A Normal Day

Ranav woke up early and quickly got ready for his day. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden glow over the treetops as he made his way to the knight's training center. The crisp morning air filled his lungs as he started his routine of running laps around the field. By the time he completed his fifth lap, he was breathing heavily, his clothes damp with sweat.

He scanned the field and spotted Tenali Raman, the old village chief, standing near the armory. Ranav approached him and greeted him warmly, "Good morning, Chief."

Tenali turned to him and smiled. "Good morning, Ranav. You seem to be pushing yourself harder today. How many laps did you manage?"

"Five," Ranav replied, wiping his forehead. "I want to improve my stamina."

"That's a good start," Tenali said, nodding in approval. "But if you truly want to enhance your physical abilities, you'll need to do more than just run. Take a look at this."

Tenali rolled up his sleeves, revealing two iron rings strapped to each arm. Then he lifted his pant leg to show five iron rings attached to each ankle. "These rings weigh one kilogram each. I started with just two on my legs, and as my body adapted, I added more. Now, I carry fourteen kilograms with me at all times. If you want to train seriously, you should start with four rings… two for your arms and two for your legs."

Tenali handed Ranav four iron rings. "Try them on and perform a basic sword drill," he instructed.

Ranav donned the rings, feeling their weight immediately. At first, it seemed manageable, but as he moved, his balance wavered. When he attempted a basic sword technique, he nearly tripped over his own feet.

Tenali chuckled. "Don't rush. Start by walking around with them. Once your body gets used to the extra weight, you can begin incorporating them into your training. From tomorrow, run your laps while wearing these. Never remove them… not even when sleeping. Treat them as an extension of your body. Over time, this will significantly boost your stamina and physical strength."

Ranav nodded. "Understood." He spent the next hour walking around the field, gradually acclimating to the added weight. By the end, his muscles ached, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. After thanking Tenali, he headed home.

On the way back, Jessica's voice echoed in his mind. "I've been thinking about how to advance your Mana Body Training. The next crucial step is Acupoints Opening, which requires a concentrated mana source. You'll need something like a blue magic stone or a similar high-density mana source."

Ranav frowned. "I doubt Master has anything like that left. Even if she does, it's probably too valuable to use for training. How else can I find such a resource?"

"There is another option… Mana Geyser," Jessica suggested. "If you can reach the center of one, you'll have access to an abundant supply of natural mana."

Ranav considered this. "We have a Mana Geyser under the Ashoka tree. But how would we reach its center?"

"We could dig carefully," Jessica replied. "But remember, any Mana Geyser within the kingdom is technically royal property. If anyone discovers it, we risk losing everything. I suggest we search for another geyser outside the kingdom's borders, deep in the forest."

"That's a good idea," Ranav agreed. "But wouldn't it be safer to awaken earth magic first? It could help us dig more efficiently and might save our lives if something goes wrong."

"Exactly," Jessica said. "Awakening earth magic should be your next priority. We'll venture into the forest every day in a new direction to map the area and search for Mana Geysers."

After a quick bath and breakfast, Ranav decided to practice his magic. Instead of heading to his usual spot on the hill, he ventured deeper into the woods, choosing a secluded clearing. Today, he will focus on dark magic. So, he didn't want to ruin the atmosphere near his beloved hill.

After walking for more than an hour in the woods, he came upon a clearing and decided to practice. Amidst the lush greenery, there was a grassland devoid of trees. He cleared his mind and began his practice.

Despite his best efforts, the results were frustrating. Every spell he attempted either fizzled out or caused unintended destruction… pebbles shattered, leaves withered, and small rocks crumbled to dust. After two hours of failed attempts, he finally gave up.

Jessica tried to encourage him. "You're making progress, even if it doesn't seem like it. Control over the darkness element takes time. Remember what your Master said, the more you practice, the better you'll get."

Ranav sighed but managed a small smile. "Thanks, Jessica."

"There's still time left in the day," she added. "Shall we explore a bit more in this direction? We might discover something interesting."

"Alright," Ranav agreed. They wandered deeper into the forest, collecting fruits and even catching two rabbits along the way. Though they didn't find a Mana Geyser, Jessica seemed optimistic. "It's a good start. Tomorrow, we'll try another direction."

By the time Ranav returned home, Camilla and Vivita were back from school. Camilla looked upset, her shoulders slumped as she trudged into the house.

"What's wrong?" Ranav asked.

Camilla sighed. "Some boys in my class called me 'grandma' because I'm the oldest student."

Vivita was doing her best to console her. When she saw Ranav walk in with two rabbits, her eyes lit up. "Lil bro, you caught rabbits again! Let's have a barbecue tonight!" She grabbed the rabbits and dashed into the kitchen, her excitement contagious.

Camilla hesitated for a moment, then picked up the bag of fruits and followed her sister, her mood lifting slightly.

That evening, the three siblings enjoyed a hearty meal together. After dinner, Ranav helped Camilla and Vivita settle into their meditation routines. Camilla meditated by the fireplace, while Vivita chose a spot by the open window in her room, bathed in moonlight.

Ranav reminded them of the importance of consistency. "Half an hour every day is enough for now, but make it a habit. If you need help or have questions, let me know."

Once his sisters were settled, Ranav retreated to his room. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he entered the ring's spiritual space. He spent some time reading in the library before resuming his own meditation in the meditation room, focusing on creating his summoning star circle.

It had been a long but fulfilling day, and Ranav felt a growing sense of purpose as he delved deeper into meditation.