The first thing I did after waking up was try on my new equipment, including the Leafweaver Robe from Orin. I hadn't spent much of my Mana Stones on gear—just a simple pair of boots and a belt to replace my worn-out druid starter equipment. My priority was saving as much Mana Stones as possible for something far more important.

  I examined myself in the mirror with a satisfied nod, rubbing my small, budding antlers on my head.

  "Not bad," I muttered to myself. I could hardly believe I had made it this far.

  [Eryndor Leafshade]

  [Soul Level: 1

  Vitality: 31 → 32

  Magic Resistance: 9 → 10

  Strength: 63

  Agility: 17 → 19

  Wisdom: 43 → 46

  Wind Magic Penetration: 0 → 2

  Willpower: 134]

  [Spells: Rejuvenation, Windstride, Wind Cutter

  Passive: Ooborosk’s Mantle]

  ***

  Equipment upgrade? Done.

  Next—new spells.

  My destination was the Shaman’s Hut, a modest wooden structure nestled near the Sanctum of Trials. I never thought I’d be visiting this place so soon.

  Druids could learn spells through the Sanctum of Trials, but there was a major limitation—newly born druids could only learn two spells at most. If they wanted to acquire more, they had to expand their Mana capacity, a process that required two things: the assistance of a Druid Shaman and a massive amount of Mana Stones.

  Mana Stones were a precious resource harvested from the Tower. They appeared as small, glowing crystals that naturally fused together every multiple of ten, growing in size and density. A single Mana Stone was no larger than a peppercorn, but ten of them would meld into a crystal the size of a marble. A thousand would condense into something as big as a golf ball, and if a million of them merged together, they would be as large as a small coconut.

  The cost to unlock my third spell slot was five thousand Mana Stones. And it would only get worse from there, starting at twenty thousand for the next.

  The Shaman, an elderly druid with wrinkled skin and vines coiling around his wrists, studied me with keen interest. His voice was slow and measured, as if each word carried the weight of ancient wisdom.

  “Hmmm… You wish to expand your Mana twice at once?” His brows lifted slightly, and his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. He took a long pause, his old eyes glinting in the dim candlelight before he finally spoke again. “This is quite unexpected. In all my years, I have never performed this ritual for a druid so young. You are truly remarkable, Leafshade.”

  He reached out with his gnarled fingers, taking the pouch of Mana Stones from my hands. The stones shimmered faintly as if sensing their imminent transformation. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself as I sat cross-legged on the ritual mat. The air in the hut was thick with the scent of burning herbs and damp earth, the flickering light from enchanted candles casting restless shadows along the walls.

  The Shaman moved behind me, kneeling with a slow, deliberate grace. His hands, rough and ancient, pressed against my back. “Relax,” he murmured.

  Easier said than done.

  With a quiet chant, he lifted the first Mana Stone and placed it on my spine. A deep hum resonated through the room as the stone melted into pure energy, sending a warm, tingling sensation spreading through my body. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before—like a dormant part of me was being awakened, stretching and reshaping itself to accommodate the surge of magic.

  One by one, the Mana Stones disappeared, each infusion expanding the well of power inside me. The sensation was overwhelming, like drinking too much water too quickly. My breathing became uneven, my hands tightening into fists against my knees.

  “Steady yourself, Leafshade,” the Shaman’s voice was calm, but firm. “Do not resist. Let the mana flow freely.”

  I exhaled slowly, forcing my muscles to relax as the final Mana Stone was absorbed into my body.

  ***

  I carefully examined the detailed descriptions of each spell, making sure not to overlook anything. Just like my previous experience, the spells available to me appeared the moment I meditated inside the Sanctum of Trials. However, there was a key difference—this time, the spells shown were more advanced, branching out from the ones I had already learned.

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  The Sanctum pulsed with ethereal energy, its walls covered in ancient runes that shimmered faintly in response to my presence. The air was thick with the lingering presence of past druids, those who had once stood where I was now, making the same choices that would define their path.

  I already knew which spells I wanted. I had made my decision long before stepping foot in the Sanctum. But even so, I took my time, carefully reading through each spell, scanning every detail. A single misstep could mean irreversible mistake, and I had no intention of doing so.

  Some spells were enticing, their descriptions promising devastating power or unparalleled utility. Others were more subtle, enhancing my existing abilities in ways that would only reveal their true value over time.

  Still, my heart remained set on my original choices.

  I took a deep breath, steadying my mind. It was time.

  [You have successfully learned Inner Beast.]

  [You have successfully learned Tempest Shield.]

  ***

  After learning my new spells, I headed to the library. To my surprise, I spotted a familiar figure. I found Orin completely absorbed in a book, her brow furrowed in concentration. I casually slipped onto the bench beside her, not wanting to interrupt, but unable to resist a little teasing.

  "I didn’t know you were into that kind of topic," I said, leaning slightly toward her and flashing a smirk.

  Orin’s reaction was immediate. She snapped the book shut with a loud thud and hurriedly covered the title with her arms, as if hiding a great secret. Unfortunately for her, I had already caught a glimpse of it—The Subtle Art of Getting Noticed (Without Looking Like You Care).

  I raised an eyebrow, my smirk widening. "Huh. Interesting choice of reading."

  "A-a-and what exactly are you doing here?" Orin stammered, clearly flustered.

  I feigned innocence, crossing my arms. "Oh, I’m here to open a bakery. Thought the library could use more muffins."

  Then I broke into a grin. "What do you think? I’m here to read."

  "Then go find whatever book you need and leave me alone," Orin huffed, turning her head away in a poor attempt to regain composure.

  "Alright, alright. See you around," I replied, chuckling as I walked off, leaving Orin glaring at her book as if it had personally betrayed her.

  I never expected to find Orin in the library of all places. The coincidence couldn’t have been more perfect—there was something I had been meaning to ask her, something that had been on my mind since yesterday. But seeing her so engrossed in her reading, I figured it wasn’t the best time to interrupt.

  I’d come to the library myself to find information on the Lich King. Darwyn’s story still nagged at my thoughts, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be even more undiscovered monsters lurking within the Tower.

  Hours passed as I scoured through a growing pile of books. Page after page, but nothing of real value surfaced. Some accounts were mere legends, others too vague to be useful. Frustration crept in as I rubbed my temples.

  Sensing my irritation, Orin suddenly appeared beside me. "Hey, the library’s about to close. Unless you want to get kicked out, you better start wrapping things up," she said in a teasing tone.

  I blinked, glancing at the clock. "Blimey! Already?" I stood up, stretching out the stiffness in my limbs. "Guess I lost track of time."

  As I returned the books to their shelves, I turned to Orin. There was something I’d wanted to ask her earlier. "By the way," I said, casually, "what basic spells did you choose?"

  The shift in Orin’s expression was instant. Her relaxed demeanor turned stiff, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you ask?" she responded coolly.

  I immediately realized my mistake.

  In this world, one’s abilities were deeply personal, often treated as secrets. Asking about someone’s spells was considered an invasion of privacy, or worse, a way to gauge their weaknesses.

  "Ah, I didn’t mean it like that," I quickly clarified. "I was just curious if your skills would be a good fit with my team."

  There was a brief pause before Orin suddenly burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face just now!" She nudged him playfully. "Relax. I don’t mind telling you. You’re not a stranger, after all."

  I let out a relieved sigh. "So?"

  "I specialize in using items," Orin explained with a mischievous grin. "It’s kinda hard to explain, but let’s just say you’ll be very impressed once you see me in action inside the labyrinth. For now, I’ll keep it as a surprise."

  "Confident, huh?" I chuckled.

  "Of course. But trust me, I’ll be a valuable asset to the team," Orin assured me.

  I had no reason to doubt her. If anything, seeing how much Mana Stones she spent back in town was proof enough—only a capable adventurer could amass that amount of wealth, especially on the first exploration.

  With Orin onboard, the team was now complete.

  Two druids, two elves, and a dwarf. Not exactly your typical party setup. I could see the potential in this strange mix... but whether the others would accept it—that was the real question.

  Well, I’d find it out in a few days.

  we have to wait a few more days just to find out how Darwyn and Muradin react!