"Mana?" Ronan snapped back to reality, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the books. His enhanced talent was more comprehensive than he had initially thought: magic aptitude, mana aptitude, and mana perception. He tested it for a moment, realizing he could control his mana output effortlessly. It felt exhilarating, as if he could do anything. The sheer potential was intoxicating.
But Ronan knew better than to get carried away. This was all just an illusion. Sure, he had boosted his aptitude, but that didn't mean he had magically acquired skills. He hadn't learned a single spell yet, after all. Still, the speed at which his mana resonated within him was impressive. In just a few hours, he had read through a third of the books, far faster than Frieren's ten years of study.
One thought occupied Ronan's mind as he leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping on the table: **Cheat codes are overpowered.**
"Honestly, I got back just in time," Frieren muttered as she stepped into the room. She frowned, surveying the scene thick with the remnants of his mana surge. Using her staff, she began tidying up, adjusting the disarray caused by his burst of energy. Her eyes darted to the books scattered across the table.
"So much already?" she remarked under her breath, surprised. He hadn't even focused on the content; it was clear he was skimming. She wasn't naive, she could tell he hadn't read with depth, not when the books had only been out for a few hours. Yet a third of the material was covered. It was impossible for anyone to be that fast unless…
She shook her head, disappointed but not entirely surprised. Even she hadn't managed to focus on this many books at once when she started. She had spent years slowly absorbing magical knowledge, mastering it piece by piece. She shouldn't expect too much from him, especially considering the fleeting nature of a human's lifespan. They were always chasing the next thing, never satisfied for long. Ronan, this unreliable "Hero," was probably no exception.
For a brief moment, she blinked, her expression unreadable as her thoughts flitted through her mind. After tidying the room, she gave him a stern look, almost like a disappointed mother.
"Be careful next time," she warned, her voice firm. "Learning magic can't be rushed. A broken house is nothing compared to what could happen if you aren't careful. You might end up injuring yourself, and that's the last thing we need with the Demon Lord looming on the horizon."
Ronan nodded helplessly, feeling like he was on the receiving end of a scolding. He had initially thought Frieren was just a naïve girl, but now it was clear she had a protective side. He appreciated it, even if he didn't want to admit it. There was something reassuring about having someone like her around.
He watched as she took the books away, perhaps to prevent another incident. As she left, he couldn't help but wonder how old she really was. She looked young, but he knew elves took centuries to mature. The thought was… depressing. No wonder she had such a careful, deliberate nature.
Shaking off the thought, he focused on the present. He wasn't here to think about elves or time. He was here to learn magic, and he needed to treat this world like his new home, not just a temporary stop.
The next morning, Ronan woke early. He reached for his watch, then paused. Seeing the unfamiliar design on his wrist, he chuckled softly to himself.
"What am I doing?" he muttered, shaking his head with a rueful grin. Here he was in another world, still fixated on schedules and time. It was a bad habit he needed to break, starting today.
He washed up, pleasantly surprised to find that salt worked just fine instead of toothpaste. He imagined elves might prefer something more exotic, like crushed mint leaves, but this was a nice change. Grabbing a piece of bread from the small kitchen, he moved toward the stairs. Frieren's door was still closed, and he figured it would be best to give her some space.
Opening the front door, he was greeted by the fresh scent of the outdoors. The greenery outside was vibrant, and morning sunlight filtered through the leaves of towering trees. The sounds of the village reached him, birds chirping, leaves rustling in the breeze, and distant conversations. It was peaceful, calming even. The air felt different from the city back home, lighter, more natural. He breathed deeply, letting it settle in his lungs.
As he stood there, taking it all in, he noticed a familiar figure walking toward him, the village elder. The elderly elf's pace was slow but steady, his robes flowing gracefully behind him. The elder exuded calmness and wisdom, as always.
Ronan straightened, preparing for another conversation. He had no idea what the elder wanted, but he was about to find out.
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You can read advance chapters in my: [email protected]/Veora
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