The morning in Blossom Garden was peaceful, filled with the gentle sounds of nature. The sun filtered through the branches of the Mother Tree, casting a warm, golden light over the village. Elara, Yome, and Neri awoke feeling more rested than they had in days. The exhaustion of their previous battles had lifted slightly, replaced by a sense of calm that came from the village's tranquil atmosphere.
As they gathered near the Mother Tree, Elder Hina approached them, accompanied by several of the village elders. The elder nekos were wise and ancient, their fur gray with age, but their eyes were sharp and full of knowledge.
"Good morning, travelers," Elder Hina greeted them warmly. "I trust you slept well?"
Elara nodded, a small smile on her lips. "We did, thank you. This village is… incredible. I feel stronger already."
Elder Hina smiled. "The Mother Tree watches over us all. Her blossoms bring healing to those who seek it. But there is more you can learn here, more that can help you on your journey."
One of the elders, a tall neko with a staff adorned with flowers, stepped forward. "I am Elder Miko, keeper of the ancient magics. We have heard of your journey, of the witch you defeated and the relic you destroyed. It is clear that you have been chosen for a great task."
Yome looked at the elders with curiosity. "You mentioned ancient magics… Can you teach us?"
Elder Miko nodded. "Indeed. The magics of the nekos are tied to the earth and the Mother Tree. We do not need grimoires to wield our power, for it flows through us, passed down from generation to generation. Elara, your gem is a part of this ancient magic. The Dragon Hero's power is one that was forged in the fires of the earth, tied to the very core of this world."
Elara listened intently, her hand resting on the gem at her chest. "The power… it's overwhelming. I need to learn how to control it, how to use it without letting it consume me."
Elder Miko's eyes softened. "The gem will test you, push you to your limits. But with practice and guidance, you will learn to harness its power. We will teach you how to channel your mana, how to draw strength from the earth itself. This will help you withstand the drain of the gem."
Elder Hina gestured to the Mother Tree. "The tree's blossoms contain the essence of life. By meditating beneath its branches, you can draw upon its power, restoring your mana and strengthening your connection to the earth."
Yome, curious about the Mother Tree's power, asked, "Can we all do this? Draw power from the tree?"
Elder Hina nodded. "Yes, but it requires patience and focus. You must open yourself to the energy of the earth, allow it to flow through you. It is not something that can be rushed."
They spent the day in Blossom Garden, learning from the elders and meditating beneath the Mother Tree. Elara practiced channeling her mana, drawing on the energy of the earth to replenish her strength. Yome focused on honing his skills, understanding how his "Predict" ability could be combined with the ancient magics they were learning.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the village, Elder Hina called them back to the center of the village. "You have learned much today, but there is still more to understand. Before you leave, I wish to show you something."
She led them to a small shrine at the base of the Mother Tree, where a glowing orb rested on a pedestal. The orb was similar to the Register Ball they had encountered in the guild, but this one radiated a soft, warm light.
"This is our village's Register Orb," Elder Hina explained. "It is tied to the earth, just as the guild orbs are, but it has been here for centuries. It is used to track the progress of our people, and it can also be used to register adventurers like yourselves."
Elara and Yome exchanged a glance, both of them curious and eager to see how they had grown. "May we check our status?" Elara asked.
Elder Hina nodded. "Of course. You have faced many challenges since you last checked. I believe you will be pleased with the results."
One by one, they placed their hands on the orb, which glowed brightly as it scanned their mana and recorded their experiences.
Yome went first, and a holographic screen appeared before him, displaying his updated status:
Name: Yome
Level: 15
Health: 450/450
Mana: 750/750
Status: Rank 2 (Apprentice Adventurer)
Skills:
- Wind Blade: A sharp gust of wind that can slice through enemies. (Mana Cost: 20)
- Gale Barrier: A defensive wind shield. (Mana Cost: 30)
- Wind Step: Increases speed with a burst of wind. (Mana Cost: 10)
- Predict: Predicts an enemy's actions five seconds into the future. Usable three times a day. (Mana Cost: 50)
Unique Skill:
- Echo of the Fallen: Absorbs the knowledge and skills of defeated enemies. (Mana Cost: 50 per absorption)
Yome's eyes widened at the significant increase in his level and mana. "Wow… I've really grown."
Elara was next, and as she placed her hand on the orb, the screen displayed her status:
Name: Elara
Level: 30
Health: 1000/1000
Mana: 1800/1800
Status: Rank 3 (Adept Adventurer)
Skills:
- Flame Burst: Unleashes a powerful burst of fire. (Mana Cost: 40)
- Fire Shield: Creates a defensive barrier of flames. (Mana Cost: 60)
- Inferno Strike: A devastating fiery attack. (Mana Cost: 100)
- Heat Wave: Emits a wave of intense heat, damaging all enemies in range. (Mana Cost: 80)
- Phoenix Flame: Heals wounds with mystical fire. (Mana Cost: 50)
Unique Skill:
- Dragon's Wrath: Temporarily enhances all fire-based attacks with dragon's power. (Mana Cost: 200)
Elder Hina smiled as she saw their reactions. "You have both grown immensely, and you will continue to grow as you face the challenges ahead. The mountains will test you, but you are ready."
Neri watched them, her expression a mix of pride and sadness. "I'm so glad you're both stronger… but I'm going to miss you when you leave."
Yome smiled at her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll miss you too, Neri. But you've got a home here, and your people need you."
Elara nodded, her voice soft. "You're strong, Neri. And you have so much to learn from your village. We'll meet again, I'm sure of it."
The next morning, after a final meal with the villagers, Elara and Yome packed their bags, ready to continue their journey. Neri accompanied them to the edge of the village, where the path to the mountain peaks began.
Elder Hina, standing beside Neri, offered a final piece of advice. "The journey to the statue will be difficult, but you carry the hopes and strength of many with you. Trust in each other, and trust in the power that lies within you."
Elara nodded, her resolve firm. "Thank you, Elder Hina. We won't forget what we've learned here."
Yome gave Neri one last hug. "Take care, Neri. And thank you for everything."
Neri smiled, though her eyes were a little misty. "You too, Yome. And Elara… I'm glad I met you both. Good luck on your journey."
With their goodbyes said, Elara and Yome turned to face the mountain path. The peaks towered above them, shrouded in mist and mystery, but they were ready. The journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but they had grown stronger, both in body and spirit.