Jayden woke up with a start, his hand flying to his forehead as he groaned softly.
"...So he's gone. I can't feel him anymore. I don't know why, but... I think I'm going to miss him."
He sat up slowly, the dim morning light spilling through the curtains and casting soft golden streaks across his room.
The air smelled faintly of rain, and the gentle hum of mana-infused machinery filled the quiet.
Turning his head, he glanced at the floating magic clock on the wall — its runic hands glowing faintly blue.
"Six fifteen," he murmured. "Hmm… probably woke up early because I've been asleep for so long. Might as well use the time to look at the book Fantasy gave Dad."
A nostalgic smile crossed his face as he said the name Fantasy. When he was younger, he'd called himself that — Fantasy, the boy who dreamed of eing the strongest one . He had forgotten about it, but now, thinking of him, the memory stirred something deep within.
Jayden reached for the thick, rune-etched book on his desk. Its cover shimmered faintly as he tried to open it, but once again, it refused to budge.
"I should've asked him about this book… Ugh. Maybe it's something to do with me.
Since I'm the only one who can't open it, let's give this a try. Break."
For a brief moment, glowing lines of energy spread across his skin.
They extended toward the book, and when the lines shattered, the seal on the cover broke as well.
"Yes! Finally," he grinned. "Let's do this."
He opened the book eagerly. The first page revealed a handwritten note.
"So, you finally managed to open the book. It was about time.
The first thing I want you to know is that you are not like everybody else. Never measure your progress with theirs — it will only slow you down.
If they learn mana manipulation in five days, you learn it in two. If they master a finishing move in two weeks, you do it in one.
That's the only way you can protect what's dear to you. From now on, you'll face stronger opponents, and the Celestials will have their eyes on you, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
They won't have mercy — so become stronger, strong enough to depend on no one.
Goodbye.
P.S.: Attach the seal at the bottom of the page to your body. It'll reduce your mana flow, but it will be useful for your training."
Jayden carefully peeled off the small seal and pressed it against his arm. Instantly, he felt his mana constrict, like an invisible cage closing around it, before the seal faded into his skin.
Flipping to the next page, he saw the title "Visualization." Normally, Jayden wasn't fond of reading, but something about the book drew him in.
It felt alive — as if the words whispered directly into his mind.
"I'd better get ready for school first," he muttered. "I'll go early so I can read this there without disturbance."
With new energy, Jayden jumped out of bed. The morning sun peeked over the horizon, spilling golden light through the window.
Birds chirped outside, and faint wisps of mana shimmered in the air like dust motes. As he headed toward the bathroom, a small figure of light appeared before him — a glowing fairy fluttering in midair.
"Oh my… Marigold? Is that you?"
The fairy twirled joyfully, her tiny wings scattering sparkles of light. Jayden laughed softly, cupping her gently in his palm.
Marigold had been assigned to him by his mother years ago, and for six years, she'd silently watched over him.
Finally being able to see her again filled him with warmth.
"I'm going to take a bath," he smiled. "And I'm going to make up for all the years you've helped me. Just you wait."
Twenty minutes later, Jayden rushed downstairs. The smell of toast and sizzling mana-oil greeted him as he found Luke at the counter, sipping tea while fastening his sword belt.
"You sure you're my son?" Luke joked. "What's the occasion?"
"Very funny," Jayden replied dryly. "I decide to go to school early for once, and suddenly I'm not your son?"
Luke chuckled. "Is this about that book?"
"Yep," Jayden grinned. "I'm going to be the strongest one — Fantasy!"
He froze mid-sentence, realizing how it sounded.
"...Yeah, that was kinda cringe."
Luke laughed heartily, walking over to ruffle his son's hair.
"Cringe or not, I believe you. Let's get you to school so you can surpass me."
"Don't worry, Dad. I have my own way of getting there now." Jayden slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Also, my uniform feels new. Any reason why?"
Luke blinked.
He suddenly remembered when Fantasy returned from the Fairy Queen's forest — Jayden's old uniform had been shredded.
"Nope. No idea," Luke said, a little too quickly. "Oh, and your sister's coming back tomorrow."
"Wow, that's great! Okay, I'm off."
Jayden dashed out the door. "Break!"
Energy flared around him, and in seconds his speed tripled.
The wind howled past as he blurred down the path, the world around him streaking with motion.
In under five minutes, he reached the school grounds, the morning mist still clinging to the empty courtyard.
"Nice," he whispered.
He entered his classroom and sat near the window, where sunlight spilled across his desk.
Reaching into his bag, his heart sank — he had forgotten the book.
Before he could groan, Marigold appeared, struggling to carry the heavy book.
"Oh, thank you! What would I do without you?" Jayden said, patting her head gently.
He opened the book again.
The lesson on Visualization began simply, explaining the fundamentals of mana control — things he already knew. But as he read further, his eyes widened.
The text spoke about Logic Disruption, the ability to defy reality itself through imagination.
"Magic prowess depends on how vividly you can visualize, and how much mana can sustain that vision.
To disrupt logic, you must clearly imagine what you want — and believe it's possible."
Jayden nodded slowly. "Okay… I think I understand now. Break."
The lines on his arm glowed, and a small flame flickered to life in his palm.
"That's crazy… so if I master this, I can control other elements — like Fantasy did."
He closed his eyes, picturing the sweet scent and texture of cupcakes he'd eaten yesterday. Slowly, the flame died, and two small cupcakes materialized in his hands.
He handed one to Marigold, who cheered happily.
By then, students began arriving in noisy clusters. Jayden quickly slipped the book into his bag.
"I can't wait for Ren and Nadia to get here — they won't believe this," he thought.
But then he hesitated.
A memory surfaced — Fantasy's final thoughts, his warning about keeping secrets to protect others.
"No… I can't tell them. It could put them in danger. But he also said I shouldn't carry this alone…"
He sighed deeply, caught between choices.
Just then, the classroom door slid open. Ren and Nadia walked in, laughing over some inside joke.
Jayden was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice them approach until Ren grabbed his collar.
"Hey! Who are you and what did you do with Jayden?"
Ren demanded, mock anger on his face.
"What are you doing, idiot?" Jayden snapped back, pushing his hand away.
"Since when did Jayden come early to school?" Ren teased. That was when Jayden realized the joke and chuckled.
"Something's definitely up," Nadia said, concern in her eyes. She held up a small note.
"You've been acting strange since yesterday. You left us this — 'We need to talk.'"
Ren raised an identical note. "We're here for you, man. That's what best friends are for."
Jayden blinked. "I didn't write that… But thanks, guys. We'll talk at break time."
He grinned faintly. The notes, the timing — it could only be one person.
Fantasy.
Jayden's hand tightened around his bag as he thought, Guess I'll have to tell them...