The Consequences of Great Strength

After weeks of relentless, grueling training that worried my loved ones to the brink, I finally reached the mastery of Magic Breathing. I could now draw in ambient magic from my surroundings, harnessing the very essence of the world around me. It was a power that opened new horizons, transforming me from a warrior limited by his body into one who could manipulate the unseen currents of magic itself.

Enuma said, "To further explain what you can do, let's go to the mountains where you ran away to in past. You feel the unlimited magic now since you entered this realm of existence." 

That evening, under a sky swirling with stars, I stood in a quiet clearing. Suddenly, a shimmering, shimmering glow filled the air as Enuma spread his arms wide, his voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance.

Enuma proclaimed with a proud smile. “This is the realm beyond realms, where the true potential of magic is born. You are not limited to just magic, but the take life force to prevent death. To absorb fire raging in the woods and be absorbed by your body to snuff it out.”

Terran’s eyes widened as he felt the space around him ripple and shimmer, a realm filled with raw, unfiltered power. It was a place of pure energy, where the boundaries of reality seemed to dissolve.

Enuma’s voice rang clear. “Your own technique, you named it Certain Death・Illumination Magic Flash Sky Shock King’s Fist. Not regarding the poor naming, I will ignore that for now, but my imagination can see it fully." Enuma described it, "It’s a culmination of your growth, a devastating attack that combines swift, overwhelming force with the brilliance of illumination and the destructive power of lightning.”

Afterward, Enuma’s tone grew serious. “Now we are in the mountains where you once fled. The place where your journey truly began.”

I nodded, feeling the surge of energy coursing through me. The name was long, but the promise of its destructive potential was even greater. I could feel the power crackling in his fingertips, ready to unleash.

I understood immediately. Enuma’s final words were clear, “Sense for life—find the heartbeat of the mountain. Locate with magic breathing, search for all life from small little rabbits to the large bears in the wild. The lush forest is teeming with many various lives, including the inert plants.”

Without hesitation, I took a deep breath while sitting in the wilderness, focusing my senses on the near and distant, as I was able to touch the magic oozing off the wild mountains. 

I concentrated, reaching out with my newfound mastery of magic, trying to perceive the faintest signs of life in the dense greenery. My goal was sense with the ability to draw magic from their essence. Making it an unlimited pool of magic wealth. 

I could literally sense all the lives of a large rabbit family, little baby mouse, the insects feasting of the plant life, a mother bear guiding her cub. All visible to me with the magic I could now breath, as the world felt like moving in slow motion. I could see the squirrels running around on the trees, the bees buzzing about on the flowers, and deer munching on the grass. 

Enuma then said with a hesitant but firm request, "What is your range of how far you can sense the magic flow? Probably a full kilometer. Now, absorb the magic."

I replied, "I feel like I can see everything moving in a 360-degree circle surrounding me, I guess this is the distance of a kilometer. I see further then I would normally and not because of the tree line."

Then I began to absorb the magic, let it fill me up like I am a glow rod getting brighter. Yet most people cannot see the magic flow like I can. As I absorbed, I was expecting to channel the magic and store it to disperse it as I fit. 

Suddenly all the life I was sensing suddenly started to change. All the movement stopped abruptly, and the scurrying about, the flying insects, the baby mice breathing its fresh air. All stopped. 

It took me a few seconds, I was flustered. I knew immediately that I cause all this. I tried to deny that my newfound strength was capable of such pain. 

Enuma then with his remorse showing but quickly hid it away. "Boy, the burden of responsibilities, the pain of this scar, and your conflicting emotions. Never forget it, this is the world to someone in realm of such existence."

"Why?!" I could only croak out the word. "Why did you not warn me? Is this the demon king Enuma form of torture, master?"  as I controlled the flow of magic, I tried to fill up all the lives I taken. Tried to replenish the devastation I caused. All to no avail.

Enuma replied with a smirk, "I already tortured you plenty, Terran. This is most effective way to learn what means to wield such frightening powers. You will never forget it now."

I remained bitter, "I-I got the strength to earn the respect. To no longer be looked down as the son of the hero. Yet, that will not be changed, and I have the strength to snuff out life with some breathing. What have I become?" 

Enuma shady expression said, "These are the consequences of great strength and the great responsibility. Do not think any lessor of yourself. You are a sovereign; you worked hard to win every battle before it even began. During a time of peace, mind you." Enuma then with solemn expression, "I did not have a teacher to learn from. I stumbled into these as my greed consumed my growth. With the growth, came consequences that I faced the best I could."

 I recognized my master for his faults, I always asked about him, but he always shook off deeper conversation. This was the first time I am hearing his feelings. I felt bitter, and yet lucky. I spoke up, "I am not my father, I also am not my master. I am me..." 

Enuma snickered, "Hoh? I gave a few words of praise, and you start using your brain. fwa fufufufufu" 

I jeered Enuma, "Hey, I still your disciple." I thought on it and made a vow, "It is time to get a resolution on all the shadows that lurk and bide their time. I will fight to protect my future Empress and the time of peace. First thing first, the shadow nearby. Then the rumors are the Kingdom of Uragile." 

Enuma replied, "You are ready, boy. Let's go."

As I already powered up due to the magic breathing, I don't make any movements and flicker step a kilometer toward the Imperial City. I stop right behind the shadow that was standing at the edge of death that I caused. 

It was a shadow warrior, coming up to the ring of devastation. The girl shadow warrior was worried, frighten at the idea that something could have happened to her beloved Terran. Unknowing that I was standing right behind her. Having moved so swiftly and lightly that even the genius shadow warrior was unable to detect it. 

I said, "Vin? Why did you come out here? It is dangerous, good thing you were not following so me so close."

Vin panicked at first by being surprised so easily. Then she heard my care in my voice and blushed hard with red flooding her face. Knowing she was caught following me, but I did not get upset but worried for her.