" huh...Ahuh....Aahuh..."
After running sufficiently far, Ray was exhausted and sat down resting his back against a tree.
Not only was his body exhausted from running, but he also ran out of mana as a result of using such a powerful skill.
" Ouch.! That hurts "
Ray was suddenly hit by a slight soreness in the head.
"I remember mama saying something about depleting your mana. "
Mana exhaustion is a common occurrence and in most cases a person can recover after a period of rest, But if you push too far, even after exhausting your mana, this could prove fatal.
As for Ray, he was just experiencing burnout due to the overuse of mana for the first time.
" Is this what it's like to nearly run out of your mana. "
" If I remember correctly, I must either wait until my body passively recovers the mana, or actively absorbs it from the surrounding. "
" Wait, how do you absorb mana again "
He knew how to move the mana out of his body through the spiritual veins that is in fact the basis for anyone to use the mana, but absorbing is something that is taught much later only when one has a certain level of proficiency on the previous aspect of controlling mana.
" Well, I'll give it a shot. "
" This shouldn't be so difficult."
Ray then raised his and tried to absorb the mana through it, but he quickly realised that the mana was halted in his hand and not flowing into the core.
"Huh.. I suppose I'll just have to wait here to be caught then. "
* * *
( few weeks ago )
" huh.... I ran quite far. "
Finding a bush nearby, Ray decides to hide in it.
"hehehe.... If I hide in this bush, She'd have a hard time finding me. "
* rustle..!* * rustle ..! *
Ray enters the bush making sure that none of his body parts were sticking out of the bush, peeking just enough to be able to observe his surroundings He was looking in the direction he came from, unaware of the fact that someone had already slipped behind him.
Before he even knew it, that person put his hands in the bush and lifted him up.
" Aaaaaaa... "
Realizing that he was lifted up all of a sudden, Ray couldn't help but scream.
" Ghost...! Ghost .....! "
" Sister Rina help "
" A Ghost is trying to kidnap me ...."
" Aaa..."
" Young master don't worry it's me "
Realizing that the voice he heard was very familiar, Ray stopped screaming.
" Oh... it's sister Rina "
"Aaaaaa... The ghost imitating Sister Rina. "
Being called a ghost all of a sudden Valerina wasn't very happy.
" hehehe.... Looks like you figured out my true identity, now I got no choice but to eat you. "
" hehehe..... tasty looking kid you are about to become my meal "
Saying that She opened her mouth and bit him on the neck.
Ray tightly closed his eyes and started shouting.
" Aaaaaa.... wait, that didn't hurt "
But realising that all he felt was just nibbles, he opened his eyes and turned around.
Upon seeing Valerina's face, he clung to her, and she held him even more firmly.
" Sister Rina ... sister Rina help that ghost is trying to eat me "
As he said, he turned around and pointed to the other side.
" Wait "
Seeing that no one was present, he realized that it was Valerina who did all this.
" hehehehe... "
Rina couldn't stop giggling.
" Sister Rina, did you play a prank on me. "
" Maybe I did or maybe I am a ghost trying to act like your sister Rina "
" Boooo.... sister Rina I don't like you now "
" Ooh.... Did Rina made young master mad? "
" Humh...! "
" How about as an apology Rina will cook you some lamb curry "
" I know that Sister Rina doesn't cook well and you're going to ask aunt to do it. "
" Okay, since the young master doesn't want my apology, then it's fine too. "
" No..no.. I want it , sister Rina is the best "
" hehehe... "
* * *
Remembering Valerina's monstrosity from the last few times he played with her, Ray got chills.
" Well, it's better than the last time. "
" At least I won't get caught the minute I hide. " After a little rest, Ray got up.
He didn't feel light-headed anymore, so he decided he should start moving.
" I came from this side and Lake should be on this side. "
Instead of moving away Ray decided to move towards the lake.
" Even though I am quite far away I should avoid moving towards the forest. "
He used magic again and began running in the direction that he thought the lake was.
Ray made sure he didn't leave any trail, but even after all this he was sure that he would get caught.
"I'm pretty sure the lake should be a couple hundred yards away at most. "
Spotting a tree near Ray moves towards it.
" Maybe I should try climbing that tree. "
" But I don't think I've ever climbed before, well there's always a first time, right? "
Thanks to magic, Ray got a head start and started climbing the tree.
" one...two ....one ....two ...."
He also strengthens his grip using mana and Slowly but surely Ray started climbing the tree.
Just when Ray was halfway, through bad luck he stepped on a fragile piece of bark, causing him to slip and lose him balance.
Just at the moment of his fall, he used magic and dramatically reduced the impact of the fall.
" phew...! , I am not doing this without sister Rina again "
Ray murmured this, laying on the ground.
Suddenly, a soft and fragile hand appeared in his vision and, for some reason, Ray believed it was Valerina's.
" Thankyou sister Rina "
Saying that he held the hand and got up.
Just then he realized that the person he was holding wasn't Valerina.
" Aaaaaaaaa..... Ghoooooooooost... "
* * *
On the other side, Valerina had already mapped out the previous location of Ray.
" The tracks end here. "
" I don't believe he's hiding here. "
As she traced his footsteps, she reached a tree and squatted.
Looking at his footprints he saw something unusual.
There were small blades of grass and shredded twigs on the ground near his foot prints.
*sniff..!* *sniff..! *
"This peculiar scent of wind magic. "
Suddenly a realisation struck her.
"Wait, is this why he asked me to play with him. "
Looking at the traces of the magic of the wind, she realized he was using it to cover his tracks.
" hehehe....Master...my dear Little Master... you never fail to amaze me. "
" hehe.....hehehe"
" huh.... too bad I can't have you for myself "
* * *
In the deepest part of the garden next to the forest beneath a tree was a little girl.
She was what you might call the perfect definition of a loli.
Her long dark hair were silky but a little disorderly. They were tied with black-red ribbons. Her eyes were bright red like dripping blood. Her face was milky white with chubby cheeks and pink lips.
Even though her face was calm and she didn't display much emotion, she was still very cute.
And if you had the chance to watch her smile, it's sure to melt your heart.
" Ugh... sorry I got scared looking at your eyes "
Ray said to the girl sitting beside him.
" hum..."
But in response, all she did was nod her head.
"Well, sister, what's your name. "
Although uncomfortable, he still looked into her eyes and asked her.
" Name? "