My mom lifted me from the chair where I pretended to be asleep. She hugged me and then followed my aunt to a room on the second floor.
Aunt Merry opened the door, saying, "This is the finest room available, complete with an attached bath," showcasing her business acumen.
Mom placed me on the bed, put a blanket on and kissed me gently before going downstairs with aunt.
"What's up Helen? Anything wrong?"
Walking through the staircase Helena replied,"Zeun has woken up but still pretending to be asleep. On another note, I think is better to do as you said. Not letting our children meet eachother. I don't want to burden my kid anymore all I want is to give him a happy and memorable childhood free from all worries. For that I shall do everything in my capabilities."
Merry nodded in acknowledgement, " Yes I agree too but what do you plan to do? Oh also I don't know anything about your situation so fill me up first."
Helena nodded," Hmm. I came down stairs to talk to you. Do you have milk?? He might still be hungry"
"Yes I do have extra milk in the pan. Lets warm the milk and you fill me up with the details about you and Paul"
Helena put the milk pan on the cooking place as Merry lit the fire using magic. Yes, Merry was a mage who specialised in fire.
With a deep sigh Helena started from the day Zeun was born....
"...."
"....
..
As the story unfolded, Merry struggled to contain her temper, feeling her body ablaze. The cotton attire she wore transformed into ashes, leaving only the fire-resistant leather blouse and shorts intact.
Overwhelmed with grief, Merry was tormented by the inability to aid her best friend in a moment of need. Bitterness consumed her, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
"....."
.....
...
finally we arrived at the Kroton and it has been more than 3 years since then.
"Though it feels like a drunkards gossip that you entered the Everlost Forest and survived. I can't get any valid reason not to believe you else you would be already dead... Besides you Paul was the only one who got dragged into the forest even before you met him. He was quite young back then.... anyways so after arriving Kroton everything was fine I guess?" Inquired Merry. " I am happy that you survived and didn't let Pauls effort in vain" she mumbled with bitterness in heart.
"....."
Helena momentarily looked at her then continued
"Life was good, but I sensed my money might run short. For the next few years, I hunted to make ends meet. Then one day, impulsively, I decided to have a daughter using the pregnancy bottle Paul had given me. It was a quick choice, but I don't regret it, and Zeun was happy about it too."
Helena sighed deeply before speaking again...
" I quit hunting since I had enough money. Things were calm until Zeun's memory seal began to weaken. To ease his pain, I searched for a cure before it got worse. The library revealed the remedy: a darkness crystal. It cost me a fortune, and now I only have two to three years' worth of money left."
"Then what's the problem?You can earn after 3 years. Till then why not stay in village? Safety comes first and then only other things are possible." Merry suggested.
"Hmm. Okay but actually I wanted to sent Zeun atleast in basic school. He is extremely interested in magic. I don't think I can stop him for two years.....this is the reason I came to this city.....to admit him in a Basic Kindergarten"
Helena explained with an exasperated tone as of now she had to return without gaining anything.
"Helen, One thinking I couldn't understand is why are you so eager to sent him schol? He is only 4... literally only four years... Why the heck would you pressure him? Isn't this the age for children to play around!" Merry exclaimed with a bit of anger in her tone.
(Note: basic school are open for all at age 6)
"Because he is self awakened" Helena replied with a calm tone, not minding her friends behaviour. She too would do the same in her friends position.
"W-WHAT? I think I heard something wrong. Can you please repeat what you just said?" Merry requested not believing her own ears.
Helen : "You hear it right. He is a self awakened"
Merry :"???" , she turned silent.
'There are two types of awakening
1. Naturally Awakened.
Training (age 6-10 Vessel formation) =⟩ Temporary mana collection =⟩ Awakening Orb(age 10) =⟩ Mana vein
2. Self Awakened.
Mana absorption =⟩ Vessel Formation =⟩ Mana Vein =⟩ Awakening Orb(age 10)
All beings in this world contain mana:
In Narural Awakening a child has to train his body for atleast 2 years (In general) to make their body a suitable vessel to contain mana temporarily....(since children have weak and undeveloped body, they can not contain excess mana like adults)
Here comes the difference between talented and hardworking.
Hardworking :
Those who have less affinity towards mana. They have a naturally lower limit of mana capacity in their bodies. Hardworking individuals gains the results of their effort during 2nd awakening as their body is matured now and bears fruit of early efforts. There by increasing their potential. (Potential variable)
Talented:
They are individual who have natural affinity with mana thus can contain more mana than usual. They only need training for 8 to 12 months at most before reaching their body's limit. (Potential variable)
Geniuses = talent + hardwork
They have high mana affinity plus they train for years under guidance and lots of resources since childhood before their first Awakening. Hence they gain Elemental's Favourite on their first Awakening at age of 10. They are High nobels, Rich merchants or Royals in general.
(Potential 9th circle in life)
For example - If a normal 1st circle Fire ball cause 200 damage max. Then its damage will increase as follows:
[ Element's favourite -
Affinity with that element increases above normal margin
(200+50 — 25% additional damage)
Element's Guide-
Can guide a part of the element and use them as their with with less amount of mana than required
(200+ 100 — 50% additional damage)
Element's Child -
Can control large portion of that element with their will and least amount of mana possible
(200 + 400 — 200% additional damage)
Element's Crown Prince - (Requirements 10th circle mage)
Can intigrate one self with elements and Command all elements surrounding it
(Damage % —Unknown)
....]
Mages in this world can wield all types of elements at the beginning. But after Awakening, the orb shows an individual which is the best element for them to persue so that they can gain affinity with their favourable elements during their 2nd awakening.
MONSTERS = Genius + Luck
Self-Awakening ,as the name suggests — they awaken on their own. They are polar opposites of Natural Awakens
They first absorb large amount of mana from environment, then forms vessel, after that using that mana forms mana veins before 1st Awakening. They goes to awaken at 10 solely to gain the blessings Element 's Child.
They are the real monsters in existence and can not be defined by common sence.
(Requirements of self Awakening are not known by most people)
________________________________________
In this case the child below age 5 has to go through different scenarios and the chances of success is one in a million.
------
First Condition :
To forcibly gain mana affinity above talented individuals.
An infant has to stay in saturated mana environment for years before age 10 which is extremely taxing for a child.
(0.01% survive = 100 per million. Rest of the children die in this stage and turn into Mana Zombies due to excess mana enters brain)
Next ,
2nd condition:
To train under a certain Elemantal environment. (1% success rate = 1 may or may not be alive)
(If one wants to gain Ice / water affinity, then stay in temperature below -100 / drown in depths of ocean — Use mana to survive some how in both conditions)
If you survive the two above trainings for 6 to 8 years then congratulations. You are a Self - Awakened and belong to one in a millions group.
------
OR
------
1st Condition :
The most natural and safest, innate ability to absorb mana from birth or understand the mana and absorb them from the environment.
Condition 2.=>
Extreme Emotional turbulence causing psychopathic disorder.
For example - Village/nearest or dearest loved one burnt in front of your eyes , you ran into village. Survived some how using mana but others are dead causing mental instability, pain , emotional turbulence etc.
May or may not self awaken.
________________________________________
Merry's mind went blank; she never imagined interacting with a self-awakened being, let alone her own nephew. A genius? No, that's the wrong word; he was more like a monster. Her imagination ran wild, her face flushing red.
Calming herself down, she asked with seriousness," Helena,This is a serious issue, who else other than me know this?"
"No one , not even Zeun himself. I am telling you this because you are closer than my blood sister to me." Helena said with a gentle smile.
Seeing her gentle smile, Merry had a bad premonition. Thinking for a bit she understood where this bad feeling was coming from.
"Damn you! Helena you sly old fox! How can you be so cunning when things involves your loved ones? Now that I too know about Zeun that he is Element's Child, if any powerhouse discovers him , it would also impliment me and my daughter. Sly bitch!"
Merry cursed Helena on her face.
"Oohh: Quite daring of you huh?You old perverted slut. You drooled on my child few hours ago and now blaming me....blame your own greed..."
"....."
...
A fresh wave of curses and bickering erupted between two old friends. Luckily, Zeun wasn't around, and they had created a sound barrier in the kitchen before their conversation. Otherwise, who knows how many men would have suffered a heart attack hearing their goddesses arguing and exchanging curses.
-
One hour later, Helena enters the room with a plate of bread, warm milk and honey. Zeun laying on bed looking at the ceiling, he glanced at his mom as if waiting for her arrival..