Vieras, 5th of Inariem, Year 578 of the Elythera Calendar

  The soft, muted light of Solvesta filtered through Sora’s bedroom window, casting a golden glow over the sheets and the polished wooden floor. The air was fresh yet mild, carrying that scent of new grass and budding flowers that marked the rebirth of the season.

  In the middle of the room, Sora sat cross-legged, his back straight, hands clasped before his chest. Floating just in front of him was a small orb of mana—light blue, pulsing, and shining like the reflection of the sky on water. For over an hour, he had been maintaining it, concentrating on the energy that flowed through every corner of his body.

  His breathing was slow and steady. The orb vibrated in rhythm with his chest, expanding and contracting with each breath. Sora could feel the magical current coursing through him like an invisible river.

  “Good… it’s getting easier to keep it stable. If I can hold this shape for ten more minutes, I’ll be ready for the next step.”

  But then, curiosity pricked at him—that same spark that always pushed him beyond what was wise.

  “What if I try to make it bigger?”

  With that thought, he funneled more mana into the orb, visualizing it growing without losing its form. Little by little, the sphere expanded, doubling in size until it matched that of a baseball. Sora smiled, satisfied.

  But ambition bit at him again.

  “Just a little more… I can do it.”

  The orb began to glow with an unstable intensity. Sparks of energy danced around it like restless fireflies. A sudden flicker—then another. The light quivered, distorting its once smooth surface. A thin crack of light ran across it, barely visible at first, but spreading fast.

  "Oh no, no, no" Sora managed to whisper.

  A sharp pop echoed through the room. It wasn’t large, but strong enough to rattle the air. The orb burst into a shower of blue sparks that faded as they touched the ground. Sora fell backward, dazed, his hair standing on end and a faint ringing buzzing in his ears.

  "Ugh… I might’ve gone a bit overboard this time… " he muttered, watching the faint remnants of light fade before his eyes.

  Downstairs, in the kitchen, Aeris nearly dropped the teapot when the sound reached her ears. Her heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, she rushed up the stairs.

  "Young master Sora!" she called, throwing the door open without knocking.

  The room was filled with a faint scent of ozone and singed wood. On the floor, Sora sat disheveled, his eyebrows dusted with a light blue powder and an unmistakably guilty expression that said it all.

  Aeris let out a sigh of relief… immediately followed by the inevitable scolding.

  "By Astaria, Sora… practicing again without telling me?" she said, pressing a hand to her forehead.

  The boy looked up at her with a sheepish smile.

  "It was just a little… um, test. Nothing serious, I promise"

  Aeris crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.

  “Little,” you say? It sounded like lightning struck your room.

  Sora laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Well… at least I didn’t break the bed this time"

  Despite the fright, Aeris couldn’t stop a small smile from slipping out. She took a deep breath and leaned against the doorframe, still trying to calm her racing heart.

  "Sora… you shouldn’t push your limits so much," she said finally, her tone firm but gentle. "It’s dangerous. One of these days you’ll end up blowing the whole house to pieces"

  Sora lowered his gaze, toying with a strand of his messy hair.

  "I’m sorry, Aeris…" he murmured. "I think I’ll stop practicing here at home. I need to find a safer place for it."

  She narrowed her eyes, folding her arms tighter.

  "That would be for the best. But promise me something" she said "if you do find such a place, you won’t make your “experiments” any bigger, understood?"

  Aeris’s tone left no room for argument. Sora looked up and nodded with a guilty smile.

  "All right, sister Aeris. I won’t push things too far or put myself in danger again. I’m sorry"

  Aeris let out a soft sigh and, as always when she saw Sora looking so apologetic, her expression softened. She stepped closer and ruffled his hair, leaving it even messier than before.

  "You have to understand that everything comes in its own time" she said gently "Pushing yourself like this will only get you hurt. I know you’re eager to learn magic, but if your mother found out, she’d be worried sick… and with the baby on the way, we can’t be giving her any scares"

  Sora nodded slowly, guilt tightening in his chest.

  "I know. I promise it won’t happen again"

  Aeris watched him for another moment, then smiled and gave him a light tap on the forehead.

  "That’s better"

  The silence that followed was short, until Sora broke it with his usual spark of energy. He stood up and stretched with renewed spirit.

  "I think I’ve practiced enough for now, big sis Aeris" he said with a bright grin. "I’ll take a break before the mana decides to blow me up again"

  Aeris chuckled softly.

  "Good idea, little sorcerer in distress. Go on, wash your face and come down whenever you’re ready. I’ll prepare some tea and rolls before your mother and father get back"

  "Thanks Aeris!" Sora exclaimed, his cheer returning as he ran toward the bathroom, his hair still dusted with faint blue sparkles.

  Aeris watched him go with a smile that blended relief and affection. “No matter how much trouble he causes… I just can’t stay mad at him.”

  Sora splashed his face at the marble sink, letting the cool water chase away the lingering dizziness from his practice. His reflection in the mirror greeted him with a half-tired, half-amused grin; there were still a few blue specks clinging to his hair. “Well, at least I’m still in one piece.”

  He headed downstairs, and before even reaching the dining room, the scent of freshly baked bread wrapped around him like a hug. On the table, Aeris had already set out a small snack: golden rolls with butter and a steaming pot of tea.

  "We just had lunch not too long ago, but a little break won’t hurt you" she said from the kitchen, smiling.

  Sora sat in his usual spot, and the simple sound of the bread cracking beneath his fingers filled him with a warm sense of home. Between sips of tea, the fatigue began to fade, leaving behind only the quiet peace of the moment. When he finished, he looked up at Aeris.

  "Sister Aeris, I want to take a walk to the White Crest Tree. May I?"

  She paused what she was doing and looked at him for a moment, that familiar mix of trust and mild concern flickering in her eyes.

  "All right, Sora. You can go, but no recklessness, okay? I know you’re allowed to go out now and that you’re not careless, but don’t get overconfident. And remember to keep your Polimorfis active at all times"

  Sora nodded confidently, raising a thumb with a smile.

  "No problem, I can keep it up even without thinking about it now"

  Aeris arched an eyebrow, amused, but returned the gesture approvingly.

  "I hope so. Be careful, and come back before the sun sets"

  The boy went up to his room, took the scarf Nanami had given him, and carefully wrapped it around his neck. Activating Polimorfis, he watched his reflection shift into his aurari form, then stepped outside.

  The Solvesta air was cool and gentle; the sky a liquid shade of blue. Sora took a deep breath as he passed through the main gate. That feeling of freedom was still new and addicting.

  But that afternoon, he wasn’t heading toward the White Crest Tree. Instead, he followed the path of the small stream that wound not far from it. The murmur of the water kept him company as he climbed the hill, searching for a more secluded spot, a quiet place where he could practice without worry.

  After a few minutes of walking, he found it: a wide clearing beside the river, surrounded by young trees that let golden shafts of sunlight filter through. The steady sound of the water gliding over stones was calm, soothing, almost hypnotic.

  Sora smiled.

  “This place is perfect.”

  He sat on the damp grass and exhaled a contented sigh. The air was cool but pleasant; birds chirped in the distance, and the leaves whispered softly in the breeze. It was a simple place, yet it radiated peace.

  Not as majestic as the White Crest Tree, of course. That tree had something sacred about it, something Sora would never want to risk. He remembered the little birds nesting among its branches, the same ones that had greeted him and Nanami that day, and couldn’t help but touch the scarf around his neck.

  "I bet you wouldn’t be too happy if you saw me practicing without you, Nanami" he said with a wistful smile.

  The wind stirred through the leaves, as if the forest itself replied.

  Sora chuckled softly to himself and slowly began his new round of training.

  Sora sat on the damp grass, letting the steady murmur of the river guide his breathing. The wind brushed gently against his face, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though the entire forest breathed with him.

  He assumed the posture that had already become second nature: back straight, legs crossed, hands resting lightly on his knees. After making sure no one was nearby, he closed his eyes and deactivated Polimorfis.

  The feeling of releasing that spell was like shedding an invisible weight. His hair returned to its pearly white hue, the small horn peeked again between his strands, and the luminous markings on his face glowed faintly under the filtered sunlight.

  With a deep breath, he let the mana flow.

  In seconds, a bluish sphere formed between his hands, pulsing with a clean, steady light. Unlike before, everything felt… easier. The flow was stable, the energy obedient. The open air seemed to amplify his focus, and the sound of the running water blended naturally with the rhythmic pulse of mana in his chest.

  Minutes passed… then an hour… then two. But Sora barely noticed. Time melted away as he kept the orb suspended steady, rotating slowly above his palm.

  His Soul Panel flickered softly before him.

  [Skill Level Up]

  Magical Perception: Level 4 → Level 5

  Mana Manipulation: Level 3 → Level 4

  Sora opened his eyes, smiling with satisfaction.

  “Not bad… I’m starting to feel the flow more naturally. Before, I couldn’t even keep it stable for ten minutes.”

  The orb gradually faded away. He still had time before heading back, but he didn’t feel like repeating the same exercise again. Resting his chin on his knee, he gazed at the sunlight glimmering across the river’s surface.

  “What could I do to change things up a bit…?”

  His expression hardened slightly as he recalled the flame he had learned to conjure months ago, even before mastering Polimorfis.

  “What if I try to create a spell on my own? We don’t have any spellbooks at home, only the one about Polimorfis that Mom gave me… so I’ll have to improvise.”

  He rose to his feet. The ground beneath him was warm, blanketed with dry leaves that crackled faintly under his steps. Lifting one hand, he focused the mana into his palm. He closed his eyes, visualizing a spark, a tiny point of heat pulsing with strength.

  And the flame appeared, obedient and bright.

  It was small, the size of a candle, but its light shone with perfect clarity. Sora smiled, feeling the thrill surge through his body.

  “All right… let’s try something new.”

  He began channeling more mana, little by little, keeping the form steady. The flame swelled, spinning upon itself until it became a full sphere of fire, floating above his hand. The flickering light danced, mirrored in his violet eyes.

  “I can feel the progress…” he thought, awestruck. “I couldn’t make it grow like this before. My control over mana really is improving.”

  For a few seconds, the fire reflected his image back at him. Sora felt something like pride… and right behind it, that dangerous spark of curiosity, the kind that had always gotten him into trouble.

  The air around him began to tremble.

  “I can conjure a fireball… but can I actually shoot it?”

  The thought struck like a spark in dry grass.

  He shifted his stance, raising his hand, palm forward, the sphere of flame hovering just in front of it. Heat rippled across his skin, distorting the air with a faint shimmer.

  He tried to picture how to push it without breaking its form.

  In his past life, he had seen this countless times in games, in fantasy anime but imagining it and doing it were worlds apart.

  “Come on… I just need it to move. Just a little push…”

  He closed his eyes, envisioning the fireball leaving his hand, soaring toward a large rock across the clearing.

  But when he opened them again, it was still there, hovering peacefully above his palm.

  "Nothing…" he muttered, frowning "Not even a twitch"

  He fell silent, studying the sphere closely.

  “What if… instead of willing it to move, I channel the mana behind it, create directional vectors to push it forward?”

  He visualized the flow of energy gathering behind the fireball, forming a stream of force ready to propel it. Carefully, he released the tension in his palm and let the impulse flow.

  It worked

  Well… sort of.

  The sphere moved forward a few inches, then fell onto the damp ground and fizzled out with a faint hiss.

  Sora let out a small, defeated laugh.

  "Well… I can’t exactly call that a Fireball attack, but I guess it’s a start. Time to refine it"

  He tried again.

  Once, twice, three times… the result was always the same: the fireball barely moved before fizzling out. But that didn’t discourage him. Each attempt revealed a little more about the nature of mana, how it flowed, resisted, and responded.

  By the time he finally let himself fall back onto the ground, the sky had turned gold. The river beside him rippled lazily, mirroring the colors of the sunset.

  “Well, no one said it’d be easy…” he thought with a serene smile. “But it’s exciting. I’m creating a spell on my own, without help. I guess once I get it right, it’ll show up in the Soul Panel just like the others.”

  He gave the river one last look, then stood and brushed the dirt from his hands.

  “For now, it’s all about trial and error.”

  With a light heart and his mind full of ideas, Sora began the walk back home.

  He arrived just before dusk. Though the creek where he’d been training lay beyond the White Crest Tree, it wasn’t far, just a short walk downhill before the familiar rooftops peeked through the trees.

  When he stepped inside, the scent of tea and warm wood greeted him like a gentle embrace. In the dining room, Tsukari and Alvaron were sitting together, speaking softly as steam rose from their shared pot. When they saw him enter, both smiled.

  "Welcome back, son" Alvaron said in his calm tone.

  "How was your walk?" Tsukari asked, her voice carrying that ever-present sweetness that seemed to soften everything around her.

  Sora rubbed the back of his neck, trying to sound casual.

  "I just went out for some fresh air, Mother. Didn’t go far"

  Both parents nodded, satisfied. Alvaron returned to his cup, and Tsukari gave him a fond smile before resuming their quiet conversation.

  Sora watched them for a moment, feeling the warmth that filled the room, then slipped away to his bedroom with the lightheartedness of someone keeping a small secret.

  The days that followed passed with a gentle rhythm.

  In the mornings, Sora helped Aeris or joined his mother for short walks through the garden. After lunch, without fail, he headed to his riverside clearing.

  There he would spend hours meditating, letting mana flow through his body with growing precision. Then came the fireball practice, each day a little steadier, a little faster, though still far from what he dreamed of achieving.

  Some days, the sphere would fly several meters before fading; other days, it would barely leave his hand. But Sora never let frustration win.

  He understood, it was part of the process.

  “Practice makes perfect,” he thought with a stubborn smile, watching the orange reflection of the flame merge with the fading glow of the sunset.

  Five calm days passed like that between the murmur of the river and the soft shimmer of mana.

  Until, on the sixth, something began to change.

  It was the sixth day, Lunaris 11th of Inariem when Sora returned to the riverside clearing after a quiet morning at home.

  The sky of Solvesta was veiled in a faint white haze, and the cool air carried with it the sound of running water and the scattered songs of birds. It was the kind of day made for focus.

  As usual, he sat with his back straight, eyes closed, and hands resting gently on his knees.

  The flow of mana coursed through his body with the ease of a river that already knew its path. Two hours passed almost unnoticed, filled with deep breaths and the familiar bluish warmth gathering in his palms.

  When his meditation ended, he moved on to the part he always looked forward to the most: the fireball practice.

  Over the last few days, he had learned that the external mana vector he’d been using wasn’t enough to propel it; the force was too weak, and the sphere usually fizzled out before traveling even half a meter.

  But today, he wanted to try something new.

  "If I can’t push it from the outside…" he murmured "maybe I can make it push itself"

  That spark of reckless curiosity lit up his violet eyes — the kind that always appeared when an idea seemed too daring to ignore.

  “What if the flame could feed on the oxygen in the air, like a living thing that breathes, using its own breath to propel itself forward?”

  The moment the thought took shape, Sora gathered mana into his palm and formed the fireball.

  This time, instead of holding it still and rigid, he imagined it gently inhaling the air around it.

  Then something remarkable happened.

  The flame seemed to breathe. It pulsed rhythmically, expanding and shrinking like a living heart. Its color deepened to a richer orange-red, and it flickered in time with that imagined respiration.

  A smile curved across Sora’s face.

  "That’s it…"

  He focused his aim toward the same rock as always, adjusted his stance, and acting more on instinct than logic released it.

  A sharp hum tore through the air, followed by a crisp crack!

  The fireball shot forward, leaving behind an orange trail before striking the upper edge of the rock.

  The result was rough, the shot was clumsy, and the fire scattered on impact but Sora’s heart pounded with excitement.

  "It worked!" he shouted, raising his fist in triumph.

  At last, the fireball had moved under its own power, even if it was still unstable.

  He quickly opened his Soul Panel, full of anticipation… but nothing appeared. No message. No glow.

  Sora sighed, chuckling softly.

  "I guess it’s not officially a spell yet…" he murmured, watching the smoke fade over the river. "Then I’ll just have to perfect it"

  He took a deep breath, renewing his focus.

  Now that he had found the foundation, all that remained was to refine it, stabilize the combustion, improve the aim, and learn to manifest it without thinking so hard.

  It was the beginning of something big… and Sora knew it.

  He kept practicing for another couple of hours.

  The rock he used as a target was now completely blackened, scarred with circular burn marks of varying sizes, a faint wisp of smoke rising each time a shot landed.

  Some fireballs missed entirely, vanishing into the bushes or fizzling in the damp air, but he didn’t mind. Each attempt sharpened his aim, improved the flight, made the spell more real.

  For the first time, Sora felt like he was creating something of his own.

  As he prepared another shot, a strange sensation crept down his spine.

  It wasn’t pain, more like a sudden chill, a dry shiver that made the hairs on his neck stand upright. He straightened immediately.

  By reflex, he activated Polimorfis and glanced around, his violet eyes wide and alert.

  Nothing.

  The clearing was the same as always, the river whispering a few steps away, the warm breeze brushing the grass, the trees still beneath Solvesta’s pale light.

  And yet… something in the air had changed. The silence grew heavier, thicker, as if the entire forest was holding its breath.

  "Hello…?" he called out, voice barely above a whisper.

  No answer.

  Only the chirping of a few small birds, which suddenly startled and took off from a nearby tree.

  One lingered for a heartbeat longer than the rest, a pale bird with a blue mark on its chest before fluttering up into the sky.

  For some reason, that tiny detail felt out of place. But Sora quickly shook his head.

  “It’s just my imagination… I’m too tense.”

  He sighed and extinguished the faint flame still flickering in his hand.

  The air smelled of smoke and damp earth.

  "I guess that’s enough for today" he murmured, more to convince himself than anything else.

  He straightened his clothes, checked that Polimorfis was still active, and began the walk back home.

  Even so, as he moved away from the river, that uneasy feeling refused to leave him the sense that something, or someone, was still watching from between the trees.

  High above the clearing, perched on a branch, a small white bird with a blue mark on its chest followed him with bright, gemlike eyes. It watched every movement until the boy disappeared into the forest.

  And through those eyes… someone else was watching.

  Several kilometers away, cloaked in deep blue that melted into the dusk, a woman stood with her eyes closed.

  In her hands, she held a translucent crystal where the image of the clearing shimmered clearly.

  Her lips moved faintly, her tone laced with curiosity.

  "So this is the source of the mana flow I felt near Rulid…" she whispered.

  "A child with such resonance… who could he be?

  A slight frown crossed her face as the crystal flickered and dimmed, cutting the vision.

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  A quiet, commanding aura surrounded her; even the forest seemed to tremble in her presence.

  She smiled faintly, an expression calm yet enigmatic, the kind worn by someone who has seen the world far too long.

  "This… will be interesting" she murmured, before turning on her heel and vanishing into the trees, leaving behind only a faint glimmer of silver light.

  Unaware of any of this, Sora was already on his way home.

  His parents had mentioned that morning they’d be in town, meeting someone important, so he didn’t expect to see them until late in the afternoon.

  With his magic practice done and his body pleasantly tired, he decided to enjoy the rare quiet of the house.

  He stepped into the study,a cozy refuge of dark wood and the faint scent of ink and pulled a book from the shelf.

  It was one of his favorites: an old treatise on the magical creatures of Elythera.

  Sinking into the armchair, he began to read at an unhurried pace, letting the rhythm of the words and the soft whisper of wind against the windows fill the room.

  Sora remained absorbed in his reading, lost among old legends of magical beasts, when a sound broke the quiet of the house.

  The doors of the entrance hall opened softly, and the familiar voices of Tsukari and Alvaron blended with a third one unfamiliar to him.

  That voice was firm yet serene… but there was something about it that made his body shiver, as if he recognized it before his mind could.

  Still, curiosity didn’t pull him from the armchair right away. He was too engrossed in the text, at least until his mother’s cheerful voice called from the hallway:

  "Sora, dear, come say hello. We have visitors"

  He straightened immediately.

  It was rare enough for them to receive guests, and even rarer if it was someone he didn’t know. Instinctively, he activated Polimorfis before stepping out of the study and walking toward the entrance.

  And there they were.

  Tsukari and Alvaron stood beside a woman of elegant bearing, her silver hair tied beneath a hood, her eyes a deep violet that seemed to illuminate the room on their own.

  Her smile was kind, but her gaze told a different story: sharp, analytical, almost as if it could see beyond the surface of things.

  Trying to keep his composure, Sora bowed politely.

  "It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. My name is Sora Eryndel. And you are…?"

  The woman studied him for a moment, a faint smile curving her lips.

  "The pleasure is mine, Sora" she replied "My name is Seralya… and I’ve been a friend of your parents for a very long time"

  As she spoke, she raised her hand—and to Sora’s astonishment, her body began to glow faintly.

  The illusion that cloaked her dissolved like mist, revealing her true form: a young-looking woman with pale skin and delicate luminous markings tracing her face and neck, identical to Tsukari’s, and similar to the ones Sora hid beneath his Polimorfis.

  He froze, words catching in his throat.

  "I…" was all he managed to stammer.

  Tsukari gave him a reassuring smile.

  "There’s no need to hide, Sora. Seralya is one of us"

  Still hesitant, Sora released the Polimorfis, his true appearance surfacing once more.

  Seralya’s eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering behind them. A faint shadow of recognition crossed her expression before calm returned to her features.

  "So this is the last Vasto Sapiens born in Elythera…" she murmured, her tone carrying both wonder and quiet contemplation "It’s an honor to meet you, young Sora"

  Tsukari nodded proudly.

  "Yes. This is my son"

  Sora, blushing and still dazed by the sudden revelation, could only bow his head in clumsy respect, while a thousand unanswered questions echoed in his mind.

  Are there other Vasto Sapiens in Elythera besides Mother and me?

  The thought flashed through his head like lightning, brief, but persistent. He tried to hide the nervousness that revelation stirred as he followed his parents and their guest toward the dining room.

  Aeris was already waiting for them there, carrying a tray of steaming tea and small honey-and-fruit pastries.

  The atmosphere quickly filled with warmth and familiarity. Tsukari and Alvaron began to chat with Seralya with an ease that surprised Sora; they spoke of old times, of travels and shared experiences, of the years when Seralya and Tsukari had worked together as scholars under the Conclave.

  Each story drew him in tales of Caelith, the capital; of the ancient temples where scribes were trained; of lost tomes and the old age of magic. Every word fanned his curiosity, yet he remained silent, unwilling to interrupt.

  Some time passed before Tsukari noticed his quietness.

  "Son?" she asked gently "You’re very quiet today. Are you feeling all right?"

  Sora blinked and smiled a little, scratching the back of his neck.

  "I’m fine, Mother. It’s just… you all sound so engaged when you talk, and I like listening to your stories. I didn’t want to interrupt"

  His timid honesty drew a faint smile from Seralya.

  She set her cup of tea down on the table and regarded him with calm curiosity.

  "I see…" she said, her tone both gentle and analytical "I must admit, it was quite the surprise to see someone your age using Polimorfis so naturally. Tell me, Sora—how old are you?"

  The boy hesitated for a second before answering.

  "I’m seven years old, Lady Seralya. I turned seven last year"

  "Seven…" she repeated thoughtfully, as if weighing each word "At that age, most children can’t even sense the flow of mana, and yet you can already manipulate it. Remarkable"

  Alvaron, smiling with fatherly pride, spoke up right away.

  "Sora has always been a bright boy. He learned to read last year with Aeris’s help and even taught his best friend Nanami how to read afterward"

  Tsukari nodded, her smile tender.

  "That’s right. Not a day goes by without finding him buried in a book"

  Seralya kept her serene composure, yet her violet eyes gleamed with a faint, almost imperceptible light.

  There was something about that child, something in the clarity of his gaze, in the way he spoke, that didn’t quite fit the age he claimed to have.

  Tsukari set her cup down with a gentle smile, the kind that always came before something important.

  "Sora" she began, her tone calm but steady "do you know why Seralya came to visit us?"

  The boy looked up, puzzled.

  "No…" he replied, his brow furrowing slightly.

  His mother continued, her voice warm yet deliberate.

  "A month ago, I sent a letter to Seralya, who was staying in the capital. In that letter, I asked her to come to Rulid and do me a very special favor…" she paused briefly, letting the words build their weight "I asked her to come and be your magic teacher"

  The words struck like a silent thunderclap.

  Sora blinked once, twice, unable to process them immediately. And when he finally did, his face shifted from sheer astonishment to pure, radiant excitement.

  His eyes lit up as if he’d just been handed a dream made real.

  Before he could say anything, Seralya spoke, her voice carrying that calm confidence that seemed to wrap the room in stillness.

  "That’s right. I was once your mother’s teacher "Her lips curved faintly "When I received her letter and learned your age, I’ll admit I had my doubts. Even more so when I read that you could already use Polimorfis. But now that I’ve seen you in person… I understand why Tsukari insisted so much"

  Tsukari nodded proudly, resting a gentle hand on her son’s shoulder.

  "Since the day I taught you Polimorfis, I knew you had a special affinity with magic, Sora. It would be a waste not to let you explore that gift. But I warn you, Seralya is a strict teacher, so you’d better be ready"

  Sora could barely contain himself. His heart raced; the thought of learning real magic under a master filled him with a joy almost too big for his small frame.

  Then Alvaron chuckled softly, folding his arms.

  "I had to give in to your mother’s reasoning "he said, amused "You see, son, Tsukari and I agreed that if we had a boy, I would teach him the way of the sword and if we had a girl, she would teach her the art of magic. But considering your talents… well, it would be foolish not to make the most of them"

  Sora grinned, his determination shining through.

  "It’s fine, Father! I still want to learn from you too. I loved that practice we did when you gave me the wooden sword!"

  Alvaron laughed heartily and gave his son a friendly pat on the shoulder.

  "That’s the spirit, son!" Alvaron exclaimed proudly "Then when you’re not studying with Seralya, we’ll train together. I’ll make a knight worthy of the Eryndel name out of you"

  Seralya watched the scene quietly, her violet eyes narrowing with thoughtful curiosity.

  A warm family… a boy with a shining soul… and an aura that still puzzled her.

  For the first time in a long while, she felt genuine curiosity stirring within her.

  After a while, the laughter and conversation faded into a calm silence. Tsukari rose from her seat and gestured for Seralya to follow.

  "Come, I’ll show you your room " she said kindly.

  They climbed the stairs together, their footsteps soft against the polished wood, until they reached the second floor. The hallway connected the family’s private rooms, and at the very end just past Sora’s door and beside Tsukari and Alvaron’s was Seralya’s.

  It was a modest but spacious chamber, bathed in the gentle light pouring through a large window that overlooked the back garden.

  "I hope it suits you" Tsukari said with a gentle smile.

  "It’s perfect" Seralya replied in her calm, ever-composed tone "After so much travel, a bit of peace is all I could wish for"

  She set her belongings neatly beside the desk, then paused at the doorway, sensing a small presence peeking from down the hall. Sora’s head was halfway out of his room, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

  "We’ll begin your lessons tomorrow" she told him with a faint smile "Be ready. It won’t be a game"

  Sora straightened, nodding with enthusiasm, barely restraining the urge to jump in excitement.

  He was finally going to learn from a real teacher.

  That thought filled his chest with a bright warmth as he climbed back into his room.

  That night, the young Vasto Sapiens collapsed into bed, exhaustion mingling with the thrill of anticipation. It had been a long day, his training by the river, the unexpected visit, and now the promise of something far greater to come.

  As sleep gently claimed him, a tired but content smile crossed his lips.

  Tomorrow… it really begins.

  And so, with the soft whisper of Solvestra’s wind drifting through the window, Sora drifted into slumber, unaware that dawn would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his destiny.

  The next morning, Sora woke without a trace of drowsiness.

  He leapt out of bed, dressed in his usual clothes, and hurried downstairs almost skipping steps. The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains, bathing the dining room in golden light.

  Tsukari and Alvaron were already seated, chatting between sips of tea, when their son appeared in the doorway.

  Both exchanged a look of mild surprise seeing Sora awake this early was a rare sight.

  "Well, it seems our sleepyhead woke up early today" Tsukari teased playfully "Are you excited about something, perhaps?

  Sora tried to keep his composure, crossing his arms in an overly serious pose.

  "Not really. It’s just… since we have a guest in the house, I thought I should show proper manners" he replied, doing his best to sound convincing.

  Alvaron and Tsukari traded a knowing glance before breaking into gentle laughter.

  Poor Sora’s cheeks flushed bright red as he puffed them out in a childish pout.

  "Sure, sure…" Alvaron chuckled "Ever the gentleman"

  Sora sighed with a resigned smile and took his seat to join them for breakfast.

  The meal passed peacefully, filled with light talk about the weather and the calm days of the Solvestra season. Seralya had yet to wake; the journey from Caelith had been long, and Tsukari had insisted she rest well before beginning the lessons.

  Once they finished eating, Alvaron rose to prepare the carriage. It wasn’t common for Tsukari to accompany him to town given her condition, but she refused to spend her days shut inside.

  "At least travel comfortably" Alvaron always said as he adjusted the blankets in the carriage "I don’t want you overexerting yourself"

  Tsukari smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and climbed gracefully into her seat.

  Sora stood at the doorway, waving as the carriage rolled away down the dirt path flanked by trees.

  Silence gradually returned to the dining room, broken only by the distant sounds of servants beginning their morning tasks.

  Sora, still caught between excitement and nervous anticipation, dropped into a chair and thought,

  “All right… now I just have to wait for the teacher to wake up.”

  He watched the steam rise from his teacup, curling lazily upward like the quiet prelude to something new.

  Time drifted gently through the house.

  The sun had climbed high enough to pour golden light through the study windows, turning the suspended dust above the shelves into flecks of amber.

  Absorbed in his reading, Sora didn’t hear the soft creak of footsteps descending the stairs, nor the faint scrape of a chair being moved in the dining room.

  Seralya now awake, a steaming cup of tea in hand paused at the doorway to the study.

  She leaned lightly against the frame and stood there, quietly observing.

  The boy was completely absorbed, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to decipher a complex passage. There was no trace of laziness or distraction, only that quiet stillness that comes from someone who truly enjoys learning.

  Seralya’s lips curved faintly, though her gaze remained sharp, a mixture of curiosity and cautious observation as always.

  Then she cleared her throat softly to announce her presence.

  Sora immediately looked up.

  "Ah! Good morning, Master Seralya" he said, setting the book down and giving her a slightly rushed, almost ceremonial bow.

  Seralya inclined her head with calm composure and took a step into the study.

  "You’re quite an unusual child, Sora" Her tone was gentle, yet carried a subtle note of inquiry "Instead of playing or wasting time in your room, you spend your morning reading. What’s the book about?"

  Sora straightened, answering with as much composure as he could gather.

  "It’s a treatise on magical creatures of Elythera. They fascinate me… there are so many types and variations that it’s hard to believe anyone could know them all"

  For a moment, Seralya simply watched him, studying every word and every movement.

  There was something about the boy, something different. A quiet maturity behind those violet eyes that didn’t belong to a child his age.

  At last, she exhaled softly.

  "Hmm… so, magical creatures. Not many seven-year-olds are drawn to the unknown" She crossed her arms "Tell me, is there any creature that interests you more than the others?"

  Sora closed the book carefully before answering, his voice calm yet his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

  "I’m really drawn to the Luminous Sylvans, Master. They’re mysterious, almost mythical… but even if no one’s ever seen them for certain, I don’t think they’d be listed in a magical treatise just for the sake of fantasy. I’d love to see one with my own eyes someday"

  Seralya’s gaze fixed on him. For a heartbeat, silence filled the room. That answer… it wasn’t one of mere childish curiosity.

  "Indeed" she said at last, with a faint note of surprise "Many believe they’re only legends, but I can assure you, they exist. I’ve seen them during my travels" Her eyes softened, as if recalling a faraway memory "If you ever cross paths with one, Sora, consider it a blessing"

  Sora’s face lit up in awe.

  "Then… they’re real?"

  "They are" she replied firmly "And they don’t show themselves to just anyone"

  She stayed quiet for a few seconds, then straightened her posture and asked with composed seriousness:

  "Well then, do you wish to begin your lessons? Are you prepared?"

  "Yes, Master. I’m ready" Sora replied without hesitation, his fists clenched with excitement.

  Seralya nodded once, then walked with steady steps toward the far corner of the study, where an old bookshelf covered most of the wall.

  Sora watched her with curiosity as she placed her hands on the wooden frame and moved a few books in a deliberate sequence.

  A faint click echoed, and the air itself seemed to hum in response.

  The shelf shifted slowly to the side, revealing the hidden passageway that led to the secret chamber, the same one where Tsukari had once taught him the Polimorphis.

  Sora’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  "Mother told you where the secret room was?" he asked, startled.

  Seralya smiled faintly, her tone calm and confident.

  "I was the one who helped her build it, and who sealed it with runes of silence" She placed a hand on the stone frame, as if touching a living memory "When your parents built this house, I personally took part in its construction, especially this place. That’s why I know how to access it"

  Sora was left speechless. His mother had never mentioned that before, and now he understood why the chamber had always carried that distinct, almost sacred energy.

  Seralya stepped into the passage and motioned for him to follow.

  They descended the spiral staircase cold, damp, and lit only by the faint blue glow of enchanted stones set into the wall sconces. The light was soft, almost melancholic, casting long, shifting shadows along the stone walls.

  Seralya glanced up at one of the lamps as they passed.

  "Hmm… they’re nearly spent" she murmured "We’ll need to replace the mana stones soon"

  Sora watched the dim glow flickering in the crystals, thinking they looked like embers about to fade out. He remembered reading that such stones were simply reservoirs of natural energy that slowly depleted with time. To him, they were the closest thing this world had to the batteries of his old life.

  For a moment, his mind drifted imagining what he could create if he had a steady supply of that kind of energy.

  But that fleeting thought vanished as soon as he felt the air vibrate faintly around him.

  The corridor breathed mana. A subtle pulse ran through the walls, ancient and alive, like the heartbeat of the house itself.

  Seralya noticed his silence and the distant, thoughtful look in his eyes.

  He has that gaze again, she thought with a small, knowing smile. The kind that sees beyond what is visible.

  They finally reached the end of the staircase.

  The chamber unfolded before them wide, circular, and built of dark stone, carrying a solemn air heavy with energy. The domed ceiling was covered in glowing blue runes, their light constant yet soft, casting slow ripples across the walls. At the very center lay an intricate magic circle, etched with inscriptions from different eras, radiating a warmth that felt almost alive.

  Sora stepped across the threshold with quiet reverence less in awe than the first time, but still moved by the weight of the place.

  Seralya watched him from the corner of her eye, noticing how his breathing naturally fell into rhythm with the mana flow that pulsed through the room.

  Curious, she thought. He doesn’t just sense mana… he synchronizes with it.

  At last, she spoke, her tone calm yet commanding.

  "Very well, Sora Eryndel. You already know this chamber, and therefore, what it stands for. From this day forward, this will be our sanctuary of study. Here, you will learn to master magic… and to master yourself"

  Sora met her gaze, nerves and excitement intertwined in his expression. He knew—this moment marked the true beginning of his path as a mage.

  "Now then, Sora" Seralya said, crossing her arms. Her cloak moved gently, swayed by the magical pulse of the chamber "Before we start, I need to know how much you already understand about magic. If you’ve mastered Polimorphis, the basics will come easily… but I want to hear it from you. Do you know anything beyond that?"

  Sora, sitting upright, nodded firmly.

  "Yes, Master. Ever since I learned Polimorphis, I’ve been practicing every day. I’ve been… meditating with mana"

  "Meditating with mana?" Seralya repeated, one brow rising in genuine intrigue "And what exactly does that mean?"

  The boy didn’t answer right away. Instead, he shifted to the center of the chamber, to the same spot where Tsukari had once taught him months before. He crossed his legs, placed his hands on his knees, and closed his eyes.

  The air in the chamber stirred faintly as a soft blue glow began to rise from his chest.

  Seralya watched silently, her silver eyes narrowing as the light thickened and condensed. Within seconds, a small orb of mana formed between Sora’s palms rotating slowly, breathing rhythmically, perfectly stable. No tremors, no energy leaks, no imbalance… pure control.

  Seralya’s expression tightened slightly; her pupils glimmered with a faint pulse of astonishment.

  What… is this? she thought. His control, this level of refinement is far beyond what any seven-year-old should be capable of.

  The orb remained whole, alive, softly pulsing.

  Without opening his eyes, Sora spoke in a calm voice that echoed faintly in the mana-charged air:

  "I do this every day, Master. It helps me feel how mana flows through my body… and I learn to shape it like it’s breathing with me"

  When he finally let the sphere fade, Seralya approached slowly, her eyes never leaving him.

  "How did you learn that, Sora?" she asked quietly, almost as if afraid of the answer "Was it Tsukari who taught you?"

  The boy shook his head.

  "Not exactly. Mother gave me a book about Polimorphis… and in the study I found another one, an introduction to the fundamentals of magic. Both said that the secret lies in visualization, in shaping mana with the mind. So… I thought incantations were more of a tool than a necessity" He scratched the back of his head, slightly nervous "Practicing, I realized I could do it without words. It just takes more focus… and time"

  For a moment, silence ruled the chamber.

  Seralya stepped back, watching him with a strange mixture of wonder and unease.

  "Sora…" she murmured "What you just did is something few mages can achieve without years of training. Incantations exist to anchor the shape of mana in the mind. The fact that you can do it without them… "She bit her lower lip briefly "That’s not something one sees every day"

  Sora looked up, confused by his teacher’s reaction.

  "Did I do something wrong?"

  Seralya shook her head, though her expression had grown more serious.

  "No, you didn’t. But…" her tone dropped lower "This changes how I’ll have to teach you"

  Her gaze softened slightly, but deep within her eyes burned a glint of both doubt and curiosity. Just who in Elythera is this child?

  She watched as the last wisps of the orb dissolved into the air. Her breathing slowed until it was barely perceptible. The glow of the runes on the floor cast soft light over her face, highlighting that blend of astonishment and cautious restraint she tried to hide.

  "Is there anything else I should know?" she finally asked, her voice quieter now, almost inquisitive "Have you learned anything else… on your own?"

  Sora swallowed hard, hesitating before he spoke.

  "Y-yes…" he admitted softly. "I’ve been practicing another spell, but I still can’t control it properly. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to try it here, Master."

  Seralya crossed her arms, measuring her tone carefully.

  "You can go ahead. Aim toward that wall over there" she instructed, nodding toward the far end of the chamber "This room was built to withstand magical discharges. The walls absorb excess mana. You won’t break anything, I promise"

  Sora nodded, smiling nervously.

  "All right then… I’ll give it a try"

  He rose from the ground, turned to face the bare wall, and extended his right hand. The air around him grew taut, charged with invisible tension.

  A faint blue shimmer began to form over his palm, and within seconds it flared into a vibrant, steady blaze, warm, alive, and perfectly contained. A pure sphere of fire spun gently, pulsing as though it possessed a heartbeat of its own.

  A chill ran down Seralya’s spine. No incantation… no catalyst… he simply shaped fire itself.

  Before she could utter a word, Sora aimed at the wall.

  "Here we go!"

  The orb shot forward with a short roar, colliding against the enchanted stone and bursting into a muffled explosion. A crimson glow briefly flooded the chamber before fading into silence.

  When it was over, Seralya stood motionless behind him, her lips parted ever so slightly, unable to speak.

  So it really was him… the child I saw by the river.

  She quickly regained her composure just as Sora turned to face her, smiling proudly. Seralya crossed her arms, masking the tremor in her voice behind a calm tone.

  "Sora…" she began, measured and controlled "That was… truly remarkable"

  After a brief pause, she added:

  "Tell me honestly: no one has ever taught you magic before me?"

  The boy shook his head, his tone earnest.

  "No, Master. Only Mother taught me the Polimorphis. Everything else… I learned on my own. I practice every afternoon"

  Seralya drew in a deep, steady breath.

  "I see…" she replied softly, though her mind was a storm of thoughts.

  The energy radiating from the boy wasn’t that of a mere prodigy.

  It was older, ancient, even. A resonance that stirred echoes she hadn’t felt in centuries.

  As Sora gently dispelled the tiny flame still flickering between his fingers, Seralya’s gaze lingered on him.

  You’re definitely not an ordinary child, she thought, her expression unreadable.

  She exhaled slowly, clearing her throat to shake off the weight of her thoughts.

  "Well then…" she said, regaining her usual composure "Is there anything else I should know, Sora?"

  The boy shook his head softly.

  "That’s everything I’ve managed to learn on my own, Master"

  "I see…" Seralya murmured, crossing her arms and lowering her gaze for a few seconds "All right, I think I’m starting to understand how to adjust your lessons, although… honestly, you’ve just destroyed the entire study plan I had prepared" She let out a soft laugh, half nervous, half resigned "I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone the official lessons until tomorrow. I need to redesign everything from the ground up"

  Sora tilted his head, guilt flickering across his face.

  "I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to ruin your plan"

  "Don’t apologize" she replied quickly, her lips curving into a faint smile "On the contrary, I’m glad. With what you already know, we can advance several steps ahead… quite a few, to be honest" Her voice trailed off into a murmur, as if she didn’t want to say aloud what her thoughts whispered: Far too many for a seven-year-old…

  Then, her expression shifted, serious once more.

  "Before we finish, I need to do something else with you" She reached for one of the small leather pouches hanging from her belt.

  From within, she drew out an octagonal stone, translucent, faintly aglow with an ethereal blue shimmer.

  Sora stared at it in awe.

  "What is that, Master Seralya? A magic artifact?"

  "In essence, yes" she answered, turning it gently between her fingers "It’s an affinity catalyst. It lets us determine the elemental nature of one’s mana to see which types of magic you’re most compatible with"

  She gestured toward a small table beside her.

  "Place your hand here, palm up"

  Sora obeyed without hesitation. The stone rested in the center of his palm—cold to the touch, its surface so smooth it felt like frozen water.

  "Now" Seralya instructed "infuse the stone with your mana. Not too much, just enough for it to respond to you"

  Sora nodded and began channeling his energy.

  For a few seconds, the glow was faint, almost imperceptible… until suddenly, the stone blazed with a blinding brilliance.

  A stream of colors erupted from its core, unfurling into a radiant spectrum that spread to the chamber’s edges. At opposite ends of the light, two hues shone above all others: one of dazzling golden white, and the other a deep, abyssal blue-black that seemed to devour the glow around it.

  The room fell utterly silent.

  Seralya stared, unblinking, her pupils catching both extremes of light and shadow.

  Light and darkness… and every other affinity in perfect balance. Impossible… a complete spectrum.

  "A full chromatic spectrum…" Seralya whispered to herself, almost unconsciously "Though the poles of Lumen and Umbra stand out the most… interesting. Very interesting"

  Sora looked up, puzzled.

  "What does that mean, Master?"

  "It means you’re a very uncommon case, Sora" she replied in a carefully even tone "But we’ll talk more about that tomorrow. For now… that’s enough for today"

  She gathered the stone with great care and slipped it back into her pouch.

  "I need to review my notes and rework the entire approach to your training. I’ll be in my room preparing your new study plan"

  Sora bowed respectfully.

  "Understood, Master. Thank you for today’s lesson"

  As they ascended the stairs together, Seralya broke the silence, her tone firm yet almost gentle in its authority.

  "Sora, listen carefully. Don’t speak to anyone about what happened today, neither about what you already know nor about the result of the affinity stone" Her violet eyes fixed sharply on his, serious, almost probing "You may tell your parents if you truly wish, but I strongly advise against it. Not even in the safety of this home. You never know who might be listening"

  Sora nodded without hesitation.

  "Understood, Master"

  He tried to keep a mildly confused expression, as though he didn’t fully grasp the weight of her warning but inside, he understood every word.

  That stone… and what happened with it must be connected to Astaria’s blessing.

  The thought etched itself into his mind. If his suspicion was right, then it was a secret he would need to guard with utmost care.

  Back in the study, Seralya sealed the entrance to the hidden chamber with a smooth motion of her hand; the runes faded away beneath the rows of books once more.

  "Rest for today, Sora" she said, her calm voice laced with quiet tension "Tomorrow, we’ll begin in earnest"

  Sora gave a small bow.

  "Thank you for your time, Master"

  She returned the gesture with a faint nod before ascending the staircase, her silhouette fading into the midday light streaming through the tall windows.

  Sora lingered there a few minutes longer, silent, replaying Seralya’s words in his mind. Then he exhaled, pushing the thoughts aside, and made his way to the dining room.

  Aeris was already waiting, the table neatly set. When she saw him approach, her expression softened—but the faint cloud in his otherwise calm face didn’t escape her notice. She tilted her head slightly, concern flickering in her eyes.

  "How were your magic lessons, Sora? Was Master Seralya too strict with you?" Aeris asked gently as she placed the dishes on the table.

  Sora shook his head, a faint smile softening his features.

  "No, not really. She just… measured my abilities. She said she’ll prepare a study plan for tomorrow"

  "I see…" Aeris replied, her tone calm but her eyes quietly tracing the subtle unease beneath his composed voice.

  Without another word, she served his meal and sat across from him, observing in silence.

  Sora forced a small smile as he began to eat, masking the thoughts circling in his mind behind a calm fa?ade. He didn’t want to worry anyone, not even his dear big sister Aeris.

  And as the soft clinking of cutlery filled the room, Seralya’s warning echoed again in his head:

  “You never know who might be listening…”

  After lunch, as had already become routine, Sora told Aeris he was going out for a walk.

  "All right, but don’t be late" she reminded him, drying her hands on a cloth as he stepped through the main door.

  He nodded, setting off toward the forest.

  That familiar path had become part of him, the quiet trail to his hidden spot by the river, the hours spent meditating, and the persistent practice with the fireball spell.

  The clearing, bathed in Solvesta’s golden light, now felt like an extension of his own spirit.

  The proof lay on that great stone scarred with burn marks, silent witness to his progress and his failures alike.

  Sora sat down on the grass, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.

  The river’s murmur guided his breathing, helping his thoughts settle into focus.

  For two straight hours, he kept the mana flowing through his body with precise rhythm, feeling it pulse in harmony with the world around him.

  Then he rose to his feet, raised his hand, and began shaping a fireball once more.

  The warm light of the spell reflected in his violet eyes, painting them with quiet satisfaction, each attempt bringing him closer to mastery.

  When he finally stopped, the sky above was tinged with gold.

  Instead of heading straight home, Sora turned toward the hill.

  His steps carried him to the White Crest Tree, its branches lush with young leaves and tender buds.

  "It’s been a while…" he murmured with a smile, leaning his back against the trunk.

  The air of Solvesta was mild and fragrant; the rustling leaves and distant birdsong filled him with a peace he hadn’t felt in days.

  Fatigue crept over him, soft and slow.

  And before he realized it, his eyelids grew heavy, closing gently as the world faded into a quiet, golden haze.

  There, beneath the shade of the White Crest Tree, Sora drifted into sleep.

  His breathing fell in rhythm with the gentle sway of the branches.

  The playful wind tugged lightly at his scarf, and for a fleeting moment… the whole world seemed at peace.

  …

  In the Eryndel household, the silence of night stretched through the halls like a mist.

  In her room, Seralya sat at the desk Alvaron and Tsukari had prepared for her. The soft flicker of a mana-quartz lamp cast pale light over scattered pages, drafts of a study plan, crossed-out lines, notes rewritten again and again.

  Before her, resting atop the desk, lay the affinity crystal.

  It still glowed faintly, as if it retained a trace of the boy’s energy. Silver light rippled within it, blending with flickers of white and deep blue shadow a quiet echo of what she had witnessed only hours before.

  Seralya watched in silence, brow furrowed.

  In all her years, she could count on one hand the times she’d seen that artifact shine in such a way.

  But what unsettled her most wasn’t the rarity of the glow, it was the near-perfect harmony between Lumen and Umbra resonating within.

  "Who in the world are you, boy?" she whispered, barely above a breath, leaning her elbows against the desk.

  The parchment before her remained half-written, the ink slowly drying, forgotten. Her mind had long drifted elsewhere, back to the calm-eyed child with an innocent smile, who had molded mana as though it were second nature.

  His demeanor… his speech, the maturity in his eyes. None of it fits. No child could shape mana without a conjure… nor grasp internal flow without guidance.

  Her fingers brushed the edge of the crystal and the light pulsed faintly in response.

  Seralya jerked her hand back, a chill running down her spine.

  "Is he truly who he claims to be?" she murmured to the empty room "And if not… then what is he?"

  For a moment, her mind conjured a bitter memory

  a face hidden behind a golden veil,

  and the name she dared not speak aloud.

  Selmyra.

  The shadow that had hunted her kind for centuries.

  "Could he be… one of her tools?" her voice trembled "A new design of the tyrant’s will, sent to hunt down the last vasto sapiens of Elythera?"

  She leaned back in her chair, covering her face with one hand.

  Doubt seeped into her like a slow, venomous mist.

  "I don’t know…" she whispered, eyes shut "I don’t know if I should trust you, boy. But if I teach you… and you turn out to be what I fear then I might be forging the monster that will destroy us all"

  The night wind stirred the curtains, and the mana lamp flickered, casting restless shadows across the stone floor.

  Seralya stayed that way for a long while, watching the crystal shimmer a tiny heart of light and darkness intertwined.

  And as she stared at it, something within her wavered between fear… and a strange, quiet hope.

  Then, a sudden thought flashed through her mind.

  Her gaze shifted toward one of the suitcases stacked near the wardrobe.

  Her fingers trembled as they settled on it.

  Inside, sealed beneath ancient arcane wards

  lay an artifact she had sworn never to use again.

  Just thinking of it made her stomach twist.

  "No…" she breathed, pressing a hand against her chest "I shouldn’t"

  Yet the thought burned brighter, a spark refusing to die.

  "What if I used it on him… to learn who he truly is?"

  "It wouldn’t hurt him. I’d only see… fragments, memories buried deep within"

  Guilt stabbed through her chest.

  "But is it right… to peer into a child’s soul? What if I’m wrong? What if this fear is just my own shadows whispering back at me?"

  She buried her face in her hands, inhaling deeply.

  Then slowly her expression hardened into resolve.

  "Before I act… I must speak with Tsukari" she murmured, her eyes flicking back to the suitcase

  "I can’t make this choice alone"

  However, another thought held her back.

  "Not yet. I’ll watch him first… understand him. Perhaps there will be no need to use that"

  With a weary sigh, she turned her gaze away from the suitcase and back to the desk.

  Taking up her quill once more, she focused on the parchment spread before her, sketching the first outlines of a new study plan.

  Outside, the night carried on its quiet path.

  The whisper of the wind slipped through the windows, bringing with it the gentle calm that wrapped the Eryndel household.

  Tsukari slept, Alvaron kept quiet watch, and Sora… dreamed peacefully, unaware of the storm of suspicion his new teacher had begun to nurture in the dark.

  And yet, amid that silent chaos of thought, a single certainty took root in Seralya’s heart:

  "If you’ve come into this world with a purpose… I will uncover it, Sora. I promise you"