After that encounter with the inspector, Hikari was back in the RazenHeir camp.
She could sense the marching of the slayer columns towards the wyvern peaks for the conclusion of the raid.
Her support troops were packing up. The fire forge was snuffed.
She was in a fresh set of clothes, big enough for her new size.
Shoes were a problem though. Her long toes were sticking out over the soles.
The wyvern attacks on the supply convoys had petered out.
She was finally able to get a square meal like she did back at the estate.
Ria walked through the gate.
"I just spoke with the royal inspector. My, you're quite the trouble maker. Siphoning the mana veins. Did the baby fawn general Rey put you up to this? Don't answer that. You'll get him in trouble."
"I apologize"
"Don't worry. Good thing you didn't bring anything back from the man veins. I guess we're in the clear."
Ria slowly walks up to Hikari. She raises her hand, placing it on Hikari's calf. Running her fingers down the skin.
"Looks like you had a great time out here. I remember that I just about reach your knee caps if I jump."
"Ria"
"I know."
Ria walked back in front of her.
"Well. It's a done deal now. We get 80 percent of the excess spoils after covering losses and expenses."
"Home?"
"Well, not quite yet. The feast is in a week. We have to guard the route until the raid fully concludes."
Hikari suddenly felt a presence barrel towards her.
"Hi…Ka….Riii…!"
A large body catapulted itself over the wooden palisade, hugging the side of the tower of muscle that is Hikari, before sliding onto the ground.
"Sheela"
"Hey, looks like the raid is done. C'mon how bout another duel eh? I gotta get some payback for the humiliation. I know ya have some time to kill."
"Um.. miss hearthstone, the raid is still ongoing."
"Oh, you have a point. Where's my brother?"
"He barricaded himself in the mine shaft."
"See! He can take care of himself. Let's go Hikari! Hey, you seemed to have gotten bigger since I last saw you."
"Sure"
They stood in the sand clearing again.
"Master Sheela"
"It's been a few days, my good student. I'm so bored without you. Now, lemme check on your condition."
Sheela knelt down in front of Hikari and placed her hands on the hearthstone sigils on her feet.
Hikari closed her eyes as she followed Sheela's mana movements.
"Holy Herda's blossoms. You gotten much bigger."
Sheela rubbed her foot.
"He. Not bad, my student. How about a run?"
"A run?"
"Yep! Here's the catch. We run in the sand. The uneven ground makes it excellent training. Circulate your mana as you run."
Sheela turned and pointed to the distance.
"See that fortress?"
Hikari nods.
"Ready when you are."
Sheela stretched herself, and began running at a surprisingly slow pace.
Hikari paused as she stopped to observe Sheela's movements.
Then, she started running like she always does.
The force of her foot pushed a dent into the sand. She lost her balance.
Then, she observed Sheela's small steps.
She copied.
Shuffling her feet in a slow jogging motion, so was at least able to move.
Even so, her foot made such a deep imprint in the sand that made it difficult to move.
"He. You're starting to get it. As expected from a student of mine!"
Hikari plowed through the sand behind Sheela towards the fortress in the distance.
Her barefoot touched solid ground, allowing her to pick up the pace.
The vast Herdial plains stood before her.
A myriad of wildlife emerged from the grass, scurrying away as two giants terrorized their territory by their jogging.
In the distance, a strip of farm along the river, bustling with activity.
On solid land, Hikari quickly dashed past Sheela, reaching a Guard tower.
"Halt!" The Guard aimed his musket at her."
As Hikari came to a stop in front of him, his nose bled.
"Umm… you are approaching… fort… tits… I mean fort…"
Both his musket and side arm were shaking as he struggled to piece together a sentence.
"Hey! He's with me! I'll be back now."
Sheela caught up. Showing the Guard her hearthstone badge.
The guard's nose bled harder, muttering incoherently.
"Let's go back now. Gotta keep that blood pumping."
They turned around.
Hikari's movements had gotten more fluid allowing her to run at faster speeds.
At the end, Sheela reached the starting line and found Hikari already meditating.
"Man! Did Herda show up and let you drink from her blossoms?"
Sheela rested her hands on her knees panting.
"I ate some fruit."
"Well, I wish I could do that. Haha! I suppose there's no need to question why a student of the great master Sheela got so strong! It's natural isn't it?"
"Yes master Sheela."
"So how do ya feel?"
Hikari smiled.