Seeing what that simple magic could do, Rin's eyes immediately lit up with both surprise and excitement.
Rin: ( ⓛ ω ⓛ )
Tris: "Even with the simplest magic, as long as you can control and master it well, it can produce tremendous effects.
In battle, I rarely use high-level, complex magic that takes too long to cast. Instead, I often rely on simple spells I can deploy instantly. The reason is obvious: your enemy certainly won't just stand still and give you all the time you want.
That's why mastering techniques and applying them to simple magic, elevating them to rival high-level magic, is often a better alternative. This method also helps save the amount of spiritual energy required.
Of course, learning high-level, complex magic is still very necessary. It not only expands the arsenal of tactics you can use in different situations but also brings many other benefits. The details, I'm sure, you've already studied from the books I gave you earlier."
Rin: "Learning and casting high-level magic is a good way to increase one's total spiritual energy. It also improves proficiency in manipulating spiritual energy and casting spells."
Tris: "Correct. The first is similar to physical training, except in this case it's training the mind. The second is like solving a difficult math problem; once you've managed that, going back to simpler problems suddenly feels unexpectedly easy and smooth."
After that, Rin returned to fiddling with the flame in her hand.
This time, she tried to experiment with many different things. If an ordinary child would play by shaping clay, Rin was now trying to see if she could shape figures out of a flame instead.
And so, time continued to pass slowly.
. . .
As evening approached, when both Tris and Rin thought they would once again have to camp outdoors tonight, a small village suddenly came into view.
Surrounding the village was a wooden fence, not particularly tall but sturdy.
Behind it, a few watchtowers had been erected, allowing those inside to easily observe the outside.
From behind the wooden fence, thin streams of cooking smoke gently rose, evoking a warm and peaceful scene.
Rin: "Master, looks like we won't need to camp outdoors tonight." She said cheerfully.
Both Tris and Rin possessed spatial rings that allowed them to carry countless items with ease. In addition, Tris could use magic to solve many different problems, from providing water for daily use to protective measures against poisonous insects, bad weather, or Magical Beasts, etc.
Thanks to that, camping outside was still fairly convenient and comfortable. But no matter how convenient or comfortable, it could never compare to the peace of mind that came with resting in an inn.
While outdoors, there had been more than a few times they were forced awake in the middle of the night to deal with the sudden appearance of ferocious, hungry Magical Beasts. Many of them were extremely dangerous, far beyond Rin's current ability to handle.
If not for Tris being there, camping outside at night would surely have turned into a disastrous, bloody accident.
Tris: "This village isn't marked on the map."
He spoke softly, as if pondering something.
Hearing that, Rin guessed:
"Is it because the village is too small?"
Tris: "Alright then. Let's go check it out."
Tris then put away the conspicuous 'Black Horse.' After that, the two slowly walked toward the village.
As they approached, a middle-aged man on watch duty at the tower near the entrance immediately noticed them. He then stepped forward and greeted them:
"Hello, young adventurers. Where are you headed?"
Tris: "Hello. We were traveling through and happened upon this village. Would it be possible for us to stay here for the night?"
"Of course, that's no problem. Everyone here is very hospitable."
The man said warmly. Then he turned back toward the village and called out loudly:
"Lary, come quickly, we have guests who want to enter the village."
After a moment, the tightly closed wooden gate was opened, allowing the two to step inside.
Lary, the one who opened the gate and led the way, was a young man around twenty years old. His face looked somewhat simple and honest, though not particularly striking.
Although Tris had already observed the area from above, only upon entering did he truly feel how small the place was.
The entire village seemed to have fewer than ten households. With so few families, it was clear there was no inn operating here.
Tris: "Excuse me. Since there doesn't seem to be any inn here, is there perhaps a vacant spot where we could set up camp for the night?"
He turned to ask the young man beside him.
Lary: "You can borrow that storage shed over there to sleep in. Right now it only holds a few miscellaneous items. Just tidy it up a bit, and it'll be fine."
He pointed them toward a small wooden house before leaving.
Tris: "Thank you." He expressed his gratitude and headed toward the shed.
"Guests, guests!"
On the way, three small children, about the same age, or perhaps a little older than Tris and Rin, shouted excitedly when they saw them.
Soon after, the children were scolded by some adults and sent off to play elsewhere, told not to bother the guests.
Inside the small shed, Tris saw that it was nearly empty, with only a few wooden crates. Moreover, the place seemed to have been cleaned not long ago, as there was little dust and no cobwebs.
Seeing that night had fallen, Tris turned to Rin and spoke about dinner.
Sitting inside the little wooden house, the two began to take out the food they had prepared earlier.
The meal consisted of bread along with roasted meat, cured meat, and pickled vegetables. There was also soup made with mushrooms and leftover vegetables from the previous day, which they had deliberately cooked in larger portions to avoid having to prepare meals too often.
Thanks to being stored in their spatial rings, all the food remained perfectly fresh, and even the soup was still piping hot as if it had just been made.
While they were eating, a knock suddenly sounded at the door, accompanied by Lary's voice from outside:
"I've brought you some freshly cooked food."
Opening the door, Tris saw Lary holding a tray with two steaming bowls of porridge.
Smiling, Tris accepted them and thanked him for his thoughtfulness and hospitality.
Seeing Tris's expression, like that of an ordinary child, with a bright, innocent smile, Rin immediately shivered, feeling that nothing could be more unsettling or uncanny than that.