(Raye's POV)
Grrrrrr—!
My stomach growled the mont I opened my eyes.
"Ugh..."
I felt weak and lightheaded.
"... I'm hungry..."
I mumbled, a deep frown forming on my face. I honestly felt like I could pass out any second.
Though, strangely—
"Hm...?"
I also felt like I could do almost anything at the sa ti. It was weird. Confusing even.
But before I could dive deeper into that thought—
-RAYE!!!
-EP!!!
I heard two familiar voices shouting from in front of .
And when I looked up...
"Ah...!"
"Zephyrus! Pyro!"
I saw the two of them flying toward at terrifying speed. And in a split second—
PSH—!
"Oof...!"
They crashed into .
Pyro slamd straight into my chest, clinging tightly, while Zephyrus stopped just inches from my face, flapping his wings.
I nearly lost my balance from the impact, my legs trembling from hunger.
"Haha, I missed you guys."
I whispered weakly, patting Pyro's small head as he buried his face deeper against .
-ep...
Pyro let out a soft sound, clearly feeling the sa.
-...
On the other hand, Zephyrus just floated there silently, not saying a word.
"Hmm?"
I tilted my head and looked up at him.
And then—
-...
I noticed that he was just staring at . His eyes slightly widened.
"What?"
I asked him, confused.
And Zephyrus—
-Umm... Ahh...
He mumbled, his beak opening and closing like he was hesitating to speak.
A small frown creased his fluffy face. Then after a mont of struggling—
-Ugh, whatever... I'll just tell you later, it's not that urgent.
He finally decided to speak, shaking his head.
-There's sothing more urgent than that right now.
He said seriously.
"What is it?"
I asked again, my head pulsing with a dull, persistent ache. I winced slightly.
And as he scanned from head to toe—
-You need to eat, you look like a walking corpse.
Zephyrus declared that bluntly with a shrug of his wings.
"..."
I quietly looked down at myself at his words.
Thin arms. Skin pale. Ribs slightly visible under the skin.
"...You're right."
I mumbled to myself, half shocked, half amused.
Then opening my mouth again—
"Do you guys have sothing to eat?"
I asked, my voice awkward and a little embarrassed.
But without missing a beat—
-ep!
-We have food... We'll prepare it for you. Just rest there.
The two of them replied at the sa ti, determination flashing in their eyes.
*****
F W O O S H~
Tap- tap- tap—
Zephyrus and Pyro imdiately flew toward the pile of supplies they kept nearby as I walked behind them.
"..."
I watched them silently, feeling a soft warmth bloom inside my chest despite how weak I was.
'These guys...'
They probably worked so hard while I was unconscious.
I'm really glad to see them.
Anyway, as I was thinking about that...
Fwip— Fwip—
-ep!
SWAAAA~
Pyro quickly started a fire using so dry wood and his spirit magic. He summoned a small, concentrated fire, just enough to ignite a spark.
anwhile, Zephyrus grabbed so already prepared at from their stash.
-[Gust]
FWOOSH~!
Then he effortlessly made them fly toward the fire to cook them.
'Their control over their magic had increased.'
I imdiately thought after seeing them work.
-ep!
Pyro chirped proudly, puffing up his chest as he controlled the strength of the fire.
-It'll only take a while, rest for now.
Zephyrus said, clearing his throat like he was trying to act cool and calm.
"Is that so? Sure."
I just smiled faintly, resting my aching body on a nearby rock as I watched them move busily.
...
...
...
Not long—
Sizzle— Sizzle—
The sll of roasting at soon filled the air.
GRRRRRR—!!
My stomach growled even louder.
"Slls good..."
I mumbled under my breath.
Both of them perked up when they heard .
-ep ep!
Pyro chirped excitedly, hopping around the fire.
Zephyrus, on the other hand, just snorted and looked away.
-Of course it does. I'm a natural at this.
He said that, smiling a little.
...
...
And finally, after a few more minutes—
-Here.
Zephyrus floated over and handed a large piece of roasted at wrapped in so big leaves they probably found sowhere.
-ep! ep!
Pyro followed right after, carrying a much smaller piece proudly with both his tiny hands made of fire!
It was aweso and cute!
Too bad I'm too hungry to talk about it at the mont.
So moving on...
"Thanks..."
I said softly, accepting the food with both hands from them.
And then—
Chomp—!
I imdiately took a big bite without hesitation!
And after tasting it...
"—!"
My eyes widened.
It was good!
The at was tender and juicy, seasoned just enough to bring out the flavor.
"This is aweso!"
I exclaid between bites, a small but genuine smile tugging at my lips.
"It's so good."
I added.
And at my words—
-ep ep ep!!!
Pyro chirped loudly, jumping up and down, his small body vibrating with excitent.
anwhile—
-...
Zephyrus quickly looked away, his wings twitching a little.
-It's not a big deal. It's just basic survival cooking.
He muttered, but the tips of his feathers were trembling slightly.
It was obvious he was trying to hide how proud he felt.
"Pfft, right..."
I just chuckled quietly, savoring the warm feeling building up inside even more than the food.
'I'm lucky to have these guys.'
I thought.
Chomp— chomp—
Then I continued eating quietly.
*****
After devouring the food they prepared—
"Haaa..."
I leaned back on the rock behind , feeling a little bit of strength return to my limbs.
I closed my eyes for a second, letting the warmth from the fire, the food, and my two companions soak into .
"..."
But then—
"Fwaaaaah...!"
I opened them back up again not long with a good stretch of my body.
And without further ado—
'I need to check... what changed.'
I thought of that.
FWIP—
Clenching my fist slowly—
"..."
I could feel it.
The mana flowing inside my body was denser. Thicker. Wilder.
Stronger.
It moved through my veins like a slow, powerful river, unlike the thin streams it used to be before.
'My control... it's better too.'
I realized.
I could feel even the tiniest strands of mana in my core now. Before, they used to slip through my senses like mist. Now, it was like holding water in my palms—firm, tangible, alive.
Fwish—
"..."
I shifted my gaze to my left and right.
-...
-...
Zephyrus and Pyro were sitting quietly, still watching over .
"..."
A small smile naturally tugged at my lips again.
'I'm not the sa as before.'
I thought calmly.
'And soon...'
'...I'll be even stronger.'
I mumbled in my head.
Then, opening my mouth again—
"Status."
I muttered that.
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