"Eryndor," the old man began, his voice low and serious. The boy sitting in front of him immediately adopted a more solemn demeanor, his eyes locking onto the old man's face. He knew that when the old man used his full name, it meant business.
The old man's gaze held the boy's attention, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Your birthday is coming up in a week, and you'll be turning seven. That's a big milestone, and it's time for you to start your physical training. But before that, I need you to accompany me on a journey." The boy's face lit up at the mention of training, but his expression turned curious as the old man continued. "There's something we need to take care of before you start training."
The boy's curiosity got the better of him. "A journey? What for?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with interest. The old man's expression remained enigmatic. "You'll see when we get there." The boy's face fell, and he muttered under his breath, "Stingy old man, what's the point of being so vague?" But his words were cut short by a gentle slap on the head, courtesy of the old man.
The boy's tone shifted instantly, and he replied, "Yes, grandpa, I'll start preparing." He rubbed his head, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. The old man's eyes crinkled at the corners, and he nodded, seemingly pleased with the boy's response.
The old man's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Eryndor's. "Now, let's move on to the next topic. What have you learned from the books I gave you to read about mana?"
Eryndor's eyes darted slightly, as if searching his memory for the right information. The old man's question was a test of his understanding, and he knew he needed to provide a thorough answer.
"I've learned that mana is a form of energy that flows through all living things," Eryndor began. "It's what allows magic users to perform spells and incantations. The books also talked about the different types of mana, such as elemental mana and arcane mana."
The old man's expression remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to bore into Eryndor's soul, searching for any signs of misunderstanding. "Go on," he prompted, his voice encouraging Eryndor to continue.
Eryndor took a deep breath and continued. "The books also discussed the concept of mana resonance, which is how magic users can tap into the mana within themselves and around them. It's like... tuning an instrument, I suppose."
The old man's expression softened slightly, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. "Not bad, Eryndor. You're grasping the basics. But there's still much to learn."
The old man's eyes sparkled with interest as he asked, "What about the paths of power?
Eryndor's face lit up with a mixture of excitement and concentration. "Ah, yes! The Knights and Mages are two of the main paths of power in the world of Kalidor." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing.
"The Knights are warriors who harness the power of mana to enhance their physical abilities. They use their martial prowess and magical abilities to protect and serve." Eryndor's eyes shone with admiration as he spoke about the Knights.
"On the other hand, the Mages are spellcasters who wield the power of mana to manipulate the world around them. They use their magical abilities to cast spells, summon creatures, and shape reality." Eryndor's voice was filled with a sense of wonder as he talked about the Mages.
"And then there are the Battle Mages, who combine the martial prowess of the Knights with the magical abilities of the Mages. However, becoming a Battle Mage is extremely challenging and rare, as it requires a unique combination of physical and magical abilities." Eryndor's expression turned thoughtful as he considered the Battle Mages.
"Battle Mages must be skilled in both martial combat and magical theory, which makes their training process grueling and demanding. They need to develop the strength, agility, and endurance of a Knight, while also mastering complex magical spells and incantations. It's a difficult path to follow, and many don't make it through the training." Eryndor's eyes sparkled with excitement as he talked about the Battle
"The Knights, Mages, and Battle Mages have different approaches to using mana, but all are powerful in their own ways. The Knights focus on physical strength and martial skills, the Mages focus on magical abilities and spellcasting, and the Battle Mages blend both to create a unique fighting style." Eryndor's eyes sparkled with excitement as he compared the three paths.
The old man's face broke into a warm smile, clearly proud of Eryndor's understanding. "Very good, Eryndor. You're grasping the basics of the paths of power. But there's still much to learn, and the journey ahead will be challenging."