"So you want to become a Mage?"
"Why?"
"I heard the people in the palace talking. They said that before this, you were already an incredibly powerful Mage…"
"I want to become someone like you."
Rikuto Aoi fell silent for a moment before saying, "Mage is not an easy class."
He paused, then continued.
"But then again, there are no easy classes in this world. And setting everything else aside… being a Mage is actually very interesting."
"So I'll ask you one more time."
"Are you certain?"
"You want to become a Mage?"
The boy nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"I'm certain."
Ding—
The Class Advancement Ritual inscribed on the ground lit up.
Rikuto spoke in a low, resonant voice.
"Elements, stir!"
"Arcana, reflect the image cast from the Origin."
"A seeker stands before us, wishing to walk the path toward the Root."
"I shall enlighten him."
"I shall guide him."
The winds and clouds overhead began to change.
The howling of the wind grew more distinct.
Ice, fire, lightning, earth, wind, and every other elemental force began to stir restlessly.
"Can you feel the elements?" Rikuto asked.
"Yes."
"Then try to gather them."
Suenari opened his small hands.
Between his palms, a flame slowly took shape.
Whoosh—
The flickering firelight was reflected in Rikuto's eyes.
It was only the most basic elemental condensation.
Yet the sight caused his heart to tremble.
"Like this, Big Brother Rikuto?"
Rikuto suppressed the emotions rising within him.
He nodded and smiled.
"Excellent. Very good. That's exactly right."
"It seems you have a great affinity for magic as well."
Rikuto and Suenari were not alone.
Several high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Loren were present under King Lothar's orders, observing the awakening.
In the future, they would also be responsible for the boy's education and upbringing.
When they witnessed what had just happened, they instinctively covered their mouths.
"This child… is a genius?"
"Yes, he's a very promising talent."
"But in Loren, such prodigies are no longer uncommon."
"I remember that at the height of our kingdom's glory, every year there were at least a hundred children who could naturally condense elements from the moment they awakened as Mages."
"As for how far he will ultimately go, that depends on his talent."
As Rikuto watched Suenari awaken, countless memories seemed to replay before his eyes.
"You should have awakened a talent already."
"Are you willing to tell me what it is?"
As he spoke, Rikuto waved his hand, isolating the area from the outside world.
No one beyond the barrier could hear Suenari's voice.
The boy looked up at him with shining eyes.
"Of course."
Even if he had not asked, Rikuto could have discovered Suenari's awakened talent himself.
"My awakened talent is…"
"God-Tier Absolute Pure Focus."
God-Tier…
"Let me see."
Rikuto placed his hand on the boy's head.
At the moment of contact, Suenari's information flowed into Rikuto's mind.
"Yes. Very impressive."
He meant it.
He had actually found one.
His luck was almost absurd.
He had casually wandered through Boundless Mountain, brought back a child based purely on instinct, and that child had awakened a God-Tier Talent.
The odds were so small they were virtually negligible.
"What effect does this talent have?" Rikuto asked.
"At each Mage class rank, I can designate one unique spell."
"That spell will evolve at an extremely fast rate and gain many additional applications."
"In the end, those spells can evolve beyond the level of the Original Forbidden Magic."
Beyond the level of the Original Forbidden Magic?
That was truly an astonishing talent.
As the possessor of two Original Forbidden Magics, Rikuto understood better than anyone how extraordinary such a power was.
"Excellent. Truly excellent."
"A person's future accomplishments are not determined solely by talent."
"But talent is undeniably one of the most important factors."
"Since you awakened a God-Tier Talent, you are destined to become a powerful Mage."
The boy's death date was still far away.
His future was healthy and stable.
For a brief moment, the exhilaration of obtaining magical power swept away the darkness in his heart.
Filled with hope, he looked up at Rikuto.
"Big Brother Rikuto… I…"
"I know you've already helped me so much."
"But… I still want to ask you."
"Please teach me how to become a true powerhouse!"
"I know that's greedy, so if you don't want to, I absolutely won't trouble you!"
Rikuto gazed at Suenari, who had lowered his head and pleaded earnestly.
After a moment's thought, he replied:
"I also have important things I need to do."
"But I will return here from time to time."
"When I have time, I'll teach you magic."
"However, magic relies more on personal insight and independent thought."
"If all you do is learn from me, it will be very difficult to truly ascend to the highest hall of Mages."
Suenari nodded vigorously.
"I understand! I'll work hard on my own too!"
Rikuto chuckled softly.
"Good."
The boy looked up at the towering figure before him, still carrying a trace of nervousness.
"So… Big Brother Rikuto…"
"Does that mean you're my master now?"
The question caused Rikuto to freeze for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Yes."
"It does."
"Though I may not be a very competent master."
"There are still many things I must do."
"And there may be times when I can't devote much attention to you."
A faint radiance gathered around Rikuto's hand as he once more placed it on Suenari's head.
"Hmm… You also possess affinity with all elements."
"You truly have the aptitude of a Mage."
"In that case, this spell should suit you."
"Come."
"Repeat after me."
Suenari watched Rikuto's lips and recited after him.
"Rampaging power of thunder."
"I call upon the descent of lightning."
"Deliver punishment!"
Crackle—
Lightning elements gathered overhead, but failed to fully take shape.
Rikuto nodded.
"Mm…"
"Very close."
"But that's all right. You were only a tiny bit short."
"Now, carefully feel the gathering of the lightning elements."
"Concentrate on the way they flow."
"First make sure you have them under control, then condense them."
"At the same time, feel your own mana directing them."
Rikuto's voice remained calm and steady.
"Rampaging power of thunder…"
Following his guidance, Suenari began the incantation again.
Crackle—
The lightning elements condensed once more.
"I call upon the descent of lightning."
Snap!
In the clouds above, arcs of electricity began to flash.
"Deliver punishment!"
Boom!
A slender bolt of lightning, like a silver serpent, struck the earth and blasted the center of the advancement grounds black.
He succeeded.
After only two attempts, he had mastered the spell Lightning Strike.
So this was what it had felt like for Izparut when he taught him.
Izparut…
I've found a disciple with extraordinary talent in magic as well.
If you were here to see this gifted child, would you feel the same joy I do now?