A voice came from the other side of the door.
"Open up, Rowan. It's me."
Rowan blinked in surprise. Dad? He hurried over and opened the door.
Aldwin stepped inside and closed it behind him. "What… Dad? What are you doing here?" Rowan asked, a little nervous.
"I just wanted to talk to you," Aldwin said, sitting down on Rowan's bed. His expression was calm but serious. "About what I mentioned earlier… the idea of you becoming an adventurer. Do you like it or not?"
The path of an adventurer… I really don't know. Rowan thought to himself, staring at the floor. But actually, that is one of the only ways I could grow stronger in this world. If I ever want to fight the Demon Lord, I will need that path. Lin Min is no longer with me, and in this new life, I have to find something to keep me going. Something to give me purpose.
He lifted his eyes and looked at Aldwin. "I wouldn't say I don't want to," Rowan said carefully. "You told me adventurers fight monsters, that they are heroes. I want to be like that too, fighting monsters and saving people. I like the idea."
A warm smile spread across Aldwin's face. "Yes, son. That is what I hoped to hear." His voice carried both relief and pride. "The happiest day of my life was the day you were born. From that moment, I dreamed of seeing you grow strong, maybe even as an adventurer. But you have surprised me in so many ways already. You learned to read as early as four, faster than anyone I have ever seen. It shocked me. The way you pick things up is remarkable."
Aldwin reached over, resting a hand on Rowan's shoulder. "And with the sword, I have been teaching you in small ways, and you are already far better than most children your age. You truly are gifted."
"How is that? Am I gifted? Not many children my age could do this," Rowan said.
"For a six-year-old, you are smart. Really smart," Aldwin replied. "Learning to read at the age of four is actually very impressive. Most children don't start until they're seven, and by ten they move on to the Royal Academy to train as adventurers. That's one of the most prestigious paths in the kingdom. And I think you'll do just fine."
He paused, studying Rowan carefully. "The other day, when we trained with the sword… the way you handled it was perfect. I've been using a sword for years, and I can tell when someone has talent. It felt like you were holding back, hiding what you can really do. I'm just saying."
Aldwin finished with a smile.
Rowan tilted his head. "Wow, holding back? Okay. But tell me, Father, how was your life as an adventurer? Was it really fun?"
Aldwin chuckled. "Fun? Yes. But more than that, it was dangerous. Adventuring is one of the most rewarding jobs, yet also one of the riskiest. Still, I believe you'll grow stronger than me, far stronger. And when you're on your own journeys, you can earn money by selling monster parts. Their cores especially are valuable, though sometimes entire bodies can fetch a good price."
"Wow, just like that?" Rowan's eyes widened.
Inside, however, he thought differently. In my previous world, it was never this easy. To make money, you had to work tirelessly. Even after killing countless monsters, even after becoming a Sword Saint, I never earned a damn coin from it. My journeys were filled with blood and exhaustion, not rewards.
Most of the time, when I traveled to slay demons or monsters that plagued villages, I had no choice but to sleep on the road. If night fell and I was near a settlement, sometimes people let me into their homes out of respect for who I was. But everything changed after I defeated the Demon Lord. Nine months before his resurrection.
Rowan's hand tightened slightly on his lap as the memory passed.
"You have the potential to use all five primary attributes," Aldwin said. "Fire, water, ice, rock, and wind. Most people can only use one, maybe two if they're extremely gifted. But you…" He paused, his eyes filled with pride. "You have the capacity to wield all of them."
Rowan blinked in surprise. "All five?"
"Yes," Aldwin nodded. "It's unheard of. The last time anyone with such a gift appeared in the kingdom was over two hundred years ago. Even then, they only mastered three attributes. You surpass them already, and you're only six years old."
Rowan's mind raced. In my past life, I only had my sword and countless heavenly skills, but I never had command over any element. Everything I achieved, every demon I cut down, was through sheer swordsmanship and divine techniques. But now… I might wield both.
"But, son," Aldwin continued, lowering his voice, "don't speak of this to others. Talent draws envy. And envy draws danger. For now, we'll keep your gift between us, until you're strong enough to protect yourself."
Rowan nodded slowly. "I understand, Father."