The next day, Sei secretly left his family's mansion. With small yet purposeful steps, he headed toward a magic stone shop located at the corner of the city.
As soon as he arrived, he entered the shop and began examining the interior. His gaze moved across the shelves and display cases until it finally stopped on several magic stones neatly arranged atop a glass counter.
"What are you looking for, kid?" the shop owner asked, staring at him with surprise.
"I'm looking for a magic stone that can measure a person's mana capacity," Sei replied calmly.
The shop owner raised an eyebrow.
"There are a few stones like that," he said. "But… do you have money?"
Sei reached into his pocket and took out the money he had been saving—around two hundred yendan—and placed it on the counter.
The shop owner glanced at the coins for a moment, then took them. From behind the display case, he handed over a small magic stone.
Sei accepted the stone, examined it briefly, then gave a short nod before turning around and leaving the shop.
After the boy left, the shop owner turned to his employee.
"Yuuji, how old were you when your parents first sent you out to shop on your own?" he asked.
"Around six or seven years old, Manager," Yuuji answered.
"I see…" the shop owner murmured quietly.
He's only four, yet he came here alone to buy a magic stone, he thought to himself.
Upon returning to the mansion, Sei headed straight to the family library. He gathered various electronic components stored there and began dismantling them one by one.
With great precision, he integrated each part into the magic stone he had just purchased. After some time, a compact and portable Mana Indexer was completed.
Once finished, Sei went to his mother's room. She was relaxing on the sofa, reading a daily magazine.
Moving quietly, Sei approached her. He took out the portable Mana Indexer and activated it. The magic stone inside the device emitted a gentle glow, while the small display showed a mana capacity value that was extraordinarily high.
Before he could fully process the result, a voice startled him.
"Why are you standing there, my cute little Sei?"
Sei flinched. Feeling guilty, he quickly approached his mother.
"I-I… I was doing some research, Mom," he said nervously.
"What kind of research, dear?" she asked softly.
Quickly, Sei placed the Mana Indexer on a small table near the door, hiding it from her view.
"I was just… observing someone's activities, Mom."
His mother smiled slightly.
"Is that something you read about in those books you're always reading?"
Sei fell silent for a moment, realizing that his lie might not be entirely convincing.
"Y-Yeah… something like that," he replied with a small, awkward laugh.
His mother gently pulled him into an embrace. A soothing warmth enveloped Sei's small body as she whispered,
"You are the most precious thing in the world to me, Sei."
In her arms, Sei hesitated for a moment before quietly asking,
"More precious than anything else, Mom?"
She softly stroked his hair.
"Yes. More precious than anything, my dear."
At that moment, Sei felt something he had never understood before—a warm sensation spreading within his chest.
What is this warmth? he wondered.
Is this what parental love feels like?
Not long after, his mother released him.
"Do you want to go back to reading?" she asked.
"Yes, Mom. I want to read more in the library," Sei replied.
"Alright. But don't forget to eat."
"I understand, Mom."
Sei walked away. However, without his mother noticing, he quietly retrieved the Mana Indexer from the small table near the door.
With quick steps, Sei searched the mansion for his father. Eventually, he found him inside a room used for work meetings.
Sei entered quietly, almost without making a sound. He immediately activated the Mana Indexer.
The number on the display surged—his father's mana capacity was also extraordinarily large.
Sei was shocked. Without wasting time, he turned off the device and quickly left the room, returning to the library.
Now he was certain.
With a bloodline like that… my mana capacity must be large as well.
Back in the library, Sei opened his book again. It explained that mana could influence atoms and molecules, controlling them to form elements according to the user's will.
However, before one could use mana, there was a crucial step.
Feeling mana itself.
The next day, Sei went to a small forest near his home. He sat cross-legged on the damp ground, straightened his back, and closed his eyes.
Sei followed the instructions written in the book. For the first time, a human must completely calm themselves—emptying the mind of all distractions—until reaching a point known as The First Aware.
The First Aware was a method used to enter Mana Zone Mode, a state in which one's consciousness fully focused on the mana flowing throughout the surrounding world. In this mode, there were no distractions, no doubts—only will and mana.
Slowly, Sei began to feel it.
He sensed mana flowing through his veins, traveling along his nerves, seeping into his muscles, and saturating his bones. His body became a living vessel for an invisible energy.
Realizing that mana had filled his body, Sei attempted to recite a simple spell written in the book.
"O my Lord, with all Your kindness and power, create something for me—a bubble of water."
The atoms around him slowly moved. Hydrogen and oxygen elements combined, forming H₂O. A bubble of water appeared, floating above Sei's palm. Its form was unstable, gently trembling without a container to hold it.
Sei stared at it with wide eyes. Awe washed over him. At that very moment, his desire to learn more magic grew stronger.
For an entire year, Sei continuously trained water magic without rest. Eventually, his skill reached a level that could be called Adept, Rank One.
In this world, mages were divided into many ranks.
The most basic rank was Initiate, the starting stage for those who had just learned the theory and foundations of magic.
Above that was Acolyte, a stage where a mage could use basic spells, such as creating small water bubbles or simple elements.
The third stage was Adept. At this level, a mage could offer real resistance against enemies.
Next was Mage, where one could master multiple elements or a single advanced element. Mages at this level could modify spells and even teach others.
Above Mage was High Mage, spellcasters capable of creating their own spells and wielding significant influence in warfare.
Then came Archmage, whose understanding approached the laws of nature itself, capable of even nullifying other magic.
Beyond that was Sage, a stage where a mage possessed deep knowledge of the entire magical system of the world and could use magic without incantations. To this day, no one had truly reached this stage.
Above Sage was Transcendent, a mythical stage where one could wield soul magic—magic that surpassed physical limitations.
And finally, Origin Caster. At this level, one could no longer be called a mage. They had become magic itself, capable of creating or erasing magical systems, nearly equal to cosmic beings.
Each stage was further divided into ranks, from Rank Four to Rank One. Only after reaching Rank One could a mage advance to the next stage.
At the age of five, Sei had reached Adept, Rank One, and was already capable of turning water magic into weapons.
Sei continued studying spells relentlessly. In just three months, he was able to cast magic using shortened incantations. Unbeknownst to him, his mana capacity increased every day, as if his body were naturally adapting to the power.
One afternoon, Sei trained again in the forest near his home. He hung several targets from tree branches. The forest air was cool, yet his heartbeat was slightly faster than usual.
Sei closed his eyes and took a slow breath, calming his mind as described in the book.
"Water Magic: Water Bullets."
As he raised his hand, he felt mana flow lightly—too lightly. Water bullets shot forth, striking every target with perfect precision.
Sei slowly opened his eyes.
Again… too easy.
He lowered his hand and stared at the shattered targets. There was no satisfaction—only a faint sense of emptiness.
This isn't enough.
His gaze shifted to a large tree in the distance. Without realizing it, his mana surged stronger. He raised his hand to the side, and a spear of water formed above his palm, trembling as if awaiting a command.
"How about this… Water Magic: Water Spear."
With a swing of his arm, the spear shot forward. The next moment, a loud cracking sound echoed. The massive tree was pierced and collapsed.
Sei smiled faintly, barely believing his own strength.
He had never imagined he could become this powerful after acquiring magic.
After finishing his training, Sei left the forest and headed home. Along the way, while passing through a wide grassy field, he saw a sight that made him stop.
Two children his age—one of them a girl—were being bullied by five older boys.
Without hesitation, Sei approached, ready to use his water magic.
As one of the bullies raised his fist, five Water Bullets suddenly struck his body and limbs. Pain immediately made the bully grimace, red marks clearly visible on his skin.
The leader of the bullies turned toward Sei with an irritated expression.
"How dare you!" he shouted. "Quick, surround him!"
The other four boys quickly surrounded Sei from all sides. Yet Sei remained calm and focused, showing no panic whatsoever.
"We attack together! Hyaaa!!"
The leader charged first, followed by the others.
Sei smiled.
He raised both hands.
"Water Ball: Hydro Burst!"
A large sphere of water formed above his hands. In an instant, it exploded outward, blasting the bullies away and sending them rolling across the grass.
The leader lay face-down, groaning in pain. With a mix of anger and shock, he muttered,
"H-How can a little kid like you use magic that powerful?"
Sei looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Powerful magic?" he asked. "You mean that? That wasn't powerful magic. It was just basic elemental magic I recently learned."
"What?!"
The bully leader's eyes widened. "Basic elemental magic should only make small water bubbles!"
Sei grinned widely, looking down at them with disdain.
"You're really stupid, aren't you?" he said with a small laugh. "But I guess that's normal. All you ever think about is bullying others."
The two children who had been bullied looked at Sei, then bowed their heads.
"Thank you so much for helping us," they said together.
Sei smiled back at them.
"Alright. Go now."
The two children quickly ran away.
Sei turned back toward the bullies still lying on the ground.
"I'm different from you," he said coldly. "So don't ever try to mess with me again. Remember that."
Without looking back, Sei left the field.
His confidence grew stronger, fueled by the realization that he had defeated five bullies using nothing but basic magic.
The next day, Sei walked toward the Adventurers' Guild in his district. The building buzzed with voices and the clanging of metal. Without hesitation, he stepped inside and headed straight for the reception desk.
A female receptionist looked at him in surprise. A small child entering the guild alone was not a common sight. She smiled kindly and asked,
"What are you looking for, sweet child?"
"I want to take a mission," Sei replied without hesitation.
The receptionist blinked.
"A mission? But you're not old enough to take quests at this guild."
"What's the age requirement?" Sei asked calmly.
"Fifteen. Only at that age can you register and accept quests," she answered.
Suddenly, a rough laugh echoed from behind.
"Ha! A brat like you should just go home and drink your mother's milk!"
A large, muscular male adventurer mocked him loudly.
Sei's expression hardened. His gaze turned cold, piercing toward the man.
He hated being looked down upon—especially in front of others.
While the man was still talking to the receptionist, Sei slightly raised his finger. Without warning, a Water Bullet shot out and struck the back of the adventurer's head.
The man froze, then slowly turned to face Sei, his face red with restrained anger.
"Kid… was that you?" he asked in a low voice.
Sei smiled faintly.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"You little bastard!!!"
The adventurer charged at Sei, pulling a large axe from his back and swinging it down with killing intent.
But Sei moved faster.
"Water Magic: Water Bubbles."
A massive water bubble formed in front of Sei. The axe struck the water surface with a heavy sound, but the attack was stopped, unable to break through.
"What?!"
The adventurer was shocked. "A kid can use magic?! I don't care—I'll smash you anyway!"
He struck the water bubble repeatedly with his axe until it finally burst, water splashing everywhere.
But at that very moment—
"Water Magic: Water Cannon!"
From Sei's palm, a high-pressure jet of water blasted forward. The attack slammed into the large adventurer and hurled him into the wall near the reception desk.
BANG!
The wall cracked from the impact. Water flooded the area, soaking the floor and air of the guild hall.
Sei stood calmly amid the chaos. He looked at the adventurer lying helplessly on the ground, then smiled in satisfaction.
An adult adventurer… wasn't all that impressive after all.
Deep within his heart, pride slowly began to swell—not merely confidence, but arrogance taking root.