"Uncle, we're home!" Maya called out as she pushed open the door, her voice echoing into the quiet apartment.
Uncle Jake was slouched on the couch, eyes blankly fixed on the darkened TV screen. Maya's voice jolted him from whatever thoughts had been holding him hostage. He blinked, adjusted his back, then turned toward us with a familiar crooked grin.
"Welcome home, kiddo."
Then his eyes shifted to me. His grin widened but his brow arched, confused.
"What the hell happened to you, Isaac? You look like you aged fifty years on the way back. Pfft!"
I stared at him with half-lidded eyes and said flatly, "The ride home was… uncomfortable."
And it was. Torture, if I'm being honest.
The twins wouldn't stop praising me. Non-stop flattery, wide-eyed admiration, awkward fidgeting—it was like babysitting two overexcited squirrels. If that wasn't bad enough, Maya decided to glue herself to Claire the entire time, marveling at her red hair, the way she talked, even asking what brand of perfume she used.
It was like watching a cat worship a lion.
I groaned internally. Of course, she would get me tangled up with the twins… and then go ahead and befriend the mad witch too.
"I'm going to my room to change," I muttered, not waiting for a response as I hurried toward the hallway like it might swallow me whole.
Jake watched me vanish, then slowly turned to Maya, blinking once in exaggerated confusion. With an arched brow, he silently pointed his thumb at my door, as if asking, Did I miss something?
Maya let out a sigh and shook her head like she was already tired of explaining. She folded her arms, stared straight at him, and said flatly:
"Puberty."
---
Later, lying on my bed with one arm lazily resting over my forehead, I let the quiet settle around me. My chest rose and fell, slow and calm. I stretched my fingers toward the ceiling and flexed them a few times, watching the way they moved—sharper, stronger, heavier somehow.
A lot had happened.
But it wasn't a complete loss.
At the very least, I learned a few things. Mostly about this body.
People were supposed to only have mana after awakening. That's what the world believed. That's what everyone was taught.
But in the future, the truth would come out. With the right breathing techniques, focused meditation, and discipline, even an unawakened human could begin to sense mana—manipulate it in small ways. It wasn't enough for elemental spells or flashy combat magic... but it let you push past your limits, enhance your muscles, sharpen your senses.
That tiny edge was enough to let me crush Kaine.
But…
I clenched my hand into a fist.
"It's not enough," I whispered.
There was still too much I didn't have. Too much I couldn't do. And too many enemies waiting.
I need to awaken faster.
I exhaled slowly.
"Guess I'll have to meet that guy after all..."