Chapter Four: Going

In the cold, dark cave, Finn and Jack sat on the rocky ground, trying to catch their breath and regain their strength after that terrifying escape. The sound of the wind slipped in from the cave entrance, adding a momentary calm, but their hearts were still racing.

Finn sat thinking about his memories of the novel and realized he didn't have much information about its world. "I've only read up to the end of the war between the northern families, and I don't know about the power system in this world... I need more information," Finn thought to himself.

Finn looked at Jack and started thinking of an excuse to ask him for information about this world. Finn felt nervous but tried to appear natural. "Hey Jack, I know this sounds weird, but I... took a hard hit during the fight, and I might have lost some memories. So, I have a few questions."

Jack looked at him, trying to assess his sincerity, then answered kindly, "Well, we're all in this mess together, just ask."

Finn felt somewhat reassured and began to ask in a quiet voice, "I want to know about the levels of power in this world, or what kind of warriors are here?"

Jack hesitated a little and then began to explain, "Well, we have two main types of warriors: mages and knights. The power of mages is classified based on the number of magic circles they possess, while knights are ranked by the number of stars."

"Mages are classified from one circle to nine circles. A one-circle mage is considered a beginner, but they are still much stronger than an ordinary person. As the number of circles increases, the mage's power and their ability to control elements and use more complex spells increase."

"As for knights, they are ranked from one star to nine stars. A one-star knight is considered an ordinary knight until they grow in strength and rise in ranks. With each additional star, their power, speed, and combat skills increase, as well as the aura they use."

Jack paused for a moment, then raised his finger and said, "However, no human has ever reached the peak levels in either type."

Finn looked puzzled and asked, "Why not?"

Jack sighed and said, "Humans are weak beings. We don't have infinite magical capacity like dragons, or large bodies like the orcs. Also, we don't have the luxury of time to learn more because of our short lifespan. We have limits. The highest level humans can reach, whether mages or knights, is 7 circles or 7 stars. That's the highest level humans can ever attain, but there are some exceptions or hybrids."

"Like the marriage between a dragon and a human, which is extremely rare. If it happens, a half-human can reach rank 8, but a half-human will never reach rank 9. Only pure dragons and strong races can reach that rank."

Finn nodded understandingly and said, "Okay, but I still have some questions."

"What are they?"

"Is there a magical knight, or someone who can use both magic and combat?"

Jack replied, "Of course, there are. Most people in this world are magical knights, but their power varies."

"How so?"

"Many people, when they achieve a certain level of power, whether they are mages or knights, want to learn something new. Like the head of the Elchin family. He is a six-star knight with two magic circles. So most powerful people want to achieve a balance to compensate for their power limit."

Finn nodded in understanding and thought about the new information. He now had a clearer idea of the world he found himself in and knew he had to be cautious about everything.

But Jack continued in a serious tone, "However, there are some foolish people who start both fields at the same time, which is a very stupid decision."

"Why?" Finn asked curiously.

"Because humans have a short lifespan. To achieve a new rank, humans spend many years training. Also, focusing on more than one thing reduces efficiency. So people who start learning both magic and combat together usually only reach the fourth rank in both, if they're lucky. Only elves and some long-lived races can truly perfect both fields."

Finn nodded again and started connecting the information, then thanked Jack and nodded to him.

"You seem to be a knight, right, Finn?" Jack asked, looking at Finn's reactions.

Finn hesitated to speak, then thought of another excuse: "I don't know, maybe I forgot because of the shock of the war... Ha ha." Finn laughed awkwardly, trying to fool Jack.

Jack narrowed his eyes and approached Finn, saying, "Show me your back."

Finn was shocked by the sudden request and said, "Show you what?"

"Turn around."

"Hey, hey Jack, are you that type?" Finn said, very worried and starting to move away quickly.

Jack raised his eyebrow and started laughing: "Ha ha ha, of course not. I'm not that type. I just want to check something."

Finn hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, quickly." Finn turned around, and Jack grabbed his shirt from the back and lifted it.

"Hmm, as I expected," Jack said in a serious tone.

"Wait, do you see something? Is there something hidden on my back?" Finn said in a tense tone.

Jack smiled and said, "Yes, I see something remarkable."

Finn, pretending to be panicked: "What? What do you see?"

Jack: "I see two stars on your back. You are a two-star knight."

"How did you know that?" Finn asked,

"I saw the two stars on your back," Jack said simply.

"Do the stars appear on the back?" Finn wondered genuinely.

"Yes, the stars appear on the back," Jack replied.

Finn looked puzzled and asked, "Why do the stars appear on the back?"

Jack smiled and said, "This goes back to ancient traditions and legends. In ancient times, it was believed that powerful knights had stars on their backs as a sign from the gods, indicating their strength and protection. Also, having the stars on the back prevents the knight from seeing them, avoiding distraction or arrogance. Additionally, it makes it easier for others, like leaders and comrades, to recognize the knight's rank quickly in battles."

Finn, still surprised, asked, "Do the stars appear automatically?"

Jack nodded and said, "Yes, the stars appear due to the interaction of the knight's energy with a complex energy system that gathers in the back area. This system interacts with the magical energy in the knight's body and makes the stars appear there. This means that the more stars a knight has, the better they can control this system, allowing them to use the aura."

Finn, trying to absorb all this information, said, "That's interesting. It seems the spine is the center of this energy."

"Exactly," Jack replied, "the spine is considered the main center for energy or aura specifically. When a knight reaches a new level of power, the energy in their body reacts, making the stars appear on their back."

Finn nodded in understanding and began to connect the information. "But isn't this something that can be faked?" Finn asked.

"Not always. We have tools to detect that. I won't go into details because there are many. Also, if someone is found to be faking their stars, it would be a scandal in society, and the punishment could be imprisonment," Jack answered.

Finn and Jack talked together, easing the tension between them and making them feel closer.

"So, are you a mage?" Finn asked.

"Of course, I am a three-circle mage," Jack answered proudly.

Finn, with an astonished look on his face: "Wow, that's amazing!"

Jack smiled and looked at Finn: "It's nothing compared to the power I dream of."

Finn, looking at Jack with admiration: "Well, you will definitely reach the power you dream of."

Jack, smiling confidently: "Yes, that's right, and when I reach a powerful level, I will come to you and learn the art of combat, and you can learn magic from me."

"Yes, that's right," Finn shouted, smiling.

The two bumped fists and looked at each other like best friends.

In another place far from the cave...

**In the Office of the Head of the Elchin Family**, the atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation. The pale moonlight slipped through the large glass windows, casting mysterious shadows on the walls adorned with ancient paintings.

Iyana, with her cold eyes and soft voice, stood before Dmitri and Ryan. "You are very observant, Head of the Elchin Family," she said with a mysterious smile.

In the next moment, Ryan moved at lightning speed, placing his sword to her neck. Ryan was a five-star knight, known for his immense speed and strength. "Identify yourself and state your purpose, stranger!" he shouted, bringing the sword closer.

Iyana laughed softly and mockingly, "Oh, you have a good dog."

Ryan exploded in anger, "What did you say?!"

"Stop, Ryan," Dmitri said in a stern voice as he rose from his seat. "Leave her be, please. She is important to me," he added with a slight bow towards Iyana.

Ryan, unable to believe what he was hearing, then felt something scratching his neck. He looked and found dragon claws nearly tearing his throat. He retreated at a breathtaking speed, crashing into the wall behind him, with wide eyes of shock.

"What was that just now?" Ryan said, stunned.

"Hmph, you have poor senses compared to your master," Iyana said in a reproachful tone.

"So, is everything going well?" Iyana looked at Dmitri with a gaze carrying a hidden threat.

"Yes, everything is fine. We have taken control of all the north," Dmitri replied with a bowed head, pointing to the large map on the wall showing the northern boundaries under his control.

"That's good," Iyana said with satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

"So, why are you here all of a sudden?" Dmitri asked.

"I just wanted to check on things. I found everything in order. So, my mission is done now. See you soon," Iyana said. Suddenly, large dragon wings, resembling crimson wings, emerged from her back, and she flew out of the window at an incredible speed, shattering the glass into small shards that glittered in the moonlight.

Ryan, who was catching his breath with difficulty, approached his master and asked in astonishment, "Who is she, sir?"

Dmitri looked at him and replied, "She is a half-dragon from the central region."

"What?!"

"What is the central region doing in the north?" Ryan asked, completely confused.

"What do you think? They want to take control of the north," Dmitri said coldly, his eyes gleaming with suppressed anger.

Ryan was stunned by Dmitri's words and could only look at him, asking cautiously, "So what are you doing here, sir?"

Dmitri looked at Ryan and sighed, "Hah, because she wants me to help her take over the north," Dmitri replied, placing his hands behind his back.

Ryan's eyes widened, surprised at his master's stance, which valued his honor above all else.

Dmitri stood in front of Ryan and said in a voice heavy with responsibility, "I know you want to ask why I'm doing this."

Dmitri sighed and said, "Hah, because they are very powerful. Having a half-dragon like her means they have irresistible power. Do you remember how we defeated the Fu family?"

"That's because you said you were hiding some soldiers to help us, right?" Ryan responded instinctively.

"Hahaha, of course not. Even if that were true, I wouldn't start a war with the Fu family because, even if we won, we would suffer heavy losses. And you know those dogs wouldn't remain silent if they saw us in a weakened state, as you saw that day," Dmitri said, pointing to the northern families on the map.

"The central region sent a massive army through a large magic gate to start the war with the Fu family. The army was very strong and lethal, so in five days, we wiped out the Fu family. And you know the rest," Dmitri explained in detail.

"Are they that powerful?" Ryan asked, amazed.

"Yes, if they weren't that powerful, I wouldn't have cooperated with them. That half-dragon came to me a month ago and offered me to help them conquer the north, but I refused. However, she didn't stop and threatened that if I didn't help, she would annihilate all the creatures in the north," Dmitri said, his hands trembling behind his back.

"She has terrifying magical power that can reach 8 circles. Even if all the family heads and I united to fight her, she would destroy us all without us realizing it," Dmitri said as he looked at the broken glass left by Iyana.

Ryan fell silent, remembering the claw that almost tore his head off moments ago.

"You don't know anything about dragons. They are terrifying creatures; if they go berserk, no one can stop them," Dmitri said in a tense tone.

"The central region is much bigger than you can imagine. They have been gathering their strength for hundreds of years and now want to take over the continent," Dmitri added, then looked at Ryan, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Do you know why I'm telling you this now?"

Ryan looked at his master, unable to respond, then Dmitri said with a smile, "That's because I don't want to know all this hell alone."

The blood froze in Ryan's veins, and he couldn't say anything.

---

In the cave where Finn and Jack were sitting in the dark, Iyana suddenly appeared as if out of nowhere. The moonlight reflected off her cold eyes, giving her face a frightening appearance.

"Oh, Lady Iyana is here," Finn said, trying to hide his tension.

"Without saying much, I want you to come with me to the central region," Iyana said in a firm and strong voice, shocking both of them.