Lost in his train of thoughts, Ryu abruptly opened his eyes wide as he shouted, "It's about 20 percent!" That what he got after calculating how much the mana cost has been reduced compared to the first time he had used it. "Surprisingly, maybe I'm a genius at this!" stated Ryu with his fist is being clenched.

"This would be really fabulous if the same thing happened to my air combat prowess, which was totally a big no through." Ryu sighed. Then again, deep inside his mind, Ryu knew that this matter was actually not a biggie. After all, this was his way of studying something combat-related. If he were to name it, then it would be called the experiment phase.

In this phase, he tried some possibilities that could be executed using the involved technique. As an example, for this airborne technique, he had come up with several variables like;

1. Was it possible to create two or more Mana Footing synchronously?

2. Was it possible for the Mana Footing to be placed from a distance?

3. Was it possible for the Mana Footing to last for more than one kick?

4. Was it possible to manipulate the duration of the Mana Footing?

Sadly, because both of his mana stats and proficiency were still lacking, from those variables, Ryu could barely prove the 4th one today. The first time he tried it, the bluish block was lasted for around 3 seconds. And presently, it could last for 4 seconds straight. So from that, he knew that there's a chance that the technique could hold up for a whole minute.

For the first 3 variables, it's still mysterious as he currently could only create a single block right before his foot, and once he kicked it hard or soft, both instantly resulting in the footing to crumble away. This stage actually could be fastened up if only he had more mana to spare.

"I should've stockpiled a mana potion before coming into here." A sense of regret begins to spike on his heart. But, soon, there's also a spike of joy that successfully pierced his feeling. "Geez, as I expected, you're still training in here."

Despite the darkness, Ryu was sure that the one who's leaning its shoulder over the tree was the daughter of the most important man in their city. That's why, scratching his head, Ryu solemnly said, "Ayano, how many times I told you that it's dangerous in the woods, you should've stayed near the campfire."

"Said the guy who constantly keeps going all-nighter to practice in here." Staring at each other, they suddenly chuckled almost at the same time. How could they not? This conversation literally has been repeated for the past week that it felt like a greeting for them now. Except for the training, this is another thing that motivates him to always be the lookout for them. Although Ayano has been more honest with the other members in these months, it's still pale in comparison with her character when she was alone with Ryu.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Anyway, you've woken up in perfect time, look at what I got in the middle of my training." Grabbing the creature by its ears, Ryu proudly shows it to his crush. In response to the smug face, Ayano instead appears to get confused as she tilted her head to the side, "Isn't that the usual wild rabbit that we ate in here?"

"Are you sure about that?" Smiling, Ryu opened up the eyes of the dead creature that he had close deliberately the instant he succeeds in hunting it. Noticed the true identity of the animal, Ayano reflexively covered her mouth, "Wow, isn't that a red-eyed rabbit!?"

"Have you ever tried it?" To the inquiry, Ayano nodded her head, "Yeah, though I only had the chance to ate it once."

Ayano's answer unquestionably symbolizes how rare the species was. Although the meat doesn't produce any effect that could boost one's body, people would still kill for it. After all, they said that the creature meat was a true definition of what's called meat delicacy, it was even enough to make someone have a glimpse of what heaven looks like.

"Should we wake everyone up?" Ryu quickly shook his head, "How about we share it only between us?"

"Eh? Shouldn't we give those guys a taste? They also have been training very hard for the past week."

Ryu responded indifferently, "You could consider that it's their misfortune for not waking up at this time."

"But-!?" Ayano instantly got perplexed when she felt Ryu's finger on her lips. "You know, being selfish sometimes really could bring joy to your heart and mind." Noticed that Ayano was tempted with his words, Ryu then continued, "Well, if our princess is so desperate to share the meat, then I got no other choices except to call those guys here."

Ayano turmoil has reached its peak after she listened to everything that comes out from Ryu's mouth. The thoughts between to share or not actually has crossed her mind the moment she saw the pair of eyes that the rabbit has. Thankfully, due to her upbringing, she immediately decides to choose the former. However, these choices were now balanced because of the devil that stands before her. 

Still, this frustration didn't last that long either as the choices equilibrium quickly toppled down after she heard Ryu's next sentence, "Oh, but I'll still take half of the meat 'kay? I'm the one who caught it after all. You can split the rest evenly to those guys later."

Hanged the rabbit on his waist, Ryu moves his foot toward the tent while humming loudly. But, just as he walked past through Ayano, his sleeve suddenly got pulled, causing him to halt his movements. "Is there something wrong, Ayano?" With eyes that couldn't stand still on its position, Ayano shyly replied, "Let's. Not. Disturb. Their. Sleep."

Shifted his body to face toward Ayano, Ryu once again smiled, "What do you mean by that?" Flushed with embarrassment, Ayano replied, "Geez, I absolutely hate this side of you, I'm pretty sure that you already comprehended what I'm trying to convey here."

Giving up on teasing Ayano any further, out of habit, Ryu gently stroked her hair, "Okay, okay, let's go to the fire without interrupting their slumber." Unnoticed by Ryu, Ayano didn't instantly follow him, she instead began to tap the top of her head repeatedly while trying to hide the blushing on her face, 'Again... He was the first person besides my family that had caressed me like that...'