At the edge of the forest, groups of students were fighting against green-skinned goblins under the watchful eyes of their instructors. Judging by their academy uniforms, they were all newly awakened students participating in their first real wilderness expedition.
Wrapped around each student's wrist was a black metallic bracelet issued by the Federation after registering as an awakened individual. Although it served as proof of their identity, it also possessed a variety of functions that every awakened individual would eventually come to rely on.
Standing nearby, Mr. Harris and Miss Evelyn carefully observed the students' battles. From time to time, they offered guidance, pointing out the goblins' weaknesses and correcting the students' mistakes.
After some time, Mr. Harris clapped his hands.
"Alright, that's enough. Gather around. It's almost evening, and we need to head back before dark."
Kael frowned as he looked around.
"Don't we need to wait for Mr. Ethan?"
Hearing the question, Aria also turned toward Mr. Harris. Although she trusted her brother, she couldn't help feeling a little concerned.
Mr. Harris smiled.
"You little brats don't need to worry about him. Before leaving, he told us to return first if he was delayed. There's no need to wait."
Hearing those words, Aria quietly nodded. She knew her brother was more than capable of handling himself.
Kael, however, couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.
Before the expedition began, awakening as a Sword Master had finally earned him recognition from the Stonevale Family. The clan head had not only agreed to support his future growth but had also entrusted him with a single task.
Get close to Ethan.
Kael had been thrilled after learning Ethan would lead the expedition. Yet every attempt to start a conversation ended with only a few brief replies, and before he knew it, Ethan had disappeared on his own.
Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Kael boarded the vehicle alongside the other students as the group began their journey back to the academy.
Meanwhile, back in the small room above the Evergreen Shop, located in Boulder Town's Outer District, Rowen suddenly jolted awake. As soon as he sat upright, his eyes landed on the shattered fragments of the Blood Red Mana Stone lying across the floor, causing him to let out a long sigh.
"So... everything that happened was real."
"That damned curse almost killed me."
"If Fern hadn't stepped in..."
"I would've died."
After checking the time on his phone and seeing that it was already evening, Rowen slowly stood up before stretching his arms and legs. However, the moment he moved, he froze in place.
His body felt incredibly light.
The constant weakness that had plagued him for years had completely disappeared, replaced by a sense of vitality he had never experienced before.
Before he realized it, tears quietly rolled down his cheeks.
Rowen instinctively tried to wipe them away, but no matter how hard he tried, they refused to stop. Ever since his grandfather passed away and left him alone in this world, he had forced himself to endure everything without shedding a single tear.
Yet now, the emotions he had buried for so long finally burst free.
Several moments later, Rowen gradually calmed himself. While wiping away the remaining tears, he softly muttered,
"Thank you, Grandpa..."
"Thank you for leaving these precious gifts for me."
Just as he turned around, Rowen suddenly froze.
His eyes widened with both shock and embarrassment.
Floating nearby, the tiny palm-sized creature leisurely munched on melon seeds while quietly enjoying Rowen's emotional roller coaster. Only now did Rowen have the chance to properly examine him.
Fern had a small, childlike figure no bigger than the palm of a hand. His emerald-green hair gently swayed as he floated in the air, while a pair of pointed ears peeked through the strands. Delicate translucent wings fluttered softly behind his back, allowing him to hover effortlessly. Coupled with his round face and smug expression, he looked more adorable than intimidating.
"...Feeling better now?"
Rowen awkwardly cleared his throat before looking at Fern with curiosity.
"So... what exactly are you?"
"And what abilities do you have?"
Hearing the questions, Fern immediately puffed out his tiny chest with obvious pride.
"Hmph! Listen carefully."
"I'm the Spirit of Growth, a higher-dimensional being."
"For years, that damned curse devoured every trace of mana before it could reach me."
"Without mana, I couldn't even awaken."
"Now that the curse is gone, I can finally appear before you."
Fern puffed out his tiny chest.
"I'm the Spirit of Growth, a higher-dimensional being."
"My strength has been greatly restricted, but I can still guide your growth."
"As you become stronger, I'll gradually recover more of my power as well."
Fern raised a tiny finger.
"Concentrate your mana on a single point."
"Follow the bond between our souls."