I didn’t think of where to go before saying all that in the village and also wasn’t of the right mind to think about it after. But now…

My gaze dimmed before landing at the lake nearby. But a moment later, from the corner of my eye, I saw the reflection of a run-down log cabin within the lake. My gaze flickered for a moment before a voice filled my ears.

Pointing towards the cabin, Aunt said, “William, what about that cabin? I remember it belonging to you guys back in the day. The surrounding scenery was beautiful, and it left a deep impression on me, especially during the season of blossoms. And ever since moving to this village, you have been coming here from time to time. But you all abandoned it later and now it’s like this. What a shame. So, what about it?”

My gaze moved to the man in question, to find him looking deeply at the cabin.

“It’s not a bad idea,” Uncle said, nodding. “It originally belonged to his father. He came here back in the day, running away from his house to escape his marriage. He was a real punk back then. Back then, the village up above used to be quite small in comparison, but brimming in life. There also used to be another village a distance away, but now it’s near the so-called border, used as… Well, no point dwelling over the past. It’s all… all gone now. All gone…”

He heaved a sigh before a depressed look filled his eyes.

Aunt rubbed her temples before turning to me and asking, “How about it?”

This place… belonged to my father? But… Whatever, it doesn’t matter now. He isn’t here anymore. And that man did not use it for a long time by the looks of it. And I urgently need somewhere to stay. I’ll just have to move out in the future.

I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness in my heart as I nodded in acceptance.

While rolling up the sleeve of her right hand, Aunt said, “Well then, time to fix it.”

She looked around before walking towards the back of the cabin.

There were cracks on the ground and a knee-deep pit with a small platform barely big enough for me to stand within. Unwittingly, the scene from a few hours ago flashed through my mind, making my body tremble involuntarily.

However, before it could get a hold of me, Aunt’s hand gently patted the top of my head before rubbing my back while she said, “It’s okay now. It all is now past. And no bad guys are coming now. Don’t worry. As for this…”

Her other hand pointed towards the ground, glowing in a muddy-yellow hue before clenching in a fist.

Before my eyes, ground all around moved as it stitched together the holes and cracks, like they never existed.

I stared at the scene dumbfounded, my voice caught in my throat.

“Was that good? You’ll need to learn magic to do it.” Aunt said, while tilting her head towards me, as if confused.

I blinked before remembering Amelia’s earlier words.

She probably wasn’t lying when she said Aunt was strong and moving mountains was the same as breakfast. And Uncle as well, he also looked quite strong. Are all magicians like this? Then I too would… No, I must. I need to kill that man. I must kill that man. And I will kill him. And everyone else who was with him. Each and every one of them.

Anger and resentment filled me up again, making me need to take a long breath to maintain my composure.

It’s not time to break down. Not yet. Not before you’re done. And especially not here.

Reaffirming my resolve, I said, “That was amazing, Aunt! Please teach me that!”

“For something like that, hmm….” Aunt pondered for a bit before saying, “You’ll need some time. Actually, a lot of time. Just make sure to keep practising the stuff inside Fundamentals of Magic.”

I nodded in understanding.

Scratching her cheek, Aunt said, “Well, for now, I guess you can enjoy watching me do magic.”

Saying her part, she pointed at the trees towards the front.

With a green light flickering atop her fingers, she drew a horizontal line in the air.

A soundless wind blew. The leaves of the trees rustled.

I looked ahead expectantly, but even after waiting for a while, nothing happened. A sense of curiosity and anticipation welled up within me. Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked, “Aunt, what did that do?”

She looked at me as she answered me with a question, “How about you take a guess?”

Saying so, she walked towards the tree.

I tried to think, but couldn’t come up with anything. After a while of trying, I shook my head, replying, “I don’t know. I don’t have any idea what that might’ve….”

Her next action left me tongue-tied.

She poked the bark of a tree lightly, causing it to move, revealing a shiny stump, unmatching with its rough bark underneath.

I gulped before taking a step forward.

Touching the exposed stump of the tree, a smooth sensation entered through my fingertips.

It’s so smooth. And the cut reaches through the entire tree. It’s smooth enough, it reflects light. And it also didn’t move when cut. Like it was separated from the beginning, resting as is. If she didn’t move it, I probably wouldn’t even have noticed a thing.

I kept looking around before touching the upper part of the tree in my curiosity. It moved like ice on a chopping board, not breaking, yet not very hard to move. In a daze, my hand kept pushing against it.

A moment later, I snapped out of my daze as the ground beneath me shook intensely, making my heart skip a beat. I jumped in freight, my body breaking out in a cold sweat.

Sounds of wood being crushed and branches breaking echoed through the surroundings.

The tree I had been pushing against fell down to the ground with a thud, revealing a half mirror-like, half crushed stump.

“What happened?” Uncle shouted before his voice turned calm again, as if nothing had happened. “Oh.”

He turned back, continuing his melancholic muttering.

My heart was still pumping madly, like if I had run through a few kilometres without stopping and at my full speed, if not any faster. I blinked a few times before gradually calming myself, only to see Aunt where she was, standing and looking around like a girl of around sixteen, not involved in what happened in any way imaginable.

My hand touched against my forehead, causing sweat to drip down my forehead as a chill seeped down my spine.

To the boy’s side, Aria raised her hand once more as a mixture of different shades of green hue covered her whole hand.