Chapter 25: Elizabeth
The morning arrived as it always did.
The faint golden rays of dawn slipped gently through the curtains of Aiden's room, lighting up the tiny dust motes dancing in the still air. The birds outside had already begun their soft chirping. A light breeze brushed against the edges of the open window.
Aiden slowly opened his eyes. His body felt heavy with sleepiness. The faint leftover feeling of yesterday's mana absorption still hummed quietly through his veins.
He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. His hair was messy and untidy, sticking out in random directions. Letting out a small yawn, he swung his legs off the bed and stood up.
The wooden floor under his feet was cold, sending a brief shiver through his body that helped him wake up completely.
He stretched his arms above his head, breathed out deeply, then made his way to the bathroom. The house was quiet, with only the faint clinking of dishes coming from the kitchen.
He turned on the tap, splashed his face with cold water, and looked into the mirror. His black hair was a little longer now. His eyes—those deep, calm black eyes—showed both youth and a trace of maturity beyond his years.
After washing up, he changed into a simple black tunic and grey trousers. He fixed his collar a little, straightened himself, and walked toward the kitchen, expecting to find his mother making breakfast as usual and his father reading something at the table.
But as he got closer, he heard an unfamiliar voice—soft but confident, almost musical in tone. The words were unclear at first, but the laughter that followed was warm and light. He paused for a moment near the doorway, curiosity shining in his eyes.
When he finally stepped into the kitchen, he saw another person.
Sitting beside his parents was a woman he had never seen before. She looked to be in her early thirties. Her posture was refined, and her movements were graceful.
She had shoulder-length brown hair that glistened softly under the morning light. She had dark brown eyes that held both sharp intelligence and a gentle depth.
Her features were elegant and even. Though she was small, there was something about her—a strange sense of beauty and unspoken elegance—that made her stand out.
She wore a dark black dress that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin. As she turned slightly, Aiden noticed the faint shimmer of golden thread along her sleeves.
Sara and Jonathan looked up almost immediately when Aiden entered, and so did the woman. A soft smile spread across her face.
"So," the woman said with a teasing glint in her eyes, "this handsome young man is my nephew, huh?"
Aiden blinked, caught off guard. The unexpected compliment left him speechless for a moment. He shifted his gaze between his parents, unsure how to reply.
Sara noticed his hesitation and spoke. Her tone was affectionate but urging. "Aiden, this is your aunt—my cousin, Elizabeth. Greet her properly."
Aiden straightened a little and nodded, his voice polite but slightly awkward. "Hello, Aunt Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's lips curved into a kind smile. "How are you, my little nephew?" she asked playfully. "Why don't you introduce yourself to your aunt properly?"
Aiden nodded again, his expression composed as he replied, "My name is Aiden Syctes, and I am thirteen years old. I am a tri-elemental mana cultivator—light, earth, and lightning."
Elizabeth's eyes widened a little in curiosity. Her face brightened with interest as she said, "Your parents told me you are a tri-elemental mana cultivator, but I still find it hard to believe. So, can you show me one of your lightning spells?"
Aiden nodded respectfully. "Yes," he said calmly, "I can show you after we have breakfast."
Elizabeth smiled approvingly. "Alright then, after breakfast."
They all sat together. The feeling in the room was warm and lively. The smell of fresh bread and herbs filled the kitchen. Sara moved gracefully as she poured tea. Jonathan talked about mana crystals and trade routes with Elizabeth, who sometimes nodded with keen understanding.
During breakfast, Elizabeth asked Aiden several questions—about his training, his favorite spells, his interests, and his thoughts on magic itself.
It was clear she was not just making small talk. She was studying him, trying to know him better. She was also testing his understanding, his confidence, and the way he saw mana.
Aiden, though awkward at first, began to relax as the meal went on. His answers became more natural. His words became smoother. Elizabeth listened closely, sometimes nodding or smiling.
When breakfast was over, Jonathan stood up first, stretching a little. "You two can use the garden," he said. "It is the perfect place for your first session."
Elizabeth nodded. Her sharp brown eyes gleamed with anticipation as she said, "That will do perfectly."
The group made their way toward the garden. The morning sun was now brighter, casting golden light across the grass and leaves. The air was cool, filled with the scent of dew and soil.
The wooden training dummies stood silently in their usual spots, scarred from countless spells Aiden had thrown during the past years.
Aiden walked to the center of the garden and turned toward one of the dummies. Elizabeth stood off to the side, her arms folded lightly. She watched him with a calm but sharp gaze.
"Just show me one spell," she said, her tone composed but firm. "After that, I will begin teaching you how to use light and earth mana. And if you can use them well," she added with a faint smile, "then you truly will be a tri-elemental mana cultivator—one of the rarest geniuses in this world."
She paused, her voice softening slightly. "In fact, there is only one such genius in our entire family other than you—if you really are tri-elemental."
Just as she finished her words, Sara—who had been standing quietly near Jonathan—suddenly interrupted. Her tone was sharp. "Elizabeth! What did I tell you about not talking about the family to him? Did you forget this early?"
Elizabeth froze. Her confident look faltered for just a second. She turned toward Sara, her expression apologetic. "I am sorry," she said quietly, lowering her gaze for a brief moment.
The tension eased as Sara sighed softly, shaking her head.
Then Elizabeth turned back to Aiden, her composure quickly returning. "Begin," she said.
Aiden nodded. He took a deep breath, focusing his mind. The familiar rhythm of mana flowed through his veins as he raised his right hand. Sparks of blue light flickered to life around his palm.
The mana grew tight, humming with energy. It formed a small ball of pure lightning that pulsed with vibrant power.
With a quick motion, he extended his arm and released the spell.
A blinding flash burst out, followed by a deafening crack. The lightning blast hit the wooden dummy directly. The explosion was sharp and precise, leaving behind nothing but scattered ashes and smoking splinters.
The grass around the impact site was slightly blackened. The smell of burning filled the air.
Elizabeth's eyes widened in astonishment. For a few seconds, she said nothing, only watching the faint crackles of lightning that still hung in the air. Then, a slow, impressed smile spread across her face.
"You have fully mastered lightning mana at your age," she said, real admiration in her tone. "Incredible."
Aiden bowed his head slightly. "Thank you," he replied simply.
Elizabeth nodded approvingly, then straightened her posture. Her tone grew serious again as she said, "Alright then. Now I will teach you how to use earth mana—so listen carefully."
Aiden nodded once more, his black eyes steady and focused. "Okay," he said.
Elizabeth smiled faintly, looking at him with a mix of affection and professional pride.
"Earth mana," she began, "is the element of toughness, stability, and defense. It does not bend easily. Those who master it must have patience, persistence, and a calm heart. Unlike lightning, which is explosive and fast, earth requires stillness—a quiet strength that lasts, rather than bursts."
She crouched slightly, picking up a small pebble from the ground. Holding it up between her fingers, she continued,
"To use earth mana, you must first feel the weight of the world beneath you. Every grain of soil, every rock, every mountain—they all share a single heartbeat. When you draw Earth mana, you are connecting to that heartbeat. And you must have a strong will, like an unbreakable wall."
She placed the pebble on her open palm and filled it with a faint brownish glow. The stone floated slowly, hovering above her hand, surrounded by shimmering marks of faint golden light.
Aiden watched intently, captivated by the steadiness in her movements. The mana was not violent like lightning. It was firm, consistent, unshakable.
Elizabeth continued, "Now, your turn. Feel the ground beneath you—its pulse, its quiet energy. Draw it in, let it flow through your body, and release it."
Aiden closed his eyes. He breathed in deeply, his mind sinking downward. For a few moments, there was only silence. Then, faint ripples began to spread under his feet. Specks of brown light gathered around him. The earth trembled slightly. A single rock rose from the ground, floating unsteadily in front of him.
His control wavered for a moment, but then he steadied his breathing, guiding the mana more smoothly. The rock floated more firmly now, wrapped in a faint brown aura.
Elizabeth's eyes softened with pride. "Good," she said quietly. "Very good. You have a natural link to the earth element, and your control over mana is exceptional for your age."
Aiden smiled faintly, still focusing on keeping the spell going.
As the rock slowly came back down to the ground, Sara—watching from the side—breathed out softly. Her face showed a mix of relief and pride. Jonathan's lips curved slightly into a subtle smile.
Elizabeth looked at Aiden before saying, "Okay, now I will teach you how to use light mana. Remember, Light Mana is the purest of all mana. It is used to purify all the corrupted things in this world, and you cannot use it without a pure and gentle heart. Understood?"
Aiden nodded seriously, feeling both excited and energized as he replied firmly, "Okay."
Author's Note: Aiden's new training begins with an aunt who sees his genius—and almost lets slip a dangerous family secret. What is the story of the *other* tri-elemental genius in the family? And why is Elizabeth so wary of the world outside their garden? As Aiden learns the purest of elements, the darkness below his home grows more restless. To uncover the secret Elizabeth hides, make sure to add this to your Collections!