As I stood in the crater created from the explosion of the White Hole, I sensed a high source of mana approaching at top speed. I wasn't worried, rather curious. The mana contained in this source was nowhere close to my level of mana, yet it was high for any other creature on the planet, a mana level that could possibly outmatch the amount of mana that the demon king, Yuggswrath, had. As the mana reading approached my Blessed Ability, Total Counter activated, which allows me to instantly dodge and counter any attack with a 100% success rate. I immediately avoided and caught the creature.
"A White Tiger? This shouldn't exist-" I was cut off by the sound of a pop and mist surrounding the creature. The mist slowly disappeared as it revealed a girl. She looked young; she had white hair, blue eyes, a tan jumper and a beautiful baby blue flower on the side of her head.
"Hero! We finally meet!" She hugged me as I stood confused.
"You're the girl I saw on my way to the diner, aren't you?" I asked, remembering her appearance and sensing the similarity in her mana.
"Sure am! I've had my eyes on you for quite a while now!" She looked at me, rather excited as if she was meeting someone special, but I'm nothing special, I can't even call myself a hero anymore. But there still was one more thing on my mind.
"That transformation of yours... Is it a Blessed Ability?" I asked, curious of the power she held in her. She got excited as if she expected me to ask that.
"Sure is! I heard the name is Blessed Ability, Total Transformation: Model White Tiger!" She yelled annoyingly into my ear as she did dramatic hand signs while trying to seem cool.
"Someone as careless as you gaining a Max Level Blessed Ability? What a waste!" I said, getting a bit agitated at the fact someone so carefree possessed such a powerful Blessed Ability. She jumped out of my grasp, looking a bit confused as she sat on a nearby rock.
"What do you mean by 'Max Level'?" She asked. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I came to the realization that she didn't even know how the Blessed Ability levels work.
"I'm going to explain this to you once, so you better listen!" She nodded and put on a serious expression that looked like a cute pout.
"The Blessed Abilities aren't something any living creature is born with. Only 1 in 10.000 contain basic, in other words, weak Blessed abilities. 1 in 1.000.000 have somewhat powerful abilities. 1 in 10.000.000 are born with powerful Blessed Abilities, and yet only the mere 1 in 100.000.000 have access to a 'Total' or rather 'Max Level' Blessed ability. Also with a 1 in 10.000.000 chance you could have access to a second Blessed Ability and so on... Now if we consider there's a population of 4 billion people on the planet and the Blessed Factors, currently there could only be 40 Max Level Blessed Abilities. Considering I have 13 and you have 1 there should be 26 remaining. Once I killed Yuggswrath the 4 that he had, found new hosts in order to bring the balance." I look at her, taking in her expression, trying to understand is she understood me or not.
"So I'm not the best with numbers. But basically my Blessed Ability is super super super special?" She asked, which in response I let out a deep sigh and gave her a little nod. She put on a proud expression as if she had just solved all the worlds problems.
"Well if I'm as strong as you say, then we should team up! I followed you around for a while and from what I've seen, you're a bored hero!" She giggled as she held my hands, I stared at her with a blank expression.
"Do you really have what it takes to entertain me?" I asked sceptically. She put on a grin as she talked confidently.
"I know of a legend, one that may be a true challenge for you to face. If you accept, you won't have to worry about me. I'll do as you wish and won't be of any trouble!" I listen curiously.
"Is that so? Well then partner; as you know I am Michael Forte, The Hero!" I place my hand in front of her with a smirk on my face, ready to prove to myself that I am still a hero that the world will need, that the world will acknowledge! She shakes my hand.
"Glad we could agree, hero! You may call me Nora~! Lets prove to the world that you're still worthy of carrying the title of HERO!"
The mana that Nora and I released in that moment, as if two great warriors greeting each other, we accepted the mana of one another as I picked her up, blitzing the both of us to my mansion at the speed of light to start planning how we would encounter this 'legend' that she talked about.
When we arrived at the mansion I placed her down and started entering the gates with her beside me.
"So this is where the legendary hero lives?" She asked with a smile as we walked through the large garden, looking around at the benches, the pond and the maids who were working.
"Yeah pretty much, the king gifted it to me once my journey was over. I believe it used to be owned by a noble who betrayed the king. After her execution it was pretty much abandoned so now they let me design it as I wish." I reply as we walked up some stairs. Just then the doors of the mansion were opened by a more older looking maid.
"Welcome back young master." She said, greeting us with a smile. I turn to Nora.
"This is Gammy, she's in charge of all the maids, she also sets my diet, gives me my training schedules and pretty much helps me around here and there." I then turn to Gammy.
"As you see Gammy, we have a guest. We'll be in my office so please do not disturb unless an emergency." I said to gammy with a smile. Gammy nodded.
"As you wish, young master." Gammy said as she left, going into another room. I then motioned for Nora to follow me. We walked through the halls of the mansion, walls covered in art pieces, rooms as big as a small house... We then arrived at a room and I entered with her, it was an office. Nora looked around, taking in the large room. There was a couch by the door, next to it a cupboard and across it a large desk. Maps on the walls, books on a nearby shelf. I sat down on the couch and motioned for her to sit with me.
"This place is massive!" Said Nora, feeling excited about the possibilities of rooms she could explore. I grinned at her as I talked proudly.
"Never seen such a big place huh? Actually... Where do you live?" I asked, wanting to know more about her, to understand her. Her expression dropped quickly as she looked down.
"I never had a place to live... I was an orphan, then they kicked me out once my Blessed Ability was too much for them to control. I just went from town to town as I tried finding a purpose in life. I lived on the streets, doing little jobs to make some money for food... But then i found you, and you gave me hope. No. A reason to live! That's why I'm grateful for you, hero!" The more she talked, the more it broke me. I felt bad, terrible about her situation as I wanted to help her out.
"Well then, I'm glad I can be the one to give hope. That's a hero's job! Once we're done with our mission I'll let you stay with me, in my mansion. Maybe then you wont be so lonely anymore." In an instant, she hugged me. I felt the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Thank you, hero..." She mumbled. I sighed, feeling the protective urge of a hero kick in. I wrapped an arm around her and stood up as I slowly took her towards the desk.
"Come then, let's get our minds off these bad thoughts." I said as I sat down. She also gave a nod, letting out a little sound of approval as she sat beside me. Just then a ghostly lady phased through the wall, frightening Nora a bit. I let out a chuckle.
"Don't be afraid Nora! That's Layla. She was the noble who was executed by the king all those years ago. Her Blessed Ability allows her to live on as a ghost so I decided to let her stay at the mansion. She helps me strategize and plan missions." Layla flew over to Nora as I talked, and shook her hand.
"That's right! Nice to meet ya Nora! I'm Layla! And what makes me useful is the ability to still interact with the world even as a ghost!" She flew over to the bookshelf and came back with a map.
"Here master hero! Summon me if you need anything!" Layla said. I gave a nod back.
"I will!" I replied before Layla disappeared. Nora turned to me.
"She's quite the energetic one. I can see why you enjoy her presence. Shes smart and funny!" Nora then pointed at the map.
"We have to collect the 5 Great Crystals, each owned by a kingdom. After defeating Yuggswrath, The Kingdom of Hamswell took their crystal as you were the one who handed it in. I have high hopes that King Hans will lend you the crystals so that leaves us with 3 more. We must do this as fast as possible, understood?" She told me. I look into her eyes as i gave a nod.
"Then our first destination is the palace." I said, looking out of the window and putting on my jacket as I got ready for our new adventure to begin.
End Chapter.