Chapter 12: The Path to Power

Few days later. The warm afternoon sun bathed the palace garden in a golden glow, casting dappled patterns of light through the swaying branches of ancient oaks. The scent of blooming roses and fresh jasmine lingered in the air, carried by the soft breeze that rustled through the neatly trimmed hedges. Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies blending with the faint laughter of palace maids who were gathered near the pavilion, watching over the young prince.

Arinay sat on the lush grass, his tiny fingers tracing patterns in the soil as a few maids surrounded him, their expressions filled with warmth and adoration. One of them, a girl with chestnut-colored hair, playfully ruffled his golden locks.

"Your Highness is growing more handsome by the day," she teased, her voice light with amusement.

Another maid, slightly older, chuckled. "Of course he is! With such noble parents, how could he not be?"

Evelyne Valenhardt, seated elegantly on a cushioned bench nearby, sipped her tea, her emerald-green eyes watching her son with quiet affection. The gentle smile on her lips never faded as she observed the way Arinay interacted with the maids, his responses always measured—polite but not overly childish. Unlike most children his age, he was calm, observant, almost too mature.

One of the maids reached out, tapping his tiny nose. "Young master Arinay, won't you laugh a little? Babies should be giggling all the time, you know!"

Arinay blinked up at her, then tilted his head.

The maids exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, Young master, you really are something else!"

Evelyne chuckled softly, shaking her head as she placed her teacup down. She had long since noticed the peculiar way her son behaved—far too collected for a child barely a few weeks old. But at the moment, she let it go, simply enjoying this peaceful afternoon with him.

The garden was tranquil, the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional burst of laughter from the maids blending into a comforting harmony. But deep inside, Arinay's thoughts wandered elsewhere. As much as he cherished these moments, he had little time to waste. His path had already been decided. He needed to grow stronger—faster.

No one in this world could notice it yet, but deep within his infant body, something extraordinary was happening.

With his tiny fingers curled over the silken sheets, Arinay focused inward, channeling his past life's knowledge. He had spent these early weeks doing what no other infant could—nurturing a mana circuit and taking the first steps toward gaining strength. In his past life, he had taken too long to refine his mana control, which had hindered his potential. But this time, things would be different.

What he needed now—was a Mana Heart.

Mana Hearts were the very foundation of a mage's power, the core from which all magical energy flowed. They existed in various tiers, each representing a level of mastery and potential, dictating how much mana one could wield and how efficiently it could be controlled. At the lowest level were Common-Grade Mana Heart (Basic Tier), dull blue or faint green in color, offering only a limited reservoir of mana with slow regeneration—suitable for ordinary magic users but insufficient for true mastery. Those who pushed beyond this level and refined their abilities could attain an Advanced Mana Heart (Intermediate Tier), which gleamed in vibrant blue or deep green, signifying faster mana recovery and the ability to wield multiple types of magic. It was the standard of seasoned magic wielders and battle-hardened warriors.

Beyond that, few reached the Supreme Mana Heart (High Tier), its golden and crimson hues marking those of exceptional talent—elite warriors, grand mages, and high-ranking nobles. With vast mana reserves and an affinity for elemental manipulation, they stood at the forefront of magical prowess. Rarer still were the Mythic Mana Hearts (Legendary Tier), shifting in prismatic colors or silver-gold radiance, wielded only by legendary figures, rulers, and heroes. These hearts granted infinite mana regeneration, immunity to mana poisoning, and unique abilities that set their users apart from all others.

However, there existed realms of power beyond mortal reach. The Divine Mana Hearts (God-Tier), glowing in radiant white, pure black, or cosmic violet, were reserved for celestial beings and rulers of dimensions. These hearts defied reality, sustaining themselves infinitely, manipulating time, space, and primordial elements. Even more ominous were the Abyssal Mana Hearts (Forbidden Tier)—dark purple or shadowed crimson—connected to chaos and forbidden arts. They corrupted the weak-willed, breaking the very laws of existence, capable of devouring weaker mana hearts entirely.

Yet, above all others, only one entity per eon could awaken the pinnacle of magical supremacy: the Etherion Mana Heart (Supreme Cosmic Tier). Its ethereal blue-gold or cosmic black-gold glow signified its unmatched power—granting absolute dominion over creation and destruction, infinite mana without limitation, and control over fate and destiny itself. This was the heart of a true sovereign, a force beyond comprehension.

From the weakest to the most divine, the Mana Heart dictated one's path, separating mortals from legends and legends from gods.

Lying in silence, Arinay gathered the mana lingering in his surroundings. The energy flowed like an unseen mist, a gentle current washing over him, drawn naturally toward his body. He guided it inward, allowing it to weave into his nascent mana circuit—a delicate yet intricate pathway that had taken weeks of concentration to develop.

The true challenge lay ahead: forming a Mana Heart with stable flowing of mana in is mana circuit.

A Mana Heart was more than just a source of energy—it was a core, a second heart that dictated how efficiently a person wielded magic. Unlike mana circuits, which merely distributed energy, the Mana Heart stored, refined, and strengthened it. The process of creating one was arduous and filled with risks.

Step 1: Mana Compression.

Arinay focused on the mana flowing through his circuits, willing it to gather at his core. At first, the energy swirled loosely like mist, but he continued pressing it inward, forcing it to condense. A burning pressure built in his chest, as if a star were collapsing inside him. He gritted his metaphorical teeth and endured it.

Aetheris, the ever-watchful presence in his mind, hummed in amusement.

"You really are a monster, aren't you? Trying to do something that even prodigies take years to accomplish."

Arinay ignored him. The pain of compression was nothing compared to what he had suffered in his past life.

Step 2: Core Formation.

The swirling mana was unstable, on the verge of dispersing. He needed a focal point—something to anchor its form. In his past life, many mages used precious artifacts or external catalysts, but Arinay had something more potent: his will.

This life will not be like the last.

As if responding to his determination, the compressed mana began to stabilize. It hardened into a crystalline nucleus—a small, pulsating sphere of energy embedded deep within his core. The moment it formed, a sharp shock pulsed through his circuits, causing his entire body to tremble.

"Tsk, tsk. Reckless, but impressive," Aetheris mused.

Step 3: Synchronization with the Body.

The Mana Heart wasn't merely an isolated energy core; it had to integrate with the body and soul. Arinay felt the mana threads branching out, attempting to connect with his natural circulatory system. If done incorrectly, it could cause Mana Burn—a painful condition where the circuits overloaded—or worse, Heartlock, where the heart failed to sync and became useless.

He took slow, controlled breaths, adjusting the flow of mana, ensuring that the circuits linked perfectly with the newly formed core. His infant body trembled slightly, but the synchronization process completed successfully.

Step 4: Ignition & Stabilization.

The final step was the ignition—where the Mana Heart became self-sustaining. With one last surge of willpower, Arinay forced the stored mana to circulate naturally through his body. The process was agonizing for a brief moment, but then—

A wave of warmth spread through him.

Aetheris let out a slow whistle. "And just like that, you've done what most mages struggle with for years. I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified."

Arinay ignored him. His first step toward true power had been completed.

He had created a Common-Grade Mana Heart—the weakest tier, but a foundation nonetheless. This small heart would enhance his mana control, efficiency, and recovery. More importantly, it meant that from the very start of his new life, he had a chance to grow even stronger than before.

Five Years Later

Time passed swiftly, and the once fragile infant had grown into a lively young boy.

Now five years old, Arinay stood in the gardens grounds doing mana training by circulating it in his entire body, his bare feet pressing against the soft grass. The morning air was crisp, and the sky stretched endlessly above, painted in hues of gold and blue. He had spent these years refining his mana control in secret, all while maintaining the innocent facade of a playful child.

But today, as he focused inward, he could feel the undeniable truth.

His Mana Heart had evolved.

From the Common-Grade Mana Heart, it had advanced into the Advanced Mana Heart (Intermediate Tier), now shining with Vibrant Blue and Deep Green hues. His mana reserves had expanded, his recovery rate had increased, and his circuits pulsed with newfound strength.

Aetheris, as always, was watching. "Five years, and you've already reached an Intermediate Tier? You're terrifying, you know that?"

Arinay merely smirked, flexing his fingers as he allowed a small amount of mana to flow through them. He had never achieved this level of control in his past life—not at this age.

He was already surpassing his old self.

But power wasn't the only thing that defined these five years.

Despite his silent training, Arinay had spent many precious moments with his family. His mother, Evelyne Valenhardt, was a kind and gentle woman, always showering him with warmth. He still remembered the way she held him close, humming soft lullabies while running her fingers through his golden hair.

His father, Caldris Valenhardt, was a proud noble man and the ruler of the 1st dimension who was always busy in matters regarding his peoples, yet in private, he would lift Arinay onto his shoulders, making him laugh as they walked through the palace gardens.

The palace servants adored him as well. The maids would often dote on him, bringing him sweets and affectionately ruffling his hair. Even the knights and butlers found themselves drawn to his charm, impressed by the intelligence hidden behind his innocent golden eyes.

Though Arinay's soul was far older than his body, he cherished these moments. This was something he had forgotten in his past life—a true family, a childhood filled with warmth.

But today was different.

Today was the day of Arinay's Magic Potential and Affinity Ceremony.

The entire estate was alive with movement as servants hurried through the grand halls and courtyards, their hands full with decorations, ceremonial artifacts, and luxurious fabrics. The scent of freshly polished wood and blooming flowers filled the air as preparations for the Ceremony reached their peak. Maids meticulously arranged enchanted lanterns that would illuminate the hall, while attendants ensured that the ceremonial stage was set with the finest mana-conducting crystals that was given as a gift to Arinay by the King Zareth Ignis. At the heart of these arrangements, the family's head mage, a venerable figure whose wisdom spanned decades, had been specially summoned. His presence alone carried an air of solemnity, for it was his duty to conduct the sacred ceremony, to unveil the affinity that would shape Arinay's future as a mage.

The grand hall was filled with nobles and scholars, all gathered to witness the magical evaluation of the family heir. It was a time-honored tradition—at the age of five, children of noble bloodlines underwent a ritual to determine their magical affinity.

"Now, let's see what fate has in store for you," Aetheris whispered.

The air grew thick with anticipation. The nobles whispered among themselves, eager to witness the potential of the Valenhardt heir.

Aetheris chuckled darkly. "I have a feeling this is going to be interesting."

And with that, the ceremony that would change everything had begun.

To be continued....