"We will study magic," Bebegig said, his tone turning serious once more. He looked at Rian, his sharp eyes seeming to weigh the boy's very soul. "What kinds of magic can you use?"
"I can use all of them," Rian replied with pride, puffing out his chest.
Bebegig's expression tightened for a moment, a flicker of shock flashing across his face before he masked it. "Good. But using all magic is like trying to hold sand in your hand. The tighter you squeeze, the more slips away. I suggest you choose only a few so your power can focus and your spirit won't divide."
This boy… can use all the elements? That alone could shake the world. A normal human can master at most two, Bebegig thought with concern. This is dangerous. It could draw the eyes of both gods and demons.
"Which magic do you want to focus on?" he asked again, softer this time.
"Wind, Fire, and Healing. Is that okay?"
"It is. But use healing magic only in emergencies," Bebegig said firmly.
"Why, Gramps?"
"Because you'll be considered strange, an anomaly, a monster. No kingdom will accept you," Bebegig warned, his voice grave. "Use the other elements only when your life is at stake. Understood?"
"Alright. If it's for my own good."
"As for magic, I can't teach you much." Bebegig unsheathed his real sword. The blade gleamed, sharp and adorned with intricate designs on its hilt. He channeled fire magic into it, and flames erupted in a brilliant red blaze. With one slash, a wave of fire shot out, toppling a tree and burning it to ash.
"This is fire magic. Channel it into your blade, then release it. Imagine the flames leaving the sword."
Rian tried at once. His sword flared with his signature blue fire. "Like this, Gramps?"
"Yes. You're already used to it," Bebegig nodded. "Now, release it."
Rian swung his sword. A wave of blue fire burst forth, striking a tree and igniting it, though it didn't cut it down.
"The basics are fine. Keep practicing until you can split stone. The principle is the same for other elements," Bebegig explained. "Now, I'll pass on one last spell. Summoning Magic. It's extremely rare. Don't let anyone know about this—it could put you in danger."
Rian's eyes widened, his heart racing. Hope bloomed in him like fire. He thought of Catty.
"I want to learn that!"
Bebegig drew a complex sigil on the ground. "Copy this pattern, then recite: 'Aing ngageroan manéh, buru datang ka dieu! SUMMON!'" As he spoke, a small frog appeared from the glowing circle.
"Memorize the sigil, then recreate it over there. Chant the spell while picturing the creature you want to summon. The mana cost depends on its rarity and strength. But with your mana pool, it won't be a problem."
He turned toward the treehouse. "I'll watch you from here!"
Moments later, Rian had copied the sigil perfectly. "Gramps, I did it!"
"Good! Now recite the spell, channel your mana, and imagine your creature!" Bebegig called back.
Rian closed his eyes. He didn't just imagine—he poured his entire soul into it. He pictured a sleek, powerful black cat with piercing blue eyes. He pictured Catty.
Memories rushed back—the goblin battles, her warmth when they rested, her last broken cry as she died. Regret, longing, and guilt all fueled his mana.
"Aing ngageroan manéh, buru datang ka dieu! SUMMON!"
A single tear slipped down his cheek.
The sigil blazed with deep violet light. The air vibrated. Dark purple smoke coiled upward, forming a curled body that slowly rose from the mist.
It wasn't an animal. It was a woman—beautiful, with porcelain skin, a flawless figure, and black cat ears and tail that twitched softly.
Up in the tree, Bebegig smiled faintly, his eyes misted. At last, Rian… you've done what I once wished to. I couldn't. But you did. Thank you, my mischievous, proud boy. Relief filled him as he turned, walked to his bed, and lay down to rest.
Below, Rian still kept his eyes shut, tears flowing. Catty, I missed you. If you had been human, maybe… you would have been my first love, he whispered inside.
A soft hand brushed away his tears.
"Are you alright, Master?"
Rian opened his wet eyes. His heart stopped. "You… who are you?"
The figure smiled warmly, a smile filled with familiarity and devotion.
"I am Catty, Master. How have you been?"
Rian froze. The world seemed to stop. He couldn't believe it. Surely this was a hallucination, born from grief.
"If you're Catty… where did you die last?" he asked, voice trembling.
Catty's face dimmed, sorrow clouding her eyes. "I remember. When I tried to save you from the Troll. I failed… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Master."
The wind howled, scattering leaves as if nature rejoiced at her return. Without hesitation, Rian hugged her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I missed you, Catty! I'm sorry! It's my fault you died! I regret not listening to you!"
"It's alright, Master," Catty whispered, holding him close. "I'm here now. Let the past be your lesson."
Rian pulled back, his face wet but smiling with relief. He felt whole again.
"I have to tell Gramps! He'll be shocked!"
Hand in hand with Catty, he rushed to the treehouse.
"Gramps, I did it! Look, Catty's back!" he shouted, bursting in. But inside, Bebegig lay motionless on his bed, as if peacefully asleep.
"This old man fell asleep…" Rian muttered, amused. He shook his shoulder gently. "Gramps, wake up for a moment. Look—it's Catty."
There was no answer.
"Gramps?"
He shook harder. "Gramps, are you sick? Wake up!"
Still silence. The old face looked serene, even smiling faintly, as if lost in a pleasant dream.
"Come on, Gramps, don't joke around. This isn't funny. WAKE UP!" Panic clawed at Rian's chest.
He pressed his ear to Bebegig's chest. Nothing. No heartbeat. His finger brushed the nose. Cold. No breath.
"Gramps… this is a joke, right? Right?" he whispered, voice breaking.
Catty stood beside him, her eyes mournful. Her instincts confirmed the truth.
"Master… he has passed. Let him rest in peace."
"NO!" Rian screamed, his voice echoing in the treehouse. "He can't be dead! We were just training! He's strong! He's a hero!"
"Master, I can sense life. But in him… there is none," Catty said softly.
"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
Time seemed to stop. Rian sat by Bebegig's side, still shaking his stiffening body, begging for a miracle that wouldn't come.
Night fell. Darkness closed in.
"Gramps, it's dinner time," Rian whispered hoarsely, tears choking him. "Wake up… I'll cook something special to celebrate Catty's return. Come on, Gramps… wake up."
Until midnight, Rian remained there, unmoving. Catty stayed beside him in silence, sharing his grief.
In the quiet of the treehouse, under the watchful gaze of countless stars, Rian finally began to grasp the meaning of a second loss.
He had regained a friend, only to lose his master on the very same day.
The world had given him happiness with one hand, only to snatch it away with the other.