Early one morning, the sound of wooden swords clashing echoed throughout the house.
Aether and his father, Mark, stood in the middle of a small training ground, exchanging blows with wooden swords.
Aether moved with unusual agility. His small body had become more flexible, and his sword had begun to feel like an extension of his arm.
From a short distance away, Kartithia sat on the edge of the wall, cheering him on excitedly. Beside her, Nero smiled and shouted:
Nero: "Come on, hero! You can win!"
Aether stepped backward, then suddenly charged toward his father at incredible speed.
Mark blocked the strike with ease, then struck his son's wooden sword with enough force to send it flying high into the sky.
Aether raised his head and watched as his sword spun through the air.
Then, without hesitation, he jumped onto his father's thigh, using Mark's body as a foothold.
He launched himself high into the air, reaching toward the sky, and caught the sword before it could fall.
Then he descended from above, bringing the sword down with all his strength.
The moment the two wooden swords collided—
A faint spark of fire erupted.
Then...
Both swords shattered.
Silence filled the training ground for several seconds.
Then Nero shouted in amazement:
Nero: "Well done, hero!!"
Mark smiled proudly.
Mark: "Amazing, Aether... You've released your first spark of fire from within!"
Kartithia jumped to her feet, shouting excitedly:
Kartithia: "Hooray, Aether! Hooray, Aether!"
Aether broke into a wide smile and shouted happily:
Aether: "I did it!!"
Breakfast
The training session ended, and they all returned inside to have breakfast.
While they were eating, Nero began speaking.
Nero: "Aether has improved tremendously these past few days. Now he only needs to keep progressing at this pace... and soon, he'll be entering the academy."
Aether raised his head.
Aether: "Academy?"
Nero smiled.
Nero: "Yes. The academy your father and mother attended. It's the best academy in the kingdom."
Kartithia looked surprised.
Kartithia: "Mother went there?"
Nero nodded.
Nero: "Yes. She was the finest healing mage in the capital."
Mark smiled.
Mark: "Your mother was a genius."
Aether laughed and asked:
Aether: "What about you, Dad?"
Mark coughed awkwardly before taking a drink of water.
Nero burst out laughing.
Nero: "Your father was so busy flirting with your mother that he actually failed the magic exam!"
Aether and Kartithia burst into laughter.
Mark's face turned red.
Mark: "Stop! Don't say that in front of the children!"
Nero laughed even harder.
Nero: "Alright, alright... Your father was the best when it came to using fire and the sword. He was one of the academy's most famous students."
Kartithia looked at her father with excitement.
Kartithia: "Amazing, Dad!"
Aether asked curiously:
Aether: "How can I enter the academy?"
Nero answered:
Nero: "An entrance exam will be held soon. Once you pass, you'll stay there for many years to learn."
He continued explaining.
Nero: "In the first stage, you'll learn the basics, simple magic, reading, and writing. Then, if you wish, you can advance to the intermediate and advanced levels."
He paused before adding:
Nero: "The academy is large and diverse. There are students who learn the sword, bow, spear, and various forms of magic. Some students are older, while others are around your age."
Aether nodded enthusiastically.
Aether: "I'll work as hard as I can to get in!"
Nero smiled and gently patted him on the shoulder.
Nero: "And we'll always be there to cheer you on."