Five years had drifted by since the day the teenager awoke in this new world. Geerht did not squander his toddler years in idle relaxation or simple play.
Instead, he utilized his two unique gifts to accelerate his growth with a discipline that no ordinary child could possess.
The passive ability he had acquired constantly absorbed mana from the environment, while the Six Eyes granted him microscopic control over every particle of energy within his body.
This combination allowed him to mask his true reserves perfectly. To the outside world, he was a child with potential.
Internally, his mana quantity and quality already surpassed that of his grandmother, the celebrated Captain Frase.
By the time Geerht turned two, he had fully regained his motor functions. His grandmother visited the estate frequently, often showering him with expensive gifts and toys.
She was spoiling him, though she rarely smiled while doing so. Frase was a woman of few words who struggled to express affection verbally, but Geerht understood her.
He treated her with the same patience and understanding that Fern showed Frieren in the stories he used to read.
He knew that in this world, immense power often came at the cost of social grace.
When he was four years old, Geerht decided it was time to reveal a sliver of his potential. During one of Frase's visits, he demonstrated a basic manipulation of raw mana. The display stunned the stoic captain.
"When did you awaken this ability?" Frase asked.
Geerht wanted to say he had been doing it since he was an infant, but he knew that such a claim would be impossible to explain without raising suspicion.
"Just a week ago," Geerht lied smoothly. "I found a book in the library that introduced the basic concept of mana cultivation. I just followed the process written on the pages. After a few minutes of focusing, a blue light appeared, so I continued practicing it for the entire week."
It was a half truth. He had indeed read the book, but his power came from a much deeper source.
However, the explanation served its purpose. Frase immediately took it upon herself to teach him the foundational spells of Zoltraak and a basic defensive barrier.
She expected him to struggle, but Geerht learned the spells with terrifying speed, grasping concepts that took talented academy students months to master.
She even offered him a training wand, but Geerht politely refused, preferring to cast magic with his bare hands.
One year later, five year old Geerht stood in the manicured courtyard of the mansion. The sun was high, casting long shadows across the grass.
Frase stood opposite him, accompanied by her lieutenant and assistant, Kanone. Through the lens of his Six Eyes, Geerht analyzed them both.
Their mana reserves were vast, dense, and intimidating. It was clear proof that they were veteran mages who had survived countless battlefields.
"Grandmother, didn't I tell you that smoking is bad for your health?" Geerht asked, his voice childish but his tone serious.
Frase did not even blink, despite the lit cigarette in her hand.
"It is Kanone's fault," Frase said, her voice flat and devoid of emotion. "She always carries my favorite brand and hands them to me."
Geerht shifted his gaze to Kanone, who offered an awkward, apologetic smile but said nothing to contradict her captain.
"Why have you brought your assistant here, Grandmother?" Geerht asked. "Do you have official business to conduct? Should I leave the premises to give you privacy?"
It was the first time Kanone had been allowed this far into the private estate. Usually, she remained in the main hall.
"No, our business here concerns you," Frase replied. "I intend to make Kanone your personal magic instructor.
She initially refused, stating that you are too young and that you should be enrolled in the Imperial Magical Academy instead. I refused that suggestion."
Geerht looked at Kanone with a curious eye before turning back to his grandmother. He decided to play the part of a hurt child to gauge her reaction.
"Don't you want to train me anymore, Grandmother?" he asked softly.
Frase looked at him, and for a fleeting moment, she saw the image of her late son in Geerht's expression. They shared the same playful but kind nature.
"I have a long term mission coming up," Frase explained, her voice softening slightly. "I will not be able to supervise your growth directly. I trust no one other than Kanone to take over the mantle of your education, as she is the one I personally trained."
Geerht nodded in understanding. The logic was sound.
Kanone stepped forward, her expression serious. "Let us get this test over with, Captain. We have much to do." She turned her gaze to the boy. "Do you know other spells other than Zoltraak and the simple shield spell?"
Geerht shook his head.
Kanone nodded and began walking toward the center of the vast backyard. The estate was covered in strong barrier seals that Frase herself had built, making it the perfect training ground. Geerht followed her.
"I will also limit myself to Zoltraak and the basic shield spell," Kanone announced as she turned to face him. "Ready when you are."
She waited for him to summon a staff or assume a stance, but Geerht did neither.
Without a distinct incantation or movement, Geerht fired a Zoltraak.
The speed of the activation was instantaneous. Kanone's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
She barely managed to raise a defensive barrier in time, the spell impacting her shield with a heavy thud. She had blocked it only due to her vast experience in the Magic Special Forces.
Geerht did not let up. He fired a volley of Zoltraak blasts. Kanone returned fire, but she found her attacks blocked by Geerht's perfectly timed shields.
What shocked her most was not the power, but the control. Even though Geerht supposedly had no combat experience, he was manipulating the trajectory of his spells.
His magic curved and weaved, forcing Kanone to expand her shield and expend more mana than necessary.
Geerht knew that in a battle of attrition against a veteran, efficiency was his only path to victory.
Kanone leaped to the side, firing a sharp beam of magic toward the boy. Geerht cast his own spell at the exact same moment.
His attack was faster. It cut through the air and forced Kanone to abort her offense and defend once again.
I cannot believe this child is still in his first year of training, Kanone thought, her mind racing as she deflected another blow.
He handles magic as if he were merely playing a game. No wonder the Captain did not want him to go to the Academy.
The rigid curriculum would only hinder a development this explosive. He is a monster.
Just as Kanone was preparing to escalate her output, a voice boomed across the yard.
"ENOUGH!"
Frase stepped in, signaling the end of the spar. The ground between the combatants was scorched and upturned.
Geerht immediately dropped his stance. He panted heavily, letting his shoulders slump. "Thank you, Grandmother. I don't have any mana left."
It was a lie. He had plenty of mana remaining, but he used his microscopic control to suppress his aura, making it appear as though his reserves were completely drained.
Neither of the veteran mages questioned it. To them, it was natural for a human child to run out of energy after such a high intensity exchange.
"You are still a child," Frase said, walking over to comfort him. "No matter how monstrous your talent is, there are limits that sheer talent cannot surpass alone.
That is the reason why mages belonging to the long lived races, such as elves and demons, have far more mana than humans."
Geerht smiled up at her, accepting the lesson he did not actually need. Frase then turned her attention to Kanone, who was still staring at the boy and the destruction his magic had caused. It was the most impressive display of raw potential she had ever witnessed.
"What do you say, Kanone?" Frase asked.
Kanone took a deep breath. She knew that if this was the result of only one year of self study and basic instruction, her job would not be difficult.
In fact, she realized she likely wouldn't be teaching him for long before he surpassed her completely.
"Yes," Kanone replied firmly. "I will train him."