Slowly, I opened my eyes, realizing that I was no longer in the dusty library. Instead, I found myself outside, surrounded by countless trees. The winter wind blew softly against my skin, carrying a soothing, cool sensation.
Loki let out a breath, his exhale forming a faint mist in the cold air. "It's a bit colder than usual tonight. Are you cold?"
"Not at all."
He gave a faint smile before turning and taking a step forward. "Follow me."
I trailed behind him. The snow stretched endlessly in every direction, creating a serene white landscape. It was so thick that my feet sank into its soft, icy embrace with every step.
I glanced around, left and right. There was nothing but the bare trees that had shed all their leaves to endure the harsh winter. Not a single animal was in sight; most of them were likely still hibernating in their dens.
The silence was overwhelming, broken only by the whistling of the cold wind. Until, at last, Loki shattered the stillness. "How much do you know about magic, Yata?"
"Nothing at all. I don't even know how to use mana."
Though I couldn't see his face, as it was obscured by his broad back, I could hear a soft sigh escape him.
"Well... that's understandable. Some Jotun can't use magic even when they've reached adulthood. But don't worry; I'll teach you how to wield mana in less than a night."
"Is that even possible?"
"Yes, absolutely. I believe you can do it, Yatagarasu."
After walking for a while, we arrived at a fairly large cave. Loki stared at it intently from the outside before deciding. "This place seems safe. Let's go in, Yata."
I nodded slightly and followed him into the cave.
As soon as we entered, Loki conjured a ball of light in his right hand. The orb floated near him, providing ample illumination to pierce through the cave's darkness.
No matter how many times I saw it, I couldn't help but marvel at his magic. He didn't need to chant long spells; it was swift and efficient, a significant advantage in battle, allowing for surprise attacks without wasting time.
After only a few steps inside, we found a large, flat rock perfect for sitting. Without hesitation, Loki dropped himself onto it and gestured for me to take a seat on another nearby.
"Alright, let's get started." Loki cleared his throat, commanding my attention. "You mentioned earlier that you can't use mana at all. But do you know what mana actually is?"
"Yes, a little," I replied confidently. "Mana is the energy needed to activate magic. The power, effectiveness, and duration of a spell depend on the density of mana a person possesses."
"Anything else you know?" Loki asked, his smile probing, like a teacher gauging the knowledge of a new student.
I nodded slightly.
"Everyone possesses mana without exception. What differs is the amount and density. Mana is like stamina, it depletes if overused but regenerates over time. And—"
"That's enough." Before I could finish, Loki interrupted. He let out a long breath. "Your understanding of the basics is far beyond what I expected. Honestly, it's a little surprising."
I gave a faint smile. Even so, I couldn't suppress the swell of pride in my heart at his acknowledgment. "Thank you for the compliment."
I felt a bit grateful for being able to answer his questions well. The truth was, I had learned everything from the books I'd read in the library. As the saying goes, "Books are bridges to knowledge."
"Alright," Loki clapped his hands once, demanding focus. "Let's begin your first lesson. I'll help you familiarize yourself with mana."
I nodded slightly, adopting the serious expression of a student ready to absorb their teacher's lesson.
"First, take off your shirt."
"Huh?" I gawked at him, confused by the odd request. "What do you mean?"
"Was I unclear? Just take your shirt off."
Hesitantly, I started doing as he asked. But halfway through, I paused. "But why?"
"Stop asking questions. Just do as I say."
"O-okay."
After removing my shirt completely, I sat cross-legged on the stone, bare-chested, as instructed. Loki moved behind me and placed his hand on my back.
Warmth suddenly radiated from his palm, spreading through my back and flowing into my veins. The sensation coursed through my body, enveloping every part of me.
"Now, close your eyes and focus. Try to delve into your subconscious," he said softly.
I did as he asked.
One minute... two minutes... perhaps several more passed. Gradually, I lost all sense of time. Before long, I could no longer tell how much time had slipped by.
"Where am I?" I asked, realizing I had ended up in a dark void so vast that nothing could be seen as far as the eye could reach.
"Don't worry, you're in your subconscious mind, Yatagarasu."
Loki's voice suddenly echoed in my thoughts, making me aware that I was indeed within my own subconscious.
"You don't look surprised. Have you experienced on this before?"
"I don't think so. This is my first time entering the subconscious."
Loki chuckled. "You're quite something, young one. I'm becoming even more intrigued by you."
I pursed my lips. Just as I suspected, there was something about me that even someone like Loki found fascinating. Yet I couldn't figure out what it was because, to me, there wasn't much about myself that was interesting.
"Do you see the stars scattered around you?"
"Stars?"
I scanned my surroundings with my gaze. Nothing but darkness greeted me. But then, one by one, tiny orbs of light began to appear, twinkling into existence. My eyes widened as the small stars multiplied, filling my subconscious, floating in the air like bubbles.
"I see them..."
Suddenly, the tiny stars began moving toward me, all at once. They picked up speed, darting chaotically in all directions, and I panicked, unsure of what to do.
"What should I do now?"
"Relax. They're not dangerous. Calm yourself and let them enter your body."
"All right."
Loki's words steadied me. I spread my arms, inviting the stars to enter. They seemed to understand, responding to my silent invitation as they surged into my body all at once.
A warm sensation began coursing through my veins. Gradually, the warmth transformed into an overwhelming heat, almost suffocating, as more stars merged with me. But I gritted my teeth and endured, determined to take it all in.
Slowly, I reopened my eyes. Loki was sitting in front of me, his usual faint smile tugging at his lips. It dawned on me, I had fully returned from my subconscious.
"You're awake?"
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the remaining dizzines in my head so I can regain focus.
"Thirteen minutes. Not bad."
I flinched. That fast? It felt like I'd been there much longer. The difference between time in the subconscious and reality was striking.
"That was quick?" I tilted my head.
"Don't get too proud. My little daughter completed it in just seven minutes when she was five," Loki remarked, his tone brimming with pride.
I smiled faintly, getting an unintentional answer form Loki who misinterpret my queation as my arrogance.
"So I'm just average, huh."
"Who knows," Loki said with a shrug. "So far, the only ones who've adapted to my method are myself, my daughter, and you. The rest? They're not suited for this technique and prefer the slow, traditional methods."
I frowned, unsure whether to feel pleased or disheartened. His words didn't exactly inspire confidence, they were laden with bias. Talent couldn't simply be measured by a person's preferred learning style.
"Anyway, by now you should be able to use mana or at least feel its flow within you. Am I right?"
I gave a small nod, clenching my fists. I could feel the warm energy pulsing through my veins, flowing and moving as I willed it. It felt as natural as breathing.
Closing my eyes, I took a long, steady breath. In my mind, I envisioned myself enveloped in mana. When I opened my eyes again, my body was just as I had imagine, shrouded in a blazing blue aura.
A warm, fiery sensation filled every inch of my being. I could feel immense power coursing through the mana that now engulfed the air around me.
Loki observed me with a wide grin. "It seems you're ready for the next step. From now on, you may call me 'Master' if you wish."
I nodded confidently, meeting his gaze. "Yes, I'm ready for the next step, Master."
I clenched my fist and extended it forward. Fueled by unwavering determination, I was ready to learn magic from him. With Loki as my teacher, I was certain I could grow stronger than I was now.
Someday... I'd walk proudly beside Fenrir as her equal. No longer trailing behind her, no longer someone who needed her protection. Instead, even if just once, I hoped to protect her with my strength and resolve.