Alex moved forward along a narrow mountain path, surrounded by a dense forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. Several hours had passed since he left the capital of Shadowfall behind, and now, standing before him, lay the Kingdom of Aquaris—a coastal land famed for its beauty… and its hidden dangers.
As he walked, his thoughts returned to Andras-sama's warnings from the night before.
Aquaris was no ordinary kingdom. Though the Aquarians appeared kind and peaceful on the surface, they were beings of extraordinary ability. In water, their power multiplied, granting them dominion over tides, currents, and sea creatures alike. Andras had been clear: they were not only to be respected for their strength, but also for their immense political and commercial influence.
Aquaris was also home to one of the most important centers of knowledge on the continent—the Academy of Aquaris. A place where princesses and nobles from many kingdoms studied… including a princess from the Human Kingdom whose identity remained a closely guarded secret.
"They are vital allies, Alex," Andras had said, her gaze firm. "But do not lower your guard. Aquaris has survived for centuries as an independent power. They will not give their loyalty easily."
Alex understood that now more than ever.
Aquaris controlled crucial trade routes and resources any kingdom at war would envy. Words and promises would not be enough. He would have to prove that Shadowfall was worthy of their trust.
A growl from his stomach pulled him from his thoughts.
He had forgotten to bring supplies.
"Great…" he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
Letting out a quiet sigh, slightly embarrassed with himself, he carefully surveyed the forest. Tall trees, exposed roots, faint tracks barely visible on the ground. It wasn't the first time he had been forced to survive on his own—but it wasn't something he could take lightly either.
"Guess I'll have to improvise," he said to himself.
---
Several days passed after Alex fully entered the forests of Aquaris.
His routine became simple, almost monotonous. He hunted small animals, gathered edible fruits, and slept wherever he could, always on alert. The forest was not hostile at all times, but it never forgave mistakes. More than once, he woke in the middle of the night, startled by distant sounds or presences he preferred not to identify.
Still, he made use of the isolation.
Every day, he trained.
He practiced the techniques he had learned from Mayuri, repeating movements until his body reacted on instinct alone. Especially those related to critical magic. At first, every spell demanded exhausting concentration, but as the days passed, he began to feel it… more naturally.
The Echo of Memory responded better.
Faster.
More precise.
"Still not enough," he would murmur after each session, breathing heavily.
He could feel himself advancing—but also that he was still far from his limit.
That was when the idea surfaced.
A theory that had lingered in his mind for days.
Something Mayuri had explicitly forbidden.
He remembered her serious, almost irritated expression.
"Those crystals are unstable together, Alex," she had warned him. "Critical magic does not forgive mistakes. Mixing them could trigger a disastrous reaction."
Alex knew that.
But he also knew Mayuri spoke from experience… not from impossibility.
"If I don't try, I'll never know," he whispered.
He prepared the area carefully. Made sure he had enough space, checked his crystals, and took a deep breath. He activated the Echo of Memory, allowing memories and sensations to flow through him.
He began to conjure both elements.
At first, everything seemed to work.
The energy moved, vibrated, responded to his will. But then, something changed. The magical currents became unstable, colliding violently with one another.
"Wait—" he managed to say.
It was too late.
---
The explosion hurled him backward.
Alex felt the impact knock the air from his lungs. His body was thrown violently, rolling out of control until the ground vanished beneath his feet.
He had fallen off the edge of a cliff.
The wind slammed against his face as he descended. Panic threatened to take hold, but instinct kicked in. He activated his support magic, forcing his body to slow down, even as a sharp pain pierced his chest.
That was when he saw it.
A carriage was racing uncontrollably along the lower road.
The horses neighed wildly, completely out of control.
From inside the carriage, a woman's voice screamed in desperation.
"Help!"
Alex clenched his teeth.
There was no time to think.
He adjusted his trajectory midair and dropped straight onto the carriage. The impact was brutal, but he managed to stay upright. Grabbing the reins tightly, he fought the horses for several seconds before finally stabilizing them.
His breathing was ragged.
He glanced behind him.
Several men dressed like bandits were chasing after the carriage. Their faces showed shock… and frustration.
"Stay inside!" Alex shouted, pounding on the carriage door. "Don't come out no matter what!"
He steered the carriage toward a clear area and brought it to a sudden stop. Then he stepped down calmly, positioning himself in front of it like a wall.
The bandits halted several meters away.
They smiled.
They didn't see him as a threat.
Alex, however, clearly remembered Mayuri's warnings. He couldn't take risks. Not here. Not with someone defenseless behind him.
He took a firm stance.
He prepared to fight.
And then, he noticed it.
The bandits' bodies began to warp. Their limbs stretched unnaturally, their skin losing solidity.
It turned viscous.
"Slimes…?" Alex muttered, frowning.
The "bandits" advanced, revealing their true nature, their amorphous bodies undulating slowly.
Alex clenched his fists.
Surrounded by regenerating slimes, with a civilian trapped behind him…