After that strange incident, Zeiron began training to control the energy within him, guided by a mysterious voice that taught him how to control his power.
He returned to trading in the village while gradually continuing his training in the forest, also gathering firewood.
On his way, Zeiron found a small stone that emitted a mysterious aura. He picked it up and took it home along with the firewood.
Upon arriving home, his mother, Fan'qiu, greeted him warmly.
"Zeiron, you're home," she exclaimed.
"Mother, I brought firewood and... this stone. Look, this stone is shining strangely," said Zeiron, showing the stone.
"Oh dear, why are you hurt?" said Fan'qiu, touching Zeiron's slightly scratched arm.
Fan'qiu gave Zeiron an item and wished him a happy 15th birthday.
"I'm fine, Mother. Is this... my birthday present?" asked Zeiron with a smile.
Fan'qiu chuckled softly, "Yes, Zeiron. It's a maroon scarf I knitted myself for you."
Zeiron hugged his mother tightly. "Thank you, Mother. This is the most precious gift I've ever received."
The simple celebration meant the world to him, despite his father's absence.
"It's late, go to sleep so you'll be fresh tomorrow," said Fan'qiu gently.
The next morning, Zeiron went to the capital-not for trade, but to visit his father's grave, Zeryon.
"Mother! I want to pray at Father's grave first," he said.
On the main street of the capital, Zeiron stopped briefly to buy a drink. Suddenly, he was bumped by a noble girl with messy hair.
The elf girl was 13 years old, 165 cm tall, had snow-white and charming hair, eyes like moonbeams, a face shining like the moon, and clean, fair skin.
"Ah! I-I didn't mean to bump into you!" the girl stammered.
Zeiron extended his hand, "It's okay, let me help you up."
CRASH!
Suddenly, the girl's soldiers appeared and began kicking and beating Zeiron.
"A commoner like you doesn't deserve to touch our Princess!" they yelled.
Zeiron endured the pain of the blows, his teeth clenched tightly, his body bruised, but Zeiron withstood it all.
The noble girl defended him,
"Stop! Don't hurt him! It's not his fault! It was mine!"
The soldiers were surprised by her bravery and backed away. The girl looked back at Zeiron before leaving.
"I'm sorry," she said, waving her hand.
Zeiron smiled faintly, despite the pain.
"I must be strong. At least strong enough to protect Mother and my sibling at home."
Upon arriving at his father's grave, Zeiron knelt and prayed.
"Father, may you be happy there. I will take your place and protect our family."
Suddenly, Zeiron's golden light energy resonated with the grave.
Light blue energy, like his father's heavenly river diamond, merged with his own, forming an emerald aura that flowed into his forehead.
His Mana tripled.
His father's spirit appeared, glowing softly.
"You can do it. I have inherited my power to you as your 15th birthday gift. Though you are young, your strength is almost equal to mine."
Zeiron knelt deeply, "Thank you, Father."
Zeryon smiled, rubbed Zeiron's head, and then slowly disappeared.
Zeiron went to the Guild to heal his wounds, then returned to the forest.
He trained hard, integrating mana with his body so that his muscles, tendons, and every fiber of his being became energy conduits.
Sitting cross-legged inside a cave, he muttered,
"Body as the furnace, energy as the fire, muscle as the iron."
While training, he heard a woman's voice screaming:
"Stay away!"
Zeiron immediately ran toward the sound and found the noble girl who had bumped into him earlier.
She was badly injured after fighting three mountain wolves.
Zeiron leapt and fought the wolves using the body-formation technique he was practicing. The girl briefly regained consciousness and saw Zeiron saving her.
His leg was scratched, blood was dripping, but he managed to defeat all three.
He then carried the girl, bringing her back to the cave.
The girl slowly opened her eyes.
"Uh... thank you..."
Zeiron smiled, "It's nothing... you're safe now. I'm Zeiron."
She looked at Zeiron skeptically.
"Zei'r... you're a village boy, right? But... you're so strong."
Zeiron bowed, "Yes... I'm just lucky."
She smiled, "A village boy... but different. That energy... it flows within you."
Zeiron was silent for a moment, "You... a noble girl... shouldn't be hurt in a forest like this."
The girl's cheeks flushed,
"I-I... got lost here. But you saved me... I'm very grateful."
Zeiron nodded, "What is your name?"
"Elvaria... but you can call me Elva."
"Alright, Elva. I'm Zeiron... but you can also call me Zei'r."
That night they stayed overnight in the cave.
Zeiron hunted a rabbit, set up a fire, cleaned the meat, added salt and pepper, then grilled it.
The next morning:
"Elva, wake up, it's morning."
"Zei'r, where are you going?"
"I'm going home."
"Take me with you, we're going the same way."
Zeiron agreed, and they walked together toward the village.
Upon arriving home, his mother welcomed them. Zeiron asked permission to escort Elva home.
"Goodbye, Elva. See you again."
"Thank you, Zei'r. Goodbye!"
In the forest, Zeiron meditated and then entered his consciousness near a golden banyan tree, absorbing energy.
Suddenly, a white glowing universe gate appeared.
He entered it and found himself in a throne room with the dark entity.
"Welcome, my heir."
Zeiron was shocked, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The entity pointed with its ring finger.
Instantly, a sharp starlight pierced Zeiron's forehead.
The energy within him exploded and pulsed rapidly, then Zeiron was thrown back into the real world.
Outside the cave, Zeiron felt his energy was immense and pure. He channeled his energy and released a gigantic, dense, spherical energy blast toward a mountain to see what would happen to his power, and the mountain shattered into pieces.