Back at Jaquarim—the heart of the beastkin territory—the atmosphere was tense as the elder's command echoed from the balcony: "Let him in."
Akin turned to the guards, a smug grin forming on his face. "See? I told you."
The guards were too stunned to reply. He dusted off his cloak, casually glanced around, then said, "Way, please?"
The elder didn't speak. He simply raised one hand and gestured for Akin to approach.
Akin sighed. "Alright. Guess I'm doing it the flashy way."
With a light spring, he leapt straight onto the balcony, landing beside the elder with effortless grace. The beastkin nearby gasped. Some whispered, others just stood frozen in awe. Jumping that high without aura boost or visible magic? Unheard of.
The elder looked at him sideways, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "What a show off," he muttered, then turned toward the doors behind them. "Come with me."
Akin followed without a word, cloak swaying gently, hands in his pocket as they walked.
Inside, the hallway was wide and polished, with carvings on the stone walls that glowed faintly. Akin glanced around, then used a subtle form of transmission to reach Elan.
"Are you sure this is beastkin territory?"
Elan responded almost instantly. "Yeah, why?"
"Then why does this city look cleaner and more beautiful than that human town we spent the night in a few days ago?"
"That's how they are with human merchants," Elan replied. "Trade keeps their cities thriving. Plus, this place has a special school—all species attend it. They fight among themselves over power and ideals, but when it comes to building together, the races of this world actually know how to do it."
Akin raised a brow slightly. "Hmm… Is that so? I'm just impressed, that's all."
They arrived at a large wooden door. The elder pushed it open, revealing what looked like a massive training hall. The scent of sweat and steel hung in the air. Sunlight pierced through high windows, casting stripes of light across the wooden floor.
The elder walked to the center of the hall and turned around, his long white fur catching the light.
"What's your name, child?"
Akin stood a few feet away and replied simply, "Akin."
The elder rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Akin…"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Then tell me, Akin—why do I sense the energy of the cursed land around you?"
A heavy pressure leaked from his body as he spoke, subtle but deadly. Killing intent. Akin felt it wash over him like heat, but he didn't flinch.
He stared back calmly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Inside his mind, Elan's voice broke in. "Akin. That faint energy I felt back in the town… I feel it again now. It's coming from this old man. But I don't recognize him yet. Be careful. Don't show too much."
The elder's smirk deepened. "I know what I felt a day ago."
A memory suddenly flashed through Akin's mind—his brief encounter with the bandits on the forest path, when he released just a trace of his aura.
The elder's tone sharpened, voice now booming through the hall.
"Why can I feel the cursed land's energy from you?" he demanded. "No—let me correct myself. Why do I feel Elarian energy coming from you?!"
He released his full intent this time. The air cracked. The ground beneath Akin's feet trembled faintly. The pressure could crush bones.
But Akin didn't move.
Instead, he smirked and muttered under his breath, "Ahh, shit. Here we go again."
His eyes glowed faintly, blue light pulsing from his irises. In one breath, he released his intimidating aura.
The elder's killing intent collided with Akin's presence—and was blown away in a single wave.
The old man gasped and staggered back, clutching his chest. Outside, nearby beastkin guards and civilians felt the ripple and dropped to their knees, gasping for air.
Elan's voice echoed gently in Akin's mind. "It's okay Akin, he's just testing you"
Akin withdrew the aura with a calm breath. "Sorry," he said casually. "I can't just stand there and be the only one receiving."
The elder stared at him, chest rising and falling slowly. Then, to Akin's surprise, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
"Please forgive my foolishness," the old beastkin said with a shaky voice. "I've waited so long for this day… and this is how I greet you. I'm ashamed."
Akin blinked. "Huh? What the fu—"
The elder kept his head low. "My ancestor was Elarian. We fled before the invasion. I never thought our god would grace us again… especially not in the body of a human."
Akin looked to the side, visibly confused. Inside his mind, Elan was struggling to hold back laughter. Then he burst out, full-on laughing.
"BAHAHAHA! Look at your face, Akin! You look like someone just told you you're pregnant!"
Akin gritted his teeth and hissed, "HEY! Help me out here! Say something!"
Elan's laughter faded as a new voice entered Akin's thoughts—the deity of Elarian.
"Akin, listen carefully," the deep, serene voice said. "Tell him this: 'I don't walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. I am walking my own path—and i will restore Elarian in one way or the other.'"
Akin repeated the words aloud, not quite understanding them but trusting the guidance. "I don't walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. I am walking my own path—and i will restore Elarian in one way or the other."
The elder froze. Slowly, his trembling form rose from the ground.
His eyes shimmered slightly. "Then… it's true. You are… chosen."
Akin looked away awkwardly. "Yeah, sure. I'm… chosen. Great."
The elder took a step forward. "Please. Come with me. You must meet our Grand Council, my brothers from the same land. They will want to hear this."
"I don't do politics," Akin replied.
"BAHAHAHAHAHA..... Don't worry. Just stand. Your presence will be enough."
Akin sighed but nodded. "Fine. But no more weird bowing. Seriously, it's weird."
The elder chuckled faintly and led him out of the training hall. Outside, the city was already buzzing with whispers of the aura clash. People watched from corners and rooftops.
Akin glanced at the crowd.
Some of them weren't scared.
Some… were hopeful.
He didn't know what he had become in their eyes. But something was shifting.
And deep down, Akin could feel it too.
Something was changing.
Not just the world around him.
But him.
To be continued...