As soon as I woke up the next day, I found myself in the same cave as before, making the idea that this could just be a bad dream disappear completely. The only difference was that now part of the hive had woken up and was crawling around, mapping every part of the cave. When I opened my eyes, a [Worker] smiled at me and waved before vibrating its abdomen and wings, creating a hissing sound that resonated throughout the cave. Soon, buzzing sounds echoed all around as a small cloud of insects swarmed toward me.
"Queen Mother! Finally, you've awakened!" several voices said in unison, forming a kind of chorus. "We analyzed the situation and processed your last active memories. We've concluded that the 'outsider' called 'Morthak' may be correct. You likely entered a state of uncontrolled rage, which triggered the collective rage of the hive." The cloud declared categorically.
"Damn... So you already know everything?" I muttered, biting my lip. "This ability of yours to analyze my memories is both useful and unnerving. At least I don’t have to explain the situation. Very well, what’s the status of our resources and integrity?" I asked, glancing around but avoiding looking directly at my "bee blanket."
"The Lifeguardians are doing their best to map the region. They left as soon as the snowstorm calmed down—about seven hours and thirty-four minutes ago. Their signals remain active but are weakened by exhaustion and extreme temperatures. The hive is currently on high alert. Rations have been completely lost, and the Cooking Club is working hard to transform roots, leaves, and tree sap into emergency supplies. The Care Club reports that approximately 60% of the hive is weakened due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold." The cloud explained.
"Shit!" I exclaimed, nervously biting my nails. "I can produce food for us with [Create Food], but I’ll need all the MP the hive can generate. Focus on recovering members who can efficiently produce MP, and try to find living creatures suitable as 'juice' for the [Drain Life] spell." I paused, shoving aside the guilt gnawing at me over our dire situation.
"Understood! Queen Mother, regarding the MP shortage, we may have found a potential solution. Currently, the Magic Club is analyzing the phenomenon, but it’s still unclear if we can use it as an energy source."
"Report!"
"Yes! In the deepest part of the cave, we discovered a blue flame burning above a pool of highly volatile liquid. The liquid drips from a stalactite and feeds this magical flame, which burns in an inexplicable manner." the cloud said.
"What? A magic fire that burns endlessly? Is that it?"
"Yes! The phenomenon emits dense waves of magical energy and remains active in a mysterious, self-sustaining way. The Magic Club believes it could potentially serve as a 'renewable magical energy source.'"
"I see. Lead the way!" I ordered, rising to my feet. As I moved, I noticed that I was no longer wearing my beautiful clothes, only my "natural" body, which looked like a futuristic bodysuit—not obscene but functional, like cosplay of an Overwatch character.
As I followed the hive deeper into the cave, I passed various groups at work. Members of the Care Club tended to injured or weakened bees. The Cooking Club crafted strangely colored bars of emergency rations. Sewers worked tirelessly to create blankets and thick fabrics, insulating parts of the cave from the cold. Even the Debate Club was hard at work, silently arguing with their antennae—a sight that would have been amusing under different circumstances.
The air grew darker as we descended, until a bright blue light emerged in the distance. At the bottom of the cave, I saw it: a neon-blue puddle with a bright blue flame burning peacefully above it. The flame flickered like alcohol set alight, occasionally flaring brighter as drops of liquid dripped into the pool from a stalactite above.
Around the anomaly, members of the Magic Club were scattered, talking in hushed tones and examining the area, but keeping a safe distance from the flame.
"Alright, what do we have here?" I asked, staring at the phenomenon. Just from looking at it, I could tell how dense and volatile the magical energy was. The liquid seemed to be condensed mana in its purest form, but the flame? I had no idea—perhaps a reaction to the mana evaporating, like dry ice sublimating? Or maybe something else entirely.
"Queen Mother! I’m glad you’re awake!" a [Mage] said, approaching.
"Where’s Max?"
"Max is currently recovering in the medical wing. His MP reserves were so depleted that he collapsed. I’ve been left in charge during his recovery." the [Mage], who introduced himself as Bax, explained.
"Understood, Bax. What can you tell me about this phenomenon?"
"Not much, my Queen. All we know is that this liquid appears to be highly concentrated, pure mana. We’re trying to find ways to convert its volatile energy into a more stable form. However, our [Mages] can’t get close without experiencing physical pain." Bax reported.
"Physical pain? From just being near it? How does that work?"
"We believe the energy waves from the phenomenon are so intense and chaotic that they harm individuals with high MP reserves. Workers with little or no MP can approach it without issue, but those with higher MP describe the sensation as 'burning from the inside out.'"
"Alright, let me see what I can do..."
Leaving the boys behind, I stepped toward the pool of neon blue liquid. The air around it shimmered faintly, distorting like a heatwave, and as I drew closer, I felt a tightness bloom in my chest. It wasn’t painful, but the sensation was unnerving, as though my heart was caught in a vice. My breathing hitched for a moment, the rhythmic thrum of my pulse speeding up in response.
The real problem began when I was close enough to touch the anomaly. A tingling sensation raced across my skin, sharp and electric, while the energy inside me seemed to rebel. My mana shifted, drawn to the pool like moths to a flame, pulling against my will. It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was primal, like something deep within me recognized the anomaly as a predator and couldn’t resist its call.
But I wasn’t about to lose control. I’d spent too many years honing my connection to my magical core to let it slip away now. With effort, I calmed the raging tide within me, forcing my mana to settle. The tingling receded, leaving behind an eerie stillness.
"Intense." I muttered under my breath, staring into the glowing pool. "This thing... it’s attracting mana and... burning it? Why? What’s the purpose of this?"
Curiosity gnawed at me as I summoned a [Magic Bubble] to interact with the liquid. The spell hovered momentarily, a fragile sphere of shimmering light, but as soon as it touched the blue flames, it disintegrated. Mana unraveled into raw energy, consumed by the anomaly with a predatory hunger. My frustration flared. A boundless reservoir of power lay before me, yet it was useless without a way to harness it. It felt like standing before a mountain rich in iron, only to lack the tools to extract it.
"Hmm..." My fingers tapped rhythmically against my thigh as I considered my options. "Let’s try something else."
I stepped back, creating some distance, and summoned a [Node] using my [Node Weaver] skill. Between my fingers, a small orb of golden light formed, gradually coalescing into an ethereal being of pure energy. The delicate creature floated before me, waiting for orders.
"Consume the flame. Convert its energy."
Without hesitation, the [Node] drifted toward the anomaly. As it approached, the serene glow of its form began to flicker, its edges fracturing like glass under strain. My stomach twisted as the [Node] trembled, glitching in and out of stability. Still, it pressed on. Hovering just above the flames, its form twisted violently, a chaotic dance of light and energy.
Then, in a brilliant flash, it exploded.
I recoiled, shielding my eyes. My heart sank. I thought it had failed—until I looked again. Where the [Node] once floated, a radiant star of golden light now hung suspended above the pool. The chaotic flames had changed, spiraling slowly around the star as if caught in its gravitational pull.
"Holy—what just happened?!" a voice broke through my astonishment.
"I... I’m not sure." I replied, my eyes fixed on the strange transformation.
The star was no longer a simple [Node]. It had become something more, something that defied explanation. As I edged closer, warmth radiated from it, soft and comforting, like standing near a hearth on a bitter winter night. When my hand brushed near its glow, I felt a thin, steady stream of mana flow into me. Relief flooded through my veins, the tension in my chest easing.
"Finally." I breathed, a small smile breaking through the tension. "Finally, some good news."
The implications were staggering. The [Node] wasn’t just a tool—it had evolved, reshaping itself to fulfill my command. It wasn’t perfect, though. While the star steadily converted the flames into usable mana, the process was painfully slow.
"This energy flow... it’s too weak to sustain us." I admitted aloud.
Bax, ever blunt, chimed in. "Mediocre, huh?"
"Unfortunately, yes." I said, my voice tinged with frustration. "It’s a start, but it’s not enough to sustain the hive. We’ll have to make do for now. Hunt, conserve rations, and save mana until we stabilize."
The issue with the [Node] isn’t that it "generates" a small amount of energy—it’s that it "converts" energy far too slowly. There’s an abundance of mana to work with, but the conversion process itself is frustratingly inefficient, like trying to drain a vast ocean through a narrow straw.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Great." I muttered under my breath. "This will have to do for now."
Turning to Bax, I added, "Keep refining the process. Experiment with anything that might improve the conversion rate. Find a way to speed up the conversion process or improve efficiency. We need this to work—no shortcuts, no excuses."
"Understood." Bax replied with a sharp nod, already turning back to the anomaly with an air of determination.
With that settled, I stepped away, the faint warmth of the [Node] still clinging to my fingertips. The flickering glow of the anomaly cast eerie shadows on the walls as I exited the magic club, my mind already shifting to the hive.
"I need to check on the others." I murmured to myself.
----------------------------------------
"Atchim! - Shit! Can someone remind me how the hell we ended up in this damn frozen hole?!" Ken said irritably as he wrapped himself in a coat made of silk and animal fur.
"Reliving the past won't help us survive now, Ken. We should learn from the past, but not dwell on it. Mistakes were made. We should have thought of a scenario where we could be attacked by humans even while in the air, and thanks to this event we discovered the danger of exposing the queen mother to extreme stress." Jon said as he gnawed on a nutritious bar made with roots and tree sap.
"Hmm... Who would have thought, huh!? Everyone's mom can get so angry that she goes into a rage mode." Matt said casually.
"The problem with that is that if something happens to mom, it happens to all of us..." Carl, who was drinking a liquid from a small wooden cup, said.
"Should we prioritize building a new nest now? How is the project to build a temporary garden to obtain raw materials going?" Steve asked, as he snuggled into a fluffy blanket.
"T-The garden is almost finished. Buck and the g-gardening club will be able to work on it soon." Levi said, huddled inside a thick coat of fur and silk.
"Hmm.. We need flowers to produce wax. With wax we can start insulating this entire cave and use magic to increase the temperature inside. Then we can worry about building better facilities and self-sustainability." Steve said with a serious look.
In the middle of the conversation, a cold wind suddenly came, lifting the curtains that "covered" the cave exit and throwing a cold wind over everyone it hit. "Ugh... Damn it! Does anyone know if this fucking winter lasts forever?! We're not biologically made for places with such low temperatures!" Ken shouted angrily.
"From what I heard from Ray, it's only temporary, this place seems to have a full cycle of seasons and unfortunately we're in the middle of winter." Carl said.
I was listening to all this from a distance, just watching through the link, it may seem like a lot of time has passed since our arrival, but in fact it was this morning, but the boys are so efficient and diligent, that in that short space of time they've already started a garden project inside the cave, they dug the soil outside the cave - which by the way was an almost impossible task, since the earth was frozen, and brought it inside, the [Gatherers] and [Explorers] found seeds scattered all over the place that they intended to use in the garden, and water could be found anywhere, all they needed was to make some buckets with the help of the [Carpenters].
The debate club also worked hard, they were the ones who drew up this whole "Rebuilding the Nest" plan, the sewing club made dozens of coats, blankets and throws to warm the weakest members of the hive, while the exploration and gathering club worked tirelessly to find any resource that could be used as rations, such as pine cones, sap, roots, and frozen fruits.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The soldiers have a lot on their plate. They patrol the region, searching for creatures that can serve as fuel for our [Life Drain] spell. It’s not too difficult for them to find small animals hibernating in the snow or hiding in caves and burrows. They’re also responsible for bringing meat back to the hive. Now, I know what you’re thinking—bees and meat don’t exactly go hand in hand. But in times of desperation, even a cow might eat a steak. We’ve resorted to using meat to create emergency rations.
Of course, this isn’t our ideal diet. We thrive on sugar, fiber, and vitamins. Meat? It’s digestible, sure, but it wreaks havoc on our stomachs, which is far from pleasant. Still, we can’t afford to waste resources, no matter how unorthodox. Even I’ve been eating those dreadful emergency rations—bitter-tasting waxy blocks that seem more like punishment than sustenance. All the sugar and sweets I could conjure with [Create Food] were given to the weaker members of the hive, those who suffered the most during the journey and the biting cold. Everyone deemed to be in “good condition” was forced to endure the bitter blocks.
Now, I was waiting for Morthak to return. He said he’d be back today, so I was on high alert. Truth be told, I wasn’t thrilled about associating with him. I had a long list of reasons why, but the top three would be:
* He’s a necromancer.
* He used magic to force me to tell the truth.
* He’s an outsider.
I know I shouldn’t judge him solely on his class or background, but the whole “forcing me with magic” thing is hard to overlook. Then again, I can’t deny that if I had similar magic, I’d use it every time I encountered an outsider. Hypocritical? Definitely. I hate him for doing it, but I’d do the same in his shoes.
It wasn’t long before I saw, through the eyes of the soldiers and scouts, a familiar hooded figure approaching the cave.
“Hmm... He’s here.”
I stood up from the corner where I’d been using [Create Food] and headed toward the cave’s entrance. Passing the others, I made my way to the doorway, its curtain of old cloth swaying slightly in the cold breeze. Stepping outside, I planted my feet in the snow, the icy winds wrapping around me as I waited. The snowy mist in the distance blurred my view of the surroundings, but I held my ground. After a few moments, a dark figure emerged from the fog—a man shrouded in an old, tattered hood.
His movements were slow and deliberate, as though weighted by age. Step by step, he advanced, his bone staff firmly in hand. The sight of him was more unnerving than I remembered. Watching him now, I realized how lucky I was to have escaped his grasp unscathed. Eventually, Morthak reached me, his face twisting into a slight smile that I couldn’t decide was meant to be friendly or menacing.
“Ho, ho, look what the blizzard dragged in! I must admit, I thought you might flee during the night." Morthak said, stroking his chin with mock amusement.
“I even considered it." I replied, “but there was a blizzard… and, well, I don’t exactly know how to fly yet.”
“Meh, you couldn’t even come up with something like, ‘I’d never miss the chance to learn magic from the great Morthak, The Corpse Artisan!’” he said, puffing himself up with mock grandeur.
“Yeah, no thanks. Maybe if you were a super handsome magic tower master—but let’s be real. You’re old and a [Necromancer]. Not exactly prestigious material in my eyes, old man—”
Before I could finish, Morthak rapped me on the head with his staff, hard enough that I bit my tongue and tasted blood.
“Ow! Damn—”
“Hmph! That’s what you get for running your mouth!” he barked. “You should feel honored that I’m willing to teach you anything about magic. Do you have any idea how many mages of my caliber exist in all the demon lands?”
“S-Sorry, sir... You just don’t look very credible." I said, rubbing the sore spot on my head.
“Huh! And what does a country girl like you know about prestige, huh? Just know that the mere mention of my name sends chills down the spines of thousands! My legend has been told across these lands, and—”
“Are you going to tell me stories or teach me magic?” I interrupted. “No offense, but I’m trying to keep about a thousand mouths fed here. I don’t have time for ‘story time.’”
Morthak clicked his tongue in irritation. “Tsk, these young people today—so arrogant. So you’re saying those presences I felt on my way here were your… sons? If that’s what they can be called.”
“Yes, that was them. My boys are doing their best to make this place a little more livable. By the way, it’s winter, right? How long until spring starts?”
“Winter? Spring? What would that be?” Morthak asked, his face scrunching in confusion.
Ouch. It hit me then—terms like “spring” and “winter” were familiar only to me. I had no clue what people in this world called the seasons.
“Uhm… you know, when the snow stops falling and the flowers start to bloom?”
“Ah! You mean the end of the Frost Season? Let me think… Hmm. I’d say there are one or two full moons left until the Awakening Season begins. About sixty days, if you prefer.”
“Sixty days?! Damn, that’s forever! Ugh, what the hell.”
“Meh. Time doesn’t matter. With patience, everything comes in due course." Morthak said, his tone almost patronizing.
“Look, can we continue this inside the cave? My ass is freezing out here!”
Morthak raised an eyebrow and gave me a disapproving look. “Seems like I’ll have to teach you more than magic. Honestly, girl, you’re cruder than the indulgent ones on the streets.”
“Sorry if I’m freezing out here! Some of us feel cold!” I shot back, pointing at myself and then at him. “And one of us clearly has a low resistance to it!”
“Ha! You came to the demon lands during the height of the Frost Season and now you complain about the cold? What did you expect, girl?” Morthak cursed.
“Look! I had strong suspicions this place would be cold. But I didn’t think it’d be a frozen hell! And how was I supposed to know it was winter here? When I left my house, the sun was as warm as ever!”
With that, I spun on my heel and stomped back into the cave. If I was going to have this conversation, at least I’d do it somewhere warm. As soon as I stepped into the cave, Morthak followed close behind, muttering in displeasure. His grumbling stopped abruptly when we entered, and he was met by hundreds of insects. They turned toward him in perfect unison, their collective gaze unnerving. After a moment of eerie silence, they began whispering amongst themselves before scattering throughout the cave.
“Wow… What did you do to this place? It doesn’t even look like the same cave." Morthak said, his eyes scanning the makeshift hive structures, blankets strewn across the floor, and the small planters carved into the stone.
“Hmm? It’s nothing much." I replied. “We’re just taking care of the basics—food, water, resources. After losing all our luggage, we didn’t have many options. We just kept moving forward.” I sighed, letting the exhaustion seep into my voice.
“Interesting… You really are more fascinating than I expected. And about your luggage—don’t dwell on it too much. At least you kept your life intact. It might not seem like much, but it’s already a great achievement." Morthak said, attempting what I assumed was a comforting tone.
“Man, you have no idea how much stuff I lost." I said with a groan. “Rations, experiments, inventions… and most importantly, my familiar! Damn, that reminds me—I need to organize a search party to recover whatever we can. Shit, I hope Muck didn’t fall into the hands of humans…”
“Wait, hold on." Morthak interrupted, his brow furrowing. “Experiments? You’re an inventor?”
“Uh… not exactly? I’d call myself curious. I made some devices using root technology and magic, plus a few machines powered by kinetic energy. But whatever. It doesn’t matter now—I’m back to square one. A beggar without a nail in the coffin!”
Morthak’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Hmm… intriguing. One day, I’d like to see this so-called ‘root technology’ and these machines of yours firsthand.”
“Do you like machines, old man?” I teased.
“Watch your tongue!” Morthak snapped before letting out a grudging chuckle. “But to answer your question… I’d say yes and no. Personally, I don’t have much interest in the technology of artisans and inventors, but I have an old friend who loves to talk about his creations in his letters.”
“That’s cool and all." I said, curling up in a silk blanket the hive had made for me, “but it’s not really my passion. I only tinker with that stuff because it helps my family. Now, though, it feels pointless. I’ll have to rebuild everything from scratch! Ugh, if I have to create another familiar, I swear I’ll lose it. Do you have any idea how hard it was to make Muck?”
“A familiar, you say?” Morthak raised an eyebrow. “Quite unexpected that you have one.”
“Why’s that?”
“They’re rare. Familiars are usually bound through magical contracts created by a high-level [Tamer], or they’re created using a fragment of their owner. High nobility or experienced spellcasters are typically the only ones who manage to have one.” He paused thoughtfully. “But don’t worry. If your familiar’s alive, he’ll find his way back to you, one way or another.”
“How can you be so sure?” I asked skeptically.
“Experience." Morthak replied confidently. “I’ve known many people with familiars. Their bonds run too deep to be severed by something as trivial as distance. Your familiar will return to you… assuming nothing stops him.”
“Hmm… I hope you’re right." I muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around me. “I can still sense him through our connection, but it’s faint. I can’t tell how far away he is… just the direction.”
“Curious." Morthak said, tilting his head. “You don’t seem too upset about losing your familiar. Most people are deeply attached to theirs, but you… you seem more concerned about the loss of a valuable possession than a companion.” His tone was laced with suspicion.
“Huh? Really?” I said, shrugging. “Meh. I guess that might be true. I like Muck and all, but I wouldn’t say I’m heartbroken over his absence. I’d be more upset about losing the resources I poured into him. But hey, I can always make another Muck if I need to.”
“Make?” Morthak repeated, his expression shifting to confusion.
"Yeah, like, Muck was a golem I created using magic, and after some upgrades, he ended up becoming my familiar by chance." I said casually, watching Morthak’s expression.
"Wait, wait." Morthak interrupted, raising his hand as if to physically stop the conversation. "Are you telling me that you... created a familiar? Like a puppet or an undead being?" His tone was thick with disbelief.
"Uhm… yeah?" I shrugged. "I made him when I was researching plant golems. But then he kind of… acquired 'life' and became my familiar. It wasn’t exactly planned."
Morthak stared at me, his mouth slightly agape. "That’s ridiculous. You’re basically claiming you created life through runic engineering. Do you even realize how absurd that sounds?"
"I wouldn’t call it 'creating life,'" I replied, brushing off his astonishment. "Muck’s not alive—not really. His body is just a modified moss from the forest I lived in, fused with a core I designed. The core’s made of crystals, roots, and mana circuits. His 'heart'—that’s the real Muck—is more like an enchanted construct than a living being."
Morthak blinked, shaking his head slowly. "Unbelievable. So you're one of those people."
"Those people?" I echoed, narrowing my eyes.
"You know." Morthak said with a smirk, "the weird ones who lock themselves away in tiny rooms tinkering with strange experiments, pretending to be gods."
"I’m not pretending to be a god!" I shot back indignantly. "I just… like to give shape to my imagination."
He laughed, the sound deep and amused. "You really need to meet my friend. You’d get along famously."
Before I could respond, we reached the heart of the hive, a bustling space alive with activity. Bees scurried along the walls, attaching wax, building structures, and tending to various tasks. The organized chaos was normal for me, but for Morthak, it seemed to be a spectacle.
He paused, surveying the hive with a mixture of awe and curiosity. "This is… unexpected. I’ve seen many things, but nothing quite like this."
I noticed the way the workers eyed him warily, their movements stiffening whenever his gaze passed over them. "Am I not welcome here?" he asked with a dry chuckle. "Your little ones don’t seem to recognize their benefactor."
"Boys!" I called out, clapping my hands. "Show some respect! Morthak is the reason we’re alive. He deserves your gratitude."
The hive froze briefly, then returned to its rhythm. The workers began to offer hesitant waves and awkward smiles when Morthak glanced their way.
"Sorry about that." I said, scratching the back of my neck. "They’re not used to outsiders. Honestly, they don’t really like anyone who isn’t part of the hive."
"Noted." Morthak said with a faint smirk. "It’s good to know where I stand."
We continued deeper into the hive, eventually reaching a rough wooden table fashioned from tusks by the [Carpenters]. I gestured for Morthak to sit as I dropped onto one of the makeshift benches.
"Normally, I’d offer tea or something civilized, but as you can see, I’m currently living in a hole in the ground." I spread my hands apologetically. "Unless you want a nutritious block of meat, sap, and roots with a glass of melted snow, I’ve got nothing."
Morthak laughed, shaking his head. "Believe it or not, that’s far from the worst meal I’ve been offered. But I’ll pass—I don’t need food anyway."
I folded my arms, leaning back. "Since you’re here, though, mind if I ask you a few questions? You did grill me earlier, after all."
He raised an eyebrow, but his expression softened. "Fair enough." Morthak said thoughtfully.
"Then I can—"
"No."
"But you said it was fair!"
"Girl, life isn’t fair." Morthak interrupted harshly, his voice cutting through my protests like a blade. "I did what I believed was best for myself. I kept you alive because I was curious about what you had to say. It’s not my problem if you don’t like how I handled the situation."
"Ugh—so you’re just going to do whatever you want?" I retorted, frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Hm…" Morthak tapped his staff against the ground, his expression unreadable. "Lesson number one: the strong do what they want, and the weak… they can only accept it."
"Just because you defeated me while I wasn’t aware of my actions doesn’t mean you’re stronger than all of us—"
Before I could finish, the atmosphere around Morthak shifted. A cold, suffocating sensation wrapped around me as green smoke began to swirl around him, forming images of skulls with glowing eyes and severed heads. My blood ran cold, my heart hammering in my chest as a primal fear took hold. My fingertips went numb as I met his gaze. Those demonic yellow eyes stared back, devoid of emotion, piercing straight through me.
"You are young and far too weak to understand when to keep your mouth shut and follow orders." Morthak said, his voice dripping with disdain. The deathly aura thickened, pressing down on me like an invisible weight. "I offered to be your mentor because I sympathized with your situation. Consider it a debt I owed—to myself. But don’t think I’ll tolerate your disrespect forever. Your rope is already stretched thin, and it’s about to snap."
"I-I'm sorry!" I stammered, bowing deeply. "I promise I won’t say anything to offend you again. Please, don’t hurt us!"
Morthak stared at me for a long moment, his presence still radiating danger. The buzzing of my bees filled the silence, nervous and on edge, their agitation mirroring my own. Finally, he sighed, his aura dissipating as he returned to his usual decrepit demeanor.
"Very well." he said, his tone begrudging. "Here’s the deal. I’ll teach you the basics of magic—enough to give you a solid foundation. After that, our paths will part."
"T-Thank you." I managed, relief washing over me. "It might not seem like much to you, but it’s incredibly generous from where I stand."
"Hmph. We’ll see." He turned abruptly, heading deeper into the cave. "Before we start, there’s something I need to check."
I followed him, my curiosity piqued. As we walked, I remembered the anomaly at the bottom of the cave. "Morthak, are you here because of the magical anomaly?"
He froze mid-step, turning to look at me with a frown. "You approached the Earth’s Flame?" His voice was sharp, almost accusing. "How could you be so foolish? Getting too close to an unstable formation like that could distort your mana veins beyond repair!"
Raising his hand, he conjured a green magic circle in the air. Before I could react, a beam of light shot from the circle and entered my body. A strange tingling sensation spread through me, leaving me disoriented.
"What did you just do to me?!" I demanded, panic creeping into my voice.
Ignoring my outburst, Morthak studied me with narrowed eyes. His brow furrowed, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Girl… do you have any kinship with dragons?"
"What? Dragons? Do I look like a dragon to you?" I shot back, incredulous. "No, sir!"
"Hmm…" He muttered something under his breath before continuing. "Strange. Your magic circuits… they’re too perfect."
"I don’t even know what these 'circuits' you keep talking about are." I admitted, frustration coloring my tone.
Morthak sighed, his exasperation evident. "The circuits are part of the blood circulatory system in magical beings. They work alongside veins and arteries, transporting mana throughout the body."
"Wait, so magical energy has its own circulatory system? That’s incredible!" I exclaimed, connecting the dots. "But why would you call mine 'perfect'? Wouldn’t 'healthy' be a more accurate term?"
Morthak paused, staring at me as though I’d grown a second head. "Do you even realize what you’re saying?" he asked, impressed despite himself.
"Uh, yeah? Veins and arteries are part of the cardiovascular system. They transport blood, which is kind of the energy source for the body, right? If circuits are like mana veins, then they’d carry magical energy the same way." I paused, musing. "Oh, and the energy source must come from somewhere—wait, never mind, I think I get it."
Morthak’s expression shifted from shock to something resembling begrudging admiration. "Girl, if I hadn’t confirmed with magic that you were speaking the truth, I’d have sworn someone coached you. No child raised in isolation should know this much."
I shrugged. "What can I say? Life has taught me, you know? I've seen a lot of things out there. Plus, I’ve got a knack for putting two and two together."
For the first time, a genuine laugh escaped Morthak. "You’re either the most resourceful fool I’ve ever met or an outright anomaly of nature. I’m not sure which one yet."