The Verdant Merchant

"When you absorbed the void-tier mana stone, you awakened me," Fern said gently. "I am the Spirit of Growth, bound to you. Because of that bond, you inherited the Farmer path through me. The Federation's crystal wasn't designed to recognize a spirit's influence; it only measures innate potential. To it, you appear purely Mage."

Rowen's brow furrowed deeper. "So the farmer path… isn't really mine?"

"Oh, it is," Fern assured, his voice calm but firm. "Through me, you cultivate growth, crops, and vitality itself. That is your farmer path. But when your inner space upgraded, you also gained access to a mana tactic. That made you capable of absorbing mana directly. That is what the crystal sensed the mark of a mage. The moment you absorbed that void stone, Rowen… that was your true awakening."

Rowen crossed his arms, exhaling slowly. Pieces began to fall into place, though questions remained. "So, to the outside world, I'm just a Mage. But in truth, I walk both paths."

Fern smiled faintly. "Yes. And that truth is something only you and I must understand for now."

Rowen decided it was time to visit the Mage Path guidance room. The line of people waiting was long, filled with students, hunters, and a few other awakened individuals. He waited patiently, keeping his focus on the goal: discovering which element he was compatible with.

Finally, after some time, his turn arrived.

A middle-aged woman greeted him behind the desk. Her sharp eyes gave nothing away, but her presence carried the calm authority of someone who had guided countless aspiring mages.

"I want to know which element I am compatible with," Rowen stated simply.

The guide nodded. "Very well. This crystal has been specifically designed to measure elemental compatibility for mages," she explained. She carefully lifted a small, polished crystal from the desk. Its surface shimmered faintly, as if alive. "Place your hand on it. Visualize and guide your mana toward the crystal. Within your mental space, the element you are compatible with will reveal itself. The result is private; you alone will know it. Any questions you have afterward, you may ask me."

She paused, then added, "The assessment fee is five low-grade mana stones."

Rowen nodded, reaching into his pouch and sliding five stones across the desk. The woman collected them without comment and gestured toward the crystal. "Go ahead. Let your mana flow."

He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the cool crystal surface. Inside his mind, he centered himself, feeling the familiar pulse of mana. The crystal began to hum softly, responding to the energy he projected, guiding his senses to recognize the elemental affinity hidden within him.

Rowen closed his eyes, letting the crystal synchronize with his mana, ready to discover the element that defined his mage path.

At first, nothing happened. Rowen waited, feeling the faint hum of the crystal under his hand. His mana flowed towards the crystal.

Then, unexpectedly, the first element appeared—Earth. A small mound of soil and stone formed inside his mind's eye, solid and grounding. He felt its weight and stability, like the foundation of the world itself.

Next, Wood emerged. Sprouts pushed upward from the earth, twisting and turning, leaves unfurling as if breathing life into the soil. The plants swayed slightly, complementing the firm earth beneath them.

Then came Air. Gentle winds spiraled through the growing forest, bending the leaves and carrying the scent of life. It flowed naturally, harmonizing with the earth and wood, bringing movement and freedom.

After that, Fire flickered to life, tiny sparks dancing among the branches, not destructive but alive, warming the scene, and adding energy and strength to the creation.

Finally, Water appeared. Streams of clear, sparkling water wound through the soil and wood, nourishing it, connecting everything. The fire's heat caused it to steam slightly, yet it flowed calmly, creating balance.

Rowen blinked, astonished. The elements didn't just appear—they interacted, complementing each other, forming a miniature world inside his mind. Each one had its own presence, yet together they felt harmonious, like pieces of a puzzle naturally fitting.

He had expected a single element to reveal itself. Instead, he was witnessing creation itself—the birth of elements, balanced and intertwined.

Rowen's pulse quickened. "I… I can feel them all," he whispered. "They're… working together?"

Inside his mind, the elements interacted perfectly, complementing each other, forming a miniature world that was entirely his. Each element had its own presence, yet together they felt harmonious, like pieces of a puzzle naturally fitting.

No one else could see this—only he could feel the alignment, the balance, and the subtle power each element offered. It was private inside his mental space, so no one could see it.

Rowen slowly pulled his hands away from the crystal, letting the glow fade. He glanced at the guide, who was standing patiently, her eyes curious, as if expecting him to ask something.

Her subtle smile suggested she was ready for questions—each one another chance to earn her fee. Rowen, however, remained silent for a moment, simply observing her and collecting his thoughts about the elemental alignment he had just experienced.

Rowen cleared his throat and asked, "How many elements can a person be compatible with?"

The guide's face fell slightly at the simplicity of the question. She had probably hoped he'd ask something more in-depth so she could charge him for extra guidance. "Ah… that's a common question," she said, her tone tinged with mild disappointment. "I don't charge for this one."

She leaned back slightly and continued, "Most awakened mages are compatible with only one element. There are rare cases where someone can connect with two elements, and extremely rare cases, almost legendary, where a person has affinity with three. I've never seen anyone compatible with more than that."

Rowen listened carefully, his brow furrowed. What he had just experienced five elements appearing before him was something she had never encountered, even in her long career. That realization made the rarity of his potential even clearer.

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.