Four and a Half Months Later
For Ignis, there was nothing beyond training. Day after day, he maintained his rigorous routine—physical exercise, swordsmanship, and meditation. Since he had little interest in social interactions, distractions were never an issue. His sole focus remained on strengthening himself, and as a result, he trained relentlessly without hindrance.
And now, after four and a half months, the long-awaited day had finally arrived.
Inside his room, Ignis sat cross-legged, steadying his breathing in preparation for his second evolution. Outside the door, Evan and Alenna waited anxiously. Though they trusted their son's abilities, they couldn't shake off their concern.
They had wanted to be inside, to witness the transformation firsthand, but Ignis had firmly refused. He warned them that his clothes might burn away in the process, making it inappropriate for them to be present. More importantly, he reassured them that nothing would go wrong.
Today was the day. The mana stored within his heart had reached its absolute limit. Now, at last, it would surge through him, feeding back into his body, unlocking new levels of power, and advancing his mana training—stalled for months since his mana circuit had first been activated.
As the moment approached, Ignis closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His evolution was about to begin.
Despite his relentless training, Ignis showed no visible mana fluctuations in his body. This peculiarity did not go unnoticed. The maids and servants whispered behind his back, their hushed conversations laced with skepticism and pity.
Such an absence of mana flow was a bad omen. It was the mark of those who were fated never to become a Knight or Magician—a sign of powerlessness. And as rumors spread, they soon reached the ears of Count Aleric himself.
Unlike others, the Count was pleased by this news. He had been growing uneasy ever since witnessing Ignis's extraordinary talent in swordsmanship. It wasn't that he feared the boy would rise against him—no, that was never the concern. What truly unsettled him was the possibility that Evan and Alenna might decide to leave the county in pursuit of a brighter future for their son.
Count Aleric was merely a Count, while those above him—Dukes, Marquises, and even the King himself—could offer far better opportunities to someone of Ignis's potential. If his talent proved undeniable, it was only a matter of time before Evan and Alenna were drawn elsewhere, lured by promises of wealth, status, and advancement.
And if that happened, the Count would lose one of the strongest duos under his command—a formidable Knight and a gifted Vitalist. Losing them would mean weakening his hold on power, and that was something he could not afford.
A Vitalist was a rare and formidable profession—one that combined the abilities of both a Nature Magician and a Healer. Mastery over both Earth and Wood magic allowed a Vitalist to manipulate the battlefield while also providing support, making them invaluable assets. Alenna, paired with Evan, was an even more terrifying force. Together, they could stand against a 6-Star Knight without suffering defeat.
It was no wonder Count Aleric felt relieved upon hearing rumors that Ignis lacked mana fluctuations. If the boy never awakened his potential, then Evan and Alenna would have no reason to leave Ravenswood County. Their loyalty would remain intact, and the Count would retain one of his strongest pairs of warriors.
But inside his room, unaware of—or perhaps indifferent to—the rumors spreading about him, Ignis was on the verge of something extraordinary.
Seated cross-legged on the floor, he reached into his heart position and withdrew the Hōgyoku. The small crystalline orb pulsed with energy, now completely filled to the brim with mana. The moment had finally arrived—his evolution was about to begin.
Without hesitation, Ignis gave the Hōgyoku its command.
The response was immediate.
Flames erupted around him, encasing him in a blazing cocoon, just as they had four and a half months ago. Heat pulsed through his body, but Ignis did not panic. Instead, he focused on the sensation—the overwhelming surge of power rushing through his veins.
The Hōgyoku fed the accumulated mana back into his body, spreading through every fiber of his being. His cells, bones, and tissues underwent a transformation, growing denser, tougher, stronger. His very essence was evolving.
Within his heart and Dantian, the mana from the Hogyoku surged powerfully. No star materialized in his Dantian, nor did any circle manifest in his heart. Instead, both reservoirs simply expanded, filling to nearly 60% of their capacity. This outcome was exactly what Ignis had anticipated. Moreover, he could sense that his mana was now deeply infused with the essence of the fire element.
The evolution process this time was significantly shorter than the first—within an hour, it was complete.
As the fiery cocoon dissipated, Ignis stood at its center, his form now fully revealed. This was precisely why he had insisted on undergoing the process alone. Every time he evolved, his clothes burned away, leaving him exposed. But more importantly, he couldn't risk anyone discovering the Hōgyoku—his greatest secret.
Without wasting time, he moved swiftly to dress himself. Once clothed, he clenched his fists and threw a powerful punch into the air. The force behind it was astonishing. He could feel the strength coursing through his muscles, the newfound power humming in his veins.
Curious to gauge the extent of his transformation, he moved into a series of martial arts techniques—punches, kicks, fluid footwork—all executed with precision and ease. His movements were sharper, faster, and more explosive than ever before.
The conclusion was undeniable. His physical strength had increased drastically.
An ironic smirk formed on Ignis's lips.
Despite being just a child, he was now stronger than most grown men. If he were to face an adult in combat, the outcome would be laughably one-sided—like a seasoned warrior effortlessly subduing a child.
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