Darkness swallowed everything.
Step by step, Karin followed his father, Theo, deeper into the cold, silent basement. The air grew heavier with each step, thick with something unseen… something dangerous.
Theo's voice finally broke the silence.
"It's time," he said, calm but firm. "Time to teach you the ultimate technique… the one that has been passed down through our family for generations."
Karin said nothing, but his eyes sharpened.
Theo glanced at him briefly.
"I believe you have the potential… to become the next leader of this family."
Those words lingered in the air.
They reached the basement.
The moment Karin stepped inside, his breath slowed.
Weapons.
Blades of every kind lined the walls—swords, daggers, throwing knives—each one polished to perfection. Alongside them stood strange medical instruments, sharp and precise, tools that could heal… or kill.
This was no ordinary place.
This was where life and death coexisted.
"Remove your clothes," Theo said coldly.
Karin obeyed without hesitation.
Theo's eyes turned clinical, precise—no longer just a father, but a professional doctor… and a deadly assassin.
"Stand straight. Turn. Again."
Karin followed every command.
Theo examined his body in silence, observing every muscle, every movement, every subtle detail.
Then—
A flicker of shock crossed his face.
"This growth…" Theo muttered. "Unbelievable."
Karin's body had developed at an abnormal speed—refined, efficient, almost unnatural.
A slow smile formed on Theo's face.
"Good," he said quietly. "Very good."
"Now… we begin your training."
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
Steel clashed in the silent basement as Karin trained relentlessly.
Theo taught him the fundamentals of the sword and knife—stance, balance, precision, control.
Karin absorbed everything.
Every movement.
Every technique.
Every mistake.
In just two weeks…
He mastered the basics.
In one year…
He surpassed them.
The sound of blades cutting through the air became sharper. Faster. Deadlier.
Theo watched in silence as Karin moved—not like a child… but like a weapon being forged.
Finally, Theo spoke.
"It's time."
They moved to the second-floor balcony.
The night sky stretched endlessly above them.
Theo stood still, looking into the distance.
"In our family," he began slowly, "we possess something… special."
Karin listened carefully.
"Our eyes."
Theo's gaze sharpened.
"With these eyes, we can see far beyond normal limits. We can detect magic users… even from great distances."
Karin's curiosity ignited.
"Magic users carry aura," Theo continued. "A presence that surrounds them. The stronger the aura… the stronger the individual."
Karin clenched his fists slightly.
"So I'll be able to see it too…?"
Theo turned to him.
"Yes."
They returned to the basement.
But this time… it felt different.
Heavier.
More serious.
"This," Theo said, pointing toward a table filled with surgical instruments, "is your operation."
Karin's eyes didn't waver.
"The ultimate eyes… will be yours."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then Karin spoke without hesitation—
"Yes, Father."
Pain followed.
Darkness consumed his vision.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Karin could not see.
Not even a trace of light.
But he didn't panic.
He adapted.
Every day, his mother, Kathy, gently fed him, taking care of him with quiet warmth.
"You'll be fine," she would whisper.
Karin nodded.
Even without sight… he knew exactly where he was.
Every corner of the house.
Every step.
Every movement.
He moved with certainty.
A strange… instinct guiding him.
Finally—
The day came.
"Karin," Theo called.
"Come to the balcony."
Karin walked forward without hesitation.
Theo stood behind him and slowly began unwrapping the bandages.
"One more thing," Theo said quietly.
"Your healing speed… is extraordinary."
The final layer fell.
"Open your eyes."
Karin did.
The world… changed.
His vision expanded beyond imagination.
He could see across the entire kingdom.
Distant buildings.
Moving figures.
Even the smallest details carried by the wind.
Birds flying high in the sky…
Every feather visible.
Then—
He saw it.
A glow.
Surrounding his father.
An aura.
Powerful.
Sharp.
Alive.
Karin's breath slowed.
"So this is… aura."
Theo smirked slightly.
"You've only begun," he said. "Master it… or it will consume you."
Time passed.
One year later—
Karin stood taller, calmer, sharper.
At just seven years old…
He had mastered the ultimate eyes.
Theo looked at him with quiet pride.
"This is as far as I can guide you," he said.
Then, his tone shifted slightly.
"But…"
A faint smile appeared.
"I have a gift for you."
Karin's eyes narrowed slightly.
A spark of curiosity ignited within him.
A gift…?
'What will be the surprise'