17 Days Before the Journey.
The forest behind the manor in the middle of September carried a quiet and solemn beauty.
The sunlight was no longer as harsh as it had been in midsummer. Instead, it gently filtered through the dense canopy, leaving scattered shadows across the soft ground covered in moss and grass.
The air carried the slight chill of morning dew that had yet to fully fade, mingling with the earthy scent of tree sap and the fresh fragrance of wildflowers.
Amidst that untamed natural scenery, the sound of wooden swords cutting through the air echoed steadily.
-Woosh….Woosh…..
After finishing his basic sword-swinging practice, Cyan dropped down onto the root of a gigantic ancient tree to catch his breath.
From the distance, Lucian slowly approached.
Beneath Lucian's footsteps, the dried leaves crumbled with a rustling sound.
Unlike his usual calm and somewhat arrogant demeanor, there was something strangely hesitant in the way he carried himself today.
Lucian stopped in front of Cyan. His eyes wandered around, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke.
Lucian said that he wanted to learn swordsmanship from Cyan.
Cyan raised his head, his eyes passing over Lucian's serious yet slightly awkward expression.
Lucian felt that even though Cyan was a mage, his style of swordsmanship and unusual way of fighting fascinated him. He wanted to walk the same path as Cyan, a mage who also learned the sword.
Cyan smiled faintly.
He stood up, dusted the dirt off his clothes, then nodded.
Cyan: To be honest though, I only know some basic sword swings and a bit of movement. In the end, it's still just another way of using lightning magic.
Lucian: I see. Then could I still learn something from it, even if I don't know lightning magic?
"......"
After thinking for a while and considering his own ideas, Cyan smiled and spoke.
Cyan: You can't do exactly what I do, but there are things only you can do. I'll guide you. Maybe it'll help at least a little.
Even the atmosphere in the forest seemed to grow brighter at those sincere words.
Cyan picked up the wooden sword and guided Lucian into position.
Cyan: Since you want to try, I'll teach you three interesting skills that combine your earth magic with swordsmanship.
Lucian: I'll listen carefully.
Cyan: First, I'll call it [Earth Cannon]. By summoning a stone pillar from beneath the ground directly under your feet at incredible speed, it launches your body forward with terrifying momentum, just like [Black Stone Arrow].
Lucian: That's pretty interesting.
Cyan: Earth magic can use the physical force of the ground itself to propel your body and let you close the distance in an instant.
Lucian widened his eyes in surprise, memorizing every detail.
Cyan: Second is [Air Stone], a movement technique that improves on the first one. Small stone platforms about the size of your foot are created and float in midair. If you step on them, you can move freely through the air as though you're walking across flat ground.
Lucian: I know about that one too, but the platforms fall after only a few seconds. Keeping them in the air also costs mana.
Cyan: The key point is that you don't need to maintain them. Since you'll leave the platform immediately, you only need to create a surface large enough to step on, then destroy it. There's no need to waste mana creating an enormous pillar from the ground just to stand on.
Lucian's eyes lit up, his face looking as though he had just been enlightened.
Lucian: This is actually incredibly useful. With this, I could keep changing my position while using less mana than a huge stone pillar. It might even be great for maintaining position as a mage.
Cyan: Exactly. With earth magic, you don't necessarily have to stay on the ground all the time. It's one of the most versatile magic attributes.
Lucian: You really are the genius of a great family. Those ridiculous rumors were never right after all.
Cyan: You're exaggerating. Though this next part is the most important one for you.
Cyan stabbed the wooden sword into the ground and began explaining the most important theory.
He drew a few simple lines across the earth to make it easier for Lucian to imagine.
Cyan: The last thing, and also the most important thing when using a sword. If you create an extremely solid stone foothold directly beneath your supporting foot at the exact moment you swing, you can completely maximize the force traveling from the ground through your hips, shoulders, and arm. The power of your strike will become far greater than usual.
Lucian fell silent, his brows furrowing as he tried to digest the idea.
Lucian: I really don't understand why that works.
Cyan: I guess it's a little complicated for a nine-year-old.
Lucian pouted in annoyance.
Lucian: What are you saying? You're only six.
Cyan: Think of it like this. If the ground is mud, you'll sink into it, right? But if the ground is harder, you can jump higher.
Lucian: Then sword strikes work the same way?
As he spoke, Cyan demonstrated with his hands.
Cyan: Exactly. If the ground is soft, you can't fully optimize your slash. Just imagine trying to swing while your feet are sinking into mud.
Lucian: Huh... you really do come up with all sorts of strange ideas. I'm still not sure if it'll actually work.
Even though he stubbornly tried to hide it, deep in his eyes was unmistakable admiration.
"Cyan really must have worked incredibly hard to gain knowledge far beyond his age."
Lucian: Can I ask where I could borrow a sword? I want to try what you taught me right away.
Cyan: Head northeast for a few hundred meters and you'll find a small wooden house. There's a dwarf there. His name is Baron.
Lucian: A... a dwarf? I guess that's what you'd expect from a great family.
Cyan: Just tell him you're a friend of Young Master Cyan. He'll lend you something decent.
Lucian: Alright, I'm going right now.
Cyan: Be careful. It's close, but if you wander around randomly, you'll get lost.
Lucian: I know. Don't worry.
14 Days Before the Journey.
After another exhausting training session, the sunlight had already begun to fade. The three children—Cyan, Serafina, and Lucian—sat together atop the familiar large flat boulder.
Serafina had grown far more proficient with what she had learned, while Lucian had tried wielding a Mithril sword, though it was still too heavy for him.
The atmosphere after training remained strangely peaceful.
From the distance, Sitri arrived carrying a woven basket filled with sweet pastries and a pot of warm tea.
Today, it was another familiar flavor of tea. She called it Matcha.
The rustling wind passing through the tree roots mixed with the sound of them crunching on pastries, creating a gentle melody in the evening.
The three children shared the sweets one by one, occasionally breaking into laughter at the crumbs covering each other's faces. Every now and then, they talked about magic, and more....
Beneath the quiet natural scenery, the barriers of status seemed to fade away, leaving only the purest bond of friendship.
11 Days Before the Journey.
The clearing somehow felt more crowded with the arrival of the three Borgia brothers: Lowbro, Midbro, and Highbro.
They approached the training ground with slightly awkward expressions, yet their eyes showed determination to join Cyan's training.
Cyan quietly observed the strange participation of his three younger companions.
He also paid special attention to Serafina.
The girl was completely absorbed in practicing the control of her leaves, sweat covering her face, yet a bright and passionate smile remained on her lips.
Cyan suddenly remembered his first impression of Serafina—a girl with a cold, distant, icy beauty.
Now, warmth and enthusiasm had completely filled those violet eyes.
"Perhaps my existence has already changed many things in the original story."
At the same time, Cyan could not help but find it strange and amusing when looking at Lowbro, Midbro, and Highbro. They no longer looked at him with contempt or treated him arrogantly the way they once had.
Though some traces of youthful arrogance still remained in their actions, their blunt questions and unfriendly words, an unspoken respect had already begun to appear in the way they seriously trained beneath his guidance.
8 Days Before the Journey.
The closer the day of departure came, the livelier the forest became.
The training sessions were now mixed together with games and small competitions between the three young masters and Lucian.
Golden sunlight passed through the leaves, illuminating the flushed faces of the children.
Serafina's carefree laughter, Lucian's competitive shouting, and the voices of the three brothers echoed throughout the quiet forest.
They also experienced the hardships of swordsmanship that every mage had to face. Even if they might never become great swordsmen, Cyan believed they would at least learn something from this brief experience.
Leaning against the trunk of an ancient tree, Cyan quietly watched the scene.
He gently closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze.
In this moment, he realized that he had temporarily forgotten the invisible pressure of fate, the storm-filled future of the story he would one day have to face.
Amidst the vastness of nature, the children had truly become closer and more attached to one another.
5 Days Before the Journey.
Cyan had been avoiding this.
He had pushed it off until the very last moment.
It was asking Konan for permission, the man who held the greatest authority in the territory.
A solemn atmosphere filled Konan's office.
The light from the candles illuminated the enormous oak bookshelves, creating long, quiet shadows.
Cyan stood straight before his uncle, his eyes firm and unwavering.
He had just explained his wish to travel to Borgia territory in order to train.
Konan frowned, his fingers tapping intermittently against the wooden desk.
Konan: This is rather sudden and rushed. To be honest, I can't easily agree to this, Cyan. Right now, your potential may already rival Elysia's. You are one of the family's futures. Your safety must come first. Borgia territory is not a place for sightseeing, and the road there is filled with geographical dangers.
Cyan took a deep breath. His clear and sharp voice echoed through the silent room, while blue mana flowed visibly around him.
Cyan: Uncle, I can't protect this family if all I know is how to hide behind safe walls. True safety doesn't come from being protected. It comes from gaining strength with my own hands. If I don't face challenges and grow stronger myself, then the family's genius will become nothing more than an empty shell without any substance.
Those sharp, resolute, yet completely reasonable words, carrying the determination of a six-year-old child, left Konan stunned.
He stared deeply into Cyan's calm eyes, where the flames of determination burned brightly.
At last, a quiet sigh escaped him. Konan gave a small nod and accepted Cyan's request.
Konan: A six-year-old speaking to me like that is truly impressive. Very well... I will respect your decision.
And just like that, Cyan obtained Konan's approval without issue.
4 Days Before the Journey.
Inside Cyan's small room, the atmosphere was busy.
The rays of the setting sun passed through the window and illuminated the cluttered pile of belongings.
Sitri hurried back and forth, her hands skillfully placing each item into the dark leather trunk.
She carefully checked every bottle of medicine and every roll of bandages before neatly folding thick layers of warm clothing, because the harsh winter was slowly approaching.
Cyan sat on the edge of the bed, resting his chin on his hand as he laughed teasingly.
Cyan: Sitri, if you keep preparing this thoroughly for me, people are going to think I'm really useless. I'm only leaving for a short time.
Sitri paused for a moment. Her hands, which had been smoothing out the clothes, trembled slightly.
She turned to look at Cyan, her eyes filled with sadness and gentleness. The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.
Sitri: Young Master... do you remember that afternoon tea? When you cried... and when Lord Konan was attacked... I was truly worried.
The memory of his own moment of weakness resurfaced, but Cyan did not avoid it.
He smiled, a strangely mature and peaceful smile.
He stepped closer and gently placed his hand over Sitri's hand, which was still holding the clothes.
Cyan: Thank you, Sitri. But don't worry too much. When you aren't beside me to take care of me, I'll definitely be able to take care of myself. And... I promise, I won't let myself fall apart again.
Sitri looked at that determined smile. A faint smile of relief appeared on her lips, and she returned to preparing his luggage.
1 Day Before the Journey.
The final morning before departure carried an unusually peaceful atmosphere.
The training ground surrounded by the roots of ancient moss-covered trees welcomed the brightest sunlight of all.
The sound of birds singing among the branches mixed with the rustling of dry leaves beneath swift footsteps.
Serafina and Lucian were carrying out their final training session within the Velton family.
Naturally, with her two magical talents, Serafina had completely mastered everything she had been taught. Her flow of mana was controlled with incredible smoothness.
Now, if someone were to ask whether Serafina or Cyan was stronger without Cyan using his lightning seed, even Cyan himself was no longer confident in his answer.
"The difference between a true genius and myself really is enormous." — Cyan thought to himself.
After all this training, Lucian's sword swings had become far more decisive, blending naturally with the support magic Cyan had taught him.
Though he was probably only at the level of a beginner swordsman, that was still a remarkable achievement for someone who had spent nine years learning nothing but magic.
The three young masters seemed to struggle more. They were still basically swinging their swords the same way as before.
Unfortunately, they could not truly absorb the knowledge Cyan possessed. After all, only because of [Atomic Control] could he strengthen his body through lightning magic. They could never reproduce even half of what he could do.
Even so, the atmosphere remained peaceful as always, and Cyan continued practicing swordsmanship. He himself knew that he could not allow himself to become lazy and be left behind.
Later that same afternoon, a carriage bearing the crest of the Borgia family entered the courtyard of the secondary residence.
It signaled that the following morning, Cyan Von Velton would leave Velton territory after nearly seven years in order to travel to the land of the Borgia family.
From the window of his room, Cyan stood quietly and gazed out over the entirety of Velton territory one last time.
Meanwhile, Serafina and Lucian stayed behind for a while, talking quietly together.
The two of them shared that they were both excited and happy about the journey ahead.
The next morning, the moment Cyan officially left Velton territory and headed toward the Borgia family had finally arrived.
Lowbro, Midbro, and Highbro came to see him off.
Though all three of them clearly looked sad, the farewell words they spoke still carried traces of their usual pride.
Sitri stood beside the carriage, looking sorrowful and reluctant as she said goodbye to Cyan.
In the distance, Konan remained completely silent.
He simply stood there quietly, watching the carriage roll away without saying a single word.
Cyan Von Velton had officially left Velton territory.