It had been one week since Maxwell went into the Elemental Forest, and since then, he hadn't heard a word from Malacosteus. Life in Calla Lily has been rather peaceful, at least on the surface. The chaos of the Forbidden was behind them, but Maxwell knew all too well that there was still a great deal going on beneath the peaceful facade—things Sidgroth was likely aware of but hadn't shared. For now, though, Maxwell's only focus was keeping the peace in Calla Lily. He continued honing his abilities, empowering his luck and deflection magic, all while keeping an eye on the town. Gladiolus remained by his side, training as well.
Meanwhile, there was something else happening quietly, unnoticed by most. Mari, the shy and soft-spoken girl Maxwell had grown close to, was experiencing her own subtle transformation. She had been quietly improving her healing abilities in secret. Though still reserved and gentle in nature, there was an undeniable change within her. A newfound resolve had taken root after the incident with the Forbidden, and it was reflected in the energy around her. Her aura, once delicate and uncertain, now radiated with strength, more refined and focused than ever before.
Mari had been spending a significant amount of time away from others, diligently working to refine her healing abilities in secret. Every day, she felt herself growing more connected to her Ornament, as if it were slowly evolving alongside with her. It was as if her very essence was connected with the power of her Ornament, and with each passing day, she felt herself developing new abilities. Though they were still raw, unrefined, and unreliable, Mari could sense the potential within them, knowing that once she mastered them, they would prove invaluable.
One of the first abilities to manifest was the subtle yet powerful sensation of Empathic Healing. At first, it was just a slight ache in her chest whenever she was healing someone who was in distress. However, as time passed, the sensation became more pronounced, and Mari began to feel the emotional pain of others as if it were her own. The experience was overwhelming at times, and she was unsure about it. She had always considered herself a healer, but this new connection to others emotions felt far more intimate, even invasive. Despite the hesitation, she felt an undeniable pull to explore it further, as though her Ornament was guiding her.
The second ability that began to take shape was far more powerful, though still unpolished. Unlike her previous healing, which focused on accelerating natural recovery, this new ability allowed her to "rewind" injuries, returning them to a state before the damage had been done. If someone broke their arm, she could restore it to its original, uninjured form, as if the accident had never happened. Though she knew the potential of this power, she also understood the cost. The process consumed a large portion of her mana, and she had to concentrate intently for it to be effective. Mari knew that mastering this ability would require more than just raw power—it would require focus and discipline.
The third ability, Pain Transfer, was perhaps the most frightening of all. Mari had discovered that she could now take on the physical pain of those she healed. Though she couldn't transfer the actual injury to herself, she could alleviate the suffering of others by absorbing the pain. For the person being healed, it was as though the trauma had never occurred, leaving them pain-free. But for Mari, it was a different story. She would bear the pain temporarily, feeling it as if it were her own. The thought of it terrified her. She had always believed in healing as an act of compassion, but this new power forced her to confront the limits of her own endurance. Could she bear the suffering of others without breaking? Could she push herself to the brink in order to help those in need?
Mari continued to push forward, her resolve growing stronger with each passing day. Her healing abilities were becoming more refined, and though she still had much to learn, they were quickly becoming a powerful force—one that could transform the lives of those she healed, for better or for worse. With every challenge, her understanding of her power deepened, and her resolve to help others strengthened, even if it meant facing her own limitations and fears.
Another ability Mari wanted to develop was that of Mana Shields. She understood that their potential was great. At its most basic level, Mana Shields would allow her to make transparent, shining barriers of mana, designed to shield herself or others from harm. These shields could be layered upon one another, increasing their durability against stronger attacks. Additionally, Mari thought about reactive shielding—an automatic response that would create a shield to protect her from sudden, unexpected attacks, making sure she was never entirely vulnerable.
The offensive applications of Mana Shields intrigued her as well, though her ideas remained limited for now. The most basic offensive use she imagined involved overloading a shield with mana and throwing it at an enemy. Upon impact, the shield would release a concussive force, capable of disorienting or injuring the target.
Beyond offense and defense, Mari knew the versatility Mana Shields could offer. She imagined expanding a shield into a dome-like barrier, capable of protecting multiple allies or creating a safe zone to repel enemies. Another possibility she considered was infusing her shields with healing magic, allowing them to gradually restore the health of those they defended.
Finally, the utility of Mana Shields extended to non-combat scenarios. She imagined using them as temporary platforms for traversing difficult terrain or even forming makeshift bridges to cross gaps or dangerous areas. The more she considered the possibilities, the more determined Mari became to learn this ability.
As Mari thought how best to learn Mana Shield, she thought about Maxwell's recent journey to the Elemental Forest. She couldn't help but wonder if her own powers might evolve under similarly intense circumstances. What if, when faced with a truly dangerous situation, the Mana Shields could manifest naturally, driven by instinct and necessity? It wasn't an uncommon phenomenon for Ornaments to reveal their true potential when their wielders were pushed to the brink.
Mari called Maxwell, and, as expected, he answered almost immediately. "Hey, Mari. How's it going?" His voice was casual.
"I'm doing okay," Mari replied, her tone steady but slightly nervous. "Listen, Maxwell, I'll get straight to the point. I don't want to waste too much time , especially this early in the day, but... could you take me to the Elemental Forest?"
Maxwell blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her sudden request. "The Elemental Forest? What for, Mari?"
"I'll explain everything later," she said quickly, trying to reassure him. "But can you guide me there? Even then, I was planning to go alone, but... I'd feel a lot more comfortable with some company."
"Uhh, yeah, sure," Maxwell said after a brief pause. "I'll meet you by Calla Lily's exit."
"Thank you, Maxwell," Mari said softly before ending the call as she let out a small sigh of relief.
Mari put her phone into her pocket, her heart still racing as she took a deep breath. Now that the plan was in motion, the feeling of nervousness and anticipation mixed within her. She glanced at her hands, clenching them tightly for reassurance. This is it, she thought. It's time to take a step forward.
When she arrived at Calla Lily's exit, Maxwell and Gladiolus greeted her. Maxwell leaned casually against a tree, his confident, easygoing demeanor unchanging. Gladiolus stood a few steps away, surveying the area as if anticipating trouble.
"You're early," Mari said softly, smiling.
Maxwell shrugged, returning her smile with his usual charm. "Figured you'd want to get moving right away. So... are you finally going to tell me why we're heading to the Elemental Forest, or are you keeping me in suspense?"
Mari hesitated, her eyes dropping to the ground for a moment. "I... I've been trying to push myself lately," she admitted, her tone filled with both determination and vulnerability. "To improve my Ornament. I think... the Elemental Forest might be the key to unlocking something new, something stronger."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but chose not to press her further. Instead, his grin softened into something more supportive. "I get it. Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow. Just promise me you'll be careful."
Mari met his gaze, her smile steady despite the nerves. "I promise. And... promise me you'll protect me if things get out of hand."
Maxwell chuckled, his confidence radiating again. "That was already the plan. You've got nothing to worry about."
Gladiolus moved ahead of them, his shadowy figure almost blending into the forest's edge. His presence alone felt like a protective veil.
As the trio started their walk toward the Elemental Forest, Mari felt a sense of purpose settle over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that this journey would be transformative—not just for her abilities, but for who she was becoming. This was more than a step toward mastering her Ornament. It was a step toward becoming someone stronger, someone who could finally stand tall.
Mari promised herself that, no matter what happened, she would protect everyone with the new abilities she was about to unlock...