I, The Anomalous God

Chapter 6 Two Sides of the Moon

It is almost night, but deep in the woods, near the borders, a swooshing sound can be heard. “Damn, why is it so hard?” someone complained.

Reborn kept practicing his simultaneous use of float and telekinesis along with meditation. His goal is to learn how to fly. “Baam!” Reborn smashed on the tree trunk. He was floating in the air and using telekinesis to push and pull his body at the same time.

“Ting! Pain Resistance skill acquired.”

“Ow!” He massages his forehead. “I will call it a day for now. Ow!” He slowly stood up and walked home.

At their tree hole, “How was your day, son? Anything new?” Tatiana asked while preparing their dinner.

“Yeah, I learned a lot earlier. Grand Scholar taught us about the importance of passive skills.” He replied.

“He did? Well, you ought to listen to him. Passive skills build your foundation!” she said.

“How many passive skills do you have, mother?” Reborn asked while eating.

“Me? I have six passive skills. Eat slowly!” She said and reminded him.

“I am sorry! I am really hungry!” He said.

“I know you are hungry, but please, eat slowly.” She grabbed his large glass with telekinesis and poured nectar in it.

 “Would you mind telling me what those skills are?” He asked.

“No, I do not mind, but this is only because you are my son. Do not ask other people to reveal their skills to you. It is rude and provoking.” She reminded. Reborn nodded to that. He kept it in his mind.

“I have Nature Heart, Compassion, Iron Heart, Strong Mind, Determination, and Endurance skills.” She revealed.

Aside from Nature Heart skill, the other skills are new to Reborn’s ears. He kind of guess the effect of the other skills, however. “Are they all high level now, mother?”

“No, not yet.” She smiled then added, “Do you think skills are easy to raise?”

Reborn thought for a while, he learnt float and telekinesis right away after Tatiana used it on him. So, he thought, ‘Raising skills’ levels should just be a cake, I already raised some of my skills to level 3.’

=====================

The next day, the Worms gathered at the lecture hall. “How many skills have you guys learnt?” is the sprites most asked question of the day.

“Hi, Reborn!” Diana approached Reborn. They have not seen each other after they were separated in class.

“Hi Chip!” He greeted back. “Oh, Chip this is Anton and Trekka. They are my classmates.” He introduced.

“Hello! Nice to know you!” she said smiling.

“Hey, is she a ‘friend’ friend?” Anton whispered in Reborn’s ear.

“Shut up, Anton!” He scolded.

“Alright! Quiet down, Worms!” Elder Mishap ordered. The sprites quieted down and readied themselves to listen. “Today will be your class for General Learning and History. The Grand Scholar will be teaching you all. Listen well!” he said then left.

Grand Scholar Val took over, “Alright Worms! Find a seat and sit down. We will start with the class.” He said. The sprites found their own spots in the lecture hall and sat down.

“You are almost a thousand here, so, I will be using a special skill to teach the class.” He said. Except for Ju-Mo, all the newborn sprites are present. “I am sure your teachers have taught you the breathing exercise.” All the sprites nodded in confirmation. “Do it and close your eyes.” He ordered.

“Meditation again?” someone complained.

“You can go outside if you want, son.” Val said calmly.

“I am sorry, sir!” the sprite shut his mouth immediately.

“Now, anyone with other complains? None? Well then, will start!” Val announced. “Fae Mist!” he said the name of the skill. White sparkling mist started to spread from Val towards the sprites. They inhaled the mist while they did the breathing exercise.

====================

“Where am I?” Reborn woke up in a meadow.

“You are dreaming, son!” a familiar voice said from behind him. Reborn quickly turn around and saw who it was.

“Grand Scholar Val?” He said surprised. “Your big!”

“Well, this is a dream after all. I can be what I want here or how big I want to be, in my case.” Val said. “Now, sit down. I will start teaching.” Reborn heeded the order and sat down.

“How did I get here, sir?” he asked.

“I used a skill.” was Val’s answer. “Now, to start with the lesson, do you know where you are?” Reborn got confused and Val noticed it. “Not here, out there in the real world. Do you know where you are?”

“The Sprite Village?” Val shook his head. “Forest?”

“Well, we are indeed in a forest. It is called Avalund.” He said. It was the first time Reborn heard that. Actually, it was not a surprise, he has just been born a week ago.

“Our first lesson for General Learning and History. Know your world.” Val started.

“My world?” Reborn whispered. Somehow, the mention of the word ‘world’ triggered some weird feeling in him.

“Yes, our world, Franta. First thing you have to know, there are four empires surrounding Avalund Forest.” Val explained. “Blue Moon Empire in the north, Red Flame Empire in the east, Trumond Empire in the west and Belladonna Empire in the south.”

“Belladonna? Sounds like an entertainer’s name.” Commented Reborn.

“Enter… whu… how do you even know what an entertainer is?” Val asked surprised, but Reborn shrugged. He does not even know how he thought of that. “Anyway, those empires are human empires.”

“Human?” that got Reborn’s attention. Val nodded then added, “Avalund is the only place races like the sprites live free. Outside the forest, most of us are persecuted, captured or enslaved.”

“Is that why Elder Shiina told me not to reveal what I really am?” Reborn asked.

“Yes. That is the reason. Once all the sprites know that you are human, we do not know what they will do to you.” Val said. “So, make sure they don’t find out what you are.”

“That is easy for you to say. Wherever I go in the village, I stand out.” Reborn complained.

“We will find ways. Anyway, we have sidetrack from the topic. Let us go back, okay?” Val pointed. “So, the four empires are our enemies, or more specifically, humans are our enemies.” Val looked at Reborn meaningfully. Reborn looked at him as well.

“I am one of your enemies.” Reborn said sadly.

“No, not at the moment at least.” Val said truthfully. “You are born here, and many are witnesses to that. Basically, you are one of us.” The Grand Scholar sighed then continued.

“There are many races in Avalund, too many to count. They are vicious and cunning.” Val explained.

“Is that why you forbid us to go beyond the borders?” Reborn asked.

Val nodded. “That is correct. Apart from the vicious races in Avalund, there are also monsters all around the forest. The monsters are more vicious and savage than the races.”

“Really?” Then Reborn thought, ‘It’s understandable, monsters are not intelligent.’

“High level monsters are scattered around. There are even monsters in Avalund that is, if not on par with our king, are more powerful.” Val warned.

“There are really monsters that high level in Avalund?” Reborn clarified.

“Yes. Avalund Forest is considered a forbidden place by the humans.” Val answered. “But it is not just dangerous for the humans, for us too.”

Val waved his hand and the scenery changed. They appeared in the middle of the forest.

“Where are we now?” Reborn asked.

“In Avalund. Listen.” Val said. Reborn did what he was told. He stretched his hearing and listened. He heard several different roars and it scared him.

“Are those from monsters? Are those real?” He asked.

“They are real, but do not worry, we are in your dreams. However, if you get out beyond the borders of the village, they won’t be in your dreams anymore; you have experienced it firsthand.”

“So, I just have to make sure not to go beyond the borders then.” Reborn said. “Are we allowed to go out some time?”

“You are when you are stronger to defend yourself.” The Grand Scholar’s answer. “But before that, you are going to stay in the village. And as what I have said before, you will only go out beyond the border during an instructed task and in groups.”

Reborn nodded. The Grand Scholar continued the lesson after that. He talked mostly about the relationship between the four empires, the monsters, and the races in Avalund. The do’s and don’ts of the village and Avalund Forest.

“Alright, I will give you one task. Tell me your insights this afternoon.” Said Val.

======================

Grand Scholar Val simultaneously taught almost a thousand sprites in three hours using his skill. “Okay, that would be for this morning. I have given each of you a task. Do it in your free time and I will ask about it in this afternoon’s session.” Val said.

The Worms dispersed after hearing the Grand Scholar.

“Reborn, what task did you get?” Diana asked.

“I have to read about the four empires.” He replied.

“Oh! That is interesting! I got the Toxic Flower research. Want to go with me to Knowsborough for some reading?” she invited Reborn.

“Yeah, sure.” The duo walked out of the lecture hall inside the Father tree. “How are you going to come down? Do you want me to carry you? I learnt Telekinesis skill.” Diana offered.

“Nah, I can go down myself.” Reborn said and jumped off from the branch.

“Wait!” Diana followed Reborn. “This is too high! Why did you jump?”

“I can float. Look.” Reborn activated his skill and he stopped mid-air. “See?”

“Oh, nice!” she clapped her hands as she cheered. The two of them continued down the Father tree.

When they arrived on the ground, “Hey Chip, want to see another skill I have?” Reborn asked. “Race you to Knowsborough!” he activated his sprint skill and ran off.

“Hey! Wait up!” Diana flapped her small, beautiful pink wings and chased Reborn.

Reborn passed by tree houses on the way to Knowsborough. He jumped from branch to branch and jumped over some hurdles along the way. It was the second time he used the skill. It was exhilarating for him.

“I did not think running fast can be so fulfilling!” he thought. He is even doing some parkour movements. “What is parkour? Why did I think about that?”

Then he heard, “Ting! Parkour skill acquired.”

“Oh, hey, parkour is a skill?” he muttered.

He used his new skill in concert with sprint and he ran swiftly and went over obstacles much better than before. Finally, he arrived at Knowsborough. Not long after, Diana arrived as well.

“You left me!” she complained.

“I am sorry!” he smiled at her.

“What was that? How can you run so fast?” Diana asked.

“Oh, it’s another skill I learnt. Sprint!” he said. That surprised Diana. She did not know that her friend has learnt a lot of skills already. “Anyway, let us go in. We have got so many scrolls to read!” he said.

==============

“Oh hey, worm!” a sprite at a small counter on the trunk of the Knowsborough greeted.

“Hello sir!” Reborn greeted back.

“Did he just call you worm?” Diana whispered smiling teasingly.

“It is the lowest rank in the Scholar class. Shut up!” Reborn reprimanded her. She giggled in response.

“Did you not have General Learning and History class today? Why are you here?” the sprite asked.

“We have some tasks, sir. We wanted to read some scrolls for the research task Grand Scholar Val gave us.” He explained.

“Oh, I see. Just wait for a moment, I will process your pass mark, missy.” He said.

“What is a pass mark?” Diana asked.

“Oh, you do not know. Well, little girl, pass mark is a mark that lets you in the Knowledge hall. The marks will keep tabs on what scrolls you will borrow.” Then he turned to Reborn, “You, on the other hand, just need to place your palm on the scroll shelves and you can borrow the scrolls.”

“Huh? I do not need the Pass Mark, why?” Reborn asked.

“Silly boy, you are a student here. Will it not be hassle for a student here to require a Pass mark every time one wants to make some reading research, right?”

“Right!” Reborn nodded.

Diana’s pass mark was finally prepared after several minutes. The two of them went inside the Knowledge hall. Another sprite greeted them, “A visitor and a Worm, what can I do for you?” she asked.

“Hello madam. We would like to read some scrolls.” Reborn said.

“Of course, you are. Why would you be here? Tell me, what scrolls do you want to read?” the sprite asked.

“I want scrolls pertaining to toxic flowers, please!” Diana said smiling.

“I want to read about the four empires, ma’am.” Reborn said.

“Scrolls about toxic flowers, 20th shelf, 10th row and about the four empires, 56th shelf, 20th row.” She informed them.

“Thank you, ma’am.” The two of them said and went to look for the scrolls.

The Knowledge hall was filled with tall shelves. There were thousands of shelves and thousands of scrolls. The scrolls are enchanted, although they appear small, they can change their size to suit whoever is reading. Reborn had no problem reading the scrolls at all. Diana was surprised at first when she saw the scroll enlarge in Reborn’s hand.

“Cool! I did not know scrolls can do that!” she said.

“Yes, I was surprised the first time as well, when I held a scroll.” Reborn replied as he remembered the time when Val gave him the scroll about the Sprite Magic. “I have not read it yet!” he thought.

Reborn sat down on a corner while Diana found a table attached to the walls of the Knowsborough tree. The Knowledge hall has no large tables, but there are vine swings and wooden tables that appeared to be part of the Knowsborough tree’s walls. Thankfully, the trees in Sprite Village are large enough that Reborn can get in and out.

The two of them started reading.

“The Four Empires.” Reborn read silently.

===================

Meanwhile, in the Council Hall inside the Father tree, the 38 elders convened. Grand Scholar Val was there as well.

“Grand Scholar, what is your thoughts about the kid?” a lady elder asked. There are two factions in the Council of Elders, and they are always at odds with each other. This time, the issue is about Reborn. The faction where Elder Takankan and Shiina are a part of, approved the existence of Reborn in Sprite village. While the other faction denies Reborn. They wanted to expel him out of the village. The asking elder was part of the latter faction.

“What do you want to hear, elder?” Val smiled. The questioning elder went silent. “He is a good kid. There is nothing else to say.”

“Is he talented? His potential how is it?” another elder asked from the opposing faction.

“Why are you asking, elder? Are you that afraid of a single human child?” Val asked mockingly.

“Grand Scholar!” another elder from that faction voiced out angrily.

“No! The Grand Scholar is right! Why are you scared of a little human child?” an elder from the faction of Elder Shiina said.

“The child is born in our village. He is one of us!” another elder said.

“He is a human! He is enemy!” another said.

Then, the other elders started to throw their opinions in the mix. The hall became chaotic. The Grand Scholar watched the Elders banter and he sighed.

“Elders, please, calm down!” He shouted. The elders simmered and glanced at the Grand Scholar. “The kid is indeed a human. But we also witness that he is truly born from the Mother tree!” Val pointed out. “Are the elders oppose to the child’s existence questioning the Mother tree?” he asked.

The opposing faction elders was startled. “What are you trying to say?” Elder Mishap asked, obviously irritated by Val’s comment.

“The Mother Tree bore that child. She approved of his existence. Is my understanding wrong?” Val questioned. The opposing elders were stumped. They do not know what to say.

“You asked about his potential. Well, he is talented.” This comment surprised and frightened the elders. “But I do not see him as a threat. He is one of us. He is born to us. Whatever his race is, he came from the Mother tree.” Val said.

“NO! He is a human and he is an enemy!” Elder Mishap said.

“Elder, if you see him as that, then he might really become that.” Val said. “All I am saying is, the kid is young. If we teach him our ways, then he might be of use for the benefit of the race.”

The elders murmured and whispered to each other. “Fine. But if there is any sign of threat, we will do all that is necessary to get rid of him.” Elder Mishap said in behalf of the opposing faction.

“The King has already approved the child’s existence and even banned the truth of his race. Your compromise is nothing.” Elder Abel retorted. The opposing elders glared at him and Elder Mishap only snorted.

====================

In the afternoon session, the newborn sprites gathered back in the lecture hall. Grand Scholar Val used his skill again and brought the sprites in their dreams.

“So, how is your task?” he asked Reborn.

“All I have found out in the scrolls is how the humans oppress the races of Avalund. Their discrimination and hate towards the races. But there were no records why the humans harbor such intense hatred, how it started.” Reborn reported.

Val sighed, “The hatred between the humans and the other races is traced back in the time of the gods.”

“The time of the gods?” Reborn was surprised. What kind of era was the time of the gods?

“You will not understand for now. Anyway, do you know why I specifically told you to read about the four empires?” Val asked. Reborn shook his head. “Isn’t it for General Learning and History class?” he thought.

“Well, you are human. The very least, you should know about your race.” He said.

“Oh!”

“However, there is another reason. I want you to see both sides of the moon.” He said.

“What do you mean?” Reborn was confused.

“Every race, not just humans, have a bright side and a dark side. You, being born here in Sprite Village as a human, will face troubles, discrimination, and unfair treatment. But not all sprites are bad, there are    good sprites as well. Just as there are good humans and bad humans.” Val explained.

Somehow, Reborn can sympathize. Deep down, he knows that everything is not all black and not all white. People can be good, and they can be bad as well.

“I know.” Reborn said.

“I know that you cannot unders…you know?” Reborn nodded at him. “Oh, okay. That is good. I just want you to remember that.” Val said.

The Grand Scholar continued with his lesson the whole afternoon. He taught Reborn about the Avalund forest, the different territories, and levels of the residing monsters and many more.

After the class, Reborn arrived home and went straight to his bed. He was so tired. His mind was spent. Strangely, though, he can remember everything. So, he decided to check his status screen.

Name: J¤•■ A¤<□♡□$

Level: 1 (Exp. 3.26%)

Race: Human

Class: Worm

Age: 1 week, 4 days

Health: 12100

Mana: 15460

AP: 4380

DP: 8623

Strength: 15 (+300)

Dexterity: 10 (+300)

Intelligence: 100 (+508)

Vitality: 100 (+505)

Wisdom: 50 (+290)

Agility: 10 (+302)

Active Skills: Telekinesis (Lv.3), Float (Lv.3), Divine Light (Broken), Sprint (Lv.1), Force Shield (Lv.1), Meditation (Semi-passive/Level 2), Parkour (Lv.1)

Passive Skills: Universal Language (Max), Fear Resistance (Lv.1), Pain Resistance (Lv.1), Memory Bank (Semi-active/Lv.1), Illusion Resistance (Lv.1)

Title: Anomaly (Awakened), Tatiana’s Son, Contracted, Reborn, Coward, Worm

Title Skill: Danger Sense (Passive/Lv.1)

Status points: 0