And just like that, Kael turned two years old.

  The past few months had been, without exaggeration, the most demanding of his short life. Freya had personally taken charge of stimulating his magic through games, challenges, and exercises that, although they looked simple at first glance, hid a clear and meticulous intention behind every movement.

  From dawn until late in the afternoon, Kael was pushed to use his magic again and again, always under the watchful and demanding gaze of his teacher.

  Not only that, he had already developed the ability to speak almost fluently.

  Kael’s thoughts:

  These past months have been insane… Lady Freya is truly terrifying. She managed to analyze and specialize every stimulus related to my magic. At first, we started by throwing one hundred small energy balls a day, and now she forces me to expel magic through the pores of my entire body until I’m completely empty. I have to admit… it’s extremely exhausting.

  Some of the exercises looked like innocent games, but Freya always found a way to add extra difficulty. On several occasions, she even used those games as an excuse to include Lysandra in the training.

  More than once, Kael had to throw small balls of magic into the air, which Lysandra tried to catch using an improvised net. This produced an unexpected effect: the little girl began to grow more and more attached to him. She behaved like a younger sister, always with a finger in her mouth, following him everywhere and crying uncontrollably whenever she had to do something that meant moving away from him.

  —All right, Kael —Freya said in a firm voice—. Today we’ll start by expelling magic.

  —Yes! —Kael answered without hesitation.

  The boy sat on the ground, crossed his legs, and began to release magic in a steady flow. It wasn’t visible as an intense light, but the air around him seemed to vibrate in a subtle way.

  Freya turned her head toward Lysandra.

  —Look, Lysandra. Can you notice anything strange around Kael? —she asked calmly.

  The girl, still with a finger in her mouth, observed him carefully before answering.

  —Yes… —she said hesitantly—. Is he letting air out?

  —He’s releasing magic naturally —Freya explained—. If he focused it, he could form those little lights you like to catch so much.

  Lysandra’s eyes immediately lit up.

  —And I can make those little lights too!? —she exclaimed excitedly.

  —If you work hard, maybe in a few years —Freya replied calmly.

  —But I want to do it now! —the girl protested, frowning and clenching her fists—. >.<

  Freya crouched down until she was at her height, looking at her seriously.

  —Calm down. Don’t force the process, or everything will go wrong. You could even hurt Kael if you push yourself too hard. Tell me… is that what you want?

  Lysandra shook her head strongly, clearly frightened by the idea.

  —No! I won’t do that to Kael…

  Kael’s thoughts:

  Damn it… I have to admit I’ve improved a lot with these magic exercises.

  The training had not been limited only to the basic concepts of concentration and magic release. Freya had designed a program almost worthy of a personal academy, pushing Kael’s potential from multiple angles.

  Among the exercises she had implemented were:

  Strengthening his magic container, forcing him to concentrate magic over his own body, as if it were an extra layer of skin.

  The manipulation of simple shapes, forcing him to create basic figures with his magic—cubes, circles—to improve his perception and control of his surroundings.

  Using magic as an extension of his body, trying to lift small rocks and move objects without touching them.

  Thermal control, covering his body with magic and forcing him to use it as insulation to regulate his body temperature.

  —Listen carefully, Kael —Freya said in a serious tone—. Keeping your magic around your body helps in many ways. It helps you retain heat if you fall into frozen lakes or if you need to escape from flames. It also protects you: well-concentrated magic works like an extra layer of cushioning. Depending on how much you train this skill, you could withstand dozens of times more blows that would otherwise kill you.

  Kael listened attentively, although the fatigue was beginning to show in his body.

  —Manipulating and shaping your magic —Freya continued— stimulates your ability to adapt. It allows you to gain a stronger perception of your surroundings and understand how to interact with them. This will be vital when you awaken your unique abilities. If you manage to master the manipulation of neutral magic, when you awaken your element… it will be much more powerful.

  Expelling his last reserves of magic, Kael finally stopped releasing energy. His body was exhausted, and he was breathing with difficulty. Even so, he raised his head and asked with curiosity.

  —Teacher… when will I awaken my element?

  —At seven years old, you’ll be able to begin the ceremony —Freya replied—. And if you’re lucky, you might even receive a visit from a magical spirit.

  —A magical spirit?

  —Of course. You’ve surely heard your dad or your mom talk about Trakkel or Kahu.

  —Yes… who are they?

  —When you complete the elemental ceremony, at the exact moment you awaken your element, you might attract the attention of a spirit with affinity to that power or determination. That’s what happened to your parents.

  Kael’s eyes shone with excitement.

  —Are they like pets? —he asked enthusiastically.

  Freya gently shook her head.

  —They are companions. They are not only attracted by your element or your strength, but also by your personality and your emotions. That’s why your mom, when she gets angry, looks like a monkey…

  —Oh! My mom has a monkey as a companion!? —Kael exclaimed, surprised.

  —Yes —Freya replied with a faint smile—. She was chosen by Kahu, one of the beasts that in its time was extremely powerful and that lived in the untamed mountain ranges rising above the Dwarven Kingdom.

  —And my dad companion!? —Kael asked impatiently.

  —That one is a bit harder to explain. Trakkel was one of the most feared sea beasts of ancient times. You see, this city borders the great untamed forest, but the ferocity of the world does not end on the continent. By sea, to the south, live extremely dangerous beasts. That’s why, during the great war against the demons, they did not arrive by sea… if they had, they would have encountered magical creatures like Trakkel.

  Kael remained silent for a few seconds before asking another question.

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  —And you, teacher… what magical beast accompanies you?

  Freya looked at him calmly, though a faint trace of regret slipped into her expression.

  —I don’t have a magical beast —she replied—. I didn’t dare to perform the ritual. The beast that chose me was too strong for me —she added, letting out a brief laugh.

  —Teacher, I’ve heard some things about the great war against the demons and what you mentioned about the invasion by sea… but in the end, the battle started at the dwarven border… why did they go that way? —Kael asked with genuine curiosity.

  Taking advantage of the books she had in hand, Freya showed him a general map of the continent.

  —Cerantos is a vast, irregular, and savage continent —Freya began to explain—, divided not only by political borders, but also by natural barriers so imposing that they have shaped the history of all its peoples.

  Toward the center of the continent rose the Mount of the Gods, a mountain so colossal that it split Cerantos like a blade cutting through the land. Its slopes were so steep and its peak so sharp that no kingdom had managed to build direct routes through it.

  For that reason, to travel between the great nations, it was necessary to go around the entire massif to the northwest, without exception.

  Farther north, stretching like an endless wall, stood the Dwarven Mountain Range: the oldest and most resilient natural fortress ever seen. There, hidden beneath the rock, lived the dwarven clans in underground cities carved over millennia.

  From above, the range looked impenetrable; from below… even worse.

  —That’s why, when the Demon Kingdom carried out its last invasion, it did so where no one expected —Freya continued—: through the depths, attacking directly the lower gates of the dwarves, underground.

  South of the mountain range, in the very heart of the continent, stretched the Untamed Forest, a territory where civilization held no power. Its roots extended kilometers underground, while its influence reached beyond the coast, forming an underwater forest just as dangerous as its land counterpart.

  —There is no ship, army, or monster that crosses those waters and survives —she added—. That’s why the demons never tried to go around by sea.

  To the west lay the Human Kingdom of Taratios, separated from the north by the elven domains: sacred and dense forests where magic itself altered the wind and the passage of time.

  Anyone who wished to travel from Taratios to the Dwarven Kingdom had no choice but to follow the only possible route: first crossing the elven forests, then enduring the heat and aridity of the Beastmen Kingdom, and finally facing the rocky paths leading to the gates of the mountain range.

  —And beyond all of that —Freya concluded—, isolated by cold and stormy seas, lies the Holy Empire, an island kingdom whose spiritual influence is as powerful as its armies. For many, it is the religious beacon of the continent; for others, a distant and difficult land to reach.

  Kael observed the map with deep fascination, following the lines with his eyes and trying to imagine the scale of that world.

  The boy stood up with effort, still tired, but with a smile full of curiosity.

  —Aww… I wanted to know more about beasts —he commented—. Well, I’m ready for the new exercise.

  Freya then looked at him with a dangerous smile.

  —Well, your new exercise will involve a lot, a lot of cardio —she replied—, and if you don’t complete it… you will suffer quite a bit.

  Freya slowly approached Kael. Her gaze was sinister, filled with playful malice that made the boy’s skin crawl. Without giving him time to react, she snapped her fingers and, in the blink of an eye, began changing his clothes.

  —AAAA!? What is this!? —Kael shouted, looking at his improvised reflection.

  —It’s a little bear costume I bought yesterday —Freya replied as if it were nothing—. Get ready. You’ll have to run a lot… and if they catch you, you will suffer.

  Kael looked down. The suit was soft, fluffy, and absolutely humiliating. An adorable bear. Far too adorable.

  —Teacher… wait —he said with a trembling voice—. What do you mean by running… and by being caught…?

  Freya suddenly straightened up and pointed toward the mansion, taking a deep breath before shouting.

  —SERVANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE YOUNG MASTER NEEDS YOU!!!

  The shout echoed through the entire mansion like a war alarm.

  In a matter of seconds, all the servants appeared. Including the guardian, and also the young lady. The courtyard filled with confused looks… until they saw Kael.

  —Freya! —Caria exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest—. What happened to my child!?

  Freya, wearing a perverse smile, grabbed Kael by the shoulders and gently pushed him forward, placing him in front of everyone with the bear costume fully visible.

  The silence that followed was absolute.

  A silence so full of concentrated cuteness that it could have caused fatal diabetes.

  They all stared at him.

  Kael, fully aware of the betrayal and his sentence, remained still, unable to do absolutely anything.

  Then Freya spoke.

  —It’s time for cardio training —she announced—. Run for your life… or you will be eaten with kisses.

  Kael’s thoughts:

  I’m going to die. This time, I’m really going to die…

  —THE FIRST ONE TO CATCH HIM CAN EAT HIM WITH KISSES!!! —Freya shouted.

  The reaction was immediate.

  A stampede of women rushed toward him at terrifying speed. Kael had no choice but to put into practice everything he had learned during his training.

  He ran.

  He ran like a gazelle fleeing from a pride of lionesses. His feet barely touched the ground as he moved through the corridors and courtyards of the mansion. Little by little, several servants were left behind… but three still remained.

  Three demons.

  Three impossible demons.

  Kael knew those three would be the hardest. Time was against him, and exhaustion was beginning to weigh on his body. Running was not enough; he needed strategy.

  Obstacles.

  And then he saw them.

  The plan was already clear.

  He ran into the mansion and found the first obstacle. He knew perfectly the position of everyone present. He only had to move his pieces well.

  Focusing on Holley, Kael shouted with all his strength:

  —Holley! If you forgive me, I’ll let you pinch my cheeks!

  Like a spark igniting an explosion, Holley reacted instantly. Despite wearing full armor, she made a brutal leap to catch Kael.

  But Kael already knew who would appear in that corridor.

  Without realizing what was happening, Ken turned the corner… only to be brutally rammed by a moving steel tank. Both fell to the ground, completely out of combat.

  —Ken, damn monkey!! —Holley shouted—. Why did you cross there!?

  —One down… now Tana is left —Kael muttered as he escaped.

  He jumped out through a window without looking back. He knew the next obstacle would be in the training yard.

  There, Enta was supervising some exercises along with several soldiers. Kael knew Enta was extremely chivalrous and always attentive to his surroundings.

  As he ran past him, Kael launched a small light snot directly at Tana.

  The servant lost her concentration instantly and stumbled. Just before crashing into the ground, Enta reacted and firmly caught her.

  —AAAA! Noooo! —Tana shouted—. The young master tricked me!

  —That little bear was the young master? —Enta asked, completely confused.

  Kael did not stop.

  —One more… only one left…

  Only one remained.

  The most dangerous one.

  Mom.

  The most powerful of all.

  Everything was calculated. Kael knew papá usually left his office at that exact time to get something to drink. This was his chance. Listening carefully, he perceived the unmistakable sound of his footsteps approaching down the corridor. Calm, steady rhythm. Coming from the corner.

  It was the moment.

  Kael planned to use the same strategy he had used with Ken and Holley. Everything seemed perfectly aligned.

  And just as he had predicted, Laret appeared turning the corner, right in the exact position to collide with Caria.

  But something happened.

  Something Kael had not anticipated.

  Laret was brutally struck by a double kick straight to the ribs. The impact was so violent that he was sent flying and crashed to the ground, unable to react.

  —WAIT RIGHT THERE, CARAMEL BEAR, I’M GOING TO EAT YOU! —Caria roared as she charged at him.

  —AAAA! This can’t be! The swordsman of dawn has been cruelly defeated! —Kael shouted as he ran.

  There was no other option.

  He had to use that strategy.

  And to his satisfaction, it also fit perfectly with his revenge for such betrayal.

  Using his last strength, Kael ran as fast as he could and threw himself into the garden, disappearing among the bushes. The air burned his lungs, and his legs began to tremble, but he did not stop.

  Caria followed without hesitation, with terrifying determination.

  —Come here, little bear! —she shouted—. You’re in my territory! I swear I won’t eat you… <3!

  Little by little, Caria began to close the distance. Each of her steps was firm and powerful. Kael could feel her presence getting closer and closer.

  Then, suddenly, Kael turned around and threw a ball of light directly at his mother’s face.

  Caria reacted immediately, closing her eyes.

  —The strategy with Tana won’t work either! —she exclaimed confidently.

  But she didn’t realize what Kael had actually done.

  With extreme effort, the boy had applied magic to a thick root of a nearby tree. He lifted it just enough, concentrating all his remaining energy. When Caria took the next step, her leg got caught.

  She lost her balance.

  The speed she was carrying did the rest.

  Caria was sent flying through the bushes and launched directly toward the place where everything had begun.

  There stood Freya.

  The impact was inevitable.

  Caria fell on top of Freya, even giving her an involuntary kiss from the inertia of the collision.

  —AAAA!! You disgusting old hag! What’s wrong with you!? —both shouted at the same time.

  The two women immediately began arguing, one blaming the other for going flying, and the other for not noticing or avoiding the collision.

  Meanwhile, Kael, with a more than clear victory, wasted no time. He ran toward the main entrance of the mansion and hid, trying to catch his breath.

  Then he saw it.

  A carriage.

  One he did not recognize.

  It was stopped in front of the entrance.

  Who was coming in that carriage…?

  The carriage remained motionless before the main entrance, dark, elegant, and completely out of place at that moment.

  Kael, still wearing the bear costume and with his chest rising and falling from the effort, watched it from his hiding place.

  He did not recognize that carriage.

  And that could only mean one thing.

  Who was coming in that carriage…?