Chapter 305: Perception

Chapter 305: Perception

In Northland City, Bran was also missing his somewhat mischievous and naughty sister. When she was around, it often felt annoying, always having to deal with the big and small accidents she caused. Now, with her gone, his surroundings had become quiet, and he began to miss that lively, warm feeling again.

Danny sat in the City Lord’s Manor every day with endless tasks to do. Those who initially followed him, like Zack and Mary, also had their own things to attend to.

After Zoya returned, she fell back into a state of confusion, not knowing what she was thinking about each day. Bran wanted to ask about her experiences and insights from the journey, but Zoya refused to talk about it. Instead, she kept asking about Bran’s situation, wanting to understand what his World was like.

Bran was frustrated. What World was there now? With the rolling Torrent, his World had long turned to mud and sand, washed clean away. Bran never imagined his World would be so fragile. Fortunately, those feelings and memories were deeply imprinted in his spirit.

So Bran told Zoya that the original World had been washed away, and he was now an undercurrent in the great river.

This made Zoya very frustrated too. She thought she had new gains and discoveries that could help her reintegrate into Northland City and get closer to Bran’s World. But when she returned here, that familiar feeling of not fitting in became even more obvious.

Walking alone between heaven and earth, feeling the caress of the wind, the warmth of the light, and the peace of the night amidst birdsong and floral fragrance. It seemed that if she wished, she could transform into a blade of grass or a tree around her, becoming one of them. She was obsessed with this atmosphere, unwilling to wake up for a long time.

Until she noticed a small chameleon slowly crawling past before her eyes, moving towards prey not far away. Then she suddenly realized they were no different; everything was just for various goals—survival, hunting, or seeking a mate.

Zoya was confused. What did she really want from Bran? Family? They should already be that. A sense of security? There probably weren’t many who could harm her now. Besides, with her abilities, as long as she didn’t show hostility first, who would actively harm her?

She could clearly feel the changes in her body; many impulses had gradually left her. So why was she still clinging to Bran?

Habit?

No! This thought was quickly dismissed by her. As a Wizard, the only thing that could consistently attract her was Mana. Like the White Robes in Northland City, the attraction of Mana was the fundamental reason they couldn’t resist.

Bran said his power was fatal to most Wizards; his assimilation and erosion could cause irreversible damage to Wizards. Maybe the most fundamental reason was actually Bran’s Mana, because Mana was the most primitive foundation constituting Bran’s abilities.

She awakened and developed in Northland City, eventually reaching where she was today. Although her goal hadn’t changed, her true self was already different; the sweetness of first love had become a memory. Now, she was immersed in a thirst for Mana, drawing closer to Bran like a moth to a flame. Even though she knew it was deadly danger, she moved forward without hesitation.

Having figured everything out, Zoya suddenly felt like laughing. Bran was like a huge mother, nurturing all sorts of strange monsters, and she was just one among them. In fact, she was no different from those spiritual roadside stones in the city. It was just that she had grown up; once she left, she could never go back. If she tried to return, the result would only be drowning in it.

But she still wanted to try again, to make one last effort. After all, for Zoya, it was once a complete World, a World that belonged to her. Like a child making a final effort and struggle before breaking free from parents, Zoya planned many things for this.

But it was all futile because she had become stronger, strong enough to begin threatening Bran’s World. From today on, she could only stand outside Bran’s World, side by side with him. And Bran no longer wanted to sustain her, because the Mana flowing to her was decreasing.

In a daze, a murmuring sound arose in the Void, and a faintly intoxicating floral fragrance drifted down. The voice was more seductive, the aroma more alluring, but Zoya grew even more confused.

Bran could only watch as Mana grew restless around Zoya, watching it gradually drive his own Mana away from her. Waves stirred in the Sea of Magic; a Torrent filled with strange Demonic Flowers suddenly surged from the ocean surface, roaring loudly at Bran. The voice was full of authority, gratitude, and unquestionable persuasion—let go!

Several Demonic Flowers fell into the whirlpool of the Tributary. They were payment, and also a warning…

The Inky Torrent where Bran resided trembled slightly, making him dizzy for a moment. He gently drew the Demonic Flowers into the whirlpool, and as he did, the eerie nature on the flowers was soaked by the ink, gradually dissolving and disappearing.

Bran didn’t know when he became able to hear the voices of Mana. It was as if he suddenly gained their recognition, became one of them, and was pulled into an endless clamor. Although his shouts only added a tiny, insignificant noise to the grand cacophony, Bran gradually learned to distinguish the sources of the noise amidst the shouting, gradually able to tell their differences, occasionally catching a thread or two.

Until today, he saw a true will. Although it was still vague, like a momentary pause in chaos and disorder, exposing some fool who forgot to shut up, it was enough to make Bran alert and excited.

Withdrawing his focus, Bran took out the Water Pearl from within himself. Polished until now, this Key had finally fulfilled part of its design. Bran was now full of curiosity about other Continents; perhaps those outsiders had more efficient methods. He would find an opportunity to get them, whether by stealing or seizing them.

Bran’s hand sank into the Void, and then the Water Pearl mostly disappeared along with his movement. Soon after, Bran withdrew his hand, but the Water Pearl remained suspended in mid-air amidst turbulence. Moisture gradually seeped from it, then faster and faster.

Fairy Whisper appeared beside Bran at some point, asking with surprise, “Success?”

Bran shook his head. “Not sure. Need to observe a while longer.”

As the Water Pearl was embedded in the Void, the protective and shielding measures Bran applied to it dissipated. A clear current began to surge in the Sea of Magic, causing the Mana in the Void to tremble. The tremors gradually spread and propagated…

A Monster in the distant sea was also startled by the tremors. It roared, slowly rising from the deep sea, bursting through the ocean surface with wind and rain all around.