The moment Linda tapped my shoulder, I jolted out of my thoughts and turned to Muna.
"But, why a Spatial tear?" I asked.
Muna turned to the whirling portal before us and confirmed what Linda had said earlier.
"This is not a real spatial tear. I'm not yet powerful enough to identify one."
"Then," I mumbled, pointing at the shimmering portal before us. "...what is this called?"
Muna made some steps forward and replied. "It is indeed a spatial tear, but not a real one."
I still listen to hear more explanation from her. She wasn't saying what itched my ear yet.
"This Red Spatial Tear is a duplication made by father as a reminder of all his achievements," Muna added.
"I can feel up to a hundred years of energy wobbling together with this tear," Linda gasped. "Even after losing such energy, he was still too powerful?"
Hmm, a hundred years of energy just to establish a retention spatial tear, but he couldn't prevent certain circumstances.
The truth is, it made sense, judging by the fact that Mages of Montana can live as long as even half a millennium, if not more. The main determinant is gaining such an equivalent lifespan.
Lifespans in Montana also have some ties with how one levels up. It is calculated by considering the limited stat points one should have.
For instance, a novice-ranked mage of level Zero is expected to have an average stat of 10. Consequent to this, the age of awakening was formerly aimed at ten years of age.
However, considering the fact that most Mages weren't able to awaken at this age, it was extended, and three more years of age were added. The only current mage awakened who met the initial expectation was Muna.
In the same vein, the ages of 20 and 50 were the limits for training the heights of Novice-ranked mages, level one and two, respectively.
But as the world keeps advancing, and young mages continue becoming cleverer and cleverer, attaining more heights and even breaking through to a higher rank at a young age has become common. The only constant in this development was the lifespan such a mage gained.
A level one Novice has until the age of fifty for a second level up. During this period, certain opportunities will be granted for the mage to level up, but the inability to reach the requirements before adding an extra year... it has never been heard that such a person survived.
This application of a mage's lifespan was inclusive to everyone, and subsequent.
So, for my father to have easily extinguished a hundred years of energy was understandable since he must have gained a huge lifespan, but for him to still remain as powerful was the confusing part.
I turned my head after this speculation and looked at delicate Linda. 'So, you have a lifespan of 200, and your little Lord is merely that of 100.'
Mind you, leveling up was never an easy task for any random mage awakened.
'But wait, for Linda to have reached Level II Adept at the age of nineteen...' the thought struck my mind upon the realization.
"The day you will stop overthinking, long Life will crawl at your door," Muna hopped and hit my head slightly. Since she finally got my attention, she became serious again.
"I chose us to train with a Spatial Tear so that you can gain combat skills," Muna explained. "Even though you have awakened, combat also spurs growth and makes a mage invincible."
"So..."
"You can gain these skills more easily than by training for years to gain them. What you need is to cultivate Water Breathing Techniques," Muna stated.
That being said, I felt somehow proud of Muna. Yet, a pang of jealousy almost crept in.
The days when I had to bear seeing my ten-year-old sister go for training with my father, while I remained helpless, struggled to set into my memories. Although my sister, some of the time, fought against my father's choices to let me partake with her, my father always ended up concluding each time.
"Fate is fate!"
That was cruel then.
"Fate be damned! I will conquer that fate!"
"Of course, you will, Mobix. Now, can you listen to what I have to tell you?" Muna retorted.
"Go on."
"There is also a way to cultivate these Water Breathing Techniques faster than expected. And that is by uprooting mana plants," Muna mentioned.
"Are you saying that there's no need to battle with demons?" Linda came forward.
Muna gulped and shot me a brief glance before she continued.
"That shouldn't have been necessary, but these Mana Plants are guarded by Demons, you know."
Linda's brow furrowed as she almost forgot her place in Seafrost and roared at Muna, illustrating her fury by pointing her hands.
"So you realize that certain boundaries aren't meant to be crossed? That you have gotten skills powerful enough to survive against demons doesn't mean he has. He's still a newbie mage and should get stronger with due processes!" Linda barked.
A moment of silence.
Then, Muna spoke. "Do you realize that you are just a contracted shadow and have no say in such matters?"
A look at Linda clearly showed that the question from Muna pained her. Not only was she belittled, but it was done to her by someone she could pet as a baby sister.
"Whether she has a say or not, she clearly has a chance to view her opinion in matters concerning me, Muna. Don't forget the reason she's my shadow?" I stepped in between both of them.
Linda returned to my shadow, sobbing.
"So you will listen to her now?" Muna asked.
"Neither of your choices will affect whatever decisions I wish to make. But, that doesn't make your choices worthless. Try to understand for once, Muna," I tried calmly to explain to Muna, who wasn't ready to listen.
"Forget it, I will just gather the plants and improve my strength," Muna reclined and turned to step into the spatial tear.
"Wait!" I called out. Before Muna could turn back to me, I was already close to her, enough to prick her nose.
"And who said I would ever let you go alone?" I mocked with a playful tone.
"Needless of how important your choices are, I accept this form of training."
I was happy to see Muna's mood lighten. Then, I asked her to tell me about the Mana Plants and how we can locate them.