"Are you ready, little brother?" asked Vercurius.
Nujah answered with energetic excitement: "Yes!"
"Then sit down," Vercurius instructed. She added with a faint smile, "I may not be as skilled in illusions as Maria, but I'm still far better than most beings." She raised her hand, summoning a small bird woven from light. Its leg was injured, its energy fading. She placed it gently before Nujah.
"Now, place your hand over it, Nujah. Tell me—what does the wound look like?"
Nujah studied it carefully. "It's as if an arrow struck it… but only grazed from the side. Its leg is badly scratched, like an X."
"Good," Vercurius said softly. "Now, keep your hand there. Close your eyes. What do you see?"
"Only a black void," Nujah whispered.
"Perfect. Now imagine the bird's wound in your mind. And as you do, tell me—what do you feel when you think of our Mother?"
"Endless peace… healing… a solution," Nujah replied, his voice quiet but steady.
"That feeling," Vercurius explained. "Shape it into a yellow pen in your mind. Take it with your inner hand, and draw it across the wound. Do not pull your real hand away."
Nujah obeyed. A soft glow bloomed in his palm—golden light spread and sealed the wound. The bird stirred, stood up, and flapped its wings in renewed strength.
"Excellent!" Vercurius clapped proudly. "I meant to start you with the basics, but it seems I taught you an advanced method instead. And it worked perfectly."
Nujah frowned with a trace of worry. "How advanced… how high?"
"Your potential already surpasses that of an ordinary human sorcerer. But here in Shiora, you'll need to rise far beyond even 'perfection.' Through training with higher-level spells, we'll bring that out of you."
Suddenly, from the trees, a massive wolf burst forth with feral speed, charging directly toward Vercurius.
Nujah leapt in front of her. Slamming his feet to the ground, he conjured vines to bind the wolf's legs. But the beast snapped through them with ease, lunged—and instead of attacking, showered Nujah with licks, wagging like an overgrown pup.
Vercurius laughed. "This is my wolf—his name is Vercuri. He only wanted to test your courage. Clearly, he's already fond of you."
Nujah tried to speak, but the wolf smothered him with affection. Vercurius grabbed the beast by the scruff and lifted it effortlessly. "Enough—let him breathe," she scolded, before tossing Vercuri aside. "Go play with your friends!" she called after him.
Nujah sat up, wiping his face against the leaves, but Vercurius knelt beside him, handing him a cloth. She gently wiped his face clean.
"That was one impressive wolf," Nujah chuckled, "though maybe a little too playful."
"He is," Vercurius admitted with a grin. "And he never tires."
When she finished, Nujah whispered, "Thank you, sister."
"It's nothing, little brother," Vercurius replied warmly, rising to her feet. "Now then… what shall we do next?"
Nujah's eyes lit up suddenly. "Vercurius, is there such a thing as a flying ship?"
"There is," she answered, tilting her head curiously. "Why do you ask?"
Before Nujah could respond, he pointed upward in alarm.
"Because… one's coming straight at us!"