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"Oi, Hal...don't go spacing out on me. Are you listening?"

"Huh? O-oh, yeah...sorry, Liza."

"You can't lie to me with that snout, Hal," said Liza while sighing. "Summer's here, so we might as well go buy ourselves some permit."

"Yeah...about that..."

"What? The most probable answer to that is 'I don't have money', right?"

Didn't I told you one chapter ago that the permit is more than I make? Liza doesn't seem to care. I know, I know. I am a cheap boyfriend who is living off research assistant wage (don't get me wrong, being an assistant doesn't pay much, especially if you are still halfway through college and not a full-time worker).

I gotta admit, though. Liza has a better paying job despite of only a part-timer as an assistant. Aspiring attorneys like her can have better work if she wants to be. Not only that, Liza also comes from a rich family, so of course she can afford expensive holidays. She's an independent woman and not spoiled, but clearly her taste is different than me. We both believe that there are many of our intelligent feral brethren who want to talk to us. Is that the reason why Mythars are always easy to go past the Badlands?

"I suspected as much with that silence," said Liza. "Well, Orwallis is not small, either, so we might as well go to the Wall district."

As much as I want to go there, I feel so bad. Wall district is a good entertainment district near the wall for tourists from outside the wall. Many things that is not Orwalian can be found there, but every time I went there, there is this gut feeling that seeing a big wall in front of us make us look like prisoners, despite of the ignorance of the people around me.

In the end, I follow her and kept my gut feeling to myself.

While on the way in her car, she said, "Hey, Hal...can I ask you something?"

"Something?"

"I may not look like a science girl, but...your transformation...how can it be completed overnight?"

Shit, she's perceptive! I really thought she doesn't know about a Hidden Beast's random transformation rate, but of course, becoming a full wyvern Mythar in just one day is too suspicious, even for a normal person.

"I can't talk about it since I'm a pure blood, so I don't go with this kind of experience. But...what is on your mind, Hal?"

"Why? T-transformations are random. It can be fast in one but can be slow on another. I might be transforming into a wyvern quicker than..."

"I know you are frustrated," said Liza. "You're stressed, but really, with a transformation like that, you're in a whole lot of stress, huh? Are those wings giving you trouble?"

"No, Liza, I'm fine. Please, just...let it go, okay? I am just stressed, that's all. I really need my downtime."

"I need to know, Hal! Don't you understand I am concerned with you? Just give me true answer, Hal! Are you cheating on me?! Does that guilt make you transform like this?! Answer me!"

Oh, shit, she really is mad at me now. How can I say to her that her supposedly-dead father is a high mage who kills people by crushing them inside a dimensional pocket, me being a Discord, and he being the intruder that stripped me naked and looked at me like some kind of a rapist? This is far too fantastical that it won't make any sense to her, seeing that she is accusing me on cheating. Why are women so unpredictable?

"Come on, Hal, just say something! Just say something as absurd as being kidnapped or I'll throw you out of this car!"

"W-wait, Liza...stop the car."

Somehow Liza looks at me like I am some kind of a creep, but she actually stops my car. She looks concerned, but is somehow surprised and feeling anxious.

"Look, whatever you want to pull from me, I know that anything I said will sound like a poorly-made lie to you," I said, trying to be as honest as possible. "But look into my eyes and let me tell you that I am being honest here."

She gulps and nods to me. Wow, she looks like someone who looks someone terrified by a presence. Do I look like a kidnapper?

"H-Hal, y-you're scaring me. W-what's with your dead-on...honesty?"

'Dead-on honesty'? What is she talking about? I haven't even told her anything yet. What is she implying?

"Alright, alright, Hal...I understand," said Liza. "I believe you. Sorry I am accusing you of cheating."

Wow, that is quick. Is there something in my face or is she reading my mind?

We stay silent all the way, feeling awkward that she is accusing me of cheating (apparently she knows that I can't even get laid...at least before my complete body). Just some miles before we reach the Wall district, she said, "I have this...weird psychic ability to see people's lies."

"Huh? But why are you accusing me of...you know?"

"If you are lying you will be literally thrown out of the car," said Liza, which surprised me. "I feel like there is a guardian spirit that is judging people. This is also the reason why my exes broke up with me. Every time they are lying, I know, and every time I wish them things...it actually happens."

Uh...this somehow looks weird. There is no magic that can do that. It's like she's imposing a curse. I heard about Eastern magic, but Liza is not from abroad and even then, she's not a magical expert to begin with. Is this what I think it is? Is this a Discord Ability?

This is kind of absurd, seeing that I have just seen a serial killer using a fog magic that cannot even exist, which is a Discord. Does this mean that Liza and her dad actually developed a new form of magic called Discord? Shit, my head is wrapped around things that I can't fathom.

"Still, if you are not cheating, why are you a wyvern in just two days?"

"Will you trust me if I tell you anything?"

"I will know if you...uh, what happened?"

She stops the car and come out, just like the other drivers. I want a better view and, seeing that some Animas and Mythars are flying, why not try my arm-wings. Somehow they are hard to move, but when I get the hang of it, it's not that hard. As I reach perfect altitude, I gasp.

There is a breach at the wall. It is not possible. Magic are nullified when they hit the vicinity and that shit is 15 meters thick! It's like it has been blasted by something that...wait a second. This is what that stranger is warning me about!

"Liza, we need to get out of here," I said when I see her joining me.

"Eh, what's going on?"

"There's something I cannot talk to you about without sounding like a fool. That wall is not breached by artilleries or magic missiles. There is this mysterious ability called 'Discord'. I was attacked by one of them last night, and apparently both of us have that ability."

"Both of us? Hal, I can't blast walls!"

Just then another explosion comes from a car, followed by many other explosions. I see many of them got engulfed in the car and...so many deaths. Panic soon ensues and I am forced to fly away. I can't grab Liza without incapacitating me (a problem with wyverns), but she knows my body movement.

Just then I see the stranger come flying to me and said, "Hal, Liza, stop flying and land before...shit!"

An explosion blows behind me, which would hit me if not for his shield. Was that a fucking missile? As big as it is, it cannot break through that wall. Like I said before, no artilleries can break it. Magic missiles are nullified by the wall's force field. So what the hell is going on?

"That guy is searching for you and starts blowing shit up," said the stranger. "Come on, kiddo, we gotta haul ass..."

"Wait, dad! Is it really you, daddy?"

The stranger keeps silent before he said, "Let's talk later. We are sitting ducks when we are flying. Right now we cannot fight him."

"Yeah, said someone with that kind of magical capabilities!"

"Are you an idiot, kiddo? What happens if I use my ability with all those people still struggling to run away? The best I can do to them is to erect shields over them so that bastard cannot blow them."

We land by the end of the highway. The place is empty enough for the stranger to do something to the attacker. I can see him now. He's a red scaled salamander Mythar, flaring in excitement.

"You asshole...why are you interfering with my job?!" said the salamander. "You want to get blown off huh, you fucking retard?!"

The stranger puts a shield in front of him, but it gets blown and it breaks like glass. I can't believe it. Mythars like us are sensitive to magical particles, and I can say that the stranger is putting up a strong shield. It also breaks?

"Kiddo, Liz, whatever you do, stay behind me," said the stranger. "This guy's Discord ability can blow things away, even something as impenetrable as the wall itself."

"You're right, whoever you are!" exclaimed the salamander. "My unique magic can transform anything into a bomb, including magical shields like you did!"

So that's how he causes the hole to the wall. He controlled the weak sections of the wall where it can blow apart with maximum damage. Damn it, he's good with that ability.

"Now, can you even look where 'Bomberman' will blow? Is it you that is the bomb, or maybe those you are protecting?"

"That bastard...hey, Hal, take Liz away from here!"

"How about you?! I can't just let you die! I owe you that!"

"Don't be a fucking bravado and get her out of here! His bombs somehow works with range. If you go far enough you cannot become his hostage!"

I hesitate, then he said, "This is beyond your understanding for now, Hal. Until your Discord ability is awakened, this is not someone you can face! We'll talk later!"

But just as I am running away, there is a blast that blows the street behind me and some of the cars. The burning cars prevent my escape. When I am trying to fly away, a small, harmless explosion blows in front of me, blowing me back down to Liza. She shouts my name while running to me.

"Don't you dare run away from me," said the salamander. "Next time I won't miss."

"Just what the hell are you trying to do, huh? Why are you doing this?!"

"Because, Segara of Dornthal, you have a price on your head."

"By whom?!"

"Someone you don't want to mess around with. Now, surrender, or I'll blow that red wyvern to bits, alongside his girl!"

Shit, whatever I am going to do, I only just give this stranger...Segara, a problem. I really hate it if we are the hostages. I hope there is something that can be...

"Hal, I have an idea. I think this psychic power can help."

"What?! I can't let you risk your life!"

"Well, I can't let my dad be killed, right? I have so many questions for him."

I know that Liza's ability, if it is true, can turn the tides of the fight. But what if it doesn't work? Nevertheless, Liza runs towards his father's side and said, "Who's his name, dad?"

"He's Jason Brandt, an arsonist who blows things up like he does now. Why are you asking me this?"

Liza turns towards Jason and said, "Jason Brandt, tell me who your employers are!"

"Huh, do I look like an idiot to you! Of course I won't talk about..."

"Then blow yourself!"

Suddenly the salamander is engulfed in its own explosion. The fire doesn't give him a considerable damage, but the explosion does.

"What the...? What did you do, bitch!"

"Come on, tell me or that fire will expire!"

"Am I not clear? I am not..."

The salamander's fire suddenly got extinguished and he is choking from it. It is the only time that Segara knows he needs to act. He runs towards the salamander and uses a restraining magic to stop him from moving. He is practically immobilized, with his hands encased inside a magic seal.

"Y-you son of a..."

"You know what can I see? Don't snap your fingers if you want to be discreet."

Before the salamander can say something Segara punched him, strong enough to make him unconscious. Segara exhales, looks towards the hole at the wall, and said, "I guess I really owe both of you an explanation."

We settle near an ambulance, given hot chocolate and good food from them, along with blanket and other amenities with some of the civilians. Jason is struggling from his captors, but before long, he is put inside a small coffin cage while his hands are still encased (somehow per Segara's order).

"It may not apparent to you two, but Liz...you are using a Discord ability, and a terrifying one at best. That technique...cannot be abused, no matter what."

"Yes...I know," said Liza. "But dad...how did..."

"My ability is to compress magic. That way, I can use high mage abilities without breaking a sweat myself. I know it is breaking the law, but let me pass for now, miss attorney."

"So you are watching me all this time, huh?"

"I can't let you be in danger, and also because I want to make sure your boyfriend is not an asshole himself."

"No...he's an honest Mythar. That's the reason I am hooked with him in the first place."

You know I am relieved he said that?

"Also, I am in Orwallis to help you to get out while you still can. Liz, Hal, I might look paranoid, but this world is in a great danger. There is a threat that is trying to make all of our lives miserable, and I am trying to find any good Discord users, but I am not the only one having chess pieces. His employer is clearly trying to create havoc, and we know very well that Discord users are dangerous."

"So...what do you want from us?"

"I just want to invite you two for a journey...to Ebony Devil Rocks."

Ebony Devil Rocks? That's on another continent! Not only that, isn't that supposed to be a natural wonder of some sort? Why are we going there?

"W-why so sudden?"

"The longer we stay here, these people will get hurt. Meet me at the wall's border in 12 hours. I'll make sure Orwallis does not have any 'independent workers'. Get to it."

I still feel conflicted about all this. This stranger...Segara...saved my ass two times already, but this time he doesn't even care about talking to Liza. I can see her looking at him with confusion and uncertainty, as if the purple dragon Mythar is not even real.

There is one thing I can do for her, but apparently she does not want any of it at the moment.

"But how does he even know your name, Hal?" said Liza. "He never met you before."

Oh, right...this is the one I am trying to tell her. Now after everything that is happening, I doubt she will want to be involved.

"And, uh...your dad...Segara, he saved me from that attacker last night. He is also the one who told me that a Discord user have an accelerated transformation if they are a Hidden Beast. I'm really sorry if this is confusing..."

"No, that's fine. I can see that you are not lying to me, so that is enough. Anyway...are you sure you want to get out of this wall?"

"I wanted to...but I don't have the permit. But isn't it supposed to be dangerous?"

"I need answers, Hal, about my ability, and about his disappearance. Also, the longer we stay in here, the more we paint the targets to ourselves."

Wait, this becoming look like a generic action movie. I know Liza can fight on her own (and I can, too, at least with flying swords), but shouldn't she be conflicted and run away, while I am trying to console her. Uh...I guess I am the one talking like an action thriller star. This looks like that scene in that Bryce Willes where she has a hard time dying despite of being singed at some parts of her fur while dead bodies piled up behind her. Badass action heroine.

Again, Segara's preposition was so sudden and feels like forced, so I don't know if I want to follow his words or not. Sure, he has saved me two times now, but that doesn't mean I can trust him, right? I want to know about this Discord ability as much as you readers do, but still...I don't have any choice, do I? If I refuse, you guys might not know who the villain of this story is, and I am living up my boring life inside this apartment. But then...I don't really want to risk my life outside of the wall. Sure, I have a little training on how to defend myself and I can conjure up weapons, but that doesn't mean I can use it like natural, right? Just imagine how much training does a conjurer unit must undergo to fully master the conjuration technique and use it at the same time.

Five hours have passed and I haven't done anything to pack or supply myself. The day is getting late. I don't know why he insisted on going out at night instead of right after the sun sets, but then I get an unexpected visit.

"Hey, kid, I may have given you half a day, but don't you think it is a good time to start packing up?"

Segara comes to be by the balcony, flying up from the bottom of apartment. Normally, this move is restricted because of obvious reasons, but I think he has this 'fuck the police' vibe on him, despite of being a former soldier.

"Well? You still have...well, 7 hours to pack up. Don't worry, I can wait for you. It's not like you have a choice, right?"

"Why do you know?"

Segara sighed and said, "Kid, I lied about that 'taking care of business' thing, okay? To be truth, I've done it sometimes ago. I only want to make sure you and Liz have time to pack and consider my offer. Liz wants to go with me, so this leaves you."

"Liz?" Oh shit, he is giving me an offer I can't refuse. If I refuse, Liza and Segara will branded me as a coward and I will be regretting it.

"Well, she is so mad at me for leaving her and her mother for so many years and she even thought I have remarried without filing an official divorce. We had a very long talk about my reasons and everything, but I never expected her to accept without any conditions. Normally things like these always have conditions, but Liz readily accepted me and even hugged me."

"Liza can see if you are lying or not. I think she's scared of you instead of being convinced of your talks. She was scared at me when I am so determined to tell the truth to her. She said it is her ability that make her have a better judgement."

"I see.... She developed a Discord ability, and one that is terrifying if it found its way to a wrong person." Despite of his calculating expression, I can see that he is starting to feel guilty about leaving her alone. "But...I guess she also wants to know about her ability. Do you think you want to go with her?"

"Uh..."

"I believe you to be a good girlfriend for her, at least for now. Don't really want you breaking up with her just because you're a coward, right? Still, I am not going to ask both of you to follow me on this journey if I can do it myself. No, I need both of you to be safe, and it is safer around me, especially when your Discord ability has not awakened yet."

"I can still defend myself."

"Magical combat is way out of the league, even if you can conjure flying swords. Before you ask, Danny also used the same ability during the war."

So I got it from my dad? Well that makes sense. But then, I really need to ask him a question regarding my dad, seeing that I still don't know my father's fate. All I knew is that he was killed during the war and my family was compensated by the military, just like the Ward household when Segara was thought to have died. I ask Segara about it, but he is hesitating to give me an answer.

"What's wrong?"

"Your dad...Danny, he...was not killed during the war...but instead after it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Danny survived the war just like I did, but just before we return to this country, a group of assassins came and attacked us. I think they were Razber guerillas who attacked us. My unit got massacred, and Danny...he was kidnapped. I never saw him again."

"So he is still alive, somewhere?"

"I doubt it, kid. Razber is a violent place and Danny will not survive just because he is a dragon Mythar. Your race is not very common there, and you always stand out as outsiders to them. I'm sorry, kid, but I am not even sure if he is still alive or not."

Well, that dashes the hope I have. But I can't get mad at him, though. Segara knows the war well, and I never even met my dad. I only know him from old pictures with my mom. She said he died before I was born. Still, Segara can't be honest at times, seeing that his character is always someone who has a deep dark secret.

"Anyway, while the magical community regards conjuring as a magic with evolving potential, this fight is no longer in a level of magic itself. Discord users can alter what is far more magical and illogical. Did you remember last night, when that serial killer transformed into fog and tried to cut you? How about this afternoon, when that salamander transmuted the air into a bomb? No known magic can do that. Now, if you want to find the answer of all this, we need to go to Ebony Devil Rocks."

"Why are we going to a landmark somewhere in the world? Why the source is not near?"

Segara sighed. "In your state now, you will not understand anything, let alone think of it as a serious threat to the existence of this world. I'll tell you and Liza so I don't need to repeat myself. Get ready to meet me by the wall's perimeter."

I want to know it badly like some kind of a character in a movie detailing the plot of the story and essentially the history of some kind. Yet again, I know this is real life, and Segara might have something that he can say to us that might either convince us or make us laugh at him. Maybe worse, we believe that he is doing a magnificent storytelling to us.

But being attacked by a salamander who can blow up the air and almost got killed by a fog? Those are enough conviction to believe what Segara might say. Liza believes him already, and why shouldn't I?

Little do I know that this choice leads me to an adventure that is more bizarre and anything else I have experienced in my whole life. I will face a world full of things unable to be explained by science and magic. A remarkable, dangerous, and yet again, bizarre, adventure.