Jin met his father's gaze without flinching. Calm. Controlled. Every movement measured.
"I don't know what to call this power," he said, letting his tone carry a hint of innocence.
From his palm, a swirl of dark energy coalesced—Spiritual Power, a gift from Solderet, the God of Shadows. It pulsed like a living thing, shadows curling and twisting around him.
Cyron's eyes flickered. His breath caught ever so slightly. Solderet… The name stirred memories long buried. Jin—the youngest son, a child barely seven—might hold the key to a power the Runcandel clan had guarded for centuries. Could this truly be the reincarnation of the clan's founder? Could it signal a revival of the Runcandels themselves?
"Father…" Jin's voice was steady, eyes bright. "Can you name it?"
Cyron studied him, silent for a heartbeat longer than seemed natural. "It is Solderet's power," he said finally. "A secret our clan has protected for generations. You are too young to understand its weight."
Jin tilted his head slightly. "Is Solderet stronger than you?"
A rare, unguarded chuckle escaped Cyron. "I've never fought a god. I cannot say."
Jin's pulse quickened. The strongest man on the continent—his father—admitted uncertainty. That hesitation, that tiny crack in Cyron's armor, made Jin's resolve burn hotter.
"I will use this power… for the clan," Jin said, his words firm.
Cyron's lips curved into a faint laugh. "Be honest, son."
Jin met his father's gaze squarely. "…For myself," he admitted, letting the truth roll off his tongue.
Cyron's expression shifted—not anger, not approval, but understanding. "Good. After defeating your brothers, you would never serve them. I will watch you." Without another word, the patriarch turned, his laughter fading into the storm outside as he left Storm Castle.
Alone, Jin exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow. He had earned his father's tacit approval—and, more importantly, his expectations. In his previous life, he had died before mastering Solderet's power. Now, in this new body, he would reclaim what had been denied to him.
Later, Nanny Gilly entered quietly. "The patriarch departs. You should see him off," she said.
Jin bowed deeply alongside the Tona twins, though their expressions were pale and fearful. Cyron rode toward the Black Sea, the Runcandel knights following him like shadows of the storm. With them gone, Storm Castle fell into an almost eerie silence—perfect for a child who intended to train without anyone watching.
Back in his room, Jin opened Mary's gift—a Phoenix Heart, slain by her own hand. He held it up, shadows dancing across its surface. A grin spread across his face. "Hahaha… she's insane. Perfect."
He set it on his desk. One day, he would brew it, cultivate its power, and ensure he would never again be powerless. Not against his brothers, not against his clan, not against the fate that had tried to consume him before.
Jin clenched his fists. His eyes glimmered with certainty. This was only the beginning.
Jin's third sister, Mary Runcandel—known across the southern region as "Stormwind Mary"—had returned, leaving behind the chaos of her month-long Phoenix Heart decoction. The castle smelled of smoke and rich, fiery aromas; several hallways bore the charred scars of the heart's intense heat. Yet Mary had vanished as if the rare elixir meant nothing to her.
"Young Master," Gilly said, entering with a warm smile. "In a couple of hours, you'll finally be able to eat the heart. Good job waiting patiently."
Jin nodded, eyes gleaming. "I've waited long enough."
Gilly's smile grew. "You may not know this, but the Phoenix Heart is especially effective for children. Consuming it young can increase your tolerance to fire. Lady Mary has given you a priceless gift."
"Really?" Jin feigned surprise, though he already knew. "I've studied the Phoenix Heart extensively—not to eat it, but to understand the phoenix as a magician."
Gilly tilted her head. "You're a magician?"
"Not officially," Jin said with a small smirk. "But I've trained in magic. I just haven't been allowed to use it."
"Ah," Gilly nodded. "Well, remember—once you eat this, your body will change. You'll grow stronger, more resilient."
"I can't wait," Jin said softly. "I want to summon a phoenix. It's always been my dream."
Gilly smiled. "Then you'll have the power to do so. But be careful—magic is forbidden in the Runcandel Clan. If you're caught…"
"I know," Jin said. "But I'll take the risk. I want to become a Magic Swordsman—one who wields both martial arts and magic."
Gilly nodded, her eyes softening. "Then you'll need more than just the heart. Strength, courage, and a clear mind."
As Gilly left humming a cheerful tune, Jin let out a quiet sigh.
"Stop loitering around me. It's annoying."
A hesitant voice came from the doorway. "Ah, o-okay…"
The Tona twins stood there awkwardly, eyes fixed on the door. They had been waiting for hours.
"Why are you here?" Jin asked coldly, though he already knew.
"Um… you see… the Phoenix…" one stammered.
"…isn't it a bit too much to eat on your own?" the other added.
Jin tilted his head, feigning ignorance. "What was that?"
"The Phoenix Heart soup," the first twin said. "Could you share a bowl with us? Otherwise, Emma will scold us."
"Do us a favor, brother," the second added.
Jin smirked. "I don't want to."
"Ah, please…" the first begged.
"We're begging you!" the second cried.
The twins teetered on the edge of tears. Jin didn't flinch.
"If you're willing to go that far, then I won't refuse. But I have a condition."
"O-oh? What is it?" the twins asked in unison.
"Remember that grave I made?" Jin nodded toward the backyard.
The twins shuddered. "The one where you buried the bird?"
"Yes," Jin said calmly. "There's a small hole behind it, like a burrow. I want you to dig it deeper. You have until nightfall. No rest."
The twins paled. "Why… do we need to dig there?"
"I want to bury the bird you killed in a proper grave," Jin said. "So it can rest in peace."
"How deep?" one of them asked nervously.
"Until nightfall. And no one else can help. Use the shovels in the warehouse."
They nodded vigorously. "We'll do it."
As the twins left, Jin turned to Gilly. "Could you share some of the Phoenix Heart soup with them when night falls?"
Gilly blinked. "Ah, how much should I give them?"
"One spoonful each," Jin said.
"One spoonful? Why bother sharing at all?" Gilly asked, puzzled.
"I must keep my promise," Jin said. "If they complain, tell them I said: 'I'll show you how kind and gentle Emma is compared to me.'"
Gilly smiled awkwardly. "Young Master Jin… Has the ruthlessness of the clan already affected you? You're still too young for this."
Jin hugged her lightly. "Elder sister Mary gave me the heart for my sake. And Gilly, you prepared it with sleepless nights. I don't want to share such a precious meal with those idiots."
As the twins dug in the rain, shovels scraping against the earth, Jin sat at the dinner table, savoring the Phoenix Heart soup.
"Is it that tasty, Young Master?" Gilly asked.
"Yeah," Jin said, slurping the soup. "It's perfect."
He finished two bowls.
"Nanny Gilly?"
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Share a spoonful with the twins at night."
"One spoonful each?" Gilly asked.
"Yes," Jin said.
By midnight, the twins finally reached the underground wall, drenched and exhausted. They realized the truth.
"One spoon?!" the first cried.
"One spoonful only? After digging all day!" the second shouted.
Jin stood in the doorway, calm and cold. "You brats. If one day of digging earned a full meal of Phoenix Heart soup, the whole world would come running."
The twins stared at him, then down at the tiny spoon Gilly handed them. They ate silently.
Jin leaned back, finishing his own meal, a small, satisfied smile on his face. The path ahead had become clearer. The secret tomes, the Phoenix Heart, Solderet's power—all of it was within reach. Soon, nothing would stand between him and the power to change everything.