[A/N: Sorry just a mistake I published the Chapter 2 tis, unfortunately I can’t delete it /no need to read it]
Jasper followed without asking any questions. They walked through the verdant enclave. The moss was thick under their feet and the light mist caressed their legs. After several minutes, they arrived in front of a small cabin made of light wood, nestled between two massive roots of the World Tree. The door was simple, without ornant. The grandmother opened it and entered first. Jasper followed her inside.
The interior of the cabin was clean and welcoming. A low table occupied the center of the main room, surrounded by cushions. Wooden shelves ran along the walls, loaded with pots and dried plants. The grandmother pointed to a cushion with a wave of her hand.
"Sit down," she said.
Jasper obeyed. She prepared tea with precise gestures. She poured hot water into a teapot, added leaves, and let it infuse for a few monts. Then she served two steaming cups. The sll was sweet and slightly herbaceous. They began to drink in silence.
Suddenly, she put down her cup and looked at him.
"What pushes you to co to after all this ti?" she asked.
Jasper remained silent for a mont. He stared at the bottom of his cup before answering.
"My friend is dead," he said simply.
"I see," replied the grandmother in a neutral voice.
"If I were much more powerful, I could have helped him." explained Jasper clenching his fists.
"So you want to beco strong so as not to relive this," said the grandmother looking him straight in the eyes.
"Of course," replied Jasper without hesitation.
The grandmother accepted with a slight nod. She suddenly stood up and approached him. She stopped very close and observed his face, or rather his eyes hidden behind the blindfold.
"What a waste" she murmured.
"What do you an by that?" asked Jasper frowning.
She returned to her place and sat down again. Her voice beca clearer, more pedagogical.
"The use of your eyes was so bad that it completely wasted your true potential. To no longer suffer repercussions when using them, you must know how to distribute the mana so that it heals you continuously. It becos tiring if your mana reserves are low. But if you completely master your eyes, your mana expenditure will be greatly reduced."
Jasper listened attentively. He was becoming fascinated. He did not expect that his eyes, which had always been a burden to him, could beco sothing so formidable. Each explanation opened a new perspective in his mind. He was already imagining how this would change his future fights.
The grandmother finished her explanations and stood up once again.
"Follow ," she said. "It is easier to understand by experiencing it yourself."
They left the cabin. The light in the enclave had changed slightly, softer. They walked to a clearing surrounded by tall roots. In the center was a circle of ancient stones. The grandmother stopped outside the circle.
"Enter," she said.
Jasper advanced to the middle of the stones. The air there was denser, charged with mana. He felt a light pressure on his skin.
"Sit in a ditation position," continued the grandmother. "Keep your blindfold on for now."
Jasper settled on the ground. He crossed his legs and placed his hands on his knees. The grandmother began to speak in a steady, almost hypnotic voice.
"Close your eyes under the blindfold. Feel the mana around you. Do not force it. Let it co naturally to your eyes."
Jasper obeyed. At first, he felt nothing in particular. Then a light warmth appeared behind his eyelids. It was gentle, like a caress.
"Now, imagine that this mana circulates in your eyes like a river that nourishes the earth," she explained.
Jasper concentrated. The warmth increased progressively. He felt his eyes tingle, then a sensation of relief he had never known. Usually, the use of his Moon Eyes left a burn behind. Here, it was different.
"Good," said the grandmother. "Open them slowly."
Jasper lifted the blindfold. His silver eyes shone in the gloom of the enclave. This ti, he felt no imdiate pain. The mana seed to flow naturally, as she had described.
"Do you see the difference?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Jasper. His voice betrayed his astonishnt.
They spent the following hours practicing. The grandmother showed him simple exercises at first, then more and more complex ones. She had him activate his eyes for a few seconds, then deactivate them, always ensuring the proper circulation of mana. Jasper learned quickly. His body, accustod to suffering, welcod this new flow with relief.
At one point, Jasper fully activated his Moon Eyes. Imdiately, the world around him beca sharper: he could distinguish the flows of mana floating in the air, as well as the small currents of energy dancing silently between the tree roots. Everything appeared clear and precise, and for the first ti, he experienced this state without the usual exhaustion that normally accompanied it.
"You are progressing," noted the grandmother, sketching a slight smile. She placed her hand on his shoulder before adding: "But this is only the beginning. Do not rest too quickly on these first successes."
Jasper nodded, then they continued the exercise. Fatigue gradually began to make itself felt: his mana reserves were dropping, yet he noticed that his recovery was faster than before. He then understood what she ant by "continuous healing."
They returned to the cabin when the light dimd in the enclave. The grandmother served another cup of tea, and this ti, Jasper spoke more freely.
"I had never imagined that my eyes could be anything other than a curse," he said while staring at the swirls of steam.
"Many in our clan have considered them as such," she replied as she sat down across from him. "But it is because they never took the ti to learn."
Jasper took a sip. The warmth of the tea did him good after the efforts, and he felt his muscles gradually relax.
"How long will it take to master all this?" he asked.
"It depends on you," said the grandmother, crossing her hands on the table. "Your body already has a good foundation. With daily training, you will see quick results. But true mastery takes years." She marked a short pause, then added: "And above all, it requires patience."
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