Four days had passed.
Duskwind’s skies were brighter. The oppressive stillness that once hung over the village was gone, replaced by the soft hum of life returning. The scent of freshly baked bread and herbs lingered in the air as Rin’s carriage rolled gently toward the teleportation gate that would take them back to the Count’s mansion.
Rin sat by the open window, his golden eyes scanning the passing villages. The once-quiet streets now echoed with laughter—children playing by worn fences, merchants calling out their wares with a vigor that hadn’t existed before.
“A spark today…”
The words echoed faintly in his mind, pulling him back to that night.
The bonfire. The laughter. The hesitant steps of children turning into confident dances.
Hope.
Beside him, Lucien reclined lazily, one leg crossed over the other, a usual smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re too quiet, Rin. Already plotting how to save the entire continent?”
Rin’s gaze lingered on a small group of children by the roadside—thin, but no longer hollow-eyed. Their smiles weren’t forced anymore.
“Duskwind isn’t just surviving anymore,” Rin murmured softly, almost to himself. “It’s starting to breathe.”
Lucien’s grin faded, replaced by something softer. “That’s because of you.”
Elysia, seated across from them, leaned forward, her emerald eyes filled with warmth. “You didn’t just give them food, Rin. You gave them something far more precious.”
Rin’s jaw tightened slightly, his voice steady but filled with quiet resolve.
“I can’t stop now.” His gaze fixed on the horizon ahead.
Lucien arched a brow, his tone teasing but laced with genuine concern. “So… overworking yourself again?”
Rin leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Overworking is better than regretting.”
A Song on the Wind
As the carriage neared the teleportation gate, Rin’s thoughts drifted toward the future—plans to rebuild Duskwind’s economy, establish trade routes, and secure its stability.
But then—A faint hum carried through the breeze.
Soft. Gentle. Barely above a whisper.
“A spark today… a fire tomorrow…”
Rin’s eyes widened slightly.
Lucien sat up straighter, his usual carefree expression replaced by curiosity.
Elysia’s breath caught. “Is that…?”
Rin turned his head, peering through the window.
They weren’t alone.
Trailing behind the carriage, along the dusty road leading to the teleportation gate, villagers walked in small clusters—men, women, and children alike. Their heads were bowed slightly as they moved, their voices rising in unison.
“Burning away all pain and sorrow,
A light so bright, it breaks the night,
Guiding us toward… what’s right.”
The children—some of the same ones Rin had fed that night—walked hand in hand, their small voices leading the chorus.
Lucien blinked, his usual smugness replaced by quiet awe. “They’re…”
“Singing it,” Elysia finished softly, her eyes shimmering.
Knights and mages, riding alongside the carriage, slowed their pace, turning to listen. Their expressions, usually hardened by duty, softened as the villagers’ voices filled the morning air.
Rin’s throat tightened.
This wasn’t just a song anymore.
It was a promise. A memory carried forward.
Hope… given a voice.
A Silent Oath
Rin’s gaze swept over the villagers—faces once etched with despair now lifted toward the morning sun. Their footsteps were steady. Their voices steady.
They weren’t following out of obligation.
They were following because they believed.
Lucien’s voice was barely above a whisper. “They’re singing it for you, Rin.”
Elysia’s eyes met Rin’s, her voice gentle but filled with conviction. “You lit the spark… and they’re keeping it alive.”
Rin looked away, his jaw clenched slightly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
“Then I’ll give them something worth believing in.”
His hands clenched into fists on his lap.
“A spark isn’t enough.”
Golden eyes burned with quiet resolve.
“I’ll turn it into a flame that no one can extinguish.”
Seraphina’s Concern and Decision
After Rin returned from Duskwind, the warmth of home enveloped him—but it couldn’t melt away the lingering concern in Seraphina’s eyes.
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She gently cupped his face, her thumb brushing his cheek. “You’re taking on too much, Rin,” she murmured softly. “You’re only five… If something happens to you…”
Rin’s smile was gentle but unwavering. “Don’t worry, Mom. I promised I’d come back safely, didn’t I?”
Seraphina’s sigh was laced with both relief and resignation. “That’s why…” Her emerald eyes gleamed with quiet determination. “I’m going to teach you something—Fireball. You need to learn how to protect yourself.”
The Basics of Magic
In the courtyard, Seraphina stood before Rin, a sphere of crackling flame dancing effortlessly in her palm.
“Magic is built on four steps,” she began, her tone patient yet firm.
- Mana Control – The ability to harness and direct internal mana.
- Imagination – A clear mental image strengthens the spell.
- Calculation – Structuring the spell formula to guide the mana.
- Manifestation – Bringing the spell to life.
Chanting Explanation:
Chanting allows mages to bypass the first three steps—Mana Control, Imagination, and Calculation—by relying on ingrained practice. Through repeated casting with chants, a mage’s mind automatically processes these steps, allowing the spell to manifest directly upon recitation. Essentially, the chant acts as a mental shortcut, recalling the perfected process and guiding the mana effortlessly.
Seraphina’s Fireball burned steadily, the heat distorting the air around it.
“A strong image creates a strong spell,” she said softly. “Now… try it.”
Rin’s First Attempt
Rin closed his eyes, feeling the faint pulse of mana within him.
Focus. Control. Guide it.
Rin wipes the sweat off his forehead, frustration gnawing at his resolve.
Again.
He closes his eyes, feeling the erratic mana swirling inside him. This time, instead of rushing, he steadies his breath, focusing on controlling the flow—guiding it gently instead of forcing it.
The image of a perfect sphere burns in his mind but doubt clouds it.
Not perfect. Just stable.
Slowly, a flicker of flame ignites—wavering, but holding steady. A small, unstable Fireball hovers, trembling in his palm.
Seraphina’s eyes widen slightly, not in awe but in recognition of his persistence. "Better. Again."
Rin narrowed his eyes, focusing harder. He refined the image, guiding the mana with more care.
A small, unstable Fireball flickered to life in his palm before fizzling out.
Seraphina’s gaze sharpened slightly. “For someone who’s never trained before… this is impressive.”
Rin’s Breakthrough
Rin wiped the sweat from his forehead, determination burning in his golden eyes.
One more time.
He controlled his mana flow, visualizing a perfect sphere of flames.
The image was clearer now.
Burn.
The fire ignited—a stable Fireball hovered in his palm, its heat warming his skin.
Seraphina’s eyes gleamed with pride. “You did it.”
[Skill Acquired: Fireball (Common)]
MP Cost: 10 MP
Mastery: Basic
Rin’s Concern and Surprise
Rin frowned, his gaze drifting toward the glowing Fireball.
“10 MP… I only have 50 MP. That means I can barely cast five Fireballs…”
His expression turned grim. “A basic spell… and I’m already at my limit?”
Seraphina’s smile softened as she noticed his troubled expression. “What’s wrong, Rin?”
Rin hesitated before speaking. “I… I can only cast five Fireballs before I run out of mana. Isn’t that too weak?”
Seraphina blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “Five Fireballs? Rin, most children your age can barely manage three. Their mana cores aren’t fully developed yet.”
Rin’s brows furrowed. “Then… why am I different?”
Seraphina’s smile turned playful. “Because most noble families provide mana supplements and artifacts to enhance their children’s cores.”
She reached into her pouch, pulling out a small crystal vial filled with shimmering blue liquid.
“Here. A mana potion that Edwin and I prepared for you.”
[Talent Activated: Tyrant of Commerce]
[Eye of the Merchant: Analyzing Item….]
[Item: Mana Elixir]
Grade: Legendary-
Effect: Increases maximum MP by 500.
Rin’s Shock
Rin’s eyes widened. “Mom… this isn’t just a mana potion. It’s a Legendary-grade Elixir.”
Seraphina blinked in surprise. “How do you…?”
Rin gave her a sheepish smile. “Did you forget my talent, Mom? But… how did you even get this?
"Legendary-grade elixirs take a decade, sometimes more, to craft," Rin murmured, his golden eyes narrowing in disbelief. "They’re the rarest treasures in Dominara. Even a Duke’s family has fewer than a hundred… and our family… we only have around twenty?"
Seraphina’s lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, but her eyes gleamed with quiet pride. “First,” she began gently, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “our family isn’t so lacking that we only possess twenty. We may not hold a dukedom, but when it comes to legacy and heirlooms, the Everhart family can stand toe-to-toe with any Duke.”
Rin’s brows furrowed, curiosity flickering in his gaze. “Then why…?” His voice dropped slightly, laced with suspicion. “Why would Duke Alexander von Solmerg give me something so precious just because he missed my birthday?”
A shadow passed through Seraphina’s emerald eyes—a fleeting glimpse of something deeper. “He has his reasons,” she said softly, her tone holding a touch of mystery. “Let’s not dwell on it now.” She gently placed the vial in his hand, her voice firm yet warm. “Drink it, Rin. Meditate and guide its power into your core.”
Rin’s fingers curled around the vial, the weight of its importance pressing down on him. But beneath that weight, a spark of anticipation ignited.
Without another word, he uncorked the vial and drank, the liquid’s warmth spreading through his veins as he closed his eyes, ready to embrace the power within.
Rin’s Absorption
Rin uncorked the vial and drank the elixir.
Heat.
It coursed through his veins, igniting his core.
He closed his eyes, focusing, guiding the raw mana toward his center.
[You have consumed Mana Potion (Legendary-)]
[Your max MP increased by 450]
Rin exhaled slowly, his eyes fluttering open.
“I… I only absorbed this much?”
Seraphina’s voice was soothing.
“Rin, most people can’t even absorb half of what you did. You’re incredible.”
Rin smirked, golden eyes twinkling. “If my beautiful mother says so… then it must be true.”
Seraphina ruffled his hair, laughter filling the courtyard. “You’re getting cheekier by the day.”
Rin grinned. “Just keeping things interesting.”
Training Sessions Begin
As Rin delved deeper into mastering magic, his companions pursued their own paths of growth:
- Lucien sharpened his swordsmanship under the watchful eye of his father, Alfred Hawthorne, each swing fueled by a desire to protect.
- Elysia balanced grace and lethality as she trained rigorously in combat and etiquette, guided by the ever-demanding head maid, Kaulin.
Their efforts were not merely for personal advancement—they
trained to stand unwavering at Rin’s side when the time came.
A Mother’s Pride
Hours passed.
The courtyard was filled with the scent of scorched grass and the crackle of magic.
Rin stood, sweat trickling down his face, a stable Fireball burning steadily in his palm.
Seraphina’s eyes shimmered with pride. “You truly are my son.”
Rin wiped his forehead, flashing a confident grin. “Of course! I have the strongest fire mage as my teacher.”
Seraphina smiled softly, ruffling his hair. “Then prove it.” Her eyes gleamed with determination. “Tomorrow, we continue.”
Rin’s fingers curled tightly around the flickering heat, his pulse steady despite the fire raging within.
“This… is just the start.”