CHAPTER 38: SURPRISED TEACHERS

Rowen scrolled through the first line of search results and paused at a post titled "The Foundation of Mana Cultivation: Rings of Power."

He tapped it open. The article was plain, likely written by a low-tier mage for beginners, but it was exactly what he needed.

After absorbing mana into the body, the first step for a mage is to condense it into a Mana Ring, the post explained. The Mana Ring forms in the center of the body, acting as the anchor for all further cultivation. The number of rings a person can form determines their level. The more rings, the higher their rank as a mage.

Rowen read slowly, making sure not to miss anything. His brow furrowed. So... first I need to actually form a ring, not just breathe mana in.

He leaned back against the counter, thinking hard.

Suddenly, the shop’s bell rang.

Rowen’s head jerked up from his screen. He set the phone down on the counter and glanced toward the door, wondering who was disturbing him.

Lyra pushed it open, stepping in first, followed closely by Aria and Calen. The three of them carried the same easy confidence they always had after a hunt. Their clothes were dusty, but their smiles gave away their mood.

"We’re back," Lyra called, waving before moving toward the counter.

Rowen noticed right away their mana presence was sharper than before. The air around them carried a faint pressure, nothing dangerous but enough to show they had improved. They weren’t hiding it, either; the three of them looked proud.

Calen grinned. "Another clean run. Monsters went down fast this time."

Aria adjusted the strap of her sword. "Our coordination’s finally smoothing out. Spells, strikes, everything feels sharper."

Lyra nodded, her eyes bright. "We’ve all hit the peak of Apprentice. Soon we’ll be stepping into the trainee level."

Rowen stayed quiet for a moment, watching them. Compared to his own uncertain path, their steady growth was almost frustrating. Still, he managed a small smile.

"Sounds like things are going well for you three," he said.

Calen wasn’t alone. Behind him padded his contracted beast, the dog-like creature he had bonded with after his awakening. It crossed the door of the shop cautiously, instincts sharp despite its growth to peak apprentice level.

The moment it spotted Shade perched on the counter, however, all that strength shrank away. Its ears flattened, and it hesitated, tail lowering.

Shade lifted her head, letting out a soft "meow," nothing threatening, just her way of acknowledging them. Still, the sound was enough to make the beast step sideways, trying to keep distance.

Calen rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "You’d think by now he’d stop being afraid of a cat."

Rowen said nothing. He just reached out, stroking Shade’s head once. She leaned into his hand before settling back, eyes half-lidded as though amused by the reaction she caused.

Lyra and Aria both laughed under their breath, clearly entertained.

After buying what they needed, Lyra and Aria said their goodbyes and left together, chatting about their recent hunt.

Calen, however, didn’t follow. He lingered near the counter, his beast waiting by the door. His gaze settled on Rowen, serious in a way that felt unusual.

"Rowen," Calen said, "why don’t you ever come by my place anymore? Did you forget we’re friends or what?"

Rowen blinked, caught off guard.

Calen sighed and shook his head. "My mother and father ask about you too. They miss you. If you’ve got time, at least come visit once in a while."

Rowen stayed quiet for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Rowen’s lips curved into a small smile. "I’ll visit, Calen. Just... when I get some free time. I’ve been too busy these days."

Calen frowned, clearly not satisfied, but he nodded anyway. "Fine. Just don’t forget, alright?"

Rowen gave a short nod, and Calen finally turned to leave, his beast padding out behind him.

The shop grew quiet again once the door shut.

After Calen left, the shop didn’t stay quiet for long. More and more people came in, buying what they needed before leaving with satisfied looks. The steady stream of customers made the small shop feel livelier than usual.

After a while, four people entered together. They paused just inside the doorway, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Word had spread quickly: this shabby little shop, without even a signboard, was where students were somehow gaining a sudden edge in their hunts. To outsiders, it must have looked like people were walking in empty-handed and leaving as if they had bought treasure.

The group of four stepped inside, and Rowen immediately recognized them. Talia led the way, followed by Marn and two other Westlight Academy teachers—Alric and Cedric.

Talia’s eyes flicked around the shop, a faint crease in her brow. She had already realized the truth—whatever secret Rowen was keeping here wasn’t going to remain hidden for long. Too many students were showing results far above what should have been possible.

For Marn, Alric, and Cedric, however, the place was a complete mystery. They glanced at the plain wooden shelves and narrow aisles with doubtful expressions. To them, it was hard to believe that this modest, nameless store was somehow connected to the sudden surge of talent among their students.

Alric and Cedric stepped further inside, glancing around the modest interior.

"What kind of shop is this?" Cedric muttered under his breath.

"It looks like... a vegetable store," Alric replied after spotting the baskets neatly arranged with bright red tomatoes and fresh potatoes.

But both men frowned, recalling the students they had seen leaving earlier. The expressions on those faces hadn’t been the look of someone buying groceries. They looked as though they had walked away with treasures.

Curiosity pushed them closer to the shelves. When they finally spotted the price tags, their eyes widened.

"These are... expensive," Alric whispered, his tone somewhere between disbelief and suspicion.

Beside the price labels was a small note, written in Rowen’s neat handwriting:

Tomatoes—Enhances focus.Potatoes—Boosts mana and energy recovery.

Cedric exchanged a stunned look with Alric and Marn. The ordinary produce suddenly didn’t seem ordinary at all.