The day began unusually quietly for Ranav. He decided to skip his morning meditation and help his family with their daily chores instead. As he helped his mother clean up and set the breakfast table, her expression grew increasingly puzzled, then worried.
"Ranav, what happened to you?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "Are you feeling alright? Do you have a fever?"
"Mom, I'm fine," he assured her with a small laugh. "I have the morning free since I'm going to Nanima's at noon, so I thought I could lend a hand."
Just then, his father, Trinav, walked in and raised an eyebrow in surprise. "If you're free, you could join me after breakfast to meet the farmhands properly," he suggested. "They've worked with our family for generations. It's time you got to know them."
Naveena agreed eagerly. "They've been with us for years, Ranav, and some of them have children around your age. You might make some friends."
Ranav sighed but nodded, smiling wryly. "Alright, I'll go meet them. But don't expect me to start playing with their children; I still have lots of work to do."
Vivita, his sister, chuckled from across the room. "Little bro, you always act so serious. Sometimes I feel like you're the older one here."
Laughter spread through the family, but Ranav's laughter was short-lived. Memories from his past life flooded his mind, the ache of loss and the faces he would never see again creeping into his heart. Sensing his saddened mood, Naveena wrapped her arms around him. "Your sister is just joking. Don't be sad. I'm too happy to have you as my son," she whispered. Trinav and Vivita joined the hug, filling Ranav with warmth, and his mood visibly improved.
After breakfast, Ranav followed his father to their farmland, where he met the farmhands who welcomed him warmly. They recounted stories of his father's youth, and Ranav found himself laughing along, his morning filled with the history and warmth of the land his family had worked for generations.
When noon arrived, Ranav made his way to Nanima's house. Her single-story wooden home sat among sprawling fields that stretched to the horizon, where warm-toned timber walls met lush green landscapes. The roof, crafted with care, boasted terracotta tiles that lent a rustic charm and provided shelter from the elements.
The northeast of her house opened up to a calm pond. Its glassy surface reflected the sky, scattered with lily pads and delicate blooms. Dragonflies hovered above, their wings glinting like fragments of light. Nanima's flower garden bordered one side of the house, a kaleidoscope of colors with flowers like Kunchita, Dravyaani, Malati, and Rajlakshmi spilling from their beds. Bees and butterflies drifted lazily through the blooms, painting the air with life and movement.
Beyond the flowers was Nanima's prized herb garden. Here, Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Shankhapushpi, Yashtimadhu, and Satvika grew in neat rows, their leaves whispering in the breeze, carrying secrets of ancient healing. Further out, mango, neem, and peepal trees stood like guardians around the house, their canopy offering shade and protection. The atmosphere around her home was thick with mingled scents of earth, flowers, and herbs, creating a sense of sacred calm. Every element of this house had been carefully arranged for harmony and protection, a sanctuary of peace and balance.
Ranav lost himself in admiration until Nanima's voice snapped him back to the present. "Little imp, when did you arrive?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Not long," he replied, standing up quickly. "I was just admiring your house. It's beautiful."
Nanima waved off the compliment with a shrug. "It's nothing grand, but it's home. I love the peace here," she said with a warm smile. "But I think you haven't eaten yet. Come, I'll cook us something. I got some fresh meat from the shop."
Ranav followed her inside, helping with small tasks as they prepared lunch. Soon enough, they had a hearty meal, and after they finished, Nanima settled into a lounge chair, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite her.
"You still haven't found your stardust, I see," Nanima began, her voice thoughtful.
Ranav blinked, taken aback by her insight. "How did you know?" he asked, surprised.
She gave a knowing smile. "When a mage locates their stardust, their elemental magic hums around them. You haven't learned to hide it yet, so it's quite clear. Now, tell me what's troubling you."
Ranav hesitated before recounting his recent experience with a unique meditation technique, carefully omitting any reference to his previous life. Nanima listened, her expression growing serious as he described his meditation experiments.
When he finished, he waited silently for her response. After a long moment, she took a steadying breath. "That meditation technique… would you show me?"
Ranav obliged, entering his meditative state as Nanima watched carefully. When he finished, she attempted to mimic his process but winced in pain and stopped shortly after. "Oh, these old bones," she muttered, rubbing her back. "I can't do this the way you youngsters can."
Ranav chuckled softly, but Nanima's expression grew somber. "Listen, Ranav. Remember what I told you about my past, that I made poor choices, which is why I'm a healer at the borderlands? It's a hard lesson, and one I don't want you to learn the same way."
Ranav listened, sensing the gravity in her words.
"Keep what I'm about to tell you close to your heart," she continued, her gaze unflinching. "About your magical ability, trust no one. Not even your family."
Seeing his shocked expression, she said, "Don't be surprised. The stronger you grow; the more people will try to pry into your life. They may even try to exploit your family to uncover your secrets."
Ranav absorbed her words with a solemn nod. Nanima continued, "You've discovered two powerful techniques: one is Mana Body Training, and the other is Mana Sense. As far as I know, these techniques are unheard of here. Some tribes of the Airavata Empire have a tradition of Mana Body Training, which they use to fortify themselves for close combat. We Mayurans, however, have lived in peace for so long that mages focus only on spell casting while knights handle physical combat."
Seeing his interest, she explained further, "Mana Body Training is a method that fortifies your entire body with mana, strengthening your muscles, bones, and senses. It's rigorous and time-consuming, but it could allow you to withstand physical attacks, making you nearly invincible at close range. I know a merchant who has some trade with the Airavata Empire. I'll try to obtain a book through him, though it may take some time. Until then, you can continue practicing on your own."
Ranav's gaze remained steady, fully absorbing her advice.
"But there's a reason this training isn't common," she added, her tone more serious. "Balancing both physical and magical training is exhausting. Those who choose this path often have little time for anything else. As my apprentice, I won't discourage you from following your own path. However, because you are a Light mage, I expect you to fulfill the role of a healer. It's a skill that could save lives, including yours."
Ranav nodded with a newfound respect for her guidance. "I understand. I'll prioritize healing."
"As for Mana Sense," she continued, "this technique is even rarer. High-level mages can perceive their surroundings through mana alone, allowing them to detect movement or danger. You're not a full-fledged mage yet, which makes your ability remarkable."
She leaned forward; her eyes fierce. "This technique could give you an immense advantage over your enemies. But be mindful of its limitations; your chanting reveals your presence, and your range is still small. Practice daily, make it soundless, extend your range, and make it second nature."
Ranav nodded thoughtfully. "I will."
Nanima regarded him with a mixture of pride and concern. "Now, let's address your stardust, or rather your lack of it. I think you're too attached to the self you know," she explained. "Finding your stardust requires a deep detachment from everything that binds you: memories, emotions, attachments. To enter what we call the Divine Sense or spiritual space, you must release your ties to happiness, sorrow, love, pride… anything that anchors you to this world."
Ranav took a slow breath, realizing how difficult that step would be. He hadn't thought about the emotional weight he carried from his past.
"Once you reach that emptiness, you'll find the space you seek," Nanima said, her voice gentle. "And from there, locating your star cluster will become possible. Now, you have to go; the Countess is unwell, and I need to visit her."
Ranav stood, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Nanima."
As Ranav left her house, she watched him silently. If he looked back, he would have seen Nanima's worried face for the first time.