Crimson blood flowed down from the gash in my chest. I turned to face the woman hovering in the air. She wore a forest green dress that glowed a vivacious green along with her bright green eyes. Vines and roots crisscrossed all around the gorge, some cut and others covered in a violent green sheen.

“I see. So this is the power of a transcendent.” I coughed while laughing.

The woman opened her mouth to say something, but my vision faded before I heard.

A voice echoed vaguely in my ears, “Get up already, disciple!”

I blinked awake in a rush. It was that dream again. What had the woman said? I couldn’t remember. However, I had to deal with Master’s training this morning again. There was no time to waste as I completed the day’s physical and listened Master’s lectures.

“…Hey, are you listening, Lupus?” Master’s voice drifted into my mind.

I blinked. I was thinking about the woman in my dream.

“I’m listening, sir.” I replied.

“Good,” Master crossed his arms, “As I said, there are nine transcendent beings in the world, each matching to one of the nine major concepts. They include flames, water, ice, thunder, nature, shadows, light, freedom, and restraints. The concepts freedom and restraints are the two irregular concepts, are still represented despite the little to no information on them. You have the restraints concept, so I can’t help you on that-”

“Wait,” I said abruptly, “What’s your concept, master?”

“Nature,” Master replied leisurely, “You must’ve deduced it already, right?”

“Alright,” I nodded, “You can continue now, sir.”

Master continued talking about each transcendent being, going over the basics, but I was thinking about something else. I knew it now. Master was a transcendent being, the one who represented nature above all. That was why he had beyond-the-world powers and seemingly unlimited mana.

That night, Master and I were eating dinner when he dropped a metaphorical bomb.

“You must be pretty bored, eh?” Master asked casually.

I shrugged, “Not really, sir.”

“Well, I’m bored, so…” Master grinned, “We’re going to go clear a magic beast den.”

I spit out the mouthful of mushroom stew in my mouth, “Pardon, sir?”

“We’re going to clear a magic beast den.” Master repeated, exaggerating his mouth movements.

“But master, there’s no magic beast den in the forest!” I protested, “You said that yourself!”

Master smirked, “I lied.”

I gaped. So shameless!

“The where is the den sir?” I asked.

Master shrugged, “I don’t know. We can go ask tomorrow.”

I tilted my head in confusion, “Master, who would know where a magic beast den is?”

Master’s grin widened wickedly, “The magic beasts themselves, of course!”

—————The Prince of Chains—————

The next morning, Master and I woke up at the crack of dawn to search for magic beasts. We scoured the whole area, but could not find a single sign of a magic beast.

“Master, are you sure we’re searching in the right places?” I squinted from where Master and I stood on a tree branch.

Master sighed impatiently, “Of course! Why would you question your almighty master?”

I remained silent. Only the occasional scurry of mice and fluttering of bird wings could be heard. I was just about to jump down from the tree branch when Master grabbed my arm.

It was then that an earsplitting roar echoed in my eardrums. Bushes rustled and trees trembled in the impact.

“Jackpot,” Master’s face seemed to glow with malice, “Let’s go.”

I chased after him as we traveled in the direction of the sonic roar. It wasn’t a full minute before we encountered the magic beast. It had thick gray fur with a snow-colored mane that complemented its pure white eyes. Razor sharp claws lined its four paws and deadly canines sprouted from its mouth. The magic beast radiated with white mana particles that seemed to freeze the air.

“I believe it's your turn now, disciple.” Master turned to me, face clearly telling me to go restrain the magic beast on my own.

I nodded and dodged as the magic beast spotted me, shooting out a ray of frost. As I landed, I summoned six mana chains from my magic rings. The chains shot out in an attempt to bind the magic beast and succeeded, as the beast yanked against the chains, even going as far as to biting the chain links with its frost-laden teeth.

To this, I simply tightened the chains around its legs and pulled the chains with my hands, throwing the beast off-balance. It let out another sonic roar and I gritted my teeth before shouting to Master.

“If you want to interrogate this magic beast, then do it right now, sir!” I yelled.

Master leaned his ear out, teasing, “What?”

“Interrogate the beast, master!” I repeated, even louder this time.

Master laughed, then jumped next to me and leaned down to the magic beast, whispering to its ear so softly I couldn’t hear what he was saying. The beast immediately flinched and flailed in the chains, glaring at me, seemingly annoyed.

“You can let go of the beast now.” Master told me.

To my skeptical look, Master explained, “He won’t go berserk, promise.”

I dispelled the mana chains and the creature stood up, more composed than before. He trotted forward and beckoned for Master and I to follow.

“See? It worked.” Master said snidely.

I nodded and we followed the magic beast deep into the forest. After a lot of walking, Master and I came upon a cave positioned on a tall hillside. It was your normal cave with a rocky entrance and murky depths that I probably had passed before, but a second look would reveal the abnormal concentration of mana at the entrance.

“Now,” Master had a weird look on his face as he stepped forward, “We can get rid of the guide.”

Blood splattered as Master’s new iron sword sliced through fur and I was left stunned.