---
Yao sat in a horse-drawn cart filled with hay and crates of something.
"I've been riding for over an hour and we're still not there...? This village really is far out."
—On the way, Yao had met the old man driving the cart and asked to hitch a ride to the village.
A voice came from the front of the cart.
"Young Master Xi Yao… You're an ordinary person, aren't you?"
Yao was a little taken aback.
'There are people who aren't ordinary...? How am I supposed to answer that?'
"Yes. Just call me 'Xi Yao,' no need for the 'Young Master.'"
"Alright then, Xi Yao," the old man replied with a soft chuckle.
"So how did you know I'm just an ordinary person?"
"Just instinct, I guess. Ordinary folks and extraordinary ones... you can feel the difference just by sensing or looking. I'm an ordinary man myself."
"And these extraordinary people... how are they different from us?"
The old man laughed heartily. "Haha! Good question! Let me explain it to you."
"First, there's Vis — the power of the spirit. If your heart is steady and strong, your power becomes stronger. Some people can make enemies tremble just by looking into their eyes.
You start by simply being able to sense it (Sentis), then train to steady your heart (Fortis), and finally, you can use that power to push enemies away (Tenax).
Then there's Animus — magical power. Priests and mages usually use that.
You begin by being aware of the power inside you (Ignis), then learn to cast small spells (Lusis), and eventually gain true understanding of magic (Veritas). I don't know what the higher levels are like... even the intermediate stages are beyond imagination for ordinary folks like us."
Yao nodded slowly.
'I see... If I had to choose, I think I'd rather learn Animus.'
"It's a real shame. If I had any talent, I'd probably be a mage or a hero by now, haha!"
"Is that so? Haha…"
The two chatted about all sorts of things under the evening sunlight, while the horses kept walking forward — heading toward the village deep within the forest.