I began walking towards the pagoda, the winding path stretching ahead like a trail of contemplation. As I moved further from the village square, the lively sounds of the Néfos faded, replaced by the tranquil silence of the plateau. The air felt different here, thinner, as if nature itself was in a state of meditation. The trees around me thickened, forming a green canopy that filtered the sunlight, casting soft shadows on the ground. Each step echoed in my mind, amplifying the sense of solitude that, even surrounded by life, never left me.

The trail climbed gently through the mountainous landscape, snaking between crystal-clear springs that ran through rocks sculpted by time. The water, clear and calm, reflected the sky tinted with greens and blues, creating a picturesque and almost unreal scene. The pagoda rose on the horizon, an imposing structure of stone and wood, crowned by carvings that seemed to tell forgotten stories. The serene beauty of the landscape contrasted with the turbulence of my thoughts, which kept drifting back to my encounter with the old Néfo with golden eyes. Her enigmatic words still echoed in my mind, stirring an unease I couldn’t silence. Who was she? A figure from a past life, perhaps, or simply a reflection of my own confusion?

Fatigue began to weigh on my legs, and I crouched down, taking a deep breath as I gazed up at the sky. I knew I wasn’t an ordinary child. There was something in me, something ancient and complex, that separated me from others. Reincarnation was a burden, filled with muddled memories and emotions I could barely comprehend. Being among the villagers made me feel like an outsider, even among those who cared about me. Relationships had become transactions, each one calculated and weighed, as if it were impossible to just… exist. Changing that seemed like an overwhelming task.

I sighed, standing up with effort, and continued my walk toward the pagoda.

When I arrived, I felt a gradual peace envelop me, despite the slight unease still pulsing in my chest. The structure was magnificent, its stone columns covered in intricate carvings, and the dark wooden roof cast welcoming shadows. The place exuded a surreal tranquility, almost sacred, as if it were a gateway to something beyond immediate comprehension.

I climbed the stone steps slowly, and there were Aidan, Nene, and Nina. The Néfos were meditating in the center of the pagoda, a soft, energetic aura emanating from them. Aidan, always laid-back, leaned against an ornate bench, smiling when he saw me.

"Hey, Dad," I said, approaching slowly. "What are you all doing here?"

"It's peaceful and cozy here," Aidan explained, pulling me into a warm embrace. "We thought it would be a good place to spend the morning."

Hugs. I never understood why people insist on them. Honestly, they exhaust me. What’s the point? Does it really serve any meaningful purpose?

"I see," I murmured, trying to hide my discomfort, while my mind searched for a logical reason behind the interaction. "Can you let go now?" I finally asked when the hug dragged on longer than I could tolerate.

"Of course," he replied, looking down at me before releasing me.

I continued walking, my eyes wandering until they landed on Evelyn, playing near the railing beside my 'mother'. Both were close to the edge, oblivious to what was happening around them.

Evelyn, only two years old, was still struggling to form words. I can’t blame her—I was a mess at that age too.

When she saw me, she ran toward me, babbling something incomprehensible. "Maim!" she exclaimed, catching my attention.

I forced a smile, but I felt the familiar sting of resentment. Since she was born, the attention that used to be all mine was now divided, and more often than not, it tilted in her favor. I confess: it's jealousy. I liked being the center of everything.

"Father usurper," I thought as she clung to my legs. But outwardly, I just held her delicate little arms.

Finally, my eyes met Ari’s. She watched with a soft smile, and when our gazes met, she gave a gentle nod, her silvery face showing warmth and acceptance. Her blue eyes shone like stars, as always.

As I walked toward her, I couldn’t help but think about my family. There was a distance I still couldn’t overcome, but moments like this made the invisible wall between us seem to dissolve, even if slowly. Accepting the new dynamics wasn’t easy when you remembered how things used to be.

I felt my face heat up as I realized how vulnerable I felt. "I'm getting soft," I thought, a shy smile threatening to break through.

"Welcome back to your family," Ari said, her calm and cheerful voice breaking the silence. "It’s good to see you smile. How was your morning?"

"It was… complicatedly interesting," I replied, avoiding any mention of the old woman with golden eyes. "But now I’m fine," I added.

"I’m glad to hear that," she said, tilting her head slightly in that way that always made me feel at home. "Let’s enjoy our time together. This place is special."

I stood beside her, watching Evelyn play with rubber balls and cubes. However, my gaze soon drifted to the Néfos in the center of the room, my curiosity growing.

Noticing my interest, Ari smiled knowingly. "They’re using magic, Kiel. Nina is checking Nene’s mind."

"What do you mean?" I asked, intrigued.

"We all have an ‘inner world’ that reflects our mind and consciousness," Ari explained, with unexpected depth. "When we enter a state of ecstasy, even while awake, we can explore that space and our potential, understanding the world around us in ways we don’t always perceive. It’s where we learn to manipulate what we know to interact with the universe."

I was surprised by her response. It wasn’t something I expected to hear. My curiosity only grew.

They were clearly immersed in something beyond the physical.

“They’re meditating,” Ari explained, noticing my interest. “Nina is connecting to Nene’s mind, checking her mental state.”

“How do they do that?” I asked, fascinated.

Ari smiled. “It’s an advanced form of magic, son. When someone connects with their inner world, they can explore their abilities and understand the universe in ways that go beyond what is visible.”

“Tell me more, Mom,” I asked. Ari smiled and leaned a little closer, as if she were about to share a secret.

"You're old enough to learn about this now, so I’ll tell you, son…" Ari began, with a mysterious tone. "To use magic, people need to study a lot about how the world works: Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Biology are things you’ll learn about in the future. Plus, you need to activate something inside you called the Arcanocorpo to channel a special energy that’s everywhere: the Primordial Energy."

I listened carefully.

"This energy flows through everything that exists," she continued. "It’s with this energy that people can express their will and manipulate the world around them. But how you do this depends on your connection to what we call the 'mental world'."

I frowned. "Mental world?"

She smiled, nodding. "Exactly. The mental world is like your consciousness, your imagination. It’s where you begin to understand the possibilities of magic, like a reflection of your perspective on reality. We all have a 'focus point,' a line of knowledge that shapes how we can access and use magic. Each person has a specific affinity with one of these magical areas."

"There are three main types of magic," she said, holding up three fingers. "Kinetic Material Magic, Reactive Material Magic, and Atomic Charge Magic."

“But Mom, what’s Kinetic Material Magic?” I asked, curious.

"Kinetic Material Magic is the ability to move, heat, or cool objects without touching them," Ari explained, gesturing as if she were pushing something invisible in the air. "It’s like pushing a stone with your mind, or warming the bed by shaking it to make it cozy without needing a blanket."

I smiled at the idea of warming my bed with just a thought. "And what about Reactive Material Magic?"

"That one is a bit more complex," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It involves transforming one material into another, like turning water into vapor or stone into metal. It can even be used to create fire from the elements around you."

I leaned in closer. "And Atomic Charge Magic?"

Ari paused for a moment, searching for the best way to explain. "That magic is the most refined and powerful. It involves manipulating the smallest particles of matter, like atoms and molecules, to create electricity, force fields, or even alter the structure of things. It’s like turning iron into gold or creating lightning, like the ones you see in the sky during storms."

My eyes widened. "So, can you create lightning?"

She laughed. "Yes, something like that. But it’s not just a magic trick. It takes a lot of study and practice to master it."

I made a puzzled face, finding it difficult to understand her explanations.

"Each of these magics is tied to your mental world," Ari continued. "Your mind will align with one type of magic as you grow and learn more about the universe. But don’t worry about choosing now. That’s something that will happen over time."

“How do I find out which one is mine?” I asked, already eager to start.

"That takes patience and introspection," she said softly. "When you activate your Arcanocorpo, you’ll feel the Primordial Energy flowing through you, and then you’ll start to understand which magic resonates most with your mind. We all have a unique connection to magic."

Aidan, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in. "And remember, Kiel, magic isn’t just about power. It’s about understanding the world around us and using that knowledge responsibly. The real power of magic comes from responsibility."

“So, what do you think?” Ari asked, her eyes shining with expectation.

Before I could respond, Nina approached, smiling serenely. “Kiel, if you want, I can help you discover how your mind is. I can guide you through this process.”

I looked at Ari, who watched with an expression that mixed apprehension and resignation. I noticed the glint of displeasure in her eyes, as if this wasn’t part of her plan.

“Yes, I want to,” I replied quickly, leaving Ari visibly upset.

Aidan cheered with a wide grin. "Awesome! Let’s see if you take after me or your mom," he said, full of enthusiasm.

Ari, however, stepped forward to say something. "I don’t think he should do this," she declared, raising her voice and creating tension in the air.

Aidan tried to calm her. "Honey, I think it could be good for him. Discovering his magical affinity is easy and quick."

She crossed her arms, still clearly worried. "I don’t want him going into Ecstasy."

Ari sighed deeply, but her expression remained resistant. "What if he…" she tried to say, but her true reasons seemed hard to express, and because of that, she fell silent, wringing her hands.

Elder Nina approached Ari and spoke calmly: "I understand your concerns, Ari. I promise I will take good care of him. This is an important step for him, and I will be by his side every moment and won’t let him faint."

Evelyn, however, on the other side, began babbling incomprehensible words, her tiny hands gesturing randomly, breaking the tension in the air.

Ari’s gaze softened slightly as she heard Elder Nina’s words. She finally relented, though still reluctant. "Alright. I’ll trust you, Elder. I hope this is truly what’s best for him."

Nina gestured for Nene to leave the center of the pagoda. "Alright," she replied. Nene obeyed, moving to the side.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement as I walked to the center of the pagoda. The shadows of the carved beams on the columns seemed to dance around me, as if they were silent witnesses to what was about to unfold.

A new step on the path to becoming the most fulfilled being in this world!