Kael remained silent for several minutes.
'So, to advance, one must recite an incantation—a plea for their god's blessing to avoid losing their mind. Without it, not only is progression impossible, but madness is inevitable. But my bloodline… it's tied to a wicked god. Either he's trying to awaken through me, or he craves my insanity. How could I ever ask for his blessing? I don't even know the incantations for the upcoming stages.'
'Will I stay stuck in the second stage for the rest of my life?'
Valdren was watching him, quietly, curiously—but said nothing.
'I need to find something tied to my bloodline. Maybe someone who had it before, or something about the god himself…'
Kael lifted his head and noticed Valdren's gaze. He gave a slight smile.
"Sorry, Master. I was just thinking about how strange the whole thing is—the incantations, the concept of will… Oh, and I remembered something about the Torment and the black blood. Do you know anything about that?"
Valdren narrowed his eyes slightly. "Where did you hear that?"
'Is it something dangerous?' Kael wondered.
"I heard it back in the lower layer. A pulse spread through the slums, and suddenly this black blood erupted. People started screaming 'The Torment!' The blood began devouring everything. It was terrifying. I barely escaped."
"Ah, right. I forgot you came from down there," Valdren said. "There have been four Torments in history. Before the first, the universe and the Gates were formed. The first Torment birthed the gods. The second gave rise to demons, dragons, and the rest of the mythical creatures. The third brought darkness over the world—the Great War. And the fourth… it split the worlds apart."
He paused, observing Kael more closely.
"As for the black blood, all I know is that it's said to be something malevolent. Something that opposes the gods themselves."
Kael was stunned but forced himself to ask the next question.
"I've also heard people whispering about the 'Chosen of the Black Blood.' What does that even mean? How can something so strange have a chosen one?"
Valdren replied casually, "I don't know for sure. But from what you've said… whoever is chosen by it is likely an enemy of the gods."
Kael's heart nearly stopped. The idea of being an enemy of the gods sent a cold chill down his spine.
'I swear I'm cursed. From the very beginning, it's been one mess after another—one unanswered question after the next. Can they feel me? Could they send some angel or divine servant to kill me on the spot? Damn it… I really do need to grow stronger. And the worst part? I don't even have anyone to share this madness with. What have you gotten yourself into, Kael? Damn.'
Valdren was still watching him. His face unreadable. Then suddenly, he raised his hand and traced a semi-circle in the air.
Kael felt it immediately—something like a veil falling over them. The air shifted, the world outside… cut off.
Valdren spoke in a calm voice, "Kael, do you know what stage I'm in?"
Kael blinked. "Sixth stage, maybe?"
"Yes. I've reached its peak. All I need now is to enter a Gate to move forward. Did you know that every Gate you enter bestows new abilitie?"
"Yes…?" Kael answered, unsure where this was going.
Valdren glanced toward Mousan and Elmyra, who were still clashing swords in the distance—though now utterly silent behind the barrier.
"One of my abilities is reading thoughts."
Kael shot to his feet, taking a step back as his brain scrambled for options.
'Shit, I can't fight him. He's on a completely different level! Damn, he can probably hear this too—'
Valdren chuckled. "Relax. I knew your truth before I took you as a student. Back in the hall, you were practically broadcasting your thoughts. All about Shadow Blood, Black Blood… and the word 'damn' about a hundred times."
He continued before Kael could respond.
"I won't do anything to you. I chose you as a student because I know who you are. You're a good person, Kael. Even after all the pain and injustice, you still think about others. Maybe you don't see it, but I do. Who cares what bloodline you have—cursed or not, tied to a wicked god or not? You should only care about being yourself, haha."
Kael stared, stunned.
"Master… do you realize what you're saying?"
Valdren grinned.
"Of course I do. I oppose the temples, the Nine Gods, and the entire Law of Blood. Honestly, I probably oppose everything. But isn't that kind of fun?"
"You're crazy," Kael muttered. "Not completely insane… but close."
Valdren laughed heartily. "Of course we are! We've been fighting madness from the moment we awakened. You think we come out of that untouched? Madness is a hair's breadth away, always. I might lose it right now, who knows?"
Kael couldn't help but smile, watching his master's delight. Then he sighed.
"Your sense of humor is terrible. But since you already know everything, answer me this—what about my bloodline?"
Valdren raised an eyebrow. "Your questions, huh? I've never heard of your bloodline… what was it again? Ah yes, Shadow Blood. Never heard of it. But during the Third Torment, five families ruled the continent. One of them supposedly had the power to steal other bloodlines. I don't remember their name though."
"At least that's a lead." Kael exhaled. "What about the Black Blood?"
Valdren shrugged. "Still the same—I know almost nothing. Maybe not even the books hold the answer. But in the lower layer archives… perhaps you'll find something there. Too bad you can't access them. Time will open that path for you, eventually."
Kael groaned.
"Master, don't you think I need more than that?"
Valdren grinned. "Maybe. But at least now you have someone to talk to. Trust me—bottling everything up will eat at you from the inside. But now you have your amazing teacher, right?"
Kael glanced at him, uncertain.
"Master, how did you fight off the voices for so long?"
Valdren's gaze softened, and his smile held a trace of sorrow. He answered in a quiet voice.
"Madness doesn't knock at your door… it whispers. It starts as something faint, almost inaudible—then becomes the echo of your own self. Strength isn't about silencing those voices… it's about walking forward while they scream."
Kael lifted his cloak slightly, his face tense with emotion.
"Strength… isn't about silencing them… but moving forward while they scream."