Glen could sense the profound sorrow of the aged mage, and he couldn't help but be filled with a sense of sentiment.

It seems I was overly presumptuous... Glen reflected upon this.

Perhaps influenced by certain novels from his previous life, he had instinctively assumed that to acquire formidable power, one must endure arduous trials and tribulations.

However, the harsh reality is that not everyone can fulfill their aspirations. The majority fade into obscurity, cast aside by the unforgiving tides of reality.

He wasn't certain whether Daof's approach was correct, yet at this moment, Glen lent his unwavering support to his mentor.

"Perhaps you are indeed in the right. I believe these apprentices are as dear to you as family, your own children. The thought of them suffering harm would be an agonizing ordeal," Glen expressed his endorsement and affirmation of Daof's words.

Upon hearing this, a warm smile creased the old man's face."You, too, are an integral part of our extended family, Glen."

The conversation persisted until noon, during which Daof provided instruction while they engaged in discourse on various other matters.

Daof, out of consideration for Glen, adjusted lunchtime to a more conventional schedule.

During his sojourn in the magic house over the past few days, Glen had not encountered the typical classroom setting where teacher and students convened, as he had initially anticipated.

Instead, it more resembled a harmonious and affectionate family abode.

Naturally, there were occasional skirmishes and disputes among the younger apprentices.

Daof and Mako naturally assumed the roles of parental figures.

When the children engaged in fits of crying or tantrums, Daof would admonish them with the firmness of a strict father, while Mako would step in as the gentle mother, offering solace and protection to the aggrieved child.

In their absence, Lucas, the sensible elder sibling, would take charge of overseeing everyone.

Glen, of course, was an exception. Firstly, his mental maturity surpassed that of Lucas, and secondly, he was still somewhat of a stranger to these apprentices.

At this moment, during lunch, two young apprentices, approximately eight or nine years of age, became embroiled in an argument over a trivial matter. Daof rapped the table with his staff, and the altercation promptly subsided.

Following lunch, Daof suggested that Glen take a brief respite, after which he would lead him into a specialized laboratory.

Daof explained,"You have demonstrated a sufficient command of the fundamentals. Now, I shall instruct you in the creation of some simple magical artifacts and the art of enchanting."

Glen nodded eagerly, brimming with anticipation.

"First and foremost, you must grasp the fundamental principle of crafting magical items: any magical material can exert an influence on mundane objects. However, the effects of certain specialized materials can be nullified by others..."

Listening intently to Daof's elucidation, Glen's gaze followed each of the materials his mentor indicated.

They remained engrossed in the laboratory until the late hours of the night.

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Driven by his intense curiosity, Glen, under Daof's guidance, successfully completed the fabrication of several items.

An exhilarating thought echoed ceaselessly in his mind:

If I can master this discipline, I could potentially create hybrids of modern machinery and magic in the future! The mere contemplation of such a prospect is truly thrilling!

Finally, upon retiring to his chamber, Glen found himself tossing and turning restlessly in bed, unable to find repose.

A plethora of innovative and imaginative designs surged forth in his mind, as if a portal to an entirely new realm had been flung open before him.

After much tossing and turning, realizing the importance of being in optimal condition the following day, he resolved to get some rest.

Consequently, he resorted to the meditation - induced sleep technique.

Daof had once remarked that prolonged immersion in a meditative state would gradually lead to a deep slumber.

This was, indeed, the most efficacious remedy for insomnia.

Once again, he experienced that familiar sensation of his soul detaching from his corporeal form, and the elemental activities in the vicinity manifested within the "field of vision" perceived by his mind.

As he admired the ethereal and strange vistas within this vision, Glen's spirits gradually settled as he awaited the embrace of dreams.

"Mom... Mom..."

"Mom, you haven't returned yet..."

"Mom will be back shortly..."

Faintly, as his thoughts began to blur, Glen caught the whispers of these words.

Initially, he intended to ignore them, but the persistent echoes compelled him to rouse himself from the brink of slumber.

He remained in a meditative state, the voice so faint that its origin was indiscernible.

Glen adjusted his perspective, and at last, within the vast expanse of the elemental ocean, he identified a peculiarly pulsating gray "thread."

The voice emanated from this enigmatic gray element.

He attempted to manipulate this unknown element using his current command over magical energy.

To his astonishment, his efforts proved entirely futile, as if his power were but a gentle zephyr against an unyielding steel wire of exceptional resilience.

This was highly anomalous.

He was well - aware that he could exert some degree of influence over any other element, albeit minimal. But this complete inability to affect the gray element was unprecedented.

This discovery piqued his curiosity, tempering, to some extent, the elation he had felt upon opening this new world of possibilities.

Glen embarked on a series of attempts, striving to induce even the slightest alteration in the gray element.

Alas, his efforts were in vain.

Just as he was on the verge of conceding defeat and resolving to consult his teacher the following day, Glen suddenly noticed that he could perceive his own illusory arm.

Soul?!... The thought flashed through his mind instantaneously.

He instinctively bent down to examine himself and discovered that his lower body terminated in a long, trailing wisp of white smoke that stretched into the infinite distance.

"So, it truly is my soul?!" Glen exclaimed in astonishment.

This transformation was abrupt. He recalled that during his previous two meditations, he had only experienced a single - perspective view, but now, he had seemingly transformed into a spiritual entity.

In a moment of panic, he quickly ascertained that his physical body was still present, a realization that brought him a sense of relief, as it signified his ability to rouse himself at will.

Glen then meandered around the area for a while before eventually returning to the vicinity of the gray element.

Gently, he extended the right hand of his spiritual form and made contact with it.

He surmised that this gray element was the catalyst for his transformation.

After the initial touch, nothing extraordinary transpired.

Glen then firmly grasped the element, attempting to exert an influence through the power of his spiritual form.

However, the moment he did so, the faint voice suddenly became crystal - clear.

He had failed to notice this during his brief initial contact.

It was a voice of such extreme youthfulness, even more so than that of a newborn, reminiscent of a nascent life:"Mom will be back soon... Mom will be back soon... Why hasn't Mom returned yet?..."

"Who are you?" Glen attempted to initiate communication, uncertain whether the entity could hear him.

To his surprise, not only did it hear him, but its reaction was immediate and intense:"Mom! Where are you?!"

Glen's forehead creased with consternation.

"I'm not your mother," he explained stiffly.

The voice once again diminished in volume."Oh, you're not Mom..."

Most likely, this is some sort of abandoned or neglected being... Glen surmised, and he made another attempt at communication."You still haven't told me who you are."

"Who am I?" The entity seemed to deliberate for a moment before responding with an excited lilt."I'm Dodoia, Princess Dodoia! Mom said I'm the most beautiful princess in the world!"

"Er..." Glen had already discerned that the entity's mental state was rather erratic, bordering on madness.