Chapter 202: Aurelia’s Breakthrough

"Is that so..." Regis did not look particularly interested.

Eldrin smiled, "Though, you don’t have to worry. Even though our journey will be quite long, I’ll be teaching you magic on the way so you won’t get bored!"

"I thought you only wanted Pandora as your apprentice?"

"Well, after seeing your potential, I can’t help but want to teach you too."

"Does that mean I’ll become your apprentice too?"

"That’s up to you."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Regis tilted his head at Eldrin’s confusing words.

"How should I say this... Let’s just say that I don’t have the confidence to call myself your mentor. There are many reasons, but the simplest one is that I’m only a mage, meaning that I can only help you with magic."

"Hmm, if you say so..."

"Of course, I’ll be happy if you ever do so."

Eldrin glanced at the window towards the part of the carriage where Pandora and Killian were recovering with a face of worry, "Besides, even if I want to take Pandora as my apprentice, she’s still unconscious, along with your other friend."

At the old mage’s words, Regis followed his gaze with a sigh.

Even though he had used Soul Contract Creation to transfer their injuries to himself, they had not woken up since that day.

Regis glanced at the uninjured Aurelia, who was looking at the wildlife outside with interest.

’I guess there are still limits to Soul Contract Creation...’

When he first got the evil craft from the Realm of Evil, the memories that were ingrained in him were that it did not have any restrictions as long as it was agreed by other parties.

With this, Regis was able to come up with some ideas.

’Aurelia did not receive any damage because the contract was made before she received any injuries. Though I have to say that demonic worshipper’s attacks really did hurt...’

Remembering the sudden pain that assaulted his body when he was receiving Eldrin’s mana, he could not help but shiver.

’But when I made the contract with the same contents for Killian and Pandora, it was different.’

Regis thought about how, even though he was able to take their injuries, their bodies still sustained relevant damage to the point that they still had not woken up, although two days had already passed.

’So, if I make the contract with someone whose injuries have already healed—or if too much time has passed—then even if I form the contract, I won’t be able to take on their injuries.’

Although he still needed to try it out, he felt that his hypothesis had a high chance of being true.

***

Before long, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of amber and violet until only the silver glow of the moon and scattered starlight remained.

Shadows stretched across the forest path as the world sank into night.

With darkness settling in, they veered off the trail and found a quiet clearing nestled between tall trees.

There, beneath a canopy of whispering leaves and shimmering stars, they set up camp, enjoying the cool night breeze brushing against their skin.

At this moment, Eldrin flicked his finger and instantly lit the pile of branches in front of him.

Regis then asked, "Can you make chairs and tables as well?"

"I’m a mage, not a carpenter."

"But can you?"

"I can, but the mana fluctuation may be sensed by beasts. Remember, we’re still quite near the Duskmire Grove."

Although Regis felt that the old mage was merely making excuses, he chose not to press the matter further.

Meanwhile, Aurelia was collecting branches nearby to add to the bonfire.

"Young Miss, you can leave that to me." A man who seemed to be in his mid-20s spoke with a respectful voice.

The young girl smiled kindly, "It’s fine, Sir Rowan. You already drove the carriage for us, you must be tired..."

"Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine, Young Miss. Please, just rest with Young Sir and the Elder."

"B-But I just want to help..."

It was in this instance that Regis’s voice chimed in from the side, "Aurelia, don’t make things harder for Sir Rowan."

"Okay..."

"Thank you, Young Sir."

Aurelia pouted as she handed the pile of branches she collected to the smiling Rowan.

She then went beside Regis and the old mage as they began eating food from their storage pouches.

Of course, they did not forget to lay down a mat as they sat on the ground.

A few minutes later, Rowan returned, cradling three round wooden stools in his arms.

"I chopped down a tree to make some log stools for you—use them to sit on or as small tables. Please, help yourselves, Elder, Young Miss, and Young Sir."

With respect, Rowan set the stools down before them.

"You didn’t have to do this, Sir Rowan." Aurelia said with an embarrassed smile.

"I just had some extra time, so please..." Rowan scratched the back of his head and smiled.

Regis raised his wooden bowl. "Do you want to join us for dinner?"

"N-No, Young Sir." Rowan waved his hands in surprise, "I’ll be eating back at the carriage and staying on the lookout."

Eldrin looked at him with a satisfied expression, "You’re really living up to Larkson’s praises."

"I’m just doing what the fortress commander instructed me..."

Rowan scratched his cheek with an embarrassed smile before he hurriedly took a respectful bow and went back to the carriage.

Looking at his back, Regis asked, "What do you mean by that, old man?"

Eldrin laid his wooden bowl on the log stool.

"Rowan is one of the most promising young soldiers of the fortress. He reached the Middle Stage of Two Star Realm at the young age of mid twenties."

"Of course, that might not seem much to you, but he’s already talented for us humans."

"There was once a friendly tournament among the teenagers of Bakurad Fortress, where the prize was Larkson’s tutelage for six months."

"That child was the one who won it."

Regis and Aurelia, who were listening to him, had surprised light in their eyes.

Eldrin picked his bowl of stew again and began eating, "You two kids should finish your food, so I can teach you both magic after."

"Ehh? You’ll teach me too?" Aurelia pointed at herself with widened eyes.

"Of course, your heart is already feeling stuffed, right?"

"H-How did you know that?" The young girl covered her chest with both her arms, her eyes looking at the old mage with vigilance.

Seeing her reaction, Regis chuckled while Eldrin did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"I meant the mana in your heart, you silly kid."

"Do you mean that she’s already on the verge of forming her star?"

"Yes."

"I didn’t expect her to be that talented in mana."

Regis clearly remembered that it had only been two days since she was able to control her gift since it was only during that time that their contract was formed.

"I still have to check later since Aurelia’s situation is pretty special."

Meanwhile, the person in question felt confused, "What are you two talking about?"

The three of them exchanged quiet conversations as they shared dinner beneath the night sky, where glimmering stars scattered like jewels and the radiant moon bathed the world in its gentle light.

***

An hour later...

"Are you two full?" Eldrin asked while wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Regis drank a wooden cup of water before throwing it into his storage pouch calmly while Aurelia lightly tapped her face as she readied herself.

Seeing the difference between the two, the old mage could not help but chuckle.

"Alright, you two sit in front of me."

Regis and Aurelia obeyed and arranged the log stools beside each other.

"Let’s start by helping Aurelia break through the First Star Realm, but give me your wrist first."

Aurelia nervously extended her wrist.

Eldrin felt her pulse and sensed the mana fluctuations her body was giving off.

"Follow my instructions silently. "

"O-Okay..."

"First, calm your mind. You need to get rid of your nervousness and take control of your emotions."

Following his words, Aurelia tried her best to follow the instructions.

"Stop tensing your eyelids. Just close your eyes as if you’re sleeping. Stop biting your lips too."

Eldrin kept speaking with his eyes closed, using his magic field to calm down the mana fluctuation coming from Aurelia’s body.

"You’re doing great. Just keep this state of mind as you follow my instructions."

"Try gathering all your mana inside your heart."

"Just like that, do it slowly. Don’t rush."

On average, it took Aurelia ten minutes to complete each instruction.

"Now that you’ve gathered all the mana inside your heart. Try compressing it."

"Use your mental power to push the mana in itself."

"Just like how you make a snowball with your hands. Shape it carefully and don’t let it collapse.

On the side, Regis observed the situation with curious eyes.

’It’s rare to witness someone undergoing a breakthrough from this close. But... why is Aurelia’s progress kind of...’