Mystic Eyes

The journey towards a random destination continued for the Young Champion and his new companion, marking the beginning of a friendship sparked by curiosity.

Neko sat with pride on Eternus's shoulder like a child on top of a mighty creature, and rightfully so… Because even though he was only a 12-year-old boy, his appearance and demeanor were no less than that of a full-fledged warrior.

Inura's Crimson Blade that hung naked on his belt, along with the leather Pauldron and silver knee pads added to his grim appearance. He looked like a warrior, victor of many breath-taking battles with his hair tied in a short ponytail spiking down to his neck.

After getting nowhere and walking for several days, Eternus let out a loud scream of annoyance, "AAGHHH!! Why the hell can't I get out of this darn forest?!?"

He yanked the scroll from his belt once again and angrily stared at its blank content, holding it tightly from both ends.

"I bet you're giggling at me from hell, Old Mage…" He snarled and then continued in a calmer tone, "This piece of garbage is doing nothing more than making me angry."

After failing countless times, Eternus finally decided that he didn't need any map and simply dropped it to the ground.

During all this, Neko tried her best to hold in her laughter as she watched Eternus lose his mind over the map. However, her composure did not last for long and the pressurized laughter burst out.

She jumped down from his shoulder with tears in her eyes after laughing so hard, consequently grabbing the Boy's attention.

[So you're having trouble with this map… huh?] She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That's no map, it's just a prank an Old Mage played on me…" He turned away and continued, "We need to keep moving so let's not waste any time."

[Did you ask the map where you want to go?] The cat asked in a presumptuous tone.

Hearing this odd question, Eternus immediately paused with his step stuck in the air and face more annoyed than ever. He snatched the map from the ground and held it in front of his face once again but his attention was on Neko as he spoke sarcastically,

"So what am I supposed to say? O' Great Map, Please show me the path that leads out of this forest?!"

[Yes, Exactly like that…] The cat proudly said while pointing her paw toward the map.

"Don't be ridiculo-" Eternus cut his sentence short when he noticed golden lines and symbols appearing inside the blank page of the scroll. In a matter of seconds, the map that was blank a second ago had now magically turned into an elaborate map.

After trying and failing for days, Eternus was left dumbfounded by this simple solution and remained as still as a statue even after Neko jumped back on his shoulder showing off a proud smirk on her little face.

Eternus slapped his face and snapped out of that confining daze of realization. He looked at the map with an eyebrow raised still.

"This Golden mark must be our location and it leads to this symbol that looks like a gate… I think that's the way out of here!" He concluded as he slid his finger across the map.

As they followed the directions of the map toward the exit of the forest, Neko's gaze coincidentally fell upon the Crimson Blade bulging out of the Boy's cloak, causing her to recall that strange feeling she got from it before.

[Hey Eternus… Whose sword is that?] She asked curiously.

Her question bothered Eternus as he clearly hated to mention his evil master.

"It's none of your business… I told you before." He replied in a serious tone, his gaze on the map.

Neko responded angrily to Eternus's behavior,

[Oh Come on!! I have to know why you're carrying a sword that is so exhausting to use for you.] She continued in a considerate tone, [It's rejecting your mana signature. Didn't you see what a blunt cut it made on that wolf?]

Eternus understood the meaning of her words and removed his sword from his belt.

"Why does that happen?" He asked in a grim tone.

[Are you for real? You really don't know? That sword is enchanted and can only be used by its master… That's how I knew it wasn't yours.] She explained with her innocent twinkling eyes and continued, [Did you look at it through your Mana gaze?]

Eternus replied with confusion yet his interest was piqued and a hint of excitement flickered in his eyes as he asked like a fascinated child, "Mana gaze… What is that?"

Neko's mind is twisted after being shocked so many times and again she says, [How come you don't know about Mana gaze, I can sense you have that ability!]

Eternus scratched his head and remained silent as he didn't know what she was talking about.

Neko understood the situation and down,

[So you're unfamiliar with it huh... guess I'll have to teach you Mana gaze then… hehe] She chuckled as she took this as a chance to make her move and become friends.

Eternus stopped and began staring at her and pondered as if something didn't sit right about her.

"By the way, Neko… How does a little creature like you know about Mana gaze and how come you're able to speak to me telepathically?"

Neko was expecting this question and replied with a hint of pride in her tone,

[Hehehe… I told you, I've got secrets as well. You will never know... hahaha!]

Eternus agreed, ashamed of his unjust prying, "Fine fine… whatever. That's unlikely to happen anyway…"

Neko looked at the map and said in an anticipating tone, [There's a small town near the exit, we can spend the night there. Mana gaze will be pretty handy from here on out.]

Eternus understood that a lot of people mean a bigger possibility of danger and the more skills he has the better his chances of getting vengeance.

"Hmm, I see... Teach me then." He nodded with greed.

Neko jumped in excitement because in her mind this was another step towards friendship with Eternus.

[So, young Eternus… You want to learn Mana gaze, I see…. Are you ready for this difficult trial that will put you through hell and finally reward you with the gift of Eyes that see beyond?!!] She said while trying to imitate an old master but her tiny voice made it all the more hilarious.

However, Instead of laughing, Eternus looked at her with a narrow and awkward gaze that just sucked all the thrill out of her funny moment.

[Fine fine… no need to get awkward.] She shook her head and continued, [Alright, first of all, there is an ability that is common among humans and some beasts, it is called Mana Augmentation. Are you familiar with that?]

Eternus recognized it instantly as it was the most exciting thing he has ever experienced till then.

"Yes, I'm familiar with Mana Augmentation. But, I haven't mastered it yet." He replied with a serious attitude.

[I see, then Mana gaze shouldn't be difficult at all. You just have to enhance your eyes by sending mana to em] She said with a nonchalant shrug.

After hearing this overly simplified method... Eternus sat and put the sword on the ground with the excitement of a child opening his present.

Neko came near him and looked at him with a raised eyebrow saying to him, [I know you might be talented, kid… but I don't think you can do it just yet.]

Eternus ignored her underestimating opinion and continued to peer deeper. He focused on directing the flow of Mana toward his eyes and made sure to be in a calm and content emotional state since he did not want his eyes to burst with too much Mana.

Neko looked at the sword and then back at Eternus in loops over and over, expecting him to give up.

However, just before she was about to pat his back in comfort, she noticed his bright blue eyes burning Golden.

Overly impressed, she yelled out of surprise telepathically [Your eyes! They're glowing golden, Eternus!]

Eternus made sure he was not distracted by anything this time and he kept his focus to maintain that state.

He analyzed the sword and he saw several red streams of particles flowing through it.

'This must be the enchanting Mana… It reeks of that bastard!' He thought as he peered deeper.

He looked at the trees, the rocks, and the fauna around him, everything had streams of Mana flowing through… even the air was filled with rich and diverse energy.

He looked in front of him and saw Neko with his eyes still glowing… To his eyes, Neko appeared to be a flaming ball of Golden and Black Mana, somewhat similar to his own.

"How strange…" He muttered.

[Did you say something?] Neko asked as she was busy licking her fur.

"I've learned Mana gaze!" He exclaimed proudly at this accomplishment and retracted Mana, quenching the golden flare in his eyes.

Neko was truly happy and at the same time surprised, [You really did it… and it was much stronger than any other human I've ever met... You're a freaking genius Eternus!!!] She screamed with joy!"

"Alright, we should keep moving now… it's getting late." Eternus stood up and once again prepared to leave.

[Are you just going to let it go like that?! This is something beyond Mana gaze… We should definitely name it something different and much cooler than Mana gaze.] Neko insisted like a child.

Not willing to argue, Eternus thought for a moment and threw out a name bluntly, "I'll call it Mystic Eyes"

Neko's ears flicked after hearing it, [It's not a bad one but why don't you try something more flashy like Sight beyond Sight or Observe Mystic Realm]

"No, Mystic Eyes has a nice ring to it." He said while putting the sword back in his belt.

[Fine, you can keep that name till I come up with a much better one!!] Neko showed her usual stubbornness and hopped back on his shoulder.

Eternus simply nodded, knowing better than to get into an argument with the two-tailed brat Neko.

"I think we're ready to move now." Said Eternus as gazed at the path ahead.

Neko helically wiggled both her tails with a content and peaceful expression on her face with a hint of pride. She was proud of Eternus for accomplishing such a feat so easily.

After a little more walk, Eternus approached the gate mark on the map.

"What is this?! Another Joke?!" He exclaimed out loud and continued angrily, "According to the map, the gate should be right in front of us but there's nothing here! Damn it!"

[Just keep walking forward.] Neko instructed in a serious tone.

Eternus does so without questioning this and and just as he stepped forward it seemed as if space was warping around them yet it felt as if they were walking through a bubble.

Just as he passed through that invisible bubbly membrane, he looked back to see what it was. But to his surprise... The deep forest he had been treading for days and spent two whole years in had disappeared entirely.

Both of them were now in a plain and vast grassland where no tree could be seen for miles away.

Neko understood the situation. However, Eternus still wondered about what just happened.

[So this is what makes the forest hidden from the outside…] Neko commented as if she knew what was up.

Eternus looked at Neko as she explained further, [The forest was hidden by an Ancient cloaking spell. Someone really powerful from ancient times must have cast this spell long ago.]

This amazing knowledge about the forest impressed Eternus. "I'm out of that forest… Finally, after two years." His tone got bitter suddenly as he whispered angrily, "I'm one step closer to you!"

He who was on a road to go as far away from weakness as possible was reminded again that there is still much to improve.

Eternus continued towards their next destination with excitement in his heart but his face and mind, still emotionless and empty…

He walked forward with Neko on his shoulder, saying in his mind, 'I will become stronger than the caster of that cloaking spell, no matter what!'