"This is beautiful!" exclaimed Sofia as the scenery of the lake came into view.

"It indeed is. This lake stands as the pride of Javl. How much do you know of this lake Mrs. Sofia?" asked Anita with a curious look.

Sofia thought back to the information that Vix and the guard of Haffel had provided her. After a moment of silence, she told Anita how the lake was a grand place for the ascension of druidic and cleric classes.

Moreso, she stated how the water could slowly cure the injuries and wounds. She also told a story of how a golem inhabited this forest that could decimate a legion and asked Anita if this was true and whether or not it was the same golem that they had come out to maintain.

"Ah... The guard who directed you here, yes... A wise man, although I wonder if we have met before. You are correct, this lake has mana infused into it and has magical properties. How do I explain this... Would you be kind enough to take out your bow?" asked Anita.

Interested in what Anita had to say, Sofia nodded and placed Alviona on the ground. The child giggled at the two and started looking around.

After gently pampering her daughter, Sofia withdrew her handle that took the shape of a bow.

"Excellent. You know how enchantments and rune crafting work correct?" asked Anita, to which Sofia nodded. "Now then, listen carefully. Think about the environment right now and back at your bow. Imagine if you were to enchant the bow with a [Regeneration]. What would the result be?"

"I do not think that this combination would work" replied Sofia without hesitation.

While she understood schools of magic and their properties, she was not well versed in the subject of restorative spells and classes. However, a golden rule of magic still dictated that offensive weapons (except for wands and staves) cannot be utilized in conjunction with spells of restorative properties. If one wished to do this, they would need to lift the restriction by obtaining scarce equipment, blessing from specific gods or sometimes even both.

Anita nodded. "Very good. It would not work, because it needs to inflict harm first before taking the effect of [regeneration], as such, the spell would dissipate into nothingness and mana would be wasted" she said firmly. "And now, what if we take a property that belongs to nature?" Anita pointed at the lake, "what would happen if we were to enchant the entire lake with the said spell?"

Sofia fell into thought, but before she could say much Anita continued: "It would work, but only temporarily and only within a defined perimeter. Remember you explained to me how your skills worked? Well, I am no bishop or cleric, but, I would think that they use an ability similar to what you did back when we first met. Something that temporarily allows the earth to be marked as their property for a duration which in turn, allows a trigger of [Mass Heal] that has affinity set as their allies. Taking this concept, I can assure you that my mother did exactly something similar to this" stated Anita, her voice carrying great pride.

"What? How... then if your mother is in a slumber, how is it that the proportions of this enchantment are still ongoing?" asked Sofia in confusion.

Anita shrugged and made a cute gesture while shaking her head. "I do not have an answer. My mother did not talk much about this, but I know that she is the one who enchanted the lake. I know this through Piu, but even he does not know much about how it was accomplished for he was not awake at that time".

While the two of them were busy discussing the magical properties of the lake, Alviona did not stay still. Her curiosity had entirely overtaken her body, and now she was walking all over the place, checking her environment out. Small pebbles, stones, rocks, tree barks, grass, dirt and even tiny raindrops that have remained on the plants; everything was examined by her.

*Tock, tick, tock, tick, tock*

The nature is so exciting! Everything I touch has its meaning and function. The longer I am awake, the more I learn! Learning is indeed the best sensation. This is rather fun. Wait, what is this small dot crawling on the ground? Umm, hello? How are you? She asked the ant, that was minding its business. Alviona tried to catch it, but unfortunately, it had run off. She attempted to chase it, and since she did not pay much attention, her head quickly met a tree. Aw, it escaped. When did this tree move in my way? She wondered.

Piu watched the child in the meantime, ensuring that she would not wander too far away or so that she would not be harmed. Even if the lake territory was guarded by a golem, the mild possibility of a threat still existed. Seeing how Alviona had crashed into a tree head-on, he quickly leaped towards her to ensure that she was all right; however, the child did not seem to cry or be in pain at all. Instead, it appeared that she just stared at the tree, demanding it to move.

"Well then, child. We should return to Anita. She has an important business to attend to, so I am pretty sure that after she is done, we can play a little" said Piu to Alviona.

Play?! Oh yes! I want to play! Come here Piu. Let me bite your tail, please! As if expecting her reaction, Piu wiggled his tail into the air the moment he sensed Alviona's childish dash. He wondered how did a 1-year old child look like a 3-year-old and even if her sentience was equivalent of her physical age, how did she understand him? Were her actions not childish, befitting of her age? Her speech also had not yet developed. Perhaps she was gifted? Once in a while, there were children that would not act like their age and were more sophisticated; however, the fact that Alviona's actual age was one year and three months was too much, so Piu decided to not pay too much attention to this at this moment. All he could do for the time being was to observe.

After the party reunited, Anita approached the lake and told everyone to stay at some distance away, to allow her focus. As the party obeyed, she began chanting:

"Mother nature, one that coats and protects this world with its love; may you bestow your blessing unto this servant that has fully devoted oneself to you. May no harm come to this grand place that is known as Javl. With the bloodline of my mother, Mira, may the earth golem rejuvenate its powers to prolong its service as a guardian of your domain".

Just as Anita finished her chant, the small area around her got bathed in rays of sunlight, while flowers sprouted from the earth. Looking at her stimulated a sense of tranquility and peace as if the entire forest had calmed down and was blessed by the mother nature. "And now...", within seconds, Anita moved into the lake until her feet became completely drenched, "...Awaken". She removed a dagger from her waist and cut her left wrist, signaling the beginning of the ritual.

As the first few drops of blood touched the lake, the water began to dye its color as red. For a moment it looked like nothing else would happen; however, the party could soon feel the effect. Tremors caused the earth to vibrate, so much that light waves were created in an otherwise still lake. The continuous stream of blood from Anita's wrist began pathing itself towards the center of the lake and as it did,

"Oh, my!" gasped Sofia. "It is as if something is sucking the blood downwards!" she continued.

She was not wrong, for what followed moments after was exactly according to her predictions. The lake shook and a huge golem made of various rocks, stones and minerals rose up. Furthermore, the blood that was still being absorbed by the golem had suddenly gotten translucent and took a color reminiscent of a light blue. This phenomenon continued until it reached Anita's cut wrist, which instantly got healed, therefore stopping the bleeding and as such, once the connection got severed, it was sucked by the golem that began wandering away from the lake.

. . . . . ?

"That... right now? That was mana, right?" asked Sofia to Piu, who had been sitting right beside her.

Yes, it was said Alviona, but only giggles were heard from her. However, her face harbored an expression that of delight and excitement.

Piu nodded. "How are you feeling Anita?"

"Exhausted! Phew. That consumed more stamina than I had prepared for. If I knew I would draw this much blood, perhaps I would have eaten more apples," she replied laughing. She quickly looked at her party members to ensure that everyone was all right. Alviona's expression especially had caught her eyes.

Excitement huh, thought Anita. No matter how I look at it, she is an odd one. A child that sprouts so quickly and can follow the events. No, it is as if she fully understood what just happened. Look at those deep eyes. You can get swallowed into the abyss only by looking. How much knowledge does she possess? Does she genuinely belong to the living? A three-year-old... a one-year-old... it does not matter. Perhaps I should test it? Maybe I should... No, it is too early to teach her much. She cannot talk, read or write yet. That mother of hers is mighty and has been through a lot. Both of them have. I should take this time and relieve the mother of her accumulated stress. How about I do something cool?! As she finished her thought, she got out of the water and walked over to the trio.

"Mrs. Sofia, how about I show the two of you something interesting?" said Anita while clapping her two hands together once.

After closing her eyes and turning around, facing the lake, Anita gently began waving her hands, slowly, in rhythm; as if her hands became the soothing waves of the ocean. Just as she did this, the lake began imitating her. The water gathered at random points and started springing around in beautiful patterns. She was manipulating the nature, while the blessing was still in effect, causing her desired effect on both mother and her daughter, for the two of them looked at Anita with awe and adoration.

*Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock*

I want to try it too! Miss Anita, please let me play as well. It looks like too much fun. I want to play. Play. Plaaaaaaaay.

Alviona quickly stood up and ran towards the source of her excitement. Despite the distance not being far between the two of them, it still took several moments to reach her. Seeing how a small child was rushing towards her, Anita burst into a peal of laughter.

"Well then, do you want to give it a try Alviona?" she asked with a smile. No reply came back; however, Alviona giggled. "All-right then kiddo. How about starting with the basics? Let's take a pebble and... There!" said Anita while grabbing one and lightly tossing, causing it to bounce within the circles of water that she was making.

Me too! I also want to try! Without delay, Alviona grabbed a pebble and tried to imitate Anita, but the stone quietly sank, making a small splash. Aaaw. I will try again. She grabbed another one and tossed it, yet she did not achieve much.

Both Sofia and Anita chuckled. Watching this child do silly things was indeed a fantastic thing. Even Piu was unable to hold his laughter. Wanting to cheer Alviona up, Anita gently manipulated her hands and made water dance around her body.

I want to do it too! Ah, this is too much fun. I want to bite Piu's tail now and then make some bubbles from the water like Anita is right now. I want to move water like that too... Wait! Me! Priorities must be established. Biting Piu's tail is the priority, but I want to do something fun right now... ah, this is hard! I got it... I will play a bit more first and watch Anita, and then I shall bite Piu's tail.

*Tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, Tock*

Oh no! I am getting tired again. I want to sleep, but I want to play just a tiny bit more. Only a little bit longer, thought Alviona. At that moment, a strong desire overflowed her body. A sensation that she had not felt before was now jolting inside each and every inch of her muscle and her core existence. She slowly extended her hands and focused her entire mind on controlling the water.

*Tock, Click, Click, Click, Click, Tock*

Alviona imagined the lake becoming a shape that of a golem that she had seen. She created a scenario, where the golem would walk out of the lake area and after, pour back into its natural habitat as a calming wave; reminiscent of ones that were created by the vibrations from Anita's ritual earlier. The sight had been imprinted into her head.

As she transformed her thoughts into a will, she opened her eyes.

The water was still obeying Anita's patterns and had been dancing around Alviona. It did not last. Less than a moment after Alviona looked up all the water withdrew to its original resting place.

Anita did not understand what had happened, while Sofia did not pay much attention to it. Nothing much had happened.

2.3 seconds after all the water found its natural place of rest; a violent ripple started to occur at the center of the lake. Every corner and side began to drain, gathering into one and single point, therefore raising the water level until nothing remained but dirt and rocks. What was in the center of the lake now was nothing short of a colossal golem purely made of water, which moved out of its domain.

Nothing remained in the crater where water had gathered before. Anita, Sofia, and Piu all gasped, not believing what they were witnessing. How was this possible? How much mana was needed to achieve this? Who could accomplish this? Was it mother nature taking a solid form? Was it trying to commune with inhabitants? Had Anita done something wrong? All of their disbelief was further reinforced once they witnessed the water golem slowly fade back into the empty shell, just as if the water decided to lay down and rest for a good night sleep. Soothing waves poured down, and the lake of Great Forest of Javl had taken back its proper shape.

The sight was undone as magically and unexpectedly as it had occurred. What had just happened?

"What... What was that?" asked Sofia with her eyes wide open. "It was not just me who saw that right? Miss Anita...?"

"I... I do not know what that was... it was not me... I think it was mother nature itself giving us a blessing," replied Anita dazed.

"No," came a strong and a denying reply from Piu. "It was not mother nature. I am a greater spirit that is from the realm, and this was not a miracle or a blessing. I think the answer you are looking for stands right in front of you," he continued.

All of the attention was gathered at Alviona. A small girl that had been nothing out of the ordinary, but nothing out of the extraordinary up to this point. Has she been the culprit behind this?

Anita had noticed it too but did not pay attention to it then. What was there to say? It happened in an instant. Who would expect an outcome like this? Moreso, did a small child have enough mana to accomplish such a feat? Or did she get blessed by the mother nature?

*Tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, tock, Tock*

Ah, that was truly fun! I finally did something. But now I am overly tired. Ah, the rhythm is becoming more violent. I want to sleep. I want to rest now. Resting is good. As she was thinking, she had already fallen unconscious.