the old man’s request

Alex woke up early, or rather, he hadn't slept all night. Ronika's anger had troubled him immensely. Her gift, a constant reminder of her presence, lay beside him. Yet, what struck him more was that she had fallen asleep in his room, her small hand clasped in his. He muttered Kids are simple I don't know how they are more active than myself, and although Alex never thought he'd be fond of them, Ronika's innocence was slowly changing his perspective.

In his past life, Alex had always been alone. The harsh world of Murim, where death lurked around every corner, had never allowed him to form lasting bonds. Despite having many acquaintances, he had never invested time in nurturing those relationships

!Alex slowly withdrew his hand, careful not to disturb Ronika's peaceful slumber. He then made his way to the training hall, intent on cultivating. As he approached the familiar grounds, a knight appeared, his voice laced with a mix of familiarity and urgency.

"Second Prince, His Majesty requests your presence," the knight announced.

Alex's gaze narrowed, his eyes locking onto the knight's face. It was Lars, his usual training partner and friend.

"Lars, what are you doing here?" Alex asked, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice.

Lars's expression turned sheepish. Second Prince. Please don't kill me. General Viscal substituted me with another knight. I know you asked me to keep an eye on the mansion, but I couldn't defy the General's orders. He'd kill me, and I'm not ready to die just yet."

Alex's lips curled into a wry smile. "I won't kill you, Lars. But next time, try to find a way to disobey the General's orders without getting yourself killed."

"Show me the way, Lars, if you want to live," Alex said with a hint of amusement.

"Yes, Second Prince!" Lars exclaimed, trembling as he led the way to the third mansion.

The mansion's intricate design and lavish décor impressed Alex. Lars stopped in front of a door, his hand hesitating before knocking.

"Enter," a deep, resonant voice commanded.

As they entered, Alex's gaze fell upon the King and a mysterious individual. His eyes also wandered around the room, amused by its grandeur. The spacious, square-shaped chamber was adorned with intricate, mysterious paintings on every wall, while a elegant sgabello sat prominently in the center, upon which his father and the elderly stranger were seated.

The stranger's features were eerily similar to the male elf in the family picture he had seen in his original room. However, this person was much older, likely in his 80s. With white long beards his eyes were green gleaming and his long white hair gave him the charm of an old man.

The King stepped forward, his tone humble. "Alex, this is... sir Carlas.

Alex's eyes narrowed, surprised by the King's deference. Why was he addressing this stranger with such respect?

You've never met him, I believe." but do you remember Carlo his son, your uncle and my sworn friend?

Oh so his son is the king's sworn friend also his son is the same person that male elf I saw in the family picture

Let's greet him or That shameless king will again daunt me with I will tell your mother about your behaviour if you do that.

As Alex greeted him with a bow, saying "Welcome, old man, to the royal palace of my father," his father's face fell in disappointment.

The old man, Carlas, spoke in a gentle tone, "Oh, my, you have become a fine young man in these past 11 years. When did I last see you? Ah, yes, it was when I gave you this name, Alex"

"Alex was a little shocked and curious he wanted to know, who was and how powerful was that person though he didn't ask anything because of his father."

His father, King Leon, gazed at Alex, his eyes pleading for him to remain silent, as if to say, "Please, no more talk. You'll ruin everything. I'll handle the rest."

Sir Carlas's expression turned skeptical. "As you know, King Leon, you told me that your son recently awakened his talent and defeated a 10-star Assassin Knight?" Carlas's tone conveyed a mix of shock, amazement, and disbelief.

King Leon nodded. "Yes, that's correct."

Carlas raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to test him. Tell me, what mana color can he see?"

King Leon hesitated. "Sir, he can't use mana."

Carlas burst into laughter. "Oh, oh! It seems you've lost your eyes for talent, King Leon!"

Alex felt intrigued by the exchange, sensing that Carlas was roasting his father. However, he also felt that Carlas was speaking the truth – a normal 12-year-old kid without knowing mana or martial arts couldn't defeat such a formidable enemy.

Carlas's mention of the "test of mana color" piqued Alex's curiosity. "Sir, old man Carlas, can you teach me a bit about mana? I'd like to prove whether I'm a genius or not." and also tell me about this test you are talking about

So about,

"The color test is a profound assessment of one's mana, where the hue a person perceives reveals the essence of their being. Moreover, it foretells the type of magic they will wield in the future, determining their signature affinity. Carles explained

"Also, if you're that confident, I'll teach you," about mana as well or you can feel yourself Carlas said with a hint of amusement.

King Leon watched with interest, knowing Alex had something up his sleeve.

"Let's sit in mudra," Carlas instructed. "I'll pour my mana into your mana channels, and you'll be able to see and use mana a little bit."

Alex nodded, already familiar with using Ki. His curiosity about mana drove him to learn more.

As instructed, Alex sat in mudra, with Carlas behind him, hands touching his back. Carlas began pouring his mana into Alex's body.

Alex noticed differences in the method of using mana compared to Ki. The people of this world seemed weak compared to those in Murim. He realized that the method of using mana mattered, not just its inherent power.

In this world, people only used mana through their heart, never attempting to cultivate it in their dantian. They believed that the mana they used through their heart was limited and that exceeding this limit would harm their body. This myth led them to avoid exploring the full potential of mana.

While it was true that excessive mana use could harm one's health in the short term, Alex knew that long-term practice would mitigate these side effects. The people of this world, however, never ventured to discover this.

As Alex gathered mana in his heart, Carlas instructed him, "Can you feel a warm sensation in your heart?"

Alex nodded, "Yes."

"Now, try to imagine any shape. Visualize how you want to see your mana," Carlas said.

Alex imagined his mana as a small, circular shape, but what he saw was vastly different. Before him lay a magnificent, never-ending ocean, poured with mana circular mana balls . The color of the mana were divided into five distinct hues: golden, black, white, purple, and red.

Carlas's eyes narrowed. "Now, tell me, what color do you see?

Alex said casual he didn't knew how many colours a person could see he told what he saw Golden, black, white, purple, and red

"Don't lie to me, you brat!"

Alex stood firm. "I'm not lying, old man. My mana is all five colors."

Carlas was taken aback, shocked by Alex's response. In this world, a person's mana was always a single color. Alex's claim was unprecedented.

Still skeptical, Carlas asked, "Then, you brat, tell me what shape you see."

Alex smiled. "I see a never-ending ocean, or you could say a galaxy, poured with my mana circular balls in five colors, divided equally among them."

Carlas struggled to compose himself, still reeling from Alex's revelation. "Now, you can open your eyes," he said finally.

King Leon's face reflected a mix of shock and joy. "Do you see now, old man? My son is a prodigy among prodigies!"

Carlas turned to Leon, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I think you're becoming more like your son these days, Leon. He's certainly a new hope for humanity."

Both Leon and Carlas were so stunned that they didn't realize what they were saying. As reality set in, they simultaneously shouted, "What is he seeing? Five colors?"

Carlas fainted in the arms of the king, overwhelmed by the implications. King Leon yelled, "Alex, bring some water!"

Alex repeated, "Maid, bring some water!"

At the door, Lars was waiting for Alex's instructions. "Yes, Second Prince?"

Alex chuckled. "You're a maid now, haha! Lars, you're demoted!"

Lars hastened to bring the water.

After sprinkling a few drops of water on Carlas's face, the old man finally stirred, opening his eyes with a mix of confusion and determination. As he sat up, he exclaimed, "Leon, tell your son to become my personal disciple! I'll teach him personally."

Leon hesitated, "Sir, how can I force him? Why don't you ask him?"

Carlas's eyes gleamed with flattery as he turned to Alex. "Dear Alex, my kid, please become my disciple. I'll give you chocolate."

Alex rolled his eyes in irritation. "What do you think of yourself, old man? I'm not a kid... I mean, I am a kid, but I don't like chocolate."

However, Alex's thoughts took a sudden turn. "Wait, did he say chocolate? They exist in this world?"

He reconsidered his response. "Sir, forget what I said before. I'll become your disciple... for the few months I have left before going to the academy."

Carlas's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ah, which academy will you attend, my dear Alex?"

Alex replied, "Oxid Academy."

Carlas shouted in excitement, like a kid who'd won a battle in a survival mobile game. "Oh yes! Do you know, my dear Alex, why I'm so excited? Because I'm the principal of Oxid Academy!"

Alex's eyes gleamed with greed. "How much chocolate will you give me per day?"

Carlas laughed. "Eat as much as you want! I'll buy you a mountain of chocolate."

Alex's face lit up, but then he realized, "Wait, I'm not becoming your disciple, old man. I have my father, the king, and Majesty."

Alex turned to Leon with gleaming eyes of flattery will you buy me chocolate?? Father. "Leon, hem, sir…"

Carlas turned his face.

Leon intervened, "Alex, stop acting like a child. I've already decided that Carlas will teach you magic for a month, and in the last 27 days before the academy, I'll teach you aura. After that, you and Carlas can make a deal."

Lars, who'd been listening to the conversation from the corner, felt ashamed.

Although Their chocolate-fueled bargaining session was cut short by a knock at the door.

"Who was the person at the door??"