As the first rays of dawn pierced through the cave entrance, the warm light spread like liquid gold across the cool stone floor. Gracillia slowly opened her eyes, feeling the gentle warmth of the sun on her fur. Despite the heaviness in her limbs, she felt an unfamiliar vigor coursing through her body. She glanced down and saw Arin, her youngest, sleeping soundly on her chest. With a tender smile, she used her magic to lift him gently, placing him near her stomach, where he instinctively nuzzled closer.

As yesterday's harrowing memories surfaced, her first thought was, 'How am I alive?' Her eyes roamed the cave, eventually settling on a crystal ball that lay nearby. Understanding dawned on her. The core...

Cores were objects of immense power, small yet potent. They were prized for their ability to increase one's mana capacity when consumed. Gracillia marveled at the core's presence, realizing its significance in her survival.

Examining herself, she noticed that her fur had grown thicker and her size had increased. She checked her core and was stunned to see it had grown in size and changed color. Her mouth remained open in disbelief. 'This isn't just a miracle; it's Arin.'

She looked back at Arin, who had held the crystal the previous day. 'It was him. He saved me.'

She gazed down at sleeping Arin, her heart pounding with a fierce blend of gratitude, pride, and an overwhelming protective instinct. Her massive, fur-covered paw trembled as she gently nuzzled him, her breath hot and heavy against his tiny face. She pulled him closer, his small body nestled against her warm, powerful frame. A low, rumbling growl of affection escaped her throat as she whispered, "Thank you, little."

In their world, the color of one's core indicated their potential:

White: Weak potential.

Blue: Normal potential.

Orange: Higher potential.

Purple: Advanced potential.

White cores were common among ordinary folks, allowing them to cast only tier-one spells. Only one in a thousand possessed a core, and those fortunate enough to become mages lived the luxurious life others could only dream of.

Three Years Later

The forest was alive with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped harmoniously from the treetops and the rustle of leaves. The air was fresh and cool, filled with the earthy scent of pine and moss. A gentle breeze danced through the trees, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers and the distant roar of a waterfall.

A small boy, his face smeared with blood, sat triumphantly on a dead beast. The clearing around him was littered with the corpses of various creatures, their once formidable forms now lifeless.

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"Mama, how was it?" he asked, beaming with pride, his voice cutting through the serene morning air.

Gracillia, standing nearby, watched with a mixture of pride and concern. The training was intense but necessary. 'He is growing so fast, she thought, her heart swelling with maternal pride. But the forest is growing more dangerous.'

One Year Before

"Children, get ready. Today I am going to teach you how to hunt," Gracillia's voice echoed through the cave, rousing its sleepy occupants. One by one, the children woke up groggily.

Arin yawned and walked over to Gracillia, laying on her stomach and closing his eyes. Always the sleepyhead, she thought fondly.

"You sleepyhead, wake up already," Thaka nudged Arin's body, bringing him back from his slumber. At the cave entrance, all the cubs gathered around Gracillia, eyes wide with anticipation.

Gracillia began to chant, and a small, colorless fairy formed from the wind, astonishing the children as it danced forward, forming a path. Gracillia looked back sternly. "Stay near me," she instructed.

As they walked, she imparted the rules of hunting. "Avoid big beasts and do not disturb them," she warned, her voice carrying the weight of experience.

They soon arrived at a grassy clearing surrounded by towering trees. Small beasts, called Horn Boggies, roamed the area. These rabbit-like creatures with small horns were known for their incredible speed and agility.

Gracillia pointed to one. "Small animals are clever and fast. Don't attack them from the front; use your body to surprise them," she instructed. She called Thaka forward. "Come here, Thaka. See that small horn bogie? Sneak up behind it and smash it with your body."

Thaka moved stealthily, but the bogie's instincts kicked in, and it delivered a powerful kick to Thaka's face, sending him flying. Even small beasts can be dangerous, Gracillia mused, watching Thaka's embarrassment as he ran back to her.

Arin, witnessing this, felt something ignite inside him. He approached Gracillia. "Mama, can I try?" he asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"Sure, if you want to," Gracillia encouraged him. Arin smiled and moved towards the bogie, his small legs carrying him with surprising stealth. The forest fell silent, and all eyes were on Arin.

'I can do this. I know I can,' Arin thought, his heart pounding excitedly. Just move quietly, one step at a time.

In a swift motion, Arin lunged at the bogie, but it dodged with its sharp reflexes, leaving him to hit the ground face-first. "He almost got it," murmured the others.

Suddenly, the ground trembled with the sound of many footsteps. "ROAR," echoed through the forest as a horde of wild beasts came into view, rampaging wildly.

Gracillia acted quickly, creating a dome-shaped barrier around her and her children. Arin, now standing beside her, covered in dirt, asked curiously, "Mama, why are they running like this?"

Gracillia gazed at her children, her eyes cold and serious. "They are in a berserk state, not right in their minds. When beasts become angry, they attack anything in their path without regard for their own lives. You must never come in the way of a berserk beast."

A few minutes later, the horde passed. Gracillia, sensing the danger wasn't over, turned to her children. "Let's go back home. It's not safe to continue," she said with a serious face.

The journey back to the cave was fraught with tension. The forest, usually filled with the peaceful sounds of nature, now seemed ominously silent. The undergrowth rustled occasionally, hinting at unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.

As they made their way through the dense foliage, Gracillia kept a vigilant eye on her surroundings. Her heightened senses picked up the faint scent of blood and the low growls of predators in the distance. They passed several beasts on their way back: a family of gentle Leaf Deer, their emerald-green fur blending seamlessly with the forest; a pair of cunning Shadow Lynxes, their sleek bodies hidden in the darkness of the trees; and a group of massive Boulder Tortoises, their rocky shells providing an almost impenetrable defense.

Each encounter was a reminder of the forest's diversity and the constant threat of danger. The children huddled close to Gracillia, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe.

Arin, his mind still buzzing from the earlier excitement, thought to himself, 'The forest is so alive... so full of wonder and danger. One day, I'll be strong enough to face it all.' He clenched his small fists, determination burning in his young eyes.

As they neared the cave, Gracillia's tension began to ease. The familiar sight of their home brought a sense of relief. Once inside, she set about securing the entrance, using her magic to fortify the cave against any potential threats.

We must be prepared for anything, she thought, her resolve strengthening. The forest was changing, and they needed to be ready.

That night, as the children slept, Gracillia kept watch. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of concern and determination. 'Something is disturbing the balance of the forest. We must be cautious. My children are strong, and I will protect them.'