Over the next week, Tenko continued to fight Ava, helping her perfect her chantless magic. Meanwhile, Rei used the map given to him by the hooded figure to check for dangers along the path. By the end of the week, Rei realized there was nothing wrong with the path and decided he couldn't delay his journey any longer.
He went to Ava's house and found her able to use chantless magic with ease, though she still wasn't a match for Tenko's immense experience and power. Wayton approached him. "Hey, you really did what you said! You taught my daughter chantless magic," he exclaimed.
"Magic isn't so special if you know how it works," Rei replied.
"Yeah," Wayton agreed, watching Ava fight. Not only had her magic improved, but so had the amount of magic she could use. Ava had learned Ice Spikes, Flamethrower, Ice Cage, Ember, Fire Javelin, Ice Javelin, Fireball, Ice Tomb, Fire Tomb, and many more magic.
"However, I'm still unable to teach her shadow magic," Rei admitted.
"Don't worry, even if it's just the two attributes, I'm more than willing to declare the task complete," Wayton said.
"But I would really like her to know shadow magic," Rei insisted. "Can you tell me what shadow magic looks like?"
"Sure," Wayton replied. "Shadow magic allows one to become invisible or even make the things they touch invisible. It's not the best attribute, but it's not a weak attribute either."
Rei thought about it. "Allows to make things invisible... this is the first time I'm hearing of it. How could I replicate it or even understand it?"
Wayton laughed. "Don't worry, you're already a prodigy. I believe you can understand it."
"Yeah, I hope so," Rei said. "But can I take a break tomorrow?"
"Sure, but why do you want a break? Are you going to the Red Mountain?" Wayton asked.
"Yes, I'm searching for something there," Rei confirmed.
"Take care of yourself then," Wayton advised.
Ava, who was fighting Tenko with a Fire Wall spell, suddenly asked, "Father, can I go with him, please?"
"No, Ava. The Red Mountain is very dangerous," Wayton said firmly.
Tenko used a whirlwind spell to break the fire wall, and Ava responded with Ice Spikes, creating many spikes from the ground. Tenko jumped through them, avoiding the pointed parts and jumping by the sides. "Please, I'm stronger now! I can help!" Ava pleaded.
"Still no," Wayton said. Tenko used an Earth Claw spell, covering his small paw in rocks to create a large earth claw. Ava used a Flamethrower spell, but Tenko cut through the fire with his earth claw and resisted the flames, sending Ava tumbling down.
"Okay, I guess that's enough for today," Rei said. "Tomorrow will be a break for you." Tenko jumped onto Rei's shoulder.
"Fine," Ava said dejectedly. Rei went to his Midgard and began preparing his things. Tenko barked and tapped his paw on the Midgard's floor.
"No, we can't take the Midgard there," Rei explained. "There might be dangers, and besides, the road is very uneven. The Midgard might not be able to work there." Tenko nodded. "Give me the food supplies that we stored in my room." Tenko brought a box, and Rei began putting the contents into his bag. "Now, bring what you would like to eat." Tenko happily brought many things. "This is all meat. Aren't you getting greedy? Well, fine." Rei packed the meat into the bag. "Tomorrow we will be going to the Red Mountains. There might be many dangers there. Even though this path is said to be pretty safe, we still have to be cautious, okay, Tenko?" Tenko nodded.
The next day, Tenko and Rei went to the foot of the mountain. "Let's go," Rei said. Tenko nodded, and they began climbing. The ground was littered with rocks. Tenko walked carefully, trying not to be a burden. As they made their way, Rei heard a sound behind him. "Who is there?" he called out. When he received no answer, he said, "Since you won't show your face, meet my wind blast!"
"Wait, I'm here!" a familiar voice echoed. It was Ava.
"Ava, didn't we tell you to wait? Go back now," Rei said, annoyed.
"We have already come such a way," Ava argued. "If I return now and something happens, who would take responsibility?" Rei facepalmed. He knew what she was saying was true; if something happened to Ava now, he would be responsible. "Fine, come," Rei said, "but don't drag us down."
"Yay!" Ava cheered.
"And don't make loud noises, otherwise someone might hear you," Rei quickly added. Ava stopped celebrating and followed Rei.
Rei looked around his surroundings and suddenly backed away, silencing Tenko and Ava. "Tenko, go ahead and scout," he whispered. Tenko went ahead and saw two white-cloaked people talking to each other. Tenko returned and nodded. "There are indeed people here," Rei thought.
"What should we do?" Ava asked.
"It's easy," Rei said. "Tenko, go ahead and take care of them."
Tenko went to a tree, jumped onto a branch, and looked at the two men. He then used a Flamethrower spell, attacking the two white-robed people. Sensing an attack, one of the men created a barrier, stopping the attack. The other man said, "Oh holy magic, Make my enemies cower in fear" Suddenly, lightning struck. The white-robed man again made a barrier, but then he noticed his companion had stopped chanting. He looked over and saw that his companion was encased in ice, and then water poured over him as Tenko used a water ball. The man scoffed. "What can you do to me with this amount of water?"
"This," Rei said. "Lightning Strike!" As lightning shot out, the man created a barrier. But then Tenko used his own lightning spell, and the man felt excruciating pain and collapsed. Rei took the man out of the ice and said, "That Ice Cage was impressive, Ava. However, you need to work on it a bit more."
Suddenly, a magical beast as big as a two-story building appeared. It looked like a wolf. Rei quickly made an Earth Dome and covered them inside it. He peered out of the cage. "Oh no, what is happening?" he said. "I've seen it. This place should be relatively safe. Why are so many beasts and even these people lingering here? We have to proceed cautiously."