Outside, the morning air felt cool and refreshing.
Rika's garden stretched peacefully around the house, filled with rows of colorful flowers. Some swayed gently in the breeze while others remained perfectly still, their petals glowing faintly in the sunlight.
The scent of fresh soil and blooming plants drifted through the air.
Renji inhaled deeply.
"Ahh… this place smells amazing."
Mizuki walked beside him calmly.
"Focus."
Renji nodded quickly.
"Right."
She stopped near the center of the garden.
"First," she said firmly, "you need to understand mana."
Renji raised a hand suddenly.
"Wait."
Mizuki paused.
"Yes?"
"What exactly is mana?"
He scratched his chin.
"Is it like… fuel for magic?"
Mizuki nodded slightly.
"That is a simple way to describe it."
Renji leaned closer.
"Explain."
"Mana is energy," she said.
"It flows through your body constantly."
Renji listened carefully.
"When you cast a spell," Mizuki continued, "that energy leaves your body."
She gestured with her hand.
"It forms according to your intention and the nature of the spell."
Renji's eyes widened slightly.
"So the spell shape depends on the caster?"
"Yes."
"…That's cool."
Mizuki continued,
"Unlike most species, Humanlords generate mana directly from their hearts."
Renji blinked.
"Humanlords?"
"The mana travels through veins and blood vessels," she said.
"It reaches every part of the body."
Renji slowly raised a finger.
"Question."
"Yes."
"…Am I a Humanlord?"
"Yes."
Renji paused.
"…And what exactly is a Humanlord?"
Mizuki sighed lightly.
"You will learn the details at the academy."
Renji crossed his arms.
"That sounds suspicious."
"For now," she continued, ignoring him, "any species resembling humans are classified as Humanlords."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Humans."
"Elves."
"Plantees."
"Vampires."
"Barbarians."
"Beast-humans."
Renji stared.
"…That's a lot."
"Yes."
Renji nodded slowly.
"Okay… that's actually interesting."
Mizuki clapped her hands once.
"Now."
"Training."
Renji straightened up.
"Finally."
"Focus on the mana inside you," she instructed.
Renji frowned.
"…Inside me?"
"Yes."
"Feel the flow."
"And gather it into your hands."
Renji blinked.
"…That's it?"
"That is the first step."
Renji scratched his head.
"And then?"
"Just do it."
"…Great explanation."
He sighed.
Then closed his eyes.
Minutes passed.
Nothing happened.
Renji opened one eye.
"…I feel nothing."
"Keep focusing."
He tried again.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Still nothing.
Renji groaned.
"This is impossible."
"Sit on the rooftop."
Before he could react—
A gentle force lifted him into the air.
"WAIT—!"
In seconds he landed on the roof.
The wind brushed through his hair.
"Dang!"
He wobbled slightly.
"Mizuki!"
"Yes?"
"Next time warn me!"
She appeared behind him quietly.
"You are safe."
"You almost killed me!"
"I did not."
Renji sighed dramatically.
"You scare me."
Mizuki placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.
"Focus."
Renji crossed his legs and sat down.
"Fine."
She spoke again.
"I will return inside your body."
He blinked.
"Why?"
"I am a consciousness bound to your mana."
"If I stay outside too long, it drains your energy."
"Oh."
"…That sounds important."
With a flash of faint light—
She disappeared.
Renji was alone on the roof.
The wind whispered across the tiles.
Distant city sounds drifted through the air.
He closed his eyes again.
Minutes passed.
Then more minutes.
Nearly two and a half hours later—
Something changed.
A warm sensation flowed through his chest.
Then his arms.
Then his entire body.
His eyes opened slowly.
"…Whoa."
A faint blue aura surrounded him.
Soft.
Flickering.
Alive.
Renji raised his hand excitedly.
"Heayah!"
Nothing happened.
The glow flickered weakly.
Then slowly faded.
Renji stared at his palm.
"…What just happened?"
Mizuki's voice echoed inside his mind.
"Step one complete."
Renji blinked.
"…Wait."
"That was only step one?!"
"Yes."
Renji stared at the sky.
Then suddenly laughed.
For the first time since arriving in this world—
He could feel the power inside him.
And that alone was enough to make him eager for the challenges ahead.