“There are different types of <Energies> in this world. We mostly use them as a source or medium when casting a magic spell or enhancing the body or weapon.

We have to channel the <Mana> inside of the <Mana Nucleus> to move the ambient <Mana> in nature and use it to channel different spells.

We believe the creation of a <Mana Nucleus> to be random and mostly children between 10 to 13 years materialize their base <Mana Nucleus> and go through <Awakening>. After that, we can test which [Element] they have a natural affinity for.

To use the magic spells, we have to learn how to control the precise amount of <Mana>, the output of <Mana>, and the knowledge required to cast the spell.

Imagination also plays a big role in the casting process.”

These were some things that I have learned during the last few months. And I was just ‘telling’ mom and dad to impress them.

‘Well, not exactly. I had an ulterior motive.’

“Wow…, I mean, ahem! Ok. Good enough.”

Daddy had a shocked look that was saying something like: ‘Am I dreaming?’

‘Looks like things will be going smoo-‘

Just then, my mom’s eyes met mine.

She had this all-knowing and unbelieving look in those light brown eyes.

With a fake cough, she smiled and said in a calm voice, “Don’t even think about it.”

That was a straight-out warning. But dad didn’t get what was going on between the two of us.

‘She caught me, again…’

I thought just by ‘saying’ some sweet things like this would be good enough to impress them and make dad at least show me some new magic spells.

‘This must be why she is called mother.’

She could just tell what was going through my mind every single time.

‘This definitely wasn’t the first time. Don’t know how long this time’s lecture would be.’

“Sorry…” lowering my head, I apologized.

“Huh…”

A pitied sigh escaped from my mom’s mouth just after that.

“Honey~, please give us a minute alone,” mom asked with her normal smiling face.

“Hm? is something wrong?” dad asked, coming back to reality.

Dad couldn’t get what was going on between the mother son duo.

He was lost in his own thoughts all this time.

“No~, nothing like that. Eon and I need to have a good, long, heart-to-heart secret conversation.”

This time, mom said the last part silently. Like she was whispering in his ears.

This definitely was one of those teasing pranks of hers.

“S-secret? What secret? I’m not going anywhere. I won’t go. Hum!”

Dad had his usual flustered face, but this time he had eyes that were telling that he somewhat had an idea of the situation.

“Baby~, Pretty please?”

Mom had a pitiful expression that was saying something like ‘very good~’.

‘I could never get bored watching them like this.’

This show was definitely satisfying anytime I watch.

“O..ok. I will go and wait outside.”

Dad hesitatingly said and bend down towards me and whispered in my ears.

“You have to tell me about it later…”

“Ok, I will tell you later!”

I exclaimed with a small smile on my face.

“Honey~?”

Mom had a chilly atmosphere around her this time.

Well, dad wasn’t that ignorant to not tell what was going to happen next.

“O…ok, okay. I’m going out.”

Dad stood up and walked towards the door.

“No eavesdropping~.”

Mom reminded him one last time

“Okay…”

Dad said in a defeated voice before closing the door.

***

“Mom, I…I was just…”

Even though I have technically lived a longer life than mom, I can’t speak properly in front of her in situations like this.

I even have promised myself to not go on her bad side, but to think that even being 4 years old is not enough to even see some different, cool magic spells.

“Eon…, Baby, why do something like this when you know I will not allow it? I know I am one of the luckiest people on earth for having such a brilliant child, but there are things you can’t do if I say not to.”

Mom said with a mix of emotions like love, pity, and amazement.

“But I just want to see.”

I said in a low and defeated voice.

“That’s not the case. You have to understand some things are for parents to teach their child and some for them to prevent them from doing…” she replied in a very stern voice.

‘I very well know about his prowess.

Who else could read, write, and learn anything thrown at them? My baby is the best in that regard. But I can’t let him be in danger if something unexpected happens.

I would blindly believe in Brian, but not in this 4-year-old who doesn’t have any idea of the outside world and practical knowledge of it.

If he becomes a mage at a young age, we won’t be able to have his precious childhood.

It’s a relief that he won’t be going through <Awakening> anytime soon…’

“Mom?”

She snapped out of her thoughts at my voice.

“Ahem! Yes, so all I was saying is that I prohibit you from asking anything else on the topic of magic until you can go through the <Awakening> in the future.

And even after that, the final say will be mine. Do you understand?”

,m Mom said in a very authoritative manner which was more like an order.

“Yes!”

I unconsciously exclaimed that loudly, like a soldier answering the captain’s call.

***

“Hmm…, do you have anything else you would like to say?”

After her long lecture on the prohibiting thing such as magic, she asked with her normal playful smile.

“Mom… well, you see…”

I was hesitant about this part which I was going to discuss with mother after some time but, the time and place are almost perfect.

But her expression was happier for some reason.

‘Oh my~, he looks so cute when he is like this.

Just like his father. That expression and hesitating voice… my day is a pretty nice~.’

Her train of thoughts was on a different track than mine.

“Um… I want a bow?”

I finally asked with much hesitation.

This was my way of improving physical stats rather than intelligence, which was based on knowledge, comprehensive abilities, and self-awareness.

“That’s it?”

My mom had this very confused expression, which was suddenly transformed from her happy, smiling face.

‘Is he not thinking of being a mage like his father? No, that’s not it.

He has almost read all books in the library related to magic. This is an unbelievable achievement for a 4-year-old but what could a bow do?

If it was a sword, I wouldn’t allow it anyway, but a wooden bow could be fine.

But still, what could be the reason? Is he planning on hunting something?’

Mom now suddenly had a worried expression on her face. But she then calmed herself down. Looking at me with shock and amazement-filled eyes, she asked.

“And why does my sweet little baby want a bow? Do you want to become an Archer?”

Her voice was calming and sweet, and she also had a curious expression in her eyes.

“Yes! I want to shoot arrows and use magic!” I honestly answered her with a determined look in her eyes.

“Why a bow? Isn’t a sword better?”

She asked with a cheerful face after seeing the determined look in my eyes.

“No. With a bow, I will be far away from the target.

Just like in magic, if the opponent is close, the casting time and process could be interrupted. But we can just protect ourselves with magic and attack from a distance with a bow.”

After saying that, I looked at my mother and suddenly got confused.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Mom had many mixed emotions on her face. Some of them were amazement, pity, confusion, and pride.

On the other hand, Nolen’s mind was a mess.

‘Wow… just amazing. I never thought my little baby was such a genius.

He actually knows things like this. He will definitely be a great person in the future. But how does he know so many things?

Is Brian teaching him some weird things behind my back?

No, that can’t be. Then he definitely must have read these things from some book.

It’s really amazing how a little 4-year-old child could learn so many things.

I’m very proud of you, my cute little Eon. But I can’t give him any dangerous weapons just yet. Even if it’s just a bow and some arrows.’

“Huuu…”

She exhaled a deep breath and returned to her normal cheerful self.

“Ok. But you will only have it on your 5th birthday as one of your presents,” she said as she stood from her chair and came close to me.

“Really! Thanks, mom! You are the best!”

I ran towards her and picking me up, she lifted me in the air, and then kissed me on the cheeks.

“Yes~, mom is the best!”

She said with a joyful and proud expression.

‘Yes! Now I can start my physical training. It will definitely be fun!’

Just then, we heard a knocking on the door.

knock. knock.

“If your ‘conversation’ is over, then please come down. The dinner is ready.”

It was dad. And it was already nighttime.

‘He sounds sad about something. Is it because of mom saying that it’s a secret?

Well, it’s normal anyway.’ 𝒷𝒹𝓸𝓿𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝓶

“Yes~, we will be there in a minute honey~.”

Mom answered and looked at me.

“It’s a secret, okay?”

She asked with a somewhat loud voice so that dad could hear her voice outside the door.

“Yes! I won’t even tell daddy!”

I played along with her. It was fun to tease dad like my mom sometimes.

“Okey!!! Just come whenever you are done!” dad loudly shouted and left with heavy steps that could be heard from start to end.

Mom and I were holding our laughter, but our eyes suddenly met and we laughed out loud.

“Heheheh…”

“Hahaha…”

After some time, controlling herself, mom asked in a quiet voice.

“Let’s go. Can’t have daddy wait for too long, Right?”

“Yes!”

After that, we left for dinner.

But the whole time we were eating, dad was just peeking at the two of us to know something about our ‘secret conversation’.