An abyss formed in the deep shadows of the swamp, becoming an endless void where water flowed incessantly. Gradually, this liquid current coalesced into an elemental cut, resembling the blade of a sword emerging from the ground and destroying that region of the forest.

  The destruction did not result from the direct attack or the force of the cut, but from the pressure released during the massive ejection of water. Aryna, luckily, had her impact lessened by being slightly submerged, resulting in less severe damage, merely being thrown away.

  Upon colliding back first against a robust oak and falling onto the tree's roots, she expelled blood into the water. Less than five seconds later, countless snakes emerged in the area where the girl's blood had spread.

  Seeing the snakes, Aryna despaired and recoiled, taking a step back and finding herself against the tree again.

  Looking ahead, she noticed the living armor floating above the waters, advancing towards her.

  Elimirions, the guardians of the Elainópia swamps, were armors forged entirely from aqualithium, driven by a unique protective instinct. These creatures, although lacking consciousness, maintained a powerful connection with the surrounding water. It could be said that the entire swamp was now a weapon pointed at a single intruder: Aryna Sabbac.

  The roots beneath Aryna's feet moved, causing turbulence in her support. Vines emerged, whipping at her.

  "Mutant oaks…" she pondered, noticing the unusual trees around. "Are they sylvarius!?"

  Instinctively, before the roots and vines hit her, Aryna threw herself into the swamp water, even knowing she would be attacked by the snakes. When she felt the ground, she emerged, managing to see the elimirion floating towards her.

  Extending her hand upwards, Aryna set aside her elemental attribute, using pure mana to create a resistant thread. The thread wrapped around one of the largest branches of the tallest local tree. Reducing the size of the thread, Aryna pulled herself up the tree, at the same time as the elimirion attacked the place where she had been.

  With a sudden advance and a powerful blow, the swamp guardian tried to kill her. Falling onto the branch, Aryna gestured a firearm with her fingers, firing a high-pressure jet of water.

  A victorious smile appeared on Aryna's face, knowing that, regardless of the material, that concentrated attack could overcome any defense. This was what Theo had told her, based on his own knowledge and experience.

  However, her strength was still insufficient against a creature forged by "gods." Aryna's shot merely reflected off the armor, without causing significant damage.

  "It didn't cut!?" she was surprised. "Didn't even dent the metal…"

  Again, the elimirion attacked Aryna. However, she managed to dodge backward, trying to keep her distance. Falling on a stone, she tried to shoot at the guardian again, replacing the water jets with projectiles.

  Just like last time, Aryna couldn't utter threats. But, this time, she managed to slow down the elimirion.

  Transforming its own arm into a blade, the guardian made a deafening cut against Aryna. So strong that, if she hadn't dodged, she would have been split in half, just as it ended up tearing through trees and destabilizing the entire biome.

  Noticing Aryna's low guard, the elimirion took the opportunity to attack again, this time certain of hitting. Aryna's perception of time changed, each second seemed like an eternity. Her mind thought of five hundred possibilities, but her body did not respond.

  Aryna was not a conductor, so she was unable to escape at high speed. She was not a hybrid like Theo, who could escape and counterattack. Despite Theo's claim that she could be superior, how could someone unable to escape this overcome a genius with military training?

  Belief, a teaching from her mother, a maid victim of an abusive king, guided Aryna. She learned to believe that there is always a way out. Even if there was only one molecule of oxygen in her lungs, there would still be a way out.

  However, this positive thinking was useless. She did not trust herself, did not believe in her relevance. Aryna simply closed her eyes and let herself slip into the lake. A circle of water rose up, creating a small wall around them. However, the circle broke seconds later.

  When Aryna gave up fighting and allowed herself to fall, a hand grabbed her back. The elimirion's pressure ceased, returning to the gentle environment of the swamp.

  The hand was strong but gentle, belonging to Luanne, who held her, preventing Aryna from falling into the swamp.

  "Thank you, guardian," she thanked the elimirion, which bowed to her.

  "Lady…" Aryna stammered.

  "Neutral core is a beautiful thing, isn't it?"

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  "What?" The tension in Aryna's eyes disappeared. The girl was intrigued by Luanne's reaction.

  "My intention was different. But since you managed to reach the environmental state of the neutral core, we can take another path."

  "Kyrai Luanne," the elimirion called, its voice was a loud and imposing whisper, as if three people were speaking at the same time. "Thaleias si na synoder?"

  "Eichi. Borietti no epistriep."

  "Did she just speak in an ancient language?" Aryna thought, perplexed.

  "Aryna, from what I know about you, you unlocked your elemental attribute only nine months ago, right?" Luanne inquired, after exchanging a few more words with the elimirion.

  "Yes…" she replied, looking downcast.

  "Right. In that case, while we wait for our ride…"

  Luanne clapped her hands, and the two appeared on top of a huge branch of one of the swamp's oak trees. Aryna looked down and saw the elimirion disappear into the waters.

  "There are three types of cores: positive, negative, and neutral. Each energy has a different concept, but that's all you need to know. Your core, like Theo's, is a rare and almost unique type. Neutral cores, or green cores."

  Aryna shook her head, confused by the sudden change of scenery. She didn't understand the reason for that explanation.

  "The green core is the most sought after because, unlike the others, it doesn't depend on an elemental attribute to execute an elemental spell. You can manipulate the environment, unlike us, who have to change the values of our energy to an elemental attribute, and that's how the mess we have happens…"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "... There is elemental resonance, which amplifies our elements. Usually, it manifests when we face something that can cause our death, that didn't happen to you. But!" Luanne exclaimed, looking into Aryna's eyes. "You awakened the main stage of the neutral core: the environment."

  "The environment?" Aryna repeated, pulling her face back, keeping her distance from Luanne. The priestess of Alune seemed crazy.

  Perceiving that Aryna was uncomfortable, Luanne continued anyway:

  "For each core, there are nine stages, indicating the levels of each spell. In the case of neutral cores, there are three additional stages: environment, storm, and catastrophe. Just over a minute ago, you reached the environment state when the guardian attacked you."

  "Reached?" Aryna retorted, perplexed.

  "Yes. You just manifested it. It will take a long time to master, but you manifested it for the first time. It's a step."

  "How did I manifest that?"

  "When you got into trouble. The moment you left everything to your core, even giving up on living. The moment the guardian advanced for the last time, the waters of the swamp began to obey you. That's when I interfered."

  Luanne sat on the root, leaving her legs dangling and her arms crossed.

  "Sorry for so much information, but the first phase of evolution is knowledge. We all have to know the concept behind our power so that it is superior. Since you came from a place without any information, you may be confused. But, for you, Aryna Sabbac, what is water?"

  Aryna was silent for a moment, reflecting on the question, but was soon interrupted.

  "Don't answer me. That answer will go to another being…"

  Aryna's eyebrows shot up.

  "Another being?" she muttered, incredulously. Luanne seemed like an angel from an old tale Aryna had access to after entering Wispells: just throwing information into the air, without needing to. Or maybe she did. But she didn't answer the questions.

  A song echoed in the middle of the trees. Serene, soft, and ethereal. When the melody assaulted Aryna's ears, her vision froze. Time seemed to slow down, but it was just a projection created by the author of the melody.

  A pair of wide wings, white with greenish and bluish tones mixed in the feathers, cut the air between Aryna and Luanne. Aryna was surprised, while Luanne had found a reason to stand up.

  "Punctual as always, Aquilino," Luanne commented, looking at the swamp below.

  Aquilino, the boatman, steered a wooden boat. A young man with mud-colored eyes and dark brown hair passed underneath them.

  "Lady Luanne. Again?" Aquilino retorted.

  Aquilino was responsible for taking visitors to the true realm of the Elinomae: Nimbrok. A realm whose entrance was only accessed by the boatman of the nymphs, the most reliable among the underwater races.

  "I came back to get my apprentice."

  Luanne had already hitched a ride with Aquilino that day, but returned to help Aryna.

  A huge bird landed on the girl's shoulder. The bird looked into her blue eyes and then at the surroundings, moving its head so quickly that it created numerous blurs.

  "The Serafleto senses a lot of anxiety originating from your apprentice, Lady Luanne… Don't you think you should take care of her?"

  "She survived the elimirion. Anxiety is part of it."

  "I understand." He smiled gently. "Calm down, young one. The Serafleto brings calmness to the environment, purifying your mind. Don't feel oppressed."

  Aryna swallowed hard, but soon caressed the Serafleto, the majestic bird of prey on her shoulder.

  In the blink of an eye, Aryna was in Aquilino's boat, accompanied by Luanne, who was already sitting at the stern of the wooden boat.

  "Where are we going, Lady Luanne?" Aryna questioned, trying to feel comfortable.

  "To Nimbrok, the realm of the Elinomae. As fast as you can, Aquilino."

  The boatman nodded, accepting the order. Bringing his two hands together, interlacing his fingers, Aquilino extended his arms forward as if pushing something.

  The scenery was distorted. The swamp was replaced by a black tunnel illuminated by a high-speed light show. In fact, they were moving through the swamp, but the speed gave the impression of being stationary, enveloped by radiant lights.

  Aryna's eyes tried to process, but failed. They only started working again when they left the tunnel and arrived at another swamp, larger, with monstrous trees and waters less dominated by slime.

  Aquilino began to steer the boat through the swamp, so covered by trees that it was impossible to see the rays of light.

  Looking back, Aryna saw only a huge marble arch, covered in moss and plants, serving as a habitat even for animals.

  "Where are we?"… Aryna murmured, perplexed and even more anxious. Her lost eyes didn't know where to look.

  "As I already said… In the realm of Nimbrok."