We arrived at a large arena-like complex, with a domed-shaped barrier on top. There were various doors connected to it and as we walked past them, Lucy said what they were meant for.
"Demons hold a lot of pride in their power and combat prowess. It is essentially a right of passage for all demons to prove to their families that they are worthy of being called a warrior. This arena is where I have trained since childhood. In magic and in combat. It's the perfect place to find out your mysterious powers...though I have some clue of what it is" she said as we continued walking.
"What do you mean?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Well I told you right, no ordinary person can survive in the dark forest for as long as you have" she said, from the corner of my eyes I could see a black blade appearing in her hand.
The very next moment her hand swung at me, aimed directly at my neck, the sense of danger I had felt in the forest had returned for a fleeting movement. My body moved on instinct, like it was working on its own and I just avoided the point of her blade by the skin of my teeth.
I just staggered back startled and looked at Lucy.
"Just as I expected, your senses have definitely heightened. I am sorry for doing it this way but the element of surprise was necessary" She said sincerely.
I let out a sigh of relief at her words, my body finally relaxing and everything going back to normal.
"This has probably happened before hasn't it, when you were in the forest. Your body recognising dangers before your mind could. Your sense of instinct takes control of your body doesn't it" she continued.
I thought back to my time in the forest, how many times had I been saved by this innate sense of danger I had gained after I had come here. There was no chance the Haruto I was back in my world would have even come close. I thought luck had somehow been on my side but it seems that not all of it was just chance.
"Yeah, now that I think about it..." I replied.
"Well it's a start, my guess is that it's not a magical ability you have acquired but a physical enhancement...which also means that it can be trained. Good news for you....rarely does anyone survive being beheaded by a demon" she said teasingly.
"And judging by the nature of your homeworld, combat isn't something that's a necessity but when I found you that day, you were able to use your spear pretty well. Severely lacking in form but for someone who has never held a weapon before, that is no coincidence. I think we have just solved a small piece of a big puzzle" she said, her train of thought moving elsewhere.
"And what exactly is that piece?" I said, not exactly following.
"There is a concept among demons called warriors potential, it means that a person's innate physical capability is fixed and no matter what happens they would never be able to surpass it in a physical sense...it also means that just because you are born with a warriors potential doesn't mean you will be able to achieve it, you have to earn that right. I think that the abilities that you have been granted are very similar, that is, you have a potential for some specific abilities but they have to be unlocked so to say. The reason your senses have heightened is because of its necessity in the environment you were in, in simple terms, you 'unlocked' that ability" she replied.
"What this also means is that we have no clue as to what abilities you do have and what it takes to 'unlock' them. The best approach we can have is try everything and see what sticks.." she trailed off.
"Or, It could be..." she said with a smile.
"And what could it be " I said a bit apprehensively, unsure of what was coming next.
"fufu, well, I initially assumed that since the people bought here by the spellform were human, they would not be able to see the 'forces' of this world like the rest of us do. Since humans in this world do not have that ability, not in the same way we do. But this might just be worth a shot..." she trailed of again into her own world, and me only having more questions than answers.
"You remember what I told you about, a thing I called mana. It is essentially a governing force of this world. It binds the fabric of this world together, the rules of nature are set by it. Mana is everywhere, it exists in even inorganic things, even though life without mana is impossible. The humans are born with a certain limit of mana, one that can be replenished if depleted but can never be exceeded. They don't see it the way we do..." she said as she walked closer to me.
"My guess is that you are not limited by such things...THAT is your true ability" she said her face right in front of me now.
"How will we know....how are you sure?" I said.
"There is only one way to find out" she said with a grin. She placed both her hands on my cheeks and pulled me closer. I closed my eyes shyly but then I felt our foreheads touch.
I felt a rush of energy in me, wrapping me in its warm embrace, it was a bit overwhelming at first but I soon got used to its presence.
"Open your eyes and tell me what you see" I heard her whisper.
I slowly opened my eyes to a blurry vision but soon my eyes adjusted and I couldn't speak as I stared in awe at what was in front of me.
Small glowing particles floating all around, all of different colours. Some intermingling and others staying homogenous. A green cluster gathering near the trees and blue ones near the water.
"What is that....." I asked in astonishment.
"That is mana...welcome to the world of magic, Haruto. True magic"