Crackle.
He felt the energy from the elixir and mana permeate his bones, muscles, and skin.
He maintained his sharp focus, which was being sharpened like the edge of a knife, and continued with his cultivation of the 'Ring of Fire'.
After some time had passed…
Flash!
A burning sensation, as if a fireball cutting across his heart, resounded in his chest.
A warm energy whirled around in his heart like a hoop. He had finally finished the Ring of Fire.
'It's finally…"
Just as he was about to open his eyes and cheer, there was a flash of gold light.
Ding!
[The first Ring of Fire has been obtained.]
[The first achievement has been created.]
[Special Trait Ring of Fire (One-Star) has been created.
'Wh-What's this?'
Just like when a magic circle would appear before sorcerers when they used magic, a light floated in front of his eyes.
[Your body has become a little stronger with the effect of the Ring of Fire (One-Star).]
[Strength, Agility, and Stamina have increased with the effect of the Ring of Fire (One-Star).]
[Special Trait Water Resistance (One-Star) has been created.]
Other information popped up after the message stating that he had acquired the Ring of Fire.
'Huh?'
Raon pursed his lips.
'What is this information…?'
He felt his body become lighter the instant the messages appeared.
Though there was not a massive difference, as it was a child's body, it was clear that there were changes.
'The pain has also subsided a little.'
The pain from the ice blocking his mana circuit had decreased, as well.
'Did the Ring of Fire have this capability?'
While the Ring of Fire was correctly referred to as a legendary method of practice, the effectiveness was not remarkable until three rings had formed, and only after four rings did it take effect.
He had not experienced feeling a difference from merely achieving One-Star in his past life.
'Is it because of the elixir, or because it is a child's body?'
He tried to consider it from different angles but had no answer.
'Or is it because of this message…?'
Raon read the message floating in front of him again.
Though there were some differences between the present and his previous life, the biggest one seemed to be this message.
"Young master! You're already awake."
He heard Helen's voice from above his head. She seemed to have entered the room again while he was practicing.
"Hewen! Wook at tis!"
Raon pointed at the message, which resembled a magic circle.
"Yes? The Bed?"
As Helen did not seem to see it, the message appeared to be only visible to him.
[Please check the Status Window to confirm the changes.]
'Status Window? Huh?'
He repeated it mentally without knowing what it was, and a window with the same light as the message appeared.
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Raon Zieghart
Title: None
State: Curse of Frost (Nine Strands), Poor Stamina, Cold Body, Decline in Athletic Ability, Decline in Mana Affinity.
*Additional Abilities have not been unlocked
He slowly examined the 'status window' in front of him.
'Curse of Frost, Poor Stamina, Cold Body, Decline in Athletic Ability, and Decline in Mana Affinity…'
The information seemed to point towards his current state.
'As expected, my body is poor in many ways.'
Apart from the Curse of Frost, he even had a cold body and poor stamina. That was the reason he tired quickly after moving even a little.
'But it doesn't matter.'
Raon closed his mouth. He was not at all worried, even if his constitution was bad.
He was named the best assassin in his previous life, and he knew the best practice—the Ring of Fire.
If he completed the Ring of Fire based on his experiences from his past life, it would be the same as not having those flaws.
'Furthermore, this is Zieghart.'
It was completely feasible to behead Derus Robert if he could master the swordsmanship techniques secretly documented within the Zieghart clan.
'And I am only three years old.'
Derus was one of the strongest on the continent. He would not be able to hold out if he got worked up over his revenge already.
There is barely anyone who can kill him, anyway. Roan had to grow his strength and finish it off at one go the moment he had the chance, slowly but steadily.
Raon balled his fists, as if making a pledge to himself, and looked at the status window again.
'So, really… What is this message?'
He had no idea why he was suddenly seeing the message and the status window. He could only tell from his instincts as an assassin that it was not going to hurt him.
'It probably has something to do with my reincarnation.'
He vaguely assumed that there was a connection between the message and the reason he was reborn with memories from his past life.
It seemed he had to figure it out slowly, just as he had to do on his quest for Derus Robert's head.
'Let's not be impatient and take it slow.'
* * *
[The second Ring of Fire has been obtained.]
[Your soul has become a little stronger with the effect of the Ring of Fire (Two-Stars).]
[Mana Affinity, Willpower, and Energy have increased with the effect of the Ring of Fire (Two-Stars).]
Raon grinned widely after checking the message window.
'I finally did it.'
The second ring had formed upon consistent cultivation for the last two and a half years, starting after the first one had been obtained.
The first Ring of Fire was spinning around his heart horizontally, while the second Ring of Fire, which had just formed, was spinning vertically.
Perhaps it was due to the message that his affinity had increased, but he did feel more sensitive towards the mana drifting in the room.
It was clear that the message was giving him a special benefit.
'To think that I managed to create two rings of fire by the age of five.'
It would be a first in the history of the continent for a child of the young age of five to have picked up the legendary practice of the Ring of Fire. His heart swelled with pride.
'I don't want to cause them any harm.'
Sylvia, Helen, and the other maids had only showered him with kindness.
Though he was going to leave and could not provide help, he did not want to abuse their kindness.
"Phew."
The door burst open just as Raon was about to begin his practice again.
"My son!"
Sylvia entered. While she was smiling, her face looked pale.
"Mother?"
He had to call her mother properly now that he had passed five years of age. Though, he could not help the natural lisps in his pronunciation.
"Do you remember that I said there was somewhere you had to go with Mommy?"
She spoke as she placed the dark red attire that she had brought with her on the bed and pulled off his sleepwear.
'Come to think of it…'
She had said a few days prior that they were going to assemble the children from both lineal and collateral lines to check something.
"Don't worry. It will end quickly."
Sylvia smiled brightly, as if comforting him.
"Okay."
"How is my darling son so kind and good looking?!"
Sylvia paused in the middle of helping him change and rubbed her cheek against his face.
'Err, please…'
Raon's hands shook, unable to do anything.
It was Helen who stopped Sylvia, who had brought Raon into a long embrace even after having finished helping him change.
"Milady, now is not the time. The 'Judgment Ceremony' will begin soon!"