Master Ravia. She is a Half-Elf. She has sandy blond hair, brown eyes, and her pointy ears stick out of her hair but the ears are more rounded than compared to full-blooded Elf. She also is a Master Druid.

She is now a week with Gelvian and his family. She didn’t talk too much with him only interacting with him when Gelvian asked certain words from Hirawaldos Lexicon.

“A classic one! A good choice.” She remarked when Gelvian showed her the book. Today she showed Gelvian something special.

She demonstrated her powers to Gelvian by growing a Tree from a seedling in just less than 10 minutes.

Both of them are outside in the fresh mountain air on the plaza. The sun shines freely upon them as if to bless their day. The sunshine spending warmth. Gelvian noted that the air around Ravia smells pleasant today. Gelvian pondered if she has applied some perfume but he didn’t see her have any. The two sidekicks of Ravia didn’t come back yet either.

Some townsfolk watch Ravia and Gelvian as people are on their mid-day breaks.

The tree she just grew from a seedling is now there was a short moment before a burned-out tree was. A lighting strike hollowed it out a day ago and Ravia thought to demonstrate to Gelvian and the village the power of a druid. During the process, she mumbled something in druidic for a solid minute. Then it began.

The sound of wood twisting and forming. The signature groaning of wood accompanying it. The townfolk were impressed. The children 'wowed' the adults nodded in respect.

Gelvian thinks that the adults must have seen something like this already? As the town is pretty much fully elven but he remembered the tale of the Vesta event and the great loss it came with it. The shield ritual did protect most of the world but many still died. A hellfire of smaller meteorites did rain down on the world, destroying entire landscapes in its wake. Most races lost at least 1/3 of their populations some more depending on where their centers of culture were. That was around 200 years ago.

Many traditional elves liked to retreat into the forests far away from the urban cities. Away from the safety from the shields protecting most cities. Even then his mother told him that some shields did fail. From it letting the seething heat through and cooking almost everyone on the inside of the shield to a massive rock shattering the shield with ease.

“Gelvian.” Someone softly tapped him on the head.

He looked around. Seeing that Ravia is the one who tapped his head and was next to him.

“You saw a glimpse of what we can do. What you will do in the future. Aren't you impressed?” Ravia asked her smugness showing. She is clearly proud of the training she spent being a druid and her mastery over her abilities.

“Eh. Yes?” Gelvian answered. He knew it is hard to raise crops not to mention a tree in such a short time.

“That's all? An ‘Eh. Yes?’” She mockingly imitated his voice. “I remember the first time my master showed me the Tree Growth spell. I was speechless! Don’t you want to know how to do it yourself?”

“Yes, I would like to Master Ravia. I am just surprised.” Gelvian smiled with a grin. “Since when do you use perfume?” He asked trying to get a reaction.

Ravia's response was immediate. She stuttered the first words taken back by the boy's rude question.

“Perfume? Me? You must be smelling some flowers.” A weak excuse. She knew that but this was the only retort she could think of now.

“Master Ravia I smelled it. Peaches? Right?” Gelvian asks teasingly he doesn’t care if this isn't what an 8 years old is supposed to do. Ravia's reaction made it amusing in this world. A little bit of fun can't hurt. Gotta make your own entertainment in this world. Playing catch with other kids gets boring for a reincarnated soul after a while.

“Ehm.” She clears her throat. “Back to Druid topics. This tree I grew in a short time. That is what I want you to do. My task for you. Is to take this seedling,” She put a small seedling into Gelvian hands. “and let it start to grow in your palm. If you manage to do it we will continue your training. Also, I will be taking the Book of Hirawaldo away for the time being. I noticed your progress. You focus too much on it in an arcane way.” Ravia motions to walk back home.

“Your mother is to blame for this. Her early teaching may have instilled in you that everything must be explained in magic. That it can be formed to your will. While it is correct. The druidic arts are similar and completely different to the arcane ways.”

Ravia looks into Gelvian green eyes.

“One week. Spout the first green in your palms. Let it bloom from your own talent and you will have passed the first test.”

“So, how the hell do you bloom this seedling?” Gelvian asks to no one in particular. He is sitting in the backyard of his home. The sun is shining upon him.

“Concentrate really hard on it?” Gelvian scratched his head. He would have liked to look into the book of Hirawaldo. He became better at reading the damn thing but most of the words were still gibberish to him.

So, He sat in the grass concentrating really hard. His forehead becoming red with exertion. After a few minutes, he stopped.

“The only thing I will do is make a vein pop.” Maybe Fang knows the secret?”

Gelvian didn’t look too long for the reincarnated Cultivator turned Venom Lizard. He sat on the top of a small stone. Sunbathing. He still needs to have the muzzle on. His mother would go bear mode really quick if Fang didn’t.

“Hey, Fang. Can you help me?” Gelvian sat down next to him.

“With what can I help you, Gelvian?” A grumbling voice replied. He opened one eye to look at Gelvian. A half-smile on Fang's face.

“Do you know of a way to spout a seedling from your palms? My master told me I should make it bloom. I know that your Lizard brain has that information.” Gelvian nudged Fang softly.

“Indeed. I do but I will not tell you.” Before Gelvian could respond Fang continued.

“This would hinder your growth. If I were to serve you the answer. You wouldn’t learn from it. On the opposite, you would become dependent on me. I can't have an ally stay weak.”

“Weak? I am... trained." He looked around to make sure none were listening in. "I know how to fight with a knife. I know how to shoot. I know how to survive in the wild. I am anything but weak.” Gelvian responded his pride as a soldier surfacing.

“I am talking compared to my past self. You are likely a strong warrior in your old world but here. My people used to move mountains. Reform the earth to our will. Challenge the gods themselves-”

“Fang, are you comparing me? An 8-year-old elven boy to gods. Is this really your standard?”

“Yes, and my argument still stands even if we don’t compare you to the strongest. You need to grow. With your own power.”

“Can’t fault me for trying to ask for help.”

“Help I can give in combat.Not in your growth. This is something everyone must do alone.”

“Okay have fun sunbathing or whatever you lizards do.”

A soft grumpy grumbling is what Galvian heard before he went back inside. He needs to rest before his father comes back.

“Okay, my children. Today we will learn how to fight!” Darius exuberantly said.

“We have build up your stamina over years. Playing catch! Running! Climbing! All this was to prepare you! For bloody combat!” Darius grinned.

“My Dear. Remember you are teaching your children and not the town guards. Or I will stick that reminder as a note deep inside your skull so you remember it.” Elisia replied from an open window.

Darius had a subdued sheepish smile.

“Yes, I meant to defend yourself from fiends. So that they never rise up from their graves!”

“Okay, I will start preparing the note now. I warned you.” Elisia announced.

“No. I was just kidding! My dear, it was just a joke.” The window slammed shut.

“Ha. Well while your mother is busy. I will teach you basic fighting forms.“ Darius unsheathed his steel blade. It reminds Gelvian of a Kriegsmesser. A broader and bigger version of the curved sword heavier as well.

He flows from one stance into the other the first feels balanced. His legs are spread shoulder wide.

“This form is an elven blade form we call the 'Griffin'. Also called the first form. Its balances offense and defense. A form that teaches basics of attack, parry, and dodge.” He circles an invisible foe before slashing at it 3 times.

Darius then flows into a more aggressive form. A wider stance. The swings become harder to follow as the air whips in response. The strikes he unleashes on the imaginary enemy are devastating, powerful.

“The 'Bear'. The second form. This form is used for one thing and for one thing only, aggression. This form teaches you offense is the answer to everything. This form is energy-intensive and not something that you will use for now. Maybe when you are older. Gelvian and Levia.” He proceeds to flow into a more defensive stance. His strikes become slower and more focused.

“This form is called the 'Congress of shells' or 'Assembly of shields' but most people will call it the 'Turtle' form. As the name implies this form will give you a solid defense. It teaches patience and to stay calm in the face of danger. A form meant to outlast and to fight longer.” Darius drops his stance and turns to his twins.

“First you will learn the 'Griffin'. This will help you understand the basics. After that, I teach you the 'Turtle' only then you will learn the 'Bear'. I want you to survive any battle or foe when I am not there to help you. Do you understand?”

Both Gelvian and Levia were mesmerized by the rhythmic dance of their father's blade work.

“Yes, Papa! I hope I will dance as well as you do!” Levia giggled.

“That was amazing father! I was hoping for some real training after years of stamina training and play fights.” Gelvian grinned happily. He always wanted to learn the blade technique from this world.

“That's good to hear. First form!” Darius and the twins spend the rest of the day practicing the griffin form.

“I see the training yesterday has left you drained young Gelvian.” Ravia smiled smugly while drinking tea. “You do remember your task? Let the seedling bloom in your hands. Pull at the talent still buried within you.”

“Easier said than done ‘Master Druid’” Gelvian mockingly answered. He noted the tea she was drinking was smelling like peaches.

“Are we already giving up? Is this all that Gelvian Dainsleaf has to offer?” Ravia turned towards the others at the table.

“This is enough mockery in the morning. Gelvian just trust your instincts.” Darius interrupted. “Do work on your seedling task afternoon I will continue to train both of you in Griffin form.”

Gelvian works to concentrate on the seedling but nothing seems to accomplish it. From spraying water to planting it and then concentrating on it. Gelvian was down for the entire day. After the Griffin form training, he felt better as it was something he understood better it made sense. This druid task less so.

The next day he tried infusing it again with 'energy' but nothing seems to work. With infusing, he means concentrate really hard. He went outside his home and walked around the town. A few of the town people noticed him but left him undisturbed as he seems to be lost in thought. It felt like a small eternity before he stopped.

The new tree is right in front of him. The one that got hollowed and replaced by the new one on the town plaza

“Why did you grow?” He asked no one in particular. “Master Ravia just mumbled something and then you grew. Why?” What did she do that he didn’t? Then it clicked. “She said something in druidic! That must be it!” Gelvian ran back home. Ignoring the concerned shouts and voices.

“The first word from Hirawaldo I translated was” Gelvian smile grew wide. “[Grow]” The seedling in his palm began to react. A soft hum escaped from it. It begins to vibrate. Then nothing.

“[Grow] seedling!,[Grow] sapling? ,[Grow Tree]!” The vibration came back and this time stronger. The hum came back louder this time but still nothing.

“Why isn't this working? Does it need the correct passage? A sentence?” Gelvian frustration is clear on his face.

“Brother!” Levia greeted him. “The mother said she will make fruit cakes today!” Levia noticed to Gelvian was feeling frustrated.

“Are you okay Bro?” She asked kindly.

Gelvian couldn't keep the negative emotion inside him for long as they dissipated in the presence of Levia.

“I am fine. Just feeling a bit bummed that I couldn't manage to make it grow yet.” In the 8 years whenever he felt stressed or just annoyed by life his twin sister calmed him somehow. She had this calming presence on everyone but especially on Gelvian.

Four days passed with Gelvian still unable to make further process on the seedling but his martial training processed quite nicely. The Griffin form came to him quite naturally. The elements of offensive and defensive fit him well. Levia less so. She is quite unbalanced on her feet. Still good for 8 years old but in the eyes of two veteran soldiers. His father and his past self. Not enough to hold her own.

As he demonstrated time and time again today.

Gelvian dodges the weak attempt from the slash his sister tries. He retaliates with a swift tap to the elbow with his wooden training sword. Levia flinches a bit but catches herself and goes into three strong swings using her entire body to generate force. Gelvian dodges the first two by stepping out of reach the last he parries which causes Levia to fall to the ground right in front Gelvian. He has his blade pointed at her face.

“You lose Sister, again.” He smiles and gives her a hand.

“Well, ‘Brother’ we all can't be talented as you. You may the best but I am the second best!” She explamied happyly.

“Yes... You know we are only two here, right?” He teased before Levia could respond.

“Now, now. Son, you are good but your sister is not bad. I trained young elves who didn’t know which end to point where. Levia you are on your way to becoming a fine Bladeswoman. Gelvian while your path will most like be the of the druid. You will become a Blademaster in time but can't have that any of that without blood and sweat. So both of you keep at it. Lesson for today is done.”

“Yes, Father/Papa!” Both answered.

“So, Brother when will you do the grow tree thing? Your time is nearly up, right?” Levia asked with a slight grin knowing this is a point where her brother didn’t yet succeed.

Gelvian groaned in response. “Don't remind me sis. I don’t know what is left to try. I did everything I could think of. Dip my hands in fresh soil. Water, mud, ash. I even tried cow dung! While chanting the words. The only thing that happens is that humming and the vibration! Nothing works!” Gelvian threw his hands in the air. Frustration build up over the days bubbling back to the surface.

“Ah, You worry too much bro! Just as father said keep at it! Without blood and sweat, nothing can be archived!”

“Do you even know what that-” Gelvian pondered for a moment. “Maybe I didn’t try anything...”

Gelvian ran towards the kitchen.

“Bro where are you going?” Levia asked.

“The kitchen!” Gelvian inside the kitchen he grabbed a knife and pulled out his seedling. The moment he tried to cut the palm of his hand he stood still.

“Maybe I should do this outside just in case.” A massive tree sprouts he left unsaid.

Outside in the backyard, on the grass, he sat down with knife and seedling in hand. Ravia the master druid heard the shouts from the twins so she peaked outside the window. Looking down at Gelvian with Knife and seedling in hand sitting on the grass.

She raised one of her eyebrows. Gelvian placed the knife on his palm and cut. A shallow cut just enough to get the blood freely flowing.

Gelvian grasps the seedling with both hands and spoke. “[Grow].” His hands felt the vibration go through his bones into his hands and a humming sound was emitting from the seedling. Gelvian looked down at his hands. He opens his hands to see the small seedling split. A small blooming sapling was there now. His blood on his palm was gone.

A slow clapping was heard. Master Ravia was walking towards him with an approving smile.

“Well done. Small Gelvian. You mastered the first trial to becoming a druid.”

Gelvian smiled fatigue was slowly overcoming him. The small spell cost him a lot of stamina combined with the martial training today.

“Thank you, Master Ravia. I have some questions about this trial.”

“Ask away. You earned it.” Ravia smiled at him.

“Why is the first trial so hard to complete? I only completed it because of a hunch that was given by my sister and father. Without them, I never would have completed it. Would the world be full of druidic talents that never had passed the trial?”

Ravia laughed in response.

“Yes, you could say that. We aren't that dull small Gelvian. The first trial isn't meant to be passed by the potential students. It's a test to see how the students think and act in the face of a near-impossible task. If I am to be your future teacher, I would need insight into your thought process.” Ravia walked around Gelvian as to evaluate him.

“Your intelligence. Your wisdom. Your determination. That is what we look out for in a student. If I decide to take you as my student, I would proceed to do what you have already done. Teach you the basic word of [Grow] in druidic. Get some of your blood on the seedling and complete the ritual. If the seedling grows your talent would be strong enough. If not. I would try after the Awakening. Should that still not be enough I would teach you druidic and give you over to our grove who always have a use even for the weak talents. With your martial skill? A guardian. A grove Warrior or a scribe? Something else depending on you but that future is not what awaits you.” Ravia takes a deep breath and falls to her knee in front of Gelvian locking her gaze to Gelvians eyes.

“I, Master Druid Ravia Freesand. Will take you, Gelvian Dainsleaf. As my apprentice and student. I promise to act in the best interest of the student. I promise to protect him from all physical and psychological harm. I promise to teach him all that I know should I deem him ready. Afterward, release him from my apprenticeship. Will Gelvian Dainsleaf accept my promise?” Gelvian was struck speechless by the words from Ravia.

Gelvian with a little bit of hesitation answers. “I do accept your promise,” Gelvian said these words and was compelled by a strange force to stare into the eyes of Ravia. Her eyes normally a light brown light up a pure gold for a small moment before returning to her original color.

“What that druidic magic?” Gelvian asked.

“Yes. Apprentice or do you prefer student?” Ravia's smug smile beamed. “Or should I still call you small Gelvian?”

“Eh. What exactly did you do to me?”

“To you? Not much. I marked you for others to see. Don’t worry. You are hiding it just by thinking about it. You only reveal it when you want.”

“As for me. A lot more. I meant what I said. These are all promises. Which I can't break without a good reason. Should I break any one of them with my full knowledge it would mean severe repercussions. The gods and our magic don’t take kindly to that.” Ravia gave Gelvian a warm smile.

“Do my parents know what you did?” Gelvian asked.

“Yes. I asked them beforehand. Doing something like a pact without both parties understanding the consequences, is frowned upon by the very magic itself. Of course, I showed them proof of me being a Master Druid, again. They were adamant about it. They only want the best for their child after all.” Ravia's smile fell a bit.

“So, what do we now do?” Gelvian asked puzzled not knowing what to expect.

“Oh, didn’t I mention it?” Ravia walked back to the house slowly. “We will be learning a lot! Until the day of your Awakening, that’s the day when your training truly can begin.” Ravia says. " 2 years until you are ten? Then we don't have much time. We begin now."