"Woahhh!"

"This is awesome!"

Ray paused mid-step and turned around, his brow furrowed as he saw Oliver leading a golden-haired man into the training field with a respectful look.

Curious about the sudden visitor, Ray gestured to Miranda to stop running.

"Finally!" Miranda sighed in relief. The moment Ray's words reached her ears, she dropped the weights and flopped onto the ground, rolling back and forth like a lazy panda.

"Miranda, mind your manners," Ray said sharply, his tone calm but firm.

"There are people here."

"Bad brother…Bullying sister is bad..Bahhh!*

Miranda puffed her cheeks, pulled her eyelid down, and stuck her tongue out to tease him.

Before Ray could even open his mouth again, she giggled and ran off toward the garden swiftly.

Even Ray was taken, seeing her so agile with those small steps.

Ray exhaled, clicking his tongue in mild irritation, and turned his attention toward the newcomer.

Oliver stopped as Ray approached. "Uncle Oliver, who is he?" Ray asked cautiously.

The man beside Oliver stood tall, his presence calm yet intimidating. The faint golden light from his hair reflected off his armor, giving him a holy aura that made Ray's heartbeat quicken.

'He doesn't seem to be any ordinary guy..I hope he doesn't cause any trouble.'

"Oh, Young Master," Oliver said with a small bow. "This is Sir Blanco, a Paladin from the Church of Light. He happened to be passing through our lands."

Ray's expression softened a little. "I see. It's an honor to meet you, Sir Blanco," he said respectfully, bowing slightly.

Blanco smiled warmly and returned the gesture. "The honor is mine, young man. It's rare to meet someone with such sharp eyes and posture at your age."

"Sir Blanco wanted to have a word with the Lord," Oliver added, explaining the reason for the visit.

"Understood," Ray replied and stepped aside politely.

Blanco's eyes, however, lingered on Ray for a moment longer than expected. His gaze sharpened as he looked him up and down, and then he slowly began circling around him like a hawk examining prey.

Ray blinked in confusion, glancing at Oliver. "Sir, is something wrong?" he asked.

But Blanco didn't reply. He rubbed his chin, studying Ray closely, which immediately made the boy tense.

'What's going on? Did he notice something?' Ray thought, feeling uneasy.

After a few seconds, Blanco finally stopped and looked him straight in the eyes. "Kid!"

"Yes!" Ray stood at attention, trying not to show any nervousness.

"How old are you?"

"Nine… almost ten," Ray answered hesitantly.

"…Holy Mother of Light," Blanco muttered, his eyes widening in disbelief. He even took a step back, his expression full of astonishment.

"You mean to say that not only have you awakened your mana, but you've already reached the Beginner stage?" he asked, his voice rising in excitement. "And from your posture, the muscles beneath your arms, and the small tears on your palms… it's clear you've been training diligently."

Blanco's eyes shone brighter as he examined him again. "Marvelous… truly marvelous. Oh my God, what a gifted seed!"

Ray scratched the back of his neck, feeling both embarrassed and proud. "Thank you, Sir, for your praise."

Blanco smiled wide. "It's nothing. A talent like yours shouldn't stay hidden in the countryside. You have great potential, young man. I think you should come with me to the Templar Academy of the Church. Under their guidance, you'll flourish."

Ray's eyes widened in surprise. "The… Church?" he repeated softly. His hands tightened slightly. He didn't know how to respond.

The offer sounded quite appetizing.

If it had been anyone else, he could have refused without hesitation, but this was a Paladin from the Church of Light. Refusing could be seen as disrespectful. His mind raced for an answer.

Then

ROARRRRR!

Before he could speak again, a deep roar echoed from the direction of the estate.

The ground trembled faintly.

Blanco froze, his head snapping toward the source of the sound. Ray and Oliver did the same, their eyes widening as the air around them grew heavy.

"What… was that?" Oliver whispered, his voice trembling.

A violent surge of mana burst from the back of the estate. It was so dense that even the air seemed to ripple. The pressure pressed down on them like a wave, stealing their breath.

Then came a scream.

It was a raw, powerful, and primal sound echoing from the secluded training chamber at the back giving them goosebumps.

The sound was enough to shake their very bones.

Blanco's face turned serious as he gripped the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowing. "That aura… impossible…" he muttered under his breath.

Ray stood frozen in shock, realization dawning on him as his heart pounded wildly.

That scream. That presence.

It was coming from his father's chamber.

Blanco's boots pounded against the stone path as he ran toward the source of the eruption.

The sky above the estate had changed.It became dark clouds gathered unnaturally fast, and the air buzzed with mana so thick it felt like molten iron pressing against his skin. The wind howled violently, pulling at his cloak and sending dust spiraling through the courtyard.

"What kind of breakthrough is this…" he muttered, his eyes wide in disbelief. The light radiating from the rear of the estate wasn't normal. ..

Golden streaks of energy laced with crimson fire shot upward, piercing through the clouds. The entire area trembled as if the heavens themselves were reacting to the power building within.

A low, rumbling sound echoed through the ground, shaking the tiles beneath his feet.

For a moment he felt as if seeing a dragon roaring in the back.

The grass around the training grounds bent under the sheer pressure of the mana storm, and even from afar, Blanco could feel his chest tighten. He had witnessed dozens of breakthroughs before, but never one that distorted the air itself.

"This aura… it's close to a Master's level!" Blanco whispered, stunned. "Impossible… Who in this estate could have such power?"

"Is someone strong hiding here?"

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