Far east of the Kingdom of Caelumbre — past its bustling ports and sprawling cities — a fleet of seven ships battled the wrath of the sea.
Rain lashed like knives.
Thunder cracked like war drums.
Waves surged like towering beasts, ravenous and relentless, making it nearly impossible to see through the storm-choked mist.
"HOLD ON!!"someone bellowed above the chaos.
The sailors clung to ropes, railings — anything — as the ocean tossed the vessels like leaves.
A monstrous wave slammed into the largest ship, nearly capsizing it. Men screamed as they slipped and skidded across the deck, some narrowly catching themselves before the abyss opened to claim them.
These were merchants — traders bound for the Kingdom of Caelumbre.
Two of them, drenched and white-knuckled, shouted through the roar.
"What the hell is this storm?!This route was supposed to be a calm zone!"
"I don't know! This isn't natural—!"
Another surge of water crashed over the decks.
Below, steam engines groaned — brilliant constructs of iron and magic — now rendered useless by the fury of nature.
And then—
Through the sheets of rain…
Something impossible emerged.
Ruins.
Massive, ancient towers of blackened stone rose from the ocean, glowing faintly with a sickly light — as if the sea had vomited up a lost kingdom.
A hush fell over the fleet — the kind of silence only born from witnessing something that should not exist.
"Wh… what the hell is that?"
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom Library…
The air between Aiyan and the Mysterious Witch Hat Man was drawn thin — like a blade suspended, just before the cut.
They stared at each other.
Not with fear.
Not with confusion.
But with something deeper.
Something old.
Something neither of them could name.
He moved.
Aiyan's breath caught as he opened his mouth. She didn't know if he was going to speak… or unmake the world.
Then, with a voice smooth as shadow and sharp as silver—
"Isn't that a bit much for me, Miss?" he said coolly. "I just saved you… along with that knight."
Aiyan scowled.
"Y-you!!" she shouted, pointing an accusatory finger. "You're the RUDE bastard who hit me with a door and never even apologized!"
She stormed toward him, all her bottled-up frustration spilling over.
He blinked, mildly startled — then smiled.
A real one.
"Ah. That," he said, stepping closer. "Then allow me to apologize."
He gave a deep, graceful bow.
"Please forgive my past actions, Miss."
Aiyan crossed her arms and huffed.
"You should've done that sooner."
But then — his expression changed.
His gaze snapped toward the towering windows.
Cold.
Alert.
Aiyan caught the shift instantly.
"What is it?" she asked, warily.
He didn't answer.
Not immediately.
He turned back to her — eyes darker than before.
"Nothing. I should go."
He picked up a thick tometitled Chants and began to walk away.
Aiyan's thoughts raced. Chants…? Spells? That man… he's powerful. No — monstrous. He must know about the Pathways. I can't let this chance slip away.
"Wait!" she called. "I want to ask something."
He stopped.
"How does anyone identify aPathway just by sensing power? How do they even know?"
He didn't face her.
But his voice answered — calm and distant.
"There are thirteen known Pathways. The ones that have been publicly named. Taught. Codified. But the truth is…"
"…Pathways are countless. Infinite. Scattered like stars through time, soul, and memory."
A pause.
Then he began to list — and the air seemed to hum as he spoke:
"The 1st is the Pathway of Radiance.
Domain: Light, healing, purity, and hope.
Chosen by clerics, royal guards, and sacred healers. They burn away corruption and restore life. The final realm makes them a 'Living Sun.'"
"2nd: Pathway of Solitary.
Domain: Silence, introspection, and shadows.
Used by monks and spies. They vanish in plain sight. They hear thoughts others try to bury."
"3rd: Pathway of Verdancy.
Domain: Nature, growth, and decay.
Walked by wildkin and beast-tamers. They speak to forests… but know all life feeds on death."
"4th: Pathway of Ironblood.
Domain: Combat and discipline.
Knights and duelists walk this. Their bodies become weapons. Their bones remember war."
"5th: Pathway of the Tinkerer.
Domain: Invention and machinery.
Engineers who shape impossible tools. Some fuse metal to flesh. Others build thinking machines."
"6th: Pathway of the Chimeric Bloom.
Domain: Alchemy and transformation.
They break the laws of form. Mutate bodies. Refine essence. Beautiful or horrifying — always unnatural."
"7th: Pathway of Reverie.
Domain: Dreams and illusion.
Poets and illusionists. They bend perception. Trap foes in eternal nightmares."
"8th: Pathway of Echoes.
Domain: Memory and soul remnants.
They hear the past. Speak with ghosts. Even recall who they once were."
"9th: Pathway of the Gilded Tongue.
Domain: Influence and persuasion.
Nobles and liars. Their words shape truth. Their voices command fate."
"10th: Pathway of Emberwake.
Domain: Fire, destruction, and rebirth.
For those who burn everything… to forge something new."
"11th: Verdant Solace.
Domain: Harmony and restoration.
A rare Path of peace. Life menders. World-healers. Calm in human form."
"12th: Whispers.
Domain: Secrets and forbidden knowledge.
Archivists and prophets. They listen where no voice should be heard."
He paused.
Then quietly—
"The 13th… is the Pathway of the Black Hole."
Aiyan's breath caught.
"His… Pathway?"
"This Pathway devoursall," he said, finally turning his head slightly. "Mind. Body. Time. No one survives it."
"I didn't choose it. It chose me."
A long silence followed.
"I exist because of luck," he murmured, "or perhaps as a warning."
Aiyan felt her pulse slow. She didn't pity him… but she did understand the weight he carried.
"Any more questions, Miss, before I go?"
"I… I have none," she said softly.
He nodded, stepping into the shadowed arch.
"Then stay safe. And may the Goddess protect you."
His footsteps echoed between marble and memory.
BUT—
"Wait!" Aiyan called. "I'm Aiyan Berasuko. What's yours?"
He paused.
Half-lit.
Half-shadow.
"It's best that you don't know, Miss Aiyan."
And just like that — he vanished into the rows of ancient shelves.
Aiyan stared after him.
A storm stirred within her — fierce and electric, like the one battering the distant sea.
She took a breath, and whispered into the silence:
"I'll learn it anyway."
Her stomach grumbles and Aiyan realized that I never had a proper meal ever since I got on this world -
Her stomach grumbles again-
Chapter 10 has Ended