[4 YEARS LATER]

Every day, Master trained me relentlessly. No breaks. He taught me how to control the wind, earth, fire, and water through the power of mana, just like a conjurer—except without the need for incantations. Then, he began to teach me the art of augmented magic, as the augmenters do.

He also introduced me to the power bestowed upon me by the goddess. He warned me that the goddess's power couldn't be used directly and that I had to undergo immense practice. Over the past four years, I could only wield it for about a minute at a time, but I knew that with continuous practice, I'd be able to extend that.

When I used the goddess's power, my strength surged tenfold, my speed became twofold of the sound itself, and my magical attacks and aura tripled. However, the toll it took on my body was extreme. After using it, I felt completely drained, as if every ounce of my energy had been stripped away. If I used it two times in a row, my body felt like it was about to tear itself apart. I named this form Celestial Transmute.

The goddess's power also doubled my mana pool and significantly enhanced my mana breathing rate.

But it didn't stop there. I could also draw on Aurora's power. When I used it, I could fly at half the speed of sound. Yet, the limitation was that I could only sustain it for one hour. The more my mana core grew, the longer I would be able to maintain it, Master said. During this time, my eyes turned a deep crimson, mimicking the eyes of Aurora. My pupils shifted into the shape of a Cytric's—Like Dragons' pupils, and my hair turned stark white. I called this form Cyteric Body, a form where my magic was enhanced, and my speed was like nothing I had felt before.

Master also taught me how to create teleportation gates using sources and also some of the knowledge of source control. And, to top it all off, he taught me how to wield Integrator Magic—a unique form that is lightning, gravity, sound, ice, and a special, mysterious blue flame. With the goddess's power, I no longer needed a wand to perform conjurer magic.

Aurora, too, had grown immensely powerful. She could now defeat an S-rank beast and was on par with SS-rank beasts. But she still had a long way to go. At her current size, she was as big as a lion cub—though she could change her size at will. Now, she could easily curl up and nap on my head if she wanted.

One evening, Master said, "Tomorrow will be our spar. Your last training day. You're allowed to use every magic and power you've learned. Even the power of your familiar and the goddess."

I stood in front of him, my eyes wide with disbelief. "I can't believe it's already been four years."

Master chuckled. "Brat, you've become powerful enough to take down an SS-rank beast."

I smirked. "Yeah, Old man, I know that, but it's still not enough to win against a supreme creature."

Master's gaze softened. "You will because after you visit your house, we're going to venture into the world as adventurers. That's when you'll become even stronger."

I grinned playfully. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But I told you, I'm stopping there for at least six months."

Master grinned back, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Yeah, I know. I'll be here in this forest, waiting. Come back to me after that, brat."

A sadness washed over my face. I hesitated before speaking, my voice quieter than usual. "Can't you come with me, Old man? I really don't want to leave you. You're more than just a master to me. I know if I tell them you saved my life, they'll be happy to see you."

Master's expression changed. His eyes softened, his lips curling into a smile. "Brat…" He looked away for a moment, lost in thought, before adding with a small grin, "Okay, I'll go with you."

His voice trembled slightly as his eyes welled up. He smiled through it. "Thank you, kid. You've made me feel important in your life." His toughness was shattering like a shattered glass for some unknown reason.

Aurora, perched beside me, chirped softly. 'Keeet.'

I chuckled silently. 'Old man really has become emotional, hasn't he?'

I heard Aurora's voice in my mind. 'Yeah, you're right. He never showed this much emotion before. He always smiled and joked during training, but now... I think your words brought up some painful memories.'

I nodded inwardly. 'Yeah, there's a past there, something he tried to forget. I think today, hearing that, it brought it all back to him.'

Aurora's voice softened. 'I think you're right.'

I turned to the Master with a playful expression. "What happened, Old man? Getting sentimental on me now?"

Master sighed deeply, his gaze distant. "You know, everyone has their own cruel past. Today, after a long time in years, I'm feeling alive again."

He fell silent, his eyes clouded with thoughts of the past. "Living a long life isn't always a blessing. The longer you live, the more people you lose. It's just the cycle of life. Immortality... it's not as glamorous as people think. You watch your loved ones fade away, one by one, and all you can do is keep going. You will be betrayed several times."

My thoughts drifted back to my previous life, memories of betrayal and loss. 'Yeah, I know exactly what he means. I've been backstabbed too...'

I spoke softly, my voice barely a whisper, "Is that so?"

Master nodded slowly. "Yeah. There are things I can't teach you... things you'll only learn through life itself. Life is full of challenges. It's not as simple as your duel with me. It's much harder. Sometimes, it will push you to the edge of life and death."

He paused, his expression solemn. "But whatever happens, brat... you're my student. Never give up. No matter how many times you fall, you have to rise again. That's the rule of life. Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow's sparring will be the toughest yet."

I nodded solemnly, determination in my eyes. "Don't worry, Old man. I'm not going to give up on anything I decide."

As I lay down, my mind raced. 'No regrets in this life. I won't give up, not like in my past life.'