Calanthir moved through the forest with a grace that only came from a body that was both strong and agile. He leaped and twirled, did handstands and windmills, and all the while he laughed merrily. He had gotten used to his new body over the past months, which was not very tall but perfectly proportioned, with a balance of agility and strength.

He could jump into the air from a one-armed handstand, tumble through the air to jump off a tree, and twirl in the air to land perfectly on the ground. He felt young again, not just in his body but in his mind. His thoughts were clear and crisp, and his senses were as sharp as any animal's, perhaps even more so with magic added to the mix.

Although he hadn't forgotten his past life, it now felt like a dream, as if he had just woken up from a nightmare. He felt joy again, true joy. Most days he roamed the forest naked, but he didn't care. He healed plants, helped others grow stronger, and worked on the physical exercises assigned to him by the spirit. He felt free in a very literal sense.

The spirit had started talking about the importance of strength in both the body and mind, and how neglecting one would affect the other. Calanthir meditated for long hours, ate a healthy diet of berries and roots, and made sure to eat at least one of the bloomberries a day.

Although he had not yet started combat training, he was content with his current routine. He had noticed that his efforts were paying dividends, as the area around the old tree seemed lusher than before, with the magic in the air more dense and alive. He didn't feel like he had done enough to bring about such a change, but the environment seemed to nourish him in a mystical way. He compared it in his mind to how plants used the sun's energy to synthesize their own nourishment. In such an environment, he rarely felt hunger at all, but the bounty of the woods was too delicious not to partake.

As Calanthir returned to the tree that night, he sensed a sudden tension in the air. His heightened senses allowed him to pick up on subtle changes in the environment, and something didn't feel quite right. He rushed over to the tree, placing his hand on the trunk. "Did something happen? I feel...something strange." The tree hummed in response, "A trainer has arrived for you, someone who can be a bit more hands-on than we can."

Calanthir furrowed his brow in confusion but noticed a presence materializing a short distance away. It was a broad-shouldered man with a large bushy beard, a wide smile, and a translucent appearance. He wore a large brimmed hat and a gourd on his belt. "Time for training, lad! Come along," the man boomed.

Calanthir was a little hesitant, but he followed the man, keeping a bit of distance. "So, a child has been chosen as the new caretaker then. I suppose Arcadia will take anyone at this point," the man muttered under his breath. Calanthir was offended by the insult to his forest, even though he didn't care about the insult to himself.

For the first time since his transformation, Calanthir spoke out loud in his new body. His voice was beautiful and lilting even to himself. "Please, do not insult the spirit here," he said firmly.

The large man chuckled. "Oh my, already being protective, then? Good. The job of caretaker is a serious one, child, and we need to get you a little better prepared."

Calanthir frowned. "Still calling me a child then...I would ask you to stop that."

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The big man grinned. "Perhaps you misunderstand. I know your story, little dryad, but you are right now in a child's body, which makes you a child. In all honesty, no matter how old you feel inside, you would still be no more than an adolescent in dryad society."

Calanthir was surprised and involuntarily looked down at himself. The big man chuckled again. "You thought this was an adult's body? Come now, you barely reach my hips."

Calanthir had to admit that he had assumed he was fully grown and had been very wrong on that account.

"So, now that we're all caught up, let's get to work, yes?" The big man asked. Calanthir shrugged, not feeling the need to answer. The big man nodded. "First, let's see you move. I will strike at you, and you avoid however you can."

Calanthir was apprehensive as he faced his opponent, a towering figure who appeared to be made of stone. He had never engaged in combat before and was unsure of his abilities. The man's grin widened as he kicked at Calanthir, who nimbly sprang out of the way, landing on his hands before vaulting further away using his arms.

The movement was so fluid and effortless that Calanthir momentarily lost focus and marveled at himself. He was brought back to reality when the man's kick sent him flying several feet through the air, tumbling and bouncing for a good distance.

Gasping for air and nursing his bruises, Calanthir instinctively channeled his energy to the injured areas and was pleasantly surprised as they began to heal themselves. He had no idea he could do that! The man raised an eyebrow and said, "Impressive, let's continue then."

For the next few hours, Calanthir did everything he could to evade the man's attacks, leaping, rolling, and using his hands and feet with agility. Despite his best efforts, he was no match for the seasoned fighter and took a brutal beating. However, he found that he was enjoying himself, constantly circulating energy around his body and feeling the ambient energy flooding into him.

Finally, he was allowed to rest and leaned against the old tree. A fruit dropped from its branches, and Calanthir happily bit into it, thanking the spirit for the snack. The tree hummed, "You are learning to control your mana at a rapid pace, Calanthir. We are pleased."

Calanthir stopped chewing and asked, "Mana?" The spirit chuckled, "That is what we call the energy we use to perform magic. Like the air you breathe, it is essential to life in Mystral. All things possess mana, some to a higher degree than others, but none are without it entirely."

Nodding in understanding, Calanthir realized that just as water, earth, and air were building blocks for life, mana was another piece of the puzzle. The spirit seemed pleased with his progress and said, "You are learning quickly, child. We look forward to following your development."

As he savored the sweet and tangy flavor of the fruit, Calanthir couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. He had just been through a grueling training session, yet he felt alive and exhilarated.

The spirit had called him "child," and although it was a bit strange, Calanthir didn't mind it. Perhaps it was the tree's gentle voice, or the fact that it had been so supportive of him throughout his training. Whatever the reason, Calanthir found himself feeling a deep sense of gratitude towards the ancient being.

He closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh, crisp air of the forest. It was a moment of peace and tranquility.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "For everything."

The tree rustled its leaves, a soft, melodic sound. "You are welcome, Calanthir. We are honored to be your guide on this journey."

Calanthir smiled, feeling a sense of kinship with the spirit. It was a strange feeling, but he knew he was in good hands. He took another bite of the fruit and savored the flavor, feeling energized and ready for whatever lay ahead.