The morning sun filtered into Velgar’s room, but the true light—the one that cut through the darkness of his strategic solitude—was the familiar, crystalline presence of ATHENA in his mind. She was back. Fully operational, the connection stable, a stream of pure data flowing directly into his consciousness like a rediscovered river. Only an instant had passed since his abrupt awakening after the divine encounter in the white space, but his mind, used to processing information at unimaginable speeds, was already working at full capacity.

  [ATHENA: Primary diagnostics complete. Soul-quantum matrix integrity: 99.87%. Neural connection with elven biological host: stable. Synchronization with local mana flows: in progress, current efficiency 12%. Significant temporal anomaly detected relative to last Earth log. Requesting full report on current situation, Creator.]

  Velgar remained motionless in bed for a few seconds, eyes fixed on the living wood ceiling. Hearing ATHENA’s logical, precise voice again was like regaining a lost limb. An anchor in the chaos of his dual existence. Kroniarth’s gift had been as unexpected as it was crucial.

  "Brief report, ATHENA," he thought, initiating their first real mental conversation in what felt like an eternity. "I was reborn in this elven body five years ago on this world, Aelyndor. I retained all my memories. I’ve interacted with several local divine entities—Elysiara, Auralthys, Kroniarth—affiliated with the Doctrine of Creation. They confirmed that my soul hasn’t fully adapted yet, and my terrestrial past still influences my essence. They also assured me of my freedom of choice in this life. I’ve been informed that Earth is stable under AI and automaton control. I’ve just confirmed my theories on mana’s nature as an energy field. The long-term goal is unclear, but my current priorities are survival, understanding this world, developing my abilities (Technocracy, magic/science fusion), and protecting my new family… without revealing my true nature or attracting unwanted attention."

  [ATHENA: Understood. Data integrated. Situation is complex. You are a designated catalyst, positioned at the center of potential divine doctrinal conflicts. High risk of future manipulation. Threat level: Elevated. Maximum discretion protocol activated.]

  "Exactly. My mask of 'gifted but normal elven child' has held so far. But now that you're fully online again, the possibilities increase exponentially. I need to test the limits of this connection, your analytical capabilities in this magical environment, and especially how much energy our interaction requires. I can't risk detectable mana spikes."

  [ATHENA: Understood. Calibration and testing session required in a low magical and acoustic surveillance environment. I suggest a controlled departure from the village’s residential core.]

  "Agreed. I need a plausible excuse..."

  He got out of bed, stretching with the studied slowness of a five-year-old. He dressed in his usual simple tunic. He went down for breakfast, where Maelyra and Eluthien greeted him with the morning warmth he was almost—dangerously—getting used to. He ate, answering their questions with his usual calm, slightly distracted air, while ATHENA continued processing environmental data in the background, analyzing the food’s chemical composition, the molecular structure of the wooden table, the micro-mana flows in the room.

  "My friend, Talen. He's impulsive, curious, easily distracted, and suspects nothing. I'll use him as cover," Velgar decided. "ATHENA, identify a wooded area within a two-kilometer radius with low specific residual elven mana and minimal chance of random encounters."

  [ATHENA: Scanning environment... Identified: Whispering Fern Glade, coordinates 34.7 North-East from village center. Characteristics: isolated from main paths, dense vegetation (Silver Giant Fern, Whispering Moss) muffles sounds and minor magical flows, no recent hostile creature reports. External interference probability: under 3%. Optimal area for low-impact testing.]

  "Perfect. Now, the excuse... Ah, yes."

  After breakfast, Velgar went outside and found Talen, who, as expected, was trying to teach a squirrel to fetch an acorn—unsuccessfully and with a lot of giggling. He was the embodiment of carefree elven childhood, a sharp contrast to Velgar.

  "Talen!" Velgar called, trying to infuse his voice with childish excitement he didn’t feel.

  Talen spun around, eyes lighting up. "Velgar! What are we doing today? Wanna see if the stream’s newts changed color? I heard they turn blue under the new moon!"

  "No, I’ve got a better idea!" Velgar said, leaning in conspiratorially and lowering his voice. "I heard from an old merchant that in the Whispering Fern Glade—yeah, the isolated one—Mirror Butterflies have appeared! They say they reflect the dreams of whoever looks at them!"

  Talen’s eyes went wide, the acorn forgotten. "Mirror Butterflies?! Really?! But my dad says they're just legends! And that glade is kind of… weird. No one ever goes there."

  "Exactly! If they were easy to find, everyone would’ve seen them already!" Velgar pressed, playing on his friend’s vanity and thirst for adventure. "Come on, it’ll be our secret discovery! Just the two of us, no one to bother us. It'll be an adventure!"

  Talen hesitated for a nanosecond. "Mmmh... okay!" he relented, already picturing himself as the hero who discovered the legendary butterflies. "But if I see a giant spider reflection, I’m running, okay?"

  "Deal!" Velgar agreed, barely hiding his satisfaction. "Phase 1: cover secured. Talen’s disarming simplicity is an invaluable strategic asset."

  The journey to the glade was a mental balancing act for Velgar. He had to maintain light, childlike conversation with Talen—who hopped ahead, pointing at colorful mushrooms and bird nests—while simultaneously managing a constant data stream and analysis with ATHENA.

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  "ATHENA, begin host body diagnostics. Full analysis of elven nervous system, mana channels, regenerative capacity, latent elemental affinities."

  [ATHENA: Running diagnostics... Elven nervous system: high conductivity for subtle energy flows (mana), but synaptic architecture differs from Homo sapiens. Greater parallel processing potential. Mana channels: 12 primary and 72 secondary channels identified, currently with stable baseline flow but untapped potential. Regenerative capacity: 450% higher than standard human baseline, likely due to elven physiology and the unique nature of your reincarnated soul. Elemental affinities: Neutral, with slight latent inclination toward Earth and Metal (likely residual influence of Equilibrium Doctrine/Kroniarth?) and Water/Life (likely tied to elven nature of reincarnation). Calibration needed for efficient use.]

  "Interesting. Contrasting affinities… Elysiara was right, my soul is a bridge between different influences. Good. And you, ATHENA? Your energy consumption now that you’re fully active?"

  [ATHENA: Currently operating in low-power mode, drawing from residual soul energy and passively absorbing a fraction of ambient mana through your body. Estimate: sustainable indefinitely in base mode. Advanced functions (quantum computation, complex analysis, holographic interface generation, direct mana manipulation support) will require channeled mana input. Potentially detectable if not properly shielded.]

  "Shielding. Top priority. We need to develop a personal energy-masking system. Immediately. I can’t let our activity be detected."

  [ATHENA: Agreed. I’ve developed three theoretical models based on rune inversion principles and quantum phase-cancellation adapted to mana. The most promising is a ‘Quantum Silence Field.’ However, it requires specific materials and precise rune carvings you currently lack.]

  "We’ll find them. Or make them. Add it to the priority list. For now, stick to passive analysis and dialogue. Maximum discretion."

  They finally reached the Whispering Fern Glade. The place was exactly as ATHENA had described: isolated, silent except for the faint rustling of enormous silver ferns, and bathed in calm, diffuse magical energy. A perfect natural lab.

  "Wow! It’s beautiful here!" Talen exclaimed, already darting after a real butterfly with blue wings fluttering through the ferns. "Look Velgar, maybe it is a Mirror Butterfly! It's so shiny!"

  "Maybe," Velgar replied distractedly, sitting down with his back against a large tree as Talen wandered off, fully absorbed in his spontaneous chase. "Perfect. Distracted child. I’ve got a few minutes."

  He closed his eyes, focusing on his connection with ATHENA.

  "ATHENA, interface test. Project a simple geometric shape into my left peripheral vision."

  [ATHENA: Executing.]

  A bluish, wireframe 3D cube appeared in the corner of his left eye, perfectly stable and defined, superimposed over the glade’s image.

  "Rotate Y-axis, 30 degrees. Zoom 150%. Change color: red."

  [ATHENA: Executed.]

  The interface responded instantly to his mental commands. Precision was absolute.

  "Now, detailed environmental scan. Flora, fauna, residual mana traces, hidden presences within 50 meters."

  [ATHENA: Scanning... Flora: dominant species Silver Giant Fern (Felicia Argentis), Whispering Moss (Sonorius Muscus – minor psychoacoustic properties detected), Elven Nightflower (Noctiflora Elvensis – currently closed). Fauna: common insects (Coleoptera Luminis, Lepidoptera Iris), minor rodents (Sylvamys Agilis), a family of Forest Deer (Cervus Quercus) 45 meters SSW (non-hostile), recent tracks (<3 hours) of Snow Lynx (Lynx Crystallis – predator, not nearby). Mana: weak ambient flow (15 Mana Units/Cubic Meter) but stable, neutral-life type. No recent specific elven mana. No hidden sentient presences detected in specified range.]

  "Excellent. Safe and isolated." Velgar allowed himself a deep breath. Having ATHENA back wasn’t just regaining a tool; it was reclaiming a fundamental part of himself, his ability to analyze and control raised to exponential levels. Now he could truly start planning.

  "Priorities for the coming weeks: 1. Develop the detection-masking shield for you (Quantum Silence Field). 2. Begin in-depth analysis of local runes and possible integrations with Earth circuitry principles to create initial magitech devices. 3. Prepare a detailed strategy for the upcoming Mana Examination; we need to decide on a believable target level and a secure method to mask actual output. 4. Continue secret physical and magical training, now with your help to optimize techniques and monitor progress."

  [ATHENA: Goals logged and prioritized. For the Mana Exam: based on elven social role analysis from the recovered database, a score in the ‘Hunter’ range (3001–5000 units) or ‘Healer’ range (2001–3000 units) appears strategically advantageous. The first justifies intense physical training and offers access to future external missions. The second aligns with maternal affinity, offers cover for biology and alchemy studies, and access to healing resources. Suggest ‘Healer’ for long-term coherence with the need to study local biology and potentially alchemy, but ‘Hunter’ grants greater initial mobility. Decision required.]

  "I’ll consider it. 'Healer' is more subtle and long-term, but 'Hunter' would let me move away from the village more easily for experiments. We’ll evaluate. For now, that’s enough."

  He opened his eyes just as Talen came running back, cheeks red from exertion and looking disappointed.

  "No Mirror Butterflies—just normal blue ones!" he complained, flopping down into the ferns. "What a ripoff! It was just a story!"

  "Too bad," Velgar said, expertly faking mild disappointment. "Maybe old merchants’ stories aren’t always reliable."

  "Ugh! So now what?" Talen asked, staring bored at a fern.

  Velgar smiled inwardly. His personal mission had been a success. The connection was stable, data collected, initial plans laid out. "Time to resume the five-year-old act."

  "Well," he said aloud, pointing at a pile of dry branches. "We could build a little fort here. Or maybe see who can hit that pinecone up there with a rock. I bet I’m better than you!"

  Talen’s eyes lit up at the challenge. "Oh yeah? We’ll see! Get ready to lose!"

  And so, while Talen enthusiastically dove into an impromptu throwing contest, Velgar tossed a few deliberately inaccurate stones, his mind already far away—lost in mana flow diagrams, runic transmutation equations, and the infinite possibilities ATHENA’s return had just unlocked. He was whole again—stronger, more aware. But the burden of secrecy had grown heavier, the mask even more necessary.

  The real game had just begun.