Lia led Érikan to a small pavilion with a white slate roof, nestled on the edge of the estate.A scent of medicinal herbs floated in the air—sweet, yet sharp—and the light linen curtains framing the entrance danced gently in the sea breeze.
— Salmi, I'm bringing you the new recruit. He looks a bit roughed up… I'll leave him with you. I have to run—Nour's waiting for my report.
Her voice was light, almost sing-song, and without waiting for a reply, Lia vanished in a breath of wind.
Érikan was left alone, still panting, sand clinging to his arms, his feet blackened, his heart pounding too fast in his chest.
A silhouette emerged from the pavilion's dim light.
Salmi.She stepped out of the shadows with elegance, wearing a simple pale blue tunic that shimmered almost translucent in the sunlight. Her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a delicate face with hazel eyes filled with a disarming calm. Her gaze held both the warmth of a sanctuary and the stillness of a winter lake.
Érikan froze.His breath caught.That face.
For an instant, the world around him faded. The pavilion, the sea, the rustling curtains—all vanished.He saw her.The one from his past life.The woman who had ripped his heart out with a smile. Who had left him hollow.A wave of vertigo struck.
Salmi knew nothing of this, but to Érikan, the resemblance hit like a blade.His gaze, once vibrant, turned steely and distant. His jaw clenched. A wall went up.
Salmi stopped a few steps away, tilting her head slightly, one hand resting on her hip.— Tell me… Let me examine you, she said softly, approaching with a healer's calm.
Érikan took a step back, his eyes cold, shoulders tense.— No. I'm fine.His voice cracked like a whip—firm, sharp. A line had been drawn.
Without another word, he closed his eyes and activated his resonance.A blue shimmer coursed through him. Instantly, his burned feet healed, as if the sand had never touched them. The fractures in his bones, the torn muscles—all mended. His body, once battered, was restored. Colder. Stronger.
Salmi stood speechless, her hazel eyes wide.She had never seen a resonance like this.Cold in nature, yet fluid and adaptable as water. Precise. Silent. Rare.
But that wasn't what stunned her the most.It was Érikan's attitude.The rejection. The tension. The wall.
She took another step—not as a healer this time, but as a human.— I insist. I'd prefer to check myself, you—— I said it's fine!He cut her off—harshly.
Silence fell like frost.
Salmi's gaze shifted—not angry, but hurt, deeply puzzled. Why did this boy meet her kindness with hostility?
Érikan, inside, cursed himself.Damn it. Stop reacting like a teen throwing a fit over his ex. This isn't her. It's not her…
His heart raced. His hands trembled. He wasn't overwhelmed by pain—but by memory.The past had just punched through him.
He looked down slightly, ashamed of his outburst.— If needed… my mother will check me. Please… just take me home.
His voice had softened, returning to politeness, but it carried the weariness of someone far older than eight. He hadn't managed the situation. He had fled.
Salmi remained still, watching him.She didn't understand… but she felt something.
She nodded slowly.— Very well. If that's what you wish… follow me, she said simply. Her face was neutral, but her eyes swirled with silent confusion.
She turned, her steps fluid, and disappeared through the fluttering curtains.Érikan followed quietly.But in his mind, the storm still raged.
In a secluded courtyard, hidden behind a curtain of thick, lush vegetation, silence hung like a promise. The stone floor was damp, surrounded by climbing plants with thick, gleaming leaves. Fireflies still danced in the air—silent witnesses to an unspoken conversation.
Five figures stood in a circle.
Nour, tall and straight as a blade, stared at the sky with eyes that had just witnessed the impossible.— I can't believe it… He actually reached resonance, he murmured.His deep voice vanished between the leaves.— Even among Grand Masters, it's rare to reach that state—especially at eight. It's… almost frightening.
Yvnir, leaning casually against a stone pillar, laughed.— The kid's a monster. I can't wait to see how far he'll go…
A sharp chill ripped through the air.
— Say that again.
The voice came from Stella.Light. Almost calm. But every syllable was a blade.
She had turned toward Yvnir with a gaze of steel.No trace of motherly warmth remained in her eyes. Her face was impassive. Her stance, cold and commanding. She was unrecognizable.
— Who are you calling a monster? Tired of living, Yvnir?She took a step forward.— Say it again… and I'll make sure you never speak another word for the rest of your pitiful life.
Yvnir—one of the continent's boldest warriors—felt a chill down his spine. He swallowed slowly. Even the wind dared not move.
Gaël, calm as always, gently stepped in, placing a soothing hand on his wife's shoulder.— Come now, darling… He didn't mean it badly. It was a compliment, really. He meant "genius," not "inhuman."
She exhaled sharply, averting her gaze. But her fists remained clenched.
Nour folded his arms.— Anyway.His tone was curt.— If he keeps this up… we might begin martial training earlier than expected. Stella, your thoughts?
She took a deep breath, regaining her composure. Then, looking straight ahead, her face turned grave—almost pained.— My son is brilliant with mana. His natural mastery exceeds anything I expected. But… he still knows nothing of the world's truth.
A shadow flickered in her eyes—perhaps a painful memory.— It's time he learned. The world isn't a tale. It's broken. Humanity teeters on the edge. And monsters aren't always what they seem.
A heavy silence settled.
Lia, leaning against a thick vine, broke it with a smile.— Don't worry, big sister.She stepped forward.— Your son doesn't have the mind of a child. His mental strength… it's terrifying. Even on the battlefield, I've rarely seen a fire like his. It doesn't flicker. It doesn't fade. It burns. It's ancient.
Gaël nodded, arms crossed.— We have to shape him. Forge him. Not break him. He's still malleable. He's not invincible.
Nour looked to Yorr and Yvnir.— Suggestions?
Yorr, ever silent, nodded slowly.— We've prepared a second program. His body will either endure… or shatter.
Yvnir, regaining his composure, added:— If he keeps this pace, I'd wager he'll finish the entire path in three to four years.
— Perfect, murmured Stella.She closed her eyes briefly.— Then in six months, I'll begin martial arts training. For now, we strengthen his body. Without mana. He must reach perfect balance between body and energy.
Nour raised his hand.— Decision made.He looked around.— I'll unlock the resources. You have full freedom. Do what you must. Gaël and Stella—you'll handle his awakening and affinity. We'll take care of the rest.
All nodded.In a breath… the four vanished.
Only Stella and Gaël remained, alone in the courtyard, surrounded by rustling leaves.
Moments later, footsteps echoed lightly.Érikan had entered.Still unsure in his stride, eyes wandering.Something in the air felt heavier than after any training.
Stella stood tall. Motionless. Watching him.No smile. No embrace. No congratulations.She simply looked at him. Truly. Deeply.
His heart pounded harder.He wanted to speak. But no words came.
Gaël, ever discreet, slipped away, leaving them alone.
When they were finally just two, Stella stepped forward slowly.
— You fought well.