The sun penetrated through the thick canopy of huge trees. The gentle breeze kissed the delicate leaves. Through the gaps, a wooden cottage had made itself visible. It had a huge roof, made of dark wood; the walls had a touch of ashen wood, but was mostly covered in brown. It was built with utmost care.

  Inside the cottage, a boy slept peacefully, without a single concern. The breeze that flew in through the windows, played with his black velvety hair. It was probably the chirping of birds, which disturbed his sleep. His eyes opened and he found himself in an unfamiliar territory. He was about to get off the bed, when the door to his room opened. A man, dressed like a farmer had entered the room. He had a lean body, dusty but handsome face, and wore a hat with a yellow feather on its brim. He looked young, probably in his twenties.

  “Oh, you’re awake...” He approached the boy. “You were in a pretty bad shape, you know? It’s a miracle that you recovered within three days.....” There was a small break.... “What’s your name kid.” He said with a calm look on his face.

  “Voldar Vistara...” The boy answered, without any hesitation. If it was anyone else, Voldar wouldn’t have been able to answer so easily. He would stutter for a minute before giving an answer, that too, in a shaky voice. But the aura around this man gave a relaxing and calm vibe. Something about this man seemed to have a positive impact on Voldar. He was about to say something, but then he remembered what had happened previously. He checked his chest for puncture wounds. There was none. But he clearly remembered the withered hand sticking out of chest. He looked towards the man in complete surprise.

  The man seemed to understand the situation. First, he introduced himself. “Hello Voldar, I’m Rozaf.... I found you in the first section of the forest, bleeding to death. I closed your wound to stop the bleeding, but it felt like your will to live had already gone. So I carried you to my house. I thought that a good rest might help you recover. Afterall there’s nothing better than a good nap.”

  Voldar was a bit confused about the current situation, but he was grateful to Rozaf, for saving him. Still, he had a few questions. “How did you heal my wound?” Voldar looked at Rozaf.

  “What do you mean?” Rozaf looked a bit confused.

  “As far as I remember, my heart was badly wounded. Any person would’ve died with these grievous injuries. But you said you healed me. Do you practice medicine?” Voldar’s curiosity erased the look of gratitude from his face.

  Rozaf burst out laughing. “Oh... You got it wrong kid. I’m just a farmer. I grow rare plants and herbs which are available in the deeper sections of the forest. I’m no doctor....” He stopped laughing. “But I am a spiritiz user and spiritiz can be used in numerous ways. Not even the nobles are aware of some of its uses.”

  Now, Voldar was interested in the man. “You know how to use spiritiz energy?” The question seemed a bit stupid.

  “Doesn’t everyone?” Rozaf answered with a smile.

  “Can you channel spiritiz energy?” Voldar seemed excited.

  “Yes... But why do you ask Voldar?”

  “Can you teach me...” Voldar looked serious.

  Rozaf looked at his big, rounded eyes and asked him politely, “ Why do you want to learn it?”

  “To get stronger.” Voldar’s answer was short.

  Rozaf could see the determination in his eyes.

  “Come with me...” Rozaf said as he left the room. Voldar got off the bed. He thought he would feel some kind of weakness but he felt completely fine. Rozaf must have done a good job. He followed Rozaf outside the house. To his surprise, he saw everything around him, covered in green. There were huge trees, deep bushes, and a number of vines. He asked Rozaf, “Where are we, sir?”

  He turned around and looked towards Voldar. “You can call me Rozaf.... And we are in the Great Forest. Specifically between the transition area of the first two sections.”

  Voldar looked around for a bit. “Isn’ t it dangerous?”

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  “Well, my house is invisible to asuras. I have put an illusion spell on it.”

  Voldar looked at Rozaf in awe. He was really strong. After a few minutes of chatting, Rozaf asked Voldar to sit down on the ground. He showed him a meditation technique, which included a rhythmic breathing. Voldar was told to meditate as long as he could.

  At first, Voldar had a bit difficulty in catching the breathing technique but as time passed, he got better. Voldar did this for a week. On the last day, Rozaf told Voldar to use that breathing technique and feel the source of warmth in his body. Voldar felt a warm sensation covering his eyelids. He opened his eyes and a miracle happened. He could see the farthest and the tiniest being, for a certain distance. He looked around, adjusting his eyes.

  “What happened?” Rozaf asked him.

  “I don’t know.... I opened my eyes and suddenly I could see a tiny ant which was a few hundred metres away.” Voldar expressed his confusion.

  Rozaf was silent for a few minutes. He was lost in his thoughts. After a while, he spoke up. “It’s very rare. Your spiritiz energy is concentrated in your eyes. That’s why you couldn’t channel it before. You were using wrong techniques.”

  Rozaf looked at Voldar. He saw a light of hope on the boy’s face. He gave Voldar a soft smile.

  For the next four months, Rozaf helped Voldar with his training. By the end of the month of Rinag, Voldar had completely mastered his sight. He was a perfect candidate for a ranger type spiritiz user. But Voldar’s physical prowess wasn’t good at all. Rozaf had to train him everyday for a year, which ultimately boosted Voldar’s endurance, speed, reflexes, and strength. Voldar was also made familiar with the terrain of the forest. He would often hunt spiritiz beasts during his training. Voldar’s shy nature gradually started to fade away. Now the only thing left for Rozaf to do, was to teach Voldar about channeling.

  “Voldar, come with me for a bit.” Rozaf was standing outside his room. Voldar peeked out of his room. He had grown taller and his hair, now reached his shoulders. He got out of his room and followed Rozaf. They walked to a clearing, inside the forest. Voldar had visited that place before, during his physical training.

  “I will teach you to channel spiritiz energy.” Rozaf told him.

  Voldar was excited, but looking around him, he saw no equipment through which he would channel.

  “Where’s the weapon, Rozaf?”

  Rozaf turned around and smiled. “You are the weapon.”

  Voldar didn’t understand what he meant. He gave Rozaf, a confused look.

  Rozaf turned towards the clearing and pointed both of his palms towards it. A barrage of white light went flying towards the clearing, destroying it completely.

  “Raw spiritiz.....” Voldar whispered.

  “You’re right.” Rozaf heard it.

  Voldar looked at him it disbelief. “But that’s impossible..... How can raw spiritiz do so much damage?”

  “Do you know why most people think that raw spiritiz is useless?” He looked at Voldar, then started his explanation. “It’s because they don’t train their concentration. Half of the population don’t even know where their energy is concentrated. That’s why channellers use weapons. But since you’ve fully mastered your concentration, I believe that your raw spiritiz will deal more damage than paired with any element.”

  Voldar seemed to understand his explanation. He pointed his finger towards the big hole made by Rozaf, and concentrated on his eyes. He felt the warmth of the spiritiz energy. He then directed it towards his fingertip and let it flow. A white bullet of raw spiritiz energy flew into the hole, making a small explosion. Voldar was taken aback by his power. He didn’t know he could ever get this strong. Rozaf laughed at his reaction.

  For another year, Voldar perfected his channelling. He was now able to perform barrages and shoot beams. Rozaf kept a track of his progress. After mastering his channelling, only in two years, Voldar enthusiastically asked Rozaf if there was anything else he could learn.

  “There’s always something to learn. Afterall you can never know enough. But for now, I have nothing else to teach you.” Rozaf looked at Voldar. He had a sad look on his face.

  “What should I do now?” Voldar asked Rozaf. He knew he couldn’t stay in forest forever. Voldar and Rozaf had developed a brotherly relation with these years and the boy loved his company but he had to go back to the real world.

  “Enroll in Myztic.... Help humanity to fight against the asuras.” Rozaf answered with a smile on his face.

  Myztic admissions were to start in the month of Visur. Voldar had two weeks until then. There was enough time to get back to Hosontropia. Rozaf gave Voldar some herbs he had grown and some food, to help on his journey. Voldar didn’t want to leave Rozaf. He asked Rozaf to come with him. But he said that he loved being in the forest. Voldar couldn’t get him to change his mind. One day, early in the morning, Voldar left Rozaf’s cottage. Rozaf bid his student farewell. As he went on his way, he saw the cottage disappearing slowly, until it wasn’t visible anymore.

  Voldar had gotten stronger. But there were many challenges he would have to face. His journey wouldn’t be an easy one.