resembled a miniature white, red-striped tiger, no larger than Kai’s arm, with scarlet wings and a single red horn protruding from its forehead.

  “Welcome to my workshop,” the creature said, its voice clear and melodic, tinged with amusement.

  Kai stared, speechless.

  A talking, flying tiger. What the hell?

  “What are you? How can you speak my language?” he asked, his voice low, uncertain.

  The creature floated closer, wings fluttering gently. “Easy there, human. I’ll explain everything,” it said with a playful wink, then chuckled. “Though I admit, I enjoy a dramatic entrance.”

  Kai shivered. The beast felt innocent, almost childlike, but there was something ancient behind its eyes. Something timeless.

  “Please don’t do that again. That was... unsettling.” The tiger winked. He still couldn’t believe it.

  “Fair enough,” the creature replied, its tone softening. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Not many speak their mind so freely.”

  Kai nodded slowly. “I don’t feel like you’d hurt me. There’s something about you… something trustworthy.”

  “You’re right. I won’t, and you flatter me,” the creature smiled, floating closer to Kai’s forehead.

  “My name is Scry. I’m the guardian spirit of this Arcanum. When you touched the dome, I scanned your memories. That’s how I learned your language, and everything else.”

  Kai’s confusion deepened. “Could you start from the beginning? I don’t understand.”

  Scry nodded. “Ah, yes. You’re not from this world, boy. I saw your memories, your old world. Fascinating stuff. I’ve lived for millennia and thought I’d seen it all. Then you show up and blow my mind.”

  He twirled in the air, laughing maniacally.

  “Those games and movies in your memories, so fun! But one thing puzzles me: how did you get here?”

  Kai opened his mouth to explain, but a sharp pain lanced through his skull. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head.

  “I’m sorry... I can’t say. Something’s stopping me.”

  “Oooh, it’s okay. If something could tear through dimensions to bring you here, I don’t want to have anything to do with such a being.”

  Scry’s wings fluttered nervously, and the humor faded from his voice. “Let me show you something amazing.”

  The room transformed. Stars, planets, and galaxies swirled around them. Then it zoomed in on a massive planet, ten times the size of Earth. Oceans and continents sprawled across its surface.

  “This is Sacra. You’re on the Eastsun continent, in its southernmost region, far away from any settlements, in the forbidden region known as Beastworld Jungle, nestled in the mountain range of the Dragon King Arthraxius. It’s one of the deadliest places on the continent, right up there with Jadesoul Sea and Mirage Desert.”

  Kai collapsed, overwhelmed. The nearest civilization was impossibly far. And a dragon? Sweat dripped from his brow.

  Scry hovered nearby, unsure how to comfort him.

  “Look, maybe this is a test. Maybe you’re meant to survive and find your way to the human kingdom. Destiny never leaves you without a path. That’s what my old master used to say.”

  Kai stood slowly, resolve hardening in his fear-ridden eyes.

  “Right. I won’t give up. I’ll survive, whatever it takes.”

  “Do you have any advice?” he asked, looking helpless and lost.

  Scry sighed. “I do, but it’s hard. Like, really hard.” He saw Kai’s determined expression and relented.

  With a loud sigh, he continued, “Fine. I’ll tell you everything, but it may be shocking to hear.”

  “This world is different from yours, more than you know. You’ve met some of its inhabitants. Some are nice, like me. Others... not so much. Like that filthy snake.”

  “Hck-pth!” He tried to spit, but being a spirit, it was more symbolic than effective.

  “I hate those smug serpents.”

  “Anyway, in Sacra, mana is the essence of life. Everything is born from mana and returns to it. Beings here learn to absorb and control mana to strengthen themselves. After birth, they begin absorbing mana naturally. Then they learn techniques to circulate it and eventually condense a core in their plexus region.”

  Kai nodded. “I think I have a core now.”

  Scry interrupted, “Not the same. What you did was pure insanity. We’ll come back to that.”

  “Humans and other races must learn mana control. Beasts either live long enough or are born with strong bloodlines that allow them to form cores instinctively.”

  “Once a core is formed, beings train to control mana and learn skills or spells. There are two main schools: Fighters and Mages. Fighters use mana to enhance their bodies and wield weapons. Mages form magic circles around their cores to cast spells or summon allies.”

  “Some rare geniuses master both paths. They’re called hybrid mana users, but they’re one in a hundred million.”

  Scry hovered in the air, his wings fluttering gently as he studied Kai with a mix of curiosity and concern.

  “And then we have you,” he said, voice tinged with wonder. “You don’t even share this world’s physiology. No mana channels at birth, no natural affinity. By all logic, you shouldn’t be able to form a core. Yet here you are, alive, breathing, and carrying the core of a spirit beast inside you.”

  He paused, his expression darkening.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “You didn’t just form a core. You ate one. From a barely evolved spirit beast, yes, but still, you consumed it and survived.”

  Scry sighed deeply, his translucent form dimming slightly.

  “To be honest, you shouldn’t be alive right now. Many have tried this before. All of them died, horribly. The energy within a spirit beast’s core is wild, volatile. It contains the beast’s soul, and once released, it overwhelms the host. The mana ravages the body, and the soul drives the mind into madness. We call it true death, a complete annihilation of body and spirit.”

  Kai’s eyes widened. He had felt slight pain, but the process was actually very pleasant; he hadn’t known how close he’d come to death.

  “From what I saw in your memories,” Scry continued, “there are a few things that might explain your survival. First, you’re not of this world. Your body was untouched by mana, pure, in a way. Maybe Earthlings are built differently. I don’t know.”

  He began pacing in the air, wings twitching as he spoke.

  “Second, you drank from the mana lake. That lake was created by my master ages ago to strengthen the beasts of this region. Its waters are infused with refined mana, potent but stabilizing. You absorbed that mana while undergoing venom forging.”

  Kai blinked. “Venom forging?”

  Scry nodded. “Yes. You drank the mana liquid while battling venom in your bloodstream. The venom destroyed and rebuilt your blood vessels and muscles repeatedly, forcing your body to adapt. In the process, it carved out mana channels, primitive, but functional.”

  He paused, then added with a hint of awe:

  “But what truly baffles me is how you survived the serpent’s memories. You absorbed its channeling technique, something that shouldn’t even work on a human body. And yet, you did it. You learned it.”

  Scry floated closer, his tone softening.

  “That’s why I let you in. Long ago, my master gave me a task: find a being worth teaching, someone unique, someone I could learn from in return. I never imagined it would be a human from another dimension. But here we are.”

  He hovered in front of Kai, eyes glowing faintly.

  “So... questions?”

  Kai, a bit pale, swallowed hard. “Umbra told me to do it. I know that’s not a valid excuse, but... I trust her. I don’t even know why. I’ve only known her for two days, but it feels like we’ve known each other forever.”

  Scry sighed, his wings folding slightly. “Yes... that Abyssal Tigerhawk didn’t mean to harm you. Of that, I’m certain. She allowed you two to become soulbound. You’re linked now, until one of you dies. For now, you’re still too weak to experience the benefits, but as you both grow stronger, you’ll begin to see them.”

  Kai was in awe. Umbra trusted him enough to bond with him after only two days. What was she thinking?

  Scry drifted back, voice thoughtful.

  “Abyssal Tigerhawks are proud and mighty beasts. They are one of the few pure bloodlines born with a core, and they begin using mana as soon as they can walk. They seldom bond with humans, or any other race, for that matter. Depending on how long she’s lived and how much inherited knowledge she’s awakened, she probably knew you’d survive. There are things soulbound pairs understand better than anyone. She knows you now, on an existential level.”

  He looked at Kai with quiet intensity.

  Kai let the weight of those words settle in his mind. After a long pause, he asked, “Could you explain all of this in more detail? And also... could you tell me where your master is now?” Kai hoped to meet another human.

  Scry’s expression softened, his wings folding slightly as he hovered in place. “Let me first explain how mages and fighters train and progress. Then I’ll speak of my dear master.”

  He floated higher, his voice taking on a more formal tone, as if reciting from memory.

  “The mage path is structured around stages of insight and control. As I mentioned, mages use mana to form magic circles around their core. But to do that, they need more than just power; they need understanding. Insight into spellcraft, mana theory, and the nature of the world itself.”

  He gestured with a clawed finger, and glowing rings appeared in the air, slowly rotating.

  “Once someone begins the path of a mage, they must first learn to sense and control mana. When they first condense their core, they are called a Trainee. Stronger than an average mortal, yes, but still insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Like ants beneath the feet of giants.”

  “When a Trainee gathers enough mana and understanding, they form their first magic circle. This marks their ascension to Adept. At this stage, they can begin learning basic spells, simple elemental attacks, barriers, and enhancements.”

  “As they grow, they form more circles. With three, they become a Magus, capable of mid-tier spells and considered a true mage. At six, they are a Grand Magus, and at nine, an Arch Magus, masters of the arcane, able to cast grand spells like teleportation, resurrection, and even time dilation.”

  Scry’s eyes glowed faintly as he added, “Arch Magi can live for tens of thousands of years. But beyond them are the Archons, beings who transcend the rules of this world through sheer insight and mana mastery. They are rare and feared. Even though they are not immortal, they are close enough with lifespans of a million years.”

  He paused, letting the information sink in.

  “Fighters follow a different path,” Scry continued. “They use mana to enhance their bodies, weapons, and instincts. Their strength lies in physical mastery and battle technique.”

  “They begin as Novices. Just like Mage Trainees, their first task is to learn how to sense and control mana and then condense a core. Once they succeed, they begin the process of rebuilding their bodies, strengthening muscles, bones, and reflexes through mana infusion.”

  “When they begin training in weapon arts and physical combat, they become Apprentices. At this stage, they’re faster, tougher, and stronger than any ordinary human. But they’re still far from true warriors.”

  “Once they fully master their chosen weapon and refine their bodies to the point where their skin is like steel and their movements are as fluid as wind, they earn the title of Knight.”

  “Knights continue to train their bodies, but their focus shifts to mastering a higher technique: Aura. Aura is the manifestation of mana projected beyond the body, used to coat weapons, enhance strikes, and even shield against attacks. Those who learn to wield it are called Master Knights.”

  “But the true legends are the Grand Masters. They not only control Aura but also infuse it with elemental forces and personal insights. Their strikes can split mountains; their presence alone can shake armies.”

  “And beyond them... are the Seraphs. Like the Archons of the mage path, Seraphs transcend the limits of mortal flesh. They are said to be near-immortal, their bodies vessels of divine force, their will unshakable.”

  Scry’s voice lowered, reverent. “Few ever reach that level. But those who do... reshape the world around them.”

  “Before you ask anything else,” Scry said, raising a clawed finger, “let me explain one more thing. You’ve already encountered spirit beasts, like Lake Serpent, and your companion, Umbra. But beasts follow a different path from mages and fighters.”

  “Some are born as ordinary creatures, forced to survive in the wild until they condense a core through sheer will and experience. Others, those with powerful and pure bloodlines, are born with a core already inside them. These are called Spirit Beasts.”

  “Spirit Beasts can absorb mana to grow stronger, unlock inherited memories, and awaken racial skills or spells unique to their lineage. Their growth is instinctual, but not without structure.”

  “After living for a thousand years or finding a way to evolve sooner, a Spirit Beast can evolve into a Divine Beast. At this stage, they gain the ability to take on a humanoid form and wield weapons, making them even more dangerous.”

  “If they survive for ten thousand years, they begin to develop their own inheritance, insights, techniques, and knowledge that become part of their bloodline. These are passed down to their descendants, and such beasts are known as Beast Kings.”

  “And beyond them, after countless millennia of growth, refinement, and battle, the most powerful ascend to become Emperor Beasts. They are on par with Seraphs and Archons, and together, these beings rule the world from the shadows. They shape continents, enforce ancient laws, and maintain the balance of power.”

  Scry’s voice dropped to a reverent whisper.

  “They are the true apex of existence in this world. And if you ever meet one... pray it’s in a good mood.”

  Kai listened intently, absorbing every word like a sponge. Every detail mattered. This was what he needed, knowledge about this strange, new world. If he wanted to survive, he had to learn, adapt, and grow stronger. Maybe, just maybe, if he could become one of these beings, he might find a way back home.

  He took a breath and asked, “What should I do next? I already have a core… Could you help me train? I want to survive, at least a little longer.”

  Scry nodded, his eyes shining lightly. “Of course. This Arcanum is a treasure trove of ancient wisdom. I have countless tomes of techniques, skills, spells, all collected over centuries. Weapons too, though I’m afraid you’re still too weak to wield most of them.”

  He paused; his voice tinged with reverence. “My master gathered all this knowledge in pursuit of longevity. He was an Arch Magus, researching his own path to ascend as an Archon. Sadly, he never succeeded. I was his contracted guardian spirit, bound to him by mana and purpose. Before he passed, he asked me to continue his work… and if I ever found a worthy pupil, to pass it on.”

  Scry’s gaze drifted, as if recalling distant memories. “Spirits like me, unless destroyed, live forever. We are born from the world’s mana, intimately connected to its source. My master tried to glimpse the secrets of the universe through our bond… but in the end, the path eluded him.”

  Kai bowed his head slightly. “I’m sorry about your master. From the way you speak, he must have meant a great deal to you.”

  “He did,” Scry said quietly. “He chose this place for its isolation. Yes, it’s one of the forbidden zones of the continent, but that was the point. No interruptions. He made a pact with the Dragon King to reside here, offering services in exchange for peace. The jungle’s Spirit Beasts posed no threat to him, so he could work undisturbed.”

  Scry sighed, a wistful sound. “One day, I’ll tell you the full tale of my master. But for now, we have more pressing matters.”

  He turned to Kai, eyes gleaming with curiosity. “We need to study your new body and your core. See if any of the training manuals can guide you. Your path… It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. And I’ve seen a lot, not that I’m bragging,” he added with a grin, his sharp canines flashing.

  “But first, go fetch your spirit beast and return quickly. I’ve slumbered for countless years, and my energy is limited. I can open a room or two in the Arcanum, but most of it remains sealed to conserve power.”

  He waved a clawed hand. “Go, go! Hurry, or I might fall asleep again.”

  Kai smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. Scry had been alone for who knows how long. Now, they both had someone to talk to, someone to share the journey with.

  He would bring Umbra. Their new life was beginning. It would be hard, training, mastering mana, surviving, but he had to do it. If he wanted to live… if he wanted to be free… he had no choice.

  “Alright, Scry, open the door. I’ll be back soon.”

  Woosh.

  The door shimmered open, light spilling into the chamber.

  Kai stepped through, ready to begin the next chapter of his journey.