The seasons slowly began to change.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks became months.
Hidden deep within the valley, life settled into a peaceful rhythm.
Crystal cultivated every dawn.
Gathered herbs every afternoon.
Studied ancient texts every evening.
And whenever she found the time...
She taught.
Though her student had yet to utter a single understandable word.
---
The child was now old enough to stand with support.
Tiny, uncertain footsteps carried him across the cave floor as he curiously explored every corner.
He touched everything.
The smooth stone walls.
The medicinal herbs drying from the ceiling.
The flowing river outside.
Even the magical beasts that occasionally wandered close enough.
Unlike ordinary children, he possessed an unusual calmness.
He rarely threw tantrums.
Instead...
He observed.
Everything.
Crystal had even caught him staring at the stars for hours on several nights.
"...You're far too quiet."
She muttered one evening.
The child simply looked back at her before smiling.
"..."
Crystal sighed.
"I suppose that's your answer."
---
Not long afterward...
The black tiger returned.
Unlike the previous encounter, it walked into the valley openly.
Several smaller magical beasts followed behind it.
A pair of Moon Deer.
Several Sky Finches.
A family of Silver Rabbits.
Even a mischievous little Stone Monkey peeked curiously from behind a tree.
Crystal folded her arms.
"I wasn't expecting visitors."
The tiger's golden eyes rested upon the child.
"We came of our own will."
"The younger ones wished to see him."
As though understanding the permission had been granted, the beasts cautiously approached.
The little Sky Finch landed upon the child's head.
The Silver Rabbits hopped around his feet.
The Stone Monkey offered him a bright red fruit before scratching its head awkwardly.
The child laughed joyfully.
Crystal watched the scene silently.
"Your forest truly does like him."
The Beast Lord slowly nodded.
"It is not only the forest."
"It is the Magna itself."
Crystal's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
The tiger remained silent for a long moment.
"I cannot explain it."
"I merely feel..."
"...comfortable."
"Being near him calms the flow of Magna within my body."
Crystal's heart skipped.
A Beast Lord's instincts were never without reason.
She looked toward the child once more.
The surrounding Magna truly seemed...
Peaceful.
Not denser.
Not stronger.
Simply...
At peace.
---
That night...
Crystal sat outside beneath the three moons.
The child slept peacefully beside her.
Her emerald eyes reflected countless stars.
"I've delayed this long enough."
She looked toward the sleeping child.
"You deserve a name."
For months she had avoided it.
Not because she lacked ideas.
But because names carried meaning.
Especially within Gaia.
Some believed a name reflected destiny.
Others believed it merely revealed hope.
Crystal cared little for superstition.
Yet...
She wished this child's name to carry both strength and freedom.
She thought of the countless names recorded throughout history.
Heroes.
Saints.
Kings.
None seemed suitable.
Then...
A gentle breeze swept across the valley.
The leaves danced softly around them.
Crystal smiled.
"I have it."
She gently brushed a lock of silver hair away from the child's forehead.
"From today onward..."
"Your name shall be..."
"Kieran."
The sleeping child stirred slightly.
Almost as though he had heard her.
"Kieran."
"It means..."
"'Little dark one.'"
She smiled faintly.
"A reminder that even within the deepest darkness..."
"A single light can still guide the way."
The child yawned before grabbing one of her fingers.
Crystal couldn't help but chuckle.
"So..."
"Kieran it is."
---
Far away...
Within the Gardenia Royal Palace...
A sharp metallic clang echoed throughout the royal training grounds.
Seven-year-old Alya swung her wooden sword with all her strength.
"Again!"
The royal knight blocked her strike effortlessly.
"Too much force."
"You've left your right side open."
Alya huffed before attacking once more.
Across the courtyard...
Ethan sat beneath a tree with several books spread around him.
One discussed Magna theory.
Another detailed the history of Melika.
A third explained the basic principles of elemental affinities.
His tutor approached quietly.
"Your Highness."
"You've already finished today's lessons?"
Ethan calmly turned another page.
"I finished an hour ago."
"...Then why continue studying?"
Without lifting his eyes from the book, Ethan answered,
"Because questions create more questions."
The elderly tutor froze.
Then smiled.
"...Your curiosity may one day surpass even your talent."
Nearby...
Emperor Adrian watched both children from a balcony.
One pursued strength.
The other pursued understanding.
Different paths.
Yet...
He had the strange feeling they would someday arrive at the same destination.
---
Several months later...
Crystal stood before Kieran with a small wooden stick in her hand.
The boy, now able to walk steadily, looked up at her expectantly.
"This..."
She said, placing the stick into his tiny hands,
"...is not a weapon."
"It is responsibility."
"You must never raise it because you enjoy hurting others."
"You raise it..."
"...to protect."
Kieran tilted his head.
Then, surprisingly...
He nodded.
Crystal blinked.
"...Did you understand?"
The boy smiled brightly.
"...Mama."
Silence.
Crystal froze completely.
The little wooden stick slipped from her hand.
"...What?"
Kieran took one uncertain step toward her.
Then another.
He wrapped his tiny arms around her leg.
"Mama."
Crystal stared down at him.
Her usually calm emerald eyes widened.
For a very long moment...
She didn't move.
Then...
Almost instinctively...
She knelt and gently embraced him.
A warmth she hadn't felt in years quietly settled within her heart.
"...No."
She whispered softly.
"I'm not your mother."
"But..."
Her voice became gentler than it had ever been.
"If you truly wish..."
"I'll gladly become your family."
Above them...
The three moons shone quietly over the hidden valley.
Unseen in the branches overhead, the white-haired old narrator smiled as he took another sip from his clay jug.
"Hehehe..."
"A name..."
"A home..."
"And now..."
"A family."
He looked toward the endless night sky.
"The first thread of fate has finally been woven."
His laughter drifted away with the wind as the peaceful valley embraced another quiet night.
End of Chapter 7