I awoke the next day with Von sleeping like a log beside me. Under his eyes were bags as deep as the valleys of the weeping souls.

I stood up on the bed and then started feeling out my body. I feel great for some odd reason, and the pain I felt back then was no longer present.

The cracks the showed was no more and blood was nowhere to be found. I flexed my muscle and there was no pain, rather, I felt refreshed and powerful than I ever had.

My body felt lighter, and it felt like it could move around more comfortably than before. I jumped on the bed and enjoyed this magnificent feeling. I could twist my body like never before.

Though it was a shame, I still cannot twist anything to 360 degrees that would have been amazing. However, I could now easily do a ninety-degree turn.

"Xir, don't move too much. My head hurts" I heard Von's voice that resembled a groan.

“Is it hungover? Did you drink again?” I asked for I have seen this sight before.

Von plopped around and turned his head to the side, he and I exchanged gazes, "No, I wasn’t drinking, you know I already gave that up. I was balancing the mana in your body and I’ll you that, it was not easy. Go to sleep. It's still midnight…I think."

I paid his words no heed and answered, "I shall leave you be; I will be going out. I have to check if I already unlocked a channel."

"Alright, but don't be too loud. Hey, I sounded like a father right there…hehe." He fell asleep snoring like a bear. He was clearly tired but he was laughing so that’s a good sign.

I left and let Von sleep. I went to find the book and read through the entire thing.

I followed what it said and meditated to make an [Internal Observation]. I began repeating the breathing method, and the light particles once again appeared. Now that I think about it, how come I can see these lights with my eyes closed?

It must have something to do with that sensing bit. But I'm not entirely sure. It was not explained in the book. That book is not really that good, huh, so much pages yet so little information.

Moving on, I managed to make an internal observation and saw that there were indeed twelve azure channels connected to a silvery ball in my chest area.

I observed how these azure Mage Channels weaved all over my body and how they were connected in my Mana Pores.

There were fundamentally twelve Mage Channels connected to the silvery ball, but they branched out creating something similar to a nervous system.

I found this particular system truly interesting. Also, this system was known as a Mana System. It was like the nervous system but created by Mage Channels. It was fascinating.

I could see the silvery ball in my chest was filled with mana. Following the book, I mentally began the flow of the Mana System. The mana passed through the pores and into the Mage Channels located in the different parts of the body.

According to the book, the flow of the mana was slow, which was normal for Mages.

Martials have faster Mana flow that us because of their lightning-fast mana shifts to ensure maximized body utilization.

Although not impossible, the distribution of mana throughout the body was too hard and slow.

However, something’s weird. Mages were supposed to be able to be drawn out of the body to manifest a phenomenon therefore creating spells, but I can do nothing other than accept money inside.

‘But I need not worry, the book said I need a conductor to draw the mana out of my body to cast a spell, so this must be normal… right? That book’s not exactly trustworthy.’ But I decided to trust its worth.

Von gave it to me, after all.

Putting the issue about the number of Mage Channels aside, the other thing I found odd was the presence of a Mana Core in my body… especially its color.

From the book, it was mention that there were different grades on the path of Mages and Martials. The grades were measured by color and the size of the Mana Core.

"The colors were Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Red Classifications."

[Material Classifications] was one of the ways to measure one’s mana purity. However, according to the World Cube, the Mages and Martials are measured by Tiers as soon as training begins.

I am not a trained Mage for I do not even have the ability to cast a spell, so I did not use it. I wish to follow the Societal Rules that’s common sense.

Silver in color… did I jump a class? But the book said that I couldn't do that…Xir, enough, enough, you know that book already lied so just accept the situation… okay, I’m going to move on now.

‘But now that I think about it, all those years ago, that old woman did something to my chest before sending me here, did she have something to do with this?’

I was at a loss, so I ignored these crazy thoughts and focused more on training my mana.

Von decided to wake up at noon and gave me a Blood Milk. I joined him to for lunch.

The two of us sat across each other.

I would have enjoyed my meal more, but, Von seem, strange, “Are you okay?” I asked.

“I’m feeling fine, don’t worry about it. Why?”

“You look lethargic at best.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Yes, so, what did you do? Is it because of my awakening?”

“Why are you asking? Are you worried about me?”

Von always had this air on him that always grinds my gears despite me not knowing enough. When I am around him, I feel dependent, it’s the complete opposite of what I want.

I like silence as it clears the mind, Von is always smiling, laughing, and chaotic, but, he’s also the only one who said he’s my father.

When he asked me why he was worried about him, I felt… sad for some reason.

“…Yes, I am… was I not clear? Was my tone not clear enough to know that I do not like seeing you in this state? Of course, I am worried, after all, you’re my Father.”

Is it because he doesn’t know that I am indeed worried? When he asked if I was worried about him, I felt… bad.

But who can blame him? I haven’t really been acting like a proper child to him.

Von laughed before looking away from me, he rubbed his eyes and then turned around. He looked at me with an even bigger grin.

Ruffling my head, Von spoke to me with a quiet laugh, “Thanks, son, but I’m fine, it’s nothing, really. Also, this is not because of the awakening, it’s more likely my age catching up to me, hahaha.”

We finished eating and then when Von was about to go do his own thing.

However, before he could go I called out to him, asking him something…

“Von… I mean… Father, I have nothing to do today, so, do you want to take a walk?”

“Ohhh, s-sure, you always say you didn’t like it because —” he made paused.

“Is something the matter?”

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry Xir but I can’t go out for a walk, I have something to do.”

“No, it is fine, let’s just go this afternoon or tomorrow.”

“Yes, sure… later.” A wry smile appeared on his face before leaving. Von’s steps were fast paced and went back to the bedroom.

I was left alone, disappointed for some odd reason. But I was also confused about myself for I know that acting in such a manner was not something I would usually do.

My earlier thoughts hanged in my head, this and that appeared, a lot was on my mind, but, at the end of it all, the only thing that I saw was me being selfish.

I — I wish to change that.

‘This is weird…’ I could feel my heart beating faster… is this anticipation?

I still did not properly understand.

I simply sat there, alone with my thoughts.

Noon arrived and Von and I shared a meal once more.

But similar to earlier he looked fatigued, no, that’s not correct for he now looked worse than before.

“Are you sure you are all right? You look like dried meat.”

“Don’t worry Xir I am fine.”

It was already noon and he rested plenty, yet he looked much worst that before. I became worried.

“Are you really—” I wish to speak, but, Von decided to take the initiative.

“How do you feel after awakening your Mana?” he asked me with a calm voice.

“I’m fine, though it is weird that I already have a Silver Mana Core despite just awakening. I also have twelve Mage Channels which is three more than it’s supposed to be.”

I said before finishing my food.

"A two-year-old Mage, what are the odds of that. Lethias really did birthed something else. I really want to see how long you’re going to go.”

“We’ll see when I grow up, once I learn how to properly manipulate my Mana, I’ll be able to do so much more… though I first need to learn a single spell.”

I’m still young and my future is unsettled, I first need to see how good I am in creating spells, “I have much to learn, but we’ll see in time.”

“That’s right… in time… too bad I won't be able to see you grow up properly."

"What do you mean?" I asked, and noticed Von looking at me weirdly.

Von stopped talking and finished the hard bread he was eating. He then looked at me and then brought out the Role Affinity Tester and crushed it, "We don't need that anymore. You're a mage, that's it. We don't need to test what kind of role you will have."

He sighed and took out a different crystal from his pants' pockets before handing the crystal to me. The crystal was as big as my hand, and as I held it, I saw it give out a lustrous shine.

Von took my hands and then pricked me with his nails. I bled, but the pain was not present. A drop of my blood fell on crystal, and it released a bright and lustrous light.

From inside the crystal, I saw four colors appear. Yellow, blue, green, and red colors appeared.

Von sighed as he said, "I saw this coming, but you're equally attuned to the four basic elements. Lethias did tune you to become perfect — that’s good, and you’ll only discover more from here on…"

His celebration was brief as he quickly turned around as if he was looking at something. I followed his gaze but saw nothing but the dilapidated wall.

"Xir, can you do me a promise me something?"

"What are you saying? You're acting weird, Von. I knew it, you were drinking after all… do not worry, I shall not judge, just admit it." Von, was acting weird, his words did not match his usual self.

Since this morning, he had been acting in this way… why? My heart began beating faster than it ever did.

Unsettled.

"Just promise me something, will you?"

I did not know why, but… I nodded my head.

"Promise me you will never use that other language around other people, okay?"

"Okay, I promise."

"Promise me that you will train hard and become strong, okay?"

"Okay, I promise."

At this moment, I saw tears flow out of Von's eyes. I instinctively reached out as I wiped it away, "Why are you crying? What is the thing that is making you feel sadness?"

Anxiety

Von shook his head as he held my hands, his eyes reflected a deep emotion I could not understand.

"Xir…. Whatever you do…please, whatever you are about to witness as you sleep. Once you wake up, please…follow those commands."

I was confused, and I asked him, "What do you mean? Why are you acting like this? You know I cannot understand these things. Explain to me what is happening." my words were heavier as I asked. But still, I could not understand what was happening inside of me.

Reluctance

"Please Xir… just promise me."

I was reluctant to nod my head, but my head felt heavier and heavier, and I finally agreed as I spoke, "Okay, I promise."

Von looked at me with his mouth slightly curved into a smile. His smile reflected no happiness to it or anything like that. It was another set of emotions.

I saw Von open his mouth, and I heard his last words, "Finally, can you please do me a favor? Though you don't understand why and you always hated it, can you please, just one time, call me father? You always find a way to not use it, right?"

"W—why?" I fumbled my words, and that was weird. My eyes sting.

"Please, only today."

I tried to speak, but my voice could not come out as smoothly as I wanted it to, I tried my best to utter soft and pained words, "...Father."

Von smiled, and he waved his hand, a black light appeared as he uttered, "Qumber… goodnight, Xir… Luciette."

My eyes felt heavy, and everything blackened. I fell asleep, and the last thing I saw was Von touching my forehead with some black light on his fingers.

As I slept, I experienced what you call a dream. In that dream, I was standing in the middle of a room that was all white. There, Von was with me. He was nagging me and ordering me that he and I no longer know each other the moment I open my eyes.

I argued with him, of course, but he only showed a pained smile. I could not argue with him inside this dream.

He said some more things to me, and I listened to them half-heartedly, I didn't know why the Von in my dreams was saying this, but he and I would be having a talk about this. Is he kidding me? This was utter nonsense!

Confusion

As I began to hear loud noises from somewhere, the more I lost what the dream Von was saying.

But as his final words finally left his mouth, I heard it, "Good luck out there, Xir, my child. I will see you again next time."

I woke up, and with great difficulty, I got up. I could feel my face is filled with pain, and my body was oddly the same. But as I raised my head and saw figures frantically coming to my side, my eyes expression froze as I began to feel choked up.

“I found someone taken captive—"

Beside me was a woman speaking the Alvish language, I know I could understand her, but my attention was at the bleeding and lifeless body of a humungous being I had never seen before in my life.

Tears escaped my eyes as I saw the being's widened eyes; its eyes were about as big as my whole body. I know I should be afraid of this being, I should feel fear, but the tears wouldn't stop as I saw those eyes.

I never understood what emotions were, but I think I finally understood a part of its concept as I stared at those eyes.

Emotions are used to express oneself. It encapsulates what you feel inside. And right now, I can feel my emotions overflowing.

I screamed inside my head for my voice could not escape my mouth, in my head, I screamed the word — Father.

SADNESS