The days passed quickly, and now there is nothing left before heading to Baron Solar's territory to take the portal to Primaver City. All this time I had been training with the two heralds, both of them patient with me, and through them I have noticeably improved my control over magic, my swordsmanship, and my affinity with space.

Every day I had several duels of pure swordplay against Gase, and I've adapted quite well to her style of fighting. I remain aggressive by nature, but the difference now lies in my defense, in understanding the right moments to hold back and endure a counterattack. That has made things harder for Gase, and our matches have reached a stalemate. She is still a bit more skilled and agile, but I often compensate with my aggression and fast reactions.

The timid Ho helps me differently. When my body needs a rest, we sit facing each other and play a game similar to the one I used to play with my grandmother. In this case, though, it is about distance—he creates shapes with his mana at least 80 meters away from me, and I must hit them as quickly as possible.

His control is many steps above mine, and through this I've trained my precision and aim. I also try to focus on how his constructs appear and vanish, which has helped me better understand the space affinity. Each day I feel closer to unlocking a space-related movement skill, though I am still far from it.

I haven't gained many levels through this training—just one level across all my rank IV abilities. According to the heralds, it is much harder to level up when your abilities are near advancing to rank IV, and it becomes even more difficult in later ranks.

I haven't had the chance to improve my rank III skills in these days, as those are mostly used in battle, and I haven't gone into a dungeon recently. Once I reach the capital, I'll try to polish them in a training hall if I can't find a dungeon or an interesting fight.

"Still trying to obtain the electric pseudo Law?" Gase, who had vanished for a few minutes, spoke from some meters away.

"Yes, I want to get it before focusing on refining my other pseudo Laws into Laws." That will be my new goal once I achieve it. According to them, the difference shows more in later ranks, though they also said I shouldn't worry for now—I already have more than enough Laws and pseudo Laws to reach Ruby rank, as long as I fulfill other conditions.

"You're very dedicated when it comes to training. Other kids your age would rather be playing, or are forced to attend all sorts of events in noble houses." Gase sits across from me, her cloak folding oddly as she sits.

"I know. My family has canceled some meetings and events because of that." I sigh tiredly. Maybe I should attend to make some friends my age… "I'll have time to enjoy my youth at school." That's true; from what I've heard, weekends are completely free, and during the week classes are only in the mornings. It's up to each student to train daily to pass the semester exams.

"It wouldn't hurt you to relax with friends sometimes." Her voice sounds different—like that of an older sister or a young aunt scolding me. I never had that in any of my lives; I only saw it in stories back in my previous world. "You're overqualified for the first semesters, so take them lightly if you want. Although, knowing you, if you don't find good friends you'll end up training even harder." That's true; if I isolate myself, I'll just keep training.

"I'll make friends, that's certain." I say with confidence, though I'm a bit doubtful. In all this time, I've only really had female friends and Cris. "One way or another."

Gase laughs at my last comment and keeps watching me as I train for the pseudo Law. When I feel content with my progress, I stop—I won't dedicate all my time to it while I'm with the heralds.

"You're one step away. You just need motivation or a real fight where your life is on the line." She's right—my greatest results come either after a tough battle in a dungeon or a sudden flash of inspiration.

"I hope to get one of those chances in Primaver City." I look up at the sky, thinking about finding a worthy opponent in the tournament. The only way to have a good fight would be against someone with multiple Laws and mana and Imra control equal to mine—a total genius.

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Gase also looks to the sky. "Unlikely, unless some of those prodigies of the new generation participate. It would be easier to ask Marquis Julio if you can enter a rank 3 dungeon." Then she lowers her gaze and shouts: "Maybe you'll even get the chance to use the Hero's Dungeon in the capital if you win the tournament. Normally that's impossible, even if you go undefeated. Your only chance would be through your connection with the Marquis and young Lady Arisa." That is good news.

My motivation for the tournament rekindles; I've found a spark to light an almost dead flame. "I hope to get a good reward this time. The only one I got isn't useful for now." It'll be in the future, but I don't want to waste it now.

"You only got one reward? Strange. Usually they give you one to choose and another automatically." Her words confuse me, and I lower my head to stare at her.

"What? Are you serious? I only got a choice reward." Maybe my luck isn't as great as I thought… Why did I only get one? Many questions flood my mind without answers, and Gase seems puzzled as well since she stays silent.

Several minutes pass in silence, her thinking and me wanting to smash my head against a tree for having only received one reward. Finally, she speaks. "You're right, Ho." I glance at him, leaning against a tree in the distance. "Talking with Ho about the possible dungeon fault, we concluded: the shield was made with part of the dungeon's mana. Maybe that weakened it enough to give you just one reward."

Her words make sense. Sus was already weak at that point and wouldn't have had the mana to create such a strong barrier. Two Diamond-rank heralds couldn't break it—thinking about it more, it all adds up.

"Don't feel bad." Huh? What expression did I make for her to say that? "Without that protection, you would've gotten nothing. Someone else, or even us, would have used it long before." That's true. Better to have something than nothing after waiting too long.

"You're right. At least I'll have the chance to earn something better if I win the tournament." She comforts me and urges me back home—it's already late, and we need to rest before leaving for Marril City early tomorrow. I'll use that trip to ask the Baron's wife; as an expert, she might know more about it.

"We'll see each other soon in Primaver City, right?" I approach the two heralds. At first, their plan was to accompany me to Marril and teleport together, but something changed, and now they need to leave a day earlier on their own. So tomorrow, I'll head to Marril alone.

"Yes, we'll be waiting for you." Her voice carries a hint of melancholy. These days brought us close, and we've come to understand each other better. "See you soon, Maki."

Ho appears at Gase's side, looks at me, and simply says, "Goodbye," before falling silent again.

"I'll see you both soon. Thank you for helping me—these days have been entertaining and productive. If you ever need me, just call." I bow before watching them vanish with Ho's teleportation skill. That power never ceases to amaze me.

These days were very educational for me, while for them it was like a vacation after so long serving without much rest. We got to know each other a lot during this time—they told me some exciting stories without revealing too much, and I shared parts of my experiences while keeping key details hidden.

They and I kept some secrets, not because of distrust, but simply because some things are private—things you want to keep to yourself or only share with family.

I sat down to wait for Glia, who was finishing her hunt nearby. Our bond has grown stronger, and now we can "signal" each other when it's time to reunite and return. She would come soon after my call.

With a jump, I stood up and began practicing my movement skill. I had already stripped most of the electric affinity and was changing it to space. It's very hard to apply this affinity to a skill where I must move without restrictions.

I shook the space where I wanted to move while standing still. I felt it blocking me, forcing me to push through. Slowly, I've gotten better at this. It takes me about two seconds to fully bend that space to my will, but I remain stuck on how to shift my body into that place. I try in many ways and eventually give up.

Ho's personality and Gase's limited knowledge of space magic weren't much help. I can't complain, though—without Ho, I wouldn't have advanced this much in such a short time. Now I can claim any position in my domain with my space mana and make that space mine—that is the first step, according to his vague explanation.

I noticed the mana cost when seizing spaces in different positions within my personal world. The farther the distance, the greater the mana consumption. The price of reaching further is losing more reserves.

I stop when I feel Glia entering my dome. It's time to return and prepare for the trip to Marril City.

"Ready to see Sol again?" I ask Glia, who has grown much these past days. Her diet of cores and beasts accelerated her improvement and growth.

"Yes, I can't wait to see one of my mothers again." She jokes after hearing me—she's been listening to my grandmother too much lately.

"They're not your mothers." I roll my eyes at her words as we walk home together.

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