Bloody Odyssey

Dax called out to Lord Blink—Micah, Nadia's grandfather.

Faster than anything the human mind could process, he was there. As if always waiting to be summoned, he appeared, his golden hair floating in the wind with graceful elegance. He continued to wear his comically massive armor, but from golden it was now pitch black with traces of gold. On his face was a blue mask almost the shape of a blade, and his golden eyes made him look like a final boss from legend.

"Micah, you are faster than ever," Dax said, placing his hand on his shoulder with a warm smile. "How was your time off?"

Since healing Nadia, Dax had given him some time to himself. The man had been stressed, and he needed it.

Dax nodded at an empty space beside Micah.

"Good to see you too, Madam Helga."

His eyes saw through her translucent image as she bowed.

"Your progress gives me joy." Dax could clearly see the power brimming from Micah and the mask—Helga.

"Good." He clapped, cutting the conversation without care. "I summoned you today to teach me about the fundamentals of magic. Its utility and how to best manipulate it."

Micah's eyes widened beneath his mask.

"Congratulations, Master." His tone carried genuine joy. "If that's so, let's hurry."

From his storage ring, a monumental purple stone appeared, spanning ten feet. It landed with a heavy thud, sending ripples through the earth beneath them.

"We first need to know your element," Micah explained. "Lord Dax, may I demonstrate?"

Dax nodded, giving him the stage.

Micah stood in one place, spreading his arms apart. Instantly, the rock shone brightly, grabbing the attention of the entire clan. Eyes turned. Conversations halted. Even the guards on the walls paused their patrols to stare at the sudden pillar of light.

But Dax ignored the ruckus.

He watched every moment. To others, he had never moved his hand, but he could see it—slowly coated with a soft coating of light. The way Micah manipulated mana was subtle, almost invisible to the untrained eye.

How is he doing it?

Dax had tried this many times. Failed every single time.

A thought traveled through his mind—the thought to compress the mana expelling from his arm with telekinesis.

He walked up to the stone.

Took a familiar stance—the Killer Series: Blood Flow.

He punched.

An intense shockwave erupted from his fist. Blood sprayed from his arm and embedded into the rock. Dax pulled out his bloody palm, just to see the tip already regenerating.

Softly, the stone slid off each other. At first, there was no reaction. Then the half that fell to the floor began to change color.

First came a blinding white light. It leaked with energy, pulsing like a heartbeat. Then the stone turned orange and began to burn intensely.

Micah took a few steps back.

It was fast, but I saw it for sure.

Light.

And the intensity from the flame…

He was shocked greatly.

Beside Micah, his wife was also marveled by the spectacle alone.

"He has affinity for the light element," Micah said, his voice filled with quiet admiration. I could teach him all I know.

He smiled softly, thinking of his granddaughter.

He makes he so happy. His name never leaves her mouth.

"Never expected such a side to that child," he added, scratching his head with a mix of amusement and slight concern. "I'm even starting to feel she's a bit obsessed."

---

Meanwhile, Dax stood in front of the burning stone, showing no reaction.

He only looked at his palm—already healed but still bloodied. The flames danced before him, but his expression remained calm, almost detached.

"Micah." His voice was quiet. "What am I doing wrong here?"

Micah turned to Dax. "What do you mean, Master?" His gaze was confused.

"You see, I saw the way you coated the mana around your body and tried to imitate it. But it was an utter failure."

Behind the mask, Micah was dumbfounded.

How was he even able to hold the mana?

He's a monster.

Only rank 3 battle mages and aura masters could do this.

"This is not the path for a mage, nonetheless for a rank 1 mage at that." Micah's voice carried warning. But this was Dax. He simply explained.

Dax replied instead, telling him to conduct an aura test on him.

"Master, aura masters are different. Their bodies are the vessel. Then from rank 5, a core is formed."

"The body as a vessel…" Dax sat on the floor without hesitation. "I see."

Softly, the sand around him began to ripple.

Micah stepped back.

What is he trying to do?

But Dax wasn't the type that could be guessed.

Dax's breathing softened, breathing through his mouth. From time to time, a tiny black hole formed on his back, swallowing mana greedily.

With all connection to his origin core severed, Dax's veins swelled. Blood trailed down his lips, but he didn't stop.

"Master!"

Micah was about to move but was stopped by Dax's trembling arm. With every ounce he could muster, he removed a noise-canceling orb, blocking out every form of sound.

Mana surged into him like an endless fall. But as it entered, it left his body. Dax could feel a burning sensation every time mana passed through his pores.

He closed his eyes.

Focus.

I will not lose.

I've lost my humanity. But I will not lose this second chance.

Dax's skin began to peel. He was burning away slowly by an invisible flame. Every time his flesh and veins burnt, it repaired itself. And as it repaired, tiny fragments of mana mixed with him.

Micah watched with pained eyes.

He's burning himself alive. And regenerating through it.

This man wanted me to teach him. But from one word, he already? His eyebrows narrowed.

He looked at Dax with a bitter smile.

What are you truly after, Master?

Is it just to save your mother?

Or are you after the heavens themselves?

I wish I was like you.

I wish I had the gall to oppose the heavens, If not… maybe my family would still be alive.