After calming her down, Elder Merakia took a moment to gather the words to explain the child’s situation.

As she did so, on the other side of the pergola, Elysha’s face was lowered to the ground, her expression downcast and melancholy before her eyes met Micah’s. From her perspective, he looked restless on the table and kept scratching himself, as if he had no idea how to deal with the moody atmosphere.

‘Micah… right, he been there for me all along,’ she thought to herself. ‘He’s been with me since I met him in the forest, and he’s been with me whenever I’ve been…’

Elysha bit her lip and shook her thoughts away. Then she reached out and placed her hand softly on his head.

“Huh?” Micah stopped and turned his eyes to her. “What are you doing?”

She continued to stroke his fur down to his back, petting him and replied, “Thanks, Micah.”

He blinked, his ears flicking at Elysha’s sudden gesture, and tilted his head as if trying to read her. “Huh? What for?”

“Everything,” she said, giving him a subtle smile.

Micah’s ears twitched again as he took in Elysha’s words. He stared at her for a moment, then puffed out his chest. “Well, of course! Micah is the best, after all.”

After the brief conversation between the two, Elder Merakia returned and the atmosphere changed in an instant. “Elysha, are you feeling better?” she asked.

The little girl nodded her head. “I am, yes.”

“That’s good to hear. Now then, I am going to talk about the cause of the current problem with your theonum core.”

Elysha straightened, her heart tightening as her guardian spoke to the group.

“I first noticed the issue with your spiritual core when I met you at the willow tree,” she began. “I mentioned this before—the complications of using it in its current state. It is not normal for a theonum core to behave like this. No, its abnormality is the root of the problem.”

Elysha blinked, the words sinking in. “…What do you mean?”

Elder Merakia’s gaze met hers, steady but heavy. “It means that an abnormal theonum core poses a great risk to the individual who carries it. In this case, it is you who carry the abnormal core.”

A chill ran through Elysha’s body. She instinctively clutched her chest, as if she could somehow feel the impurity within. “But, I’ve been getting better at controlling it, haven’t I?”

Elder Merakia sighed. “You have been improving, yes. But improvement does not mean the risk has lessened. I once believed that harnessing your core’s power would reverse the impurities. That if you developed your experience with practice, you could overcome them. However, I was mistaken.”

Silence fell over them.

Elysha lowered her gaze, her grip on her chest tightening. She slowly raised her eyes again as she asked, “Then… Elder Mera… what’s happening to me?”

Micah’s tail bristled as he listened, his eyes darting between them.

The elder mage took a slow breath before speaking again. “The impurities in your theonum core cause a negative reaction for every time you interact with it, such as the pain in your head you felt. If this speculation is true, to avoid further risks to your health, I would advise you not to attempt direct inner contact with your theonum core from this point forward.”

Elysha’s fingers curled into her lap as she lowered her gaze again. The weight of Elder Merakia’s words pressed down on her chest like a stone.

Micah jumped onto the table and stamped his little paws on the surface in protest. “So you mean Elysha can’t use her theonum anymore? That’s not fair! After all she’s done so far!”

“Micah…”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Elder Merakia confirmed. “If the reaction of her theonum core is causing her pain and suffering, as I said, it would be wise for her to refrain from using it.”

“But how? I’ve never heard of such a case. Micah hasn’t even seen an abnormal core like you said. Normally, from what Micah has seen and heard, other kids my age or younger can easily connect with their cores for the first time and use them whenever they want. Why not hers? How did her theonum core end up like this? Side effects like headaches weren’t that common, and Micah had never seen such pain as bad as Elysha’s!”

Elder Merakia’s gaze turned distant as she fell into thought. The pergola was silent except for the rustling of leaves in the wind.

He knitted his brows and asked, “Hey, Micah still remembers that moment when there was a massive flash of light and the whole forest went silent and all that stuff. You still haven’t told me exactly what happened during that time.”

Elysha watched her, anticipation and anxiety twisting inside her.

Finally, Elder Merakia spoke, “When I first met her, I discovered that her theonum core was already in this state.”

Micah’s eyes widened. “Wait, so you mean Elysha’s core was already like that?”

“Yes, it seems that whatever happened before is instabilizing her theonum core in this regard. The cause still remains a mystery beyond speculation. It’s best not to put any more pressure on her, as it might cause more harm in her delicate core.”

Elysha’s breath caught in her throat and her grip on her lap tightened. She stared at Elder Merakia, her mind struggling to comprehend what she had just heard.

“… So I can’t use my theonum anymore?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elder Merakia hesitated for a moment before nodding. “For now, yes. It’s for your own well-being.”

Elysha’s expression darkened, her heart sinking as the weight of her situation settled on her. She looked down, not knowing if the words were meant to comfort her or make it easier to accept. But all she could hear was finality.

She felt like she was slipping away, like something precious was being taken from her before she even had a chance to hold on to it.

Micah studied her face, his ears drooping slightly as he tried to reach her. “Elysha…?”

She closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to let the pain in her heart settle. Memories surfaced—every failed attempt, every moment of frustration, and every quiet wish that one day, she would finally be like the mage she admired.

‘Maybe, I will never be able to become a mage…’

Taking a slow breath, Elysha opened her eyes and looked at her guardian.

“I understand,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “If trying to connect to theonum core hurts me too much, then I will learn without relying on it. I don’t want to hurt myself any more, like you said.”

Micah blinked. “Wait… You’re just giving up?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m just… moving towards a different story for me.”

Elder Merakia stepped forward and placed a warm, reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Elysha, dear child, your journey does not end here. There are many paths to knowledge and growth, even without the use of theonum magic.”

“Even without using theonum magic?”

“There are known alternative ways for you to cultivate your abilities and discover your potential. We can explore these options together.”

Elysha nodded slowly, her eyes filled with unshed tears. She wiped them away with her sleeve, knowing deep down that it would be difficult to let go of her desires of becoming a mage

But she was still determined to forge a new path for herself—one that would lead her to self-discovery and inner strength.

‘I still want to try…’

She took a calming breath, steadying herself before lifting her head to meet Elder Merakia’s gaze. Then, feigning a small smile, she said, “I can do it. Even if I can’t use my theonum anymore, I can still study and learn how to—”

“Elysha!”

She flinched, and she turned to see Micah’s fluffy face beamed with fierce resolution. “I have an idea!”

“Wh-what idea?”

“Let me be your theonum core!”

Elysha blinked in confusion. “Huh? W-Wait, what do you mean, my theonum core?”

“You heard me right!”

“Micah, what are you—”

“Even if you can’t properly use your theonum core anymore, that doesn’t mean you have to give up!” Micah interrupted, his golden eyes flashing like sparkles. “As a Zhivopian, I can replace your unstable theonum core and become your new one!”

“That is a risky technique, Micah. I was not aware that you knew of this method,” said Elder Merakia.

“Sometimes Micah would get bored and read through the books in your library just to find something theonum-related and cool for me to learn and try.”

“Are you sure you want to use that method?”

Elysha stared at him in disbelief. “W-Wait what? How are you going to be my—”

“Just give me a minute! Micah can do it!”

“No, Micah, it’s okay…” she said, shaking her head and holding back her emotions quietly and desperately. “I’m fine, I’m fine with it being like this…”

But the moment the words left her lips, a sudden warmth surrounded her. Her eyes looked up to see a soft, cerulean light pulsing from Micah’s small body, radiating outward in gentle waves. The glow intensified, enveloping him completely until his form blurred, shifted, and reshaped.

Elysha gasped as the light coalesced into the shape of a small pendant stone. It shimmered, wrapped in intricate filigree, and before she could react, the pendant floated toward her until it was attached to her collar.

‘Elysha, try to connect with me!’

Micah’s voice rang out—not from anywhere, but from her mind.

Elysha’s breath hitched. She reached up with trembling fingers, brushing them against the pendant resting against her chest.

‘It’s warm.’

“He has transformed himself into a substitute core,” Elder Merakia commented. “It is admirable and respectable to see how much trust he has placed in you.”

“Trust?”

She nodded back at her.

Shock still showed on Elysha’s face, but she nodded back and began her attempt again. She murmured under her breath, “Micah, you—”

‘Now I will transfer my theonum energy to you,’ Micah’s voice echoed again in her mind. ‘Concentrate on connecting your consciousness with mine, and think of me as your theonum core.’

His voice was calm and reassuring, and she could feel his presence within her as a sense of familiar warmth spread throughout her being. Her fingers curled around the pendant, giving it a look that said—could this really work?

Elysha hesitated for only a moment before gripping her staff sitting next to her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused, placing everything she had into the connection.

She imagined Micah as the source of her theonum, guiding the energy as it pulsed through her.

And slowly, the weight she had carried for so long—the heaviness of her struggling core—lifted. She felt light, like a feather in the wind.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

She reached inward, past the uncertainty, past the ache of loss. And there—like a star in the dark—she felt Micah.

‘Do you feel any sense of pain?’

Elysha shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

‘That feels much better, don’t you think?’

“Yes, it does, I think.”

‘That’s good! Now practice by imagining the flower you tried to form earlier.’

Elysha nodded, her grip on the staff tightening as she closed her eyes and began to visualize.

‘Picture it clearly,’ Micah’s voice resonated in her mind. ‘Don’t force yourself, and let the imagery flow into you.’

She let the image begin to form in her mental space, focusing on every detail she could remember.

‘The blue flower…’

A warmth surged through her veins, unlike the painful pressure of her own core. This was different, and it surprised her, but she continued with her task anyway. Light yet boundless. Strong yet comforting.

That was what Elysha sensed before she felt something shift. The familiar sensation of energy moving—not from within herself, but flowing seamlessly from Micah’s presence into her hands. A soft glow pulsed through her hand and she held it out as a blue-green energy shimmered over her palm.

And then, something bloomed.

A single petal emerged, deep blue and vibrant, followed by another. The stem thickened and the leaves unfurled. Theonum swirled around the flower as it took full shape, blossoming into an iris.

Elysha’s eyes fluttered open, and there, resting in her palm, was the flower.

Her breath caught.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel helpless.

“I… I did it,” she whispered, staring at the bloom in wonder.

The pendant pulsed against her chest. ‘Of course, you did! It actually worked!’

She looked up at Elder Merakia, who was wearing a soft smile, her gaze filled with a quiet sense of approval.

“Elder Mera!” Elysha exclaimed excitedly, dropping the staff as she ran up to hug her. “Elder Mera! I did it! I did it!”

“Well done, Elysha,” she said back as she took her embrace. “You have done it. You have done your work to reach this level of progress.”

Elysha fought back tears as she said, “I did it. I thought I would never use magic again.”

“Oh, no need to worry about that anymore.”

She looked down and saw the pendant speak, then change back to his original form and stretch. “As long as Micah is here, Micah is always available to help you continue to learn magic!”

“Micah…” Elysha muttered, trying to gather her thoughts before proceeding. “I didn’t know you were able to… um… do such things to help me.”

“Well, we Zhivopians, who fulfill the ‘wishes’ of the Elbijans through the ‘dreams’ of the Zhivopians, are of course willing to help our neighbors, since that is what Lord Asnoiji wants us to do,” he replied. “But even though I helped you with your problem, consider it a temporary act of kindness from Micah. Not every Zhivopian will do what I did when you go so far as to give so much of yourself to another. I did it because I wanted to help you!”

“If that is so, then do you give yourself to another as if you expect something in return?” Elder Merakia asked.

“That’s—um—a good question! And Micah’s answer is—um—” he fluffed up his fur and puffed himself up to look bigger, “—that he doesn’t expect anything, exactly! But Micah does think friendship is about trust! And trust is something you build by helping each other, right?”

“A fair answer,” she said. “But I would advise you to always understand the weight of what you give. Trust and kindness are noble, but balance is necessary to prevent too much selflessness or selfishness.”

Micah puffed out his chest. “Micah is balanced! Mostly… Probably… Okay, maybe sometimes he acts before he thinks, but it worked this time, didn’t it?”

*giggles*

His ears twitched and he turned around and asked, “Hey, what are you laughing about?”

Elysha looked at him, her expression softening. “Thank you, Micah,” she said, lowering her head gently. “I am just happy for your help and for being there for me.”

Micah wiggled his ears proudly. “Well, duh. Micah wouldn’t just let his someone struggle alone!”

“Well then, it seems we have found a temporary solution to keep the study session going,” Elder Merakia said with a sigh and continued, “In the meantime, since there is a good portion of the day left, I can continue to teach you theonum sorcery so that you can learn and improve.”

Elysha sniffed as she wiped her eyes and nodded. “So what do we do next, Elder Mera?”

“I think you can do more than simply conjuring manifestations. I want you both to follow me to where I can show you the next stage of this session.”

~ ❈❇❈ ~

They walked back into the woods until they came to a place where a single tall tree stood at the far end. Nearby, several smooth, round stones were arranged in a neat row on the ground.

“Here we are,” Elder Merakia announced. “In the next assignment, there are two stages where you can practice your magic.

Elysha tilted her head. “Two stages?”

“In total, yes. In the first stage, you must use your skills to move the manifested magic from one area to another.”

“Like before on the bridge?”

“Exactly,” Elder Merakia nodded, “In this session, you will direct your theonum toward that tree over there. Use it to aim and hit the target.”

Elysha swallowed, glancing over at Micah, who had transformed back into a pendant and was resting in her collar. His presence was strangely comforting, but doubt still lingered in her mind. ‘Could I really do this?’

‘Elysha, do you have any self-doubts about yourself?’

She flinched. ‘Micah? You can hear what I am saying in my mind?’

‘Yep, because my theonum core is connected to you right now as a substitute. So Micah has access to what your thoughts are saying.’

Elysha’s eyes twitched. ‘That’s… weird…’

‘Well, if you still want to become a mage without relying on your core, then you’ll probably have to get used to having company in your head,’ he said, subtly restraining his humor. ‘Back to what Micah was saying, stop doubting and believe in yourself.’

‘Believe in myself?’

‘Don’t forget, if you use your core, then it’s probably likely you’ll feel that pain again. But Micah is here right now to help you learn and use magic the way you’ve always wanted to.’

She took these words into her reflection, and in the process, Elder Merakia spoke, “Elysha?”

“Oh—okay,” she nodded and came back to attention. “I need to hit that tree with theonum, right?”

“Yes. Focus your mind, channel your theonum, and direct it toward the tree. Do not overthink—just let the energy flow.”

Elysha looked down at her hands. She adjusted her grip and raised the staff, her attention focused on the tall tree in front of her. Closing her eyes, she visualized a steady stream of theonum.

‘Good, now let it flow,’ Micah encouraged.

Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and flicked her wrist, releasing a surge of theonum.

A shimmering arc of blue-green light shot forward, but just before it reached the tree, it veered slightly off course and hit the ground nearby. A small cloud of dust rose where it landed.

Elysha winced, disappointment sinking in. “I missed…”

“Tell me what happened,” Elder Merakia said.

“I—I don’t know,” Elysha admitted, gripping her staff tighter. “I thought I had it, but something shifted at the last moment…”

‘You hesitated again,’ Micah pointed out. ‘Just a little, but it was enough to throw it off.’

“I don’t get it…” she shook her head. “I thought I was doing everything right.”

Elder Merakia stepped forward and said, “Remember, do not be discouraged by setbacks. Improvement comes with practice and patience. Take a moment to collect yourself and try again.”

‘Yeah, Elysha, you gotta show her how much better Micah is at being your theonum core!’ Micah added.

Elysha sighed, “Okay… One more time.”

She closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths to regain her focus, and let go of the hesitation that had held her back. She visualized the tree again, this time focusing on her target, imagining a direct path from her to the tree.

She channeled the energy once more, the magic crackling from the tip of her staff, humming with potential. Taking another breath, she flicked her wrist—

A streak of blue-green theonum shot forward, swift and precise. It cut through the air and—

*pzzz*

But just as it neared the tree, the magic faltered, flickering for a split second before dissipating in the air. The last remnants of the spell vanished into tiny sparks, leaving only silence in its wake.

Elysha’s shoulders sagged. She had been so close.

“Good progress,” Elder Merakia said calmly, watching her pupil’s reaction. “You’re getting there. Keep going.”

The little girl looked away, gripping her staff tighter. ‘What am I doing wrong?’ she thought, frustration prickling at her.

‘Elysha, do you have any self-doubts about yourself?’—the words echoed in her head.

She paused, considering Micah’s prior question. She had always tried to push through, to tell herself that she just needed to work harder, to get better. But deep down, those doubts had always been there. The fear that she wasn’t good enough. The worry that no matter how hard she tried, she would always fall short.

“Micah?”

‘Micah’s here, what is it?’ his voice hummed in her mind.

“There are times when I doubt whether or not I’m good at this,” she admitted quietly. “I worry that I won’t be able to meet the expectations I have for myself.”

‘Hmm… Micah thinks that’s natural!’ he replied. ‘Everyone has doubts and fears, but if you focus too much on them, they become like chains that hold you back. Believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, and let go of the doubts that are making you hesitate, okay?’

“Do you have doubts sometimes?”

‘Ehh, not really, because I was already good at using my theonum for as long as Micah can remember. I guess sometimes Micah worries about not being popular enough in the forest, ehehe. That’s why Micah works hard to achieve my goals!’

“Hmm…”

“Elysha, are you concerned about your confidence?” Elder Merakia asked her.

She turned to her guardian and hesitated for a moment before answering her question, “…Yes. I think I am.”

Elder Merakia regarded her with calm understanding. “It is natural to have doubts, but you must learn to recognize them for what they are—shadows of uncertainty that do not define your abilities.”

“Shadows of uncertainty?”

“Indeed, you must believe in yourself and realize that everyone can have faith in their own potential to improve and grow, and that includes you, dear child.Let go of any shadows of doubts that are holding you back, because you too have the hidden abilities to achieve your desires to become who you wanted to be.”

Elysha held her breath as she let the words sink in. Self-doubt was something she was struggling with currently, creeping into her mind whenever she feared and realized her failed attempts. But she couldn’t let it overwhelm her. Not now.

She exhaled and clenched her staff a little tighter as she turned back to the tree, determination rekindling in her chest. “Okay,” she whispered to herself, then nodded to Elder Merakia. “I’ll try again.”

“Good,” Elder Merakia said. “This time, focus not just on the target but on your connection to theonum. Let go of any lingering uncertainty. Trust in yourself.”

‘Trust…’

Elysha had been hearing that word multiple times now. Meanwhile, Micah’s pendant pulsed warmly against her collar. ‘Let’s do this, Elysha!’

Elysha closed her eyes. This time, instead of worrying about whether she would succeed or fail, she focused only on the feeling of magic flowing through her. She imagined the energy forming within her, guided by her will, and extending outward in a steady, unwavering stream.

Her eyes snapped opened. Raising her staff, she extended her arm and channeled her theonum energy forward.

‘Believe in myself.’

A shimmering beam of blue-green light surged through the air, its path clean and precise—

*pssh*

The beam of theonum struck the trunk of the tree, leaving a faint glowing mark. Elysha gasped, her heart pounding with exhilaration.

“I did it,” she murmured in awe. “I actually did it!”

‘YES! You totally nailed it!’ Micah cheered.

“Well done,” Elder Merakia praised. “You have taken the first step toward mastering your control.”

Elysha’s face lit up with happiness, and she wiped away the slight sweat that was forming on her forehead. She looked back and ran to the tree, her fingers lightly brushing the mark of the theonum beam that had been left on the tree.

Her eyes widened. She had done it—really done it. The mark was proof that she was improving, that she was getting closer to becoming a mage like her guardian.

Elder Merakia watched her before shifting her gaze in another direction. She nodded, as if confirming something in her mind, before speaking again. “Now for the second part of today’s session. This time you will try to direct your magic at me. We will participate in a fun little game called ‘tag.’”

Elysha turned, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. “Tag? What is ‘tag’?”

‘Oh! Oh! Micah loves that game!’ Micah’s excitement resonated in her mind. ‘It’s like chasing, but with magic! You have to hit the other person with a light touch of theonum!’

Elysha could almost picture him swirling through the air as Elder Merakia explains, “For the purpose of this session, I want you to become familiar with and attuned to the synchronization of your theonum with Micah’s. Your goal is to ‘tag’ or touch me with theonum magic, while I try to prevent you from doing so.”

Elysha listened, her fingers tightening around her staff.

“You should stay connected to Micah’s energy and mark me with your theonum output—only theonum, as physical touch is not allowed. Do you understand my words?”

Elysha nodded, but then a flicker of concern crossed her face. “Elder Mera?”

“Yes, dear child?”

“I don’t know if I want to do this.”

Elder Merakia’s smile remained soft. “Is that so? It is entirely up to you if you do not want to participate in this activity.”

“I mean, I do want to try and do my best, but… I don’t want to hurt you, Elder Mera. What if my magic hurts you?”

The elder mage knelt before her, taking her small hands in her own. “I know you are worried about me, but this exercise is meant to help you grow. Like I have said earlier, you must trust yourself—and me.”

Elysha searched her guardian’s eyes. “Would you be mad if I hurt you?”

A light laugh escaped her mouth. “I won’t be mad. If you manage to land a hit, it just means you’re improving. And if you don’t, then it simply means we keep practicing. No matter what happens, I will not be disappointed in you.”

Elysha lowered her gaze, her mind swirling with uncertainty. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of attacking someone she cared about, even if it was just for training.

‘Elysha, you’re overthinking again!’ Micah chimed in. ‘It’s just a game! And Micah likes games! If Elder Merakia is confident she won’t get hurt, then trust her! Micah knows she’s super fast anyway!’

Elder Merakia believed in her.

Micah believed in her.

‘Maybe… I needed to believe in myself more. I’ve got this.’

“Okay,” Elysha finally said, looking directly at her guardian with determined eyes. “I’ll do my best, Elder Mera.”

“Good,” she said, rising to her feet. A twinkle of amusement danced in her eyes. “Now, let us begin.”