1 The Awakening (2/2)

Xyn breathed heavily while his right hand is on his chest. This was not a surge from his emotions, it was something else. He felt like something is going to burst out of his body, like a surge of power.

Xyn quickly stood up while panting.

”Aaargh!” he screamed in throbbing pain.

Then, as though the surge of power broke out, something black engulfed his entire body; it was as black as the void. He looked at his hands and saw something - a darkness blazing like fire. This was not flames because it was not warm at all. The darkness was just blazing on his entire body like flames.

Feeling nervousness and confusion, Xyn frantically ran to a mirror. There he saw that his entire body was covered by the darkness, his eyes shone brightly and his eyeballs was nowhere to be seen – it's just that his entire eyes changed form into blue lights blazing like fire.

Calm down, calm down.

He thought to himself.

He breathed slowly and calmed down a little bit when he realized something and confusingly looked back at the mirror.

”Wait, I don't have a nose. Then, how am I breathing!?”

Xyn questioned in panic and was panting again.

It's not like he was breathing without a nose, he just felt like he was breathing. However, he can still smell the room's scent in the air. Confused again he said to himself.

”C-calm down, you can't reach a conclusion while in panic.”

He slowly breathed and calmed down, while knowing he still don't have a nose.

Then he realized something again, and looked at the mirror.

”W-w-wait, I don't see my mouth, where's my mouth? I don't have a mouth? THEN HOW AM I SPEAKING?!!!”

Xyn once again panicked and held his head with both of his hands.

What he saw in the mirror was a face with only having a pair of blazing blue eyes. No nose and mouth and the rest of his face was darkness – no his head was all darkness. His head was in a shape similar to a human or rather the same shape and size of his head, and there was no hair, just blazing darkness. Also, his entire body was all darkness with the same shape, but his clothes were still intact and he's still wearing it.

Not for long, he forced himself to calm down and begun to ponder the situation.

”A-alright, think. What's happening to me? Hmmm.”

When he glanced at the mirror, the blazing darkness was not as wild as before, as though the blaze was following his emotions. For now he was calm and the darkness was also calm.

”O-okay? I think these dark things are following my feelings, or rather emotion? But how do I turn back to normal?”

He was thinking hard on how to do such that. Then he thought, ”What if this is like magic?” And then he began to feel the darkness covering his body like magic.

Then the darkness engulfing his entire body vanished to nothingness. It was as though it never happened. And as the darkness disappeared, he saw himself again – as a normal human being.

Xyn sighed in relief and slowly sat back on the bed while pondering what the hell happened.

”Good thing I came back to normal. Haaaah. Now to think.”

Xyn thought of every possible reason why that happened. He thought widely and deeply, making every mechanism of his brain work in full power. A few seconds passed, he had thought two possible conclusion.

What if that was a gift? But mother didn't have a gift. But there are scenarios that one can have a new gift unexpectedly and only needed to be released. But how could that be? People can unlock their gifts on the age of 9 to 13 and in some cases, 14. But I'm 18 now. Does that mean that the gift was delayed for too long?

Hmmm. There are also gifts that are inherited from one's parents or family. If mother didn't have a gift, then it's possible it came from father. No, what happened to me was not a normal gift. No way it could be a gift. Gifts can't make a person transform into something else. What happened to me??? It felt like my humanity vanished when I turned into that.

After thinking all of this, he held out his right hand and looked at it for a moment and began to feel the magic and let some out a bit. Then, the dark blaze that doesn't burn covered his hand. After that, he held his other arm and did the same thing. The same as the other hand, darkness covered his hand.

”Still, this feels great. It's as though great power is coursing through me. Hmmm, looks like I can freely control it. Well, the school's magic tournament is next week, I could make a good use of this.”

Part 3

A week has passed and within the past week, Xyn has been exercising and practicing his new abilities. He learned new tricks and the capabilities of it. One of the most useful features of his new form is when every time he transform to his dark form, all that was in his human body seems to vanish or vaporize because of his ravaging body composition. This means that every time he needs to go to the restroom to take out some waste, he only needs to transform and it will all be gone, thus saving him time. Of course, the food inside his stomach and whatsoever also disappears, but that's fine for him.

He was also thinking about how he got to the level 18 easily. He got a conjecture that maybe because of his gift he got to level 18 faster and easily without him knowing. But when he got to fully control and realizes his gift, he felt his strength is doubled of level 18 or maybe even tripled.

This day was the day he was waiting for. A day to test his abilities in the field. He didn't went to school the last week because he doesn't want to, and just want to train on his new found power. He also don't care about the lessons he missed anymore or what he is about to miss.

He doesn't fully care about anything anymore. Maybe because of his past experiences, or maybe something else. The more he seems to fully unlock his abilities, the less he seems to care about everything around him, mostly the people or things he doesn't know or don't have a relationship with. Xyn doesn't yet know why, but maybe he'll find it out soon in the future.

As he was walking alone to the field where the battles are happening, the ones that were currently battling seemed to be over. Then the announcer said:

”The battle is over and grade 11 section Granite won against grade 11 section Ruby!”

At the same time Xyn reached behind of his section classmates where his close friends are present.

”The next contenders will be from the grade 12 Citrine and grade 12 Emerald. Please have your participants step forward to the field.”

After hearing the announcer, his friend Leden said to his classmates:

”Citrine! That's us. Well, I'll be going now. Cheer for me, okay?”

”Of course. Good luck!” Robie said.

”Give the opposition a good beating!” Edmund said.

Leden nodded and as he was about to walk to the field he heard a call from behind.

”Wait, Leden!”

Leden and the rest looked back and they saw Xyn.

”Let me handle this one”

”What?! No, Xyn.” Leden said.

”Why not?!”

”Look, you've been gone again for a week. And a spellcaster like you would find it difficult to win this kind of fight.”

”No, I can win this one”

”What made you so sure?”

As they were talking, the opposition has reached the field and got the attention of Citrine.

”As I thought, it is going to be him.” Hearl worriedly said.

”Then Xyn, are you still going to fight someone like that?” Leden asked.

”Seeing him took the field gave me more reason to enter the battlefield.”

”This isn't like the last time you fought Xyn. This is more serious. I'm sorry but you can't win this one.”

”No. I can win. Just trust me.”

”But –”

”Trust me.”

Ronald held Leden's shoulder that makes Leden stop talking any further.

”Are you certain you can win this one?” Ronald asked Xyn.

”I'm certain.”

”Then we'll give him a chance, Leden.” Ronald said.

”… fine, but you better win this one.” Leden said.

”Thank you.” Xyn thanked them.

After letting him enter, Xyn nonchalantly walked to their side of the field.

As he stopped after reaching his destination, the opposition looked at him with a mocking face and shouted to Xyn across the field:

”Oh! It had to be you!”

Xyn didn't reply. It's only a waste of saliva and energy to talk to an inferior like him.

He accidentally thought of him as an inferior, probably because of the effects of his other form. Also, him being an annoyance only added the reasons why he's inferior.

When Xyn didn't reply, the opposition shouted:

”You're not talking?! Why?! You scared?!”

Xyn kept silent. And his silence made the opposition annoyed.

”You think you can beat me?! Huh?! You, someone without a gift?! This isn't like last time Draven!!”

After the barkings, the barrier has been set around the field to protect the audience from the clash. And the announcer finally voiced out:

”Alright. The contender of grade 12 Emerald is Berto Asfeys!”

Sounds of cheering can clearly be heard.

”And the contender of grade 12 Citrine is Xyn Draven Nightfall!”

The cheers seem to be lower than Berto's. And it mostly came from his classmates in Citrine. But, that didn't bother Xyn.

The announcer knows the name of Xyn and the other probably because his face and information can be found in the records, or probably because someone told the announcer. But it's likely the former.

”Then, let's begin the battle. On my go! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go!”

***

As the announcer said go. Berto charged at Xyn.

He's not moving? Then this'll be easy.

When he reached Xyn, he punched him in the face and he used one of the spells of his gift.

”[Fire Blast]”

Flames burst out of Berto's fist and covered Xyn's entire body but what he has seen shocked him.

”What?!”

Berto jumped back.

”You're unharmed?! How?!”

Berto freaked out a little bit.

As Xyn remained silent, he blasted fire at Xyn again, but it still has no effect.

”What the hell?!” He's eyes widened in surprise and not understanding the situation.

Berto jumped on top of Xyn and cast a spell powered by his gift.

”[Flame Whip!]”

He swung the whip at Xyn as hard as he could, but not even a single scratch was evident on Xyn.

As he was falling, he directed a punch on Xyn's face again still nothing. Berto quickly jumped back, feeling frightened.

I just realized, when I punched him, it didn't felt right.

Berto felt anxious.

”Why is nothing happening?! How are you doing that?!”

He got no reply from the one he was asking.

”Answer me, you bastard!”

And he started raining attacks of flames at Xyn. A lot of fireballs and blasts of fire, each one hitting at Xyn who is standing still and is just looking at him. But there's no effect whatsoever.

What's going on?! Berto screamed in his mind.

As Berto was now tired and breathing heavily, Xyn finally moved a little. Xyn tilted his head as though he was curious. Then finally, Xyn talked.

”Was that it? And to think that I have expected more. I thought you were strong. You always shout that around. Well, still, I should thank you for helping with my experiment.”

”E-experiment?”

Berto didn't understand what Xyn just said.

”You don't need to know about it. Alright, now that you're done, I guess it's my turn. Now, to test this out.”

Xyn smiled – no, that was a smirk and looking at Berto as though he was a little animal.

At the same time, black smoke covered Xyn's arms – no, it seems more like blazing black flames. The black flames covered Xyn's hands up to the elbow, then the black flames seem to take shape on both of Xyn's arms.

As Berto saw this, his eyes widened as though his eyes were going to pop out.

The darkness covering Xyn's arms turned into gauntlets. Not just normal gauntlets. It was deep black blazing gauntlets with sharp fingers, very sharp edges of fingers, and may also be called claws. The gauntlets also seemed greatly designed and detailed. The gauntlets didn't look solid, but it seems to release – no the gauntlets are definitely releasing dreadful auras.

As Berto was seeing this and feeling the dreadful aura coming from Xyn, Berto was filled with terror.

Berto felt like his soul was being sapped away. This was probably because this was the first time someone was more powerful than himself and maybe this was because he was going to lose against someone he always called weak and insulted, or probably because of the dreadful aura coming of Xyn.

”Now I will show and make you realize the vast distance between you and me.”

As Xyn said that, Berto stepped back, opening his mouth a little but unable to talk, like the words were stuck on his throat.

Then he saw a wicked smile from Xyn. Xyn moved back his right foot as though about to charge at him.

While looking at Xyn, Berto thought that one hit from those claws and he'll die.

After Xyn moved back his right arm, Xyn charged – or rather he leaped forward to Berto. However, Xyn's leap was not normal. It was fast, too fast for the naked eye to catch up. Just as Berto blinked he felt some force on his right side.

A wave of darkness was left on Xyn's trail as he instantly leaped at Berto's back. Because of that, the force of that darkness blasted Berto away and had him flying. Berto was ricocheting on the ground, and after a few seconds, he stopped bouncing. Berto was barely hanging on his consciousness and felt enormous pain all over his body. He has wounds all over his body and some parts of his clothes were torn. As he was trying to move, he heard Xyn's voice from several meters away.

”Oh, looks like I was an inch off. My bad.”

Xyn said in what it seems like in a sarcastic tone.

O-off?

As Berto thought that, he passed out.

***

After the announcement of his victory, Xyn walk to his classmates.

Xyn's friends had a dumbfounded look on their faces. Xyn has predicted that this might happen so he didn't give full attention to it.

”I won.” Xyn said in a low voice while smiling.

”H-how?” Leden ask.

”What 'how'?” Xyn also asked.

”You know, that.” Edmund said.

”Hmmm. Who knows?” Xyn said.

His friends raised their eyebrows.

Xyn's opposition will be fine. That's because there are healers around. There are spells of healing and people with gifts of healing.

Xyn can't just kill someone off in public, mostly in a tournament. If he killed him, Xyn might get apprehended or damage the image of himself or his family name. Thus, he didn't directly hit his opposition because he has a feeling that hitting his opponent directly might kill him.

Xyn continued walking when he remembered something that he was planning since last week. He has to say something to his friends. He has to say goodbye. Thus, Xyn looked back on his friends who were still staring at him.

”Um, ah, guys, I got something to say.”

”W-what's that?” Hearl asked.

”I'm leaving this town. So, I want to say goodbye.”

”G-goodbye?! Why?” Ronald asked.

Xyn smiled.

”I want to see the rest of the world. I don't want to get stuck or bounded by society. I want to discover new things and learn. I want to see the wonders and beauty of the world. I want to make things a reality. That's why I want to leave.”

”Wait, now? You mean right now you're leaving?” Leden asked.

”Yes”

”That's too quick. And, what about the tournament?”

”You can handle it Led. You can change a contender in this tournament anyway.”

”Y-yeah but…”

”You're going to be fine.”

”But why now? Can't you wait?” Robie asked.

”It has to be now. Also, I have to atleast go far enough before sunset.”

”Then what about tomorrow?”

Xyn shook his head.

Xyn wants to get flying now and don't want to wait anymore so he can't do it tomorrow.

”So, when are you coming back?” Hearl asked.

”Hmmm. I don't know.”

”I-is that so?”

”Then again, guys, goodbye. I hope we'll meet again someday.”

Xyn's friends lowered their heads looked at each other and finally said their goodbyes to Xyn.

After the goodbyes, Xyn walked to the school gates to the exit. He needs to return home first to get some few things like rations and clothes. Good thing, he still has some savings left to buy some foods.

While going home, he thought about the fight and the success of the test.

Good thing the skill that I call [Dark Protection] worked, if it didn't it would had been bad for me. But that worked more than what I thought, he barely damaged my protective barrier. Perhaps that was just how powerful my new power is.

He made the skill while he was learning and practicing his new power. He covered his entire body with the energy of his dark power, but the barrier

could not be seen by a naked eye or by anything. It was like an invisible barrier.

After returning home and getting what he needs. He exited the house and locked it, no valuable things were left inside, Xyn has it all. Then he used his dark powers, covering his body with fog like darkness and with that he is able to fly or float. He discovered this technique while he was learning his new found power.

The reason he wants to travel was because he wants to see the world and know more about it, and also to make things a reality, but that's not the only main reasons. He wants to at least ease the pain he is feeling.

Also there's another reason. He wants to be stronger, so he will need to travel to learn new abilities or create new ones. He will go to different places to learn what they have than can be useful or interesting. He seeks to be strong as he can be, and that is one of his desires.

As he floated into the air and flew due north he said:

”Now then. Let's see where the world will take me.”