"Dammit." Will lay on the ground, struggling to push himself up, attempting to rise, but his body, drained of energy, left him looking utterly disheveled.
In contrast, Jin, who had long been accustomed to harsh environments, adapted much more easily. Though equally famished, he swiftly rose from the ground, though his appearance was no less ragged than Will's.
"Will, get up quickly," Jin, weak but still encouraging, urged as he saw Will's struggle.
Determined, though clearly exhausted, Will managed to stand, his head bowed, gasping for air. It seemed as if he had no strength left, his eyes barely able to stay open.
'I'm running out of strength… I can hardly think anymore,' Will thought to himself. He was too tired to even utter another word.
"Mr. Will, try to recall that feeling of being pushed to the brink," Master Harkin said gently, his concern evident. It was clear that he cared deeply for their well-being, and if it weren't for their training, he would never allow them to suffer like this.
"Being pushed to the brink…?" Will murmured to himself.
"That feeling of having nothing left," Master Harkin continued.
"Nothing left?" Will muttered again. Upon hearing this, an image instantly flashed in Will's mind. He saw himself standing alone in the ruined Paralar Empire, with fierce flames consuming everything around him. He shouted desperately, but no one responded.
"Do you want to experience that feeling again?" Master Harkin asked.
"Never!" Will suddenly looked up, answering with firm resolve. At that moment, a great surge of golden energy enveloped Will. The once-weak Will was now invigorated, the weariness entirely gone.
"That's it! The ancient saint's energy, the sacred golden aura, it gives hope to all who feel it. Mr. Will, you must remember this feeling, for only then will you learn to control this immense power," Master Harkin said, smiling with satisfaction.
"Will is amazing," Jin said, gazing in awe at the golden aura surrounding Will.
"Jin, it's your turn now," Master Harkin said, turning to Jin.
"Mm." Jin nodded with anticipation. He quickly closed his eyes and began to focus, imagining the feeling of having nothing left, hoping to awaken the power within him.
Sure enough, after a brief silence, Jin opened his eyes, and a vast red aura emanated from his body. It coiled around him like a red dragon, just as before. His previously weary expression now radiated with determination.
"They've succeeded!" Lisa, standing beside Master Harkin, exclaimed excitedly.
"Mr. Will, Mr. Jin, you both successfully awakened your internal auras. Congratulations," Master Harkin said with a pleased smile.
"I've had a similar experience before, but I still don't understand what this energy is," Will, surrounded by golden energy, asked with confusion.
"That's right. I once emitted such energy during my battle with Merlin. Though it felt like a source of endless power, it vanished after a while," Jin added, puzzled.
"That's because you haven't yet learned to fully control the energy within you," Master Harkin explained with a smile.
"Master Harkin, what exactly is this energy? And why is mine different from Jin's?" Will asked.
"First, the reason your energies are different is that they are two distinct forms. Jin's red energy is known as the Red Dragon Aura, the ultimate power of human limits. It enhances every aspect of a person's abilities to their utmost. Your energy, Will, the golden one, is the energy of the ancient saints. It is a powerful spiritual force, a divine power capable of purifying all evil in the world," Master Harkin explained.
Will and Jin both looked at him, still struggling to understand.
"To possess such energy means that both of you are descendants of the ancient people," Master Harkin said suddenly, his expression turning serious.
"Ancient people?" Will, Jin, and Lisa exclaimed in unison.
"Yes, the ancient people—the descendants of Roland," Master Harkin replied, his tone solemn.
"Roland? Is that the same Roland as the name of this continent?" the three of them asked, still confused.
"Indeed. The continent is named after Roland. There are no written records of who he truly was, but legend tells that he was the creator of this land. Some say he was a god from heaven; others claim he was a demon who escaped from hell. Regardless of the stories, Roland created this land. In the early days of Roland, it was not as safe as it is now. The continent was filled with evil creatures, demons, and savage beasts. Roland, with his extraordinary powers, used his own blood to create many people to aid him in purging the evil that plagued the land. And you two, you are descendants of Roland's people, possessing Roland's bloodline," Master Harkin explained with great seriousness.
Upon hearing Master Harkin's words, both Will and Jin fell into a heavy silence. What they had just learned was a story they would perhaps never hear again in their lives.
"Harkin, Master Harkin, how do you know all of this?" Jin asked.
"Because I also share his bloodline," Master Harkin said, his gaze deepening as he looked at Jin. Suddenly, a massive purple light erupted from his body, surrounding him.
"Ah!" Will, Jin, and Lisa gasped in astonishment.
"Master Harkin, you too…" Will said in disbelief.
"Of course. How else would I know how to awaken the powers within you?" Master Harkin smiled.
"But Master Harkin, if you possess this power, why couldn't you defeat the Shadow Council?" Will asked with confusion.
"Although I have Roland's power, the leader of the Shadow Council, Kor, seems to wield an even more terrifying power. That is why I cannot defeat them alone," Master Harkin explained.
"An even more terrifying power?" Will muttered to himself. Instantly, the image of a hexagram flashed in his mind, and he remembered the ancient evil god Cthulhu the Shadow Council sought to awaken.
"Kor, who exactly is he? And that short mage," Will pressed.
"And the muscular man," Jin asked.
"Kor, we know very little about him. We only know that he comes from the southern part of Roland and that our magic seems to have no effect on him. The short mage is likely Marcus, a former high-ranking mage of the United Nations Mage Association, who was expelled after delving into dark magic. He disappeared after that. As for the muscular man, he is from the Arus Empire," Master Harkin said, glancing at Jin when he mentioned the Arus Empire.
"He's from the Arus Empire?" Jin asked in surprise.
"Yes, this man also possesses incredible speed and strength, and he is skilled in various assassination techniques," Master Harkin confirmed.
"What?" Jin said in disbelief.
...
United Nations, Shadow Council Hall.
"Lord Kor, what are you planning to do?" Marcus, the short mage, asked with a sinister tone, pushing a chair towards Kor. On the chair lay the lifeless body of Merlin.
"Of course, I plan to find and kill the one who killed Merlin," Kor immediately rose, walking swiftly to Merlin's corpse. He drew his rune-inscribed longsword, pointing it at the body, and closed his eyes, quietly chanting an incomprehensible spell. Marcus, seeing this, nervously took two steps back.
After a moment, Kor slowly moved the sword back, and a faint white mist followed its tip.
"Come forth, Merlin," Kor said.
As soon as Kor spoke, the white mist began to change. It spread wildly and took the form of Merlin's likeness.
"Ah!" Marcus, standing nearby, let out a terrified scream.