The once-gentle light of dawn had now grown harsh and glaring, as the sun hovered almost directly overhead above the young girl.
At the moment, she was walking at a steady pace, step by step, with the heavy body of a pig-like beast slung over her shoulder—one known as Sus scrofa.
This unfortunate creature was the trophy of her recent hunt.
Just earlier, though her mind was still tangled with questions, her stomach had started to protest loudly.
And once hunger struck, the more she thought, the hungrier she became. Besides, her physical condition had yet to fully recover. Eating only fruit wouldn't cut it.
So Kyouno had decided to go on a hunt.
Not just to gather food, but also to clear the cluttered mess inside her head.
Because every time she hunted, there was always that rush of exhilaration chasing after prey, that cool wind brushing against her face as she dashed at full speed. It brought her a sense of freedom and refreshment.
But this time, though the hunt had been the same as usual,
It somehow didn't feel the same.
The thrill was missing. Instead, there was… an emptiness.
But why?
Is it because.....
Because this time, there was no older sister by her side.No one to tease her when she messed up a technique, no one to celebrate with her after a successful hunt.
There was no... Mana anymore.
Kyouno fell silent.
A hollow ache she had been trying to ignore slowly returned, burrowing deep into the recesses of her heart, gnawing away at her soul.
She carried the heavy beast back to the cave she now called shelter, her footsteps growing quieter, falling in step with the mood weighing down her spirit.
"Fire Burst!"
Kyouno's voice rang out as she stood at the entrance of the cave.
At once, heat began to gather around the pile of dry wood where her hand was pointing. The air shimmered where the light struck it, bending from the heat.
And then—
"Fwoosh!"
Flames ignited from nothing, crackling into life. Ever since reaching the Adept-Tier level in Fire Magic, her control had noticeably improved—
The flames she summoned no longer erupted wildly, but burned with a steady, gentle flicker.
Dark smoke curled upward, drifting into the sky—
A warning sign to any beasts that might dare come near.
Though in truth, there weren't any left around here anyway.
Earlier, when she had gone out, Kyouno realized the cave she'd taken shelter in wasn't far at all from the battlefield where she had fought.
All around, the scene was bleak and desolate.The ground split open with deep cracks, earth and rock upturned and scattered from the shockwaves, trees torn and flattened, lying in broken heaps on the ground.
The entire area looked like the ruins left behind after a cataclysm.And truthfully, that was exactly what it was.
Any creature that had once inhabited this area, had either been buried beneath the rubble, or had long since fled in panic.
In fact, Kyouno had to travel several kilometers away just to find that beast she hunted earlier.
"I wonder… how's that snow wolf family doing?"
As she roasted meat over the fire, Kyouno found herself lost in thought.
Truthfully, she wasn't overly worried about the mother and pup. She was fairly certain they were still alive.
When a creature, or a person, dies, their elemental core, which resides within them, is expelled, releasing a distinct, potent elemental energy into the air—
So strong that anyone nearby can sense it.
The higher the tier, the greater the range and the longer the energy lingers in the environment.
Just like when…
Her mother passed.
The dense energy from the elemental core of a Ascendant-Tier dual-magic mage had been so strong
That even Kyouno, all the way at the far edge of the forest, had felt it—vividly, tangibly, and . . . painfully.
Even now, that warm blend of Ice and Dark elemental energy still hung in the air, and every time Kyouno sensed it,
Her heart clenched involuntarily. So much so, that she'd forced herself to ignore it.
Similarly, she could still sense the Master-Tier Earth-elemental energy left behind by Gravelmaw—Solid proof of the monster's death.
But as for the snow wolf, there wasn't even a trace of Ice-elemental energy lingering in the air.
Of course, it was also possible that, being only a Adept-Tier Ice creature, its energy had already dispersed.
Still, by instinct, she believed they were still alive.
At the very least, she hoped so.
As the maiden remained lost in thought, the rich aroma of roasting meat wafted up through the air, instantly snapping Kyouno out of her wandering mind.
Her eyes locked onto the dark, seared slab of roasted meat before her, its edges slightly charred. Her gaze lit up with anticipation.
After all, if she included the time she'd spent unconscious, it had been nearly two weeks since she last laid eyes on any meat.
And Kyouno....well, back then, if a meal didn't have meat, she'd throw a fit about it!
In fact, at that very moment, one could faintly see...a faint, glistening string of drool was trailing from the corner of her lips!
Who would've thought that on such a beautiful, elegant face could exist such a hungry, borderline pitiful expression?!
But Kyouno didn't immediately tear into the meat.Instead, she brought her hands together, gently closed her eyes, and whispered:
"Mom, Mana… may you both enjoy your meal."
Her voice was soft, filled with reverence.It was a family ritual before every meal.
Only, unlike before, this time, no one answered her.
There was only a heavy, cold silence.
Just one Kyouno—Alone, quiet.
The hunger in her expression faded away, leaving behind only a thoughtful stillness, a sorrow she couldn't hide.
As her words faded, she tore off a chunk of the roasted leg, and bit down with full force—As if trying to chew through the sadness lodged deep in her chest.
The meat was fragrant, crackling, rich and savory with a buttery, roasted flavor.
And yet, Kyouno couldn't taste a thing.Not even a hint.
Because the meat in her mouth…Tasted nothing like the roasted meat her mom used to cook, not even close.
"...Hic… hic…".The sound of a sob escaped from Kyouno's throat.
And with it, warm tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, rolling silently down both cheeks.
No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the ache in her heart remained. The loneliness lingered.
And so, the salty sting of her tears mixed with the rich flavor of the meat in her mouth, creating a chaotic taste.
....