After several days of training, under Eliza’s meticulous guidance, Luna had made considerable progress, but the threshold of S-Rank still felt as distant as ever.
“Eliza… I’ve been training here for so long, why haven’t I advanced to S-Rank yet?”
Luna once again stepped onto this familiar ground, her gaze carrying a trace of complaint and helplessness as she looked at Eliza.
Eliza smiled slightly, as if she had already anticipated Luna’s reaction.
“The road of cultivation is long and arduous. Advancing to S-Rank isn’t something that happens overnight, kid.”
Luna pouted, muttering silently in her heart:
“I’ve heard that so much my ears are getting calluses.”
But then Eliza’s tone shifted, a determined light flashing in her eyes.
“But…I have a feeling your S-Rank advancement is near.”
Upon hearing this, Luna was half-skeptical, thinking Eliza was just comforting her, but she still forced a faint smile onto her face.
“Mm… I hope so.”
Seeing this, Eliza gently patted Luna’s shoulder.
“All right, all right, stop sighing here. Go absorb some magical power, kid. I believe you can do it!”
Though still feeling a bit down, Luna followed Eliza’s urging and went through her usual routine.
She took a deep breath, sat down for meditation once more, and devoted herself wholly to absorbing and cultivating magical power.
Meanwhile, Eliza once again pulled out her small stool and table, watching Luna’s training with a relaxed air.
***
Luna sat upright on the meditation cushion, eyes closed and focused, like a tranquil statue.
She carefully felt the delicate sensation of the breeze caressing the forest, the distant roar of the waterfall, and the melodious cries of birds—all of it brought her heart greater peace and calm.
Previously, it was only with Eliza’s careful assistance that she could barely settle her mind and find tranquility.
But through relentless study and practice, she no longer needed Eliza’s guidance and could enter meditation freely, absorbing magical power from the world on her own.
She breathed deeply, sensing the magical fluctuations filling the air—a subtle yet powerful force, like the purest gift of nature.
Luna used her heart to feel, to listen, and to sense this magical power.
She carefully guided the magical power, separating it from the air as if selecting the most precious gemstones.
Then she drew it into her body, letting it transform into streams of warmth that merged with her flesh, nourishing her.
Just like that, Luna quietly absorbed magical power, continuing for half an hour…
“!——?”
Suddenly, a powerful tremor surged through Luna’s heart, and in the next instant, her entire body felt as if it were being sliced apart by countless blades.
The excruciating pain threatened to suffocate her!
“Ah——! It hurts——!”
Luna cried out, her body convulsing uncontrollably as she rolled off the cushion, curling into a ball, pain etched across her face.
Eliza’s eyes widened in alarm.
She rushed forward, scooping Luna up and away from the dangerous edge of the cliff.
She held Luna tightly, trying to ease her pain with the warmth of her embrace.
“Kid… kid, are you okay? Say something!”
Eliza called out anxiously, her eyes full of worry and heartache.
Luna could barely speak through the agony, only able to whimper brokenly:
“It hurts… It feels… like my body is splitting apart——!”
Eliza looked at Luna’s suffering expression, anxiety gnawing at her heart, but her face showed a hint of knowing anticipation.
She spoke gently to Luna.
“Breathe deeply, kid. Remember, this is your body being remolded—it’s the crucial step toward S-Rank.”
Listening to Eliza’s words, Luna struggled to steady her breath, despite the unbearable pain.
She clung tightly to Eliza’s hand, as if it were her only lifeline.
“Don’t panic… don’t lose control…”
Eliza comforted Luna softly.
“As long as you can regulate your breathing and stay calm, this process will pass smoothly.”
“Remember, a single misstep could lead to your body exploding. You have to be strong. You have to endure!”
Hearing Eliza’s words, Luna clenched her teeth, enduring pain ten times worse than a leg cramp.
Her hands gripped Eliza’s so hard that her knuckles turned white, but she forced herself not to let a single cry escape.
Eliza looked at Luna, her heart aching, her gaze filled with encouragement.
She knew that at this stage, Luna could only rely on her own willpower to persevere.
So she comforted Luna in a gentle whisper, staying by her side through this trial.
“You’re doing great, kid. Just keep holding on—it’ll be over soon.”
Eliza’s voice was gentle yet firm, like an invisible strength that kept Luna going.
Luna’s pained moans were weak and trembling.
“Mm… ma…”
Eliza couldn’t make out what Luna was saying and quickly brought her ear closer.
“What? Kid, what did you say?”
Suddenly, Luna summoned all her remaining strength and shouted:
“Mom… it hurts…”
That single word—“Mom”—made Eliza’s heart tremble violently!
It was the first time she’d ever heard Luna call her that.
No compulsion, no transaction.
A word that once felt so distant now echoed so clearly in her ears.
Eliza tightened her embrace, looking down at Luna with affection.
“Good child… Mom is here. I’ll always be with you.”
As she spoke, Eliza gently wiped the sweat from Luna’s forehead, her touch tender and full of love.
In her heart, Eliza prayed silently, hoping Luna would overcome this trial on her own and ascend to new heights.
Her gaze never left Luna, filled with concern and anticipation.
As time passed, the agony in Luna’s body slowly faded, replaced by a deep sense of relief.
Her grip on Eliza’s hand loosened, strength returning as the pain ebbed away.
Finally, Luna lay weakly on the ground, her breathing even, her face still pale but no longer contorted in pain.
Seeing this, Eliza smiled with relief.
“Good child, it seems you’ve succeeded…”
Her voice brimmed with pride and love.
With practiced ease, Eliza drew a blood bag from the space ring on her finger, gently squeezing the crimson liquid into Luna’s mouth.
“You’ll need this, kid.”
Eliza explained softly, her eyes full of kindness.
She knew Luna had just endured a life-or-death trial and desperately needed to replenish her magical power.
Luna opened her mouth slightly, letting the sweet blood flow down her throat, moistening her parched body.
As the blood spread, a warm strength blossomed within her, banishing exhaustion and weakness.
With Eliza’s careful care, Luna quickly regained her energy.
She slowly sat up, gazing at Eliza’s face filled with concern.
“I… this is…”
“You did it, kid.”
“I… Is this real?”
Luna’s voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Yes, you succeeded, kid. You’re S-Rank now.”
Eliza’s smile was warm and sincere, pride and comfort shining in her eyes.
Luna asked again, as if to confirm:
“Then I’m… really S-Rank now?”
“Mm, that’s right.”
Eliza nodded affirmatively, her tone full of encouragement and praise.
Unable to contain her excitement, Luna tried to sense the magical power within her.
Sure enough, compared to before, the magical power now surged like an endless ocean, waiting for her to explore and command.
To test her strength, Luna took out her beloved bow, drew a deep breath, and gathered all her magical power and will, aiming at the forest behind her.
“[Explosive Arrow]——!”
With Luna’s shout, an explosive arrow filled with terrifying energy shot forth, slicing through the still air and into the depths of the forest.
The moment it struck a tree, the arrow exploded, the massive shockwave instantly annihilating the surrounding trees.
Dust billowed, fire flared.
The power of the explosion was indeed greater than before, proving Luna’s leap in strength.
Luna looked at the scene before her, a satisfied smile curling on her lips.