Over the days, Kael delved even deeper into the knowledge of this new world. Now, he understood what had once seemed like a simple trick—the ability to understand the language, but which revealed something much deeper and more complex. The 『Universal Language』 was not just an instant translation of words, as he had initially thought. On the contrary, it was a continuous enhancement of his ability to communicate, something that connected him more intimately and deeply with the world around him.
Each book he read, each word he heard, even if superficially, fed his internal vocabulary. It was not just a matter of understanding the local language, but rather a skill that expanded with every new piece of information, as if it were filling a vast mental archive of communication. It was as if the 『Universal Language』 were a passive skill that never turned off, one that continually improved his understanding of the world in an imperceptible way.
Kael began to realize that this had a much greater impact than he had imagined. By absorbing the vocabulary from different texts, he not only understood the words, but connected with the more complex concepts and nuances of the culture in that place. He began to clearly perceive the implicit feelings in people's words, the intentions behind every sentence.
And the most fascinating thing of all was that this power seemed to expand as he progressed. The 『Universal Language』 not only allowed him to hear and understand, but also enabled him to express his own ideas with greater precision and clarity. His thoughts, once confused and disorganized, were now aligning.
'I understand... so monarchy is the system adopted by Azalith...' He thought, reading a newspaper from the previous day about the upcoming King. 'But unlike some fantasy tales, leadership is hereditary rather than earned...'
Kael had learned many things in those few days he escaped from his mother to read, something he had realized before but now was certain: this world didn't have technologies like his world; in fact... here, magic was more developed than technology itself.
'Hehehe... let's continue!' He said, picking up a book titled "Basic Teachings of Magic."
With a subtle smile, he immersed himself in the pages, eager to discover what this new knowledge could offer.
"The study of magic begins with the understanding of the essential elements that compose it," he read aloud, absorbing each word. "These elements are the primordial forces that form the foundation of natural magic and are known to all mages..."
He quickly scanned the words, starting to grasp the fundamentals hidden behind each spell and ritual.
"Magic is divided into four main branches: fire, water, earth, and wind. Each of these elements contains its own set of abilities and properties, but to master them, more than just theoretical knowledge is required. The mage must learn to connect with these elements, feel their presence, and with that, learn to use them in a precise and controlled manner."
Kael paused for a moment, reflecting on the words. "Connect with the elements..." It made sense. He knew that to master any art, whether magic or something more mundane, true understanding came from a deep involvement with the object of study. It was not just about being able to cast spells; it was about feeling, about understanding the essence of what he was controlling.
Continuing the reading, he found another section on mana control.
"Mana, the energy that permeates the universe, is the key to performing any spell. Every living being has an affinity with one form of mana, but trained mages are those who learn to amplify this affinity, connecting directly with the sources of mana around them."
Kael furrowed his brow. 'This is intriguing...' He thought. 'Mana Source... could that be the environment? Or something magical around here, like...' He thought, looking out the window and recalling the glowing trees outside... 'Don't tell me...'
Kael became immersed in his thoughts, reflecting on the glowing trees he often observed outside the window. 'Mana Source... could these trees somehow be connected to mana? Or could they be the very source of mana?' He wondered, the idea beginning to take shape in his mind.
Slowly, he rose from the table and walked to the window, gazing at the glowing trees in the distance. As the soft moonlight illuminated the scene, the trees seemed to glow with an ethereal energy. He had never paid attention to this before, but now that he was more aware of the magic around him, everything seemed to have a greater purpose. The glow wasn't just an illusion; it was something real, something tangible. Mana flowed from the earth, the trees, maybe even the air itself.
Kael felt a growing wave of excitement. "Maybe I've found my first real source of learning," he murmured to himself, his eyes fixed on the magical trees. If the trees truly were sources of mana, then he could learn to use them to amplify his own powers.
"Are you here again? You really like this place, don't you?" Elion said, with a curious and, at the same time, amused look. She was leaning against the door, arms crossed, and a soft smile on her face, as if she were waiting for something. There was something in the gleam of her eyes that Kael couldn't identify. It was a possessive gaze, almost... too possessive.
He swallowed nervously, trying to stay calm, but her presence, as always, made his stomach churn. "Ga ga," he tried to speak, but nothing came out, still unable to form coherent words. Elion didn't seem surprised.
She took a step forward, entering the room further as she observed the boy. Her eyes glinted with mild satisfaction at seeing him there, in the library, with so many books around. But her smile soon shifted into a softer, more maternal one, as though she had something special to share.
"Did you know today is your birthday?" she asked, her voice soft and melodic as she held the book with more tenderness. "My baby has just turned one." She said with an almost childish enthusiasm, as if there were something unusual about the statement.
Kael swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down his spine. He hadn't really thought about it... after all, the year had passed so quickly that he barely had time to process his new reality. But Elion, with her sharp perception, certainly knew everything, and that made him even more uncomfortable.
She approached and, with a gentle gesture, handed him the book. Her fingers brushed against Kael's as he took the gift, and she looked at him with affection, but the energy around her seemed charged with something else... something unsettling.
"I hope you like it... it's something special for you," she murmured, her voice lower, almost as if holding a secret.
Kael looked at the book with a growing expression of frustration. His small fingers still held the cover of the book, but his eyes were fixed on the title's letters.
"Chronicles of the Dragon King, Sky-Eater"... an epic tale, probably filled with mythology and adventures, but to Kael, it was just another failed attempt to please him.
He suddenly felt utterly irritated. Everything in that book seemed like an attempt to distract him, something made to hide the reality of the world or try to entertain him to stop his learning. His life wasn't an epic story of dragons or kingdoms... it was a prison, where he was trapped in that infant body, at the mercy of a possessive and disturbing mother.
With a surge of anger and frustration, Kael threw the book to the ground with all the strength he could muster in his small body. The sound of the impact echoed through the silent room, breaking the calm that surrounded him.
"BAD MOMMY!!!" He shouted, the words coming out with a surprising clarity. His voice was still that of a baby, but in that moment, the words carried a weight he couldn't ignore. For the first time, he felt capable of expressing an emotion he had kept hidden for so long: anger.
"You... spoke..." She murmured, stunned, as if she couldn't believe what had just happened. She approached slowly, but before she could say anything else, she grabbed him with an almost insane speed, her face twisted in grotesque joy. "HAHAHAHA, YOU SPOKE!! FINALLY! HAHAHA!"
She laughed, a manic laugh, as if her son speaking for the first time was a personal victory for her. Her behavior, a mix of obsession and madness, made it clear that the line between love and possessiveness had completely vanished.
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