At the mention of the Akashic Library, excitement visibly rippled across Lumi’s tiny floating screen, the little emoticon trembling happily at the thought of exploring such a mysterious place.
Orion let out a gentle sigh, eyes fluttering closed, allowing himself a moment of rest. He felt the familiar sensation of his cursed bed comforting him.
Minutes drifted by peacefully as Orion’s breathing grew steadier, tension melting gradually from his shoulders and neck.
After what felt like just enough rest to recharge, he opened his eyes slowly, feeling clarity returning with renewed vigor.
He rose smoothly from the bed, stretching leisurely to loosen the stiff muscles accumulated from long meditation sessions.
A quiet pop echoed softly as he twisted his shoulders and rolled his neck. Exhaling comfortably, he spoke with thoughtful curiosity, eyes sparkling softly in anticipation.
"Tell me, Lumi," he said gently, "what do you think we will get at the Akashic Library?"
Lumi’s floating window bobbed energetically, clearly excited about their imminent adventure.
[Whatever skill you plan on getting, Master! (๑˃ᴗ˂)و]
Orion chuckled warmly, shaking his head affectionately at her enthusiastic response. He opened his inventory, carefully reaching in to retrieve the Akashic Record Token [Spell Section].
The token shimmered gently in his palm, shaped like a delicate, ancient page etched with infinitely dense symbols, intricate symbols of boundless knowledge seemingly contained within its deceptively simple surface.
Holding the token carefully, Orion inhaled deeply, steadying his excitement. Carefully, he sent a thin, delicate stream of his mana into the token.
The response was immediate; the token flared brilliantly, bursting forth with dazzling starlight, bathing Orion in a gentle, captivating glow.
Just as the light grew intense, wrapping itself entirely around him, another, even more potent yet infinitely gentle presence softly encased him—Primordial Light.
Its radiance softly cocooned him without interfering, neither Orion nor Lumi sensing this mysterious second force. Then, with a subtle shift, his surroundings vanished completely.
As the world stabilized once more, Orion blinked slowly, taking in the unfamiliar sight before him.
He found himself standing on peaceful farmland under a clear blue sky dappled by sparse white clouds, the gentle rustle of leaves from nearby fruit trees whispering softly in his ears.
A cozy wooden farmhouse stood invitingly at the center, its modest roof weathered by sun and rain.
To Orion’s right, several docile mortal animals quietly grazed near a quaint pantry filled with grains and harvested vegetables.
Nearby, a middle-aged man, around forty, sat serenely upon the porch steps, calmly watching the animals with a gentle, peaceful expression.
On the left, children laughed merrily as they played carefree games, their voices rising joyfully into the gentle afternoon breeze.
The middle-aged man slowly turned his head, revealing warm eyes that carried an amiable kindness. His voice drifted softly through the air, gentle yet bearing unmistakable depth.
"A guest from afar, huh?" he remarked lightly, amusement twinkling softly in his calm gaze.
Just then, from within the cozy house, a woman’s gentle voice called clearly, "Lunch is ready, everyone!" Moments later, a warm-faced middle-aged woman emerged from the doorway, drying her hands carefully on her apron.
The man rose slowly, stretching lightly as he offered a soft smile toward the woman. "Looks like I’ll be late for dinner. Go ahead and eat first, I’ll be back soon."
She nodded with an understanding warmth, ushering the playful children into the house, their laughter fading gently as they disappeared indoors.
Now alone with Orion, the man turned fully to face him. His eyes grew suddenly deeper, flickering with layers of hidden wisdom and profound curiosity as he studied Orion carefully.
After a moment of quiet scrutiny, he spoke calmly, voice steady yet filled with quiet interest.
"Hmm, you’re under the Primordial Emperor’s protection, aren’t you?" His eyes narrowed slightly, studying Orion carefully. "I can’t read your past, present, nor your future. Even your fate remains hidden from me."
Orion raised a brow slightly in curiosity, muttering quietly to himself, "Primordial Emperor...?"
But the man approached steadily, continuing without pause, "He’s doing so much for you, it seems. You must be the current bearer of that cursed artifact—Limitless."
At that, Orion’s expression shifted softly, suspicion glinting sharply within his gaze. Lumi’s little floating screen flared angrily beside Orion, her tiny frame practically shaking with indignation.
[How dare this old man call me cursed! His beard is cursed!! (｀Д´*)]
Though her words thundered fiercely within Orion’s mind, the man appeared completely unaware of Lumi’s furious protest.
He stopped gently a few paces away from Orion, his presence calm and reassuring despite the tension in the air.
Then, meeting Orion’s wary eyes, he asked softly, sincerity resonating clearly in his voice, "Tell me, Young Man—who are you?"
Orion stood quietly for a brief moment, carefully studying the man standing before him. He sensed no hostility, yet the calm curiosity this man showed carried deep undercurrents of strength and wisdom.
Orion considered carefully, countless questions bubbling beneath his steady expression.
After a brief pause, he took a deep breath, calming the faint ripple of tension within his chest. He met the man’s patient, knowing gaze with his own calm gaze.
"My name is Orion Helstorm," he finally said softly, voice gentle yet clear.
The middle-aged man shook his head slowly, a mild smile creasing his weathered face. There was no mockery or malice in the gesture, only gentle amusement and knowing patience.
"Even if I can’t see through you," the man spoke warmly, his tone quiet and understanding, "I can still tell when you’re lying. Orion Helstorm... This is a fine alias, perhaps even your everyday name, but certainly not your true name."
The man seemed to exude a potent invisible pressure, gentle in nature, compelling Orion to reveal the deeper truth hidden beneath.
Realizing the futility of lying or deceiving this clearly extraordinary figure, Orion slowly exhaled, releasing a breath he’d unknowingly been holding.
As he did, his presence subtly shifted. Something ancient and profound stirred deep within him, rising to the surface of his consciousness. His aura became deeper, more primal, resonating with a commanding weight and authority.
His eyes glowed faintly, embers of profound dragonfire flickering in their depths as he met the man’s gaze steadily.
"My true name," Orion spoke calmly, his voice resonating gently yet powerfully, each syllable imbued with the heavy gravity of ancient heritage, "is Primus Xal’Zaryon Drakonis. Heir of the Limitless System, and the True Thunder Dragon Emperor and True Fire Dragon Emperor."
At Orion’s words, the mana in the surroundings buzzed softly as if acknowledging his statement, while the man’s eyes flashed brightly with intense curiosity, interest clear and vivid in his calm expression.
He nodded slowly, admiration reflecting openly in his gentle gaze.
"Remarkable," the man murmured appreciatively, voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You’ve inherited the legacies of two Dragon Emperors? Truly astonishing."
A thoughtful gleam appeared within his eyes, his voice taking on a slight teasing edge. "And you’re even a three-worded Dragon... ’Xal’Zaryon’ as your special character, quite the daring name."
Orion’s heartbeat quickened, curiosity rising high. He immediately seized the chance to ask, urgency clear in his voice, "Do you understand the meaning behind this word?"
The middle-aged man laughed gently, shaking his head with a wry smile. "All I’ll say is this—be cautious when revealing it before other dragons, unless you wish to find yourself hunted relentlessly."
Orion’s lips twitched involuntarily at the cryptic warning, frustration briefly flickering through his expression.