MUNCH! MUNCH!

The masticating sound of grinding food reverberated inside my mouth as I chewed a piece of bread.

Currently, Isvaeriel and I are traversing the path of the Forest of Never-ending Silence. The woman did the walking while I’m riding on her back and shoulders.

Well it wasn’t out of my convenience but out of her exhort that left me to comply.

“So this Psychic Energy that you’re talking about, can anyone use it?”

“I don’t know… maybe? As long one has a strong mind I guess.”

“I see…”

She responded while biting a piece of bread from her hand, her legs kept brushing the greenish meadow covering the ground.

“Umm… Miss Isvaeriel?”

“Hm?”

“Where are we heading?”

“Ah…to my safehouse.”

The dark skinned female who’s giving me a piggyback ride said nonchalantly.

Hmm… She’s giving a cool person type of vibe.

That aside, how did we get here in the first place?

--

It all started after I managed to integrate Magical Energy within my energy system.

At first, converting Psions into Mystons was like a walk in the park.

It’s just like the conversion part of Chemistry.

Stoichiometry was it?

Allowing it to flow directly into your system however, was the hardest part.

My body began to burn up as soon as hundreds of magic particles circulated within my frame.

The sensation that it brought was equal to being roasted alive in a blazing Hummer vehicle.

The one that got penetrated by an RPG.

It was unbearable, but I need to persevere.

There's no way that I'll sit my ass here and wait for those Mastam to obliterate me.

I have a mission...

Wait, can it be called a mission?

One Above All did say “Improve this world!” or something along that line.

Whatever it was, still I wanted to go on an adventure.

Visiting unfamiliar places and meeting people that once you thought that only exist in some fairy tale books.

Or the ones that every MMORPG supplemented.

Yup, that would be a grand adventure.

But first I need to get pass this hurdle.

After a long hours of withstanding the mass volume of pain, the discomfort soon faded away.

Stabbing irritation lessened and was replaced by a pleasant feeling that ran from the top of my head down to the very tips of my fingers and toes.

I felt my Ajna Chakra Energy Center expanded, transmitting every magic energy to the other Energy Centers then across to my energy paths as it hoarded the piles of Myston particles like it was its own creation.

Pumping and forcing foreign vigor to my native vitality capillaries and veins.

As soon as I got myself used to the sensation, I opened my eyes and was delighted by the progress that I made.

It wasn't something surprising really, knowing already my superb talent in learning new and strange understanding in a matter of seconds.

Gnosokinesis, I'm proud of you and the wonders that you brought to my life!

I also have to give it to my Factor EX Serum.

Working in extensive hours within the bounds of my blood vessels, supporting me by producing and pumping a large dosage of suitable nutrients to keep me alive thus granting me Enhanced Condition.

If I'm not mistaken, Enhanced Condition is an ability under the umbrella of Biokinesis.

Does this mean I have small amount of inclination towards Biology Manipulation?

Or it is just the result of having a Super Soldier Serum inside one's body?

Hmm... Perhaps maybe it can be both.

Anyway, I went back to my musings with my newly acquired ability,

Magical Energy Manipulation.

With this I can conceal my identity as an Unsorcerer to the people who wanted my life. And maybe I could join an Adventurer's Guild and discover some new wonders or even treasures!

Just like in the game!

Man, my Otaku meter is on its high mark.

Now that I can freely manipulate Magical Energy, what should be my next step?

Though furthering its usage and applying it to various practices, the ability presented an obvious problem.

To produce Magical Energy, one must have Mana in them.

If I showcased my Magical Energy to a crowd no one would be able to discern some oddities...except for a few people who have talents in detecting Mana.

Probable solution would be to manipulate Mana to avoid suspicion.

But how can I do that?

The only reason I was able to create my own Magical Energy was due to converting Psions to Mystons and having the grasp or feeling of the energy from assessing Isvaeriel's vigor.

Wait a minute, if I remember it correctly Mana is associated with Magic and that force somehow is present in the surroundings...

That's right!

Maybe I should try and gather some when I get back on my physical self. After all, Mana is a form of energy.

"- Sir we might have a problem. -"

Ghost Eye interrupted, its spherical figure emerged in front of me.

"What sort of problem?"

"- The patient is conscious now. -"

"Really? Did you manage to de-materalize the barrier and the drone?"

"- Yes. However due to hundreds of Myston Particles floating around your body, it arouse her curiosity. Currently, she's trying to probe you. -"

"Ah..."

EH!?

I'm currently thrust into my first problem! What should I do?

Should I wake up and pretend that nothing happened? Or should I tell her a lie?

... ... ...

... ...

Nah, maybe I should tell her the truth. For someone like her who was born with high aptitude in sensing Mana, there's no way I can lie myself out with it.

Pushing myself out of my mindscape, I slowly opened my eyes and there I was met by two glistening grey orbs looking back at my own.

“…”

“…”

Evident silence surrounded us both. Perhaps she was thinking how to approach me with a certain question.

I on the other hand, was thinking hundreds of ways to dodge each of her questions.

“How did you do it?”

Her feminine voice coated with an authoritarian tone caught my attention.

The way she spoke feels like she demanded a straight to the point answer from me.

And those probing eyes of hers… there’s an effervescent curiosity hidden those pretty grey orbs.

My logic tells me to fabricate an excuse in which I was considering to do but as soon as I felt an invasive verve creeping on my skin, I put down that notion.

One could immediately say that this woman was prodding my body for Mana, perceiving any tiny amount of ripple that the sentient life force might foster.

Since being a manaless person, I could literally give a blatant lie.

Yes, I could do that…only if my Magical Energy wasn’t reacting with hers.

This femme fatale wasn’t trying to perceive the Mana within me (which I don’t have) instead, she was observing my Magical Energy for signs of any fluctuations.

A fluctuation meant hiding the truth.

This feeling felt I was wedged in room filled with lie detectors…

>

Ghost Eye voiced out inside my head.

“There’s no problem about that. What the problem is, will she believe it?”

I mentally replied while my eyes still gazing back at Isvaeriel’s own orbs.

>

“H-How strong is she?”

>

“Meaning we can’t grasp her total output…”

>

Well, I think Ghost Eye’s complete absence of answer was enough proof of how much I was placed in a tilted situation.

“Psychic Energy…”

I answered, my voice in a monotonous setting.

“Sai-kick…?”

She tilted her head in confusion while uttering the word in mispronunciation.

“It’s Psychic not Sai-kick.”

“What is this Psy-kick Energy?”

The silver haired female asked, curiosity laid under her query. Her eyes were shimmering in interest, pleading to me to give her a proper response.

Honestly, I am reluctant to give an explanation however I don’t have a choice here. Though I can shift my Magical Energy instantaneously into Psychic Energy, I can feel that she was a bit wary of me.

Wariness with a bit of skepticism and a grain of mistrust… And under that was a tiny amount of sympathy and pity…

Maybe it was my Empathy at work?

>

Hearing Ghost Eye’s suggestion ringing inside my head, I internally approve with its proposition.

There was truth to it. At my current stature, progressing in seclusion might be a huge problem for me. It was like “me against the world” theme and unlike those portrayed in cinemas, the chance of me surviving alone is a huge bogus and wishful thinking.

There was a reason why the saying “No man is an island” is a fact in every sense.

And even if I become a self-sustaining individual, I don’t like being…alone.

Hahaha…it’s strange. In the past I would deny the notion of having a company.

But the guilt of being a sole survivor in your regiment/command after four World Wars was one of the major factors that made me change my old view point.

“What is this Psy-kick Energy?”

Isvaeriel’s voice then echoed against my ear for the second time, a hint of urgency can be discern from it.

Ah, my mistake… I was submerge in my own musings that I forgot that I have a person conversing with me.

“It is an energy that is produced by an individual’s mind.”

As soon as I give that response, the dark skinned Elf-Beastkin leaned her face closer to me. Our nose almost brushing with each other.

From that distance, I could see every detail of her face; from her eyelashes, skin pores, her alluring scent down to the fine features of her grey orbs.

For a moment, I felt like I was staring back at the eyes of a giant fox.

Eerie…

“Well at least you’re telling the truth.”

She said as she pulled away and softly brushed my hair. The invasive feeling that enclosed my body dissipated in an instance.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I hovered my orbs at the woman in front of me who was checking her body.

“Strange…”

It seems that she noticed the overall changed of her body.

A quick second, her head whirled towards me.

“Did you do this?”

She really did notice it!

“Hn.”

I nodded my head once.

Isvaeriel’s eyes then scanned her entire surroundings.

“Are you the one who brought me here?”

I nod my head again which caused the woman to widen her eyes for a bit before returning to its original state.

“I see…”

“Excuse me, not to be rude but who are you miss?”

Though I already know her name, I play the child card here so that I won’t arouse anymore suspicion.

I don’t know if I played it natural, in truth I don’t know how a “normal’ child would react in this kind of situation.

“Ah…the name is Isvaeriel. You can call me Eriel for short.”

Once she introduced herself she grabbed me by the collar and shouldered me like she was carrying a punching bag ala Steve Rogers style.

“And I’ll be your guardian starting today.”

“Eh?”

"What's your name boy?"

"Everyone calls me Zabio but I prefer Cipher. And why are you carrying me like a sack?"

"Cipher...unique name."

Umm, lady you didn't answer my question.

"Okay, Cipher. To the forest off we go."

She said with pride as she dashed out from the abandoned shelter.

--

And that's how I ended up in this kind of situation.

“We’re here, Cipher.”

I was pulled out from reminiscing my thoughts as Eriel’s voice strummed my ears.

“Whoa…”

I could only let out a gasp of amazement as my vision were presented by the greatest wonder that nature could ever produce.

It was a tree but it wasn’t just an ordinary tree.

It had a large and massive trunk about the size of a blue whale, its main stem were patched with bulk and crevices, signifying its century old age.

The branches spreading from its bole were like a wingspan of countless Pterosaurs nesting on the giant tree’s numerous woody limb.

Not to mention that its leaves were large!

“Windwalk.”

A sudden lukewarm sensation coated my body as Eriel spoke softly that word before glowing with a faint green vibrance.

From the sensation that it give off, I instinctively knew this was her Magical Energy yet why it felt weird?

Like it changed or transmuted…

Aside from that why did she intend to do using a magic spell-

“Hold on!”

She yelled as she jumped from the ground in unimaginable height.

As her foot landed on the tree’s bark, a force of wind then propelled as upward.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Her consecutive jumping from branch to branch for me felt she was some sort of a Ninja.

A dark skinned Elven-Beastmen Ninja…

Ah…every Otaku’s dream.

After a few minutes of jumping, we both arrived at the top.

“It’s glad to be here again.”

In front of us was a large house made from wooden materials, with its windows made of the same materials. On the top of the door was a plaque with a two red roses displayed on it.

This was definitely a tree house.

“Is someone living here?”

I asked in curiosity. Judging from the large crest portrayed on top house’s door, it seems this was a hideout of the Blood Rose Guild.

The symbol of the organization is still fresh in my head.

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Us.”

Us huh, eh?

“This will be our home and you will be living together with me.”

Isvaeriel or Eriel, as she preferred it, declared with a slight smile on her lips.

“Home…”

>

I’m not a Capturing God, Ghost Eye…

…But home huh...?