Leon turned two that morning, before the sun had even risen. The world was silent, yet something inside him felt different. As he sat up in bed, a strange warmth pulsed in his chest. He clenched his tiny fingers into a fist and pressed it against his heart. It beat wildly, as if something inside wanted to break free.
Then… something happened.
The air around him began to ripple. An invisible energy swirled within the room. Leon's eyes widened. A force beyond his understanding stirred the atmosphere. He took a deep breath—and in that moment, a voice echoed within his mind:
Calm yourself… focus… feel…
It wasn't human, nor beastly. It felt like a forgotten echo from deep within himself. Memories, long buried, began to rise—his family's death, the dark days, his thirst for vengeance. They returned like haunting dreams.
Closing his eyes, Leon took a slow breath. Energy stirred in his body. He raised his tiny hands, and from his fingertips, a faint blue light shimmered. For the first time, mana flowed from within him. A small, trembling, yet alive circle formed at the center of his chest.
A mana ring.
Without realizing it, Leon had created his first magical circle.
---
Days passed. Leon was now three years old. His training had begun. At dawn, his father Darius awaited him in the courtyard. Sword drills, mana control, body flexibility… it went on for hours each day. Sweat mixed with dust as droplets fell from Leon's brow onto the ground.
His small body trembled with each strike, but he didn't fall. Because behind each stumble stood the memory of that day—the day he lost everything. His mother's lifeless body, his father's final gaze… it burned in his mind.
Every time, the same thought echoed inside him:
Even Father couldn't stop him… So how can I?
That thought robbed him of sleep, yet made him grip his sword tighter each morning. Every move, every breath, slowly forged a stronger, more determined Leon.
---
One day, after training, Leon sat by the old well near the courtyard, catching his breath. His eyes stared into the distance when suddenly—darkness fell. Time itself seemed to freeze. Glowing symbols appeared before his eyes, spinning slowly. He couldn't blink or turn away.
A voice spoke:
> "Quest: Hunt the Beast.
Location: Misty Forest.
Reward: Increase in Physical Strength."
Before Leon could even react, everything went black. When he opened his eyes, he stood in a dense forest, filled with fog and shadows. His heartbeat raced. Instinctively, he clenched his fists. This wasn't an illusion—everything was real.
A creature emerged from the bushes—long-limbed, bony, with crimson eyes. It lunged at him, baring its fangs. Leon dodged, grabbed a stone, focused his mana… and then—
For the first time, he released his inner power: aura.
A glowing blue force erupted like an arrow, striking the beast in its heart. It collapsed. Leon stood stunned. But deep inside, something had changed. A new warmth grew in his chest. The quest was over—but more importantly, he knew now that he could fight back.
---
That night, lying in bed, Leon stared at the ceiling. His body was sore, but his mind sharper than ever. The strength he had gained today—though small—was a step forward. The quests would continue. The enemies would multiply. But so would he.
"I'll never lose you again…" he whispered.
And in the corner of his dark room, the system screen glowed softly—ready for the next journey.