The following morning, Leon found himself outside for the first time since his birth. Though his infant body limited his movements, the warm breeze and the scent of fresh grass were refreshing.
Seraphina's father—his grandfather—stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as before.
"You have remarkable instincts, boy," the older man said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "But instincts alone won't make you strong."
Leon didn't react outwardly, but internally, he agreed. I need more than raw affinity. I need control.
The old man raised his hand, summoning a small flickering flame. It hovered above his palm, shifting between bright orange and deep crimson.
"This is controlled fire," he said. "It does not burn without my will. It does not flicker without my command."
He flicked his wrist. The flame elongated, twisting into the shape of a thin blade before vanishing in an instant.
Leon's golden eyes gleamed.
Seraphina, who stood nearby, smiled knowingly. "Father, don't overwhelm him. He's still a baby."
The old man scoffed. "Nonsense. If he's to be trained, we start now." His gaze returned to Leon. "Show me what you can do."
Leon didn't hesitate.
He focused inward, reaching for the warmth within him.
[Eon: Fire Elemental Resonance… Active]
The small traces of fire mana in the air pulsed, responding to him. A faint flicker of heat surrounded his tiny body, not yet forming into a flame but undeniably present.
The old man's brows lifted slightly.
So he really can draw in mana instinctively…
Leon tried to push further, to shape it, to control it—
But the moment he did, the warmth scattered, dissipating into nothing.
His grandfather chuckled. "As expected. You lack discipline."
Seraphina frowned slightly. "He's still learning."
The old man ignored her and knelt closer to Leon. "Mana is like a beast, boy. If you let it roam freely, it will disappear. If you try to force it into submission, it will resist."
He extended a single finger, touching Leon's forehead lightly.
"You must command it."
For a brief moment, a pulse of fire-elemental energy flowed from the old man into Leon. It wasn't an attack—it was guidance.
Leon's body trembled as the warmth returned, stronger than before.
The scattered mana around him… obeyed.
A tiny ember formed just above his palm.
It flickered weakly, unrefined, unstable—
But it was his.
Seraphina gasped. "He did it."
The old man smirked. "Good." He straightened, the amusement in his eyes unmistakable. "Let's see if you can do it again."
Leon stared at the tiny ember before it faded away.
His first step had been taken.
And he had no intention of stopping now.