Clues

Felmer, Flexin, and Lelis sat in a room, waiting for their teacher to arrive. 

“Has he always been like this?” Lelis asked, frustrated. 

“He is not this late most of the time. I don’t know what happened,” Felmer replied. 

“Ugh…C’mon…” Lelis whined. 

“And what are we going to study today?” Flexin asked.

“I am not the teacher, Flexin…” 

“Well, you are the eldest among us…” 

“I am 15, not a 150-year-old shrine saint…” Felmer replied, annoyed. 

“But you can try becoming one if you end up unemployed…” Flexin chuckled. 

“Shut up…” 

Soon, the door opened, and Irnik stepped inside, properly dressed. 

“Finally…” Lelis said aloud. 

“Why are you so late?” Felmer asked, leaning back.

“Why are you so early?” Irnik smiled. 

“Good morning! What will you teach today?” Flexin asked politely. 

“You two! Look how polite your younger brother is. Learn from him…” Irnik smiled. 

“Huh?” Lelis blurted out.

“Seriously? Learn from him?” Felmer said, pointing at Flexin. 

“Yes…” Irnik replied, sitting on a chair. “Today, I will explain to you the whole Block System, the fundamental Arts, the rare ones, and the extremely rare ones.”  

“This will be a long lesson, right?” Felmer asked, sighing. 

“Correct…” Irnik crossed his legs. “Felmer, you learned the first three Blocks in Maska, but those two haven’t. So I will explain from the beginning…” 

Felmer gave Irnik a thumbs-up. 

“Okay, then. We will start now…” Irnik cleared his throat. “First of all is Block 0. All those who lack magical abilities are in this Block. Then is Block 1. This is the basic level of magic. You have access to magic that belongs to your own identity…” 

“I don’t understand…” Flexin said, raising his hand. 

“By that, it means the magic that belongs to you and you alone. The way it works, the effectiveness, and the amount. These things are specific for everyone…People can have the same Art but never the same magic type.” 

“Oh…” Flexin nodded. 

“Now, moving on. Block 2 is next. You can only reach this block once you have grasped the mechanics of Block 1 completely. In Block 2, you have access to your family magic.” 

“Family magic? Like an heirloom?” Lelis asked. 

“Correct, just like that. Just to make it easy for you three, I will tell you your family’s magic. Lelis, as far as I remember, the Mifi family didn’t have any specific magic. They have always been away from combat. And for you two…” Irnik pointed at Felmer and Flexin. “The family magic of the Gorbin clan is the Blood Ritual…” 

“Huh?” Felmer, confused. “I have heard that for the first time…” 

“Well, you can ask your father or Lord Emairis, or Lord Raftin, for the details…” 

“Hmm…I will…” Felmer nodded. 

“Now next is Block 3. Like Block 2, to reach this block, mastery of Block 2 is necessary. At this block, you get access to Arts…I will explain those.” 

“Well, I know that very well…” Felmer chuckled, remembering his battle in Maska. 

“Of course you would…” Irnik smiled. 

“Now here it changes…At Block 3, you have access to the basic types of your respective Arts. At Block 4, it changes. At Block 4, you get access to the Destruction type of your Art. And at Block 5, you can use the Annihilation type.” 

“So mastery on the previous isn’t necessary?” Flexin asked, confused. 

“Well, no. Mastery is necessary. But here’s a thing. At Block 3, you can use Destruction types and Annihilation types, but the toll is very heavy. Using Annihilation Arts at Block 3 can take your life. Even at Block 4 and 5, using those Arts can be highly risky.”

“So, at 3 and 4, we can easily use the basic and Destruction types. But not the Block 5 ones?” Felmer asked, guessing. 

“Correct…But Block 5 is not risk-free either. The risk reduces, but it is still dangerous.” 

The three students nodded, gasping. 

“Block 4 is the threshold of the common Arts user. Those Arts are Earth, Flame, Wind, Water, and Wood Art. And Block 5 is of the rare Arts: Thunder Art, Light Art, Shadow Art, Blood Art, and Sound Art.” 

“So the ones with the common Art cannot reach Block 5?” Felmer asked, worried about his Flame Art. 

“They can, but it is harder for them compared to the ones possessing the rare Arts…” Irnik explained. “And then there are the High Arts. Time Art, Demonic Art, and Angelic Art are included in this category. Some also include the Heaven’s Blessing in it…” 

The students nodded in affirmation. 

“The ones possessing the High Arts have easy access up to Block 6 and chances of obtaining Block 7. And then there is Block 8.” 

“What about them?” Lelis asked. 

“The information on those three is incomplete. There are many in Block 6. But there have been only two people in Block 7. Irfika Korloff and The Golden Mage. And only one lives. Irfika…” 

The students gasped again. 

“And Block 8?” Flexin leaned forward, curious. 

“Also two. The late Emayla Gorbin. And the king of Falvaria, who still lives. Larnet Falva…” Irnik declared, enjoying the kid’s reactions.

“So…Block 8 is the limit, right?” Lelis asked, expecting more. 

“Yes, there is. And that is…Singularity…”  

…

In the evening, in the training room of the headquarters of the Eclipse.

Melfer drew his sword, studied Albert’s movements, and rushed at him. Albert imbued some magic and thrust at Melfer. 

Melfer, understanding his movements, moved to his left, slid, and attacked Albert’s right. But before he could land a blow, Alice blew the whistle. 

“Stop!” 

Melfer stopped immediately, inches away from injuring Albert. 

“Well done…You have improved…” Albert complimented Melfer. 

“Thank you…” Melfer smiled, sheathing his sword. 

“Great work, Corporal Melfer. You have been doing great!” Alice clapped, walking towards them.

Melfer smiled, giving them a thumbs-up. 

“Go and rest now…Your training for today is enough…” 

Melfer turned to leave the training room. 

The door of the room opened, and Isaac stepped in. 

“Aha…I found you, Melfer…” 

“You were looking for me?” 

“Yes, I was.”  Isaac walked up to him and stopped. “The two of us are going on a mission.” 

“And…That is?” Melfer asked, eager to know.

“Two members of the intelligence unit have discovered a small party of armed personnel. They are expected to be from the same terrorists who helped Thomas Rigner escape. So, we two are going to eliminate them and obtain all necessary information.”   

“But why us two? Weren’t you a strategist? And I am only a corporal…” Melfer objected. 

“I said I was a strategist and don’t fight, but this doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight…” Isaac smirked. “This mission is issued by Lady Equinox, and she chose us.” 

“Well, okay then…Let’s go…” Melfer replied, ready. 

“Fine then.” Isaac turned around. “Follow me…” 

“Good luck, little one…” Alice said, walking past them.

Melfer and Isaac went to the armoury, took equipment, guns, ammunition, and other necessities. After preparing, they left the building, rode their horses, and left for the operation site. 

Far from the Eclipse HQ, in an unknown location. 

Melfer and Isaac slowly moved through the plains, prepared for any unexpected situation. 

“You have been reading books from the library, right?” Isaac asked, observing his surroundings. 

“Yes, I have read quite a lot of them…” 

“So, do you understand everything?” 

“Hmm…Actually no. Not all of it…Can I ask you the meaning?” 

“Yes, sure. Why not?” Isaac smiled. 

“I don’t understand how the High Arts and the ascension to the top 3 Blocks work…Pretty confusing.”

“Hmm…This can be tricky. But it is very easy…” Isaac cleared his throat. “A common misconception is that the ones with common Blocks can’t access Block 6 or 7. But this isn’t the case. Anyone who has activated his magic has a clear shot at rising to Block 8. The main thing is understanding the core of your magic, assessing it, and becoming one with it. Don’t treat it as some external force. Treat it like it is yours. Something that is a part of you.” 

“Oh…I understand a bit…” Melfer nodded.

“Don’t worry…You will understand it as you master your powers.” 

“And…what is Singularity?” 

“Now that’s a question I would love to answer…”

“Singularity is a completely mysterious state of magic, high above the Block System itself. This was first thought to be theoretical, but there is a historical record proving its existence.” 

“And that is?” Melfer asked, curious.

“During the first Great War of Fin, Emayla Gorbin and Larnet Falva faced each other in a head-on battle. And during that fight, Emayla Gorbin reached Singularity for a brief moment, landing a heavy blow on Larnet.´

“Wait, then how did Larnet survive?” 

“That’s…Unknown. Singularity is a very powerful magical state. And for him to survive it? Well, that’s a mystery.” 

“Hmm…” Melfer nodded. “But how powerful is it actually?”  

“From our research, Singularity in full can never be reached by us humans at all. It is a mythical power. Also called divine by many religious scholars. Emayla Gorbin reached it for a very brief moment.” 

“So it is not something one can reach by mastering Block 8?” 

“Correct, totally not…It is not the next stage of the Block System. It is the existence and state of magic far beyond what any living being can comprehend. Also, there is more above it.” 

“Huh? There is more? Isn’t it a stretch?” Melfer commented, unhappy. 

“That’s why it is purely theoretical. It is called Infinity. A state which no one can reach. And above that is the absolute power of God.” 

“That’s interesting…” Melfer nodded, pleased. 

“Knowledge is valuable. Use it properly. Don’t learn it for fun alone…” 

After a few minutes, they reached the operation site. 

There were two guards in a small ruined house. 

“So what do we do?” Melfer asked, taking cover behind a rock. 

“No need to waste energy fighting them head-on. We use our guns…” Isaac said, drawing his handgun.  

“Fine, then…” Melfer drew his handgun and aimed at one of them. 

After a few seconds, they fired at the same time and took down the two guards. 

“This is all?” Melfer asked, looking around. 

“According to the intel, that’s all…” Isaac replied and walked towards the ruin. “Search and take everything valuable…” 

“Affirmative…” 

As they approached the ruins, a soldier jumped at Melfer from behind a wall. Melfer drew his sword immediately and blocked the attack. Before the soldier could make a move, Melfer kicked his knee, and then landed a punch in his chest. 

The soldier fell back, losing his sword. And before he could recover, Isaac aimed his gun at him and pinned him against the ground. 

“He is just a mercenary…” Melfer commented, grabbing the soldier by the collar. 

“Brave for one…” Isaac kept his gun at his head. 

Melfer took out a rope and bound the soldier.

“Let’s search…” Isaac ordered.

The duo searched through the dead guards and then their belongings. 

All they found were different contract papers or simple identification documents. 

Soon, Melfer found a paper different from the rest.

“What is this crest? Seems a bit familiar.” Melfer said, looking at the blue whale drawn on the paper. 

“This…This is the crest of Divers. The intelligence unit of Tarmil…” 

“What does it read?” Melfer asked, reading the paper. 

“Worked. Hiding.” Isaac read the words on the paper. 

“Huh? That’s all? What does that even mean?” Melfer looked on the opposite side.

“Don’t know…” Isaac shrugged his shoulders. “Well, the efficient solution is to bring all the documents back to HQ and leave it to Lady Equinox…” 

“True…But why not try asking him…” 

Isaac went towards the soldier, grabbed him by the collar, and asked him. 

“What does this mean?” 

The soldier spat at Isaac’s face. 

“Heh…” The soldier chuckled. 

Isaac, agitated, pulled out another handgun, aimed at the soldier’s head. 

“NO! NO!” The soldier cried.

But Isaac clicked the trigger. 

The soldier kept his eyes closed, but he was alive. 

The gun was empty. 

“Haha…” The soldier laughed now. 

And this time Melfer pulled his gun and fired at the soldier’s shoulder. 

“AGH!!!” The soldier fell to the ground, screaming.

“Going to speak?” Isaac asked politely. 

“Fine…Fine…” The soldier groaned with pain. “I don’t know the details, but a member of the Divers was in contact with us. He asked us a lot of questions about Maska and related things. And we answered them. These two guards were new, and they had that paper. But I was totally unaware of it…” 

“That’s all?” Isaac asked, loading the next bullet. 

“YES! Yes…” The soldier shouted, scared. 

“Hmm…Now go. We won’t kill you. If you decide to speak of this to anyone, then don’t forget to dig your grave before.” Isaac whispered.

“Let’s go…” Isaac ordered. 

The duo took all the documents, went back to their horses, and returned to HQ.