For the past few days, Lucas had grown silent, his focus solely on his training. He had tasted the harsh reality of this world—where kindness and love could cost someone their life. Whether in his old world or this new one, innocence was overlooked, and no one truly cared for the weak. To survive, Lucas knew he had to abandon his soft-hearted nature. In this world, the only truth was power.
Sitting cross-legged, Lucas called upon the AI in his mind. The familiar beep echoed, and the stats appeared before him:
"[Lucas (Age: 7). Strength: 0.5 | Agility: 0.6 | Vitality: 0.55 | Mana: 9.8 | Aura: 20.8 | Status: Post-Awakening]"
'So I'm close to 10 mana points,' Lucas thought. 'Soon, I'll be able to start spellcasting training.'
He resumed his practice of the helix method, refining his mana and aura through hours of tempering. After what felt like an eternity, he sensed a shift. He had broken past the 10 mana threshold. The AI beeped again:
"Host mana pool has increased. Growth in white matter observed, leading to enhanced cognitive abilities."
Lucas felt the change immediately—his thoughts clearer, sharper, more in place than before.
From a distance, Silas had noticed the mana fluctuations surrounding Lucas and understood what had happened. Approaching him, he said, "I see you've broken through the mana threshold. Impressive. It takes even geniuses a year to do what you've done in just three months. We will be starting spell casting soon"
Lucas nodded, determination and hunger for power gleaming in his eyes. "We can start right now. I'm ready."
Silas, recognizing that spark in Lucas, gave a slight nod. "Very well. Come outside to the courtyard."
They both stepped into the courtyard, standing under the shade of an ancient tree. Silas spoke calmly, "You've officially taken the first step toward becoming an apprentice magus. I've already shown you the basics of level-zero spells. They may seem weak, but never underestimate them. When used correctly, especially in combination with stronger spells, they can be devastating."
He extended his hand, and a simple rune circle formed. With a faint green hue, a small patch of soil, about a meter square, shifted beneath him—just enough to cause someone to trip.
"Now, your turn," Silas said gently. "Remember, channel your mana through your mana heart and use your earth affinity as a medium."
Soil Shift – With a simple gesture, Silas could soften or compact a small area of soil, creating minor obstacles.
Effect: Manipulates terrain up to a square meter.
Mana Cost: 1 mana.
Lucas had all the level-zero spell rune circles documented with the help of the AI. His current rune proficiency stood at 8%. Determined, Lucas channeled mana through his mana heart, using his earth affinity as the medium. As he attempted to draw the circle, it took him 30 seconds to form, far longer than expected. For a simple spell, only 1 mana was necessary, but just as the mana began forming the rune circle, it quickly dissipated.
The AI beeped in his mind:
"6 mana points remaining. Further attempts may cause backlash."
Lucas's face grew pale as the mana drained from him, leaving him visibly exhausted.
Silas observed the effort and said, "Don't be discouraged. Most novice apprentices can't even conjure a rune spell. You're forcing the mana. Let it flow naturally—like breathing. Stay calm."
Lucas, frustrated but unwilling to give up, decided to try again. He knew it was hard without the AI guiding him, but he didn't have the luxury of time to master everything on his own. Watching his grandfather cast spells within two seconds. He would use every advantage he had, including the AI.
He steadied his breath and commanded,
"AI, guide the steady flow of mana to form the rune circle. Target 4 seconds, and monitor how the spell affects the soil."
"Understood," the AI responded.
This time, the mana flowed through Lucas's hand, and within 5 seconds, the perfect earth rune circle appeared. The soil shifted slightly, moving a square meter of earth in a controlled area.
"Observation complete: the rune is channelling surrounding earth mana to shift the soil," the AI reported.
Lucas had a revelation: runes weren't just static spells; they were tools to manipulate the elemental mana in his environment.
Silas, wide-eyed, couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. "That was… perfect! Was it a fluke, or did you really understand the technique so quickly? How did you cast the spell so fast?"
Lucas looked confused but kept his secret close. "I'm not sure, Grandpa. I just… did it."
Silas shook his head, clearly stunned. "It usually takes even genius novices at least 10 seconds to cast their first spells and improve over time. You're no ordinary genius—you're something else. Keep this to yourself, Lucas. Only use it when absolutely necessary, in life-or-death situations."
Lucas nodded, understanding the need for secrecy. His AI was his advantage, but it could also make him a target. If anyone discovered his unique abilities, they wouldn't stop until they figured out how it worked. Some crazy mages might open his skull to study it.
After taking Silas's advice to heart, Lucas practiced two more spells, deliberately slowing his casting to over 10 seconds, ensuring he didn't reveal too much.
The next spell was Dust Veil—a swirling cloud of dust appeared around Silas, blinding anyone within a 5-meter radius.
Effect: Obscures vision for several minutes.
Mana Cost: 1 mana.
Following that, Lucas attempted Dew Touch, drawing moisture from the air to create water on his hands.
Effect: Useful for cleaning or hydration.
Mana Cost: 1 mana.
Silas stood in awe, watching Lucas perform each spell flawlessly. Despite spending years mastering these spells, Lucas had accomplished in hours what took Silas much longer to perfect.
"That's enough for today," Silas said with a smile. "You'll practice more tomorrow, but at the rate you're learning, I doubt it'll take long for you to master them."
Lucas nodded, but his thoughts were already racing. He wasn't just going to be good—he was going to be the best. And he would do whatever it took to get there.
The following day, the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a soft glow over the training ground. It was time for Lucas to spar with one-armed Meluis. Lucas had a wild plan for today's match.
In the chilly morning air, Lucas grinned at Meluis. "Uncle, ready for today's sparring? I'd suggest you don't hold back this time."
Meluis eyed Lucas with curiosity, noticing the confidence in the boy's eyes. "What? You've got something secret weapon hidden up in your ass that I should be worried about?"
Lucas smiled faintly. "Something like that."
Without warning, Meluis flared his red aura and launched a powerful attack. His greatsword, Honyblood, swung straight for Lucas's head. Lucas, slightly startled, rolled to avoid the strike, but Meluis was relentless. A horizontal swing followed immediately after.
Lucas, prepared, blocked the strike with his new rune sword, but the force pushed him back several feet. Meluis chuckled. "Come on, kid. Where's this secret technique of yours? This is too easy!"
Lucas, unshaken, provocatively signaled with his sword in one hand and the other behind his back, taunting Meluis to attack.
Seeing the gesture, Meluis rushed forward, but his dominant right foot slipped as the ground beneath him shifted—it was Lucas's first spell, Soil Shift. Meluis almost lost his balance but steadied himself with his sword.
Before Meluis could recover, a veil of dust enveloped him. His vision blurred as Lucas cast his second spell, Dust Veil, obscuring everything in a 5-meter radius. As Meluis attempted to leap out of the dust cloud, his left foot became stuck in Clay Bind—Lucas's third spell. This one required more mana, but it was worth it.
Clay Bind – With a wave of his hand, the ground transformed into sticky clay, trapping the enemy's feet for up to 10 seconds.
Mana Cost: 3-5 mana.
Meluis struggled, trying to lift his foot, but it was futile. As he flared his red aura to its peak, loosening the clay's hold, a cold blade pressed against his neck.
Shocked and dumbfounded, Meluis heard Lucas's cold voice from behind, "Looks like you're missing an arm and a head now, Uncle."
The sparring match ended in dramatic fashion, with an outcome Meluis hadn't imagined in his wildest dreams. A child, barely an entry-level Dawnblade Swordsman, had bested him, a second-grade Emberblade. Though he had fallen from his true Emberblade rank, the defeat was still hard to swallow.
Meluis thrust his sword into the ground and raised his remaining arm in mock surrender.
Meluis stood still for a moment, processing what just happened. His usual cocky grin had faded, replaced by a look of shock and disbelief. He turned to Lucas, eyes wide.
"How in the world..." Meluis muttered, running a hand through his hair. "You actually outmanoeuvred me, kid." He sheathed his sword and let out a low whistle. "You're a damn cheater, you know that? But hell, I like it."
There was a mix of pride and frustration in his voice, the tone of a seasoned warrior humbled by a child. Meluis shook his head with a grin, slapping Lucas on the shoulder. "Your battle sense is insane for your age, and the way you chained those spells together? Impeccable. Honestly, you're a demon, kid. Born for this."
Lucas smiled modestly, "It's still far from perfect. If you were at full strength or a medium-grade Emberblade, you would've broken out of that bind in seconds."
Meluis scoffed in mock outrage. "Stop spitting nonsense! Do you even realize the gap between a Dawnblade and an Emberblade? You just bested me, a seasoned fighter, and you're acting like it's no big deal." He paused for a second, then burst out laughing. "Mages, man. Cunning and crazy."
He shook his head, but there was admiration in his gaze. "Alright, kid. Round two. But don't expect it to be this easy again."
In the labyrinth of Almera, a black-robed man hurriedly knocked on a heavy chamber door. There was no response. He knocked again, louder and more urgently, until the door creaked open on its own. Inside, a haggard old man stood amidst a pile of mummified corpses, anger simmering in his bloodshot eyes.
"If you don't have a valid reason for disturbing me," the old man growled, "your soul will become my nourishment."
The black-robed figure froze at the threshold, paralyzed by fear. The old man's impatience flared as he barked, "Speak, fool!"
Snapping out of his terror, the man stuttered, "My... my lord, I bring a letter from the Thorn of the Magenthore clan. He has sent 500 mana stones and promises another 1,000."
The old man's expression shifted, his interest piqued. "What does he want in return?"
"He requests that we harass and attack Marona's side of the black market until he arrives in Almera," the messenger replied, barely able to hold his composure.
A slow, wicked smile crept across the old man's face. "Ah... Almera is about to descend into chaos." His eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Inform the Death's Hand: the peace treaty with Marona is officially null. Kill anyone associated with her on sight."
The black-robed man bowed hastily and dashed from the chamber, desperate to escape the suffocating presence of the room. As he fled, the old man's maniacal laughter echoed down the dim corridors behind him.