Chapter 74: Orthodox And Unorthodox Magic
Ka’z and Kong’gong sat facing each other inside the secret chamber, the dim light from the small torch between them casting soft shadows across the walls.
His expression had remained twisted with shock ever since Kong’gong explained the concept of the Elemental Body. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Instead of simply releasing mana outward and shaping the element around the body,
Tud’or had discovered a way to turn that elemental energy inward and use it to strengthen the body itself. It was such a simple concept when explained aloud, yet the implications were insane.
Ka’z couldn’t help wondering how Tud’or had even come up with something like this in the first place. He must have spent years studying magic, experimenting with his own body and repeatedly risking his life until he finally discovered something that could allow a magical beast to use its own element to push its physical abilities beyond their natural limits.
"Ka’z..." Kong’gong said, drawing the young kobold’s attention back toward him.
The old kobold watched him carefully before continuing,
"This Elemental Body is our clan’s greatest secret. It is our trump card, something every magic beast amongst us should possess. That was his wish." Ka’z’s expression immediately became serious.
There was no hesitation in his response because he understood exactly what Tud’or had been trying to accomplish. If the strongest warriors of Vaal’kor could all develop an Elemental Body, then the colony’s strength would rise to an entirely different level. It wasn’t merely another technique. It could potentially become the foundation upon which their entire clan’s future was built.
The only problem was time. Tud’or had spent three years refining his body and still couldn’t maintain the Elemental Body for long without suffering internal damage. If that was the result after three years, Ka’z needed to know exactly how long it would take before he could safely use it himself.
"How long will it take before we can use it?" Ka’z asked.
Kong’gong’s brow furrowed as he considered the question.
"It depends. I believe Tud’or needed more than five years to become capable of properly using the Flame Elemental Body, but I mostly believe that was due to the nature of the element. Had Tud’or tried to learn using the water element, do you think the cost of using such magic would be so extreme?" he asked.
Ka’z fell silent. He immediately understood the point. Fire was inherently destructive. Even when controlled, forcing flames through the body would naturally place an enormous burden on the flesh, organs and mana pathways.
Water, earth or even wind might produce entirely different effects. They couldn’t know for certain without experimenting, but there was enough logic behind the idea to make it worth considering.
Ka’z slowly nodded.
"Probably not."
Regardless of how long it took, however, his decision had already been made. He would learn the Elemental Body. Even if it took five years, ten years or longer, Ka’z couldn’t afford to ignore a technique capable of producing the kind of power Tud’or had displayed. If this was truly the trump card of Vaal’kor, then Ka’z intended to make sure it didn’t die with Tud’or.
A different thought suddenly crossed his mind, and Ka’z’s expression became contemplative.
"What’s the difference between Orthodox and Unorthodox magic?" he suddenly asked.
Kong’gong’s eyes immediately widened slightly. The old kobold stared at him for several seconds, clearly caught off guard by the question.
"That’s a term you hear around humans. How do you know about that?" Kong’gong asked curiously.
Ka’z’s eyes shifted toward his own hand. He needed to think carefully before answering. The truth was obviously impossible to explain. He couldn’t tell Kong’gong that a mysterious system had suddenly informed him that Blood Magic belonged to a category known as Unorthodox magic.
He couldn’t exactly explain what a system was either. Ka’z remained quiet for a moment, constructing the simplest explanation he could.
"I had a dream where someone said those words and after I woke up, I realized I have access to blood magic."
It wasn’t a particularly convincing lie, and Ka’z knew it. But he also knew Kong’gong believed in the prophecy surrounding him, and that gave him a convenient shield whenever something impossible happened.
As expected, Kong’gong’s expression changed. He didn’t look convinced in the normal sense, but the old kobold clearly understood that whatever Ka’z had experienced was probably connected to the Greater Kobold. There was no reason for him to interrogate the child about something that could be a divine revelation.
Still, one question remained in Kong’gong’s mind. Why would the heavens grant Ka’z access to an Unorthodox element?
"Orthodox and Unorthodox magic are basically the depiction of good and evil, but in magic,"
Kong’gong finally began, his voice thoughtful as he tried to simplify the explanation.
"Orthodox magic is basically the elements we are used to, like fire, water, earth and so on. They are natural forces that have existed in the world since the beginning. However, Unorthodox magic refers to dark magic like shadow magic, blood magic, necromancy, curse magic and so many more."
Ka’z’s eyes widened immediately.
"Tu’ka has shadow magic."
The realization escaped his lips before he could stop it. Kong’gong gave him a knowing look.
"And why do you think he is unable to use any other element?" The question struck Ka’z immediately.
Buzz!
Ka’z abruptly stood up, his eyes widening as the pieces finally connected. He had seen Tu’ka’s strange limitation before, but he had never understood the reason behind it. Tu’ka possessed Shadow Magic, yet unlike the others, he couldn’t manipulate fire, earth, water or any of the other common elements. At the time, Ka’z had simply assumed it was some strange quirk of his bloodline or affinity. Now it made perfect sense. His access to an Unorthodox element had affected his relationship with the Orthodox elements.
Ka’z’s thoughts immediately shifted toward Za’r. Even Za’r, despite possessing the unique Light element, could still manipulate Earth. That meant Light was not necessarily considered Unorthodox.
Ka’z slowly looked toward Kong’gong.
"So if I begin using this, I will slowly lose my ability to use Orthodox magic?" Kong’gong nodded firmly.
"That is what happens when the Unorthodox element begins corrupting the core."
Ka’z’s expression tightened as he absorbed the information. His gaze instinctively lowered toward his own chest, where his mana core rested deep within him.
The thought of gradually losing access to Fire and Earth because he had chosen to develop Blood Magic made him uncomfortable. He had only recently begun developing his elemental abilities, and the possibility of permanently sacrificing them for another power was not something he could dismiss casually.
Kong’gong slowly rose to his feet and brushed some dirt from his robes before turning toward the walls of the chamber. His eyes lingered there for a moment, though his expression gradually became more thoughtful.
There were strange things about Ka’z that he still didn’t understand. The boy knew things he shouldn’t know. He possessed abilities he had never been taught. He had somehow awakened Blood Magic and now casually mentioned terminology normally associated with humans.
Even stranger, Kong’gong could see human writing carved across the chamber walls. How Ka’z had somehow been able to understand languages he had never been taught during his younger days still doesn’t make sense till now.
How does Ka’z know this language?
The question had crossed Kong’gong’s mind more than once.
There were simply too many mysteries surrounding this child. Yet Kong’gong had long ago accepted that Ka’z was not normal. He was the child of prophecy. His birth had already been surrounded by signs and revelations that ordinary kobolds could never comprehend. If the Greater Kobold had truly chosen him, then perhaps these strange pieces of knowledge were simply part of the visions being granted to him.
Kong’gong dared not question what he believed were the workings of the heavens.
"Unorthodox magic is powerful, but it always comes with a price,"
Kong’gong finally said. His tone had become much more serious. He turned toward Ka’z and stared directly into his eyes.
"Maybe the heavens want you to wield such power, or maybe this is a test. Either way, you should be patient and don’t make a hasty move. You have only just awakened this ability. Learn about it first. Understand what it can do and what it can take from you before you decide how far you are willing to go."
Ka’z finally nodded firmly.
"I understand."