Crack in the sky?

Aidan sat alone in his room, replaying the events in his mind—his mother's face when she'd burst in, the way her hands had trembled as she examined his wrist. She'd moved faster than he'd ever seen, her mana surging to give her speed.

The image of Sophia's pained expression flashed in his mind—the way her hands had trembled as she clutched him while they rushed toward the healer. He hated seeing her cry. Hated it more than the sharp snap of bone… more than Matthew's disappointment.

He never meant to bring her pain—not like he just had but at the same moment.

Aidan stood and began pacing, his thoughts swirling. He never wanted to hurt the people he loved and cherished, yet somehow, he always did. "Even back on Earth, there were those who had cared for him. But pain… it was something he knew too well—something he was far too entangled with to ever escape."

Ambition is the only reason I survived as long as I did on Earth. He thought

"I'm sorry, Mother," he murmured under his breath. "But this is just who I am. I'll never let you know the truth. It's better if everyone believes it was just an accident."

"Well, you fooled nearly everyone, didn't you, Aidan?"

A voice he knew too well came from behind. He didn't even need to turn—only one person had the habit of appearing from thin air...

Liam. His father.

Aidan turned slowly, and there he was, standing tall on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the training grounds in the distance. Aidan panicked, his heart racing as he slowly faced his father.

Liam didn't need to turn to see the panic in Aidan's face. He felt it.

Then, he pointed a finger and spoke, calm in contrast to Sophia's earlier panic.

"Give me two answers, Aidan. First, what drives a child like you to take such extreme measures? And second—was it worth it?"

Aidan couldn't see his father's expression, but he hesitated. His palms were sweating. Still, he made a decision— to tell him the truth not about his rebirth, but about his feelings… about his ambition.

"Father, I… I've felt powerless before. In ways I can't fully explain. There's something inside me that refuses to be helpless. When months passed and I couldn't sense my aura while others progressed, that feeling returned—like invisible chains tightening around my neck."

He looked down at his wrist before continuing.

"I didn't plan to break it at first. But when I overheard the guards talking about the potion... I saw a path forward. The pain seemed insignificant compared to my ambition."

Aidan knelt down. "I want to be strong, Father. I want to surpass you. I want to be free—unhindered." His voice choked before he went on.

"As for whether it was worth it?"

He looked up, eyes still having the same ambition.

"Yes. I can feel it now—my aura. It's like nothing I've ever experienced. Like finding a part of myself that was always missing."

His expression shifted, conflict flickering in his reddening eyes."

"I never meant to cause Mother that kind of pain. I'm truly sorry for that. I'll accept any punishment you see fit. But please… Father—don't deny me for being who I am."

Aidan stood and stepped forward, reaching out to grab his father's sleeve like a child seeking forgiveness.

Liam wanted to listen.

He wanted to understand why Aidan had gone to such lengths.

So, he did.

He didn't interrupt. He didn't stop him—not even when Aidan dropped to his knees.

He just… listened.

Then Liam turned. His calm gaze bore into Aidan.

"Most children fear pain, Aidan. They run from it. You, however… calculated its worth and embraced it." His voice was neutral, neither approving nor condemning. "That is… uncommon.

"Breaking a wrist, or even a bone, is not an uncommon thing. Guards do it. I did it. Your mother did it. We all did, as part of our training after awakening our aura. But unlike us, you approached it with intention but it also shows your dedication to attain power."

He glanced outside for a moment, then looked back at Aidan.

"I never intended to tell you this… but your mother has always had a gentle heart. She sees your childhood as something to be protected—because she never truly had one. I understand her perspective." A pause. "But I understand yours too."

Liam bent down, gently stroking away Aidan's tears with his hand.

"I will never deny you for being who you are. Neither will your mother. Nor anyone in the Wilson family. But you need to understand something else—I am part of your strength. I will stand before anything comes to you."

He straightened and added, "I don't know what burden you're carrying or chain you trying to escape from… or why you walk this path with such ambition. But please, Aidan—think of your mother before you act. Do you understand, son?"

Aidan sniffled, tears sliding down his face as he choked out, "Yes, Father."

Liam turned back toward the balcony, gazing at the training grounds.

"As for your punishment… Matthew will remain your instructor. But he may be... harsher now. He's not a fool, Aidan. He might've believed it was an accident before, but now that your aura's awakened, he'll know the truth."

Liam's voice softened.

"Sophia will worry more. She'll watch you more closely. These are the natural consequences of your choice. And you'll have to bear them—on your own."

Aidan watched as his father disappeared—vanishing into thin air, just as he always did. And yet, even after he was gone, Aidan remained still, disoriented and a mess as he struggled.

High above the Wilson estate, Liam hovered in the air, his figure calm against the wind. His gaze fixed on the faint remnants of a crack that had torn through the sky, one that had formed while he spoke to Aidan.

The tear had already begun to mend itself. He could have reached it in time—if he had come here first. But his child had needed him, so he stayed.

For a man of the Fourth Rank, Liam rarely showed emotion. Yet now, worry crept into his otherwise impassive face. A pained expression as he whispered under his breath:

"Aidan… you bear the name that writes history. A name that shapes the world."

He closed his eyes, recalling the moment Aidan awakened his aura.

It won't be long now, he thought. Before you reach the First Rank… and you discover your true name—a Primordial name given by mother Maaya herself.