Everything turned white aroudn me when the progression rate of my Mage Rank reached 100%. Different from when I ascended in my physical realm. this time, it was morel iek I had a vision sort of.
I felt nothing.
I smelled nothing.
It was as if I was in a space that described purity itself.
As I looked around in fascination, I slowly saw thin threads floating around me. Each one a different color, they pulsed slowly in a rhythmic motion.
As they pulsed they also started to close in to me and cover several parts of my body. Going from head to toe, I slowly saw thousands of lines covering my body, somehow simulating the Mana which was being spread in my body.
It felt for a moment, so easy to control the threads themselves, but as I got used to the feeling, it disappeared.
Out of nothing, the surroundings turned dark and I heard murmuring and whispering around me.
Unlike before, the scent of pine trees invaded my nose and I slowly opened my eyes to see myself lying in a bed of sorts. However where I found myself wasn't a room but a carriage that was being pulled by some cat-like beasts which were the size of horses.
Startled, I looked around just to see Damascus reading a book with an elderly man sitting next to him. He seemed to be talking with the knight although I couldn't really tell if Damascus was listening.
"And then we.. Oh it seems your kid is awake!"
In surprise, the old man pointed his finger at me
"Huh?! My kid?"
Intrigued by the old man's remark, the man in silver armor looked at me while cocking his head.
"Pfff, good joke calling him my child!"
Clapping a few times on his leg while chuckling, it became obvious that the man ridiculed even the thought of me being his son.
'Tsk, I am happy that you ain't my father..."
While saying it, I was reminded by the galaxy made man and revoked the previous thought.
'Anything would be better than that...'
I looked at my so-called master with a questioning look, obviously asking him to explain the situation.
"Hahhh, kid, this man is Natter Kromba, a renowned merchant in the Rydeon continent, as well as the current contractor."
I widened my eyes as I looked at the man. He was rather chubby with a white mustache that looked to be well groomed. His attire were simple green robes and a belt with leather pouches.
He had a big smile on his face as he stood up and quickly went over to me, shaking my hand rapidly.
"So good to meet you boy. I hope we will have a good time together for the future years!"
'Future what now?'
"Ehm?"
I tilted my head as I saw Natter slowly realising that I had no clue about what the situation was about.
Cough
He slowly coughed into his hand, as he concluded that Damascus hadn't told me anything.
"So 'White Comet' has taken on my request for mercenary protection of my merchant company until we have finished our expedition through the Rydeon continent,"
"Wait, you mean the entire Rydeon continent?!"
My eyes shook as I realised the meaning of what I had been told.
The Rydeon was the largest of the 3 continents known to man in this world. It also had most nations within, some being ruled by religions some even being republics. This however didn't mean that every nation was civilised or had no criminals.
For a fact, it was common for merchant caravans to be raided. Also the fact that Damascus seemed to have been operating as a mercenary in the world didn't confuse me all too much. He had a certain freedom over himself and he could still act within the cults interest.
As a fact, it seemed like the perfect disguise, especially in terms of gaining money.
'It does sound enticing.'
Money did always have a place in my heart. Who didn't even like money, it was after all necessary to survive.
"Nice to...meet you...."
A bit ashamed by my previous stupor, I managed to get out my words. However it was also in fact so that my persona as Wendel stayed the same.
From what I remembered, he didn't seem to be the most extroverted boy.
"Ehm, Wendel is my name..."
"Well Wendel, I hope we get along well. I will let you and White Comet alone for some time as I do have to check on a few things with the other mercenaries that are accompanying us."
Natter looked out of the carriage onto different groups of mercenaries which seemingly also had taken on the offer by the merchant group. He then walked to the back of the carriage and jumped off it onto a nearby feline monster which seemed to have been tamed.
There were people which could tame monsters however it depended on their skills on how many they could handle as well as the monsters rank.
The monster that were used to pull the carriages, were most likely of either Spawns or Drones.
"Oi, don't sit there dazing! Only because you are out of the forest, it doesn't mean you are free from training!"
Damascus was standing in mere seconds in front of me, picking me up by the collar as if I was a misbehaving puppy.
"Ouch! Let me down!"
I started pulling myself up by his arm as he left me dangling in the air.
"Tsk stop crying. If you hadn't pulled that shit off with the Luxrion soldiers, then maybe we could be in a different situation."
"..."
I looked away as I remembered all the trouble I had been in.
"However, you did do something that I didn't expect you to be capable of... You actually gave those soulless beings some of our Mana and made them your companion... I have to applaud your ingenuity."
Damascus spoke proudly as he acknowledged my achievements.
He then let go of me and sat back down and opened his book.
"Before I make you train, try to speak with it or whatever you can do. After you are finished, you will run behind this carriage until the sun sets. So you better be ready."
Chills went down my back as I saw how fast the carriage was currently going.
'Better than running for my life at least....'
Then I again opened the golden window in front of me.
}————{ Arcane }————{
Name: Wendel E. Maelstrom
Age: 12
Mage: Thaumus II
[Progression]: 0%
Physical: Gladiator II
[Progression]: 8%
Core Capacity: 100%
Blessing: Purity
Gift: Absorption, Inner Circulation, Pure Body, God's Language: Arcanum, Arcane Creation, Formula Drawing, Transference
Companion: Stäreschnaiz (Pure Spirit) [1%]
..
.
}————{ End }————{
'Master. It is a delight to see you in well condition.'
Although broken, an emotionless voice appeared in my mind. However it seemed like the idea of speaking still was a bit fresh to Stäreschnaiz. There were a few grammatic errors in his speech.
'Yeah yeah.... How come you aren't in front of me?'
'After all energy utilised was by me, I reduced to fraction of energy. It will take long time for full body.'
Understanding the situation of Stäreschnaiz, I looked at the statistics and saw how he had only gained 1% of his energy back. He most likely used the reserves and excess of my own Pure Mana for himself to replenish as he himself still wasn't able to generate it like I could.
'Hmm okay....'
I also observed how my Mage Rank had ascended to Thaumus II which made me really excited. I could feel how my Core Capacity had risen a bit as well as my control over my Mana seemed to have become easier.
Hence, my tried channeling a bit Mana from my hands, however before I could do so, Damascus threw the book he was reading into my face.
"Forgot to tell you, you can't use Magic while we are on this mission, you can only use normal weapons."
"Huh?!"
I was shocked by the sudden realisation but before I could complain, I found myself off the carriage running after Damascus who stood at the back of the caravan with his arms crossed.
'You damn bastard!'
"30 more minutes it is then!"