Chapter 14 – Aric
Aric stood in the secluded courtyard of their hidden refuge, the morning sun cutting through the mist that clung to the stone. His father's words from yesterday still echoed in his mind: "Knowledge without vigilance is nothing." Today, theory would meet practice.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of mana within him. The energy rippled like a hidden current, subtle yet potent. It had been weeks since he first sensed the threads of magic weaving through the world, and yet, controlling them was an entirely different challenge. One false move could trigger the System's attention—or worse, harm himself.
"Concentrate," he muttered aloud. His breath evened, and his mind extended outward, probing the surrounding mana currents. The leaves swirled slightly as the magic responded to his intent. It was small, but it was real.
He had chosen a simple task for his first controlled attempt: levitating a stone. Not a massive boulder—just a pebble. If he could manipulate that, he could begin building confidence in his control over elemental forces.
A bead of sweat traced down his temple. He extended his hand and willed the pebble upward. At first, it wobbled uncertainly before clattering to the ground. Frustration prickled at him, but he steadied himself. Patience, he reminded himself, just like Father said.
He inhaled deeply, visualizing the currents once more. This time, he imagined the stone responding willingly, as if it understood his command. Slowly, the pebble trembled, lifted an inch, hovered, and then—just for a heartbeat—remained suspended.
A surge of triumph coursed through him, but it was short-lived. The System sensed his magic spike. A soft, metallic chime sounded above him—the familiar alert indicating that a minor enforcer had detected unauthorized activity. Aric's heart skipped.
"Quick, finish it before they arrive," he whispered, pushing his concentration further. The pebble rose higher, spinning gently in the air, as the currents twisted obediently around it. He was learning to bend them, not dominate them blindly.
A sudden gust of wind disrupted his focus, and the pebble tumbled violently. Aric's eyes snapped open. He could feel the System's enforcer approaching, its presence like a shadow stretching over the courtyard.
Thinking quickly, he sent a pulse of mana outward—not to attack, but to create a minor diversion. Leaves and dust spiraled upward, masking the pebble as he seized it and tucked it into his cloak. The enforcer arrived moments later, its form flickering like an afterimage. Its cold gaze swept the courtyard, and for a tense heartbeat, Aric held still, heart pounding.
Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it moved on. A lesson learned: even minor magic draws attention.
Aric exhaled, dropping to his knees. His mind raced, replaying the sequence. He had succeeded partially—the stone had moved, he had maintained control long enough to evade the enforcer, and he had discovered a method to conceal his actions. Yet he knew this was only the beginning.
He rose, shaking off his fear, and focused again. This time, the pebble floated steadily in front of him, spinning calmly. He could feel its weight, its presence, and the delicate balance of mana sustaining it. It was a small victory, but a significant one.
He glanced at the horizon, where the distant mountains shimmered with residual magical energy. The world was vast, filled with challenges and unseen powers. If divine beings existed, as Father had said, then mastery over such forces was merely a stepping stone toward survival.
Aric's lips curved into a determined smile. "I will learn to control this world, Father. One step at a time… one pebble at a time."
The morning sun bathed him in gold. He was still mortal, still constrained by the System, yet for the first time, he felt the spark of true potential.
And sparks, once ignited, could grow into flames capable of changing the course of history.