When we arrived at this cottage, I decided to train and improve my mana flow. To avoid raising suspicion, I only used 70% of my mana during the nights. Since I can't release mana, I also can't absorb or recover it quickly.
Seven years passed...
•••••
At the first light of dawn, Cain trained with a wooden sword in a vast meadow. The grass waved around him, a silent witness to his effort and discipline. His movements were precise and repetitive, "578, 579, 580, 581," his breathing rhythmic, "ah... ah... ah," as if each strike cut through the air with purpose.
"Cain!" Sara shouted, peeking through the window.
"Breakfast is ready." Sara had prepared a meal for her son, who worked tirelessly day and night.
"Oh, it's already morning," Cain realized, not having noticed the night had passed. It was early when he started training, still covered by the darkness of night and the glow of the moon.
When Cain heard his mother's voice, he stopped training and headed inside the cottage. The breakfast was simple: two pieces of bread, a glass of hot milk, and an apple. Cain didn't ask for much, as he had spent days without food in his previous life. Something so simple and full of love was enough for him.
"Cain, could you go to the city to buy some bread?"
"Mmm? Yes, sure. Let me finish my breakfast... now that I think about it, can I also buy a magic study book?"
(A magic book: these are study books that teach the basics of magic and spells from 1 to 2 stars.)
"Another book? You really like studying magic. If only you could..." Sara fell silent.
"Most likely, she wants to hide the fact that I can't use mana," Cain thought as he listened to Sara.
"In these 7 years, I've only managed to reach the 3-star level. A few months after I was born, I thought I had created my first star, but I realized it wasn't complete. By the age of 3, I had reached my second star, by 5 my third, and now I can't surpass the physical barrier of my body," Cain thought as he listened to his mother.
The body has a limit to what it can endure, especially for a 7-year-old child. Ordinary people can usually reach their first star around the age of 7 by concentrating their mana at a single point. After creating their first star, it takes about 3 years to create the second star.
People with mana blockages can naturally hold three times more mana in their bodies compared to ordinary people. In contrast, ordinary people continuously release mana, allowing their bodies to recover mana faster. With mana blockage, the mana remains in the body, making the amount they can hold three times greater than others. However, since mana cannot be released, they cannot cast magical spells and it takes longer to recover mana.
"Alright, take a gold coin as your allowance for this month," Sara said as she sipped her tea.
(A gold coin: it isn't extremely luxurious but is convenient. A family of four can live comfortably on 50 coins per month, including medical expenses and personal needs.)
"Mmm!!? Really!" Cain ran quickly to give Sara a hug.
Sara could feel that the hug was full of sincerity and happiness.
"Why not? You've been a good boy. But be careful how you use it, okay?"
"Thank you, Mom."
"…Oh, go eat, and when you're done, buy me a basket of bread and 3 liters of milk."
"Sure!"
•••••
After breakfast, Cain walked to the city along a path. The path was long, passing through a vast meadow. White clouds in the big blue sky provided shade along the way, and the mountain breeze was refreshing in the morning.
Suddenly, a large falcon flew by. It looked like a golden-tipped archon, with brown wings edged in white. It let out a sharp screech.
(Kreeeeek)
"Oh"
••••••
(Ciudad Rayfom: Central Plaza)
Cain was walking through the plaza, observing the various stalls, some selling vegetables and fruits, others offering tools and artifacts.
First and foremost, Cain entered a library. Although it seemed somewhat old and dilapidated, he knew it held a great secret within.
"Even though this library is a bit..."
*A piece of wood falls from the ceiling*
"...old," Cain sighed. "It holds a secret within these shelves that will help me." He had a determined and motivated look as he searched for a long time. Finally, he found a book on magical artifacts.
(Magical artifacts or magical tools: These are objects that can perform various spells of different ranges. However, the more powerful and useful the artifact, the more durable materials are needed to support it. For example: for a sword to have a better edge, it must be made of iron rather than wood.)
"This book on artifacts will help me. In my previous life, this book was sold by a merchant who wanted to deceive Leo. But Leo found a use for it. This book was created by a 9-star mage from 300 years ago."
Cain thought as he looked at the cover of the book. It was covered in dust, its cover stained with blood. To the casual observer, it seemed like trash among other debris. Cain smiled.
Cain's smile was a masterpiece of confidence and satisfaction. His lips curved upwards in a perfect line, revealing a row of white, even teeth. His blue eyes sparkled with a glint of satisfaction, as if he were enjoying a secret that no one else knew.
"Excuse me, how much is this book?" Cain asked the librarian about its price.
"Mmmm? That piece of junk? Just give me a gold coin for it, and you can take another one for free. What do you say, kid?" replied the vendor.
"Deal," Cain responded happily.
Cain left the library with two books that seemed perfect to him—one he needed, the book on artifacts, and another, a novel for Sara.
Walking down the street, Cain spotted a very familiar red carriage parked in front of a magical artifacts shop.
(Blink) The shop bell rang, signaling that the door was opening, and a man stepped out.
The man had an imposing presence. With golden hair and dressed in a black silk suit, his red cape spread out like the wings of a falcon. His blue eyes were cold.
The man looked at Cain with a gaze full of disdain, scrutinizing the boy before him with suspicion and intrigue.
"Did it reall
y have to be today?" Cain wondered.
End of Chapter 6