That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Kael was finally able to recover his strength and calmly analyze what had happened. The silence of the room, barely interrupted by the distant murmur of the wind softly hitting the windows, gave him the space he needed to think. His small body rested on the bed, still tired, but his mind was far too active to fall asleep easily.

  // -- hey, why don’t you bring your legs together so you are completely stretched out, pull the blanket up to your neck, leave only your fingers out, and stare straight up…? -- //

  // -- that way you can immortalize the meme in full detail. That day I outdid myself, seriously. -- //

  Kael thought: Are you starting already, damn…?

  // -- no, but seriously, you outdid yourself. Anyone who saw your situation —an adult in a child’s body— and what you did would immediately think… damn, what a performance, the kid really showed off -- //

  Kael thought: …

  // -- the funny part is that it wasn’t an act at all. It really hit you hard in the heart, hahaha -- //

  Kael thought: Yeah, yeah… shut up. But you’re right. I went too far. Without realizing it, I acted selfishly, without thinking about how others felt… I put my body at risk just to improve, and I worried everyone.

  The weight of that thought tightened his chest. The image of his family’s worried faces returned to his mind, one after another, like a silent reminder of what he had caused.

  // -- And what do you think now, considering the details of the meeting your parents had with Freya…? -- //

  Kael thought: No matter what happens, there’s no turning back… but they’re right about many things. If I gain too much power, I’ll start to become someone feared… and that damn Sacro Empire… why is it that in every world, religions always end up ruining everything? There’s no way to justify it.

  // -- So then? What are we going to do now? -- //

  Kael thought: Tomorrow I’ll apologize properly, and we’ll see what decision they make… the plan will stay the same, but with more awareness and without worrying others.

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  The next day, everyone involved in the unfortunate incident was summoned by the maids, who informed them that they were to gather in the dining hall. The atmosphere inside the mansion felt different, heavier, as if the air itself anticipated the seriousness of what was about to happen.

  As they began to arrive, Caria and Tana still appeared tense because of what had occurred. Their expressions reflected a mix of concern and determination; they knew they would have to face the situation head-on. However, upon entering the dining hall, they almost froze in place. Standing before them was a young master, formal and upright, fully prepared to face the situation with a maturity that did not match his young age.

  Kael was well dressed, his back straight and his expression serious. His eyes, steady and focused, reflected a decision made during the night.

  Tana and Caria, restraining their impulsive nature, fought with all their strength to keep their composure and not throw themselves at that small and serious little gentleman who looked ready to face his fate.

  With everyone involved —and a few additional guests— already present, Lord Garbard stepped forward and began the discussion with a deep, authoritative voice.

  —Based on the events that occurred yesterday —he said—, a conflict arose between ideals and perspectives. It must be made clear that the resolutions taken here will be based on the concern and well-being of everyone, and especially on yours, Kael.

  Kael raised his gaze. His eyes, firm despite their size, reflected a clear will.

  —My Lord Garbard —he said respectfully—, before facing the resolution, may I say a few words?

  Garbard observed him for a moment, evaluating him carefully.

  —Very well —he replied—. You may speak… but remember that the resolution is already defined.

  —Do not worry —Kael answered—. I do not intend to object to anything. I only wish to apologize to everyone, and especially to Mom and Dad…

  Kael took a few steps forward, stopping right in front of the two of them. He swallowed before speaking, gathering all his courage.

  —I want to apologize for the actions I took yesterday, which put my life at risk —he said clearly—. I let myself be carried away by the desire to improve and did not think about the consequences… and, especially, I apologize for what I said yesterday. I felt attacked and questioned without reflecting on my own actions, and I said horrible things trying to justify myself… I was wrong. I only wanted… I only wanted to help. I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry, Mom.

  With a deep bow, Kael bent forward without hesitation, fully admitting his mistakes.

  The first to kneel was Laret. He placed a firm, warm hand on his son’s small shoulder and spoke with a voice filled with emotion.

  —Son… you are an incredible and very good child —he said—. It fills me with pride to know that you want to become someone who supports us, someone strong for us. And even if you don’t want to believe it, you already are… you have been a pillar of calm and emotional support, even in the middle of all the bad things that happened and that are still happening. For us, you have been a refuge of peace, so please do not think that you are not helping, because you already are. Not only for us, but for many others as well.

  Caria knelt beside him, reinforcing her husband’s words. With a gentle hand, she took Kael’s cheek and made him look directly into her eyes.

  —As your father said, for us you are the most important thing —she said, her voice slightly trembling—. You are the greatest priority of our existence… We have become very overprotective because the circumstances demanded it. Seeing you hurt yourself like that yesterday unleashed a flood of emotions in me, and all I could think about was keeping you away from anything that could harm you…

  Kael, completely overwhelmed by the situation, could only stare at them without reacting. His mind was blank, unable to process the weight of those words.

  —As we already said —Caria continued—, we understand, to some extent, your need to grow and improve… but as long as you do not respect your own body and well-being, we cannot allow you to carry out experiments like that again…

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  —We will not take away your study materials or your training sessions —Laret added—, at least this time. But if you put yourself in danger again like you did yesterday, we will apply much stricter measures…

  —From now on —Caria continued, her tone firm and leaving no room for discussion—, any training or exercise must be supervised and approved by someone with authority in the house. Any new experiment you wish to carry out must be explained beforehand to Freya and will be under strict supervision. If you break these rules, you will not be allowed to advance beyond your basic training.

  Kael listened attentively, nodding gently, aware that this was not an arbitrary punishment, but a measure born from concern.

  Approaching the newly reconciled family, Garbard stepped forward, striking his cane against the floor with a sharp sound that drew everyone’s attention.

  —The resolution has been established and must be followed —he declared with authority.

  Kael turned to listen to his grandfather. The old man watched him with a mix of severity and pride.

  —Kael, perfection and success are closely linked —Garbard began—. To achieve them, the only path is constant training and perseverance. However, none of that will bear fruit if you lack discipline. We all make mistakes, and they serve to teach us. Clearly, this was a stumble that must be taken as a lesson for growth. Now you have your first record of a fall: you know how it happened and why it manifested. That will allow you to understand what you must not repeat in order not to fall the same way again.

  —Yes, my lord! —Kael replied with determination—. I will not make the same mistake again!

  With a deep bow, Kael expressed his respect to the lord, fully accepting his responsibility.

  Garbard observed him with an expression filled with regret and, after a brief silence, added:

  —Unfortunately, boy, punishments are inevitable… and one will fall upon you now. I am very sorry…

  Kael did not manage to perceive what was happening around him. A presence lunged at him from behind with an energy completely opposite to the solemnity of the moment.

  —Kyaaaaa! How adorable my child looks in that outfit! —Caria exclaimed, hugging him tightly—. Kisses, kisses, kisses! (>*3*)>

  —DAD, PLEASE, HAVE MERCY! SAVE ME! —Kael shouted, trapped with no escape.

  —AAAA! I WANT TO APPLY THE PUNISHMENT TOO! —Tana joined in, throwing herself in without hesitation. (>*3*)>

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Hours later, with the incident already behind them, the scene shifted to the garden. The three children were playing with a new ball, laughing and running across the grass. Their mothers drank tea calmly on the terrace, while the maids and guards talked among themselves, always attentive to any request. And our small protagonist lay sprawled on the grass, half defeated, a victim of the “punishment.”

  Kael thought: In the end, I think it was a good idea to follow what Redda suggested and present myself so formally… but they all took advantage of me.

  // -- Come on, go ahead and use magic in a disproportionate way again. You already know what the consequence will be if you make the same mistake again… -- //

  While some complained and others kept playing, the mothers talked calmly.

  —The long trip was worth it, being able to rest here —Isadora commented—. The air in this place is very different from the city’s…

  —Yes… —Liora replied—. Of all the cities I’ve visited, Taratios is without a doubt the most congested and noisy.

  —The only downside is that there is quite a lot of wind here due to the proximity to the southern coast of the continent… —Freya added—. In that regard, I prefer Fliagoria.

  —Excuse my intrusion —Tana intervened—. My queen, are you originally from Fliagoria?

  —That’s right —Isadora replied with a slight smile—. The Belhill family comes from the border city of Fliagoria.

  —I would like to spend a few months in Fliagoria —Caria commented—. That way I could reconnect with some dojo companions and with my master.

  —Is it true… did you train in martial arts there… —Freya said with interest.

  Without intervening in the conversation, an exhausted Kael quietly approached and settled near the base of the table, listening attentively. The women noticed the curious little one, and one of them addressed him gently.

  —Oh, little Kael, do you need something? Maybe a cookie? —Isadora asked.

  —Aunt Isadora… —Kael asked, his eyes shining—, what is Fliagoria like?

  The women were momentarily confused by the question. They all expected him to ask for a cookie or something similar, but no one imagined he would ask about a city.

  —Well… let’s see —Isadora began—. Fliagoria is a border city, my little Kael. It directly borders the Elven Kingdom and is known for being clean and orderly. The houses there are very different from the ones here…

  And so, Isadora offered him a brief description of the other border city.

  Kael thought: I always knew it… there is influence from another traveler, and without a doubt it was someone of Japanese origin. Damn early adopters… System, based on this, do you have more information about Fliagoria?

  // -- Yes. I already have my data updated with what I have gathered about the city.

  Fliagoria is a unique city within the human kingdom: a point where Eastern tradition blends with Western practicality. Its streets, temples, and districts show a strong Japanese influence, visible in the dark wooden buildings, curved roofs, paper lanterns, rock gardens, and small shrines that rise on almost every corner.

  It is an elegant, disciplined, and deeply spiritual city, famous for its refined architecture, its social order, and its strict cultural etiquette.

  Location and borders

  To the north: it directly borders the Elven Kingdom, with which it maintains a pact of trade and mutual protection.

  To the west: it opens to the open sea, which makes Fliagoria a strategic enclave for maritime trade and naval defense.

  To the south and east: it connects with the other human kingdoms through protected routes and roads.

  Its position has made it an essential transit point between races, cultures, and goods.

  Culture and tradition

  The inhabitants of Fliagoria are known for:

  Their strict courtesy

  Their tea ceremonies

  Their lantern festivals

  Their martial arts and military discipline

  Their devotion to guardian spirits and ancestors

  Their deep respect for nature

  The city’s leaders promote a balanced life between urbanization and spirituality.

  Economic and military importance

  Thanks to its open-sea coast, Fliagoria possesses:

  The largest port in the human kingdom

  An advanced naval defense

  Commercial fleets that connect with distant kingdoms

  A shipyard famous for its light and fast vessels

  Coastal markets where spices, fabrics, and foreign artifacts are traded

  In addition, its proximity to the Elven Kingdom facilitates the exchange of blessed wood, refined metals, and elemental magic.

  -- //

  Kael closed his eyes for a moment, processing the large amount of information the system had just provided. A clear mental image of Fliagoria formed in his mind: silent temples, orderly streets, lanterns swaying in the wind, and a discipline that felt almost oppressive, yet fascinating.

  Kael thought: Your ability is useful, but it only works for specific information and for picking up what is being said near me… I wish I could know what is being planned inside the Sacro Empire…

  // -- And do you also want me to grant you a legendary power or turn you into an absolute legend? Don’t exaggerate. -- //

  While Isadora continued speaking more generally about the city, she absentmindedly scratched one of her arms, as if a slight itch bothered her. The gesture was small, almost imperceptible, but it did not go unnoticed by Elara, who remained attentive to every detail.

  —My lady —Elara intervened immediately—, please allow me to send a servant to buy a suitable ointment for your skin.

  —Oh, don’t worry, Elara —Isadora replied with a kind smile—. It’s nothing serious.

  —Does Isadora have very dry skin? —Caria asked with sincere interest.

  —It dries out a bit because of the sea breezes —Isadora admitted—, although they are usually quite pleasant here…

  Kael’s eyes lit up instantly, as if an idea had exploded inside his mind. Caria noticed it immediately; she knew that expression all too well.

  —Kael… —she said cautiously—. What are you thinking about now?

  —Aunt Jacki told me about many ingredients and plants for skin care! —Kael exclaimed enthusiastically—. I could prepare an ointment for Aunt Isadora!

  —I appreciate the intention, little Kael —Isadora replied gently—, but that could be a bit complicated…

  —Dwarf —Freya intervened, raising an eyebrow—, are you aware that experimenting with plants and ingredients is not that simple?

  —I know —Kael replied seriously—, and it’s not necessary for you to try it. I just want to try preparing it… I will need to use magic, that’s all.

  The alarms immediately went off both in the mother and in the teacher. The atmosphere grew tense in a very noticeable way.

  —What exactly are you planning to do…? —Freya asked in a firm tone.

  —Nothing dangerous! I promise! —Kael replied without hesitation—. Uncle Enta will watch over me the whole time!

  —If the lady authorizes it, I will take responsibility for supervising him from beginning to end —Enta confirmed, bowing respectfully.

  Caria slowly exhaled, torn between concern and trust.

  —Alright… —she finally conceded—, but do not do anything that could affect you.

  With permission granted, Kael ran toward the mansion’s kitchen. His heart was beating fast and his mind was full of ideas. This time, however, it was not an impulsive experiment, but his first attempt to move forward under clear rules and supervision, determined to grow without hurting those who cared about him again.