“No way… you were right, Professor!” Tanuki looked at him with newfound respect. “It says I’ve unlocked some stuff! Like, the weather, and… some kind of World and Tile Points, many of them!”

Tanuki kicked his weapon aside and stepped closer to the figure, before leaning forward into a full 90° bow. He spoke with the utmost respect.

“Please! Teach me more, Professor!”

The figure cocked his head to a side with unnatural speed. The joints in his neck cracked, and his disorderly head-shakes were nothing less than uncanny.

Still, Tanuki couldn’t care less about his appearance. This man possessed knowledge necessary for his survival, which he willingly traded for nothing in return. He deserved nothing less, than every ounce of respect.

“Raise your head, Mister Hachiro.”

“Yessir!” Tanuki said with a smile.

“My answers are few and less accurate when the subject differs from shifting waves of mirage. Still, it wouldn’t be fitting for a teacher to refuse any charmed by his knowledge.”

The purple obelisk reflected his unreadable gaze. He eyed himself quietly, which Tanuki joined too, and looked at his twin trapped inside the purple hue.

“Might I ask,” The Professor continued. “Have you ever stopped to consider the fullest extent of your powers?”

“My powers? Well, uh…” Tanuki brought up the system interface. “I can expand the world and spy what enemies will attack next. That’s about it.”

“Do you truly believe so?”

Tanuki raised an eyebrow. He wanted to show him the interface, so he could feel the same hopelessness he does, but he stopped not only because that wouldn’t be possible, but because something caught his attention.

[ – – – Menu – – – ]

[ -> Expansion ]

[ -> Waves ]

He always wondered why the interface was so big, yet there were so few options. Now, when he observed it more carefully, something caught his attention. There was something so incredibly faint, that the naked eye had to squint really hard to see it.

[ – – – Menu – – – ]

[ -> Expansion ]

[ -> Waves ]

[ -> Sho… ]

There was something else written under the ‘Waves’ Menu. It was incredibly hard to make sense of, but Tanuki could read out the first three letters.

“Sho…” He whispered. “Is that supposed to be a ‘Shop’ option? Maybe that’s where I’ll spend my World and Tile Points. But… why are there two different kinds of currencies?”

Tanuki wanted to ask the Professor, but there was no way he could help him, as he couldn’t even see the system interface. Thus, he shrugged it off as something for the future.

Tanuki looked up at the Professor and continued aloud.

“No, this is not the fullest extent of my powers. I think I can grow stronger.”

The Professor nodded.

“Good. My faith has not wavered.” He said and turned away from the core.

Tanuki was upset by what he said, not only because he had no idea what it meant, but also because that made him feel even dumber than before. He had to bite down on his tongue, so he wouldn’t say anything mean.

“Alright, Prof! Thank you for the kind words!”

“Mister Hachiro!”

“Uh, yes, that’s me.”

His voice was more serious than before. He had his back turned on Tanuki as he observed the medium-sized hill that was placed moments ago. It was a half-oval plain field, just steep enough to prove a comfortable climb, but still tall enough to prove an advantageous high-ground.

The Professor stepped onto the road and began to leave.

“W-Wait! Are you leaving already?”

“Were you to observe the nearest attack, there’d be a new option for yours to choose. It only awakens when a great enemy decides so. Observe it carefully; were they to propose a challenge, know that its outcome may greatly affect your upcoming battle.”

Tanuki stopped for a moment. He was confused by what the Professor meant.

“Did something new appear in the ‘Waves’ menu?”

He didn’t immediately check the Gaia Core. The masked figure was taking its leave and Tanuki wanted to give him proper goodbyes.

It is true, that the Professor’s mysterious appearance brought more questions than answers, and deep down, Tanuki wanted to rush after him and bombard the much more experienced man with all his questions, but he couldn’t possibly force him to stay. Neither did he want to, as the Professor has earned his respect.

A smile drew on Tanuki’s face, as he gratefully waved his goodbyes to the helpful man.

“Professor! Thanks for everything! Make sure to visit again and I’ll treat you to some berry juice!”

The Professor chuckled.

“Hahaha! That sounds most pleasant!”

Tanuki pulled down his hand and quickly turned to the Gaia Core to check what was new.

Unbeknownst to him, once the Professor reached the top of the hill, he looked back at the boy one last time.

Mixed emotions fought in his heart. He wished to savor Tanuki’s childlike innocence for just a few more seconds, but that would’ve risked both of their lives.

As he continued down the road and its end drew near, his body slowly began to disappear as rough sand in the wind.

“Mister Hachiro, you seemed quite a peculiar man. Neither strength nor great knowledge you possess. Yet, there’s a passionate flame in your heart. Hang onto that. Never let it die.”

.

.

.

Opening the ‘Waves’ menu, Tanuki was greeted by an unfamiliar line of text on the bottom of the interface.

[ Invitation by Soup, Daughter of the Blue Minotaur is available ]

Below the text, he was proposed to accept or decline the invitation. There were no enemy numbers, nor challenge ratings next to the invitation, which made it clear: this wasn’t an invitation to fight.

“Then why did she invite me? It’s not like she won’t try to kill me tomorrow.”

But then again, the Professor did mention something about a challenge that could bend odds in his favor. Tanuki needed that.

Five goblins are no joke and not only does he have to defeat that many, but then also fight their leader, a much stronger monster. He needed to make the most out of this opportunity, or else tomorrow will be the last day of his life.

“I’ll bring the Heifer’s Mask and Beginners’ Shield, just in case she would want to try anything funny.”

Sinking his hand deep into his pocket, he tightly grasped the weapon he’s got from the Common Orb of Weapon Creation. Subsequently with that, he accepted the boss’s invitation, and a green portal appeared beside the Gaia Core.

Tanuki mustered up his courage and entered the goblin’s domain.