Magus Reborn

157. Sylvastra

As they made their way up the river's current, Raven began to explain more about the river that was called Mistfen river.

For the first hour of the journey, Kai couldn't understand the reasoning behind the name. But as the boat drifted farther, a strange, swirling mist began to envelop them, thick and dense, obscuring everything around. They couldn't see past what was at an arm's distance.

Kai looked around, trying to gauge the surroundings, but the atmosphere felt unnatural. The mist seemed alive, constantly shifting, and a peculiar mana current interfered with his senses. It was as though the very air around them was charged with an unseen force, making it difficult to discern anything beyond the haze. He instinctively reached for his magic, but just as he began to weave a spell, Raven placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"You should save your spells, Lord Arzan," she said.

"Why?" Kai asked, his voice filled with confusion. "I believe there's something mixed in the mist... some sort of magic interfering with my senses."

Raven nodded, her gaze steady as she looked into the dense fog. "It's just a spell formation, made by the Elders of the Five Tribes. It confuses one's perception and leads travellers astray, guiding them away from our lands."

Kai considered her words for a moment. "Is this how Sylvastra has remained untouched by foreign forces?" It would make sense if that was the case.

"Partly," she replied. "But you'll see the rest of it soon enough. For now, Jata—my spirit will help us reach our destination. It's better to save your spells."

Before Kai could ask what exactly she meant , a strange croaking sound echoed through the mist, sending a chill down his spine. He turned his head toward Gareth, who was at the bow of the boat, looking around warily.

"Who was that? What's going on?" Kai asked in just above a whisper.

Gareth's eyes narrowed as he stared into the mist. "Lord Arzan, we heard a croaking noise from somewhere nearby, but the mist is too thick to see anything."

Kai, feeling his curiosity rise, made a quick decision. He conjured a wind spell, [Gust], shaping a gust of air to blow some of the mist away from around them. The fog parted slightly, revealing a large, jagged rock rising out of the water.

On top of the rock sat a group of disproportionate toads, their bulbous bodies covered in slick, poisonous mucus. With the mucus, they shimmered, looking extremely out of place.

Toads? Kai wondered if he could call them that for how big they were. Their skin was mottled, an awful green, with deep, white eyes that gleamed unnaturally. Their long, slimy tongues flicked in and out, tasting the air hungrily. The toads' bodies were swollen as if overfed on something that shouldn't have been consumed. A strange, putrid odour emanated from them, and Kai just knew it was from the thick mucus that coated their bloated forms.

He watched as their tongues lashed out, snapping at the air with unnerving speed.

Raven gave a soft sigh, her voice almost wistful. "Croakclaws—grade 2 beasts. They like to hang around the Mistfen River. They're territorial and venomous."

Kai's eyes never left the toads. He knew better than to underestimate a river beast knowing they were in their territory right now.

"Should we do something about them?" Gareth asked, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.

Raven shook her head lightly. "Not unless they attack. They're part of the balance here. We have no need to disturb them. Jata will guide us safely past them."

With that, she called upon her spirit once again. The green spirit twinkled as the mist swirled, and the toads, after a moment of staring at the group, gave a low croak before retreating further into the fog.

Kai, still intrigued by the interaction, returned his attention to the water ahead. The mist seemed to part just a little more as they continued their journey, and with it, his anticipation grew. He kept looking for any more beast that might sprang up, moving onto stand right in the middle of the twins that roared the boat.

"I thought they'd be harmful," Gareth spoke up, rethinking the toads they left behind.

"Well—" Before Raven could respond, a loud croak came from behind.

They all turned back to see one of the toads leapt up from the rock, its massive, slimy body soaring through the air like a big rock. It swung its thick, muscular tail toward the boat. The strike was wide, missing them entirely but sending a loud crack through the air as it slammed into the side of the boat. The boat groaned under the force, the wood splintering slightly.

So, they gave up on letting us pass by peacefully.

Kai let out a low grunt. "I believe that's enough of a signal to know that they don't like us here. Weapons up. Get ready in case they decide to attack again." His eyes locked on the toads, his hands already beginning to form spell structures. "I'll deal with them with my spells."

As he finished speaking, more of the toads jumped from their rocky perches, launching themselves at the boat with alarming speed. Kai's hands moved instinctively, weaving a wind spell to slice through the air, but the toads' thick mucus-covered skin acted as defence against any attack. His wind blades only managed to create small cuts on their tough hides, not enough to stop them.

As he took his first step onto the land, he felt an overwhelming surge of mana in the air. It pressed down on him, not with weight, but with a tangible force that seemed to fill every inch of his being. Each breath he took was filled with energy, and his senses seemed heightened, sharper, as if the very air was alive with the power of the land.

His eyes narrowed, absorbing the dense mana, and he knew, without a doubt, that he was stepping into a place unlike any he had ever experienced. Sylvastra was not just a city or a forest—it was a living, breathing entity, one that thrived in ways Kai could barely comprehend.

He briefly recalled the overwhelming sensation he had experienced when he first arrived in this world—the pure mana had been bliss to him after years of limited mana in the air. It had been a shock to his senses, unlike anything he'd ever encountered. But this? This was something different. The mana here seemed alive, flowing through the very air and earth, and Kai could feel it, almost as if it were reaching out to touch him, filling him with an energy he'd never known before.

He could have stayed there, rooted to the spot, basking in the overwhelming mana, but just then, Gareth's voice broke through his reverie.

"Lord Arzan, see! Elves! So many of them!"

Kai's attention snapped back to the present, and he turned his gaze toward the group Gareth was pointing at.

Before him, a gathering of elves stood, moving through the forest like wisps of smoke. There were elves of all ages, from children to elders, dressed in clothing that was different from anything Kai had seen before—flowing robes, leaf-stitched patterns, and beautiful, but unique pieces of jewellery that shimmered with the glow of natural materials. Their attire was ethereal, almost as if their very clothing was made from the forest itself.

Their faces were a mixture of curiosity as they whispered amongst themselves in a language that Kai couldn't understand, though the tone of their speech felt soft, melodic, and ancient.

Just as he was about to ask Raven about them, she waved enthusiastically and called out, "I've returned!"

With that, she moved forward towards the crowd, her presence clearly recognized and welcomed by the elves, many of them nodding in greeting as she passed.

Kai let her take the lead, noticing a small group moving through the crowd—A man, a woman, and a younger boy, their features unmistakably resembling Raven's. He watched quietly as the family enveloped her in a warm, tight hug, their faces softening with relief and joy.

"Lira ená tael farín, venar síal nael'vian!" the tallest among the group, the man yelled.

"Elen na, fael," Raven squealed with a bright smile on her face. That was rare, considering she had been the mostly reserved, silent type. But it made sense.

Home does make one more relaxed.

It was a touching moment, and Kai allowed them their privacy, stepping back and letting them have their time together.

But as Raven reunited with her family, something else caught his attention.

Whispers passed through the crowd, a wave of gasps that stirred the air, and then the large group of elves parted.

From the midst of the gathering emerged five older elves. The air around them seemed to shift as if the forest itself bowed in respect. They moved gracefully and got closer.

From what Raven had told him, Kai guessed that they were the five tribe elders, the rulers of Sylvastra, and the very heart of elven governance. Their eyes, wise and ancient, turned to Kai as they approached. But as their gazes swept over him, it was the woman in the centre who caught his attention most sharply.

V'aleirith, the one who had given him the vision, the one who had seen his past. Kai's breath caught for a moment as his eyes locked with hers. There was an undeniable recognition, and as she looked at him, her lips curled into a smile that seemed both knowing and pleased.

"You've arrived, Fatebreaker," she said, her small eyes smiling at him. "I'm glad." She spoke in common language for Kai to understand, and Kai nodded. Before he could respond, with a surprising speed, she stepped forward and took his hands in her own, her gaze sparkling as she held them.

Kai hesitated for a moment, the instinct to break free almost overwhelming, but he held still, intrigued by her sudden closeness. The other elders seemed to stiffen at her actions, their expressions unreadable, but V'aleirith's eyes never left his, her smile widening ever so slightly.

Kai looked down at her, meeting her gaze, and asked, "You called me here for a reason. I have questions."

Her smile never faltered as she spoke. "Who doesn't have questions?" She tilted her head slightly, her eyes glimmering. "But come, I will answer some of them. Others... you will have to ask someone else. Someone who had been waiting to speak to you."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"The Elder Tree," she replied simply.

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.