Chapter 4
Suddenly, Leom's body tensed, hairs standing on end as a chilling memory surfaced—an encounter with a dredge out at sea. The horror of that day still haunted him. But his flashback was cut short by Ivel's confused voice.
"What's a dredge?" the boy asked.
Leom chuckled softly at the question. "Oh right, I never taught you the classes of monsters properly. Well, since you're growing up, now's the best time."
His face grew grim and serious.
"Just like humans have six stages for their nexus cores, monsters have their own classes. Their evolution is different, but just as deadly. Some are born with strength, while others claw their way up through sheer will."
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
"The first class is called Genesis, same as humans. The second are called Spawns. The third… demons. Nasty little buggers who start to control mana at this point. Then come devils. You'd think it couldn't get worse, but it does."
Leom's voice dropped lower.
"Next are dredges. They look just as ugly as they sound and usually lurk in the ocean depths. After that come the terrors— the reason for why some continents are shut down or abandoned. These monsters have only appeared four times in history. Immortals are the only ones who can challenge them."
He looked at Ivel, eyes heavy with memory.
"Terrors were mostly killed by immortals, but some still roam. The newest appeared around the time you arrived here."
Ivel gazed out at the vast ocean.
"Do you think that's why I came here? Or why my parents did?"
Leom's expression softened with sorrow.
"That could be. If so, they must have traveled far. The closest continent to Marneva is—or was—Aldra. I heard the terror there was slain five years ago, but it's still overrun by monsters. Some of my buddies out at sea say new islands have been forming near Aldra, but every time someone's sent to explore, they never return. Quite scary, don't you think?"
Ivel's face remained indifferent, as it always did. But beneath that calm exterior, he was likely a little frightened by what lurked in the ocean and beyond.
Leom flicked Ivel's forehead, sending his head snapping back slightly.
"Ow! What was that for?" Ivel protested.
"You're not thinking of going out there, are you?" Leom asked.
Ivel rubbed his forehead. "Well, I want to, of course. But I need to get stronger first."
Leom smirked, proud of the boy's determination.
"Well, alright then."
He stood and grabbed Ivel by the shirt, dragging him up.
Ivel went from sitting to being pulled to his feet in an instant.
"Hey! What's the deal?" he shouted.
Leom chuckled. "You want to get stronger, right?"
Ivel frowned. "How does this help?"
Leom released him and said, "Well, then let's start training."
Ivel's shock quickly turned to excitement. Usually Ivel was always fixated on challenging Leom facing a stronger opponent was something he had learned to enjoy.
"Alright then," he said eagerly.
Leom tossed him a training sword, and they both took their stances.
Ivel made the first move. The reverend effortlessly blocked every strike, deflecting them in an instant before sweeping Ivel's legs out from under him. Ivel hit the ground but quickly sprang back up.
"Your strikes are more precise now," Leom noted.
"Again!" Ivel charged, his style deadly and focused on delivering devastating blows. But Leom's reactions were faster, blocking every attack within seconds.
Ivel thought to himself, There's no way I can hit this old man. Then he smiled. But that's what makes it fun. Facing someone stronger shows me how far I still have to go.
He continues to try to strike at the reverend but too no effect for quite some time. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try" Ivel says eagerly.
Suddenly, Leom paused, sensing a change in the air around Ivel.
Don't tell me… is he going to try to use his quality's curse? he thought.
Leom smiled inwardly. Well, this will make things interesting. I should give him an enjoyable battle.
Purple sparks flickered around Ivel as he summoned his cursed quality. His power was lightning—dark, destructive lightning without a hint of divinity. It was a curse, meant for destruction.
The first time Ivel used this power, he lost control and made a crater beneath him. Thankfully, Leom was there to supervise.
Now, Ivel had learned to integrate the power into his body, moving as fast as lightning or becoming nearly indestructible for short bursts.
The purple lightning crackled, matching his eyes. The ground trembled beneath his feet as he took a step. A blinding ray of light shot toward Leom.
Ivel charged with all his might, leaving scorched earth behind.
Leom had no choice but to use one of his own qualities to block the attack. Essence poured from him, forming a barrier that nullified the lightning, though the barrier was left smoking and cracked.
Ivel collapsed, exhausted from using all his mana.
All of it ended in a flash of light leaving only the reverend standing.
Leom stood over him, smiling warmly.
"You've gotten quite good, Ivel. But remember, we're training—not sparring."
They both laughed, Ivel lying on the ground catching his breath.
Leom glanced at the sky. Darkness was falling.
"I'm heading back home. Want me to wait for you, or do you want to lay here a bit?"
"I'll stay here for a while," Ivel said.
Leom nodded and walked away, thinking to himself, That boy really is a monster. To think, at such a young age, he has this much power. I can't wait to see what happens in the next few years.