Three months had passed.
The training grounds had become a second home to Levi.
The wooden sword that had once felt unbearably heavy now moved as naturally as an extension of his own arm.
His once slender frame had grown noticeably stronger.
Not imposing.
But no longer frail.
Levi lowered his practice sword.
Sweat dripped from his forehead as he struggled to catch his breath.
"A-are..."
He inhaled deeply.
"...Are we finally done..."
"...Captain?"
The Knight Captain folded his arms.
"Hm."
"For the physical training..."
"I'd say you've completed the foundation."
Levi's shoulders instantly relaxed.
'Finally...'
'I survived.'
The Captain watched him quietly.
'I expected this to take at least half a year.'
'Three months...'
'This kid really is something.'
He rubbed his chin.
'Hm...'
'Maybe...'
"This might be a good time."
Levi looked up.
"For what?"
The Captain pointed toward a nearby tree.
"Sit."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"...You're calling me 'kid' now?"
The Captain shrugged.
"I'm older."
"By four years."
"That still counts."
Levi sighed before sitting beneath the tree.
"...Fine."
The Captain sat opposite him.
"Close your eyes."
Levi did as instructed.
"Now..."
"Take a slow breath."
"And don't think about anything."
"Just tell me..."
"If you sense something."
Several moments passed.
The breeze gently brushed against the leaves overhead.
Everything became quiet.
Then...
Levi frowned.
"...Captain."
"Hm?"
"...What are these floating lights?"
The Captain smiled.
"So you can see them."
"Those are Mana."
"The source of magic."
"The very energy that allows Mages and Inra users to wield supernatural power."
Levi remained still.
"...So..."
"This is Mana."
"...It's beautiful."
Tiny lights drifted endlessly around him.
Like countless stars floating through the air.
The Captain nodded.
"Most people never reach this point."
"Some are born incapable of sensing Mana."
"Others spend years meditating..."
"Only to catch the faintest glimpse."
"You managed it in one sitting."
"I'd say you're rather fortunate."
Levi quietly observed the lights surrounding him.
The Captain continued.
"Now."
"Mana has attributes."
"The colour tells you its elemental affinity."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Red."
"Fire."
"Green."
"Wind."
"Blue."
"Water and Ice."
"Brown."
"Earth."
"White."
"Light."
"And..."
He paused.
"Black."
"Darkness."
Levi remained silent.
The Captain noticed.
"...Well?"
"What colour do you see?"
Levi hesitated.
"...Captain."
"Hm?"
"...Would it be strange..."
"...If I saw more than one?"
The Captain's expression stiffened.
"...More than one?"
Levi slowly nodded.
His eyes remained closed.
"...I see..."
"...Red."
"And..."
"...Black."
Silence.
The breeze itself seemed to stop.
The Captain stared at Levi.
'Two...?'
'Fire...'
'And Darkness...?'
His thoughts immediately drifted toward the crimson Stigmata.
'Is this because of Pyrathera...?'
'Or...'
'Was he always capable of this?'
He slowly exhaled.
"It isn't impossible."
"It's simply..."
"...Very rare."
Levi finally opened his eyes.
He was breathing heavily.
"...That..."
"...Was exhausting."
The Captain stood.
"I've seen enough."
Levi looked up.
"...What now?"
The Captain rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll report this to His Majesty."
"This isn't something we can ignore."
Levi slowly nodded.
"...Alright."
He rose to his feet.
"I'll head back, then."
As Levi walked away...
The Knight Captain remained where he stood.
His eyes fixed on the young prince's back.
'Fire.'
'Darkness.'
'A Stigmata.'
He let out a quiet sigh.
'Just what kind of monster are you destined to become... Lord Levi Ashbourne?'