Chapter 4: Awakening

There i stood beside Ariel at the gates of the kingdom. They were pretty big. I mean it is the main gate so i guess this is what you'd expect..?

It's only been a few hours since i came to this world and the sun is still out, but i have a feeling it's going to go down soon. And i doubt spending a night in the forest is safe. Hell I've never been in a forest before. Not even in my previous life.

But that's what makes this even more exciting. Hehe.. if some people heard of my situation they may think i'm over reacting or acting to carefree. but what do you expect. You put a boy in the middle of puberty in another world. You think he's gonna stay quiet and start panicking? No! This isn't the society we live in.

I explained to the gatekeeper that we were heading off to the forest to complete a quest and he let us through.

After following the road we arrived at the forest. Although it's called a forest. It doesn't really look like ones i've seen on the net. There are trees but it doesn't feel as exotic as a forest. It's more like a plain with trees and bushes.

This terrain is much better though. In forest we could have faced threats such as giant monstrous snakes attacking us or little poisonous snakes. either way it would suck.

But since this is an open spacious area with trees and Flaura growing. i won't have to worry about being attacked in a blind spot.

We entered the terrain and went around searching for the herbs.

Surprisingly enough after what seemed to be 30 minutes. We were able to find 10 Herbs which in my opinion was really good. We also didn't encounter any monsters which was also a lucky boost. but if we did encounter one and beat them, i'm sure we'd get a pretty good reward from selling the body parts.

But i mean we are kids. there's no way we can take down monsters. My initial objective for becoming an adventurer was just to secure enough funds to buy us food and get us a place to sleep.

At least that was the case.. Until i learned about the existence of magic.

"Ariel, lets take a break. I want to test something out. Remember how i asked the lady how to use magic?"

"Yes, she said that you needed to have an aptitude for it and you needed a tutor to teach you to how cast spells."

I froze. Ariel said a sentence? Does this mean she's feeling less shy around me?

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah. N-no i was just curious surprised that you managed to remember. You're pretty smart aren't you"

"Thank you" She said with a satisfied smile on her face

"Well about that, i'm about to try out what she said"

Let's see... magic is the foundation of the world. It is everywhere.. so i guess i should start by trying to feel it?

I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes. I concentrated as hard as i could and focused on using every ounce of my sixth sense

It was then that i noticed. My eyes were closed but i could sense my surroundings. In fact, they were much clearer than when they were open. I could feel the movement of the wind. The brushing of the leaves on the ground behind me and the location of Ariel despite not being able to see..

It was amazing. It was as if my eyes had been opened to a new world..

However that was only the gist of it. I was able to feel the flow of mana within my body and i was able to feel Ariels. To be specific. Through her flow of mana i was able to detect where she was.

"It worked! I did it! I was able to feel the flow of mana!"

"Really? You did it!" Ariel happily exclaimed as we subconsciously hugged each other in excitement

"S-Sorry!"

"N-no, it was my fault..."

We both felt awkward and slightly embarrassed after that hug so i tried making things lighter by changing the subject

"Apparently, I'm able to sense the life force within a person, the trees and the plants. I'm also able to sense the flow of mana. And judging by what i saw, you have a lot of potential."

That's right. Ariel mana capacity was pretty big from my perspective. the receptionist said that most people don't have aptitude but from what i saw she has a lot of potential. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see my capacity. I was only able to see my mana flow.

"I'll be able to become a magician?"

"Yeah"

Tears started to drop from her eyes after i replied

"W-What's wrong? S-Sorry if i upset you, please don't cry.."

"Mnm That's not it... It's just.. I was always told i had no talents so hearing that i have one makes me really happy.." She said while tears continued to pour from her eyes

"Then we'll make sure prove those people wrong" I happily suggested

"Yes!" She nodded in reply with a smile on her face..

Hnnnggggggg.. My heart can't handle this cuteness..

Before i got to try out other things with the use of mana. I detected something big moving fast towards us with my magic perception.

"Ariel dodge!"

I realised that she wouldn't make it in time so i pushed her out of the way. half a second later i felt an impact so hard, that it swung me towards the closest tree.

*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*

I coughed out blood and felt surging pain throughout my chest. It felt as if my ribs were broken and i couldn't move. It hurt.. It Hurt... so much i could barely breathe.. I felt like i would faint at any second..

"John!!!"

Ariel Screamed before rushing towards me.

"S-Stop! Stay BACK!!" I shouted with the little force i had

She stopped. Thank god.. The pain of losing another person that's precious to me would hurt a lot more... My consciousness feels like it's slowly fading.

Before me stood a 3 metres tall boar which appeared to be infuriated. How did he even detect me? Did someone bait him towards us? There's no time to think about these things. Ariels in dangers I need to do something... I can't let me self lose consciousness here..

Noticing the boars stance and seeing how i was unable to move Ariel picked up a rock lying on the ground. After that she put up a saddened gentle smile on her face as if she were saying 'Everything will be okay'

That expression.. I've seen it before.. I remember it clearly... It was the same ones my parents had before they were stabbed protecting me... D-Dont.. Please..

"N-No... Stop.. STOP! RUN AWAY ARIEL!" I Shouted with all the remaining strength i had left. Yet she wouldn't move. instead she threw the rock she picked up at the boar just before it charged at me changing its target to her.

The boar charged at her yet she didn't move. She stood there despite trembling. She stood there as if she had resolved herself to sacrifice herself for me

"Don't screw with me.. THIS IS A FANTASY WORLD RIGHT GOD. HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU INTEND TO TAKE AWAY FROM ME. MY PARENTS WEREN'T ENOUGH!? GOD DAMNITTT!!!

It felt as if all my bottled up emotions from both of my lives, burst out as if the container had broken.

It was then that i realised, time had slowed down. The boar was charging at Ariel and she was just standing there. Now that i payed close attention. She was crying. This girl decided to sacrifice herself for someone she had just met..

Hey god... I'm not sure why you brought me to this world or why i died such a meaningless death without proving anything in my previous life. But please lend me power.. Help me protect her.. I beg you..

I stretched out my hands. And imagined. I Concentrated the hardest i had ever concentrated in my life. I Focused all of my Mana on top of my hand. Imaged the hydrogen and oxygen in the air mixing to form Water.

I then imagined the atomic particles of the water slowing down and imagined the chemical ammonium nitrate being formed and dissolved in the water so that an endothermic reaction could take place. I parried this with the image of The Water Turning into Cold Ice and in nearly an instant it did.

Since Time was slowed it felt as if each second was an eternity. However i didn't lose focus.

After Ice had formed. I imagined its tip becoming Sharper, Harder, Denser And stronger so that it could pierce that thing. I poured all of my remaining energy and power into this Icicle.

The ice which began on in front of my hand Slowly shifted forward before propelling itself at a super fast speed. Even with time slowed down it the Icicle managed to out-speed the boar and pierce it right on it's side. Shortly After I fainted.