I Shall Devour Everything

Arion's lips parted in awe as he heard the story, and even though he wanted to believe that it was all just a myth, for the first time, he wondered if this story was really true since he heard and felt for himself, the final emotions of the woman.

So he was sure that a woman died on this spot and somehow this tree was related to it. But he still thought of Goddess Alara as a myth unless he saw her or something.

He was always someone who believed things with his own eyes instead of just words.

But at the same time, he was amazed by how 'powerful' this tree was to ward off all the Dreadlings. It's like people could simply just come here and stay, but then he felt that they wouldn't be too eager since they would have to go up and down the hills for all sorts of things.

And so he thought that only Old Zi had enough courage to come and stay here while not being afraid of the Dreadlings prowling in the hills.

Still, he wondered why there were Dreadlings hidden in these hills and if they had something of interest here.

Old Zi looked at Arion and said with a slow, disbelieving shake, "I have always believed that the story was true. But to hear from you that you ever heard a sorrow-filled voice of a woman just confirmed the legend behind this tree. But the most astonishing fact was how you were able to hear the echo of this tree when you had just awakened it now?"

Arion knitted his brows and asked, "Is what I experienced really that unbelievable? I mean, won't other pranic echo users be able to do the same thing?"

Arion thought that those with the same gift as his might have also experienced the same thing.

Old Zi slowly shook his head and said with a slight smile, "This is the first time I am hearing about a pranic echo user being able to hear a voice and experience intense emotions. Since this tree is very old, it means it's almost impossible for even the powerful pranic echo users to trace back an echo over thousands of years."

"The older the echo is, the harder it is to hear. That's how pranic echo mainly works. For example, usually, someone who has recently awakened like you should have only been able to hear an echo just a few seconds old, and it's not guaranteed you will be able to hear it. So it's very shocking that you were able to hear an echo that dated back to the origin of this tree. Maybe this was just an abnormal situation that had something to do with you awakening your ability," Old Zi said with a thoughtful expression.

However, Arion was surprised to learn that this was how the pranic echo ability mainly works.

'So the older the echo is, the harder it would be to hear it, huh?' Arion thought and decided to quickly use his inner perception.

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Passive Abilities:

— Pranic Echo [Lvl. 1] : Acquire information about people or events associated with an object by touching it. Prowess of this ability depends on various factors

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And indeed, as he expected, he was amazed to find out that he awakened a new ability and wondered if he could use this ability on every object.

"Let me then try this stone," Arion said as he picked up a small stone lying on the ground and closed his eyes as he tried to link his prana with the stone.

However, even after a minute passed, he felt nothing and opened his eyes with a perplexed expression, wondering how he did not even hear any echo at all, not even a few seconds old one.

"Don't be disappointed. That is just an ordinary stone without much prana in it or too minute for you to hear its echo. Since you have just awakened your gift, it's completely normal, and so don't be discouraged if you are not able to hear the echo of all things," Old Zi explained, seeing Arion's disappointed expression.

"Oh, so the amount of prana an object has also matters?" Arion asked as he suddenly felt as if things made sense.

Old Zi answered, "I am not an expert in this field, nor do I have this gift. But as far as I have learned, it does matter, but which all factors it exactly depends upon, you would have to ask an expert with this gift. I really hope you can find one you can trust in the training school you are going to enter."

Arion nodded, "I hope so too. But for telling me all this...thank you, Master," Arion said in a grateful tone as he crossed his palms and bent his back.

Old Zi warmly smiled, "Not at all, Arion. It is my duty as your master to make sure you surpass me and also live long enough for that. Who would want their disciples to have something bad happen to them at an early age, especially in our world?" 

Arion then thought about the important thing he had been keeping in the back of his mind and asked, "Master...I actually wanted to ask something."

"Go on."

"Is there any way for a quasi-Defier like me to earn some money on my own? I feel that I should learn to be independent of now on so that I can hone my survival instincts and learn how to do certain things alone," Arion eagerly said.

Old Zi became thoughtful as he stroked his beard, "Hmmm, of course, there is. In fact, just like you, there are many youngsters out there who have money problems and have to earn on their own to support the development of their Defity."

Arion became excited, knowing that there was indeed an opportunity.

But his zeal was put on hold when Old Zi continued in a serious tone, "But this involves taking part in a dangerous thing where your life could be endangered in case an accident happens, only if you are not strong enough. For a quasi-Defier like you, this is the best way to earn money while others are not worth your while since it involves menial jobs which wouldn't earn you anything, especially when you have training to do."

Arion was confused and asked, "What is this dangerous thing?"

"You have to fight in the Zero Arena, a place where young people near your age fight each other as a way to hone their skills as well as earn money at the same time. In fact, I was planning to make you fight later on when you are ready. But since you seem so eager, maybe after I train you for a few months and so I can think about sending you for one of those fights based on how you perform during your training," Old Zi said with a narrowed gaze.

Arion was happy that there was indeed a way to earn good money, but at the same time, he felt feverish thinking about the fact that he could earn money by fighting others. He had no idea why but he just felt his adrenaline pumping in his body when he thought about fighting when before he was someone who avoided any sort of battles unless it was necessary for his survival.

Still, he wanted to know something and asked, "But why is it dangerous? Is it because we have to fight to the death?"

Old Zi shook his head, "Not that dramatic, and killing is forbidden since we don't want potential Dreadslayers dying before they could even participate in the Ironheart test. But the participants can decide the stakes by themselves and even put precious items on the table as a bet on themselves. Other than the severe injuries one can sustain in the fight, the more devastating thing that can happen to the one who loses is losing the items they had put on the table."

"Some have even lost their entire savings out of desperation or because they got too excited from winning too much because of which they broke down before they could even participate in the Ironheart test.  That's why it is called the Zero Arena because the loser will lose everything they earned just from a single loss."

Arion now understood what the main reason was for this arena to be so dangerous and said, "So we are basically gambling on ourselves or betting on ourselves to win the fight. And just like gambling, we could get addicted and get carried away?"

Old Zi nodded, "Things can get dangerous not only because our physical well-being is at risk but when our mental fortitude is at risk as well. To participate in the Ironheart test, being in good physical health is just one of the most important conditions, while the other is having a strong mind and willpower. So, if you mentally break down before the test, then you are as good as dead. That's why I want you to be prepared well before you participate in this arena."