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"Haha... save your curiosity for later," the mage said with a tired chuckle, waving a hand dismissively.

"It's getting late, and I have no energy left for riddles tonight."

He adjusted his bag and turned his attention back to the flickering torches, his expression softening slightly.

"Get some rest, kid. You'll need it. This forest has a way of testing even the strongest of us."

"Wait, sir mage," Seo Ryun called out, stopping the man in his tracks. "One last question. That barrier—what magic is it?"

The mage turned slowly, his tired eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Seo Ryun. "The barrier?" he repeated, a hint of intrigue in his voice.

"That's not magic in the traditional sense. It's spiritual energy, a discipline separate from mana manipulation."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It's a rare skill. Few can wield it, and fewer still can master it. Fillia is one of the fortunate—or unfortunate, depending on how you see it—to have the gift."

Seo Ryun furrowed his brow, intrigued but hesitant to press further. "Spiritual energy… how is it different from mana?"

The mage smirked faintly, as though amused by the question. "Mana draws from the world around us—air, earth, fire, water.

Spiritual energy, on the other hand, comes from within. It's tied to one's soul and emotions, making it far more volatile and personal."

With that, he straightened and adjusted his bag again. "But that's enough for now. Rest while you can, or you won't survive long enough to learn more."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared into the dim light of the camp.

'That guy was awesome,' Seo Ryun thought to himself, a flicker of admiration crossing his mind. 'As I thought, the barrier was different… spiritual energy, huh?'

His gaze shifted back to the campfire, watching the flickering flames dance against the night.

'I should be careful what I ask from now on. If not for Fillia's trust earlier, I'd probably be under even more scrutiny.'

Seo Ryun made his way toward the tent shared by the siblings. The soft glow of the mana stones lit his path, casting long shadows across the camp.

As he approached, the tent flap opened, and Fillia stepped out, her ever-bright crystal blue eyes meeting his.

"Ah, there you are!" she said warmly, her tone as welcoming as ever. "I was wondering when you'd come over. You must be exhausted."

Seo Ryun nodded, offering a small, awkward smile. "Yeah, it's been… a day." He hesitated, unsure how to phrase the whirlwind of emotions and confusion he had been through since waking up in the forest.

"Come on in," Fillia said, pulling the flap wider. "We've made some space for you. It's not much, but it's better than sleeping out there."

He glanced behind him at the cold, damp ground and quickly stepped inside.

The tent was modest but organized, with a few blankets neatly spread out. Her brother's long sword leaned against a corner, its blade reflecting a faint shimmer from the mana stone outside.

"Thank you," Seo Ryun said, his voice earnest. "I really appreciate this."

Fillia smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "No need to thank us. Just don't snore too loudly, or my brother might kick you out."

Despite himself, Seo Ryun chuckled softly. "I'll try to keep it down."

As Seo Ryun settled in, Fillia's brother, who had been sitting quietly on one side of the tent, spoke up.

His sharp blue eyes flicked toward Seo Ryun, studying him for a moment before turning his attention back to his sister.

"We'll need to take turns for the watch tonight," he said, his voice serious yet calm.

"Since you're new here, you'll need to rest. Don't worry, Fillia and I can handle the shifts. But stay alert if anything seems off."

Seo Ryun nodded, grateful for the opportunity to rest.

He had been through so much in such a short time, and the idea of finally being able to sleep without worrying about being dragged into some conflict was comforting, if only for a few hours.

Fillia chimed in, her tone lighthearted but firm. "I'll take the first shift, then my brother will take the second. You can sleep through most of it, but if you hear anything strange, wake us up. Got it?"

Seo Ryun agreed, his mind still running over everything that had happened. "Understood. I'll keep watch when I can."

The siblings exchanged a quick glance, their bond evident. Fillia smiled at him, her expression softening.

"Get some rest, Seo Ryun. We'll keep you safe tonight."

He lay down on the blankets they'd provided, pulling them close. Despite the strange and difficult situation, there was a small sense of calm that settled over him.

'For now, at least, I'm not alone.'

As the night fell deeper, the sounds of the forest surrounded them, the only light coming from the faint glow of the mana stones and the campfire outside.

It felt peaceful, though Seo Ryun's mind refused to quiet completely.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the dense trees, a soft warmth crept into the camp.

The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves marked the start of a new day.

Seo Ryun awoke to the sound of movement around him. It had been the first peaceful night he'd had in a while.

Fillia was the first to stir, quietly standing up and stretching. Her brother followed soon after, adjusting the weapons at his side.

Without a word, they began to gather their things and prepare for the day ahead.

Seo Ryun, still feeling the weight of his thoughts from the night before, sat up, his muscles stiff from the unfamiliar bedroll.

His body ached, but the soreness was something he could push through.

As he glanced around, he noticed the others were already assembling in the center of the camp, where the old man was waiting.

The old man's face was stern as always, his eyes scanning the group to ensure everyone was accounted for. There was no time for rest.

"Gather around, everyone," the old man's voice cut through the quiet morning air.

"We have a long journey ahead, and we need to be prepared. Fillia, take the rear. The rest of you, stay alert. Eastern kid, you'll be coming with me."

'Eastern kid? Is it because of my name? He's kinda racist,' Seo Ryun thought.

Seo Ryun stood up, brushing the dirt from his clothes as he walked over to join the group.

His mind was still foggy, not entirely sure of what to expect from the day, but he knew the old man's commands were not to be ignored.

The group quickly gathered their gear, ready to move.

Seo Ryun caught sight of the familiar faces from the night before: the bulk of the warrior, the mage with the tired eyes, and Fillia, who gave him a brief, reassuring smile.

As the group gathered around the old man, preparing for their journey, a new voice spoke up from the edge of the camp.

"I found something," said the man with the sling bag, the mage Seo Ryun had spoken with earlier. His voice was serious, and his usual calm demeanor was replaced with a hint of urgency.

He stepped into the center of the group, holding something in his hand—a weathered leather-bound book, its edges frayed from exposure.