THE CHOSEN ONE

6 - Complete understanding

Lai and I finally reached a small town nestled within the enchanting Kingdom of Perez, a place known for its lush landscapes and vibrant culture. As we ambled into the bustling town square, the rich aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the delightful scent of blooming flowers from the nearby market stalls. The atmosphere was alive with energy; vendors called out to potential customers, children dashed about with gleeful laughter, and the melodic hum of conversation filled the air like an inviting symphony.

Vin, filled with restless excitement, turned to Lai, his curiosity bubbling over. “Does this world have guilds, Lai?” he asked eagerly, hopping down from the majestic water horse we had recently ridden for the length of our journey. The creature, with its iridescent mane shimmering in the sunlight like a cascade of rainbows, grazed peacefully near the edge of the market, blissfully unaware of the captivating conversations happening around it. But Vin was already captivated by the bustling townsfolk, his eyes wide as he took in the sights and sounds.

Lai caught his enthusiasm but also felt a twinge of concern. “Yeah, most of the human kingdoms have guilds. But why are you even asking?” she replied, her brow slightly furrowed in curiosity, unsure of what this could signify for their adventure.

“Why? Well, of course, it’s the first thing you need to do if you want to go on an adventure! You register in a guild, take on quests, and then you work your way up to raise your rank,” Vin explained, his voice bubbling with excitement, his imagination already painting vivid pictures of daring quests and grand achievements. His eyes gleamed with the uncontained desire for adventure, and he couldn't help but pace slightly, eager to be off and exploring.

“Adventure? Register? Quest? Rank? What are you talking about, Vin?” Lai asked, turning to face him fully, her surprise evident as she analyzed his words. Her expression shifted from curiosity to concern; the world they were stepping into was filled with nuances and unspoken rules that seemed to escape him completely.

“Wasn’t that just the natural thing to do?” Vin countered, confusion washing over his features. “I thought you knew all of this!” His disappointment lingered in the air, unspoken and heavy.

Lai took a deep breath, her tone turning serious. “I’m glad that you have the kind heart and adventurous spirit akin to a King class, but your understanding of our world is so limited that I don’t think we could survive based solely on your assumptions. We need to find an inn first, and then I will share some fundamental knowledge about this world with you,” she said, her voice steady, though a flicker of sadness passed across her face as she started walking toward a nearby building that appeared inviting, its façade adorned with colorful flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

After a short stroll, they arrived at a quaint inn that exuded warmth. The soft glow illuminating from the windows and the sound of laughter spilling out onto the cobblestone street indicated that this was indeed a refuge, a place of respite and camaraderie. As they approached the entrance, Lai leaned closer to Vin, her voice a soft murmur. “When we go in, mimic my actions. We want to avoid attracting any unwanted attention, okay?”

“What did we just do earlier with that—” Vin began to ask, his curiosity getting the better of him, but his question was cut short when Lai swiftly covered his mouth with her slender fingers, urgent and commanding?

“Stop for a moment… -Silence-,” Lai instructed, her arms moving gracefully as she wove a quick gesture through the air. Suddenly, a mysterious wave of energy emanated from her palm, cascading through the inn and enveloping the room, creating a cocoon of tranquility and stillness that silenced all outside noise.

“Whoa, what did you just do?” Vin exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe as he marveled at the display of power he had just witnessed. It was unlike anything he'd seen in his travels—so raw, so incredibly powerful.

“You didn’t know anything at all, did you? That’s a skill called ‘Silence.’ It’s one of the most well-known abilities to master if you reach the master's class in this world due to its versatility and utility,” Lai explained, observing as Vin’s face contorted in a mixture of perplexity and fascination.

With an exasperated sigh, she continued, “It’s a skill that will make this room soundproof—”

However, Vin couldn’t contain himself and interrupted, concern etched across his features. “I get the gist of what kind of skill it is, but is it normal here to use a skill without a chant?”

This question left Lai even more bewildered. “Chant? What’s that?”

“You know, those super long ancient-sounding words that you recite before activating a skill. I thought only protagonists in stories could perform chantless skills!” Vin replied, his voice laden with disbelief as his mind raced back through the tales of his former world, where such abilities were reserved for the chosen few, the extraordinary heroes of folklore.

Lai paused, processing his words, and at that moment, she grasped just how starkly different their perspectives were. Their backgrounds, shaped by their individual worlds, had molded their understandings of magic and skill in ways that were profoundly divergent. A soft smile spread across her face, both amused and charmed by the innocence of his beliefs. “Well, it seems we have a lot to discuss, starting with the fact that you are in a world where possibilities are much broader than your tales could ever depict.”

As they crossed the threshold of the inn, the sound of laughter and the comforting rustle of conversation greeted them, wrapping around them like a warm blanket. They prepared to delve deeper into the heart of this new adventure, stepping into a realm of limitless potential, where their destinies would intertwine with a fate yet to unfold. The journey was just beginning, and the path ahead held mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

"Why do you insist on using ancient words to activate a skill?" Lai questioned, her brow slightly furrowed as she regarded Vin with keen interest. There was a spark of curiosity in her eyes, yet an air of frustration lingered, as if she found his approach both puzzling and simplistic. "Isn't it enough to simply understand the skill itself? If you possess a thorough comprehension of the ability, activation should be a breeze, shouldn't it? Yet, your interpretation of 'understanding' seems to extend beyond the mere recognition of what the skill is designed to do. To genuinely unlock its potential, you need to engage with it, practicing diligently and exploring its nuances in depth. Only then will you achieve complete mastery and the ability to activate it at will."

Vin, caught off guard by Lai's insightful and pointed remarks, felt a wave of confusion wash over him. The way she dissected his thoughts made him question his previous assumptions. "So, all I really need to do is understand them in order to activate them? Let me give it a shot..." he said, a determined glimmer in his eyes. Gathering his focus, he spoke clearly: "Silence!" However, the moment fell flat; the surrounding air remained still, devoid of any magical response, as if the words had chosen to ignore him entirely.

With a calm demeanor, Lai continued to elucidate, "You can’t simply activate it in that manner. As I mentioned earlier, even if you grasp the essence of the skill, it doesn’t mean you can instantaneously bring it to life. A genuine and comprehensive understanding is crucial for the skill to manifest properly and effectively."

Vin's initial frustration began to metamorphose into excitement as he absorbed Lai's words with a newfound perspective. "Ahaha! I love this world! This is thrilling! I can hardly wait to discover all the wonders this place has to offer!" he exclaimed exuberantly, his face lighting up with joy despite his earlier failure to activate the skill. It was as if the potential for exploration and challenge had ignited a fire of enthusiasm within him.

Lai observed his exuberance, an amused yet curious smile playing on her lips. "He looks so cheerful even though he couldn’t activate the skill; he’s quite an interesting character." Her amusement faded into a more serious expression as she continued, "Nonetheless, there’s something significant I need to tell you. I’m not sure what kind of adventure you envision, but once we register and join a guild in this town, we’ll operate under the authority of this kingdom. Other kingdoms may see us as rivals, and while I lack detailed knowledge about the quests available, every guild likely has its own hierarchical system. For the time being, though, we should be cautious and avoid joining any guilds."

"Alright, we won't join any guilds," Vin replied, his voice steady, though he couldn’t ignore the trace of fear etched across Lai's face. He sensed an undercurrent of tension, a simmering anger that seemed to lurk just beneath her fearful demeanor. “I’m genuinely curious about her past, but now isn’t the right moment to pry,” he thought to himself. "But surely I still need to check my status, right?"

This question instantly shifted Lai's expression, her intrigue evident as she leaned forward slightly. "Status? Are you hoping to build a kingdom and elevate your rank, Vin?" she asked, a mix of curiosity and excitement coloring her tone.

Vin shook his head vehemently, eager to clarify his thoughts. "No, that’s not what I meant! I want to know my current level. Did I retain my previous level, or have I started fresh? When I first arrived here, I attempted to access my status, but nothing appeared before me. There must be a different way to view it, right?" He instinctively mimicked the motion of trying to access a status screen, hands outstretched as if reaching for an invisible interface.

In response to his animated gestures, Lai’s eyes widened in surprise, and she said, "This is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone mention statuses or levels. We don’t operate with those concepts here, Vin."

Vin stared at her, shock written across his face, his mind racing with disbelief. "Naaaannniiiii!!!!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity. "What do you mean there are no statuses?! It can't be true!" The realization was staggering, leaving him grappling with the implications of his newfound reality. The absence of a familiar structure of levels and statuses in this world was both a thrilling challenge and a cause of deep confusion. What would it mean for his journey, his growth, and the path ahead?