"Mother, I was informed you called for me. What's going on?" Leon inquired, his voice betraying a hint of anticipation.

"Well, dear brother, if you paid even a sliver of attention to our family's illustrious affairs, you would know that we have acquired the renowned Tempest Academy of Wizards on the Zedruin-Visro border. Mother summoned us here to announce that we will be attending the academy starting next week," his sister, Aurora, replied, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes.

Leon's expression remained stoic, seemingly indifferent to the news about the academy, while his sister continued to radiate unabashed joy.

Their mother nodded approvingly, then turned her attention to Leon's progress. "And what of your mage proficiency, Leon? Have you reached the coveted 3rd Class yet?" Her voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Leon's gaze fell to the marbled floor, a tinge of sadness seeping into his voice. "Not yet, Mother. I'm still striving to achieve it," he admitted, his determination shining through.

(3rd Class refers to the 3rd level of mage proficiency.)

Avalin's stern countenance softened, though a trace of reproach remained in her voice. "I have already advised you to seek guidance from the skilled magician at the mage tower, but you insist on shouldering the burden alone," she scolded. "Next week, you will commence at the academy, where children from the Visro family and other royal lineages have likely already attained the 3rd Class at your age. It's not that you lack talent, Leon, for you are incredibly gifted. However, your refusal to seek assistance from others is hindering your progress. The consumption of the fiery mana crystal is crucial for reaching the 3rd Class, yet you adamantly refuse to partake. I hope you can achieve the 3rd Class by next week," she added, dismissing both siblings with a wave of her hand.

While Leon wandered through the opulent halls of the Royal Castle, his sister caught up to him, her grip tightening on his shoulder, attempting to break his spirit. "My feeble brother, when will you muster the strength to match my level? Remember when you promised me that you would surpass me in power during our teenage years? Well, we're both 13 now, and I have clearly outpaced you," she taunted, a dark red aura emanating from her, reminiscent of their mother's.

A flicker of fear danced in Leon's eyes as he yearned to escape her presence. Just then, their older brother, Harry Valentine, materialized and intervened, instructing both siblings to retreat to their respective rooms.

Leon breathed a sigh of relief, conveying a silent "thank you" to his older brother, who reciprocated with a reassuring smile before departing.

Seeking solace in the castle's expansive library, Leon combed through rows upon rows of ancient tomes, hoping to find wisdom that would aid him in his endeavors. He carefully selected a stack of approximately 30 books, their weight heavy in his arms, and pondered to himself, "Will I manage to read them all?" In truth, he did read them all, but their contents proved futile, offering no assistance on his quest for mastery.

"Ugh, nothing is helping me, absolutely nothing!" Frustrated, Leon slammed shut the book he was reading and gazed out of the towering window. Suddenly, his eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld the sky ablaze with hues of orange, red, and purple, swirling together in a mesmerizing dance. He couldn't believe his eyes. "Am I hallucinating?" he wondered, his mind momentarily captivated by the ethereal display. And then, as if drained of all energy, he collapsed onto the nearby table, succumbing to the embrace of unconsciousness.

Leon awoke in his bed, his mind foggy, trying to piece together how he had ended up there. Slowly, the memories flooded back. "Ah, yes! I lost consciousness while studying," he muttered to himself, shaking off the remnants of sleep.

Descending the grand staircase, Leon made his way towards the dining hall, his hunger piqued and questions burning on his tongue. As he walked through the ornate hallway, he couldn't help but contemplate, "I'll have to ask her eventually."

Reaching the table, Leon was greeted by his mother's warm smile and his brother's cheerful greeting. "Sit, Leon. I have something for you. Finish your breakfast first," his mother instructed, a mysterious twinkle in her eyes, while his brother wore a knowing smile.

At the other end of the table, Aurora sat, visibly seething with anger. She hastily finished her meal and stormed off, leaving the others puzzled by her sudden mood.

"What's bothering her, Mom?" Leon inquired, his concern evident in his voice.

"Well, she's been in a foul mood since morning, probably because of what I got for you," Avalin replied, a hint of amusement in her tone.

With breakfast finished, Leon's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he finally mustered the courage to ask his mother, "Mom, can I see what you got for me now?"

"Yes, Leon, just wait a moment," his mother replied, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

"Erzabeth, please bring the gift," Avalin instructed the head maid, her voice carrying an air of eagerness.

Placing a neatly wrapped medium-sized box on the table, the head maid bowed and exited the room. Leon's gaze fixated on the intriguing package before him, his heart racing with curiosity. "Can I open it?" he asked, unable to contain his excitement any longer.

"Go ahead," Avalin replied, her voice brimming with anticipation.

As Leon carefully unwrapped the box, a dark red crystal was revealed, emanating a faint glow. His eyes widened in awe. "Mom, is this a fiery mana crystal?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"Indeed it is," his mother confirmed, a touch of pride in her voice.

"This crystal was recently discovered in a remote cave, unlike the manufactured ones. It's at least five times more potent than the regular crystals. Consume it, and it will aid in your growth," his brother explained, his voice full of encouragement. "I hope you achieve the 3rd Class soon, little bro!"

Leon's gratitude overflowed as he looked at his mother with heartfelt appreciation. "Oh, thank you, Mom! I'm going to head to the training room and consume it right away," he said, his excitement palpable.

"Good luck, my son!" his mother exclaimed, her face radiant with pride and hope.

Entering the training room, Leon was taken aback by the sight before him. The once orderly and pristine space lay in ruins, as if a tempest had ravaged it. "Who could have done this? Since only members of the royal family are permitted to enter this room, the only plausible answer isAurora," Leon contemplated silently, his brows furrowing with concern.

"I wonder what's happening with her. She seems to harbor baseless animosity toward me," he thought, shaking his head in bewilderment.

Determined to put the turmoil aside for now, Leon pressed the blue button on the wall, triggering the room's restoration mechanism. Piece by piece, the wreckage transformed into its former pristine state. "This is much better," he sighed with relief, the serenity of the room soothing his troubled mind.

Taking a deep breath, Leon carefully unwrapped the fiery mana crystal from its protective casing. It glimmered in his palm, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. As he brought it closer to his lips, hesitating for a moment, he recalled his mother's words and the weight they carried. With a resolute nod, he consumed the crystal.

To his surprise, instead of the anticipated intensity or bitterness, the crystal melted on his tongue, releasing a soft, sweet taste that spread throughout his mouth. Almost instantly, he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins.

"I can already sense my mana flowing faster than before!" Leon marveled, his eyes widening in awe. "Is this what it feels like to reach the 3rd Class?"

Initially, a bright red aura enveloped his body, vibrant and pulsating with raw energy. But as the crystal settled within him, a subtle transformation occurred. The aura transformed into a deep shade of black, yet it held an undeniable aura of strength and authority.

"I can feel it! The mana particles are much clearer now!" Leon exclaimed, a mix of excitement and astonishment coloring his voice. "It appears my senses have greatly improved, and I feel considerably stronger."

Unaware of the dark aura he emitted, Leon smiled, reveling in his newfound power. With newfound determination and confidence coursing through his veins, he couldn't help but look forward to the challenges that awaited him.