Chapter 37 - Rekar Forest

REKAR Forest, an expanse of six million square kilometers, was home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including Elemental Beasts.

The forest also had several small villages and towns that offered a place of residence for the people living there.

Luckily, the forest was inhabited only by Elemental Beasts of Level 45 Beast General or below, and they seldom attacked humans. 

In case of an attack, skilled Hunters were tasked with tracking and dispatching these creatures. The more formidable Elemental Beasts preferred to dwell in the remote wilderness, far from human settlements.

Camille had a good reason for selecting Rekar Forest for their journey. Due to its rich ecosystem and diverse Elemental Beast species, it was an ideal training ground for Elion's combat skills.

Elion needed to be exposed to diverse combat situations, which was evident. By confronting a variety of beasts and adversaries, he could refine his command over elemental powers and ultimately master them.

Camille led Elion through areas inhabited by Level 21 or lower Elemental Beasts. She intentionally exposed him to creatures with different elemental affinities, giving him invaluable experience in countering various threats.

No one knew how many beast cores Elion had collected so far. Defeated creatures yielded their core, which was essential for absorbing Elemental Essence.

His goal was to level up quickly.

"Up ahead, there are three Flamaras. Are you ready?" Camille inquired, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Flamaras, the magnificent lions radiating an aura of fiery brilliance, stood in their way. These creatures were a sight to behold, eyes ablaze like burning coals and manes woven from pure flames.

Renowned for their deadly Fiery Roar, they could unleash waves of scorching heat upon their foes, leaving nothing but ashes in their wake.

Equally noteworthy was their Inferno Mane. This ability allowed them to craft fire shields or wield whip-like attacks, making them formidable opponents in battle. Those unacquainted with the Flamaras' tactics and prowess would undoubtedly be caught off guard.

"Ready," Elion affirmed confidently, his voice steady and resolute. He launched into the air with a graceful leap, spinning rapidly as he enveloped himself in a golden inferno. "Blazing... Tornado," he intoned deliberately, his voice echoing through the forest. 

The invocation of each technique was a conduit for its power, accompanied by distinct gestures. Some were bellowed with fervor, others whispered with intent.

In the heat of battle, the resonance of the incantation often mirrored the Elementalist's resolve, amplifying their determination to triumph unless they held no interest in their opponent.

The resulting tornado froze the three Flamaras in their tracks; their roars were the only sound piercing the forest's silence. Before they could retaliate, Elion descended upon them, extinguishing their lives in a single, decisive strike.

"Excellent! But why did you wrap everything in a single attack?" Camille queried as she approached Elion, her tone curious yet approving.

Choosing to mask her aura, Camille aimed to ensure she wouldn't unsettle potential training partners for Elion among the Elemental Beasts. Her goal was to subject Elion to various challenges and environments during their training sessions, pushing him to adapt and grow stronger.

"I'm keen on facing stronger beasts. I wrapped up our earlier encounter swiftly just to secure their elemental cores," Elion explained.

Approaching the fallen Flamaras, Elion reached out with a hand engulfed in golden flames and delved into the first corpse. With a swift movement, he retracted his hand, now holding an elemental core: a Fire Elemental Beast core.

Tigas had previously outlined the prerequisites for an Elementalist to ascend to the next elemental level: Elemental Enlightenment, Elemental Essence, and Elemental Mastery. Yet, Solandar later shared a crucial insight regarding Elemental Mastery.

"There are three distinct levels for Elemental Mastery which are low, medium, and high mastery," Solandar explained.

He continued, "Take, for example, a Level 10 Elemental Apprentice. Many are eager to advance to the Elemental Soldier rank. However, their mastery over the elemental powers at this initial stage often lacks the necessary depth, limiting their potential."

"The depth of one's Elemental Mastery within each rank is directly linked to their potency as an Elementalist and the quality of their Elemental Mastery Arts. Progression requires mastering elemental powers at each rank to ensure a strong foundation for future advancement. This results in variations in strength among peers at the same elemental level," Solandar concluded, locking eyes with Elion.

"Here's a fun fact," Tigas chimed in with pride. "I once defeated an Elemental General while still ranked as a Beast Soldier."

"Yet, you still couldn't beat me," Solandar teased.

"That's because you're no ordinary opponent. Please, don't crush my confidence," Tigas replied, laughing.

Elion laughed before turning the conversation more serious, "So, should I wait until I've achieved high elemental mastery?"

"No. Not for you, as the successor of the Phoenix, perfection is the goal," Solandar said, smiling meaningfully.

"Perfection? Do you mean perfect mastery? I've never heard of that before," Elion inquired.

Solandar nodded, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding. He knew that vast knowledge had been lost through the ages, particularly in the aftermath of the demon war. The Supreme and Ancient Families would choose to withhold such information to themselves.

"The three levels I previously mentioned apply to regular Elementalists. However, Grand and Supreme Elementalists strive for two higher tiers: the highest and perfect mastery. For you, perfect mastery should be the goal," Solandar emphasized.

Elion's mind wandered to the elemental cores he held. During his time with Solandar, he had already achieved perfect elemental mastery. His goal was to amass enough Elemental Essence to elevate himself further.

That was the reason behind his relentless pursuit of Elemental Beast cores. Battling creatures ten levels above his own, the energy harvested could be significant, allowing him to leap several levels simultaneously.

The thought of advancing to Level 14 or even Level 15, rather than only a level to Level 13, motivated him to press on.

"How many more cores do you need, Elion? I could help you obtain cores from higher-level beasts," Camille offered.

Elion was tempted to accept Camille's offer. However he chose not to. He was committed to achieving his goals independently, avoiding shortcuts on his journey to becoming the Greatest Elementalist.

"It's very kind of you, Camille, but I prefer to gather them myself," Elion replied, politely declining. Camille's concern was evident, yet her respect for him only grew.

Elion's rejection didn't dismay Camille but intensified her admiration for his determination. She was convinced he was on the right path.

"And I believe I've collected enough to progress to the next level," Elion announced, revealing he had gathered over fifty Level 21 Elemental Beast cores. "Let's find a place to spend the night. It's late, and wandering now is too risky," Elion suggested.

Initially, Camille proposed setting up camp or finding refuge in a cave. Elion didn't oppose the idea but felt a sense of unease about spending the night alone with Camille.

During the day, the forest teemed with life, providing a semblance of security amidst beasts, Elementalists, Hunters, and Adventurers.

But with nightfall came silence and darkness, stirring unease.

I can't risk losing control, Elion thought, his cheeks warming at the thought of being alone with Camille.

Therefore, he insisted they find a town or village to spend the night. Camille admired his thoughtfulness, seeing him in a different light compared to other men whose intentions were less noble.

"Arghh!" A loud scream shattered the serene silence in one direction, causing Elion and Camille to abruptly stop. These screams had unsettlingly become a common occurrence for them within the shadowy depths of Rekar Forest.

Turning to Elion, Camille's face was alight with curiosity. "What kind of Elemental Beast do you think it is this time?" she asked.

With a thoughtful gaze and a smile, Elion replied, "It's hard to say exactly. But one thing is clear—they're not solitary creatures. I can feel the presence of multiple auras coming from that direction."

"That's fascinating. So, are we going to help out?" Camille pressed, her voice tinged with excitement. 

Elion was usually the first to offer assistance. However, their last attempt at helping had turned sour when the group they assisted betrayed them.

Luckily, their foes were only of moderate strength, and with his exceptional abilities, Elion managed to overpower them easily. With Camille's skills complementing his, they seldom faced significant challenges in Rekar Forest.

"Let's go," Elion declared, his voice a mixture of determination and casual confidence. 

The past events had not shaken him; for Elion, these incidents were simply part of the unpredictable nature of life. The human heart remained a mystery to him.

Camille's face lit up with joy when she heard about Elion's decision. She was glad to see that his pure spirit and inherent kindness were still intact and shining through. Together, they headed toward the source of the commotion.

As they approached, they saw a scene of chaos. Four young Elementalists were engaged in a fierce battle with a pack of Terraclaws, majestic wolves with the primal elemental power of the earth.