Clash

Inside the Cave

"We have guests! Master, tell me your order, and it shall be done!" Terra announced, his gaze fixed on the entrance of the cave.

"If they're friendly, it's fine. But if not, then I'll be in your care," Gerald replied without hesitation. Though young, he had already witnessed the harsh reality of the world and understood that hesitation could mean death. He had no qualms about eliminating anyone who threatened his safety.

"Alright!" Terra grinned. As a spirit, he could naturally sense a person's intentions. From what he could tell, the approaching figures were far from friendly.

Soon, a black-haired boy, around seventeen years old, stepped into the cave. Beside him was a strange cat, exuding an aura even stronger than the boy himself.

"A human and a demon? What a strange combination!" Terra remarked, positioning himself protectively in front of Gerald.

"It seems I came too late," the boy said, his eyes narrowing. "To think the power of a True Spirit would end up in the hands of a mere child. How unfortunate."

"I'm surprised you could even tell a True Spirit was here," Terra replied, his gentle smile hiding a sharp edge. "But you are, indeed, too late. I'd advise you to leave now while you still can."

"Sure, sure! I'd rather not face you head-on," Leonel said casually, turning as if to leave.

In the next instant, the cat vanished.

A cold killing intent filled the cave as the feline appeared behind Gerald, claws poised to strike. However, just as fast, it was sent hurtling through the cave wall, crashing through solid rock and leaving behind a gaping hole.

"I warned you, yet you refused!" Terra's voice darkened. "It's about time you die."

Before Leonel and his cat, Charion, could even react, an immense force pressed down on them. Their bodies collapsed under an invisible weight, as if gravity itself had increased a hundredfold in an instant.

Charion, however, was a Phantomstorm Cat—its true strength lay in trickery.

A burst of purple lightning struck the ground, creating a blinding smoke screen. Then came a shadow veil, distorting the air and masking both their presence and movements.

"Foolish child," Terra scoffed. "The earth is my domain. You cannot hide from me."

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot. Instantly, the earth split open, swallowing Leonel and Charion whole.

But in the fraction of a second before they were engulfed, Charion teleported behind Leonel, grabbed him by the collar with its teeth, and disappeared. They reappeared outside the cave, barely catching their breath—

Only for Terra to appear behind them.

Before Leonel could react, a devastating kick struck his head, sending him flying like a broken kite, tumbling through the forest.

Meanwhile, Charion gathered all its power, summoning its strongest thunderbolt. A violent arc of lightning surged down from the heavens, striking Terra head-on.

A deafening boom echoed across the cave.

As the dust settled, Terra remained standing, completely unscathed. But Charion was gone.

"What a cunning demonic beast," Terra muttered with a smirk. However, his expression soon faltered as his body glowed with an intense green light.

"Tch... what a pain," he muttered. "That kid doesn't have a single particle of mana, yet I had to burn my own Origin Essence just to materialize and fight."

"Are you okay?" Gerald asked, watching as Terra knelt, breathing heavily.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you forever," Terra admitted, his tone serious. "You need to grow stronger. Fortunately, this cave has many powerful resources. I'll train you—at least until you can wield five percent of my power."

Gerald clenched his fists. "But my sister—"

"You don't need to say it," Terra interrupted. "Our thoughts are connected. Your sister has been on your mind this entire time. I already sent a lower spirit to take care of her. She'll recover within three days. In the meantime, you must reach the Fifth Order of Magic."

Gerald nodded, feeling an inexplicable trust toward Terra. Without hesitation, he followed him deeper into the cave.

[Near the Border of Wilfharm Nation]

"Damn it… I'm lucky to even be alive," Leonel groaned, his body battered and broken. "Forget Heaven's Favored—I've been unlucky since birth."

A flicker of movement caught his attention. His eyes widened in alarm.

"Charion! Quickly, hide in my shadow!"

"You don't have to tell me!" Charion hissed, its form dissolving into pure darkness, slipping into Leonel's shadow just as he lost consciousness.