Chapter 1: Dreams and Reality

Alken's hands trembled slightly, and with every gust of wind blowing, he felt an invisible force surge in this ancient forest. An imperceptible light flashed before his eyes, as if it was some kind of secret signal, guiding him forward. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

At this moment, a strange sound broke the silence of the night. It was a deep and loud chant that came from a distance and seemed to come from the depths of his own heart. There is an ancient language hidden in the chanting. Although Alken cannot understand it, he can feel the power and call contained in it.

He clasped his hands and walked involuntarily deeper into the woods. The gaps between the trees gleamed with faint light, guiding him through the darkness toward the mysterious source of power. With every step he took, the surrounding scenery seemed to gradually change, and the air became more humid and fresher, as if he was traveling deep into an ancient time and space untouched by the modern world.

Next to a clear spring, Alken stopped. The spring water shone silvery in the moonlight, reflecting the starry sky and dense forest canopy. The moment he stared at the spring, ripples suddenly appeared on the water, and a strong energy surged out of the spring, surrounding him.

At that moment, flickering light spots appeared in his vision, gradually converging into an ancient rune. Arken felt a strong sense of identity in his heart, as if this rune was closely connected to his destiny.

Then, the light and ripples disappeared together, and the night returned to calm, but Alken's heart was filled with shock and curiosity. He knew that he had just witnessed some kind of mysterious revelation that would be the beginning of his life's journey.

As the afterglow of his first revelation dissipated, Alken stood by the spring, feeling calm. He knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey, and what awaited him ahead would be a series of challenges, adventures, and unpredictable dangers. However, now he is no longer the hesitant boy at the edge of the forest. The energy gushing from the spring seems to have injected a new power into his blood, making him feel more determined than ever before.

On the way back to the village, the night seemed darker and the stars brighter. Walking on the familiar but seemingly unfamiliar path, Alken's thoughts drifted far away. He thought about the runes in the dream. It was not just an illusion, it was a summons to him and a guide to his future. He began to realize that he might play a special role in this universe.

Back in the village, everything looked as peaceful as usual. However, Alken's heart could no longer calm down. He decided to look for the village elder - a wise man who knew many ancient knowledge and legends - the next day, hoping to get some clues about dreams and runes from him.

The next morning, as the village was bathed in soft sunlight, Alken got up early and headed to the elder's residence. The elder's home is located in a corner of the village, surrounded by various exotic flowers and plants. According to legend, those plants contain different magical powers.

Knocking on the door of the elder's house, an old man who looked old but had bright eyes came out. "Arken, I have been waiting for you for a long time." There was a hint of mystery and expectation in the elder's voice.

Entering the house, Alken told the elder about his dreams and experiences at the spring.

The elder was silent for a while, and then slowly spoke: Very early on,

Alken, you are an orphan born into an ordinary family in a small town. Your childhood was ordinary until an extraordinary night changed everything. That night, a sudden fire broke out in the town, and Alken got lost in the chaos. In extreme panic, he felt the magical energy deep in his heart for the first time, and used this power to rescue many trapped villagers. Since then, everyone has realized that you, Alken, are different.

Not long after this, a mysterious traveler came to the small town of Alken. This traveler, an inconspicuous old man, showed special interest in Alken. On an unforgettable night, the traveler revealed a shocking fact: Alken was not actually an ordinary person, but came from an ancient and powerful magic family. His parents were once the greatest magicians of that era. In order to protect Alken from being tracked and harmed by hostile forces, they chose to place him in this remote town, hoping that he could have a peaceful life.

Now "what you are experiencing is a revelation from an ancient legend. The rune is a symbol of the ancient race and represents the intertwining of power and destiny. According to the legend, this symbolizes the arrival of a hero who will seek in the darkness." Light, leading the world to a new dawn."

But as the elder's words fell, Arken's peaceful life was forever broken. He began to realize that his inner strength was not just random, but inherited from his great parents. Although his parents' identity and past are shrouded in mystery, Arken decides to embark on a journey to find the truth about his heritage and understand his true power.

Before leaving, the elder gave Alken a small amulet engraved with the same runes. "This is an amulet for you. It will guide you at the appropriate time." The elder's eyes revealed a trust and expectation for Alken.

Arken held the amulet, determination shining in his eyes. He knows that his journey has just begun, and he will face endless tests and choices along the way. But now, he is ready to embark on this journey into the unknown to discover the destiny that awaits him.

At the edge of the village, Alken looked back, then walked firmly into the distance and began his adventure. The starting point of all this came from the dreams and revelations in that deep night, which led him to the world full of magic and miracles in "Shadow Light".

Not long after Alken embarked on his journey to find his destiny, he arrived in a small town called Ashenriel. Nestled between two mountain ranges, Eisenril is a vibrant and picturesque place. The town is famous for its lush gardens and flowing springs. Whenever the morning glow shines, the entire town is covered in gold, making it look particularly peaceful and beautiful.

In the central square of the town, there is an ancient fountain surrounded by floats and market stalls. This day was the anniversary celebration of Eisenrael. People came from all directions and the square was very lively. In this busy and festive atmosphere, Alken's eyes were attracted by the figure of a woman.

Her name is Vera, and she is a traveler from the East. She is wearing a long green dress that looks like flowing clouds. The hem of the skirt sways gently in the wind, exuding a light and elegant temperament. Her long hair is as deep as night, and her eyes are clear and deep, as if she can see into people's hearts. Vera's face was soft, with a bit of mystery that didn't belong to this world.

Beside the fountain, Vera was painting intently, her brush dancing on the rice paper, capturing the festive scene around her. Alken was attracted by her focus and peacefulness and decided to talk to her.

"Your painting is so beautiful." Alken admired.

Vera raised her head and smiled. At that moment, her smile was like the warm spring sun, warm and bright. "Thank you, I just try my best to capture the beauty here." Her voice was soft and pleasant.

The two soon started chatting. Vera revealed to Alken that she was looking for a rare flower - the moonlight flower. Legend has it that this flower only blooms under the moonlight and has unique healing powers. Her distant hometown is suffering from disease, and she hopes to find moonflowers to bring hope to her hometown.

Arken's heart moved, and he decided to help Vera find the moonflower. This is not only because his first impression of Vera was excellent, but also because deep down in his heart, he felt that this was part of his destiny journey.

The two embarked on an adventure to find the Moonlight Flower. The first place they went to was a place called "Night Shadow Forest". It is said that there is a mysterious Moonlight Valley deep in the Night Shadow Forest, which is the only place where moonflowers grow. However, the Night Shadow Forest lives up to its name, and there are countless dangers hidden within it.

The first step into the Night Shadow Forest, Arken and Vera felt a strong sense of foreboding. This mysterious forest seems to be born with magic, and the forest is filled with a strange and charming atmosphere. The sunlight cannot penetrate the dense tree canopy, and only faint light dances among the treetops, adding a mysterious color to the forest.

Not long after they entered the forest, they encountered their first challenge - a group of beasts corrupted by the magic of shadow. The eyes of these beasts flash red and are extremely aggressive. Arken immediately pulled out the long sword he carried with him, and the light flowed on the sword. He was ready to fight.

Vera chanted a spell and quickly drew runes of light in the air with her hands, summoning a protective barrier to temporarily block the corrupted beasts. Arkan took the opportunity to charge at the nearest beast, his sword clashing with its fierce claws, causing sparks to fly.

The battle escalated rapidly, and the beasts seemed to feel threatened and began to attack more violently. Alken cleverly uses the coordination of his body and sword, and his swordsmanship is agile and has a firm power. Every time he swung his sword, the determination in his eyes was reflected. Vera, on the other hand, constantly changes the spells in her hands, sometimes summoning storms, sometimes creating ice walls, and flexibly responds to battles.

Just as the battle was reaching its climax, Vera suddenly whispered a special spell. Her hands gathered together into a bright ball of light and threw it towards the sky. The light ball exploded in the air and turned into a dazzling light rain, illuminating a corner of the forest. The corrupted beasts that were baptized by the light rain screamed one after another, black foam emerged from their bodies, and their offensive weakened instantly.

Arken took the opportunity to launch a final charge, defeating the remaining beasts with one sword after another. The battle was not over until the last beast fell. Alken and Vera looked at each other and smiled. Although they were tired, their eyes were full of determination and trust.

This battle not only tested their courage and strength, but also deepened the tacit understanding between them.

Arken and Vera continued to move forward in the Night Shadow Forest, trying to avoid unnecessary battles while looking for places where the Moonflower might grow. While passing by a quiet creek, the two discovered a path covered with strange vines. The vines were covered with tiny blue flowers that emitted a faint glow that illuminated their path. Believing that the vines might be under the influence of the moonflower's magic, Vera decided to follow the path.

They carefully walked through the tunnel made of vines, and finally came to an open area. The sight in front of them amazed them - a sea composed of countless blue fluorescent dots, which looked particularly dreamy in the night. This is the legendary Moonlight Valley, and they finally found it.

In the center of the valley, moonflowers bloom quietly. They emit soft light in the night, and each flower is like a twinkling star. Alken and Vera walked towards the sea of ​​flowers, intending to pick some moonflowers. However, at this moment, a soft sound broke the tranquility of the night.

From the darkness, a huge black bear suddenly appeared, its whole body covered with the power of shadow. Its eyes revealed a dangerous light, and it was obviously attracted to this moonlit land. When it saw the two of them, it growled and rushed toward them.

Faced with this sudden crisis, Alken quickly drew his sword and prepared to fight. Vera also began to chant spells, preparing to cast magic. At this moment, the two of them no longer hesitated, they were ready to fight with all their strength.

Arken used his agility to avoid the black bear's attack, looking for opportunities to counterattack. Vera was casting magic on the side. Her fingers moved through the air, and ice arrows condensed one after another and shot towards the black bear quickly.

After a series of fierce confrontations, the black bear finally fell in the moonlight. Although the two were victorious, they also felt a little tired. They quickly picked some moonflowers and decided to leave this dangerous area.

Although obtaining the Moonlight Flower was a small victory, for them, it was just a chapter in a long journey.

After leaving Moonlight Valley with the Moonflower, Alken and Vera decided to rest on a hill at the edge of the forest to recharge for the next journey. In the night, the two sat around the campfire, sharing stories and plans during the journey.

However, after a moment of silence, they heard a noise in the distance. Curiosity drove them to the source of the sound, and they passed through a dense forest and came to a hidden small village - Lushipia. This is a secret settlement established by expelled mages. The village is filled with all kinds of strange magical devices and buildings, and is full of mystery and fantasy.

Arken and Vera soon attracted the attention of the villagers, and the village elder Reese invited them into the meeting hall and explained to them the current difficulties facing the village. It turns out that Lushipia has recently been harassed by a group of mysterious men in black who are trying to seize the village's precious magic resources and threaten to destroy the entire village. Rhys pleads with Alken and Vera to help them fight off the intruders.

Lushipia Village is built on a powerful intersection of earth veins, where the energy of the earth veins is very rich. Leyline energy is a fundamental force of nature that can be absorbed and manipulated by trained mages to perform powerful magic. After long-term research and practice, the villagers have learned how to efficiently utilize the energy of the earth's veins and enhance the power of magic.

Considering the plight of the villagers of Lushipia and the importance of their protection of magical resources, Alken and Vera decided to stay and help. Together with Reese and the other mages, they devised a defense plan and prepared for the next attack from the Men in Black.

In the dead of night, the men in black arrived as promised. They brought powerful shadow magicians with the intention of defeating Lushipia's defense in one fell swoop. But they didn't expect that Arken and Vera were already ready to welcome them. Using the powerful magical resources of Lushipia Village, the mages created a magical fog that covered the entire village. This fog can not only greatly reduce the enemy's visual range, but also contains weak confusing magic, which can disorient the intruder and hinder its forward speed. In addition, a variety of magic traps are arranged around the village and on important passages, including explosive charms, freezing traps, power grids, etc. These traps can cause a large amount of damage or even a short-term control effect when triggered by the enemy, greatly hindering the enemy's attack.

After the fighting broke out. Vera uses her exquisite magic to control the battlefield, creating walls of lightning and ice to impede the enemy's advance. At the same time, Alken waved his long sword, turning into a series of smart sword shadows, fighting wits and courage with the enemy. Not to be outdone, Lushipia's mages used various strange magic devices and spells to inflict serious blows to the men in black.

After a fierce battle, the men in black were finally repelled, and the village of Lushipia was safe. The villagers cheered and their gratitude to Alken and Vera was overwhelming. Reese personally gave them some precious treasures. As the man in black was successfully repelled, the sun slowly rose, and Lushipia Village once again ushered in the dawn of peace. People in the village walked out of their homes and gathered in the square in the center of the village to celebrate their victory. Elder Reese stood in the center of the crowd, raised his hands, and declared that this victory belonged to every villager and their brave allies Alken and Vera.

At the celebration, the villagers presented the delicacies they made, set up a banquet, and had a grand banquet. Music and laughter filled the entire village, and people danced traditional dances to celebrate this rare moment of victory. Arken and Vera were invited to the highest seats at the banquet. Elder Reis and other villagers toasted to them, thanking them for their bravery and support.

After the joy of victory subsided, Elder Reese found Alken and Vera with a special gift. In their humble residence, Elder Reese took out a magic book that seemed ancient but shone with subtle light from a delicate cloth bag, and handed it to Alken, who did not know any magic. The book was discovered in a nearby abandoned temple and is said to contain a unique magical knowledge.

Alken took the book and felt an unprecedented throbbing. Elder Reese said in a gentle but firm voice: "Arken, this book is to thank you and Vera for their selfless help to our village of Lusipia. This book is called "Greenery: Breath of Nature" "Mystery". It is a rare and incomplete magic book, with yellowing pages and complex plant patterns spreading on the cover, as if plant vines are growing around the edges of the book. This book is almost Luspiia. The last treasure of the village, the village elders believe that passing this knowledge to Alken is the best reward for their help.

"Green Whispers: The Secret of the Breath of Nature" records many abilities that are completely different from Vera's healing magic and natural magic - magic that focuses on plant growth, manipulation, and communication with plants. Although the book is incomplete, with certain key spells and techniques obscured by time, its value and potential are immeasurable. The knowledge contained in the book is enough to greatly enhance a mage's potential.

Through the study of "Green Whispers", Arken's magic level was raised to apprentice level two. In the magical society, there are nine levels of apprenticeship, and each level represents the depth and breadth of the magician's mastery of magic. Above the apprentice level is the higher level "mentor level", which is also divided into nine levels. Going up further is the Grandmaster level, which represents extraordinary magical attainments and unique insights. The highest level is the "Supreme Archmage". Mages of this level have not only reached the pinnacle of magical skills, but have also achieved the ultimate understanding of wisdom and spirituality.

Vera's current magic level is Apprentice Level 5, and her healing and natural magic abilities have been widely recognized, especially in Lushipia Village and surrounding areas. Through continuous practice and learning, Vera guides the power of nature to treat and help people in need. Her ability and kindness have won her the love and respect of people.

The discovery of "Green Whispers" not only opened up a new magical field for Alken, but also inspired his new understanding of magic and his desire to explore. The value and influence of this book will gradually emerge during their journey, prompting the growth and change of the two protagonists.

With this new ability, Arkan's self-confidence has greatly increased. He is no longer the traveling companion whom Vera relied on to protect him in battle, but has become a magic user who can independently protect himself and others. For Vera, she felt extremely happy and proud to see the changes in Alken because of this special gift.

During this time, they not only strengthened each other's abilities, but also deepened their friendship. As Arken became more and more proficient in plant magic, they also began to explore various possible uses of this power in their future journeys, looking forward to using this newly acquired magic in more battles.

After mastering plant magic, Alken's state of mind changed significantly. He began to feel more closely the sounds of nature and listen to the whispers of the earth. He learned how to channel the forces of nature and resolved many of the difficulties in travel. As for Vera, seeing Arken grow into a magic user, her heart was filled with joy. The complementary abilities of the two made them more attuned to each other on their subsequent journeys.

One day, while practicing plant magic, Alken discovered that he could make plants grow rapidly and provide them with defense and shelter when necessary. Vera can use her elemental magic to fight against tangible threats. Once, as they traveled through a forest surrounded by hostile forces, Arken summoned a dense barrier of thorns to protect them from attack, while Vera used her fire magic to clear the obstacles ahead.

This gift from Elder Reese is not only a magic book, but also a trust and affirmation of Alken, as well as a huge encouragement for his future potential. In Lushipia Village, a land full of magic and miracles, Alken found his own power.

A few days later, Elder Reese invited Alken and Vera to his residence. There, they discussed in depth the future security of Lushipia and how to further strengthen the village's defenses. Reese said that although the Men in Black attack was thwarted this time, there may be more threats in the future. Therefore, he proposed to establish a more solid defense mechanism and expand the scope of Luspia's magic research to deal with possible crises.

Alken and Vera made some forward-looking suggestions, such as establishing a monitoring system to warn of external threats and training villagers in basic self-defense magic. They also suggested that Elder Reese consider forming alliances with other surrounding villages to improve security throughout the region through mutual support and information sharing.

In the following days, Alken and Vera, with the joint efforts of Reese and the villagers, began to implement these proposals. They not only strengthened the village's physical defense buildings, but also created a small magic school to teach the young people in the village basic defensive magic and the use of leyline energy.

Through these efforts, Lusipia not only became more resilient, but also became a shining benchmark for the surrounding area, symbolizing unity and hope. During their time here, Alken and Vera established deep friendships with the villagers, and their stories were passed down by word of mouth and became the legend of Luspia.

Finally, when everything settled down, Alken and Vera knew their journey had to continue. They bid farewell to Reese and all the villagers, promising to return one day in the future. As they left, the people of Lusipia stood at the entrance of the village, waving goodbye and watching the brave travelers disappear on the distant horizon and continue on their new adventure.

After a journey to the mysterious valley, Vera holds in her hands the precious moongrass she has been searching for for a long time. This is not only the key to the healing grass in her hometown, but also her long-awaited mission - to use this treasure to cure the long-term suffering of the people in her hometown. And Alken, after a series of adventures and growth, began to understand his inner desire more deeply: he sought higher levels of magical knowledge, especially the secrets about dreams and runes, in order to reach a more powerful magical realm.

After careful consideration, they decided to go to Vera's hometown together. This trip not only allows Vera to complete her mission, but also provides Alken with the opportunity to travel to new areas to search for clues. Although their goals are different, they all understand that each other's companionship and support are the most valuable strength on the journey.

Vera explained to Alken the difficulties faced by her hometown and the possible changes that the moongrass could bring. Arken, although his pursuit of dreams and runes never stops, he also realizes that helping Vera complete her mission is equally important to him. He believes that this journey will not only deepen his understanding of magic, but may also find clues in Vera's hometown that will lead him to his next destination.