From that day on, Tao started to take his training to a new level. He created a training program in his mind for certain disciplines:

* Cultivation of magical energy (sindura).

* The use of magic without spell words.

* Developing the body's stamina against magic energy.

* Developing combat skills with magic energy.

Tao did not know how much these skills would help a child in real danger, but doing something was better than doing nothing.

As long as he continued to use magical energy to the point of exhaustion, the total amount continued to increase. The more power Tao concentrated and released into his body, the easier it became. He also slowly progressed with developing magical stamina and even made an interesting discovery.

One evening after dinner, Tao felt his stomach swell up and begin to ache. This sometimes happened when too much was eaten, or if gas built up but could not be got rid of naturally. He did not want to go to bed with a bloated stomach or bother his mother by asking for help.

Can't magical energy strengthen my digestive system? Tao had a strange idea.

As a joke, he released magic energy around his intestines, just like he did in his muscles. It seemed to work, because the pain soon stopped. Tao didn't know how much the digestive system is like muscles, so he couldn't say for sure that the magic energy helped his stomach’s problem. But he began to think about the possibilities.

Maybe magical energy could be used to give more power to the internal organs and senses? What would happen, for example, if I strengthened my eyes? Would it improve my vision? Tao wanted to know.

He restrained the urge to try it right away. No doubt, like muscles and skin, organs could be damaged if a dose of magic was over the limit. Tao didn't know if a healer would be able to restore sight or hearing, so the risk here was much more serious.

Let's start slowly... what would be less important? He tried to remember the anatomy of a human's internal organs.

Tao decided to concentrate some magical energy into one of his lungs to increase its strength, but quickly stopped as he felt pain.

It was the same amount as in stomach... are lungs more sensitive than the digestive system? The boy tried to understand, his face twisted in pain.

The pain subsided after a while, so the damage was probably not serious. After a moment, Tao focused another tiny burst of energy on the other lung, but again felt the pain, though not as great.

Interesting... usually the energy is collected in the center of the body and spreads to the joints... I thought the organs would have more endurance; he couldn't quite figure it out.

Tao was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock on the door. When his mother opened the door, Arwain was standing behind it. The young hunter was not experienced enough to go on a monster hunt with the others, so he had stayed behind in the village. He came regularly to see the Indres family out of respect for his teacher, or so it seemed.

“Arvein, good evening. How can I help you?” Sofra asked as she opened the door.

“Good evening. I just got back from the forest. I was wondering... would you like a bird? I had a good hunt today.” The guy smiled happily.

He had a stick on his shoulder, from which hung several tied forest birds. Tao didn't know their names, although some looked similar to ducks and geese.

“Thank you very much... but we haven't eaten the last one yet.” Sofra smiled politely and shook her head

“Well, you can save it for later.”

“True, but we already have enough hunted meat on ice, my husband took care of it before leaving. I am grateful for fresh game, but even for a woman with two children and a baby, it is too much.”

Sofra's refusal was polite, but the guy's smile began to fade.

“Clearly... not eaten yet. Yes...” Arwain didn't seem to know how to continue the conversation.

“Don't worry about it. Others will be happy to have fresh game too, especially now that half the hunters are gone... And I'll be happy to buy some from you another time.” The woman tried to cheer him up.

“No, no, I don't need money! It's a gift!” Arwain objected eagerly.

“It's only right. The work is worthy of payment.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“But it is my gratitude, for the training!”

“I understand, but it's my husband that helps you. It would not be good for me to receive it because I am his wife.”

“But while he's away, I can help you... Isn’t... helping a teacher's family the best gratitude?" The guy almost begged, putting his free hand to his chest.

What's more, Arwain stepped his foot over the threshold uninvited. Tao still didn't know much about the local culture, but he had noticed that only family could do that. Even close friends inadvertently asked permission, saying "coming in" or "do you mind?"

No doubt Sofra understood this even better than Tao. She remained standing still, but raised her hand in warning.

“Arwain, remember your manners. You don't want to be thought wrongly by others, do you?” The woman's voice was still polite, but less kind.

For a moment, the young hunter looked ready to object. Tao's mind had not yet fully processed what was happening, he could only perceive that something was wrong and cautiously observed the two adults at the door.

Fortunately, Arwain decided to comply and took a step back.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I just wanted to... I wanted to show that I could be counted on.” The guy's voice was quieter, less emotional.

“I know, thank you very much. But please, don't be so overprotective. Everything is fine, we are fed and well cared for.”

“Well, I'm glad to hear that...”

There was an awkward silence for a moment. Sofra seemed to indicate that the conversation was exhausted.

“Then... good night.” Arwain gave up and said goodbye.

“Yes, thank you for coming to see us. Don't be shy to offer game to others, show that you are a real hunter.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Good night.”

Sofra closed the door and sighed.

“Eternal Father protect...” she said softly to herself, shaking head.

In his previous life, Tao had never been seriously romantically involved with the opposite sex, and his contact with girls mostly ended after high school. Despite this, he had the judgement to understand Arwain's motivations.

The signs were there - the guy had repeatedly come to offer game, and he didn't want to take payment. He also praised Sofra's meals, which could have been a hint to be invited to visit, or at least to receive a cooked meal to take with him.

Tao had so far dismissed the suspicions. It seemed strange to think that a young, popular guy would be interested in his mother, who was a married woman with two small children and was expecting a third.

Objectively speaking, she was pretty... the boy was forced to admit, looking at his mother.

Tao's eyesight only improved with time after his birth, so he got used to his mother's face slowly and didn't think much of it. It was only much later, after seeing many other faces, when boy realized that his mother's appearance stood out among the other young women. Tao remembered many times when other women asked if Sofra also made beauty products. She just smiled and said she had no time for such things. Tao had never really seen his mother use anything like cosmetics, she also used ordinary soap. Yet, he could understand why the other women were suspicious.

Even without make-up, her eyes looked big, with long, dark lashes, making her stare expressive. Sofra worked mostly at home, so woman’s skin was fair, soft and a pleasant contrast to her dark eyes and slightly pink lips. In addition, despite two births, Sofra was still a slender woman, with striking hip lines. Moreover... her breasts were large, even after she stopped breastfeeding.

Indres had undoubtedly successfully married a beauty. Tao had nothing bad to say about his father's appearance, but felt that his mother had an advantage in this respect. He hoped that he had inherited more from mother than father in looks, although this would only be revealed in the future.

Fortunately, it didn't look as if Sofra intended to reciprocate the young hunter’s attempt of attention. Tao did not want dramatic situations in his new life. Well, if Indres did not return from a dangerous trip, what would happen then? The thought of Arwain becoming his stepfather did not seem pleasant.

Tao's heart lightened when his father and Teru returned, safe and sound. Sofra and Safia expressed great joy, almost to tears, and Tao smiled too, although he tried to be stoic. Just like last time, when evening came, a celebration was held. Soldiers and hunters paraded the slain monsters and recounted their exploits, while the rest of the villagers cheered. Tao noticed that Arwain looked rather reserved. Others would probably think he was sulking because he couldn't participate in the hunt with the others, but Tao knew better.

The old healer was also there to give a speech. This time Tao could understand what was said.

“Ueki Village! The One Above All, our Father Eternal and his Kat'ram have blessed the brave men who responded to the sacred duty of slaying the Darkness. They showed selflessness by leaving home to avenge those they did not know, their brothers from the village of Reiveta. They did not spare their lives to fight the wicked spawns and cleansed the land so that the whole valley may feel safer. The One Above All will not forget; Saram will remember and everyone who has a good heart will recall! But remember! Evil is deeply rooted in the earth and multiplies when the light recedes. Therefore, be vigilant, you who are in the Light! The time will come when we must fight again. Soon or later, near or far, it is unknown, but surely that hour will come! So, take courage from those who have shown it today and do not despair! The light of the Most Holy was with them and will be with you!

Aneru il'nai! Aneru il'delo! Lumera e nari!”

After saying the last words, which sounded like magic, but much more impressive, in an unusual, superhuman voice, the healer raised his hands and light came out of them. Warmth, joy and peace filled Tao's heart. He realized that this was not natural; it was undoubtedly highly developed magic affecting the mind and the senses. Tao, however, did not think of getting angry with the healer, because it did not seem like a bad thing. He rather wanted to understand how it worked and how to replicate it.

Aneru il-nai! Aneru il-delo! Lumera e nari... Aneru il-nai! Aneru il-delo! Lumera e nari... Tao repeated the words in his mind to memorize them.

Despite the fact that the words were not spoken aloud and might have been mispronounced, he felt something. Like summoning magic, something touched Tao's mind. Unlike when magic was invoked, the sensation was more pronounced, the alien presence stronger. It was not something, but someone.

A strange voice in an unknown language spoke into Tao's mind, but he understood the meaning of the question.

"What are you?"