I remained seated for a moment after speaking with Charlie, my thoughts unsettled. The unease from what I had just experienced still lingered, refusing to fade. No matter how much I tried to dismiss it, that strange space, the overwhelming darkness, and the distant white dots continued to stay vivid in my mind.
It did not feel like something I could simply ignore.
Taking a slow breath, I adjusted my posture and sat cross-legged again beneath the great tree. The rough texture of the roots beneath me and the quiet surroundings helped me steady myself.
I closed my eyes. Gradually, I turned my focus inward, directing my awareness toward my forehead.
The familiar sensation returned as my focus settled inward, steady and controlled. As my awareness reached my forehead, I found it immediately.
The black dot... my energy core.
I observed it carefully, maintaining my concentration as I examined every detail without rushing. It had increased slightly again, just as it had during the previous changes. The growth was subtle, but there was no doubt that it had expanded.
At first glance, it looked the same as before, a dark, circular presence resting within my forehead, with a pitch black interior and small white dots scattered within it. However, the longer I observed it, the clearer the difference became.
Something about it had changed.
It appeared clearer and more refined than before. The surface no longer felt rough or unstable. Instead, it felt smoother, almost as if it had been polished from within. The darkness inside it seemed deeper and more settled, no longer shifting faintly but holding a calm, stable presence.
The white dots within it had also changed. They were no longer faint or unclear. Each one now appeared sharp and distinct, standing out clearly against the darkness, like distant stars in a vast and silent sky.
The entire core felt more complete than before, as if it had taken another step forward in its growth.
I continued observing it silently, keeping my focus steady as I took in every detail of the energy core.
The resemblance became impossible to ignore the longer I looked at it. It was not just a vague similarity that could be dismissed as imagination. The structure within my forehead matched what I had seen earlier with unsettling accuracy.
This energy core of mine… it looked exactly like the place I had just experienced.
That endless pitch black space, silent and boundless, and those distant white dots scattered across it like stars. What I had experienced earlier was not just a simple dream.
The more I thought about it, the more questions surfaced, but none of them had answers yet.
After a few moments, I slowly opened my eyes, letting my awareness return to the surroundings beneath the great tree.
Charlie was still standing nearby, watching me closely. The concern in his expression had not faded, and it was clear he had been waiting for me to respond.
I gave him a small, reassuring nod.
"I am fine. Do not worry," I said calmly.
He seemed slightly relieved at my words, but his expression did not fully relax. The uncertainty remained in his eyes, as if he was still trying to understand what had just happened.
I leaned back against the great tree, allowing my body to rest. The rough surface of the trunk supported me as I exhaled slowly, while my thoughts continued to move, circling around the strange experience and the changes within my energy core.
Let's put what happened aside for now.
The experience was strange, and I still did not understand it, but dwelling on it without answers would not change anything. Whatever that place was, and whatever had happened to me, it was something I would need time to figure out.
But one thing felt clear... something had changed. I think I could control my ability far better than before, and I could feel that I had grown stronger.
For now, that was what mattered.
---
A few days passed like that...
Then one day, I was summoned again. The message came from the Leader.
There was no explanation, only that I was to come immediately. Without wasting any time, Charlie and I left at once and made our way toward the Leader's house.
As we approached, I felt a quiet tension settle in my mind. The last time I had been called, it had been just the Leader and Sylva. But this time, something felt different even before I stepped inside.
When we entered, that feeling was confirmed.
Inside the house, along with the Leader, several others were already present.
Elder Thryssa stood calmly to one side, her expression as gentle and composed as always. Beside her were three other elders, each carrying a distinct presence that made the room feel heavier. Among them, I recognized Elder Dravik. His expression remained neutral, his gaze steady, as if he was simply observing everything without passing judgment.
The other two elders watched me closely, their eyes moving over me from head to toe as if assessing something. Their expressions were not openly hostile, but there was a quiet scrutiny in their gaze that made it clear they were judging more than just my appearance.
Near the Leader, Sylva stood quietly, just as before, maintaining a respectful posture without drawing attention to himself.
I stepped forward and gave a slight bow.
"Greetings," I said.
Elder Thryssa responded with a faint, reassuring smile and a gentle nod. Elder Dravik remained expressionless, his gaze steady and unreadable, while the other two elders continued to observe me in silence.
The Leader's gaze settled on me, steady and unreadable, before he spoke.
"Arthur, it is time for you to go on your mission."
So the time has finally come.
The thought passed quietly through my mind, but I did not let it show on my face. I kept my expression calm and gave a small nod.
"I understand," I replied.
The Leader continued without pause.
"You will leave in two days. Make the necessary preparations."
I straightened slightly and nodded again, more firmly this time.
"Yes, Leader. I will be ready."
Then he spoke again, his tone steady and deliberate.
"You will not go alone. Two others will accompany you… including the one standing behind you."
I understood immediately that he was referring to Charlie. I simply acknowledged it with a small nod, already aware that Charlie would be coming along.
"I understand, Leader," I replied.
The Leader observed me for a brief moment before giving a faint, approving smile, as if satisfied with my response.
"That is all. You may leave."
I gave a small nod, but before turning away, I hesitated for a brief moment and decided to ask.
"Leader, may I know where I will be going for this mission?" I said, keeping my tone respectful.
The Leader looked at me calmly, his expression unchanged.
"You will know in two days," he replied.
There was no further explanation, and his tone made it clear that there would be no more questions for now.
I lowered my head slightly in acknowledgment. "Understood, Leader."
Charlie and I both gave a respectful bow before turning and leaving the house.
As we walked back through the village, my thoughts grew heavier with each step.
Going outside the village...
For the past few years, this place had quietly become a part of my life. The forest, the people, the routines, everything had settled into something familiar. I had trained here, learned here, and slowly grown stronger within the safety of this village.
It has been four years since I came here... Hah... Time sure flies fast.