Satoru soon woke up, feeling dazed and disoriented. Blinking his eyes open, he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.
Everything seemed a bit blurry, and he could feel the lingering effects of his transformation.
As his vision cleared, he became aware of a soft, comfortable sensation against his head.
He realized he was resting on something incredibly soft and warm.
Slowly, he lifted his head and looked around, trying to piece together what had happened.
"Ugh… where am I?" Satoru muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes.
He glanced up and saw Janne looking down at him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
It dawned on him that his head had been resting on her lap, and he quickly sat up, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Janne… what happened?" he asked, his voice still groggy.
"You fainted," she replied gently, her eyes studying him carefully. "I'm not sure how, but your face started changing… it was like you were transforming right before my eyes."
Satoru's eyes widened in surprise. He touched his face, feeling the unfamiliar contours and angles. He couldn't quite grasp what she was saying, but he trusted her words.
"I… I don't remember much," he admitted. "Just a surge of energy and then… nothing."
Janne nodded, her expression softening. "You've been through a lot. Rest for a bit longer, okay? We'll figure this out together."
Satoru looked at her, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him.
Despite the strangeness of the situation, he felt safe with her. He leaned back, letting out a deep breath, and tried to relax.
The softness of her lap had been a surprising comfort, and he found himself wishing he could stay like that a bit longer.
"Thank you, Janne," he said softly. "For everything."
Janne smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "You don't need to thank me. We're in this together, remember?"
Satoru nodded, closing his eyes again.
The warmth of her presence and the softness of her lap lingered in his mind as he drifted back into a peaceful state, ready to face whatever came next with her by his side.
"So… what exactly is happening to my body?" Satoru asked, his voice filled with confusion.
"I feel completely different, much stronger, but my muscles are aching all over. I guess this is a small price to pay for this change?"
"Don't ask me," Janne replied, shaking her head. "I have no idea what's going on. You were supposed to have an affinity for water, yet you used black flames, and with an incredible power that shouldn't be possible for a first-time magic user."
"Maybe… this is fate? Perhaps it's a talent I was born with?"
"Hmm, that would be quite fortunate," Janne remarked, her tone tinged with curiosity and concern.
Satoru raised his hand slowly, ignoring the pain shooting through his muscles. He couldn't suppress his curiosity.
Closing his eyes, he visualized a new spell in his mind.
He focused on the intricate details, feeling the magic flow through him.
Suddenly, a small, fiery vortex appeared in the palm of his hand, spinning with an intensity that seemed almost alive.
"Ah!? Your talent seems… extraordinary?" Janne exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes, I felt it as soon as I woke up. My body feels like it's changed significantly. I have these new muscle memories, telling me I can use various types of magic, all different elements. But this familiarity with all kinds of magic is fading fast."
"Then hurry and grasp it, understand the structure. You should be able to replicate it later," Janne urged.
"Right, thank you for the advice." Satoru quickly responded.
Satoru closed his eyes again, focusing deeply. He let himself be immersed in the fleeting knowledge, trying to memorize the patterns and structures of the magic he could feel slipping away.
As he meditated, he could sense Janne's presence beside him, a reassuring reminder that he wasn't alone in this strange situation and challenging journey.
After a while.
"Ah! I've grasped it!" Satoru exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
"Really? That's wonderful," Janne replied, a hint of relief in her tone.
"So this is the essence of magic?" Satoru mused, his eyes wide with newfound understanding. "But… I've only understood the structure. I feel like I'm missing something. I conceptualized a complex spell, but I can't proceed to the next step of construction."
"Ah, I know what's missing," Janne said thoughtfully. "You haven't learned about spell chanting and the sorcerer's medium yet."
"What are those?" Satoru asked, curiosity piqued.
"Hmm… You can learn about those later. For now, you should rest," Janne suggested.
"But, I can still give you a demonstration," she added with a mischievous smile.
Janne raised her hand, a subtle fragrance emanating from her as she moved, wafting over Satoru and leaving him momentarily entranced by the delightful scent.
Then, she extended her index finger, pointing at a distant rock.
"Magic · Small · Pure · Dawn Sight!" Janne chanted.
With her words, an incredibly bright light emanated from her fingertip.
The light shot towards the rock, piercing it instantly, followed by a series of explosions along the light's path.
"How was that?" Janne asked, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"Wow… Is this what magic can do? It's so powerful!" Satoru said, his awe evident.
"This isn't even the most powerful spell. I toned down the intensity for safety reasons," Janne explained.
"I want to learn!" Satoru declared eagerly.
"No, you don't. What you need now is rest," Janne insisted firmly.
Satoru sighed but nodded, realizing she was right. He had pushed his body to its limits and beyond, and now he needed to recover.
"Alright, I'll rest," he agreed reluctantly.
"Good. We can continue your training when you're fully recovered," Janne said, a warm smile spreading across her face.
As Satoru lay back, closing his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the future.
The path to mastering magic was challenging, but with Janne's guidance, he felt confident he could overcome any obstacle.
Satoru and Janne remained in the meadow, one kneeling on the grass, the other with their head resting on Janne's lap.
The scent of the earth mingled with Janne's gentle fragrance, creating an atmosphere that made Satoru feel incredibly at ease.
Despite the lingering soreness in his muscles, he felt a profound sense of satisfaction.
Janne looked down at him, a soft smile playing on her lips as she gently ran her fingers through his hair, her touch as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Satoru, you know, magic's mysteries go far beyond what you've seen. Magic chanting isn't just about reciting spells; it's about communicating with the natural elements. The sorcerer's medium is the bridge that connects us to these elements," Janne's voice was like a babbling brook, soothing and serene.
"Hmm, I can feel that," Satoru opened one eye slightly, gazing up at Janne's face. "But why do I always feel like something is missing?"
"That's because you haven't found your own magical heart yet. Every true sorcerer has a unique magical heart; it's our deepest connection with the natural elements," Janne explained.
"A magical heart? How do I find mine?" Satoru's curiosity was piqued, his eyes bright with interest.
"It takes time and opportunity. Not everyone can find it easily," Janne looked into the distance at the mountains as if searching for something. "But I believe you can. You have a unique talent."
"Thank you, Janne. You always encourage me," Satoru said gratefully.
"Don't mention it. I just want to see you become stronger and better," Janne's voice carried a hint of worry as she lowered her gaze. "But remember, don't rush. Take each step carefully."
"Yes, I understand," Satoru nodded, clenching his fist. "I'll work hard to find my magical heart and cherish every learning opportunity."
The two sat quietly, the dew on the grass glistening under the sunlight, the breeze bringing the fragrance of distant flowers.
Time seemed to stand still, with only the sound of their heartbeats echoing in the tranquility.
"You know, Satoru," Janne suddenly spoke softly, "sometimes I envy you. You're always so determined,yet kind of stubborn. No matter what difficulties you face, you manage to persevere."
Satoru smiled slightly, his eyes filled with determination. "That's because you're by my side, Janne. Your support and help give me more courage."
A faint blush appeared on Janne's cheeks as she lowered her head and whispered, "I'll always be by your side, Satoru. No matter what, we'll face it together."
Satoru felt warmth swell in his heart at Janne's sincere words.
He reached out and held her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm.
The two of them sat there, hand in hand, enjoying the peace and warmth.
Though the future was uncertain, they believed that as long as they had each other, they could overcome any obstacle.