The morning sun broke through the tall crystal-paned windows of the Jitters estate, casting golden beams over the polished wooden floors of Floyd's room. The boy was already awake, lying still beneath a warm fur blanket, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts were muddled, filled with fragments of a dream he couldn't quite grasp—echoes of Mina's kiss still tingled on his lips, confusing and warm all at once.
Floyd inhaled deeply, the scent of pinewood and a touch of lavender—likely from Mina's recent visit—still lingering in the air. He turned his head slightly and glanced at the soft shimmer of magic light dancing above his nightstand. His system interface blinked to life at his mental command.
> [Good Morning, Floyd.]
[Health: Optimal]
[Mana: 100% Full]
[Emotion Analysis: Elevated—Romantic Stimuli Detected.]
He scoffed softly, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement. "Romantic stimuli, huh? You really like stating the obvious," he muttered under his breath.
> [Observation: Hormonal fluctuations consistent with adolescent arousal. Suggestion: Cold bath.]
"Smartass."
But despite the teasing from the system, Floyd's mind was already shifting from dreams and romance to purpose. Today was different. Today, he would venture beyond the estate with Bohlin for the first time to the outer training fields. It was time to test his magic in a more... dynamic environment.
A knock came at the door, light but steady.
"You awake, champ?" Bohlin's voice rumbled through the thick oak.
Floyd rolled out of bed, slipping into his training robe. "Yeah! Just give me a sec!"
By the time he opened the door, Bohlin stood there fully geared—shirtless under a heavy black vest, two wooden training swords strapped across his back, and that ever-confident grin on his face.
"You ready to feel pain, boy?" Bohlin asked, ruffling Floyd's messy hair.
Floyd puffed his chest. "I'm ready to make you feel pain, old man."
They shared a hearty laugh, and the two set off toward the training grounds that lay just beyond the southern orchard.
---
The field was vast and wild, dotted with patches of grass, stone columns, and ancient practice dummies made from enchanted straw. Birds chirped in the trees surrounding the area, but the air carried something else too—anticipation.
"Alright," Bohlin began as they reached the center of the field, "I want to see what you've been learning with Gabby. Full force. No holding back."
Floyd blinked. "Wait—full force?"
Bohlin drew one of the wooden swords and tossed the other to Floyd. "Don't break the landscape. Just try and hit me."
Floyd took a breath and gripped the sword. His fingers tightened. Then, he moved.
A burst of wind exploded from under his feet, launching him forward like a cannonball. Bohlin's eyes widened with genuine surprise as Floyd slashed downward, the wooden blade glowing faintly with infused mana.
Clang!
Their swords met with a shockwave that bent the surrounding grass. Bohlin slid back a few paces but kept his footing.
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!"
Floyd grinned, feeling the blood in his veins boil with adrenaline. This was different than any sparring match he'd had with Gabby. His father's physicality and raw strength added a thrill he hadn't felt before.
The two continued sparring—Bohlin with overwhelming physical strength, Floyd with agility, magic, and clever technique. They fought for what felt like hours, stopping only when the sun was high overhead and both were soaked in sweat.
Bohlin finally called a halt and flopped onto a flat rock nearby. "You're damn scary, you know that? Never seen a kid move like that."
Floyd flopped down beside him, breathing hard but smiling. "I had a good teacher... or two."
Bohlin chuckled, then turned serious. "You've got something in you, Floyd. Not just power. Purpose. You remind me of the heroes from the old world tales."
Floyd looked away, his smile dimming just a little. "I just want to protect the people I care about. That's all."
Bohlin nodded slowly, eyes thoughtful. "That's more than enough."
---
Later that evening, back at the estate, Floyd found himself seated under the vast silver tree in the garden, looking up at the sky. The stars had begun to shimmer, and the cool breeze tugged gently at his robe.
Mina approached quietly, tray in hand. "Your tea, young master."
He turned, smiling as she sat beside him.
"You don't have to call me that when we're alone," he said softly.
She blushed but handed him the cup. "Habit."
They sat in silence for a moment, sipping tea, the atmosphere calm and intimate.
"Floyd," Mina said suddenly, looking down at her knees, "you're not like the other boys. You're... something more."
Floyd looked at her, sensing the vulnerability in her voice. "And you're not like other maids."
She smiled, meeting his gaze. "Flatterer."
"I mean it." His tone was gentle, his eyes serious. "You're the first person who made me feel—like I belong. That matters more than you know."
She leaned in, brushing her hand against his. The closeness between them was electric, their faces just inches apart. But before either of them moved closer, a gust of wind swept through the garden, and with it came a whisper—one that only Floyd could hear.
It was a language unknown yet familiar. An ancient calling deep within his magical core. His system interface blinked alive.
> [Alert: A dormant spiritual seal has been detected. Permission requested to unlock.]
Floyd's breath caught.
"What is it?" Mina asked, sensing the shift in him.
He stood slowly, eyes narrowing toward the distant woods. "Something's waking up... something old."
And far off, beyond the hills, a pair of glowing eyes blinked open in the darkness.