(≈700 words)
The camp was still buzzing with murmurs from the adventurers celebrating their victory. Although the manátgor had left injuries and destruction, what prevailed was relief. The bonfires were being relit, laughter returned bit by bit, and the smell of food once again filled the air. Ethan, however, still had his pulse racing.
Lyra approached him while cleaning her sword with a cloth. The harsh expression she wore earlier had softened, replaced by a mix of respect and curiosity.
"I didn't think someone without training would dare face a manátgor," she said. "Much less use magic without collapsing."
Ethan lowered his gaze, a bit embarrassed.
"I don't even know how it happened. The System just… reacted."
"That 'System' you keep mentioning…" Lyra sat beside him. "I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse, but it saved your life. And ours."
Before Ethan could respond, Ariane approached holding a small bottle filled with blue shimmering liquid.
"Here," she said with a gentle smile. "It's a mana-stabilizing potion. After a spontaneous awakening, your body must be exhausted."
Ethan accepted it awkwardly.
"T-thank you…"
Ariane brushed a lock of her chestnut hair behind her ear and added:
"What you did was incredible. A spontaneous awakening is extremely rare… normally mages train for years before channeling something like your Arcane Strike."
Lyra snorted, crossing her arms.
"Don't exaggerate. It was just a well-placed punch."
Ariane kept smiling, unbothered.
"Lyra, am I not allowed to praise him without you getting jealous?"
Lyra choked on her own breath.
"W–WHAT?! Jealous? Me?! Don't be ridiculous…"
Ethan immediately turned red. The System, as always, chose the worst moment to appear.
[Affinities updated]Lyra: +2 (status: competitive)Ariane: +3 (status: affectionate curiosity)
Ethan dismissed the window, wishing it would stop popping up during awkward moments.
The tension—and the blushing—broke when the camp leader, a man named Brann, approached.
"Kid," he said with a deep voice, "after what you did, you deserve a reward. We don't have much to spare… only some advice and an option."
Ethan looked up.
"What option?"
Brann pointed toward the north, beyond the dark hill.
"The Moonlit Spring. A sacred site where many adventurers meditate and strengthen their abilities. It's said that those who touch its waters under the full moon receive a blessing of power. And tonight… is a full moon."
Ariane's eyes sparkled.
"It's perfect for you! You could stabilize your mana and maybe unlock more abilities."
Lyra, however, frowned.
"It's dangerous. That area is filled with beasts drawn to the spring's energy. I'm not letting him go alone."
Brann sighed.
"He won't. I'm sending a small escort."
But before he could assign names, Lyra stepped forward.
"I'll go."
Ariane raised her staff.
"And I will too. I need to study the spring for my research."
Brann gave up.
"Fine, fine. You two go with him. I don't want to lose our improvised hero."
"Hero"… Ethan felt a strange weight in his chest. He wasn't sure he deserved the title, but something inside him lit up at the word.
The walk to the Moonlit Spring was peaceful at first. The nightly forest glowed softly thanks to small floating lights drifting between the branches. Ariane explained they were natural mana fragments.
"I used to think forests at night were terrifying," Ethan admitted. "But now… it's beautiful."
Ariane smiled.
"The world always changes depending on where you stand."
Lyra walked a few steps ahead, alert.
"Don't get too relaxed. We're entering the spring's territory."
The moment she said that, a deep howl echoed.
Three wolves with shimmering silver fur emerged from the brush. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural blue.
"Moon wolves," Ariane whispered. "They grow aggressive during the full moon."
Lyra unsheathed her sword with swift precision.
"Ethan. Stay in the back until you find an opening."
But the System disagreed.
[Special Mission]Lunar Trio CooperationObjective: Defeat the wolves working together with Lyra and Ariane.Reward:
"Of course…" Ethan muttered.
The wolves attacked. Lyra intercepted the first, knocking it back with a sharp kick. Ariane fired a violet projectile that burst into sparkling dust, pushing the second wolf away. The third wolf leapt straight at Ethan.
Just before its fangs reached him, his arm lit up with blue energy again.
"Arcane Strike!"
The blow sent the wolf flipping through the air. It wasn't defeated, but it was dazed.
Lyra grinned.
"That's it, Ethan. Keep the pace!"
"I'll finish it!" Ariane said, lifting her staff.
Within moments, the wolves were unconscious or running away.
A notification flashed before Ethan:
[Objective Complete]New skill acquired: Minor Synchronization (Lv.1)Enhances combo actions with allies.
Lyra sheathed her sword and walked toward him.
"Well done."
Ariane added warmly:
"You're progressing faster than I expected."
Ethan smiled, still panting.
"Thanks to you two…"
Lyra and Ariane exchanged a brief look—one mixing rivalry and camaraderie.
The silver light grew brighter as the forest opened.
"We're here," Ariane whispered.
Before them, the Moonlit Spring shimmered like a basin of living stars.
And what Ethan would find there…would change his destiny once again.