Elydes Chapter 109: Escape

Chapter 109 - Escape

The tunnel flew past him. Kai fed his remaining mana to Blessed Swimr and Empower. Mama Clams essence pulsed furiously as she gave chase and propelled herself in short bursts of surprising speed.

So much fuss for a single pearl! Whats the big deal, you can just make another.

Frantically trying to get away, Kai couldnt afford the waste of a poorly constructed spell with his dwindling resources. All his focus went to navigating the cave system.

While Mama Clam's sudden accelerations threatened to catch up with him, the agility of a mollusk her size wasnt exceptional. She crashed against the walls at each bend of the tunnel. The cave shook as dust and sedints fell from the ceiling.

Kai abandoned any idea of a fight. Within the tight confines of the cavern, any mistake would turn him into mashed potatoes. Poisons wouldnt be of help underwater.

Guided by Blessed Swimr, Kai used each twist in the path to push against the rock and increase his speed. Although the walls appeared stable, the impacts didnt stun or make her desist in the slightest. The greedy clam only increased the frequency of her bursts.

The hope his sister went outside to take a breath was dashed by the flickering green light at the end of the tunnel. A wave of panic swelled through him for the first ti.

Kai tried to scream a warning. Ele was too busy relieving a clam of its pearl to notice. Sacrificing a few specks of Water mana, he slapped her head up. She darted back, warily watching her surroundings. Kai waved to run as he barreled toward her.

The cavern rumbled as Mama Clam slamd on the wall. Ele froze. Without ti for pleasantries, Kai angled his path and grabbed her outstretched arm.

His sister began madly swimming at his side. Mana revolved around her figure. Dragging Ele with him, Kai still lost so speed, and the last bend was fast approaching.

Proving her expertise, Ele applied his sa strategy to gain montum by pushing on the rocky wall. The exit was within sight. Scraping his mana veins raw, Kai used his last shreds of Water mana to push his sister forward.

For a mont he feared she would turn back as she realized his actions. The cave trembled, Mama Clam had turned the last bend. He felt cold sweat even though they were underwater.

You can be mad at later.

With one reproachful look, Ele darted through the narrow exit. An imdiate wave of relief was torn by the urgency to get to safety. Kai pushed more unattuned mana into his skills. The blinding shape of an orange-grade beast sprinted toward him.

Too late, mollusk.

With an exhilarated smile, Kai jumped into the hole. He almost broke his neck maneuvering through the cramped space at such speed. He scraped a long gash on his thigh against a jutting rock, barely feeling the pain.

A quake caused rubble and pebbles to rain down on him. Mama Clam clearly was a sore loser. The fear of being buried alive increased his urgency to get out.

Ignoring scratches and grazes, Kai flung himself toward the bright exit and dashed into the peaceful pond beyond. The rays of the sun spilling from above were the most beautiful sight he could imagine.

There was no ti to contemplate his own existence as Ele dragged him toward the light.

They breached the surface. His sister hardly caught a breath before she besieged him with worried comnts.

Are you okay? Spirits, youre bleeding, her hands checked his cuts as she kept swimming to the edge of the pond. Dont worry, I got you. Its all going to be fine. Youre going to be fine.

Kai felt none of her alarm, quietly letting her take the lead. A cursory glance confird his scrapes were all superficial wounds, hardly worth ntioning. He had suffered worse injuries countless tis, be it hunting in the Veeryd jungle, or just training.

Even with his adrenaline receding, the slight burning against the salty water was easy to ignore. Im fine, sis.

His words were sowhat disproven when he almost fell to the ground, trying to take a step. Ele was upon him before he could blink.

Its just mana exhaustion. Ill be fine in a mont. His mana veins sat at a asly 45% capacity. Close to the lowest he ever got. As long as he rested for the next few days, he would be fine.

Kai considered using the ergency mana potion in his ring. He had only three of them, and without Doras garden, it would be extrely expensive to brew moretaking for granted that he found all the ingredients.

He opted for the traditional way since he wasnt in imdiate danger. His skills and will were already fast at working to convert the mana in his proximity.

His reassurances did little to placate Eles alarm. Kai wanted to point out there was nothing to worry about, but seeing her panicked state, that would probably not go over well.

Ive got a balm to stop the bleeding, Kai took out a little jar. He didnt get to open it before Ele snatched it from his hands.

What was that thing?

He was surprised the question took this long to co. A very angry clam.

Ive never seen anything like it.

neither. It was an orange-grade beast.

Ele paled, Why was it chasing you? I told you to turn back at the first sign of danger. What would I have told Mom if sothing happened to you?

Her voice broke, and guilt slamd into his consciousness like an enraged clam.

Im sorry. I didnt expect that to happen, it lured in with so kind of charming magic.

He winced as Ele's fingers pushed the wound on his thigh. I told you even with a sensing skill, sotis it is too late to run when you perceive the danger.

Touch.

I didnt think the first beast Id et would be an orange tier Ele raised an eyebrow at him. But I should have been more careful and listened to you.

His sister gave a curt nod. It doesnt matter. Im just glad youre okay. Thank the spirits you managed to escape.

I did train my skills for years exactly for this, but Im sure the spirits also played so part. Probably.

So, that clam chased after you because you escaped its spell?

Well Kai vainly took ti to think of a solution. There was noneexcept lying.

Oh, boy, here we go.

After the clam lured in, I might have snatched her pearl as payback. But I didnt know it would or could chase after .

Silence descended upon them. The only sound was the light scuttling of a crab a few ters from them. If he didnt know his sister better, Kai would think Danger Sense was warning him.

You. Did. What?

Ergency procedure, activate!

Out of options, Kai took the golden pearl out of his ring and shoved it at his sister. Here, look.

I dont c her eyes were transfixed by the iridescent shimr on its smooth surface. Its allure was far weaker than in Mama Clams shell. Still, it was the biggest pearl he had ever seen, and a mana treasure at that.

A good ten seconds later, Ele broke her stare, still grasping the pearl tightly on her chest. This doesnt change anything. Despite her words, her tone had lost its furious edge.

I know, I didnt think a clam could be that fast.

Thats why you dont go snooping around in dark caves without preparation. Do you realize how close we were to not making it?

We had at least a good two seconds to spare, it wasnt that close. Though I guess Elijahs standards dont exactly follow common sense

Kai sincerely apologized. Ele told him it was fine, and yet, he didnt feel like it was.

He was long used to taking risks, knowing Elijah was always there if sothing went wrong. Except now he was alone, there was no safety blanket. He had been warned this day would co, but it wasnt easy to switch his mindset after years of habit.

Ive long accepted I was going to take so risks. Minimizing them was a great part of why I trained at the estate.

In the future, he needed to be more cautious to not involve anyone else in his perilous choices. That had been an unforgivable mistake.

They rested by the pool to let him recover enough mana and for his wounds to stop bleeding.

Lets wrap up, we can wait for the tide in the boat, Ele said, refusing to let him walk alone all the way back.

It was mid-afternoon, a few more hours till the waters ca back. Kai didnt think it was wise to ask if he could go check if Mama Clam had gone back to her cave.

How many pearls did you manage to find before I interrupted you? Kai broke the silence.

Her lips quivered upwards ever so slightly, but she steeled her expression. A few.

And how much do you think they are worth?

The look Ele gave him made clear she knew exactly what he was trying to do. But it didnt matter since it would work anyway.

Ive never sold pearls of this variety.

What's your guess? More or less than the others we found?

More.

Really

His sister rolled her eyes. Yeah, a lot more.

What about the mana pearl?

Probably a few tis more than everything else combined.

This ti it was his turn to stare in shock.

And do you plan to give it back? Kai inquired with a chuckle.

Her eyes fell on the golden sphere in her hands. Oh, right. Take it.

I was joking, you can keep it if you want, Kai refused. You can consider it paynt for putting up with .

Dont be silly. You found it and seized it. By the law of the sea, its yours.

You did give the first mana pearl you found, Kai argued back, juggling his bracelet in front of her nose. Wouldnt it only be fair to give you mine?

That isnt the sa thing, Ele vainly offered him the shimring pearl again. You cant compare that tiny bead to this.

I didnt know gifts were asured by value. And I dont need the money.

Kai. Ive already got more than my fair share in that cave. I dont want it. Ele thrust the golden pearl in his stomach.

Aye, my Captain.

I can always buy her sothing with the money.

If you ever need sothing, anything, dont hesitate to tell .

The quippy response he expected didnt co. Her hands fiddled with her satchel while her gaze moved to the empty sea.

What is it?

Nothing.

Youre a terrible liar.

Just a stupid thought.

I would feel much better if I could do sothing for you, Kai knew Ele couldnt resist that.

Its just I was wondering what it would take to learn magic.

Oh

See, I told you it was stupid.

Kai vehently shook his head. Its not. Im the stupid one for not proposing it sooner. I thought youd not be interested.

Ele gave him an incredulous look. Not interested in shaping water and splitting rocks with the flick of a finger.

Magic is indeed aweso.

Why didnt you ever say anything?

I didnt want to put you on the spot. Its probably too late for to start learning anyway.

Nonsense, youre plenty young and plenty talented, Kai waved her worries away before assuming a solemn tone. I have only one question for you.

Ele gulped, What?

Are you ready to embark on the arcane path of spellcraft?

Yes?

Great, we can begin!

You an right now?

Kai gestures to the empty expanse around them. Unless you have sothing better to do?

The next hours flew by as he gave her an impromptu lesson. They were working with a decent foundation since Ele already had both Mana Sense and Manipulation. He ended up talking about his experiences at the estate, showing her so beginner exercises.

I see why there arent many mages around, Ele groaned as her mana construct crumbled again. You need a level 50 Orange skill just to start.

Only for elental magic. Though unattuned disciplines require more study, he admitted. Contrary to what Kea thinks, Ive not been twiddling my thumbs all these years.

You are always quite vague with the details.

Kai frowned his brows. Im an open book. I didnt want to give her more reasons to be envious.

Ele gave him a long stare.

What?

Have you thought that it could be useful if you told her how hard youve worked?

He shrugged. Shouldnt she already know? Howd I have reached Orange at seven otherwise?

One thing is knowing, another is seeing it with your own two eyes. I knew you could cast spells, but it was an entirely different thing to see you blast an entrance through the stone.

I was more delicate than that.

I an Kai tried to co up with an argunt. For once, his mind was awfully empty. Maybe youre right

Spirits, tell Im not that much of a moron.

On the horizon, the sea shimred in the waning light as it flooded to recoup the lost ground. In minutes their boat was rocked by the surging waves. Ele decided to wait a while longer to not get swept by the rising tide.

Ti to go back, Your Majesty, Ele prepared her oars. Or should I call you teacher now?

Spirits no. Kai paused, thoughtful. Do you think I should also ask Kea if she wants to learn magic?

You know her, she doesnt have the patience. From what you told , magic is a lot of sitting around playing with colorful motes, Ele laughed at his indignation. You could try asking. Maybe if you showed her sothing impressive, she might reconsider.

Honestly, he hoped Kea wouldnt be interested, teaching her would be a nightmare. He was going to ask nonetheless.

Spirits help if she says yes.

Relaxing on the rocking boat, Kai finally paid attention to the blinking notifications. He had gained a slew of levels in Danger Sense, and a one in Water Magic and Blessed Swimr each. Then sothing unexpected popped up.

*Ding*

New skill available in the Archive! Hallowed Intuition (lv1) Favored by the realm, grasp the whispers of the ineffable to warn you of a possible future. Increased effectiveness when your well-being is threatened.

*Ding*

Hallowed Intuition (lv1) is creating a resonance with Danger Sense Eye (lv18)

*Ding*

Compatibility ets the minimum threshold. Do you wish to substitute Danger Sense with Hallowed Intuition?

Warning: so or all levels of your skill may be lost in the process, the choice is irreversible. Do you wish to proceed?

His eyes looked blankly at the colored words. That wasnt orange.