43 Chapter 19: Cultivating Shadow Manipulation (1/2)

Several days had past when Michael was finally allowed to leave the church of healing.

As Yami and Michael exited the church a familiar face was waiting for them at the entrance of the guildhall.

”Ragnee! What are you doing here?”

Michael said being surprised by her presence.

Looking at master Ragnee closed in and answered.

”waiting for a certain someone to awaken. After the events that transpired we wanted to offer you the opportunity to nurture your skills even if you may technically not have won,

you still managed to save the rest of them. Allowing you to be at the winners' table.”

being a bit slow on the uptake Ragnee grabbed my arm to escort me to the rogues association.

Not getting much attention during the time of the tournament this was sure to surprise me,

making my face glow bright red.

Finally, we arrived at the center of the guildhall. Where another familiar face came rushing towards us as if she had seen a ghost. It was Amaris! Noticing that my other arm was still free she quickly grabbed it as she hugged tightly around my arm.

”Michael! You're back! You're really back! Waaaaahhh I was so worried!!”

Amaris cried as her she came ever closer, pressing her chest firmly against my arm.

Both her arms where now around my neck as she couldn't stop hugging me.

The worry she felt of not seeing me was overwhelming her, making her worry and sorrow turn into blissful happiness.

Ragnee and Yami got embarrassed by the scene as both tried to win me over for themselves.

”Careful with master! He left the church just now, even if he is fully healed…

shouldn't master take it easy for a little bit?”

I turned to Yami as all three kept clinging onto me.

”Master cannot do that Yami.” ”But why master?”

Yami began making a pouty face and puppy eyes as she was looking forward to having a bit of quality time with her master.

*sigh*

”I have to catch up to the ones who won the tournament, Geo my rival, I heard he was there as well as he worried about my wellbeing. I heard there was another person, the one who healed me, right? I have to thank her too!

As for what happened during the finals, I don't…. I don't remember much, to be honest.

There are slivers where I remember entering a dark place, as well as a shadow leaving Gideon's body. But other than that everything is just blank…”

*Mooaaa*

”Master… Yami was looking forward to spending time together…

now… Yami has to leave your side once more as Yami is not allowed in with master.”

Yami quickly gave me a peck on the cheek before leaving to train with the martial novices.

The other girls where shocked, the innocent Yami had actually beaten them in giving Michael a kiss before they could initiate it.

”Hoo! I see how it is.”

Ragnee said with a grin on her face.

”Michael, you don't remember what happened during the finals?”

Ragnee quickly turned over to Amaris as she whispered something into her ear.

”It's best, for now, it Michael doesn't find out what transpired…

It could freak him out or worse, the shock could make him lose control again.”

Amaris nodded and redirected her questioning.

”You see, I have to report what transpired to the higher-ups of the guilds.

You said you saw a shadow leave as Gideon's body collapsed?”

”Yes! It was just for a brief moment, a split second if you may. But it was definitely there.

Soon after Gideon collapsed… Does any of you know what happened to him?”

Worried both looked at each other, deciding to tell me.

”You see… Gideon was found dead after the finals of the tournament had ended.

We didn't want to keep this from you, we actually you had come to the same conclusion as you witnessed his final moments.”

Worried I looked down, before mustering up a fake smile to hide my worries.

”Maybe it's better this way? Now he won't slaughter any more innocent people.”

What was that shadow? They know more than they let out… Well,

I can find out more in time. For now, I should focus on the training that lays ahead of me.

Amaris parted ways with us to finish up on her report. Ragnee and I arrived at the rogues guild shortly after. Entering the premises I didn't recognize most of the surroundings.

After passing through the registration lobby and putting out some information Ragnee quickly showed me towards the training quarters. Once there Geo looked like he was cultivating calmly. We passed him without disrupting his practice. Ragnee led the way to a small private room where we began analyzing what had happened to me previously.

While in the room it had become clear that everyone was given and used the same hollow magic crystals, which bonded with their natural energies providing the magic displayed in the tournament. Noting to the fact that neither of the participants had unlocked the cultivation needed to manipulate the energy around them directly. Making it crucial to use the crystals provided by the magic guild.

When the finals were finished as a result all crystals scattered into dust providing the guilds and agencies with much-needed information about the new recruits. Making sure each and every finalist got the training needed most to unlock their cultivation. Ragnee explained all this to Michael, which made him realize what made it apparent that he was still invited to the rogues association.

”What I still can't understand is that your crystals became the darkness itself…

It's difficult to describe, but you could say the crystals became as black as a starless night…

containing unimaginable density within.”

Confused I looked at Ragnee, not knowing what she was talking about,