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Magic is the phenomenon born from the manipulation of mana to perform miracles.
To gather mana, condense it, and fire it as a spell—this was the most basic form of innate magic. Since mana itself was a supernatural force, even such a simple act held extraordinary power.
The core of a magic bullet's damage was impact—like an air cannon, except its medium was raw mana.
If mana could be shaped into a projectile and moved through the air, that meant it shared the properties of gas. Ronen realized that he could form it into a tubular flow—like a water pipe—circulating mana around his body at maximum control.
This method of refining control, by manipulating flow instead of just casting, was far more effective.
And during the circulation, mana would naturally dissipate and then regenerate. This cycle would also train mana recovery, another essential skill.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, inspiration struck.
If gathering and firing mana produced impact…
Then what would happen if mana was accelerated in motion—could it create something akin to a vacuum blade?
The theory held potential.
And so, Ronen began experimenting.
He accelerated the mana flow—but quickly had to stop. Once mana left his body, it became hard to contain, and energy loss increased rapidly. When accelerating it externally, the control over it weakened, leading to instability and dispersal.
Even so, Ronen was convinced the theory was sound.
"Thought of something new again?" Meteria asked, curious as always.
"Sort of," Ronen replied.
He explained his idea, then lifted his hand, unleashing mana.
"Condense… and then, spin."
With a whispered chant, the compressed mana began to rotate rapidly in one direction, taking the shape of a shuriken. But invisible mana lacked the substance to form a physical blade. It stirred only a light breeze—far from the effect he desired.
Furrowing his brow, Ronen restructured the rotation, molding the spinning force into the shape of a circular blade.
From the core outward, mana spiraled in controlled layers, forming a vortex.
This time, the output stabilized. The blade shape held. The attack had taken form.
"It works," Ronen murmured, eyes gleaming.
He launched the mana blade, and it struck a shard of a broken wooden cup on the ground a few meters away.
Crack!
A small fracture appeared in the wood.
If the magic bullet was the foundation of entry-level magic, then this vacuum blade marked the beginning of intermediate spells.
Once he could sustain a rotating blade around himself—forming a ring of cutting energy—that would be the realm of mid-tier magic.
And if he could infuse it with elemental attributes like fire, water, or wind?
That would bring it into the domain of advanced magic.
"Now that I think about it… maybe I can even try a Rasengan, like from Naruto," Ronen mused with amusement.
The vacuum blade was controlled, structured rotation.
The Rasengan was chaotic, unstructured spirals.
Both were transformations of pure energy, and both could evolve further by incorporating elemental nature.
It was fascinating.
"You're amazing," Meteria said with a heartfelt smile as she watched him. "Congratulations. Even without my help, you could now survive in this world just fine. And someday… you'll become the strongest mage."
Her voice was gentle, but full of pride.
She couldn't help but remember the Ronen from a month ago—the shivering boy in the cold night, stomach empty, unable to speak a single word of the common language.
Who would have thought that just one month later, he would grow to this point?
And this… was only the beginning.
"I couldn't have done it without you," Ronen replied, moving closer.
He kissed her gently. "Wherever you are, that's where my home is. I'll always stay by your side."
"You're so sneaky, Ronen," Meteria murmured.
She felt as if she was holding him back.
With his potential, he could've become an adventurer long ago. He could've already begun to shine on the grand stage of the world.
"It is a simply matter choice," Ronen said, seeing right through her emotions. He had become extremely sensitive to her feelings lately—especially during this stage of their relationship. His entire focus was on her.
"What's the ultimate goal of gaining power?" he asked softly. "To pursue strength for its own sake? To protect comrades? To chase wealth or fame?"
"In my eyes, the core of all those pursuits… is happiness."
"For warriors, growth itself is happiness."
"For the ambitious, the process of gaining riches and renown brings joy."
"But for me, happiness has always been the same—being with my family."
Ronen confessed with the sincerity of a man in love—confessions that had already become a thrice-daily routine.
A man could live purely for ambition… or purely for love.
If JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's DIOhad abandoned his ambition, maybe he could have been a good husband or father.
Career and family didn't have to clash—it was just a matter of which came first.
Even if that meant missing a few opportunities… the moments of "being there" would never be meaningless.
And so, for Ronen, ambition came second to the people he loved.
"You're unbelievable…" Meteria whispered, moved to the depths of her heart.
She placed his hand on her chest, blushing slightly, her gaze tender and vulnerable.
"Can you hear it? My heartbeat."
Soft and rapid—racing just like her emotions.
"Before, I used to see everyone. But now, my heart beats for you alone."
Her confession, like her gaze, was filled with warmth and devotion. Ronen's heart pounded in response.
Love was a journey that two people walked together.
Ronen had shown his resolve.
Meteria, in turn, had offered her heart to him alone.
They could see the world with their eyes, but in their world, there was only each other.
Their fingers intertwined.
Moved by the quiet intimacy, they leaned closer and closer, the distance vanishing between them.
This time, unlike the playful kisses of the past, they truly opened themselves to one another.
Bodies touching, hearts intertwined—they sought to understand each other more deeply.
Through the physical, they connected spiritually.
After a long, tender moment, they finally parted.
Meteria gazed into Ronen's eyes with all the affection in the world and whispered,
"Ronen… let's become real lovers."
Real lovers?
Ronen blinked, then realized what she meant.
She had spoken her heart—there was no room for hesitation now.
"…Okay."
Hand in hand, they returned to the basement.
Since they had confirmed their feelings, they'd always shared the same bed.
They'd been intimate in many ways… but had never taken that final step.
Until now.
Now, there was no turning back.
Not that they wanted to.
Meteria lived with a kind of radiant purity, unburdened by fear.
Ever since she received her Falna, her life had been on a ticking clock—one that could end at any moment.
That was exactly why she cherished every second she had.
She loved without hesitation.
To her, one month was more than enough to entrust her entire life.
In the dim light of the basement, their fingers remained tightly locked.
Their bodies pressed close.
And then…
They completed their rite of adulthood.
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