A soft alarm beep woke Kael from his sleep.
He stirred lazily, letting out a quiet yawn before pushing himself up from the bed. His movements were slow and heavy, his body still resisting him despite the rest he had gotten. After a moment, he swung his legs down and stood, forcing himself awake. He made his bed neatly before heading to the bathroom, where he washed his face and brushed his teeth, the cool water helping to clear the lingering fog in his mind.
Yesterday hadn't been particularly exhausting, but by evening his body had completely given out. He had fallen asleep far earlier than he intended.
"It's really hard to keep up with this body," he muttered to himself as he stepped out of the bathroom. "Not only am I weak… I don't even know if I'll ever get my powers back."
The thought lingered as he changed out of his pajamas, pulling on a simple black T-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants. The clothes were light and comfortable, suited more for a child's body than the one he once possessed.
He glanced at the holographic screen beside his bed—his personal terminal. The display flickered softly to life.
8:20 a.m.
He blinked, mildly surprised.
"I woke up earlier than yesterday," he murmured. A small smile formed on his face. "Mom's going to be surprised."
Today felt different. There was a quiet excitement stirring in his chest. He planned to explore the forest at last—the one he had been staring at from his bedroom window for years now. Every time he looked at it, it felt ancient, untouched, as though it didn't belong to this new world of floating cities and glowing technology.
He was also planning to do some light training and investigate his soul realm again. He hadn't dared to do much of that when he was younger, but now his curiosity had grown too strong to ignore.
"Kael, are you up?" his mother called from outside his room.
"Yes, Mom," he replied, stepping toward the door.
The metallic door slid open automatically as he approached, and he made his way into the dining room.
His mother was already there, dressed in a long, flowing gray dress. She moved calmly as she prepared breakfast, her presence warm and familiar. When she noticed him, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Well, you're up early today," she said fondly.
"Uh… I was planning on going for a walk later," Kael replied as he took a seat at the table.
"Oh?" She glanced at him with mild surprise before nodding. "That's fine, but don't wander too far, and don't go too deep into the forest. There are monsters there, okay?"
"I know, Mom," he said with a reassuring smile. "I'll be careful. Extra careful."
She poured him a cup of tea and set a slice of cake on his plate before sitting down to eat with him. The two of them ate quietly. Kael finished quickly, his thoughts already drifting ahead to the day he had planned.
After a moment, he looked up. "Mom, where's Dad?"
"He already left," she answered. "They needed him at work early today, and he wanted to buy a new mana core for the car."
"But… isn't the car broken?" Kael asked, tilting his head slightly. "What did he use to get there?"
She smiled. "He took the local skyrail, honey. They're trains that drift across the sky and head straight into the city."
"Oh," Kael said softly, his interest immediately piqued.
"You'll see them properly when you visit the city someday," she added.
"I can't wait," he said honestly. The floating city filled his thoughts again—its scale, its people, the mysteries it surely held. But that was something for the future.
"Mom, I'm heading out now," Kael said as he stood.
"Alright," she replied, her tone firm but caring. "Don't stay out too long, and remember what I said."
"I will," he promised.
He pressed his hand against the panel beside the living room door. It glowed green, and the door slid open.
Warm sunlight greeted him immediately, spilling across his face as a cool breeze brushed against his skin. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation, before stepping onto the path that led away from the house.
The grass stretched out like a soft green carpet, each blade tipped with morning dew that shimmered faintly in the light. In the distance, the outline of the floating city hovered on the horizon, majestic and silent. Closer to home, scattered houses dotted the land, their designs blending magic and technology seamlessly.
The scenery filled him with a quiet sense of peace—one he wasn't accustomed to. His previous life had been far harsher, far louder. This world felt different. Gentler.
Eventually, he branched off onto a narrow dirt path that led toward the forest.
The moment he stepped closer, that strange feeling returned. A subtle pull, deep and quiet, resonating somewhere within him. He couldn't explain it, but it felt as though the forest was aware of his presence.
As he entered, towering trees rose around him, their trunks thick and weathered, roots twisting above the soil as though gripping the earth itself. Sunlight spilled through the canopy in golden streaks, illuminating drifting motes of dust and mana alike.
Leaves rustled softly, accompanied by distant birdsong and the subtle sounds of unseen creatures deeper within. The scent of damp earth and fresh greenery filled the air, crisp and calming.
He paused beside a large tree and closed his eyes, focusing inward.
The mana here felt different—denser, purer. It flowed smoothly through the forest, weaving through trees, soil, and air in perfect harmony. When he opened his eyes, he noticed faint golden lines shimmering around him, chaotic yet serene, threading through everything.
Mana lines.
He stood there for several minutes, simply observing, before moving on.
Soon, he reached a small clearing. A gentle river flowed along its edge, sunlight dancing across the surface. A large rock rested near the center, worn smooth by time. Golden threads of mana traced along the water's edge, pulsing faintly.
"This place… it's peaceful," Kael murmured.
He sat cross-legged beside the rock, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
Focusing his mind, he dove into his soul realm.
Much of it remained unchanged. His abilities were still there, dim and inaccessible, locked behind invisible barriers. But something new caught his attention—eight mana cores arranged in a circle, connected by faint blue lines, all of them dormant.
"That wasn't there before," he whispered.
He frowned slightly. "Does everyone in this world have mana cores like this…?"
The question lingered, unanswered.
He exited his soul realm and opened his eyes, watching the river flow for a while longer before standing.
"Well," he said quietly, stretching, "let's see if I remember the moves."
He picked up a fallen branch near a tree. It was uneven and light, but it would have to do.
He took a stance and began swinging.
The first few movements were familiar—almost natural. But then his balance wavered. The branch cut clumsily through the air. He adjusted his grip and tried again, over and over.
His feet slipped on the damp grass, and he nearly fell. His heart raced. After only a few minutes, his arms began to ache badly.
He stopped, panting, and dropped to the ground, staring up at the sky through the canopy.
"This is really hard," he muttered.
After a moment, he forced himself to sit up. "But I won't give up. As long as I remember the forms… I can refine them."
He nodded to himself. "Consistency. That's all I need."
After resting for a bit, he sat back on the rock, simply taking in the scenery once more.
Then he noticed something.
A crow perched on a high branch nearby.
It had three eyes—two on either side of its head, and one embedded in its forehead. All three glowed a deep crimson as they stared directly at him.
Kael froze.
The bird watched him for several seconds before spreading its wings and disappearing deeper into the forest.
"…What a strange bird," Kael murmured.
Feeling the weight of the day settle into his small body, he turned and began heading home—tired, but quietly satisfied with what he had learned.