Chapter 109: Escape

Chapter 109 - Escape

The tunnel flew past him. Kai fed his remaining mana to Blessed Swimmer and Empower. Mama Clams essence pulsed furiously as she gave chase and propelled herself in short bursts of surprising speed.

So much fuss for a single pearl! Whats the big deal, you can just make another.

Frantically trying to get away, Kai couldnt afford the waste of a poorly constructed spell with his dwindling resources. All his focus went to navigating the cave system.

While Mama Clam's sudden accelerations threatened to catch up with him, the agility of a mollusk her size wasnt exceptional. She crashed against the walls at each bend of the tunnel. The cave shook as dust and sediments fell from the ceiling.

Kai abandoned any idea of a fight. Within the tight confines of the cavern, any mistake would turn him into mashed potatoes. Poisons wouldnt be of help underwater.

Guided by Blessed Swimmer, Kai used each twist in the path to push against the rock and increase his speed. Although the walls appeared stable, the impacts didnt stun or make her desist in the slightest. The greedy clam only increased the frequency of her bursts.

The hope his sister went outside to take a breath was dashed by the flickering green light at the end of the tunnel. A wave of panic swelled through him for the first time.

Kai tried to scream a warning. Ele was too busy relieving a clam of its pearl to notice. Sacrificing a few specks of Water mana, he slapped her head up. She darted back, warily watching her surroundings. Kai waved to run as he barreled toward her.

The cavern rumbled as Mama Clam slammed on the wall. Ele froze. Without time for pleasantries, Kai angled his path and grabbed her outstretched arm.

His sister began madly swimming at his side. Mana revolved around her figure. Dragging Ele with him, Kai still lost some speed, and the last bend was fast approaching.

Proving her expertise, Ele applied his same strategy to gain momentum by pushing on the rocky wall. The exit was within sight. Scraping his mana veins raw, Kai used his last shreds of Water mana to push his sister forward.

For a moment he feared she would turn back as she realized his actions. The cave trembled, Mama Clam had turned the last bend. He felt cold sweat even though they were underwater.

You can be mad at me later.N??v€l-B1n was the first platform to present this chapter.

With one reproachful look, Ele darted through the narrow exit. An immediate wave of relief was torn by the urgency to get to safety. Kai pushed more unattuned mana into his skills. The blinding shape of an orange-grade beast sprinted toward him.

Too late, mollusk.

With an exhilarated smile, Kai jumped into the hole. He almost broke his neck maneuvering through the cramped space at such speed. He scraped a long gash on his thigh against a jutting rock, barely feeling the pain.

A quake caused rubble and pebbles to rain down on him. Mama Clam clearly was a sore loser. The fear of being buried alive increased his urgency to get out.

Ignoring scratches and grazes, Kai flung himself toward the bright exit and dashed into the peaceful pond beyond. The rays of the sun spilling from above were the most beautiful sight he could imagine.

There was no time to contemplate his own existence as Ele dragged him toward the light.

They breached the surface. His sister hardly caught a breath before she besieged him with worried comments.

Are you okay? Spirits, youre bleeding, her hands checked his cuts as she kept swimming to the edge of the pond. Dont worry, I got you. Its all going to be fine. Youre going to be fine.

Kai felt none of her alarm, quietly letting her take the lead. A cursory glance confirmed his scrapes were all superficial wounds, hardly worth mentioning. He had suffered worse injuries countless times, be it hunting in the Veeryd jungle, or just training.

Even with his adrenaline receding, the slight burning against the salty water was easy to ignore. Im fine, sis.

His words were somewhat disproven when he almost fell to the ground, trying to take a step. Ele was upon him before he could blink.

Its just mana exhaustion. Ill be fine in a moment. His mana veins sat at a measly 45% capacity. Close to the lowest he ever got. As long as he rested for the next few days, he would be fine.

Kai considered using the emergency mana potion in his ring. He had only three of them, and without Doras garden, it would be extremely expensive to brew moretaking for granted that he found all the ingredients.

He opted for the traditional way since he wasnt in immediate danger. His skills and will were already fast at working to convert the mana in his proximity.

His reassurances did little to placate Eles alarm. Kai wanted to point out there was nothing to worry about, but seeing her panicked state, that would probably not go over well.

Ive got a balm to stop the bleeding, Kai took out a little jar. He didnt get to open it before Ele snatched it from his hands.

What was that thing?

He was surprised the question took this long to come. A very angry clam.

Ive never seen anything like it.

Me neither. It was an orange-grade beast.

Ele paled, Why was it chasing you? I told you to turn back at the first sign of danger. What would I have told Mom if something happened to you?

Her voice broke, and guilt slammed into his consciousness like an enraged clam.

Im sorry. I didnt expect that to happen, it lured me in with some kind of charming magic.

He winced as Ele's fingers pushed the wound on his thigh. I told you even with a sensing skill, sometimes it is too late to run when you perceive the danger.

Touch.

I didnt think the first beast Id meet would be an orange tier Ele raised an eyebrow at him. But I should have been more careful and listened to you.

His sister gave a curt nod. It doesnt matter. Im just glad youre okay. Thank the spirits you managed to escape.

I did train my skills for years exactly for this, but Im sure the spirits also played some part. Probably.

So, that clam chased after you because you escaped its spell?

Well Kai vainly took time to think of a solution. There was noneexcept lying.

Oh, boy, here we go.

Its just I was wondering what it would take to learn magic.

Oh

See, I told you it was stupid.

Kai vehemently shook his head. Its not. Im the stupid one for not proposing it sooner. I thought youd not be interested.

Ele gave him an incredulous look. Not interested in shaping water and splitting rocks with the flick of a finger.

Magic is indeed awesome.

Why didnt you ever say anything?

I didnt want to put you on the spot. Its probably too late for me to start learning anyway.

Nonsense, youre plenty young and plenty talented, Kai waved her worries away before assuming a solemn tone. I have only one question for you.

Ele gulped, What?

Are you ready to embark on the arcane path of spellcraft?

Yes?

Great, we can begin!

You mean right now?

Kai gestures to the empty expanse around them. Unless you have something better to do?

The next hours flew by as he gave her an impromptu lesson. They were working with a decent foundation since Ele already had both Mana Sense and Manipulation. He ended up talking about his experiences at the estate, showing her some beginner exercises.

I see why there arent many mages around, Ele groaned as her mana construct crumbled again. You need a level 50 Orange skill just to start.

Only for elemental magic. Though unattuned disciplines require more study, he admitted. Contrary to what Kea thinks, Ive not been twiddling my thumbs all these years.

You are always quite vague with the details.

Kai frowned his brows. Im an open book. I didnt want to give her more reasons to be envious.

Ele gave him a long stare.

What?

Have you thought that it could be useful if you told her how hard youve worked?

He shrugged. Shouldnt she already know? Howd I have reached Orange at seven otherwise?

One thing is knowing, another is seeing it with your own two eyes. I knew you could cast spells, but it was an entirely different thing to see you blast an entrance through the stone.

I was more delicate than that.

I mean Kai tried to come up with an argument. For once, his mind was awfully empty. Maybe youre right

Spirits, tell me Im not that much of a moron.

On the horizon, the sea shimmered in the waning light as it flooded to recoup the lost ground. In minutes their boat was rocked by the surging waves. Ele decided to wait a while longer to not get swept by the rising tide.

Time to go back, Your Majesty, Ele prepared her oars. Or should I call you teacher now?

Spirits no. Kai paused, thoughtful. Do you think I should also ask Kea if she wants to learn magic?

You know her, she doesnt have the patience. From what you told me, magic is a lot of sitting around playing with colorful motes, Ele laughed at his indignation. You could try asking. Maybe if you showed her something impressive, she might reconsider.

Honestly, he hoped Kea wouldnt be interested, teaching her would be a nightmare. He was going to ask nonetheless.

Spirits help me if she says yes.

Relaxing on the rocking boat, Kai finally paid attention to the blinking notifications. He had gained a slew of levels in Danger Sense, and a one in Water Magic and Blessed Swimmer each. Then something unexpected popped up.

*Ding*

New skill available in the Archive! Hallowed Intuition (lv1) Favored by the realm, grasp the whispers of the ineffable to warn you of a possible future. Increased effectiveness when your well-being is threatened.

*Ding*

Hallowed Intuition (lv1) is creating a resonance with Danger Sense Eye (lv18)

*Ding*

Compatibility meets the minimum threshold. Do you wish to substitute Danger Sense with Hallowed Intuition?

Warning: some or all levels of your skill may be lost in the process, the choice is irreversible. Do you wish to proceed?

His eyes looked blankly at the colored words. That wasnt orange.