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Chapter 18: The Oldlings
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-15 19:50:28
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Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 19: The Duwlamarey
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-15Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 20: Sky Border
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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-18Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 22: The Commander Is My Commander
Kema ignored my question, his tone sharpening as he turned back to me. “Listen carefully, Jade. No one—no one—can see this symbol on you.”“But Lydia and the boss,” I pleaded. “We need to save them. I don’t believe the machine let them go.”“I don’t know who these people are, Jade. But you need to forget about that place.” His commanding tone left no room for argument. “Forget about those people and that cave.”“But Commander, does this mean the rebels are tied to Gyrange’s Cave?” Lasha interjected cautiously. “Should we investigate further?”Kema’s gaze snapped to her, the air between them thick with tension. “Not another word.”The lieutenant stiffened, then gave a sharp nod. “Understood, Commander.” Without another glance, she turned on her heel and left.“You don’t understand,” I said, my voice breaking. “We have to save them.”“I’ll handle it,” Kema said firmly, his eyes softening just enough to make me believe him. “But you need to focus on what’s coming. The selection exams beg
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-18Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 23: The Story Of The Jagganighs
Kema led me to a small, modest room tucked away in the depths of the Sky Border. A girl sat on one of the two beds, her dark eyes scanning a book. She wore the same dark blue uniform I’d seen on others my age—structured yet comfortable.“This is your roommate, Bainer,” Kema said.The girl stood briefly, saluting Kema with precision. She didn’t spare me a glance before returning to her bed.“That’s your side,” she said flatly, gesturing to the empty bed.The door closed softly behind Kema, leaving me alone with her.‘Oh, she’s a loner,’ Naila observed dryly.I sat on the edge of my bed, glancing at Bainer. She didn’t look up from her book.“Nice to meet you,” I said.She didn’t respond.The silence in the room was suffocating, but I decided not to push. Exhaustion weighed heavy on me, and for now, silence felt like a small mercy.:~*~:I stood at the edge of a vast chamber, my heart racing to the gentle charge of magic in the air. Six applicants, myself included, had been chosen for th
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-20Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 24: Through The Maze
The first corridor was dark, the air thick and oppressive. Symbols etched into the walls glowed faintly, their light just enough to guide me forward. At the end of the corridor, two paths opened before me.One was marked with the inscription: To sacrifice is to serve.The other read: To conquer is to protect.I hesitated, the story of the Jagganighs fresh in my mind. The girl had sacrificed herself, hadn’t she? It seemed like the obvious choice. But something about the phrasing felt off.‘Think, Jade,’ Naila urged. ‘What did the mage say about truth?’I closed my eyes, replaying the story in my mind. The girl’s sacrifice wasn’t what won the war—it was the power she channeled. Her act wasn’t about giving up but about empowering others.I stepped toward the second path.As I crossed the threshold, the symbols on the walls flared, and a new challenge emerged—a glowing riddle scrawled across the corridor ahead:“What flows without form, yet shapes mountains with time? Choose its vessel wi
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-20Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 25: The Final Test Of Brilliance
I didn’t have long to rest before the senior mage called my name again. The murmurs of the crowd quieted as I stepped forward, my chest tightening with anticipation.“Jade Ishola,” he said, his voice steady but laced with authority. “The second stage to test your brilliance awaits.”‘The second stage already?’ I thought, swallowing hard. Naila stayed silent, her presence steady in the back of my mind like a calming pulse."The final stage is done to confirm the mental fortitude of those who came out top at the first stage. It would have only three chambers. Good luck."I took a deep breath and stepped into the glowing doorway that had appeared in the chamber’s wall. The air shimmered, and the light swallowed me whole.:~*~:When I opened my eyes, I was in a vast, empty expanse. The ground beneath me was made of smooth, reflective glass, and the sky above swirled with hues of gold and blue."This place is unreal," I murmured, my voice echoing in the stillness.‘Focus,’ Naila said. ‘We’
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22Jade: The Hybrid Mage Chapter 26: Friends & Foes
The moment I stepped out of the final chamber, a chorus of gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. The other participants had been watching my trial, their faces etched with varying degrees of awe, resentment, and disbelief."Did she really finish it that fast again?" someone whispered."Impossible," another said, shaking their head.I walked forward, trying to ignore the sea of eyes boring into me. My heart raced, not from the trials but from the overwhelming attention.‘You’ve made quite an impression,’ Naila said, her tone amused.‘I didn’t ask for it,’ I replied, feeling heat creep up my neck.The senior mage who had overseen the test approached, his eyes sharp and assessing.“Jade Ishola,” he said, his voice carrying over the murmurs. “You’ve not only passed the trial—you’ve shattered the previous record.”A stunned silence followed his announcement.“Congratulations,” he added, inclining his head slightly before stepping back.I nodded, unsure of what to say. The weight of
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22
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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
