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Chapter 13: The Tortoise Symbol
Last Updated:
2025-03-11 18:50:24
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Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 14: Gyrange’s Cave
Ever been in a dark room—not just any dark room, but one unfamiliar, suffocating, and full of unknowns? You stumble forward, arms outstretched, every step cautious as your eyes strain against the blackness, searching for any hint of light. That’s what it was like for the first thirty minutes inside Gyrange’s Cave after the massive doors slammed shut behind us.Then came the green rings of light.They lined the walls, ceiling, and floor of a corridor, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.“It’s hard to tell what comes next. Everything looks suspicious,” Butcher muttered, his eyes scanning the eerie glow.“We were let in too easily,” he added, tightening his grip on his axes. “Feels like we’re walking into a trap.”“Let’s just avoid stepping into the circles,” Gidon suggested, his voice unusually serious.“For once, I agree with Gidon,” Lydia chimed in, taking a deliberate step forward—right into a green circle. She turned to face us, her expression calm. “See? Nothing happened.”'She’s moc
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 15: G-Mech 0100
“How can someone so smart be so reckless?” Gidon muttered, following after her.“She knows you’ll come to her rescue, idiot,” Butcher said with a laugh, paddling next to me.One moment Lydia was ahead of us, and the next, she was gone.“Where has . . . bloob . . . master gone?” Blooby asked, his voice tinged with worry.“Let’s get to the sound first,” the boss said, his calm tone masking the tension in his movements."Whoa!"Suddenly, a powerful force yanked me forward, and the world blurred. In an instant, I was standing in a triangular room, Lydia and Gidon already there, looking equally disoriented.“Welcome,” Lydia said, seeming too amused for the situation we were in.“What just happened?” Butcher asked as he appeared beside us.“Look up,” Lydia whispered, her voice tinged with awe.Above us, suspended in the center of the room, was a sleek, oval object. Its surface gleamed like polished silver, and faint red patterns pulsed along its edges.“I am G-Mech, 0100,” a feminine voice
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 16: Kreel
I woke up to the scent of damp earth and the soft rustle of leaves. The sky above was pale, framed by towering trees that seemed to stretch forever. Ahead of me, a massive wall loomed, built entirely of interlocked tree trunks, its surface rough and intimidating.Skulls of beasts adorned the top like grim sentinels, their hollow eyes staring down at me. Scrawled across the structure in jagged black lettering, formed from ash and bone, was one word: KREEL.My heart pounded in my chest. 'Why am I here? Did the machine bring me? Did it do something to me while I was unconscious?'Panic surged through me as I patted myself down, searching for any changes to my body. My hands ran over my arms, my legs, my neck. Everything felt the same—except for the faint sting in my palm. I turned my hand over and froze.The tortoise symbol.Its scar was burned into my skin, red and raw."Master wake up . . . bloob . . . after four hours, twenty-seven minutes . . . bloob . . . and thirteen seconds," Bloo
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 17: Kreel 2
“I see you wrinkling your nose, weird woman.” The boy looked over his shoulder, then turned back toward the foggy path ahead. “That smell? That’s nature having intercourse with the stench of monster droppings to create a whole new kind of garbage aroma. Learn to live with it. Like the fog, it’s here to stay.”I grimaced. “The air feels thicker, too.” I touched my dampened hair, my fingers brushing the beads of moisture clinging to it.“Learn to live with that too,” he said nonchalantly. “You’ll also notice the ground vibrating beneath your feet. That’s the earth whispering to you, weird woman. It never stops.”“You don’t say?” I limped slightly, having tripped on a sharp stone earlier.Without a word, the boy had pulled a small container from his cross-bag and smeared a pungent paste over my knee. It stung, but I realized quickly it wasn’t for the pain—it was to mask the scent of my blood.“You feel it in your belly, don’t you?” he asked, his sharp laughter echoing through the trees.
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 18: The Oldlings
Moments later, I managed to get a thorn through my foot and a bee sting on my arm before I spotted twinkling lights in the distance.I limped toward the glow, my body aching, until I came before a high wall made of bamboos. Twisting vines and leaves curled around the structure, blending it seamlessly into the forest.‘Maybe they use it to lure creatures away,’ I guessed.“Let me in! The kid you sent to welcome New Comers left me to die! Gib is his name!” I shouted, hoping someone would hear.“And you are?” a woman’s authoritative voice called down from above.“I’m—” I hesitated, my thoughts racing.“Yes! I didn’t quite get that! You’ll have to speak up!”“I’m Jade . . . Jade Ishola!” I finally said, thinking, 'What’s the point of lying now?'“Welcome to the Family, Jade,” the woman said. Seven columns of bamboos raised, creating a passage through the wall. “He was meant to leave you alone in the forest. We can’t afford to have anyone weak among us again.”:~*~:Inside, the settlement
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The next morning, I’d just finished washing up in the bamboo bathroom when the village erupted into chaos.“There’s a wild boar heading toward the Shelter!” someone shouted, their voice tinged with panic.I rushed outside, my hair still damp, and found the settlement in uproar.“That’s free food! A few of our finest hunters can surely kill a wild boar!” an Oldling roared, his grin wide.“The Duwlamarey has it, Elder,” another voice countered, silencing the crowd.The air grew heavy with fear. People scrambled toward underground rooms as the Chief, his staff adorned with its human skull, barked orders.“Hurry! Everyone underground! Hunters, to your positions!”“What are you doing?” Gib hissed, grabbing my arm.“I want to see it,” I replied, breaking free and crawling beneath one of the huts.“That’s crazy! Let’s go!”But I ignored him, too curious to turn back.The boar shattered the bamboo gate with a single strike, its roar echoing through the village. The sound pierced my heightened
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Relief washed over me when I saw Gib stir awake, his small frame twitching beneath the shelter of the Oldlings’ care. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he looked confused. Then, with that infuriating little smirk of his, he said, “Takes more than a falling pot to get rid of me, weird woman.”I choked back a laugh, tears welling in my eyes. “Don’t call me that.”“You like it,” he replied weakly before his eyes closed again, drifting into what looked like a peaceful sleep.‘He’s alive. He’ll be fine,’ Naila assured me, her voice soft for once.‘Good,’ I thought, letting out a shaky breath. I had no more tears to spare. Not here, not now.The hunter assigned to escort me waited nearby, leaning against the rough bark of a tree, his spear resting casually in his hand. His name was Torren, and he’d been silent since we met, his sharp eyes watching everything with a predator’s focus.“It’s time,” he said simply, his voice as unyielding as the spear he carried.I glanced back at Kree
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 21: Mole-beasts
Inside, the Sky Border was a world unto itself.The scale of it dwarfed anything I’d ever known. Towers of crystal and xylnaziom steel rose high above, their surfaces shimmering as if kissed by perpetual sunlight. The air was charged with a vibrant energy, and the hum of machinery mixed with the distant murmur of voices.Watchers moved with purpose, their capes flowing behind them. Those of higher rank wore the black combat attire I had seen before, complete with hoods and the iconic eagle-wing tattoo. They were the heart of the Border—its protectors and its soul.'No wonder the Oldlings called them mole-beasts,' I thought. 'They live in the walls, part of the very structure itself.'The scarred mage led me through wide corridors carved from gleaming stone, each turn revealing something more incredible than the last.“How big is this place?” I asked, my voice echoing faintly.“Big enough to host the Royal Palace five times over,” she replied without looking back.I stopped walking for
Last Updated : 2025-03-18
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Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 47: Fire and Shadow
Flashback – Leaving the Head Healer’s WardWalking beside Kema, I could still hear Kalu Drya’s parting words echoing in my head. The commander moved with his usual effortless authority—no heavy armor, no cloak, just his presence keeping people at a distance.“You’ve already drawn enough attention,” Kema said, glancing at me. “If you end up in a sparring match against someone stronger, don’t use anything... unusual.”I knew exactly what he meant.“Stick to your fire magic,” he continued. “You came first in the Test of Brilliance, so that puts you at an advantage. And I saw your movement and control—you’re a solid mage. Trust that.”I folded my arms. “So I’ll be fine win or lose, because I nailed the intelligence test? But that was thanks to my inner beast.”“Your inner beast?” He gave a short breath. “Jade, I’m saying be smart. Against a real threat, you might lose control and shift.”He paused, then added, “You know why most werewolves transform in battle?”I raised an eyebrow.“They
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 46: Blood on Shadow
The sun had begun its descent, bleeding orange across the sky. The final rounds of sparring crawled toward their end, and still—no sign of Jade.Bainer paced at the edge of the staging area, arms folded tight across her chest, eyes flicking between every entrance. Nyomei sat nearby, wringing her fingers, her human form still shaky from earlier adrenaline.“She should be here by now,” Bainer said under her breath.“Unless she didn’t make it back,” Nyomei whispered.That thought alone made both of them fall silent. No one ever came back from the Test of the Great Gods unscathed. Most didn’t come back at all.The sparring field continued to roar with blows, dust, and magic. But for Bainer and Nyomei, the noise faded behind the thrum of quiet dread.Then the final matchup was called.“Final round—Bainer Rhys versus . . . Petrusia Króna.”The room erupted.Even the announcer’s voice wavered, just slightly. Everyone knew the outcome before a single step hit the field.Bainer blinked. “What?
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 45: Claws, Water, and Bruised Pride
Four matches passed in a blur of footwork, sparks, and strained breaths. A few impressive. Most forgettable. The crowd, still buzzing from Nyomei’s performance, was hungry for the next highlight.They didn’t have to wait long.“Next match—Lotanni Ryel versus Bryon Aros.”A hush settled.The name Bryon alone drew tension. Petrusia’s second-in-command. Royal werewolf. Born with both privilege and power, and trained like a weapon since childhood.He stood and cracked his knuckles, shoulders flexing as he rolled them back. His golden-brown hair shimmered faintly in the sun, eyes narrowing with anticipation.Across the room, Lotanni exhaled slowly, rising to her feet. Her loose braids swayed slightly as she stood. On her shoulder, a small, liquid-like creature purred—a cat-shaped familiar, glimmering like sunlight on rippling water.“Be careful,” Bainer warned, gently brushing Lotanni’s shoulder. “Don’t try to match him in brute strength.”Lotanni smiled, a little too calmly. “I wasn’t pla
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 44: The Prodigy Behind the Shy Eyes
A bell rang twice, silencing the chatter. The instructors had returned with a brass raffle box—one by one, names would be drawn to determine the match-ups. The tension thickened, each aspirant sitting stiffer than before, eyes trained on the box like it might bite.One instructor held up the first strip of parchment. “Nyomei Eral.”Lotanni and Bainer instantly turned to her.“You’ve got this,” Lotanni said, bumping her knee.Bainer nodded with an encouraging smile. “You’re stronger than you think.”Nyomei’s stomach twisted, but she rose anyway. “Thanks,” she said quietly, nerves prickling under her skin. She walked toward the gate that led out to the sparring ground, each step heavier than the last.Across the field, her opponent was already grinning as he warmed up. Wiry, confident, and brimming with kinetic energy. He bounced on the balls of his feet, fists flaring with dull-orange sparks.“Your opponent,” the announcer said, “is Orin Zarrin. Mage class. Energy Burst magic.”That dr
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 43: The Test of Strength
“Why are you alarmed by the news? Or don’t you see the resemblance?” Kalu Drya asked, smiling a little deeper.“No, it’s just . . . I didn’t expect to meet the commander’s mother so soon. Least of all like this. It’s really an honor to meet you,” I said, sliding off the couch and dropping to one knee.'Naila would’ve been so thrilled if she wasn’t stuck in the void right now.'But then something clicked.My heart began to race. 'Wait . . . the head healer is a mage. Kema’s a werewolf. So—does that mean he’s a hybrid like me?'I looked up at her, eyes wide.“Get up, child,” she said gently. “It’s fine. And yes, I know what you’re thinking.”I stayed silent, but she didn’t wait for me to speak.“You’re wondering if Kema is a hybrid, aren’t you?”“Well,” I mumbled. “Yeah . . . is he?” The question left my mouth faster than I could stop it.Kalu Drya smiled, but this time there was a quiet sadness in her eyes. “He’s my adoptive son. No blood between us—just bond. I’ll say nothing more on
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 42: Cray Cray
“So, the test of the Great Gods for you was Jodeicasca, the tailless snake of regret?” Kalu Drya, the Sky Border’s head healer, asked. She was an elderly woman with a smile as gentle as her voice, her presence oddly soothing despite the weight of her words.“For the last time . . . Yes!” I snapped, exasperation leaking into my tone.I lay on a long chair, staring at the ceiling, arms crossed in defiance—yet fear coiled around my heart, twisting inside me.Ten Hours EarlierI woke up gasping, as if I had been drowning and had just broken through the surface. My breaths came in frantic gulps, my chest rising and falling with violent urgency.I was in a large bed—soft, unfamiliar. Blinking through the haze of panic, I took in my surroundings. The room was spacious, pristine, and entirely white. The only piece of furniture was the bed I lay in. Even the loose garment draped over my body was a stark white, blending me into the room like a ghost.I didn’t understand what was happening, but
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 41: Light & Darkness
There was no warmth left in Klaus's lifeless body to fight the cold, but I clung to him regardless, my tears soaking into his brittle skin. I wept until my sobs dwindled to whimpers, shaking not just from the icy darkness but from the fear creeping through every inch of me.Then, without warning, a violent force yanked his body from my arms. It happened so fast, so silent, that I couldn't tell where he had been taken or what had done it. The air seemed to hold its breath, leaving only an oppressive, heart-pounding silence in its wake. My chest thudded so hard it felt like my ribs would crack under the pressure.'What just happened?'"The smaller creatures are warm as a meal from an oven," Klaus had said. Could it be that the larger ones are the opposite? But there was no light, no glowing hint of whatever had taken him."Please . . . don't hurt me," I quavered, my teeth clattering as I wrapped my arms around myself. I looked to my left, then to my right, but the darkness was lung-crus
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 40: The Icy Mouth of Death
“Find her head and crawl out of her mouth,” Klaus said, his voice weighed down by hopelessness. “Her tail is endless, leading straight to death and then hell. It’s a gamble to know which side leads to her head—right or left.” He let out a long, defeated sigh. “It’s up to the Great Gods to decide our fate. There’s no such thing as luck here.”‘Her mouth . . . Of course, that must be the way out!’ I thought, my pulse quickening. 'Oh Spirits, what direction should I take if I’m to start this fickle journey?'“I followed the worms,” Klaus continued. “I suppose you were doing the same?”His hand brushed my thigh, and I cleared my throat sharply. He withdrew it without a word.“I got caught in a slime,” I said. “It swallowed me, and I ended up down here. After that, I followed the sound of your humming. But now that I really look at the worms, they’re all moving in one direction.”I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to scratch at the wounds that pained me so. My lovely skin—although not
Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 39: Prince or Predator
Klaus withdrew his hand, and I told myself it had been a mistake. He couldn't see me in the darkness any more than I could see him. Maybe he hadn't realized where his hand had wandered.I wanted to believe that. I needed to believe it, for my own sanity.'I may be weak and wounded, but my dignity isn't damaged.'"If you ever escape Jodeicasca," Klaus said, his voice low and rough, "I doubt you'd ever find it in you to commit another sin you'd regret. But that's only if you get out."His hand came back, resting on my chest again, firmer this time. My breath hitched, and a slight sound escaped my lips. He paused, then slid his hand back to my shoulder, stroking it as though nothing had happened.Anger erupted in me like fire. I grabbed his wrist, squeezing his knuckles together until I heard a crack. Then I flung his hand away, my chest heaving.He didn't make a sound, not even a grunt of pain.For a moment, I considered punching him, maybe clawing his face if I could find it in the dar
