Once again, Curt found himself being tested by a dojo master. Well, ex-dojo master. Mahku stood before Curt, looking as calm and relaxed as Jinpuhn did. Curt initially planned to ask Mahku for some training tips or something, seeing that he was once from the famous training dojo of Sahnju, but Tera ended up asking Mahku first. She told him what Curt had told her about his entrance test, and so here he was. Mahku had suggested reenacting the whole thing.

And so, once again Curt slid on the ground right before reaching Mahku, twirling his legs out in a wide kick that seemed to be becoming his signature move. Mahku smoothly dodged the kicks with no trace of surprise on his face, unlike Jinpuhn and Tera. Curt pushed himself up into a high kick that Mahku deftly caught with his hand.

Curt expected it, but it still jarred his senses as a shock ran through his leg. Mahku simply released Curt’s leg instead of tossing him to ground, which Curt was thankful for.

“You’ve got to teach me that move,” Jesse called out from the sidelines.

Tera was watching Mahku silently, waiting to hear an explanation just like Curt. Mahku meanwhile had more of a poker face than Jinpuhn did. Maybe the blindfold helped with that, Curt thought as Mahku stroked his chin slowly and thoughtfully.

“Interesting,” Mahku finally said. “I know you are eager to hear an explanation, but it is a long one, especially given that you are about as new to this world as Jesse is. Let’s have this talk over dinner.”

Curt sat alongside an equally impatient Tera as Mahku scooped out a few bowls of rice and set down some plates of pickled vegetables and roasted roots. Mahku unhurriedly helped himself to the food, and picked up each morsel as easily as a sighted man would. Jesse was already chowing down, shoveling rice and vegetables at a constant rate.

“Plan to tell me what you think?” Curt asked. He picked at his food, not feeling an appetite at the moment.

Mahku finished chewing his current mouthful of rice before replying, “I do. There is much that needs to be said though, and I have been thinking about where to start.”

He placed his bowl back down and faced Curt. “You are new to Sanora, and from what Jesse has told me, the world you are from above in the sky does not have magic. In fact, the land you are from sounds like a desert surrounded by clouds, with no knowledge that Sanora exists below.”

Curt nodded, then realizing Mahku was blind, was about to say that it was all true. But Mahku seemed to know he had nodded, and continued to speak.

“I have traveled to many places outside of Sanora during my exile, yet I have not come across any place that matches such a description. I have not been to any mountain that would be high or large enough to hold another continent in its peaks, nor have I ever encountered such sophisticated weaponry. I am led to believe you and Jesse are indeed from a world above the clouds, and beyond the Sky Barrier.”

“Yeah, I established how impossible it is to be from the sky,” Curt said, wishing Mahku would hurry up and tell him the results of the test.

“Do you know why the Sky Barrier exists?” Mahku asked.

Curt thought back to when he first met Celia and what she had told him. He hoped she was doing alright.

“I was told it was to protect this ‘Star City’, or whatever that is, from intruders,” Curt answered.

Mahku nodded. “Yes, that is the gist of it. The Sky Barrier, as the name implies, does indeed cover the entire expanse of the sky. It is a magical barrier that no ordinary human could ever have casted. As such, its existence is attributed to the Stars. The legend goes that long ago, the Stars used to live among us. They granted wishes to anyone who asked, and in that time the land was paradise. However, two of the Stars turned traitor, influenced by their followers who conspired for more power, and a devastating war broke out. In its aftermath, the remaining seven Stars believed the best option was to separate themselves from their followers to avoid getting corrupted as well. Their powers to influence the land grew weaker with the distance, but it was better than the possibility of another war.”

“So the barrier was made and the Stars live above it in their ‘Star City’,” Curt finished for Mahku. “That’s a nice tale and all, but what does this have to do with anything?”

“You’re from above the sky, and from the description of the Dusts that I’ve heard, there is nothing like a Star City up there,” Mahku said.

“Not that I know of,” Curt affirmed. Jesse nodded in agreement, his mouth full with second helpings.

“I want to know why the Sky Barrier exists, and who actually created it. The story of the Stars and their worship is perpetuated by the Holy Order, and the fact that you two are proof that the legend is likely false is something they won’t take kindly. There are certain fanatics who exist in the faith, and I advise you keep this a secret. That goes for you too, Jesse.”

“Yeah, yeah, you mentioned that before,” Jesse said between mouthfuls of food.

“I guess the only people who know are within the guild,” Curt said. “Though I was saved by a girl in Gold Glade who knows. I doubt it really matters — she’s just a kid. Who’d take her seriously?”

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized that someone did. And he was a part of the guild as a result. But since Curt hadn’t been waylaid by any other Holy Order members since then, he supposed the rumor probably died down.

“I advise you to be cautious. You should tell her to keep it a secret,” Mahku advised. “The Holy Order is influential and powerful because of the belief in the Stars, and being the only ones who can contact them.”

“Alright, I’ll send her a letter or something once I get back to Endyre,” Curt relented. “So, are you going to tell me what you found out yet or is there still more I need to hear?”

“Don’t you think it’s odd,” Mahku went on, ignoring Curt’s question. “That despite our worlds being separated, we speak the same language?”

This was something Curt hadn’t thought to consider. Up in the sky, the nomads in the Dusts had their own language, and they were much closer than Sanora. Even in Endyre he’d hear foreign languages from far off merchants in the streets. But the vast majority of Sanorans spoke the same language as he did.

At Curt’s silence, Mahku smiled. “Something for you to think about. Now, I won’t delay your results any longer. I just had to take some time to think things through. Your mana center is rather… perplexing.”

“Mana center?”

“Yes, one’s mana center determines their capacity for magic as well as the form it takes. Not unlike how muscles dictate a person’s physical capabilities. The shock you and Jesse felt was my mana being temporarily injected toward the mana center. It allows me to gauge what your mana centers are. Don’t try to do it yourself — it is a difficult skill to pick up and dangerous when used improperly.”

“Then why didn’t the other trainees feel anything?”

“They’re simply used to being surrounded by magic. In Jesse’s case, it was because his mana center was untapped beforehand. What he felt was his mana finally being opened up for use. Your case is different. If it were like Jesse, then you shouldn’t have felt anything this time.”

Tera spoke up. “So it’s true then. That explains why Jinpuhn failed him. I was hoping for a different conclusion.” The sad look she gave Curt made him feel queasy. Pity was not something he expected from Tera, ever.

Mahku faced Curt directly, and it was difficult to tell whether or not he was also pitying Curt with the blindfold on. In any case, Curt didn’t like where this was going.

“Curt,” Mahku began in a grave voice. “I don’t know how, or why, but you barely have any mana. It’s as if your mana center was shattered. I’ve never encountered such a thing before. I can’t even tell you what your mana center is supposed to be like.”

“Basically he means that you can’t even use magic at a novice level,” Tera added. “If that’s the case, you’re out for fighting against Ancient World, much less the tournament. Shame, you have a knack for fighting.”

“Hold up,” Curt said. He drew one of his bright green pistols and fired it straight up into the air. A single bullet sailed into the sky for a good while before bursting into a small ball of flame. If that didn’t require magic, he didn’t know what did. “Explain how I did that.”

“You don’t have a complete lack of mana,” Mahku explained patiently. “Given the right implements and a good sense for magic, something like could be accomplished even by a child.”

A child. So that’s what Curt was being compared to. Here he thought it was pretty impressive to shoot a bullet made of pure magic that burst into flames. Just what were “normal” magic users capable of then?

As if sensing Curt’s unspoken question, Mahku said, “Give Jesse your gun and have him try firing a shot.”

Curt tossed the youth his revolver, and Jesse fumbled while catching it. It seemed like the younger man didn’t want to be involved in the conversation at all. No doubt because it probably hurt to see a hero get torn down. Not that he was much of a hero anyways. Still, it wasn’t Jesse’s fault that Curt was apparently dysfunctional. Curt nodded at Jesse to go through with the demonstration.

Jesse pointed the revolver up at the sky just like Curt did. Mustering up some focus, he pulled the trigger. A bullet that didn’t look all that different from Curt’s shot rocketed up into the air. But instead of a feeble flame, the bullet exploded into spiraling flames that twisted through the air like serpents seeking out prey. It was like comparing a firework to a candle.

“Whoa,” Jesse breathed in awe as he stared up at his handiwork.

“Not bad,” Tera commented. “Looks like your fan has quite the potential.”

“Okay, I get it,” Curt said. “I’m damaged goods and I’ve got no potential for magic.”

To think he thought he was lucky to have come to Sanora. Perhaps karma was catching up. Curt felt like he should’ve expected something like this. Of course he wasn’t something special — he never was — unless you counted being broken special. Maybe it would’ve been better if he did just die from the fall, because then he wouldn’t have to go through a second life where he was nothing again.

“There’s no way to… to fix his mana center or something?” Tera asked.

Mahku shook his head. “Not that I know of. But it’s not impossible for him to still participate in the tournament, or the duel.”

“Are you crazy? There’s no way he’d survive if he can’t defend against magic.”

“Across my travels, I have met warriors who lacked magic potential, just like Curt. While Curt may be more deficient in mana than most, the fact that he could still use a magic weapon means he has a good handle on his mana. That is something that even the greatest fighters will still struggle with. And as you know, a figh—“

“A fighter’s mana center is only as good as his ability to use it,” Tera finished. “Still, it’s like telling someone to fight a guy with a battle axe using a twig.”

So Curt’s mana center was the equivalent of a child with a twig. He was getting tired of these analogies. Still, according to Mahku, there was still some way he could fight in this world. Whatever it was, it was worth knowing.

“It is a risky way to fight, but doable, even faced against an A-rank guild. However, my knowledge of the technique is only secondhand, and I’m familiar in the way you fight or the weapons you use, but if you wish to know, I can teach you,” Mahku offered.

“Tell me,” Curt said without hesitation.

“Very well,” Mahku said. “But it is getting late now, so let us begin your training tomorrow at dawn. You have a lot to think about, I’m sure.”

Curt was busy wondering how Mahku could tell the time when he was blind — though the sun was indeed beginning to set — when Tera said, “Wait, I have some questions I’d like to ask you.”

“You want to know about my exile, correct?”

“Huh,” Tera said, stunned that he already knew. “Yeah, I do, but—“

“I am forbidden to tell anyone the details, but I am not personally opposed to sharing. If your guild is victorious in its duel against Ancient World, I will tell you then.”

With that, Mahku picked up the empty dishes and began to walk toward the nearby stream to wash them. Tera sighed, and got up as well.

“I’m going to head back to Endyre,” she said, looking at Curt. “Not a fan of camping outdoors. You know, despite what he said earlier, I’m sure Bauph could replace you in the duel.”

Curt was shaking his head before she finished speaking. “No way. This duel is a good way for me to see if the tournament is even a possibility for me. I’d rather not be dead weight.”

“I get that,” Tera said, tone sincere. Curt stared at her in surprise. He didn’t figure Tera, the strongest disciple of all people, could empathize. “Well, good luck with training then.”

“Thanks.” Curt meant it. Tera was a lot nicer than he initially believed. He had a feeling though that Tera somehow had been through something similar.

Curt realized Jesse was staring at him wordlessly. With the dimming daylight, it was difficult to make out his expression.

“What?” Curt didn’t mean for it to sound as rude as it did.

Jesse appeared startled. “Oh, uh, I was just thinking.”

“Disappointed? I don’t blame you — honestly I’m not the kind of guy that should be admired.”

Jesse violently shook his head. “That’s not true.”

“Look, kid,” Curt said. “You don’t even know me. You’re better off idolizing people who actually deserve it, like Mahku or Tera.”

“I—“

Jesse was cut off as Mahku reentered the camp, holding a stack of clean dishes.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said as he began to methodically put away the remains of dinner.

Curt didn’t bother to answer him, and neither did Jesse. He didn’t feel like dealing with Jesse right now. Not when he had his mind full of today’s revelation.

He told himself he’d just follow along Otto with no investment. He said he’d just leave the guild and find something else to do if things went south, and if fortune smiled upon them then he’d reap the benefits. But with every successful recruit, and the way things had been looking up for Point Blank, Curt knew was already invested into the guild. He started to also believe in Otto’s dream of becoming something down in Sanora, where they would’ve just died in the streets up in the Dusts.

Damn that Otto, Curt thought. If only he had never met him, then he could be lazying around Gold Glade without a care in the world.