'After all this time, the ring is finally reacting. Maybe this is the clue I need to find my way back,' Ark thought, his fingers brushing over the purple ring on his left thumb.
The ring's shank resembled glass, smooth and polished to perfection, yet oddly opaque. Its design was simple—no engravings or embellishments—yet it carried an otherworldly allure. Beneath the translucent surface, a mesmerizing vision unfolded: a purple expanse that resembled a starry sky, where tiny, shimmering lights swirled and danced like fragments of a captured cosmos.
After leaving Brightgaze Port behind, guided by the faint, pulsing energy emanating from the Mystical Ring, Ark found himself standing amidst the eerie stillness of a cemetery.
The cemetery sprawled before Ark like a forgotten relic, each gravestone a testament to lives long past. The place was silent, and the faint scent of damp soil filled the air. Following the mysterious energy fluctuation from the ring, he found himself standing before a gravestone that looked new and clean with the name Emma Madden etched into its surface. Ark crouched to inspect the grave better, It was evident that the grave was tended to often. Ark's brow furrowed, the Mystical Ring on his hand pulsing faintly.
Suddenly, the air thickened. A distortion rippled through the space around him and the grave, an eerie hum reverberating in his ears. Ark tensed, readying for the worst as he sprung up to his feets, his body tensed. But instead of an attack, strange purple energy coiled out of the distortion, slithering toward the ring and merging with it in a flash of light.
Ark's breath steadied, but questions swirled in his mind. 'What was that? Why is the ring suddenly reacting strangely after so long?' Before he could delve deeper, a young voice cut through the silence.
"Hey! Who are you?"
Ark turned sharply, his piercing gaze landing on a boy standing a few paces behind him. Somehow the boy's appearance was familiar to Ark, he had a scrawny build, deep purple short hair that matched his eyes. It was the same peculiar child he'd noticed earlier at the port, small and wiry but with a sharpness in his eyes that belied his age. The boy's stance was hesitant as he was intimidated by Ark's appearance, yet he stood his ground.
"W-Why are you standing in front of my mother's grave?" the boy demanded, voice trembling slightly as he was intimidated by Ark's appearance.
Ark's eyes widened for a moment, startled. 'His mother?' He glanced back at the gravestone, guilt flickering in his expression. Ark said with a low voice. "I mean no disrespect."
The boy's posture softened, though his wary gaze lingered. "Were you her friend?"
Ark shook his head. "No. I didn't know her. I was… drawn here by something."
The boy's eyes narrowed, suspicion and curiosity mingling.
A faint smile tugged at Ark's lips he said. "I saw you earlier working in the port as I passed by, you're stronger than you look," he said. "How does someone your size carry so many heavy loads? Even grown men struggle with that."
The boy hesitated, his face suddenly turned gloomy. "It's nothing special," he admitted reluctantly. "It's just my ability that allows me to make things weightless when I touch them."
Ark was surprised, his expression turned thoughtful. "Weightless?" he repeated, then as if he realized something, he shook his head. "No. That's not it."
The boy blinked. "What do you mean?"
Ark spoke with a measured tone. "You're not just making things weightless. Boy if I'm correct then you… You're manipulating gravity. One of the four fundamental forces of the universe. Your ability is far more significant than you realize."
The boy's mouth fell open, disbelief etched across his face. "G-Gravity?" he echoed. "No, that can't be right. It's just… it's just useful for carrying things. That's all."
Ark fell into deep thought, his mind racing to piece together the puzzle before him. The boy's ability was clearly not fully awakened—how could it be? Fully wielding one of the four fundamental forces required immense mental strength and a profound understanding of its nature. Yet, despite the boy's lack of knowledge and experience, he was subconsciously tapping into a fragment of his power.
Ark's confusion deepened. The only plausible explanation was that the boy possessed a unique bloodline, one capable of subtly awakening his innate abilities without conscious effort.
A shiver ran down Ark's spine as the realization struck. If that's true then, this boy might have the potential to rival that person—the strongest individual Ark had ever encountered. The one who could bend time, space, and gravity to their will. The person responsible for turning Ark's life upside down. The one he longed to confront more than anyone else.
"Lady Mystic…" Ark muttered under his breath, the name slipping from his lips before he realized it.
Was that why the ring reacted so strongly? Because this boy's power bore similarities to hers? But why had the energy guided him to the grave? Could the boy have inherited his bloodline from his late mother? Was meeting him here truly a coincidence?
Ark's thoughts churned in turmoil, questions spiraling without answers. For now, though, he was content with one certainty: he had found a clue.
If this boy fully awakened his ability and achieved even a fraction of her power, Ark could use him to unlock the mysteries of the accursed ring. And with that, he might finally uncover the answers he had been desperately seeking.
"Lady Mystic? Who's that? Why are you mumbling to yourself, old man?" Mizan's voice broke through Ark's reverie. Anxious, the boy leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. Ark's earlier words about his abilities had struck a nerve—Mizan felt he was finally on the verge of solving his own problems.
But Ark didn't respond immediately. His gaze sharpened, studying the boy intently. "What's your name, boy?" he asked at last.
"M-Mizan," the boy replied, his voice hesitant.
Ark's lips curled into a soft smile. "Miz, is it? You can call me Ark," he said, his tone disarmingly friendly. "To tell you the truth, I'm a traveler from faraway lands. I know little of this region, and I could use a guide to help me familiarize myself with the city."
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a pouch of gold coins, letting the weight of it jingle in his palm. "Of course, I'd pay you for your services. I saw you working hard at the port earlier, so I imagine you could use the money, yes?"
"..."
Mizan was hesitant but his curiosity about the mysterious man in front of him and the words he said was too great to ignore.
***
Later, Ark and Mizan found themselves in Brightshore's bustling business district. The streets were wide and teemed with activity: merchants hawking their wares, shoppers haggling over prices, and performers entertaining passersby. Mizan led Ark reluctantly, his earlier wariness replaced by growing curiosity about the enigmatic man.
Among the vibrant shops and eateries stood a grandiose building adorned with golden accents and a sign that read Divine Fragrance Palace. Mizan's steps faltered.
"We shouldn't go in there," he warned. "That place belongs to the Golden Divine Merchants Group. One of the wealthiest merchant groups in the entire continent. It's famous, but it's expensive. Really expensive."
Ark's stride didn't falter. "Perfect," he said simply, pushing open the ornate doors. Mizan hesitated, then followed, muttering under his breath about reckless strangers.
Inside, the restaurant's opulence was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over marble floors, and the scent of exotic spices filled the air. Patrons, well dressed in luxurious attires. The workers of the restaurant were disturbed upon seeing Ark's ghastly appearance, but upon closer look they saw Mizan outfit–a dark blue martial wear with crescent moon embedded on the side. It was the uniform of the prestiges Luna Ray Academy, renown for only accepting capable prodigies and noble heirs. So they didn't dare to stop them from entering and guided them to an empty table.
"How may I assist you, gentlemen?" A waiter said, his smile forced but professional.
"Bring me a selection of your finest dishes that use the meat of magical beasts—highest order available." Ark said indifferently.
The waiter's composure faltered. He cleared his throat, bowing slightly. "Apologies, sir, but the highest we can serve to non-VIP guests is the meat of a second-order magical beast. Third-order and above require registration as a VIP and prior reservation."
Ark's expression was full of disdain, he sighed and waved dismissively. "just bring what's available. For now."
As the waiter hurried away, Mizan leaned forward, his voice low and urgent. "What are you thinking? This place is outrageously expensive! And you're even asking for magical beast meat!?"
Ark shrugged indifferently. The aroma of spiced meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the bustling Divine Fragrant Palace. Ark leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze scanning the opulence of the establishment. It wasn't long before the dishes he ordered were served; their table was full to the brim with food. Across from him, Mizan was shocked by the amount of food Ark ordered; he nervously sat at the edge of his chair.
Ark began devouring the food in front of him with the ferocity of a starved beast. Between hearty bites, he waved at the boy, motioning for him to join in. With his mouth still half-full, Ark spoke, his voice muffled by the food. "So," he said, pausing only briefly to chew, "tell me more about this region. I'm not familiar with these lands."
Mizan's eyes flickered with surprise. "You're not from the Brightmoon Empire?"
Ark shook his head. "Just passing through."
"C-Could it be that you're from the Ashcore Empire?" Mizan Asked hesitantly.
"Ashcore? What's that." Ark was confused.
"N-Nevermind," Mizan said, seemingly relieved. He leaned forward and began his explanation. "This is the eastern region of the Brightmoon Empire. The city we're in is called Brightshores, the largest and most prosperous city in the region. It's known for its trade and wealth, as it hosts the biggest port in the empire–Brightgaze Port."
"Hmm…" Ark continued to chew on his food. "Is there a place where one could hunt high order magical beasts in the nearby regions?" He asked.
Mizan's eyes widened in surprise, but he answered, albeit cautiously. "T-Two places come to mind: The Black Forest of Onyx, which separates the eastern and southern regions, and the High Mountains of Argon, located in the northern part of this region. But…" He paused, his brow furrowing. "Those places are under the jurisdiction of powerful forces."
"Go on."
"The borders of The Black Forest that belong to our region are monitored by the Luna Ray Academy. They are responsible to subdue any monsters crosses to the eastern region, and occasionally They use the forest to formulate tests and train their prodigies. As for the High Mountains of Argon, it's under the Skyguard Family's control."
Ark's expression remained unreadable as he listened. "The Skyguard family?"
"They're… the most influential family in the eastern region." Mizan explained. "Although the eastern region has many elite and powerful families there are four families stands above the rest: the Nightwood, Rivenleaf, Clearwater, and Skyguard families. Among them, the Skyguards reign supreme. Their influence extends across the entire eastern region. They're renowned for their beast-taming prowess. In fact, their emblem is the griffin, a mythical creature that's deeply tied to their legacy."
Ark raised an eyebrow. "Griffins?"
Mizan replied. "The legend states that long ago their founder–Argon formed a pact with a griffin, riding it into countless battles and achieving victory after another. Later on the first empress of the Brightmoon empire: Lucia Brightmoon awarded him the title–Sky Guard. They say even now, members of his direct bloodline are said to possess griffins as their mounts."
"Hoh…" Before Ark could probe further, a mocking voice interrupted their conversation.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A boy, around Mizan's age but far more robust in stature, approached their table. He was wearing the same uniform as Mizan. "Mizan, I didn't think you'd stoop so low as to bring a beggar into the Divine Fragrant Palace."
"Is this your friend?" Ark calmly asked Mizan after taking a glance at the approaching boy.
"Friend? Hah! Ridiculous." The boy exclaimed.
Mizan's face flushed with embarrassment, his gaze dropping to the table. "Loric, I…"
"Quiet, porter boy," Loric sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "This isn't a place for the likes of you. And your companion here looks like he crawled out of a gutter. Perhaps the staff missed him on their way out with the trash?"
Ark's hand paused mid-motion, the bone from his meal still in his grasp. Slowly, he looked up, his lazy indifferent eyes locking onto Loric with a cold intensity his pupils color turned from green to glowy blue. The room seemed to grow quieter as if sensing the shift in atmosphere.
"Are you done?" Ark's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made the hair on the back of Loric's neck stand up.
Loric smirked, though it was weaker than before. "And what if I'm not?"
Without a word, Ark flicked the bone toward Loric. It flew through the air with blinding speed, grazing Loric's cheek before embedding itself in the wall behind him with a resounding crack. The force splintered the stone wall leaving it covered in a web of fissures.
Blood trickled down Loric's cheek as he stared in stunned silence. His escort, a burly man clad in light armor, reached for his weapon, but he froze mid-motion. A suffocating pressure filled the room, pressing down on the entire establishment. Conversations ceased, dishes clattered, and even the air felt heavy.
The source was undeniable. Ark's presence was like a storm contained within a human form. His gaze, cold and unyielding, pinned Loric and his escort in place.
"Leave," Ark commanded, his voice as icy as his demeanor.
The escort didn't wait for further instruction. The moment the pressure on him lightend he grabbed Loric, who was too shocked to react, and bolted for the door. The restaurant's patrons watched in stunned silence, their curiosity tempered by the lingering dread they just felt.
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Divine Fragrant Palace, a captivating woman in her late twenties stood, her curly black hair tied up elegantly, framing sharp blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the air. She wore a blend of graceful and functional attire in shades of white and red, her presence exuding authority. Gasping for breath, her chest rose and fell, beads of cold sweat forming on her brow as she shook off the oppressive pressure that had engulfed the entire establishment moments ago. Her voice cut through the tension like a blade: "What was that?"
"We… we're not sure," stammered the restaurant manager, a middle-aged man clad in formal attire bearing the emblem of the Divine Fragrant Palace. His voice wavered as he tried to steady himself under the lingering tension. Moments later, the staff began reporting the incident that had unfolded. Turning to the commanding woman, he added, "Manager Miora, the source appears to be a man dining with a boy wearing the Luna Ray Academy uniform."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Investigate quietly. Ensure he is not provoked any further. Comp his entire meal, and extend our apologies for any disturbances to the other customers."
Miora's lips pressed into a thin line. She was no stranger to power; her position as manager of the Golden Divine Merchants Group's eastern branch afforded her encounters with many formidable figures. Yet, the presence she had just felt was beyond even her experience.