Chaos World

Chapter 3: Races of Chaos

Good morning, Chaos! I am Mike Cole. I was diagnosed with brain tumor and had only 3 months to live. One night there was an earthquake and I fell inside a fissure. When I woke up I was in a different world. The moment I came too, I was thrown out because of my weak body, at least, that was what I recall. My head was breaking apart at that time and I can’t understand the voices that much. Anyway, a fairy found me just before I die… no, I actually died. Yeah, that’s right! She fed me with the “hero's flesh” and I gained an immortal body. Yay! The fairy’s name is Aria, by the way and she became my familiar. A PLUSsssss!!! So, I decided to leave my name and my past since I am in a new world, living a new life. Right now I carry the name “Loran Newheart.”

I know, that’s a shitty name! I like how it sounds. Newheart, got it from “new” because of the new life and heart, well because I think heart represents life. So Newheart measn new life. That’s it. Loran is just… nevermind that, it just rolled out of my tongue.

Who am I talking to again? Oh right, it’s you Loran!

“Are you alright, master?” a little voice sounded on my shoulder.

“Yep, I am fine, Aria. I am just talking to my inner self.” I said.

“Oh, then let us go. Grandpa Ordeus is waiting for us. Let’s not get him angry this time.” She reminded.

“Yeah, I know. The last time was the worst!” I recalled the time when I got Old beard Ordeus angry, he tied me upside down on the Orfish tree.

Yeah, three weeks already passed after the time I became immortal, ah, no, half-immortal, to be exact. I now live here, in this castle ruin with my cute spirit familiar Aria, and the grumpy, sarcastic, old fairy, Ordeus.

I know, right? I mean, you’ve got to ask, where did that stoic, dignified old man gone to? Honestly, I’ve got the same question. I think that old guy lived a lonely life for so long, he developed a multi-personality disorder.

There was this one time, I caught him talking to someone but I found out he was actually facing a mirror crystal. Sometimes he would silently laugh, all by himself. There’s even one time he cried without reason at all. He is kind in one moment and in other times, he’s a cruel, grumpy old man. I don’t really get the timing of his episodes. Sometimes, I wonder how Aria managed to live with Ordeus for so long.

I am now currently taking lessons about Chaos world from him. I say “taking lessons from him” but I am just reading books all by my lonesome actually, though Aria helps me from time to time. But she doesn’t really know much about Chaos either, and she never went out the boundaries of the Forgotten Forest. Ordeus really didn’t teach me anything except for some basic combat practice.

For today, I will be reading this very thick book. It’s covered with beast skin; I don’t know from what beast though. The spine is plated with silver metal and on it a word is carved in Chaotian symbols. I have no problem reading it.

I didn’t know why but the first time I encountered Chaotian letters, I can read them instantly.

The symbols read “Races of Chaos”. The author didn’t write his name on the book, so I don’t know who wrote this. In fact, most of the books in this huge library don’t have the names of their authors on them.

"Alright, let’s start reading.” I flipped a page and went on to read the content. “Ah, so there are 16 races in Chaos."

I flip the page to the first Chaotian race, “The Heaven Race” it said.

“Oh, the word “heaven” actually exist! I wonder, are they angels?” I mumbled.

I read, "The most powerful race in Chaos for thousands of years, the “Heaven race”. They are people with beautiful wings and a halo.” Whoah! They are angels! I mean, that’s what people back on Earth describe an angel.

“They live on the Sky Continent, in the northern part of Chaos. There are many tribes belonging to this race. The Kerubin tribe is the royal tribe in the Sky continent. They are the only tribe of the Heaven race that has dual affinity of wind and light magic. Other tribes either possess the wind element or light element. Overlord Treia came from this tribe.” I should put that tribe in mind, Kerubin tribe.

The book also said that in terms of speed, Kerubin tribe is one of the 3 other races that excels in it. In fact, they could be considered number one in speed. Also, the book told me about their system of power. I guess, their cultivation path? If compared to the novels, I read. Anyway, I flip the pages and went to the next race.

“The “Demon Race”. They live on the western part of Chaos called the Dark continent. Same as the Heaven race, they also have many tribes. The prominent tribe is the Satana tribe. They are humanoid with two horns on their foreheads and giant bat wings on their backs. Like the Kerubin tribe they also possess dual affinity magic of fire and darkness. Overlord Kaazam came from Satana.”

I expected as much, there’s always the demon race. But it’s good that they are not aiming for world domination here. By ranking, the Demon race comes only second from the Heaven race in terms of racial strength. They are also the third fastest of the 3 races who excel in speed.

“Demons are masters of trickery and deception.” It read. I expected this too.

I flip the pages again and read the texts about the third powerful race, the “Human Race”.

The book says, “Humans are largely distributed in many continents of Chaos. They are the race that has erected many kingdoms all throughout Chaos. The largest human empire is Lorbec Empire. It is ruled by Emperor Cristo Lorbec XIII. The empire rules the Carmen continent which is also called Central Chaos. In terms of magic, Humans are the most balanced. Unlike the other races that has only one or two magic affinities, humans have affinities of all elements depending on their compatibility. 6 of the 16 Overlords came from the Human race including Overlord Summoner Argus.”

There seems to be no discrimination against races here in Chaos if humans can actually live in other territories and build kingdoms there.

I also read about the other races; the Dwarven race, Elven race, Waterbeast race, Beast race, Dragonoid race, Giant race, Orc race, Firebeast race, Berserker race, Phantasma race, Rockbeast race, Hobbit race and lastly, the mythical race of High Human.

I am more intrigued by these High Humans. What differentiates them from the humans? And they are considered mythical but they are recorded as one of the races. Are they real or not?

I was very curious about these High Humans that I have to know if they really exist and what makes them different from humans, so I went to Ordeus.

“The High Human race? You’ve been reading about the races, huh! Well, they exist.” He affirmed.

“Really? Where are they? There’s not much written in the book about them.” I asked.

Ordeus stared at me for a second and then he raised his hand, pointing above. I looked up. Are they in the clouds?

“They’re living in a floating island?” I guessed.

“Sort of, but no. They are just up there.” He said.

Huh? Are they birds or something?

“I don’t know much about them as well, but I heard they were up there.” He said.

“Were? What happened to them?”

“According to rumors, their whole race was destroyed. Some say they’re up there and just hiding their selves with powerful spells and incantations. Truthfully, no one knows about them that much. There were even barely sightings of them.”

Sightings, are they rare animals? Aliens perhaps?

“What differentiates them from humans? Why are they called High Humans?” I further inquired.

“Remember Solaiman?” I nodded. What does High Humans have to do with Solaiman? Wait, don’t tell me! He’s High Human?

Then Ordeus confirmed my guess, “Yes, what you’re thinking is right. Solaiman was a High Human. They look just like humans, but High Humans are much more powerful than humans.” He added, “They have stronger physique, stronger mentality, and stronger attunement with the elements. Overall, they are even stronger than the Heavenlies.”

If all the High Humans are like Solaiman who wanted to destroy the world, then maybe it is good that they are destroyed.

“If they still exist, do you think there will be another Solaiman in the near future?” I asked.

“I do not know, however, we don’t have to worry about any of that. If they truly are still here, they should have avenged Solaiman but they didn’t do anything or show themselves for 500 years. Do you think they still exist?”

“Guess not.” But what if they are just biding their time to strike back? I can’t help but think about it.  

“And what about the automatons that Ohm created? Where are they now?”

“They’re somewhere in the Ishka continent. That’s where the largest Brigarin Crystal mine owned by dwarves can be found.”

“I see.” I went back to the library after that and read some more books. I am evolving into a bookworm! I wonder if I’d grow wings. Ha! Ha! Ha!

In the afternoon he dragged me into a stone room below the castle ruin. “Why did you bring me here? You’re not gonna t*****e me, are you?” I was scared. Did I do something that angered this old man?

“Just shut up, boy! You really do like to imagine a lot of creepy things! Just follow me and you’ll know.” He said.

We arrived in front of a door. There was an inscription on the door but I can’t read it. “I thought, I have this ability to instantly understand foreign words,” I whispered.

“You said something?”

“Oh nothing! What’s behind this door?” I asked.

Ordeus didn’t tell me, instead, he whispered an incantation. The inscriptions on the door glowed as he was mumbling some words and it opened.

“Whoah! What was that?”

“It’s a sealing spell,” he says.

I nodded and didn’t ask more. We stepped inside the room. It was a small room, just enough to fit two beds. At the center lies a huge blue crystal.

“Beautiful! What is it?” I asked as I slowly walked towards the crystal.

“That is an “Identity World Crystal”. It is a magic item used for appraisal and identification.” He answered.

Identity World Crystal. Is it like those appraisal stones in the games that’s used to appraise unknown items?  

He told me to put my hands on it. The crystal ball shone bright red and it showed letters. It’s different from Chaotian letters; I couldn't understand it. So Ordeus read it for me. The contents were:

Name: Loran Newheart (Mike Cole)

Age: 27

Race: Unknown

Origin: Unknown

Magic: None

Affinity: Undetermined

Ability: Immortal body, fast recovery, giant's strength, fast reflex, godly perception, mana manipulation

Rank: Greenhorn

Wait a damn minute! Why did it say I am 27? I am 23 years old! “Hey! I think this crystal is broken!” I screamed.

“I assure you, it’s not!”

“Then why did it say my age is 27? I’m still 23!”

“Why do you still care about that matter? You’re going to become a true immortal one day and you won’t age!”

“Yeah but still!”

“The world crystal never tells lie; it’s the world’s will. If it says your 27 then you are. Deal with it!”

“The world has a will?” Damn, really? Mother nature has a will!

“What does it mean by “Unknown race”? Am I not human anymore? And what's this affinity? What's that mean?”

My address is understandable to be unknown; I was from another world. I've got no magic, but at least I have cool abilities like the strength of a giant, fast reflexes and fast recovery. I am a ninja! Nin! Nin!

I am not clear about godly perception and mana manipulation. And my rank is greenhorn. This is the lowest rank; I think?

"Strange, unknown race and undetermined affinity. So, you are not categorized among the Human race.” Ordeus mumbled. “Is it possible to create another new race?”

"A new race?"

"Yes. I told you, this Identity World Crystal is powered by the world’s will, it might be possible to create a new race, as long as the world’s will approve it.” He sounded excited. This guy seemed happy of this discovery.

“Okay? So how do we do that?” I am curious and exited too! Who wouldn’t be? I am going to create my own race!

“You just have to place your hand on the crystal and think about your race. Then, I’ll do the rest.” He said. “Think of a name first.”

Alright, let’s try it! What name should I pick? Since my body is immortal, should I call myself immortal human? Nah, it got no ring. Ah, I know.

"How about Undying race?" 

"Hmm..."

Ordeus was surprised when I said it. Is that not good?

"What’s with that surprised look?" I said.

“Nothing. That name “Undying”,”

“What? Is something wrong with it?” I asked.

“It’s a title that belonged to a long lost Spirit tribe in the Spirit plane, the “Phoenix tribe”.” He replied.

“Oh wow! The Phoenix, they exist?” I exclaimed.

“I said lost, didn’t I? Now, put your hands on the crystal and think of the name!” he ordered.

I complied and thought about the name “Undying” as my race. Ordeus leveled his hands on the crystal and mumbled some indiscernible words.

Then, the crystal slowly glowed brightly. It was warm and blinding. The next thing, I felt a warm current flow through my palms and circulated all throughout my body.

Then after some time, the crystal stopped glowing and new words appeared on it. Ordeus read the words and it said,

“Name: Loran Newheart (Mike Cole)

Age: 27

Race: Undying

Origin: Earth

Magic: None

Affinity: Undetermined

Ability: Immortal body, fast recovery, giant's strength, fast reflex, godly perception, mana manipulation

Rank: Greenhorn

“It’s succeeded? The world’ will approved it!” I happily said.

“Yes, it did!” Ordeus said weakly. I guess he expended much energy doing the spell.

"What about my undetermined affinity? Do you know something about it?"

"I'm not sure but I think you can use any affinity. We will experiment on it in a while. You have godly perception, if I am not wrong, you perceive things and react to things faster and smoothly. It’s a good match up with fast reflex.” He answered.

“That must be the reason why I was able to read the Chaotian symbols and letters immediately.”

“That may be. Mana manipulation means you can manipulate energy around and inside you." Ordeus added.

"Mana and magic, aren't they the same?"

"No. Mana is energy. Magic is the usage of that mana. Right now, you haven’t learnt any magic. But if you do learn, mana manipulation would let you cast magic without the need of incantations, spells or magic formations to activate your magic." He explained.

Awesome! Mana is energy, and energy is present in all matter and I have the ability to manipulate that energy. Ordeus also told me that as long as I understood the concept behind the magic, I can create it using mana manipulation.

Let’s try it then. I willed mana into my finger. I felt some energy flow and gather around my finger.

“This is great!” I exclaimed. I thought of creating a small fire on my finger. How does fire starts? Ah, right, combust oxygen in the air… damn, I don’t know how to do that!  “How do you usually create magic?” I asked Ordeus.

He pointed at his head, “By using your mind.” He said.

“What? Oh, I get it! Imagination!” I said.

So, I went back on focusing the energy on my finger and imagined a hot fire on my finger. And then, “poof!”, there was a little ball of fire floating above my finger!

“Great! You get it fast!” He said.

Thanks, godly perception!

Ordeus then told me of the different magic in Chaos such as Support magic, Offensive magic, Defensive magic, Summoning magic, and Creation magic.

Support magic; Includes healing and status enhancements. Offensive magic; Magic for attacking. Defensive magic; Includes barrier magic. Summoning magic; A unique magic for summoning magic beasts and spirits. Some items could also be summoned. He said it was not clear what element governs the summoning.

Isn’t it space? Space is an element, right? I didn’t voice out my guess, though. There are many powerful magicians out there for sure, they must have already guessed it and ruled that it’s not of the space element.

Creation magic; A unique magic that focuses on creation. He said Alchemy and sorcery is one of the paths that mainly uses this kind of magic.

He also informed me of the ranks. There are 7 known ranks.

7th rank – Greenhorn, the lowest rank.

6th rank - Intermediate

5th rank - Advance

4th rank - Duke

3rd rank - King

2nd rank - Lord

1st rank - Overlord

He said these ranks are mostly used by Chaotians but there are races that have a different way of classifying power like the beastmen and the elves.

"What rank was Solaiman? You said he was stronger than an overlord." I asked.

"Solaiman was at God rank."

God!? “Why was that excluded in your explanation?”

And his reply shook me, “No one in Chaos reached that rank…”

“Except for Solaiman!” I finished. If all High Humans are like Solaiman, then all of them are Gods? Holy s**t!

“You guys defeated Solaiman, does that mean you’re God ranks too?” I asked him. But Ordeus called himself “Overlord”, he can’t be a god, right?

"I told you before, my master and the other world travelers used a special skill to defeat Solaiman. That skill made us reach a power above an Overlord but slightly lower than a God. I remember Zu Yuan called it, “Demi-god realm”. Combining the five heroes and us, we barely able to defeat him.” He explained.

 ====================

For the following months, I learned the most common language in Chaos called [Emphrynt]. I also learned Heaven, Demon, Human, Beast, and Dragon languages. Writing is also not a problem now.

I also learned some support, offensive and defensive magic. My favorite is the Speed magic. With my mana manipulation, I can increase my speed 10 times normal. I’m like that superhero on Earth, the one that run so fast.

Oh, yeah, we discovered that my undetermined affinity means I can use every element there is out there.

So, right now, I am at the Advance rank! I still don’t know what path I should take but if anyone asks, I’d say I am a magician! He! He! He!

Oh, oh! Aria revealed her status to me. She said Ordeus took her to the identity world crystal too and she copied her status and this is what it looks.

Name: Aria

Age: 318

Race: Dimension Fairy Spirit

Origin: Unknown

Magic: Support magic, offensive magic, defensive magic, creation magic, unknown magic

Ability: immortal body, fast recovery, fast reflex, Ruler's aura, Dimension door

Rank: King

Damn, she’s old! Way older than me! She came here 500 years ago, so, if my math is right, she’s 818 years old! Plus, she’s already a King rank fairy.

Should I drop my status as her master become her familiar instead? “Sigh”

(T _ T)