He was back in the mundane world. The sky was painted dark blue. The air was cooler, and his father was no longer outside. He started circulating mana in the morning. Now it was night. Yir wasn’t surprised. The book stated that circulating mana using the third eye technique could feel like minutes passed, but it really could have been days. Standing, Yir noticed the braces didn’t feel nearly as heavy, but the weight started to increase if he didn't do light circulation between the four braces. He already had an idea of how circulation worked, but it was difficult without being able to see it all. He turned to his breathing pattern for help. A bit after, a slow, light, and awkward circulation took place in his mana veins.

******

Yir bathed and went to eat dinner. Everyone was home and the smell of the food made him realize how hungry he was. At his seat were meat, veggies, and the body forging book.

“Son, what technique did you use to draw in mana? That was way more than the basic technique was capable of at your level.”

Mama and Ms. Lyn didn't say anything, but Yir felt their questions gaze. “I used the third eye technique, Papa.” Everyone dropped their forks and spoons. The room went silent. Yir made himself small in his seat. All eyes were on him. He didn't know what he did wrong this time. Would Papa ban him from martial arts too?

“Th-third eye technique?” Ms. Lyn said. Yir nodded.

“I’m sorry Papa,” Yir looked down as tears fell.

Alexander laughed loud and hard. He wiped a tear out of his eye and yelled “Mad? Son, this is the best day of my life!”

‘Papa isn’t mad?” Yir thought. His question was answered moments later.

“My son is a genius! My son is a genius!” He bounced around. Mama burst his bubble.

“Let me get this straight. When Yir cast the ‘dangerous’ fireball, you were fuming. He used an even more dangerous technique. A technique he shouldn't be able to use whatsoever and you’re okay with it?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Papa coughed awkwardly. “Not sure what you’re getting at honey,” he said through his teeth.” We should be jumping for joy. Our son will be a prodigy in both the magic and martial arts.” Papa’s eyes looked crazy. It made Yir’s back itch.

“Please don’t do what your father did to you. Let our son pick his path in life. Isn't that right baby boy?” His mother smiled.” what do you want to do when you get older?” By her tone, mama thought Yir didn’t know or couldn't answer. Ever since the first time he cast magic, he knew. The book on body forging had stories of the strongest people to ever exist. People who couldn't be tamed or ruled. Beings who made kings flinch and demons look over their shoulders. Yir didn’t want to be a regular person or magician. No, his sight was bigger.

Mama, I want to be a god!”

“W-what?” Nyx fumbled with her words.

“I want to be a god-like Zorya!” Yir cheeks redden. “She wasn't a goody-goody like some gods, but she wasn't evil either. She did what needed to be done damn the consequences! She was also very pretty” he whispered.

“That's a pretty high goal, son. If it's you, I'm sure you can make it. Zorya would agree with me.” Mama’s kind eyes made him the happiest in the world. If she believed he could do it, he knew he could.

“Then it's settled. You have martial arts training with me in the morning and we’ll find you a tutor for magic.”

“Can mama cast magic?” Yir said his thoughts out loud. His mama looked at him for a moment and sighed.

“Mama can cast magic, but she doesn't anymore.” She looked sad. Yir was about to ask why, but she interrupted. “You don’t need a tutor, but it's the less dangerous path. I would help, but I can't. Please don't ask me any more questions about it. Okay?”

“Yes, mama.” Yir went to bed that night with a lot of questions and no answers.

*******

His father woke him for training. Yir hadn’t taken the weights off since last night. At some point, they became comfortable to wear. When that happened, they grew heavier. He wondered how it worked, but he shrugged it off. He would learn in the future.

Today, Papa had him run laps around the yard until he couldn't stand. After he caught his breath, he ran again. He could run three laps before he couldn’t recover using mana circulation. After that were push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. The real fun came last. After cycling mana through his muscles and veins, Yir felt a bit more refreshed. Maybe a bit stronger.

“What we are doing now is building your foundation for the future. Constantly infusing your muscles with mana will increase your defense and offense. You will be faster and stronger beyond human limits. You will need it to become a god. Mages do the bare minimum. Just enough to cast big spells and not die instantly. Us body forgers take it to another level. Put a magician and martial artist versus each other, and we come out on topmost times.”

That didn't surprise Yir though he knew Papa was biased. He’d read it in the book. A martial artist could cut through certain levels of magic with their aura making the magician spend a lot of mana to defeat them. If the magicians ran out of mana, they lost where the martial artist could use his base strength, but this was only talking raw power. Magicians wouldn’t have survived for so long if they were truly helpless by themselves.

“I couldn't do this sort of training at your age no matter how much my father tried to make me. Son, you are special with a very special goal. I will try my hardest to guide you on your path, but it will be grueling. You may die. I will be sad, as will your mother, but we understand what comes with this life. Are you sure you want this path?

Yir didn't hesitate to answer. “Yes, father!”

“Alright then! Get in horse stance!”

Yir experienced true pain that day.