The next day dawned peacefully over Hess City.
The first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows of the Kiran Mansion, illuminating the stone corridors and making tiny specks of dust dance in the air.
For most people, it would have been just another morning.
For Myth Kiran, however, the morning began the same way as every other day.
Training.
In the mansion's backyard, the sharp sound of a spear cutting through the air echoed repeatedly.
Whoosh!
Thump!
Whoosh!
Thump!
Myth gripped his wooden spear with both hands as he executed a series of thrusts against a training post.
His small body no longer appeared as frail as one would expect from a six-year-old child.
Constant training, combined with the body-strengthening methods left behind by the Kiran family's ancestors, had produced astonishing results.
At the age of six, his body already possessed strength comparable to that of a First-Rank Warrior.
And he was not very far from the Second Rank.
Of course, Myth had not yet truly begun cultivating douqi.
His body had simply been strengthened to that level through physical training and the family's body-refining techniques.
Ha!
He took a deep breath.
Then he lunged forward once more.
Thump!
The spear tip struck the center of the wooden post.
Myth stepped back.
His arms were beginning to feel heavy.
Even so, his eyes remained resolute.
Ever since witnessing his father's demonstration of the Extreme Spear, the weapon had taken on an entirely different meaning.
That spear technique was a gateway to a path that could lead him far beyond the limits of an ordinary warrior.
Myth was about to perform another thrust when he heard footsteps behind him.
He turned his head.
Aleric was emerging from the main residence.
This time, however, something was different.
The man was wearing a full suit of armor.
Metal plates covered his chest, arms, and legs, while a long spear rested in his hand.
Behind him, several Kiran Family knights sat atop fully prepared horses.
The animals struck their hooves against the stone ground, eager to depart.
Myth stood still.
His gaze followed his father.
Aleric mounted his horse.
Before leaving, however, his eyes met Myth's.
For a brief moment, father and son stared at one another from afar.
Aleric smiled faintly.
Then he pulled on the reins.
The mansion gates opened.
The knights began riding out.
Clop.
Clop.
Clop.
The sound of hooves gradually faded as the group passed through the estate gates and headed into the city's streets.
Myth continued watching.
A strange feeling emerged in his chest.
War?
He slowly lowered his spear.
"Has a war really begun...?"
The memory of the conversation he had overheard the day before resurfaced in his mind.
The border.
The Duchy of Lomar.
The soldiers.
Myth frowned.
He knew his father was powerful.
An Eighth-Rank Warrior.
But that did not mean war was something insignificant.
Especially in this world.
Without wasting any more time, Myth dropped his spear.
"I need to ask Mom."
He ran inside the mansion.
His small footsteps echoed through the corridors.
He passed through the main hall.
Turned left.
Then right.
He searched the garden.
Nothing.
He asked one of the servants.
The library.
Myth ran again.
When he opened the door, he found a peaceful scene.
Louse was seated in a chair beside a large wooden table.
The table was covered with books.
Some were thick and ancient, with leather covers worn by time. Others had delicate covers and appeared much newer.
Louse held one of them in her hands.
Her long hair flowed gently over her shoulders as she calmly read a page.
Hearing the door open, she looked up.
When she saw her panting son standing at the entrance, she smiled.
"Oh? Have you already finished your physical training?"
Myth quickly shook his head.
Louse closed the book.
"Then go wash up first and come back. You're covered in sweat."
"But, Mom..."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
Myth hesitated for a moment.
Then he asked,
"What happened that made Dad leave with the knights?"
Louse's smile slowly faded.
Not out of fear.
But out of concern.
She placed the book on the table.
"There was an incident at the border."
"War?"
"It may be too early to call it a war."
She paused briefly.
"Your father went to handle the situation. There's no need to worry. He'll return."
Myth remained silent.
"But does he really need to go with the knights?"
Louse smiled.
"Silly child."
She stood up and walked over to him.
"Your father isn't just the lord of these lands. He's an Eighth-Rank Warrior and very close to reaching the Ninth Rank."
Myth blinked.
Louse then raised her left arm and subtly flexed her bicep.
"Besides, our knights aren't ordinary soldiers. Every one of them has been carefully trained by the family."
She smiled.
"It may not seem like it, but I'm also a Seventh-Rank Warrior."
Myth froze completely.
"...You?"
Louse chuckled softly.
"Yes, me."
The image Myth had of his mother began to crack.
Ever since his rebirth, he had always viewed Louse as a gentle woman.
She took care of her children.
Spoke kindly with the servants.
Prepared family dinners.
She always seemed delicate.
Myth had never imagined that the very same woman possessed the strength of a Seventh-Rank Warrior.
"But... wasn't Mom a mage?"
"I am."
She answered naturally.
"After marrying your father, I started cultivating magic again."
Myth's eyes widened.
"Again?"
"Yes."
Louse walked to the table and picked up another book.
"When I was younger, my magical talent was already quite good. But I ended up putting that path aside for a few years."
She turned toward her son.
"My affinity for the water element is extremely high. I also have a good affinity for wind."
Myth grew increasingly astonished.
"Then you're a powerful mage?"
Louse smiled.
"Powerful?"
She thought for a few seconds.
"I would say I still have a lot to learn."
"What level are you?"
"Level Five."
Myth stood there dumbfounded.
Louse laughed.
"Don't make that face."
"But..."
"Given enough time, I could also reach the Saint Realm."
She said it so casually that Myth was left speechless.
At that moment, he realized something.
His family was far more powerful than he had imagined.
The Kiran Family possessed more than just the ancestral Extreme Spear technique.
They possessed powerful warriors.
Magical knowledge.
Ancient books.
Secret techniques.
And a heritage that had survived for generations.
Louse placed a hand on her son's head.
"Now go wash up."
Myth looked at her.
"Alright."
"And come back quickly."
"Yes!"
He ran off.
Louse watched her son disappear down the corridor.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"That boy..."
---
Twenty minutes later.
The library was silent once more.
Myth sat across from his mother.
This time, however, there was a different expression on his face.
Curiosity.
Louse placed a closed book on the table.
"Today, we will begin your magical training."
Myth's eyes lit up.
"Finally!"
Louse smiled.
"Calm down. You won't be casting any spells yet."
"No?"
"No."
She gently tapped his forehead.
"A mage's first step is not casting spells."
Myth listened carefully.
"The first step is understanding one's own soul."
She sat down in front of him.
"To become a mage, you must strengthen your spiritual force. The stronger your soul becomes, the greater your ability to sense, control, and utilize elemental particles."
Myth nodded.
Louse continued speaking in a calm, patient voice.
"There are magical particles scattered throughout the world. They belong to different elements."
"Earth."
"Fire."
"Water."
"And wind."
Myth already knew those four elements.
But hearing it directly from his mother somehow made it different.
"Each element possesses its own characteristics."
Louse raised one finger.
"Earth is known for defense, endurance, and stability."
Another.
"Fire possesses great offensive and destructive power."
Another.
"Water has tremendous adaptability and can be used for both combat and healing."
Finally:
"And wind is extremely fast and highly mobile."
She smiled.
"But don't think one element is simply stronger than another."
"Power depends on the mage."
"A skilled mage can turn what appears to be a weakness into an advantage."
Myth nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"Now..."
Louse pointed at him.
"Close your eyes."
Myth obeyed.
"Relax your body."
He breathed slowly.
"Inhale."
Myth inhaled.
"Exhale."
He released the air.
"Think about nothing."
Myth's mind gradually became quiet.
His breathing slowed.
The outside world seemed to drift away.
Louse watched attentively.
"Now extend your spiritual power beyond your body."
Myth tried.
At first, he felt nothing.
Then...
Something changed.
It was as if a second perception had awakened within his mind.
His body disappeared from his awareness.
The library disappeared.
The sounds disappeared.
Myth sensed something spread all around him.
Countless points of light.
Some red.
Others blue.
Green.
And nearly transparent.
They were everywhere.
On the floor.
Within the walls.
In the air.
Inside the trees outside.
Even within his own body.
Myth was stunned.
"This..."
He almost opened his eyes.
"Don't."
Louse's gentle voice reached him.
"Keep sensing them."
Myth obeyed.
Then he noticed something even more surprising.
The four colors were extraordinarily clear.
None felt distant.
None felt weak.
It was as though they were all waiting for him.
"This is incredible..."
Myth couldn't help but think.
"So this is what the elemental world is really like?"
Louse watched her son.
Her smile slowly grew.
She already knew that Myth possessed exceptional affinity with all four elements.
But knowing it and witnessing it were two different things.
Even so, she did not want to interrupt him.
"Now try to absorb those particles."
"Slowly draw them into your body."
Myth focused.
A small number of particles began to move.
First came the wind particles.
Then water.
Earth.
Fire.
They entered his body like tiny points of light.
Myth felt a strange sensation.
The elements entering his body one after another...
A completely different kind of energy from anything he had experienced during physical training.
The particles passed through his body and converged toward a region in the center of his chest.
Between his nipples.
There lay his central dantian.
The place where a mage stored magical power.
The particles slowly began to transform.
Mana.
Myth could feel it.
The energy was truly changing within him.
He continued.
One hour passed.
Then another.
Louse remained by his side the entire time.
Finally, Myth opened his eyes.
His face was pale.
Sweat covered his forehead.
He was breathing heavily.
"I'm tired..."
Louse immediately approached him.
"That's enough."
Myth blinked.
"Already?"
"Already."
She smiled and stroked his hair.
"Congratulations."
Myth looked confused.
"For what?"
"You've already stepped onto the path of a mage."
The boy's eyes lit up once more.
"I did it?"
"Yes."
Louse smiled.
"Your mental power was already extremely high. With your affinity, you were able to absorb elemental particles with frightening ease."
She paused briefly.
"If you continue at this pace, your magical power will be close to Level Four before long."
Myth was overjoyed.
But Louse continued.
"However, don't think advancing levels will be that simple."
"To increase your rank as a mage, you must strengthen your soul and expand your mental power."
"The higher you climb, the more difficult it becomes."
She took one of her son's hands.
"That is why we cannot rush."
Myth nodded.
Louse then gently pulled him into her arms.
"That's enough for today."
"Mom..."
"Hmm?"
"Can I continue training on my own?"
"No."
The answer was immediate.
Myth was surprised.
Louse smiled gently.
"Your mental power is exhausted."
"If you continue absorbing elemental particles right now, you could overload your mind."
She stroked his hair.
"And I don't want you to destroy your future simply because you're eager to become stronger."
Myth remained silent.
He knew his mother was right.
Louse kissed his forehead.
"You still have plenty of time."
"Learn first."
"Understand."
"Then, when your body and soul are prepared..."
She smiled.
"You'll be able to go much farther."
Myth closed his eyes for a moment.
Ever since his reincarnation, he had always known that this world possessed a path to unimaginable power.
But now, he had finally taken the first step.
In this world, extracting souls from others to strengthen oneself, or even selling souls, was not uncommon.
And in a few years, that event would take place.
I need to become strong enough.
Strong enough to protect my family.