One-Eyed Monster

Kadi watched as the Wind Elemental gradually gathered from all around. The wind, which was initially dispersed and invisible, suddenly seemed to come alive, converging in one direction and forming a humanoid shape.

Finally, the Wind Elemental took on the form of a composed, middle-aged man and spoke in a deep, resonant voice, ”Why have I been awakened this time?”

At this moment, both Kuren and Stan Sol could see the Wind Elemental’s form. Their status as Awakeners allowed them to communicate with the Spirit, dispelling the earlier mystery that interacting with natural elements was an exclusive privilege of Wizards.

”To confirm a topic from long ago,” Yuga replied indifferently.

”Which topic?” It seemed the Wind Elemental and Yuga had many issues yet to discuss.

”Is the world you belong to different from ours?” Yuga asked, his voice tinged with the cautiousness of a child.

”Yes, so what? You awaken us for an Equivalent Exchange, each taking what we need,” the Wind Elemental answered succinctly.

Yuga felt as if his years of accumulated knowledge had just crumbled. He had always believed that communicating with natural elements was a unique talent exclusive to Wizards, but now it appeared this was no longer the case.

Yet, for so many years, he had overlooked this crucial detail, and it seemed no other Wizards had discovered it either.

They had always assumed that these natural elements were summoned by them.

In reality, they were not. These were Spirits from another world that coexisted alongside theirs.

These Spirits provided a certain amount of power to Awakeners through some form of Equivalent Exchange involving material substances. This power was known as Spirit Power among Adventurers with Class.

Not all Awakeners could see these Spirits; only those who had truly awakened their potential could communicate with them.

There was one exception to this: Kadi.

Kadi had always been a special case. His very existence was shrouded in mystery, and no one could explain the peculiarities surrounding him.

And so, seeing the Wind Elemental’s haughty demeanor, Kadi grew slightly displeased. He raised his voice and shouted, ”Enough with the nonsense! We called you out, and we’ll make it worth your while. Answer the question!”

The Wind Elemental was momentarily stunned. What was happening? It was always that beanpole Yuga who communicated with him. Yuga had always revered him, which, over the years, had allowed him to cultivate a habit of superiority. They had never discussed their world with these Awakeners; even if they sometimes slipped up, they would quickly correct it. They believed that the relationship between the two worlds under Equivalent Exchange was purely transactional, and pursuing unnecessary information wasn’t worth it. However, in recent times, their world had also started experiencing some disturbances… Pushing those matters aside for now, what was up with this disrespectful young man who dared to roar at him? Did he really think I wouldn’t use the power of the wind to blow him sky-high?

The Wind Elemental genuinely wanted to do just that, but after a moment’s assessment, he realized he couldn’t.

The reason was simple: the other party wasn’t physically present. This was merely their perspective, a projection of their will.

”Hey, weren’t you all high and mighty just now? Cat got your tongue? Speak up!” Kadi, never one for formalities, always spoke his mind. The Wind Elemental’s brief astonishment was already testing his patience.

”At least let me know what the question is,” the Wind Elemental said, deliberately pausing to assert his authority.

”Isn’t it obvious?” Kadi was still unsatisfied. He thought the Wind Elemental was deliberately looking down on them. The problem was, he genuinely didn’t know what question they were supposed to ask. So, he turned his head and asked, ”What was our question again?”

Kuren was both amused and exasperated by Kadi’s antics. What should have been a good opportunity for communication had devolved into chaotic banter! Still, the question needed to be asked, though it felt a bit strange for him, Kuren, to be the one to voice it now.

”We would like to know, um, that, you know…” Kuren stammered, unsure how to begin.

”We would like to know if you have a repulsive effect against this Dark Force.” Finally, Stan Sol voiced the question, as it was his idea in the first place.

His concept was rather unique: he believed Awakeners could communicate with Spirits at any time. Therefore, if these Spirits appeared, the Dark Force would surely be intimidated.

Stan Sol hadn’t considered that even though they now knew they were Awakeners, they still couldn’t summon Spirits at will like Yuga. They didn’t even know what the Spirits they could awaken looked like.

”Are you referring to the force currently attacking your world?”

”Isn’t it obvious? What other Dark Force could there be?” Kadi still didn’t like the Wind Elemental’s condescending tone.

”The great expanse of worlds holds infinite wonders; this is even truer for the powers within them,” the Wind Elemental said contemptuously. ”Just because you cannot perceive a power doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Even within this confined space, there isn’t just a single force at play.”

Kuren and the others were simultaneously impressed and ashamed by the Wind Elemental’s words. It was obvious they were being mocked.

However, Kadi didn’t grasp such profound sarcasm. He retorted in what he considered an even more overbearing tone, ”Cut the useless crap and get to the point. It’s a simple yes or no. Enough with the waffle!”

The Wind Elemental was a bit baffled. This young man’s way of thinking was certainly unconventional, making him rather tricky to deal with.

”Speak up! Cat got your tongue again?” Kadi prattled on. ”Or are the words of our world too profound for you to understand?”

”No... I’ve never encountered it. I don’t know!” With those parting words, the Wind Elemental dissipated.

This young man was too aggressive; he wasn’t used to it. Moreover, he had always been high and mighty and couldn’t stomach being treated this way.

Now it was Kadi’s turn to be dumbfounded. How could it just run off mid-conversation? That’s outrageous! It hadn’t even answered the question properly and just bolted. Unbelievable!

Kuren was no longer the only one torn between amusement and exasperation; Yuga and Stan Sol were equally puzzled by Kadi’s methods.

Of course, they also couldn’t comprehend the Wind Elemental’s temperament.

Honestly, that Spirit was quite touchy…

”He ran off just like that?” Kadi looked at Yuga, who shrugged.

”Can’t you summon him again?”

”Now that he has returned, it won’t be easy to awaken him again so soon,” Yuga explained to Kadi.

They didn’t blame Kadi. Although the communication attempt had failed, they had received the answer they were initially seeking.

The question that had troubled them would continue to do so, because the Wind Elemental’s answer had been in the negative.