The sun in the sky,the world around them in warm hues of orange and purple. Aiko looked at Ryuu with a mix of excitement and seriousness. “Are you ready to start your training? It’s important for you to learn how to control the magic of the amulet.”

Ryuu nodded, feeling both nervous and eager. “What do I need to do?”

“First, you need to connect with the amulet,” Aiko explained. “It has a spirit inside it, and you’ll need to understand it to harness its power.”

“How do I do that?” Ryuu asked, glancing at the amulet hanging around his neck. It shimmered in the sunlight, almost as if it were pulsing with energy.

“Sit down and close your eyes,” Aiko instructed. “Take a deep breath and focus on the amulet. Feel its warmth. Imagine it glowing brighter with each breath.”

Ryuu followed her instructions, sitting cross-legged on the soft grass. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. At first, his mind wandered to thoughts of school and video games, but Aiko’s calming voice guided him back.

“Let go of your worries; just focus on the amulet,” she said gently.

He breathed in and out slowly, feeling the warmth of the amulet against his chest. Gradually, he began to feel a connection—an energy that seemed to flow through him. It was as if the amulet was alive, and it wanted to help him.

After a few moments, Ryuu felt a soft voice in his mind, whispering words he couldn’t quite understand. He opened his eyes in surprise. “I think I felt something!”

“Good! That’s a start,” Aiko cheered. “Now, we need to practice focusing that energy. Stand up, and let’s begin with some simple spells.”

“Spells?” Ryuu raised an eyebrow. “Like magic tricks?”

Aiko laughed. “Sort of! But these spells can do amazing things. Let’s start with something easy. Try to create a small ball of light.”

“Okay, I’ll try!” Ryuu felt a mix of excitement and fear. He focused on the warmth of the amulet again and raised his hands before him. “Um, light… come to me!”

Nothing happened at first. Ryuu frowned, feeling disappointed. “I knew I couldn’t do it.”

“Don’t give up so quickly,” Aiko said encouragingly. “It takes practice. Try again, but this time, imagine the light coming from your heart.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Ryuu took another deep breath and imagined a warm, glowing light in his chest. He extended his hands again and concentrated. “Light… come to me!”

This time, a small, flickering ball of light appeared in his palms. It danced gently, illuminating his face and the surrounding area.

“Wow! I did it!” Ryuu exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

“Great job!” Aiko clapped her hands. “Now, try to make it brighter.”

Ryuu focused harder, pouring his energy into the ball of light. It grew larger and brighter, casting a radiant glow all around. He felt exhilarated. “This is incredible!”

Just then, the light flickered and vanished. Ryuu felt a wave of disappointment wash over him again. “I lost it.”

“It’s okay,” Aiko assured him. “You did well for your first time. Remember, controlling magic takes time. Let’s move on to another exercise.”

“What’s next?” Ryuu asked, feeling eager to learn more.

“Let’s work on your agility,” she said with a grin. “We need to get you moving, especially if you’ll be facing challenges ahead. Follow me!”

Aiko led Ryuu deeper into the forest to a small clearing filled with obstacles made of logs, rocks, and vines. “This is where we’ll train. You need to be quick and agile to escape danger.”

Ryuu looked at the obstacles nervously. “You want me to climb over that?”

“Exactly! It will help improve your reflexes. Just try your best,” Aiko encouraged, placing her hands on her hips confidently.

Taking a deep breath, Ryuu nodded. He sprinted towards the first log and jumped over it. It felt good to be moving, and a spark of determination filled him. As he navigated through the obstacles, he became more comfortable.

“Great job! Keep going!” Aiko cheered as Ryuu climbed and jumped.

After a while, Ryuu found himself panting but feeling exhilarated. He had never felt so alive. “I can’t believe I’m doing this!”

“You’re doing amazing! But we’re not done yet. Let’s practice your strength too,” Aiko said, guiding him to a heavy-looking boulder.

“Do we need to lift that?” Ryuu’s eyes widened.

“Not lift it, but push it! Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and use your core.”

With Aiko’s encouragement, Ryuu placed his hands on the boulder and pushed with all his might. The rock barely budged at first, but he gritted his teeth and pushed harder. Slowly, it began to move.

“Yes! Keep going!” Aiko shouted.

With a final effort, Ryuu pushed the boulder a few feet. He stumbled back, breathing heavily but with a huge grin on his face. “I did it!”

Aiko clasped her hands together, clearly impressed. “You’re making great progress, Ryuu! With time, you’ll be able to do even more amazing things.”

“Thanks, Aiko,” he said, beaming with pride. “I never knew I could do all this.”

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest, Ryuu felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t felt before. He was ready to embrace this new life in Kuroyama, not just as an outsider, but as a part of something special.

Together, they sat on the grass, catching their breath and watching the stars start to twinkle in the sky. “Tomorrow, we’ll continue your training,” Aiko said, her voice filled with excitement. “And who knows? Maybe we’ll encounter some of the creatures of Kuroyama.”

Ryuu’s heart raced with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see what the next day would bring. The adventure had only begun!