After some time, I brought Camose back inside the house. The little snake remained quietly wrapped around my neck, its small body relaxed, its head resting lightly against my shoulder as if it had found a comfortable place there. Its movements were slow and calm, showing none of the earlier agitation.
When we stepped inside, Charlie was already in the adjoining hall, arranging a few items as part of his usual routine. He glanced up as we entered, his eyes briefly settling on Camose.
I watched carefully, expecting the small snake to react the way it had earlier.
But it did not.
Even after noticing Charlie, Camose remained calm. There was no tension in its body, no sharp movement, no hiss of warning. It simply stayed wrapped around my neck, its small body relaxed, its movements slow and unhurried as if it had already accepted his presence. After a few moments, it grew even more still, its head lowering slightly, appearing to drift into sleep.
I carefully raised my hand and lifted Camose from around my neck. The little snake shifted faintly at the movement but did not resist. Its body loosened easily as I lowered it toward the floor and placed it gently near the base of the great tree.
Camose curled loosely beside the trunk, its small body settling into a comfortable coil. Within seconds, it became completely still again, resting peacefully against the rough bark.
I glanced at Charlie and gave him a small nod, signaling that we could resume our practice.
He understood immediately.
Without another word, we stepped outside and made our way toward the open space near the pond. The air was still, and the faint rustle of leaves from the great tree behind us blended with the quiet sounds of the surrounding forest. The familiar setting helped me steady my focus as we took our usual positions.
Charlie stood at a measured distance and raised his hand. Small fire shots began forming at regular intervals, each one controlled and precise. One after another, he launched them toward me.
I responded in rhythm, forming shields with growing precision. The translucent barriers appeared faster now, each one shaped more cleanly than before. The timing between attack and defense felt smoother, as if my control over the energy had grown more natural with each passing day.
The shields formed faster, and the strain behind my forehead was lighter than before. I was able to shift my focus from one position to another with greater ease, forming barriers at different angles without hesitation. Each attempt felt more natural, as though my body was slowly adapting to the ability.
The more we practiced, the steadier the process became. The connection between the black dot and the book felt clearer, more responsive to my intent. The energy flowed with less resistance, gathering more smoothly before shaping into shields.
After some time, Charlie lowered his hand, allowing the last traces of heat to fade from the air. He studied me for a moment, then gave an approving nod.
"You are improving very fast, young master," he said.
A faint smile appeared on my face, and I shook my head slightly. "I am still too slow."
Even as I spoke, my thoughts remained firm.
I need to become lot stronger quickly. Strong enough to protect you… and everyone else.
After finishing our practice, we returned inside the house. The quiet stillness greeted us as we stepped in. Camose remained where I had placed it earlier, curled comfortably near the base of the great tree. Its small body lay motionless, still asleep, undisturbed by our absence.
I walked over and lowered myself beside it, resting quietly near the trunk. For a moment, I simply watched the tiny creature. Its pale, translucent body rose and fell almost imperceptibly, the calmness in its posture giving the space around it a peaceful atmosphere.
Slowly, I reached out and gently rubbed its head with my fingers.
"You are family too now," I thought quietly.
Camose did not stir. It remained peacefully asleep, completely at ease beside me.
The next morning, I sat beneath the great tree once again, settling into my usual position for cultivation. The early light filtered softly through the openings in the roof where the branches extended upward, casting faint patterns across the wooden floor. Camose rested quietly on my lap, its small body loosely coiled, completely at ease as I guided the flow of energy through my body.
My breathing slowed, and the familiar calm gradually settled over me as I focused inward.
A knock sounded at the door.
The sound was soft but clear, cutting through the stillness of the room. I remained where I was, maintaining my focus as Charlie stepped out from the adjoining hall and walked toward the entrance.
He opened the door, and after a brief exchange, he returned, stepping aside to allow the guest to enter.
"Young master," he said respectfully, "Elder Thryssa is here."
I did not open my eyes immediately. I was still in the middle of cultivation, and breaking the flow abruptly would disrupt the energy I had carefully gathered. So I remained still, maintaining my breathing and guiding the energy to settle properly.
Elder Thryssa did not interrupt. She entered quietly, her presence calm and unhurried, as she understood the importance of not disturbing the process. The room remained silent, the only sound being the faint rustle of leaves from the great tree above.
After a few minutes, I completed my cultivation and slowly opened my eyes, releasing a steady breath as the energy settled within me.
Elder Thryssa stood nearby, her gaze moving slowly across the interior of the house. She examined the wooden walls and the great tree at the center with quiet interest, her expression calm as she observed the simple structure around her.
I carefully lifted Camose from my lap as I rose to my feet. The little snake stirred slightly at the movement, its small body shifting before it instinctively wrapped itself around my hand. It settled there comfortably, its head resting near my wrist as if it had grown accustomed to staying close to me.
"Greetings, Elder," I said respectfully. "I was cultivating, so I could not greet you earlier."
She turned her head toward me, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "I do not mind."
I returned the smile slightly. "Elder, what made you come here? You could have called me through—"
She gently raised her hand, stopping me mid sentence. Her gaze shifted downward toward my arm.
"I see that the little snake is already out."
I followed her gaze and lifted my arm slightly, gently rubbing Camose's head with my thumb. The small snake remained calm, its golden eyes quietly observing.
"Yes," I replied, nodding lightly.
Elder Thryssa stepped forward until she stood directly in front of me. Her movements were slow and calm as she extended her hand toward Camose.
I instinctively stiffened, remembering how Camose had reacted to Charlie earlier. For a brief moment, I expected the little snake to tense, hiss, or pull back.
But Camose did none of that.
It simply watched her hand approach, its golden eyes calm and steady. When her fingers gently touched its head, the little snake remained completely still. She slowly stroked its head, her movements careful and gentle, and Camose did not resist.
I blinked, slightly surprised by how easily it accepted her touch.
"What did you name it?" she asked.
"Camose," I replied.
She glanced at me briefly, then returned her gaze to the small snake wrapped around my hand. A faint smile appeared on her face.
"It is a very suitable name."
I nodded quietly, glancing once more at Camose before lowering my arm.
Elder Thryssa stepped aside, her gaze drifting across the house again. Her eyes moved slowly along the wooden walls, the roots of the great tree, and the simple interior, as if she were taking in every detail. The calmness in her posture remained, but something in her expression had grown more thoughtful.
After a brief silence, she spoke again, her voice steady yet carrying a subtle weight.
"The reason I came here…"
She paused, then turned her head and looked directly at me. Her eyes held mine, calm but serious.
"You have to leave the forest and go outside."