Baran slowly turns his head. What he saw made his jaw drop. He saw a storm of bursting mana around Nestor. Baran opened his eyes wide, not believing his eyes.
Slowly sweats drops from Baran's forehead. 'This is unbelievable. That much amount of mana fluctuation around him! Did I wake up a sleeping monster?. If he didn't have a deformed body, Then why didn't he do it at an early age! What mysterious background he has?"
But Nestor wasn't aware of what was happening. He was fully immersed in that beautiful feeling.
Time passes fast. Nestor opened his eye slowly. He felt completely different than before. a Power was surge inside him. He felt like he was reborn. The feeling was indescribable. It's like if someone was blind, then suddenly he can see.
After he regains his senses, Nestor checked the room; he didn't saw anyone. Baran was not there. It seems he took a long time until he awakened his essence, so he got out of the room to search for Baran.
As he walked out, he saw Catrina and in her lap was Erin sleeping when Catrina saw Nestor and greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Nestor. It seems you have slept well."
It seems Baran hasn't told her what he was doing, so Nestor acts naturally and smiles, "ah, yes, thank you. Where is Mr. Baran?"
"He went to the city still not returned yet, but it will not be long until he is back."
Then the door opened. Nestor saw Leroy with his hand branches of trees.
"Catrina, I bring some wood to warm the house."
"Oh great timing Leroy why don't you show Nestor around until Mr. Baran return"
Leroy put down the branches. "Sure."
Nestor and Leroy got out walking around the town.
"So, what is your deal? you really don't remember anything?" Leroy asked
Nestor noded to Leroy, "Yes, Mr. Baran saved me. He found me unconscious and took me to his house. the rest, you know."
"Is that so? You are lucky, indeed. No outcast can go around by himself. Outside is a dangerous place filled with bests."
Then Nestor asked, "and what is your story?"
Leroy then stopped and looked toward the city. "I was born into a Nobel family. When my family knew that I have a deformed body, they hide me in the house and pretend I was dead so that they would not banish me. But the servants betrayed them and told the authorities about my existence.
Leroy clenched his hand. "Then they tied me around a pillar in the city square, and they hanged my family in front of me and made their bodies hung for 3 days so that they would serve as an example to people. After that, they cast me out. Since then, I lived here. Miss Catrina took me in when I was a child, so she is my family now."
Nestor looked to Leroy with admiration and thought. 'He went through all that, and he still fights to live. "Sorry for asking and bringing this memory's back to you."
Leroy saw Nestor's eyes that were sincere. He then smiles, "Nothing to be sorry about. It's not our fault. It's this world an ugly place and not for the weak to survive."
Then both of them start talking. Nestor asked about the world. He still didn't know anything. According to what Leroy told him,Lamina city is a part of Taria Kingdom, and as for the forbidden land, he didn't know much about it, but he knew that strong magical bests there. after some time they saw a couple of people running toward the town center. yelling to each other, "hurry or the food will be gone."
Leroy said, "It seems Baran comes back. Let's return."
As they arrived. Nestor was astonished he saw a lot of people gathering around a caravan. But what surprised Nestor is that the caravan was floating, and it was filled with foods.
"What is that weird caravan who brings foods?" Nestor asked.
"I guess you don't know who Mr. Baran is," then smile appeared in Leroy's face, then he continues his talk. "Baran is a savior of this town every week. He comes with crystals and sells them in the city to buy us food."
Nestor was amazed by Baran's kindness toward those people. As Catrina saw them, she shouted, "Leroy, Nestor, be kind and help me distribute the food."
After they finished giving the food, they entered the house and saw Baran sitting drinking tea. Near to him, Erin was smiling and had a doll in her hands playing with it. seems he brought it for Erin
When Baran saw them entering, his gazes fell to Nestor, "Oh, you have come back, did you awaked your essence?"
"Yes" Nestor replied
Leroy and Catrina stiffened and looked to Nestor with wide eyes. "How is this possible? so you are not outcasted?"
Nestor only could play like a fool and laugh, "haha, I really don't know."
"Well, I guess your background is more mysterious than I thought," Baran said
Then Baran stood up and said to Nestor, "Follow me outside."
As they walked out, Leroy clenched his hand. Because of how unlucky he was, he only can curse his fate. He thought Nestor like him, but it turns he was blissed.
Baran scratched his beard. "Nestor, since you awakened your essence, you need guidance and training, and I am willing to do so, but I want something from you in exchange."
Nestor didn't expect that Baran should say that. Since Nestor successfully awakened his essence, he thought of how he can make Baran teach him how he can use magic. When Nestor heard Baran say this, he was more than happy to do what Baran wants.
"anything!" Nestor said With a big smile in his face
"I want your promise that you will never use your power to kill or harm innocent people."
Then he turns toward Nestor with worried eyes, "look around you. this world does not need any more evils."
Nestor was surprised by Baran's request. He had never intended to use magic for such a thing. He just wanted to protect himself and find answers about what happened to him.
"I swear I will never do any evils with my power."
"Good kid, then lets us say goodbye to Catrina and the others. We will return home. You will stay with me, and from tomorrow your training begins."
Nestor Noded.
Baran never was in his intention to be a teacher to anyone. He isolated himself because he didn't like this world. And didn't want to be part of it. But when he saw how mana reacted to Nestor earlier, he felt this kid may have a big impact on this world. So he decided to guide him. He feard that if Nestor was guided by others, he would do more harm.
After they said goodbye. They walked back to Baran's house. Nestor was thrilled to start his training. He never imagined, even in his wild dream, to use magic like some fantasy games.