Staring at the scrawny old man, Ulric’s brows arched slightly. It seemed, even after everything he had gathered, he had still underestimated the extent of his knowledge.

***

Watching the dark-robed youth’s eyes light up in surprise, Alaric grew more smug. The smile on his face widened at how quickly the tables had turned.

Having been a merchant since he could remember, he had traveled across the realm and its many cities. At first fueled by a sense of youthful adventure and his desire to trade.

But as he grew accustomed to the ways of the world and picked up knowledge and items others would only dream of, he soon grew numb to it all. Nothing fazed him anymore.

That is, until he saw the dark beam of light shooting up into the sky, marking the birth of an S-rank talent.

In that moment, he had been... surprised. Not at the talent itself... but where it had bloomed. A little city far removed from the grand centers of power.

At the time, it had piqued his interest. He wanted to take the youth as his apprentice so that little Mira wouldn’t be lonely anymore.

But as time passed and the youth’s shocking feats piled up, the surprise in him grew daily until finally doubt took root. He had seen all sorts of talents, and S-rank just didn’t fit the bar for the youth’s monstrous growth.

It was only recently that his suspicions were confirmed when he saw the youth wield the dark power of necromancy so fluidly. He was certain no S-rank talent could do that.

Still, even with all this, that wasn’t what had piqued most of his attention. Back after the major battle with Thunderblade, when he had stared at the youth lying in the pit...

He’d seen it. The green pendant hanging on his neck, engraved with the royal jade kingdom insignia he could recognize anywhere.

Which was a little baffling. From all the information he had scoured about the youth, he was certain he was born and raised in Tempest. Never having left to explore the outside world yet.

If it was just another ornament with the crest, he wouldn’t have paid much attention. But having gone to the royal city a couple of times, he knew enough to know only members of the royal family could carry one.

So why did the little brat have one? After racking his brains for days on end, he came to the conclusion that he had only obtained it through an extreme case of sheer luck. Or maybe merchants that didn’t know what they were trading. Never once in his thoughts tying the dark-robed youth with the royal family. The thought was just too absurd to form.

But despite that, the royal jade pendant only added to the interest he had in the youth for a while.

Having seen a glimpse of his potential... forging a bond with him while his strength had yet to reach truly terrifying levels would only yield great rewards for the future.

***

Seeing the old man space out, deep in his thoughts as a creepy smile spread across his face, Ulric cleared his throat. The scowl on his face eased into a smile before he chuckled softly.

"Good, good, good." He breathed repeatedly, drawing Alaric’s attention.

This was even better! Ulric thought. The more he knew, the more he could impart to him. He had thought his visit would yield only scraps of information. But this was a pleasant twist.

Raising his head to stare into Alaric’s eyes, he repeated, "Tell me everything." His eyes narrowed, pausing for a while before revealing where his curiosity lay. "Tell me the history of Arcadia... starting from the dawn of mana."

As the youth’s words echoed into his ears, Alaric’s brows arched slightly as surprise glinted across his eyes. He had expected the youth to inquire about many things, but this was the least expected.

He had a hoard of knowledge; safe path routes other merchants would kill to get their hands on, treasure maps and locations, and so much more.

Still, he did find the youth’s curiosity a little interesting and justified. Having lived all his life here, he supposed he must have had multiple questions about the vast realm and all its wonders.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, he nodded slightly. "That’s a fair request." He breathed.

Before the wrinkles on his face furrowed. "But... first give me all my merchandise!" What was a merchant after all without his goods?

Sure, he had only displayed a little of what he had. But it was still something. He surmised he could still get a few thousand gold from the items the youth had picked.

Smiling faintly, Ulric brushed the signet ring on his finger.

"All in good time."

Hmm. Alaric huffed. Before finally relenting, seeing the stubborn glint in the dark youth’s eyes.

"Very well." He muttered, finding his reclined chair at the edge of the room before sinking into it. While pointing at another and gesturing for the youth to do the same.

Obliging, Ulric followed the old man’s lead. A moment of silence descended. But he didn’t break it as he saw Alaric’s chest heave. Letting out a quiet sigh as his head lifted to gaze at the top of the room. Memories and his vast knowledge churning together. Bringing a faint smile to his face as his head lifted.

"The dawn of mana to the world of Arcadia was a dark period for mankind. But first... tell me what you know of it?"

Nodding slightly, Ulric recalled past memories and the teachings ingrained in him since childhood as his eyes lit up briefly.

"The elders back at the clan taught: Thousands of years ago... mankind lived fragile lives, bound by hunger, time, and mortality. The strongest dreamed of conquest among empires and of felling mighty beasts." He muttered, the light in his eyes as if the events were unfolding before him in real time.

"But all that changed one day, when from the infinite darkness beyond our realm... an energy flashed into our world, seeking a vessel. The first ancestors called it Mana, meaning change. For on that day, a great and terrible transformation unfolded across the realm."

Stroking the white stubble on his chin, Alaric nodded slightly at the youth’s words.

"This energy," Ulric continued, "seeped into the soil, the air, and the oceans... rewriting life itself. Animals were the first to change.

Their skins hardened as their bodies evolved, forging them into deadly creatures. They adapted instantly, it was as if their bodies were made to consume and channel mana.

Plants followed, growing into colossal forms that devoured sunlight and raw energy alike."

He paused for a moment. A quiet sigh slipping past his lips.

"But humanity... they remained unchanged. Those who tried to take this energy forcefully by killing the weakest beasts and eating their flesh burned from within."

Ulric muttered, his gaze lowering. It was indeed a dark period. Being left the weakest... they could do nothing when massive beast raids swept across human bases, eliminating half the human population in a single week.

The numbers dropped daily, marking what many thought was to be the extinction of humanity.

Until suddenly, dungeons descended. Allowing them to kill monsters and level up, giving them a chance to deal with the deadly scourge.

"Through thousands of years of constant learning, refining the knowledge they acquired from the dungeons and the system, they were able to establish... bloodlines, talent awakening ceremonies that were able to help humanity regain its footing."

Navigating through the memories, he finished. "Thousands of years later, humanity repopulated and settled across cities and bases while the great beasts roamed the open world. The strongest humans move beyond the walls to clear beasts occasionally to ensure the survival of humanity."

Smiling wistfully, Alaric shook his head slightly. The youth’s words echoed at the back of his mind. He knew so much yet so little at the same time.

Perhaps it was because they had been shielded from the outside world. Was this the tale their ancestors had passed on for generations? If so, he could see why the youth was curious.

"What you know is barely a speck of the events that unfolded in the Great Mana Awakening," Alaric muttered.

Causing Ulric’s eyes to widen in surprise. His attention fully piqued.

But instead of the old man continuing, his mouth opened to yell.

"Little Mira!"

Shortly after, a voice echoed in the distance, followed by shuffling feet. Before a short girl radiating youthful energy burst into the room.

Sporting dark hair and eyes, draped in a simple robe.

"Go and brew me some soothing essence tea..."

Before the words could even slip out of his lips, the girl paused halfway. Her gaze shifting to the figure seated across the old man as she gasped. Recognition instantly flickering.

"It’s... you!" She muttered, rushing close to him and appraising him in close detail. "You’re the lord of the Greyson clan... I heard the rumors in the streets... are they all true? Grandpa also speaks a lot about you."

Alaric opened his mouth to chide her. But paused, his voice freezing at her last words.

Staring at the chattering girl, Ulric wouldn’t have paid much attention to her. But his eyes couldn’t help but widen in surprise. Mumbling inwardly.

Peak level E-rank. Nothing remarkable, but given she was almost the same age as him, it was... notable.

Almost having to drag her away, Alaric stared at her at the doorway as if considering something. Before muttering almost pained,

"Make him a cup too."

Watching her run off, he nodded slightly. Walking to the edge of the room and turning his back to Ulric as he clasped his hands behind his back like a reclusive expert.

Before he sighed heavily. Causing Ulric’s lips to twitch rapidly at his next words. He was spouting nonsense again.

"To walk the merchant’s path is to grasp the hidden workings of heaven and earth. You see... While you chase strength, I shape the world through exchange."

His words were interrupted as an uncorking sound echoed across the room. Tilting his gaze, he watched Ulric chugging a couple of potions he had snatched earlier.

"I would speak faster if I were you," Ulric smiled, catching the old man’s gaze.

Eyes flickering slightly, Alaric’s jaw clenched. Had he lost touch with his bearing and aura? He mused before discarding the thought.

Opening his mouth, he spoke once more. This time his expression grave.

"You see, when mana flushed the planet, beasts and plants weren’t the only ones affected. It carried traces of beings and life forms from the vast galaxy to birth new races."