"I think I’m gonna research a bit more before deciding my path, Master," I called out to Virion. "Although it’ll probably take a bit more time, I am sure I can find my path."
"Oho~ That’s a good idea." Virion agreed. "Maybe you can create your own path."
Creating my own path, huh? I muttered inwardly. It does sound interesting.
"Do you have any more questions?" Virion continued, floating closer. "About your training? Or anything else?"
I nodded. "Of course, I was just starting."
This was the perfect chance to clear up all the doubts that had been piling up.
For the next few hours, we spent discussing those.
I described the problems I’d faced during my affinity training with Lady Nisha, and her cryptic comment about how training the Void with Virion would be more effective than with her. And maybe it lit up his competitive spirit, we spent one total hour training my void affinity.
But the results obviously weren’t good, coupled with time running out, he gave me a set of exercises to do. He also ensured that once I mastered the affinity to a manageable degree and chose my path, he would teach me how to teleport like Zephyr. That sure lifted my spirit and gave me more motivation.
I also asked for his advice about academies and whether Transcendence Academy was really the right choice for me.
Virion, true to form, gave sharp, direct answers without any sugarcoating.
He confirmed that the Transcendence Academy was the best place for me, especially if I wanted to stay under the radar while accessing high-level resources. And it seems like the director of the academy was an old comrade of his, so there wouldn’t be anything to worry about safety from outside threats.
Once all my questions were answered, Virion gestured with his tail. Five items materialized in the air in front of me.
"These are replacements for the Architect’s ’gifts’ I confiscated," he explained. "This one is..."
...First one was a sleek, dark wristband with the ability to truly detect abyssal beings; a relic from the Great Convergence Era, though Virion mentioned its power had diminished over the eons, and it couldn’t detect well-hidden ones.
The second was a pulsating, shadowy fruit that smelled of midnight and damp soil.
"If you eat this," Virion instructed. "It will elevate your minor Darkness affinity to an intermediate grade, putting it on par with your Fire affinity. But I won’t guarantee it tastes good."
So, it tastes bad then? I chuckled wryly. But at least I got warned.
"And this is the Eternal Midnight."
The third item was a beautifully crafted bow, seemingly made of woven shadows and polished bone, humming with contained power.
"It’s a Bound-grade relic," Virion said. "It can infinitely produce arrows one grade lower than its own rank."
"Whoa! I really needed one, thank you, Master!" I exclaimed in appreciation.
"But unfortunately, I was... unable to procure a suitable lie-detection artifact," he paused, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Though I suppose my failure is of little consequence, as you seem to have already found a replacement for it."
I stayed silent, offering no answer. He probably knew about it after that scene.
"Anyway, here’s the next one." He shot a shimmering orb of silver light toward me.
The moment it touched my forehead, my mind was flooded with the knowledge of a resonance art called Spatial Reflection Art.
"It’s good for both defence and offense once you master it."
I nodded, slowly returning to reality.
"And finally," Virion said, presenting the fifth item - a compass with intricate runic engravings that seemed to shift and pulse with inner light. "It’s called the Resonance Compass. You can attune it to locate particular individuals or specific magical artifacts, but you’ll need to make contact with them first and register their aura signature to the compass. Its range and accuracy will keep increasing along with your rank. It will be very helpful in your upcoming journey."
"Thank you again, Master," I said, carefully taking the compass and feeling its weight - surprisingly heavy for its size.
I think I know how exactly to use it...
Virion then produced another item, this one a shimmering orb of deep emerald light. "This is my gift as your master, for doing well till now even without my help."
My eyes widened as the orb merged with my consciousness, flooding my mind with the knowledge of a telepathic technique called Mind’s Thread.
It would allow me to establish mental communication links, detect hostile intrusions, and maintain contact across distances - it was everything I’d hoped for and more.
"Thank you again!" I exclaimed, unable to hide my excitement. Money saved!
Virion chuckled, the sound warm with amusement. "I know you have been wanting it for a long time. I still haven’t forgotten your ’pestering’ last time."
I scratched the back of my neck and laughed awkwardly, remembering my not-so-subtle hints during previous training sessions.
But wasn’t it you who was stingy till the end...
Fearing he might go back on his words, I quickly stored everything in my storage ring.
...There’s nothing left, right? I didn’t forget anything, did I?
I asked myself, recalling everything one final time.
...I think I’m ready now. Probably.
"Well then," I said, turning toward where a portal was already waiting for me, "I should be ready to return home now."
I waved my hand in farewell. "See you again next month, Master!"
"Farewell, my boy," Virion’s voice followed me as I stepped through the shimmering portal that had materialized at his gesture.
The familiar sensation of dimensional travel washed over me, and moments later, I appeared exactly where I’d been dropped off the last time - in the secluded grove near the Ashenfang Mountains, moonlight filtering through the canopy overhead.
The night air felt cool against my skin as I oriented myself, checking that everything was still secure in my storage ring before planning my next course of action.
Although it hasn’t even been a day since I left, it felt like I was away for weeks.
{Should we practice on the way?}
{That’d be amazing, my friend.}
A smile appeared on my lips as I activated our special ability.
And soared to the sky!
{Let’s go back home!}