Azurks waits by Zorka, who's still out. He taps the stone ball with the hyena leader inside. Then, he looks at the boy knocked out on the ground.
Azurks fixed up Zorka's wounds. He didn't give him energy to recharge, just healed him. It's early, and Zorka's considered a newbie. His tiredness is more about shaky nerves from fighting that hyena boss, not really drained energy.
An hour passed, and finally, Zorka woke up. Feeling dizzy, he found himself in the middle of the forest with a big stone ball in front of him. Slowly, he remembered the events when Azurks ordered him to go to the sword-fanged hyena's lair, and he fought directly with its leader.
He was surprised to see his wounds healed, leaving only tears in his clothes from the hyena leader's claws during the fight.
"You were too careless, Zorka," remarked Azurks upon realizing Zorka was awake.
"I was too tense. Couldn't th
Zorka stared sharply at the two adults who had abused Almia. One of them, tall and thin with crooked teeth and slanting eyes, spat in disgust at his presence. The other, a chubby man with a pig-like face, pointed angrily at Zorka."Hey, kid, don't interfere with our business here!""Interfere? You two adults have no shame, daring to harm a teenage girl who can't defend herself." Zorka's sharp gaze intensified. There was an aura that suddenly made the two adults hesitant facing a little kid who unexpectedly got involved in their affairs."Tch, snotty brat. Who do you think you are, defending this rotten girl, huh?" asked the skinny man."Because she's my friend!" Zorka unleashed a light-powered lightning spell with a gentle force. Then he hurled it towards the two individuals.The two adults writhed, shocked by Zorka's lightning ball. Unaware, both collapsed to the ground, unconscious.Almia was astonished, not expecting Zorka to
Zorka intended to escort Almia home, but she declined, not wanting to burden him. However, Zorka remained concerned about her situation. Moreover, he felt guilty because in the forest, when Almia asked for help before heading home, he rejected her, citing training. Despite seeing some old bruises, Zorka was sure Almia always endured mistreatment due to her uncle's greed."Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"Almia shook her head, a faint smile on her lips."No, thanks. I can go home by myself, it's okay."Unbeknownst to Zorka, Almia appreciated his kindness. Nevertheless, she didn't want to trouble him, especially considering Zorka had saved her twice."Alright, I won't insist. But be cautious about those two. I don't think they'll stay quiet after being attacked by me.”Almia just nodded and left Zorka who stood motionless watching her leave. However, Zorka felt anxious. It seemed like Almia's problem wasn't that si
Rosewina's eyes welled up with tears. Her crying voice was soft. Seeing her mother cry, Almia felt guilty for involving Zorka in their family matters."Forgive me, Mom. I shouldn't have gotten Zorka involved in our issues," said Almia."How is this, Mom? Uncle Rudolf surely won't let Zorka go easily," Almia expressed her concern.Rosewina hugged Almia to comfort her, then looked at Zorka with a touch of sadness in her eyes."What Mia said is true. Son, what's your name? Are you Zorka?" Rosewina inquired.Zorka nodded when Rosewina mentioned his name."Zorka, we appreciate your help in saving my daughter. However, in this matter, I can't involve you in our family issues," explained Rosewina. "I'm afraid Rudolf will harm you for interfering in this matter. So, I ask you to leave now, go as far as possible so that you won't be affected by Rudolf."Zorka let out a slow breath. It was understandable that Almia and her mother
Almia and Rosewina were surprised to find Rudolf's body lying in their house's front yard. Zorka calmly crouched near the unconscious Rudolf, checking his pulse on his neck."He's still alive. I just removed the magic power in his body," Zorka calmly stated.Both mother and daughter breathed a sigh of relief. They were worried something had happened to Zorka. At that moment, a group of villagers arrived. Among them were Key and Bull. It seemed like the two had reported to the villagers before coming to Rudolf."There he is, the kid who used magic to hurt us!" Key shouted, pointing at Zorka.Everyone stared at Zorka. Then, Key screamed upon seeing his brother lying unconscious in Almia and Rosewina's front yard."Oh my! That kid, he killed my brother, boohoo.""What have you done? Hey, little kid, using magic to hurt people is forbidden in this village!" shouted one of the villagers."So young and already capable of murde
A few days later, Zorka's ordered clothes were ready. Zorka bought a backpack to carry his clothes and other items useful for his journey.When he was about to leave, Luthor informed Zorka about Rudolf's fate."I should apologize to you, Nak. My indifference to Rosewina's family caused suffering to both the mother and child. It was only yesterday, after losing his magical abilities, that Rudolf told everything. Turns out, he wanted to take the inheritance from his late brother, which was rightfully Almia and Rosewina's.Rudolf was devastated after losing his magic. This morning, I got news from his brother, Key. Rudolf lost his sanity after losing his magical knowledge."Zorka listened quietly, seemingly indifferent to Luthor's words."Now your clothes are ready. After this, where are you going, Nak?" Luthor asked curiously."I'm going back to the Dzara forest to continue my magical training. My mentor is still waiting there," Zo
The name Portvalor is displayed on the towering gate walls. At that moment, the sky begins to dusk as Lan Yue drives his cargo cart into Portvalor City. Zorka glimpses many floating runes in the Portvalor sky—enchanted symbols used to shield the city from potential attackers."Security here is tight, huh?" Zorka mumbles, gazing at the protective runes in the sky.Lan Yue listens to Zorka's mumble, surprised that the kid riding with him can see the runes set up by Sorcerers to protect Portvalor City."Wow, Zorka. You can see those runes?" Lan Yue asks, impressed."Yeah, pretty clearly. Most of them have the basic element of water," Zorka replies.Lan Yue becomes even more amazed by Zorka."Are you a Sorcerer, Zorka? Those runes aren't supposed to be visible to someone without magical abilities."Zorka stumbles, unintentionally revealing his true self that he should have kept hidden.Azurks wakes up as they pass t
Lan Yue invited Zorka to have dinner together. After that, Lan Yue allowed Zorka to rest and promised to meet again tomorrow morning.Zorka slept soundly once his body touched the bed. He felt exhausted. Azurks just shook his head, observing Zorka's seemingly less cautious attitude.Azurks still sensed the lingering uneasy feeling."I don't know why I don't trust that human. You're really too innocent, Zorka," Azurks said. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean he did nothing. Quietly, he cast a protective spell on Zorka with his magic."I'll leave this city for a while. The magic runes in the sky make me sick. I feel like destroying all those runes," thought Azurks, who has been uncomfortable since he arrived in Portvalor. He regrets bringing Zorka to this city."The magic here overlaps too much. How strong are these sorcerer leaders protecting this city?Indeed, I sense energy waves from a rare artifact that can enhance the child's powe
For several days, Zorka stayed in the city of Portvalor. He didn't find anything interesting other than the Aetheria Academy mentioned by Lan Yue. Zorka sensed a strong wave of energy coming from within the academy.He wanted to enter the academy to find out what object or creature emitted such powerful magical energy. Something that even from a distance could enhance Zorka's stamina. However, entering the academy wasn't an easy task. The gatekeepers flatly rejected Zorka's request.Only those with specific qualifications could enter the Aetheria Academy. Beginners like Zorka, with their low levels, were clearly turned away.Curious about the powers within the academy, Zorka repeatedly tried to communicate with Azurks through telepathy. However, there was no response from the dragon."Where is Azurks?" Zorka wondered. "This is unusual. It's as if he went far away or disappeared from this world."Nevertheless, Lan Yue treated Zorka excepti