Authors Note: Zephon: Early release to celebrate comming n 4# at the best rated >:) i know this is a tall order but how about we strike the top #3 with a vengence let them know that spectral regalia is ready to go up another step. ofcourse this cant be done without your support. im looking to the guests that havent registered ^^ can we get 10 ratings please? unfourtently i have no incentive to give you :( but i will give my thanks

PR Note: Zeratul: This is the beginning of Volume 2. What does fate hold in store for Avrin? Well, read on and find out.

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Seleria a world of marvels ruled by powerful kings and inhabited by incredible creatures that are all ruled under the thumb of gods, but one creature on Seleria lives passed the borders of life and has the potential to rival the gods themselves. A creature who harbours no mana in himself created by the power of the ‘one true’ god himself and attained a power capable of endless marvels.

One would be jealous and think this creature had limitless power. But here this with great power comes great responsibility. A few miles away from the forest of the sylphs where a mighty struggle of both power and survival had ended, open plains Dominated the landscape. Grass, full of life, like tiny little green dancers moving across the plains, rivers moving like large snakes across landscape and pristine lakes where rivers end.

This is the Great Southern continent of Agrianea the elven motherlands although many different creatures inhabited this lands and the elves themselves did not care much for who came as long as they respected the forests.

That being said there were several humans who looked like farmers on their small boats with nets as they tried to make a living. One would ask what they were doing here but if one thought back to the time Tiamat destroyed the main empire it would be understandable that the elves would allow refugees to live in these lands.

Years later, it seems natural for these inhabitants. Not too far from the area where the human fishermen made their living on a small rocky dirt road there were several small convoys carrying what seemed like fruits and exotic goods going back and forth most likely towards other distant places to sell their wares. On the edge of the road a man wearing a somewhat dirty cloak that covered his entire body as well as his face, revealing only a dark shadowy patch could be seen walking while gazing around as if examining his surroundings.

This man was none other than Avrin Sygin the being who had tormented creatures to be tormented himself, only to escape in the heat of battle. His face carried a straight emotionless gaze. He may not seem as if he showed emotions but he was plotting every course of action in his head.

Avrin had let himself get carried away when arriving on Seleria. He thought he was on top of the world and carefree, only to be consumed by rage and got sloppy with his actions. It also led him to get captured easily as if he were something to study. This triggered him to return to a state of mind similar to his past form when he was a general: strong willed, cautious, having to think ahead and much more.

Avrin had several things planned due to his experiences. The first was to get stronger and possibly find a teacher to help him understand this world better, as well as teach him swordsmanship. This was mainly because Avrin had tried to form mana using his dark matter in an attempt to use magic, but it ended up nearly getting his arm blown off. He figured that that is a no go until he became more experienced.

The second idea was to steadily train his own abilities in secret. Who knew what sort of uproar he could cause if people found out about him. He had no doubt he would be labeled a heretic. The third point was that when he obtained enough power he would steadily build a reputation. He intended to join an army and find people with superior abilities which would lead to the fourth thing he planned. That was of course to build his own Empire.

The reason behind this was that Avrin could never be sure what sort of people were out there. As powerful as he could be he had no doubt the gods of this world would surely take notice. It was more so for his own safety as well as to allow him to study and gather materials and other items of interest.

Avrin intended to experiment with his ability and the items of this world. He had so many ideas. It brought out a scientific side of him he knew he never had, but he had to be cautious as he couldn’t go at it like a ‘mad scientist’.

Avrin continued on down the dirt path as he neared the farm village that seemed to be quite well build. It had several stone walls layered with what seems like wood. He didn’t know why they would think it was effective. What if there enemies that lit it on fire? But he was sure they had their reasons.

While Avrin pondered about the walls for a moment a grin appeared on his face as he thought of his fifth step. The fifth step would be to burn the entire sylph forest down. Although he was calm about things and composed there was no doubt that a remnant of revenge still lingered. He would not be satisfied until that forest lit up the night sky like the sun itself.

Avrin's face became dark but his glowing eyes emitted a faint purple glow as he clenched his fist. Power is what he wanted. His purpose on Seleria was unclear but he knew after experiencing a few moments of the fight between that angel-like creature and the elves that he wanted the same power if not stronger.

Of course Avrin, with his current state of mind, did not let his own urges get to him. He knew that there may be unforeseeable circumstances that may change his plans. No matter what, he had to be quick on his feet to change his plans. He thought carefully to himself. "-- Maybe I should form a Plasma Rifle for safety in emergencies --" He shook this thought aside as such a weapon would bring unwanted attention. Who knows what sort of things may happen if he suddenly lost it.

A foreign weapon in these lands would be uncalled for. He decided he would put the thought aside for now. Especially since he wanted to fight and use his current skills and abilities to fight. He would find that more fun although he had no doubt he would influence this world somehow after establishing an empire. He wanted to explore the universe as he did in his general days.

It was one of the things that made him sign up in the first place. That and having no family because he was an orphan. It was total freedom but he also wanted to discover what sort of things this different universe had to offer. Regardless, in the end his main goal was clear.

In Avrin’s old universe the best he could achieve before dying was a general. Although it was quite an achievement, especially when within the strongest military force in existence at the time. He had no intentions of doing so here.

With such a boundless place and endless opportunities, it was simple. Especially when god himself brought it up. A power that could rival the gods. Avrin wanted to be a being stronger than a god. Avrin wasn’t exactly sure why he wanted to do so, but he figured it was the end game in this place. He wanted to achieve the greatest position possible. He didn’t want worshippers or to be like god himself. He just wanted to be considered a god.

Avrin's daydreaming and plotting had ended when he came across the village's small gate. It was made out of what seemed like iron and seemed to be fairly well done. Then again it had to be if it was to be considered a proper gate. It had two guards who seemed to be wearing some leather armor, adorned with scraps of plate. It sounded dull but the design was fairly decent.

Avrin approached the lone guard as his partner was dealing with a nearby convoy. Avrin was quite nervous as he wasn’t sure if he could speak the language. Since he could hear it and understand it in plain english. “-- It is probably due to the crystal that damn crazy fairy had given me. I’m thankful for it, but it won’t stop me from burning down your forest. --” Avrin thought before being snapped out of it as the guard was speaking.

"Sir, may I ask what your business is here?" The guard spoke soundly as if he was used to asking such questions. Avrin responded for a test in english as he wondered if it would translate. "I’m a traveller who is admiring the sites of these fair lands. I would like to stay for a few days possibly a week or two just so I can prepare myself and plan out my journey." The guard blinked a few times and stayed silent. This made Avrin secretly raise a brow as he thought. "-- Hmm, could it be that they need to swallow such a crystal as well? --"

That was what he was thinking until the guard nodded. "Very well, you don’t seem to look dangerous." the guard said so as he didn’t see any weapons. Then again, Avrin was covered by a cloak so it was hard to tell. This village hadn’t encountered many difficulties apart from the minor orc attacks.

Avrin smiled and nodded slightly as it seemed to have worked. The convoy was already inside and Avrin trailed behind. Now came the second problem, Avrin knew currency was a big issue. It was not something he wanted to awkwardly forget especially in such a place.

Avrin gazed forward and widened his eyes slightly at the sights of the bustling village merchants setting up shop as well as selling their wares. They called out the prices of their items as if to attract customers. "A beautiful silver necklace with a ruby imbedded into the middle, an item worthy for any woman, only 54 gold!!" One merchant called out before another followed. "Fresh fish from the beautiful Lake Ria!! Best quality, 5 fish for 2 silver!!" Avrin could easily mistake this for some renaissance fair, but he could see things that made the the theme unfitting. He could see elves as well as a few fairies here and there in the crowds of humans. He also saw the occasional beast(wo)man which made him whistle quietly with surprise as they seemed to have quite a powerful look.

“-- This world seems to have all sorts of people and races. --” Avrin pondered quietly. As he continued into the town before hearing a commotion. "YOU LITTLE THIEF!!" A man with a large round stomach wearing an apron, as well as a rolled up sleeved jumper, was clasping onto the thin hands of what looked like a street urchin. The young boy was thin and had a feminine looking face, but he obviously looked malnourished and scared as he screamed. He was clasping onto some sort of green looking fruit similar to an apple. "Let go let go!!! I didn’t do anything!!" A small crowd formed, but it seemed like this was an everyday occurrence.

Avrin felt bad for the boy but decided not to but in because at the moment he was about to receive a beating, a group of well armored individuals appeared to save him, trying to negotiate with the merchant to forgive them. Of the 5 individuals there were two teenage looking boys, one human, one beastmen, and 2 females, one elf, one beastwoman. The 5th one was cloaked just as Avrin. The cloaked individual blinked as its eyes began to glow a faint white. It was at that moment that Avrin casually strolled past as if minding his own business.

What he didn’t realise was that this individual was now gazing at him, examining the figure that was hidden underneath the cloak. Avrin felt a slight chill down his spine as if he was being watched. He brushed it aside as he turned around a corner and out of the mysterious cloaked individuals view. The being's eyes began to calm down while the adventurer looking group seemed to settle things with the merchant.

Avrin was leaning against a wall in an alleyway about 2 minutes walking of where the main gate was. He was carefully examining things, taking into account the ways in which people acted and bartered. A skill that would come in handy.

Avrin had no valuables on himself. In fact, he had to remake his own clothing to the standard of his dark outfit prior to the annoying events. He was quite irritated by the fact that the elves had taken his things but was calmed knowing that it was just a few permafrost mines as well as ‘Earth’ food such as jerky, fruit and vegetables. He wondered if the elves would ever take a liking and find out how to plant such things.

Avrin's eyes were now fixed on the shining bits of metal that came in several colors. There was a rusty looking color, a metallic grey color and a yellow gold color. Avrin also listened before these currencies were exchanged for the instance where the rusty looking color was given. The merchant spoke saying 5 copper so avrin associated the coin being copper. Avrin then associated the others as silver and gold coins.

He sighed quietly. There was no doubt that he needed some of those and he had wondered if he could exchange them. He thought carefully to himself. A state of mind that he would not have taken into account before his so called personal intervention. "-- I can’t form copper nuggets because it would be too irritating and I’m sure their value wouldn’t be worth trading for. As for gold nuggets, it would be a little too suspicious to lug around golden nuggets at will. I have to take into account that I haven’t seen any in mines nor do I know if there are any around this place. I wouldn’t know how to answer questions related to where I obtained it from. Then again. --"

Avrin placed his glove covered finger against his chin hidden in the shadow of his cloak and the dark alley. “-- Silver nuggets seem more reasonable but I still don’t feel secure. --” Avrin would then grin to himself as he had an idea. No doubt he needed to get some of those coins. He was sure they had some sort of engravings on them that he needed to mimic so as to not get in trouble with the guards.

Of course, he also contemplated that he could be wrong in a society such as this. Trading could be considered standard, but if he lugged around gold coins like no tomorrow he may be attacked. He decided that he would attempt a different course of action and use a scapegoat. He first found a dark corner where no one could see or find him and began converting the mana in the air into dark matter. The dark matter would then turn into nebula mist which would form the shape of a gold bracelet.

Avrin had found out that making small details carved into objects was quite irritating. He had learned that the hard way. He had failed a couple of bracelets and decided to just reabsorb them. Of course, he found it quite easy to form a metal such as gold as he had been around the stuff for a long time. It was even more commonly used due to humanity finding a lot more of it on colonised planets in his universe.

Avrin had finished a basic gold bracelet that would fit neatly even around his own wrist if he tried it. It made him wonder if he could form other rare metals from his universe as well. This would prove very useful if he could. Then again, he figured that some sort of price would be paid, as god most likely knew he would attempt something. Avrin put the thought aside as he gazed at the basic gold bracelet it didn’t look like anything special but he was sure it would be worth quite a bit.

“Now then…” He snickered as he looked around. “I need a scapegoat.” Avrin had a menacing look in his eye as he was eager to see if his plan worked.

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[Note: Zeratul - You’re starting to become the definition of a smuggler and a con man now, aren’t you Avrin.]

[Extra Note Zephon - i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter cheek in next week for another chapter :) *thumbs up* ]