CHAPTER 4 — The Path Toward Greatness Begins
Four years passed in a blur of sweat, magic, wooden swords, and endless mornings where the sun rose before any of them did.
The once tiny infants who arrived mysteriously in this world were now five-year-olds—sharp-eyed, eager, and already stronger than most village children twice their age. But today… today they were nine.
And as the morning light filtered through the windows of their home, a soft golden glow settled across the dining table where the family gathered for breakfast.
The smell of warm bread, grilled riverfish, and spiced root vegetables filled the room. Clay plates clinked softly. Birds chirped outside. It was peaceful… almost too peaceful for the storm that was about to drop.
Ren, their father, sat at the head of the wooden table. His hair was tied back the way it always was during serious conversations. Elia, their mother, moved gracefully between the stove and table, refilling cups and slicing fruit.
Doari, Koari, and Zoari sat side-by-side, each with their own subtle aura of excitement. Years of training had changed them.
Doari, bright-eyed with restless energy, had grown more disciplined than he appeared—but that fire inside him never went away.
Koari, thoughtful and curious, already spoke like someone who studied the world instead of merely living in it.
Zoari, calm and unreadable, was becoming frighteningly sharp. His instincts were the strongest of the three by far.
It was during this calm morning meal that Ren cleared his throat.
Every head turned to him.
"I think…" he began, adjusting his cup and watching his sons carefully, "you three are ready."
Doari froze mid-bite.
Koari lowered his spoon.
Zoari simply blinked once, quietly alert.
Elia, who had been wiping her hands with a cloth, stopped.
"Ready?" she echoed. "Ready for what?"
Ren leaned back in his chair, shoulders broad, voice steady with conviction.
"I want to enroll them in Dragonspire Academy."
Silence.
Even the birds outside seemed to stop chirping.
Elia's eyes widened. "Ren… wait. Wait. They're only nine. Nine! Dragonspire Academy is for future warriors—older children, teenagers—those who've already awakened their aura! They are still children—"
Ren raised a hand gently. "I know. I know exactly how old they are."
He looked at his sons again, his expression filled with pride and certainty.
"But I have been training them since birth. And I know what level they're at now. They are ready."
Elia pressed a hand to her chest. "Could you at least… ask the boys what they want? Don't just decide—"
Before she could finish, Doari jumped up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"We want to go!"
Elia blinked. "You… what?"
Doari nodded eagerly. "We want to go now."
Koari set his spoon down with grace and added, "If we start young, we'll have more time to train. That means we can grow stronger and become real warriors."
Zoari didn't lift his head. He simply swallowed his food, wiped his mouth, and said in his quiet tone:
"Agreed."
Ren smirked proudly.
Elia stared at them all, baffled. "You three… really want this?"
Doari leaned forward, voice bright and confident. "Don't worry, Mother! We'll visit all the time."
Koari raised three fingers. "At least three times a week."
Elia softened, laughing at their innocent seriousness. "Three times a week? Do you even know how far the academy is?"
"We'll still come," Koari said confidently, even though he clearly had no idea.
Doari nodded firmly.
Zoari nodded once.
Elia sighed and placed a hand over her mouth. "You boys…"
Ren reached across the table and rested a large hand over hers.
"So? Will you allow it?"
Elia looked at her three sons—each one different, each one extraordinary—and saw the same spark she saw in Ren when he was young. The spark of purpose. Of destiny.
"…Alright," she said softly. "You can go."
Instantly—
"Yes!!" Doari shouted.
Koari pumped his fist. "Finally!"
Zoari simply tightened his grip on his fork, but the tiny upward curve of his lips said enough.
Ren's grin widened. "Good. Tomorrow morning, I'll enroll all three of you myself."
Doari leaned back in his chair, his heart pounding with excitement.
Another step toward becoming like the heroes in his old world's novels.
Another step closer to adventure.
Koari's mind raced with questions. An academy… books… knowledge… techniques… history. I'll finally learn everything about this world.
Zoari exhaled slowly, feeling something stir in his chest.
A place full of warriors… if I'm going to surpass Father… I need to get stronger.
The decision was made.
Tomorrow, everything changed.
---
Later That Day
The brothers sat behind their home, watching the sun slowly sink below the hills. Training dummies stood in a row—old, cracked, dented, and worn from years of abuse.
Doari broke the silence first, gripping his wooden sword.
"This is it," he whispered.
Koari sat cross-legged on the grass. "We're actually going to Dragonspire Academy."
Zoari stood against a tree, arms crossed, eyes closed as he listened to the wind.
Doari grinned. "Just imagine… real swords… real warriors… maybe even—"
"Aura training," Koari finished.
Zoari didn't open his eyes. "We are ready."
Doari raised an eyebrow. "You're pretty calm. Shouldn't you be excited?"
"I am."
"You don't sound like—"
A sudden THUMP echoed through the backyard.
Doari and Koari looked to their left.
Zoari had struck the dummy beside him with just his bare hand.
A clean dent appeared in the thick wood.
Doari stared.
Koari stared.
Zoari opened his eyes at last.
"…Excited," he repeated.
Later
The three brothers stood before their father.
Ren folded his arms, his tall figure casting a long shadow over them.
"Before you go to Dragonspire Academy," he said firmly, "I need to know what type you are. Mage? Tank? Or straight-up warriors like me?"
He grinned.
"And it just so happens, a wizard with an Apparatus Talent is in town, scouting for gifted children. Though," he smirked confidently, "I doubt any of my sons are mage types."
Doari puffed his chest out.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll become an even greater warrior than you!"
Ren laughed and ruffled his hair.
"We'll see about that. Come on."
---
The village streets were lively.
Doari sat proudly on Ren's shoulders. Koari rested in one arm, while Zoari was held securely in the other. Villagers greeted them warmly as they passed.
"Good morning," the brothers chimed.
"Good morning, lovely children," an old lady replied with a smile.
Soon, they reached the town square.
A long line stretched across the plaza.
Koari blinked. "We're here, right Dad? All these people came to check their talents?"
Ren nodded. "Looks like it."
After what felt like forever, it was finally their turn.
---
Behind a wooden table stood the wizard.
He was tall and thin, wearing deep violet robes embroidered with silver runic patterns that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. His long white beard reached his chest, and a monocle-like crystal lens hovered over one eye, scanning faintly with magical light.
His fingers were decorated with metallic rings engraved with mana circuits.
"Oh?" the wizard murmured. "Triplets?"
Ren smiled proudly. "Yes. I'm blessed."
Doari swallowed.
This is it… What talent will we have?
Ren gently lowered him to the ground.
The wizard placed a strange sphere on the table.
---
The Apparatus
The ball was crystal-clear, but inside it swirled faint mist-like energy — shifting colors, like a galaxy trapped in glass. Golden lines ran through it like veins, pulsing softly.
"Place your hand on the sphere," the wizard instructed.
Doari stepped forward and pressed his palm against it.
At first, nothing happened.
Then—
A red aura burst outward from his body, flickering like controlled flames. The crystal ball glowed crimson, vibrating slightly.
The wizard's eyes widened.
"What?! You have talent, boy."
Ren's chest swelled with pride.
The wizard continued, examining closely.
"You possess an ability that can affect mana itself… and even interfere with attacks. You are not a mage — you are a combat type. A knight-class with exceptional potential."
Ren laughed loudly. "I knew it!"
Doari grinned internally.
An ability that affects mana and attacks… That's sweet.
---
Next was Koari.
He stepped forward quietly and touched the sphere.
This time, a cool blue aura flowed outward, spreading calmly around him like water.
The mist inside the sphere shifted into deep ocean colors.
The wizard adjusted his lens.
"This one… thirsts for knowledge."
Koari blinked.
"You have a talent related to beasts and animals. An Apparatus Talent suited for understanding, commanding, or forming bonds with them. Still not a mage… but you would excel in close combat with beast synergy. Tremendous potential."
Ren nodded proudly again.
---
Finally, Zoari stepped up.
He looked calm.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
Suddenly—
A green aura flared sharply, sharper and more unstable than the others. The mist inside the sphere slowed… then flickered… then slightly distorted.
The wizard froze.
"…Interesting."
The air felt heavier.
"This one is also close-combat oriented. Not a mage. But his talent is… complicated."
He leaned closer.
"It seems to… interfere with movement. Perhaps… slowing attacks?"
Zoari blinked.
The wizard leaned back slowly.
"Remarkable children. Yet… it's a shame. I see no true wizard among you."
Ren smiled calmly. "Keep looking. I'm sure you'll find one."
The brothers turned and began walking home.
Doari clenched his fist.
"Another step forward," he said confidently. "Now we know our abilities."
Zoari glanced at the sky.
Koari smiled quietly.
"Soon," Doari continued, "we'll be like those amazing webnovel heroes."
Ren laughed behind them.
"Heroes, huh? First survive the academy."
The wind blew gently through the village.
Far above them…
Something unseen stirred.
---
To be continued…
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