The moment I sensed the change, I opened my eyes and called out to Charlie at once.
He was already nearby, as if he had been waiting for something to happen. He stepped closer the instant he saw my expression, his gaze sharpening with concern.
"Charlie," I said, unable to hide the excitement in my voice, "the black dot in my forehead, it changed. It grew… just a little, but I'm certain of it."
His eyes widened slightly at my words, and he studied me for a moment before speaking.
"Young master," he said, his voice steady but thoughtful, "I do not know whether this is a good sign or not… but can you feel any awakened ability within you?"
His question made my excitement falter, the sudden uncertainty cooling the rush of hope in my chest.
I closed my eyes again, drawing in a slow breath as I searched inward. I let my awareness spread through my body, carefully examining every sensation, the flow of energy in my limbs, the quiet rhythm of my breathing, the faint presence of the tiny black dot in my forehead. I tried to sense something different, something new, some hidden response waiting to reveal itself.
But there was nothing.
No strange power stirred within me. No shift in perception. No presence that felt different from before.
After a long moment, I slowly opened my eyes and shook my head. "No."
Charlie remained quiet, his expression turning thoughtful. His brows drew together slightly as he considered the situation, weighing possibilities I could not see. After a moment, his features softened, and he offered a faint but reassuring smile.
"I believe you will feel it soon, young master," he said gently. "Please do not lose hope."
I nodded in response, though the uncertainty in my chest did not fully fade. The brief surge of excitement I had felt earlier gradually dissolved, replaced by a heavy weariness. Leaning back, I allowed my body to rest, staring upward as my thoughts drifted in slow circles around the same unanswered questions, searching for meaning where none yet revealed itself.
Three weeks passed in the same unchanging rhythm.
I cultivated without fail during morning, afternoon, and night... repeating the same disciplined cycles with unwavering focus. Each session ended the same way... my awareness drawn toward the tiny black dot within my forehead, observing it with careful, almost desperate attention, searching for even the slightest sign of change.
But the strange jolt never came again.
The black dot did not expand. It did not shift and did not respond to the nature energy I guided toward it. It simply remained there... silent, distant, and utterly unmoving, like a presence that existed beyond my reach.
No matter how hard I tried, nothing happened.
Soon, the time for another hunt arrived.
That morning, Charlie and I prepared to leave the house to meet Vaela. The familiar routine unfolded with quiet efficiency. I secured my gear, adjusted my clothing, and fastened everything in place before stepping toward the door.
Just as I was about to leave, Charlie's voice stopped me.
"Young master," he said, his eyes shifting to my waist, "have you taken your sword?"
I paused and gave a small nod, resting my hand against the hilt secured firmly at my side. "Yes," I replied. "It's here."
Charlie nodded once, apparently satisfied, but then his expression grew thoughtful again.
"Have you taken the artifact with you?" he asked.
I blinked, momentarily confused. "Artifact?"
"The book," he clarified calmly.
A faint frown crossed my face. "Do I need to bring it to the hunt as well?"
Charlie met my gaze, his expression steady and serious. "Young master, please do not forget that it once saved your life," he said. "When we face monsters, carrying something so closely tied to you can only be beneficial. It would not hurt to keep it with you."
His words were difficult to argue with. After a brief pause, I nodded in agreement.
"You're right," I said. "I'll bring it."
I turned back toward the wooden shelf where the ancient book had been resting undisturbed since I last used it. A thin layer of dust had settled over its worn cover, and as I lifted it, the weight of it felt oddly significant in my hands, familiar, yet unsettling in a way I couldn't fully explain.
For a moment, I studied the weathered surface, remembering the day it had saved my life. Then, without hesitation, I slipped it carefully inside my shirt, pressing it close against my chest as I always did, as if keeping it there might reveal its secrets someday.
Once I was ready, Charlie and I stepped outside together.
---
The moment we crossed into the forest, the atmosphere shifted.
The air grew heavier, the sounds sharper, the shadows deeper beneath the dense canopy above. We moved cautiously, walking deeper into the woods in search of low-level beasts. As we traveled, I focused on sensing the surroundings through the flow of nature energy, allowing my awareness to extend outward as I had practiced countless times before.
The sensation was little clearer now than it had been months ago. Though still imperfect, I could perceive movements nearby, the subtle disturbance of energy as insects crawled through bark or small creatures shifted within the undergrowth.
It wasn't much, but it eased the tension between us.
As we walked, Vaela glanced back at me over her shoulder, her sharp eyes studying my expression. "Arthur," she asked, "skra-cultivation good?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes."
She watched me for another moment, as if weighing my answer, then asked again, her tone more curious this time. "Skra-ability?"
I hesitated before silently shaking my head.
A flicker of understanding crossed her face. She gave a small nod, then let out an exaggerated sigh, her shoulders dropping as she spoke in a tone of dramatic disappointment.
"Skra-awaken fast," she said. "Skra-not help you all time."
Her words carried a teasing edge, but beneath it, I could hear the concern she tried to hide.
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, unsure how to respond. "Yes…"
Before I could say anything further, her palm suddenly struck my back with surprising force.
A sharp sting shot through me, and I groaned, stumbling a step forward as the impact knocked the breath from my lungs. Behind me, Vaela burst into laughter, her voice bright with amusement.
"Skra-joking!" she said cheerfully. "Skra-protect you even you awaken."
Despite the lingering pain, I couldn't help but smile. Her rough reassurance carried a strange warmth.
"Thank you, Sister Vaela," I said sincerely.
Then, for the first time, I decided to return her teasing. A small, playful thought surfaced, and before I could stop myself, I added, "But… I don't think a low-level controller will be able to protect me once my ability awakens."
The moment the words left my mouth, the air seemed to grow still. Vaela's laughter faded, and a brief silence fell between us.
Vaela's eyes widened in disbelief.
A heartbeat later, her expression darkened, a dangerous glint flashing in her gaze.
I didn't wait to see what came next, I quickly turned and ran.
Behind me, I heard the sharp rustle of leaves as she lunged forward in pursuit. Her footsteps were swift and relentless, closing the distance with frightening ease as she swung at my back again and again. I dodged between the trees, weaving through the undergrowth, laughter escaping me despite the very real threat of another strike.
"Skra-come here!" she called, her voice carrying equal parts annoyance and amusement.
I barely managed to avoid another blow, stumbling forward as I tried to keep my balance while fleeing. The chase lasted only a short while, our movements stirring the quiet forest with bursts of noise and energy.
Behind us, Charlie followed at an unhurried pace, watching the scene with calm eyes and a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Eventually, the brief pursuit faded as quickly as it had begun. Vaela slowed, her irritation dissolving into quiet amusement, and we gathered ourselves once more.
With the moment of laughter behind us, we resumed the hunt.
We moved deeper into parts of the forest we had never explored before, carefully avoiding stronger beasts while searching for suitable prey. By now, hunting had begun to feel familiar. My movements were steadier, my reactions faster, and my control over sensing nature energy had improved noticeably.
Before long, we had successfully hunted three low-level beasts without any trouble. The hunt had been smooth, almost routine, and we began preparing to return to the village.
Just as we were about to leave, a strange sound reached my ears.
A low, pained groan drifted through the forest, faint yet unmistakable, cutting through the quiet like a warning.
I froze instantly.
Vaela and Charlie stopped beside me at once, their expressions sharpening as they sensed the shift in the air. We exchanged silent glances, no words needed. Vaela slowly raised her hand and pointed toward the west, her fingers steady as she indicated the direction of the sound.
The noise came again, louder this time. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the trees, followed by the violent crash of splintering wood. The ground seemed to tremble faintly beneath our feet, and the disturbance sent a flock of birds scattering into the air.
It sounded like two beasts locked in a brutal struggle.
Without a word, we began moving toward the source. Each step was measured and silent as we pushed through the dense undergrowth, careful not to disturb the forest floor. Leaves brushed against my legs, branches shifted softly aside, and every breath felt heavier with anticipation. Curiosity pulled us forward, but caution guided every movement.