In the deep darkness of a cave forgotten by time…
An eye opened.
Yellow.
Vertical.
A living slit cutting through the darkness.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then—
A gust of hot air swept through the cavern, stirring dust that had slept there for centuries. A deep sound echoed soon after. It wasn't just a growl.
It was… awareness awakening.
"The mana of the world… is adjusting…"
The creature moved slowly.
Silver scales slid against one another with the sound of living metal. Its long and imposing body emerged from the shadows, spines lining its back like natural blades. Every movement carried an ancient weight.
A colossal head rose.
A mouth full of teeth capable of tearing steel.
But it was the eyes that carried the true terror.
Eyes that did not reflect hunger.
They reflected wisdom.
"The mana… is responding…"
It remained still, sensing.
Perceiving.
Something had changed.
Something impossible.
"Something is affecting the world…"
A pause.
"I must discover what."
And for the first time in centuries…
The dragon fully awakened.
Far away from there…
Erond was sitting on the grass.
Small.
Fragile.
Harmless to anyone who looked at him.
Legs crossed. Eyes closed.
Calm breathing.
But the air around him vibrated.
Mana responded.
Not like a tool.
But like an extension.
It was resonance.
At first, a gentle breeze crossed the field, rustling the leaves around him.
Then the wind grew stronger.
Leaves lifted from the ground, slowly spinning in the air.
Mana flowed toward him, attracted not by force…
But by affinity.
The intensity increased.
The wind wrapped around his body.
His hair moved softly.
His small chest rose and fell in perfect harmony with the invisible flow.
He was not controlling mana.
He was in tune with it.
Then—
Erond opened his eyes.
They were no longer green.
They were blue.
Deep.
Ancient.
Alive.
At that instant, everything stopped.
The wind ceased.
The leaves fell.
The mana grew quiet.
Not because it had left.
But because it had found its center.
Something that, in that world, only magical beasts possessed from birth.
Creatures that didn't learn mana…
Because they were part of it.
But Erond was different.
He wasn't born connected.
He connected himself.
While his body was still growing…
Erond looked at his hands.
Opened them.
Closed them.
Opened them again.
He could feel it.
Mana flowed through his body like a living river, running through invisible veins that only he could perceive, converging at the center of everything.
His mana heart.
Before, it had been as small as a seed…
Now it was the size of an orange.
Dense.
Stable.
Alive.
He took a deep breath, feeling that presence pulsing in perfect harmony with him.
A smile appeared on his face.
I was right.
It was just a matter of finding the right frequency.
At that moment—
"Erond! Come inside, it's time to eat!" his mother called from the house.
Her voice instantly broke his concentration.
He opened his eyes, the deep blue disappearing, replaced by their natural green.
"I'm coming!"
He stood up, dusting his clothes with his hands. A few leaves were still stuck in his hair, and he had to pull them out one by one while grumbling quietly.
Dignity was a daily struggle.
He ran toward the house.
As soon as he entered, he ran straight into his mother.
Now he was tall enough to reach her waist, which in his opinion was significant progress.
Without hesitation, he hugged her.
"Mom, I did it… I synchronized."
She didn't ask "with what."
She already knew.
She always knew.
She knelt down and picked him up, kissing his cheek affectionately.
"I knew you would."
The pride in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"Let's eat. Your father is already waiting."
Erond nodded.
At first, this life had felt strange.
A present father.
A loving mother.
Something he had never had before.
Something he didn't know how to deal with.
But with time…
He stopped resisting.
And decided to enjoy it.
To enjoy the chance to be a child once again.
And this time…
To be happy.
During lunch, his father spoke casually,
"Son, in a few days it will be your birthday. I received confirmation that your fiancée will be coming."
Erond froze with a spoon in the air.
Fiancée.
That word again.
His mother immediately lit up.
"Elaine is coming?!"
"Yes, dear. Her parents will come as well."
She placed her hands on her face, clearly excited.
Then she looked at Erond.
"Did you hear that, Erond? Your grandparents will come too."
Grandparents.
GRANDPARENTS!
This was getting better and better.
But then she turned back to her husband.
"And your parents?"
Aragorn let out a tired sigh.
"I sent a messenger… but so far I haven't received a reply."
My mother smiled with that look that mixed patience and playful teasing.
"Don't worry, dear. You know your parents enjoy creating a bit of drama."
Erond watched the two of them in silence.
Fiancée.
Grandparents.
Dramatic grandparents.
And a birthday coming soon.
Something told him…
Things were about to get very interesting.