(Thank you so much to 'Fate-9999' for becoming a patron with a $10 membership!)
Evan turned to Ignis with a small grin. "Come on, let's go."
Ignis gave a silent nod. He sheathed his newly inherited sword and secured it on the left side of his waist. The black blade, now hidden within its dark sheath adorned with gold, rested comfortably against him.
Evan glanced over and chuckled. "You know… you look pretty sharp like that. Holding that beautiful black-and-gold blade at your side—you could pass for the son of a noble."
Ignis smiled but said nothing, the compliment settling over him like quiet sunlight.
Evan turned and began walking toward the exit. Ignis followed a few steps behind, but then—he stopped.
A sudden pull surged from deep within him.
The Hōgyoku, nestled in his core, pulsed with longing. It was faint, like a whisper from another realm, but insistent. It tugged his attention toward a dusty shelf in the corner of the storeroom.
Curious, Ignis followed the invisible thread and found a small wooden box resting beneath a layer of cloth. Inside were a few irregular red stones, their surface faintly glowing.
He reached down and picked one up.
Warmth tingled across his fingers.
There was mana in it—he could feel it. Alive. Pulsing. Dormant, yet potent.
Evan, noticing his son's detour, walked over and glanced into the box.
"Ah," he said, folding his arms. "Interested in those? They're mana cores. From monsters."
"Monsters?" Ignis echoed. "I saw a book titled Monsters once, but… I never got the chance to read it. Just the title."
Evan chuckled lightly. "Well, maybe it's time you did. When we're done here, check your room. That book should be in your collection—it'll be a good one to start with."
Ignis nodded, still examining the core in his hand. He didn't yet understand why the Hōgyoku reacted so strongly to it… but he knew he'd find out soon enough.
Ignis turned the mana core over in his palm, its crimson surface glinting faintly under the storeroom's light.
"Can I keep this stone?" he asked, his voice calm, though the Hōgyoku inside him pulsed with subtle urgency.
Evan glanced at his son and smiled, mistaking the question for innocent curiosity. In his mind, he mused, Just like other children… can't resist something shiny. He's still a kid, after all.
What he didn't realize was that Ignis's interest had nothing to do with the stone's appearance—and everything to do with something deeper, something even he didn't fully understand yet.
"Alright," Evan said aloud, nodding. "You can keep it. But remember—never try to absorb mana directly from it."
Ignis blinked, surprised. "Why not? Isn't it filled with mana?"
"It is," Evan confirmed. "But the mana inside monster cores is different—wild and unstable. It's not like the calm, flowing mana you use when training. If you absorb it directly, that violent energy can wreak havoc inside your body. It could tear your mana circuits apart."
Ignis frowned, concern flickering across his face. "So… these mana cores are useless then?"
Evan gave a small chuckle. "Quite the opposite, actually. They're extremely valuable."
He crossed his arms and continued, "You remember those potions you've been drinking? The ones I've been going to the capital to buy? There's a profession called Potion Makers—they use mana cores like this as one of the key ingredients. When combined with magical herbs, monster cores become essential for brewing high-quality potions. In fact, just one bottle can require a dozen cores or more."
Ignis looked back down at the stone, more intrigued than ever. The Hōgyoku still stirred quietly within him, and though he didn't yet know why, he could feel it—this small red core was important.
Ignis gave a quiet nod and slipped two of the mana cores into his pocket without a word. Evan noticed, but said nothing—choosing to trust his son's judgment for now.
With nothing more to say, they exited the storeroom and made their way to the dining room. Nearly an hour later, the table was filled with food prepared by Alenna herself—a celebratory meal in honor of Ignis's promotion.
Ignis and Evan sat side by side, the warm scent of seasoned meats and fragrant herbs filling the air. They ate heartily, enjoying both the food and the calm that followed their sparring session. Laughter was shared in small bursts. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was familial, easy.
Once lunch ended, Ignis excused himself and returned to his room. The day stretched on, sunlight streaming bright across the walls, and the golden glow spilled warmly through the window.
He sat cross-legged on the familiar training floor, the place where he often performed his mana training. Slowly, he retrieved one of the mana cores from his pocket and placed it before him. Its glow pulsed softly, like a heartbeat.
Ignis stared at it for a moment. Then, almost in a whisper, he muttered to himself, "The Hōgyoku… it wants me to absorb the mana inside this core."
His gaze narrowed, his expression serious. "Father warned me about this… said it could harm my mana circuit. But the Hōgyoku wouldn't lead me into danger. It's never done anything to hurt me."
A moment passed.
Then, his resolve hardened.
Let's see.
Ignis placed the core gently on the floor. He set his Zanpakutō—Ryūjin Jakka, currently in its dormant form as a sleek black stick—across his lap, resting it between his palms. He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and focused.
He extended his will, directing the flow of energy through the Hōgyoku.
The mana within the core responded. Like water drawn to gravity, it began to move—slowly at first, then steadily—flowing from the core toward Ryūjin Jakka. The black stick shimmered faintly, a low hum rising from within as it acted as a conduit.
The mana passed through the Zanpakutō, then into his body.
And to his surprise, it was not wild.
The energy, though potent, felt… refined. Calmed. As if the Hōgyoku had filtered its chaos. It moved through his mana circuit like a gentle river—no disruption, no pain.
It felt natural.
Eventually, the mana found its way into the Hōgyoku, which pulsed in acknowledgment. The core flickered weakly as its energy drained away, until at last—after half an hour of slow fading—only a lifeless stone remained.
Ignis slowly opened his eyes. He felt no pain—only a strange warmth in his chest.
{If you're enjoying the story and would like to support me while gaining access to advanced chapters, consider joining my Patreon! Every bit of support helps me create more content for you.
🔗 Patreon Link: https://[email protected]/Hkj822
Thank you for reading! Your support means the world to me. 🙌✨}