The village was abuzz with talk, a mixture of awe and uncertainty hanging in the air. People clustered together, whispering fervently, their eyes flicking toward the distant horizon where the giant wraith had just vanished. Some still trembled, their voices hushed, but others were asking questions that made the air crackle with tension.

"Could it have been a manifestation?" one villager asked, his voice shaky but filled with disbelief.

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The word "manifestation" caught on like wildfire. It was a rare and terrifying thing—an event triggered by a bond so profound with a Soul Parasite that it would shape into reality itself, manifesting as a towering, destructive force. It was said that only those who had merged with their Parasite in ways that most would never could summon such a phenomenon.

"But who in the village could have that much power?" another voice murmured, the doubt in their words thick as fog. "Who here is strong enough for something like that?"

The crowd fell silent, a collective shiver rippling through them. They glanced at each other, trying to piece together the impossible. The creature that had appeared... it wasn’t just the size that unsettled them. It was the weight of its presence, the sheer power of it. It felt unnatural.

Kael stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze still fixed on the spot where the wraith had been. His heart raced, still buzzing from the strange surge of energy coursing through his veins, the echo of the Soul Parasite within him. He had never felt anything like it.

Grandpa Elric stood by his side, watching the villagers’ murmurs with a grave expression, his eyes sharp. Kael turned to him, his voice barely more than a breath. "Grandpa, what was that... that thing? How did it even exist?"

Grandpa Elric’s face was a mask of stoic wisdom, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of pride, perhaps, or recognition. "That, Kael," he said, his voice low but firm, "is a call manifestation. A result of a bond forged so deep with a Soul Parasite that it shapes reality itself. The manifestation is the power of that bond, given physical form."

Kael’s heart leaped in his chest. "So... you can summon something like that? You bond with the Parasite, and it just... happens?"

Grandpa nodded slightly. "Yes, but it’s more than just a summon. It’s the manifestation of what you are and your Parasite. The stronger your personality is, the more dangerous the manifestation."

Kael's mind raced with possibilities. "Can I reach that level too?"

There was a long silence as Grandpa Elric studied Kael as if weighing the depth of his question. His gaze softened, the weight of the decision clear in his eyes.

"Yes," Grandpa said, his voice steady, "Only few can reach my realm but with time, dedication, and the proper training, you could reach that level. But understand this, Kael—power is not to be taken lightly."

Kael’s eyes burned with determination. "I’m ready. I won’t let it control me."

Grandpa smiled, though it was a rare expression. "That’s the spirit. But first, we start with the basics."

Kael’s excitement bubbled over. "What do I need to do?"

Grandpa’s smile tightened, the seriousness of his words cutting through the air. "Since your bone age is nearly 9, I can begin your training in the mystic arts. But this... this is not about simply gaining power. It’s about learning control, building strength, resilience, and awareness. These are the foundations."

Mystic arts are ancient practices that harness the natural energies of the world and the spirit. These arts encompass a variety of techniques, including physical enhancement, mental fortitude, and elemental manipulation. Practitioners learn to channel their inner strength and the ambient energies around them to perform extraordinary feats. Mastery of the mystic arts requires rigorous training, discipline, and a deep connection to the spiritual forces of the universe.

Kael’s chest swelled with pride. "I can handle it! I’m ready!"

Grandpa’s gaze softened, but there was a quiet caution in his eyes. "It may seem simple now. But this training... it will push you beyond what you think you’re capable of. Your body will break, and your mind will fracture. The true test comes when you face the limits of your own willpower."

"How hard can it be?" Kael thought to himself but of course, not everything goes as expected.

----------------------------------------

Three months later, Kael lay on the ground, gasping for air, every muscle burning with exhaustion. Sweat poured down his face as he groaned in disbelief. "Grandpa, I thought mystic arts were supposed to be about spells, not... this!" He gestured weakly to the pile of logs he had just carried and the endless miles he had run.

Grandpa Elric stood nearby, arms crossed, a shadow of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Kael, mystic arts are not just magic. Your body is the vessel, the channel. Without strength, without resilience, your soul will burn out, and the power will destroy you. A weak body cannot support a strong bond."

Kael winced as he tried to sit up, every muscle screaming in protest. "This is impossible!"

Grandpa chuckled, watching with a knowing glint in his eyes. "No. It's progress. You’re learning to channel your energy. You’re becoming more aware. But it’s only the beginning. You’ve just scraped the surface."

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Kael groaned and sat up fully, rubbing his sore arms. Grandpa approached with a wooden box, ornate with intricate carvings, and opened it with a flourish. Inside rested a glowing plasma blade, its blue light pulsing softly.

"Today’s your birthday, Kael," Grandpa said, his tone shifting to something deeper. "And as promised, it’s time to give you your family’s heirloom."

Kael blinked, startled. "Wait, you mean I have parents?"

Grandpa let out a hearty laugh. "Of course you do! You weren't born on a cabbage field"

Kael’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. "I always thought... well.."

Grandpa smiled, amused. "No, Kael. You were born of blood. Your parents left you something very special. Come, take it."

Grandpa reached into his pouch, pulling out a small silver needle, its tip glinting in the sunlight. "To bond with the blade, you must offer a drop of your blood. It’s a sign of your connection to the legacy. A magical fingerprint."

Kael raised an eyebrow, clearly uneasy. "You want me to stab my finger?"

Grandpa waved it off with a casual gesture. "Just a small prick, Kael. Nothing more."

Kael sighed, bracing himself, and pricked his finger, wincing at the sharp sting.

The moment his blood touched the hilt, the sword hummed with a low vibration, the glowing patterns flaring into bright crimson, as if the weapon itself were alive.

Kael’s breath caught in his throat. "Whoa... It's beautiful"

Grandpa’s voice was low and grave, almost a whisper. "That’s the mystic energy of your lineage. Its power depends on the user's personal strength. If you are strong enough you can even cut through world's strongest metals!"

Kael’s pulse quickened, a surge of power running through him. "This is incredible!"

Grandpa’s eyes softened, but his next words were sharp. "There’s one last thing. You need to name it."

Kael’s thoughts raced as he gazed at the blade. Its power, its heat—it felt like it was a part of him now. Without hesitation, he declared, his voice filled with newfound purpose, "Radiance."

Grandpa nodded approvingly. "A name befitting the legacy. May it guide you."

Kael’s eyes sparkled with excitement, his grip on the blade tightening. "I won’t fail you, Grandpa. I won’t fail myself."

He paused for a moment, his eyes twinkling with a secret. "But there's more, Kael. There's still a surprise for you."

Kael's curiosity was piqued. "What is it, Grandpa?"

Grandpa leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Your body is ready to bond with a Soul Parasite."

"WAIT! Really?"

Grandpa nodded, his expression growing serious again. "It's time for you to go out into the world, Kael. You've learned much here, but there are lessons and experiences you can only gain by stepping beyond the village."

Kael's heart skipped a beat. The thought of leaving the village both excited and frightened him. "Go out into the world? Now?"

Grandpa's eyes softened. "Because you have a great destiny ahead of you, Kael. And the world has much to teach you. It's time you began your own journey, just as I did when I was your age."

Grandpa's smile returned, filled with warmth and pride. "I know you will, Kael. And when you step out into the world, you'll see things you've never imagined. Floating islands that sail the skies, islands that hover above the clouds, and technology so advanced it will seem like magic. The world is full of wonders, Kael, and it's time for you to see them with your own eyes."

"Yeah, I have heard about them at least a hundred times"

Suddenly, Kael's excitement turned to a more immediate concern. "When will you take me to bond with a parasite?"

Grandpa's expression turned even more solemn. "I won't be the one to take you, Kael."

A look of confusion crossed Kael's face. "Then who will?"

Grandpa called out, "You can come in now."

The door creaked open behind them. A tall figure stepped into the room, confidence radiating from him. He had long, deep teal hair, the color rich and dark like the ocean depths. His hair was parted in the middle, allowing the long locks to frame his angular face. His piercing grey eyes, sharp and intense, seemed to see right through Kael

“Who are you?” Kael blurted out, his eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

The man chuckled softly, his grin warm yet serious. “No business, young one. My name is Reyl Darnel, and from this moment forward… I will be your guide and guardian."

Reyl Darnel stepped further into the room, his presence like a weight pressing against the air. His piercing grey eyes studied Kael with a calm intensity, as though he were measuring him, seeing through him. He held himself with the kind of authority that made the air around him hum with quiet power.

Kael blinked, still trying to process the sudden shift in his world. “Adopt me?” His voice barely rose above a whisper, disbelief, and curiosity battling in his chest.

Reyl’s smile softened, and he took a slow step forward. “Yes. I will be adopting you, Kael. Your grandfather has seen your potential, but there is much more that you need to learn. I have my reasons for taking you in.”

Kael's heart raced, his thoughts tumbling over each other. "But... I’ve always lived here. With Grandpa. What’s going to happen now?"

Reyl’s gaze didn’t waver, and the weight of his words was like a silent command. “The world is vast, Kael. You cannot grow if you stay confined to the safety of the village. You need to experience the wider world. Learn, struggle, grow.” He stepped closer, his tone deepening. “And I need you to trust me. Trust that my path will guide you toward your true strength.”

Kael took a half step back, still unsure. “I don’t even know you.”

A flicker of something passed through Reyl’s eyes—perhaps recognition, perhaps something softer—but his voice remained steady, unwavering. “I understand. But sometimes, a guardian doesn’t just appear when you expect them. Sometimes, they come when you need them most.”

Reyl took another step closer, his presence like a solid pillar of support. “I’ve been where you are, Kael. I’ve walked the path of the unknown, made mistakes, and learned lessons the hard way. And now, it is my turn to help you avoid those same mistakes. The journey you’re about to undertake... it won’t be easy. It will test everything inside of you, including your will to survive. But I will be there. Not just as a mentor, but as someone who believes in your strength.”

Kael looked up at Reyl, uncertainty still clouding his mind, but something in the man's gaze softened the edge of his fear. There was a quiet strength in Reyl’s words, a calm certainty that made Kael’s heart beat a little slower as if his doubts were slowly being unraveled.

“I know you’re scared,” Reyl said, his voice low but steady, “but fear is not an enemy—it’s a companion. And with me by your side, you won’t face it alone.”

Kael swallowed hard. He wasn’t sure why, but something deep inside of him responded to Reyl’s words. The weight of the future, of his destiny, seemed a little lighter now.

With a deep breath, Kael looked up, meeting Reyl’s piercing grey eyes with a newfound resolve. “Okay... I’ll trust you. But... will you really teach me everything? Will you help me become strong?”

Reyl’s lips curved into a faint smile, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “I will help you become more than you think you can be, Kael. I will train you, push you, challenge you. And I will protect you.” His voice lowered to a whisper, almost a command, as he stepped even closer. “But first, you must decide. Will you accept me as your guardian?”

Kael felt a surge of emotion—fear, excitement, determination, and an undeniable sense of destiny.

“Yes,” Kael said, his voice steady, but filled with a resolve that surprised even him. “I accept you... as my guardian.”