Aron and Alena anxiously watched as the priest examined Ryan. The runes on the back of his hand had disappeared shortly after they emerged, and his eyes had returned to normal.
The priest used holy magic to check for any curses or divine power. After a while, he spoke, "I'm not entirely sure, but I can sense a faint divine power coming from the boy. It's nothing harmful. In fact, this could benefit his growth, and in the future, it might even help him learn holy magic, which is rare in itself."
Aron and Alena sighed in relief, feeling reassured that their son wasn't in any danger.
"So he's completely fine?" Aron asked.
"He is, at least for now. If anything unusual happens in the future, you should visit the capital and meet with the Archbishop," the head priest advised after some thought.
Once the priest left, both Alena and Aron sat on the bed, exhausted, as they looked at Ryan. He seemed a bit down as well.
Alena picked him up and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, Ryan. You're completely healthy and fine."
Ryan smiled brightly, reassured by his mother's words.
Aron leaned back against the bed, watching Ryan play with Alena.
'Maybe he'll grow up to be someone great,' he thought.
Finally, Aron smiled as he envisioned the future.
---
Six Years Later…
A young boy glared at a 9-year-old girl with anger and resentment.
"Sis, why did you eat my snacks?!" he demanded, pointing at the empty plate beside him.
"Little Ryan should eat more vegetables and fruits," Aria replied, trying to act serious.
"But you haven't eaten any either!" Ryan pointed at her plate.
"That's because I'm older than you."
"What kind of logic is that?"
"It's my logic," Aria said proudly.
"You'll get fat if you keep this up."
"Little Ryan, did you just call me fat?" Aria asked with a wide smile, and Ryan felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Y-You're acting scary, sis!"
"Hehehe, am I?" She raised her fist into the air.
"Okay, you're not fat! You're slim and beautiful! Happy now?"
"Yes, I am the most beautiful!" Aria declared proudly, lowering her fist.
Just then, Alena placed a plate of snacks in front of Ryan. "Don't bully your brother too much, Aria. He might start hating you when he grows up," Alena teased.
"Ahh, no! How could cute Ryan ever hate me?!" Aria exclaimed anxiously.
"She's just teasing you, sis," Ryan said, pointing at Alena, who was trying to suppress her laughter.
"You know I could never hate you, right? You're the one who brought the snacks in the first place."
Aria hugged Ryan and tried to lift him into the air. "Hehehe, little Ryan is so sweet and thoughtful! How could he ever hate me?"
Alena giggled as she hugged them both and lifted them up in the air. "You two are so cute and sweet. And Ryan, as always, you're so thoughtful."
Ryan and Aria looked at each other and then smiled, kissing Alena on both cheeks.
Alena smiled even more brightly as she began tickling both of them.
"I heard there's a ceremony for sister soon. Is that true?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, it's a big celebration for Aria since she'll turn 10 in a next month. Many nobles, and even the royal family of Alumina, will come to congratulate her," Alena explained.
"Aria is pretty talented, isn't she? She could sense mana at the age of 5, and now she can already use fire magic and wind magic , even if they are just basic spells," Ryan said.
"But you sensed mana when you were only 2!" Aria retorted, sounding a little upset.
"Well, I'm just good at mana sensing, but I still can't use any elemental spells," Ryan lied smoothly.
"Hmph, as long as you know!" Aria smiled again.
"Just be sure not to talk about mana sensing or magic proficiency in front of the princess," Alena reminded them.
"Why is that?" Aria asked curiously.
"Well, you know how your mother and Queen Clarice are best friends, right?"
"That golden-haired lady who loves poking Ryan's cheeks?"
"Yes, her. We're very close, but she hasn't spoken to me in two years. A few months ago, I visited her and found out that she's been depressed because of her daughter's condition.
"Her daughter can't sense mana, even though she's already 7. Unlike others, she's shown no progress. The first and second princes are both talented and sensed mana at 5, but the princess feels inferior because of it.
"Queen Clarice and King Leon have tried everything, but nothing has worked. They're even considering paying a huge price to get the pope's help," Alena said sadly.
"The pope? Isn't he the highest-ranking figure in the main church?" Ryan asked.
"So you've been reading those library books? Yes, the pope is the highest position in the church, and they say he even receives revelations from a higher power.
"The main church is in the Salon Kingdom, the strongest kingdom on the Syria continent, and it serves as the pillar of humanity," Alena said as she placed Ryan on her lap.
"Then it'll take a lot to get the pope to come here," Ryan sighed.
"Exactly. That's why the princess is so sad, and Queen Clarice is becoming more depressed with time. So, please don't mention this around them, okay?"
Both Ryan and Aria nodded.
"But Mother, why don't you invite the princess here next time? We can try to cheer her up," Aria suggested.
"Yeah, and we don't have any other friends our age," Ryan added.
"You two are the sweetest things in the world. I'm so blessed to have you," Alena said tearfully as she hugged them tightly and showered them with kisses.
"So, will you ask the queen to bring the princess next time?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, I'll write to her right away," Alena said energetically, grabbing a quill and starting to write.
---
In the Forest of Darkness
A creature as tall as a giant tree charged at a woman clad in black robes, its massive claws ready to tear her apart. Just before the claws could reach her, a purple shield appeared in front of her.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Sparks flew as the creature's claws collided with the shield.
Malice stared at the tall creature, its body covered in scales and a large horn protruding from its head.
'So this is the infamous Dark Fiend. They say it can kill even a knight with intent or a grand mage like me if taken lightly. No wonder this forest is so terrifying,' she thought, watching the fiend's claws glow with dark energy.
"Well, let's see how much I've actually progressed!" Malice's purple eyes began to glow as she smirked.
"Hehehe, come here, you ugly creature!" she laughed wildly, as purple flames erupted behind her.
The purple flames shot toward the black fiend in the next instant.
---