《Magic is coding. 1st Season.》 Reincarnation Allan walked down the crowded street, his mind far away from the world around him. His thoughts were tangled in the lines of code he¡¯d been staring at for days. There was a bug in the software¡ªan elusive, maddening flaw that refused to be pinned down. ¡°I¡¯m the senior dev,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°It¡¯s my job to fix this. The team¡¯s counting on me.¡± The sounds of the city buzzed around him¡ªhonking horns, snippets of conversations, the distant hum of engines¡ªbut Allan didn¡¯t notice any of it. His feet carried him forward on autopilot while his brain replayed possible fixes for the problem. Then, without realizing it, he stepped off the curb and into the street. ¡°Allan, no!¡± someone shouted. A group of girls nearby screamed, waving their arms, but their voices barely registered. Allan¡¯s focus was elsewhere, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. The rumble of an approaching lorry grew louder. ¡°Hey! Watch out!¡± the driver bellowed, slamming the horn. It was too late. The heavy vehicle screeched as the driver tried to swerve, but there wasn¡¯t enough time or space. With a sickening thud, the lorry struck Allan, flinging him onto the asphalt. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd. People stopped in their tracks, staring at the lifeless body sprawled on the road. A woman clutched her chest. A man pulled out his phone to call for help. Others stood frozen, the shock of the scene etched into their faces. Allan lay there, still and silent. The soft glow of candlelight flickered across the walls of the small, cozy room. It was a typical medieval chamber, modest but warm, with wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling and a bed in the center draped with thick blankets. The cries of a newborn filled the air, accompanied by the sound of women cheering and congratulating. On the bed lay Faith Bervet, her face damp with sweat but glowing with joy. Two midwives bustled around her, their hands deftly working to ensure both mother and baby were safe. "It''s a boy!" one of the midwives declared with a broad smile, holding the newborn up for Faith to see. Her voice was filled with genuine delight. Faith exhaled deeply, her chest heaving from the effort, and her lips curved into a tired but contented smile. "Faith," said the second midwife, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder, "what shall we call him?" Faith''s eyes sparkled as she looked at the tiny bundle. "Marcus and I agreed. If it were a boy, we¡¯d name him Raul. Raul Bervet." "A fine name," said the first midwife approvingly, wrapping the baby snugly in a soft cloth. Faith¡¯s gaze softened as she gently cradled her newborn son. ¡°It was my great-grandfather¡¯s name. He was one of the most powerful mages of his time. I hope... I hope Raul will take after him.¡± The midwives exchanged warm smiles, one of them nodding. ¡°May he grow to be strong and wise, just like his namesake.¡± Faith leaned back against the pillows, her exhaustion mingling with relief. Her eyes shifted to one of the midwives bustling nearby. ¡°Has Marcus returned yet?¡± she asked, her voice soft but eager. The midwife smiled as she wrung out a cloth in a bowl of warm water. ¡°He has, my lady. He arrived a short while ago with Alice. But¡­¡± She chuckled lightly. ¡°He chose to wait outside, said he didn¡¯t want to crowd the room while you delivered.¡± Faith let out a breathy laugh, her lips curling into an amused smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t that just like him? Marcus Bervet, the renowned lady¡¯s man in his younger days, now too afraid to witness a child being born.¡± The other midwife joined in the laughter, her hands busy folding fresh linens. ¡°It seems even the bravest adventurers have their limits,¡± she teased.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The first midwife went to the door, cracking it open. She peered outside, calling out warmly, ¡°Marcus, you can come in now!¡± A moment later, Marcus Bervet stepped inside. His tall frame nearly filled the doorway, and his strong eyes softened as his eyes fell on Faith and the tiny bundle in her arms. His leather boots were dusted from the road, and his tunic, though simple, was clean and neatly tucked. Faith extended the baby toward him. ¡°Come on, take him.¡± Marcus approached with a cautious smile, his hands large and slightly calloused from years of adventuring. As he cradled his newborn son, his expression shifted to one of awe. The tiny baby seemed so fragile, yet he held him as though he were the most precious treasure in the world. Faith¡¯s voice was warm but playful. ¡°Now listen here, Marcus Bervet. I¡¯ll be watching you closely. I don¡¯t want you corrupting this boy with your... ways.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. ¡°Ways? That¡¯s what you call charm and wit these days?¡± Faith laughed softly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. ¡°Call it what you like, but I mean it. Raul¡¯s not going to take after you in that department. At least, not without some discipline from me.¡± The room settled into a warm silence as Marcus held his son close, and Faith watched with a fond smile. For all his bravado, Marcus Bervet was a good man¡ªand now, a proud father. Raul¡¯s childhood was filled with warmth and care. Faith and Marcus doted on him, ensuring their son wanted for nothing. Faith, a skilled mage with a sharp mind, often spent her evenings teaching Raul to read, her hands guiding him over the worn pages of old grimoires. As soon as he was old enough to understand, she began to tell him stories of her own adventures. Seated by the fireplace, her eyes would light up as she recounted tales of battles fought alongside her father, a legendary warrior in his own right. ¡°You see, Raul,¡± she said one evening, her voice filled with pride, ¡°your father was a man of discipline and courage. If you follow his example, you¡¯ll grow to be someone truly great.¡± She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°Just don¡¯t take after his... tendency to chase skirts. That¡¯s one trait we can do without.¡± Raul would nod solemnly, absorbing her words. Despite his small stature, his demeanor was remarkably composed. His memories from his past life as Allan gave him the wisdom and restraint of an adult, a fact he kept carefully hidden. This unusual maturity showed in everything he did. He never cried, even when he scraped his knees, and he rarely got into mischief, which was a stark contrast to the other children in the town. Marcus, watching his son from across the room one day, furrowed his brow. ¡°It¡¯s not normal,¡± he muttered to Faith as Raul sat quietly flipping through a book far beyond his years. ¡°He¡¯s too... calm. Never cries, never gets into trouble. It¡¯s almost unnatural.¡± Faith smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. ¡°He¡¯s just well-behaved, Marcus. You should be proud. It makes me love him even more.¡± Marcus leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on his son. ¡°I am proud. But it¡¯s like it seems he¡¯s got the soul of a grown man trapped in a boy¡¯s body. Kids are supposed to be rowdy, make mistakes. That¡¯s how they learn.¡± Faith chuckled softly, her voice warm. ¡°You¡¯re worrying too much. Raul¡¯s just a good boy, that¡¯s all,¡± she added with a teasing smile. Marcus grunted, though a small smile tugged at his lips. The warm glow of candlelight flickered in the dim room as Faith closed the thick grimoire and placed it gently on the small table beside Raul¡¯s bed. She leaned over, brushing a kiss against his forehead. ¡°Goodnight, Raul,¡± she said softly. ¡°Sleep well.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Mama,¡± Raul replied with a small, polite smile. Faith left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Raul sat still for a moment, listening to the soft retreat of her footsteps. When the house fell silent, he propped himself up against the headboard and glanced at the grimoire. His small hands reached for it, and he flipped it open to a page about magical fundamentals. He didn¡¯t feel like sleeping, not yet. He had already mastered reading weeks ago but chose to keep it a secret from his parents. Better this way, he thought to himself, his adult mind rationalizing the deception. If Marcus is already worried about how quiet and calm I am, imagine his reaction if he found out I could read as well as him. The flickering candlelight illuminated the dense script on the page, and Raul quickly absorbed the contents. He marveled at the intricacies of the magical theories Faith had shared, his mind comparing them to the knowledge he carried from his former life as Allan. He was an avid reader, but sadly for him he had no manna to actually manifest the spells that he read unlike his mother. Just as he turned another page, something unexpected happened. A grey screen suddenly appeared in front of him, its faint glow casting a strange light over the room. Raul froze, his small hands clutching the book. The screen shimmered slightly, and at the top, bold letters spelled out: ¡°The Console¡± For a moment, Raul stared in silence. His mind, both that of a child and an experienced adult, raced to make sense of what he was seeing. Slowly, he extended a hand toward the screen, hesitating as his fingers hovered over its surface. ¡°What... is this?¡± he murmured, his voice barely audible in the quiet room. The screen didn¡¯t respond to his touch, but a faint pulse ran across its surface as though it were alive. Lines of text began to appear beneath the title, their letters forming with smooth precision: ¡°Welcome, User. System initialized.¡± Raul¡¯s heart raced, a strange mixture of fear and curiosity coursing through him. He leaned closer, his young face illuminated by the screen¡¯s glow. This... isn¡¯t magic, he thought, his brows furrowing. At least, not the kind Faith or the books talk about. This is something else. Before he could process it further, more text appeared. ¡°Console Activated¡± Chapter 2 Raul¡¯s wide eyes stayed fixed on the glowing grey screen before him. As the Console screen floated in the quiet room, more text scrolled into view, responding to his unspoken thoughts. [ System Name: The Console Function: Allow the user to progress in magic by enabling in-depth analysis of spells. ] Raul tilted his head. Progress in magic? In-depth analysis? What does that even mean? As though the Console could hear his confusion, a new list materialized in front of him, its structure oddly familiar.
[ Features: ]Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Raul leaned closer, scanning the list. ¡°Decipher? Debug? File Manager?¡± He shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t understand half of this applies¡­¡± His eyes flicked to one feature in particular: Spell Store. Something about it tugged at his memories. The interface was strikingly similar to an app store on a smartphone. A faint smile crossed his lips¡ªthis was familiar territory. Opening the Spell Store, Raul found rows of small, glowing icons, each paired with a name. Most of them were foreign, cryptic, and unfamiliar, but one caught his attention immediately. Chiming Winds The name was unmistakable. It was one of Faith¡¯s favorite spells, a small but useful magic that summoned a cool breeze, perfect for hot days. He¡¯d seen her use it often enough to recognize the symbol icon that accompanied the spell: a swirl of air. Curiosity bloomed. Raul selected the spell, and a prompt appeared: Download? Cost: 5 Mana Raul blinked. Mana? He had no idea how much he had or even how to check, but the idea of acquiring the spell was too tempting. Without hesitation, he thought the word Download, and the spell icon shimmered before dissolving into the Console¡¯s interface. A notification appeared. [ Spell ¡°Chiming Winds¡± installed. Stored in File Manager. ] Raul¡¯s heart raced. ¡°Did I just... download a spell?¡± he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Forgetting his fatigue, he sat up straighter, eager to explore further. The Console wasn¡¯t just a strange tool¡ªit was an entirely new way to interact with magic, something no one else seemed to have. And he was only just beginning to understand its potential. Chapter 3 Raul spent the next few days testing his newly acquired spell, Chiming Winds, marveling at the way it responded to his command. The soft breeze it summoned was gentle, just enough to cool him on hot afternoons. But every time he used it, something became painfully clear: it drained his mana reserves. Each use of the spell consumed 10 mana, a staggering amount for someone with his limited supply. The first time he used it twice in quick succession, his mana tanked to zero, leaving him fatigued and unable to cast for the rest of the day. The Console¡¯s screen also refused to activate during that time. Frustrated but not defeated, Raul sat down one evening and thought through what he¡¯d learned. He now understood that the Console had an inventory of mana, and it wasn¡¯t an endless resource. He¡¯d learned how to check his reserves after using the spell and realized the importance of managing it carefully. When he tried to download more spells, the Console refused. The message was blunt: [ Spell incompatible with current Console level. ] Raul frowned. He hadn¡¯t expected it to be this complicated. However, another piece of information soon appeared:Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. [ Console level. Level: 1. Gain access to more spells by leveling up the Console. Leveling requires completion of tasks and mastery of acquired spells. ] So, the Console was like a computer, and the way to progress wasn¡¯t acquiring new spells¡ªit was about mastering what he already had. This was its version of a hardware upgrade to support more complex processes and since Raul was a former software developer , this made sense to him. He was however a little weary when he learned that the Console used his brain as the processor ( CPU ) . This reality made him even more willing to wait until the console gave the green light of compatibility . Otherwise his brain might just crash , like a computer would. The first quest appeared after a moment, like a new notification: [ Quest: Learn to decipher the code of ¡°Chiming Winds.¡± Objective: Observe a professional mage casting the spell to understand its fundamentals. Only then will the code behind the spell revealed in the Console make sense. Rewards : 5 Level Up Points. ] To reach level 2 of the Console , he needed a total of 50 level up points. Raul sat back, thinking. The quest was clear, but the task it required wasn¡¯t simple. He needed to find someone who could cast the spell with expertise, someone who could show him exactly how it worked. Faith, Raul thought. She¡¯s the obvious choice. She¡¯s a professional mage, and I¡¯ve seen her use this spell hundreds of times. But there was a catch. Raul was only a child. And Faith, as skilled and loving as she was, might not take kindly to him asking to learn a spell he shouldn¡¯t have mastered at his age. How can I convince her to teach me something like this? Raul sat still for a long time, weighing the pros and cons. He couldn¡¯t afford to wait for another opportunity¡ªif there was one. He needed this. A week later, after much internal debate, Raul decided to approach Faith. He knew he had to be careful in his approach, careful not to raise any suspicions about his abilities. Taking a deep breath, he went to find her. Chapter 4 The morning sun spilled over the rooftops of Viswall as Marcus leaned casually on the fence outside his house. Across from him, Alice stood with her daughter, Aisha, the two of them out for a leisurely stroll. Alice¡¯s sharp grin suggested she had something up her sleeve, as usual. ¡°So, Marcus,¡± Alice began, her tone light but loaded. ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering¡ªhow come your boy Raul isn¡¯t chasing after the ladies yet? At his age, weren¡¯t you already leaving a trail of broken hearts?¡± Marcus laughed, scratching his head. ¡°I¡¯d love to deny that, Alice, but... yeah, you¡¯re not wrong. I was a bit of a menace back in the day.¡± Alice¡¯s smirk widened as she tilted her head. ¡°So, what¡¯s wrong with Raul then? Are you sure he¡¯s even yours? Faith might¡¯ve had something fun without you.¡± Marcus barked a laugh, clutching his chest as if he¡¯d been wounded. ¡°Oh, come on, Alice! That¡¯s low, even for you. Faith would never do that.¡± Alice shrugged with mock innocence. ¡°Just saying, Marcus. Raul seems way too serious for a boy his age. He didn¡¯t get that from you.¡± Before Marcus could fire back, a familiar voice cut through the jokes. ¡°Marcus Bervet,¡± Faith said, her tone sweet but laced with mischief, ¡°are you flirting with the neighbors again?¡± Both Marcus and Alice turned to see Faith walking up the path, her hands on her hips and an amused smile on her lips. ¡°Flirting?¡± Marcus raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin as wide as the horizon. ¡°Faith, you wound me. I was just talking about how good our son is.¡± Faith slid an arm around his waist, her smile not fading. ¡°Mmm-hmm.¡± Alice chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Faith. I was just reminding Marcus that Raul doesn¡¯t seem to have inherited his... charming ways.¡± Faith glanced up at her husband with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Oh, you mean the same charm that got him into trouble in every village we passed through? I¡¯m thrilled Raul missed that.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Marcus interjected, pretending to look offended. ¡°That so-called trouble brought me to you, didn¡¯t it?¡± Faith rolled her eyes but smiled. ¡°More like I rescued you from it.¡± Alice burst out laughing. ¡°Faith, I don¡¯t know how you put up with him.¡± Faith gave Marcus a playful squeeze. ¡°Patience. Lots of patience.¡± Marcus leaned in closer to Faith, grinning. ¡°Admit it, you love me.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Faith smirked. ¡°Of course. But if I catch you ¡®chatting¡¯ with Alice too much, I¡¯ll love you a little less.¡± Alice waved her hands dramatically. ¡°Whoa, whoa! Don¡¯t drag me into this! Marcus isn¡¯t my type anyway.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Alice grinned wickedly. ¡°It means I like my men quieter.¡± Faith laughed, and even Marcus couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he said, backing away from the fence. ¡°I know when I¡¯m outnumbered. I¡¯ll stick to praising my well behaved son.¡± Faith raised an eyebrow. ¡°Speaking of which,¡± she said, turning toward him. ¡°Raul came to me this morning, asking me to teach him magic.¡± Marcus¡¯ expression faltered for a second. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He demonstrated Chiming Winds for me,¡± Faith continued, shaking her head. ¡°He knows how to cast it, and when I told him he was too young, he insisted he wanted to learn more.¡± Alice¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°A prodigy!¡± she exclaimed, her tone a mix of admiration and disbelief. ¡°A child that age, already trying to master magic? I take back what I said about him not being yours, Marcus. He¡¯s definitely your son.¡± Aisha, Alice¡¯s daughter, who had been quietly watching the conversation, stepped forward. ¡°Mama, can I learn magic too?¡± she asked, her eyes wide with excitement. Alice was at first shocked. She had momentarily forgotten that her daughter had been there all that time. Maybe it was because of the tall fence that had hidden her a little in the bushes. Shechuckled softly, ruffling her daughter¡¯s hair. ¡°Not yet, dear. You need to focus on getting better first,¡± she said gently. ¡°You¡¯re still recovering from that flu, remember?¡± Aisha pouted but nodded. Alice, with a final glance at the couple, gave a playful wave. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll leave you two to it. Don¡¯t go letting that boy get too carried away, Faith. A child that smart... well, he¡¯s going to make waves.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on him,¡± Faith replied, smiling as Alice began to walk off. ¡°Take care!¡± Marcus called out as Alice and Aisha headed toward the nearby town. After Alice and Aisha had walked off down the path, Marcus turned to Faith, a thoughtful expression on his face. He rested his hand on the fence, his gaze lingering on their house as if considering something important. "Faith," Marcus began, his voice serious but gentle, "I think you should teach Raul magic." Faith blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. "What do you mean?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Marcus met her eyes, his expression firm but caring. "The boy is mature for his age. He can understand the consequences of using magic carelessly.¡± Faith sighed softly, crossing her arms. "You just want me to teach him so you don''t have to hear me complain when you start drilling him in combat training." She shot him a teasing look. "You¡¯ve been waiting to make him into a warrior since he could walk." Marcus grinned, unfazed. "I still want to, but I¡¯ll leave that for now. Just make sure you teach him the right way. And remember, I only wanted to start him early, but you insisted he wait until he was ten." He winked playfully. Faith couldn¡¯t help but smile at his usual carefree attitude. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. But you can¡¯t blame me for wanting him to be a child a little longer.¡± Marcus leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it, then,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°I¡¯ve got to meet with an old friend of mine.¡± Faith raised an eyebrow, curious. ¡°An old friend? Who?¡± Marcus¡¯ expression grew more serious, his smile fading slightly. ¡°It¡¯s something to do with the kingdom and security," he replied, his voice low and measured. "But my friend¡¯s been... vague about the details. I¡¯ll keep you updated.¡± Faith studied his face for a moment, her concern evident. "Be careful, Marcus." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Always am." He kissed her again before turning to leave. "I¡¯ll see you later." Chapter 5 Raul stood outside the cottage with his mother, the breeze rustling through the trees surrounding their home. The wooden house, cozy and medieval, sat in the middle of their spacious compound. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patterns on the ground. Faith turned to Raul, her brown eyes warm but a little serious. "Watch carefully," she said. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Raul saw her lips move slightly, though no sound came out. Inside her mind, she chanted the spell: Chiming Winds. The air around her stirred. A soft breeze swirled, growing stronger until it danced around her, lifting her hair gently and shimmering like magic itself. Raul was mesmerized. Then, something else caught his attention. The Console¡¯s screen, invisible to everyone else, appeared before him. Words and symbols began forming on it, line by line. It looked like a type of programming code¡ªexcept Raul had never seen this kind of language before. Yet somehow, as if by instinct, he understood it. Every block of code made sense, from its purpose to its function. Though he had been a coding prodigy who became a senior developer by age 20 , he attributed understanding this code to the fact that he was also watching a demonstration of its output. Faith finished her spell and opened her eyes. The wind stopped instantly, her hair settling back into place. "This spell pulls from the environment," she explained. "It takes a lot of mana, so you can''t use it often." Raul nodded, but his focus was partly on the Console screen still floating in front of him. Something in the spell''s code caught his eye. A parameter for mana consumption. It could be adjusted and at first he couldn''t believe it. Could spells actually be fine-tuned like this? Faith gestured toward him. "Your turn. Remember what I taught you. Be careful with your thoughts. The intonations, the rhythm, even your emotions¡ªeverything must be in sync." Raul took a deep breath.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Though he could run the spell in its original form that it had been downloaded in from the Spell Store , he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to change the parameters that consumed manna a lot. Most of them were variables that took in the mage¡¯s emotional state in real time while the rest looked out for atmospheric factors like temperature and air pressure. Of course these were things that Faith couldn¡¯t probably have known , given that most mages just crammed the spells as they were taught to them . Understanding the inner workings of a spell was limited to the most advanced of mages who actively took part in spell research and invention. After removing the extra variables from the spell''s code , he run the spell, stretching out his hand and waiting for its output. [ Spell Crashed Error was caused by missing dependencies. Please ensure all necessary variables are present before running the spell. ] This error came to him after he failed to perform the spell. It seemed that modifying a spell was not a one shot trick but rather a trial and error system . It annoyed him , reminding him of how much time was always wasted trying to fix errors in a code in his past life.
The warm glow of candlelight filled the dining room as Raul and Faith sat at the table, eating roast lamb. The scent of the seasoned meat mixed with the earthy aroma of freshly baked bread. Marcus¡¯s chair sat empty. Faith glanced at it, her fingers lightly drumming on the wooden table. Raul noticed her distracted look. "Mother ,where¡¯s father?" he asked, slicing into his lamb. Faith hesitated, then gave him a soft smile. "He¡¯s just running some errands dear," she said, though her voice carried a faint edge of worry. Raul frowned. "He¡¯s been gone a while." Faith¡¯s gaze drifted to the window. "Your father knows how to take care of himself," she said, more to reassure herself than Raul. "But yes... it¡¯s unusual for him to be out this long without sending a letter." She paused, her fork still in her hand. "I just hope he didn¡¯t run into anything dangerous out there. The wilds aren¡¯t as safe as they used to be." Raul nodded, not pushing further. His mother clearly didn¡¯t want to dwell on the subject. She shifted in her chair, brightening her tone. "Let¡¯s talk about something else," she said. "What do you think about getting a professional trainer for magic?" Raul blinked, caught off guard. "A trainer? But you¡¯ve been helping me so far." Faith chuckled lightly, though there was a hint of frustration in her expression. "My dear little mage, I¡¯m more of a fighter than a teacher. Coaching a beginner isn¡¯t my strength." Raul raised an eyebrow. "But I¡¯ve been doing fine." "Really?" Faith teased, tilting her head. "What happened to casting Chiming Winds earlier?" Raul flushed slightly. He had technically succeeded¡ªjust not in the way Faith expected. Still, he wasn¡¯t about to explain that to her. "I was just... tired," he muttered, focusing on his plate. Faith laughed softly. "You¡¯re smart, Raul. Smarter than most kids your age. But magic takes more than that. A good teacher could help you bring it all together." Raul stabbed a piece of lamb with his fork, mulling it over. A professional trainer? It sounded like more eyes watching him¡ªa risk to his secret. "I¡¯ll think about it," he said. Faith smiled, though her eyes still flickered to Marcus¡¯s empty chair. Chapter 6 A month had passed since Marcus had left, and Faith¡¯s worry had grown heavier with each passing day. Raul often caught her pacing the house or staring into the distance. Now, they stood in a long, winding line outside the village chief¡¯s residence. The warm morning sun shone down on Viswall, but the atmosphere was tense. Families gathered with their children, chattering anxiously as they waited their turn to prove their kids¡¯ magical worth. The village chief had announced a royal decree: the kingdom had lowered the entry age for mage training. Any child who could demonstrate magical talent would be trained for free by a kingdom-appointed mage. For Faith, it was an opportunity she couldn¡¯t pass up. She glanced down at Raul, her face a mix of concern and determination. She had been forcing herself to remain strong for her boy, though something told her that Raul had already seen through her act. His maturity was unnerving at times, even for her. ¡°This could be good for you,¡± she said softly, but her tone lacked its usual energy. Her mind was clearly elsewhere. Raul tugged at her sleeve. ¡°Mom, are you okay?¡± Faith blinked, forcing a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine, sweetheart. Let¡¯s focus on this. It¡¯s a big opportunity.¡± The line moved slowly, inching forward. Raul, still small because of his physical age, struggled to see past the adults and taller kids ahead of him. The courtyard of the chief¡¯s residence was bustling with activity, but the raised platform where the mage was testing children remained out of sight. When they finally reached the front of the line, Raul squinted up at the figure on the platform¡ªand his jaw dropped. The mage was a girl, no older than fifteen, with the unmistakable features of an elf. She had striking green eyes that gleamed with intelligence and long silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. Her ears were delicately pointed, peeking out from under her hair. She wore robes of deep emerald green, intricately embroidered with golden runes, and her calm yet commanding presence made her seem far older than her years.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Faith leaned closer to Raul. ¡°That¡¯s an elf,¡± she whispered. She knew that her son had only been exposed to humans , the only race present in their village. Raul¡¯s heart raced. This was his first time seeing an elf since reincarnation, and she was nothing like he¡¯d imagined. The elf mage¡¯s voice cut through the noise, smooth and precise. ¡°Next,¡± she called, her tone neutral. She looked down and smiled at Raul. Faith gave Raul a gentle push forward, whispering, ¡°Do your best.¡± Her hands lingered on his shoulders for a moment, as if she didn¡¯t want to let him go. Raul could feel her anxiety, though she tried to hide it. As Raul and Faith stood at the front of the line, a ripple of recognition moved through the crowd. Whispers began spreading, voices hushed but still loud enough to reach Faith¡¯s ears. ¡°That¡¯s Marcus¡¯s wife and kid,¡± someone murmured. ¡°Marcus? You mean the adventurer who disappeared a month ago?¡± ¡°Yeah. Poor woman... he¡¯s probably dead, killed by monsters out there.¡± A knot formed in Raul¡¯s stomach. He glanced at his mother, but Faith remained composed, her face calm and serene. ¡°What will they do now?¡± another voice added. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have a job in the village. How¡¯s she going to take care of that boy?¡± ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why she¡¯s here,¡± someone else chimed in. ¡°This program¡¯s free. No fees. She¡¯s probably hoping the elf will take pity on him.¡± Raul¡¯s cheeks burned. He clenched his fists, staring at the platform where the elf mage stood. ¡°Look at him¡ªso little. What can a child like that even do? She¡¯s probably just desperate.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope the elf is kind enough to let him pass, no matter how bad he is. That family¡¯s been through enough.¡± Faith, having heard every word, knelt beside Raul and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ¡°Hey,¡± she said softly, her calm smile never wavering. ¡°Everything will be okay. Just do your best, sweetheart.¡± Her voice was steady, but Raul could see the faint flicker of pain in her eyes. She wasn¡¯t as unaffected as she seemed. Raul took a deep breath, the sting of the crowd¡¯s pity fueling a growing fire inside him. He wasn¡¯t going to let them see him as some helpless kid. More importantly, he wasn¡¯t going to let them pity his mother. She had been strong for him every day since his father left, and now it was his turn to return the favor. He had been modifying the code for Chiming Winds to make it more efficient and reduce manna consumption. It had taken weeks of trial and error, but he¡¯d finally perfected it. He hadn¡¯t told Faith yet, wanting to surprise her. This was the perfect moment to prove everyone wrong and make her proud. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± he said, his voice steady. Chapter 7 Further back in the queue, Alice stood with her daughter, Aisha. The two had been waiting for nearly an hour, the sun high overhead. The murmurs of the crowd ahead drifted back to them, and Alice¡¯s face tightened as she listened. Alice glanced at Faith and Raul up ahead, her heart aching for her friend. Faith didn¡¯t show any sign of distress, smiling calmly as she stood by Raul, but Alice could see the strength it took to maintain that composure. Alice leaned down to her daughter, brushing a stray strand of black hair from Aisha¡¯s face. ¡°Stay close, sweetheart,¡± she said softly. Aisha¡¯s eyes, wide with excitement, stayed fixed on Raul. ¡°Do you think he¡¯ll do something amazing, Mama?¡± Alice smiled faintly. ¡°We¡¯ll see. Now focus on yourself, Aisha. You¡¯ve been practicing hard, haven¡¯t you?¡± Aisha nodded eagerly. ¡°I can make a flame now! A real one! I¡¯m going to be a fire mage, just like you said.¡± Alice¡¯s chest swelled with pride and hope. Ever since Aisha learned that Raul could cast spells, she¡¯d become determined to prove she could, too. With time and proper training, Alice believed her daughter could grow into a powerful fire mage. Aisha tugged on her mother¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Look, Mama! Raul¡¯s about to go!¡± Alice turned her attention forward. Faith had stepped back, leaving Raul alone on the platform with the elf mage. The murmurs of the crowd quieted, all eyes on the boy who seemed far too small for the moment. Raul took a steadying breath as he stood on the platform, ignoring the sea of eyes watching him. He focused instead on the Console screen . You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. The Chiming Winds spell was ready, fine-tuned for efficiency. Unlike other mages who needed to chant and focus their thoughts, Raul approached magic differently. For him, it was as simple as opening a file on a computer. With a confident mental will, he activated the spell. A breeze swirled around him, gentle at first but quickly gaining strength. The winds lifted him from the platform, carrying him effortlessly into the air. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Raul glided gracefully across the courtyard. He floated toward his mother, the wind wrapping around him like an invisible cocoon. Faith¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, her calm mask slipping for a moment as her son landed softly beside her. The crowd erupted into cheers, their earlier whispers of doubt replaced by astonished admiration. Those who understood magic were especially stunned. Chiming Winds was a high-mana spell, rarely attempted by beginners. Yet this small boy had not only cast it but done so with a mastery that defied his age. What he did would ordinarily require the manna reserves of a master mage. On the platform, the elf mage, Reshia, stared at Raul, her green eyes wide with disbelief. For the first time that day, her composed demeanor cracked. She stepped down from the stage, her emerald robes flowing behind her, and approached Raul. The crowd fell silent, watching intently. Reshia hadn¡¯t done this for anyone else, not even the most promising children. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± she asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity. Raul looked up at her, his nerves gone, replaced by quiet pride. ¡°Raul. Raul Bervet.¡± Reshia smiled warmly. ¡°I¡¯m Reshia,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re quite impressive, Raul.¡± She then turned to Faith, her expression shifting to one of respect. ¡°Mrs. Bervet, would you mind if I visited you later today? After I¡¯m done here?¡± The crowd erupted into murmurs. Reshia, who had remained distant and formal with everyone else, was personally asking to visit Faith and Raul? It was unheard of. Faith, always composed, smiled graciously. ¡°Of course, Miss Reshia. We¡¯d be happy to have you.¡± Reshia¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± She gave Raul a small nod before turning back to the stage. As Reshia returned to her place, the crowd¡¯s stunned whispers grew louder. Faith placed a hand on Raul¡¯s shoulder, her eyes filled with pride. ¡°You did amazing, sweetheart,¡± she said softly. Raul smiled up at her, feeling a warmth in his chest. Chapter 8 The sun hung low in the sky as Faith, Raul, and Reshia arrived at the Bervet home. The modest cottage stood nestled among tall trees, its stone walls bathed in the warm orange glow of the evening light. Faith opened the gate, still chatting with Reshia about her experiences in Viswall. Raul followed quietly, his mind half-occupied with the Console . As they stepped into the yard, Faith froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with disbelief. There, seated on the steps leading to the front door, was Marcus. His upper body was wrapped in blood stained bandages, and his normally confident posture sagged with exhaustion. His face was pale, his eyes heavy with fatigue, but he managed a faint smile when he saw them. ¡°Marcus!¡± Faith cried. She dropped everything she was holding and ran to him, her composure forgotten. She knelt beside him, her hands hovering over his injuries as if afraid to touch him. Finally, unable to hold back, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. Marcus groaned softly, wincing as her hug pressed against his fresh wounds. ¡°Easy, Faith,¡± he said with a weak chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m in one piece... mostly.¡± Faith pulled back, tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°You idiot! You should have sent word. Do you have any idea how worried I¡¯ve been?¡± Marcus reached up to brush a stray tear from her cheek. ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. Things didn¡¯t exactly go as planned out there.¡± Raul stood a few steps away, watching the scene unfold. He could see the raw emotion on his mother¡¯s face, the relief and the love, but he couldn¡¯t summon the same feelings himself. Marcus was his father in this life, but Raul had already lived another. The connection didn¡¯t feel as deep as it should have. As he stood there, lost in thought, Reshia¡¯s voice broke through. ¡°You¡¯re very calm and mature¡± she observed, her green eyes studying him. ¡°For a child, especially in a moment like this. Most would have run to their father already.¡± Raul glanced at her, his usual composed expression shifting into a sheepish smile. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just... shy,¡± he said, scratching the back of his head. Reshia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she didn¡¯t press the issue. Faith turned to Raul, beckoning him over. ¡°Come here, Raul.Hug your old man.¡± Raul walked up to them, keeping his steps measured. ¡°Welcome back,¡± he said, his voice polite.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Marcus smiled at him, though his exhaustion showed. ¡°Thanks, kid. Sorry I worried you.¡± Raul nodded, saying nothing more. As Faith fussed over Marcus, Reshia lingered nearby, her gaze flicking between Raul and his family. Though she said nothing, it was clear she found the Bervets intriguing in ways she hadn¡¯t expected. Faith helped Marcus into the house, her voice soft as she fussed over his injuries. Raul remained outside with Reshia, who stood quietly for a moment, watching the family disappear through the door. She slipped off her emerald cloak and hung it over the branch of a small tree. Underneath, she wore a slightly baggy white shirt tucked into fitted trousers that accentuated her slim, athletic figure. The combination gave her an effortless charm that made Raul a little uneasy. He found himself glancing away, his thoughts scrambling to focus on anything else. ¡°You¡¯re full of surprises, Raul,¡± Reshia said, breaking the silence. Raul blinked and turned to her. She had a pleasant smile, her green eyes warm and curious rather than intimidating. She didn¡¯t feel like the stern, untouchable mage he had imagined when he first saw her on the stage. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Raul asked, trying to sound casual. Reshia stepped closer. ¡°That spell you used¡ªChiming Winds. It¡¯s a high-mana spell, and yet you cast it so easily. I was impressed... but also curious.¡± Raul tensed. Her tone was light, but her words carried weight. She leaned slightly toward him, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°I used a spell to measure your mana reserves. Don¡¯t worry¡ªit¡¯s harmless. But according to my findings, you shouldn¡¯t have had enough mana to pull that earlier stunt off.¡± Raul swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm. ¡°Maybe I just got lucky?¡± Reshia tilted her head, amused. ¡°Oh, it wasn¡¯t luck. You modified the spell, didn¡¯t you?¡± Raul hesitated. Reshia¡¯s gaze was steady but not accusatory. If anything, she seemed genuinely intrigued. He realized she wasn¡¯t trying to trap him; she was fascinated by what he¡¯d done. Finally, he sighed. ¡°Okay, yes. I modified it.¡± Reshia¡¯s face lit up, her curiosity deepening. ¡°I knew it! That¡¯s incredible, Raul. ¡± Only the most advanced of mages that understood the fundamentals of spells could even dream of modifying spells , and that¡¯s if they made a collaborative effort . And for ¡°Chiming winds¡± to be specific , it was one of the oldest spells. The basics and fundamentals that guide it had long been lost to history. Raul rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to respond. ¡°Thanks, I guess?¡± She crouched slightly to meet his eye level, her tone gentle. ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s the new incantation for the spell? It must have changed with your modifications.¡± Raul blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Uh... what do you mean?¡± Reshia sat down on a nearby bench, her posture relaxed. ¡°When you modify a spell, it usually requires a new incantation needed to cast it. The words change to reflect the new structure of the magic. What did you say to activate your version of Chiming Winds?¡± Raul¡¯s mind raced. To him, the spell was still the same¡ªhe simply changed its source code. But Reshia wouldn¡¯t understand that. Thinking quickly, he said, ¡°I call it... Chiming Eddies.¡± ¡°Chiming Eddies?¡± Reshia repeated, her lips quirking into a half-smile. She stood and stretched her arms, then clasped her hands together as if preparing to cast. ¡°Let¡¯s see if I can make it work. Chiming Eddies!¡± Nothing happened. Reshia dropped her hands, laughing lightly. ¡°Whatever the case, you¡¯ve done something remarkable, Raul. Modifying a spell like that¡ªespecially one so old¡ªis something only a handful of mages can do.¡± She then held his hand,¡° Well let¡¯s not keep your parents waiting, I¡¯m sure they''re now ready for us.¡± Chapter 9 Marcus sat at the table, staring into the depths of his soup, his hands gripping the bowl as if it were the only anchor tethering him to reality. Faith approached, her steps soft, carrying another steaming bowl. She placed it in front of him and waited, her gaze unwavering as he reluctantly sipped the broth. ¡°Where were you, Marcus?¡± she asked softly, her voice tender but probing. ¡°This past month¡­ What did the kingdom want from you?¡± Marcus¡¯s shoulders tensed, his spoon clinking against the bowl as he set it down. He didn¡¯t answer immediately, and Faith took a seat beside him, her hands folded neatly on her lap. ¡°It¡¯s still classified,¡± Marcus finally muttered, his tone heavy. Faith inhaled deeply, steadying herself. ¡°Marcus, I understand the kingdom¡¯s need for secrecy, but¡­ I was alone. For an entire month, without a word, without knowing if you were safe.¡± She leaned closer, her hand brushing his forearm. ¡°You owe me the truth.¡± Her words, though gentle, carried the weight of her solitude. Marcus closed his eyes, rubbing a hand across his beard. He let out a long sigh, then spoke, his voice low. ¡°The barrier,¡± he began, ¡°the one that separates the living from the dead¡ªit¡¯s weakening.¡± His words hung in the air like a thundercloud. ¡°The king called all warriors to discuss it in secret. Some monsters from the world of the dead had already escaped and most of the mages¡¯ magic had no effect on them. So we warriors had to fight them the old fashion way. The King didn¡¯t want to risk panic, but it is believed the barrier could collapse¡­ soon.¡± Faith¡¯s breath hitched, her hand covering her mouth. Her voice trembled when she spoke. ¡°The barrier... that¡¯s something only whispered about in mage circles.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Marcus said grimly, ¡°And if it fails, the undead monsters ¡ªthey¡¯ll pour out like a flood.¡± Faith stared at him, her heart racing. ¡°Marcus¡­ I¡¯ve encountered an undead creature before. Just one. My magic had no effect on it, and I¡¯m an intermediate level. Their magic¡ªit¡¯s old, ancient. It devours modern spells like they¡¯re nothing. Even the weakest of them are almost impossible to kill.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Marcus said, his voice hollow. ¡°The king is rallying forces, trying to prepare for the apocalypse. But how do you prepare for something like this?¡± Faith¡¯s hands trembled as she reached for his. ¡°Why keep this a secret? The people should know¡ª¡± ¡°No.¡± Marcus gripped her hands tightly. ¡°The king doesn¡¯t want chaos. If word gets out, there¡¯ll be riots, despair¡­ We have to trust the king¡¯s judgment. You must keep this between us.¡± Faith nodded slowly, ¡°I¡¯ll keep it secret.¡± She squeezed his hands, grounding them both. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t leave me like that again.¡± Marcus looked at her, ¡°I promise. Now¡­ tell me about Raul.¡± Faith smiled faintly, understanding his need to escape the grim reality they faced. ¡°Well,¡± she began, her voice lightening, ¡°I started training him, just like you asked. And Marcus¡­¡± Her eyes sparkled, her pride evident. ¡°Our son is a prodigy.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡°A prodigy, huh? What did he do?¡± ¡°He cast Chiming Winds,¡± Faith said, her voice dropping as if to emphasize the gravity. ¡°And not just cast it¡ªhe mastered it in a way I¡¯ve never seen. Not even I could manage it like that.¡± Marcus leaned back, the tension in his shoulders easing as a look of astonishment crossed his face. ¡°Chiming Winds? Even a warrior like me knows that¡¯s no beginner¡¯s spell. How did he even¡ª?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± Faith interjected, her tone laced with both pride and disbelief. ¡°The kingdom started a mage training program. Raul managed to get in. And the elf assigned to our village, Reshia, was so impressed by him that she¡¯s here personally to visit us.¡± Marcus blinked, ¡°Yes, the king did mention such a program when we were in the meeting.¡± Faith nodded toward the window. ¡°She¡¯s the one standing outside with Raul.¡± Before Marcus could respond, the door creaked open. Raul stepped in, followed closely by an elegant elf. Reshia¡¯s piercing emerald eyes scanned the room before she offered a polite nod. Marcus stood, his towering figure casting a long shadow. His gaze flicked between his son and the elf, his pride evident in the way his chest puffed slightly. ¡°Raul,¡± he said, his voice warm, ¡°you¡¯ve made me proud.¡± Reshia stepped forward, her voice smooth and melodic. ¡°Your son is remarkable, Mr. Bervet. ¡± Chapter 10 After lunch, Marcus took his son out for some sword practice while Reshia stayed behind with Faith so they could talk about magic spells and all the latest developments. Though the man had injuries on his body , this was only light training he could manage. Marcus and Raul stood in the backyard, holding wooden swords. Marcus moved through a few simple stances, showing Raul how to position his feet and hold the weapon. ¡°Keep your feet steady,¡± Marcus said, glancing at Raul. ¡°Don¡¯t let them slide around, or you¡¯ll lose your balance.¡± Raul nodded and copied him, his face scrunched up in focus. They practiced for a while, moving through basic strikes and blocks. Raul had a natural knack for it, but his movements weren¡¯t as sharp as his magic. Marcus stopped and rested his sword on his shoulder. ¡°Take a break, son.¡± Raul dropped his sword and flopped onto the grass with a loud sigh, wiping sweat from his face. ¡°Finally,¡± he groaned, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Even though he had the Console, his physical stats had remained the same. He would soon need to find a spell that could fix this but unfortunately he hadn¡¯t seen any matching that description in the Spell Store. The Spell Store only updated when Raul witnessed a new spell being cast. Once he saw a mage perform, then the Console would automatically make that spell available in the Spell Store and Raul could download it provided it was compatible with his Console level. There were a few exceptions though, since the Spell Store did have a few spells that Raul had never seen before. If he could get Reshia to demonstrate a strengthening or healing spell, then that would be very helpful.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Marcus chuckled and sat down next to him, stretching his legs out. ¡°So,¡± he said, leaning back on his hands, ¡°what have you been up to while I¡¯ve been gone?¡± ¡°Mostly reading,¡± Raul said, still lying flat on his back. ¡°Mom gave me a bunch of books and wouldn¡¯t let me skip any of them. She kept checking to make sure I actually read them, too.¡± Marcus laughed, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for showing her you¡¯ve got a gift for magic. Now she¡¯s never going to leave you alone about it.¡± Raul sat up, grinning. ¡°She¡¯s tough.¡± ¡°That¡¯s her way of showing she cares,¡± Marcus said, giving his son a small smile. ¡°And she¡¯s right to push you.¡± Raul looked down, brushing grass off his hands. Marcus leaned back on his hands, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he looked at Raul, still sprawled out on the grass. ¡°So,¡± Marcus started, his tone light, ¡°how¡¯s it going with the ladies?¡± Raul blinked, caught completely off guard. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You heard me,¡± Marcus said with a chuckle. ¡°When I was your age, I was already causing a ruckus back in my village. Girls couldn¡¯t resist this face.¡± He pointed at himself with a wide grin. Raul made a face. ¡°That¡¯s hard to imagine.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Marcus said, pretending to be offended. ¡°This face got your mother, didn¡¯t it?¡± Raul hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Uh¡­ I don¡¯t really know what to say. I¡¯ve never really thought about it.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow. ¡°Never thought about it? Come on, you¡¯re telling me there¡¯s not one girl who¡¯s caught your eye?¡± Raul thought for a moment, then shrugged. ¡°Well¡­ Reshia¡¯s kind of cute, I guess.¡± Marcus burst out laughing. ¡°Reshia? Now that¡¯s aiming high! I like it.¡± Raul quickly waved his hands. ¡°No, no, no. It¡¯s not like that! She¡¯s way older than me. She probably just sees me as some kid.¡± Marcus leaned forward, grinning. ¡°Raul, aiming for a girl like Reshia is exactly the right way to think.¡± Raul groaned, covering his face. ¡°Why did I even say anything?¡± This was not the advice fathers were supposed to give. Marcus smirked and nudged him with an elbow. ¡°Alright, if Reshia¡¯s out, what about Aisha? The neighbor¡¯s daughter? She¡¯s about your age, isn¡¯t she?¡± Raul shrugged again. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I hardly ever leave the house, so I don¡¯t really see her.¡± Marcus paused, then scratched the back of his head. ¡°Huh. What am I even doing? I¡¯m supposed to be teaching my son how to fight.¡± ¡°Alright, forget all that,¡± Marcus said, standing and brushing off his pants. ¡°Get up, we''ll continue training.¡± Raul groaned but pulled himself to his feet. Chapter 11 Over the next few days, Reshia started teaching Raul privately. She came to their house after finishing her lessons with the other kids at the chief¡¯s homestead. She explained that Raul needed more advanced training since he was picking up most of her spells on the first try. Raul on his end could not complain. Being around Reshia just warmed his heart all the time. One morning, Raul was sitting on the bench outside, reading a grimoire that Faith had recently bought him. He had discovered that the SpellStore updated with more spells if he could understand the basics of a spell after reading about it in a grimoire. This was however harder than watching someone cast a spell, but it got easier the more he read. Over time, Raul began noticing simple patterns in spells that helped him figure them out. Faith often said it was unnatural how easily he could understand spells. Faith was hanging some laundry out to dry. Raul noticed Marcus sneaking up behind her and giving what looked like a simple hug. But when Faith swatted his hand away, Raul realized Marcus had been up to something else. Faith, however, giggled playfully, and Marcus hugged her properly this time. Raul couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit drawn to how happy and in love they were. He momentarily pictured himself with Reshia doing the same thing but quickly brushed the idea away. That afternoon, Reshia arrived at Raul¡¯s house looking a little worn out. She dropped onto the bench beside him, letting out a tired sigh. ¡°You look drained,¡± Raul said, putting his grimoire aside. Reshia brushed some loose strands of hair from her face. ¡°One of the girls was so eager to learn. I swear, she wanted to master everything at once. It¡¯s great, but¡­ exhausting.¡± She shook her head with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m not sure where all that energy comes from.¡± Raul chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve got something new I want to show you. You¡¯re going to love this.¡± Reshia raised an eyebrow, curious. ¡°Oh? What now?¡± Raul grinned. ¡°Remember how you couldn¡¯t cast my modified Chiming Eddies before? I modified the spell again and I am sure it will work now.¡± Along with the seven main features of his Console, he had discovered an eighth one called Virtual Spell Server. This feature let him share the custom spells he created in the Console with other mages. Once activated, it worked passively, using no mana from Raul. Instead, it drew mana from the mage casting the spell. When Reshia had first tried casting his modified Chiming Eddies earlier, it hadn¡¯t worked because the spell had been stored locally in Raul¡¯s brain. But now, with the Virtual Server, she could access it and cast it. It was like a magic spell internet. The processing of the spell was done by the recipient¡¯s brain, freeing Raul¡¯s own brain from shouldering that burden. ¡°Wait, are you serious?¡± Reshia¡¯s exhaustion seemed to fade, replaced by intrigue. ¡°Do you wanna try it?¡± Raul asked, standing up. Reshia hesitated. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯ll work this time?¡± Raul gave her a confident nod. ¡°Try casting Chiming Eddies again.¡± Still a bit unsure, Reshia stood and took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, here goes nothing.¡± She thought of the incantation, and to her surprise, the air around her shimmered as the spell activated. A light breeze lifted her off the ground, and she soared higher than she ever had before. Her eyes widened in amazement. ¡°Raul! It¡¯s working! And it¡¯s using so little mana!¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°You¡¯re flying even higher than me¡± Raul called out, watching as she glided gracefully, her movements growing more confident. She twirled in the air, letting out a laugh of pure delight. The view from above took her breath away. ¡°I¡¯ve never flown this high before,¡± she said, her voice carrying down to Raul. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful up here!¡± For a moment, she felt weightless, almost as if she were one with the wind. When she finally landed, her cheeks were flushed, and her smile was brighter than Raul had ever seen. ¡°Raul,¡± she said, catching her breath, ¡°that was incredible. I can¡¯t believe you made this.¡± Raul shrugged, trying to play it cool, though he couldn¡¯t hide his grin. ¡°Your training helped me.¡± Reshia laughed. ¡°You are going to be a great mage one day.¡± After Reshia had caught her breath, Raul continued. ¡°Reshia, could you teach me magic to strengthen my body? Something to improve my strength or endurance?¡± Reshia¡¯s smile faltered just a little. She sat back down, brushing her hands over her skirt. ¡°That¡¯s actually a spell common in my family,¡± she began, her voice soft, ¡°but¡­ I¡¯m the only one who never managed to learn it.¡± Raul blinked, surprised. ¡° But you¡¯re amazing at magic.¡± She gave him a small, wistful smile. ¡°Not at everything. No matter how hard I tried, that spell always slipped through my fingers. I¡¯m sorry, Raul. I know you¡¯d probably get it on the first try if I could teach it to you.¡± She looked away for a moment, her tone growing quieter. ¡°You¡¯re so talented¡­ Honestly, it¡¯s hard not to feel like you¡¯ll surpass me in just a few years.¡± Raul frowned, not expecting her to feel that way. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s not true. You¡¯ve been teaching me everything I know. Without you, I wouldn¡¯t be half as good as I am now.¡± Reshia smiled again, though it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°Thanks, Raul. Anyway, I had something else planned for today¡ªhealing spells. They¡¯re fascinating, though not easy to learn.¡± Raul perked up. ¡°Healing spells? ¡± Reshia brightened a little as she explained. ¡°Healing magic is like weaving life itself back together. Each spell is specialized. There¡¯s one for curing fevers, one for broken bones, one for regenerating skin, and so on. And each part of the body has its own nuances¡ªdifferent techniques for muscles, organs, even nerves. It takes years to master each spell because every one is its own art.¡± Raul¡¯s eyes widened as he listened. That sounds¡­ like medicine back in my old world. People there had to specialize for years just to focus on one part of the body. Reshia continued. ¡°It¡¯s not flashy magic, but it¡¯s some of the most important. I¡¯m a master-level mage, but even I only know five healing spells. They took years of study and practice. But,¡± she added with a small smile, ¡°they¡¯ve saved a lot of lives.¡± Raul leaned forward, fascinated. ¡°What are the spells you know? ¡± Reshia grinned. ¡°We¡¯ll start simple. Today, I¡¯ll show you Minor Mend. It¡¯s a basic spell, but it¡¯s the foundation of almost all healing magic. If you can master it, you¡¯ll have a solid base to grow from.¡± Reshia led Raul to Faith¡¯s kitchen garden, where a small, withered seedling drooped under the morning sun. Its leaves were pale and shriveled, its stem bending under its own weight. She knelt beside it, brushing her fingers gently over the dry soil. ¡°Watch closely,¡± she said, her tone calm and focused. She held her hands above the seedling, and a soft green glow enveloped her palms. A faint hum filled the air as the spell activated. Tiny sparks of light, like emerald fireflies, danced around the seedling and sank into its leaves and stem. Slowly, life began to return. The pale leaves darkened into a deep, healthy green, their edges smoothing as new veins formed within them. The drooping stem straightened, gaining strength, and the soil around the roots darkened as if absorbing fresh nutrients. Raul¡¯s eyes lit up. [ Console notification, New Spell added to Spell Store Spell Compatible New Quest - Examine the source code of Minor Mend Quest Rewards- 20 level up points ] As always, the spell was immediately added to his Spell Store. He could already see its source code and all the variables it took in. ¡°Your turn,¡± Reshia said, stepping back. Raul approached another struggling seedling nearby. It looked just as lifeless, its brittle stem close to snapping. He focused, activating the spell he had just downloaded. The code ran through the console and the spell went through successfully. The familiar green light emanated from his hands, flickering faintly at first but growing stronger. As the magic touched the seedling, the same transformation unfolded. Its faded leaves turned vibrant, their surfaces gleaming as if polished by dew. The stem thickened, steadying itself against the soil, and tiny buds began to form at the tips of its branches. [ Quest Completed. Rewards : Level up Points x 20 Total Level up points = 50 ] [ Console level up available. Console Upgrade in session¡­ Console upgraded successfully! Console level - 2 ] Raul had been getting these minor quests about examining the source code of spells that Reshia showed him and everytime he did it, he had earned some more Level up points. Reshia blinked in astonishment. ¡°You¡­ you did it. On your first try.¡± Raul looked up at her, ¡°You demonstrated it very well.¡± She crossed her arms, shaking her head in amazement. ¡°That spell took me a whole month to master. And you just¡ª¡± She paused, watching him examine the thriving plant. ¡°Well, I suppose this confirms it. You¡¯re ready for something more advanced.¡± Raul stood, dusting off his hands. ¡°Advanced ? ¡± Reshia smirked. ¡°Combat magic¡­ firepower.¡± Chapter 12 As Reshia was preparing to leave for the inn she¡¯d been staying at, Faith approached her with a warm smile. ¡°Reshia, why don¡¯t you stay for supper tonight?¡± Faith asked. Reshia hesitated, glancing out at the fading sunlight. ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ll have to head back soon. I don¡¯t like walking through the village after dark.¡± Faith exchanged a quick look with Marcus before turning back to her. ¡°Actually, we¡¯ve been meaning to talk to you about that. We¡¯ve decided to give you a guestroom here in the house. You¡¯re already like family to us, Reshia. You come every day to teach Raul personally, and that¡¯s such an honor for us.¡± Reshia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Oh, I couldn¡¯t possibly¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even start,¡± Faith said with a playful wag of her finger. ¡°We insist. You¡¯re doing so much for Raul, and we¡¯d feel better knowing you¡¯re safe and close by. Besides,¡± she added, ¡°we¡¯re planning to give you an allowance on top of what the kingdom is paying you. It¡¯s the least we can do.¡± Reshia blinked, taken aback by their generosity. A faint blush touched her cheeks. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say. That¡¯s very kind of you, but, I don¡¯t want to impose.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Marcus said with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re practically family already.¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Reshia smiled, a genuine warmth lighting her face. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll accept, then.¡± By this time, Raul had already turned in for the night, worn out from using the healing spell. His mana reserves had taken a bigger hit than he expected, leaving him too tired to stay up. That left Reshia alone at the table with Faith and Marcus during supper. As they ate, Marcus leaned back in his chair and fixed Reshia with a thoughtful look. ¡°You know,¡± he began, ¡°I did some digging into your background.¡± Reshia nearly choked on her drink. ¡°What?¡± she said, coughing slightly. ¡°Why would you do that?¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Marcus chuckled, though his tone was serious. ¡°It¡¯s nothing bad, I promise. I just wanted to understand why someone as young and talented as you volunteered for the mage training program. It¡¯s rare for someone your age to take on something so demanding, especially in a rural village like this one.¡± Reshia froze, her expression a mix of shock and discomfort. Faith placed a reassuring hand on Reshia¡¯s arm. ¡°He means well, Reshia. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡± Reshia looked between them, her shoulders stiff. For a moment, she seemed unsure of what to say. Marcus went on, his tone gentle but direct. ¡°We know about your family.¡± Reshia stiffened, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. ¡°Oh,¡± Marcus sighed. ¡°Your parents and older sister¡ªthey were arrested by the kingdom for using magic to commit robbery. It wasn¡¯t easy to find out, but I made a few discreet inquiries.¡± Reshia¡¯s face went pale. She lowered her fork, her hands trembling slightly. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t think anyone here would know about that.¡± ¡°Reshia,¡± Marcus said quickly, raising a hand, ¡°I also know you weren¡¯t involved. You were studying at the Magic Research Institute in the capital when it happened. Your name wasn¡¯t tied to any of it.¡± Reshia looked down, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. People always assume the worst when they hear about my family. That¡¯s why I never talk about it.¡± Faith reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over Reshia¡¯s. ¡°We understand, dear. Everyone has their own struggles. What your family did doesn¡¯t define you.¡± Marcus nodded. ¡°We know you¡¯re here trying to raise funds to help them. And we don¡¯t have any problem with that¡ªit¡¯s your business, and it doesn¡¯t change what we think of you.¡± Reshia¡¯s eyes glistened, though she quickly blinked back the tears. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, her voice unsteady. Faith squeezed her hand. ¡°You¡¯ve been nothing but kind and hardworking since you came to this village. ¡± As Reshia tried to gather herself, the soft creak of a door caught their attention. Raul emerged, his hair tousled and his eyes half-lidded with sleep. ¡°Just heading to the washroom,¡± he mumbled, but as he passed, he couldn¡¯t help overhearing snippets of the conversation. ¡°¡­trying to raise funds to bail out my family¡­¡± Reshia¡¯s voice was quiet, tinged with a sadness Raul had never heard before. He paused for a moment before continuing to the washroom. As he washed his hands, her words stuck in his mind. Reshia had been so good to him¡ªpatient, encouraging, and kind. She didn¡¯t deserve to carry such a heavy burden. Raul dried his hands and returned to his room, lying awake in the dark. Reshia had always seemed so strong, so put-together. But now he saw a different side of her¡ªa side weighed down by pain and responsibility. He clenched his fists, his ten-year-old mind racing with ideas. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to help her,¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°She¡¯s done so much for me. It¡¯s the least I can do.¡± Chapter 13 The cool pre-dawn air was crisp and quiet as Reshia stepped outside, her bare feet pressing against the dew-kissed grass. The village was still cloaked in shadow, the horizon only beginning to blush with the first hints of sunlight. She began her usual morning stretches, her movements fluid and deliberate. Her body arched gracefully as she transitioned into a yoga pose, her tight vest and loose shorts accentuating her figure in a way that seemed effortless. Raul had woken up early, his energy restored from the previous day¡¯s exertion. As he stepped outside, the stunning sight of Reshia caught him completely off guard. For a moment, his brain seemed to short-circuit. He remembered her mentioning once that stretching helped magic flow better through the body¡¯s meridians, enhancing vitality and control. But at this moment, the intricacies of magic theory were far from his mind. She was breathtaking. The soft light of dawn outlined her figure, her toned arms and legs moving with an elegance that made it hard to look away. Her vest clung to her form, and the baggy shorts only exaggerated her curves. Raul blinked rapidly, trying to push his thoughts back on track, but it was like his brain had temporarily taken leave. Upstairs, Marcus stirred at the faint sound of footsteps. Curious, he pushed open the bedroom window and immediately spotted Raul standing motionless, staring at Reshia with wide eyes. Marcus smirked, a mix of amusement and pride flickering across his face. ¡°That¡¯s my boy,¡± he muttered to himself. Behind him, Faith shifted under the covers, her voice soft and drowsy. ¡°Marcus, get back here,¡± she murmured, her tone carrying a playful warmth. Marcus glanced back at her, then at Raul, who was still rooted to the spot. With a grin, he closed the window and slipped back into bed, more than happy to oblige his wife¡¯s invitation. Raul, meanwhile, gave himself a sharp mental shake. Get it together, Raul! he scolded himself, forcing his gaze up toward the sky for a moment to clear his head. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and called out, ¡°Good morning, Reshia!¡± Reshia, mid-stretch, looked over her shoulder and smiled warmly. ¡°Good morning, Raul. You¡¯re up early.¡± Raul couldn''t help but feel a bit excited as he turned to Reshia after she finished her stretches. "I¡¯ve modified the Minor Mend spell you taught me," he said casually, watching for her reaction. Reshia¡¯s eyes lit up with interest. ¡°You¡¯ve modified it? That didn¡¯t take long. What did you change?¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Raul hesitated for a moment before speaking, feeling strangely comfortable revealing this to her. She already knew how quickly he picked up spells, and she had proven to be trustworthy, never prying into his personal matters. She had become someone he could share things with. ¡°I¡¯ve been experimenting,¡± Raul admitted. ¡°I made a different version of Minor Mend that works on different soil types¡ªlike loam and clay¡ªand enhances fertility.It however now has no effects on plants.¡± Reshia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Improving soil fertility ,can I see it?¡± Raul nodded .He had modified the spell by removing the parts that were only about healing plants and focused on the soil. He added some if-statements to adapt the spell to various soil types, so it worked on almost any ground. It was much more versatile now. Reshia¡¯s eyes widened with admiration as Raul demonstrated, clearly impressed. ¡°That¡¯s incredible! ¡± Reshia was always interested in magic. Being around Raul and watching him modify her spells was more fun for her than even being in the research institute . Raul gave a modest shrug. ¡°It wasn¡¯t that hard once I understood the basics.¡± He had uploaded it to the Virtual Spell Server, so that anyone he showed it to could use it. He could also see the list of the people he had given access to the spell and could restrict access if he chose to. It was like managing a computer server with a user base to administrate. And of course , he was thinking of monetizing this. Reshia smiled. ¡°That¡¯s brilliant! Can I try it?¡± Raul smiled back, feeling a surge of pride. ¡°Of course.¡± Reshia had come to learn that she learned spells modified by Raul very quickly. It was a rewarding feeling in its own right , because other spells usually took her weeks and months to master. The Traditional spells also came with many loopholes and conditions such as emotional state regulation , health requirements and a specific state of mind. But with Raul¡¯s spells , all one had to do was think of the incantation that he gave and it worked. Raul¡¯s spells were more stable and gave her a sense of safety while she used them. What she did not know was the struggles Raul had with debugging the spells and clearing errors in the console to perfect them. Reshia thought for a moment before turning to Raul. "So, how much do you know about money?" she asked. Raul nodded confidently. "I¡¯ve gotten familiar with the currency. It¡¯s called copper." Reshia smiled a little, impressed. "Well, teaching people spells and mage education is a good way to earn money. It pays well. And since your spells can be learned instantly, you could charge even more for that." Raul, who had been quietly thinking, replied, "You should teach people my spells . You¡¯ve got the experience." Reshia froze for a moment, her thoughts drifting to her family. She hadn¡¯t expected Raul to suggest this. She saw a chance to solve her financial problems faster. But then, a wave of guilt hit her. It felt like she was taking advantage of him. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± she asked, her voice soft, unsure. Raul smiled, though there was a seriousness in his eyes. "It¡¯s the least I could do to repay you for everything you¡¯ve done for me," he said honestly. He knew she wouldn''t tell him about her family being in prison but was glad he could help from the shadows. Reshia was touched. She hadn¡¯t realized until now that tutoring Raul had been the right decision. She was helping him, but it was also opening doors for her. With a new sense of resolve, she looked him in the eye. ¡°I¡¯ll always tell everyone that it was you who created these spells whenever I teach them. That way, you¡¯ll get a good reputation as a mage. People will know your name.¡± Raul smiled, ¡°Please don¡¯t. I would like to avoid unnecessary attention.¡± Chapter 14 Later that afternoon, after Reshia had left to train the kids at the chief''s homestead, Raul decided it was time to explore the village. He had spent most of his time at home, training with Reshia or studying magic, but something inside him urged him to change that. So he slipped on a simple cloak and quietly headed toward the gate, hoping for a little freedom. Faith, still busy gathering carrots in the garden was grateful for the improved soil fertility. She had tried for a long time to learn spells that improved soil fertility but had turned up empty. But now, Raul, ever the prodigy , had already picked it up and saved her the hassle. She looked up when she noticed Raul heading out. She paused, wiping her hands on her apron, and called out, "Where are you going, dear?" Raul paused at the gate, trying to sound casual. "I just want to explore the village a bit. I haven''t really gone out much," he said, trying to keep it light. The truth was, in his old life, he had regretted not spending enough time outside, not hanging out with friends, not experiencing life. He didn¡¯t want to make that same mistake here. Faith, ever the concerned mother, raised an eyebrow. "Did you finish washing the dishes?" she asked, her voice laced with that familiar motherly concern. Raul sighed, "Yes, Mom. I finished," he answered, trying to stay patient. Faith looked him over, her eyes still suspicious. "Well, you better not stay out too long. I''ll be mad if you¡¯re gone too long," she warned, though her voice softened with care. Raul nodded, already itching to be free. "I promise I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll be back before it gets too late." He flashed her a smile, hoping to ease her worry. As he walked out the gate, he couldn''t help but wish that Marcus had been the one to stop him. His father would¡¯ve just nodded and sent him on his way with a ¡°Go see the world, meet some girls.¡± Marcus was always easygoing, never hovering over Raul like Faith did. But for now, Raul was just happy to be outside, the village waiting to be discovered. He didn¡¯t know what to expect, but he was looking forward to it. He walked down a less-traveled path, leading to the outskirts of the village where vast fields of wheat stretched endlessly. The sun beat down, and farmers were working tirelessly in the heat, their straw hats shielding them from the blazing sky. As he passed by, a few of them waved, and Raul returned the gesture with a smile, enjoying the peacefulness of the place.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. But as he approached a small hill with some trees, he noticed something unsettling. A group of boys were gathered around a girl, who was clearly distressed. They were using water magic to splash her repeatedly, drenching her cloak. She was shivering, even under the sun¡¯s warmth, and it was clear this had been going on for a while. Raul¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he shouted, ¡°Hey! Stop it!¡± One of the boys, the largest of the group, turned with a sneer. ¡°What¡¯s this? You gonna do something about it?¡± His voice was taunting, and his posture made it clear he wasn¡¯t taking Raul seriously. Raul hesitated. He didn¡¯t know any offense spells. Reshia had taught him healing spells and support magic, but not anything that could help in a fight. What should I do? he thought, his mind racing. He wasn¡¯t a fighter, but he could figure this out. He was a problem-solver at heart, and coding was his specialty. His eyes flicked back to the group, and he quickly ran through his options. He thought about Chiming Winds, which created a gentle breeze around him. The problem was, it only worked on himself. It wouldn¡¯t help against a group of bullies. But what if... Raul quickly pulled up the source code of the spell , the Console¡¯s interface flashing before him. He examined the code blocks, looking for the part that defined the direction of the wind. One of the boys, noticing Raul¡¯s focus, grinned and began to move closer, clearly planning to intimidate him. Raul knew he didn¡¯t have much time. Think fast! He saw the block of code that tied the wind to himself. Without thinking further, he deleted it. These were the parameters that allowed ¡°chimming winds¡± to lift up a mage into the air , and Raul half expected an error to come out of this. It was a risk, but he had no other choice. He cast the spell in a single, quick motion, hoping it would work. But as soon as he did, something went wrong. The wind spiraled wildly, a force that wasn¡¯t controlled. One of the boys rushed forward to confront him just as the spell released. Raul¡¯s heart sank as he saw the boy¡¯s feet leave the ground. Then¡ªCRACK! Raul¡¯s finger shot with pain, the result of the wind spell running loose, its uncontrolled force snapping his finger. The spell spun out of control, and the wind became chaotic. "Ahhh!" Raul gritted his teeth, clutching his hand in pain. He didn¡¯t know if the boy was okay, but he could barely focus on anything else. [ Console Warning - Spell crashed. Debug Functionality Activated ] Before Raul could process the situation further, the spell was canceled midway, the wind stopping abruptly, and the boy who had been lifted fell back to the ground with a thud. Raul winced at the pain in his finger, but he was relieved the spell had stopped before it caused more damage. The boys stood around, confused and surprised by the sudden turn of events. Without waiting around , he took to his heels and his friend followed quickly , clearly afraid of Raul and what he was capable of. Chapter 15 Raul stood frozen for a moment, watching the bullies disappear into the distance, his mind still racing. His snapped finger, however, brought him sharply back to reality. The pain was like nothing he¡¯d ever felt before¡ªa burning, throbbing agony that coursed through his hand, up his arm, and deep into his chest. He instinctively tried to move it, but the moment he did, a searing pain shot through his body, and he gasped, nearly collapsing from the intensity. His vision blurred for a second, and his stomach twisted. For a moment, he just stood there, breathing heavily. I¡¯ve been through worse, he thought, recalling his old life and the random injuries he¡¯d gotten over the years. I¡¯ve had worse pain than this. I can handle this. He took a few deep breaths, trying to push past the panic creeping into his chest. The pain was unbearable, but it wasn¡¯t life-threatening. He knew what he had to do¡ªhe¡¯d been taught how to handle dislocations by a doctor friend back in his old life. Raul looked down at his hand, grimacing. The finger jutted out awkwardly at an unnatural angle, swollen and bruised. He flexed it again, and the pain shot through him like a lightning bolt. Okay. Focus. Raul steeled himself and placed his thumb at the base of the dislocated joint. His other fingers gripped the rest of his hand firmly to stabilize it. With his heart pounding in his chest, he took one final deep breath and twisted the bone back into place in one swift, controlled motion. The pain exploded in his mind¡ªsharp, brutal, a hot, pulsing fire . His vision blurred again, and his breath caught in his throat. He stayed still for a moment, eyes closed, trying to breathe through the pain. He used a healing spell Reshia had taught him, the one she¡¯d demonstrated to him to use for small injuries. It wasn¡¯t the most powerful healing spell he had, but it was enough for light mends. [ Console quest. Debug the new errors in Chiming Winds. Create a functional wind blast spell. Quest Rewards - Level up points x 30 ] His hand no longer sore, he turned to the girl who was now wiping her eyes. Her sobs had quieted, but she still looked shaken and scared. He walked over to her, trying to keep his tone calm. "Hey, stop crying," he said gently.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. The girl turned around, her eyes wide with surprise. Raul blinked, recognizing her. "Aisha?" he asked. "Alice''s daughter?" Raul had never been so close to her and was now just realizing just how cute she was in close proximity. Aisha nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Raul could see that she was still shivering. "Why aren''t you at the chief''s place, learning magic like the others?" Raul asked, trying to keep his voice cool. Aisha looked down, her shoulders slumping. "I don''t feel like going..." she whispered. "I... I couldn¡¯t learn the spell. Everyone else got it so easily, but I couldn¡¯t. I¡¯ve always been good at magic, always the best, but now... now I feel like I¡¯m not good enough. I don¡¯t want to try anymore.¡± Raul''s heart sank a little. He could see how demoralized she felt. She was struggling, and it had clearly crushed her confidence. But he didn¡¯t understand what that had to do with the bullies. ¡°Why are those guys picking on you then?¡± Raul asked, his brows furrowing. "It doesn''t make sense." Aisha sniffed, wiping her eyes again. ¡°I just ran into them,¡± she added quietly. Raul thought for a moment. ¡°Just go home then,¡± he said, his voice a bit firmer now. ¡°You should be safe there.¡± Aisha shook her head quickly. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she said, her voice cracking. ¡°Mom¡¯s at work. I¡¯m locked out. The door¡¯s locked, and there¡¯s no one to let me in.¡± Raul¡¯s concern grew. He didn''t want to leave her alone out here, especially with the bullies still around. "You can¡¯t stay out here by yourself," he said. "Come with me to my house. You¡¯ll be safe there.¡± Aisha hesitated, looking unsure. ¡°I don¡¯t know...¡± Raul could see her inner struggle. She wasn¡¯t sure if she could trust him, or if it was just a bad idea. But he needed to make her feel safe. "Look, I don¡¯t mind leaving you alone," Raul said, his voice gentle but serious. "But I can¡¯t let you stay out here where those bullies might come back. You¡¯d be safer with me.¡± Aisha looked at him for a long moment. Finally, she sighed and nodded, a little defeated. ¡°Okay... I¡¯ll come.¡± Raul gave her a reassuring smile. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s go.¡± As Raul approached home, he noticed his father, Marcus, standing near the gate. He was in the middle of a serious conversation with a stranger, someone Raul had never seen before. The man was tall, wearing a dark cloak that seemed to obscure most of his features, and his eyes were hidden which made it hard to tell where he was looking. His presence gave off a strange, unsettling vibe¡ªlike he was someone who didn¡¯t belong in this peaceful village. Raul paused, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he watched the man nod slowly, his voice low and measured. The man turned to leave, bowing his head slightly toward Marcus in a gesture of respect. Raul couldn¡¯t help but notice how the stranger¡¯s movements were deliberate, careful¡ªalmost too careful. There was something about the way he carried himself that screamed danger. The cloak hung loosely around him, almost as though he were hiding something underneath it. It also struck him as odd that someone would show such deference to Marcus of all people. The stranger disappeared into the distance, his footsteps silent as he left the compound. Marcus turned, and for a brief moment, his face showed a hint of disturbance, but it was gone in an instant. His expression shifted into something more upbeat, and he grinned widely when he saw Raul walking toward him. ¡°Well, well! Looks like you¡¯ve started listening to my advice, boy,¡± Marcus said, his voice laced with amusement. ¡°Bringing in girls, I always knew you¡¯d come around eventually.¡± Raul blinked, a bit thrown off by the sudden shift in mood. He glanced over at Aisha, who had quietly followed him into the yard, looking uncomfortable. ¡°Dad, who was that guy?¡± Raul asked, trying to sound casual, though his curiosity was piqued. Marcus gave a chuckle, slapping Raul on the back. ¡°Oh, just a friend from a while back. Don¡¯t worry about him.¡± His eyes flicked over to Aisha, ¡°What happened to Alice¡¯s daughter Raul?¡±. Chapter 16 Marcus surprised Raul with how calmly and thoughtfully he handled the situation. He poured glasses of water for both Aisha and Raul, his demeanor more like a wise mentor than the carefree dad Raul was used to. ¡°So,¡± Marcus began, sliding the glass of water toward Aisha, ¡°Raul here tells me you had a bit of trouble out there. And you,¡± he turned to Raul, raising an eyebrow, ¡°decided to play the hero.¡± Aisha looked up, her hands wrapped around the glass. ¡°He saved me,¡± she said softly. ¡°With his magic.¡± Marcus leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin like he was some wise man. ¡°Magic, huh? Well, you did good, Raul,¡± he said, his voice even. ¡°But¡ª¡± he held up a hand before Raul could feel too proud¡ª¡° Excess force is not the way.¡± Raul winced at the reminder of his earlier pain but nodded. ¡°You¡¯re talented, Raul. Not everyone is like you. You¡¯ve got to learn to control your strength. Otherwise, you¡¯ll end up scaring people¡ªor worse, hurting them.¡± Marcus¡¯ tone softened, and he added with a smirk, ¡°But hey, you didn¡¯t scare her off, so I guess you¡¯re doing alright.¡± Raul scratched the back of his head, feeling both scolded and oddly reassured. Aisha looked over at him, offering a small smile. Just then, Faith walked into the house, carrying bags of groceries that looked ready to topple her over. She froze when she spotted Aisha at the table. ¡°Oh!¡± she exclaimed, setting the bags down with a thud. ¡°What¡¯s Aisha doing here? Did something happen?¡± Marcus quickly filled her in, summarizing the events with a proud undertone that made Raul squirm a little. Faith¡¯s expression softened as she turned to her son. ¡°Well done, Raul,¡± she said, beaming. ¡°That was very gentlemanly of you. You¡¯ve made me proud.¡± She moved to the sink, pulling out a basket of vegetables. ¡°Aisha, sweetheart, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take you home once I¡¯m done with these.¡± To everyone¡¯s surprise, Aisha stood up. ¡°I can help!¡± she offered shyly. Faith blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°Help? You? Oh, how sweet of you!¡± She shot a pointed look at Marcus and Raul. ¡°You see this? Even a little girl knows how to pitch in. Maybe you two could learn a thing or two.¡± Marcus let out an exaggerated sigh, standing up from the table and nudging Raul. ¡°Alright, you heard her. This is our cue to make a strategic retreat. ¡± Raul couldn¡¯t help but laugh as Marcus ushered him out of the room. Faith too gave a laugh. Reshia arrived at the home later in the afternoon, looking more energized than Raul had seen her in a while. Her steps were light, and there was a bounce in her movement. Raul, sitting outside under the shade of a tree, noticed her right away and stood up to greet her.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re back,¡± Raul said, waving. ¡°Dinner¡¯s already being prepared.¡± He tilted his head, noticing her unusually cheerful demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re looking... less tired than usual. ¡± Reshia chuckled as she approached, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. ¡° I actually got some peace for once.¡± Raul smiled. ¡°So,what are you teaching today master?¡± For some reason , he had missed her even though she¡¯d only been gone for a few hours. Reshia nodded with a smile. ¡°Combat magic.¡± Raul scratched the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. ¡°Actually, I was thinking... maybe we could switch things up a little?¡± Reshia raised an eyebrow. ¡°Switch things up? How so?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Raul said, crossing his arms, ¡°instead of explaining every little detail like usual, how about you just demonstrate the spells in action? Show me what they¡¯re supposed to look like, and I¡¯ll figure out the rest.¡± Reshia¡¯s lips parted in surprise, and she shook her head. ¡°Raul, that¡¯s not how this works. You can¡¯t just skip the fundamentals! Magic isn¡¯t something you can wing. It¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not saying skip them,¡± Raul said quickly, raising his hands defensively. ¡°I just think... maybe you don¡¯t need to explain every single step.¡± Reshia narrowed her eyes, folding her arms. ¡° Without fundamentals, you¡¯re just cramming. What happens if you don¡¯t really understand what you¡¯re doing and a spell backfires?¡± Raul shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve handled a few backfires before.¡± Reshia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°Raul, fundamentals aren¡¯t a waste of time. They¡¯re the building blocks of magic.¡± Raul tried to protest. ¡°I¡¯m efficient. I learn faster when I see things in action.¡± ¡°Efficient,¡± Reshia repeated, giving him a pointed look. ¡°That¡¯s just a fancy word for cutting corners.¡± Raul knew when to give up. ¡°Okay, okay, I get it. Fundamentals are important.¡± Reshia smiled ,¡°Good, give me a few minutes to prepare myself.¡± Reshia stepped into the house, the cool air a welcome relief after the afternoon heat. She found Marcus sitting at the table, polishing a small but sharp dagger. His focus was intense, but he glanced up when she entered. ¡°Reshia,¡± Marcus greeted with his usual calm demeanor. ¡°Done with the day already?¡± ¡°For now,¡± she replied, sitting across from him. She hesitated, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. ¡°Marcus, I wanted to let you know... I¡¯ll be leaving for the capital in five days.¡± Marcus¡¯s hand paused mid-polish. His sharp eyes locked onto hers. ¡°The capital, huh? What for?¡± Reshia took a deep breath, steadying herself. ¡°To bail out my family. I¡¯ve finally gathered enough money.¡± Marcus leaned back, setting the dagger down. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was measured. ¡°I see. That¡¯s good news. But you didn¡¯t get that kind of money from just working the program, did you?¡± Reshia¡¯s face warmed, but she held his gaze. ¡°I earned it by teaching spells on the side.¡± She did not tell him about the arrangement with Raul. Marcus let out a low whistle, shaking his head slightly. ¡°Smart. ¡± Reshia nodded. ¡° Now I can finally get my family out.¡± Marcus was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the wooden table. ¡°Are you planning to come back here after?You will not be needing this job anymore, right?¡± ¡°True,¡± Reshia said , ¡° But I also want to finish Raul¡¯s training. He¡¯s got so much potential, and I can¡¯t just leave him halfway.¡± Marcus¡¯s expression darkened slightly, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. ¡°Listen, Reshia. I don¡¯t think you should come back..¡± Her smile faltered. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Raul will be fine,¡± Marcus said, his voice firm but not unkind. ¡°The truth is, things are going to get... complicated around here in the next few months. Staying in the capital would be safer for you.¡± Reshia frowned, leaning closer. ¡°Complicated? What do you mean? Is something going to happen?¡± Marcus¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, and he shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t say much more than that. Just trust me on this. You¡¯d be better off staying in the capital.¡± Chapter 17 The next morning, Reshia seemed distant, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a quiet focus that even Raul couldn¡¯t ignore. He didn¡¯t press her for answers, knowing she valued rationality. If something was weighing on her, it had to be serious. Later, Reshia made her way to the chief¡¯s place to train the local children. Despite her mood, she managed to keep the session engaging, patiently correcting errors and encouraging the kids. The chief¡¯s son, a young man about her age, had started making a habit of attending these lessons. His eyes lingered on her more than what was subtle, and when the lesson ended, he finally worked up the courage to approach her. "Reshia," he started, his tone slightly nervous but warm. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" She turned to him with a polite smile. "Of course. What¡¯s on your mind?" He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, I just... I¡¯ve admired you for a while. You¡¯re kind, talented, and... well, beautiful. Would you consider going out with me?" Reshia blinked in surprise but quickly composed herself. Her smile softened, kind but firm. "That¡¯s sweet of you to say. You¡¯re a nice person, and you¡¯ve got a good heart." The chief¡¯s son¡¯s face lit up with hope. "So, is that a yes?" Reshia chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Not quite. You see, I¡¯m not just looking for someone who¡¯s nice or good-looking. I¡¯m more drawn to someone¡¯s way of thinking, their perspective on the world and magic. That¡¯s what really matters to me." He nodded, his disappointment evident but respectful. "I get it. That¡¯s fair. I hope you find what you¡¯re looking for, Reshia. You deserve to be happy." She smiled warmly at him. "Thank you for understanding. And for what it¡¯s worth, you¡¯re already a great person. " With that, they parted on good terms, and Reshia returned to her teaching, though her thoughts were elsewhere, on what Marcus had told her. When she arrived back at Raul¡¯s home later that afternoon, she found him waiting for her outside, practicing his spellcasting. His face lit up as he saw her approach, but he quickly noticed her subdued energy. Raul greeted Reshia with his usual energy. ¡°Welcome back,¡± he said, wiping his hands on his cloak. Reshia gave him a faint smile. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got today.¡± She ran through the lesson as usual, her tone light, but Raul could tell something was off. Her movements were a little too stiff, her laughs forced. It was clear she was hiding something. He didn¡¯t say anything, though. Reshia noticed his watchful gaze and felt a small wave of gratitude¡ªhe wasn¡¯t probing, even though he obviously suspected she was struggling. After the lesson ended, she took a deep breath and turned to Raul. ¡°Raul,¡± she said softly, ¡°can we sit for a minute? There¡¯s something I need to talk to you about.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Raul said, curious but also slightly uneasy. They walked to a bench in the shade of the big oak tree in the yard and sat down. Reshia stared at her hands for a moment, gathering her thoughts. ¡°My family... they¡¯re in trouble,¡± she began quietly. ¡°I need to leave to save them.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Raul¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. Instead, he nodded slowly. ¡°I already know,¡± he said. Reshia looked at him sharply, startled. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I overheard you talking to my parents the other night,¡± Raul admitted, his tone calm. ¡°I¡¯ve known all along.¡± Her jaw dropped slightly. ¡°And you didn¡¯t say anything?¡± Raul shrugged. ¡°I figured if you wanted me to know, you¡¯d tell me when you were ready. Until then, it wasn¡¯t my business.¡± Reshia was silent for a moment, processing his words. ¡°Wait,¡± she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Is that why you suggested I teach people your modified spells? To help me earn the money faster?¡± Raul smiled faintly. ¡°Yeah. I thought it might help you out.¡± Reshia blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. ¡°Raul... that¡¯s incredibly thoughtful. And mature. You¡¯re... you¡¯re really something, you know that?¡± Raul chuckled awkwardly. ¡°I just wanted to help. ¡° Reshia¡¯s admiration for him deepened, but it made what she had to say next even harder. She took a shaky breath. ¡°Raul, I need you to understand something... I¡¯m not coming back.¡± The smile on Raul¡¯s face froze, then disappeared. ¡°What?¡± His voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°I won¡¯t be coming back after I¡¯ve gone,¡± Reshia said, her voice breaking slightly. Raul¡¯s chest tightened, and he looked away, blinking rapidly to keep his emotions in check. ¡°I see,¡± he said quietly. The sight of his composed but clearly heartbroken face nearly broke Reshia¡¯s resolve. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Raul... I¡¯m so sorry.¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Reshia stood, her own heart heavy with guilt, and walked toward the house, leaving Raul sitting on the bench, staring at the ground. Once inside, she leaned against the door, tears pricking her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Raul,¡± she whispered to herself. Later. Reshia was brushing her hair by the dim light of the lantern, her silver locks shimmering in the soft glow. Her light nightdress fluttered slightly as a breeze slipped through the window. She was about to climb into bed when a soft knock came at her door. ¡°Raul?¡± she called, puzzled. He didn¡¯t usually come to her room, especially not this late. She walked to the door and opened it to find him standing there, looking small and unsure, his eyes slightly downcast. ¡°Can I come in?¡± he asked, his voice quieter than usual. Reshia tilted her head in surprise. ¡°Of course.¡± She stepped aside, letting him in. Raul hesitated for a moment, glancing around her room, before looking up at her. He knew better than to ask for something he couldn¡¯t have, like confessing feelings to someone who likely saw him as a child. But he could exploit that very perception. ¡°I just...¡± He looked away, feigning embarrassment. ¡°I just wanted to rest on your lap for a while.¡± Reshia blinked, startled by the unusual request, but then a soft smile spread across her face. Seeing Raul like this¡ªvulnerable, childlike¡ªwas new to her. He was always so composed, so mature for his age. Now, he looked like the ten-year-old he was, and her heart softened. ¡°Alright,¡± she said gently, sitting on the edge of her bed. ¡°Come here.¡± Raul climbed onto the bed and rested his head on her lap, closing his eyes. Reshia placed a hand on his hair, smoothing it down instinctively, her touch comforting. ¡°You need to be stronger,¡± she murmured. Raul didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t need to. The steady rise and fall of his breathing soon told her he had drifted off to sleep. Time passed quietly, and Reshia stayed still, watching the soft expression on his face as he slept. She hadn¡¯t realized how much he had been holding in until now. She thought that for all his maturity, he was still just a boy, trying to navigate a world that expected too much of him. A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Faith peeked in, her expression shifting from concern to understanding when she saw the scene. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Faith whispered, stepping inside. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Reshia replied softly. ¡°He just needed some rest.¡± Faith approached and gently scooped Raul up into her arms. He stirred slightly but didn¡¯t wake, nestling against his mother¡¯s shoulder. Faith glanced at Reshia, her eyes warm but tinged with worry. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen him break like this. He¡¯s always been so strong.¡± Reshia nodded, her own emotions swirling. ¡°He¡¯ll be okay. He¡¯s... remarkable.¡± Faith smiled faintly, brushing a hand against her son¡¯s cheek. ¡°Even the strongest need someone to lean on.¡± With a quiet goodnight, Faith carried Raul back to his room. Reshia sat for a moment longer, staring at the empty spot on her lap, feeling a mix of tenderness and sadness. Then she stood, turned out the lantern, and slipped into bed, hoping that the boy who had fallen asleep on her lap would find the strength to overcome her departure. Chapter 18 In the soft morning light filtering through their bedroom window, Marcus sat on the edge of the bed, his expression unusually heavy. Faith, perched beside him, noticed immediately. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Marcus?¡± she asked, her voice steady but concerned. She knew her husband well enough to tell when he had something weighing on him. She was now turning into the glue that held her family together. Marcus ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. ¡°I got word from the kingdom yesterday. They¡¯ve confirmed something... troubling.¡± Faith¡¯s heart sank. ¡°What is it?¡± Marcus hesitated, as if searching for the right way to soften the blow. ¡°Our village, Viswall... it¡¯s near one of the monuments.¡± Faith¡¯s face paled. ¡°The monuments? You mean the pillars that hold the barrier together? Between us and...¡± She trailed off, not wanting to say it aloud. Marcus nodded grimly. ¡°Yes. The barrier between the living and the undead monsters. The kingdom says the one near us will be among the first to fall.¡± Faith¡¯s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with alarm. ¡°Oh gods... That¡¯s why you told Reshia not to come back.¡± Marcus leaned. ¡°I can¡¯t let her¡ªbe here when that happens. Faith, we also need to leave. The family... we have to go somewhere safer.¡± Faith swallowed hard, her mind racing. ¡°Leave? Marcus, this is our home. Everything we¡¯ve built, everything we¡¯ve worked for¡ªit¡¯s here.¡± Marcus reached for her hand, ¡°I know, Faith. I know how much we¡¯ve poured into this life. I¡¯ve been thinking... maybe we could go to your parents¡¯ place. It¡¯s far enough south, away from all this.¡± Faith¡¯s shoulders slumped as the reality of their situation sank in. ¡°My parents¡¯ place...¡± She paused, her voice trembling. ¡°We¡¯d be starting over, Marcus. From scratch.¡± Marcus squeezed her hand, pulling her closer. ¡°It¡¯ll be like the old days,¡± he said softly, a faint smile on him. ¡°You and me, starting fresh, taking on the adventure. We¡¯ve done it before, haven¡¯t we?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Faith let out a shaky laugh, ¡°We were younger then, Marcus. And reckless.¡± Marcus agreed ,¡°We were unstoppable.¡± Faith smiled through her tears, ¡°You always find a way to make me believe everything will be fine.¡± ¡°It will be,¡± Marcus said firmly. ¡°We¡¯ve got each other, and we¡¯ve got Raul. That¡¯s what matters.¡± Faith inhaled deeply, steeling herself. ¡°How long do we have?¡± Marcus¡¯s face grew serious again. ¡°About a month. Maybe less, depending on how fast things escalate.¡± Faith nodded, ¡°Then we start preparing now..¡± Marcus pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly. ¡°We¡¯ll get through this, Faith.¡±
[ Console level =2 Next level up requirement - 70 level up points. Available level up points - 00 ] Raul recalled he still had an active quest to create a wind blast spell that would give him 30 level up points. He needed those points to upgrade the Console. Only then would he be able to learn the advanced magic spells that Reshia had been teaching him. Because of incompatibility , most of these spells were just landing into the Spell Store but could not be downloaded yet. Reshia had even started reconsidering teaching him advanced combat magic , but he had used his persuasive skills to convince her nonetheless. Fortunately for him , he had picked up a fire attack spell that dispensed a fire attack at a pointed target. The spell was called ¡® Crimson Current ¡® and fortunately Raul was compatible with it. It however took a huge manna toll on him. The manna storage in the Console was limited to the current console level. At console level 1 , he had a maximum manna cap of 70. Now he had a maximum cap of 120. It was good enough to fire one blast of ¡°Crimson Current¡± . He planned on modifying the spell later on to cut down on the excess manna consumption , but ever since he had seen how complicated the code was , he had been postponing that. He did not want to find out what harm such a spell could do to him if it crashed . ¡®Chimming winds¡¯ , a predominantly harmless spell , had snapped his finger. He didn¡¯t even want to imagine what a botched combat spell like "Crimson Current" could do to him. He would have to sit down , run the bits of code separately and deduce their worth through analytics until he was sure he had the right thing. The good thing was that the console had a Safe Mode that worked like augmented reality technology , testing out the probable output of a spell without an actual physical manifestation. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s break this down,¡± he muttered, leaning closer to the floating Console. The spell¡¯s code was a labyrinth of interconnected algorithms, each governing a different aspect of its behavior. Raul activated the Console¡¯s Analytics feature, which highlighted inefficiencies and flagged potential areas for optimization. The console flagged a mana drain subroutine that accounted for nearly 20% of the spell¡¯s consumption. ¡°There you are,¡± Raul said, narrowing his eyes. ¡°If I can tweak this, I might cut the cost just enough to fire the attack twice.¡± Chapter 19 The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Bervet household, but the mood was heavy with the weight of Reshia¡¯s impending departure. Faith bustled about the kitchen, pulling a tray of warm, fragrant fairy bread from the oven. Its delicate, shimmering crust made it seem almost magical¡ªfitting for the occasion, though it didn¡¯t lighten the atmosphere much. Reshia sat at the dining table, her silver hair loosely braided, an aura of calm masking her own mix of emotions. She had spent the past five days cramming as much knowledge into Raul as possible, demonstrating spell after spell. It wasn¡¯t her preferred way of teaching, but she understood the urgency. Raul had assured her that all he needed was to see a demonstration of the spell . In the end , Raul¡¯s Spell Store now had over forty spells , though he could only use five of those. The console had not given him any new quests so he hadn¡¯t earned many Level up points. Alice and Aisha arrived just as the bread was being set out. Alice, holding a small woven basket, approached Reshia with a kind smile. ¡°Thank you for everything you¡¯ve done for my daughter. I couldn¡¯t let you leave without saying goodbye.¡± ¡°It was my pleasure,¡± Reshia replied warmly, crouching slightly to address Aisha. ¡°You¡¯re talented, Aisha. Keep practicing, and you¡¯ll go far.¡± Aisha nodded, though her lips trembled. She clung to her mother¡¯s side, clearly fighting tears. The Bervet family stood nearby. Faith, who rarely got emotional, sniffled softly as she adjusted the plates on the table. Marcus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though his own face was uncharacteristically somber. Raul, however, was the quietest of them all. He stood near the door, arms crossed, trying to seem detached.Her leaving felt like losing a part of his foundation. As everyone sat down, Faith tried to lift the mood. ¡°Fairy bread, a special treat for a special occasion! Let¡¯s all eat and make this a proper send-off.¡± Reshia smiled softly. ¡°Thank you, Faith. You¡¯ve all been so kind to me. I¡¯ll miss this place.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. The farewell at the gate was a quiet, poignant moment. Marcus handed Reshia the reins of her horse, his stoic demeanor masking the sadness in his eyes. Faith gave her a quick hug, whispering some final words of encouragement. Raul lingered at the back, watching Reshia mount her horse, his chest tight with emotions he couldn¡¯t quite put into words. When Reshia waved and turned the horse to ride off, something inside him snapped. He didn¡¯t think; he acted. ¡°Wait!¡± he shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the distance. Without hesitation, Raul broke into a sprint, chasing after her. Each step felt heavier as the horse gained ground, the hooves pounding against the dirt road like a reminder of how far away she already was. His breath came in short bursts, and his legs burned, but he couldn¡¯t stop. When running wasn¡¯t enough, Raul summoned Chimming Winds. The Console flickered in his mind¡¯s eye, and he poured everything he had into the spell. Every last drop of mana surged through him, and the winds roared to life beneath his feet. With a sharp whoosh, he was airborne, soaring high above the road. The ground blurred beneath him, and the sky seemed to pull him forward. The force was overwhelming, but Raul didn¡¯t care. All he could think about was catching her¡ªjust one more moment to say what he couldn¡¯t during breakfast. He landed in a powerful arc just ahead of Reshia¡¯s horse, stumbling onto the road. His legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air. Reshia reined in the horse sharply, her eyes wide in shock. ¡°Raul?¡± she called, dismounting quickly. Raul looked up at her, his chest heaving. The world seemed to tilt around him, his vision swimming. He tried to speak, but his voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°I... I...¡± Reshia leaned closer, straining to hear, but before she could make out his words, the world around Raul flickered. Everything vanished.
When Raul opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was the overwhelming stillness. He was lying on his back in what felt like a shallow pool of water. The surface was perfectly smooth, unbroken even by his movements. It reflected the vast, inky darkness above, creating the eerie illusion of an endless void. The air was cool and carried the faint, salty tang of the ocean. The only sound was the soft echo of his own breathing, though it felt muted, like the world itself had been placed under a thick blanket. The silence pressed down on him, both comforting and unnerving. In the distance, dominating the horizon, was a massive moon. Half of it was submerged in the water-like expanse, casting an otherworldly white light across the space. Its glow was soft but piercing, illuminating the scene with a cold clarity. Shadows stretched infinitely in every direction, and the water beneath him shimmered faintly, reflecting the moonlight in rippling waves that seemed to move without cause. Raul pushed himself up onto his elbows. The place felt neither threatening nor welcoming, as though it were merely there¡ªwaiting. Chapter 20 The dark void around Raul suddenly vanished, swallowed by a blinding white light. He shielded his eyes, but the light felt overwhelming, as if it was piercing right through him. Slowly, the brightness faded, revealing a familiar setting¡ªhis former boss¡¯s sleek, tech-themed office from his old life. The room was bathed in soft, bluish light from glowing LED strips lining the walls. The faint hum of electronics filled the air, and the polished black desk in the center seemed untouched, with its smooth surface reflecting the faint glow of a laptop screen. Behind the desk, seated comfortably in a high-backed chair, was his former boss. She was breathtakingly beautiful, just as Raul remembered. Her sharp features were framed by silky dark hair, and she wore her usual tailored blazer. It reminded him of how he had always thought of asking her out but never really working up the courage to do so. Eventually , some bolder guy came calling and she was off the market faster than Raul could blink. "You took your time," she said, her tone light. Raul¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "What... ?" he stammered. The woman set her coffee cup down and leaned forward slightly, still smiling. "Relax, Raul," she said, her voice calm yet commanding. "I¡¯m not really your boss. I¡¯m simply using a form I knew you would instinctively respect and obey." Raul¡¯s breath caught as her words sank in. "Who¡ªwhat are you?" he asked. She leaned back again, her movements unhurried. "I am Catalea , a celestial being," she explained. "The one who brought you into the new world. The life you¡¯re living now¡ªeverything¡ªwas because of me." Raul took a pause. "A moment ago," he began, his voice uneven, "I was in a dark void... and there was a massive moon on the horizon. Now I¡¯m here. Why does everything keep changing like this?" The woman¡ªno, the celestial being¡ªsmiled, an almost amused glint in her eyes. "You saw my domain as it truly is?" she asked, her tone shifting slightly. "That is... surprising. Most mortals only see what I want them to. The fact that you perceived it in its original form means you¡¯re stronger." Her gaze lingered on him, as if reevaluating him with newfound interest. "It seems I underestimated you, Raul." "Stronger?" Raul repeated, not sure if that was a compliment or a warning. His thoughts quickly shifted back to the situation at hand. "What do you want? And can you take me back?" His voice grew more urgent. "I need to go see someone." Catalea¡¯s expression softened, but only for a moment. Then her smile turned sharp, and her eyes gleamed as though she could see right through him. "Forget about Reshia," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Raul stiffened,"What? Why would I¡ª?" "I can read your thoughts as easily as you read your precious code," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "But you need to understand something. Time moves very slowly here in my domain. It has been months in the natural world since you entered this space. Whatever you¡¯re chasing... it¡¯s gone." Raul¡¯s heart sank, a cold pit forming in his stomach. Months? He looked up. "What do you want?" Catalea¡¯s smile returned. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs ,"Listen closely, Raul," she began, "I am one of the celestial beings tasked with watching over the world you were reincarnated into. We guide it, protect it... but there are rules even we cannot break." Raul furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of her words. "What does that have to do with me?" She raised a hand, and an image appeared in the air¡ªtwo glowing orbs, one vibrant and swirling with life, the other purple and ominous. "When monsters are killed in your world, they don¡¯t truly die. They¡¯re transported into another dimension because they lack true souls. The barrier separating these two dimensions is what keeps your world safe. But it¡¯s old, Raul. Faulty. Over time, it has begun to weaken, and now it¡¯s on the verge of collapsing entirely." Raul stared at the floating image, his chest tightening. "If it breaks?" he asked, though he had already thought of an answer. Catalea¡¯s gaze sharpened. "If it breaks, every monster trapped in that dimension will pour into your world, stronger and more vengeful than ever. It will be the apocalypse." Raul swallowed hard, his mind racing. "Then why don¡¯t you fix it? You¡¯re a celestial being, aren¡¯t you?" Her lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "Do you think I haven¡¯t thought of that? There¡¯s a treaty, Raul¡ªan ancient pact between the celestials and the king of monsters, who is also a celestial being. This treaty bars us from directly interfering in mortal affairs. " Catalea continued . "I¡¯m talking about a barrier spell so advanced, it¡¯s like... like advanced astrophysics in your old world," she said, "Something only people who spend lifetimes studying could even begin to understand. This ancient spell has already been lost to modern mages." Catalea¡¯s expression softened ,"That¡¯s why I reincarnated you, Raul. Your System¡ªthe console¡ªis the only tool capable of deciphering, repairing, and possibly even replacing that barrier. It¡¯s a responsibility that you were destined to shoulder." Raul thought a little. "You¡¯re saying I was brought back to life to save this world?¡± Catalea¡¯s eyes sparkled with a glint of amusement. "Correct you are," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying a faintly teasing tone. Before Raul could respond, she straightened in her chair, her expression turning more businesslike. "That concludes your briefing. It¡¯s time for you to return before too much time passes in your world. But be warned," she added, her tone dropping slightly, "when a lot of time goes by, things are not always as you left them. Prepare yourself mentally for that." Raul¡¯s stomach knotted, but he said nothing. With a graceful motion, Catalea swiveled her laptop to face him. On the screen was a long, dense block of code¡ªmore intricate and advanced than anything Raul had ever seen. The sheer complexity of it made his head spin. "This," she said, gesturing to the screen, "is the source code of the barrier spell. Consider it my way of leveling the playing field. The chances of meeting a mage who could teach you this are slim to none. Now, you have a starting point." As she spoke, Raul¡¯s Console buzzed faintly in his mind, and a notification blinked to life. [ Spell Store New Spell Added: Death Barrier. ] But as Raul accessed it in the Spell Store, red warnings flashed across the interface. The spell was marked as "Incompatible," and a faint headache began to creep in just from trying to process its structure. Catalea watched him with a knowing smile. "Don¡¯t worry. That¡¯s to be expected. " Before Raul could ask another question, she raised her hand. A dazzling light erupted from her palm, filling the room in an instant. The brilliant glow was almost blinding, forcing Raul to shut his eyes as he felt the sensation of weightlessness take hold. "Good luck, Raul," Catalea¡¯s voice echoed. Chapter 21 Raul found himself back at Viswall village where his home used to be. He stood at the edge of what used to be his family¡¯s home in Viswall and his heart sank immediately. The once lively and warm house now looked like a forgotten ruin. Weeds and thick tendrils crawled over the walls, choking the life out of the structure. Grass had grown wild, spreading chaotically across the yard. Everything was dry, the plants brittle, and the ground beneath his boots felt cracked and scorched like a desert. The air was heavy with heat, hotter than it should have been. As he turned around, his eyes widened in shock. A massive wall loomed in the distance, stretching endlessly into the sky. It wasn¡¯t a normal wall made of stone or wood. It shimmered, glowing faintly blue in places, like ripples across the surface of a lake. The wall felt unreal, more magic than material, and its presence chilled him to the core. Raul¡¯s thoughts raced. Is this the barrier Catalea warned me about? The one holding back the undead? Driven by an uneasy feeling, he moved toward the house. The closer he got, the worse it looked. The door creaked loudly when he pushed it open, its hinges rusted and barely holding on. Inside, the air smelled stale, filled with the scent of dust and decay. Everything was still there¡ªfurniture, dishes, even some of the decorations¡ªbut years of abandonment had left their mark. Ants crawled in long lines, making homes in the cracks, and patches of rust spread across anything metal. Raul¡¯s heart clenched as he reached his old room. The door was stiff, but he managed to shove it open. His room was just as he had left it, yet it wasn¡¯t the same. The desk, bed, and shelves were all there, but they were faded, broken, and worn. Dust covered everything, and cobwebs hung in the corners. It was as though time had swallowed the life out of his home. He went through some of the stuff , checking whether there was anything to salvage. In his drawer , he found a pouch of money and a letter from Faith. The letter was addressed to him , saying that the money was meant to help him should he ever find himself back in their old home.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. As Raul stood in his abandoned childhood home, his mind drifted to Catalea¡¯s warning. She had told him to be ready for the effects of time differences. But even with that warning, he hadn¡¯t expected this. The home he once knew had been left to decay, and the climate felt like an entirely different world. He rubbed his temples, questions swirling in his head. Where is my family? How long has it been? And what happened to turn Viswall into this dry, lifeless place? A faint noise broke through his thoughts. It was soft, almost like a rustle, but enough to snap him to attention. Hope flared in his chest. Could it be my family? Or someone I know? Without hesitation, he bolted toward the sound. His feet moved faster than expected, and he felt an unfamiliar strength in his stride. That¡¯s when he realized¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just running faster; he was taller, stronger, and more agile than he remembered. He burst outside, scanning the yard for movement. But there was nothing. Just the swaying tall grass, bending slightly in the dry breeze. He stood there, listening intently, the hope in his chest starting to waver. Was it just my imagination? Did I hear my own movements? He watched the grass closely, waiting for another sign. Before he could react, a sharp sting pricked his neck. His hand flew up, feeling a small dart lodged there. Panic surged as he pulled it out and realized it was tipped with a tranquilizer. His vision blurred, and his legs wobbled. Who fired this? Who¡¯s out there? His thoughts grew sluggish as the drug took hold. The last thing he saw before collapsing was the figure rising out of the tall grass swaying around him. Raul¡¯s eyes fluttered open, his head pounding as he slowly regained consciousness. The air around him was cool and damp, the faint crackling of a fire drawing his attention. He was in a cave. As his vision cleared, he saw a small fire in front of him, its orange glow casting dancing shadows on the rough walls of a cave. Above the fire, a piece of meat roasted on a spit, its aroma making his stomach rumble despite the dull ache in his body. He pushed himself into a sitting position, his muscles stiff but functional. As he looked around, his gaze settled on a figure standing near the cave¡¯s entrance. It was a girl, about his age, with striking long red hair that fell in loose waves down her back. Her face was undeniably beautiful, though her expression was far from welcoming. She looked tense, her lips moving silently as if she were muttering something Raul couldn¡¯t hear. Is she chanting a spell? he wondered, his instincts kicking in. He tried to place her face, to remember if he¡¯d ever met her before, but nothing came to mind. She wasn¡¯t familiar, yet there was something about her stance¡ªalert, cautious, and ready to act¡ªthat made him wary. Her clothes told a story of survival: old, dirty, and patched in places, as though she had been living off the land for a long time. She looked nothing like anyone Raul would¡¯ve expected to meet in Viswall. When she finally turned toward him, her bright eyes locked onto his. Her hands were steady, but the tension in her expression didn¡¯t fade. Chapter 22 The girl¡¯s lips curved into a small smile as she greeted Raul, using a tone that assumed Raul already knew her .Raul blinked, confusion knitting his brows. ¡°Do I... know you?¡± he asked cautiously. Her expression shifted to surprise for a split second before she quickly composed herself. He doesn''t remember me, she realized. But she wasn¡¯t entirely surprised. Then she let out a soft laugh and shrugged. ¡°Well, maybe not. Anyway, I¡¯m the one who shot you with the dart.¡± Raul¡¯s body tensed. ¡°Why?¡± he asked. Her gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I didn¡¯t know if you were a threat. ¡± She hesitated before adding, ¡°Sorry about that. I had to be sure.¡± Raul sighed, the tension easing slightly. ¡° What¡¯s your name?¡± The girl tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk. ¡°You can call me Red Herring.¡± Raul raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s not a real name.¡± She laughed softly, though the sound held a trace of bitterness. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s not. But out here, survival is all that matters. Real names don¡¯t mean much to anyone anymore.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t people care?¡± he asked, frowning. She shook her head, her smile fading. ¡°Not really. Not anymore.¡± Her tone was casual, but Raul could sense something deeper beneath her words. Deciding not to press further, Raul shifted topics after telling her his name. ¡°Do you know anything about the barrier?¡± At that, her expression froze, her eyes narrowing slightly as though weighing her words. ¡°The barrier?¡± she echoed, her voice guarded. After a pause, she said, ¡°It¡¯s been here for over five years now. Everyone knows about it.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Raul gasped, the realization hitting him like a blow. Five years? His heart raced as he pieced it together. When Catalea summoned him, there had been no barrier, no talk of this magical divide. That meant he had been gone for five whole years. His mind reeled with the implications. Five years... everyone I know must have changed. I¡¯m older now¡ªwhat, fifteen? The thought felt surreal, but the girl¡¯s words left no room for doubt. Time had moved on without him. Herring leaned casually against the cave wall, her eyes flickering between Raul and the entrance. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on fortifying the protection spell here,¡± she said, motioning toward the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°You were lucky I found you first. Being so out in the open like that? Careless.¡± Raul frowned. ¡°Why? What¡¯s so dangerous?¡± Herring shrugged, giving him a look that screamed are you serious? ¡°You probably don¡¯t know,¡± she said, her tone almost teasing but edged with seriousness. ¡°The day the barrier appeared, hordes of monsters came pouring out. They spread everywhere, tearing through villages, towns, and cities. Viswall¡ªwas at the epicenter. It got hit the worst.¡± Raul¡¯s stomach tightened. Monsters. He hadn¡¯t seen one himself, but Catalea had warned him about undead creatures immune to modern magic. This sounded like the same threat. Herring continued, her voice steady but grim. ¡°Most magic we¡¯ve been using for years? Useless against them. A few spells have been developed recently that can hurt them, but they¡¯re crazy expensive to learn, and even harder to master. Not many people can handle it. Most just... don¡¯t make it.¡± Raul¡¯s thoughts flashed to what Catalea had told him. She had mentioned the collapse of modern magic against these creatures. He looked at Herring. ¡°Tell me more about the monsters. What do they look like? What can they do?¡± She glanced at him, then at the fire, and waved dismissively. ¡°Eat first. We¡¯ll talk more later. I wasn¡¯t planning on staying here long, you know. I only stopped because of you.¡± Raul¡¯s curiosity burned, but his stomach growled, reminding him he hadn¡¯t eaten in hours. As he reached for the roasted meat, he asked, ¡°Where are you going, anyway?¡± Herring hesitated, her expression softening briefly before hardening again. ¡°I¡¯m looking for someone. Someone close to me.¡± Her tone didn¡¯t invite further questions. Chapter 23 After eating , Raul decided to check up on the Console. He wondered whether being warped into Catalea¡¯s domain had done anything to change it. [ Console information. Console level - 2 Pending quests - Create a functional wind attack spell. Pending quest rewards - Level up points x30 New quest - Enhance efficiency of ¡® Crimson Current ¡® New quest rewards - Level up points x 50 New quest - Defeat an undead monster with a modified spell. New quest rewards - Level up points x 40 Available level up points - 00 Current manna cap - 120/120 Console upgrade requirements - Level up points x 70 ] The interface was the same and the stats were just as he¡¯d left them. He was starting to realize that the biggest reason complex spells were incompatible with the console at such a low level was because of the manna cap. Manna ran everything from fueling the spell casting to the spell processing in his brain by the console. If he were to install a heavy manna intensive spell , then his brain would probably just fry. It reminded him of his gaming days back in college when he only had a low end budget laptop that overheated on almost every game he played. Once Raul finished eating, Herring stood and muttered a spell under her breath. She waved her hand, and a thin layer of soil rose from the ground, spilling over the fire and smothering it. The glowing embers hissed and dimmed into darkness. Raul watched, eyebrows furrowing. Using magic for something like that? Doesn¡¯t she care about conserving mana? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she had an unusually large mana reserve to casually cast spells for minor tasks. As she turned back toward him, her expression grew serious. ¡°Listen, once we¡¯re outside, you need to stay on guard at all times. The monsters out there aren¡¯t just dangerous¡ªthey¡¯re smart. Some of them can hide in plain sight, waiting for someone careless enough to wander too close.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Raul nodded, his muscles tensing at her warning. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful,¡± he assured her. ¡°Good.¡± She paused for a moment, then asked, ¡°Were you planning to go anywhere? Or were you just wandering?¡± Raul shook his head. ¡°No plans.¡± Herring seemed to consider this before giving a small nod. ¡°Then come with me. At least for now.¡± He hesitated, surprised at her suggestion. ¡°You want me to go with you?¡± She didn¡¯t meet his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s safer in numbers,¡± she said casually, though there was a flicker of something¡ªrelief?¡ªin her expression when he nodded. ¡°Why do you want me to tag along, though?¡± Raul asked, still curious. She turned back to him, her lips curling into a sly smirk. ¡°Because you have a large mana reserve. That could come in handy if we run into trouble.¡± Raul blinked, suspicious. ¡°How do you know about my mana reserve?¡± Only Reshia has ever been able to read that. Herring raised an eyebrow, her tone light but her words precise. ¡°I was taught a spell for that by my master years ago.¡± Raul studied her, but her explanation seemed plausible enough. Deciding not to press further, he nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Herring¡¯s smirk softened, and for a moment, she looked genuinely pleased, though she said nothing to confirm it. Instead, she slung her bag over her shoulder and gestured toward the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving. ¡± As they stepped out of the cave, Herring scanned the barren landscape. She pulled out a small, worn compass from her bag and held it up. ¡°We need to head North,¡± she said, pointing toward a dense forest in the distance. The trees loomed dark and ominous, their tops shrouded in mist. ¡°That¡¯s the direction of the kingdom¡¯s wall. It¡¯ll take us about a week on foot to get there. Faster if we had horses, but no such luck.¡± Raul glanced in the direction she indicated. ¡°What¡¯s so special about the kingdom¡¯s wall?¡± Herring tucked the compass back into her bag as she explained. ¡°When the barrier appeared, the monsters came pouring out and ravaged everything in their path. The kingdom built a protective wall to shield its core regions. It¡¯s not perfect¡ªsome monsters still get through¡ªbut it¡¯s safer than out here in the wastelands.¡± She swept a hand over the desolate terrain around them. ¡°Anything outside the wall? That¡¯s wasteland territory. Monsters roam freely, and it¡¯s survival of the fittest.¡± Raul frowned, taking in her words. The wastelands certainly lived up to their name¡ªdry, scorched ground stretched as far as the eye could see, with only the occasional gnarled tree or patch of brittle grass breaking the monotony. ¡°No one builds roads here anymore,¡± Herring said. ¡°They¡¯re just beacons for monsters and bandits. This compass is the only thing keeping us on track.¡± As they started walking, Raul turned to her. ¡°Why were you out here in the first place? The wastelands don¡¯t exactly sound like a place anyone willingly visits.¡± Herring¡¯s expression hardened slightly, though she kept her tone casual. ¡°I told you¡ªI¡¯m looking for someone. Someone who¡¯s... important to me.¡± Raul watched her for a moment, sensing there was more to her story but deciding not to push. Instead, he said, ¡°I was looking for someone too.¡± Her gaze flicked to him, curious. ¡°Really? Who?¡± Raul hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. ¡° Someone important.¡± Herring gave a small nod, seemingly unsatisfied with his answer. ¡°Well,¡± she said after a moment, ¡°I guess that makes two of us.¡± Raul nodded silently. Chapter 24 ( Part A ) As Raul walked alongside Herring, the barren wasteland stretched out endlessly before them, his mind drifted back to everything he had left behind. Marcus and Faith... He pictured his father¡¯s commanding presence and his mother¡¯s calm precision with magic. They would¡¯ve made it out in time, he reassured himself. His father was a seasoned warrior, and his mother¡¯s magic was skilled. But where could they have gone? He clenched his fists. When the opportunity came, he¡¯d find out. His thoughts shifted to Reshia who had been heading to the capital when he last saw her. She¡¯s probably safe there, he reasoned, remembering her sharp wit. Still, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder. My disappearance... would it have caused her trouble? She had been the last person to see him before he vanished. Would people blame her? He tried to push the thought away. No, it¡¯s more likely they¡¯d think the monsters got me. That would make more sense to everyone. Yet, the idea of her worrying about him gnawed at his chest. Did she look for me? Does anyone think I¡¯m still alive? He glanced over at Herring, curious about her story. She was walking slightly ahead, her red hair catching the dim light, her expression distant. She looked as lost in thought as he was. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. For a moment, Raul considered breaking the silence to ask her more about herself or what she was thinking. But then he decided against it. She¡¯s probably got enough on her mind. Instead, he focused on the road ahead¡ªor what passed for one in the wastelands. He brought up his Console screen, the faint gray shimmer of its interface appearing before his eyes. He quickly navigated to the spell coding interface, pulling up the code for Chiming Winds, the rudimentary spell that would give him 30 level up points if he made a wind attack spell out of it. The problem last time was direction control, he recalled, scrolling through the spell¡¯s code blocks. He began editing, adding new logic to guide the wind¡¯s force. As he worked, he noticed something new¡ªa tab labeled Magic Libraries. Curious, he opened it, finding a wealth of pre-constructed code snippets and documentation. Each entry seemed to break down different magical phenomena: wind vectors, elemental affinity, kinetic force calculations, and even targeting algorithms. Raul¡¯s curiosity deepened. I can use this, he thought, diving into the documentation for wind spells. He cross-referenced the entries with his own code, integrating components from the library to refine Chiming Winds. He was so engrossed in his work that he barely noticed the shift in the environment until the dry wastelands gave way to the looming trees of the forest. Shadows enveloped them, the air cooler but thick with tension. ¡°Stop,¡± Herring¡¯s voice cut through his concentration as she raised a hand. Chapter 25 A After traveling for two days, the dense trees of the forest began to thin, revealing a small, fortified area. In the clearing stood a large, two-story building, its weathered stone walls surrounded by a cluster of guards. The guards wore leather armor, their weapons at the ready, and they kept watch over the entrance with sharp eyes. Herring glanced at the building and then at Raul. ¡°That¡¯s an outpost for the Adventurer¡¯s Guild,¡± she explained quietly. ¡°It¡¯s one of the few safe spots outside the kingdom¡¯s walls. They provide shelter and supplies for adventurers, but it¡¯s not cheap. Security¡¯s tight, and they charge a premium for it.¡± Raul¡¯s eyes scanned the place, noting the heavy guards and the fortified walls. He could see why they needed to protect it¡ªthis far from the kingdom wall, the dangers of the wastelands were relentless. ¡°How much for a room?¡± he asked. Herring shrugged, her expression a little grim. ¡°Fifty coppers a night. Expensive, but it¡¯s the price for staying safe.¡± She paused, as though weighing something. ¡°There¡¯s a discount for adventurers like me though. I can pay for your room if you need it.¡± Raul raised an eyebrow. Fifty coppers... that¡¯s a lot. He thought about how much money he had on him. Luckily, I grabbed the money from my house before leaving. He didn¡¯t want to tell Herring about it, though. There was no need to share such details right now. ¡°I¡¯ll pay for my own room,¡± he said after a moment, offering a small smile. ¡°Thanks for the offer, though.¡± Herring gave him a quick nod, seemingly not bothered by his refusal. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± she said, her tone neutral but not unkind. ¡°Give me the money , if you make the payment , there will be no discount.¡± Raul agreed and as they approached the building, the guards stepped forward, eyeing them cautiously but not stopping them. They recognized Herring , but not Raul.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. As Raul and Herring stepped into the hotel, the warm glow of lantern light flickered through the entrance, casting long shadows on the wooden floors. The air was filled with the smell of cooked meat, and the soft hum of conversation filled the room. Raul¡¯s eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the interior. It was a modest place, though there were enough adventurers and travelers to give the place a lively atmosphere. Herring glanced around, her eyes sweeping over the crowd until they settled on a large, muscular figure sitting at a corner table. The man was striking¡ªbald with grey skin, his muscles bulging. His lower jaw protruded with a set of sharp, jagged fangs, and beside him rested a large axe, its blade gleaming under the light. He was an imposing figure, and Raul immediately thought of the stories his parents used to tell him¡ªtales of Orcs, great warriors and often feared by common folk. ¡°Rain,¡± Herring said, her voice calm as she made her way toward him. Raul followed her, noting the ease with which she approached the giant man. The Orc looked up, his expression breaking into a wide grin as he saw Herring. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t the Red Herring,¡± he rumbled in a deep voice, his grey skin almost blending into the shadows. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re still alive and kicking.¡± Herring returned his grin with a smirk. ¡°Yeah , definitely one piece.¡± Raul stood a little off to the side, watching the exchange curiously. It was clear from their camaraderie that the two were close, possibly even old partners. Rain¡¯s gaze shifted to Raul, and the Orc gave him a friendly nod. ¡°You must be a friend of hers,¡± he said, his voice surprisingly warm. ¡°Welcome.¡± Raul, still sizing up the massive Orc, gave a polite nod back. Herring then got straight to the point, her tone dropping slightly. ¡°Are you healed?¡± Rain stretched his arms, his muscles bulging as he flexed his shoulders with ease. ¡°Yes, yes. The healer did good work. I¡¯m ready to hit the road again.¡± He gave Herring a look of appreciation. ¡°I¡¯ll be glad to accompany you on your travels once more.¡± Herring¡¯s expression softened, but she waved her hand dismissively. ¡°You don¡¯t need to feel bad for not joining me earlier,¡± she said, her voice light. ¡°You needed the rest, Rain. And we¡¯ll be better off together now that you¡¯re fully healed.¡± Rain¡¯s eyes softened, but he didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he looked over at Raul and gave him a nod, as if silently giving permission for him to speak. ¡°Hey,¡± he said, ¡°why don¡¯t you go order us some food?¡± He handed Raul a small pouch of coppers. ¡°I¡¯ll cover it. Get us something good.¡± Raul was taken aback for a moment, then understood. They want to talk privately, he thought.