The battlefield was silent.
Only broken stone, scorched ground, and torn banners remained—proof that something terrible had passed through Lvandal.
From the eastern road, armored footsteps echoed.
Jack Windsword had arrived.
At the front of the formation, his presence alone pressed down on the air. Soldiers followed him in perfect order, their expressions grim as they took in the destruction.
Jack's eyes narrowed.
"…So it reached this far."
A knight stepped forward and knelt.
"Lord Jack, the enemy has been identified. Survivors reported symbols and chants associated with an underground organization."
Jack didn't speak.
"Their name," the knight continued, "is the Bloody Church."
The wind around Jack stirred.
"So they've finally moved," he said quietly.
He turned to his commanders.
"Reinforce the Eastern District immediately. Double the patrols. Activate barrier arrays and place watchers at every access point."
"Yes, Lord Jack!"
Jack then looked toward Kevin, who stood nearby, his armor damaged but his posture firm.
"Kevin," Jack said, "gather the workmen. Rebuild everything that was damaged. Lvandal does not show weakness."
Kevin bowed.
"It will be done."
Jack's gaze shifted toward the estate.
"…And the boy?"
"He's alive," Kevin replied. "But exhausted."
Jack closed his eyes briefly.
"Good."
Jimmy Welton — POV
…Am I dead?
My eyes opened slowly.
White.
Soft.
Quiet.
"…Heaven?" I whispered.
Then the smell reached me.
Medicine.
Clean sheets.
Familiar warmth.
I turned my head weakly.
This wasn't heaven.
I was alive.
But… something felt different.
Before I could think further, the door opened.
"Jimmy!"
My mother rushed in, her face pale with worry. She sat beside me instantly, holding my hand tightly.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "I was so worried… Kevin, how could he take a five-year-old to face a demon?"
I shook my head gently.
"Mom… no. He told me to stay behind him. I didn't listen."
My voice was weak—but steady.
"It was my fault."
Her eyes trembled.
Then she pulled me into a careful embrace.
"…You scared me," she whispered.
"I'm okay now," I said softly.
She pulled back and smiled through relief.
"Rest, dear. I'll tell your grandfather you're awake."
I nodded.
POV Ends
The room fell silent again.
Jimmy lay still, breathing calmly.
Then—he focused.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Mana responded.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…This much?"
The flow inside him was different—deeper, wider, stronger. The exhaustion was still there, but beneath it was something new.
His mana capacity had increased significantly.
Not just quantity.
Quality.
The circulation was smoother. The core more stable.
Jimmy understood immediately.
During the battle—during the spell—something had changed.
He had already reached the Third Circle long before this.
But now—
At five years old—
He had formed his first mana circle in true stability.
A foundation far beyond normal limits.
"…So that's why it felt strange," he murmured.
He clenched his hand lightly.
Not in excitement.
But in resolve.
The world was dangerous.
Enemies were moving.
And power—real power—was necessary.
Jimmy closed his eyes again.
This time, not from weakness—
But to grow stronger.
End of Chapter 16