A new dawn.The sun rose from its long slumber, casting a gentle light over the lands of men.The songs of birds echoed softly through the cool morning breeze, brushing past a boy who sat quietly, seeking peace within himself.
“Huff… haaa… I should’ve calmed my fear and pain through meditation.”
The note I found turned out to be more helpful than I could’ve imagined — it brought me clarity, and perhaps, a path forward.Now, I need to find the next answer… the way to train, and to gather strength.
But before that—I must find a way to close this Claim Seal that remains wide open within me.
“Hmmm… what should I do? Ah—books. Yes, that’s what I need.”
I needed some kind of reference — something that could help me solve this problem.Maybe there were still some books in the house, manuals about training the body and mind.
As I searched through the shelves, I realized something —I had already read them all.
I couldn’t go to the main mansion’s library either; that place was strictly reserved for the noble family.And sneaking in wasn’t an option — guards watched every corner.
While I was lost in thought, the door creaked open.Mother stepped in.
“Yinzu, what are you doing?”
“Ah—nothing! It’s nothing, really.”
“Is that so? Yinzu, I know you’re still upset with me. I’m sorry… for disappointing you all this time.”
“No, Mother. Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.If anything, I should be the one to apologize… for yelling at you.”
She smiled faintly. “It’s alright. But tell me, why is the room such a mess? Were you looking for something?”
“Ah, yes. I was searching for a book. I’ve read everything here, so I wanted to find a training manual.”
“You want to start training?” she said, her tone softening. “Alright then. I’ll buy one for you when I go to the city for supplies.And… I’ll get you something else as a gift for your tenth birthday.”
“Really? Thank you, Mother!”
I ran to her and hugged her tightly.
She chuckled and patted my head. “You’re welcome. Now, I’ll be going. Wait for me, okay?”
“Yes, I will.”
Mother left with a few servants, riding a horse-drawn wagon toward the city.She would return before noon.
As I watched the cart disappear down the road, I wondered what to do until then.
“Maybe… I should train my body for now,” I muttered, my eyes falling on a metal rod leaning against the wall.
...
In the human kingdom, there stood a capital city known as Welttown — a place where all trade and necessities were centralized.There, among the crowded streets and merchants’ stalls, was an old bookstore that also served as a public library.Quiet, dusty, yet filled with a comforting, timeless charm.
Ring!
The bell on the door chimed softly.
“Welcome, good morning. Oh... a maid?” said the shopkeeper, a young man with pale gray hair.
“Ah, hello. Is old man Reagor here?”
“Hmm, looking for the boss, huh? Sorry, he’s out at the moment.”
“I see… in that case, I’m looking for a manual about aura strengthening methods.”
“Aura strengthening? What would a maid need a book like that for?” he asked, curious.
“Oh, it’s nothing like that. It’s for my son — he wants to train.”
“A determined child, then. He must have the spirit of a knight,” the man replied with a faint smile. “Alright, I’ll find it for you.”
“And... one more thing.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I want to—”
The doorbell rang again, cutting her words short.
“Ugh... I’m exhausted...” I muttered, collapsing to the ground. “Only a hundred moves, yet my body feels like it’s being torn apart...”
I lay there, staring at the calm blue sky.A bright day... will everything always stay like this?
No. Even if the world never changes — I will.I’ll surpass everyone... even the strongest beings alive.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, a sharp pain struck my chest.The same pain I felt last night — when the head of the household came to me.
Strangely, the clouds above began to shift, forming faint words.They seemed to spell out: “Open.”
Clutching my chest, I struggled to stand, confusion swirling in my head.Then — the sound of carriage wheels echoed down the servants’ quarters road.
“...Mother’s back?” I whispered.I forced myself upright, enduring the pain.“I need to tidy this place up. I can’t let her worry about me.”
...
“Yinzu, I’m home. Hmm? Where is he? Maybe he’s outside…”
I stood quietly behind her, trying to sneak up and surprise her.
“Boo!”
“Aaaah!”
“Hahaha! So you were trying to surprise me again, huh?”
“Tch, how does Mother always know when I’m about to do that?”
“Hehe, that’s a secret. But since you wanted to surprise me, I’ll give you a surprise too!”
“A surprise? What kind?”
“Tada! Here it is — the book you wanted!”
“Hmm? Whoa! Thank you, Mother. But…”
“But what? Don’t you like it?”
“I do! I really do… it’s just, this book might not be enough. Still, thank you.”
“Hmmm, I see. Then let’s move on to the second surprise.”
“The second? There’s more? What is it?”
“Here— tadaaa! A short sword for your training.”
“This sword… for me? But isn’t this expensive?”
“Someone sold it to me at a cheap price, so I bought it for you.”
“Hiks... Thank you, Mother. I love you.”
“You’re welcome, my dear. Train well, alright?”
“Yes, I will.”
Night fell upon the Skylark estate — the night of their annual ceremony.The servants, including my mother, were busy preparing the event with elegance and care.
As for me, I stayed by the pond, holding the same note that once found its way to me. Mother told me to study, but tonight… I wanted to train.
It’s time to learn how to control my power.But my mind kept drifting back to what I saw earlier — the word that appeared in the sky. “Open.”What did it mean?Could it have something to do with my open Claim Seal?
Whatever it was, I had to master my aura.
I began swinging the short sword Mother gave me, following the movements written in the book.With each swing, I focused my breathing, trying to sense the flow of energy within me.
Then—
I entered a state known as Overflow,a deep meditative trance where one looks inward — to see and touch the Claim Seal within their heart,to command, shape, and store their power.
As I did that, a sharp pain suddenly pierced through my chest — so unbearable that I collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood.
At first, I thought it was just a side effect of entering Overflow for the first time...But then I realized — this pain came from forcing myself to control my power while my Claim Seal was still wide open.
I quickly steadied my breathing and sat cross-legged, trying to enter meditation — searching for calmness, for a way…a way to close the Seal within me.
But as I sank deeper into my mind, I suddenly lost consciousness.
“What…? What’s happening? Why are there waves here?”
When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the real world.I stood within my own mind — an empty, endless space.Surging waves of energy crashed violently around me, distorting everything.
As I struggled to stay afloat in that chaos—
A light appeared.A blinding, radiant light that illuminated everything.
“What—wait… this can’t be…!”