Chapter 20: Artifact
A few days passed quietly.
During this time, Aiden spent most of his hours in the garden, making every spell he had learned better.
Each morning started the same way—the soft warmth of the rising sun, the faint songs of birds singing through the quiet yard, and Aiden standing barefoot on the dew-covered grass. His breathing was steady.
His focus was sharp as he moved from one spell to another—making fireballs, shaping water streams, controlling puppets, and pushing healing mana into his limbs to cure his tiredness.
He could feel it—the mana flowed smoother than ever. The control he once struggled to keep now felt almost natural, like the mana itself was answering his will. His progress was now impossible to deny.
As the days went on, his aim got better. His fireballs burned brighter and stronger. The water streams cut more cleanly through the wooden targets. Even the invisible mana strings he used for puppetry moved faster and with more steadiness.
It was during one of these afternoons, while Aiden was training in the center of the garden under the golden sun, that his father's voice called to him.
"Come here, Aiden."
The words were calm but full of authority.
Aiden stopped channeling his mana at once. The faint glow of energy around his hands faded. The soft hum of elemental power died out.
He turned toward the veranda, where his father, Jonathan, stood with his hands in his coat pockets. The older man's posture was as composed as always, but there was something in his face—something that hinted at important news.
Aiden walked over quickly. His steps were steady but filled with curiosity. When he reached his father, he spoke politely.
"Yes, Dad?"
Jonathan nodded a little, his gaze steady as he spoke.
"I have brought the artifact that can make your appearance look older. And tomorrow," he continued, "your teacher for Lightning and Wind will also be here. So be ready for harsh training. He is very strict."
Aiden's eyebrows lifted slightly. A new teacher? Lightning and Wind? His curiosity grew.
Jonathan continued, his tone serious but proud.
"Remember, you will have to tell him that you are thirteen years old."
Aiden nodded in understanding. His father had often talked about the dangers of telling anyone his real identity or the true nature of his powers.
Jonathan paused for a brief moment, then slowly pulled his hand from his pocket. Between his fingers, he held a small object—a locket.
It was unlike anything Aiden had ever seen before.
The locket was black, polished to a mirror shine that reflected tiny glimmers of light. In its center was a golden crystal, faintly pulsing with mana energy. It gave off a subtle pressure—not scary, but heavy, demanding respect. The craft was perfect. The feeling around it was ancient, almost sacred.
Jonathan looked at the locket with a small smile. His voice was filled with meaning.
"This is a mana artifact. It was made using the mana heart of a Stage Five Immortal," he said solemnly. "It can make you look older. No one under Stage Six can see your true appearance or sense your real mana."
Aiden's breath caught.
A Stage Five Immortal… even among powerful cultivators, that was an unbelievable being. His own parents, strong as they were, had once said they could not defeat a Stage Five cultivator. That meant this locket was made from such a being's mana heart. It was priceless—something far beyond what normal families could even dream of having.
Jonathan's gaze softened a little as he continued. "It is a very special and precious artifact, Aiden. It can even protect you in life-and-death situations. Always keep it safe, understand?"
Aiden stared at the artifact with awe. His heart beat faster. His father had gotten such a powerful treasure for him. It was not just the object's value—it was what it meant: trust, love, and the huge responsibility his father was putting on his shoulders.
He nodded firmly. "Yes, Dad. I will remember."
Jonathan nodded back, satisfied, and explained, "To use this artifact, you need to wear it. Then think about the appearance you want to have. After that, push your mana into it. Once you do that, your appearance will change. Now, give it a try."
"Okay, Dad."
Aiden took the locket with both hands. It was cold to the touch, but a faint vibration pulsed through his fingers, like a living heart beating softly inside.
Carefully, he put it around his neck. The black chain settled against his skin. The golden crystal rested just above his chest, pulsing gently.
He closed his eyes. He remembered an image—the way he looked when he was thirteen years old back on Earth. His black hair, his slightly sharp eyes, his calm but young face. He held that memory firmly in his mind. Then he slowly began to push mana into the locket.
At first, nothing happened. Then, the golden crystal pulsed brightly. A warm wave of energy spread through his body, wrapping him in faint golden light.
When the light faded, Aiden opened his eyes. His hands looked longer. His fingers were thinner and more grown-up. His body felt a little taller, more balanced. His features were different—no longer those of a small child.
Jonathan watched with quiet amazement. From his pocket, he pulled out a small mirror and gave it to Aiden.
"Look."
Aiden took the mirror and stared at the reflection. The face looking back at him made him blink in surprise.
It was the same boy he once saw in his memories—black hair that caught the sunlight, sharp black eyes full of intelligence, and a faintly mature expression. His face was gentle but calm, showing a quiet confidence. He looked about thirteen years old—just as he had imagined.
Jonathan could not help but smile a little. "You did well, Aiden. The appearance is perfect—older, but still fitting for you. You imagined it clearly."
He put a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Now you can continue your training. Afterward, get some rest. Your teacher will arrive in the morning. And trust me—he will not go easy on you."
Aiden nodded seriously. "Yes, Dad."
He went back to his training at once. The afternoon passed with fireballs flying across the garden and streams of water cutting through dummies. The sky turned gold, then crimson, and finally darkened to violet as the sun sank behind the faraway hills.
When the stars began to appear, Aiden finally went back inside, tired but satisfied. He had trained until his mana was almost gone.
That night, as moonlight came through his window, he lay on his bed, looking quietly at the ceiling. The faint golden glow from the locket shimmered softly on his chest.
"Tomorrow," he whispered to himself, "my new training begins."
With that thought, he slowly fell asleep.
Morning came.
The air was cool and fresh, filled with the songs of birds. Sunlight crept through the curtains, lighting up Aiden's room. He slowly opened his eyes, stretched his body, and got out of bed.
He went to the washroom, cleaned up, and changed into fresh clothes. His routine was simple, but today, there was a new feeling of tension in his chest.
After that, he walked to the kitchen. As usual, his parents were there—Sara making breakfast, and Jonathan reading a book at the table.
"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, dear," both of them replied warmly.
He sat down and began to eat. His appetite was good, but his mind was busy—wondering what kind of person his new teacher would be.
Jonathan noticed his son's focus and smiled slightly. "Do not overthink it. Just do your best. You will be fine."
Aiden nodded silently.
After breakfast, he headed toward the garden once again. The grass was fresh with dew. The wind was light. But today, someone was already there.
A man stood in the middle of the garden. He looked about thirty-five years old. He wore casual black trousers and a dark shirt. His black hair was messy. His posture was relaxed—too relaxed.
But there was something dangerous about the way he stood. Even though his face was calm, his presence carried a strange sharpness, like a sword hidden behind silk.
He was about five feet ten inches tall. He had fair skin, blue hair, and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through everything they looked at.
Aiden froze for a second. *Is that… my teacher?*
As if reading his mind, the man turned his gaze toward him. Their eyes met. For a single moment, the world seemed to stop. Then, without a word, the man moved.
He vanished from his spot in a flash—no, not vanished. He moved with lightning speed. The air cracked faintly. Before Aiden could react, a powerful kick came rushing toward him from the side.
The strike was so fast that Aiden's eyes could barely follow it.
"Wha—!"
Instinctively, Aiden crossed his arms in front of his body, pushing mana to make his defense stronger. The impact hit him like a shockwave. It sent him stumbling several steps back before he managed to catch his balance.
The man stopped where he had stood. His leg lowered. His expression was still calm.
"Not bad," he said in a low, steady voice. "You reacted fast. Maybe you will survive my lessons."
Aiden looked at him, heart pounding, both shocked and impressed. The speed, the precision, the control—everything about that single attack was perfect.
His father's voice suddenly came from behind.
"Aiden, meet your new teacher." Jonathan's tone was casual, but there was a trace of amusement in it. "This is Rayan—a Stage Four Lightning and Wind cultivator."
The man—Rayan—looked down at Aiden. A faint grin appeared on his face.
"Get ready, kid. Starting today, your real training begins."
Author's Note: A powerful new mentor has arrived, but his sudden, violent test shows he won't coddle Aiden. With a priceless artifact hiding his true age and a teacher who moves like lightning, what brutal methods will Aiden have to endure to master the next two elements? The peaceful days are over. If you want to see if Aiden can survive Rayan's training, make sure to add this to your Collections!