After the fight, we both lay on the ground, completely exhausted. At that moment, Garrl speaks to me.

  - Thank you, Breigon.

  - Because of the fight? ……………..You gave me a beating as always.

  - I wouldn't call it a beating, but I thank you not for the fight, but for being my brother. I don't know what my life would have been like without knowing you. I know you didn't ask to be here, nor to be one of us. I remember and now understand that it was and must have been very difficult for you. If I hadn't been blinded by my hatred for humans, I would have been there for you. I'm sorry, you saved me from loneliness and from myself, you taught me so much and inspired the dream we now share; I know you miss your previous life and your family, and I don't want you to think that I want to replace them, but I am very grateful that you are here and I will thank our great ancestors for that.

  - I ……………… would say that it was you who saved me, in more than one sense, Garrl, and you don't have to apologize; it was my irrational fear of being alone that prevented me from trusting you, and yes, I won't deny that I still miss many things from my previous life and my world, but I am grateful to have been reborn as a kobold and to have met you. I don't know what the future holds for us, but if you allow me, I promise to stand by your side and help you and our people in any way I can.

  We lay there on the ground, just talking and reminiscing about what we've lived through until today and dreaming of a better future; then we both felt the mana of the Mrs. Spider. She was furious and she had her reasons.

  During the fight, she asked us to stop, but we ignored her; we needed to vent about everything we had experienced these past few days. But in the end, we had to accept her completely justified scolding; it wasn't just because of the mess we made in her nest, but because she was worried that we would hurt ourselves, and she was certainly right, everything hurts.

  I won't fight like that against Garrl again, just basic training and lighter confrontations, at most moderate, but I achieved what I wanted; I no longer have mana and it's time to see if the great ancestor Drazird's hypothesis is correct or not.

  After Garrl helped me get up, we apologized to Mrs. Spider and promised not to confront her that way again, although I know Garrl still wanted to do it on another occasion and I partly still wanted to win, but that will be for later.

  I take the sword in my claws and, unlike the first time, its symbols begin to glow. So, it was indeed my mana that was the reason I couldn't use it. In that, I realize the implications: these tools or weapons will serve as a means of defense in case I run out of mana! This is wonderful!

  I wield the sword and launch its mana attack; while they are not as strong as our strongest mana attacks, I know that if we received them without mana hardening, they would definitely cause us damage. I manage to make two more attacks before the sword runs out of mana; luckily, we have another sword, and I call a surprised Garrl and ask him to try using this other sword.

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  - I don't want to use those things made by humans, don't get me wrong, Breigon, but I prefer to fight with my claws and fangs before using those weapons.

  - I know, Garrl, but I'm not asking you to fight with these weapons; I just want to see if it's only the lack of mana that allows me to use them or if it's also related to my soul.

  - Fine, for you and your research, I'll touch that thing.

  In the end, the sword did not react with Garrl; no matter how much he tried to make it work, he couldn't make an attack. The opposite happened when I used it, so it's not just the mana, it's also because my soul is human. I then sought to continue my research.

  - Garrl! Try to insert mana into the sword, but as soon as you manage to do it, throw it with all your might and run; it might explode.

  - What! That's why you're hiding behind that rock!

  - Don't worry, it's just a precaution, but I don't think you can insert your mana, but if you do, even if it's a little, just throw it and cover yourself.

  Garrl's face said it all, but after a sigh of resignation, he tried to channel his mana into the sword, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't do it.

  - I suspected it. Give it to me, Garrl, and hide behind the rocks, and watch what is going to happen. Immediately, I channel the little mana my body has replenished, throw the sword, and run out, and even while in the air, the sword bursts into a violent explosion. Luckily, I was already behind the stone with Garrl.

  - But what happened? Is that what you did to weaken the human magic barrier, brother?

  - Yes, I still don't know why it reacts so violently, although it could be due to containing two or more manas that repel each other within a confined space; that must cause some kind of chain reaction.

  - So, you were able to introduce your mana? How? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it.

  - It's because of the spells that are inscribed; or at least that's what I think, humans aren't stupid, they must know what happens if you introduce two different manas. These inscriptions must prevent that, and I suppose they prevented you from introducing your mana, even being you, but look, if I hold the sword, the inscriptions allow me to pass and then I can introduce my mana, but once inside, they reactivate, trapping my mana, and the rest you already saw what happens. Humans don't have mana, so they shouldn't worry about making that mistake, but even so, they didn't take the risk and, possibly due to any threat from an external mana, they prevent the passage of another, while allowing the sword to store and concentrate its mana. The only thing I assume is that everything must be calibrated so that with the mana of the great spirits, the mana can be released without the sword exploding. I suppose we will be able to do the same with our mana; it's a matter of understanding how to balance the reaction in the proportions required for a controlled reaction. Tell me, Garrl, don't you remember if our people did something similar with some weapons or tools?

  - No, brother, I don't remember anything about my heritage; the closest thing is the ritual with the tablets. The sages must know more, but I don't think our people use mana tools like the humans; I suppose you don't need them if you produce your own mana.

  - Good point, but that doesn't mean using them isn't advantageous. I'll keep investigating, but first, let's eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving and need to rest to recover my mana and strength to start practicing how to fly; I don't think these wings are just for show.

  - Hahaha, of course they're not just for show, brother, but I'm afraid I don't know if I can help you with that, but count on me for anything you need; in the meantime, I also want to practice other things, besides making sure everything is fine with the magic seal.

  - Well, I think we have a plan to follow for these days. Come on, Garrl.