Training began the next day in the backyard. Ria was seated in a meditative stance while the masked man lounged by the steps eating some Takis.
"When it comes to mana reservation, one must learn to always be in control. Meditation is the best way to achieve that," he advised between bites. "Now, focus."
The crunching sound of his loud bites quickly began to distract and annoy Ria.
"Could you chew a little less loudly? And how is sitting here all day supposed to help me get stronger?" she asked, irritation creeping into her voice.
The man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement behind the mask. "Patience, princessa. Strength isn't just about brute force. It's about control and discipline. Meditation helps you tap into your mana and understand it better."
Ria huffed but closed her eyes again, trying to focus despite the constant crunching. Minutes passed, feeling like hours, but she slowly began to sense a faint warmth in her core—a glimmer of the power within her.
Just as she was starting to get the hang of it, the man spoke again, his voice breaking her concentration. "You feel it, don't you? That slight warmth inside you? Your mana"
Ria opened one eye and glared at him. "Yes, I do. But it's hard to concentrate with you making all that noise."
He smirked and tossed another chip into his mouth. "Consider it part of your training. Distractions will always be there. You need to learn to focus regardless."
Ria rolled her eyes but resumed her meditation, determined to push through. She could feel the warmth growing stronger, and with each passing moment, she became more attuned to the power within her.
After what felt like an eternity, the man finally stopped munching and stood up. "That's enough for today. You've made progress."
Ria opened her eyes and stretched, feeling surprisingly invigorated. "So, what's next?"
He tossed the empty bag of Takis into a nearby bin and said, "Next, we work on channeling that mana into something useful. But first, breakfast."
Ria's stomach growled at the mention of food. "As long as it's not hydra meat," she muttered.
The man laughed. "Don't worry, I've got something else in mind."
*. *. *.
Ria stared at the massive wolf carcass before her on the front yard, disbelief written all over her face. "This is your idea of a better breakfast?"
The masked man, unfazed, continued examining the wolf. "Why, of course. Wild wolf is a delicacy, especially when prepared properly. Tender, flavorful meat… you won't find anything like it out here in the woods."
Ria raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were getting something edible, not a... giant dead animal."
As if on cue, Fang—the masked man's demon tiger—stepped out from behind the carcass, sniffing the air with an almost pleased expression.
"You too, Fang?" Ria muttered, her arms crossed.
Fang's eyes flicked over to her as if threatening.
The masked man chuckled, clearly amused by Ria's discomfort. "Seems the majority wins," he said with a grin. "Don't worry, I'll have it ready in about two hours, but I'm running low on spices."
Ria groaned, already dreading the next part. "And where exactly do you expect me to find these spices?"
The masked man rose to his feet, brushing off his hands. "The forest, of course. Basil, thyme, maybe some star anise. Oh, and some azure nettles if you can find them. Those'll add just the right kick to the dish."
"Seriously? You're sending me into the woods again? And with fang of all people ?" Ria's voice was flat with annoyance. "What's next? A bear? A giant snake?"
He just shrugged. " It's either that or you get to stay hungry all day,but who am I to judge. That is if you don't mind having rotting meat for breakfast." His eyes sparkled behind the mask, clearly amused by his own joke.
Ria stared at him for a long moment before letting out an exasperated sigh. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Why, thank you," he said with a mock bow. "And don't worry—Fang will keep you company. He's quite good at keeping... things away."
Ria didn't look at Fang as he padded over to her side, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. She had no desire to trust the demon tiger, especially not after their last run-in. Still, it seemed she had little choice. "Fine," she muttered. "But if I end up dead,I'm hunting you for the rest of eternity."
"Whatever you say,princess," the masked man said with a grin that showed no sign of guilt. "Just be sure to hurry,since wolf meat tends to rot if not tended to at the right time."
Reluctantly, Ria grabbed a small pouch,put it around her shoulder and set off toward the woods, Fang trotting alongside her, his presence heavy in the air. The trees closed in around them, casting long shadows that made Ria's unease grow. The forest had always felt like a place of danger, and with Fang there, it felt doubly so.
"You can't be serious," Ria grumbled to herself. "Why is he making me do this?"
As they walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature surrounded them—chirping birds, rustling leaves, the occasional snap of a twig. But Ria's senses were too focused on the tension in the air to notice the peacefulness of it all.Basil thyme,star anise and azure nettles. Ria repeated repeated in her head so as not to forget.
Fang's head snapped to the side, his ears twitching. His body stiffened as he let out a low, growling hum. Ria's heart raced, her hand instinctively reaching for her blade.
"What is it, Fang?" she whispered, glancing around, but the tiger only stared ahead, his sharp eyes locked on something in the distance.