Elix awoke with a start. His eyes took a moment to adjust, and when they did, he was greeted by the familiar room from the night before, a few scattered bits of gear strewn on the floor and the faint scent of campfire smoke lingering in the air. A cool morning stillness had replaced the warmth of last night’s fire.

  Sitting up, Elix stretched his limbs, feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep. His body was still adjusting to the physical demands of life beyond his village, though the healing potions provided by his party had helped immensely. His muscles felt renewed and free of fatigue. Glancing toward the foot of his bed, he spotted a small bundle of fur nestled comfortably there.

  “Morning, Lef,” Elix muttered as he reached down to scoop up his loyal companion. The small creature, a mix of fur and spikes, stirred briefly at his touch but soon settled back to sleep in his palm. Its soft breathing tickled his skin as Elix carefully slipped it into his chest pocket, a place where the creature had found comfort throughout their journey, both in good times and bad.

  Taking a deep breath, Elix stood and stretched once more, savoring the silence before stepping outside. As his boots hit the ground, he was greeted by the crisp morning air. The camp was already awake, with the party gathered outside of his tent, or what looked like a tent from the outside, at least.

  Latrus, the towering Beastman with hair protruding from his lower jaw, stretched his massive arms over his head. His fur glistened faintly in the sunlight as his narrowed eyes adjusted to the brightness. Nearby, Dorgo, the stout Druen with gray skin and a long, braided beard, meticulously inspected the blade of a small dagger. His gnarled hands moved steadily, running a whetstone across the edge. He glanced up at Elix and gave a grunt of acknowledgment.

  Elisa stood calmly, her long silver hair cascading down her back and catching the light as she turned away from Elix. Though her elegance was evident, her aura and presence told him she was anything but delicate. Ren stood slightly apart from the others, scanning the horizon, his dark cloak fluttering lightly in the wind.

  “Well, if it isn’t our young squire,” Ren said, turning toward Elix with a knowing smile. His voice was smooth and calm, carrying a depth that made Elix feel both comforted and slightly intimidated. “Sleep well?”

  “I did,” Elix replied, his voice still holding a touch of grogginess. “Ready to go, I guess.”

  Ren nodded, his expression shifting to seriousness. “Good. We’ll head toward the village of Delamain. It’s a small settlement, but it’s a good midpoint between here and the Zeri ruins. We’ll be able to restock and gather supplies before making the final stretch to the ruins.”

  Elix nodded in understanding, his mind racing with thoughts of all he still didn’t know about the world, or the adventure he had found himself thrust into. He couldn’t shake the feeling that fate was determined to pull him into the life of a Cardmancer.

  The conversation shifted as Elisa turned to face him. “Boy,” she said, her voice commanding, “one of your main tasks as squire is to learn how to read a card map. You’ll need this skill if you’re going to survive in this world. Here! Take this.”

  Elisa threw him a card, its surface shimmering in the light. At first glance, the card’s face depicted a rolled-up scroll, but Elix could feel magic emanating from it, as if something hidden inside was waiting to come to life.

  “Go ahead,” Elisa urged, “activate it.”

  Elix hesitated for only a moment before channeling his mana into the card. A flash of light made him blink, and then, in an instant, the card unraveled, shifting and folding like a living thing. The smooth surface expanded and transformed into a full map, hovering mid-air before him. An M.i box appeared:

  Magic Map activated. A basic map of the world. Requirements: Level 5

  The map’s surface was intricately detailed, alive in its movement. Symbols marking towns, rivers, and forests flickered and shifted in real-time across the landscape. As Elix stared in awe, a gust of wind swept through the air, causing the map to update, displaying a rainstorm approaching from the west. It wasn’t just static; the map was constantly adapting to the world in real time.

  “See?” Elisa said. “This isn’t a regular map. This one adapts. The moving parts represent anything from changing weather conditions to real-time obstacles. The flashing symbols show danger zones or nearby creatures. Pay attention, and we’ll stay one step ahead of what’s coming. I won’t tolerate negligence, don’t let us get lost or fail to warn us of dangers.”

  Elix studied the map, wide-eyed and captivated by its dynamic nature. Their location was marked by a small campfire symbol, and ahead lay a stretch of forest with swirling clouds, a brewing storm. The landscape seemed alive, revealing rivers, mountains, villages, and their current status.

  “How do I… read it?” Elix asked, overwhelmed by all of the details.

  “For now, just keep an eye on our position and obstacles ahead. You’ll pick it up quickly. Trust me, this map can be a lifesaver when used correctly. It even tracks our supplies and warns us of nearby monsters,” Elisa replied.

  Elix nodded, still absorbing the map’s intricacies. “It’s amazing,” he murmured.

  Latrus approached and peered over his shoulder. “ You’d better learn fast. The path ahead won’t be easy. Keep a keen eye on the map so no monsters can get the jump on us.”

  Ren stepped forward, nodding in agreement. “The road to the Zeri ruins is said to be treacherous, but if we stick together and stay alert, we’ll make it through. Elix, keep that map handy—it’ll help guide us.”

  Carefully tucking the card into his inventory, Elix felt the weight of his new responsibility. His heart pounded as they set off, the world ahead brimming with unknowns. Yet, surrounded by his newfound party and armed with the magical map, he felt less like a lost boy and more like someone finding his place in the adventure.

  As the group traveled toward Delamain, Elix consulted the map frequently, opting for the most direct paths and avoiding obstacles. The sun shone brightly, illuminating rolling green hills and sprawling meadows. The landscape was breathtaking, a patchwork of vibrant flowers and lush greenery stretching as far as the eye could see. For the first time in days, Elix felt the warmth of the sun on his face and allowed himself to enjoy the beauty of the lands around him.

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  "Pssst," a faint whisper interrupted Elix's wandering thoughts.

  Elix stopped abruptly, looking around. “Who’s there?” he asked aloud.

  Latrus turned his massive head to look back at Elix. “What is it, kid? Who you talking to?”

  “Did you just hear that?” Elix questioned, glancing at the others walking ahead of him.

  “Hey, Ren, the squire’s cracking up already!” Dorgo laughed, his booming voice echoing.

  Elix shrugged off his outburst, feeling a little embarrassed, and kept walking, though the mysterious whisper lingered in his mind. Hours later, the group took a break atop a grassy hill. Elix lay on his back, gazing at the blue sky and soaking in the sun’s warmth. His companions lounged nearby, enjoying the peaceful rest.

  "Pssst! Oi!" The whispering voice returned.

  Elix, unsure if anyone else could hear it, decided to humor the absurdity. He thought a reply: Erm… hi?

  Don’t react. I don’t want them to notice, the voice replied.

  Okay… sure. Am I losing it? Have I lost my mind? Elix thought back nervously.

  Don’t be an idiot. Have you never had a telepathic conversation before? You really are a noob, aren’t you? The voice replied.

  If I’m not going mad, then who are you?

  I’m the god of this world! Sacrifice a thousand virgins to me or suffer an eternity in the fires of the underworld!

  Elix shot up in shock.

  I’m joking! Wow, you really will believe anything. Aha! Look at your shirt pocket—it’s me!

  Elix slowly looked down at his shirt pocket, and there, poking out of it, was the small Leyef. It was looking up at him with its round eyes, and he could swear it was grinning.

  What the hell! Lef, how! Elix thought in shock.

  Well, that's easy. I have been following you around for many days now, and that has led to this connection. By absorbing enough of your mana, I have eventually been able to communicate with you. I believe it's something to do with you being a freak, Lef said telepathically.

  That makes no sense. Why would consuming my mana connect us? Surely this is a weird outcome. Also, come to think of it, you have been absorbing my mana—why?

  Well, it's in my nature. It’s only natural for a Leyef to find a being with tasty mana and politely absorb a little. Remember when you gave me that card to eat? That was the moment I realized that you had the mana for me. I really must compliment you on just how tasty it is. Lef grinned and licked his lips.

  Wait, what! I did not give you a card to eat. You did that without my permission. Also, this seems like a very one-sided arrangement. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t toss you into the air and kick you very far away from me, Elix said with indignation.

  That may seem like a reasonable action to you. I would counter that by saying that this does not have to be a one-sided exchange. I am around three thousand years old. I have seen more of this world than you could even imagine, and, well, I know things, useful things. How about this: you let me tag along just like I have, and I will help you with my amazing knowledge and wisdom. In exchange, you let me absorb more of your delicious mana, which, may I add, has no effect on you at all as the amount I absorb is slower than your rate of mana regeneration.

  Elix paused for a moment, considering the options. He could not believe that Lef was three thousand years old, but at the same time, his instincts told him that the creature was telling the truth. On one hand, it seemed like a good arrangement, but on the other, he had a nagging doubt. There was something off about Lef. If he were three thousand years old, how was he still alive? When Elix had used Unveil on the creature when they first crossed paths, he had not been able to see any information about it.

  I will consider your offer, but before I do, if you are what you say you are, allow me to use Unveil on you to see exactly what you are and your level with my own eyes, Elix replied.

  Hmm, is that all? Very well, go ahead.

  Elix used Unveil. Instantly, an M.i box appeared, and Lef's information was displayed:

  Name: Arterus Race: Leyef Level: Unknown Rank: Unknown

  Hey, wait, it says unknown! Does this mean you are, like, super strong? Elix asked.

  No, it doesn’t automatically mean I am strong. I do not fight; I do not have the means to do so. I am just a creature that has lived for a very, very long time, which means naturally I have leveled up and ranked up during that time, so much that a mere low-leveler like you can't see my level or rank. I may not bring power to the table, but what I do bring is knowledge of the world you are venturing into. There is far more at play than just magic, monsters, and levels. There is good, evil, and lots of gray areas in between. Politics and longstanding rivalries between guilds and their gods and, not to mention my knowledge of card magic, can help you get stronger. Think of me as just a little voice to help you on your way.

  Well, as much as I’d like to say I’m not feeling a little in over my head, I would be lying. I could use your knowledge and can see its benefit. Why me, though? Why not someone higher-level and more powerful?

  If I am completely honest, your mana is very appealing to me, and if you get stronger, I will also get stronger. My level and rank can only increase based on the mana I am exposed to. I have seen enough of you to know that I would be a fool to pass up the chance to get as much of it as possible. So, what do you think, will you accept my offer?

  Elix considered the offer. He thought back to his father’s positive words regarding Lef and how he had encouraged Elix, saying it was a good thing to have him around.

  Okay, you have yourself a deal! But I am not calling you Arterus. You are still Lef, and that’s a deal breaker, said Elix with a grin.

  Very well, I see no issue with that. I spend a lot of my time in a meditative state, absorbing the micro mana emitted from you. If you have any questions or whatever, just give me a little nudge via our connection. Oh, and one more thing. Being able to telepathically converse with a magical creature is very uncommon, so under no circumstances tell any of the other, or anyone for that matter. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life in some dungeon being prodded and probed! And not in the fun way either.

  With that, Lef slid back into Elix's pocket, curling up and snoozing almost instantly.

  The telepathic conversation had lasted a few minutes, and none of the others had noticed. Elix decided to take a look at the cards in his inventory, studying their effects and thinking up scenarios where they could be used. He then remembered the map card, which he made appear from his inventory into his hand. With a slight channeling of his mana, he opened the map and began to study it. His eyes scanned over it, moving from the party’s current location to Delamain.

  He wondered what the place would be like and if it would resemble his own Heath Village.