A soft breeze swept through the camp, carrying the rich aroma of roasting pork from the burning campfire.
Few blue leaves drifted lazily through the air before settling onto the glowing coals.
"You mean that guy from the fight?" Daniel asked with a neutral expression, as he adjusted his grip on the skewer.
Bernard gave a small nod. "Yes."
But Daniel wasn’t the type of person to reveal anything without first knowing the other person’s intentions.
"Why do you want to know about him?" he asked.
Bernard gave a faint smile. "I figured you’d ask." He tilted his head back, his gaze drifting toward the stars scattered across the clear night sky.
"It’s about my mother. Somehow... he knows her."
"Your mother?" Daniel repeated, turning the skewer to roast the other side of the pork.
Bernard nodded.
"That day, before we returned to the training grounds, he said my mother’s name," Bernard said, his voice low and sincere. "You know, the last time I saw her, was when I was just a little boy. Then one night... she never came back."
Daniel narrowed his eyes, keeping his ears open.
"My father questioned everyone in Moss Village. Later, we even went to the kingdom to ask for help, but not even the royal investigators were able to find her." said Bernard.
"So, you want me to talk to that guy and see what he knows about your mother?" Daniel asked. "Is that what you want?"
*Nom🍖*
"That’s right, but I want to speak with him personally," Bernard replied, steepling his fingers as he spoke.
Daniel turned the skewer over the fire and took another bite. The tender pork released its rich juices, the melted fat filling his mouth with flavor.
"Hm... I actually don’t know where he is right now," Daniel said after swallowing. "But since you gave me food, I’ll try to talk to him."
He glanced at Bernard and gave a small shrug.
"Maybe he’ll listen. Maybe."
"Understood. Well, that’s all I wanted to ask," Bernard said before pushing himself to his feet and turning away.
Without another word, his figure disappeared through the doorway and into the building, leaving Daniel alone beside the dying campfire.
*Nom🍖*
...
Early the next morning.
"...iel ...aniel Daniel, wake up."
Molex called out as he gently shook Daniel’s shoulder.
"W-What?" Daniel mumbled, slowly opening his eyes. "What’s going on?"
"Look," Molex said, pointing at him. "Your body’s back to normal."
Daniel glanced down at his arms and chest. Not a single arc of lightning remained. A faint smile of relief spread across his face before his gaze drifted to the surroundings.
A thin veil of fog blanketed the area. It wasn’t dense enough to obscure his vision, but it was thick enough to soften the outlines of the trees and buildings.
"What the hell... Is it winter already?" Daniel muttered.
"I’ve got no idea either," Molex replied with a shrug. "Maybe Master knows what’s going on."
The fog wasn’t cold. Instead, it carried a gentle warmth, more like gentle steam drifting through the air.
As the sun rose in the east, the mist gradually began to thin.
Soon, Marco entered the training grounds through the main gate, followed by several workers carrying wooden training dummies, apparently restocking those that had been destroyed during practice.
"Master, what is this fog?" Molex asked as he stepped in front of Marco, a curious look on his face.
Meanwhile, Daniel stood quietly beside him, equally interested in the answer.
"Oh, this?" Marco said with a faint smile. "It’s just nature doing its job."
He glanced at his students before pointing toward the surrounding trees.
"Those Mystic Trees release a special vapor at night. When it mixes with the spores from the Saffrooms, it creates this fog by morning.
Understand?"
Daniel wore a blank expression, trying to process the explanation.
"Understood, Master," Molex replied with a nod.
"Good." Marco glanced around the training grounds. "Now, where are the others?"
...
Daniel placed his palm against the cold metal plate and focused alongside the others, with Bernard on his far right and Zushio on his far left.
Feeling the familiar heat coursing through the nerves in his right arm, he closed his eyes and attempted to channel his lightning into the plate.
*BzZzap!*
"What?" Daniel muttered in surprise.
Marco, who had been observing from behind, frowned and rested a finger against his chin.
After a moment, he stepped closer.
"Do it again," Marco instructed.
Daniel repeated the same process, concentrating on the heat flowing through his veins before releasing it once more.
*Bzzzap!*
Once again, his lightning failed to pass through the metal plate. The orb behind it remained dark, without the slightest glow.
"Hmm... interesting," Marco murmured, stroking his chin. "I don’t think you’re able to use your full power at will."
He looked Daniel in the eyes.
"My guess is that it only comes out when you’re under extreme pressure... or when your life is in danger."
Daniel tilted his head. "So there’s nothing else I can do?"
"For now, no. Just keep practicing. Your body will adapt eventually," Marco replied.
With that, he turned and walked off to supervise the other students.
In the meantime, Elira arrived at the training grounds, a warm smile on her face, as she slowly strolled around the field, observing the young shamans as they practiced their forms.
A few students glanced her way as she passed by, but she eventually came to a stop beside Daniel.
"You’re back to normal?" Elira said with a gentle smile.
Daniel turned and met her gaze. "Yes. By God’s grace, it finally settled down."
Soft heat bloomed low in her abdomen the moment their eyes locked. A sudden flash of memory surged through her — her body reminding her, with brutal clarity, how thoroughly he had pounded her like an animal.
Elira bit her lower lip🫦.
Daniel noticed it.
"There’s a room inside the building where only staff are allowed," she murmured in a low whisper. "I’ll be inside having my lunch this afternoon."
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