The Erratum-Chapter 47: Sands.

Inside of Cetas, something innate had awoken.

His mind gradually adjusted itself to the newfound power that Cetas gained, naturally telling him the information possessed within it.

Cetas needed only a mere thought to gather the information in his head. It was akin to molding clay and forming it into a pot. Though it isn’t easy, cumulative practice would make such a job to be.. natural.

And it all seemed natural to Cetas, even though he only became a Zealot for a few days and had only unlocked his first Flourish for a couple of minutes.

Upon thinking for an instant, Cetas came across the knowledge about his newfound power.

Namely, he received two particular attributes.

[Increased Zeal Capacity and.. Sands of History.]

Perplexed by this, he questioned the very own knowledge in his mind.

I thought only Elemental Zeal was capable of bringing out elements.. I clearly didn’t choose that so how come I have something related to Sands.

In some cases, Zealots can obtain Unique Zeal along their journey to ascension. The Flourish and their Origin Zeal would combine to form a newly found Zeal that can aid them in growing stronger.

Take for example, Reid possessed a Unique Zeal made from Elemental Zeal and Metaphysical Zeal - his Zeal Reaping ability. This is due to the will of the world and his opportunity-making that stemmed from his gathering of Elemental Zeal and Metaphysical Zeal.

What didn’t make sense though was Cetas, who already possessed a Unique Zeal at the start.

Naturally curious, he asked Jones, "I strided upon the path of Metaphysical Zeal and obtained two attributes. One is named as Increased Zeal Capacity and the other.. is Sands of History.."

Jones thought for a second, bringing his fingers to comb his hair backward.

Then, he answered in a confused tone, "Two attributes, that is.. quite peculiar. The former attribute that you mentioned is an innate ability for those that have chosen the path of Metaphysical Zeal. It is akin to the innate attributes of Physique and Elemental - both corresponding Zeal pertain to their enhanced body part and the Element that they possess."

"However, the latter attribute that you mentioned.. shouldn’t be possible at all.. As far as my knowledge pertains, no Zealot could obtain a Unique Zeal after gaining their first Flourish."

Jones exhaled, racking his head upon Cetas unique Zeal, "It might be due to the uniqueness of your race.. Nevertheless, we have ask for Skadi’s aid in this particular matter and if she isn’t knowledgeable about it.. then we ask the Historian."

Cetas inclined his head, "I agree."

Gazing at the distance, Jones tilted his head upwards, "She should return a few minutes from now. Let’s give it some time to settle, for now, we share our cheers for your newfound strength."

Going out of the wagon, Cetas followed behind Jones as they headed towards the camp where Elishia had just finished cooking.

Although it felt like an eternity for Cetas to unlock his Origin Zeal, in the outside world, it took merely 3 minutes of meditation.

Along the way, Cetas heard Jones’ voice once more, "Cetas, I do have some.. crucial information pertaining to your ascension to a Seeker."

Cetas replied with a calm tone, "I’m listening."

"Good. See, unlocking your Flourish for the first time is quite.. easy, if I may say. However, upon treading on the path of ascension, you might take notice of the fact that gaining Flourish would increase in difficulty."

He turned his head slightly, looking at Cetas with a side eye, "This is due to the fact that as we get stronger, and raise our levels, the opportunities that the Zeal gives us will rely no longer on the will of the world, but rather on ourselves.."

"Think of it this way.. You are gazing at a star-ridden night sky, admiring its Grandeur. When suddenly, clouds cross above, blocking your sight of the stars and its glitter."

"The clouds represent your Origin Zeal, blocking your potential to see the splendid glimmering stars. So, naturally, what do you do in that situation?"

Cetas stopped in his tracks and thought for a second. Jones, too, stopped and turned around to hear his answer.

Then, after 4 seconds, Cetas stated, "I would avert my gaze from the clouds and gaze in the horizon in the distance where the stars are visible."

Jones clapped both of his hands, smiling ear to ear, "Precisely, you adjust!"

"In a situation like that, we don’t have the ability to move the clouds as it is the will of the world. However, we can always avert our gazes, far away from the ginormous clouds and gaze at the stars elsewhere!"

"I have a question.." Cetas turned his head upwards and matched Jones’ gaze, "What if... I had the power to move the clouds.."

Jones’ mouth opened and then closed once more, the corners of his lips growing wider and curling upwards. His eyes emanating with excitement as a glimmer of potential radiated within.

"Then.. boy.. you shall be deemed a being out of this world."

Before Cetas could open his mouth and reply, a soft voice echoed behind Jones.

A girl with auburn-hair wearing an orange bandana held her hands on her waist. She seemed about their conversation, her cheeks puffed as her eyelids tightened.

"What are you two talking about?"

Jones slowly turned around and let out a soft laugh, "Well, Elishia, Cetas here has unlocked his Origin Zeal. I am merely teaching him about the fundamentals of being a Zealot.."

"Really?!" Her eyes widened, shimmering in amazement, "You’ve only been a Zealot for a week and now you’ve unlocked your Origin?! It took Reid a month to unlock his, and even he, was called talented! Moreover, it took me a month and a half to obtain mine!" she shook her head and sighed deeply, "There are really people that are leagues better than you in the world.."

Jones shifted his gaze towards her, looking down due to their height difference, "Fret not, Elishia, as far as I know, you are the best in terms of culinary skills."

Then, Elishia imitated his tone, "Aw.. you flatter me!"

Both of them shared a gentle laugh.

After a few seconds, Elishia gestured Cetas to follow, "Come! Let’s eat!"

Cetas, with a bright smile on his face, nodded and said in an enthusiastic tone, "Alright!"

The three made their way towards a makeshift table where food settled, looking juicy and scrumptious!

*

In the middle of breakfast, when the entire crew sat down on wooden chairs in front of a makeshift table, a golden-haired figure descended down from the skies - winds covering her entire body as it repelled the cumulative droplets from the clouds.

Looking as beautiful and refined as ever.. no.. even more beautiful and refined, looking as if she had been blessed by the radiance of the sun itself, Skadi descended down with elegance and gazed at the crew below.

Seeing her, Elishia waved upwards and yelled, "Captain! Pleasant morning! Let us eat!"

Skadi smiled and made her way to the chairs, upon reaching them, she sat down on the farthest edge of the table.

Something.. seemed different in the atmosphere.

It was as if the entire mood of the crew members changed.

Naturally, she asked, "What happened to you all?"

The crew members stood silent for a second. All of them gazed at each other and soon, Jones opened his mouth and said, "The task you’ve given me is complete.. Cetas unlocked his first Origin."

"Oh really!" Skadi’s eyes lightened as she consumed a piece of meat with her fork. Then, she shifted her gaze towards Cetas, "What Origin did you choose?"

Quiet at first, Cetas looked down and eventually met with Skadi’s gaze, "Metaphysical."

"That’s great, Cetas! Good choice. Do take in consideration though, whatever you chose as your Origin, it is better to keep choosing the same one upon your next Flourish."

Cetas nodded lightly, "I’ve heard."

"Good. I’m very proud of you, Cetas.."

Feeling warmth within his heart, Cetas grinned and continued to eat the food in front of him.

After a while, the crew finished their breakfast and went on to go about their tasks.

All except for Cetas, who noticed that his eyes seemed that he had something to say.

"You have something in your mind, Cetas?"

Cetas faced Skadi’s eyes, "Yes, I.."

He recalled what had happened inside of his Zeal - the third current turning into sand, the sudden memory of an unknown individual, the emergence of an unfamiliar emotion inside of him, and the second attribute that he obtained.

He vented out all of these to Skadi, telling her of the intricate details and the situation that just occurred.

Then, after he finished, Skadi leaned forward and caressed her chin, "So the key to retrieving your memories.. or.. these fragments, is through ascension?"

"Quite possibly, yes," Cetas agreed.

"Hmm," Skadi looked at the skies raging above, pouring down an endless amount of rain, "I have no knowledge about the sands that converted your Origin whatsoever, did Jones not say anything?"

Cetas shook his head slowly, "He did not mention anything.."

"I see," Skadi moved her fingers to the brooch on her neck, massaging it ever-so carefully, "Jones is from Reverie - a place blessed by the God of the Dreams, and a place filled with deserts. If he said that he didn’t know anything then we can’t do anything about it. Instead, we need to contact the Historian and inquire about this."

"A Zealot possessing two attributes at first Flourish is really impossible, even for people beloved by Natural Fate. Sands of History.. yes, I have a high feeling that the Historian knows a thing or two about this."

Then, Skadi leaned backward and made a praying gesture, "Stay put, Cetas."

Within the next few seconds, Skadi closed her eyes and went silent. Her graceful praying figure looked as if she was a maiden from the Church of Helios - a nun covered in white veils and basked in the rays of the sun.

Cetas waited for seconds which then turned into minutes.. Then, several minutes passed and Skadi still didn’t move from her position.

After 6 minutes, she slowly parted her eyelids, revealing the beauty of her sea-like blue eyes.

Opening her rosy lips, she softly declared, "Cetas, be prepared."

A wave of confusion washed over Cetas’ mind.

Prepared for what?

Suddenly, a bright light consumed him, enveloping him in white radiance that felt soothingly warm. For 5 seconds, it was all that Cetas felt as his body was pulverized into white particles.

He felt nothingness inside of his body - a state where his existence vanished.

However, after a moment, he felt his presence come back and a cold breeze brush through his hair.

Cetas opened his eyes, meeting the light of a dwindling candle inside a dark room.

A long wooden table was in front of him and Cetas sat down near one of the edges of it.

To his right, an old man with circular round glasses frames sat comfortably. Wearing gray garments, the old man shifted his body to his left and addressed Cetas.

"Boy, welcome back.. Do make yourself comfortable, I doubt that we’d stay here for long though.."

The old man spoke in a kindly manner, exuding a gentle smile on his face.

Cetas studied his face and remembered its olden familiarity.

"The Historian.."