The moon hung beyond the window.
I lay in the small bed with my eyes shut tight, pretending to be asleep. The blanket was pulled up over me, and the light went out.
At last, the time had come.
Let's begin, Hieorn.
[Do whatever you want.]
I'd punished him for leading a tail back with him, and now his attitude had turned sour. According to him, he'd done his best and gotten no credit for it.
But the moment I began to exert my will, the flames along his feathers bristled upright.
He really was a simple spirit.
「Initiating the training method 'Origin of All Things.'」「Proceeding with the artifact as catalyst.»
I began to condense blue mana into Ifriel's pendant.
The power gathered layer by layer, forming a sphere like kneaded dough.
Ssssss…
Using the artifact's mana as a framework, I shaped a vessel. Naturally, the larger and sturdier the mold, the stronger the vessel it could produce.
Then the space around me trembled.
When I opened my transcendent sight wide, I saw what was happening.
「Natural forces are reacting against the current spell.»
Just as I expected.
Great Nature, which sought to maintain fundamental balance, was moving to prevent the birth of a new mage. The laws of the universe themselves were pushing back.
I defied them without hesitation.
"Tiberian, magic is the art of breaking the world's laws and learning to turn them to your advantage. Don't forget that."
Five hundred years ago, guided by Ifriel, I had already walked this path.
There was no reason to lose my way.
The moment the vessel took its desired shape, I pulled it deep into my chest.
Shuuuu—
Inside my tiny heart, a seed of light—flickering hot like a miniature sun—settled deep within.
Now I had to expand it gradually and fuse it with my body.
At some point, Hieorn's eyes had turned anxious.
[You're sweating buckets. Are you all right, Tiberian?]
My vision's spinning, actually.
Unlike my previous life, this body was immature beyond words. Even controlling mana was difficult.
But I clenched my teeth.
There was no turning back.
If I stop here, my heart could burst.
At that instant, the natural forces reacted violently.
The power that had been rising like mist suddenly sharpened, taking on clear direction.
[Careful!]
It felt like a dozen venomous snakes lunging with jaws wide open.
But I didn't panic.
I had been waiting for this moment.
Yes—come.
This time, I poured mana straight into Ifriel's ring.
The force of order latched onto the artifact with a snap, sinking in its fangs—only to begin having its energy siphoned away instead.
Hieorn's eyes gleamed.
[Oh! You used its tendency to attack the greater source of mana?]
Exactly.
The force of order targeted whatever possessed more mana.
Ifriel's ring was an artifact forged from a top-grade magic crystal. Compared to it, my own reserves were tiny, so I fell out of priority—and the attack bypassed me.
Hieorn, do you know what happens when this kind of natural backlash combines with the static mana of a magic crystal?
[No idea.]
Watch.
Shwaaaaaa!
A whirlwind burst through the nursery, lifting furniture into the air. Mana density spiked as if a dam had burst.
The room overflowed with mana, boiling over.
The very power that had rushed to kill me had become a tonic instead.
I jerked my chin at Hieorn.
What are you waiting for? Eat.
[Ooooh!]
The phoenix shot up and crammed mana particles into his beak.
I focused on forging my mana heart, determined to make it the strongest possible by exploiting this moment.
"Huuuu…"
Sweat beaded on my small nose and round forehead.
After planting the seed of mana in my heart, I engraved foundational circuits throughout my body, laying the pathways that would carry and supply mana.
It was time to finish.
Then—
KWA-GAGAGAGA!
Dark red flames erupted before my eyes.
The backlash bound to the pendant had run wild, igniting a blaze.
This wasn't in the plan.
「The natural force opposing the spell is escaping control.»
「Immediate action required.»
[T-Tiberian!]
Quiet.
Hieorn panicked, but I stayed steady.
The ring was old; a crack must have caused a minor mishap.
If I don't get eroded, I won't burn.
Transcendent Sight activated to its fullest.
Still immature, but my mana heart had begun to function. I could wield mana to some extent now.
Subduing these raging flames was impossible—
—but redirecting them wasn't.
I arranged mana particles densely, opening several pathways beyond the bed.
The flames surged like waves, pouring outward.
The rest was Hieorn's job.
Just like this. You can do it, right?
[Of course!]
KWOOOOOO!
Flames mixed with the whirlwind, swelling like a midsummer storm.
I devoted myself entirely to the mana heart's completion.
At last, when the mana load reached its critical point—
Ignite.
My will sparked.
Blue fire flared up.
Proof of the power flowing from the completed organ.
Hwooooo—
In my previous life, it had been a small flame resting on my fingertip. Now fire coiled around my entire body.
「Mana Heart completed.»「Current stage: Level 1.»「Maximum achievable stage at present.»
…Done.
I looked at Hieorn.
The contract?
[It is sealed!]
The Great Guardian Spirit who once protected the entire Kircehis family had been reduced to my personal guardian.
Yet he didn't seem bothered at all.
If anything, he looked intoxicated on the overflowing mana.
Hieorn burned brighter than the flames sweeping the room, regaining his former rank.
[By the oath, I shall guard your safety!]
With a single flap of his wings, the phoenix compressed the raging fire into one mass.
Then came an explosion.
KWA-AAAANG!
A section of the wall collapsed, blasting the inferno outside.
By unfortunate coincidence, the Silver Garden was swallowed in flame.
The mana-reactive fire swelled in an instant and devoured the grounds.
The garden, powered by siphoning mana from underground, had become a massive bundle of kindling.
A solid blow to the Kircehis family, who had long scorned spirits.
Hieorn smiled in satisfaction.
[Ahh… so this is the sweetness of revenge.]
Bastion Lamov stopped before a door.
The maids flung it open.
A small, elderly man sat at the desk inside, his face twisted in a deep scowl.
"I greet the lord of Kircehis."
—Rochbach Kircehis, the Iron-Blooded Warlock.Among the Eight Seats standing at the peak of humanity in this age, he was counted foremost—a transcendent being. A 9-star archmage, heir to the bloodline of the heroic king Ulfric.
His gaze flashed like a predator's.
"Bastion. You worthless fool."
"Yes, my lord."
"This is what you call a report? An artifact stolen from the vault, and an explosion of unknown cause? In Kircehis Castle?"
As Rochbach's emotions stirred, the floor trembled. Mana sharp as a blade pressed against Bastion's chin.
He could only answer quietly.
"It all occurred near Young Master Kirian's room. I judged that you should examine it personally, my lord."
"Kirian? What's that?"
"Lord Demiph's son."
"…"
Demiph Kircehis.
At the mention of his youngest son, Rochbach's expression shifted slightly.
"So I had another grandson I didn't know about. Three years old?"
"Lord Demiph should have reported the birth, but he had already run away from home."
"Tch! That wretched brat."
His youngest son—an old sore spot. Lacking talent as a mage since childhood, he'd always wandered outside. Rumors even claimed he roamed the north with an "underground organization," though that was far from the truth.
"So you want me to go to that infant's room myself? Useless, the lot of you."
Bastion bowed his head silently.
In truth, matters involving direct blood relatives fell under the Council of Elders, not the Discipline Corps. Subordinates could not investigate the residences of the direct line.
But the elders had long withdrawn, wary of the powerful lord.
"Failed at raising children, and my subordinates are incompetent. What a life."
"My apologies, my lord."
"Don't apologize with a dry mouth."
Clicking his tongue, Rochbach stood.
He brought his palms together.
Space twisted, and the scenery changed in an instant.
Shuuuk—
They now stood in a small room that looked bombed out. Just as the report said, one wall had collapsed, leaving it open to the outside.
"Pay your respects to the Lord."
"M-My Lord!"
Servants cleaning the room bent double in shock.
But Rochbach's gaze fixed elsewhere.
"…?"
In one corner stood a dazed young nanny.
In her arms was a tiny figure.
A sharp presence that pricked even a grand mage's senses.
Rochbach's brow twitched.
"Bring that here."
"Ah!"
With a light gesture, that shot toward him.
Janis screamed, startled, but Rochbach caught the child easily.
Shimmering platinum hair. Pale blue eyes.
After studying the fearless, bright gaze for a moment, he turned back to the nanny.
"This is Kirian?"
"Y-Yes! That is Young Master Kirian!"
"What happened last night?"
"Well…"
As Janis searched her memory, Rochbach's eyes flashed.
His trait Mind Reading activated, slipping into her thoughts and quickly grasping the situation.
'The nanny and maids know nothing about the missing artifact.'
He also learned that Kirian had lain at the epicenter of the mysterious explosion, yet hadn't lost a single hair.
Perhaps a closer look at the scene would reveal more.
But Rochbach's interest had already shifted.
The small grandson in his arms.
'He already has a mana heart.'
The moment he saw Kirian, Rochbach sensed it.
And now that he held him, he knew—its construction was unbelievably perfect.
"What a monster…"
"Huh? N-No! Our young master is very gentle! His chubby cheeks are adorable! And his eyes are so mysterious!"
"Enough. Quiet."
Children born with mana hearts were not unheard of.
But they were so rare the probability was immeasurable.
The world called it the Goddess's Blessing. In Kircehis history, this was only the third time.
"Kirian."
"…"
The baby didn't cry.
He simply blinked.
'Even my Mind Reading doesn't work. Another innate trait, perhaps.'
At that moment, Rochbach's head snapped sideways.
A powerful presence had suddenly made itself known.
The railing of the crib.
Invisible to the eye, but something of lofty rank perched there.
He sharpened his senses.
'Hieornirn?'
The Great Guardian Spirit rarely appeared since spirit arts had fallen out of practice in Kircehis. Even Rochbach couldn't meet it unless he searched deliberately.
Yet Hieornirn was here, openly revealing itself—like a guardian.
'Wait. Then the one who stole the artifact…?'
Extending his senses, Rochbach felt something hidden deep in the crib.
His suspicion solidified.
"Hm…"
The old mage frowned, mind growing complicated.
But at the same time, he felt amused.
'This will be interesting. Very interesting.'
The time to choose successors who would lead the Kircehis family was approaching.
If used well, Kirian could serve as a warning to those already arrogant enough to think the position was theirs.
The lord smiled faintly and returned the child to the nanny.
"Continue to care for him well."
"Y-Yes, my lord! I will do my best!"
Rochbach then issued two orders to Bastion:
—Place a continent-wide search for Demiph and bring him back to the main house.—Provide Kirian with private tutoring until he turns twelve, the age he may enter the Grave of Books and Swords.
A new wind began to blow through Kircehis.
Just as Hieornirn reappeared with shameless ease.
I couldn't let it slide.
I decided I would start forging my mana heart—after giving that pheasant-brained bird a proper lesson.
Get over here right now, you chicken-brained idiot!
[Kraaak!]