Nathan – POV

  Our days slipped into a rhythm that almost felt normal. Father and Jack would head out each morning to hunt, while Mother tended the garden. That left Serena and me to our own devices, usually wandering into the forest despite Mother’s constant protests.

  This time, though, Father managed to calm her worries. He promised he would inspect the forest every morning before leaving, making sure it was safe. Somehow, that reassurance was enough to keep her from dragging us back by the ears.

  Jack, true to his word, never betrayed our secret. Still, he reminded us constantly: “Tell them before I leave for the baron’s estate.” Easier said than done.

  So, our idyllic days continued. Serena and I trained in secret, pushing our magic further. I even started teaching her about the elements; basic chemistry, really. The periodic table was a nightmare for her, as expected. She stared at me like I was speaking another language when I explained oxygen and molecular reactions. But I stayed patient, focusing only on what mattered for her fire spells. Oxygen feeds flame. Control the air, control the fire.

  To my surprise, she improved quickly. Soon she could summon flames at will, even hurl fireballs. I held back from teaching her about other gases; methane, argon, and hydrogen. With her wind affinity, she could probably manipulate them someday, but for now, baby steps.

  As for me, the system had stopped showering me with intelligence bonuses. My first Shadow Bolt had been rewarded, but the second and third? Nothing. That was fine. There were still countless warlock spells waiting to be unlocked.

  I hadn’t summoned any new demons yet. That would come after the reveal to my parents. One step at a time.

  My shadow magic, though, had grown stronger. I could now summon five tendrils at once. But they were changing. No longer wisps of shadow, they were becoming… solid. Sinister. Tentacles. Dark, writhing things that looked straight out of a Lovecraftian nightmare.

  What the hell? Is my life turning into some kind of hentai spin-off?

  Disturbing? Yes. But also, undeniably badass.

  Serena, meanwhile, was flinging flames around like it was second nature. I had to scold her more than once to keep her from burning down the forest. At least she’d learned to snuff out her own fires by choking the oxygen around them. Progress.

  Sometimes Jack joined us, standing guard while we practiced. I could see the envy in his eyes, but also pride. He was stubborn, though. His path was set. He would be a knight, no matter what.

  Then, one afternoon, his tone shifted.

  “Guys,” he said, serious for once, “you need to tell Mom and Dad soon. My birthday is only a few days away. After that, I’ll be sent to the baron’s estate. They need to know before I go, so I can plan with them.”

  We agreed. Tonight would be the night.

  Strangely, I felt afraid. Maybe because it wasn’t just me anymore, Serena was involved too. We decided I would start the conversation.

  That night, before bed, I called for them.

  Father looked up from sharpening his blade. “What is it, son?”

  I took a breath. “I have access to my class.”

  The words dropped like stones into a still pond.

  Both parents froze. Mother’s eyes widened. “Did you say… you have a class?”

  “Yes, Mother,” I said evenly.

  “Me too,” Serena added, her voice small but steady.

  Silence.

  Then, instead of panic, Mother’s face lit with joy. “Oh, by the gods! Truly blessed, we are truly blessed! My boy and my little girl, chosen before the advancement ceremony!” She rushed forward, smothering us both in a suffocating embrace. Her “weapons,” as I called them, nearly crushed me.

  Father, however, turned to Jack. “And you?”

  Jack shook his head. “No, Father. I chose not to.”

  “What do you mean, chose not to?”

  “Apparently, it can be taught. That’s how they did it.”

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  By then, Mother had released us, though her eyes still shone with pride. Serena lifted her hand, conjuring a flame on her fingertips.

  “Nathan taught me, Mother.”

  Mother gasped. “By the gods… chantless magic.”

  Wait. Chantless?

  She turned to me. “How did you do it, Nathan?”

  “I just taught her how to sense mana. Everything else was her own effort.”

  Serena shook her head. “Not true. He also taught me how fire and wind work.”

  They both stared at me, then exchanged a look, as if silently agreeing not to question it further.

  Father cleared his throat. “And you, Nathan? What can you do?”

  I raised my hand. “This.”

  From the wall, a shadow stretched and twisted, forming into a single writhing tentacle.

  Mother yelped. Father’s hand flew to his bow, arrow nocked in an instant.

  “Wait!” Jack stepped between us. “That’s Nathan’s doing, Father.”

  The tension broke, but silence lingered.

  “You control shadows?” Jakob asked.

  “The system says I have a new class, shadow mage.” I said.

  Mother finally whispered, “A shadow mage. My son is a shadow mage.” She smiled faintly, then her expression darkened.

  “This changes everything,” Father said grimly. “We must leave these lands.”

  I tilted my head, feigning ignorance. “Why?”

  “Because shadow magic is viewed as evil here,” Father said.

  I let tears well in my eyes. Yes, I admit it...I was acting. Mother immediately pulled me into her arms, glaring at Father until he scratched his head sheepishly. “Sorry.”

  Internally, I was debating... I am the first shadow mage, but shadow magic is already infamous. Weird. Perhaps, there are shadow spells that are known to mages. I will have to investigate this along with everything else.

  Serena rolled her eyes. “So, what do we do now?”

  “First,” Father said, “tell us everything.”

  So, we did. We told them about my shadow spells, Serena’s fire, the system, our classes, and finally… my imp and the pocket dimension full of gold.

  That’s when the real chaos began.

  “What?!” Mother gasped. “You can summon a demon?”

  “Mama, it’s not like I asked for it,” I sniffled, earning yet another hug.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. I was just… shocked.”

  Serena, ever the brat, added, “You should see the amount of gold he has.”

  “Show us, Nathan,” Father demanded.

  “Promise you won’t freak out?”

  They nodded.

  I opened the portal. Golden light spilled into the room, illuminating their stunned faces. Piles of coins, gems, treasures beyond anything they’d ever dreamed of.

  “By the gods…” Mother whispered.

  I let them gape for a while before dropping the real bomb.

  “Would you like to meet my demon?”

  They just nodded numbly.

  I focused. Summon Imp.

  “Yes, Master,” came the mental reply. Father stiffened, his senses already warning him.

  “Show yourself, Krizek,” I commanded.

  The imp appeared, perched casually atop one of my tentacles.

  “By the gods… a demon,” Father breathed.

  “That’s the one I saw when Bret attacked us,” Mother said. “Nathan… you summoned him then? But you were still a baby.”

  I nodded. “I must have done it instinctively, when we were in danger.”

  “That makes sense,” Serena chimed smoothly. “Babies are sensitive to danger.”

  Where she pulled that nonsense from, I’ll never know, but it worked. My parents nodded along, buying it.

  I gestured. “Krizek, meet my parents. Parents, this is Krizek...my imp, and my… personal assistant.”

  Krizek bowed low, baring his teeth in a grin. “It is my honor to meet the parents of my great master.”

  “Err… good to meet you too,” Mother said awkwardly.

  “Likewise,” Father muttered.

  The silence that followed was unbearable. Finally, I dismissed him. “Krizek, hide yourself and guard the area.”

  “As you wish, Master.” He vanished. I let the tentacles fade too, before they drained me dry.

  Jack broke the silence. “What now?”

  Father rubbed his temples. “This is… a lot to take in.”

  Mother, however, straightened. Her voice was firm. “We prepare to leave. Before Nathan and Serena turn ten. Once Jack gains his class, we leave the theocracy.”

  Jakob frowned, his voice low and troubled. “And go where? Shadow mages aren’t welcome in most kingdoms. In some places, they’d execute Nathan on sight.”

  Dianne didn’t flinch. Her tone was calm and resolute. “We go back to Shaxaian.”

  Jakob blinked at her. “Shaxaian? But love… we don’t even know what’s left there. You remember the rumors...our hometown was said to have burned to the ground. It's lawless there, monsters running amok, bandits preying on the weak, warlords everywhere. It's pure chaos. I doubt there are still nobles there, the ones that didn't turn into warlords.”

  “I remember,” she said firmly. “And that’s exactly why it’s perfect. A ruined land draws no attention. No priests, no inquisitors sniffing around. It will be the safest place to hide the children, especially Serena and Nathan. They won’t have to undergo the awakening ceremony here, under the church’s watchful eyes. In fact, they don’t need to at all. We’ll simply say it’s already been done.”

  Serena’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea, Mama!” she said, her voice brimming with relief.

  Dianne turned her gaze on us, her healer’s eyes sharp and protective. “Listen carefully, both of you. Until we leave, you must keep to yourselves. Do not show your magic to anyone...not friends, not neighbors, not even in play. The church is always watching, and suspicion is the last thing we need. Your father and I will make plans. You two must promise to stay hidden.”

  Serena and I exchanged a glance, then answered together. “Okay.”

  The word felt small, but it carried weight.

  And with that, a burden I hadn’t realized I was carrying seemed to ease from my shoulders. Not all of it...there were still secrets I hadn’t shared, shadows I hadn’t revealed, but for the first time, I felt like I wasn’t carrying it alone. It was a start.