**Chapter 15:**
Arthur continued his routine of meditating in the clearing and hunting in the forest. The mana flowing through him became more familiar, almost like a trusted companion. Each day, he felt himself growing stronger, more attuned to the energy around him.
One afternoon, while tracking a deer through the dense underbrush, he heard a pained cry. He followed the sound and found a man lying on the ground, clutching his leg in agony. The man was a hunter from the village, his leg bent at an unnatural angle.
"Help me," the hunter gasped, his face pale with pain. "A magical beast attacked me. My leg... I can't move."
Arthur quickly knelt beside him, assessing the injury. "Hold on, I'll get you back to the village."
With great effort, Arthur helped the hunter to his feet, supporting him as they made their way through the forest. The journey was slow and arduous, but Arthur's determination never wavered. They finally reached the village, and Arthur took the hunter to the healer.
The healer, a kind woman named Seraphine, quickly tended to the hunter's wounds. Arthur watched as she worked, fascinated by her skill and the subtle use of mana in her healing techniques.
"Thank you, Arthur," the hunter said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You saved my life."
Arthur nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Just glad I could help."
A few days later, after recovering, the hunter sought out Arthur. He found him meditating in the clearing, the familiar spot where Arthur felt most at peace.
"Arthur," the hunter called, limping slightly as he approached. "I wanted to thank you properly. You've got a good heart, and I thought I'd repay you by teaching you something useful."
Arthur opened his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. "What did you have in mind?"
The hunter sat down beside him, his expression serious. "I'm going to teach you the basics of hunting. You seem capable, and it's a skill that will serve you well."
Arthur listened intently as the hunter, who introduced himself as Bran, explained the techniques of tracking and trapping. They spent hours together, Bran sharing his knowledge and experience. Arthur learned quickly, his keen mind absorbing every detail.
One day, as they sat in the clearing, Arthur asked a question that had been on his mind. "What can you tell me about magical beasts?"
Bran's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Magical beasts are dangerous, but they can be incredibly valuable. They possess mana crystals, which are powerful and can be used for various purposes."
Arthur's interest was piqued. "What kinds of magical beasts are there around here?"
Bran sighed, rubbing his chin. "Well, the ones you most commonly encounter around these parts are the lesser drakes, shadow wolves, and mana-infused stags. Each has its own unique properties and dangers. For example, a lesser drake breathes fire and has scales tough as iron, making it hard to kill. Shadow wolves are stealthy and can blend into their surroundings, striking from the shadows. Mana-infused stags, like the one that attacked me, are incredibly fast and have antlers that can channel mana, making their attacks devastating."
Arthur's eyes widened. "And what about their crystals?"
"Each beast has a crystal that is essentially a concentrated core of their mana," Bran explained. "These crystals can be used in a variety of ways: powering magical devices, enhancing spells, or even being crafted into powerful artifacts. However, extracting these crystals is no easy task. You need to be precise, or you risk damaging them or triggering a mana explosion."
He glanced around the clearing, a flicker of unease crossing his face. "This place... there's something off about it. We should move."
Arthur nodded, sensing Bran's discomfort. They relocated to another part of the forest, and Bran continued his lessons. He taught Arthur how to identify the signs of magical beasts, where to find them, and how to extract their mana crystals safely.
As they sat by a small stream, Bran demonstrated how to set traps and identify tracks. "See these marks?" he said, pointing to a series of deep indentations in the ground. "These were made by a mana-infused stag. You can tell by the depth and spacing of the tracks."
Arthur leaned in closer, examining the tracks. "So, if I follow these, I'll find the stag?"
"Not necessarily," Bran replied. "Tracks can be misleading. You need to look for other signs too, like broken branches or disturbed foliage. And always be aware of your surroundings. Magical beasts are cunning and can ambush you if you're not careful."
Arthur's skills improved rapidly, his confidence growing with each successful hunt. Yet, he never forgot the feeling of unease that had driven them from the clearing. He continued to meditate there, drawn by the potent mana that flowed through the place.
One evening, while Arthur was meditating in the clearing, he began to feel a sharp pain in his abdomen, centered just above his navel where his solar plexus lay. The pain intensified, and his vision blurred before darkening completely. He felt himself slipping into unconsciousness.
Arthur found himself in a dream, vivid and haunting. He relived moments from his previous life, the pain and suffering, the love and loss. He saw flashes of his many deaths, the countless times he had been reborn. The memories swirled around him, a chaotic tapestry of his past lives.
At the end of the dream, a dark figure emerged from the shadows, its presence malevolent and overwhelming. "Interesting," the figure murmured, its voice a sinister whisper. "I've never seen a human with so many reincarnations."
Arthur felt a chill run down his spine as the figure continued. "You have potential, boy. Great potential. You could achieve so much more with the right guidance."
The presence was tempting, its words like honeyed poison. Arthur felt a pull, a desire to know more, to gain the power the figure promised. But a part of him resisted, wary of the darkness that surrounded it.
"Who are you?" Arthur demanded, his voice steady despite his fear.
The figure chuckled, a sound that echoed through the dream. "I am many things. A guide, a teacher, a ruler. But most importantly, I am the key to your true potential."
Before Arthur could respond, he felt a jolt, and his eyes flew open. He found himself inside the cave he had avoided, the dark presence heavy around him. Before him lay an ancient amulet, its surface pulsing with a malevolent glow. The power it radiated was almost tangible, filling the air with a palpable sense of dread.
Arthur's hand trembled as he reached out, compelled by a force he couldn't understand. The amulet called to him, its dark power promising untold strength. He hesitated for a moment, the warnings of the dark figure echoing in his mind.
---
Arthur's hand trembled as he reached out, compelled by a force he couldn't understand. The amulet called to him, its dark power promising untold strength. He hesitated for a moment, the warnings of the dark figure echoing in his mind.