Renji was brimming with excitement, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. "Grandpa Kaiya, can you really teach me to become a magus?" he asked eagerly, looking up at the old man.
Kaiya Tanaka, observing Renji's excitement, stroked his white beard thoughtfully. "Even if your natural talent isn't exceptional, I, as a Saint-level Grand Magus, can still teach you magic. However, if your talent is limited, your achievements will also be limited." This declaration would have stunned any other magus. In the world of magic, talent is considered crucial; without it, becoming a magus is seen as impossible. Yet Kaiya Tanaka claimed he could still train Renji, regardless of his talent. Such a statement would be dismissed as grandiose from anyone else, but coming from a five-thousand-year-old Saint-level Grand Magus, it carried weight.
"Low talent, low accomplishments?" Renji felt a shiver of concern. His motivation to become a magus was to restore his clan's glory and reclaim their ancestral heirloom, a task that required significant power.
"Don't worry, Renji," Kaiya Tanaka reassured him. "Your magical aptitude hasn't been tested yet. You might have great talent."
"How is magical aptitude tested?" Renji asked eagerly.
"It's actually quite simple," Kaiya Tanaka began, but then footsteps were heard approaching the door. Renji's anxiety spiked. "Grandpa Kaiya, you need to hide. Someone's coming!"
Kaiya Tanaka simply smiled and remained where he was. "Grandpa Kaiya!" Renji was becoming increasingly anxious. The door creaked open, and Housekeeper Haruto peeked inside, noticing Renji was awake. "Young master Renji, you're up already. How are you feeling?"
Renji forced a smile and replied, "Thank you, Uncle Haruto. I'm feeling much better." He was visibly agitated and kept glancing at Kaiya Tanaka, who remained standing there with a grin. "What's going on with Grandpa Kaiya? If he's discovered, it'll be a hassle to explain."
Uncle Haruto announced, "It's time for dinner. Since you're awake, join us."
Renji, still glancing at Kaiya Tanaka, replied, "Okay." He wondered why Uncle Haruto seemed oblivious to Kaiya Tanaka's presence.
Uncle Haruto noticed Renji's odd behavior and asked, "Young master Renji, why are you staring at the side of your bed? Did you lose something?"
"No, nothing," Renji said, climbing out of bed. "Let's go eat dinner." Despite Haruto's curiosity, he simply nodded and smiled. Renji dressed quickly but continued to sneak glances at Kaiya Tanaka.
As Renji looked again, Kaiya Tanaka suddenly vanished from view. "He must have entered the Celestial Dragon Ring," Renji realized. With the bond established by his blood, Renji now sensed Kaiya Tanaka's presence within the ring more clearly.
"Renji, there's no need to speak aloud. You can communicate with me mentally," Kaiya Tanaka's voice echoed in Renji's mind.
Surprised, Renji thought, "Grandpa Kaiya?"
"I'm here," came Kaiya Tanaka's reply.
Overjoyed, Renji stumbled over the doorway as he engaged in this new mental connection. Uncle Haruto, walking ahead, chuckled, "Young master Renji, watch where you're going."
"Got it, Uncle Haruto," Renji said, laughing off his mistake. As he entered the dining room and sat down, he was greeted with a sumptuous meal, including roasted sheep.
Kazuki, Renji's father, noticed and said, "Renji, help yourself." He served Renji a piece of meat, which surprised him given their usual frugality.
Renji, who had been oblivious to the lavish meal, mentally asked Kaiya Tanaka, "Why couldn't Uncle Haruto see you?"
"Renji, I'm a spiritual projection, which means I'm invisible to everyone but you. Only the master of the Celestial Dragon Ring can see me," Kaiya Tanaka explained.
Realizing this, Renji was delighted at the prospect of having Kaiya Tanaka always by his side. As he looked around, he saw Kaiya Tanaka materialize beside him, while the others continued their meal, oblivious to the old man's presence.
"Wow…" Renji was amazed by how Kaiya Tanaka's presence went unnoticed by others.
"There are some who can sense me if their spiritual presence matches mine, but if I hide in the ring, I'm undetectable," Kaiya Tanaka's voice conveyed.
Renji mused, "Only those with Saint-level spiritual power can sense you."
Kaiya Tanaka nodded, "Exactly. But if I'm in the ring, no one can find me."
Renji mentally agreed as he enjoyed his meal. "Eat more slowly," Kazuki advised, noticing Renji's haste.
Renji grinned at his father but continued to eat quickly, finishing the mutton leg in no time. After wiping his mouth, he stood up and said, "Father, Uncle Haruto, I'm done. I still feel a bit dizzy, so I'm going to rest. See you later, Kenji."
"Still feeling dizzy? Then get some rest," Kazuki said, concerned. The morning's events had made him more attentive to Renji's well-being. Kenji waved goodbye with a greasy hand, "See you, big brother."