Leon's training began the very next morning.
Though his body was small and frail, his mind was as sharp as ever. His grandfather wasted no time, exposing him to fire mana in different ways—forcing him to feel its nature, to understand how it flowed.
"Fire is not just destruction," the old man said, standing over him. "It is warmth, creation, energy… It is will."
Leon listened carefully.
To prove his point, his grandfather raised a single finger. A small ember formed, but instead of burning wildly, it pulsed rhythmically—alive, but tamed. Then, with the slightest flex of his will, the ember stretched, forming into a thin thread of flame before vanishing.
Leon's golden eyes shone.
"That level of control," his grandfather continued, "is what separates those who wield fire from those who are consumed by it."
Leon took a deep breath—or as deep as his infant lungs would allow. He focused.
[Eon: Fire Elemental Resonance… Active]
The surrounding mana responded, drawn to him like moths to a flame. This time, instead of forcing it, he guided it.
A tiny ember flickered to life in his palm.
Steady. Controlled.
Seraphina, watching nearby, let out a soft gasp. "Already…?"
Her father smirked. "Good."
Leon concentrated, trying to extend the ember like his grandfather had shown. He willed it to stretch, to shape itself—
But the moment he pushed too hard, the ember flared uncontrollably before vanishing.
His grandfather chuckled. "Impatience leads to failure."
Leon scowled internally. I was too forceful…
Fire obeyed command, not brute force.
Seraphina knelt beside him, brushing a hand over his small head. "You're doing amazing, my little ember," she whispered.
Leon, despite his frustration, allowed himself to relax in her warmth.
His grandfather crossed his arms. "We'll continue this every day. Your body is weak, but your affinity is monstrous. If you can strengthen your stamina, you'll reach true control faster than anyone I've seen."
Leon absorbed the words carefully.
Strengthening his body was the next step. But he wasn't content with just training—he needed to find ways to accelerate his growth.
His golden eyes gleamed.
One month, huh?
That was more than enough time to lay the foundation for what was to come.