Five months passed quickly since John's first-year birthday party.
Today a baby was sitting on a fancy rug in the lotus position. If you focused on the baby's forehead, you could see a weird swirling occurring around it.
The whole room's air was swirling in the sunlight. You could see such a phenomenon in nature when the sun was shining brightly, and its heat would have a moving shadow on the sunny part of the ground.
The baby was very focused, and after a few hours, the swirling air began to move. The tiny hairs on the baby's head moved softly, and even the nearby bedsheets were moving lightly in the breeze that magically appeared inside the room.
John was in the final stages of condensing his wind rune.
Inside his Mind Palace, the platform gained a fourth color or a translucent fourth side.
The foundation of the Mind Palace was getting more robust, and instead of a circular disk shape, it was starting to look like a giant sphere.
John was already familiar with having spherical shape things in his mind, so he wasn't surprised. However, the runes went ballistic and flew in four corners as if maintaining order was their business.
He even felt that his control over the runes was as easy as lifting a finger. They were like his body parts. However, the consumption of mental energy was higher.
Recently John also learned that it was dangerous to let the runes outside his body, as his earth rune almost shattered during an accident.
He was practicing his earth shield spell from the compendium he obtained from Lyrius. Thus, he invited the fatty Marcus to help him.
Unfortunately, they found out that the earth rune could break if they applied enough strength when Marcus hit it with a giant club made from heavy metal.
John was hurt when this occurred. His mind palace shook when the rune almost crumbled. His head ached for the whole week after that.
After two months of healing, his earth rune stabilized, and John started comprehending the wind.
John was already used to his previous life knowledge being superficial in this magical world. He even thought that the scientists only knew a few things for sure. Everything else was just theories without much application. But, of course, those theories helped him nonetheless.
John knew that his knowledge from the past was his advantage. He also understood that science was very advanced on Earth. He just felt bitter that it was so hard to comprehend magic even with all those memories.
"Am I like the avatar now?" Jokingly thought John as he looked at the four elements floating in his head.
In his mind-space, there were even more seeds of magic runes. However, it was like seeing DNA molecules for the first time. John couldn't understand how they worked or what they meant.
At this time, John could hear steps inside the room. Thus, he returned from his mind-space and saw his elegant grandmother walking inside the room.
"Felix, it seems you condensed your wind rune." Smiled granny with her beautiful smile and sat down near the child.
"Yes, granny. I even saw my mind space change once again!" John talked about his experiences.
"Good, good, child. I came this time with good news. We finally got the answer from the prominent family in the central continent. Tomorrow our clan mages will contact you to instruct what you should do next, so get a good night's sleep. I will take you to the communications hall early in the morning." Granny Ofelia said with a calm smile and left the training room.
John was excited to hear from the other mages, so he prepared to go to bed early.
The following day, he was woken up by his mother and granny and taken to the communication hall.
John was extremely curious to see how they communicate with the central continent. He already had a chance to ask Lyrius about central lands, and he learned that they were so far away that a million kilometers were just one-hundredth of the journey needed to reach it by mortal means.
The trio stepped inside an underground hall, where all the walls were from yellow crystal. There were desks on both sides, with humans waiting in line.
"Are they waiting to communicate as well, mom?" John curiously asked as he looked at this scene, which reminded him of mail service back on Earth.
"No, dear, they are in line to get their requested information for the outside world. Some are also sending messages, so there are always lines here." Ofelia said and went through the crowd towards another door.
"We will have a real-time call from the central continent, so this will be a lot more life-like." Sitri chipped in with a gentle smile.
John was curious. He looked around everywhere as there were various equipment and stalls in the nearby halls.
"Okay, Felix. We have arrived. This hall is the Westgate clan communication altar. Every branch has these altars, and they can communicate easily regardless of distance. It is also our clan's specialty, as we use a unique supreme treasure to connect our family through the starfields. It is also the reason why our family could survive since ancient times, as communication is vital in times of danger." Granny Ofelia explained and took out a needle as she stabbed her finger and dropped a drop of blood on an aperture in the altar.
John looked with shocked eyes as the altar lit up, and a mechanical voice guided his granny to connect with the correct family branch.
Soon he heard a clicking noise and life-like holograms of people began to form on the altar.
There was a very old man in the front and two youngsters behind him. The older man had grey hair, a cane, and a hunched back. On the other hand, Youngsters were in their teens, glowing with vitality.
The older man had a black and white robe. His cane also had a top with four stars on it. Behind him, the young girl had white clothes and a badge with three stars, the same as the boy.
"Hello, Ofelia of the Purple Sands." The older man said while looking at John's granny.
John already knew his granny was the best alchemist in the Purple Sand sub-continent, and she was kindly called Ofelia of the Purple Sands by the outside world experts.
"Hello, sir Zhao Feng. We are glad to hear news from the central continent." Granny said with a calm voice.
"Of course, we would like to be faster as well. However, a vast family needs a lot of human resources to maintain, so I hope you won't be mad for our previous absence." Zhao Feng said with his crisp voice and coughed lightly after ending his statement.
"We understand. Shall we go straight to business, now that we dispelled awkwardness?" Ofelia said with a smile that was not a smile.
"That's right. I believe this young one is the new mage?" The older man looked at John.
John was a bit disturbed as he could feel his body scanned by this older man's gaze.
"That is correct. My name is Felix." John answered with the composure of an experienced salesman.
"Hehe, Felix is an ancestral name in our family. It suits you very well, young man." Zhao Feng showed his first smile in this conversation.
"Tch.." A boy behind Zhao Feng sneered impolitely and soured the atmosphere.
"Do not be impolite." Zhao Feng hit his cane on the ground, and John could feel his head buzzing even through this hologram.
John saw how this teenager became angered even more. Finally, however, he didn't talk anymore.
"Don't mind this boy. He is very quick with his cultivation. However, having reached Star Class in 30 years made him a bit arrogant. That is why the higherups sent him to meet a boy who created his Mind Palace while still being a baby. You know you are famous even here in the central continents family, everyone was shocked to hear a one-year-old live through his Mind Palace Formation." Zhao Feng looked intently into John's eyes.
"I was just lucky," John said with a polite voice.
"Sure, luck is sometimes all you need." John heard the girl talk for the first time.
"Don't be upset by this, little Felix, but not everyone is sure you will have much of a future without other talents. However, just your young age is impressive. That is why we contacted you regardless." The girl said without wasting any time.
John could see the older man frowned, but it seemed that this girl had higher status than the older man. Thus he stayed silent.
"Let's stop wasting time and begin." The girl commanded while sitting down on a chair.
"As you wish, lady Janna." Zhao Feng said and turned to look at John.
"Child, you already succeeded in informing your mind palace so that you will be an Earth Class Mage, regardless of your talent. We will send you an Earth Star badge soon so that everyone can recognize you as a mage."
John heard Zhao Feng explaining his status.
"Also, as you can see, a star is worn by the mage as a form of status. For example, these two youngsters are Star Class Mages, who received Earth, Heaven, and Star Class star badges, thus reaching the level of Law Integration stage. I have a fourth star, which means I am an Inner World Creation stage mage. If you see someone with five or six stars, that will show their corresponding status as well." Zhao Feng explained fast.
"Now, the status inside the family doesn't matter, as you only need to respect your elders. You will learn clan rules at the age of three. Unfortunately, in the outside world, status is a dangerous thing. Not only will it show your power, but it will also let you gain access to complementary treatment in various establishments. Do not offend a higher-ranked mage. It usually ends in death. There are almost no examples of fighting through the ranks. Be careful, young man." Zhao Feng cautioned John with a good-willed smile.
"Next, you must know, to never let the runes outside your body!"
John was shocked to hear this, as he was training inside the mountain exactly doing that.
"Felix, my dear, you are safe inside the family, so we didn't bring that up. Instead, we waited for a real mage to instruct you fully." John heard his mother's voice from behind.
"Damn, doesn't that mean I was in danger all the time while training?!" John was a bit angry inside.
"That is correct, young man. There can't be any harm inside the family territory. That is ancestral rules." Zhao Feng confirmed and continued his explaining.
"It is the fastest way to learn about the secrets of magic. That is why you can use runes outside your body, only inside the family training grounds. In the outside world, it is best not to trust anyone. You can never be too careful." Zhao Feng said with a harsh voice.
John was surprised that there was so much trouble outside his family. After all, his family was civilized. He didn't even see any fight transpiring for all this time.
"You will learn later about why and how, now. Let's talk about how to train without runes, as it is essential as well."
Zhao Feng didn't give John a chance to ask.
"Kid, use your runes to feel the corresponding energy in the outside world. You will see that you can control this free energy, which will help you find a way to fight." The boy behind the older man joined the conversation as well.
"That's right. You can use the energy outside and inside your body. Of course, it takes time to master, but it is very effective. For example, condense fire energy, and you will have a fireball, push wind energy, have a strong wind, compress it, and have a dangerous wind blade. You will find more ways to use the power in the books we will send you shortly." Zhao Feng confirmed the boy's declaration.
"There are many ways to use energy. However, there are more things you can do. For example, you can use mental energy to influence others. Stronger minds can even move items with this energy. There are stories of high-rank mages lifting a mountain with their mind." Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"Felix, browse the library. You will find ways to use your powers. I recommend finding information on spell construction. It is a very omnipotent way to wield magic." Lady Janna said with a smile.
"All in all, you will get hurt when your runes crumble. Thus, we use the runes as energy controllers, then create spells and fight with them." Janna explained in haste.
"Yes, well, fighting is nice and all, now let's talk about training your body. I heard you have no talents. Thus this will be helpful for you. "
Zhao Feng sighed and explained body training for mages.
"We will send you information about this, but to sum it up, we use our runes to infuse energy into our body, and after some time, it gets stronger." Zhao Feng said with a simple smile.
"Why we bring this up is to inform you never to do that! You see, with a fire body or bloodline, the energy is absorbed without a problem, but it will be like burning your own body for you. When you train after you reach adulthood, you will find books for training body. As you don't need to fight now anyway, wait till you find a body training method that suits you."
Zhao Feng had a bitter smile. It did look like he was pretty sad for John to have so little talent.
"Felix, you can attack and defend with your spells, so don't be impatient and hurt your foundation," Janna said with a bit of sadness in her tone.
"Kid, don't think that I despise you! However, our family needs every mage it can create, as even the weakest mage is an absolute menace on the battlefield! You got lucky to form your Mind Palace, but your body will be vulnerable because of your trash talent! If you go outside unprepared, some faster cultivators will blow your head, and there will be nothing you can do! Now listen to lady Janna and don't screw up your foundation. The later family will find a good body training ability for you anyways. There are only so many mages in this world. We can't let you cripple yourself so easily."
The boy said with a mocking smile as Zhao Feng frowned again.
"Felix, no matter how bad this sounds, sir Dug is correct. Eventually, you will find complementary spells even if you have no talent. For now, however, don't be impatient!" Janna confirmed the words of the loudmouth boy.
"Young man, a mage who completes body cultivation art is called a battle mage. There are also sword mages, formation mages, and even summoner mages. Usually, it depends on what talent the mage has, or what they are good at, to choose their fighting path. You, however, will be a caster mage, as your spells will determine your fighting strength. Later if you are lucky, maybe you will find some way to increase your strength. There are countless opportunities, as there are innumerable treasures and inheritances worldwide. There are even instances when people get lucky in auctions, so considerable wealth is a way to get opportunities. The family will help you grow to the best of your abilities, as that is what our rules command. What you have to do is to comprehend for now. Central continents family already sent communications to the headquarters, so it will take a few years until we get answers on how to train you correctly. You will receive the books we sent about magic shortly. Everything else you can learn from lady Ofelia and others. I will have to stop this conversation as we still have other things to do. Until we meet again, young mage Felix!"
John watched as the altar went dark and Zhao Feng disappeared.
This short conversation with the main family branch of Boundless Star was eye-opening to John.
From the way that boy acted, it seemed, the leading family branch didn't like him much, and Zhao Feng and Janna were helping him only due to family rules.
"It seems I will need to learn more about the clan from granny if I want to understand why everything is so complicated here." So John made a plan to discover the way this world works.
"Felix, let's get back. It would be best if you still kept learning and cultivating. You heard them. A mage is a mage, no matter how weak. You will be fine no matter what." Sitri said with a calm smile. However, John could see dissatisfaction in her eyes.
"Felix, you will have to endure your routine for a long time. Then, when you become three years old, there will be a baptism ceremony, where you will receive a transformation chance and be officially in the family records. You will learn clan rules and find out your family member's histories. You will get the approval to learn of the cultivation records of Boundless star and get a complete map of the world. There will also be your courtyard, and you will receive your resources monthly. For now, relax and get stronger."
Granny Ofelia explained to John what was awaiting him in the future.
"So now I will train for one and a half years. It is a bit boring, but it's still nice to have so much free time." John was composed as if all the news in the world couldn't change his calm heart.
"It's okay, granny, mom, I will become someone you are proud of anyway. I will go to grandpa Lyrius now, bye!" John said to the two women and ran out of the hall.
Ofelia and Sitri looked at each other and smiled in a gratified matter. It seemed their efforts spent on this child were worth everything.
"Sitri, let's go cultivate as well. I don't remember how long ago someone angered me so much as that monkey-faced kid. If that fossil were here, I would have sent his to his early grave." Ofelia smiled calmly, but her eyes emitted a terrifying chill.
"Heh, they think my child will be a waste. I want to punch someone so badly now! Let's go, mother, no time like today to enter seclusion!" Sitri said, filling the hall with battle spirit.
The two women walked back to their courtyards slowly.
Sadly, they didn't notice that all people in the communication hall were silently standing with pale expressions, filled with absolute dread at the aura two women released while passing by.
John was unaware of his mother's and granny's conversation, as he was already rushing towards grandpa Lyrius.
"Woah, slow down. This place is a library, not a forest, Felix."
John heard a familiar voice and smiled.
"Grandpa Lyrius!" John said excitedly.
"What got you so excited to see me?" Lyrius had a raised brow as his face filled with interest.
"Grandpa Lyrius, today I learned I am a trash mage!" John said with a huge smile on his face.
"Who the hell told you such nonsense? There was never a trash mage in the history of this world!" Lyrius said with contempt.
"Heh, grandpa Lyrius, what if I told you, the main branch said it?" John said with a calm expression.
"Heh, the main branch is arrogant fools. They believe they control the family on the Boundless Star. Absolute ingrates. I don't understand how they were elected to be a leading family branch for this world. Headquarters must have been drunk on donkey manure."
John was shocked to hear Lyrius swear so fluently about his own family nonetheless.
"Why do you say so, grandpa Lyrius?" John was a bit confused as he didn't think his words would bring such a response.
"Kid, our clan is old and powerful. Do you think we just occupy the world for no reason? It is costly and dangerous. You never know what monsters lie beneath. Our clan has branches in this world because the headquarters require some ancient treasure that they believe is on this plane. Now, tell me, kid, is it wise to leave such an important place to be ruled by arrogant fools?"
John was a bit impressed that Lyrius told him such secretive information.
"Yep, it sounds like a bad idea." John agreed without hesitation.
"Yeah, a bad idea is an understatement. The headquarters included only direct descendants and Titled gods disciples in this mission. Nobody would have thought this would last for thousands of years. Only two family tree lines are still trying to complete this arduous task. It is the central continent's branch and this branch of the Purple Sand. You are a direct descendant of the ancestors!"
John was very shocked to hear this information. He thought their branch was just a tiny part of a powerful clan. He didn't know they were direct descendants from the headquarters.
"Your grandfather and even his parent's parents always lived in Purple Sand. They never cared for worldly affairs beneath them to rule such a backwater place. Finally, however, the disciples of Titled Gods made a central branch and expanded worldwide. After so many years, they don't even give a rat's ass for the actual purpose headquarters sent them here. They live on the laurels of their clan, spending time bullying others and becoming more and more power-hungry every year."
John listened Lyrius explain with great interest.
"The headquarters gave them a leading role in this world as they saw the disciples cover all the world with branches. It seemed that they would eventually find the treasure. But, after so many years, headquarters don't even bother asking if they completed it. They are sure that it will be worth it no matter how long it takes." Lyrius laughed disdainfully.
"Grandpa Lyrius, then what does this have to do with me?" John asked as this rant of Lyrius made no sense.
"It has everything to do with you! You created your mind palace when you were a baby! There are no records of this in the whole history of our clan. The main branch fears such a possibility if you are noticed by the headquarters and taken to cultivate into Ximen Star. Their leading role would be the Purple Star branch, which raised you. Yes, you have no other talents, but if they think a mage needs anything else, they are delusional. There is an ancient saying: if mage understands, he can do. As long as you comprehend world secrets, you will get strong. No amount of talent can change that. That is why the mages are rare and essential to every faction." Lyrius said with a burning gaze.
"Grandpa, what should we do then? Won't I be stuck in my realm if I get a teacher from the central continent?" John asked in worry.
"Heh, do you think this branch of direct descendants has no mages? Sure we have only three on this boundless star..." Lyrius paused for dramatic effect.
"But all three of them are Titled, Gods!" Lyrius said with a huge smile and laughed like a crazy man.
"Hehe, kid, our branch followed the ancient teachings of ancestors for thousands of years. We have numerous powerhouses. Nobody can even compare. We just love staying low profile. We send all talents directly to the headquarters as we can easily communicate. We didn't take the leading role because it wastes time. Your grandfather found clues for the secret mission, so we used all our strength to complete it. That is why you didn't meet mages or other powerhouses."
John was amazed by this news. It seemed that his family was a hidden dragon.
"Grandpa Lyrius, so what should I do now?" John asked as he considered this man a brilliant advisor.
"Nothing! We will take care of everything. There are already people coming back from the headquarters to see you. One of them is your great-great-great-grandfather. He is a mage with astounding powers. Our branch has always served the family, and soon we will leave this world as the mission finishes for good."
Lyrius took a cup and poured some wine. John had never seen him drink before, so he was a bit surprised.
"Why are you telling me this?" John had a bad premonition for some reason.
"Hehe, kid, it seems you are not just a baby. This family is an ancient clan of Westgate. We have information dating back to the universe's creation and destruction. Did you think we won't find out about a reincarnation of a foreign soul inside the Westgate house?"
Lyrius looked at John with a mocking smile.
John was shocked when he heard this. This reincarnation was his greatest secret.
He was ready to take it to his grave.