Following Blackie's directions to Glenwood, Aziel dappling the floor through the dense forest.
The peacefulness seeped into his soul, but his mind began to swell with questions.
Since Aziel remembered nothing about himself or his life before this, and Blackie was reluctant to share any details, his thoughts began to explore the world around him.
As Blackie had described, he was now in the Elysian Forest, and on his way to Glenwood.
Aziel walked, the rhythm of his steps the only sound besides the forest's gentle whispers.
As Aziel walked, Blackie began to explain the nature of the world they were in.
The world was alive with magic. The very air they breathed carried a special kind of energy known as Mana, the energy that made extraordinary things possible.
Mana was basic and natural, flowing everywhere like air itself. It was continuously generated and utilized by the world in a ceaseless cycle, much like the turning of seasons or the flow of rivers. It was in the trees, in the ground, and in the very air all creatures inhaled.
Mana served as the fuel for every form of magic in the world, the energy that allowed all magical phenomena to occur.
As they continued their journey, Blackie began to talk about Beasts.
Beasts were beings touched and changed by Mana. Over time, certain plants and animals in this world had developed a way to interact with the ambient Mana. This interaction wasn't a conscious choice but a natural evolution driven by Mana's very nature.
Through generations of exposure and adaptation, these plants and animals had become more than their ordinary counterparts. They were stronger, faster, and endowed with intelligence surpassing that of normal creatures. They held a higher position in the wild thanks to their enhanced capabilities and magical connection.
But unfortunately for humans, unlike these Beasts, humans could not naturally interact with Mana. Despite living in a world saturated with this magical energy, humans were inherently unable to harness or control it on their own. Well, that is the case, until the discovery of Mana Stones.
Mana Stones were solid materials, glistening white like crystals, discovered hundreds to thousands of meters beneath the Earth's surface.
These remarkable formations were the result of Mana being compressed and solidified over the course of hundreds of thousands of years within the Earth's core — a slow and intricate process that transformed raw energy into physical material.
When someone consumed a Mana Stone, a profound transformation took place within their heart, allowing it to become a vessel capable of containing Mana.
This transformation resulted in a heart that could hold Mana energy, which most people referred to as Mana Pool.
With this Mana Pool, individuals could gather Mana from their surroundings, enabling them to manipulate this energy to use magical powers.
This newfound fortitude allowed them to withstand challenges and adversities that would have once overwhelmed them.
Not only that, they had the extraordinary capability to harness elemental magic, which bestowed upon them the power to manipulate or control the natural elements that existed around them — water, earth, fire, air, wood, lightning, metal, etc.
The specific elements one could command varied greatly from individual to individual, leading to a rich tapestry of magical abilities that reflected their unique personalities and experiences.
In addition, there was a tantalizing 10% chance that an individual who consumed such stones would gain access to Unique Magic — a rare and extraordinary magical ability that could manifest in various forms.
Unlike ordinary elemental magic, which revolved around the manipulation of the elements, Unique Magic represented an entirely different realm of power.
It was a rare gift bestowed upon only a fortunate few, and each instance came with its own extraordinary capabilities.
Unique Magic could manifest in countless forms, each tailored to the wielder's personality and desires.
Some might find themselves cloaked in invisibility, able to slip through shadows undetected. Others could summon barriers of energy for protection or even create portals that bent the fabric of space itself. Healing abilities could mend wounds with a mere touch, while some might gain the ability to control time in small bursts.
This versatility allowed for boundless creativity and strategy in battle or exploration.
With all the power they granted upon those who consumed them, Mana Stones became humanity's beacon of hope — whether to stand against the monstrous Beasts that threatened their existence or to chase the allure of absolute power.
Aziel listened attentively to every explanation delivered by Blackie, taking note of each detail that flowed from the ring — whatever part of it could be considered as a 'mouth'.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he absorbed the tales of this world and the existence of the magic that had shaped it.
He found himself drawn into the narrative, his mind painting vivid images of the past and the incredible feats of magic users.
He tried to imagine how the abilities of humans drastically changed upon acquiring magical powers from Mana Stones.
Visions of the powers of magic to control natural elements drifted through his mind, igniting a deep curiosity about the potential that magic users held.
Especially if one possessed unique magic; wouldn't that be even more incredible?
As he was trying to imagine what magic users could do, he started to wonder about himself.
Had he ever consumed a Mana Stone before?
If so, what magical abilities did he possess?
Did he also have unique magic with extraordinary powers?
Various possibilities lingered in his thoughts, deepening his sense of curiosity and igniting a desire to know more about himself.
He was uncertain whether this was something Blackie could inform him about, considering Blackie was hesitant to risk the curse he was under becoming active again.
Yet, he still attempted to ask Blackie.
"Blackie, before this, did I ever consume—"
"Hide!" Before Aziel could finish his question, Blackie interrupted with an urgency that sent a jolt through him.
The ring's voice carried a frantic edge, startling Aziel from his contemplative state.
"Why?" Aziel asked, confusion etched on his face as he struggled to grasp the sudden shift in tone.
"Quickly! Something is coming in our direction!" Blackie's warning rang out, filled with a sense of impending danger that left no room for hesitation.