The setting sun cast long shadows through the forest as Yun Jin strolled ahead, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds creating a serene atmosphere. Behind him, Merlin struggled to keep pace, his breathing uneven and labored. Yun Jin glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the boy stumble and collapse, his staff clattering to the ground.

  “Merlin!” Yun Jin hurried to his side, kneeling as he noticed the boy’s flushed cheeks and trembling limbs. He’s been pushing himself too hard, Yun Jin thought grimly.

  By the time dusk settled, Merlin stirred, blinking groggily. Realizing his head was resting on Yun Jin’s lap, he flushed a deeper red. “I—I’m sorry!” he stammered, scrambling upright and brushing himself off as though nothing had happened.

  “You should’ve told me you were at your limit,” Yun Jin said, equal parts frustration and concern.

  Merlin lowered his gaze. “I didn’t want to look weak... You weren’t tired at all, so I thought I could keep going.”

  Yun Jin sighed, his expression darkening. Suddenly, he gave Merlin a light chop on the head. Merlin yelped, clutching at the spot. “Resting before you collapse is better than pushing yourself until you drop,” Yun Jin scolded, though his lips curved into a teasing grin. “Next time, speak up. We can either stop or I can carry you.”

  Still rubbing his head, Merlin mumbled, “Okay…”

  When he tried to stand, his legs wobbled and gave out, dumping him back onto the ground. “I... I don’t think I can walk right now,” he admitted, groaning. “Can we just… stay here for the night?”

  Yun Jin nodded, his composure returning. “Fine. I’ll set up camp.”

  He rose, scanning the area for shelter materials, but Merlin stopped him. “Wait! Let me handle it.” Determination rang in the boy’s voice, causing Yun Jin to raise an eyebrow.

  Curious, Yun Jin stepped aside and watched as Merlin knelt, using his staff to sketch an intricate diagram in the dirt. His hands moved with surprising dexterity, and his murmured words hinted at intense concentration. Once the design was complete, Merlin placed his hand on the diagram and channeled mana. The lines glowed faintly, and a translucent barrier flickered into being around them.

  Yun Jin stepped outside its boundary, then turned back—only to find Merlin had vanished from sight within the barrier. When he reentered, Merlin became visible again as if he’d never disappeared. “What is this?” Yun Jin asked, impressed.

  “A barrier,” Merlin replied, still slightly breathless. “It hides us from most creatures and is tough to break. Perfect for camping out here.”

  Yun Jin tilted his head. “Why didn’t you use this in the village?”

  Merlin shrugged. “It takes time to set up, and if something attacks mid-ritual, it’s useless. Plus, persistent attacks can eventually break it. But here, it’s perfect for avoiding ambushes.”

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  Intrigued, Yun Jin knelt by the diagram, running a finger over the glowing lines. “And this part?” he asked, pointing to a particularly complex knot of symbols.

  Merlin crouched beside him. “They’re like external magic circuits. You have to know the right spell and use the correct medium to draw it.”

  As Merlin spoke, Yun Jin watched mana flow through the diagram. When Merlin infused more energy, the glow intensified, and a faint, floating eye emerged at the center. It drifted beyond the barrier.

  Moments later, Merlin went pale and trembled. “That… drains me a lot,” he admitted with a weak smile. “It’s the only way for me to cast large, continuous spells—otherwise, my circuit would burn out in seconds.”

  “So, did the eye see anything?” Yun Jin asked.

  Merlin brightened. “Yes, there’s a town on the horizon. If we move at a steady pace tomorrow, we can reach it before nightfall.”

  “Good.” Yun Jin nodded. He leaned closer to study the lines Merlin had drawn. “So this is an external circuit, right?”

  Merlin’s face grew slightly guarded. “Yes. It’s stable but very specific. You can try it if you want, but it depends on how much mana you can control.”

  Yun Jin’s eyes glinted with excitement. “I’ll give it a go.” Without further ado, he drew a rougher version of the pattern in the dirt. Infusing mana into it, he directed his energy through the lines.

  Merlin watched, his head tilted in concern. “What exactly are you—”

  Boom!

  A fierce flash of light exploded from Yun Jin’s diagram, flooding the barrier in a blinding brilliance. Merlin let out a shout, stumbling backward and raising an arm to shield his eyes. “Seriously?!” he cried, blinking spots from his vision.

  When the burst subsided, Yun Jin sat cross-legged, wearing a self-satisfied grin. “Not bad for my first attempt,” he said smugly.

  Merlin groaned, massaging his temple. “You just forced a spell through the diagram with no idea how it actually works. Diagrams are a complex branch of magic! You need to understand leylines, materials, mana flow, and the specific spell. You can’t just brute force it.”

  Sheepish, Yun Jin scratched his head. “I only wanted to see if it’d function.”

  Merlin muttered under his breath, “He’s more headstrong than I thought…”

  Heaving a sigh, Merlin glanced back at Yun Jin. “For now, stick to your basic system skills. If you really want to learn diagrams, I’ll teach you the fundamentals later. But it’s not something you can just wing.”

  A mischievous look crossed Yun Jin’s face. “Alright, alright. I’ll hold off for now. But I do feel like I’m grasping magic pretty fast.”

  Merlin sighed once more, shaking his head. “Let’s hope you don’t blind me a third time.”

  Yun Jin only chuckled, placing a companionable hand on Merlin’s shoulder. “Come on. Before we sleep, let’s do your breathing practice.”

  Merlin complied, settling cross-legged as Yun Jin placed a steadying hand on his back. The boy tensed at first but soon relaxed under Yun Jin’s careful guidance. Gradually, his pallor improved, and his breath fell into a calm, measured rhythm.

  Night deepened around them, the protective barrier shimmering faintly as the forest’s nocturnal chorus began. For a while, they simply enjoyed the peace, safe in their quiet circle of light.