The sun filtered weakly through the forest canopy, scattering soft beams of gold across the mossy ground. The air was cool and crisp, the faint chirping of birds echoing through the trees.
Ren sat cross-legged on the grass, his palms resting on his knees. In front of him stood Vaspera — arms crossed, expression sharp as ever.
"Listen carefully, Ren," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Healing isn't just about fixing wounds. It's about understanding essence itself — the flow of life energy that runs through all living things."
Ren tilted his head. "Essence…?"
Vaspera nodded. "When you heal, you guide that flow. But if you can guide it—" she raised a finger, her crimson aura flickering faintly "—you can also redirect it. You can use it to counter another's magic."
Ren blinked, still trying to process it. "You mean… fight back using healing?"
A small smirk curved her lips. "Exactly. You can turn their destructive energy harmless — or you can even destabilize someone's life essence. Just a single punch infused with your mana, you can make their own life energy rebel against them."
Ren frowned slightly. "But how ?"
"You'll see soon enough," she replied simply, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Now sit still. Close your eyes."
Ren did as told, taking a deep breath. His heart thumped a little faster — part nerves, part curiosity.
"Focus on the mana inside you," Vaspera instructed. "It's quiet, but it's there. Feel it. Draw it to your hands."
Ren concentrated, furrowing his brow. He could almost feel something faint — like warmth beneath his skin — but it slipped away as soon as he reached for it. He tried again, harder this time. Nothing.
After a few moments, Vaspera sighed. "You're forcing it. Mana doesn't bend to will. It answers to emotion. Remember something that moves you — anything that stirs your heart."
Ren hesitated. "Something emotional?"
"Yes. Anger. Sadness. Hope. Anything real."
Ren's hands trembled slightly. His breath slowed.
And then, everything around him began to fade.
He was no longer in the forest.
He saw a small wooden house — the scent of herbs, the sound of rain against the window.
And on the bed… an old woman lay weakly, her frail hands trembling.
His grandmother.
Ren knelt beside her, clutching her hand tightly as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Grandma… please, stay with me," he whispered, his voice breaking. "You'll be fine. I can heal you, I swear I can—"
His hands glowed faintly green, trembling as he pushed more mana into the spell. "Just a little more… please work… please…"
But nothing changed.
Her breathing grew shallow. The light in her eyes dimmed.
She slowly raised a shaking hand, resting it gently on Ren's cheek. Her voice was faint, almost a whisper.
"It's okay, Ren… you did everything you could. You were… a good boy."
"Don't say that," Ren said, tears streaming down his face. "Please, don't—"
A soft smile formed on her lips. "It's time to let me go."
Her hand slipped from his cheek and fell limply to the bed.
Her eyes remained open — but the warmth in them was gone.
Everything went silent.
The only sound left was Ren's loud crying and the drip of Ren's tears onto the bedsheets.
He couldn't move, couldn't breathe. His magic still glowed faintly in his hands — useless against the one thing he couldn't heal.
And then — in the forest — the air around Ren began to shimmer.
A soft green light spread from his chest down to his hands, wrapping around him like a gentle breeze.
Vaspera's crimson eyes widened slightly. He did it… that fast?
But her gaze softened when she noticed something else — his eyes were still closed, and tears slipped quietly down his cheeks.
"…Ren?" she called softly.
No response.
"Ren."
Still nothing.
She stepped closer and knelt beside him. "Ren."
His eyes slowly opened, glowing faintly with green light. He blinked, quickly wiping the tears from his face.
"Did I… do it right?" he asked, voice a little shaky but hopeful.
For a moment, Vaspera said nothing. There was an unfamiliar pain in her chest — something she couldn't quite name.
"…Good," she finally said, straightening up. "You did well. Practice it a few more times before we leave."
Ren nodded, forcing a small smile. "Right. I'll do that."
As he turned back to focus, Vaspera quietly turned away, her cloak swaying with the wind.
She didn't know why, but she couldn't stand seeing that smile — the one mixed with tears.
What kind of memory was that? she wondered, her gaze distant.
And why… does it bother me so much?
For a moment, she placed a hand over her chest, right where her heartbeat had quickened without permission.
"Pathetic," she muttered to herself. "You're getting soft, Vaspera."
But even as she said it, her fingers lingered there — over the warmth she pretended not to feel.
From behind her, Ren's quiet voice broke the silence.
"Madam Vaspera… thank you."
She froze, turning her head just slightly.
"For what?" she asked.
"For teaching me," Ren said softly. "And for believing I could."
The witch blinked once, caught off guard. Then she scoffed and started walking away.
"Don't thank me yet, brat," she said, her tone sharp again — but her steps were slower, softer.
"Tomorrow, you'll wish I never did."
Ren chuckled under his breath." Sure whatever you say."
Vaspera didn't look back, but a faint smile touched her lips — one she didn't even notice herself.
The forest grew quiet again,and somewhere, between her coldness and his warmth…
something small and unspoken began to bloom.
---