A warning echoed in Nyx's mind as she hovered over the emberheart fruit, the heat radiating from it palpable.

Warning! There’s a high density of fire magic detected. This can cause internal burns.

“Permission to use Restoration Mastery as continuous healing so you won’t be affected? Yes/No.”

Panic surged within her as pain flared like fire in her belly, and with a nod, she whispered, “Yes.”

Hunched over, Nyx heaved as waves of heat rolled through her, leaving her breathless.

“You see what you did?” Len’s voice was sharp, laced with anger as he pushed the others away from her. “If anything happens to her, I will let the dragon know it was you guys, and all hell will break loose.” His words were fierce, but the tenderness in his gaze as he gently hugged her shoulder spoke of his deep concern. Tears streamed down his face; he hated seeing her in pain and felt helpless to stop it.

“Len, we’re sorry…” The others offered apologies, their voices softening with regret.

“We didn’t know it would be this bad…” Suli interjected, her voice trembling slightly.

Len shot them a glare, and the weight of guilt settled heavily on the group.

A faint golden glow began to envelop Nyx, drawing their attention.

Permission granted. Restoration Mastery is now in effect. You will no longer feel pain.

Slowly, Nyx sat up, letting out a small breath. A puff of smoke escaped her lips, and her eyes widened in wonder. “Wow! Len, do you see this?” She pointed at the smoke trailing from her mouth, a mixture of excitement and disbelief bubbling within her.

“Yeah, I do, but how?” Len replied, awe mingling with his worry.

“Wow… this is something new,” Nabi whispered, stepping closer, captivated by the sight.

The others gathered around her, their expressions a blend of concern and admiration.

“Are you okay, Nyx?” Ryu asked, his voice filled with warmth. “How are you feeling?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Nyx reassured them, her smile breaking through the remnants of fear. “The fruit’s delicious too.” She continued to savor the emberheart, delighting in its flavors.

“How are you doing this, Nyx? This fruit is raw fire magic!” Ryu exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Well, I have this skill called Restoration Mastery, and it’s healing the fire burns inside me continuously,” she explained, her voice steady and confident.

“Of course! I forgot about that!” Len exclaimed, smacking his forehead in realization.

“Really, that’s awesome!” Ryu grinned widely, a wave of relief washing over him.

Nyx smiled, gratitude blooming in her chest. She was thankful for their concern and the joy of their shared excitement.

Suddenly, a notification flashed in her mind:

Skill detected: Phoenix Flame. This channels the mythical energy of a phoenix, igniting you in flames that heal wounds and increase power while unleashing fiery attacks. You can withstand any type of fire magic.

Level: S.

To get this skill, please consume four more emberheart fruits. 1/5.

“Wow, Len! If I consume four more of these fruits, I can get a skill called Phoenix Flame!” Nyx exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Really? That’s amazing!” Len’s joy was infectious. The others nodded in agreement, their faces lit with enthusiasm.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go get the rest!” Ryu declared his energy contagious.

Nyx nodded eagerly, her heart racing at the thought of acquiring a new skill.

One by one, they gathered more emberheart fruits: Ryu, Suli, Nabi, and finally Geurim, who brought the last one. Nyx took the fruits and began to eat them one by one.

*Emberheart consumed +1*

*Emberheart consumed +1*

*Emberheart consumed +1*

*Emberheart consumed +1*

*All fulfillments were met. Notice: Skill Phoenix Flame acquired.*

“Wow! I have a new skill now! I can’t wait to show it to Drac!” she said, her excitement bubbling over.

“Great! I’m so happy for you! But can you please leave out how you got it?” Len’s voice was desperate, his worry evident.

“But why? It’s not like it was on purpose, and look, I’m more than okay!” Nyx teased, her playful smile softening the tension. “Though I am a little thirsty now. Those fruits were way too sweet.”

“I’ll tell him that the Restoration Mastery skill healed me, so I’m okay.” She flexed her tiny arms, puffing out her chest in mock seriousness, though nothing was there since she was still a child.

Laughter erupted among them, the warmth of friendship wrapping around Nyx like a cozy blanket.

“Here, Nyx! This one is called Aquabloom,” Geurim said excitedly, handing her another fruit. “It has a high density of water magic, so you might get a skill related to water magic too.”

“Yeah, and if you do, we can teach you how to use them since we’re also magic and fire users,” Suli added, her grin wide.

“Really? Thank you, guys!” Nyx’s heart swelled with happiness. Meeting them and learning new skills made her feel cherished, even if she’d nearly gotten hurt. “I can’t wait to eat this.” She took the fruit from Suli, inhaling its sweet aroma.

“Plus, it’s really juicy, so the juice will quench your thirst,” Ryu chimed in, his enthusiasm unwavering.

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“Be careful now, Nyx,” Len cautioned gently, a flicker of worry still present in his eyes.

“Well, here I go…” she declared, bringing the fruit to her lips. As she took a bite, her eyes widened in delight at the burst of flavor. “Mhhmmhmm!” She moaned, savoring every drop.

*Water magic detected. Because of your new skill Phoenix Flame, the water magic will harmonize with it.*

*Skill detected: Steam Convergence. The user combines water and fire magic to generate a dense cloud of scalding steam. This steam can be directed at enemies, inflicting burns and obscuring vision, or used defensively to create a concealing barrier.

Level: A+.

To get this skill, please consume four more Aquabloom. 1/5.*

After finishing the fruit, Nyx shared her excitement. “It says that if I eat four more of these, I’ll get a skill called Steam Convergence! I think.”

The others looked at her, slightly puzzled.

“Are you trying to say Convergence?” Geurim asked, tilting his head.

“I think that’s what it said,” Nyx confirmed, though her brow furrowed slightly as she struggled to pronounce the unfamiliar word.

“Really? That’s the same skill I have too! Don’t worry; I’ll teach you how to use it,” Geurim promised, a flicker of pride in his voice.

“Nyx, that’s so awesome! I’m so proud of you!” Len exclaimed, his face beaming with joy.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go get more Aquabloom!” Ryu urged, excitement sparking in his eyes.

They dashed into the forest, gathering the bright fruits and returning to Nyx, who eagerly consumed them one by one.

*Aquabloom consumed +1*

*Aquabloom consumed +1*

*Aquabloom consumed +1*

*Aquabloom consumed +1*

*Skill acquired: Steam Convergence. Level: A+.*

“Guys, I got it!” Nyx squealed, her joy infectious.

“Yaah!” They cheered in unison, their voices a chorus of celebration.

“Now let’s teach you how to use the skills you just acquired,” Ryu said, eyes shining with excitement.

“No,” Nyx replied, shaking her head.

“Why not?” they all asked, confused.

“Well, not right now, because my belly is packed.” She gently patted her full belly, a satisfied smile on her face.

“Well, you do look full,” Len observed, chuckling.

“Okay, we’ll wait,” Geurim said, settling down on one of her legs.

The others followed suit, finding comfortable spots as they prepared to relax. They exchanged stories about their adventures, laughter and warmth filling the air.

A few hours passed, and Nyx felt her belly settle. As the conversation lulled, she noticed that the others had dozed off, their gentle breaths a soothing rhythm around her.

She began to wake them one by one, her voice soft and gentle. “Guys, I’m up and ready to learn now.”

As they stretched and yawned, Nyx stood in the hollow of the Silverheart Tree, the soft glow of its luminescent leaves casting a magical ambiance around her.

Anticipation crackled in the air, and Geurim floated nearby, a shadow against the vibrant backdrop.

As Nyx prepared to practice her new skills, a wave of determination washed over her. “Okay, let’s start with Steam Convergence,” she said, excitement bubbling within her. She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar sensations of water and fire within her.

“Repeat after me, Flow and merge, fire and rain, let steam arise, my will sustain!” Guerim said as he showed her what to do.

“Flow and merge, fire and rain, let steam arise, my will sustain!” she chanted, envisioning the magic swirling together. But as she attempted to conjure the steam, nothing happened. She frowned, frustration creeping in. “Why isn’t it working?”

“Just take a deep breath, Nyx,” Geurim encouraged, stepping closer. “Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right. Just focus on the feeling.”

Nyx nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of hope and doubt. She took a deep breath and tried again, but again, there was no steam. “I’m not doing it right!” she groaned, biting her lip.

“Don’t worry, you can do this,” Guerim reassured her, his voice calm. “Let’s try together. Feel the fire and the water, and don’t rush. Just let them flow.”

With renewed determination, Nyx inhaled deeply. “Flow and merge, fire and rain, let steam arise, my will sustain!” This time, she concentrated harder, focusing on the connection between the two elements. She also said the incantation in her head this time as well.

Suddenly, she felt a shift—a connection she hadn’t felt before. The cool and warm energies intertwined effortlessly, and she directed them outward, willing them to become steam.

On her third attempt, a thick cloud of steam finally erupted around her, swirling with a life of its own. Nyx’s eyes widened in delight as the vapor danced in the air. “I did it!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with triumph.

“See? I told you it would come together,” Guerim said, a proud smile lighting up his face.

“See I know you could do it!” Len said and congratulated her.

The others also joined in.

After the excitement of mastering the Steam Convergence skill, Nyx turned her attention to Ryu, the fiery spirit with bright, flickering flames dancing around him.

He was the strongest one that wielded fire magic from the others.

“Now let’s move on to Phoenix Flame.” Ryu said in an excited tone.

Nyx nodded, determination etched on her face. “I’m ready! But I had a bit of trouble with this last time.”

Ryu smiled, a flicker of flame dancing in his eyes. “Don’t worry. Just remember to embrace the heat and channel it from within. The incantation is simple: ‘From ashes I rise, ignite with might, Phoenix flame, burn bright!’”

Nyx’s excitement surged again, but as she attempted to harness the fiery energy, she quickly hit another wall. “Okay, here we go. ‘From ashes I rise, ignite with might, Phoenix flame, burn bright!” she shouted, but the magic fizzled out, leaving her feeling deflated.

“Don’t get discouraged,” Ryu encouraged, kneeling beside her. “You just need to find the right rhythm. Remember, it’s all about embracing the heat and channeling it.”

Taking a deep breath, Nyx nodded. “Alright, I’ll try again.” She focused on the warmth within her, repeating the incantation, but again, nothing happened. “I can’t seem to get it!”

“Let’s do it together, just like before,” Ryu suggested, positioning himself next to her. “On three, we’ll say the words together. Ready?”

Nyx felt a wave of gratitude for his support. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“One, two, three!” they shouted in unison, and this time, as Nyx poured her energy into the spell, a burst of flames ignited around her, forming a protective barrier.

“Yes! Yes! I got it!” Nyx cheered, her heart racing with joy as she felt the warmth envelop her.

“Awesome! You really did it!” Ryu exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride. “I knew you could!”

The others cheered, their joyful voices echoing through the hollow of the tree. Nyx felt a rush of accomplishment as the flame flickered brightly in her hands, realizing she was one step closer to mastering her magic.

“Nyx, I’m so proud of you!” Len exclaimed, darting toward her and enveloping her in a tight hug, tears of joy shimmering in his eyes.

The rest of the Aetherlings joined in, their voices rising in congratulations and praise.

“Thank you, everyone! I’m so happy!” Nyx said, her own tears mixing with their laughter.

For the rest of the day, she practiced her newly acquired skills, determined to get comfortable with them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow through the hollow of the Silverheart Tree, Nyx felt a bittersweet pull in her heart. The gentle sounds of the forest winding down for the night wrapped around her, filling her with a sense of contentment yet reluctant to leave.

“Len,” she said, glancing at her magical friend, “I had such an amazing time today. I can’t believe how much I learned!”

Len’s luminous form sparkled in the fading light. “You did fantastic, Nyx! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do tomorrow.”

Nyx beamed at him. “Let’s promise to come back tomorrow, please!” she urged, her excitement bubbling over.

Len chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Of course, we will.”

They exchanged cheerful farewells with Geurim and the other Aetherlings before stepping out of the hollow, making their way back to Drac’s cave.

As they walked, the forest came alive with the sounds of evening; the crickets chirped, and leaves rustled, creating a gentle symphony that wrapped around them.

“I can’t wait to tell Drac about my day!” Nyx exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet. “I learned two new skills!”

Len grinned, matching her pace. “He’s going to be so proud of you!”

When they arrived, Drac, the dragon god of wrath, looked up from sorting through ancient scrolls. His fierce presence filled the cave, black and silver scales shimmering in the dim light. Curiosity glinted in his eyes. “What is it, Nyx? You look excited!”

“I learned two new skills and met some new magic spirits, just like Len!” she replied, practically bursting with excitement.

Drac raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What skills did you learn?”

Nyx took a deep breath, her enthusiasm palpable. “I learned Steam Convergence and Phoenix Flame skills! Watch!” She closed her eyes, summoned her magic, and conjured a swirling cloud of steam that shifted into a bright, fiery flame shaped like a phoenix.

Drac’s eyes widened with delight. “Incredible! You’ve come so far, Nyx!”

“How did you learn these?” he asked, genuine curiosity evident in his tone.

“I know! And I got them by eating these two magic fruits!” she explained, pride swelling in her chest. “The Emberfruit gave me the Phoenix Flame, and the Aquabloom helped with Steam Convergence.”

“What!” Drac exclaimed, concern flashing across his face. “Are you hurt?”

He knew the risks associated with those fruits—if someone wasn’t worthy, it could be fatal.

Nyx hesitated for a moment, guilt prickling at her conscience. “No... I wasn’t,” she lied, turning her face away. The words felt foreign on her tongue; lying was something she had yet to master.

Drac sensed the deception and turned his attention to Len, who also looked away.

“Well, whatever happened, please don’t do it again. Otherwise, I’ll have to lock you up in this cave, and you’ll never get out,” Drac warned, his tone serious but softened by a hint of playfulness.

She chuckled sheepishly. “Okay!”

“Now, how about a nice bath to celebrate your achievements?” Drac suggested, his eyes twinkling with warmth.

“That sounds perfect!” Nyx agreed, her excitement returning.

Drac led her to a shimmering waterfall at the back of the cave, with Len floating beside them. The water cascaded down into a crystal-clear pool, the sound of it flowing soothing and inviting.

As Nyx stepped into the warm water, a contented sigh escaped her lips. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed, splashing water playfully. “I feel so good after a day like today!”

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” she added, the anticipation of new adventures making her heart race.