The morning after leaving the kingdom was quiet.
The forest welcomed them with birdsong and sunlight peeking through the branches. Airi stretched her arms high, feeling the crisp air brush her cheeks.
"Today feels like a fresh start," she said.
Haruto checked the area while sharpening a simple wooden stick.
"Today," Frost said, "we train."
Airi blinked. "Me too?"
Frost nodded. "Especially you."
She puffed her cheeks. "I already healed Onii Chan yesterday. That was magic."
"That was raw emotion," Frost replied. "You were desperate and your mana obeyed instinct. But magic without control is like a blade without a handle. It cuts you first."
Airi pouted and crossed her arms.
Haruto smirked. "He means you are strong, but you need practice."
Airi made a tiny fist. "Then I will learn."
Training Begins
They stood in an open meadow.
Wind brushed the grass.
Airi stood facing Frost, determined.
"Start with sensing your mana," Frost instructed. "Mana is not something you force. Let it flow."
Airi closed her eyes.
Her breathing slowly matched the rhythm of the forest. A warmth stirred in her chest, flowing to her fingertips.
A small glow appeared.
Then a bigger glow.
Then too big.
BOOM.
A burst of wind threw Frost's fur backward.
"Not explode," Frost said calmly, though his fur was standing on end. "Control."
Airi opened her eyes, embarrassed.
Haruto placed a hand on her head. "You did great."
She blushed. "Because you are watching."
Haruto's Struggle
While Airi continued practicing, Haruto tried something else.
He pointed his palm at a rock.
Focus. Control mana.
Mana surged.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
The rock shattered into dust.
Haruto didn't even cast a spell.
Airi gasped. "Onii Chan you are too strong."
Haruto sighed. "No. I am too uncontrollable."
He clenched his fist.
If I cannot control mana, then I will master the sword.
He whispered. "Shop."
A glowing window appeared in front of him. It was transparent, floating.
[SHOP – Beginner Access]
Items will unlock as you progress in your journey
He selected a wooden training sword.
Price: 1 Mana Point.
Haruto smirked. "This part is easy."
He bought it.
Monster Hunt
Later, they walked toward the deeper parts of the forest to gather food and herbs.
Airi walked between them, humming. "New house, new day, new adventure."
Frost sniffed the air and suddenly stopped.
"Stay alert. Something is near."
A low growl echoed.
A shadow emerged from the bushes.
A huge creature, half bear, half boar, with blood red eyes.
A Dire Bruin.
Airi gulped. "It looks… angry."
Haruto stepped forward with his wooden sword.
"No magic yet. I can handle this."
He dashed.
The Bruin roared, swinging one giant claw.
Haruto blocked with his sword, but the impact sent him flying.
He crashed into a tree.
"Onii Chan!"
Airi sprinted, but Frost held her back. "Trust him."
Haruto stood again, wiping blood from his lip.
He charged.
The Bruin lunged.
The wooden sword cracked.
Haruto grabbed the creature's tusk with a bare hand and threw it onto the ground.
Even Frost looked stunned.
Airi whispered, "That strength… is not normal."
Haruto panted. "Airi. Run. I cannot protect you while fighting."
Her eyes widened.
Run?
From her Onii Chan?
"No."
She stepped forward.
Heart steady.
Airi's Awakening
The Bruin stood again, furious.
Airi took a deep breath.
"Mana. Flow."
Golden light gathered around her.
Warm. Gentle. Alive.
She lifted her hand.
A thin line of magic formed.
Haruto watched, stunned.
"Airi… that is a spell."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
"Light Thread."
A glowing ribbon of golden energy shot forward, wrapping around the Bruin's legs, binding it. The monster struggled, but the more it fought, the tighter the magic became.
Airi's eyes widened in awe.
"I… did it?"
Haruto walked to her, smiling. "You more than did it. You saved me."
She suddenly hugged him, burying her face in his chest.
"Do not tell me to run. I will stay with you. Always."
Haruto placed his cheek above her head. "Always."
Frost smirked. "Congratulations, Airi. You just invented a spell."
The One Watching
Unseen from the shadows, a cloaked figure watched them.
A crystal orb hovered beside him, measuring their mana.
"So she can cast magic even without incantations."
He noted something down.
"And the boy… strength beyond logic."
His lips curved.
"The prophecy begins."
He vanished into smoke.
End of Chapter 5
The villain's first insight.
And the world begins to move.