Rume and Lein have arrived at the glade. Of course on the way here, Rume was stolen from Lein once again by the Vilicus. Lein was annoyed because of that, while Rume was oblivious to it all.

Galeila greeted them, everyone was thankful that she wasn’t naked this time. Well, the most thankful was Lein. Galeila stayed in her human form since it was easier to interact with the humans, and had more freedom to move around.

Galeila’s eyebrows went up a little as she observed Rume and the Vilicus. It was weird. Not particularly strange, just weird and different. There were many more that were gathering than before, and there were still many more watching from afar. This kind of thing never happened during Lein’s time.

Was there some factor Galeila didn’t know about? Or because the Vilicus just see Rume as a different kind of person and showed some interest? Do they act that way to her because they know her story? Now that she thought about it, the spirits also showed a bit of interest to Rume in the past. Do they already know her since they were observing the nearby village?

But Galeila sensed nothing special or mystical of some kind to the little girl. Was there something she couldn’t sense?

Does Rume have some sort of Blessing?

Galeila thought.

If that was the case, then what could that blessing be? Can it be activated? Or was it passive?

Galeila had a strong feeling that it could be because Rume has a Blessing. That being said, there was nothing she could do to prove that at the moment. Perhaps in the future, they will know.

“Galeila Galeila!”

Rume rushed towards Galeila, interrupting her thoughts. Galeila smiled at seeing Rume who was oddly excited for some reason. Her adorable smile was directed at her.

“What are you so excited about, Rume?”

“You see, last night, I got the feeling of mana!”

“Oh?”

Galeila showed a genuine expression of surprise along with a smile.

“But it was so small. I felt it was small. But I know that was it. Lein also agreed.”

“You must have felt something special. If that was the case, then it was definitely mana.”

Galeila patted Rume’s head. Rume seemed to be enjoying it as she closed her eyes with a delighted expression. Well, Rume was quite looking forward to the head pat.

“I’m amazed by your progress, Rume. Keep up the good work.”

Rume nodded her head.

“I will.”

“Do you want to get started right away?” Lein asked.

“Yes, I’d like to.”

Rume had nothing else to do for the moment anyway, therefore, she wanted to continue immediately. She was so excited that nothing could hold her back. Galeila found her determination quite adorable.

How could other humans be cruel to an innocent girl like her? Galeila was just thankful that the humans from the nearby village weren’t more abusive than they were already. At the very least, they didn’t torment her or murder her.

Lein and Rume positioned themselves before the World Tree and sat on the grasses.

“Fortunately, you have a bit of a grasp as to how to feel the mana in the air. Since this place is overflowing with mana, it will definitely help you progress.”

Due to the dense mana in the air, achieved due to the mana emanated endlessly by the World Tree, grasping the mana in the air would be just a bit easier, but that alone would be a great help to a beginner.

Galeila remembered the time when she was teaching Lein. They were living deep in the forest at that time, therefore mana there was dense, although not as dense when in the presence of a World Tree. Nevertheless, since mana was also being released by nature, learning magic in the forest was ideal. And Galeila always picks the best spot.

Rume closed her eyes as she began her training.

I think I should prepare some lunch.

Galeila thought. She quite enjoyed hearing that her cooking and her selection of food was enjoyed by others. Especially those which she cooked herself. Galeila as a special kind of dragon didn’t need to eat, she would never feel hunger.

However, cooking food and learning new cuisine was quite interesting. She learned a lot from humans, and practicing was a fascinating experience.

She left the two as she began to prepare foods to eat for lunch.

It might be a good reward for the hardworking Rume.

She thought.

On the other hand, Rume was in a better mood now than yesterday. However, at the same time, there was a faint hint of anxiety forming in her heart. It couldn’t be avoided, she was worried that she just got lucky last night and this time she would fail again like yesterday.

That being said, she still kept her focus. The sound of the gently blowing wind touched her ears, the sound of the rusting trees brought a peaceful tune of nature. She took in a gentle breath as her body relaxed.

Several minutes had passed — Rume couldn’t know precisely how much time — and she felt something. She slightly flinched at the realization. She felt it again, a single string floating before her.

“If you feel it, keep on concentrating and widen your reach.”

She heeded Lein’s words. She must have noticed Rume flinch and assumed that Rume had felt it.

Rume focused on that single string of mana. She tried to feel beyond it, forcing herself to go further. As time passed, that string felt a bit stronger than before, like a candle which grew brighter.

She could feel the string revolving close to her before disappearing beyond her reach. However, it was instantly replaced by another. Rume smiled.

She could feel her heart beat fast, her breathing growing more excited. Then before she knew it, the string she could feel gradually increased in number. First there were two, then there were three, and it kept adding on.

However, she wasn’t satisfied just yet. The mana she saw with her own eyes were flowing like rivers. And these strings were worlds different from that. Then the strings kept increasing in numbers.

Suddenly, they turned into a single gentle streak. She could feel it crawling around her skin. A single streak, as though those strings combined into one, revolved around her.

The feeling was peaceful, like a calming breeze. She was becoming familiar with its sensation, this mana in the air.

However, for some reason she felt tired. That was because she was concentrating so much for a long time. She didn’t want to stop, however the tiredness and the fatigue would never leave her.

Lein noticed this, however, she didn’t intervene. Rume must stop on her own accord. She must realize her limits. Doing too much and forcing would only strain the body and mind. One must know their limits. Surpassing the limits was fine, however, forcing it too much, one could say, was not healthy.

Lein waited for Rume to stop. She quietly sighed as Rume kept on forcing forward. Feeling mana wasn’t like feeling the wind. A beginner forcing themselves would only strain their body leading to tiredness, fatigue, and weakening.

In contrast, if they were in a place where mana wasn’t as harmless as where they were currently at, it would lead to undesirable consequences. For instance, if a mage recklessly tries to feel the mana in the air, that mana could potentially cause nausea, some may potentially choke someone, depending on the type of mana. Some were calm, some were violent as a storm.

Still, even though the mana here was harmless, Rume was still a very young child. Forcing herself wouldn’t be good. It would only bring harm to herself. That being said, they were only temporary and could only last for several hours or a day. But Lein didn’t want Rume to be harmed or get hurt.

Seeing that Rume wasn’t yet stopping, Lein decided to speak.

“Don’t force yourself. Stop if you want to.”

Rume hesitated for a minute as her grasp on mana has extended. However, she was at her limit. She instantly opened her eyes wide.

“Haaaah!”

She instantly gasped for air as she breathed fast, akin to when someone was exhausted from running. Rume thought it was weird that she felt that way when she was just sitting. However, she immediately understood that perhaps this was part of it. After all, Lein appeared to be fine to all that and didn’t show much reaction.

Lein smiled.

“Just breathe and let’s rest for a while.”

Rume nodded as she panted.

At the same time, Galeila had returned carrying a bundle of fruits in her arms. Her eyes went wide after seeing Rume breathing quickly and heavily. Upon immediately realizing the cause of it, she furrowed her brows. She turned to look at one of the Vilicus present before them.

“Go bring some water.”

The Vilicus nodded its head upon hearing the order then leaving in a rush along with some others. Rume turned her head to look at Galeila. Galeila in turn heaved a sigh as she walked towards the little girl who looked awfully frail.

She slowly poured down the fruits in her arms on the ground and sat beside them.

“Eat, Rume. It’s good for your health.”

Rume nodded her head and went for the apple which appeared to be easier to eat for the moment.

“Rume, don’t force yourself when you’re already at your limits,” Lein reprimanded the little girl but did it in a gentle manner. It was as if it was not a reprimand at all.

Rume cast her gaze downwards looking apologetic. In truth, she really did push herself, but she didn’t want to stop, she wanted to reach out more and more. She thought she would be able to endure. Meanwhile, thinking it wasn’t a big deal if she pushed herself further.

“You are merely exhausted, but keep doing it and it might end up badly for your body and health. You might get susceptible to or catch a fever while your body is weakened due to the strain,” Lein added.

“Since you are still young, Rume, there is a high chance those may happen,” Galeila added while biting on a fruit.

Rume weakly nodded her head.

“... I’m sorry.”

She was feeling guilty that she did something bad. She never knew the risk, and that was reckless of her. But she couldn’t help it since she was so eager to do it. She felt a sense of urgency due to her excitement. That being said, she still did something that shouldn’t be done carelessly nor was it necessary.

“Just have patience, okay?” Galeila quietly said to her with a smile.

“... Okay.”

Patience. She should have patience. She noted that word.

“Mm. So how was it?”

Rume raised her gaze and looked at Galeila.

“How much presence of mana did you feel, I mean?”

Rume faintly smiled at her question.

“I feel multiple of them. Streaking around me, they’re different from the strings I first felt. But the streaks disappeared quickly.”

“Oh?” Galeila formed an impressed expression. “That’s great, you’re showing impressive progress, in a few days we might get to unlock the mana within you.”

Rume’s downed face instantly lit up in joy.

“Really?!”

“Yes. Of course, it will be all on you. So be prepared for the day.”

“I will!”

“I’m sure my little Rume will be able to do it in a blast,” Lein said with a smile. Rume’s determination was great to see. At the moment, Rume was having normal progress as any other mages. But the challenge will come once she has access to the mana inside her. But Lein will be there to guide her all through it.

A Vilicus then arrived carrying a pouch of water and gave it to Rume.

“Thank you,” she said to the Vilicus with an adorable smile.

As she chugged on the water, she wondered where they could have gotten some water. But immediately concluded there was a source of water nearby. After all, this was where Galeila was staying.

After drinking a decent amount of water, she took in a deep breath of the fresh air. She felt great, having apparent progress and getting praised was great. She could see the future where she could cast magic.

Thinking about that, she was reminded of the friend she had on the island they visited previously. It was the girl who was to learn magic like herself. Kariya, she thought of that girl. The girl that was very friendly and warm towards her.

“... I wonder how she is…” She quietly muttered.

“Who do you mean?” Lein asked her upon hearing her mutters.

“Um, I was thinking of Kariya.”

“Kariya, oh that girl…” Lein averted her eyes away for a short moment. “....... Ah, hm, why were you thinking about her?”

Rume smiled.

“She was also about to learn magic, so I’m a bit interested in how she is, I’m also looking forward to seeing her use magic in the future.”

I wonder when I’ll meet her.

She thought. They told each other that they would meet in the future. Rume wanted that to happen, so she was looking forward to meeting her again, even if it was far in the future.

“... I see,” Lein stole a glance at Galeila.

Galeila also greeted her eyes for a short moment.

“Well, Rume. As for now, let’s focus on your own progress, shall we?”

Rume looked at Galeila upon hearing her speak.

“Okay.”

At that moment, Rume’s tired feeling had already subsided. Therefore, she decided to continue her training.

“Lein, can I continue?”

Lein slightly flinched at her calling.

“Oh, yes, yes you can. But remember to not overdo it.”

“I understand.”