After the exhausting training on Triumph Hill, I returned home with my mind buzzing and my body aching, but filled with a strange sense of satisfaction. I opened the door to our home, a cozy structure built into the very rock of Profundia, and was greeted by the warm aroma of a family meal.

My mother, Lysa, and my sister, Aria, were seated at the table. The smell of simmering soup and freshly baked bread filled the kitchen with a homely and comforting atmosphere. I approached, trying to hide my fatigue, but I couldn’t help smiling at the sight of them.

"Kaion, tell us—how was it on the hill?" Aria asked, a curious smile on her face as she served me a bowl of soup.

I sat carefully, making sure to follow the manners my mother had always instilled in me. I took a sip of the hot soup, feeling its warmth soothe me. With excitement, I recounted my training with Nara, describing every detail of our battle, though I left out the part where I managed to break through her wall of earth.

“Nara explained to me that the hill is called Triumph Hill and that parents send their children there to play. But in reality, these games are training exercises. They prepare us for life in Profundia, which is the most hostile and dangerous continent,” I said, recalling Nara’s words.

Lysa nodded, her expression a blend of pride and seriousness.

“That’s right, Kaion. Profundia is a place where only the strongest and most cunning can survive. That hill has been a training ground for generations,” she said, pausing before adding, “I’m glad to see you’re taking advantage of these opportunities.”

Aria, her enthusiasm contagious, jumped in.

“That sounds amazing! So how was the fight with Nara? I’ve heard she might be the prodigy of the Bone Mask Clan—there are rumors that she may even have more talent than her brother.”

I smiled, recalling each move and strategy.

“Nara is incredibly strong. Her abilities with earth magic are impressive. I tried to stay on the defensive at first, but her walls and earth spikes kept cornering me. It was a tough fight.”

Lysa looked at me with a mixture of pride and concern.

“That shows how important it is to manage your energy well and know your limits. But it also shows you have a strategic mind. Keep it up, Kaion.”

Aria nodded with enthusiasm.

“Exactly!” Aria said. “And remember, there’s always room to improve. Mom, why don’t you teach Kaion one of those special techniques of the Graves family?”

Lysa smiled, a glimmer of something enigmatic in her eyes.

“That’s a good idea, Aria. Kaion, there’s a special technique that’s been passed down in our family for generations. It’s complex and requires exceptional mana control, but I think you’re ready to start learning it.”

I leaned forward, my curiosity intensifying.

“What is it, Mom?” I asked, my tone focused and attentive.

Lysa stood up and gestured for me to follow her. We walked to the study, a room filled with ancient books and magical artifacts. She took a scroll from one of the shelves and handed it to me.

“This is the technique of the ‘Mana Spring Breath.’ It’s a skill that lets you draw mana from your surroundings and replenish your own mana through controlled breathing and channeling within your body. It can be used in combat or even while you sleep,” she explained, her voice filled with wisdom and expectation.

I looked at her in surprise, but held back from mentioning that I’d already been using a similar technique on my own. Instead, I nodded, understanding the importance of this teaching.

“Really? That sounds amazing. But how does it work exactly?” I asked, trying to get more details.

Lysa smiled and continued.

“Through rhythmic and deep breathing, you can absorb the mana around you. As you inhale, you need to visualize the mana entering your body and flowing through every part of you. With practice, you’ll be able to restore your energy even in the middle of a battle. While sleeping, this technique keeps your mana at optimal levels, ensuring you wake up each day refreshed and ready for any challenge.”

I sat in silence, absorbing the information. This technique wouldn’t just enhance my endurance in combat but would also give me a significant advantage in any situation.

“Thank you, Mom. I promise I’ll practice and master this technique,” I said with determination.

Lysa smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I know, Kaion. I trust you. You’re a Graves, and our family has always overcome adversity.”

We returned to the kitchen, where Aria was waiting with a smile.

“What’s Mom teaching you?” she asked, curious.

“A special family technique—something that could make a big difference in future battles,” I said, without going into detail.

After dinner, I went up to my room. My mother’s words about the “Mana Spring Breath” technique echoed in my mind. I closed the door carefully and sat cross-legged on the floor. I took a deep breath, letting the silence of the room envelop me, contrasting with the warmth and lively atmosphere of the kitchen.

I took out the scroll my mother had given me, noting the Graves family crest on its surface: an intricate design symbolizing a sword piercing through an eye and a labyrinth.

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I unrolled the scroll carefully, studying its detailed instructions. I began practicing the rhythmic, deep breathing it described. With each inhale, I absorbed mana from the environment, and with each exhale, I distributed it evenly throughout my body. I could feel the energy flowing through my veins, filling me with a powerful and revitalizing calm. As the mana flowed, I noticed a strange sensation in my eyes, as if they were pulsing with each wave of energy. I decided to ignore it for the moment and focus on my practice.

I opened my eyes and extended my hands in front of me, visualizing mana gathering between my palms. I tried to replicate the enhanced mana shot I had used before, but without the help of my wand. The mana sphere began to form, glowing with a bluish, pulsing light. The effort made me sweat, but the achievement filled me with intense excitement. The mana sphere stayed stable, its light pulsing gently with each beat of my heart. As I watched the sphere, I realized my vision had changed—I could see the mana’s flow with remarkable clarity, each current and swirl visible to my eyes.

Inspired by memories from my past life, I thought of how bullets would spin when fired, increasing their speed and power. I decided to try the same with my mana sphere. I began compressing the mana, making it spin faster and faster. I could feel the energy intensifying, the sphere shining brighter as it spun faster. My concentration was absolute, every fiber of my being focused on maintaining control.

Suddenly, from the kitchen, I heard the cheerful laughter of my mother and sister. The sound distracted me for a brief moment—a split second in which I lost focus. In that instant, the enhanced mana shot spun out of control. The sphere began vibrating erratically, and before I could react, it shot off toward one of my room’s walls.

The impact was deafening. The wall crumbled, debris and dust filling the air. The noise echoed throughout the house, and panic seized me as I saw the mess I’d created. I felt a knot in my stomach, and a cold sweat covered my forehead.

“Kaion!” my mother shouted from downstairs, her voice filled with fear and urgency.

Seconds later, Lysa and Aria appeared at my door, their faces full of worry. My hands were shaking as I tried to explain what had happened.

“Mom, Aria, I’m so sorry… I was practicing the technique from the scroll, and… I lost control,” I said, my voice breaking with guilt and nerves.

Lysa rushed over, her eyes scanning me for any signs of injury.

“Kaion, are you alright?” she asked, her voice soft but laden with concern. She quickly checked me, making sure I hadn’t been hurt.

Aria, still shocked by the scene, approached slowly, observing the debris and the hole in the wall.

“Brother, what exactly happened?” she asked, her eyes shining with a mix of curiosity, worry, and a touch of awe.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

“I was trying to compress and spin the mana to replicate an enhanced shot without the wand, following the instructions on the scroll. But I got distracted for a moment, and… it went out of control,” I explained, my voice trembling slightly.

Aria walked over to the hole in the wall, inspecting the damage with a look of disbelief.

“Kaion… I’ve never seen a mana shot that powerful. Did you really do that without a wand?” she asked, her tone filled with awe and concern.

Lysa looked at me with a mix of relief and sternness.

“The important thing is that you’re safe. But you must remember, Kaion, that mana can be extremely volatile. You need to keep your focus at all times,” she said, her tone firm but filled with love and concern.

I nodded, feeling both embarrassed and grateful for their understanding.

“I know, Mom. I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll be more careful next time.”

Aria patted my shoulder, her smile lighting up her face once more.

“Well, the good news is that you’re safe, and we learned something new today. Besides, Mom and I needed an excuse to redecorate your room anyway,” she said, trying to ease the tension with her comment.

I let out a nervous laugh, relieved by the lightness of her words. Despite the disaster, my mother and sister’s support filled me with renewed determination.

“Thank you, Aria. Thank you, Mom. It won’t happen again,” I said firmly, promising myself I would master this technique and not make the same mistake again.

Lysa leaned down, her expression serious but understanding.

“Kaion, I’m glad you’re alright, but don’t practice something so dangerous without supervision again. Until you master this technique, I want you to practice it with me or Aria. Your safety is what matters most to us,” she said, her voice full of motherly love and concern.

I nodded again, understanding the gravity of her words and promising myself to be more careful in the future.

“I promise, Mom. I’ll practice with you both until I master it,” I said with determination.

Lysa smiled and hugged me, her warmth surrounding me.

“Kaion, true strength isn’t about never failing; it’s about learning and growing from our mistakes. I know you have the potential to achieve great things. And I know that doing this together will make us even stronger,” she said, her voice filled with love and hope.

After the incident in my room with the mana shot gone wrong, my mother, Lysa, and my sister, Aria, took me to the bathroom to wash my face and hands. The warm water felt comforting as I tried to calm my nerves and steady the energy still flowing through me. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, surprised to see that my figure seemed a bit taller than expected for a four-year-old. My features looked more mature, my posture straighter than I remembered in children my age.

“What are you thinking about, son?” Lysa asked with a patient smile as she dried my hands with a soft towel.

I frowned, contemplating myself in the mirror. I remembered my previous life, where the rules of biology and physiology were very different. In this world, my anatomy seemed to respond differently, perhaps influenced by my race and connection to mana.

“It’s strange. I feel like I should be smaller and younger, but here I am… it seems like my body is adapting differently,” I murmured, more to myself than to them.

Aria approached with curiosity and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“In the Ancients, like us, the connection to mana affects our physical development in a unique way. Our body structure changes roughly every five years: bones, brain, skin, height… everything adjusts according to the connection with the mana in our blood. It’s part of what makes us different from other races in Profundia,” Aria explained with a tone of pride and mystery in her voice.

I nodded slowly, absorbed by the information. I had always felt that something was different in this world, and now I had a clearer clue about how my body worked in relation to mana.

“I understand… It’s fascinating and a little unsettling at the same time,” I admitted, feeling a mix of intrigue and wonder.

Lysa approached and ran a comb through my hair, a comforting maternal gesture.

“Don’t worry, Kaion. Your growth and development will be unique, but we’ll always be here to guide and support you,” she said softly, her gaze reflecting deep maternal concern.

I looked at my mother and sister with gratitude. Although I had caused quite a commotion in the house with my mana experiment, I knew I could count on them to help me understand this world and my place in it.

“Thank you. I think I have a lot to learn about being an Ancient and mastering my ability with mana,” I said with determination, resolved not to cause problems with my powers unsupervised again.

Aria smiled, squeezing my shoulder slightly.

“The important thing is that you’re willing to learn and grow, Kaion. That will take you far in this world,” she said with an encouraging smile.

With that, I felt more at peace, ready to face the challenges ahead. Yet one thought lingered in my mind: why hadn’t my mother or sister mentioned anything about magical eyes in this family? And maybe the biggest question of all still intrigued me deeply—my father...