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After some days, I gained complete control over my enhanced body, but I still believed it would be better not to exert too much pressure on my body for now. So, I decided to take a break from physical training and focused on understanding the magical bracelets.
My parents informed me that I could alter my stats using the bracelet. This meant that if anyone asked me to display my stats, I could present altered values. Many people used this technique when entering the Kingdom's Mage and Knight Rankings, as it allowed them to keep some hidden advantages. Some individuals preferred to showcase their true power, while others chose to remain secretive.
The rankings were determined by combining stat points, achievements, contributions to the kingdom's welfare, and skill levels. The results were compiled at the end of the year, and prizes were awarded in various categories. However, the intricacies of the rankings were a matter for another time.
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"Hey Dad, how was your day today?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Well, nothing much. The kingdom is currently at peace, but who knows for how long. There are always underlying tensions..." My father's voice trailed off, but my mother quickly interrupted him.
"Ken, don't bring up those matters now. Baby, you don't need to worry. Your mom and dad are both in the top 100. There's nothing we can't handle," my mother assured me.
"Well, duh, Mom. I already know that. I'm just worried about you guys. You both seem tense lately," I expressed my concern.
"Yeah, I guess we should have told you sooner. You see, you're going to have a brother in six months... I'm sorry we didn't share this news earlier. We thought maybe you enjoyed being alone, and we didn't want to disrupt that," my mother explained apologetically.
Her words made me realize that she was right. Perhaps I should start approaching life from the perspective of a child.
"No, Mom, it's not your fault. In fact, I'm excited to have a brother. I'll play with him, take care of him, and be the best big brother ever!" I responded with a beaming smile.
Seeing me genuinely happy brought a smile to my parents' faces. However, my father had another surprise in store for me.
"Well, well, it's very nice of you to think that way, little man. But as soon as you turn 12, you'll be attending the Soul Kingdom Magic Academy," my father revealed.
My face turned to shock, and my mother continued where my father left off.
"We thought you already knew about this, which is why we never mentioned it. We believed you were behaving differently because you were aware. But seeing your face now tells me you were never informed," my mother said.
I took a moment to process the information. It meant I only had one more year with my parents before heading off to the academy. But I had to make the most of it and strive to make the Warmonger household proud.
"Alright, then. I guess I've got one year left with you guys. I'll make sure to make the most of it. And I'll make you proud when I attend the academy," I stated confidently.
With that conversation, I gathered myself and dedicated the following year to intense training. And after six months, my baby brother was born, and we decided to name him William Warmonger. I was overjoyed to have a baby brother, and even the name William was chosen by me. I was the first to hold him in my arms, and his presence filled me with an indescribable sense of joy.
William was so small and delicate, with big round blue-grey eyes that sparkled with innocence. In contrast to my own all-black eyes with a hint of red, his eyes were a total contrast. He had silvery hair like our mother, but with black streaks that gave it a unique shine. It was a stark difference from my own dark black hair. If it weren't for our nearly identical facial features, it would be hard to tell we were brothers. However, the biggest surprise awaited us—the revelation that William was not alone. Our mother had given birth to twins.
The other baby, whom we named Warwick but called Wick for short, had black hair with silver streaks and bright red eyes. Wick and Will were nearly identical, except for their hair and eye colors. Seeing the twins in our mother's lap, she started to cry and embraced me tightly.
"When the doctor told me I could never become a mother, I felt like my world was crumbling. If it weren't for you, Jin, I don't know where I'd be now. You brought me hope and happiness that I thought I could never have. When I found out I was going to be a mother, I couldn't believe it. And now, to have these two beautiful boys...," my mother's voice trembled with emotion as she looked at the twins.
"Yeah, Jin, you truly are our lucky charm," my father chimed in proudly, joining the embrace.
And with that, we embraced each other in a family hug, filled with love and gratitude.
Time passed, and soon I turned 12, ready to embark on my journey to the Soul Magic Academy.
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"Hurry up, Jin! You don't want to be late for your welcome ceremony," my parents urged me as I hurriedly prepared myself.
"I'll be down in a minute," I called back, quickly donning my academy uniform. The academy provided two types of attire: one for theory classes, which didn't involve combat, and the other for practical training. The uniform I wore now was for theory classes, an all-white ensemble.
The white shirt had black buttons, while the white blazer featured black trim along the edges. The white pants also had black stitching accents, and I completed the look with a pair of black boots. The uniforms were not only stylish but also enchanted with self-cleaning and self-repairing functions, ensuring that they always looked pristine.
As I descended the stairs, my parents caught sight of me and were moved to tears. My black hair and black eyes complemented the uniform perfectly, and in their eyes, I appeared every inch the mage.
I opened my white wings, revealing their grandeur. The upper wings had a wingspan of 2 meters each, while the lower wings measured 1 meter each, fully stretched to showcase their majesty.
"Do you guys need a ride?" I asked, fluttering my wings playfully.
My parents exchanged glances, their eyes filled with both awe and concern. It was a mix of pride and worry for their son, who possessed incredible potential and power. They knew that this was just the beginning of an extraordinary journey for me.
And so, with my wings spread wide, I embarked on my new chapter as a student at the Soul Magic Academy. Little did I know that my time there would be filled with trials, friendships, and discoveries that would shape the course of my destiny.
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