Alex's understanding of his abilities was growing, but so were the intricacies surrounding his existence. His telekinesis had become an extension of his will, his elemental sense sharper than ever. Yet, progress in the Basic Elemental Mantra had slowed, not in stagnation, but in a deepening complexity—one that was more felt than seen. The once clear-cut advancements had now become layered, each improvement not just about mastery but about understanding.
His days were structured, yet unpredictable. Training, observation, and the occasional visit from individuals whose interest in him was ever-increasing. The air within the palace carried an undercurrent of curiosity. Some sought him for guidance, others merely to measure the weight of his existence.
Among his many requests, one stood out—he wished to observe. Not just any training, but the workings of the empire's most skilled individuals. Magicians, technicians, warriors, engineers, healers—anyone with mastery over a craft. He had no desire to interfere or ask questions. He only wished to watch, to understand, to dissect their movements, their precision, their techniques. It was an unusual request for someone so young, but it had been granted, albeit with quiet reluctance.
The observants were unsettled by his presence. The boy with strange, unreadable eyes and an eerie stillness that did not belong to someone of his age. He did not fidget, he did not speak, and he barely blinked. His silence was heavier than words, pressing upon those under his gaze like an invisible weight. Some tried to ignore him, focusing on their routines. Others faltered, feeling as though they were being unraveled, layer by layer, under his scrutiny.
Rumors began to spread among those who trained before him. His gaze was not just watchful—it was piercing, analyzing, absorbing. As if he was not just witnessing their actions, but peeling back the very essence of their skills and embedding them into himself.
Yet, not everyone was uneasy. Some individuals took pride in being observed. Warriors, scholars, and craftsmen alike saw his attention as a sign of importance, using it as an opportunity to showcase their abilities. Some boasted openly, demonstrating their work with exaggerated movements, explaining their progress without being asked. To them, his gaze was an audience worth impressing, even if he never responded.
But others weren't as comfortable. Woden, Cecilia, and Aliena had raised concerns—not just because of the rumors surrounding him, but because of the complaints. His manner of observation, his unnatural stillness, and the lingering sensation of being studied rather than simply watched had made many uncomfortable. And yet, despite their worries, they allowed him to continue.
"Let him do as he pleases," Woden had muttered once, though his tone was not without amusement. "It's better to let the boy satisfy his curiosity than to wonder what he'll do if we deny him."
Cecilia, ever the emotional one, sighed. "He's just a child. A strange, quiet one, yes, but still a child. Perhaps this is simply how he learns."
Aliena was less convinced. "Curiosity is fine, but his silence unsettles people. He watches like he's taking something from them, not just observing."
Even with their differing thoughts, none outright stopped him. They simply watched him the same way he watched others—carefully, warily, as if waiting to see what he would do next.
And yet, he never spoke of his observations. Never questioned. Never gave a reaction that could be deciphered.
Just watched.
The palace was already adjusting to Alex's peculiar habits when news of the birth of his cousin siblings reached him. Their arrival had been anticipated, but the revelation of their destinies during their ceremony sent waves through the family. Their fates, unlike his, had been spoken aloud, marked with clear purpose. Some were celebrated, others met with quiet concern. It was a reminder that in this world, even from birth, paths were determined not just by will, but by forces beyond comprehension.
The knowledge lingered in his mind. Another set of moving pieces had been placed on the board.
And he was watching.
Time passed, progress continued, and the quiet weight of observation remained ever-present. His body and mind adapted, his senses refined, and his understanding of the elements deepened.
Though the Basic Elemental Mantra had long ceased its rapid growth, it had continued its silent evolution, weaving itself into every fiber of his being.
Then, one day, without warning, the system responded.
[Basic Elemental Mantra: Mastery Achieved.]
There was no grand spectacle. No eruption of energy. But Alex felt it—deep within and all around him. The elements stirred in response to his completion, no longer distant forces but an intricate part of his very being.
The air carried a weight he hadn't noticed before, shifting unnaturally as if acknowledging his presence. Moisture condensed subtly, drawn towards him even in the driest corners. Gravity itself felt heavier, denser, as if his body was adjusting to a newfound equilibrium. It wasn't suffocating, but it was overwhelming—an unseen pressure, a silent acknowledgment from the world itself. His senses expanded beyond his immediate surroundings. He could feel the faint vibrations of movement, the ripple of energy from unseen forces, the pulse of life that existed beyond what the eye could perceive. It was as though reality itself had grown sharper, clearer, yet infinitely more vast.
Just a simple notification, as if stating a long-awaited inevitability.
Alex exhaled slowly, eyes unreadable. As he steadied himself, he opened the Mission tab of the system. His gaze fell upon the unmistakable confirmation—100% completion of the mission. A single highlight blinked, drawing his attention to the claimable reward waiting to be received.
Mission: Achieve Full Mastery of Basic Elemental Mantra (100%)
Reward: Knowledge Pack - Identity, Family, and Basic Surroundings (Claim)
Alex took a deep breath, steadying himself. The overwhelming sensation of the elements responding to him had not yet faded. He could feel the weight of the air, the pull of gravity, the shifting presence of unseen forces pressing against him.
He waited.
There was no rush. Before claiming his reward, he needed to let this feeling settle, to understand the full extent of what had changed within him. Only when the storm inside him calmed would he take the next step.