The air was crisp on the hilltop where Caelumn trained.
He had been alone for hours, pouring every ounce of his focus into the sensation Lila had described — the spiritual energy that flowed through everything, the faint pulse that connected all life in Hearthmere.
He closed his eyes.
He breathed.
He reached.
Again and again, he adjusted his rhythm, letting his awareness stretch beyond the limits of his body.
And then—
It clicked.
A tingle surged through his chest, spreading outward into his arms and legs. His eyes snapped open, wide with awe, as an invisible thread of sensation wrapped around him. The faint, almost imperceptible current of energy threaded through the village, the wind, the trees, even the stone beneath his feet.
He felt it.
Truly felt it.
"So… this is spiritual energy," he whispered, a thrill igniting in his chest. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. "I… I can feel it!"
As his awareness expanded, a faint shimmer came into view — the village barrier, just as Lila had described. It enveloped Hearthmere in a protective glow, steady and alive.
His heart leapt.
With a sudden laugh, he jumped into the air, fists pumping.
"I did it! I can feel it!" he shouted to the empty hilltop.
Then reality struck him.
Lila should be home soon.
She had to know.
He sprinted through the village.
Excitement made his legs feel weightless.
He burst through the doorway, nearly tripping over the threshold.
"LILA! I DID IT!" he blurted out. "I— I can feel it! The spiritual energy—I can actually feel it!"
Lila looked up from setting down her satchel, her eyes widening before lighting up.
"You… you did?" she asked breathlessly. "Really?"
Brenner emerged from the side, arms crossed, his stern expression softening as realization dawned.
"So that's it," he said slowly. "All those evenings you two stayed out late. And you, always disappearing on your own." He glanced at Caelumn. "You could've told me."
Lila smiled sheepishly.
"We wanted it to be a surprise."
Brenner shook his head, incredulous.
"When did you start training?"
"Two weeks ago," Lila replied.
His brows shot up.
"Two weeks?" he repeated. "Even geniuses take a month just to sense spiritual pressure. It took me half a year before I felt energy at all."
He studied Caelumn closely.
"You have an absurd amount of talent."
Lila nodded, still stunned herself.
"I thought so too. Maybe he's a once-in-a-million-years kind of talent."
Mara appeared then, carrying a tray of steaming food.
"That's enough excitement for one evening," she said warmly. "Dinner first. And Caelumn…" She smiled. "Congratulations. I'm proud of you."
Brenner nodded.
"So am I."
Caelumn felt his chest tighten — in a good way. He smiled broadly and nodded, managing only a quiet, happy sound in reply.
"Mmh."
They weren't his parents — he didn't even know who his parents were. But in that moment, with Brenner's quiet pride and Mara's gentle warmth, they felt like the closest thing to a father and mother he had ever had.
Lila's smile softened, pride shining in her eyes — not just affection, but the satisfaction of a teacher.
"I'm proud of you," she said gently. "You've taken your first true step. Now we can start learning how to channel it properly."
Brenner chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Even if I'm only a third-grade, I can still teach you some techniques. Talent like yours needs guidance. Seeing you succeed like this…" He smiled. "It gives me hope."
Caelumn straightened and bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you," he said earnestly. "I look forward to learning from you."
Mara set the tray down in front of him.
"Eat first," she said. "Training can wait. You'll need your strength for what's ahead."
Caelumn glanced at Lila, then Brenner, then the food.
His smile turned shy.
His mind buzzed with possibilities — feeling spiritual energy, sensing the barrier, and finally beginning to understand Hearthmere…
And perhaps, himself.