He paused, then sighed. "Still… fortunate for me. His talent in forging far surpasses my own."
Ray practically bounced the entire way home, his steps light and restless, as if his feet could barely stay on the ground.
Happiness surged through him in waves so strong that he felt he might burst if he didn't release it somehow. His chest was tight with excitement, his heart beating faster than usual, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't suppress the grin on his face.
Three years.
Three whole years of relentless hammering, of sweat soaking through his clothes day after day, of aching arms and trembling hands that refused to let go of the hammer.
Every single swing had been driven by one goal alone: earning enough money to buy a spirit soul. He had calculated the numbers carefully the month before, already knowing that this month would finally push him over the threshold. But knowing it in theory and actually holding the money in his hands were two entirely different things.
Now that it was real, the urge to shout his joy to the heavens was almost unbearable.
Thirty thousand Federation Coins.
To wealthy families, it was a trivial sum. To him, a nine-year-old child, it was the crystallization of more than a thousand days of toil.
He couldn't even begin to count how many times he had raised his hammer to earn this money, nor how many nights he had fallen asleep exhausted, his arms aching so badly that he could barely lift them the next morning. Yet now, it was all worth it.
He had succeeded.
The closer he got to home, the more his emotions swelled, until they felt impossible to contain. The moment he broke through his bottleneck and reached rank ten, he would finally be able to buy a spirit soul.
Graduation was just around the corner, and the breakthrough he had been chasing for years was now within arm's reach. Rank ten meant becoming a true Soul Master, stepping into an entirely different world.
Though he had grown to love forging, it had never replaced his dream. His heart still burned with the desire to become a Soul Master, and one day, perhaps even a Machine Armor Master. Countless boys shared such dreams, but how many truly had the resolve to endure what was required to reach them?
Diligence compensates for dullness.
For three years, those words had been carved deep into Ray's heart. And now, at last, he could see the results.
"Mom! Dad! I earned enough! I have enough money now!"
His voice rang out the instant he burst through the doorway, filled with irrepressible excitement.
Vivienne was sitting in the living room, calmly sucking on a lollipop he had bought for her earlier. She lifted her head when she heard him, her silver hair swaying gently.
"Big brother, you can buy a spirit soul now?" she asked softly. She understood his happiness better than anyone.
"Yes!" Ray nodded vigorously. "I have enough. All thirty thousand!"
He pulled the bills from his pocket and laid them carefully on the table, his hands trembling slightly. Then he dashed into his room, dragging out a small iron case from beneath his bed. When he returned, he tipped it upside down, pouring its contents onto the table in a clattering heap.
"One hundred… two hundred… two hundred twenty…"
He counted carefully, his voice growing faster as excitement mounted.
"Twenty-nine thousand six hundred… twenty-nine thousand seven hundred… thirty thousand… thirty thousand and two hundred!" His eyes widened. "There's even extra! Vivienne, I'll give you a hundred to buy something tasty."
His cheeks flushed red as he stared at the pile of money, unable to stop smiling.
Selina had already returned from work and was in the kitchen. She had heard her son's shouting from the moment he entered.
Wilheim had just arrived home as well, and when the two of them saw the money spread across the table, their eyes reddened almost instantly.
This child had suffered too much.
While other children played freely, their son had been forging metal, earning money with hands still meant for toys.
Selina turned slightly and struck her husband's shoulder, biting her lip to keep her emotions in check. She didn't dare face the children, afraid her tears would betray her.
Wilheim wrapped an arm around her and patted her back gently. "You see it too," he said quietly. "Our son… he's truly capable."
Then he walked over to Ray, draped an arm around his shoulders, and gave him a firm thumbs-up. "I'm proud of you."
"Once I break through to rank ten, we can go buy the spirit soul, right?" Ray asked eagerly.
"That's right," Wilheim replied with a smile. "And when that time comes, we'll all go together. You're about to become a Soul Master, son."
That night, Ray lay in bed staring at the ceiling, utterly unable to sleep. No matter how he tried, his heart refused to calm down.
Vivienne had already fallen asleep beside him. The moon and stars outside were unusually bright, bathing the room in soft silver light. Tomorrow would definitely be a clear day.
Carefully, Ray climbed out of bed. He gently tugged Vivienne's blanket, tucking it more securely around her. She always tossed and turned in her sleep.
Mom had said that once he turned ten next year, he wouldn't be allowed to sleep in the same room as Vivienne anymore. He would have to give her the room and move to the living room instead.
But why did that thought make his chest feel so uncomfortable?
He liked waking up and seeing Vivienne every morning.
Quietly opening the door, Ray slipped outside without making a sound. He needed some fresh air, somewhere to calm his racing thoughts before trying to meditate again.
Moonlight streamed into the bedroom after he left, falling gently upon Vivienne's small body. Under its glow, her silver hair shimmered beautifully.
Suddenly, a faint ring of light emerged from her body.
Yellow. Green. Red. Blue. Purple. Gold. Silver.
Seven colors flickered softly, cycling one after another in silence.
If Ray had still been in the room, he would have been stunned beyond words.
Vivienne's body trembled slightly as the ring of light gradually condensed, slowly sinking into the space between her brows.
After a long while, everything stilled, and she returned to her peaceful slumber. The moonlight remained unchanged, but the light had vanished completely.
Though subtle, it seemed as if Vivienne's delicate body had grown just a little.
Her breathing steadied, but her brows remained knit together, as though she were trapped in an unpleasant dream.
Meanwhile, Ray wandered into the small garden within the commoners' district. He often brought Vivienne here during school holidays. The night air was cool and refreshing.
As soon as he stepped inside, he felt a gentle pull from a patch of Silverfalls Vine nearby. He inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh scent of plants and earth, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Almost without realizing it, he sat down cross-legged.