Training....

The cool morning breeze continued to blow across the backyard. Aria and Akira looked at each other in confusion after hearing their father's serious words.

"My journey has already begun?" Aria asked. "But... I haven't even left home yet."

Rio looked at the glowing crystal for a moment before answering.

"Sometimes," he said quietly, "a journey begins long before your feet take the first step."

Akira tilted his head.

"Dad, who was that person outside the fence? Did you notice someone?"

Rio's eyes immediately became sharp. He slowly walked toward the wooden fence and looked around carefully. The fields behind the house were completely empty.

"There is no one here now," Rio said.

But he wasn't convinced.

He had clearly felt a strange presence only moments ago.

"Both of you, stay close to the house today," Rio said calmly.

"Is something wrong?" Hanna asked as she joined them.

Rio forced a smile.

"Probably nothing. Still, it's better to be careful."

The twins nodded, although they were even more curious now.

After breakfast, Rio decided it was time to teach them about mana.

He drew a large circle on the ground with a wooden stick.

"Everything in this world contains mana," he explained. "The air, rivers, trees, mountains, beasts, and humans. Without mana, life itself cannot exist."

Aria listened carefully.

"So if everyone has mana, why do people have different powers?"

Rio smiled.

"Because every person's Mana Core is unique. Some are naturally connected to one element like fire or wind. Others awaken rare abilities. And only a very small number are born with Magic Affinity."

He looked at Aria.

"You belong to that last group."

Aria looked down at her hands.

"I still don't understand why everyone is so surprised."

"You will one day," Rio replied gently.

He then turned toward Akira.

"And your gifts are just as special. Shapeshifting and summoning are difficult abilities to master. If used carelessly, they can even harm the user."

Akira swallowed nervously.

"I'll be careful."

Rio nodded.

"Good."

He handed each of them a small leather pouch.

Inside were ten tiny blue crystals.

"What are these?" Akira asked.

"They are Mana Stones," Rio answered. "Hold one in your hand and slowly absorb the mana inside. Do not rush."

The twins closed their eyes.

For several minutes, nothing happened.

Then the crystal in Akira's hand slowly lost its color.

A gentle wind circled around him once again.

"I did it!" Akira shouted excitedly.

Rio laughed.

"Very good."

A few moments later, Aria's crystal suddenly cracked.

Golden light surrounded her for a brief second before disappearing.

Rio's smile vanished.

"That's impossible..."

"What happened?" Hanna asked.

"She absorbed all the mana at once."

Aria opened her eyes.

"I... I didn't mean to."

Rio gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know."

He looked toward the mountains in the distance.

"Your mana is growing much faster than it should."

Far away, inside the ancient temple, the mysterious old man opened an enormous book covered in silver symbols.

One page suddenly began glowing.

A single name slowly appeared across the ancient paper.

Aria.

The old man's hands trembled.

"So... the prophecy was true."

He closed the book and picked up a long wooden staff carved with ancient runes.

"It is finally time."

Outside the temple, a magnificent white wolf with glowing blue eyes stepped forward and bowed its head before him.

"We are leaving," the old man said.

The wolf let out a powerful howl that echoed across the mountains.

Back at Aria's home, the twins laughed together, completely unaware that powerful people had already begun searching for them.

Their peaceful days were slowly coming to an end, and the adventure they had dreamed about since childhood was drawing closer with every passing hour.

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