Chapter 33 - A New Adventure

Jiran awoke to an unusual cadence of banging and shouting. His eyes snapped open in alarm but he remained still, allowing the sounds to register.

He heard the maids running back and forth down the hallway, in and out of rooms. They shouted at each other about getting things ready, not forgetting anything, and packing individual items as quickly as possible.

Is Samris going somewhere?

Jiran dressed himself with jerky, uncoordinated movements before heading into the hallway. Just as he was about to corner one of the girls for questioning, his stomach flipped as the world spun. He barely caught himself before falling face-first into the floor of Samris’s study.

I thought you had to touch someone to teleport them.

“You, disciple, are an idiot.”

Jiran followed the voice to find Lenton sitting behind Samris’s desk. Jiran’s confused expression was met with a scowl of annoyance by the old wizard.

“Clearly, subtlety is not one of your gifts. I warned you that if I can hear you, others can as well,” He spoke in a stern tone, brooking no dissent.

“Where, then, did my warning lead you?” Jiran could feel the rhetorical nature of the question and wisely remained silent.

“Not even a day passes before you’re running into the woods, spilling secrets that could tear the empire apart as if they are nothing more than the first lesson every child should learn.

“Thrice-damned, fool boy. Learn to keep your mouth shut!” He slammed a hand on the table causing the entire room to shake.

Jiran gulped nervously, feeling the energy in the air come alive with Lenton's wrath.

“Go fetch your cousin and grab the clothes I requested from that bewitching seamstress and then get your ass back here on the double.”

“Yes, Master Filibree,” Jiran replied with a firm nod.

When Jiran didn’t immediately move to leave, Lenton’s demeanor turned even more predatory but he nodded his ascent for Jiran to speak. The look in his eyes made it clear that his question had better be a good one.

“Are we leaving Feylon?”

“That’s correct. If you cannot be trusted to keep your mouth shut then we will have to go somewhere with no ears. Now, get going, we’ve much to do,” A sharp shooing motion with his hand was accompanied by a force that pushed Jiran's body toward the door.

Jiran stood in the hallway, his perception of the world shrinking to a pinprick until a bout of dizziness found him slumping against the wall.

We’re leaving. This isn’t some temporary thing either. I may never come back here.

Jiran had no idea how much time had passed when he came out of his shocked state. He walked slowly through the manor and down the street toward Micah’s house. He savored every breath, wanting to commit the smells of his home to memory.

Birds were just beginning to welcome the morning as he walked the still-dark street. He methodically banged on the door until Niya answered with a yawn. She peered up at him through uncomprehending eyes.

“Hurry and get dressed, we have to go right away,” Jiran tried to instill some urgency into his words but Niya just stared at him blankly for several seconds.

Get it together, Jiran. When you’re strong enough, nobody can tell you where to go. That’s right, I just need to ascend the tiers and then I can do whatever I want, whenever I want!

“Where are we going? Why?” She asked around another yawn.

“Master Filibree wants us to go to Ms. Thedweil’s shop to pick up some clothes and then head back to the manor.”

“Who’s master Filibree?”

“A mysterious, ultra-powerful wizard,” Jiran spoke with gravitas.

“What’s an ultra-wizard?”

“You know what, nevermind. You’ll meet him soon and see for yourself. C’mon let’s go go go!” Jiran hustled her back inside and shut the door behind him.

“Bring everything you need for a trip out of town, we’ll be gone for a while,” Jiran shouted through her closed bedroom door.

“M'kay,” Came Niya’s mumbled response.

How do I tell her?

Several minutes flew by as Jiran fidgeted anxiously. Niya emerged wearing light traveling clothes and a thick morning shawl. She yawned again as they left the house, soon arriving at the seamstress’s shop.

Lamps were lit within, sending out a beacon in the darkness that felt inviting and warm. Jiran lightly rapped on the door which flew open almost instantly. The proprietress stood before them scantily clothed and with a rapidly fading smile as if she was disappointed to see them.

“That old fox pulled a fast one, did he?”

After a grunt of annoyance, she motioned them into her shop. Four large linen bags were resting against the wall nearby.

“Those are the promised goods. Everything’s been accounted for. Now get along, I’ve no desire to entertain this morning.”

She gave Jiran a toothy grin while licking her lips. A shiver of revulsion crept up his spine as she spoke in a sultry voice.

“Please do remind that handsome devil about our deal, won't you dear?”

Nope nope nope. I don’t want to know, I’m out.

Jiran and Niya couldn't escape fast enough. The bags barely slowed them down as they took off toward the manor.

A mad cackle of laughter chased them through the darkness.

Definitely don’t want to know.

At the manor, the maids were hustling supplies onto a large cart Jiran had never seen before. He noticed Sharaal’s head pop out of the servants' entrance. When she spotted him, she shouted.

“Help them finish loading and throw those bags in as well. Breakfast is almost ready,” Then she disappeared back inside.

Jiran and Niya pitched in, and between the five of them, they had the cart loaded within a few minutes. Together, they entered the kitchen to find a spectacular feast. They dug in with abandon. Amidst the sounds of chewing and pleasurable groaning, Sharaal spoke.

“Take care of your cousin out there, Jiran. She’s not as strong as you are so she’ll need your protection.”

“Of course, I will. Thanks for everything, Ms. Sharaal.”

“Don’t sound so glum about it. All rivers flow to the ocean. I’ll be seeing you again soon enough.”

“I’m so excited! I can’t wait to leave, where are we going? How long will it take us to get there? Do you think we’ll be back before Dad returns?” Niya bounced in her seat while she ate.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Master Filibree,” Jiran shrugged.

“It’s time,” Lenton’s voice cut through the air as if he were standing right next to them.

Everyone in the room jumped in surprise except Jiran before they shuffled outside. Lenton and Samris were standing next to the cart looking like today was nothing outside of the usual in any way.

I’m looking forward to the day that something actually manages to ruffle their feathers.

Without a word of warning, Lenton waved his hand. The world distorted as a familiar flipping sensation twisted Jiran’s guts. He shot his hand out above his head to catch his fall, smoothly moving through a cartwheel and coming to his feet while Niya face-planted in the hard dirt and grass.

Jiran smiled despite the tense situation, enjoying watching someone else going through his suffering. He spun in a quick circle to get his bearing while Lenton spoke.

“You see that hill over there? We’ll be waiting there. I suggest you do not tarry, the longer it takes you to cross the plains, the more danger you will encounter.”

“Wait, what hill? It’s too dark to see that far.”

Aaaand he’s already gone, wonderful.

“C’mon Niya, we'd better get started. He wouldn’t warn us for no—

As Jiran completed his survey, he saw the spot she had fallen on the ground held nothing more than an indent of her passing.

Oh, he took her with them. That makes sense, if it’s dangerous for me, it would be downright deadly for her.

Guess I’ll get to it before that ‘danger’ turns me into a tasty morning snack.

Jiran set off in the indicated direction. As First Father began to rise over the nearby ocean, he finally got a good look at his surroundings.

South, to his left, the Murinth ocean stretched endlessly into the horizon. He looked down a steep cliff pounded by crashing waves that sent misty water high into the air. He inhaled the scents of the ocean, feeling invigorated by the display of nature’s might.

https://imgur.com/DXrQZvT

Jiran continued to run west along the top of the cliff, warily watching the tall grasses that sprang up a hundred meters from his rocky vantage.

If there are beasts hiding around here, that’s where they’ll be.

The grass stretched a dozen kilometers to the north before running into a wall of massive trees that stretched far into the distance where a mountainous ridge blocked his sight. Squinting, he could barely make out a series of hills in the direction Lenton had pointed.

That’s got to be two hundred kilometers away! I see how it is, leave me to run while you teleport ahead. I bet they’re kicking back sipping tea already.

23:18:43

Jiran suppressed his panic, refusing to give in.

This is better anyways, I’ll have time to work on my techniques while I run. Cue the training montage!

Despite knowing the dangers of the wilderness, Jiran found himself filled with energy and exuberance. Something about the wild air and untamed land called to him. A need to explore and run free put the wind to his back as he picked up speed.

Soon the rocky cliff wall receded downwards, shrinking until he was running at the same elevation as the frothy waters. Rather than slog through the sand for countless kilometers, he chose to risk the tall grass with its more stable footing.

While he ran, Jiran focused on familiarizing himself with his Shapings. He started by unlocking the most obvious elements that he had yet to try.

An image of molecules inside the body slowing as sweat cooled his skin.

CONGRATULATIONS - Ice Control technique discovered

He imagined particles in the atmosphere entering his lungs and circulating through his bloodstream. The bacteria in his digestive tract breaking down food into gases and energy.

CONGRATULATIONS - Gas Control technique discovered

The gut also produces water when it breaks down food. Hopefully, that image combined with the molecular composition of H2O works.

CONGRATULATIONS - Water Control technique discovered

Success! What’s next? Oh, back to the gut once again for:

CONGRATULATIONS - Acid Control technique discovered

The body doesn’t actually create any minerals or metals, it just uses them for a ton of random things. Does that count?

CONGRATULATIONS - Mineral Control technique discovered

Yes!

Jiran pumped his fist in success.

Well if the body doesn’t actually have to produce, but just manipulate it, what other elements would that include?

Oh, the eyes bend light. Let's see, light is electromagnetic radiation with a ton of wavelengths that travels as both a particle and a wave.

CONGRATULATIONS - Light Control technique discovered

Goosebumps broke out across Jiran’s skin as he fantasized about playing with light magic.

Can I bend light and become invisible like Lenton? What about shooting lasers, or making a lightsaber? Ahh, I’m stuck out here in the middle of nowhere when I just want to lock myself in a mad scientist's laboratory and play with magic until I’m a wrinkly old man.

Suddenly, a gut-wrenching sensation of danger shot up Jiran’s spine. It was the same feeling that had accurately warned him time and again of danger. Trusting his instincts, he dove to the ground just as something heavy wooshed over his head.

A crash in the distance was followed by a huge plume of dust and dirt thrown high into the air. Jiran sat up and poked his head above the grass. He saw a ten-meter-long trench stretching directly away from him. A boulder larger than his body, still rolled through the grass.

As the rock came to a stop, Jiran looked behind himself to see what could have thrown a boulder hard enough to alter the landscape so casually.

Far away, he spotted two spikes rising from the grass. They bobbed up and down as they rapidly approached his position. Other than that, all he could see for kilometers in every direction was grass gently swaying in the morning winds.

Whatever that beast is, it accurately threw a boulder larger than me nearly a kilometer. What tier must it be to do that?

Four, maybe even five. Do I fight or run?

As he watched, another set of spikes poked above the grass, then a third, and a fourth.

One of the beasts stood up for a split second, just long enough for Jiran to catch a glimpse of large glowing yellow eyes and bony protrusions, before the creature ducked out of sight.

https://imgur.com/11EmlFr