Ashes of Gods: Return of the Blade Emperor - 12 Resonance

Noble’s Pride

Level: 1 (Max)

Cost: 0 (Passive)

A noble’s pride is also a noble’s duty. The noble protects the civilians, and in counterpart the civilians respect the noble.

Gain of reputation in Pliyx Stal Kingdom is doubled.

Loss of reputation in Pliyx Stal Kingdom is doubled.

New Title Acquired

Golden Eye of the Golden Child

As a holder of the golden eyes, your rights have been determined by birth. But as children of the golden generation, you have no family to inherit or favor to be graced with. However, fret not, as the king granted you the chance to receive a territory and be a beacon of hope for this country.

This title gives you the same standing as that of a High Noble.

“Your grace, there is one final thing I need to show you.” Thomas closed his eyes and his hand glowed golden. He touched Shesmu’s forehead with his finger and a notification appeared in front of him.

Mental Teaching Activated

Do you accept the connection?

Yes | No

Yes. A new interface appeared in front of Shesmu.

New Skill Acquired

Inspect

Level: 1

Cost: 0 Energy

Shows basic information about the objects inspected. It does not work on object 10 levels higher than the skill.

“You guys are finally done?”

Leonard, who stood silent for the whole time at the corner finally spoke.

“By the name of all the aspects in the sky, what took you so long?”

“How rude!” Thomas objected. He looked at Shesmu and said, “Please, your grace, forgive this peasant for not knowing how to behave.”

“Ah, whatever.” Leonard grabbed Shesmu by the hand and said. “Let’s go Shesmu, there is still other stuff that you need to know.”

Shesmu looked back at Thomas only to see him bowing in his direction. “Farewell, your grace. May your adventures in this world be full of thrill and happiness.”

Shesmu smiled back at Thomas and said, “Farewell, Thomas. I enjoyed your company very much.”

The two made their way towards the building, leaving Thomas back in his desk. After leaving through the gates, Shesmu looked around to see the buildings surrounding the hall.

“This building that we just came out of is called the Warrior’s Hall. It’s where the new beginner warriors get their initiation. The other buildings you see do the same but for the other classes.”

The surroundings of Shesmu resembled a small village. There were buildings everywhere. Homes, halls, churches, and towers. The place was packed. Surrounding it all was a wall of stone. And in each corner, there was a watchtower, looking out for danger.

“The tower over there is where the mage newbies spawn. That church is for priests, and that hall is for assassins. But those don’t really matter to you now. The interesting bit is behind all of those: The training ground.”

Shesmu walked after Leonard while looking at the other buildings. Players came out, accompanied by their instructor. They all wore different sets of clothes, robes, cloaks, chainmails, and gowns.

Finally, the two reached the training ground. An open space with dummies all around.

“So, Shesmu. Let me do some explanations first before letting you on your way. The space around you is the training ground.” He then walked and said, “Reveal.”

The earth glowed in a bright shade of orange. Pillars of golden light appeared all over the training ground. Light made its way from one pillar to the next forming a pentagon. And finally, two circles surrounded the formation, with runes slowly popping into existence between the perimeters of the two.

Shesmu covered his eyes from the blinding light. After opening them again, he gasped at the sight of the magic circle. Woah, this one is huge. Is it a tier III spell?

“This little gem here is the cornerstone on which this whole camp was built. You can train all you want, you’ll never run out of energy.”

Shesmu did know about this ability, he just didn’t know that what was holding it was a tier III spell. Seems like they got a really talented enchanter to make this one.

Leonard coughed to catch Shesmu’s attention before talking with a serious voice. “The reason why I came with you here is but one. It’s for one final lesson. The technique that I’ll show you isn’t a spell that you could just call in your mind for it to activate. You need to have an extremely strong vision and unparalleled talent.”

He then took a deep breath and said. “Look and listen, I’ll only say this once. Focus on your mind, focus on your spirit, focus on everything that makes you, you.”

Shesmu took a deep breath and closed his eyes. By the time he opened them, a white aura covered his irises. From the surface of the floor came a mist. This mist swirled and turned, and with each spin, it turned darker and darker. By the end, the white mist became a black shadow. One reminiscent of the shadow Shesmu saw in the character creation.

* * *

“Woah.”

Leonard was surprised. He couldn’t see the mist nor the shadow, but the white aura in Shesmu’s eyes told him the full story.

“What a terrifying talent.”

Leonard understood that he shouldn’t disturb Shesmu in his current state. Nothing he could teach him would be more important than indulging in this trance. As such, he went out of the way and sat under the shade of a nearby tree.

He kept looking at Shesmu fighting against the air for long minutes without saying a word. Suddenly, he heard chattering in the distance. He turned around only to see a very familiar face. Leonard’s complexion turned worse as he looked at the man approaching.

White skin, dark hair, and thin eyebrows. The man had a peaceful smile that never left his face. However, behind that facade, Leonard knew that a beast of unknown terror was hidden.

“Damnit, of all people it could only be him,” He muttered. His eyebrows rose in surprise after as he questioned. “But why would he come though? He never leaves his hole unless the world is burning.”

Leonard’s eyes then glanced at next to the man. A small red-headed kid walked beside him. His cloak told Leonard his full story.

“An assassin apprentice, huh,” He murmured under his breath.

“Oh, Leonard, fancy seeing you here,” The man exclaimed with a bright voice.

“Spare me the pleasantries Shin, what made you crawl out of your hole this time.”

Shin’s face showed no reaction to the hostility of Leonard. He kept his everlasting smile plastered on his face as he responded, “My little birdie told me that this morning would be interesting.” He then looked at the kid on his right before continuing. “So far, I haven’t been disappointed.”

Leonard’s attention immediately focused on the child next to Shin. His hair was bright red and well combed. His eyes were blue like the ocean, and his small frame made him seem weak and vulnerable.

Interesting, Leonard thought. He then asked, “What’s your name, kid?”

The child looked at him before responding, “The name is Ryan.”

“Good name, I’m guessing you have a few tricks up your sleeves to catch the attention of Shin.”

Ryan grinned before responding, “Something like that.”

He then turned towards Shin and asked, “Shin, we reached the training ground, now can you tell me why you wanted me to walk all the way over here.”

Shin responded in a warm voice, “I’m going to teach you a certain technique, and here is a much better place for practice than the hall.”

He then turned around towards Leonard, “But it seems like I wasn’t the only one who had this idea.” Even though Shin’s lips kept smiling, his eyes glowed with a dangerous glint. “I didn’t think that you would be able to teach your student Resonance in such a short time.”

Leonard’s eyes darted to Shesmu for a second before focusing back on Shin. “That’s not something I taught him. Shesmu learned Resonance on his own.”

Shin stayed silent for a few seconds before finally responding. This time, his voice was no longer cold. “That’s an enviable talent.” He then looked at Ryan before focusing back on Shesmu. “Seems like this batch of students is going to be interesting.”

“Resonance,” Ryan muttered. “Is that the technique you were gonna teach me?” He asked looking up at Shin.

“Not really,” Shin said slowly.

“Just tell me how it works and I’ll figure it out,” Ryan cut in. His eyes shone with a competitive fire as they looked at Shesmu.

“Hahaha, you have a lively student, Shin. Seems like you need to learn a thing or two from him.” Leonard laughed while looking at the duo. He liked kids with a bit of edge, with a bit of fire burning in them. And this kid showed exactly that.

Shin just shook his head and said, “Honestly, you two.” He then looked at Ryan and continued, “Okay then. I can show you how to do Resonance. But remember this, don’t feel bad if you cannot do it or if it’s hard. This skill is one that needs lots and lots of training, years even for the less fortunate. Both me and Leonard here were only able to master it once we reached the pinnacle of tier II.”

“Just tell me how to do it. I’m not so childish as to need this kind of pep talk.” Ryan’s cut in made Leonard almost burst out laughing.

Shin just smiled wryly in response before continuing, “Resonance is the most basic interaction with the ether. Ether is the energy that surrounds us all. It’s what makes the apples fall, it’s what makes your body stand together, and it’s also what makes casting spells possible.”

Shin then touched Ryan’s forehead with his index and middle finger. “Close your eyes and look deep within yourself. Do not say anything. Do not listen to me. I do not exist, only the world inside you does.”

Shin’s fingers glowed with a white aura. This aura jumped from his fingers and onto Ryan’s forehead. It then pulsated throughout the kid’s whole body before disappearing.

Leonard and Shin kept looking at Ryan with bated breath. The kid kept his eyes closed for a few seconds before opening them. They were white.

“What a terrifying kid,” Leonard muttered.

Ryan unsheathed his dagger and started slashing at the air. He dodged, parried and blocked invisible moves. He would then counterattack with flabbergasting speeds. His movements were clean-cut, no fat in his steps, no acrobatics, just clean footwork.

Leonard looked at Shin and said, “These kids are scary. Were you the one who taught him that footwork?”

Shin stayed silent for a few seconds, smiling as he looked at Ryan’s movements. Only after a few moments had passed did he respond. “No, it’s something that he knew since before he came to this world.”

“Phew, for kids their age to have such high combat mastery. I wonder how their world looks like. Is it even more terrifying than this one?”

Shin didn’t respond to Leonard’s musings. He just kept contemplating Ryan’s footwork, not missing any step.

Understanding that he wouldn’t talk, Leonard joined Shin in his silence and kept looking at his disciple. The two observed their students under the shade of the tree for more than an hour, before they finally fell on the ground, unconscious.