Tbate: Resurgence

-Chapter 14 : The Start-

Arthur Leywin

It had been days since my conversation with Rinia, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she knew more than she was letting on. Rinia's words still echoed in my mind, reminding me of the complexities of my future. I understood why she was cautious—changing the future too much could lead to unexpected consequences. Back on Earth, scientists spent their entire lives theorizing about time and space, but it was all just guesswork without any real proof. Yet here, in this world, even the impossible seemed possible. My reincarnation alone was something that science couldn’t explain, but it didn’t mean the knowledge I had couldn’t be used in this world, just like Qi from Earth was used with science.

Physically, I had recovered enough to walk and do normal things. But the toxic mana still lingering in my body made it hard to regain my full strength. For now, I was using Dawn's Ballad as a walking stick.

With a sigh, I unsheathed the blade from its matte-black scabbard. The translucent teal edge still had its beauty, but now there were faint corrosive marks along the sides. The witch’s magic had been powerful enough to damage this sword—a weapon that could handle all four elements with ease, something no other sword I had seen in Dicathen could do. Yet, even Dawn's Ballad couldn’t fully withstand her attack.

A sword is more than just a weapon to a swordsman—it’s a part of them. Letting out another sigh, I sheathed the blade again.

"Up and about this early, eh, brat? You sure you don’t have cockroach blood in you?" Virion said as he stepped through the door, settling into the chair while I sat on the bed.

"Look who's talking," I shot back. "You personally came down to that dungeon to get me, even when there could’ve been more danger—or worse, another mage from the other continent."

"Bah," Virion scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "I had Lance Aya with me, and I'm still plenty strong. I won’t fall that easily."

"Fair enough," I replied, though I could sense there was more on his mind.

Virion leaned back for a moment, his gaze softening. "Before we continue… I haven't properly thanked you for saving Tessia in that dungeon."

I shook my head, cutting him off. "She just happened to be there. There's no need to thank me."

"That doesn’t change the fact you saved her," he said, his voice warm, yet firm. "For that, I’m grateful, regardless of the circumstances."

He paused, the serious tone returning as his eyes met mine. "But enough of that. Now that you've recovered enough, let's hear what you have to say. You know more about what’s happening on this continent, don’t you? And why did you refuse help when Lance Alea tried to call for backup from the Council?"

"Ah yes, much has transpired over the span of more than half a year," I began, recounting the events that led me to this moment. I detailed my encounters with corrupted mana beasts and the trials that introduced me to a group of soldiers from the other continent. I revealed how the dwarven royalties and nobles had betrayed us, guiding the Alcrayan soldiers in their efforts to corrupt the mana beasts for their own gain. Through a ambush on those soldiers, I managed to torture one to extract vague details about their magic system. From the leader of the Alcrayan soldiers, I obtained a map marked with various locations and dungeons throughout the Beast Glades. This map guided my investigations, ultimately leading me to Widow's Crypt and to where Lance Alea was locked in battle against the witch from Alcraya.

I chose to omit certain details about my meeting with Director Cynthia and few other matters for obvious reasons, knowing that some truths were best kept hidden for now.