The golden morning sunlight spilled into the village as birds chirped and the scent of dew still lingered in the air.
"Theo," his father called, standing at the doorway, dressed in his travel cloak. "Get ready. We're going to Master Krom's house."
The name lit up Theo's eyes like a firework. "Master Krom? Really!?" he squealed. "Is Amy gonna be there too!?"
His father chuckled softly. "Yes, Amy will be there."
Theo bolted into his room like a blur, digging through his tiny clothes pile for his favorite red shirt. Kael floated in a corner, yawning mid-air.
"Hmph. Excited to meet some kid, are you?" Kael mumbled, his voice laced with mockery. "Ugh, children… playing… affection. Disgusting."
Within minutes, Theo emerged dressed, hair messed up but smiling brighter than the sun. They set off, Theo skipping beside his father, while Kael hovered behind them like a grumpy balloon no one wanted to hold.
After a long walk past the quiet woodlands, they approached a grand but humble estate nestled among golden fields.
As soon as Theo stepped one foot past the front gate—
"MY BABY BROTHERRR!"
An eight-year-old missile collided into him with the speed of light and the intensity of a thousand suns. Amy wrapped her arms around Theo, lifting him slightly off the ground in a hug that threatened to squeeze his soul out of his body.
"Amy!" Theo giggled, spinning with her.
"You're finally here! I missed you so much!" Amy said, peppering playful kisses on his cheeks. "Now come on! Let's go see the chickens and then we can climb the tree and—"
She didn't stop.
Meanwhile, Theo's father, Wilen, stepped inside and was greeted by a tall, broad-shouldered man with white streaks in his dark hair, sharp eyes that held kindness, and an aura that naturally commanded respect.
"Master Krom," Wilen said, bowing slightly.
"Wilen," Master Krom greeted warmly. "It's been a while."
"I came because… Theo has awakened."
Krom's eyes narrowed. "Awakened? But… he's only five."
"I know. I didn't believe it myself. But… I thought it was best to bring him to you."
Amy dragged Theo by the hand, bringing him into the main hall, and wouldn't stop smiling. "Papa! Theo awakened his core! He's glowing!"
"Let me see him," Krom said.
The atmosphere shifted to quiet seriousness as Krom led Theo to a rune-inscribed circle and began the inspection. Theo stood still while Amy waited like a proud sister, eyes twinkling.
After moments of silent analysis, Krom stepped back.
"There's no doubt," he said slowly. "Theo has awakened his mana core… and at this rate, it's already stabilizing. This is unheard of. If this spreads, he'll be on the front page of every magical scroll."
Amy squealed and hugged Theo again. "That's my little brother!! So amazing!!"
Theo laughed sheepishly. "I don't know what I did…"
Master Krom turned to Wilen, who stood quietly, tension in his shoulders.
"I understand your concern," Krom said gently. "As a father… even my heart would ache thinking of Theo walking down the path of a mage. It is not an easy road. It's painful. Dangerous. Lonely."
Wilen nodded. "Exactly… I don't want him to suffer."
"But at the same time," Krom continued, placing a firm hand on Wilen's shoulder, "you already know what he would choose, don't you?"
Wilen looked at Theo playing with Amy, carefree and joyful.
"…Yes," he sighed. "He would want to learn. He'd chase it himself even if we denied him."
"That's what makes him who he is," Krom smiled softly. "Listen, Wilen… children like Theo are born to change the world. Holding them back would be chaining the sun. Let them fly."
Wilen's eyes softened, and a small smile touched his lips. "Thank you… Master Krom. This is the guidance I needed."
Krom clapped him on the back. "And don't worry about academies and procedures. Leave that to me. Academy enrollment begins at age eight. We still have three years to guide him, to prepare him."
Prepare him…
Kael, who had been lounging on a high shelf invisible to all, perked up.
A slow, devilish grin spread across his face.
Oh, you don't have to worry about that part, old man.
I'm going to prepare Theo like no one has ever imagined before.
Not for an academy... but for a kingdom of chaos.