After the meal, in the clearing outside Heiter’s hut.
Naruto lifted his shirt, letting the crouching Frieren examine the strange Jutsu on his abdomen.
“How truly strange…
A pattern and Jutsu I have never seen before…”
Frieren pinched her chin, continuing to study it intently.
Fern and Heiter watched from the side, even though this same scene had repeated many times over the past few years.
But this time was different.
The person opposite them was the Hero Party’s Mage, Frieren.
Therefore, Fern also nervously clutched the corner of Heiter’s robe.
Heiter, with a kind and gentle smile, stroked Fern’s head.
After observing for a while, Frieren said: “Can you show me that other type of energy within you?
The one Heiter called ‘Chakra’.”
“It’s Chakra!”
Naruto emphasized, recalling the method for refining Chakra.
This was an energy completely different from mana, but because he had never learned any Ninjutsu, he could only refine it, and it had no practical effect.
Moreover, over the past few years, Naruto had almost abandoned Chakra refinement, turning instead to learning techniques like mana control.
As Naruto refined his Chakra, Frieren used her mana to probe and perceive every change within his body.
“It is indeed a type of energy I have never seen before.
If I weren’t specifically looking for it, even I would find it difficult to detect,” Frieren murmured, pinching her chin.
After a long while, Heiter asked with slight anxiety: “How is it?”
Frieren stood up gently and said calmly: “I apologize, but I do not know what kind of Jutsu this is.
Perhaps it does not fall under the category of magic at all.
As for the other energy called Chakra, I will try to analyze it, but my preliminary estimate is that it will take five years or more.”
“Then I will leave it to you.
During this time, could you also teach them both magic?
They are very talented children, and after all, I am a priest and do not understand magic at all,” Heiter nodded and said softly.
Frieren looked at Heiter and replied: “If it is just that, I can do it.”
She then turned her head, looking at Naruto and Fern respectively, and asked: “May I ask you a question?
Do you like magic?”
“I like it well enough.”
“I love it!”
Frieren was very satisfied with these two answers and smiled: “Since I am going to teach you magic, before that, I would like to see your current level.”
Naruto immediately perked up, excitedly saying: “A test?
Great, sounds good!”
Fern also took a few steps forward and nodded.
Heiter smiled from the side without speaking, just quietly watching the three of them interact.
“Is there a suitable place nearby for practice?” Frieren asked.
“Yes!” Naruto answered eagerly, “Sister Fern and I often go to the cliff to practice.
It’s very open, and we won’t disturb anyone.”
Frieren stood up and picked up her suitcase.
“Then let’s go there.”
The three walked through the forest for about twenty minutes and arrived at the edge of a cliff.
The top of the cliff was a flat grassy area with a wide view.
A hundred meters away was another mountain peak, with a very wide expanse, and a giant boulder at the edge of the cliff.
Behind the giant boulder, it was covered with pits of various sizes, as if telling the tale of the marks left behind during the two’s previous practice sessions.
“Do you usually practice against that giant boulder?” Frieren asked.
“Yes, Lord Heiter said that as long as we can pierce the giant boulder opposite, we can become independent Mages,” Fern answered softly.
Frieren gauged the distance and nodded slightly: “So Heiter doesn’t know nothing about magic training after all.
Let me see your offensive magic then.
Who will go first?”
“I’ll go first.”
Fern stepped forward, holding her staff bound with purple bandages in both hands.
She took a deep breath and, as usual, gathered her mana.
A white light instantly flared up.
A beam of light shot from the tip of the staff, flying straight towards the giant boulder opposite.
But when it flew halfway, the beam began to become unstable, and the light gradually dimmed.
Finally, it dissipated completely in mid-air, dozens of meters away from the giant boulder.
Afterwards, Fern lowered her staff and silently retreated to the side, her face unreadable.
“Next is my turn!”
Naruto had long been impatient; he rushed forward in a few steps and raised his staff.
White light burst from the tip of the staff; the beam was thicker and brighter than Fern’s.
Completely opposite to Fern’s situation, Naruto’s offensive magic showed no signs of weakening; on the contrary, it flew faster and faster, with increasing momentum.
But…
The trajectory of the beam was off.
It did not fly towards the giant boulder, but instead traced a diagonal line, grazing past it and striking a forest further away.
With a boom, several trees toppled over.
Naruto stood stunned in place, scratching his head and smiling sheepishly.
“It missed again…”
Evidently, the marks on the mountain opposite were the result of Naruto’s efforts over the years.
Fern looked at the fallen trees, then at Naruto, her eyes filled with confusion.
Both of them turned to Frieren at the same time.
Fern asked softly: “Lady Frieren, why did my magic dissipate halfway, while Naruto’s magic can fly so far?
We started learning at the same time.”
“Yeah, yeah!” Naruto also leaned in, “And my power is clearly greater, so why can’t I hit the target?”
Frieren looked at the two, her expression calm, and then slowly held up three fingers:
“Long-range magic is composed of three elements: mana capacity, the strength of the magic launch, and the ability to control mana.”
“Do you understand up to this point?”
Fern nodded seriously: “Yes.”
Naruto also nodded, but his gaze was a bit blank.
Frieren glanced at him, didn’t say much, and continued:
“Fern, your offensive magic dissipated halfway because both your mana capacity and the strength of your magic launch are insufficient.”
“This is not a problem that can be solved in a day or two.
It has nothing to do with talent; it requires years of effort to break through.”
Fern bowed her head slightly and said softly: “I will continue to work hard.”
Frieren looked at Naruto again: “As for you…”
Naruto immediately straightened his body, his azure eyes shining with anticipation.
“To be honest, I am surprised.”
“I didn’t expect that at such a young age, you would have such a massive amount of mana, and the strength of your magic launch is even stronger than some adult Mages.”
“Hehehe…” Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his eyes squinting as he smiled.
Frieren changed the subject: “However.”
Naruto’s smile froze on his face.
“Your ability to control mana is too poor, not even half as good as Fern’s.
This is why, although your offensive magic has enough power, its accuracy is too low.”
“For Fern, the issue of her mana capacity and the strength of her magic launch is just a matter of time, but you…”
Frieren looked at Naruto, saying every word clearly: “When you will be able to perfectly control your mana remains an unknown.”
“Some Mages may never be able to control it to an ideal degree in their entire lives, which is what we call lacking talent.”
Naruto felt as if all his strength had been drained; his body slumped, and he hung his head, staring at the staff in his hands without saying a word.
Seeing him in this state, Fern stepped forward and reached out to grab Naruto’s shoulder.
“Naruto.”
Naruto looked up.
Fern’s expression was very serious, her voice soft yet firm: “Let’s work hard together.
For Lord Heiter.”
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then slowly tightened his grip on the staff and nodded heavily: “Yeah!
For Grandpa Heiter!”
Frieren stood to the side, watching the two children encouraging each other, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
“Then…” She turned to face the sky beyond the cliff, “Starting from tomorrow, I will arrange specialized training for you both.”
“Be prepared.”