After a long day of travel, Mr. Alden glanced at Ronan and suggested, "Let's rest for two days before we head to the mana-dense zone. It'll help you gather your strength."
They soon arrived at a tranquil lakeside, surrounded by lush greenery and adorned with vibrant white and red water lilies that floated gracefully on the lake's surface. The gentle ripple of water reflected the golden hues of the setting sun.
"This spot looks perfect," Ronan remarked, his gaze fixed on the serene water. "The scenery here is beautiful. Let's wait here for a while."
As Mr. Alden began unloading their supplies, Ronan stood by the lake, staring at the unusual flowers. He murmured to himself, "This is odd… It's not the season for water lilies."
Hearing him, Mr. Alden walked over and joined him at the water's edge. "Those," he said with a knowing smile, "are magical flowers. They don't follow the rules of nature like ordinary plants."
Intrigued, Ronan tilted his head and asked, "What is this place, Sir? Why do magical flowers like these bloom here? What happened to this land? How did this land fall into ruin? And why does it exist in a Dimensional Rift?"
Mr. Alden looked up at the sky, a faint melancholy in his expression. "I don't have all the answers, Ronan," he said softly. "But I can tell you this much: this place once belonged to our world a long, long time ago. How it became a ruin, how it fell into this distorted dimension… no one knows. Some secrets are lost to time." He let out a heavy sigh as if mourning a history that would never be uncovered.
Ronan lingered by the lake, lost in thought. The sight of the mystical lilies stirred memories from his childhood. He recalled the stories of a wandering traveller who had once passed through his town, weaving tales of distant lands, magical wonders, and the beauty of the world beyond their home.
"I want to see the world," Ronan had whispered to himself back then, his heart alight with curiosity and determination.
In his memory, he turned to Kairos, a bright spark in his eyes. "Let's explore the world together, Kairos!" he said with uncontainable excitement.
Kairos, his brother, gave a heartfelt nod and smiled warmly. "Of course."
But before Ronan could continue dreaming aloud, a playful voice interrupted them. "Hey, hey! Don't forget me!" Samantha called out, stepping into view. She folded her arms, her expression mock-stern. "Who's going to protect my little brothers from monsters if I stay behind?"
Ronan grinned and retorted, "Who said we need your protection?"
Kairos chimed in with a laugh, "Yeah, we'll protect you instead!"
Samantha's stern expression softened, and she let out a laugh of her own. "Fine, then. We'll protect each other as we travel the world."
"Ronan! Ronan!" Mr. Alden's voice pulled him out of his reverie.
Ronan blinked, startled, and turned toward him. "Sorry," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I got caught up in some old memories."
"Daydreaming already?" Mr. Alden teased with a raised eyebrow. "Come on, help set up the camp."
As Ronan and Mr Alden worked together to pitch their tents and gather firewood, the soft rustle of leaves and the gentle lapping of water created a peaceful rhythm.
By the time the camp was ready, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the lake glowed softly under the moonlight. The magical lilies seemed almost alive, their colours more vivid than ever in the silvery glow.
Ronan stood by the lake again, staring at the mystical flowers and the starry sky above. Despite the mysteries of this strange place, he felt a renewed determination.
The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows against the towering trees that encircled the clearing. Ronan sat beside Mr. Alden, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames, the warmth of the fire doing little to ease the restlessness brewing within him. Finally, he broke the silence.
"Sir," Ronan began, his voice hesitant yet determined, "can you teach me how to walk on water? I've always wanted to learn."
Mr. Alden chuckled lightly. "Walk on water, eh? Yes, of course. However, note that once you reach master tier five, you will naturally learn it. Why rush then?" He asked. Ronan, rubbing his back of his head, says, "What can I say? It looked so beautiful when I first saw it, I just want to learn it, that's all."
"Okay, we'll start training tomorrow morning," Mr. Alden replied with a reassuring nod.
Ronan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Thank you!"
The next morning, the forest was alive with the soft rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. By the edge of a serene lake, its surface shimmering like liquid glass, Ronan and Mr. Alden stood ready to begin.
"Walking on water requires absolute control over your mana," Mr. Alden explained, his tone both firm and encouraging. "First, gather your mana around your feet and create a stable platform beneath you. Think of it as forming a second pair of soles. But beware if your mana fluctuates, you'll lose balance and sink."
Ronan nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. He closed his eyes, feeling the flow of mana within him, and guided it downward. Crimson tendrils of energy enveloped his feet as he stepped cautiously onto the water's edge. For a moment, he felt stable.
"Good!" Mr. Alden called out, watching intently. "Now, try to take a step forward, but keep the flow steady."
Ronan lifted his foot, but as soon as he moved, the mana around him wavered. With a splash, he plunged knee-deep into the lake.
Ronan coughed and pulled himself back to shore, shivering slightly. "It's harder than it looks," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Of course, it's hard, and it's harder for you because of your focus. Your mana control is good, but you can not maintain your focus." Mr. Alden said, offering a hand to help him up. Ronan shook off the water, determination flickering in his eyes. "Let's go again."
The hours stretched on as Ronan continued to practice. Each attempt brought a new challenge; his mana would either dissipate too quickly or gather unevenly, causing him to sink every time. The sun dipped lower in the sky, its golden rays casting long shadows over the lake.
By evening, Ronan was drenched and exhausted, his legs trembling from exertion. He collapsed onto the grassy bank, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Let's rest for now," Mr. Alden said, his voice gentle but firm. He knelt beside Ronan and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You've made progress, even if it doesn't feel like it. You're learning to sense and manipulate your mana better, which is the foundation for this technique."
Ronan nodded, though his eyelids drooped from fatigue. "I'll keep trying… I won't stop until I get it right."
Mr. Alden smiled, pride evident in his expression. "That's the spirit. Tomorrow, we'll head to a high-density mana zone. It'll make controlling your mana both harder and more rewarding."
Ronan gave a small, tired nod, his resolve unwavering despite his weariness. He leaned back against the soft earth, the sounds of the forest lulling him into a much-needed sleep.
As the fire crackled on and the stars began to dot the night sky, Mr. Alden watched over his young pupil, silently admiring the boy's determination.