Chapter 146: Meeting With Kong’gong

"Your core hasn’t changed much, yet I can sense you are at least twice as strong as you were before you left." Kong’gong smiled as he studied Ka’z from across the clearing, his old eyes remaining closed despite the fact that he seemed to perceive everything about the young kobold standing before him.

Ka’z chuckled and shook his head. "I don’t think I gained much strength. In fact, I think I lost more than I gained. I just learned how to be more efficient with the power I already have."

He looked down at his hands for a moment, flexing his fingers as he remembered the battles he had fought. His body was certainly stronger and his control over Blood Magic had improved considerably, but he did not feel like a completely different warrior. If anything, losing Orthodox magic had left him with fewer options than before. What had truly changed was his understanding of how to use what remained.

Kong’gong laughed and nodded approvingly. "But of course. Battle experience is a very important factor when it comes to gauging one’s strength. There are things you can only learn through sweat and blood, and I’m glad you got to learn them before retiring as a warrior."

Ka’z wasn’t surprised that Kong’gong already understood what had happened. Nothing went on within this cave without the ancient kobold eventually noticing it, and considering how long Kong’gong had remained within the colony, there was very little Ka’z could tell him about the expedition that he had not already heard about through the others.

"Well, whatever I have done pales in comparison to the work of the man who turned a coward into the strongest warrior of his generation in merely three weeks," Ka’z said, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

Kong’gong immediately burst into another loud laugh.

"I didn’t do anything, to be honest. Apart from you, Kurg has always been the second most talented, but his cowardice prevented him from seeing that. I just helped him see that," Kong’gong responded modestly.

Ka’z smiled because he had expected exactly that answer. Modesty was simply part of Kong’gong’s nature. The ancient kobold could have easily taken pride in turning Kurg into a Silver Core warrior in such a short period, yet he spoke about it as though he had merely pointed Kurg in the right direction and allowed the young warrior to do the rest himself.

"I’m guessing you heard everything I said regarding the war and my feelings towards it," Ka’z said, his expression becoming more serious.

Kong’gong nodded without ceremony. "I sincerely agree with your decision, and I’m even shocked by it."

"How so?" Ka’z leaned forward slightly, his curiosity overcoming the heaviness that had settled over him.

Kong’gong stroked his goatee for a short while, his expression becoming thoughtful as he searched for the right words.

"I chose Kurg to be my student and not you because I saw your vast potential, and I heard your desire for more. It reminded me of my younger self, and I thought you would be driven purely by your ambition and eventually leave the colony for a very long time. Never did I expect that one expedition is all it would take you to see the things I only saw when it was too late." Kong’gong smiled bitterly as he lowered his hand. "I guess I should have stared at your heart and not your core... I misjudged you."

Ka’z was slightly taken aback by those words. He had never really considered that Kong’gong had viewed him in such a way, but the reasoning behind it made sense. Before the expedition, Ka’z had been obsessed with becoming stronger, exploring the world, and discovering everything Athedal had to offer. If his first real expedition had not thrown him into something as brutal as the Ashmork war, he probably would have continued seeking opportunities to venture farther beyond the colony.

Instead, his first real experience outside Vaal’kor had shown him exactly what endless ambition could cost.

"So what do you plan to do now that you are effectively retiring from being a warrior?" Kong’gong asked.

Ka’z’s eyes immediately lit up, and he responded without hesitation. "First is to build a village outside the colony entrance and then a school where I can teach everyone different things. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life building and teaching the new generation. That way I can be certain all the knowledge I have acquired does not end with me when I’m gone."

Kong’gong’s smile widened so much that it seemed as though his old face might tear apart from the expression. There was something deeply reassuring about hearing a three year old kobold speak so calmly about mortality, legacy, and the generation that would come after him. Most children his age would barely understand the concept of tomorrow, yet Ka’z was already thinking about what would happen long after he was gone and how the knowledge he had accumulated could continue benefiting people he might never even meet.

"Yes... Building a school is actually very important. If you don’t mind, I would love to be one of the teachers in that school. I may be old, but I think I know a few useful things I can share with the entire colony," Kong’gong laughed.

Ka’z nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

The two sat in silence for a while, simply looking at one another as the conversation settled. The massive clearing was unusually peaceful, with only the faint sounds of the colony reaching them from the distant tunnels.

Ka’z eventually glanced around the chamber, and his eyes settled on the enormous aether crystals embedded throughout the walls. Most of them had already lost their glow, their once brilliant radiance reduced to dull, empty stone after years of providing Kong’gong with the energy he needed.

"I brought a whole lot of crystals from Ashmork, and they are of higher grade. I’ll have someone come and replace them for you," Ka’z said.

Kong’gong nodded with a smile. "Thank you."

Ka’z rolled his eyes with a mischievous smile. "Don’t thank me yet. We need you strong and healthy to defend the colony. I’m just doing my own part."

Kong’gong chuckled as Ka’z rose to his feet, clearly preparing to leave. He watched the young kobold straighten his clothes before turning toward the tunnel entrance.

"As for your magic..." Kong’gong began, causing Ka’z to stop. "All I can say is Orthodox and Unorthodox magic have their pros and cons. Don’t allow yourself to be discouraged by what you lost. Just focus on exploring what you have now. And if you ever need help in your training, you can always come to me."

Ka’z’s body froze despite himself and his fingers slowly curled into tight fists.

The loss of Orthodox magic was still painful.

He had spent so much time learning it, experimenting with it, and imagining how far he could take it. Now even the simplest spells he had once performed without difficulty were beyond his reach. No matter how powerful his Blood Magic became, there was still a part of him that felt as though something had been taken away.

Ka’z remained silent for several seconds before finally turning around.

"Thank you," he said.

He bowed briefly toward Kong’gong before turning and walking away.

Kong’gong watched his back disappear into the tunnel, and a warm smile slowly bloomed across his old face. The young kobold had changed considerably during his short journey, but perhaps the most important change had nothing to do with his strength.

He had finally discovered what kind of person he wanted to become.

"Bong... You don’t have to worry about the colony. It now has an entire generation of extremely talented magi, all eager to protect their home. You can rest easy now," Kong’gong chuckled softly.