Lane stepped inside. Until the old man finished seeing him off, he kept thinking about what he had to do next. In his hand was a pendant, and from his body, energy overflowed. He was now at the level of two stars, but his body couldn't fully handle that power.He made a plan to himself:"I need to train during the next three years. I can't just sit around like this. At the very least, I must reach the late stages of the third level. Becoming two stars is easy, but the real challenge begins after three stars."
While Lane was making his plan, Elder Vaen had gone to deliver the boy back to his family. When he returned, he found Lane deep in thought."Lane, what are you doing again? What are you thinking about?""Master, I want to strengthen my training now. From now on, teach me every detail. I've finished all the books, I clean every day, and I've advanced a lot in mana circulation. Isn't it time to learn the deeper techniques?"
The old man smiled. "You're right. You've already mastered most things. When I examine your mana, I see that it overflows—but it's calm."
His eyes turned blue, glowing faintly as he examined Lane's energy."Good, good… It's time to begin slowly. Go to the backyard."
Lane changed clothes and went to the backyard. The old man arrived without even taking his cane, carrying two books."These are books I wrote myself. One is about alchemy, the other about sorcery. Inside are all the types of magic. You will study them all and master them."
Lane carefully took the books.Vaen continued, "My core power is fire. You can use all kinds of magic, but the core is something entirely different. Even if you master every spell, you cannot fight with mana that is not aligned with your core. True mastery lies in balancing your core with the outer world. Never forget that."
The old man raised both hands, then swiftly lowered them, aligning them parallel. With his hands, he drew circles in opposite directions; complex magic patterns appeared. He took a step back, and a sphere of fire mana formed around him. He had completely released the power of his core."Look, boy," he said. "Releasing the pure energy of your core is the hardest part of magic. No matter how skilled you are, if it's not in harmony with your core, you cannot fight with it. This method draws mana to strengthen your external core energy."
Lane watched closely and took notes. The lesson lasted several hours. Then it was his turn.He tried to release his lightning mana—but failed."Master, I can't do it. It's too hard."Vaen smiled softly. "That's enough for today. Bringing out your core isn't easy. But one day, you'll master it."
Lane wiped his sweat with a cloth and went to his room. Vaen began preparing dinner.And so, Lane entered a deep three-year training.
Three Years Later
Lane's hair had grown down to his waist. His body had hardened, his muscles defined. He had just turned nine and was a few months away from ten.He had mastered nearly all types of magic—water, lightning, darkness, earth, nature... He could now wield every element with precision.He hunted wolves and bears alone in the forest, training his body and mind relentlessly. He had reached the third star.
That morning, before opening his eyes, he stayed still for a moment. He listened to the sounds within the silence: the wind brushing against the leaves, the distant chirping of birds, the echo of flowing water from afar."The world is always speaking," he thought. "But to understand it, one must be silent."
During those three years, he hadn't only learned magic. He had learned silence, patience, and control over his emotions. He was no longer the impulsive child he once was.
That evening, he returned to the cabin carrying a bear carcass on his back. When they sat at the table, silence filled the room."Master," he finally said, "I've completed my training alone. From now on, I need to go on new journeys. I must learn about the world and understand my surroundings."The old man paused for a moment, his throat tightening. Then, with a sad smile, he said, "So the time for parting has come, huh?"
Lane replied,"Master, I can sense your energy. You're about to reach the ninth level. You must prepare for it. During that time, I'll improve myself. When your seclusion ends, I'll return."
The old man asked in surprise, "You… can see my energy?""Yes, Master," Lane said. "My dragon mana has evolved. Now I can see the flow of energy with dragon eyes."
Vaen took a deep breath, then smiled. "Alright then, my boy. Our paths part here. Let's enjoy this last dinner together."
That night, the silence of farewell filled the cabin.
The next morning, Lane packed his belongings. Vaen was waiting at the door. Lane set his things down and hugged the old man tightly."Master, thank you for everything you've done. You never left me alone."Vaen placed his hand on Lane's head. "Boy, these three years passed quickly. You've become more than a student—you're like a grandson to me. Take this."
He placed a small metallic device in his palm. "This is a communication system between us. You can contact me in difficult times. I've also placed a protective spell inside."
Lane strapped the device to his arm. Then he took his belongings and his swords. Two hung from his belt: one made of mithril, the other the Dragonblood Sword.As he stepped out, he looked back one last time. Vaen smiled and waved. Lane returned the gesture.
When he stepped into the forest, the air was clear. For four days he walked—hunting at night, advancing during the day. The sunlight filtering through the trees glowed on his white hair, carrying a calm rhythm in every step.
"Power is a silence born of solitude," he thought. "A strength that depends on no one and belongs to no one."
The wind caressed his cheeks. This silence was no longer peace to him—it was an oath."When you're tired, go outside and clear your mind," he murmured to himself. "Think of nothing. Feel the cold of the wind on your face, the warmth of the sun. That's how the mind lightens, that's how life quiets."
At the end of the fourth day, he reached the border of Solarin. From the hilltop, he looked down—a small village lay below.The wind carried human voices from afar; joy and fear blended together. Lane thought to himself, "Something's wrong here."
When he entered the village, what he saw surprised him. A large crowd had gathered in the center.They stood before a church. A man was shouting:"You said you would heal me, but I'm still sick! You're all liars! You don't believe in your sacred faith!"He threw the medicines on the ground. Two nuns approached, trying to calm him and took him into a tent.
Lane watched curiously. The man went in but never came out again. Instead, two nuns emerged."We will now heal him properly. May the holy goddess Ariana bless us," they said. From their hands radiated golden light—the pure energy of faith, sacred mana.
Lane left the crowd and entered an inn."Innkeeper, do you have a free room?" he asked."Only one, three gold a night.""Isn't that a bit too much?"The innkeeper shouted, "If you don't like it, go somewhere else! Holy knights stay here, there's no place for ragged folks like you!"
Lane stared at him with expressionless eyes. That look made the innkeeper's knees tremble."Fine! One gold, not a coin less!"Lane took out a gold coin and tossed it. "Show me the room."
He went inside. It was small, worn out, but enough. He hid the mithril sword and covered the Dragonblood Sword with cloth.Looking out the window, he saw people's faces—emotionless, all wearing the same mask."Something's very wrong here. Everyone looks soulless, as if they aren't even alive," he thought.
The next morning, he walked through the village. His first stop was the fruit seller."How much are these apples?""One apple is ten silver," said the man.Lane frowned. "In my region, it was four silver.""May the goddess Ariana bless us!" the vendor shouted. "The church saved us—thank the heavens!"
Lane silently bought three apples. "These people are blind," he thought.As he bit into one of the apples, a child suddenly ran up and tried to snatch the bag from his hand. Lane instantly caught him."Hey! Why are you stealing?"The boy kicked, but Lane grabbed his arm and dragged him into an alley."Tell me, why did you steal?"The child cried. "My brother's starving… The church took my parents, and they never came back. The nuns took them away."
Lane's expression darkened. "Soul extraction…" he muttered. "And from a holy church, no less."He handed the apples to the boy. "Take these to your brother. If you ever see me again, find me."
Then his eyes turned toward the tent. "It's time to learn the truth," he said.And he walked toward the church.