While Layden was focused on learning the Lucid Dream Simulation Spell, Ruger had not actually been as idle as he appeared. He seemed to spend all his time fiddling with those tufts of fur, occasionally nourishing the hair all over his body, but he had been thinking constantly from then until now. There was more than one thing to consider: what spell to store in his currently empty fifth temporary spell slot, which was his fifth demonic mark, and how to proceed with the Demonic Mark Meditation Method.
After completing his fifth demonic mark, his practice of the Demonic Mark Meditation Method had reached a crossroads.
Ruger had two paths to choose from, and he had been wavering between them.
Ruger leaned against the tree, monitoring the changes around him while devoting part of his attention to his thoughts.
That strange rabbit really did keep cursing for a long time.
So long that Ruger gradually stopped hearing the hostility in its curses. His curiosity turned to annoyance, then acceptance, until he could no longer even feel the force of those words, as though he no longer recognized them.
Creak!
The rabbit finally shut the battered door. Even as it returned to the house and turned to close it, it was still cursing nonstop.
Fortunately, that battered door worked remarkably well. The moment it closed, all sound vanished.
Ruger smiled, dusted off his wizard robe with one hand, and braced the other against the trunk as he stood.
Once upright, he stood still with a smile, seemingly waiting for something.
"You noticed me?"
The trunk of the tree opposite him rippled twice, revealing a human figure.
As the distorted light and shadow settled, a short-haired man appeared before him, likewise dressed in a simple, understated wizard robe.
Ruger looked at him,