A boy, no older than five, played near his family's private lake, nestled high in the mountains.

  “Nicholas, be careful, and come play with your sister. You know she won’t do anything without you,” his mother called out from the nearby wooden walkway.

  “Okay, Mom!” Nicholas shouted in reply, hopping energetically as he danced along the wooden slats. But his feet slipped, and before he could react, he tumbled into the cool water.

  His mother chuckled, watching as Nicholas paddled clumsily in the lake.

  “See, I told you,” she teased, her voice light with amusement.

  Nicholas, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, dunked his head beneath the water to hide. But as he submerged, something caught his attention—a rock, unlike any he’d seen before. It felt... different, as if it were calling to him. Drawn to it, Nicholas swam deeper, his small arms propelling him forward. He reached down, his fingers closing around the smooth stone.

  The moment his hand made contact, a bright blue light flared in his mind.

  A voice, soft yet unmistakably clear, spoke.

  “Hmmm, still a little young, but very good affinity. You possess a strong spirit. Consider yourself fortunate. Though you may not see me for many years, I will guide you when the time is right.”

  The rock seemed to pulse in his hand before transforming into a simple necklace.

  Nicholas, disoriented, surfaced quickly, gasping for air. As he broke the surface, he glanced at his hand and found the necklace there, its cool metal resting against his skin.

  “Mom! Look what I found! It’s a necklace that talks to me!” he called out excitedly.

  His mother’s expression shifted to one of concern as she rushed to his side.

  “Let me see it, quickly.”

  Nicholas handed over the necklace, and his mother examined it closely. Mana swirled around it, gently encasing it in her palm.

  “No sign of a malevolent presence,” she thought, reassuring herself. “Probably just his imagination.” She returned the necklace to Nicholas, though her thoughts lingered on the strange occurrence.

  Turning to her butler, she called, “Rick, there was a search of the lake before we arrived, correct?”

  Rick, a loyal servant of the family, nodded. “Yes, Miss. We conducted a thorough check before your arrival.”

  Her gaze sharpened as she asked, “How did nobody find this necklace?”

  “I believe we were searching for dangerous animals, not jewelry,” Rick answered. “My apologies.”

  “No need,” she replied, a hint of unease in her voice. “You did your job.”

  As Rick returned to setting up the picnic, Nicholas turned to his little sister, who was playing nearby.

  “Hey, Selas! Look what I got!” Nicholas grinned, holding the necklace out proudly.

  Selas, wide-eyed with wonder, gasped. “Mommy, I want one too!”

  “We can get you one on the way home, okay?” their mother promised.

  Selas beamed. “Okay! Thank you!”

  After lunch, the two children grew drowsy and fell asleep on the blanket. Rick gently carried them to the carriage, which would take them back to the estate.

  The journey took them through winding mountain roads, eventually stopping at a large building marked by a sign that read: Arnell Merchant Guild & Co.

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  A Year Later

  Nicholas awoke to find the necklace still resting around his neck. He went through his usual morning routine—washing his face, eating breakfast, dressing, and waking his little sister, Selas. Then, Rick drove him down the mountain to the school.

  The school was located near one of his father’s merchant guild branches, a small academy that catered to middle-class students. Nicholas attended alongside other children of various social standings, with classes that ranged from proper etiquette to basic self-defense, history, and an introduction to magic.

  Today, as usual, he was seated next to his best friend, Irene Vale, in their manners class. Irene, a girl with dark hair and big green eyes, always wore frilly dresses, her cheeks often puffed from the sweets her family gave her at breakfast. Nicholas couldn’t help but think back to when they first met, the day he had been eating chocolate-covered bread and she had stared at him with such intensity, her mouth watering as she watched him eat. He had offered her the other half of his breakfast, and they had become fast friends ever since.

  Today, it was Irene’s turn to bring the snack, and she did not disappoint. A rare chocolate bar filled with Ambergraft nuts—nutty, chewy, and sweet—awaited him. As he chewed happily, both of their cheeks puffed out from the indulgence.

  The school bell rang at eight o'clock, signaling the start of class. Their teacher, Mr. Cline, entered the room. He had short brown hair styled in a quiff, a warm, approachable smile, and a blue robe with an emblem embroidered over his heart. He was followed by his assistant, Richard, a lanky teenager with short red hair and a carefree attitude.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Mr. Cline greeted.

  “Good morning, Mr. Cline!” the students chorused.

  Richard, with a mischievous grin, added, “Good morning, Richard!”

  “Time for the homework check!” he announced with a playful tone.

  At the back of the class, a red-haired boy named Alex froze, his face pale. The other students quickly placed their completed homework on their desks. Richard walked up to Alex, teasing him.

  “Did you actually do your homework, Alex? Because all I heard last night was someone playing with toys and then falling asleep,” Richard smirked.

  “I… I did do it,” Alex stammered, but his nervousness was clear. “I just… left it at home.”

  “Well, where exactly did you leave it?” Richard pressed, grinning.

  Before the situation could escalate, Mr. Cline intervened.

  “Now, now. Let’s get back to work. I’m sure Alex will bring it tomorrow. Let’s continue with our magic lessons.”

  Mr. Cline turned to the class. “Can anyone tell me what a mana mark is?”

  Nicholas, eager to answer, raised his hand immediately.

  “A mana mark is a symbol that shows how much mana your body can hold,” he explained.

  “Correct! It also indicates your magical potential. Now, who remembers how to grow a mana mark?”

  Nicholas raised his hand again, but Mr. Cline gently redirected him.

  “Let’s give someone else a chance,” he said.

  “Aww, okay,” Nicholas muttered, though he was still excited to participate.

  Irene raised her hand.

  “By absorbing mana and letting it stay in your body, or by ingesting something rich in pure, unprocessed mana,” she answered.

  “Correct! And when you’re older, you’ll learn even more about this,” Mr. Cline said. “Now, let’s go outside and practice sensing mana. It’s time for you to feel the magic around you.”

  The students sat in a circle beneath a large tree behind the school, their eyes closed as Mr. Cline manipulated the mana around them. It moved like a breeze through the air, invisible but palpable.

  “Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and try to feel something around you. If you think you sense it, tell me where.”

  One by one, the students tried. Most were incorrect, but Alex, to everyone’s surprise, got it right.

  “I think it’s over here,” he murmured, pointing next to his ear.

  “Not bad, Alex,” Mr. Cline praised. “Now, I’ll move it again. Where do you feel it?”

  Alex’s finger shot to his chin.

  “Excellent! Now, everyone, focus. You can do this.”

  Nicholas, his mind racing, began to feel the mana swirling around him. His heart pounded with excitement.

  Then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—the same blue wisp he had heard months ago.

  “Calm down. It’s not a contest. Breathe. Don’t search for it. Just feel it.”

  Nicholas, now centered, relaxed and focused. Slowly, the mana around him became clearer. He could sense it like the warmth of the sun on a cloudless day.

  “It’s on top of my head,” he whispered.

  Mr. Cline smiled. “That’s right. Now I’ll move it.”

  Nicholas pointed, “In front of my eye.”

  “Well done,” Mr. Cline said, proud of his students’ progress. By the end of the lesson, all the students had successfully sensed mana.

  That evening, Nicholas couldn’t wait to practice. In his room, he imagined himself heroically defending his family from a monster, wielding fireballs with the strength of a hero. As he meditated, he focused on the mana around him and drew it in, just as Mr. Cline had taught.

  With each attempt, the mana seemed to respond to his will, gathering at the spot on his back just behind his heart.

  Nicholas continued practicing every day, following the wisp’s advice. After a week, a mark appeared on his back.