The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 384: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, - 10: Illusion and Residual Shadow

Chapter 384: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, Chapter 10: Illusion and Residual Shadow

Languidly lying in a large net woven from vines, the Green Maple Tree truly deserves its reputation as a sacred tree imbued with wind power, although this is just a legend from ancient myths. Komer could be certain of one thing: this type of tree indeed carried the essence of the wind. The mere coolness delivered by these rows of lush and tall trees was enough to make anyone believe in the advantages of being a Mage. All that was needed was a trivial application of wind magic to spend the entire day dozing off in the soft vine net, casting aside all miscellaneous affairs. When awake, it was about entering a Meditative State to delve into the mysteries of Magic; when tired, simply curling up and falling into a deep sleep. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such a pleasurable life, and it seemed just as long since he had deliberately sought to relax his mind for leisure. Not only had Komer noticed this change in himself, but it was even more apparent in the eyes of his two old friends.

When this state of affairs began, Komer could no longer ascertain, but one thing was for sure: after experiencing many dreams fused with nightmares, the steady aspect of his character seemed to have deepened, while the original reckless abandon had gradually reined in. Puber and Ilot did not like this change, thinking such a life too mundane; neither did Komer, for it was not his true nature. To rid himself of this unnatural, ponderous trait in his character was not an easy task, akin to correcting an inherent flaw. Komer resorted to Meditation, purposely entering a Meditative State to correct the psychological aging tendencies he wished to discard. As if the gods were willing, Komer’s efforts eventually paid off, and after a continuous week of Meditation, he gradually regained his former self. Even the Half-beastman Guards could feel that their master’s personality had changed considerably, and the seldom-seen smile began to emerge more frequently on his master’s face.

Having been immersed for a week, Komer finally understood a significant reason why Dark Magic was denounced by many as an evil and heretical path. The profound principles of Dark Magic led many to immerse themselves in it for life. While such pursuit of Magic could certainly accelerate one’s advancement in magical cultivation, the lack of communication with the outside world and reflection on human nature meant that some of them could develop extremist thoughts. Should there be some special external stimuli, it would be easy for them to embark on a path that defied heaven and was unacceptable to conventional Society. In other words, those who cultivated Dark Magic not only needed to have an open mind but also a constant reflective mentality. But how many could truly do that?

Komer couldn’t concern himself too much with others, but now he could definitely feel that he was different from the person he was some time ago. A month ago, he might have been calmer, more rational, more mature, but always lacking a certain passion for life, as if everything around him had little to do with himself, be it success or failure. He was just a passerby in history, walking step by step down a path already set out for him, even able to maintain a detached mood in the most intense battles or negotiations. To outsiders, this might seem like an excellent quality necessary for a Lord, but as Ilot would say, what’s the point of living a thousand years of such a monastic and dull life? Without the freedom to indulge oneself, without enjoying the thrill of life, without doing what one loves and desires, then what significance does the world hold for oneself? Is one’s entire life supposed to be lived for others?

The crude yet practical words of Ilot resonated endlessly in Komer’s heart, which had undergone a week of spiritual cleansing, like water on the verge of boiling finally ignited by the last bit of firewood. Komer wandered in a trance for several days, and once this sentiment was unleashed, it could never be bottled up again. A brand new Komer had finally returned.

The first thing Komer did upon returning to his true self was to take a week off, with the Green Maple Forest becoming his vacation spot. The vines, harvested from the depths of the Forest, had always been a primary weaving material among the handcrafters of the Caucasus Natives. Various wicker chairs and beds woven from these vines were quite popular among the middle and upper-class households in the Homer region. Komer simply had a hammock shaped like a fishing net woven to his liking and hung it directly in the Green Maple Forest. With the gentle breeze and the rustling of the forest, this paradisiacal pleasure became Komer’s standard vacation routine.

But the good life often doesn’t last. Whenever a croaky voice, reminiscent of a drake’s, echoed through the Green Maple Forest, Komer’s happy life would come to an end. Puber, who had long been envious of Komer’s self-granted holidays, would never allow him to enjoy a peaceful vacation. In his opinion, it was he who deserved the break. His already lean frame seemed to have aged even more upon arriving in the Caucasus, leading Puber to simultaneously lament his fate and the exploitation by friends, and to demand compensation from Komer, threatening to strike otherwise.