The two remained locked in heavy silence. But it was Cyrus who first lowered his head in compliance.

"You're right," he began, voice hushed. "I shouldn't give up so easily. I apologize, Lord Dílis."

The Dúndraíocht sighed and extended his hand toward Cyrus. "You need to be strong, Cyrus. Not just for yourself, but for your future squadmates."

Sighing inwardly, Cyrus clasped his hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.

"I've been observing your training for the past few weeks," Lord Dílis said, his sharp gaze meeting Cyrus' steel blues. "You've been diligent, but it seems you've been holding back. I've noticed it when you fought the bear or during your obstacle training." He then softly patted Cyrus' shoulder, uncaring about the dirt caked on him. "Is this about the girl?"

His question was answered silently as Cyrus hesitated, desperately holding back from cringing from the man's touch. Yes, Caitríona's death weighed on him. But it was more than that. His body had been manipulated without his consent. Time and time again, he was reminded that he had no say, no control over his own life.

Moreover, what was the purpose of all this training? To become an explorer, to venture into the unknown, not to take lives. There would be a time when he had to defend himself, to end another's life. But not like this...

Lord Dílis observed Cyrus' attempt to conceal his emotions and concluded that his assumption was accurate.

"Cyrus, I understand that what you went through was traumatic." He began dusting the dirt and shredded grass on Cyrus' shoulder. "Defending yourself and taking someone's life, even in self-defense, leaves a lasting impact. But isolating yourself and suppressing those emotions won't help. It's not healthy." Lord Dílis then chuckled and released his grasp. "Besides, what you did was necessary."

Lord Dílis' final words elicited a raised eyebrow from Cyrus.

With a chuckle, the city lord elaborated, "Consider it this way. Instead of taking a life, you saved many. If she had not targeted you, she would have harmed others. So, you prevented a potential serial killer from claiming more lives."

Lord Dílis was undoubtedly correct. Even if Caitríona didn't target him, she was still a menace bent on spreading misery. There would always be another victim.

He's right. Cyrus straightened his slumped shoulders.

He hadn't considered the positive aspects of the situation despite the overwhelming weight of everything that had transpired. Cyrus had ended someone's life, but maybe he saved another, even if it was without choice. Perhaps he does not need to dwell on such matters, at least for now.

But even then, that ever-burning face remained at the back of his mind, just barely beyond the periphery.

Lord Dílis' friendly smile returned at the sight of Cyrus' shoulders lifting.

"I also see great potential in you." Watching Cyrus focus on him again, Lord Dílis waved his hand, magically producing another seed from nowhere. "I see you as a seed in need of nourishment. Soon, you will sprout." He tossed it onto the soil a few meters away. "You'll need plenty of water and nutrients but grow soon enough." A small shoot emerged from the soil, rapidly growing to their height, no, flourishing even higher. "And make no doubt about it. You will endure powerful storms and scorching flames, but in time, you will touch the sky."

As Lord Dílis finished his speech, the tree matured into a magnificent chestnut oak with thick roots and large leaves that rustled against the wind. Its vibrant presence enveloped them as birds perched on its branches, filling the air with melodious songs. Even Bird was seen flitting among the foliage.

"So, relax for now, Cyrus. You deserve it."

Like a soothing balm or warm rains pouring onto a dry desert, Lord Dílis' words and actions lifted the weight pressed onto Cyrus' heart.

"I have time," Cyrus whispered, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Lord Dílis. I'll keep your words in mind from now on." He then returned his steel blues to the grand oak and marveled at its magnificence. Would he radiate such resplendence someday?

A faint smile graced Lord Dílis' visage. "Good. But remember, your training isn't complete. Take a moment to rest before we continue."

With that, Cyrus sparred with Lord Dílis once more. Despite being unable to land a single blow on the Lord, Cyrus found himself unfazed. If anything, he grew more adept at swiftly reacting to unexpected situations as Lord Dílis attacked from every angle. After a few hours of intense training, a tired, sweat-covered Cyrus sank onto the grass.

"Well, that should be enough for today," Lord Dílis said, standing pristine over the budding Wayfarer. "By the way, Cyrus. You should be close to becoming a life apprentice, correct?"

Cyrus nodded vigorously. "Yes, Lord Dílis. Tonight, I'll just need to create four more runes." He slowly stumbled into a stand. "Is there anything I should prepare for?"

"If it were anyone else, I would instruct them to gather more insights for several more months." Lord Dílis shook his head, his gaze slightly narrowing. "But considering your... unique circumstances, then an attempt is not out of the question. However, you should wait until tomorrow."

"Why's that?"

Lord Dílis' smile grew. "Because I have a gift waiting for you."

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A gift? But the grandmaster had already given more than enough. So much so that Cyrus wished to refuse it. And yet... he held his tongue.

When Cyrus expressed interest in the kind of gift, he only received a "You'll see."

The training then concluded. The following night passed relatively comfortably as Cyrus returned to his room. With his mood improving, he delved into his books and told Bird stories, including stories of cryptids or myths. Once Bird grew bored, Cyrus opened the night window so it could explore.

This moment of peace allowed him to contemplate his runes. Had it been a few days prior, Cyrus might have ignored Lord Dílis' request to wait a day. But now that his mood had recovered, he thought better of it.

Now, there was the issue of his current amount. Cyrus currently carried one hundred and forty-six life runes, sixty-four fire runes, and thirty light runes. With that in mind, how should he proceed?

Well, what better way than simply changing the ratio between fire and life? As a result, Cyrus ended with one hundred and forty-eight life runes, sixty-nine fire runes, and thirty-one light runes.

"I'm so close." Cyrus leaned onto his chair, staring up toward the ceiling. "Finally, an apprentice mage."

He found himself having trouble sleeping that night, too consumed by the idea of finally building his foundations. And with it, Cyrus was closer to traveling the world. Then came the next day. Cyrus had decided to skip his morning session to ensure a full night's rest and recover from both mental and physical fatigue. After freshening up, he opened the window to allow Bird to fly out before settling at his desk in contemplation.

Alone again, Cyrus silently stared through the window and watched Bird soar into the horizon, continuing until a knock came from the door.

"Cyrus? May I come in?" Lady Dílis' gentle voice came through.

Cyrus hurried to the door, taking a moment to compose himself before opening it.

"Hey, Lilie. Please, come in," He said, holding back his smile.

She entered with light steps. Appearing radiant in her formal attire and leather satchel, Dílis smiled excitedly at Cyrus.

"You're going to be an apprentice, Cyrus," she began, holding back a squeal. "Are you excited? Oh, right, I almost forgot."

Without waiting for a response, Dílis rummaged through her satchel. She pulled out a small leather pouch and handed it to him a moment later.

"It's a gift for your special day." Her smile bloomed as her gaze shifted anticipatively. "And I think it's a good one. Go on, open it."

Cyrus felt some weight from the pouch, but no shape. Still, maybe he should disagree and appear more temperate. Gaining more brownie points for his persona would improve Dílis' perception of him.

"You didn't have to get me a gift," Cyus said, handing back the pouch. "I'm already grateful for everything you have done."

Lady Dílis rolled her green eyes. "It's not about 'debts,' but preparing you for the future." She then pressed his hands and the gift against his chest. "Now, I don't want to hear any more complaining. Go ahead and open your gift."

Well, Cyrus tried. He really did. After hesitating for appearance's sake, he opened the pouch.

It was empty.

Pffft. Lady Dílis broke into a peal of innocent laughter at the sight of Cyrus' confusion.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she said between gasps and giggling. "But you should see the look on your face.

Meanwhile, Cyrus was unamused. But as time passed, he eventually broke from the onslaught of her giggles and sighed with a smile. "You got me."

After a few more fits of giggles, Lady Dìlis forcefully stopped herself and tried to sound serious despite the broken smile she forced down. "Don't worry, it's a real gift. Try applying pure mana to it."

And he followed her orders. Once he channeled mana into the pouch, his expression became shocked as images of items in a vast void appeared in his mind's eye. A pile of mana and runic crystals floated about, and he could pull it out with a single thought, should he wish.

"You're gifting me a spatial storage filled with crystals?" Cyrus said incredulously, shifting his attention to the young woman.

Dílis nodded happily, her hair bouncing along with her. "You'll be outside for several months and need your payment ahead of time. But obviously, you couldn't carry them all alone." She put her weight on the balls of her feet. "Soooo, I told my father that you deserve a spatial pouch."

Cyrus was at a loss for words. During his studies, he learned these items were nearly nonexistent. But now, one was given to him? Just like that?

There and then, it dawned on Cyrus how impossible it was for him to grow so quickly without the Dílis Family's influence or help. What would have happened if he hadn't found Avalorn? What if he were located in a different city? Cyrus was truly and deeply indebted to them, whether he liked it or not.

"Thank you," Cyrus said softly. "I don't know what to say."

Dílis' smile softened momentarily before she adopted a more solemn expression. "Cyrus, these are your only mana sources outside these walls, okay? Never dare to absorb the mana within the fog."

Cyrus was taken aback but soon recalled Lord Dílis' words.

"Is it related to the corruption?"

She nodded, sighing. "There are too many tales of a lost mage or Wayfarer taking drastic measures for mana. Never forget my words." The room fell silent momentarily before Dílis shook her head and broke into a small smile. "But that doesn't matter right now. Focus on your mana sense and pull out the largest life crystal in the pouch."

Cyrus attempted to do so but realized that he couldn't perform the same feat as Lord Dílis by conjuring items out of thin air.

"Is something wrong? I can't summon it."

"What do you mean?" Dílis tilted her head. "Just put your hand inside the bag and pull something out."

Cyrus shook his head. "But how did Lord Dílis pull items without showing the pouch?"

"Oh, that. It's because your life class isn't high enough."

"Well, What do you mean by that?"

Dílis pulled back her long hair, revealing her pointy ears. "It's related to your mana sense. If you were in the adept echelon, you could extend your pure mana outside your body and use items at a distance. Try it out if you're curious."

And she was right. Once Cyrus channeled his pure mana outside his body or through his mana sense, it immediately dispersed into the air. It disappointed him a little, but deep down, it was only a matter of time until he would become an adept.

So he dropped the topic and reached inside the pouch. A moment later, he pulled out a vibrant green crystal the size of his fist that emitted a warm, invigorating aura to his body.

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