Journey

Elijah's expression was grave, and hesitated before speaking. "Zion, I'm afraid it's not possible for you to craft a mana core," he said, his voice firm bit gentle.

Zion's eyes widened in shock, and he felt as though he had been punched in the gut. "what do you mean?" He asked, his voice shaking. "Why can't I craft a mana core?"

Elijah sighed, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "It's because you are a... A mana hollow," he said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Zion's mind reeled as he tried to process Elijah's words. A mana hollow? What did that even mean?

Elijah's expression was somber. "It means that for some reason, you were born without the ability to create or manipulate magical energy," he explained. "You are different, Zion!"

Zion felt a wave of despair wash over him. Different, how? What did that mean? Was he somehow broken or flawed.

Seeing him becoming sad, Elijah felt bad. In order to become a full-fledged swordsman, one must have magic, and to do that, mana core is very important, he has never seen a case like this one before but he could not tell him that. He had to say something positive to cheer him up at least.

"Zion, you don't have to let it get into your head, alright? There are other possible ways your mana core could be steered as long as it hasn't been made so don't give up yet."

"Really?" Zion asked him after hearing what he said. "Are you certain that my mana core can still be crafted?" He asked, his eyes brimming with a newfound hope.

"Yes," Elijah replied. Though he haven't heard or seen where it happened, he believed that Zion might end up being blessed by the heavens.

"Fine," Zion breathed. "I won't give up yet!"

Elijah smiled, he loved Zion's confidence. "That reminds me, the beast slayer's exams is coming up in three days time so you must journey today," he informed him.

"What exam?" Zion asked. He's never heard of that and Elijah hasn't mentioned it to him either.

"For you to join the beast slayer organization, you must pass their exams," Elijah explained. "Only those that pass their exams will be taken in."

"I see," Zion mumbled. He didn't know if he was going to pass the exams without having magic but he was willing to give it a try. "I'll go in and start preparing," he said and left.

As he returned, Elijah watched him with a sad look on his face. He felt pity for Zion because he knew how challenging his journey would be from now onward. Having no magic as a swordsman is like being alive physically but dead inwardly — It was meaningless.

"Still... I wish you good luck. Perhaps, your destiny will differ from the rest."

Inside the house, Zion quickly packed their stuffs.

"Big brother, where are we going?" Aria who had just woken up asked. She was still sleepy but Zion had to wake her up because of the journey.

"To the beast slayer organization," he replied.

"The organization? What about your training?" She asked, surprised.

He paused as he remembered his failure to craft a mana core. "It continues when we get there," he said. He could not bring himself to tell her about how he failed to craft a mana core because he was born without the ability to perform magic — To him, such things were shameful to speak about.

"Okay, that's great!" She said and came down from the bed. "Let me go and take my bath," she said and left for the bathroom.

Once she gone, Zion sighed. Didn't he promise to take care of Aria and to protect her? How was he now going to accomplish that when he could not even successfully complete his training — the important stage of his training?! Magic was everything for a swordsman; this was what he was taught so now that he could not even use magic, what becomes of him? Does the beast slayer organization have a place for him? All these thoughts lingered inside his head.

What becomes of his dream for revenge? Is he going to let his father's death be in vain? If he does, then what is the point of becoming a beast slayer?

"Big brother, are you alright?" Aria asked as she took his hand and held him.

Zion was lost in thought and didn't know when she came out of the bathroom. Seeing him in that state would definitely make her worry.

"I'm fine," he replied. "Just thinking about my father," he lied.

"You are lying, big brother," Aria said and frowned. "You are lying to me."

"I'm not!" Zion said, his voice a bit louder than usual. "Get dressed while I go to take my bath." He peeled her hands off him and walked away.

Aria could only watch him leave with tearly eyes. After she had finished dressing up, she left the room and went to find Elijah who was waiting for them outside.

"What is the matter, Aria?" Elijah asked as he saw the look on her face.

"Uncle, I need you to tell me the truth," she demanded. "What happened to big brother while I was asleep?" She asked him.

Elijah sighed, he didn't want to tell her about Zion's problem but it wasn't still a good idea to keep it from her. She had to know and make a decision to either protect him or leave him.

"He can not use magic," he announced and she gasped in shock.

"What do you mean, Uncle?" She asked.

"He was not born with the ability to use magic," Elijah repeated. "That is to say he can not become a beast slayer."

"No! That's a lie!" Aria yelled. She was shocked to hear that Zion can not use magic, she realized only now that it was the reason behind his sudden change in attitude. She had suspected that something was bothering him but how come he didn't want her to know?

"Big brother is going to become the strongest beast slayer in the entire world! I am going to stand by his side no matter what and when he is in trouble, I will protect him!" She said, sounding confident. She believed in Zion and she would not let anything dismay her.

"I like your confidence, Aria," Elijah said. "But confidence alone can not help the both of you. To succeed, you must go beyond just confidence. The journey ahead of you will be full of hurdles, I hope you two succeed."

"Thank you, uncle," Aria said. Unknown to them, Zion was listening to their discussion and when they were done, he came out of the house carrying their bag and his sword.

"We are ready to go," he said to Elijah who nodded and brought a map and a scroll.

He opened the map and showed it to Zion. "This is where you are heading to, Sash village and it is a two-days trip from here. When you get there, look for Kai and hand him this scroll, when he sees it, he'll know I sent you."

"Okay," Zion replied and collected the two items from him. He put the scroll inside his bag while he held the map. "We will be going, thanks for everything you've done for us. In the future, I will repay them."

As the two teenagers left, Elijah waved at them with tearly eyes. "Good luck, kids!" He yelled. "If heavens permit, we shall meet again!"

Zion and Aria waved back at him from afar. They were grateful for him, most especially Zion who was opportuned to learn a lot from him.

The man was a blessing to him and he was glad that he accepted his offer in the beginning. Now, he is about to start his life journey. This time, he was going to face the world he tried so much to hide from, there was no more hiding or trying to shy away from his fate. He was ready to embrace his destiny and carry out his task in the best of his ability.

He was going to become a beast slayer no matter what it may cost him.