[Holy sh...]
The faint scent of scorched magic lingered in the air as I stared at the small indent on the enchanted wall. My breathing was heavy—not from exertion but from sheer disbelief.
That was me. I had caused that. It wasn't just a flicker of improvement; it was a sign that my efforts, my struggles, weren't in vain. Finally.
I tightened my grip on the staff, the worn wood suddenly feeling lighter, almost eager in my hands. For the first time in years, hope wasn't just a distant star but something I could grasp.
But then there was that figure. Extinguishing my celebration as I was still unsure of what to feel around their presence.
I turned my gaze back to the audience seats, where the gray-haired stranger sat. Their posture was relaxed, almost too casual, yet their eyes betrayed a keen focus that hadn't strayed from me. It wasn't just casual curiosity; it felt like they were measuring me, weighing something unseen.
Who are they?
[Nice shot, but you missed] (??) They commented, their voice carrying effortlessly across the training grounds.
I frowned, my cheeks flushing with a tinge of frustration lingering in my mind.
[I know. I'm still getting the hang of it] I replied, raising my voice.
[Clearly] (??) They (?) chuckled, uncrossing their arms and standing from their seat.
The number of visible adventurers training in the area has diminished significantly as the time heads to late in the afternoon, hence the only ones in the training field are I and this mysterious fella.
[Still, that was no ordinary magic bolt. You've got something interesting there] (??)
They started walking toward me, and I tensed, instinctively shifting into a defensive stance. My fingers gripped the staff tighter, though I doubted I could fend them off if they intended harm.
THen-they vanished.
[Wa?!] I looked around in search for them, but a finger suddenly poked my right cheek.
When they reached me, the stranger tilted their head, gray hair catching the morning light. Up close, their features were more striking—sharp and angular, yet youthful in a way that defied the hair's ashen tone. Yep...it's definitely not Sherry.
[I take it you don't know what's stirring inside you] (??) They said with their tone a bit monotonous, but more curious than ever.
I hesitated to distance myself as I was within their striking range.
[And you do?]
[Perhaps] Their lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
[Tell me, how long have you been… feeling it? That hum beneath your skin, that feeling of the spark waiting to ignite?] (??) They suddenly cupped my face, looking at it. However, that also mean that I was able to observe their features.
It seems "they" was a girl....
That does not matter though because her question is what stirred me more.
I blinked. How did they know about that? My heart thudded as doubt crept in. Was this person watching me for longer than I realized?
[A few days since my last battle. Why? What do you know about it?"] I answered cautiously.
The stranger hummed, their eyes narrowing in thought.
[What I know isn't as important as what you'll do with it] (??) They glanced at the training dummy I'd targeted.
[Unrefined but potent. That magic of yours—it's changing. Evolving, maybe] (??)
I studied them, frustration bubbling up.
[I---]
[Hmmm?] (??)
[I don't understand]
They chuckled softly.
[Fair enough. Let me give you a hint: that power isn't entirely yours, not yet. But it could be, if you're willing to claim it] (??) (??) She just pushed her finger at my lips, silencing me as I was about to ask her for more answers.
I opened my mouth to question them further, but the stranger turned abruptly, heading toward the exit.
[Wait! Who are you?]
They paused, looking back over their shoulder. For the first time, there was a glimmer of something softer in their gaze.
[Call me Kael. You'll find me when you're ready] (Kael) The hood of her cloak drops, letting her long grey hair flutter in the wind.
And with that, she disappeared into the shadowed archway, leaving me alone in the training grounds with more questions lingering in my mind.
==================================================================
I was still in my recovery period, but----
[<
I spent the next few days practicing my spells, the memory of Kael's words lingering in my mind. Not entirely mine… yet. What did that mean? I had always thought magic was a reflection of one's effort, study, and natural talent. But if she was right, then something else was at play—something I didn't fully understand.
[Haaah--Haaah-]
Despite my growing exhaustion, I felt a compulsion to push further, to test my limits. If my power was evolving, then I needed to catch up to it before it spiraled beyond my control.
With renewed determination, I steadied myself, aiming my staff at another dummy. I focused, visualizing the magic as something alive, coursing through me.
[<
This time, the projectile formed faster, more precise. It slammed into the dummy with a resounding crack, sending splinters flying.
There's also another noticeable feature that I have discovered a few days ago, and that was my increased magical power.
I could cast about 20 magic bolts consecutively without breaking a sweat, right after that then I would feel a bit of exhaustion.
{MAGIC BOLT HAS LEVELED UP! 1=>2!}
[I leveled it up....wow] I laughed at my triumph. The magic doll immediately gets repaired and the training area was put on a reset again.
When I heard the level up notification, the warmth surged again—stronger this time, unbidden. My vision blurred, colors bleeding together as the hum in my veins grew louder. A flash of light erupted from the staff, and I staggered back, barely staying upright.
My heart raced as I clutched the staff, trembling. Whatever this was, it was more than just a "spark." It was a fire, and if I wasn't careful, it might consume me.
[Wa!?] A healing spell was suddenly casted on me as a green hue surrounded me. My exhaustion vanished, and I felt refreshed all of a sudden.
[Still pushing yourself, I see] (Kiria) A familiar voice echoed in the training field. It was the guild healer, Kiria.
I turned to find her standing at the edge of the field, her arms crossed and her expression torn between concern and exasperation.
[Just… testing a theory] I laughed weakly, trying to shake off the lingering tremor in my hands.
Kiria sighed, walking toward me with that same no-nonsense stride.
[Well, your theory nearly sent you back to the infirmary. Again] (Kiria)
[Sorry. I'll take it easy] I looked away, guilt settling in.
[Good] (Kiria) She said, though her tone softened.
[Because whatever you're dealing with, it's not just your average magical growth spurt] (Kiria)
[You noticed?] I glanced at her, startled.
She nodded, her eyes scanning me carefully.
[I've seen a lot of adventurers, but I've never seen magic like yours before. If you're not careful, it could hurt you—or worse] (Kiria) Her words settled heavily in my chest, and I nodded slowly.
She wasn't wrong. Whatever Kael had meant about claiming this power, I couldn't do it alone.
For now, I'd rest and gather my strength. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: this spark was only the beginning.
[And didn't I warned you about overexerting yourself when you're still recovering?] (Kiria)
[Hiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!] I was dragged by the ear back to the infirmary for injury checking.