31 Chapter 28: World Map
Returning to his room. Asher tapped the Bracelet on his wrist a few times.
A display screen with lines of blue light materialised in the air, then bloomed outwards, transforming the room into a holographic dome.
Asher watched the hologram gradually covering the whole room with the 3D structure of the planet, projected around him.
This was Kyros, his lovely, ever-so-slightly-screwed-up home planet, proudly displaying its "ever-changing" nature.
Ever-changing thanks to Calamities that rearranged the map, epic clashes strong enough to reshape the landscape, and the occasional rogue space pebble, a.k.a. Meteorite.
Honestly, the planet looked more like a toddler had taken a playdough sphere and smacked it repeatedly against the wall.
The map, helpfully projected by his birthday present – the bracelet-shaped Animodulus that – Asher got as a present from Scarlett.
"It looks… quite peaceful," Asher muttered, tracing a finger along the deformed, three-dimensional sphere that covered the edges in his room.
The continents, twisted, distorted and misshapen, orbited around him, showing Five large masses of the lands covering different parts of the planet.
The lands are coloured according to their level of exploration and dangers, surrounded by massive water bodies.
These are the zones and territories that are currently known to mankind. Though the 'explored' territory likely consisted of hastily scribbled notes from adventurers who barely made it back alive.
Because, the map was mostly filled with a reassuring shade of crimson, helpfully labelled "Danger Zones."
Asher, however, saw the bigger picture. The map being far more detailed – and far more terrifying than the current one.
'Hmmm~ a bit different, but all the same.' Asher hummed, after observing the Map and comparing it with the <External Heroes> Map that created an imaginary layout over the projected map. It's one of the effects of <Mnemonic Master>.
'Some parts that are still hidden and small islands are missing… it's not time yet huh!?' Asher wondered, 'But it will start to change… Maybe within 10-15 years,' A smile spread on his lips.
That's all it would take for things to change. Kyros would have its inevitable spaz attack, continents rearranging like furniture in a bar fight, and humanity would be left scrambling once again.
Millions of lives would hang in the balance and this whole map became obsolete.
"Oh, there you are, Aethel," Asher mumbled, spotting a glowing red dot on the map – probably the most accurate depiction of the entire thing.
'Let see~' Bringing one of his hands forward, he pinched at the air, his fingers together, and the hologram zoomed, focusing on the red dot.
Asher's location was on the edge of the middle-circular line present near the [Aethel], which was near a large circle that held a small inner circle, present at the centre of the Continent.
This is "Avalon" and "The Lands of Humanity": Those circles divide the continent into three distinct sections representing the safety zones from outside (Most Dangerous) to inside (Least Dangerous).
<Outer Rim>: This area is a dark red, signifying constant danger, is occupied by highlight military outposts and private guilds, together with big families.
<Middle Sector>: This zone is light orange, and is less safe, but still relatively secure.
-Currently, it has the highest population.
<Inner Sanctum>: Supposedly shielding humanity's elite.
-This region has the least population density but the safest, is in light green.
-Having highly advanced cities, royal palaces, and strongholds for the leaders of humanity, and some important ruling forces.
This zone is also considered as hiding holes of human scum. Or at least Asher it is.
But even this so-called "safe zone" had been breached, ravaged, and rebuilt, not once but many times.
The red dot was near the Middle-Sector line separating from the Outer Rim. Around it, there's a blue circle covering the property owned by the Agnes family.
"And this would be 'The Lostwood'."
A few hundreds kilometres away.
There's a massive dark-green glow, representing one of the largest and dangerous forests of the Avalon.
The lost wood covered thousands of kilometres of land from both the Outer Rim and the Middle sector.
Also, this is also where 'Sproutling Grove' is located. It supposedly offered a "relatively safe" hunting ground for newbies.
But Asher knew better. Even "safe" on Kyros was a relative term; there are chances to see some extremely aggressive and dangerous beasts from the inner circle.
Back to Humanity's Lands, 'Avalon', at this age, besides humans other races have started to reside.
"Humanity is thriving~" as he zoomed out from the holographic continent, his gaze flitting across the four other mysterious landmasses of Kyros. Most of their information was hidden from humanity's grasp.
'The biggest continent is-' Breaking his monologue, Asher heard Aurora's voice.
"Ash~ Where are youuu?" The door swung open with a bang, revealing a giggling Aurora in a soft, blue floral-patterned dress, her bright amethyst eyes sparkling with mischief as they darted around the slightly messy room before landing on her brother.
"There you are!" She exclaimed, spotting Asher on the bed, now his attention fully on her.
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she bounced towards him in her light-up sneakers, a slight flush painting her cheeks.
She clung to him in a hug, wriggling until she found a comfortable spot on his lap.
"What are you doing~?" Her bright amethyst eyes darted to the deactivated holographic map.
"Nothing that exciting, Aur. Just a map."
"A boring map?" Her lower lip wobbled dramatically. "But you looked happy!"
Asher couldn't help but smile. It was true. Happiness and excitement for his bright future.
"Well," he began, stretching out a finger to tickle her nose, "How did training with Mom go?"
"Tiring~ staaap!" Aurora swatted at his finger with a giggle. She quickly snuggled into his side, a content sigh escaping her lips.
Her eyes, however, remained fixed on her brother with a mischievous glint.
"Is that so?" Asher muttered slowly, his fingers finding their way to pat her head affectionately. Aurora peeked up at him, a goofy grin spreading across her face.
She didn't mind being tickled, not really, especially when it was Asher doing it.
"You know, Ash!" she whispered very slowly, her voice barely above a breath.
"Mamma told me a secret, but I can't tell you yet." She tried to wink at him with one amethyst eye, "You'll know tomorrow, hehe~" Yet, she failed miserably, causing a squint that made her nose crinkle.
To hide her rosy pink cheeks, Aurora then threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder.
"Auuuur Misses brother~" She whispered, a hint of sadness within her voice, "Ash isn't playing with Aur anymore," she slowly pulled back, her nose against his nose. "Is my brother angry with Aur?" She asked, her amethyst eyes welled up slightly.
"No! Why would I be angry with you?" Asher muttered, softly, putting his right hand on her cheeks.
"Because… Ash isn't with Aur, he would always leave her alone." She whispered, her gaze downcast.
Hiding the naturally recovered smile in his neck, Aurora thought, 'Just wait until tomorrow, Ash! You won't be able to escape the fun!Brother will be with me hehe~'
"Ah! That's because Aur does training with Mom and easily gets tired, and falls asleep right after it," Asher whispered softly, causing Aurora's smile to freeze for a moment.
"But you can wake up Aurora," she mumbled, frowning slightly. "Also, brother is always inside the facility room doing training!" She grumbled, pouting internally, 'Aur also want to train with brother.'
"You can enter inside, no?"
"Aur doesn't want to disturb my brother." Honestly, she hadn't thought of it that way, and also out of care for Asher, she didn't want to disturb him.
"And also doesn't want to talk anymore, humph~" She snuggled back to him, hugging tightly. Without saying anything, Asher patted her back, wanting more to be spoiled by her than this useless banter.
