"Robin, first, let me explain the origin of druid magic," Deria began. "Druid magic originally belongs to a race of beings called druids. They reside only in magical forests, which are rich in mana, and they serve as the guardians of these forests. Humans can't use druid magic, so I hope you can blend it with your own magic in your own way. The reason I can use it is because it's a divine gift, or blessing; but as a result, it's the only type of magic I can wield," she explained.
"The lessons I'll be giving you are focused on endurance," she continued. "You're like an overgrown child with a soft, untrained body. You've skipped levels without building a strong foundation, so I'm going to push you to your limits—and maybe even drag your father in to help," she added with a smirk as another branch sprouted from her hand.
This explained why Robin couldn't sense any mana in Deria. Sensing mana required more than simply feeling it; it involved understanding its nature. For instance, if a mage cast a fireball and you used the same spell, it would be easy to identify the mage, as their unique magic would linger in the air. However, druid magic, derived from a skill rather than raw mana manipulation, had a subtler, elusive quality. After focusing for a moment, Robin finally detected a vast wave of green mana surrounding Deria. It was a peculiar energy—peaceful yet dangerous, like staring into the eyes of a powerful predator.
For a moment, Robin considered backing out of the training, but he knew his mother wouldn't allow it. Resolute, he and Deria squared off for the next round.
"Robin, if you can stand your ground without faltering, I'll consider today's training complete," Deria said, watching him with a steady gaze. Robin nodded, determination in his eyes, and readied himself, locking his focus onto her.
Robin clenched his fists and leapt toward his mother, only to be met with a sudden, brutal strike to his stomach. The impact sent him hurtling back into the wall, and he crumpled to the ground, barely able to breathe, feeling as though his insides had been torn apart.
"Sorry, I used too much force," Deria said as she knelt beside him, beginning to heal him. The druidic healing magic was far from gentle, and Robin stifled a low, pained groan.
"There, good as new," she said, standing back up with a hint of amusement. "Now, let's keep going, boy."
Robin sighed, his thoughts heavy with dread. If this keeps up, I'll die young, he thought to himself, "Will I ever even reach the empire if I have to go through this every day?". He was sure he'd never forget the uniquely painful sensation of druidic healing.
Robin continue lunging with being shoved from wall to wall with the painful healing he had not escaped any of his mother's strike even a single time which made all his martial techniques at all it was as if was being hit by an invisible force. "Ooooh", Delia said, "let see if you can escape this one this time". This time robin decided to talk a weapon which was a sword to see if it would make difference of course he took an iron sword not even risking at all.
In his previous life, Robin had never wielded a sword; his experience was limited to fists and firearms. _Maybe luck will be on my side this time,_ he thought, gripping his weapon tightly.
Deria lunged at him again, aiming for his stomach—her favorite target. Remembering this, Robin quickly shifted into a defensive stance. This time, her strike didn't land directly, but the sheer force behind it was overwhelming. In an instant, his sword shattered into pieces, fragments scattering across the ground.
Robin who was on the ground trying to think what he was doing wrong may be he was not strong enough or druid magic was too powerful he tried to reach many conclusion but it seem all was in vain. Deria who was healing at the moment as usual all of a sudden a panel message appeared infront him.
--
[ System Prompt ]
Life Energy Consumed 500+
--
As Robin left the training grounds, he felt a new surge of energy coursing through him, a subtle increase in his life energy that reassured him. He considered a new idea. Is it possible for me to use druid magic directly, since it's tied to life energy? he wondered. Determined to test his theory, he resolved to focus on the force he felt with each strike, hoping to connect with that energy in his own way.
"Son, we'll continue this tomorrow. Take time to think about what you've learned and get some rest," Dalia said. Exhausted and drenched in sweat and dirt, Robin managed to stand and nodded before heading back.
After he left, his father, Lion, emerged. "Honey, don't you think you're being too hard on him?" Lion asked, a trace of worry in his voice.
"If I don't, he won't survive where he's headed," Dalia replied, a smile softening her face. "If he can grow strong, I'll have peace of mind."
From the corner, Mary, who had been silently observing, added, "I think that boy may have more divine abilities than we realize. The mana he emits… it feels almost sacred. But maybe I'm just imagining things," she said, retreating quietly.
King Lion's shoulders slumped as he watched Robin's path. The weight of the kingdom's demands left no room for his son to enjoy a carefree childhood. Power without support is a burden, he thought, knowing that the kingdom couldn't provide the help Robin needed.
After a refreshing bath, Robin joined Ann and Aria for dinner. Tonight, he sensed something unusual about them both—a fluctuating energy, as if they'd been training too. Though curious, he chose not to pry. As usual, Ann was a whirlwind of stories, sharing tales her mother had told her, while Aria and Robin listened with interest.
After Ann and Aria left his room, Robin settled into a meditative position, determined to tap into the strange sensations he'd felt during Dalia's hits and healing. As he focused, his mind drifted, and an image began to form—a vast forest, where seeds fell to the ground and grew, winding their way up, reaching eagerly for sunlight. Suddenly, he was plunged into a deeper trance, watching as human-like figures tended to the plants, clearing paths and nurturing the greenery's growth.
It dawned on him: each strike from Deria's branch hadn't just hurt; it had corrected him. His body, imbalanced and overstrained, was being realigned. Druid magic was about growth and harmony, a cycle of breaking down and rebuilding stronger. It was about seeking growth intentionally, letting energy flow naturally in its quest for strength.
Just then, a sound echoed in his mind—_Ding!_
--
[ System Panel ]
New Feature Unlocked:
Progression Tracking, Magic Affinities
Nature Magic
--
Robin immediately opened his eyes and called up the System Panel.
—
[ System Panel ]
Level: 3/24
Energy: 6500/36000
Energies:
Life Energy: 2 / 2500 / 12000
Dark Energy: 3 / 4000 / 24000
Magic Affinities:
Nature Magic ( Life Energy ): [ 1% ]
Skills: Healing Magic [ 20 %], Gluttony [ 5% ], Spatial Storage [ 1% ], Black Fire Ball [ 50% ], Divine Shield [ 80% ], Divine Body [ 80% ]
Body Level: Golden Knight [ 5% ]
Mana Level: Mid-Level Mage, Magical Circle 3 [ 50% ]
Spells: Teleportation, Physical Enhancement
—
"Malsa, please explain the new features to me," Robin asked, intrigued.
"Since you gained a glimpse of druid magic, I now have access to track your progress more precisely," Malsa replied. "This will help you understand your proficiency in specific skills, magic affinities, and your physical and magical levels. Note that these are not linked to your overall level increases; you'll need to actively train to improve them."
Malsa continued, "Magic affinities represent the main branches of magic, each with unique characteristics that cannot be fully replicated by other energies. For example, while healing magic is traditionally tied to life energy, dark energy can achieve a similar effect through skills like 'Gluttony,' which enhances regeneration during combat."
This revelation opened up a new level of underanding for Robin. What would happen if a skill or his body or mana reached 100% proficiency? he wondered. Would it trigger a breakthrough to a higher level?
"Malsa, how do you know all this?" he asked, curious about the extent of her knowledge.
Silence. No answer came, leaving Robin to wonder about the mysterious nature of his co-pilot in this life.