The grand gates of the west wing creaked open slowly, golden light spilling into the corridor .
Aurora stepped forward, regal and silent, carrying her son gently in her arms — like he was a feather, though he wasn't light anymore.
"So what were you reading today?" she asked softly, her voice low and melodic, almost playful, as she began moving toward the mansion's outer gate.
"Nothing… just politics of this world and comparing it to my old world," Austin replied lazily, resting his head against her chest.
There was no embarrassment, no discomfort, there was no shame or lust. She was his mother. Only respect and familial love filled his heart.
"Hmm… world politics?" she mused aloud, her footsteps soundless despite the echoing halls. "So which one had a better system — this one or your old one?"
They passed rows of bowing servants, heads lowered in practiced reverence. But none heard a word. Austin knew why. She had made a sound barrier around them with a mere flick of thought — every whisper swallowed, every syllable sealed.
He has already read every book on magic in the library so he was already used to the magic of this world.
"Which one has better system? Of course, the one from my last world," he replied, eyes drifting toward the ornate doors that led to the training grounds beyond the mansion.
"Oh? And why do you say that?" she asked, her tone touched with amusement.
"Well, Mom, there was a system called democracy. In that world, people were the kingmakers. They chose their leaders through votes. That's why it was better."
"Democracy?" she echoed with a faint chuckle. "It sounds promising… but doesn't that just mean you only need the power to manipulate people with things they want? Then you can easily become king."
"Hehe… As expected of Mother," he grinned, tilting his head to look up at her. "You saw through it in a second. You're right, Mom. All you need is money and the right promises. Win their hearts, and the crown is yours."
She smiled slightly, carrying him effortlessly through the winding hall and down the long stone path that led into the forest behind the estate.
"If you knew that… then why did you say your last world was better?" she asked, the corners of her lips lifting in amusement.
"Why?" Austin grinned, eyes narrowing playfully. "You know the answer, Mom."
Her smile deepened. She paused for just a moment.
"The war."
They said it together.
Austin chuckled. "Yes, the war. The last world's system was better because there were far fewer wars. Here… war is almost routine."
The trees surrounded them now, casting soft shade across their path as they stepped deeper into the private royal forest. A tranquil silence filled the air, broken only by the distant sound of clashing steel.
They emerged into a wide clearing. Two figures stood in its center, swords raised — clashing, moving, striking.
One was tall, golden-eyed, every movement precise and effortless. The other was younger, shorter by a head, yet still sharp — a boy of around fifteen with auburn hair and fierce black eyes. His build was lean and toned, too refined for someone his age.
'People of my family really are something,' Austin thought, watching the boy. 'How can a kid have muscles like that? Our DNA must be legendary.'
His gaze drifted to his father — the very image of power and grace. Then to his mother — still holding him as if he were weightless.
'I've never seen anyone more beautiful than her… no man more handsome than him. Heh, someday I'll look like them too.'
He smirked to himself — until his eyes dropped to his own body.
The grin vanished.
The soft flesh on his sides pressed against his clothes — the result of two years of reading, eating, and avoiding anything remotely physical.
'Well, that's what happens when your best friends are books and pastries,' he sighed inwardly.
Still, his face retained a kind of round charm. In this family, even chubby was cute.
Aurora moved to a shaded tree and, with a soft hum of magic, conjured a chair beneath her. She sat down gracefully, still holding Austin in her lap, arms wrapped loosely around him.
The clash of steel rang again.
"Mom, are they sparring?" Austin asked, his eyes locked on the two figures without blinking.
"No. Your father is teaching your brother his sword technique," she replied calmly.
"But… he's not even speaking. How's he teaching him?"
"He's using his sword," she explained. "He's forcing your brother to adjust by instinct — guiding him with every move, every strike."
"Hmm… so that's the gap between them," Austin murmured, golden eyes gleaming. "He's teaching just by fighting him."
A silence passed. Then—
"Mom… when will I form my core?" he asked, suddenly serious.
She looked down at him, golden eyes unreadable. "You want to form your core already?, how much do you know about forming core? "
He nodded. "I only know the basics. The library had very little. Just the process — eat the dusted core of a rank-one beast, awaken mana, and use it to form aura. Once aura and mana align, a core is formed below the heart."
She smiled faintly.
"You've studied well. But there is another method — one not written in books. A second way to form a core, used only by high-ranking nobles and the royal families of the Four Continents."
"Why only them?" he asked, curious.
She was quiet for a moment.
"I don't know ," she finally said. "Its a rule made by the progenitor of royal family . But only children between ten and fifteen can use the second method. You still have five years to go."
Austin nodded, leaning into her chest again. He didn't ask further. His mind was already elsewhere.
'Five more years… I'll use every moment. I need to rebuild my body. I need to be ready.'
Golden eyes narrowed slightly.