Time raced forward for Aiden, the last four years flashing by as though they were mere moments. From a boy burdened by grief and guilt to a young man on the cusp of greatness, his journey was marked by relentless training, discovery, and growth.
Under his mother's meticulous guidance, Aiden delved deep into the art of magic. From the basic elements of fire, water, earth, and wind to their more advanced applications, Ayleen left no stone unturned in her teachings.
"Mana isn't just power," she would say, her tone firm yet patient. "It's life, balance, and understanding. Without mastery, it's nothing but chaos."
Aiden absorbed her teachings like a sponge. By the second year, he had perfected every Novice-ranked spell she had to offer. His ability to weave fire into controlled infernos, form precise water whips, sculpt earth shields, and summon razor-sharp wind blades surpassed even Ayleen's expectations.
By the third year, Aiden began dabbling in Adept-tier magic, mastering spells that most would struggle with for years. Ayleen often marveled at his progress, though she rarely said it aloud.
When Aiden wasn't training with Ayleen, he spent his time with Orin in the forge or brewing potions. Orin's gruff yet encouraging demeanor pushed Aiden to develop practical skills beyond magic.
"Every warrior needs a weapon they can trust," Orin would say, handing Aiden a hammer. "And sometimes, that weapon needs to come from their own hands."
Aiden learned the basics of blacksmithing—heating, hammering, shaping—and though he lacked Orin's brute strength, he made up for it with precision. By the time he left the village, he could forge simple weapons and tools.
In alchemy, Aiden achieved mastery over basic-ranked potions. Healing brews, stamina boosters, antidotes—he could create them all with ease. Ayleen often praised his attention to detail, noting how it complemented his magical talents.
While Aiden grew stronger, he didn't forget his friends. Rodrick and Lily had shown great promise in mana cultivation, and Aiden took it upon himself to guide them.
Last year, both Rodrick and Lily broke through to the Initiate rank. Rodrick, now 11, displayed an affinity for earth magic, while Lily, at 10, excelled in water magic. Though their progress wasn't as rapid as Aiden's, it was impressive nonetheless.
With Ayleen's help, they studied diligently and eventually traveled to the capital to take the academy's entrance exam. Their acceptance brought joy to their families and pride to the village, and Aiden felt a deep sense of fulfillment knowing he had played a role in their journey.
Eight months ago, Aiden left the village to train under Fiona. She had learned about the beast tide incident and, as one of Dermon City's protectors, had taken steps to secure her territory.
Her mansion, a grand estate surrounded by lush gardens and filled with endless resources, now became Aiden's home.
Before arriving in Dermon City, Aiden had reached the Specialist rank, forming a golden-red mana core that radiated power and potential. Unlike most mages who broke through as soon as they reached their limits, Aiden had delayed his advancement.
"I won't break through with just the basics," he had told himself. Instead, he spent months mastering the foundational elements, ensuring his knowledge and control were flawless before ascending.
The result was a core unlike any other—a brilliant fusion of gold and red, symbolizing both power and balance.
Despite his accomplishments, Aiden kept his rank hidden. Following Eva's advice, he used one of his golden seeds to mask his true strength, allowing him to appear as an Advanced Novice mage on the verge of reaching Adept rank.
When Eva awakened this time, her message remained consistent: "Get stronger." However, she revealed Aiden's latest ability—the power to see anyone's mana affinity. This life-saving skill allowed him to discern opponents' elemental strengths and weaknesses, giving him a critical edge in combat and strategy, making every battle more calculated and precise.
For Fiona, Aiden was a talented young mage needing guidance. She had no idea of his true capabilities, and Aiden worked hard to maintain the illusion.
After breaking through to Specialist rank, Aiden discovered that his golden seed had multiplied. He now possessed ten seeds, though three were already in use—one to suppress his rank, and two to maintain his control over Seven and Eight.
Speaking of the two, Aiden had sent them back to their organization after the beast tide, instructing them to report that the threat responsible for Thirteen's death had been eliminated, albeit at the cost of Two's life.
Through his connection with them, Aiden learned that the organization was quietly expanding its influence, gaining control over Dermon City's underworld and neighboring regions. Though they remained cautious, their growing power was undeniable.
Aiden spent countless hours in Fiona's library, studying advanced elements. He had already mastered the basics and advanced forms of fire, water, earth, and wind, and also adept ranked mastery over light, darkness, plant, thunder, magma and ice but now his sights were set on the elusive elements of time and space.
The texts were dense and cryptic, filled with theories and formulas that left him frustrated. Without anyone to guide him, progress was slow. And with Ayleen's warning to keep his Specialist rank a secret, he couldn't consult Fiona or anyone else for help.
One evening, Aiden sat in the library, a thick tome on time magic open before him. As he stared at the incomprehensible diagrams, his mind drifted back to the past three years.
He thought of his training, the village, the beast tide, and his time in Dermon City. The memories were a mix of triumph and regret, joy and sorrow. Despite his progress, he couldn't shake the feeling that he still had so much to learn.
A soft knock at the door pulled Aiden from his thoughts.
"Come in," he called, closing the book with a sigh.
The door creaked open, revealing Greta, Fiona's maid. Over the past four years, Greta had blossomed from a shy, awkward girl into a stunning young woman. Her once-childish features had softened into delicate beauty, her brown hair tied neatly into a bun. Her figure, now more mature, moved with an understated grace.
"Young master Aiden," she said, her voice soft and hesitant. "Lady Fiona has asked me to call you for dinner."
Aiden nodded, rising from his chair. "Thank you, Greta. I'll be down in a moment."
Greta lingered for a moment, her cheeks pink as she glanced at him. Then, with a small smile, she turned and left the room.
As Aiden followed her down the hall, he couldn't help but notice the way her hips swayed as she walked, her movements unintentional yet captivating. Her bun bobbed slightly with each step, and the faint scent of lavender trailed behind her.
The dining hall was grand and inviting, with a long table set for an elegant meal. Fiona sat at the head, her crimson hair glowing like fire in the warm light.
"Aiden," she said warmly as he entered, gesturing for him to sit.
"Good evening, Aunt Fiona," Aiden replied, taking his seat.
As the servants brought out dishes, the aroma of roasted meats and spiced vegetables filled the air. Fiona watched him with a smile, her emerald eyes glinting with amusement.
"I have some news," she said after a moment.
Aiden tilted his head curiously.
"The twins will be returning home in a couple of days," Fiona said, her smile widening. "They're on vacation from the academy, and I thought it would be nice for you to meet them."
Aiden's eyes lit up with excitement. Though he had spent months training in Dermon City, he had few opportunities to interact with people his age.
"I'd like that," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
Fiona chuckled. "Good. I think they'll enjoy meeting you as well. They've heard quite a bit about you from me."
As Aiden returned to his room that evening, he felt a spark of anticipation. The thought of meeting the twins—peers from the capital—filled him with curiosity and excitement. For the first time in months, he felt a connection to something beyond training and responsibility.
With a deep breath, he whispered to himself, "I'll be ready."