"Mama, I know your condition is worsening. That's why I'm determined to learn magic myself. I can't bear to see you use your magic anymore. It's making you sicker. I want to learn how to help, but I don't want you to teach me if it means draining you further."
Tears welled in Mary's eyes. Where had her little boy gone? She knew Aether was special, but this fierce determination in a five-year-old? He wasn't just cooking stew, he was strategizing like an adult. A flash of memory crossed her mind - Aether's unusual arrival. Could there be a connection?
"Mama, are you alright?" Aether's concern was genuine. He hadn't meant to upset her. Mary pulled him into a hug.
"They called me cursed," she whispered, more to herself than him. "Listen closely, Aether. You're still my child, a child who deserves carefree playtime. But I won't deny your conviction. Ideally, I'd bear this burden alone while you play with other kids. However, you are extraordinary."
Aether offered a bittersweet smile as he listened patiently.
"Ever since your arrival," Mary continued, "I've felt it. You can learn magic, if that's your wish. But I'll be your guide, not through practice, but through theory." Aether opened his mouth to speak, but Mary pressed on, burying his face under her bosoms.
"I'm not done being your mother, Aether," she declared firmly. "I'll use magic sparingly, and as an apprentice scholar of Sineru, I'll teach you the theory behind its use. No practical lessons, understand? So, my dear, if you truly yearn to be a mage, embrace the challenge."
Aether knew Mary's tenacity and accepted her terms. When Aether realised his position, buried under his mother's bosoms, his cheeks suddenly turned bright red resembling a ripe tomato. This did not go unnoticed as Mary tightened her hug "Does my baby boy miss his mother's breast milk, you know it's okay right?" Aether couldn't take the embarrassment. "What, too old for you to breast feed, I don't mind. "Biting her lips, Mary tried to calm herself before reassuring Aether.
Lost in the warmth of her hug, Aether squeezed Mary tight, a muffled "Mama!" escaping his lips as her joyous laughter echoed around them.
****
Eleven years melted into the night, as swift as a blink. Aether, now a young man of sixteen, surveyed the transformed settlement. Gone was the scattered collection of huts; in its place stood a thriving village, a testament to Mary's leadership.
Of course, Aether, ever cautious, ensured his involvement remained discreet. He wouldn't risk being ostracized as a prodigy amongst villagers who barely grasped basic concepts. He focused on practical knowledge, teaching his mother basic first aid and hygiene practices to keep illness at bay. He also introduced new farming methods, simple enough for everyone to understand, but impactful enough to significantly boost their harvests.
Mary, in turn, delved into the theoretical side of magic. She painstakingly crafted notes for Aether, who devoured them with a hunger for knowledge. While his grasp of theory was exceptional, a critical hurdle remained. Mary, a scholar of Sineru, understood the path to becoming a mage. It was a journey with distinct stages: Awakening, Intermediate, Expert, and finally, Master. However, to even begin this path, Aether needed to achieve the first stage - Awakening, the very foundation of the Bronze Phase.
Aether yearned to become a true mage, but he needed a catalyst to bridge the gap. While Mary possessed a wealth of mana, using her as a power source would be a death sentence. Aether simply wouldn't let her sacrifice herself.
Fueled by his unwavering determination to save his mother, Aether devoured Mary's teachings. One day, amidst his studies, a voice boomed in his head: [Initiating... Due to user's accelerated grasp of basic magic, The Fractal Firmament has awakened... ERROR... User needs Awakened status to utilize 'world's will.' Restrictions placed.]
Aether reeled, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. He yearned to share this bizarre occurrence with Mary, but her lectures had never mentioned the Fractal Firmament or the world's will. He didn't want to burden her with strange questions. Deep down, he knew he was different. Unlike others, his memories from another world remained vivid. This wasn't a coincidence; it somehow held the key to his unusual connection to this voice.