Chapter 30: Truth

Maydee saw the exhaustion in Joshua's expression and gave a slight nod. "That's enough for today," she said. "You've pushed yourself far enough."

Joshua let out a breath of relief, rolling his sore shoulders. His body felt drained, but his mind was racing with everything he had just learned. He had discovered something completely new—something that defied the known rules of magic.

"Come," Maydee said, already turning away. "Let's go back. Father should be hunting or conducting his patrol with the warriors. We should eat first."

Joshua followed her back toward the hall, his stomach grumbling in agreement.

The large dining hall was warm and inviting, illuminated by the soft glow of enchanted crystal lamps. The long wooden table was already set, adorned with steaming dishes that filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma. The scent of roasted meat, fresh herbs, and rich, spiced broth made Joshua's hunger even more unbearable.

A large clay pot in the center of the table contained a thick, golden stew bubbling gently over hot embers. It was filled with tender chunks of meat, vibrant root vegetables, and dark, leafy greens. The savory scent carried hints of wild spices, earthy mushrooms, and the unmistakable fragrance of freshly baked bread.

Beside the pot was a platter of grilled meat, seared to perfection with a glaze that glistened under the warm light. The juices pooled at the edges, soaking into thick slices of coarse village bread. A side dish of mashed tubers, creamy and speckled with aromatic herbs, sat next to a bowl of fresh, crisp vegetables drizzled with a tangy dressing.

Joshua took a seat as Maydee ladled portions onto his plate. He wasted no time digging in, relishing the rich flavors that exploded across his tongue. The meat was tender, infused with the deep, smoky essence of the fire, while the stew carried a perfect balance of warmth and spice.

Joshua leaned back slightly, exhaling in satisfaction as the last bite of his meal melted in his mouth. The roasted meat, perfectly seared, dripped with rich juices, while the accompanying vegetables provided a balanced contrast—some sweet, others slightly tangy, but all adding depth to the meal. A warm, grain-based dish complemented the main course, its texture similar to Earth's rice but with a slight nuttiness that left a pleasant aftertaste.

Every meal in this world was a reminder of how immersive the game was. The realism went beyond what he'd expected—even the act of eating felt real, complete with the sensation of hunger, the warmth of the food, and the satisfaction that followed a good meal.

As he set down his utensils, Maydee smirked at him. "You eat like a starving beast."

Joshua chuckled, wiping his lips with a cloth. "Can you blame me? The training earlier nearly killed me."

Maydee folded her arms. "That was only the beginning. Your body is still adjusting to spirit energy. Once you attune properly, the strain will lessen, and you'll recover faster."

Joshua frowned, thinking back to what she had said before. "Attuning to spirit energy… What exactly does that mean?"

Maydee tilted her head slightly. "Your body, or rather your core, is slowly absorbing the spirit energy around you. Over time, your circuits will expand and reinforce themselves, allowing you to store and manipulate more energy. Right now, your body is weak because it isn't used to the flow."

Joshua tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. "So, the process is similar to muscle growth. The more I use spirit energy, the stronger my circuits become, and the more energy I can handle."

Maydee nodded. "Exactly. This is why training is crucial. Those who fail to refine their core stagnate, unable to progress beyond a certain point."

Joshua's mind immediately drew comparisons to physics, particularly electrical circuits. In Earth's terms, it was like increasing a circuit's capacity to handle higher voltages without burning out. If his spirit circuits functioned like wires, then his training was essentially upgrading those wires to handle higher energy loads.

But there was more to it than that.

"Master," Joshua said, rubbing his chin. "I have some theories about how magic works. I want to confirm something with you."

Maydee leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Go on."

Joshua took a deep breath. "Based on what I read in your book, magic follows a structured process. Energy has to be gathered, stabilized, and then released in a controlled manner." He used his finger to scratch some rough symbols onto the wooden surface of the table.

\Delta E = ⟨Φ⟩(ρ_m) + Ψ(S) → Θ(T,λ) ⟶ Ω

Maydee studied the symbols and nodded. "That's a crude but accurate summary. Magic relies on precise energy control. If you lose stability at any point, the spell will collapse."

Joshua's mind raced. "So, in scientific terms, it's similar to electromagnetism and kinetic force application. Magic gathering is like charging a capacitor—storing energy until it reaches a threshold. The stabilization step is comparable to field containment, maintaining the charge distribution, while the final release functions like an electrical discharge or kinetic propulsion."

Maydee raised an eyebrow. "You speak in strange terms, my disciple, but I understand your meaning. Magic is not just a force—it follows specific laws, even if we do not express them as such."

Joshua's excitement grew. This was exactly what he needed—confirmation that magic wasn't just a vague, mystical force but something that followed structured principles. If he could break it down mathematically, he could optimize it.

Maydee finished her drink and stood. "Enough thinking for tonight. Recuperate and meditate. We will continue training tomorrow."

Joshua bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Master."

The conversation ended as they finished their meal, but Joshua knew this was only the beginning. He had given her just enough to think about—without revealing too much.

Tomorrow, things were going to get even more interesting.

Somewhere within the forest…

A shadow flickered between the trees.

Bran emerged from the dense foliage, stepping into the clearing where Amador stood, his broad form framed by moonlight. The village chief's presence was as imposing as ever—stoic, unreadable. Around him, a dozen warriors stood, their weapons at the ready. The air was thick with tension.

Bran halted a few paces away and inclined his head. "Chief."

Amador barely turned. "Report."

Bran hesitated. His sharp gaze flickered toward the warriors standing behind Amador.

Amador noticed. His voice was firm, commanding. "Disperse."

The warriors immediately moved, slipping into the shadows in groups of twos and threes. They maintained a silent perimeter, giving the two men privacy. The forest rustled with the shifting of bodies, but soon, only Bran and Amador remained in the clearing.

Amador turned fully to face him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes gleamed with quiet intensity. "Now, report."

Bran took a slow breath before speaking.

"Chief… the outsider managed to cast his magic." His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it—a weight rarely heard from the hardened warrior.

Amador's gaze sharpened. "And?"

Bran clenched his fists. "It was different. I could not sense it. I could not see the flow." He swallowed. "I felt him gathering power. His concentration was evident. And then—nothing."

A muscle in Amador's jaw twitched.

"No chants were uttered," Bran continued, his voice now laced with something uncharacteristic—uncertainty. "No signs of a spell forming. Just stillness. And then, in an instant… the tree before him exploded into fragments."

Amador remained silent.

Bran exhaled sharply, lowering his gaze. "I do not claim to understand magic, nor the ways of the gifted. But I know how to counter them. I know how to kill them." He hesitated. "This outsider… is a mystery. For the first time in my life, I feel fear."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Bran's eyes met Amador's, fierce yet uncertain. "I am not afraid to die for the village, Chief. I never have been. But I fear the unknown."

Amador studied him for a long moment before giving a slow, approving nod. "You have done well." His voice was calm, measured. "Now go back. Keep watch."

Bran bowed slightly, then vanished into the darkness.

Amador turned, his mind racing.

"Warriors—assemble." His voice cut through the stillness like a blade.

The men swiftly regrouped, forming into disciplined ranks.

"We are going back."

Without another word, Amador marched ahead of the pack, his brows furrowed deeply in thought. His steps quickened, the weight of Bran's report pressing into him.

Now that you've shown your power, outsider…

His eyes glowed with steely resolve.

Let me see how I can use you.

With that thought, he picked up his pace, leading his warriors back toward the village.