A few more days had gone by since Ray had once felt his core. He kept up his meditation outside the house, sitting through the cold mornings and fading afternoons, doing his absolute best to gather as much nature energy as he could—over and over again, stubbornly refusing to stop even when his legs went numb.
With every passing day, he could feel his core becoming more vivid and complete, like an outline slowly filling itself in.
Finally, just as he was about to give up his meditation for the day, something changed.
The warmth in his stomach felt more distinguished this time. It wasn't vague or fleeting, it was there.
Light, steady, and strangely comforting.
His entire body felt more energized, as though tiny sparks were dancing through his veins.
It was as if his gut was pouring energy into every part of him, reshaping his system, changing it, yet somehow keeping it the same in a strange, special way that he couldn't quite put into words.
"Wow… is this it?" Ray's eyes grew wide in surprise as he raised both hands to his gaze, staring at them like they might suddenly burst into flames. A smile slowly brewed across his face. "Have I really awakened my core?"
The question echoed in his mind, unanswered. He had no way of confirming it himself.
To that end, he had only one choice! ask his father, Derek.
Rising from his sitting position with bubbling excitement, Ray hurried across the fields, his small legs pumping as fast as they could carry him.
He burst into the house and rushed straight to the fireplace, where his father sat, warming himself by the brimming golden dance of the flames. After all, winter was creeping closer by the day.
"Daddy! I think I did it!" Ray exclaimed, completely forgetting to restrain himself in his excitement.
Derek reacted instantly, slapping a hand over Ray's mouth with alarming precision.
The damage, however, was already done.
Ria popped out of the kitchen, holding a large wooden bowl filled with some thick, sticky substance she was vigorously mixing. She narrowed her eyes at the two of them, her gaze sharp and suspicious. "What did you do, Ray?"
Ray gulped.
So did Derek.
"Shit?!"
"H-hmmm, it's father and son business," Derek stammered, forcing a laugh that cracked halfway through, clearly hoping Ria would let it slide.
She was a wise woman, perhaps too wise and Ray knew she could see straight through his excuse like glass. Normally, she would have grilled them on the spot.
But today was different.
She simply shrugged, clicked her tongue, and walked back into the kitchen without another word.
The two remained frozen, listening closely.
Only when the sounds of mixing resumed did Derek finally let out a long, satisfied sigh, removing his hand from Ray's mouth.
"Nice save, Dad," Ray teased, rubbing his lips.
Derek mustered a shaky grin. "I know. Truly heroic."
"I think I finally got my core," Ray said proudly, puffing out his chest and giving his father a confident wink that looked far more impressive in his head.
Derek's expression twisted into a mix of disbelief and excitement. Truth be told, he had never believed Ray would awaken before turning five. He had only entertained the idea because he wanted to be the kind of father who always supported his children, no matter how unrealistic their dreams seemed.
This, however, was a genuine shock.
"Wow… I don't even know what to say," Derek replied honestly, his hand sliding along his jawline as he stared at Ray like he was looking at a miracle. "You're amazing, Ray. Truly amazing."
He patted Ray's head several times, each one filled with pride.
"I wish we could talk more about this... this is incredible, but I need to run some errands. We'll talk properly after that," Derek said, rising to his feet and flashing a thumbs-up.
The gesture alone warmed Ray's heart.
Moments later, Derek was gone.
Ray wasn't bothered in the slightest. In fact, he had planned to ask his father for something, but since he was busy, Ray already had other plans.
He scurried upstairs, climbed the flight of stairs, and dashed into his room. Slamming the door shut behind him, he dropped onto his bed and shoved his hands underneath it.
After some fumbling, he pulled out a book.
The book was dusty and smaller than the ones he usually read. Unlike his other books, this one had been stolen borrowed indefinitely from one of the tutors who taught him earlier on.
Its title read: The Basics of Fire Magic.
Staring at the pristine, wood-like cover, Ray traced his fingers over the slick, intricately carved surface. Just holding it made his heart race. He could only imagine how many spells were inside.
'I could start by burning a wild boar,' he thought eagerly. 'Their meat is so tasty!'
He patted his stomach instinctively, proving once again that he was still very much a child, at least was becoming one... one who loved unhealthy meals and had an intense hatred for vegetables.
He prepared to open the book when—
The door creaked open.
Ray nearly jumped out of his skin.
Standing there was none other than his mother, Ria, unannounced, her sharp, eagle-like borderline, demonic eyes sweeping across his entire room in a single glance.
Panicking, Ray shoved the book under his sheets in a desperate motion, even though he knew deep down it was already too late.
Or at least, he hoped it wasn't.
Surprisingly, she didn't say a word about it.
She clicked her tongue instead, drawing Ray's attention back to her.
"All you do is sit here reading books all day," she complained, walking over and grabbing him effortlessly by the armpits. "You might be brilliant and talented, but you need friends, Ray!"
"Ayeee!" Ray grunted, flailing uselessly as she hoisted him onto her shoulder. Breaking free was a dream, an impossible one given his current body.
"Put me down! You're embarrassing me, Mum!" he protested.
Ria ignored him completely. She carried him out of the room, through the house, and past the fields until they reached the massive double doors leading outside. Only then did she set him down, tapping his nose playfully.
"You need to make at least one friend today," she said firmly. "And unless you want me to revoke your book privileges, I suggest you listen carefully. When I say friends, I don't mean you flirting with girls around town, I mean a boy that is a friend."
Ray's mouth opened… then slowly closed.
His fists clenched.
With the deepest, most manly voice a four-year-old could muster, he declared—
"You monster."
Ria burst into laughter at his pitiful excuse for masculinity. "You can have as many wives as you want when you're grown," she teased, "but right now, go find a boy to be your friend. Now run along, my little man, or I'll turn into a real monster! Grrrrr!"
She let out a low growl, fully expecting to scare him.
It worked.
Just not in the way she expected.
Ray frowned deeply shaking his head in disappointment and turning away from her. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared out through the open gates at the wide scenery beyond.
Grinding his teeth, he muttered under his breath,
"Boys… not girls, I suppose."