The night was eerily silent, broken only by strange sounds outside the house.
"Kiyaaaaaakkkk!" a screech rang out.
"!!!" Kael froze, worry flashing across his face.
"Wha–what's that sound? Honey!" Seria asked, fear trembling in her voice.
"It sounds like a goblin… the kind Father told me about before… but how did they get here?" Ren muttered to himself, unease tightening his small fists.
"You two stay here. That sound… it's probably a goblin! I'm going." Kael grabbed his sword, voice low and firm. For the sake of his family, he had to defeat the monsters.
Outside, the night was worse than he imagined. Four low-tier goblins circled their home, ready to attack.
"Kik-kik-kik…" the creatures hissed with cruel grins, each clutching a rusty iron sword.
"Huh? Impossible. How do these monsters have iron swords? And more importantly… how did they break the barrier of protection?" Kael muttered, tightening his grip on his blade.
Suddenly—
"!!" Kael spun, slicing an arrow from the air that had been aimed at his back.
"What the—another one?! How do they have weapons?!" Kael's eyes narrowed, his heart pounding.
Inside, Ren and Seria peeked through a hole in the door.
"So many low goblins? Why? And how?" Ren whispered, fear and awe mixing in his voice.
"I should assist your father, sweetheart…" Seria said, worry etched across her face.
"Huh? Mother, but—!" Ren's eyes widened.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be fine." Seria stepped out, locking the door behind her.
She joined Kael at his side.
"As always, you're impatient, Seria," Kael said with a small, relieved smile. "But… it makes me happy. Thank you."
"Is this something to thank me for, idiot?" Seria snapped lightly, then raised her staff.
Tier 3 Spell — "Aqua Shield!"
A shimmering wall of water surrounded the house, wrapping Kael and Seria in separate protective layers.
"Haha, great as always…" Kael said proudly.
One goblin lunged. Kael blocked with a clang of steel, then leapt forward and swung his sword, severing the creature's head in a clean arc.
"Eeekkh!" the remaining goblins shrieked.
They attacked at once, desperation flashing in their eyes.
Tier 4 Spell — "Burn in the fire of hell—Hellfire!"
Kael roared, plunging his sword into the ground. The earth split in three jagged lines, flames bursting upward. The goblins screamed as fire engulfed them, reduced to ash.
"Phew…" Kael exhaled.
Suddenly, an arrow whistled toward him.
"Huh—?" Kael turned, but—
Tier 2 Spell — "Aqua Rainfall!"
Seria's water crashed like a torrent, forming a thin, pressurized shield that stopped the arrow midair.
"Eeeeakk!" the hidden goblin's eyes widened—Kael was gone.
In the blink of an eye, Kael appeared behind it. The goblin's head rolled to the ground.
"If your gaze wavers… an accident occurs," Kael murmured darkly. He looked at his wife and smiled victoriously.
Seria smiled back. "Finally… it's over. Honey… I'm glad you're not harmed," she said, relief in her voice.
Through the door-hole, Ren's eyes shone wide, helpless but filled with awe.
"Father… Mother… they're amazing. To see magic in a real battle—it's incredible… but I couldn't do anything…" his small fists trembled.
Then, determination burned in his chest.
"In my past life I couldn't do anything… but now, in this world of magic, I can't stay weak…"
Meanwhile, deep in the Forest of Nermik, a dark object pulsed slowly on the ground, rotting the earth beneath it…
Kael wiped sweat from his brow, collecting low-tier mana stones from the goblins' chests while Seria stood guard.
"Phew… I'll inform the village head tomorrow morning. And I'll sell these mana stones," Kael said at last.
"I wonder how these monsters broke the barrier of protection… low-tier goblins shouldn't be able to, right honey?" Seria asked, her voice tight.
"Yeah… right. I don't know how they did it…" Kael sighed.
"Father, did they really break the barrier? Did you feel it yourself?" Ren asked quietly.
"You're right… I didn't feel anything. Normally the barrier is something we feel when it's cast or broken. But tonight… something felt off." Kael frowned.
"The villagers should be warned, Father," Ren said.
"Yes, Ren… you're a careful boy for a one-year-old." Kael chuckled softly, though worry clouded his eyes.
Ren tilted his head. "And Father… these mana stones—who buys them? What are they for?"
"Enough, you two!" Seria's voice cut through, firm but gentle. "Look at the time—it's already midnight. Sleep."
"Sorry, dear… Ren, we'll talk tomorrow," Kael said.
"Yes, father…" Ren mumbled. Seria bent down and kissed his forehead.
Ren smiled faintly, then drifted into sleep.
---
The Next Morning
Kael went to inform the village head of the incident. Seria tended to the house and vegetable garden.
Ren lay on his bed, frowning. "I'm not old enough to use magic… but can I really not cast anything yet?" He jumped to his feet, thrusting his hands out.
"Hmmmphhh… ahh… nothing happened…" Ren muttered, frustrated. "How do Father and Mother cast magic? Do they imagine it?"
Then a memory flashed. "Wait… last night… how did I sense those goblins without seeing them and from that distance?"
"Is that a kind of magic? Detecting magic?" Ren wondered, excitement flickering in his chest.
His mother entered, and Ren grabbed her hand. "Mother, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, sweetheart?" Seria's tone was gentle.
"When will I be able to use magic?"
"You love magic that much?" she smiled softly. "When the Revelation Ceremony happens, your magic type will be revealed. You can use it from that day by imagining it—but only once your soul connects with magic."
"Soul connecting? How, Mother? Father didn't mention that part…"
"Soul connecting means your magic power is tied to your soul from birth… but it needs your belief to awaken," Seria explained, patting his head.
"Wow… Mother, I understand now. Thank you."
She smiled warmly and went back to the kitchen.
Ren thought hard. "If soul connecting happens from birth, then I should be able to use magic… but without knowing my type, it's hard to imagine."
He breathed deeply, trying again… until, exhausted, he fell asleep.
---
Darkness. Endless, suffocating, and cold.
"Wha—… where am I?" Ren whispered.
A voice slithered through the void: "Haru… ki…"
"Huh?! Who? What is this voice?!" Ren tried to wake up, but couldn't.
His mother's voice broke through. "Sweetheart, wake up!"
Ren jolted awake, gasping for breath.
"What happened? Tell me—I'm worried. You were screaming… did you have a nightmare?" Seria's face was pale.
"Huh… I screamed? I'm sorry, Mother. I guess it was just a nightmare… I'm fine…" Ren said, confusion swirling in his eyes.
Seria kissed his forehead. "Thank goodness… Mama is here now, sweetheart. You're safe."
Ren smiled faintly, but inside he trembled. "What was that voice…? Was it really just a dream?"
Then—
"Did you get scared… little boy?" someone whispered… inside his mind.