Chapter 42 A GIRL NAMED SOFIA

"That should do it" Kaelen said calmly before he shifted his attention towards Sofia. At this moment she was looking at him with a vigilant expression on her face while she took a few steps away from him. "Urrrr, what are you doing?" Confused by her action, Kaelen quickly asked as he tried to get closer to her. But when Sofia saw this, she immediately brought out a small wand out of her storage pouch which was hanged on her waist and pointed it at Kaelen while saying hastily. "Stay back!!" Sofia's wand was a slender, delicate instrument, yet it radiated an aura of potent magic. About ten inches in length, it was crafted from a rare, dark wood with a natural, glossy sheen that reflected the light with an almost ethereal glow. Intricate silver filigree spiraled around the wand's shaft, weaving patterns of ancient runes and symbols that pulsed faintly with magical energy. The handle of the wand was wrapped in soft, black leather, providing a firm yet comfortable grip for Sofia's slender fingers. At the base of the handle, a small, polished amethyst was embedded, its deep violet hue resonating with Sofia's magical affinity. At the wand's tip, the wood tapered to a fine point, where a tiny, crystal-clear gemstone was set. This gemstone, almost like a miniature star, captured and amplified Sofia's magical focus, allowing her spells to be precise and powerful. "Woah, woah, woah, hold up there. I mean no harm" when Kaelen saw this wand in Sofia's hand, he quickly said as he raised his two hands up while standing still. "And what makes you think I will just believe that?" Sofia asked with a narrowed look on her face. "Because if I did mean you harm, I would have go along with those guys and gang up on you to get the key. Then later beat those guys up to have it all to myself" Kaelen quickly replied with an indifferent look on his face. 'Good point' Sofia thought after pondering on what Kaelen said for a while as she brought down her hand which was carrying the wand. 'Well, that went well' Kaelen thought in relief as he dropped his hands and got even closer to Sofia. But when Sofia saw this, she quickly began to feel uncomfortable as she asked in a sharp tone. "Why are you coming close to me?" "That's because I would like you to show me the key to the ruin? Who knows, maybe I can help you to find the ruin itself" Kaelen answered with a light smile on his face. When Sofia heard him, she fell silent for a while before she slowly brought out the key from her storage pouch. 'The key even looks more odd while looking at it up close' Kaelen thought as he looked at the key with a twitching face. But Sofia didn't seem to notice it or even care as she asked. "So now that you have seen the key, how are you going to help me find the ruin?" But before Kaelen could even open his mouth to speak, a screen only him could see suddenly appeared right in front of his face. Surrounding the altar were several smaller stone platforms, each bearing the remains of what appeared to be ceremonial objects—chalices, amulets, and fragments of ancient scrolls. The ground around the ruins was uneven, littered with broken stones and fallen statues, their features eroded beyond recognition. Yet, there was a sense of order amid the chaos, as if the ruins themselves were trying to tell a story of the past. Patches of luminescent mushrooms and glowing flowers added an otherworldly touch, their soft light illuminating the dark corners and casting eerie shadows on the ancient walls. Kaelen could feel the weight of history in the air, a palpable sense of the magic that once flowed through this sacred place. The ruins seemed to whisper secrets to those who dared to listen, their silent voices echoing with the promise of hidden knowledge and untapped power. "Aren't we there yet?" Right at this moment, Sofia suddenly spoke up as she came out from a very thick bush. But Kaelen didn't seem to notice her at all as he suddenly moved As he stepped closer, the ambient magic of the ruins brushed against his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. This place was a nexus of ancient energy, a link between the past and the present, waiting for someone to unlock its mysteries. Kaelen knew that whatever lay within these ruins could change the course of his journey, and he felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as he prepared to delve deeper into the secrets of Veilwood Forest. 'What rich mana' Kaelen thought with a blissful look on his face. But right at this moment, a notification suddenly rang out in his head. **Mana density has increased by +2, attack effect of spells and long range skills will be doubled,** 'Ok now am sure that if I train here, I will have double rewards for half the effort am expected to have' Kaelen thought with a glittery eyes. "What a thick Mana!!" Not long after, Kaelen heard Sofia's voice right behind him which made him believe she has entered the same space he is in. But when he turned to look at her, he immediately became stunned for a moment before he asked. "Sofia? What's happening to you?" "Huh?" Sofia asked in confusion as she put her attention on Kaelen. But right after that, she saw Kaelen putting towards her legs which made her to look down. And once she did, she noticed faint tendrils of light curling around her feet. These ethereal strands shimmered with a soft, golden hue, as if responding to her presence. With each step she took, the light grew brighter, winding its way up her legs and coiling around her body like a living vine. Sofia could feel the magic of the ruins seeping into her, intertwining with her own latent abilities and amplifying them. A sudden surge of energy coursed through her, causing her to gasp. It was as if the ruins were awakening something within her, unlocking a dormant power she had never known existed. Her wand, too, responded to the change, glowing with a vibrant light that matched the ethereal tendrils enveloping her. She glanced at her hands, astonished to see symbols and runes appearing on her skin, glowing softly before fading into her flesh. "W-What is going on with me?" Sofia later muttered with a trembling tone.