The shrine grew quiet as Marion made his dramatic departure, leaving Leon seated on the altar amidst the morning sunlight. For a few moments, Leon allowed himself a brief reprieve, letting the cool breeze wash over him before rising to his feet.
Time to return to that house, he thought, glancing at the path leading up the mountain.
Far below, Marion shuffled back into his modest home, his patched robes trailing behind him. He carefully locked the door, drew the curtains, and placed the golden-streaked apple on his rickety wooden table.
The fruit glistened in the faint light, its golden streaks almost glowing as Marion stared at it with wide eyes. He licked his lips nervously.
"So… this is it," he murmured to himself. "The great Relethis's divine gift. Surely, a fruit this magnificent must hold unimaginable power."
He paced around the table, muttering to himself. "Maybe it will make me immortal. Or give me magic powers. Or maybe… maybe I'll grow wings!" He paused, blinking. "Wait. What if it kills me? No, no… a god wouldn't give me something harmful… right?"
Finally, unable to resist any longer, Marion grabbed the apple with both hands and took a cautious bite.
The flavor exploded in his mouth, sweet and tangy with a hint of warmth that spread through his entire body. Marion's eyes widened, and he stuffed the rest of the apple into his mouth, juices dribbling down his chin as he chewed furiously.
He swallowed, smacking his lips. "Oh. Oh, this is incredible!"
A wave of energy coursed through him, and he jumped to his feet, raising his arms in triumph. "I feel alive! I feel unstoppable! I feel like I could wrestle a dragon and—"
His celebration came to an abrupt halt as the chair behind him creaked ominously. He glanced back just in time to see it collapse under the strain of his overenthusiastic movements.
"Well," he muttered, dusting himself off, "maybe not a dragon."
He sat back down—this time on the floor—his hands resting on his knees. "Still," he said, a grin spreading across his face, "if that's what one fruit does, I can only imagine what an entire basket would do!"
For a brief moment, Marion considered asking for more. Then he imagined Leon's pointed stare and thought better of it.
Meanwhile, Leon began the long climb back to his house, the staircase winding through the dense greenery of the mountain. The air grew cooler with each step, and the faint sounds of the village below gradually faded into silence.
As he approached the top, Leon noticed two figures standing near the entrance of his house. Both were young men, their postures straight and alert. They wore simple yet well-kept tribal garments and carried wooden spears, which they held firmly at their sides.
The guards straightened as Leon approached, their eyes widening slightly.
"Great Relethis," one of them said, bowing deeply. "It is an honor to serve as your guardians."
Leon inclined his head. "And who are you?"
The first guard, a lean young man with sharp features and dark hair, introduced himself. "I am Eron, great one."
The second, a broader youth with curly brown hair and a nervous smile, added, "And I'm Alric. We've been assigned to ensure your safety."
Leon studied them for a moment, noting their earnest expressions. Despite their youth, they seemed determined to fulfill their roles.
"Thank you," Leon said simply. "I trust you'll do your duty well."
The two guards exchanged glances, their chests puffing up with pride at Leon's acknowledgment.
"If there is anything you require, great one, please let us know," Eron said, stepping aside to allow Leon to pass.
Leon nodded and entered the house, leaving the two guards to resume their watch.
Inside, the house was quiet and cool, the faint scent of aged wood and parchment filling the air. Leon made his way back to the library, his thoughts still preoccupied with the fused apple and its implications.
Seating himself at the central desk, he scanned the shelves for anything that might provide more insight. After a moment, his eyes settled on a collection of books labeled Introductory Studies.
One by one, he pulled the books from the shelves, stacking them neatly on the desk. Their titles ranged from Common Flora of Mana-Rich Forests to The Study of Unique Animals and Herbs and Their Magical Properties.
If I'm going to understand this fusion ability, I need to know what's out there, he thought, opening the first book.
The first book, Common Flora of Mana-Rich Forests, detailed various plants that thrived in environments like the Verdimara Forest. Some had healing properties, while others could be used in alchemy or spellcasting. Leon noted the illustrations of vibrant flowers, strange vines, and glowing mushrooms, their descriptions sparking ideas for potential experiments.
The second book, The Study of Unique Animals, introduced him to creatures he had never heard of—mana-infused beasts like the Luminara Stag, whose antlers glowed with an ethereal light, and the Emberwing Falcon, whose feathers could ignite mid-flight.
The third book, Herbs and Their Magical Properties, was particularly intriguing. It detailed how certain herbs could enhance potions, amplify spells, or even be consumed directly for temporary boosts. Leon made mental notes of a few that seemed especially promising.
Hours passed as Leon delved deeper into the books, his mind racing with possibilities. Each page revealed new knowledge, and with every discovery, his excitement grew.
If I can fuse simple things like apples, what happens if I try something more complex? A glowing herb with a magical flower? An ordinary fruit with a mana-rich vine?
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the scattered books and notes on the desk. Though his ability was still a mystery, he couldn't deny the thrill of uncovering its potential.