After exploring the park for a while, Cyril reached a certain plaza.
In the middle of it stood a marble statue of a robust female figure. She wore a robe and a hood obscuring her face, both carved in a way that made them seem like grass.
Now the marble statue was overgrown with real grass, which in a way added some charm to the picture.
Statue of the Earth Goddess.
Cyril nodded towards the overgrown statue on a whim and scanned the plaza.
At this moment Rhamn appeared near him, looking at the same statue with a mocking smile.
"Humans forget even their gods when they are no longer necessary~"
...Don't be so dramatic. Religion has been on the decline for a while. That's inevitable with the development of magic.
"Uh huh."
Morpho flew off his shoulder and explored the area as well, both of them searching.
Then, just as the butterfly flew slightly in the distance, a serene voice rang out.
"My disciple, you are here."
Selene stood up near the statue's base, her back completely straight.
How did I miss her?
Cyril walked up to her, Morpho landing back on his shoulder.
"Let's not waste any time and begin."
Selene walked eagerly in a particular direction, her hands behind her back. She was about to walk past him, but Cyril stepped in her way.
She tilted her head, sending him a confused look.
"Master..." he said, the word immediately making Selene's golden eyes brighter.
"...I've taught your technique to someone else."
Then that brightness immediately reduced, her face not showing a single emotion.
"..."
They stood like this in silence.
Only Tigris on Cyril's shoulder yawned at some point, his tail lazily swaying back and forth.
"That is most unbecoming of a disciple."
Selene's voice didn't seem that different. It had the same serenity that calmed the listener the moment they heard it.
"Whatever price you want, I will pay it." Said Cyril, looking straight in her eyes without backing down.
At his words Selene's face finally moved. Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly for a brief second.
"Then I shall not be polite. But we'll deal with this at a later date, now we focus on training."
Cyril nodded and stopped blocking her path.
She is taking this rather well.
"For now."
Selene gracefully walked forward, her hands resting behind her back.
Together they moved off the path, going deeper in the overgrown area.
Soon they were surrounded by trees on all sides, their leaves turning yellow.
I am seeing vegetation a lot more lately... That's good.
Cyril mused as he observed the forest-like environment around him.
Selene stopped in front of one of the trees and sent him a glance.
"...Observe my actions."
She took a single breath and, in one fluid motion, jabbed the tree with two fingers. A quiet thud rang out and then silence.
There was no visible impact or even any mark left on the bark. The tree stood unperturbed.
Just as Cyril was getting confused, a single, perfectly green leaf fell from above, as if cut by something.
Selene nodded and turned around. "The essence of the technique I gave you is flexibility and stillness. Your mana must flow as water, yielding yet free."
She walked to the side, motioning for him to approach the tree. "Practice your mana manipulation by hitting the trunk and attempt to only harm the leaves on top."
"Do not try to force your mana all the way through. Remember to be as water."
"..."
Cyril slowly nodded. The butterfly on his shoulder eagerly fluttered her wings, her spirits burning bright.
Selene looked at the red insect, her golden eyes taking on a shine.
She pointed at his shoulder. "Your junior sister shall practice separately. Come with me, Morpho."
Morpho froze and slowly looked at Cyril. He nodded to her.
With that, she flew up and landed on Selene's outstretched finger.
Then, Selene's golden eyes looked at Cyril, something within them shining brighter.
"We shall see who among you succeeds first."
Cyril froze. He and the butterfly looked at each other, something brewing in the air between them.
Morpho twitched her antennae in a challenging manner, her spirits burning even stronger now.
"Interesting! Then to complete the challenge, how about the loser fulfill a single wish of the victor?"
"...Sure."
Cyril nodded, his blue eyes narrowing a little.
Morpho raised her wings, as if a human raising her head in a proud manner.
Selene looked at their interaction in silence.
In a moment she began walking away, Morpho still on her finger.
With that they separated, Tigris only waved his paw as Morpho disappeared from sight.
Let's not waste any time.
Cyril immediately walked in front of the tree, staring at its trunk with focus.
It can't be that hard.
He put his palm against the trunk. With a push he utilized the technique, giving it a casual try.
The tree immediately erupted with a horrible breaking noise from the inside, going all the way to the top.
Plenty of leaves fell, but not for the reason he wanted. The poor tree was decimated.
"..."
Cyril looked at his palm in thought. Not only was the result bad, but he also spent a hefty amount of mana in return.
"Do you think when Selene did it, the leaf just fell by coincidence? It is October, after all."
Who knows? You might be right.
...
An orange hue was added to the park's overwhelming green as the sun slowly lowered from the sky.
Now there were a lot more trees without any leaves.
Tired and breathing heavily, Cyril was lying on the ground, staring at the sky.
Tigris was curled up on a pile of leaves nearby, blissfully snoring.
"I can't believe it!" Rhamn suddenly exclaimed.
Cyril raised his body, alarmed.
What's wrong?
"Morpho has just been telling me something. Selene gave her more hints on how to succeed! She plans on helping her win the challenge!"
Cyril slowly got up from the ground and dusted himself off.
So what? It's not a big deal...
Now why Selene is doing this is unusual. Is she paying me back? That's somewhat childish...
He shook his head, and his blue eyes looked at her without any worry.
Anyways, I don't mind. Even if Morpho wins, is it really a punishment to do something nice for her?
Rhamn crossed her arms and looked at him with a smirk, her teeth slightly bared. "Yeah, you're right. That would be amazing. Forget what I said then."
Her bright red eyes gave him an ominous feeling as a shiver ran down his back.
...Do you know what Morpho will wish for?
Rhamn spun around, turning her face away from Cyril, hands locked behind her.
"I do."
Are you not going to tell me?
"No. I can't just give her up like that."
Cyril looked at the damaged trees around him, then back at her, a frown soon emerging on his face.
It's probably nothing outrageous. Morpho is sensible. You are playing a trick on me.
"You are free to think that..." Rhanm trailed off, still turned away from Cyril.
He walked towards another tree, trying to ignore her mischievous voice.
A few thuds soon echoed in the forest, each followed by thundering cracks and leaves raining to the ground.
After making a bigger bed for Tigris, Cyril lay back on the ground, staring at the orange sky.
There's been no progress.
Each new failure only got more frustrating, especially now.
He took a deep breath and turned to Rhamn, who was lying on her side near him, supporting her head with one arm.
...Did Morpho tell you those hints she got from Selene?
Morpho blinked, her eyes widening in dry surprise.
"Ah, she did, I forgot. Want me to share it with you? It's only fair, I suppose."
Perfect memory, huh.
Cyril stared at her with a piercing gaze, but she only smiled in response.
Whatever it is Morpho wants... Could it be you want it as well?
Rhamn's smile became even brighter, as if to confirm his suspicion.
If it's something too ridiculous, I'll just say no.
"You promised~"
Her cheerful voice of someone looking forward to the future only worsened the bad feeling he was getting.
What could it be...
A pressure not present before slowly mounted on his back.
With renewed spirits he stood up and walked towards another tree, listening to Rhamn retelling Selene's hints.
"She said more nonsense about how amazing water is. Something about moving mana through the body as effortlessly as water flows, about how your actions should feel natural."
I can only keep trying...
Cyril resumed practicing, doubling his efforts.
All while the white tiger cub peacefully dreamed on a big pile of leaves.