Chapter 736: Let him learn
Two days later, in the Forsaken Land, beneath the relentless glare of the sun, a multitude of figures clad in armor stood watch around a large elevated stone platform, shielded by many protective arrays. A similar large gray sword was intricately engraved on the chest of each of their armors.
The landscape around the platform was stark and barren, devoid of any greenery, creating an atmosphere of desolation.
Yet the armored individuals remained indifferent, as if they had witnessed this scene for so long that they had become completely numb to its impact.
However, unlike any other day, today they struggled to contain their laughter as they observed a certain demi-human striking a corner of the platform with all his might.
He would cry out in protest with every strike, cursing the moment he asked Odiak to take him as his disciple and teach him the art of forging artifacts and weapons.
Sinon staggered. With a groan of frustration, he threw the ordinary-looking metal hammer from his grasp away before collapsing to the ground, panting heavily.
His large wings, adorned with intricate silver and golden patterns, fluttered briefly before folding to shield him from the sun as he propped his palms behind his back and sat down with difficulty.
"I can't break this..."
He murmured, a solemn expression crossing his face as he acknowledged and glared at the stone platform before him. This was the task Odiak had assigned him: to break a small piece of the platform, no larger than a fist, and in return, he would be accepted as his disciple. The rules were very simple, yet complicated at the same time. He wasn't allowed to use anything except an ordinary hammer!
"I've been hammering for ten days, and look at this-it's not even budging!"
He spitefully extended his leg and kicked the corner of the platform he had been hammering nonstop, only to hiss in pain.
"What the hell is the stone used to make this platform made of? Ugh! I can't handle this anymore! I have had enough. I suppose I will just have to accept that I wasn't cut out for the art of forging."
Sinon dusted his hands, and after shooting one last glare at the hammer and platform, he decided to join Alec and the others, who were training under elder Sophia alongside many other individuals.
"They are gonna laugh at me... I left with Odiak so boldly without looking back. It's only been two weeks and I am already going back to join them."
He clicked his tongue. Initially, he had attempted to learn about arrays with Mia and Carcel under another elder who was an expert in that field. The old elder even gave them special treatment, but the trio ended up causing a few tiny miny disasters in the elder's residence that destroyed half of the old woman's abode while attempting to experiment with array symbols. After the nth explosion, the elder simply taught them how to create teleportation portals and then kicked them out of her ruined home with a blank expression. She stated that they had no talent in the art of arrays because, although they could easily memorize the concepts, they were unable to form proper arrays and always messed up one thing or another.
Sinon shook his head disapprovingly.
"She doesn't understand that practice makes people perfect! She should have given us more time. I swear I felt like I was so close to becoming an array master!"
"But alas..."
He spread his wings and began to fly. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he attempted to form a teleportation portal back to one of the floating islands, knowing he couldn't roam in this dangerous place that could blow up at any moment.
After two failed attempts and wasting ten long minutes, he finally conjured a portal, which was still somewhat unstable. Sinon let out a sigh of defeat.
"This is already the best, considering how difficult it is to merge the new destination coordinates with the symbols of the teleportation portal every time."
He waved at the guards stationed around the stone platform, who had been watching his struggles all this time, inwardly vowing never to return to this place.
But just as he was about to step into the portal, the air trembled, and a large flying ship emerge from a rift in the sky.
11?11
Due to the sudden shift in energy, the portal before Sinon started to quiver, and before he could salvage the situation, it emitted an explosive sound and shattered, leaving the demi- human stunned and dumfounded.
"It's gone just like that...?"
The guards stationed around the platform chuckled at him, but that didn't mean they neglected their duties. They quickly shifted their attention to the flying ship that landed in the center of the stone platform.
This place actually served as the designated location recognized throughout the universe for individuals who periodically send their people to join the war, as it was closer to the battlefield and also the most secure area due to the protective arrays surrounding the platform. Moreover, the platform itself had a powerful artifact underneath, which made it very sturdy.
A divine-rank guard in the crowd immediately recognized the familiar ship and quietly went to tell elder Hal and elder Sophia that, for some reason, newcomers from their planet had arrived a few months earlier than usual this time.
Sinon glared at the ship as a ladder descended from its center. Under his gaze and that of the guards, a stream of curious yet vigilant demi-humans and elves began to disembark in neat, orderly lines.
His frustration simmered beneath the surface, but he could do nothing but curb his anger. After all, it wasn't as if he could confront the newcomers simply because their arrival had destroyed his portal. All of a sudden, his eyes glinted with mischief.
"Well, they would be sent straight to the battlefield. They aren't as fortunate as I am and my friends, who are favored by James and the seven elders. So, there is no need for me to plan
revenge, hehe."
His wicked laugh captured the newcomers' attention, which is why he sealed his mouth and turned his gaze away from the crowd to create another teleportation portal.
After everyone had disembarked from the ship, two older demi-humans stood at the forefront of the group.
The guards counted their numbers before asking who the leader of the group was.
Sinon's ear twitched as he heard one of them introduce himself as Zhask. However, he was too focused on creating a portal.
At the far end of the new arrivals, Kyle lifted his gaze toward the sky, where the winged demi- human was flying. He murmured under his breath with a sigh.
"The symbols aren't balanced; the teleportation portal is gonna explode."
Bia chuckled at his words.
- "Then just go and help him."
Kyle shrugged his shoulders and pulled the edges of his hoodie to conceal his face. He wanted
to check the battlefield first.
"Don't want to. Let him learn."
The bird sitting on his head grumbled in protest as she was pushed back into the fabric by his
fingers.
He glanced ahead at the guards. Upon knowing that Zhask was the leader of the group, they wasted no time; one of them began to explain the rules of the Forsaken Land to the newcomers, while the others provided them with armor, uniforms, and a ocean-blue metal ring that would record their contributions in the war and alert the elders if anyone dared to join the dark side and betray them, since they would be directly escorted to the battlefield. Only after the newcomers' potential, capabilities, and determination to fight against the dark side is assessed on the battlefield will they have the opportunity to enter the area filled with floating islands and a chance to study under the elders.
Kyle fiddled with the ring given to him. He didn't take the armor and uniform since they weren't mandatory and he didn't really need them. His eyes narrowed at the ring as he noticed
symbols carved into it.
"Once worn, we can't remove this ring."
The guard who handed him the ring was taken aback by his words and nodded in response
with a polite smile.
"Don't worry. It's not dangerous. It's just a safety precaution to prevent enemies from infiltrating our side. Also, the ring will come off the moment you leave this land."