Mana loves me?

Lindarion felt something strange about his father, though he couldn't quite understand why.

[I didn't expect you to notice, Host. But your father is incredibly strong—that's why he feels strange to you.]

The system's voice interrupted his thoughts, catching him off guard. The realization was unsettling, yet at the same time, it filled him with an odd sense of security. 

'I understand now.'

Knowing his father was such a powerful elf made him feel protected, as if nothing in the world could harm him.

"What's wrong, little one?"

His father looked down at him, his expression unreadable. Lindarion couldn't tell what the man was thinking, so instead of trying to figure it out, he did what any smart baby would do—he reached out, grasping at his father's clothes with his tiny fingers. 

'What the hell do you want me to do'

His movements were clumsy, his body still uncoordinated, but he tried nonetheless. The fabric felt soft yet strangely durable, almost like a battle-worn suit of armor despite its thinness.

A faint smile appeared on his father's face—but just as quickly as it came, it vanished. Lindarion hadn't expected that. Yet, for some reason, the brief, fleeting smile made warmth stir in his chest.

"Look here, Lindarion."

His father's deep voice resonated through the room, powerful despite its gentleness. Then, without warning, he stretched out his hand.

Golden, star-like particles began to gather in his palm, as if he were summoning the very stars themselves. The radiant light illuminated the entire room, and for a moment, it felt as though a miniature galaxy had appeared before Lindarion's eyes. The tiny lights moved with purpose, flowing as if responding to an unseen command. Then, they began to take shape.

A deer.

The golden light wove itself into a delicate, shimmering form—small enough to fit in the palm of his father's hand. It looked almost alive, every movement fluid and graceful.

[Mana Manipulation.]

The system's voice barely registered in Lindarion's mind as he instinctively reached for the tiny creature. The moment he did, a childish giggle escaped him.

'Woah..this is amazing..'

His wide eyes sparkled with fascination as the golden deer hopped from his father's hand into his own. A soothing warmth spread through his tiny fingers, seeping into his very being—like an invisible embrace, wrapping him in comfort.

Then, the deer began to dissolve. The golden particles shimmered, sinking into Lindarion's skin before vanishing entirely.

His father's body tensed. The color drained from his face as if he had seen a ghost. His voice, when he finally spoke, wavered with disbelief, yet carried a distinct note of pride.

'This is… unbelievable…'

Lindarion frowned. What was so strange? The particles had simply entered him. He hadn't even done anything.

[Host. The mana entered your body entirely on its own—without your will or influence. This only happens to those who are… loved by mana.]

'Loved? And what's so unusual about that?'

[…]

'System?'

Silence.

Lindarion's father remained frozen, staring at him as if trying to process what had just happened. Then, without another word, he placed Lindarion back in the crib and disappeared from the room.

Just like that.

As if he had never been there at all.

A powerful gust of wind swept through the chamber, shifting the cradle slightly. The air brushed against Lindarion's skin, carrying a familiar sensation—the feeling of standing in an open field, where the world stretched endlessly in all directions.

'Teleportation?'

[No, Host. He simply used his speed to move.]

Lindarion fell silent. His speed? But he vanished while standing completely still. That doesn't make any sense. Just how powerful is he?

Before he could dwell on the thought, a sharp sound rang in his mind.

A gentle hum resonated as ethereal white letters materialized before his eyes. The notification pulsed with an otherworldly glow, filling the air with a serene warmth.

[DING!]

[Hidden Quest Completed!]

Quest: Be Loved By Mana - Completed!

Difficulty: ????

Rewards: Blessing of Mana

[ERROR! ERROR!]

[Host is currently unable to receive the reward. Storing reward…]

'What—'

Before Lindarion could even finish his thought, something shifted inside him. He couldn't describe it—like having a word on the tip of his tongue, just out of reach.

[Reward successfully stored!]

He had no time to process what had happened before his mother and father suddenly reappeared in the room.

They hadn't used the door.

One moment, they were absent. The next, they were simply there, like ghosts emerging from the void.

"Eldrin, my love, you have to believe me. I'm not crazy. The mana entered his body on its own."

His mother's voice was firm, yet tinged with disbelief.

Lindarion frowned. 

'I'm starting to get the feeling this is something extraordinary… especially since even you rewarded me for it, System. Am I right?'

[…]

'Your silence says enough.'

He let out a small, amused laugh. Catching the system off guard felt oddly satisfying.

"Eldrin, that's impossible. He was only just born," Melion said with a sigh, resting a hand on his father's shoulder.

"Believe me. I'll show you."

Eldrin's voice was calm yet resolute as he stepped forward.

The moment his father conjured another deer, Lindarion's attention was once again captivated.

'Still just as mesmerizing… this place is truly unbelievable.'

Without thinking, he reached out—though his clumsy infant limbs barely moved the way he intended.

'I'm not used to this body… It's going to take a lot of time and effort.'

The deer leaped toward him, dissolving into golden particles as it touched his hand. The familiar warmth spread through him once more, wrapping him in a comforting glow.

'It's almost like alcohol… This feeling is kind of addictive.'

Then, his mother's reaction mirrored his father's.

Melion went pale as a sheet, nearly stumbling backward.

Both of them simply stared at Lindarion as he giggled in his crib, unable to contain his amusement.

Seconds passed. Then minutes. Neither of them moved.

Slowly, his laughter faded as he glanced between them.

'How long are they going to keep staring at me…?'