Chapter 3: The Forest and The Heart
The next day at noon, "Hey Rowan, wake up," said Hap. "Huh, it's already morning..." replied Rowan. After they had breakfast, Hap invited Rowan to work. "Hey Rowan, let's go to the worksite, we still have a lot of work to do," said Hap with a smile. "Huuuuhh.... alright."
Rowan and Hap went to the worksite as usual, and while they were working, Loane came to the site bringing some snacks for Rowan and Hap. Hap asked Loane, "Why are you here? This is a worksite, not a flower shop." Loane smiled and replied, "Hmm? What's wrong with bringing you two some snacks? If you don't want them, that's fine." Hap responded, "Oh, in that case, let's take a break, Rowan." Rowan just followed Hap's lead.
While eating, Rowan asked Loane, "Can you teach me how to sense magic?" Loane replied, "No, you still need to be a laborer for six more months." Rowan, still unsatisfied, pleaded with the old woman to teach him. "Please, Miss Loane, it's the only way to sense magic..." Eventually, Loane gave in and said, "Alright, come to my flower shop after three in the afternoon." Hap interjected, "No, Loane, three in the afternoon is still work time." Rowan looked at Hap sadly and said, "Pleaseee.." Hap finally gave in and allowed Rowan to go to Loane's flower shop at three.
After Three O'Clock
Rowan entered Miss Loane's flower shop and remembered the time he fainted there. He told himself, "I must become stronger..." He then called out, "Miss Loane, where are you? I'm here!" Loane came down from upstairs and called Rowan to come up with her to learn how to sense magic. "Rowan, come upstairs, I'll teach you how to sense magic." Rowan excitedly replied, "Alright, Miss!"
Upstairs
After they reached upstairs, Loane invited Rowan to sit on the floor in front of her. "Rowan, sit in front of me and watch how to sense magic." Then, Loane demonstrated sensing magic, making Rowan see the floating fragments of magic. In his mind, he thought, 'Wow... so this is magic...' "Can you see the magic?" asked Loane. "Yes, I can see the fragments," replied Rowan. Loane was amazed that Rowan could see the magic fragments because when she learned, she couldn't see them.
The Petal Heart
Then, Loane instructed Rowan to close his eyes and breathe calmly. "You will feel the magic within your heart. Imagine a flame burning in your heart," Loane said. Rowan tried but couldn't see the flame; instead, he saw a flower with two petals in his heart. He began to hyperventilate and sweat profusely. Memories flashed in his mind, making Rowan enter his memory. In this memory, he saw Lily holding his hand, and they sat under a cherry blossom tree. Lily asked Rowan to sense the magic and said, "Rowan... you are a florist." Rowan thought, 'F-florist, what is that?' Then, Rowan woke from his dream, returning to normal, and saw Loane holding his face. Loane asked, "Rowan, ARE YOU OKAY??" Rowan replied, "Y-yes, I'm okay. Why are you holding my face?" Loane said, "Your skin turned red, and you were gasping for breath, so I was worried about your health. I asked if you were okay, but you didn't respond, making me panic." Rowan explained, "O-oh, I'm sorry, Miss. I gained a new memory." Loane felt relieved after hearing Rowan's explanation.
But Rowan still didn't understand why the magic in his heart formed a flower with only two petals. He asked Loane, "Miss, why don't I see a flame in my heart but instead see a tree with two petals?" Loane was shocked to hear that there was no burning flame because, in the world of magic, all living beings had mana like fire. Loane said, "A tree... florist... AHHHH let me see your heart, hold my hand, Rowan." Rowan quickly held Loane's hand, and she sensed the magic in his heart, seeing three petals. Loane asked, "How many memories have you gathered, Rowan?" Rowan replied, "Only three... Why, Miss?" Loane thought that the young man in front of her could become very powerful. She explained to Rowan that as he gathered all his memories, the petals would increase, making his magic stronger. She also informed Rowan that he now had three petals.
Rowan was shocked by this revelation, making him freeze. Loane then said, "Go home to Hap and discuss this another day..." Rowan agreed with Miss Loane, thanked her for teaching him about magic, and left the shop.
The Forest
On his way back to Hap's house, Rowan sensed a magic presence in the nearby forest of Lilybrook. He followed the magic into the forest and saw a small creature, a FootLos, made from tree branches, harmless to him. FootLos noticed Rowan and surprised him because he had never seen one before. The FootLos invited Rowan to follow it, but Rowan didn't understand at first. Finally, FootLos pulled Rowan along, and Rowan said, "Do you want me to follow you?" FootLos nodded excitedly, happy that Rowan understood.
Rowan followed FootLos deeper into the forest and found a large branch he recognized from his dream. FootLos urged Rowan to touch the branch. Rowan hesitantly touched it, and his hand stuck to it. He tried to pull away but couldn't and shouted at FootLos, "WHY CAN'T I LET GO OF THIS TREE?" FootLos panicked and ran into the bushes. Rowan, in panic, shouted, "AHHH USELESS, LET ME GO!!!" The tree then spoke, "Calm down, Rowan, do not be afraid, and do not be angry with FootLos. I commanded them to bring you here, Rowan." Rowan, terrified, looked around and said, "WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY AM I STUCK HERE??!!" The tree laughed at Rowan's fear. "Don't worry, Rowan. I am the tree you are holding, but why do you not remember me, Rowan?" Rowan replied, "HUH, A TALKING TREE?!! I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I LOST MY MEMORY. LET ME GO, BIG TREE!!" The tree sighed. "I see... very well, Rowan. You need to stop absorbing my magic, Rowan. Calmly stop the flow of magic entering you." Rowan said, "O-okay, Mr. Tree." Rowan tried to stop the magic flow entering his body.
The Forest Guardian's Gift
Rowan took a deep breath and focused, trying to stop the flow of magic into his body. Gradually, he felt the connection weakening, and his hand finally released from the tree.
"Thank you, Rowan," the tree said in a calming voice. "I am an ancient guardian of this forest, and I have watched over Lilybrook for centuries. Your presence here is significant."
Rowan, still a bit shaken, replied, "What do you mean? Why am I significant?"
The tree's leaves rustled gently as it spoke. "You have a special connection to the magic of this land. The flowers you see in your visions are not just symbols; they represent a deeper bond with nature and the magic within it."
Rowan looked thoughtful. "So, the petals I see... they are connected to my memories and my strength?"
"Yes," the tree confirmed. "As you gather more memories and strengthen your bond with magic, your abilities will grow. The flowers in your heart will bloom, revealing your true potential."
Rowan nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of his journey. "Thank you for guiding me."
"Remember, Rowan," the tree advised, "you are not alone. Trust in your friends and the magic that surrounds you. Your path is just beginning."
With that, Rowan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He thanked the tree and made his way back to Hap's house.
After rowan arrive at hap house,hap asking rowan"Oi whats the matter why are you coimg home late? And what with the face? Did Loane do something to you?"
Rowan relied"n-no it's not that..."
Hap asking again"then what make you sad young man.. what did you see untill your face looks so pale?"
After rowan hearing Hap asking him then he explain everything that happend at loane shop and int the forst with the ancient tree.
Hap Saying "So, thats what happend,i might not know about magic petals or anything buut YOU ARE LUCKY YOUNG MAN bacause youre going to unlock your memories there HAHA"
Rowan weirdly looking at hap and replied "What do you mean?"
Hap saying again "How about you go to the blossom tree over the hill overthere,the tree has been there since i was here ten years ago....how about you go overthere next morning".
Rowan happily looking at hap has not curse or throwing any potatoes at him and then rowan hugged him "Thanks Hap,without you i might not be here anymore,i might not have obtain my memories..thanks hap.."
Hap replied "Hey brat,How about you let me go now, iam trying to cook here.."while smiling
Rowan replied "Hey shut up..you just ruined to mood..."
Hap replied "alright..alright...its just..the food is about to burnt overthere"
Rowan replied "ehhh...AHHH GO SAVE THE FOOD"
Hap laugh and save the dinner for the day and they eat happily that night and then they goes to sleep.