Chapter 14: The Crystal Hunt
Dawnspire, Eldoria – Year 13
The morning sun climbed over Dawnspire Academy, lighting up the cobblestone yard where kids aged 12–13 giggled and got ready for fun. Taren, now thirteen, stood with Mina and Ryn, feeling the warm breeze on his face as the age of coming made his heart race. The tall stone building stood proud, its Mana Stone lamps glowing like tiny stars, and the yard hummed with kids' chatter and a soft magic feel. Zane Ryde's old life—full of tough business fights and ring wins—felt like a old tale, but his quick mind was full of ideas. This year, deep in the age of coming (11–13), his power was waking up, and a new quest made him super pumped.
Master Veyn gathered them outside, his gray beard shining in the sun, his voice full of adventure. "Today, you'll go on a treasure hunt," he said, handing Taren a map with wiggly lines. "Find the mana crystal in the hills and bring it back. Team up!" Taren grinned, teaming with Mina and Ryn, his heart thumping with joy. The hills were bumpy with rocks and tall grass, but he felt a mana tug pulling him forward. They climbed carefully, Taren leading with the map, Ryn watching for trouble, and Mina spotting shiny spots.
The tug led them to a hidden nook where a glowing mana crystal sat under a big rock. Taren reached for it, but the ground shook, and a mana fox with bright eyes leaped out! He yelled, "Team, help!" Mina threw a green mana rope, Ryn swung his staff, and Taren pushed his blue glow to scare it off. They worked together, and the fox ran, leaving the crystal behind. Taren grabbed it, its warmth making him feel strong. A ding rang out.
ding
New Quest!
Goal: Crystal Hunt – Find the mana crystal and come back safe.
Prize: +10 Cosmic Coins.
Oops: +10 PP if you fail.
The hill's mana hum felt like a cheer, and they hurried back, the crystal safe in Taren's hands. Kael's group tripped over a root and lost their crystal, but Taren's team won, earning a nod from Veyn. That night, Taren sat in his dorm, the candle flickering, and meditated with the crystal's energy.
The next day, Veyn started a mana lift game, asking them to raise stones with energy. Taren focused his blue glow, lifting a small rock, and won the round. Kael's lift wobbled and fell, and Taren helped Mina and Ryn with theirs, their teamwork shining. The hill's mana felt like a friend, pushing him on.
During a break, Taren sat by a tree, watching older kids make mana winds, their power cool and wild. He wondered if those tricks hid old magic, adding to his questions. A dark figure stood near the hilltop, its shape clear for a moment, then vanished, giving him that creepy feeling again. No one else saw it, and he kept quiet, thinking it might be watching him.
ding
Weird Alert!
Something's near. Stay chill to avoid +10 PP.
Taren nodded in his head, going back to the group. The academy's walls felt like a safe spot and a mystery, urging him to learn more. Lira brought bread, her worried eyes sweet. "Stay safe, Taren," she said, hugging him tight. Gavren's stories about market rifts, quiet traders, and a glowing hum made him curious about Eldoria's secrets.
That night, Taren meditated, the mana crystal glowing beside him, his energy feeling steady. He dreamed of leading a team, building a epic legacy as the Obsidian Sovereign, the name growing in his heart. A quick vision hit—towers glowing, the shadowy figure holding the crystal—then faded, making him more determined.
The next morning, Veyn added a team lift game, putting Taren with Mina and Ryn. They mixed their mana into a big lift, raising two rocks at once, winning big. Kael's group dropped theirs, their teamwork weak, and Taren's team cheered, their friendship growing. The hill's hum felt like a buddy, lifting them up.
Afterward, Taren sat with Mina and Ryn, sharing berries, talking about the hunt. Ryn said the map showed a cave nearby with more crystals—a story that got him pumped. Mina told of dreams with the shadowy figure guarding the cave, matching his vision, making them closer. The cracked sky above teased more fun, its rifts a quiet dare. The dark figure popped up again, near the hill, its eyes on him before disappearing, making him more uneasy.
ding
Mission Update!
Mission: Crystal Hunt (Done!)
Prize: +10 Cosmic Coins (Got it!)
Mission: Core Combat (14 days left)
Do This: Win 3 mana fights.
Prize: Better Mana Control (C-rank)
Oops: +10 PP if you don't
As night fell, Taren looked at the glowing Mana Stones, the cracked sky hinting at big adventures. This is my path, he thought, his heart set. He pictured standing tall, leading friends, the Obsidian Sovereign name his to earn with hard work and quiet steps. The academy's hum, the figure's shadow, and Eldoria's mysteries pushed him to find answers.