Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 706: The Lake of Rememberance

Elves existed as serene beings in perfect sync with the natural world, and Gina perceived that deep connection in every surrounding element. Clearly, the woodland cherished them with the same fervor they held for it.

This marked not the initial enchanted woodland Gina had explored, as memories lingered of the potent sorcery in the Forest of Fire, home to Radagan's dragons. Yet, the sensation Gina encountered here diverged entirely from her experience in the Forest of Fire. There, the energy scorched fiercely and weighed down oppressively, as if poised to erupt and devour all in a blaze at the slightest error! In contrast, this place's magic flowed tranquilly and serenely, prompting Gina to grin while a soft gust caressed her features. Farlow guided Gina beyond the primary forest city's boundaries, venturing into a vast, thick expanse where enormous bushes encircled the trees and obstructed the path ahead. Two elven sentinels clad in gleaming silver armor, wielding elongated spears, protected an apparently mundane section of the thick foliage, and upon spotting Farlow's approach, they inclined their heads and cleared his passage.

Farlow extended his palm, causing the atmosphere near Gina to stir subtly. No overt spell emanated from him, yet Gina observed the breezes obeying his will, instantly recognizing this as the essence of Sagehood. For the first time, Gina witnessed a Sage harnessing wind control through their prowess. At her current stage, Gina managed merely to redirect incoming gusts with her sage talents, aware that Farlow's feat demanded far greater skill! The currents swirled into the bushes, parting them to expose a spacious clearing beyond, and Gina's gaze expanded in wonder upon beholding the sight concealed there!

An exquisite garden unfolded before her, surpassing any Gina had ever imagined. A vast lake shimmered with silvery sparkles mirroring the sun's rays upon it, while a modest cascade trickled gently into the waters. Before the lake stretched an expansive field blanketed in vibrant emerald turf that appeared flawless, where woodland fowl and small grazing creatures cooed softly as they wandered near the shore. Across the lake rose a towering stone cliff pierced by a huge entrance delving into shadowy depths. Farlow addressed her steadily while advancing.

"Take off your shoes before entering."

Gina glanced downward, noting Farlow's bare feet, and she complied by removing her footwear as she trailed after him. Upon her foot touching the grass, a tingling surge coursed through Gina's form, and she sensed the whole lakeside vibrating in harmony with her wind magic! A smile lit Gina's face as she spotted a deer close by, extending her hand toward it, only for the creature to huff and bolt swiftly away! Her joy faded, and she pressed on after Farlow until they reached the broad lake's rim. The water's purity allowed Gina to peer straight to its bed, with multicolored fish gliding idly beneath. No spot had ever felt as tranquil to Gina, and she yearned inwardly for Jason to witness its splendor!

’None of the worlds we’ve been to even compare to this.’

In awe, Gina surveyed her surroundings, and Farlow granted her time to absorb the scene before he began to speak.

"This is known as the Lake of Remembrance; it’s been a part of our world for millennia, and multiple generations of elves have come here to seek one form of enlightenment or another. Normally, it would be against Elven doctrine to invite an outsider into this sacred land, but I have gone against the laws of my people because I see something special in you, and it would be an insult to the wind spirits if I do not nurture that potential. Gina, what you did over the past month is not something normal. Sagehood is a sacred art form that has existed since the dawn of time, and in order to tap into that power, a mage must dedicate their life to the element of their choosing for decades – or even centuries. The fact that you were able to reach that power in the way you did shows that you have an innate potential that is greater than I initially thought. Tell me, Gina. Why do you want to grow stronger?"

Throughout Farlow’s explanation, Gina had paid rapt attention, a swell of pride warming her chest at his commendation of her progress. Yet, his closing query caught her off guard, making her eyelids flutter as she replied without delay.

"I want to have enough strength to always stand beside Jason. I don’t want to lose him, and I don’t want him to go to a place I can’t follow, so I need to keep getting stronger."

A faint hum escaped Farlow at her words, though he pivoted with a subtle scowl, leaving Gina to puzzle if her response displeased him. Her statement rang true. Initially, upon gaining her abilities, Gina's drive to advance stemmed from earning wealth to aid her family and Jason's if required. However, with ample riches now at their disposal, Gina's sole motivation to strengthen herself lay in preventing Jason from venturing to realms beyond her reach. She aimed to bolster him maximally, recognizing that demanded her own growth! After absorbing her thoughts, Farlow shook his head and voiced his thoughts.

"That is a noble reason, Gina. But tell me this. What will you do if Jason were to die?"

"What?"

Gina's eyes bulged in shock, and she retreated a pace from Farlow as if his words defied belief. Unfazed by her dismay, Farlow pressed onward.

"In the world of Magic, there are many dangers and many possibilities. Jason’s death is not something completely out of those possibilities, and there is a small chance that you might one day have to deal with it. So tell me, what would you do?"

With a piercing gaze, Farlow urged Gina toward a response! Her palm drifted to her abdomen as anguish creased her forehead, and despite her efforts to envision life sans Jason, the notion eluded her. Such a fate lay beyond possibility!

"I... I don’t know what I’d do."

"And that is the main problem you must first tackle."

Perplexity deepened in Gina's stare toward Farlow, who regarded her sagely while clarifying his intent.

"In order to become a sage, a mage must first deal with the truth of their own being. They must first understand themselves and accept who they are, and it is only after they do this that they can hope to understand the world outside them. When I asked you about Jason’s death, your response was that you did not know. Not that you would move on, or that you would destroy the world, or that you would even kill yourself in order to go and meet him in the River of the Afterlife. Instead, you did not have enough understanding of yourself in order to make a concrete decision about what you would do in such an unexpected situation. To become a sage, you must understand yourself well enough to face those unexpected situations with absolute certainty."