Two figures stood at the mouth of a cave nestled high within the mountain cliffs. One was a broad-shouldered man in his early forties, streaks of grey running through his dark hair like battle scars. Beside him stood a boy no older than eleven, fidgeting anxiously with the hem of his tunic.
They waited in silence—until a rough voice rumbled from deeper within.
"You may enter, son."
The two stepped inside.
The chamber carved into the mountain was lit by glowing stones embedded in the walls. At the far end sat an older man in his late fifties, his hair fully grey yet his posture unbent. He lounged casually on a wooden seat, sipping something from a silver cup as though this were a social visit, not a sacred ritual.
The middle-aged man bowed slightly. "I hope you've been well, Father. As you know, my son has reached twelve years. We've come to conduct his awakening—to determine his Vitral affinity."
The old man waved dismissively. "No need to act so formal, Sid. I already know this brat will awaken something impressive. He's from our bloodline, isn't he?" He smirked smugly. "Strongest human in the world—excluding the Guardians, and maybe a few ancient beasts I've yet to meet. Apple. Tree. You understand."
Sid sighed, half proud, half exasperated ."Let's just get started."
The old man stood and gestured deeper into the chamber."The pond has cooled. Little Three, strip down and step in."
The boy stiffened. "Uh… could you both turn around? I-I'd rather not undress with you staring."
The old man scoffed. "Staring? I changed your father's diapers. And yours. You think modesty exists between men?"
"But—"
"No buts," Sid chimed in. "Just get in."
The grandfather huffed dramatically. "Fine. We'll turn around. Happy?"
Both men turned their backs.
The boy rushed to peel off his clothes and dove into the shimmering pond without hesitation. Not because he believed their act—he knew full well both of them could sense even a fly twitch in the room. His grandfather, especially, could probably hear his heartbeat from miles away.
Submerged up to his chest, Little Three clenched his fists beneath the surface.
I hope… I awaken something strong. Like Father. Like Grandfather. So I can stand with them.
He took a deep breath.
"You can look now."
The two men turned around.
The old man squinted exaggeratedly at the boy in the pond."Huh? Did you shrink? You were taller last time. Or thinner. Sid—are you not feeding this child?"
Sid stiffened. "Father, that's—"
"Excuses. I don't want to hear your financial struggles or emotional parenting philosophies." He waved him off. "Feed him meat. Real meat. Not grass soup."
Sid opened his mouth, defeated. "…We don't even eat grass soups."
The old man ignored him entirely. "Enough chatter. Ritual begins."
He lifted his hand. A small vial shimmered into existence between his fingers, its contents glowing faintly like mist trapped inside glass.
Without hesitation, he tipped it over the pond.
The liquid touched the water—
—and the entire pond erupted in light.
Green radiance burst across the surface, then flared into blinding white. Frost crackled outward instantly, racing across the pond faster than breath.
Ice spread like wildfire, locking onto every corner of the pond.
The water turned solid in an instant, burying the boy beneath a sheet of frost.
Sid's face drained of color.
"THREE!"
Without hesitation, he dove into the freezing mass—
SNAP!
A single finger flick from the old man, and both father and son reappeared on the stone floor, soaked and shivering.
Sid sprang to his feet, furious.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP IT EARLIER?!"
The old man didn't respond immediately. He simply looked down at the unconscious boy — his body stiff, lips pale, ice crystals still clinging to his hair.
Then he spoke flatly.
"…He failed."
No softness. No comfort.
Just truth.
Sid's fists trembled. "That doesn't mean—!"
"It means exactly that." The old man's gaze sharpened. "His awakening… is nonexistent. His body didn't react. No trace of energy responded to the catalyst."
He crouched, placing a warm green glow over the boy to thaw him slowly.
"He's… ordinary."
The word hung like a curse.
Sid grit his teeth. "Impossible. He's my son. My bloodline. He can't be—"
"Sid."
The old man's tone was firm enough to silence him.
"Sometimes the world doesn't care whose son you are."
Silence.
Only Three's shaky breaths could be heard as his body regained warmth.
Sid finally lowered his head.
His voice cracked.
"…What do we tell him… when he wakes?"
The old man paused.
His gaze softened, just a little.
"…The truth."
Sid sat beside the boy, gently brushing thawed ice from his hair. Three remained limp, his breath steady but faint.
The old man stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the frozen pond in silence.
No one spoke for a long while.
Eventually, Sid broke it.
"…Father."
The old man didn't respond.
Sid swallowed. "You were hoping, weren't you?"
A bitter smile tugged at the elder's lips.
"Hmph. I may be old, but even I have hopes." His voice softened, almost nostalgic. "I thought… perhaps if he awakened, I could leave this land knowing there was another pillar to rise after me and you."
Sid turned sharply. "Leave?"
The old man didn't meet his gaze.
"…This world can no longer support my cultivation." He finally said. "I've delayed for years, restraining my breakthrough just to stay… but the wall is cracking. If I push further, the heavens themselves will eject me."
Sid clenched his fists. "So you're saying… you'll ascend."
The old man nodded.
"Soon. I thought Three might awaken before then. That maybe fate would be kind and give you one less thing to worry about."
He looked at his grandson's unconscious face.
"…But fate chose otherwise."
Sid closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
"Even if he can't cultivate, he's not useless." He spoke steadily, forcing confidence. "He's sharp. Learns fast. He's already managing my ledgers better than my attendants."
He chuckled weakly.
"If he wants, he can run the clan's finances in the future. Not every pillar has to stand on strength."
The old man stared at him for a long moment, then nodded.
"…Then we entrust him that path."
With a wave of his hand, Three's body vanished in a blink — teleported away.
In a quiet room, moonlight spilling across his bed…
Three lay bundled beneath thick blankets. His fingers twitched. His brows furrowed.
Slowly—his eyelids fluttered.
His breathing steadied.
His eyes opened.