The sun spilled through the tall glass windows of Lady Selene's private chamber, painting streaks of golden light across the polished floor.

Raiden sat across from his mother at the breakfast table, his small hands folded neatly, eyes wide with an expression that screamed "innocence."

He had perfected that look over the last few years, using it whenever he wanted to push boundaries. Today was no different.

"Mother," Raiden began, tilting his head slightly, "don't you think it would help my growth if I… left the estate for a little while? Just once?"

Selene's fork paused mid-air. Her violet eyes, sharp yet tender, settled on him with the kind of firmness that left no room for negotiation. "No, Raiden."

Raiden blinked, lips parting in mock surprise. "No?"

"No." Her tone was gentler this time, but no less final. "You are too young, and the world beyond these walls is not safe. You are far too precious to risk."

Raiden pouted, leaning forward on the table. "But Mother, I get restless! All I do is study, train, and stay inside. A stroll beyond the gates would make me stronger, don't you think? And happier. Maybe it'll even humble me and make me less mischievous."

Selene sighed, placing her fork down. She reached across the table, brushing his hair back from his forehead in that way only mothers could. "Raiden, strength is not built by rushing ahead of your time. Even Kent did not step beyond the estate until he was much older. You will have your chance… but not yet."

Raiden's pout deepened. He pressed the matter again, arguing with a mix of boyish charm and persistence: "But Kent says I'm already abnormal, so why not let me do abnormal things? I promise I'll behave! I won't cause trouble!"

Selene arched one brow. "Those are the exact words of a child about to cause trouble."

Internally, Raiden almost laughed. 'Of course she won't agree so easily. It would've been boring if she did. Mother always has to make things difficult.'

He was about to press again when a knock echoed through the chamber. Selene called, "Enter," and the door creaked open.

Miss Hilda stepped inside, her usual calm smile in place. She curtsied respectfully to Selene. "My Lady, forgive the interruption. I came to inform you that I'll need to head into town today to restock certain herbs and medical supplies. Our reserves are thinning."

Raiden's eyes widened like twin suns. Town? Supplies? Outside the estate?

He turned so quickly Selene nearly dropped her cup. "Mother!" he exclaimed, voice dripping with feigned eagerness. "Let me go with Miss Hilda! Please?"

Selene immediately frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Absolutely not."

But Raiden wasn't done. He tugged at her sleeve dramatically, putting every ounce of childlike desperation into the act. "Please, Mother. I'll stay glued to her side. I'll be the most obedient son you've ever seen. I just want to see the world beyond our gates, just a little."

Miss Hilda glanced between them, mildly startled by Raiden's enthusiasm. Her healer's instincts told her there was more mischief than sincerity in those bright eyes, but… something about his pleading tugged at her heart too.

Miss Hilda pressed her fingers to her chin, thinking, then said softly, "My Lady… perhaps it would not hurt for him to see the town. Just once. I will keep him with me at all times. And the guards will be there as well."

Selene's gaze flicked sharply to her. "You would take responsibility if something happened?"

Hilda straightened, her voice steady. "Yes, my Lady. I give you my word."

Raiden watched his mother's lips twitch, hesitation cracking through her firm resolve. He tugged her sleeve once more, whispering, "Please, Mother…"

Finally, Selene let out a long sigh, raising two fingers. "Two conditions," she said.

Raiden sat up straighter, nodding eagerly. "Anything!"

"First—" she fixed him with a look sharp enough to make his spine stiffen—"you will not leave Miss Hilda's side for even a single step."

Raiden nodded rapidly. "Of course."

"Second, the guards will accompany you. You will obey their every instruction."

Raiden placed a hand over his small chest, eyes shimmering with exaggerated loyalty. "Yes, Mother. I swear it."

Selene shook her head, muttering, "I must be mad," but the faintest smile curved her lips.

'Most certainly!c Raiden smiled.

Moments later, Raiden was nearly skipping beside Hilda as they approached the towering estate gates.

The guards waiting there looked as if they'd seen a ghost when they realized the young master was tagging along. Their nervous glances exchanged a silent message: If Lady Selene hasn't approved this, our heads are already rolling.

But when Hilda presented Selene's order, the guards bowed and reluctantly allowed preparations.

As they passed beneath the massive gates, Raiden felt his pulse quicken. The air smelled different—less refined, more alive. The unknown stretched beyond the walls, waiting for him.

The familiar blue shimmer of the Skill Draw System flickered before his eyes.

[Mission: Beyond the Estate]

[Objective: Test your skills outside the safety of the Goldheart estate.]

[Progress: 0%]

Raiden hid the smirk tugging at his lips. Now the real game begins.

The gates of the Goldheart estate creaked open with a deep groan, and for the first time since his rebirth, Raiden stepped beyond their sheltering embrace. The world outside was chaos, color, and noise all at once.

He slowed his steps deliberately, wide-eyed like an innocent child, though in truth he was carefully drinking in every detail.

Merchants stood on crates, shouting prices at the top of their lungs—"Two copper for a loaf! Freshly baked this morning!"—their voices competing until it blended into a messy chorus.

The air was heavy with the exotic blend of smells: pungent spices that stung his nose, the smoky scent of roasted meat dripping with fat, and the comforting sweetness of bread pulled straight from an oven.

Children dashed between the stalls, their laughter ringing out like bells as they weaved past grumbling shoppers. Somewhere down the cobbled street, a trio of musicians strummed lutes and beat drums, filling the air with a lively tune that had even passing guards tapping their feet.

Raiden inhaled deeply. "So this is the city…" he whispered, lips curling upward.

"Don't get too comfortable," Miss Hilda reminded him sharply, her hand tugging him closer by the wrist. "We're here for supplies, not sightseeing. You'll stay close, understood?"

"Of course," Raiden said sweetly, nodding like the picture of obedience. Inside, though, his system interface glimmered before his eyes.

[Mission: Beyond the Estate]

[Objective: Test your skills outside the safety of the Goldheart estate.]

[Progress: 0%]

Raiden smirked to himself. 'Ain't no way I'm staying put. Time to get to work.'

The first opportunity came sooner than expected. A few stalls down, a vendor slumped lazily against his counter, yawning so loudly he barely noticed the crowd of customers drifting past without buying. Raiden slowed, raising his hand slightly as though scratching his chin. A thin thread of mana flickered invisibly.

[Lightning Spark].

The vendor's eyes shot open, posture straightening as if he'd just downed three cups of strong tea. He slapped the table, barking with sudden energy, "You won't find fresher fruit in all of Goldheart! Apples like jewels, peaches sweeter than honey—come, come, taste for yourself!"

Shoppers paused, curious, and soon a line formed.

Raiden's system chimed quietly.

[Mission Progress: 20%]

The boy's lips twitched upward. "Too easy."

Hilda glanced back, narrowing her eyes as she noticed his smug little grin. "You're up to something."

Raiden tilted his head, innocent as ever. "Just admiring the peaches."

They continued down the main road until Hilda ducked into a well-kept apothecary lined with shelves of dried herbs and glass jars. While she haggled with the shopkeeper over rare roots and powders, Raiden's attention wandered to the street again.

A faint whimper reached his ears. Just beyond the doorway, a stray dog limped across the cobblestones, its paw twisted awkwardly. Raiden crouched slightly, extending a glowing hand when no one was looking.

[Healing Touch].

The light was faint, subtle enough to go unnoticed by most, but the effect was immediate. The dog gave a small yelp of surprise before straightening its paw and bounding away with renewed vigor, tail wagging furiously.

Raiden grinned. "Be free, my little test subject."

Another soft chime echoed in his head.

[Mission Progress: 40%]

This time, Hilda noticed. Her sharp healer's eyes caught the faint green glow fading from his fingertips.

"Raiden." Her tone was a warning.

He looked up at her, blinking innocently. "What?"

"You've been using spells again. Do not waste your energy so carelessly. You don't understand the risks."

Raiden clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels. "But I was helping."

"Helping," she repeated flatly, shaking her head. "Your idea of 'help' usually ends in chaos."

He chuckled softly, not denying it.

For the next hour, Raiden trailed behind her like a shadow while she moved from stall to stall, selecting herbs, powders, and bundles of wrapped leaves. But his mind was elsewhere. The system's progress bar hovered tantalizingly before him.

[Mission Progress: 40%]

[Reward: ???]

The question marks burned hotter in his mind than any pile of skill points he had collected so far. Unknown rewards always carried the chance for something greater. Something rare.

He could barely contain the restless excitement bubbling inside him. His small hands twitched at his sides, eager for another test, another excuse.

"Whatever it is," Raiden thought, scanning the bustling streets like a predator hunting for prey, "it better be worth all this trouble."

His grin widened as a new idea began to take shape.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.