4. gossip twin's

A few days had passed.

Wei's health has improved greatly by now. Like every day, Mei was healing her with magic. The soft herbal scent in the room made the air feel warm and light.

Wei looked at her mother, her voice gentle—

"Mom… when will Hao come back? He was at the university, right?"

Still healing her, Mei replied softly,

"I'm not sure, dear… maybe he'll return soon to take you back to the university."

Once the healing finished, Wei stood up.

"Alright, Mom. I'm going to see the Master."

She walked toward the combat grounds.

Wang Mei watched her leaving and smiled gently,

"My daughter… she's grown wiser now."

Then she returned to her work.

The combat ground was filled with cool morning air. Many soldiers were undergoing their training.

Wei's thoughts wandered—

"Hao said he'd take me Monster Hunting… but he's not even here…"

Just then—

"Wei, you're here."

The Master dismissed the soldiers to continue training and walked toward her.

"Master… I feel like my sword skills are getting worse…"

Wei said cautiously. Riya never knew swordsmanship, so this was only an excuse.

The Master chuckled,

"Yes… after your illness, when you first came back, I really thought you weren't Wei at all. But in just a few days… you've improved well."

Wei lifted her sword.

"Okay Master… let's practice."

The sun moved slowly across the sky as they practiced — an entire hour passed.

The Master left, telling her to rest.

A commander approached Wei with a smile,

"Princess, your swordsmanship was impressive today."

Wei smiled back,

"But it will take me a long time to reach your level, Commander."

They both shared a small laugh.

After chatting with others for a while, Wei returned to the palace.

In her room, she didn't pick up her sword.

This time, she practiced boxing and martial arts — skills from her previous life.

Her stance, her rhythm, her punches — everything came back to her naturally, as if her body remembered.

After training, she bathed and headed to the library.

It was quiet.

She sat at a table, a blue-covered book opened before her.

Written on the cover in golden ink:

‹ Arcane Fundamentals: Magic System ›

Wei turned a page.

‹ Every human contains mana. In some it flows weakly, in others stronger. ›

Her eyes brightened.

‹ Magic is created by using mana. The stronger the mana, the stronger the magic. But… ›

Wei's expression tightened.

‹ But to awaken magic, one must first learn spells. ›

A diagram was drawn:

Mana Source (Spirit)

↓

Mana Core (Body)

↓

Mana Channels (Mind)

↓

Spells

"Oh… so this is how magic works here…"

She whispered.

She read the name of the first spell:

Lumina Touch

—a small light orb.

Wei lifted her index finger.

She closed her eyes.

She remembered the words:

‹ Feel the mana. Do not force it. ›

Warmth slowly rose from her chest…

down her arm…

into her fingertips.

Her fingers tingled.

She whispered, carefully—

"Lu… mi… na…"

A small orb of light

flickered above her fingertip.

Soft. Warm. Gentle.

[system update]

[ New skill ]

[ lumina lvl 1 ]

She heard Ares' voice.

Wei opens her eyes , and sees the magic...

But after a moment — it fizzled out.

Wei took a deep breath.

No disappointment.

Just steady determination.

"It's okay… I just need more practice."

But before she could try again—

"Wei."

She opened her eyes.

Hao stood at the entrance.

"Hao? Why are you here? Mom said you were at the university."

Hao sat in the chair beside her,

"I just returned. And in two days, you're coming back with me."

A hint of nervousness crossed Wei's face.

"But I don't know anything about this world… the university… anything…"

"Ask. I'll tell you."

Wei thought for a moment.

"First… how did Wei end up in that condition?"

Hao grew quiet.

A shadow fell over his expression.

"I don't know. I found her outside a dungeon… already injured. I brought her straight home."

Wei didn't ask further.

Then softly,

"Was someone… bullying me at the university?"

Hao nodded slightly.

"You didn't have enemies. But they treated you as one. Because… you gained a treasure without effort. And they believed someone like you didn't deserve it."

Wei looked up, confused.

"What treasure…?"

"You'll understand when the time comes," Hao said, not wanting her to worry.

Then he laughed lightly,

"By the way… your name Riya… your world had such strange names."

Wei smiled back,

"I find your names strange! Wang Hao, Wang Wei… I keep forgetting them!"

They both laughed softly.

Then Hao's expression returned to seriousness.

"Before university… you need to increase your level."

Wei blinked.

"My level…?"