Chapter 27 : Breaking the Binding

Corvus hopped down from the branch and landed gracefully on the ground. He approached Drake, his glowing eyes fixed on the outstretched hand holding the Sunstone.

"Ah, excellent," Corvus croaked, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the clearing. "You have returned, and with the artifact intact. It seems those goblins weren't quite a match for your… unique brand of chaos."

"Nah, they were pretty pathetic," Drake said with a shrug. "Bunch of overgrown rats with a bad case of halitosis. And their fashion sense? Don't even get me started. Those shamans looked like they got dressed in the dark with a bunch of dead birds and squirrels."

Corvus tilted his head, his glowing eyes seeming to pierce through Drake. "You have a rather… colorful way with words, young one," he observed. "Though I suspect that is part of your… charm."

"Charm? I prefer 'master of witty repartee'," Drake retorted, puffing out his chest slightly. "But hey, whatever floats your boat, bird-brain."

Corvus let out a dry, croaking laugh. "Bird-brain? Such originality. I haven't been called that in… well, let's just say it's been a while." He extended a wing, and Drake placed the Sunstone in his outstretched feathers. "Now, as promised, I shall impart the knowledge of ancient seals."

Corvus then proceeded to explain the intricacies of various binding seals, their origins, their purposes, and most importantly, how to break them. He spoke in a language that was both ancient and strangely familiar, as if echoing from the depths of Drake's soul. The Codex automatically recorded the information Corvus provided, translating the ancient tongue into something Drake could understand.

*Notification: "Skill Learned: Seal Analysis (Basic). Cost: 0 Codex Points. Requires: Knowledge from Corvus."*

As Corvus spoke, Drake couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This raven, this creature of myth and legend, was sharing his vast knowledge with him. It was an honor, a privilege… and also a bit boring.

"So, let me get this straight," Drake interrupted, raising a hand. "These seals, they're like… magical locks, right? And you need a specific key to unlock them? But instead of a key, it's like… a word, or a gesture, or maybe a funky dance move?"

Corvus paused, his glowing eyes fixed on Drake. "In essence, yes," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Though I wouldn't necessarily describe it as a 'funky dance move'."

"Oh, come on," Drake said with a grin. "Don't tell me you've never busted a move. I bet you've got some sweet moves hidden under those feathers. Maybe a little moonwalk, a bit of the robot…?"

Corvus sighed. "I have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations," he said, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "I have seen stars born and die. I have conversed with ancient spirits and witnessed the dawn of magic. I have no time for… 'funky dance moves'."

"Alright, alright, no need to get your feathers ruffled," Drake said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But seriously, this seal-breaking stuff… it's pretty cool. Maybe I'll start a side hustle as a magical locksmith. 'Drake's De-sealing Services. We break any seal, no matter how ancient or funky'."

Corvus shook his head, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. "You are a truly unique individual, Drake," he said. "I suspect you will go far in this world. Just… try to avoid causing too much chaos."

"Where's the fun in that?" Drake retorted with a grin.

Corvus then gestured towards the oak with his wing. "Now that you possess the knowledge," he said, "put it to use. Free the remaining echoes bound to this tree."

Drake approached the oak, focusing his attention on the area where the seal had been. He could still feel a faint trace of magical energy there, a lingering echo of the binding. He closed his eyes, recalling the information Corvus had given him. He visualized the seal, its intricate patterns, its flowing lines. He then spoke the words Corvus had taught him, an ancient phrase that resonated with power.

As the words left his lips, a faint light emanated from his hands, flowing towards the oak. The remaining traces of the seal shimmered and then vanished completely. A wave of energy pulsed through the clearing, and Drake felt a sense of release, as if a great weight had been lifted from the air.

*Notification: "Seal Broken. Spirits Fully Released."*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Seal Broken (+200 XP)."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 2"*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Goblin Encounters (+150 XP)"*

*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 1"*

Drake blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected to receive rewards for breaking the seal or for the goblin encounters. He opened the Codex and checked his stats.

* Level: 3

* Strength: 13

* Dexterity: 14

* Constitution: 9

* Intelligence: 12

* Wisdom: 7

* Charisma: 14

* Luck: 5

* Health: 72/100

* Available points: 3

*Skills:*

* Observe (Level 2)

* Sense Magic (Level 2)

* Street Fighting (Level 3)

* Harvest (Level 1)

* Seal Analysis (Basic)

* Shadow Cloak (Level 1)

He now had three stat points to spend. He smiled. This was getting interesting.

Corvus, who had been watching him intently, nodded in approval. "Well done, Drake," he said. "You have a natural aptitude for this. It seems that for every beast you slay and every challenge you overcome, the system rewards you. This is a rare and powerful gift, use it wisely."

With that, Corvus spread his wings and took flight, disappearing into the night sky. Drake watched him go, a sense of satisfaction mixed with a lingering feeling of… absurdity. He had just learned the secrets of ancient seals from a talking raven and broken a magical binding. It was the kind of thing that would have made him laugh back on Earth, but now it was just another day in his new, chaotic life.

He turned and headed back towards Oakhaven, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He had a lot to learn, a lot to explore, and a lot of chaos to cause. And he was eager to get started.