Naming And Exploration

As Aria settled into her new role as leader, she began to notice something peculiar about the goblins. None of them had names. They referred to each other by titles or roles—Grok was simply "Leader," while others were called "Hunter," "Gatherer," or "Guard." When she asked Grok about it, he shrugged.

"Names are a luxury," he explained. "They require magicules, and we have so few. Only the strongest or most important among us are given names, and even then, it is rare."

Aria frowned. She had read about the concept of naming in the Tensura world—how bestowing a name could strengthen a monster, but also bind them to the namer. It was a significant act, one that required careful consideration. But as she looked at Grok, who had risked everything to protect his village, she felt he deserved more than just a title.

"I want to give you a name," she said, her voice firm. "You've been a great leader, and you've earned it."

Grok's eyes widened in surprise. "But… you have so little magicules yourself. Are you sure?"

Aria nodded. "I'm sure. You've trusted me to lead you, and this is one way I can honor that trust."

She closed her eyes, focusing on the energy within her. She could feel her magicules, a small but steady reserve of power. She reached out to Grok, channeling that energy into him as she spoke.

"From this day forward, you shall be known as **Garok**," she declared. The name came to her instinctively, as if it had been waiting to be spoken. A faint glow surrounded Garok, and for a moment, his form seemed to shift, becoming slightly taller and more defined. His eyes sparkled with newfound strength and clarity.

Garok knelt before her, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Lady Aria. I will honor this name and serve you faithfully."

The other goblins watched in awe, their respect for Aria growing even deeper. Though they remained nameless for now, they felt a glimmer of hope that one day, they too might earn such an honor.

With Garok by her side, Aria decided to explore the surrounding area. She needed to understand the land, its resources, and its dangers if she was to protect the village. The goblins eagerly joined her, their knowledge of the forest proving invaluable.

The group ventured into the dense woods, their senses alert for any signs of danger. Aria marveled at the beauty of the forest—the towering trees, the vibrant undergrowth, and the faint hum of magic that seemed to permeate everything. But she also noticed the scars left by human incursions—charred patches of earth, broken branches, and the occasional remains of traps.

As they walked, Garok pointed out useful plants and herbs, explaining how the goblins used them for food and medicine. Aria listened intently, her mind racing with ideas for how to improve the village's resources. She also kept an eye out for potential threats, her enhanced senses allowing her to detect movement long before it came into view.

At one point, the group stumbled upon a small stream. The water was clear and cool, and Aria could see fish darting beneath the surface. "This could be a good source of food," she said, turning to Garok. "We could set up nets or traps here."

Garok nodded. "A wise idea, Lady Aria. We will return with the necessary tools."

Later that day, Aria joined the goblins on a hunting expedition. She wanted to contribute to the village's survival and test her abilities in a real-world scenario. The goblins were hesitant at first, fearing for her safety, but Aria assured them she could handle herself.

The group tracked a wild boar, its tracks leading them deeper into the forest. Aria's enhanced senses allowed her to pick up on subtle clues—a broken twig here, a tuft of fur there. When they finally spotted the boar, it was larger than she had expected, its tusks gleaming in the sunlight.

The goblins readied their spears, but Aria held up a hand. "Let me try something," she whispered.

She focused on her *Bloodweaver* skill, summoning a thin, razor-sharp blade of blood. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it flying toward the boar. The blade struck true, slicing through the creature's throat. It let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing to the ground.

The goblins stared in awe, their respect for Aria growing even further. "Incredible," Garok murmured. "Your power is unlike anything we've seen."

Aria smiled faintly, though she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She had taken a life, something she had never done before. But she reminded herself that this was survival, not cruelty.

That evening, Aria decided to experiment with *Bloodweaver* in a controlled environment. She wanted to understand its full potential and limitations. Garok and a few other goblins watched from a distance, their curiosity evident.

Aria started small, summoning a ball of blood and shaping it into various forms—a dagger, a shield, a whip. Each transformation felt natural, as if the blood was an extension of her own body. She then tested its offensive capabilities, launching projectiles at a nearby tree. The blood blades sliced through the bark with ease, leaving deep gashes.

Next, she explored its defensive applications. She created a barrier of blood, which absorbed the impact of thrown rocks and sticks. The barrier held firm, though Aria could feel the strain on her magicules.

Finally, she experimented with healing. She made a small cut on her arm and used *Bloodweaver* to close the wound. The process was slower than she had hoped, but it worked. She made a mental note to practice this aspect further—it could be invaluable in battle.

As the night wore on, Aria began to feel the limits of her power. Her magicules were not infinite, and overusing *Bloodweaver* left her feeling drained. She realized she would need to train and grow stronger if she was to fully master her abilities.