CHAPTER - 12

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Aria stood in her backyard, eyes closed, and focused on the gentle flow of mana around her. As the daughter of the beast god, she possessed a unique ability to collect mana, a skill forbidden to females in the Beastworld. This task required utmost secrecy and patience, especially since her current body collected mana at an agonizingly slow pace.

She took a deep breath, feeling the faint, warm tendrils of mana in the air. Slowly, she began to draw them in, feeling a slight tingle as the energy entered her body. It was working, but the process was excruciatingly slow.

“Just a little more,” Aria whispered to herself, trying to maintain her concentration. After a few minutes, she felt the mana settle within her, though it was a tiny amount. It was progress, nonetheless.

Opening her eyes, Aria sighed, feeling both accomplished and frustrated. “Why does it have to be so slow?” she muttered, looking around the serene backyard. The garden, filled with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, was her sanctuary—a place where she could escape the pressures of her new life and focus on her interests.

When she wasn’t practicing mana collection, Aria spent time learning about herbs from her father, Selwyn, the tribe's healer. These lessons provided a welcome distraction and a sense of purpose.

“Good morning, Aria,” Selwyn greeted her warmly as she arrived at his hut. “Ready to learn about some new herbs today?”

“Absolutely,” Aria replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “What are we focusing on today?”

Selwyn handed her a small basket filled with various plants. “Today, we’re going to learn about herbs that can help with healing wounds. This one here,” he pointed to a plant with thick, succulent leaves, “is called aloe vera. It’s excellent for soothing burns and cuts.”

Aria listened intently, absorbing the information. “And this one?” she asked, holding up a plant with small, yellow flowers.

“That’s calendula,” Selwyn explained. “It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help speed up the healing process.”

Aria carefully placed the herbs in the basket, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Thank you, Dad. I really enjoy these lessons.”

“You’re a quick learner, Aria,” Selwyn praised her. “Keep up the good work, and soon you’ll know as much as I do.”

As the day went on, Aria balanced her secret mana practice with her herbal studies. Despite the slow progress, she remained determined. She knew that with time and effort, she would improve.

Later in the afternoon, Aria sat with her brothers, sharing her herbal knowledge. “So, this one,” she held up a sprig of mint, “is great for soothing stomach aches. And this one,” she pointed to a cluster of chamomile flowers, “can help with sleep.”

“You’re really getting into this, aren’t you?” Rael said, a hint of admiration in his voice.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” Aria replied, feeling a warm glow of satisfaction. “It’s fascinating to learn about how these plants can help people.”

“Maybe you should become the village healer,” Kieran suggested with a grin.

Aria laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t know about that, but it’s definitely something I enjoy.”

Their conversations flowed easily, filled with laughter and teasing. Aria cherished these moments with her family, feeling a deep sense of belonging and love. Despite the challenges she faced, she knew she was surrounded by people who supported her and believed in her.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the backyard, Aria felt a renewed sense of determination. She would continue to practice her mana collection, no matter how slow the progress seemed. And in the meantime, she had her garden and her family to keep her grounded.

“Tomorrow’s a new day,” she thought, watching the sky change colors. “I’ll keep trying, and I know I’ll get better.”

With that resolve, Aria headed back inside, ready to face whatever challenges the next day would bring.

The next day, Aria decided to take a break from her training and spend some time with her best friend, Mira. Mira was a year older than Aria and a bear female. They often played together in the village, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.

“Aria! Over here!” Mira called, waving excitedly as Aria approached the village square.

“Hey, Mira!” Aria greeted her with a wide smile. “What do you want to play today?”

“How about we play hide and seek?” Mira suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Aria nodded enthusiastically. “You’re it first!”

They ran off, giggling, as Mira counted to ten. Aria found a perfect hiding spot behind a large tree, crouching down and trying to keep still. She held her breath, listening intently for any sign of Mira.

“Ready or not, here I come!” Mira’s voice rang out as she began searching for Aria.

Aria could hear Mira’s footsteps getting closer, her heart pounding in her chest. She stifled a laugh, trying not to give away her position. But just as Mira was about to pass her hiding spot, a rustling sound gave Aria away.

“Found you!” Mira exclaimed, laughing as Aria emerged from her hiding place.

“You’re too good at this,” Aria said, grinning. “My turn to find you now!”

They continued to play, their laughter filling the air. It was moments like these that made Aria appreciate her life in the Beastworld, despite the challenges she faced.

After a while, they decided to take a break and sit under the shade of a large oak tree. “Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have powers like the males?” Mira asked, her tone curious.

Aria shrugged, trying to sound casual. “Sometimes. But I think our abilities are special in their own way.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Mira agreed. “My mom says being strong is just as important as having powers.”

Aria nodded, thinking about her secret training. She knew that if anyone found out, it would cause a lot of trouble. But for now, she was content to keep her secret and enjoy her time with Mira.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, Aria and Mira made their way back to their homes. ”See you tomorrow, Aria!” Mira called, waving as she ran off.

“See you, Mira!” Aria waved back, feeling a sense of contentment.

Back home, Aria continued her routine, practicing mana collection in secret and learning about herbs from Selwyn. Each day brought new challenges and discoveries, but she faced them all with determination and a growing sense of confidence.

“Just a little more each day,” she reminded herself as she settled into bed that night. “I’ll get there.”

With her family by her side and her secret training progressing, Aria felt ready to face whatever the future held.

...

Hello, my lovely readers

A few chapter secrets:

♥ Aria couldn't collect mana as quickly as before due to technically being from another world.

♥ Aria loves learning about herbs because she wants to be able to help her friends and family when they are injured.

♥ Aria likes being able to play like a kid.

♥ Aria doesn't like lying.

Now for the question -

Who is your favourite character till now?

I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter 💖.







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