"Are you... really Rai?" Mina's voice trembled as she looked deep into his eyes, her heart pounding.
Rai gave her a small nod, his voice low but steady. "Haan… I'm really Rai."
But Mina didn't smile. Her brows furrowed as something still haunted her mind.
"Then… that day in the dungeon, who was that? That person... he spoke to me. He said you weren't from this world. He knew your name, your past, everything. Who was he?"
Rai turned away for a second, his expression unreadable. His mana flickered just slightly.
"I'll tell you… everything, Mina. But not now. When the time is right, I promise." He turned back to her, his voice gentler now. "Until then, please… don't tell anyone. Just stay with me."
Mina looked at him for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Fine. I'll wait. But you owe me one big explanation later."
---
The next morning, Rai stood in the training field behind the mansion. The air shimmered with mana, the grass slightly singed from earlier practice.
"Are you ready?" Baren stood across from him, arms folded. His presence was sharp, focused—like a true warrior.
Rai exhaled, raising his hand. "I'm ready, Uncle."
Baren nodded. "Today, we're going beyond. You'll channel your mana into a form—give it shape, direction, intensity. You've been working on fire, right?"
Rai smirked. "Yeah. Fire."
He closed his eyes. His aura surged outward—a massive wave of mana that rippled through the field. Sparks of fire ignited around his body.
But in his mind, Rai thought, I've unlocked more than just fire... His lips stayed shut. No one needs to know... not yet.
Baren took a battle stance, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Then let's see if you've improved."
Without warning, Rai launched forward. He spun, weaving fire and wind into a flaming blade, sending it roaring toward Baren.
"Too slow!" Baren stepped aside effortlessly, but Rai was already behind him, forming a sharper fire pulse that snapped at his side.
Baren blocked it with a hardened earth shield. "Good! You're learning control."
"Uncle—get ready!"
Rai raised both hands. A spiral of fire spun into the air, glowing hotter and hotter. Baren dashed forward just as Rai released it.
BOOM!
The attack struck the shield, crackling with force. Baren slid back slightly, his boots scraping the ground.
He was impressed.
"You've improved… a lot," Baren muttered. "But this training isn't over. Until you can control that level of power without burning yourself out… I'll keep pushing you."
Rai wiped the sweat from his brow, panting slightly, but his grin was full of determination.
"I won't stop, Uncle. Not until I can protect everyone—truly protect them."
Baren chuckled. "That's the spirit, Rai.
The real spirit of a warrior."
---
[To be continued…]