Her gaze was ineffable— like a tangible weight pressing down on me. This intensity made it difficult to breathe. My heart pounded in my ears. My palms turned clammy.

  “A pleasure to meet thee. I am Teressa,” she said, gracefully curtseying.

  Her elegance and presence were still evident— if anything, it was magnified tenfold.The air itself felt thinner, as if her presence alone was suffocating me.

  Nervously shaking, there was no reason to continue this silence.

  I swallowed, then asked, “What do you want from me?

  She tilted her head, gaze sharpening. “My, my… what happened to the cutesy little boy from earlier?”

  I stiffened.

  “For a two-year-old to speak so formally…” Teressa mused, the corners of her mouth curling into a hellish grin, “it’s no wonder I was drawn to you. A child awakening at such a young age has never happened in all in all the eras I’ve seen.”

  Taking a step back, my fear had increased. “How did yo—"

  “How did I know?” She echoed, cutting me off with a silken voice.

  She took a step closer towards me, each step etching closer and closer. Before I could react or even say anything, she knelt,

  One hand had cupped behind my head— with the other resting firmly on my shoulder. She leaned in, her breath cold against my ear.

  “I planted those orbs… little seeds scattered across the continent. Most children barely stir the pot, but you…”

  a pause.

  “But you? My, my, you shattered it, boy.”

  Her voice seared into my ear, soft enough yet cold enough to make my skin crawl.

  “That kind of brilliance… should not exist in this world.”

  “Why me?” I inquired.

  Teressa rose to her feet, eyes still fixed on mine.

  “You’re rather lucky little one, well, in a way,” she said, brushing back a tiny strand of moonlit hair. “You were fortunate to be away from the rot.”

  “Rot?” I echoed.

  A subtle smile came about from her.

  “Why, I am talking about the heart of the human continent that festers beneath marble floors and luxurious delights. Royals, nobles, monarchs, merchant kings— hell, even the farmers claw for control.”

  Slowly her body pulled back from my ear, rising with grace.

  Then she reached out, pointing her sharp finger directly at my chest.

  “You’re currency, a weapon and status to them.”

  It was hard to keep up.

  Bought?

  Children were bought?

  There was nothing about its history that mentioned slaves or ownership… It made my stomach churn.

  “You’re angry, and I don’t blame you.”

  She turned her gaze— slowly, toward Alicia— then said, “But there’s more to this than just anger, little one.”

  Her finger lifted, pointing toward my aunt.

  My eyes furrowed with confusion on the reason. What did Alicia have to do with anything?

  “Did you ever wonder why she came out to visit— after all this time?” Teresa asked, her smirk betraying her amusement.

  My eyes widened in disbelief, no… she wouldn’t— she couldn’t be here because of that…

  “That’s right,” Teressa said, voice soft and sharp. “The royal family sent her.”

  She walked toward Alicia. From her pocket, she pulled out a small, prismatic cube— that vibrated frantically in her hand.

  “This right here is a mana cube,” Teressa said. “A unique artifact that is quite similar to the one used on you. It would send a direct beacon to the family that uses this.”

  She turned away, slipping the cube back into her pocket. Its faint glow fading as quickly as it had appeared.

  “It would be unwise to use this,” she said with a grave expression. “Your life would unravel in a heartbeat.”

  The cube began to pulse slightly— then cracked. Tiny motes of light drifted from her palm.

  “I have a proposition for you,” she continued. “A deal, of sorts, one that would greatly benefit the both of us.”

  Her smile didn’t falter, it was the kind of smile that had you wondering if all of this was orchestrated from the very beginning.

  If she truly wanted to harm me— or even my entire family— this would have ended in a different way. This wasn’t a threat, merely a test.

  “What if I refuse?” I asked, firm and unshaken.

  Her outer lips quirked, as if my response had offended her.

  Slowly approaching me, one slow step at a time. Her eyes gazed at mine as she leaned in to my right ear.

  “I’ll rip your family apart,” she whispered sadistically.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  A cold sweat beaded along my brow. Imagining the carnage that would befall on my family gave me shivers down to my core.

  “Just kidding,” she said, her laughter a sharp, biting sound.

  It wasn’t funny, not a bit.

  “What… what do I have to do?” I murmured, the words clawing their way of my throat.

  Her twisted sense of humor was overbearing, and I needed to comply. This was the best course of action.

  Her expression softened, finally losing its cruel edge. “I want you to become my disciple,” she said simply.

  I blinked.

  “Come again?”

  “It’s quite simple really,” Teresa said, fiddling her hair in amusement. “I see potential in you, and I want to shape that.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” I said, questioning her ulterior motives.

  She smiled wider. “Because someone will, eventually. And I’d rather it be me.”

  This was too much to take in, but strangely… the terms didn’t sound so bad outright. My fears of the worst outcome were just fear of mind, but if this was someone else with different motives, I may not be standing here right now.

  Still, one question lingered.

  “H-how did you freeze everyone?” I said, curiosity getting the better of me.

  “It’s called Aether. Dragons like myself can wield it freely— but it’s not exclusive to us.”

  She extended her arm, as if presenting something fragile. Nothing was visible, not to the naked eye, but something unmistakable pulsed in the air.

  “Aether doesn’t flow the same way as mana does,” she continued. “It’s finer… thinner… like silk on the wind. Most people can’t see it, only feel it— just barely.”

  There was a weak space around her hand that shimmered faintly, more imagined than see.

  “I can’t see it exactly… I felt tendrils swirling around your hand. Like something was moving in the dark.”

  “You may wear the shell of a child… but your mind is anything but.” Teressa narrowed her eyes. “Let’s not insult each other with games.”

  I glanced over at my family— still frozen in time, oblivious to the storm unfolding around them. My thoughts spun in circles, trying to make the right choice.

  It was strange, really.

  How something so ordinary could anchor me completely. Life certainly was an improvement with them around.

  “I’ll do it,” I said quietely, “But only if you guarantee their safety.”

  …

  Teressa didn’t respond, not right away.

  Her eyes dimmed— just a tiny fraction— and the world around me shifted.

  The air grew heavy. It was more than heavy… it was crushing. Something rippled outward from her, invisible but all-consuming.

  In a single breath, the ground cracked, the air howled, and everything collapsed. My family— ripped apart. Their bodies twisted; faces distorted in silent screams. I couldn’t move, not even blink.

  I tried to scream— but no sound came out.

  Then— nothing.

  The world stitched itself back together. Everything was whole again, just like before.

  “Don’t misunderstand,” she said coldly. “You are in no position to bargain.”

  I dropped to my knees. The fear remained, too real to shake off. My hands trembled violently at my sides, not for my sake— but for them. For the people behind me with no idea of what kind of person… no, monster had just peeled back the world like paper.

  I’m so stupid! I wasn’t brave, nor strong, or even remotely close to anyone who could stand against that thing.

  Not in my last life, not even now.

  I… can’t let it end like this.

  My throat still ached from the scream that never came. “You want a disciple?” My voice shook, but I didn’t care. “Then I’ll be the best one you’ve ever had!”

  She stood there, unreadable.

  “I’ll grow stronger, stronger than you.”

  “Stronger than anything this world’s ever seen.”

  I forced myself to meet her eyes, even if the recent fear embedded into my heart wanted me to look away.

  “So… if we’re going to do this whole master-disciple bullshit, then protect them.”

  “Bold,” she murmured. “Not wise… but bold.”

  She took a step closer, still feeling the residual pressure from before. “Very well, little one. I accept.”

  Her gaze flickered toward my family, taking a long look before focusing her direction back to me.

  “From this day forward, you are mine and mine alone. My disciple. My responsibility.”

  I should’ve felt relieved. The weight in my chest still hadn’t left since this was not over.

  “Now then,” Teressa said, reaching into her back pocket, “this is a mana cube— identical to the ones the royal family uses. Except this one’s a counterfeit. It won’t read the mana levels accurately.”

  She handed it to me without ceremony.

  It felt light in my palm, and it looked nearly identical to the one Alicia carried. I tucked it into her pocket, hoping this fools whoever made my aunt do this.

  “I’ll meet you again soon, little one.”

  The world around me began to shatter— little fractures were splitting the sky like glass under pressure. The world that had once felt distorted in time, was now ringing with life.

  I looked toward the merchant stall— gone. Vanished, as if she’d never been there to begin with.

  “Wha… what happened?” Priscilla asked, bewildered, eyes darting from face to face in confusion.

  “Ugh, my head,” Father groaned, rubbing his temples. “Feels like someone just rammed me with a cart.”

  Auntie seemed the least disconcerted by the ordeal. One would even say she might have experienced this before.

  “Mama, papa! We got the ring— rememba?”

  I hate feigning stupidity. If they overheard the conversation— pretty sure they’d have a heart attack hearing me speak like that.

  “R-right.” Mother stammered. She redirected her attention where the merchant had stood… only to find nothing there. “That’s odd… I could’ve sworn.”

  Mother shook it off with a smile, as if the thought never fully formed.

  It was strange to think that maybe their memory had been altered. We departed and arrived home as dusk began to set in.

  The morning arrived quicker than expected, or perhaps it was the lack of sleep that kept me up most of the night.

  The entire family was gathered in the living room to have a discussion. I knew what was coming and was fully prepared for what Aunt Alicia had in store for me.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, glancing between their tense expressions, feeling a knot form in my chest.

  Mother was the first to speak with her soft smile but clearly forced. “Ash baby, your auntie’s visit wasn’t just for us. You see… the kingdom thinks you might be… well… special, honey.”

  She paused— searching for clearly gentle words to ease my confusion. “They just want to see just how special you are, that’s all.”

  “Of course he has potential!” Father chimed in. His tone was much louder than needed, like he was compensating for his nerves. “That’s what they’re always seeking— talent, talent, talent!”

  “Please dear,” Mother softly whispered, placing her hands on his arm. “You’re scaring our boy.”

  Mother turned back facing me, her voice even quieter than before. “It’s nothing bad, I pinky promise.”

  She held out her hand, her tiny pinky finger extended. Although, knowing what was to come— I still smiled.

  I reached forward and wrapped my finger around hers.

  “I’m sorry Ash.” Alicia said, avoiding eye contact. “I did come here to see everyone, but I was also given a task.”

  The undeniable truth was a bitter pill to swallow— one only I was aware of the outcome. The mana cube she currently possessed was a fake, handed to me by Teressa.

  She pulled the cube from her pocket, fingers trembling.

  “This little cube… it’ll help you for the future,” she said, her voice quavering. “I-In a good way.”

  She held out her hand, hinting at me to grab it. I snatched the prismatic cube from her and held it aloft.

  “J-just stand still, Ash, and the cube will do its thing.” Auntie said, hurrying over to where Mom and Dad were seated.

  They all patiently sat there, anticipation thick in the air.

  The mana cube certainly did its thing. My core responded to the cube’s gentle tug, reacting to its probing as faint pulses traveled throughout my body. The glow it emitted was weak, dim— maybe just a small flicker— but nothing worth praising.

  I faintly glared at my family, waiting to see their response. They look confused, or maybe they didn’t know if the cube was working properly.

  Suddenly— without warning, they rushed me.

  They wrapped me in a tight embrace. Their arms trembled around me. The emotions of my family washed over me, though no words were spoken.

  As much as I hate to say it… I owed Terresa.

  Later that afternoon, we said our goodbyes to Aunt Alicia. While her visit had been brief— it was still nice to see another family member. Seeing her expression now was more comforting than it was prior to this.

  For the time being, I had potentially avoided a dangerous path. There is still the concern of… oh right.

  Mother being pregnant.

  Another sibling.