Chapter 14: Fundamental of Tiang Tiga
Liraen smiled as he raised three fingers before Kael.
"Huh? What's that, Ren?" Kael asked curiously.
"Commander Aeronis taught me this gesture before every training session," Liraen replied with a faint smile. "Each finger gesture represents one of the three aspects to become the best Realm Protector."
At the mention of Commander Aeronis, Kael's expression grew more serious. He watched closely as Liraen bent his fingers into a claw-like shape.
"Look at this, Kael," Liraen said, his tone steady. "This is the first aspect. It's called Bilah—it means 'weapon.' Your weapon."
Kael listened attentively.
"It represents weapon mastery," Liraen continued. "If you've noticed, every Realm Protector wields their own weapon. It doesn't matter if it's a blade, a hammer, a dagger, an arrow, a spear, an axe, or even a simple karambit."
Kael nodded silently, picturing the countless Realm Protectors from different races, each bearing their unique weapon.
Liraen's eyes softened. "But it's not just a weapon, Kael," he said, glancing down at his blade. "It's you—in the form of something that can protect, destroy, or even create meaning for others. When you believe in your weapon deeply enough, you might even give it a name."
He paused, lifting his blade. Its pale surface shimmered faintly under the light.
"That name might not make your weapon stronger or grant it new power," Liraen said quietly. "But it reminds you that your weapon is a part of you, that you are never truly alone. No matter what happens, it will always be with you."
He held his white obsidian blade proudly, the reflection of his eyes glinting along its edge. "This one is called Ralis. My father left it to me; it is my only inheritance. Ralis gives me the strength to move forward… a reminder that my weapon exists to protect, not to harm."
Liraen turned back to Kael, his tone growing firm.
"So, Kael… before your training begins, I want you to have a weapon, a companion. Not just a tool, but a weapon that will walk beside you for the rest of your journey."
Kael's eyes widened at Liraen's words. For a brief moment, he fell silent. Then, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he clenched his fist.
Don't worry, Ren, he thought. I already chose mine… last night.
The certainty in his heart burned quietly. He already knew what weapon would stand with him, through every battle, every scar, and every step of his life.
"The second," Liraen continued, raising his three fingers again, this time straight, pointing directly at Kael.
Kael, Nylum, and Volgran all gasped as Liraen's fingers glowed faintly with energy.
"This aspect," Liraen said, "is called Tawan. Unlike Bilah, which focuses on weapon mastery, Tawan is about control."
He suddenly turned his hand away from them and thrust it forward.
A sharp gust burst from his fingertips—
SWOOSHH!
A powerful blast of wind shot across the field, scattering dust and leaves. The air fell silent afterward, the echo of power still humming faintly around them.
"Everyone in this realm," Liraen began again, his voice calm, "possesses what we call Might. This world regards it as a blessing… a gift from Him."
He lowered his hand slightly, his tone softening. "But not everyone can wield that gift with full efficiency or true precision. That's where this aspect comes in. Tawan represents the mastery of one's Might. The greater your control, the higher your standing in this realm's eyes."
Liraen then looked directly at Kael, a faint smile forming on his lips. "But you, Kael… unlike everyone else, you don't have one."
Kael didn't flinch. He already knew that truth.
"Yeah, Ren. I know," he said softly, smiling faintly. He clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back, eyes wandering up toward the sky. "And it doesn't matter. Maybe that's a gift from Him too."
He glanced at Liraen, Nylum, and Volgran, all three blessed with Might. Yet his smile never wavered.
Liraen's expression warmed as he saw the fire in Kael's eyes, quiet, steady, unyielding.
He may have been Mightless, but his mind alone… was enough to surpass any Might this realm had ever known.
With that said, Liraen's expression grew more confident.
"Even though you don't have any Might to control…" he said firmly, "I want you to control your mind. That's what I want you to Tawan. Conquer your mind the same way we conquer our Might."
Kael nodded in understanding as Liraen pointed his three fingers toward Kael's forehead.
From the side, Nylum and Volgran watched in silence, sensing the weight of Liraen's words and Kael's quiet determination.
Kael leaned forward slightly, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Alright, Ren…" he said, his tone steady. "What's the last aspect?"
Liraen slowly brought his three fingers together until they formed one thick line.
"Okay, Kael relaxes, and the last aspect," he said calmly, "is called Satu."
He paused, his gaze firm, his voice steady.
"This one matters more on the battlefield than the other two. It's what separates us from our enemies, the Mishanter.Satu means unity… teamwork."
Liraen looked toward the horizon, eyes distant, as if recalling battles long past.
"Unlike us, the Mishanter never truly fought as one. Even when they strike in massive hordes, there's no harmony, no strategy, only chaos.
" He turned back to Kael. "So remember this, Kael… no matter how strong you become, don't ever walk alone. "Unless"…a faint smirk crossed his face, "…you become the strongest in this realm."
Kael nodded silently.
Liraen's tone softened, carrying a warmth almost fatherly.
"And I want you to take this aspect seriously. When you reach the academy, find friends you can trust, friends worth more than your own life."
Kael's eyes brightened as he imagined the faces of those he had yet to meet. Who would stand beside him? What kind of figures awaited him in the academy?
Then, with a quiet breath, he drove his sword into the earth. The blade sank deep with a heavy thunk, the sound carrying both pride… and regret.
"That's all from me," Liraen said quietly. "From someone who failed to become one." His head lowered, the flicker of shame crossing his face.
Kael stepped forward, resting a firm hand on Liraen's shoulder.
"No, Ren," he said, his voice steady and full of conviction. "You've done great… This time, let me become one. Trust me."
Liraen smiled and gently released Kael's hand.
"All three aspects together form what we call Tiang Tiga. Master them—Bilah, Tawan, and Satu. Conquer them all, and you'll become the strongest in this realm. Prove to us that your race can rise again… even if you're the only one left."
Kael nodded, his determination burning brighter than ever.
"Yes, Ren… I'll become the greatest Realm Protector this realm has ever known."
Liraen nodded softly, as if his role, as a friend and mentor, was complete.
"Then, without wasting any time," he said, clapping his hands once, "let's start with the first aspect, Bilah."
Nylum glanced down at his own metallic left hand, its watery reflection shimmering faintly.
"Hmmm… does this count as a weapon?" he murmured. "It's part of my body, though…"
Meanwhile, Kael turned toward the wooden table and picked up a strange item—the handle and four sharp black metal shards.
"Aha! This will do!" he said, eyes gleaming.
Both Liraen and Nylum turned to him curiously. Kael attached one of the black blades to the handle, forming a weapon that resembled a sword.
"What about this, Ren? This will be my Bilah!"
Liraen chuckled. "Hmm… So your weapon is a sword?"
"Not sure," Kael replied, fiddling with the handle. "But it kinda looks like one."
He attached another sharp piece to the opposite end—
Clack!
"I knew it would fit! Look at this, Ren, two blades!"
Liraen nodded, amused. "Yeah, it looks cooler… but what about the other two short ones?"
Kael tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm… good question."
Then a sly grin crossed his face.
"Maybe it's time to ask that old dwarf…"
"Yeahhhh let ask Bosss?" Nylum bubbled.
"Sure," Liraen grinned.."
Kael gathered all the tools and strange items from the black box, arranging them neatly on the wooden table before sprinting toward the back door. He swung it open—
Thud!
He collided with something tall, solid… and definitely not happy.
"Ouch!" Kael groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"Kaelllll~~~!" came an irritated voice.
"Hey, old el—"
Thud! Another smack landed squarely on his head.
"Ayyo!"
"No Ayyo! Why didn't you go to work, huh?! Your boss is already here!"
A short, broad dwarf stepped out from behind Elvareth, grinning from ear to ear and waving cheerfully.
"Boss!" Kael's eyes lit up.
"Yaa, my boy!" Durmuk boomed with a hearty laugh.
Elvareth sighed, stepping aside to let the dwarf enter the backyard.
Durmuk gave Kael a nod, then immediately spotted the wooden table covered in scattered metal parts. "So, that box has already been opened, eh?"
"Yes, Boss!" Kael replied quickly.
Without wasting a moment, Durmuk marched to the workbench as Kael pointed out the five strange items laid before him. The dwarf pulled out a pair of thick spectacles, adjusting them carefully. His sharp eyes glinted as he examined each object, tapping and muttering under his breath while the soft clink of metal echoed around them.
As Durmuk worked, the sound of approaching footsteps and cheerful chatter came from the side of the house.
"Yoo, human!" Nibsken called, waving as he trotted in—followed by Grak'Mar and Reyvik.
"So what's going on?" Grak'Mar rumbled, his voice deep as rolling thunder.
"Oh, I just opened the black box last night," Kael said proudly.
"Awooo~ that's cool, Kael!" Reyvik howled playfully, his wolf ears twitching. "What's inside it?"
Kael smiled as his friends gathered in the backyard, their curiosity and laughter filling the air. Together, they began their inspection of the mysterious items Kael had uncovered from the black box—
End Of Chapter 14
Will Durmuk be able to solve all the item mysteries this time?
What other thing that all those items hide?