The man placed an old book atop the tree stump.

"Seth, try to burn this book," he said.

The young boy, sitting on the ground near the tree stump, stood up and aimed his right hand towards the book. He gathered mana from the rune inscribed on the back of his right hand, making it glow in fiery orange, and guided it towards his index finger.

Heat escalated from his fingertip until it was hot enough to ignite a small flame. However, just as his finger touched the thick cover of the book, the fire snuffed out immediately.

He sighed.

The man beside him, the one who put the book, tousled his hair.

"Don't let it get to you, son. You're only 12, younger than any other mages. Be patient."

"I know." The young boy looked at his father. "Father, do you think I will become as strong as you?"

"Of course, Seth! You will become strong! Your awakening was two years earlier than mine after all," The man said, vigorously patting his son's shoulder. "And who knows, you might even surpass me."

"Eh, quit joking."

The young boy moved his shoulder out of his father's grasp and rubbed it, lying on the ground afterward. Just as his back touched the ground, he got pricked by the trimmed grasses underneath him.

"Ow," he muttered.

From his point of view, he could see how the rays of sunlight shone over his father as if highlighting his features. The man had straight and long aureate hair with a couple of bangs near his right eye. Although cheerful, his eyes were sharp, radiating in a sapphire hue that seemed menacing.

His father wasn't one of those men of muscles, but his body, clothed in leather armor, was well-built and above average.

"Hahaha! Well, I have to leave, son. Practice even if I'm not around."

"Will do, father," The young boy replied, raising his arm and letting it fall back to the ground.

The man turned around and walked towards the house, ducking under the hanging laundries that had been washed.