The earth rumbled, and in the blink of an eye—three stone stools and a table rose from the soil in front of Elda and Milal.

Milal:
"That never stops being impressive, my lord."

Elda:
"Overdramatic as always."

Ryfel’s baby fingers twitched slightly.

"Again, no chanting. No rituals. Just movement and intent."

Ryker, clearly enjoying himself, gestured for Elda and Milal to sit.

Ryker:
"Come, come! This is a proper lesson!"

Elda sighed but sat down. "If you say so."

Ryker then turned back to Ryfel, crouching before him with a wide, excited grin.

Ryker:
"Now, Little Ry, today you will learn the foundation of magic!"

He placed a strong hand on the stone table he had just created.

A faint ripple of mana pulsed outward. The earth hummed softly, responding to his presence.

Ryker:
"This… is mana."

Ryfel’s tiny fingers curled instinctively.

It wasn’t just energy. It wasn’t just some invisible force that obeyed whims. It was alive, waiting to be guided.

Ryker placed five small cups on the table in front of Ryfel. Each one held something different—a cup of earth, an empty cup, a cup with a small hole at the bottom, and the last two holding a leaf each.

Ryker:
"This world is filled with mana—it flows within us and around us in five different forms. A newborn is washed with Ether to open their Mana Pores, allowing them to connect with these forms."

Ryfel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So the Ether bath was a diluted catalyst, just enough to let magic flow through the body... I need to figure out its exact properties later."

Ryker lifted the first cup, the one containing earth.

Ryker:
"Earth is the most common and the easiest to learn, as it surrounds us. However, only certain kinds of earth and rock can be moved."

With a slight motion of his hand, the soil within the cup floated up, swirling lazily in the air before settling back down.

Ryker:
"Only skilled magicians can manipulate different kinds of earth, which is why House Redimir is known for its ability to control multiple forms of soil and stone."

He spoke proudly, chest puffed up.

Ryfel stared at the floating dirt, his mind already working through possibilities.

"He isn’t 'commanding' it… He’s manipulating the mana already present in the material. That means if I can understand what makes up a certain material, I can control it better than even he can."

Ryker moved on, grabbing the canteen on his belt.

Ryker:
"Next is water—it’s trickier because you always have to consider its flow."

He unscrewed the lid, waved his hand forward, and a thin stream of water floated out, coiling into the air before gently settling into the cup.

Ryfel watched carefully.

His father’s movements were subtle—almost like an afterthought. The water followed as if it knew where to go.

"It’s not about force—it’s about intent. He’s not lifting it—he’s guiding it. But the question is… does mana already exist in the water, or is it just acting as a conduit?"

Ryker splashed some of the floating water onto a patch of crops, waving the rest into his mouth with a smug grin.

Ryker:
"For me, I mostly use it for watering my fields—nothing too fancy."

Milal giggled.

Milal:
"Yet you make it look dramatic every time, my lord."

Ryker:
"What’s the point of being a ‘magician’ if you can’t show off?"

Elda sighed.

Elda:
"So humble, my dear."

Ryfel suppressed a laugh.

"My father… He’s a noble, but he acts like a performer. At least I know where I can get it from. We are really quite alike."

Ryker tapped the cup containing the leaf.

Ryker:
"Now for air. This one’s different. It doesn’t always listen."

He twirled his finger above the cup, and the leaf inside began spinning rapidly, caught in a small whirlwind.

Ryker:
"Air only moves when it wants to. If the wind is too strong, you won’t be able to use air magic at all. It doesn’t obey like the others—it flows freely."

Ryfel narrowed his eyes slightly.

"That means air doesn’t have a constant state—it’s dependent on the environment. If I learn how to predict those changes, I can manipulate it efficiently."

His father picked up the cup with the hole at the bottom, peering through it.

Ryker:
"Next, we have light. It’s everywhere during the day, and faint at night. The magicians of ancient times discovered that mana in light only moves in straight lines."

He covered one eye, and suddenly, his left pupil turned completely black.

Ryker:
"I can do this much! I mostly just use it as a party trick to scare Elda or Milal."

Milal stifled a laugh.

Milal:
"And yet you scream the loudest when Lady Elda actually scares you back."

Elda smirked.

Elda:
"That’s because he’s all show, no defense."

Ryfel tilted his head.

"So light magic follows a fixed path. It moves in straight lines… that means it obeys refraction laws. If I learn how to bend it correctly, I can manipulate how it moves entirely."

Ryker’s tone shifted slightly as he reached for the last cup—the one with the second leaf.

Ryker:
"Now, lastly, fire. It’s the most dangerous, and the hardest to control."

Ryfel leaned forward slightly.

Ryker raised a single finger, and with a tiny spark, the edge of the leaf caught fire.

The flame burned only the leaf—not the cup, not the table, just the small piece of plant.

Ryker:
"Unlike the other elements, fire isn’t stable. Once it starts, it spreads. And once it spreads too much, it becomes nearly impossible to control."

The flame burned until nothing but a small pile of ash remained.

Ryker:
"Imagine if I had done this in a field—the fire would have consumed everything."

Ryfel stared at the ashes, processing.

"Fire doesn’t obey rules. It only obeys hunger. It’s the only element that consumes rather than just moves."

That meant…

"If I could control how fire feeds, I could control how it spreads. Not just stop it—but manipulate it entirely."

He clenched his tiny fists, hiding his excitement.

"There’s so much potential."

Ryfel’s Growing Obsession

Ryfel sat silently, watching as his father grinned proudly after his demonstration.

He had so many questions.

Why does fire behave differently?
Why does light only move in one direction?
Why are water and air unpredictable?
Why can some earth be moved, but not others?

"There has to be a pattern. A system."

He felt his chest tighten.

For the first time since he was reborn, he felt something real.

He felt hungry.

Not for food—for knowledge.

"I need to learn more. I need to understand it all."

But before he could sink further into thought, Ryker suddenly lifted him into the air.

Ryker:
"Oh-ho! Look at that face! You’re amazed, aren’t you, my son?!"

Ryfel, caught off guard, let out a small giggle.

Elda raised a brow.
Elda:
"I think he’s just excited about seeing something new, dear."

Ryker smirked.
Ryker:
"Oh no, my love. This is the face of someone who wants to learn more!"

Milal giggled.
Milal:
"It is quite adorable!"

Ryker:
"Oh, it seems like someone is very happy about seeing some cool new things! Hehehe! Let me also bring you around our district!"

With boundless energy, Ryker lifted Ryfel onto his shoulders once again, leading the family down the cobbled streets of the Farmland District.

The late afternoon glow bathed the town in warm hues as they walked through the bustling market streets. Vendors called out, selling freshly harvested crops, grain sacks, woven fabrics, and handmade tools. Street performers entertained children with simple magic tricks—earth shifting in their hands like clay, water twirling into shapes before gently falling back into bowls.

Ryfel took in everything, eyes darting from stall to stall.

"They live like this every day? Magic isn’t just for combat or grand displays—it’s part of daily life here."

Milal stopped by a fruit vendor, picking out a soft golden pear. She smiled at Ryfel before slicing it into small pieces and offering it to him.

Milal:
"Here, Young Master. You must be hungry after such a big day."

Ryfel blinked at the tiny fruit slice, then reached for it with his chubby hands.

He took a bite.

And froze.

"Holy—this is amazing! This is way better than anything I had back on Earth! How is this fruit so damn sweet??"

His eyes widened, and Milal chuckled.

Milal:
"Oh my, I think he likes it!"

Ryker roared with laughter.
Ryker:
"Hah! Of course he does! That, my dear Milal, is because House Redimir grows the finest crops in all of Minas-Col!"

Elda smirked, crossing her arms.
Elda:
"You say that as if you personally planted them all, dear."

Ryker:
"As the head of the district, I take credit for everything!"

Ryfel watched his parents banter, shaking his head internally.

"This family is something else…"

The Celebration – A Contender is Named

As the sun dipped lower, casting long golden shadows across the Farmland District, after a day of exploration, they approached the local hall—a grand wooden structure that stood at the very heart of the bustling marketplace.

Torches flickered to life, their warm glow mixing with the soft blue hues of floating magic lanterns, illuminating the courtyard. Hundreds of farmers, merchants, and craftsmen had gathered, their voices buzzing with excitement.

The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and aged wine filled the air as servers rushed about, making last-minute preparations for the biggest gathering of the season.

At the center of it all, Ryker stood tall, grinning like a man who was about to own the night.

Ryker:
"Ahhhh, now this is the kind of welcome a Lord deserves!"

He turned to Elda, smugly adjusting his belt.

Ryker:
"Feasts, speeches, celebration—and an entire hall filled with people ready to cheer my name! What more could a man ask for?"

Elda raised a brow, smirking.
Elda:
"Oh, I don’t know… perhaps a little anticipation for what comes after the feast?"

Ryker froze for half a second—then turned to look at her, a slow grin creeping onto his face.

Ryker:
"Ohoho? My dear wife… are you hinting at what I think you are?"

Elda simply tilted her head, walking ahead into the hall without answering.

Milal giggled quietly, covering her mouth.

Milal:
"It seems my lady has given my lord something to look forward to tonight."

Ryker straightened his tunic, nodding to himself with a look of determination.

Ryker (grinning):
"First, we feast. Then, we celebrate. And then… well, the night is still young!"

Ryfel rolled his tiny eyes internally.

"This man is absolutely hopeless…"

The family entered the hall.

And instantly—

The room ERUPTED into cheers.

Crowd:
"Greetings to the Count of the Farmlands, Lord Redimir and Ménage!"

Ryker raised his hand, grinning.
Ryker:
"Your Lord acknowledges! Thank you to you, my district representatives!"

The cheers continued as Ryker led his family to the head table, where a massive feast was prepared. Plates of roasted meats, fresh bread, stewed vegetables, and fine wine were laid before them.

Ryfel’s tiny nose twitched at the delicious smells.

"This district might not be the richest… but it’s thriving. The people here aren’t just surviving—they’re proud."

Ryker suddenly stood, raising his cup high.

The hall fell silent.

Ryker:
"I come to you today, humbled as the head of you, the incredible cultivators of land. The providers of nourishment for Minas-Col and the foundation of our ascending Kingdom!"

The crowd stomped their feet in approval, the room trembling with excitement.

Ryfel watched with interest.

"He’s commanding the room effortlessly. This isn’t just a noble giving a speech—he’s one of them."

Then—Ryker grinned, his voice booming.

Ryker:
*"It is with great news that I bare before you today… the Redimir House has finally bore a CONTENDER!!!"

The hall exploded into cheers, tables shaking as farmers banged their mugs against the wood.

Ryker:
"His name is Ryfel Richtung Redimir!"

He lifted Ryfel up high, presenting him to the district like a lion cub.

Ryfel blinked as the crowd roared in celebration.

"I… was not expecting this level of hype."

The room thundered with approval, chants of “Redimir! Redimir!” echoing through the space.

Ryker’s grin widened.
Ryker:
"During the next 14 years, I plead for your support as we will guide our district back to the District Supreme of the Outer Courts!"

The farmers banged their mugs again.

Crowd:
"HERE HERE!"

Ryfel, still held aloft, internally sighed.

"I suppose my life here was never going to be simple."

Then—Ryker grinned wider, his voice sharp and commanding.

Ryker:
"From today onwards… we will Make. Our. District. Great. Again!"

The hall shook with applause, stomping, and cheers.

Ryfel nearly flinched.

"…Did this man just start a political movement with a dinner speech??"

Ryker:
"Enjoy the rest of your night, my friends—it is all on me!"

At that—

The cheering somehow got LOUDER.

A Quiet Moment

Later that evening, after the roaring celebration had slowed, the family stepped onto the balcony of the hall.

The moon hung high, illuminating the farmlands stretching out before them. The scent of fresh bread and soil lingered in the cool night air.

Ryfel, resting in Elda’s arms, stared at the view.

It reminded him of home.

Not his new home.

His old one.

"Rural states back in America… The quiet fields, the peaceful skies. This feels… familiar."

A strange warmth settled in his chest.

"This new life… This new family… I really am grateful."

Ryker, standing beside Elda, smiled softly, looking out over the lands.

Ryker:
"You will be our pride and joy. Not just for this family, but for our district… and for our kingdom."

Ryfel looked up at him, the man who had so easily captured the hearts of hundreds tonight.

For the first time, he wondered—

"What does it really mean… to be a Redimir?"

That night, back at the estate, Elda and Milal gently set Ryfel down in his crib, tucking him in. Ryfel seemginly tuckered in…

As the door closed, Ryfel’s eyes opened.

A single thought echoed in his mind.

"I have so many questions…"

He stared up at the ceiling.

"A grown man’s mind, trapped in a baby’s body. It’s going to take me years to develop—not just physically, but mentally. And magic… it will take time to master."

He exhaled.

"I need a plan to grow as fast as possible. I am going to keep it simple."

He flexed his tiny fingers, feeling the lack of strength.

"Morning—wake up early, stretch, and test my muscles."

His eyes flickered as he recalled the words he’d overheard that day.

"Listen more. Learn the language. Copy sounds."

A soft breeze from the open window brushed his face.

"Feel mana. Observe how they use it. Experiment when no one's watching."

He took a deep breath, his small chest rising and falling.

"Night—meditate. Try sensing mana without touching anything. Repeat every day."

His eyelids grew heavy, exhaustion creeping in.

"This… should be enough for now."

And with that, Ryfel drifted off to sleep—the first step toward mastering his new world...