CHAPTER 2 – Evolution
After finishing the book, Leo decided to train his body while also trying to awaken his mana core.
In this world, there were three great power systems:
The first was Mana – the foundation of all magic and sorcery.
The second was Ken – an ability that enhanced swordsmanship.
And the last was Shin – a power shrouded in mystery, extremely difficult to learn.
Aside from the power systems, there were also six great nations: the Human, Elf, Dragon, Spirit, Beast, and Demon nations. Each race had its own unique abilities. Elves, for example, were naturally skilled in wind magic.
Every day after training, Leo tried to awaken his mana core. He wanted to cast magic as soon as possible. According to the book, one had to concentrate deeply and reach inward.
So he took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and tried—
But nothing happened.
Frustrated, Leo turned to his mother. She was, after all, a professional mage.
"Oh? So you're curious about magic, huh?" she said with a proud smile. "Alright, let me show you how to awaken your mana core."
She sat cross-legged on the floor and began to meditate. Her focus shifted to her stomach—and then, her mana core began to glow.
Just by watching her, Leo understood the method.
So he tried it himself. The moment he focused, a sudden energy surged from within—and then—
BOOM!
Leo's mana core had awakened. But it wasn't normal. He couldn't control it. A massive force burst outward, pushing everything away. Sparks flew, objects scattered, and even his mother was blown out of the house—luckily, his father caught her in time.
His parents stared in shock, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
After they recovered, his mother smiled proudly.
"Oh, look at our genius~! How did he manage to do it at such a young age~?"
His father rubbed the back of his neck, still dazed. "Special, huh? He almost demolished the house!"
Embarrassed, Leo scratched his head. "Um… sorry, Dad. I lost control."
Mother laughed softly. "No worries, Leo. How could we be angry when you did something so miraculous~?"
Then she glared at Father. "And you, Renji—why are you being so mean to our child!"
He flinched immediately. "I-I'm sorry, Leo!"
Leo shook his head. "No, it's okay. It was my fault. I'll be more careful next time."
By the time Leo turned ten, he had learned to control his mana core. He had already reached the Blue Flow Core, the fourth stage out of sixteen. For comparison, his father was at the sixth stage—Orange Flame Core—while his mother was at the tenth, Black Abyss Core.
Leo felt blessed that the goddess had given him such incredible talent.
One day, his father grinned at him. "Hey, Leo. Since you're already this strong… how about coming with me to hunt some monsters?"
Leo's eyes sparkled. "Yes! I'd love to, please!"
Mother frowned, hesitating. "…But you have to be careful. Don't go too far, understand?"
Then she glared at Father again. "And YOU, Kenji—if anything happens to him, I'll kill you. Got it?"
Father trembled slightly, forcing a laugh. "O-of course! We'll be careful. I'll bring some old friends along too, so don't worry, haha…"
The next morning, they headed into the forest. Father had gathered five of his companions for the trip.
Leo bowed politely. "Hello, my name is Leo Mizuno. Nice to meet you all."
A pretty woman about his mother's age stepped forward, smiling warmly.
"Oh, so you're that Leo! Your mother always talks about you. I'm Emily, a mage just like her. Nice to meet you!"
She introduced the others one by one.
"This is Rey, a swordsman."
"Nice to meet you," Rey said with a calm nod.
"And this is Mia, our healer."
"Nice to meet you, Leo!" she said cheerfully.
"Kevin, our defender. He's a noble, but don't worry—he treats everyone the same."
Kevin gave a respectful smile. "Hello, Leo."
"This tall guy is Darius, our archer. He doesn't talk much, but don't underestimate him."
"…Yo," Darius muttered.
"And finally, Selina—our elemental mage. She can be… mischievous."
Selina winked playfully. "Nice to meet you, little Leo! Don't blink—I might teach you a trick or two."
Leo couldn't contain his excitement. His heart was racing. In his past life, everything had been boring—just school, school, and more school. But now… this was real.
The six of them set out at dawn, the forest still quiet—almost too quiet.
"Stay close, Leo," Father said, gripping his sword. "Monsters could appear at any moment."
"I will," Leo answered firmly.
"Emily, detection spell," Father requested.
"Mana Detection." A blue glow spread from Emily's palms. Her eyes narrowed. "Ten goblins up ahead."
Kevin raised his shield. "Ten goblins. Should be fine—but stay sharp."
"Alright," Father said calmly. "Leo—stay behind us and watch."
The bushes rustled—and ten goblins leapt out, snarling.
But these weren't like the goblins from games on Earth. Their skin was slimy, their claws sharp, their noses long and crooked. Disgusting.
"Frontline, hold them back!" Father shouted.
Kevin braced himself. The first goblin slammed into his shield and bounced back with a screech.
"Now my turn!" Rey shouted. His blade flashed once—clean, precise—and the goblin's head rolled to the ground.
Three goblins rushed at Father. He raised his sword, mana flaring as fire engulfed the blade. With a wide swing, flames devoured them.
"I've already killed three~!" he teased.
Darius loosed two arrows, striking goblins that had tried to sneak up.
"Watch your back, Kenji. Don't get carried away."
"Thunder Strike!" Selina chanted. Lightning exploded from her hands, frying three goblins on the spot.
Only one remained.
Father grinned at Leo. "Leo—it's your turn. Finish it."
At last… Leo's blood boiled with anticipation.
"Okay, Dad. Here I go!"
The goblin swung its crude blade. Leo dodged, stepped inside its reach, kicked the weapon away, and struck fast—ending its life in one clean motion.
Silence followed.
Father's eyes widened. "That fighting style… Where did you learn it?"
Leo smiled faintly. "Oh, that? Just instinct."
Suddenly, Emily's expression darkened.
"Wait… something dangerous is nearby."
Father frowned. "Should we retreat?"
Her voice trembled. "…No. It disappeared—no, wait—it's coming straight for us!"
The next instant, a massive shadow burst from the trees. The Hobgoblin slammed into Kevin's shield with crushing force, throwing him back into three others.
"Arghhh! My arm—it's bleeding!" Kevin groaned.
"Don't worry, I'll heal you!" Mia raised her hands. "Blessing of Swiftness!"
Light enveloped Kevin, closing the wound in an instant. He gritted his teeth, then stood tall once more.
"I'm ready," he growled.
"Leo, stay behind us!" Father shouted.
But before Leo could even react, the Hobgoblin's eyes locked on him.
It moved faster than anyone could follow—
—and its strike sent him flying.
His body crashed against the ground and slid straight toward the edge of a cliff.
"Catch him! Hurry!" Father's desperate cry rang out.
Everyone reached for him, but… they couldn't.
And then—Leo was falling.
"NOOO—MY SON!!!" Father's voice shattered with pain as Leo disappeared from sight.
Wind howled past his ears. Darkness swallowed him.
But Leo clenched his fists.
I will come back. I don't know when, but I promise… I won't die.
And with that vow, he vanished from their eyes.
Above the cliff, silence reigned for a moment. Then Father's voice, heavy with sorrow, broke through.
"…He's gone."
Emily bit her lip. "Is he… okay?"
"No… he fell." Father's hands trembled as he gripped his sword. Then his voice hardened. "…But Leo is strong. He'll survive. I believe in him."
He raised his blade, fire sparking in his eyes.
"Now—let's kill that monster. I won't forgive it!"
"Yes, Kenji! We'll kill that thing!" the others shouted, their voices full of rage.
Kevin stepped forward, shield raised. Rey and Renji moved up just behind him, blades glinting. Emily and Selina stood further back, mana flickering at their fingertips, while Mia took position at the rear, staff ready.
"I'll boost everyone!" Mia called, lifting her staff as a green magic circle spun in her palm. "Physical and Magic Boost!"
A warm surge flowed through the party. Muscles tightened, breathing steadied, and everyone felt mana fill their veins.
The Hobgoblin roared and charged again. Kevin planted his feet and met the monster's force; the clash rattled the earth.
Kevin flashed a fierce grin. "Now—your turn, swordsmen!"
Rey and Renji lunged in together. The Hobgoblin swung its crude wooden club—Rey met the blow, blocking it cleanly—while Renji surged forward to slice at the creature's arm.
"Fire Sword!" Renji barked, channeling ken into his blade. The enchanted edge bit into the hobgoblin's arm with a hot hiss.
The monster screamed in pain and, enraged, tried to strike with its other hand.
"Thunder Blast! Fireball!" Emily and Selina shouted together. Bolts of lightning and a searing fireball struck the monster—its second arm was blown away by the combined attack.
Renji let out a howl and drove his blade through the hobgoblin's neck. "Fire Strike!"
The head tumbled to the ground—but the torso remained standing, twitching. Something was wrong; it wouldn't collapse.
Mia's face drained of color. "Run—now! It's going to explode!"
Before anyone could react—
BOOM!
The hobgoblin detonated. The blast hurled everyone backward; dirt and leaves filled the air. By some miracle, no one was gravely wounded.
"Are you all right? I'll heal you!" Mia gasped, already reaching out to help.
"We're fine—we don't need mana right now," the others panted, more shocked than hurt.
Down below, meanwhile, Leo was still falling.
No. No—I can't die here. I have to do something.
TO BE CONTINUED…
END OF CHAPTER 2