I sheathe my sword at my waist after killing the Chief Ogre and walk towards the young boy who was fighting the Chief Ogre earlier. When I got to his location, I examined to see if he had any wounds and there were none to be found, but he was pale from mana exhaustion.
When I refocus my sight to where the Chief Ogre is, I can see the aftermath of their fight. It's dark, but darkness is one of my strong suits, so even in the dark, I can see clearly.
Hmmm... Interesting...
I reach for my mana potion, which is kept at my waist in my universal bag. I opened it and tried to make this boy drink it, but he couldn't, so I took the potion and opened his mouth, then made him drink using my mouth, ensuring that no potion was spilled. His pale face gradually returns to its original color after I made him drink the potion.
I keep my gaze fixed on him. He has silver-like white hair, fair and smooth skin, a pointed nose, and kissable pink lips. Unconsciously, I lick my lips, and I can taste the bitterness of the mana potion on my tongue.
When I notice people approaching, I turn away from him. I laid him down again on the grass, then got my sword and attempted to cut the large circular grass not far away from here. I swung my sword to cut it and noticed a young girl shielded by those grasses.
After destroying those grasses and letting her out, I also attempted to erase the traces of their fight.
When I get back to the boy, I bend in close to his ear.
"You owe me this one, and I'll wait for you until you pay it back." I had a smirk on my face that was normally devoid of emotion.
I can see his eyelids slightly open as he glances at me, and the sight of those lovely purple eyes makes my heart stops beating.
He closed his eyes slowly and I know he lost consciousness again because of exhaustion. I didn't even notice that I stop breathing.
....Strange.
***
I can feel the cool breeze on my face, which makes me quiver, and I can hear the nocturnal bugs creating various sounds that are like a melody appealing to my ears.
I slowly open my eyes as I hear a voice calling to me, and the first thing I see are the twinkling stars and the dazzling full moon, but what surprises me is knowing where I am.
I jerk to my feet, startled, and look around. This is the lake I most frequently visit to help me heal my wounds. I was sitting on a bed of grasses after losing consciousness, and I no longer feel dizzy or have the pain in my heart that I had before losing consciousness.
What am I doing here? I fainted in the forest after fighting the Chief Ogre, and that was the last thing I remember. Despite the fact that I have no idea how it works, I'm still puzzled as to why I can use magic.
It's akin to the act of breathing. Everyone knows how to breathe from birth, and it appears that I also know how to use magic—which, given the evidence from my fight with the Chief Ogre, I hope no one finds out about.
Is Carole safe? Is it possible that I've died?
No, I remember being saved by someone, and I don't believe this is the afterlife because I've been visiting here once a month since I was five years old. I recall that this lake is near the orphanage, but why am I here? I never imagined I'd be back here.
This place appears to be the same due to the glowing trees and fireflies as the main source of light but there is a bridge leading to the lake's center that has never existed before. I'm not sure why there's a bridge that leads to a small isle with a cottage in it. I get to my feet, patting the leaves and dust off my clothes, and begin walking towards the bridge.
The bridge is not your typical brick bridge. Instead, it is made of shiny blocks of ice that are almost transparent, allowing you to see the water at the bottom. The bridge's handle is also unique. It is made of obsidian black with various gems attached to it, giving the bridge an elegant appearance.
What draws my attention are the balls of fire floating above the bridge like lanterns lighting the path. It's magical, displaying various elements in harmony to create a masterpiece that makes this place appear even more enchanted than before.
I kept walking as I looked around to see what had changed in this place, and while a lot had changed, it still felt somewhat familiar.
Every time I come here, I get the same soothing and warm feeling. It calms me, and I always feel safe here, as if someone is assuring me that no one can hurt me if I'm here.
I actually hesitate to leave the orphanage because I don't want to be apart from this place, and I'm not sure why I'm here or how this place has changed so drastically in such a short time.
After crossing the bridge I stepped onto the stone pathway leading to the cottage, it began to glow, and when I stopped stepping, it stopped glowing. I'm astounded by how magical and incredible these stones are.
The place has a small garden full of flowers, mostly Iris, Daffodils, Dahlias, Hydrangeas, Anemones, and Roses in various colors, and instead of grass on the ground, a Vietnam Rose in various colors has been planted. I also notice a Mani-mani flower planted on the opposite side of the Vietnam Rose.
When I arrived at the cottage, I noticed that the design of the cottage is magnificent. The cottage is made of four trees whose branches meet to form a dome, and each stem has a mana stone lamp attached to it. There is also a round glass table in the center, as well as two chairs facing each other in a horizontal line.
I still can't process how beautiful this place is when someone tugs on my clothes.
When I turned around to see who had done it, I was surprised to see an adorable child dressed in a lime dress that fit her perfectly. She has long dark blue-green hair that reaches her waist, yellow-green cat eyes, and chubby rosy cheeks that make you want to pinch them because she is so cute.
I hunch down. I'm not particularly tall for a 12-year-old, but the child in front of me is so small and adorable that she seems to be 2 or 3 years old. Did I say adorable again? I feel like I can't keep myself together, and I really want to squeeze her but I don't want to frighten her.
"You're my guardian, right? But why are you here?" Why is my guardian here? So I'm not the only one who can enter this place or the reason she can enter this place is that she's my guardian?
"I'm not sure why I'm here, either. I'm already here when I open my eyes after Sam fainted." The child responded and confused looks plastered on her face making her so adorable.
"Aww... You're so adorable, it makes me want to pinch those fluffy cheeks." She blushed to know what I had just called her, and it made her even cuter.
"Sam needs to stop calling me adorable". She's embarrassed which makes her face blushed more making her look so red.
Before I asked her, I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry... I'm not going to call you that anymore, I swear. So, what should I call you?" I'm waiting for her response when I notice how confused she looks.
"I don't have a name... Sam created me, so Sam should give me a name." Huh? Did I make her? I'm not sure what she meant by that.
"Huh? Did I create you? How did I manage to do that?" I asked her because I'm becoming increasingly bewildered by what she said.
"Well, Sam made me when Sam was almost at death's door facing that ugly ogre." I'm becoming increasingly confused. I am aware that she is my guardian, but I had no idea that guardians are created by their contractors.
"I have no recollection of creating you, and no one can create guardians."
Guardians, as far as I know, are spirits who protect the blessed children and were created by the Creator.
"I'm not sure, but I feel different from the guardian Sam is portraying, and I'm not sure how Sam created me, but I know Sam is my creator." So I made her, but I can't remember what I did last night.
"But do you know why I can control the trees?" I'm not sure if controlling nature is one of my abilities, but that's what I did last night.
"No, that's my power, and Sam borrowed it from me. I guided Sam on how to use it, but Sam's body couldn't handle my power causing Sam to faint."
So that's why I can use magic but I can't handle it without fainting. I'm not sure, I still have a lot of questions, but I know she won't be able to answer them because she, the same as me, is clueless.
I'm not sure what to call her. I can't think of a better name for someone as adorable as she is, and I'm sure she'll grow up to be a lovely lady someday. I'm lost in my thoughts when I come up with a name that's perfect for her.
"From now on, your name will be Asiza, which means forest spirit, which matches your power and appearance." She smiled as soon as she heard her name, and I can see how happy she is because her eyes twinkled.
"I like it, Asiza is happy and loves Asiza's name."
Aww... I want to squeeze her and pinch her cheeks. I touched her cheeks with both of my hands but didn't pinch them because I didn't want to hurt her. After touching her cheeks, I decided to hug her tightly because I can't get over how adorable she is.
"Sam, please stop squeezing Asiza. Asiza can't breathe." I gently pat her head after releasing her from my embrace.
Then I carried her to an empty chair, I walked to another empty chair and sat down. I'm not sure why I'm here or what's causing the changes in this place, but I'm sure it has something to do with my power.
When I look closely, I can see that this place has grown since I was five years old. It used to be just a small lake with a few trees, but this place has gotten bigger than before, and I'm sure it is still growing. I'm not sure why, but this place feels like it's a part of me.
I take one more look at Asiza before continuing to inspect the place. Then not far away from here, there is another bridge connecting to another small isle but I can't clearly see what's in there when I can feel a sudden force pulling me away from this place. I'm floating in the air and feel dizzy that makes me close my eyes but before I lost consciousness I can hear someone's voice whispering to me.
"This is not the right time yet... Soon..."