Leon sat at his desk in the library, the warm morning light spilling through the tall windows, illuminating the stacks of books that surrounded him. His fingers lightly traced the aged pages of the book he was currently engrossed in: The Mystical Fruits of the Mana World.

The book detailed various magical fruits, their origins, and their unique properties. As he flipped through the pages, his gaze settled on an entry that caught his attention.

"Mana Fruit," the heading read.

Leon leaned closer, reading the description carefully:

"The Mana Fruit is one of the rarest magical fruits in existence. Found only in deeply mana-saturated environments, it is known to enhance and replenish the mana reserves of those who consume it. Its effects are particularly potent for individuals with magical abilities, allowing them to cast stronger spells or sustain their mana for longer periods."

Beneath the text was an illustration of the fruit—a small, glowing orb with a translucent surface, its interior swirling with an ethereal blue light.

Leon's fingers brushed against the image as he studied it, his mind already racing with possibilities. If I could find or create this fruit, my abilities could grow exponentially. With enhanced mana reserves, I could fuse more complex and powerful items without exhausting myself.

But as he continued reading, his enthusiasm waned. The book detailed the extreme rarity of the Mana Fruit, emphasizing how difficult it was to find even in the most mana-rich environments.

Leon sighed, leaning back in his chair. For now, it's just a dream. I'll have to set this aside and focus on what I can do.

With a final glance at the illustration, Leon closed the book and returned it to the shelf. He stretched as he stood, the stiffness in his muscles reminding him of how long he had been sitting.

As Leon exited the library, a sudden knock echoed from the front door. His footsteps echoed lightly in the grand hallway as he approached the door and opened it.

Standing there was a group of familiar faces—the same children he had played hide and seek with a few days earlier. Their wide smiles and sparkling eyes immediately brought a warmth to Leon's heart.

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"Great Relethis!" one of the girls exclaimed, her pigtails bouncing as she hopped in place. "Will you play with us again?"

The youngest boy, Kalen, tugged at Leon's robe, looking up at him with a hopeful expression. "Please, great one? Just for a little while?"

Leon chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe. "Again? Didn't we just play a few days ago?"

"But it was so fun!" another boy piped up, his excitement spilling over. "Please, great one! Just one game?"

Leon sighed theatrically, though the faint smile on his lips betrayed his amusement. "Alright, alright. What game do you want to play?"

The children erupted into cheers, their voices overlapping as they chattered excitedly.

They decided on a game where Leon would wear a blindfold and try to catch the children as they scattered around the park near his house. One of the older girls tied the blindfold securely over Leon's eyes, giggling as she adjusted it.

"Can you see anything, great one?" she asked, her tone teasing.

"Nothing," Leon replied, standing still as he tested his other senses. "But don't think that means I won't catch you."

The children squealed in delight, darting away as Leon counted loudly to ten.

"Ready or not," Leon said, his voice playful, "here I come."

Using the sounds of their giggles and footsteps, Leon began to chase them, his arms outstretched. The children weaved around him, their laughter ringing out as they narrowly avoided his grasp.

"Over here, great one!" one of the boys called, clapping his hands to lure Leon toward him before darting away.

Leon turned sharply, lunging toward the sound, but the boy was already gone, his laughter echoing from a different direction.

"You're all too noisy," Leon said, his tone mock-stern. "I'll catch you yet!"

The game continued for nearly an hour, with Leon catching a few of the slower children while the others managed to evade him. His blindfolded antics, combined with the children's playful taunts, created a scene filled with joy and laughter.

Eventually, Leon removed the blindfold, his breaths coming slightly heavier but his smile unwavering. The children, now scattered around the park, looked just as tired but equally delighted.

"That's enough for today," Leon said, brushing his hair back as he regained his composure.

The children groaned in unison. "But great one, we were just getting started!"

Leon shook his head, his tone gentle but firm. "You can keep playing if you want, but I have other things to do."

Kalen stepped forward, tugging at Leon's robe once more. "Will you play with us again, great one?"

Leon crouched down to meet the boy's gaze, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Of course. But not every day. You'll tire me out before long."

The children laughed at that, their spirits lifted by his promise. One by one, they bowed respectfully before running off to continue their game.

Leon watched them for a moment, his smile softening. They're good kids. It's nice to see them happy.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Leon decided to take a walk in the forest. The mountain path leading down to the dense greenery was peaceful, the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds creating a soothing atmosphere.

Though he had no specific destination in mind, Leon's curiosity pushed him forward. He wanted to see if there was anything in the forest that might catch his interest—perhaps a new plant, an unusual creature, or even just a quiet place to think.

The forest floor was dappled with sunlight, the tall trees casting long shadows as Leon wandered deeper. He paused occasionally to inspect the plants growing along the trail, his thoughts drifting back to the Mana Fruit he had read about earlier.

If I could find even a seedling of that fruit… he thought, shaking his head. No, it's too soon to think about that. For now, I'll focus on what's within my reach.

Leon's exploration continued until the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting the forest in shades of orange and gold. Though he didn't find anything remarkable, the walk left him feeling refreshed.