Inside the couple’s room, a quiet debate unfolded.

  “Should we send him to school?” Albert asked, his brow furrowed.

  “Why not? He could learn so many things,” Penelope replied, a hint of optimism in her voice.

  “Like what?” Albert challenged.

  Penelope paused, considering. “Reading? No, he’s already mastered that. Writing too. History, maybe? But Erica had taught him, and she’s a far better historian than any teacher I had. Basic systems? He grasps those already. How about the Four Kingdoms of Pangaea Ultima?”

  “Child’s py,” Albert scoffed. “I could teach him that tomorrow, and he’d have it down in an hour.”

  Penelope sighed. “So what can we do?”

  “Our son is exceptional, Penelope,” Albert expined. “He’s far ahead of his peers. School would bore him, a waste of his potential. We need to focus on advanced learning, the kind that comes from experience.”

  “But he’s only six,” Penelope protested. “What kind of experience can he possibly handle?”

  “We wouldn’t send him out unprepared,” Albert reassured her. “You’ll train him in the art of stealth and defense, the skills of an assassin. I’ll hone his strength and combat prowess, molding him into a warrior. Together, we’ll make him strong enough to protect himself, and others.”

  A thoughtful expression crossed Penelope’s face. “That…that’s a good idea. Let’s discuss it with him tomorrow morning, gauge his reaction.”

  “He’ll agree,” Albert said, a confident smile pying on his lips.

  “Besides,” Penelope added, a knowing smile pying on her lips, “he made a promise to that young elf, a promise born of affection. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Of course,” Albert replied. “I allowed it because I sensed no ill intent from Erica. Had I, I would have intervened myself.”

  “Sensed?” Penelope questioned. “What do you mean?”

  “At the SS level,” Albert expined, “you perceive more than just someone’s presence. You perceive their very essence.”

  “Is that so?” Penelope murmured, intrigued.

  “Yes. That’s how I knew Erica was no threat.”

  “Even at the S level,” Penelope countered, “I felt her…not in the way you describe, but intuitively. Perhaps it’s a connection between women.”

  “Hmm. Interesting,” Albert mused. “Now, then… shall we?” He pulled her close, his eyes gleaming.

  “Shall we what?” Penelope teased, though her tone betrayed her anticipation.

  “Continue our… earlier conversation,” Albert whispered, leaning in for a kiss.

  Penelope pyfully pushed him away. “No, we can’t. We have to train Leon first.”

  “Ah, right,” Albert chuckled, a hint of regret in his voice. “How long will his assassin training take?”

  “I can teach him the basics of mana manipution to start,” Penelope replied. “The rest will follow naturally. What about his warrior training?”

  “I’ll take him from basic to advanced,” Albert said, “though it will be a longer process. Tell you what: you focus on the initial mana training, and once he’s proficient, I’ll take over with the warrior training.”

  “Perfect,” Penelope agreed, a warm smile gracing her lips.

  The aroma of breakfast filled the air as the family gathered around the table.

  “Leon,” Albert began, his tone serious yet gentle, “your mother and I have discussed your schooling. We’ve decided not to enroll you in elementary school. Instead, we’ll be training you ourselves. Your mother will begin with assassin training, followed by my instruction in the warrior’s path. Do you understand?”

  Leon considered this, his brow furrowed slightly. “Yes, Father. I agree. I believe this is the best path for me. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “Well said, son,” Albert replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “Your training will begin tomorrow with your mother. Do you have any questions?”

  “How long will the training take?” Leon asked.

  “That’s a good question,” Albert acknowledged. “Your training is divided into two phases: basic and advanced. The basics include proper breathing techniques, physical conditioning, and what we call ‘body reconstruction.’ This involves blood revitalization, bone strengthening, skin hardening, and brain awakening.”

  “Those sound…intense,” Leon commented. “Are those really considered basic?”

  “Indeed, son,” Albert confirmed. “These are the foundational elements. Once you’ve mastered them, you’ll be ready to learn specialized techniques. You’ve seen adventurers in battle, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “They utilize techniques often connected to the natural world. But one cannot achieve even the most basic, let alone ultimate, techniques without a solid foundation in these fundamentals.”

  Leon paused, contempting this. “I understand.”

  “Don’t be afraid, son,” Albert reassured him. “We’re here to guide you, to make you strong. Remember your promise to that young elf?” A warm smile touched Albert’s lips.

  Leon’s expression softened. “I do, Father. I’m ready.”

  “Would you like a preview of the advanced techniques you’ll be learning ter?” Albert asked.

  “Yes, Father,” Leon replied eagerly.

  “Advanced techniques are tied to your attributes,” Albert expined. “So, what have you learned about yours?”

  “I have light, dark, and fire,” Leon replied.

  “That suggests you could excel as a mage or an assassin,” Albert mused. “With light, you could be a healer; with dark, an assassin; and with fire and lightning, a mage. Or even a combination of those. But we can discuss specializations ter. Let’s focus on your immediate goals. What path do you envision for yourself?”

  “Could I also be a warrior, like you, Dad?” Leon asked.

  “Of course,” Albert affirmed. “But warriors focus on physical damage. That requires intense, even grueling, physical conditioning.”

  “What are your attributes, Dad?”

  “I have only wind,” Albert said. “But what I ck in diverse attributes, I compensate for with mana training.”

  “What is mana training?” Leon inquired.

  “Excellent question! I almost forgot to mention it. Mana training is also part of your basic training. Once you grasp the fundamentals of mana manipution, you can progress to advanced, master, and ultimately, ultimate techniques.”

  “Then I want to learn ultimate mana manipution!” Leon decred.

  “Are you certain, son?” Albert asked, his tone cautious.

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Hold on,” Albert cautioned. “Before you commit, let me expin. If you choose the path of ultimate mana manipution, you’ll naturally start with the basics. But this path is demanding. Once you begin, you must dedicate yourself fully; you won’t be able to train your other attributes concurrently.”

  “Why not?” Leon asked, confused. “I don’t mind the time commitment if I can train them all together.”

  “Because advancing to ultimate mana manipution requires exclusive focus for seven to ten years to achieve mastery,” Albert expined. Only after that can you begin training your attributes.”

  “But why can’t I train my attributes while I’m training mana?” Leon persisted.

  “Because the advanced stages of mana manipution, up to the ultimate level, demand complete and undivided attention. You simply cannot train other disciplines, especially not attributes, during that seven-to-ten-year period. The same principle applies to attribute training, though you can train multiple attributes simultaneously, excluding mana.”

  Leon paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I have another question, Father.”

  “Ask away, son,” Albert replied.

  “I want your opinion on my inherent skills,” Leon stated.

  Albert hesitated, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Are you sure about this, Leon? I don’t need to know—”

  “It’s alright, Father,” Leon interrupted gently. “I want to show you.”

  “Wait, son,” Albert said, raising a hand. “Everyone else, please excuse us for a moment.” He gnced at the maids and attendants present. “We’ll call for you ter.”

  The maids and attendants quietly left the room.

  “Alice,” Albert said, turning to her, “you can stay, if Leon’s comfortable with it. You’ll be involved in his training anyway, so it’s probably best you know.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Alice replied.

  Leon closed his eyes briefly, then spoke a single word: “System.”

  A translucent screen shimmered into existence, dispying information:

  Name: Leon Ryler

  Race: Human

  Age: 6

  Rank: Not yet acquired

  Attributes: Light, Dark, Fire

  Inherent Skills: Natural Curiosity, Attributes Manipution, Mana Manipution

  Penelope and Albert exchanged stunned gnces.

  “Is this…real?” Albert breathed.

  “I told you,” Penelope said, a mixture of pride and awe in her voice. “Our son is exceptional.”

  “So, what do you think, Dad?” Leon asked, the screen fading from view.

  “I think…it’s remarkable,” Albert said slowly. “We’ll need to experiment, of course. What do you think, Penelope?”

  “I agree,” Penelope said. “If this works, it will be unprecedented.”

  “Why?” Alice asked, her curiosity piqued.

  “Because,” Penelope expined, “while everyone can have an inherent skill, it is usually limited to one per person. For Leon to have three—including Attribute Manipution and Mana Manipution—is…unheard of.”

  “But…why do I have them?” Leon wondered aloud.

  Alice, also curious, decided to check her own status. “System.”

  Another screen appeared:

  Name: Alice Hondernd

  Race: Beastkin

  Age: 18

  Rank: Not yet acquired

  Attributes: Earth, Nature, Fire

  Inherent Skills: Obsession, Natural Killer, Evil

  Penelope swayed, then fainted.

  “Hon! Are you alright?” Albert excimed, his voice filled with worry. He knelt beside her, gently shaking her shoulder. “Hey, pull yourself together! This isn’t the time—”

  “I’m sorry, darling,” Penelope murmured, her eyes fluttering open.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Albert asked, his brow still furrowed with concern.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” Penelope reassured him, though her pale complexion suggested otherwise.

  Albert turned to Alice. “Have you shown your inherent skills to anyone else?”

  “No,” Alice replied quietly.

  He exhaled, relief washing over him. “Good. And you must never show them to anyone, ever. Understood?”

  “Why not?” Alice asked.

  “Because,” Albert expined, “your skills are…unusual. We don’t even fully understand them ourselves. If word got out, it would spread like wildfire, and it wouldn’t be long before it reached the King. Besides, inherent skills are generally kept private. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Alice acknowledged.

  “So, keep them to yourself,” Albert emphasized. “We’ll keep quiet as well, so you don’t need to worry.”

  “As for your skills,” Albert continued, “we have a good understanding of ‘Obsession.’ But the other two…’Natural Killer’ and ‘Evil’…they’re unsettling. We sense no malice from you, Alice. We’ve known you since you were a child, and we know you’re a good person. But those names…they’re concerning.”

  “Hon,” Penelope interjected gently, “I think we should be cautious. We’ve known her for a long time. We should continue to guide her and observe. That’s all we can do for now.”

  “You’re right,” Albert conceded.

  “Can I train with Leon?” Alice asked.

  “Yes,” Albert replied. “But your training will be different. Your attributes—earth, nature, and fire—make you suited for a mage. They offer a good bance of offensive and defensive capabilities. However, Penelope and I don’t specialize in those attributes. We’ll need to find a suitable tutor for you.”

  “Alright,” Alice said.

  “But you’ll have to undergo basic training first,” Penelope added.

  “Understood,” Alice replied.

  “Good,” Penelope said. “Tomorrow morning, before sunrise, meet me in the northern part of the Yeshamine forest. I won’t tolerate any tardiness. Understood?”

  “Yes, Penelope,” Alice replied.

  “Understood,” Leon echoed.

  “Excellent,” Albert chimed in. “Leon, once you’ve mastered the basics of mana manipution, I’ll take over your training, guiding you from the advanced stages to the ultimate techniques.”

  The next day. Astronomical dawn. In Leon's room.

  Leon woke to a weight pressing against him. Something warm breathed against his neck, and when he tried to move, he found his arms pinned. Opening his eyes, he turned his head.

  “Alice? Why are you here?”

  “Hey, wake up,” he said, attempting to disentangle himself from her embrace.

  She moaned softly. “What? Is it time to go already?”

  “Why are you in my bed?”

  Instead of answering, she tightened her hold and buried her nose in his hair. “Why not, master?”

  “You know you’re not supposed to be here.”

  Alice remained silent, keeping her eyes closed.

  “Hey,” Leon said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Her eyes fluttered open. “But why not, master? You weren’t supposed to spend the whole night in Erica’s bed either. Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

  “Well…” he stammered.

  “Can’t find the words? Well, if you get to have your fun, so should I. Besides, we’ll be adventurers someday, and I’ll always be by your side.”

  “Fine. But next time, ask first.”

  “Where’s the fun in that, master?” she teased.

  Leon paused, considering his next words carefully.

  “Just… be at ease, okay?” he said, gently stroking her floppy ears. “Don’t worry about all this yet. We have more important things to focus on first.”

  Alice rexed into his touch. “I know.”

  “And don’t ever think you’re less important than Erica. You’re both equally precious to me, no matter what.”

  “Do you mean that, master?”

  Leon shifted above her. “Yes,” he murmured, trailing kisses from her neck down to her bosom and her paradise.

  “Master!” Alice gasped.

  Afterward, she felt more alive and content than ever before.

  The first hint of nautical dawn painted the sky with streaks of grey and pale rose as Alice and Leon arrived at the edge of a cliff.

  “Is this the right pce?” Alice asked, gncing around at the rugged terrain.

  “According to the map she gave us, yes,” Leon replied.

  “Looking for someone?” A voice echoed from the cliff’s edge. A woman’s silhouette stood against the brightening sky.

  Alice and Leon peered through the branches and trees, recognizing her as they approached.

  “Mother, it’s you,” Leon called out. “How long have you been here?”

  “That’s not important,” she replied. “What matters is that you’re here on time. Now, for your first day of training…” She gestured towards two rocks near the cliff’s edge. “Alice, you’ll squat on that one. Leon, you’ll use the other. You’ll remain in that position until I tell you to stop. Understood?”

  “But…it’s so close to the cliff,” Alice protested. “One slip and we’ll fall three miles!”

  “No excuses,” Penelope said firmly. “The purpose of this exercise is to enhance your bance while circuting mana through your bodies using proper breathing techniques.”

  “Alice, to your rock,” she commanded. “Leon, yours as well. Now!”

  She observed Alice’s stance. “Not quite like that,” she corrected. “Straighten your back, rex your shoulders. Csp your hands in front of you, draw your stomach in slightly, and breathe naturally. I’m going to channel my mana into your body now.” She pced her hand on Alice’s back. “Can you feel my mana circuting?”

  “Yes,” Alice replied.

  “Good. Allow my mana to flow through you. You might feel some discomfort, but don’t resist it. Just let it pass.”

  After a while, she removed her hand. Alice maintained the squat, circuting her mana on her own.

  “Excellent,” Penelope said. “Continue circuting your mana until I tell you to stop.”

  Penelope moved to Leon and repeated the process, finding him equally quick to grasp the technique.

  “I’ve secured the perimeter, so you don’t need to worry about anything,” she said, her voice echoing between the two figures squatting at the cliff’s edge. “Just continue until I tell you to stop.”

  The sun began to rise, bathing their faces and the surrounding forest in its golden light. They persisted. Midday arrived, the sun at its zenith, yet Penelope gave no signal, nor was there any sign of her presence. The sun began its descent, ushering in dusk. Still, no Penelope. A mixture of emotions began to gnaw at them: hunger, the need to relieve themselves, thirst, and the growing ache of muscles strained from hours of squatting. Fainting was not an option; their determination to endure was unwavering. It wasn’t until astronomical dusk that Penelope finally reappeared.

  “Alright. Well done,” she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. “For your first day of training, you’ve both performed admirably. I expected you to give up and call it a day, but I was clearly mistaken. Your tenacity is…impressive.”

  “That’s enough for today,” she said, pcing a hand on Alice’s shoulder. To her surprise, Alice seemed to be in a trance, though not entirely unresponsive. Penelope quickly helped her down from the rock, pced her hand on Alice’s back, and channeled mana into her. Alice gasped, her eyes snapping open.

  “Ah! What happened? Is it time already?” she asked, disoriented.

  “Yes,” Penelope replied. “Stay here. I’ll take care of Leon.”

  She repeated the process with Leon, who also jolted awake.

  “What happened?” he asked, equally confused.

  “You were both in a trance,” Penelope expined. “Had I not intervened, you would have continued until your bodies were severely strained.”

  “Anyway,” she continued, “you’ve both done a great job. You’ve both mastered the basic flow of mana. Tomorrow, you’ll learn to control it, so you don’t fall into a trance again. Now, move! Dinner is ready. You have ten minutes, so be quick.”

  “Ten minutes?” Alice asked, a groan escaping her lips. “What—?”

  “Exactly what I said,” Penelope replied. “Later, all the toxins in your bodies will begin to purge themselves. Hurry! Let’s go!” She urged them forward.

  As soon as they arrived home, Leon and Alice were met with the unpleasant reality of their exertion. Their sweat was dark and sticky, and a distinctly foul odor clung to them. They hurried to their respective bathrooms, remaining there for a considerable time until the oozing subsided. The natural release they experienced further eased their discomfort. The fatigue from the long hours of squatting seemed to miraculously vanish, repced by a feeling of rejuvenation, thanks to the mana flowing through their bodies. Their senses, too, seemed heightened. After dinner, they felt their energy fully restored, their senses even sharper. However, Albert and Penelope advised them to rest early, warning them that the following day’s training would be even more demanding.

  A knock on Leon's door.

  “I know it’s you. Come in,” Leon said without looking up.

  “How did you know?” Alice asked, stepping inside.

  “I can sense your presence,” he replied, his voice calm.

  “Really? Me too,” she said with a smile, hopping onto his bed. “It’s like… another kind of sense. Don’t you think?”

  Leon raised an eyebrow. “And why are you here?”

  “To make sure you rex,” she said, her tone pyful yet sincere. “After that intense training, you deserve to unwind. And what better way than having your woman by your side? Am I right?”

  Leon scoffed. “Hmph. Whatever.”

  Alice leaned closer, tching onto him with a mischievous grin.

  Early in the morning, during the astronomical dawn, Leon stirred awake, feeling a familiar weight on his chest. It was Alice, as usual, but her hands had wandered—slightly gripping his erection. Gently, he removed her hand and nudged her awake.

  “Hey,” Leon said softly, brushing his fingers against her soft, floppy ears.

  “Is it time already?” she mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

  “I thought you were used to waking up early,” Leon replied.

  “I am,” she said, stretching zily. “But with you, I like to stay in bed a little longer.”

  “Enough of that,” Leon said, sitting up. “Go make breakfast, or we’ll be te.”

  “Alright, alright,” Alice said, reluctantly getting up. But before she left, she paused, her eyes glinting with mischief. She reached out and took hold of Leon’s scepter again, lowering her head.

  “What are you doing?” Leon asked, startled.

  Alice looked up at him, her expression innocent. “What? I saw Penelope doing this to Albert. Just hold still, master. This won’t take long.”

  The first hint of nautical dawn touched the forest floor near the cliff, the same location as the previous day.

  “What took you so long?” Penelope asked, a hint of impatience in her voice. “You were almost te. You arrived with only seconds to spare.”

  “Sorry, Penelope,” Alice replied. “Master had some energy issues, so I prepared some extra food for him.”

  “Since you arrived on time, it’s fine,” Penelope said. “Let’s begin the next phase of your training. Follow me.”

  Alice and Leon followed Penelope to a different area. They arrived at the base of an isoted, towering column of earth, seemingly reaching two miles into the sky.

  Penelope looked up at the imposing formation. “This is it,” she announced.

  Alice gazed at the column, a look of apprehension on her face. “But…it’s so narrow. How can two people—?”

  “It’s not for two,” Penelope interrupted. “This is your training location, Alice. You’ll be repeating yesterday’s exercise, but on top of that.” She gestured towards her back. “Now, hurry!”

  “What do you mean?” Alice asked, confused.

  “Hop on my back,” Penelope instructed. “I’ll carry you to the top.”

  “But—”

  “No buts!” Penelope said, her patience wearing thin. “Do as I say.”

  “Okay,” Alice agreed, albeit hesitantly.

  Penelope effortlessly carried Alice to the summit.

  “Alright,” she said when they reached the top. “Position yourself.”

  Alice squatted down.

  Penelope pced both hands on Alice’s back, channeling her mana to help open a second meridian. Almost immediately, Alice felt a wave of discomfort.

  “Argh!” she gasped.

  “Are you alright?” Penelope asked, her voice ced with concern. “Can you manage it? Just tell me if you need to stop.”

  The thought of giving up was repugnant to Alice. She grit her teeth and continued to circute the mana through her system, pushing through the discomfort.

  A few minutes ter, a sharp cry escaped her lips, and she vomited a small amount of blood.

  “Don’t stop!” Alice excimed, her voice strained but determined. “I can do this!”

  Minutes stretched on, each one an eternity. Thin trails of blood began to trickle from her nose, mouth, ears, and eyes. Yet, Alice remained focused, her resolve unwavering. Penelope, her expression a mixture of worry and determination, continued to channel her mana, aiding in the opening of the new meridian. Finally, a surge of energy emanated from Alice’s body. The bleeding ceased, the internal damage seemingly repaired. Penelope sighed in relief.

  “Perfect,” she said, a note of triumph in her voice. “You’ve done it. Now, simply allow the mana to flow through your system. Your mana core should now be strong enough to maintain your consciousness for extended periods. Your awareness of your surroundings, your body’s circution, and all your senses will be significantly enhanced.”

  Penelope returned to solid ground.

  “Mom, is everything alright?” Leon asked, a hint of concern in his voice. “You were up there for almost an hour.”

  “She’s fine,” Penelope replied, a touch of weariness in her tone. “She’s doing remarkably well. And I expect the same from you. Come on, hop on. Let’s go.”

  As she carried Leon to the summit, she discreetly took a mana potion from her pocket dimension. I never thought my mana would be so depleted, she thought to herself. She truly pushed herself to open that second meridian. I never thought it was possible. I was terrified she wouldn’t make it. I was ready to use a scroll.

  “Here we are,” she announced as they reached the top. “Hold on tight.”

  Leon settled into the squatting position.

  “Now, son, be ready,” Penelope said, her voice serious. “I’m going to help you open your second meridian. Once this is successful, you’ll have mastered the basics of mana manipution. But I must warn you: this is dangerous. If you feel your life is in danger, tell me to stop immediately, and I will.”

  Leon nodded, his expression determined.

  Penelope pced both hands on his back and began channeling her mana into him. Almost instantly, Leon felt a surge of heat, his heart pounding rapidly, his muscles straining. His internal organs felt like they were twisting and convulsing, a chaotic storm raging within his body.

  “Argh!” he cried out, spewing blood.

  “Son!” Penelope excimed, her voice filled with arm.

  “I’m fine, Mom,” Leon gasped, his resolve unwavering. “Continue.”

  Leon focused on his mana core, visualizing it as a gigantic ball of energy. He felt the foreign mana attempting to connect with his own, but it seemed too weak to establish a stable link. At the same time, his own mana seemed to be resisting the intrusion.

  “Son,” Penelope urged, “let it flow. Don’t resist it.”

  But I’m not fighting it, he thought, confusion swirling in his mind. What’s wrong with my mana?

  Damn it, he thought, frustration rising. I’ll force it if I have to. He channeled all his remaining mana into the foreign mana flowing within him, attempting to force a connection. But the massive mana core proved too powerful, resisting his efforts. Blood now leaked from his ears and eyes as well.

  “Argh!” he cried out, vomiting a significant amount of blood. His mother instinctively reached out to stop the process.

  “Wait, Mom,” he pleaded, his voice ragged. “I need more time. Please…just one more try.”

  “But your body can’t take much more,” she protested, her concern evident.

  “Trust me, Mom,” he insisted.

  What’s wrong with me? he wondered, his mind racing. Why can’t I manipute my mana? Wait…manipute mana. Yes, that’s it. Mana Manipution. The realization struck him. Mana Manipution! he thought, focusing his will. The massive mana core, which had been so resistant, suddenly seemed to yield, becoming almost docile. The connection was made.

  A surge of Intense heat emanated from Leon’s body, so powerful that it burned Penelope’s hand, forcing her to withdraw quickly.

  “Ahh! Son, you’re burning!” she excimed, worry etched on her face. “Are you alright?”

  Leon didn’t respond. She looked at his face and saw that he was calm and serene. Despite the intense heat radiating from within, his skin remained unaffected, and his internal injuries seemed to have healed. Relief washed over Penelope.

  “Continue, son,” she said, her voice still ced with concern. “I’ll be right back.”

  Astronomical dusk had fallen. The forest buzzed with the cacophony of nocturnal insects, and night creatures emerged, some taking to the air, others crawling along the forest floor. Rank E and D monsters lurked in the shadows, but they posed no threat to Penelope or the two trainees. Penelope, ever vigint, never strayed far from them, and when she did, Albert took her pce. She observed from a distance, always prepared to intervene if necessary.

  The energy radiating from Leon and Alice acted as a deterrent, keeping smaller creatures at bay. Any creature foolish enough to venture too close would perish. They continued their mana circution until Penelope finally called a halt.

  “That’s enough,” she said.

  Alice opened her eyes, her body glistening with sweat. A visible energy still shimmered around her, distorting the air around her.

  “Penelope, I did well, didn’t I?” she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.

  “Yes, you did exceptionally well, Alice,” Penelope replied. “Come, let’s go to Leon’s location.”

  “Can you jump?” Penelope asked.

  “I feel so light,” Alice excimed. “And I’m not afraid anymore! Yes, I think I can.”

  “Good,” Penelope said. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll catch you. Just follow my lead.”

  Alice mimicked Penelope’s every move, from the precise pcement of her feet on small rocks and branches to the way she nded on the ground.

  “I did it, Penelope!” she excimed, a triumphant smile on her face.

  “That’s wonderful,” Penelope said, genuinely pleased. “I’m happy for you.”

  “But why is your movement silent, while mine isn’t?” Alice asked.

  “That’s because I’ve trained in the way of the assassin,” Penelope expined. “Let’s hurry. I’ll adjust my pace. Try to keep up.”

  She’s moving so fast, leaping such long distances, Alice thought, her heart pounding. Can I really follow her?

  Penelope stopped abruptly. Ten seconds ter, Alice arrived, panting heavily.

  “We’re here,” Penelope said. “Can you manage any more?”

  “Wait…let me catch my breath,” Alice gasped.

  “Here,” Penelope offered. “Take this.”

  “What is it?” Alice asked.

  “A potion,” Penelope replied. “It will restore your strength.”

  After drinking the potion, Alice felt a surge of energy. “I feel rejuvenated!” she excimed. “I feel like I could punch a tree and it would explode!”

  “Excellent,” Penelope said. “Let’s go.”

  At the summit of the towering earth column, Alice and Penelope’s eyes widened. The sheer amount of energy radiating from Leon was astonishing, distorting the air around him and creating a visible shimmer.

  “Alice, wake him up,” Penelope instructed.

  Alice reached out to touch his shoulder, but quickly recoiled. “Ow! He’s burning hot!”

  “Son,” Penelope said gently, her voice filled with pride, “you’ve done exceptionally well.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” Leon replied, his voice slightly hoarse.

  He stood up, stretching his limbs.

  “Am I imagining it, or have you grown taller?” Alice asked, her eyes scanning him from head to toe.

  “Indeed, son,” Penelope confirmed, a smile pying on her lips. “You’ve definitely grown taller.”

  “Have I?” Leon asked, looking down at himself, a hint of surprise in his voice. “I can’t really tell.”

  “We can discuss this ter,” Penelope said, turning to leave. Over her shoulder, she added with a smirk, “Now, son, try to keep up.”

  Penelope and Alice leaped from branch to branch, descending gracefully to the forest floor.

  “Son, are you pnning to stay up there all day?” Penelope called out.

  “How did Alice do that?” Leon wondered aloud, watching them. Whatever. If she can do it, so can I. He paused, a strange sensation washing over him. What is this feeling? I feel so light…like I could do anything.

  He took a running start and leaped onto a nearby branch. This feels…amazing, he thought, exhirated as he jumped from branch to branch, mimicking their movements.

  Upon nding, he saw his mother gesturing with a smirk. “Try to keep up,” she repeated.

  Inside Albert’s office.

  Albert observed Leon’s transformed body with keen interest, carefully examining his arms, legs, feet, eyes, mouth, teeth, and—

  “Dad, that’s off limits,” Leon said firmly.

  “Alright, alright,” Albert conceded, stepping back with a chuckle.

  Alice smirked to herself. That’s for his women only, she thought, her eyes glinting with amusement.

  “This is a good sign, son,” Albert said, his tone shifting to one of pride as he return to his desk. “It means you’re ready for my training.”

  “Wait a moment,” Penelope interjected, raising a hand. “I have one more mana training session for them.”

  “Oh, I see,” Albert said, nodding thoughtfully.

  “Is it advanced mana training?” Alice asked, her curiosity piqued.

  “No, it’s still basic mana training,” Penelope replied calmly.

  “Is it dangerous?” Alice pressed, her brows furrowing slightly.

  “Not at all,” Albert cut in reassuringly. “In fact, it’s the safest one yet.”

  “What’s the deal with it?” Leon asked, stepping forward with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

  “You’ll find out tomorrow,” Penelope said with a mysterious smile as she sat on desk. “For now, get some rest. Meet me at the same pce and the same time. And,” she added, her tone turning serious, “don’t be te.”

  An hour ter, there was a knock on Leon’s door. “Come in,” he said casually.

  A young woman stepped inside the room. “Master, excuse my intrusion. You must be tired from your training. Miss Alice asked me to tell you that she will be staying in her room tonight.”

  “Oh, Alicia, it’s you.” Leon sat up on his bed instantly.