Chapter 51 - 49 (1/2)

”Who are you?”

Shin and the youth asked at the same time.​​

The difference was that Shin knew who he was when he saw his face.

Only, it would be weird to show it when they never met.

The young man was Zeref, known as the black magician.

His name was already well known and had spread throughout the continent as a person who had mastered black magic.

For the time being, his name was less known because Shin's presence had more impact on the continent, but the legend of Zeref would become known and would continue to be built up over the centuries, especially with the creation of demons over the centuries.

While Shin looked at Zeref calmly and a little surprised to see him here, Zeref inspected Shin with great intrigue.

'He gives off the same energy as this forest but in an immensely greater quantity'.

While travelling, Zeref had come across this forest.

He had originally come to see the new creature that had appeared called the Celestial Phoenix.

He was a very intelligent person and had a love for knowledge so he was intrigued to learn of such an interesting new creature.

But on his way, he came across this forest that miraculously seemed to fight against his dark magic.

Or more precisely the energy in this forest that also soothed his mind and gave him a sense of tranquility.

A feeling he hadn't felt for a while now.

He had decided to settle here so that he could continue to study his books with the aim of bringing his little brother back to life.

He also tried to study the energy in this forest but it was too powerful and uncontrollable.

So when he felt the insane amount of energy in Shin's body, he saw some semblance of hope.

”I am Zeref and you, who are you and why do you have so much of this energy in you?” answered and questioned Zeref still cautiously.

He knew that the person was on a level equal to his own with the magical power he was giving off.

Even if Shin hid his magical power, Zeref was at the same level as him and therefore could detect a bit of it and that bit was enough for him to be able to measure the power of a person.

”My name is Shin and I have so much of this energy because this energy and the energy of the forest is produced by me” Shin answered.

He didn't lie because he knew that Zeref had no bad intentions, he could feel it.

”You produce this energy?” exclaimed Zeref with surprise.

”Are you cursed like me? Or rather blessed for your case...” questioned Zeref with a little jealousy in his voice.

He considered his magic a curse so he considered Shin's energy, an energy that countered his own, a blessing.

Shin couldn't explain that he had the lineage of the God of Life and that he was given to become a God King.

Zeref frowned at Shin's vague and mysterious answer but decided not to look any further, he had just met after all.

”Why are you so sad?” asked Shin thoughtfully.

Even though he knew the answer, he wanted to hear it from Zeref's mouth as well as talk with him to become friends.

Zeref's eyes widened as he heard Shin.

He tried his best not to show his deep sadness but the person in front of him had managed to see through him.

”It's a long story,” Zeref sighed.

”Then let me hear it” Shin smiled gently.

Sensing his good intention, Zeref smiled slightly at Shin's kindness.

Zeref sat by the lake as Shin walked and sat by his side as well.

”Before that, tell me, are you human?” questioned Zeref.

The magical power Shin released was equal to his own and he had never seen any human match it, only very powerful dragons could match it.

Shin smiled at his request and revealed his identity by spreading his wings.

”No, I am the one you call ”Celestial Phoenix”.

Zeref was shocked and couldn't believe it.

He wanted to see the Celestial Phoenix with his own eyes but it was him who came to meet him.

His day was getting better and better.

”I see, very interesting” Zeref replied fascinated.

When he discovered the existence of a Phoenix, he was euphoric because he had read that Phoenixes were linked to life and rebirth.

So he thought that maybe the Phoenix could help him lift his curse and bring his little brother back to life.

Zeref kept his excitement aside so as not to be disrespectful when he had just met him.

It itched to death but he was still a sensible, well-mannered boy.

So Zeref began to tell his story with a keen-eared Shin.

”....”

Zeref finished telling his story with pained eyes filled with sadness.

Shin showed a sympathetic look, what Zeref went through is really tragic.

Shin would like to help him but it would change too much of the story.

But that's not the main reason, the main reason is that he's unable to do it at the moment.

Shin theorized that later on, he could lift Zeref's curse when he is on top of this world and that he could bring the dead back to life when he is a God.

”You really have a hard life, I feel sorry for you” said Shin with compassion and sincerity.

”It's not your fault, it already makes me feel good to be able to talk to someone without having to worry about killing them unintentionally” Zeref answered honestly.

”What about you?” asked Zeref curiously.

”Me?” asked Shin falling into his thoughts.

”Yes, your turn to tell your story, how come you're the only Phoenix to be seen”

Zeref was like a child discovering fantasy stories.

Shin then told him a made up story about the Phoenix.

”I see, so the Phoenix are even older and more powerful creatures than the dragons.”

”Older yes but more powerful I don't know, I think we are equal” Shin replied.

”So what abilities do you have?” asked Zeref interested.

”For the most part we are physically as strong as dragons and we have fire manipulation equal to the dragon or higher”

”For the most part?” questioned Zeref pressing on that part of the sentence.

”Well, since I was born, I know I have a talent so great that I could reach the top of this world, I also have the ability to control several elements and I have a special and powerful energy” Shin explained without arrogance.

”I see” Zeref replied in his thoughts looking up at the sky.

”I read that the Phoenix are immortal beings linked to reincarnation and life, is that true?” questioned Zeref still looking at the blue sky.

”Yes it's true.”

”Yes moreover, this energy you possess seems to be linked to life itself” Zeref replied then continued.

”So I wanted to know, do you have the ability to revive the dead or lift my curse”

Zeref said this with his eyes straight up to the sky but Shin knew that his eyes held great hope.

A great silence appeared between the two until Shin broke it.