Test The New Spell

The group moved steadily through the bustling dirt roads of the village, the earlier chaos of the field left behind.

Adam walked at the front, his gaze fixed ahead, while Sophia, Yami, Eric, and George followed close behind.

The faint murmur of village life surrounded them—the clatter of wooden wheels on uneven paths, the distant laughter of children, and the occasional calls of traders hawking their wares.

Adam's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. His steps were steady, but his mind churned with questions.

He could feel it—the faint tingle in his body, the inexplicable surge of energy from earlier. How did I recover so quickly? he wondered.

His mana, which had been completely depleted, now seemed to have returned, if only partially.

A daring thought crossed his mind, one that sent a thrill of anticipation through him. Why not test it?

Adam's dark eyes flicked ahead, narrowing as he spotted a small crowd gathered near the village's marketplace.

It was a modest area, but lively. Traders had set up simple wooden stalls, displaying everything from freshly harvested vegetables to handmade tools.

Villagers moved between the stalls, bartering and chatting animatedly.

He slowed his pace, allowing his companions to catch up, but his focus remained on the idea forming in his mind.

If my mana has returned… what else can I do with it?

Taking a deep breath, Adam closed his eyes. The chatter of the marketplace faded into the background as he centered himself. Slowly, in a voice barely above a whisper, he uttered a single word:

"Detection."

The moment the word left his lips, a subtle hum of energy coursed through his body.

From the soles of his feet, a soft, white light began to radiate outward in all directions.

The light was invisible to those around him, but Adam could feel its presence—a warm, pulsating energy spreading like ripples across the ground.

The light moved swiftly, weaving its way through the marketplace.

It flowed beneath the wooden stalls, wrapped around the villagers, and brushed against the walls of nearby houses.

Every object, every person, every structure was touched by the light before it began to return to its source.

Adam felt the energy collect back at his feet, then surge upward, rushing into his mind like a flood.

His closed eyes were suddenly filled with images—an intricate web of glowing outlines that mapped the world around him.

He could see everything.

Every house, every stall, every villager was outlined in faint white light, as if sketched with a glowing pen.

The structures appeared three-dimensional, their contours precise and detailed.

Even with his eyes closed, Adam could see as if through a heightened sense, his awareness extending far beyond his physical vision.

A surge of exhilaration coursed through him. This is incredible… he thought.

Unable to resist, Adam tried again. He whispered "Detection" once more, and the white light burst forth again.

This time, he walked forward as the energy spread, the outlines shifting and changing with his movements.

It was as if he were painting the world anew with each step, every object and person illuminated in his mind's eye.

The beauty of the glowing structures captivated him, and a smile tugged at his lips. Magic is truly amazing, he thought, marveling at the possibilities it held.

Sophia, walking beside him, noticed his unusual expression. Adam's eyes were still closed, but the faint smile on his face and his oddly calm demeanor caught her attention. Concern flickered in her green eyes as she reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Adam," she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "Are you okay?"

Her touch snapped Adam out of his trance. He opened his eyes, startled, and looked at her. He had expected the images to fade, but they didn't.

Even with his eyes open, he could still see the glowing outlines of the world around him, layered over reality like a second sight.

Adam's heart raced. He was seeing the world in an entirely new way, as if a third eye had been opened within him. The glowing structures, the energy, the heightened awareness—it was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once.

What is this…?

Sophia frowned, her concern deepening as she studied his wide-eyed expression. "Adam, are you sure you're all right? You're acting strange…"

Before Adam could respond, Yami's voice cut through the moment.

"Did something hit you on the head while you were sleeping?" she asked dryly, her arms still crossed as she walked behind him.

The teasing tone snapped Adam out of his daze. He turned to face his companions, schooling his expression into one of annoyance.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, waving a dismissive hand. "But if you keep talking, I'll fall asleep while walking. That's how boring you all are."

Yami rolled her eyes, stepping forward to playfully smack the back of Adam's head. "You're getting too cheeky for your age," she said, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

Adam froze for a moment, a jolt of fear shooting through him. Did they figure it out? he wondered. Do they know I'm not the Adam they think I am? That I'm from modern Earth?

The thought was fleeting, but it left a heavy weight in his chest.

Before he could dwell on it, Sophia stepped forward, her brother George trailing just behind her.

"We're heading home now," Sophia said, her gaze lingering on Adam as if trying to read his thoughts.

Adam simply nodded, choosing not to respond. Beside him, Yami stretched her arms above her head and turned toward Sophia.

"Fine," Yami said. "We'll see you later this evening."

The sun was still high in the sky, its golden rays casting long shadows across the village. Despite the vibrant activity around them, a sense of calm settled over the group as they prepared to part ways.

Eric, Yami, and Adam began walking toward their family home, the soft crunch of dirt underfoot punctuating the quiet. Adam glanced over his shoulder one last time, watching as Sophia and George headed in the opposite direction.

The marketplace behind them bustled with life, but Adam's mind was elsewhere.

He couldn't stop thinking about the power he had just discovered—the glowing structures, the expanded awareness, the potential of magic.

It was as if a door had been opened, one that he had only begun to step through.

And yet, the questions lingered. How far could he push his abilities? What were the limits of his mana?

As the group approached the familiar outline of their home, Adam exhaled deeply. One step at a time, he thought.

And with that, the chapter came to an end, the afternoon sun casting its warm light over the small village and its hidden mysteries.

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End of Chapter Nine