The group arrived at the outskirts of a serene glade, the air humming faintly with mana. In the center stood a modest wooden hut, its walls covered in vines that pulsed faintly with a soft, ethereal light. Eldrin motioned for Isla and Troy to follow as he approached the door, tapping lightly with his staff.
The door opened to reveal a figure who exuded calm and wisdom. The sage was an elderly woman, her silver hair tied in a loose braid and her eyes glowing faintly with mana. She stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
"Eldrin," she said with a warm but weary smile. "It's been years."
"Too many, Hana," Eldrin replied, bowing slightly. "We need your help. Isla… she's struggling with something I don't fully understand."
Hana's gaze shifted to Isla, who stood awkwardly near the door, her arms crossed. The sage's sharp eyes seemed to pierce through her, as if unraveling her secrets with a single look.
"Come closer, child," Hana said.
Reluctantly, Isla stepped forward. Hana extended a hand, her fingers glowing softly as she placed them on Isla's forehead. A surge of warmth coursed through Isla, followed by a strange sensation of lightness. Hana's eyes widened slightly, then softened with understanding.
"You carry two sources of mana," Hana said, her tone measured. "Your own, which is faint but pure. And another, far stronger but tainted. It is not your power, but it is bound to you nonetheless."
Eldrin's brows furrowed. "What does that mean?"
Hana stepped back, folding her hands in front of her. "It means the forbidden scroll she used drew from an external force—the remnants of the Demon Lord's essence. This energy seeks to consume her, to break free and take over her body. That is why her mana is unstable. Her natural energy is overshadowed, struggling to coexist with the Demon Lord's power."
Isla's stomach churned as she looked away, guilt gnawing at her. "Is there a way to fix it?" she asked quietly.
Hana's expression was serious. "There is no 'fixing' this. The Demon Lord's power cannot be erased, but it can be managed. To do so, you must build a mana road—a separate pathway to strengthen your own energy and suppress the Demon Lord's influence."
"How?" Isla asked, her voice trembling.
Before Hana could answer, a new voice interrupted. "She'll fail if she's not careful."
Isla turned to see a figure step into the room from a back hallway. The newcomer was a humanoid rabbit, his long ears twitching slightly as he regarded Isla with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He appeared to be around Isla's age, with a slender frame and piercing golden eyes that seemed to miss nothing.
"This is my disciple, Niven," Hana said, gesturing to the rabbit-like youth. "A prodigy in healing magic but… lacking in certain areas of social grace."
Niven's nose twitched as he crossed his arms. "She doesn't look like she can control even basic mana, let alone build a road."
"Hey!" Isla snapped, her face flushing with indignation. "I just fought monsters in the Mana Rift and survived. What have you done?"
Niven tilted his head, unbothered. "Mastered healing magic, for one. But go on, impress me."
"Enough," Hana said firmly, though a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Niven, you could learn a thing or two about humility. And Isla, you must learn to focus if you are to succeed."
The next few days were grueling. Hana guided Isla through the process of building a mana road, a technique that required intense concentration and precise control. The goal was to channel her natural mana into a separate stream, isolating it from the Demon Lord's energy. Each attempt left Isla exhausted, her progress agonizingly slow.
Niven watched from the sidelines, occasionally offering blunt critiques that often irritated Isla. Yet, his mastery of mana was undeniable, and his healing spells proved invaluable in helping Isla recover from her training sessions.
"You're too stiff," Niven said one afternoon as Isla struggled to form a mana stream. "Mana isn't about brute force. It's about flow. Like water."
"I know that!" Isla shot back, her frustration boiling over.
"Then stop acting like you don't," Niven replied coolly.
Despite their bickering, Isla began to notice small improvements. Her natural mana grew steadier, its presence more distinct from the oppressive weight of the Demon Lord's energy. The process was far from complete, but it was a start.
In the middle of her training, news arrived that shook the glade. Eldrin and Troy were called back to the kingdom. A war was brewing, and their skills were desperately needed.
On the day of their departure, Isla stood with them near the edge of the glade, her fists clenched. "I can come with you. I'm stronger now. I can help."
Eldrin shook his head, his expression firm. "You're not ready, Isla. Your path is here, with Hana and Niven. You have more to learn before you're ready for the battlefield."
Troy stepped forward, his usual grin softened. "We'll see you again, kid. And when we do, you'll be even tougher than you are now. Keep at it."
Hana handed Eldrin a small pouch of herbs. "For protection. Stay safe."
Eldrin bowed. "Thank you, Hana. Take care of her."
With that, the two turned and began their journey back to the kingdom. Isla watched them until they disappeared into the trees, a mix of sadness and determination tightening in her chest.
A week later, with her training showing steady progress, Hana called Isla and Niven into her hut. On the table before her lay a small, intricately carved wooden box, glowing faintly with runes.
"This is a relic of great importance," Hana said. "It must be delivered to the village of Fenwick, to a man named Caelan. He will know what to do with it. The roads are dangerous, and there are those who would do anything to claim the power within this box."
Isla leaned closer, her curiosity piqued. "What's inside?"
Hana shook her head. "That is not for you to know. Your task is to ensure its safe delivery. Nothing more."
Niven tilted his head. "So, we're errand runners now?"
Hana's sharp gaze silenced him. "This is no simple errand. The relic holds a power that could shift the balance of this war if it falls into the wrong hands. You may not understand its significance, but you will honor the responsibility."
Hana handed the box to Isla, who accepted it with both hands, feeling the hum of its energy reverberate through her fingers. "You leave at dawn," Hana said. "Travel swiftly but cautiously. The relic must reach Caelan, no matter the cost."
As they prepared to leave the next morning, Isla glanced at Niven, who stood beside her with his usual air of indifference. Despite their differences, she felt a spark of confidence. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.