He pulled back, looking Zephyr in the eye.
"Every Great Family in the Divine Sun Empire spends centuries trying to birth a child like you. If the Royal Family finds out you have the power of an Intermediate-rank warrior at age five, they won't just want you in the Academy. They will want to own you for their own use."
"Let them try," Zephyr said, his voice surprisingly cold for a child.
Seres stood up, wiping a tear of pride from his eye before Lina could see it. He looked at his daughter, who was still trembling. "Lina, your brother's potential do not tell anybody Until he is ten, Zephyr is just a 'talented' boy. Do you understand?"
Lina nodded vigorously, looking at her brother with a new kind of respect—and a hint of fear. "He's a freak, Dad. A total freak."
"I prefer the term 'badass,'" Zephyr chirped, though he immediately winced as the soreness finally caught up to his muscles.
Seres laughed, but as he turned to lead them back to the village. I'm going give old man a big surprise
________________________
The training in the forest was very important. It changed how Zephyr felt inside. As the sun went down, the sky turned purple and orange.
The three of them walked back to their big house. It was quiet, and the air was getting cool.
Zephyr and Lina were so tired they almost fell down while walking. Their muscles were shaking because they had worked harder than ever before.
Zephyr felt a buzzing feeling inside his body. His strong spirit was finally fitting perfectly into his young body.
They opened the heavy doors of the house. It smelled like good food and wood. The fire made the room warm and bright. Their mother, Ruby, was waiting for them. She looked relieved but also curious.
"Mom!" Zephyr and Lina yelled together. They suddenly forgot they were tired and ran to her. They hugged her tight. Ruby laughed. It was a beautiful sound. She hugged them back.
"My goodness," she whispered lovingly. She smoothed Zephyr's sweaty hair. "You both smell like the forest mud and hard work. How was training, Zephyr? Was your father too nice?"
"It was very good, Mother!" Zephyr looked up. His eyes were shining brightly in the firelight.
He was tired, but he looked very proud. "I got to fight Dad for a long time. I really liked it. It felt right."
Ruby stopped smiling. She looked at Seres, who was still standing by the door. He looked serious and tired.
"Is it true, Seres? Did he really fight for a long time?" she asked quietly.
Seres sighed loudly. He crossed his arms and looked at Zephyr.
"Let's just say your son is a monster, Ruby. I went to the forest to teach a little boy how to use a sword. But it felt like I was locked in a cage with a hungry wolf."
"Dad," Zephyr interrupted. He puffed out his small chest and wiped some dirt off his nose. "I told you, I like the word 'badass' better."
Ruby was confused. She looked at her serious husband and then at her brave five-year-old son. "A monster? Seres, tell me what you mean. He is just a child."
"He is already at the Novice rank," Seres said, his voice dropping to a low, reverent tone that sent a shiver down Ruby's spine.
"But the rank is a lie, Ruby. His raw strength? His combat comprehension? They already surpass an Intermediate (Mid) rank warrior.
He wasn't just swinging a stick. He was countering my strikes. He wasn't just dodging—he was calculating. He was reading the wind, the weight of my steps, the very intent in my eyes."
The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the crackle of a log shifting in the fireplace. Ruby looked at Zephyr as if seeing him for the first time, searching for the infant she had cradled only a few years ago.
The boy simply grinned, a confident, knowing expression that didn't belong on a child face.
"Mother, I told you I was talented. You shouldn't be so surprised."
Ruby knelt down, cupping his face in her trembling hands. "I knew you were special, Zephyr. After all, you are my son. But this..." She shook her head, a soft, weary smile returning. "Now, let us wash the forest mud off you and have dinner. Even a monster needs his food if he intends to grow any larger."
Dinner was very quiet. The only sound was the noise of spoons on plates. Everyone was thinking about how strong Zephyr is but Zephyr was very hungry. He ate his beef stew quickly because his body needed energy after the hard training.
When dinner was over, Seres pushed his chair back. The room felt very serious.
"Zephyr," Seres said, his eyes locking onto his son's with an intensity that demanded total focus.
"It is time. We cannot rely on my guesswork or your mother's intuition. We need to check your true potential. We need to know what we are truly dealing with."
Zephyr set down his spoon, finishing the last of the thick beef stew. He felt a surge of nervous energy-not fear, but a thrill of anticipation.
He flashed a confident, almost mocking grin. "Are you sure you want to know, Father? Some truths are easier to live without."
"I am sure," Seres replied
"Lina, go to my study. Bring the Potential Measuring Orb from the velvet case in my safe. Use the master key."
Lina ran and came back quickly. She walked very carefully, like she was holding something that might break. She was holding a clear crystal ball. It looked like it was glowing with a soft, white light inside. Her hands were shaking as she gave it to her father.
"This is a Highest-Grade orb," Seres explained, his voice hushed. "It cost a small fortune and was enchanted by the mages of the High Tower. It reacts to the resonance of one's mana core and soul-path. Place your hand on the orb, Zephyr. Channel your intent into it."
Zephyr reached out. The moment his small, calloused palm touched the cool, glass-like surface, the crystal reacted with a violence no one expected. It didn't just glow it erupted. A blinding, white radiance flooded the dining hall, bleaching the world of color. Lina shielded her eyes, and Ruby gasped, clutching the edge of the wood table.
But the joy died instantly.
CREAK. SNAP. BOOM!