The day felt completely normal. Sunlight gently touched the ground, and a soft breeze flowed through the forest. Leo and the others were moving forward as usual, but this time, Maya was with them.
Leo was walking ahead when he suddenly glanced back. Maya was walking behind with a smile on her face—but it wasn't an ordinary smile. Something about it felt different.
Leo slowed down and came beside her.
"Why are you smiling so much?" he asked.
Maya looked at him and replied softly, "It's my first time going to the academy… I always dreamed of studying somewhere, making friends… and becoming a great healing user so I can help others."
Leo smiled warmly. "You will definitely become one."
Maya didn't reply immediately. Leo noticed and asked, "What happened? Did that upset you?"
She shook her head. "No… it's just that whenever I told people about my dream, they laughed at me. They said I could never achieve it… because I'm from a poor family. Only my parents believed in me… and now, you're the third person who thinks I can do it."
Leo's expression turned serious but kind. "If you truly want something… if your heart desires it… then you can achieve it. You just need to work hard. That's all."
Maya nodded. "I will."
Leo smiled again. "I know you will."
Hearing this, Maya's heartbeat suddenly increased, and she started blushing. She quickly said "thank you" and walked ahead towards Nyra.
"How much further do we have to go?" she asked.
Nyra noticed her expression. "What happened to your face?"
Maya replied in an unstable voice, "Nothing."
Nyra ignored it and checked the map again. "We're almost there. Just a little further… there should be a waterfall, and the cave is behind it."
After walking a bit more, they began to hear the sound of rushing water. Soon, they reached a beautiful waterfall. Flowers bloomed all around, butterflies danced in the air, and sunlight reflected off the flowing water, making it shine even more beautifully.
Maya rushed forward, cupped some water in her hands, and drank it.
"This water is so sweet!" she said excitedly.
Everyone tried it, and they were amazed.
"This place feels like heaven," Kio said.
Hearing that, Nyra suddenly remembered their mission. She punched Kio.
"Stop wasting time!"
Kio fell straight into the water.
When he came out, he made a face. "You were drinking it too!"
From behind, Alex and Leo added, "You're misusing your captain authority."
Nyra got even more annoyed.
Suddenly, Maya pointed ahead. "Look there!"
Everyone turned and saw a cave hidden behind the waterfall.
"That must be it," Alex said.
They entered the cave. At first, there was nothing, but after walking a little further, they noticed a faint light coming from a torch. Soon, they reached a massive rusty door.
Leo asked, "So… how do we open this?"
Nyra smirked slightly. "I have a key."
She took out an old rusty key from her bag and inserted it into the lock. After a few tries, a click sound echoed—and suddenly, the key turned to ash and disappeared.
The door was unlocked.
But it was extremely heavy.
Leo stepped forward, channeling aura into his hands, and pushed the door open using his inner aura strength. The loud sound echoed through the cave as the door slowly moved.
As the heavy, rusty door slowly creaked open, everyone fell silent for a moment… as if time itself had stopped.
In front of them was a small garden… but it was far from ordinary.
A soft green glow spread across the ground, as if the soil itself held a gentle light within it. All around, small glowing plants emitted faint shades of blue and green. Some flowers slowly opened and closed, almost as if they were breathing.
The air carried a sweet, calming fragrance—so soothing that it felt like all exhaustion was fading away just by standing there.
The crystals embedded in the walls weren't just shining… their light pulsed softly, as if they were alive. Their glow filled the entire garden with a dreamy, magical atmosphere.
At the center of the garden lay a small, crystal-clear pond. The water was so pure that everything beneath it was visible. A faint shimmer floated on its surface, and whenever a gentle breeze passed, the water sparkled like moving stars.
Roots spread across the ground, but instead of looking tangled, they formed natural patterns—as if nature itself had carefully designed this place.
And the strangest part…
The garden wasn't silent.
A soft humming sound filled the air—as if the entire garden was alive. Every leaf, every flower, every crystal seemed to breathe with its own energy.
Whenever someone touched a leaf, its glow became brighter… as if it could sense their presence.
Maya slowly stepped forward, her eyes filled with wonder and joy.
"This… isn't just a garden…" she whispered,"It feels like the very heart of healing energy."
"…This is beautiful."
"I did NOT expect this," Alex said.
Nyra punched him again. "Focus!"
She began collecting leaves but soon got confused.
"Which ones are we supposed to take?"
Leo smirked. "Shouldn't the captain know that?"
Nyra held her head. "I don't know…"
Maya stepped forward calmly and touched a leaf gently.
"Take this one. It has strong magic."
Without questioning, Nyra followed her instructions. Whatever Maya pointed at, Nyra collected.
After some time, Maya sat down and focused on a leaf, feeling its healing energy through her fingers.
Suddenly, Leo appeared close to her ear. "Are these leaves good too?"
Maya nodded, but when she noticed how close he was, she panicked and punched him hard.
Leo flew back and fell into a small pond. Blood came from his nose.
Maya didn't say anything and closed her eyes again, trying to focus… but her mind was filled with Leo's thoughts. She regretted hitting him.
"…Take these leaves too," she said softly.
After a while, Nyra said, "This should be enough."
They all gathered near the door and left the garden. As soon as Leo stepped out, the door shut behind them automatically.
Everyone was shocked.
They exited the cave and noticed that evening had already fallen.
"We'll stay here tonight," Nyra said.
They set up a fire and soon everyone went to sleep.
But Leo sat outside, looking at the sky.
After some time, Maya came and sat beside him. She stayed silent for a while, then gathered courage.
"…Sorry for hitting you."
Leo smiled. "It's okay."
After a pause, Maya asked softly, "Where are your parents?"
Leo looked at her and replied calmly, "I don't have any."
Maya quickly said, "I'm sorry… what happened?"
Leo looked back at the sky. "They died… in an accident."
Silence filled the air.
Leo kept staring at the sky… without saying anything more.