An Unforgettable Gift

High above the mundane world, nature thrived against all odds. The ground was a living medley of colors and life, woven with the delicate threads of Aurablade Grass, Everleaf Thyme, Verdure Reed, and Hollowstem Grass. Their vibrant greens rippled softly in the breeze, whispering secrets of persistence. Clusters of Greenspire Lilies reached skyward, their slender stems adorned with blossoms as pale as morning mist. Meadowglow Blossoms scattered their golden hues across the landscape, their petals shimmering as if kissed by sunlight. Among them, the curious shapes of Grassy Lantern Flowers swayed, their bell-like blooms holding drops of light that seemed almost otherworldly.

Amid this flourishing haven, Mountain Savory grew in abundance, its tiny white flowers clustering together like constellations scattered upon the earth. The air was fragrant with its sharp, invigorating aroma, a scent that felt like the spirit of the mountains themselves… pure, untamed, and timeless. Thistlegrace, with its spiny elegance, stood proud, its violet heads bobbing as if nodding to the passing wind.

In the distance, a waterfall cascaded down the rugged cliffs, its silvery streams catching the sunlight and scattering rainbows into the air. The sound of rushing water blended harmoniously with the gentle hum of life on the plateau, adding another layer to the symphony of this magical place.

Butterflies flitted above the flowers, their wings painted with the brilliance of the sun, sky, and earth. They danced as though performing a sacred ritual, their delicate movements a celebration of life. Small birds wove through the scene, their chirping a melody that echoed softly off the surrounding peaks. Every sound, every flutter, and every whisper of the wind felt like a note in a heavenly symphony, orchestrated by nature itself.

This place, secluded yet brimming with life, felt like a piece of heaven brought to earth. It was a realm untouched by the weight of human ambition, a sanctuary where time slowed, and the soul found peace. Here, the harshness of the world softened, and one couldn't help but marvel at the balance and harmony. The towering, icy peaks reminded Ranav of life's challenges, but the vibrant meadow at their feet whispered of hope and renaissance.

It was a place of lessons and quiet revelations. The plants grew not despite the wind but because of it, their roots digging deep into the earth, finding strength in its embrace. The butterflies and birds lived without question or hesitation, fully immersed in the moment. And the mountains themselves, ever resolute, taught patience… an enduring grace in the face of time. To stand here was to be reminded that life, in all its chaos and beauty, was a gift to be cherished.

Under the golden light of the sun, this mountaintop plateau was not just a place. It was a chorus of resilience, a poem of coexistence, and a canvas of endless wonder.

Ranav turned to Usha, who stood beside him with a knowing smile. Amid this heavenly background, she seemed even more radiant, her red hair swaying slightly in the wind. There was a calmness in her presence, as if she truly belonged to this place. For a moment, Ranav found himself simply looking at her, his mind briefly forgetting everything else.

"This is the gift I wanted to give you for saving my life," she said softly. "I wanted to give you something that you would never forget. I accidentally discovered this place a few years ago. I never needed to search for Mountain Savory anywhere else. There's more than enough here to complete our mission. I deliberately sent the others in different directions to bring only you here. I wanted to see the shocked expression on your face. That's exactly how I felt when I first saw this place."

Jessica's voice echoed in Ranav's mind, "What now? A kiss?"

Ranav inwardly grumbled, "Shut up! I don't want to be involved in a relationship with an older woman."

Jessica laughed, "Oh, but I saw how you were sizing her up just now. You do that with all older women, don't you?"

Ignoring his annoying partner, Ranav spoke sincerely, "Usha, thank you. This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen in this world."

Usha smiled warmly. "You're welcome," she said, taking a deep breath. "Now, we have a mission to complete. Let's get to work."

For the next half an hour, they carefully collected the Mountain Savory leaves, ensuring they didn't disturb the plateau's delicate beauty, flora, or fauna. Once they had stored everything, they retraced their steps back.

When they returned to the meeting point, the other teams were already there, waiting.

Rita crossed her arms, "Usha, we thought you ran into trouble. We were just discussing whether we should go search for you."

Usha chuckled, "Oh, we met an annoying snake along the way, but it didn't stand a chance against a certain someone's sword." She threw a playful glance at Ranav before bursting into laughter.

She then enthusiastically recounted the snake attack, exaggerating Ranav's reaction just a little. She even presented the two halves of the unfortunate snake as proof. While everyone laughed and praised Ranav's quick reflexes, he felt slightly embarrassed, especially remembering how he had fallen into the cave.

After a short rest, the group started their return journey.

Back at the camp, exhaustion settled over everyone like a heavy blanket. Ranav, however, had already used Regenesis on the way back, so he wasn't nearly as tired. Still, to avoid suspicion, he pretended to be just as drained as the others.

"I'm exhausted," he told the boys in his tent. "I need to meditate to recover. Please don't disturb me unless there's an emergency."

As soon as he was alone, he sat cross-legged, entered his ring, and began meditating.

Hours passed, until Jessica's voice interrupted his meditation, "Ranav, Grandpa Khan is calling you."

Ranav opened his eyes and exited the meditation space. As he stepped outside, he found Grandpa Khan waiting at the tent's entrance.

"What happened, Grandpa Khan?" Ranav asked.

The old man looked slightly embarrassed. "Well… it's a small issue. Midnight pushed Amanda's horse several feet away, and now he's acting angry. Neither Young Miss nor I have been able to calm him down."

Ranav raised an eyebrow. "Midnight? Angry? That's rare. Let's go."

When they reached the stream, Midnight stood apart from the other horses, who had all distanced themselves from him. Through their connection, Ranav probed into what had made him so upset.

A moment later, he burst into laughter.

Midnight let out an annoyed snort, clearly embarrassed, while everyone else looked at Ranav in confusion.

After catching his breath, Ranav explained, "It turns out Amanda's horse has been flirting with Midnight all day, but he ignored her. Then, in the evening, she suddenly licked his face. Startled, he pushed her away, but accidentally used a burst of air magic, and she flew a few feet. Now, all the other horses are afraid of him, and he's mad about the whole situation."

A stunned silence followed. Then, those who knew Midnight as a magical beast burst into laughter, while the others stared in shock.

Amanda's eyes widened. "Wait… your horse is a magical beast?"

Ranav shrugged. "Yeah, but technically, he's not mine. He belongs to the Count's Estate."

Paramita added, "Midnight is his horse. My parents gifted him to Ranav. He just stays at our house because Ranav doesn't have a stable at home."

Ranav sighed and looked at the other horses. "Lucky! Where are you?"

A pure white horse lifted its head.

"Grandpa Khan, bring Lucky here," Ranav said.

Once Lucky was standing before Midnight, Ranav said, "Lucky, you've known Midnight for a long time. Explain to the others that he's not a regular horse. And Midnight, you have more power than the others… be careful with them. Next time, talk first before reacting. You're becoming an adult. A kiss here and there isn't so bad. Soon, more girls will come to kiss you. Try to accept it."

Everyone was speechless. These words, coming from a six-year-old, were hard to process.

He looked at the gathered crowd and said, "Grandpa Khan, Midnight won't attack anyone. You can relax. Everyone else, give the horses some privacy."

Only Paramita followed Ranav out from there, as she was accustomed to his eccentric behavior.