Two hours had passed, and Velion woke up, but his stomach was hurting a bit.
Damn, that cow. She almost killed me for the 10,129th time this week. I don't know what I can do with that milker. I should erase her from existence. I have all of my powers, but I can't use any of my special or advanced magic because this body is too weak. I can still use basic magic, but that isn't enough to deal with someone like her. The minimum requirement is advanced magic.
He closes his eyes and remembers how Lilian hunts dragons without using magic and physical strength, so she can make food and feed him and top of that she's a Grandmaster swords woman.
He sighed as he got out of bed, and his body was feeling heavy from all the food in his stomach.
I feel pregnant.
Velion went downstairs, and he saw his mother Olivia sitting at the dining table, eating food while talking to Lillian about Velion's element awakening and magic academy enrollment.
"Mom, what are you doing?" he said while walking downstairs.
"Oh, Velion baby, you're awake. You look down. How are you feeling?"
Velion walked and sat on the chair. "I feel pregnant, Mom."
He rubbed his belly.
Olivia's eyes widened a little as she let out a soft chuckle.
"Haha, what are you talking about, silly baby? How can you get pregnant? You're a boy."
She leaned forward a bit and ruffled his hair.
"Why do you think you're pregnant?"
He looked at Lillian, then at his mom, and then said,
"Because Lillian fed me 19 tuna fish, 11 kg of rice, 2L of milk, more than 50 sweet talks, 3 different types of brutal hugs—and that's the reason I think I feel pregnant."
Olivia picked him up and hugged him gently.
"Aww, my son is so cute and innocent. But baby, that's just her way of showing her love for you, and don't forget she's been taking care of you for five years."
"And baby boys can't get pregnant—keep that in mind."
She gently pinched his nose.
"Ouch, Mom, don't do that."
He rubbed his nose. "BTW, what were you two talking about?"
Olivia stroked his hair.
"We were just talking about the element awakening ritual and which magic academy we will enroll you in."
Velion looked confused.
"What is elemental awakening, Mom?"
She kept stroking his hair and said in a calm voice,
"When a kid turns five, a special ritual is held in which we see what type of element that child possesses."
"Don't worry, we won't mind if you get a Runic-grade element or a Special-grade element. You will still be my child."
"Wow, so there are grades in elements?" he said with a bit of surprise in his voice.
"Yes, there are grades in elements. Want to know?"
Velion nodded. Olivia sat down on the chair while having Velion sitting on her lap.
"Umm, Mistress, can you give Velion to me while you tell him about the element grading system?" Lillian said with hopeful eyes.
"Okay, you can take him. But-but no teasing.
Lillian's eyes lit up.
"Of course! I promise I won't do anything to disturb you."
Olivia handed Velion to Lillian, and Lillian hugged Velion. Her milkers were pressed against his back, and he was feeling unsafe in Lillian's hands.
Olivia started explaining the element grading system.
"You see, Velion, there are a total of 8 elements in this world: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Ice, Thunder, Light, and Dark. Each of these elements is graded based on how rare they are. There are three grading ranks for elements. For example:
Runic grade is the lowest grade, and there are 3 elements in the Runic grade: Air, Earth, and Ice. Those who get these grades are basically commoners or middle-class people."
While Olivia was explaining, Lillian was teasing Velion tickling him, whispering in his ears how she'll feed him 20tuna tomorrow.
"Then there's the Advanced-grade element, and again 3 elements come under this: Fire, Water, and Thunder. Usually, nobles and royals like us get these types of elements—those who have a high mana amount.
Then there's the Special grade, and only 2 elements fall under this: Light and Dark. Usually, people who have more mana than nobles or royals get these elements—like Lucen Argrave, the Hero who defeated the Dragon King. He had the Light element. Even though he was a commoner, he still had a large amount of mana. That's why he was able to get the Light element."
"So, this is how the grading system works. Did you understand, Velion darling?"
"Yes, Mom, I understand," he said with wonder in his eyes.
Even though he had lived for centuries, he never learned about human culture because he didn't need to—he was still above those monkeys. The reason he lost was because he was caught off guard by that monkey Lucen.
"So Mom, what type of element do you think I will get?"
He didn't know why he said that, even though he knew he'd get the Fire element.
Olivia said, with her voice softening,
"It doesn't matter what element you get. Because like I said before, you'll still be my son even if you get a Runic or Special-grade element."
For the first time in centuries, Velion felt something in his heart—a warmth spreading across his body—and something else that he couldn't understand.
Maybe... love?
"I understand... Mom."
He gave a warm and small smile only visible to him.
"Okay, now it's getting late. You should go and sleep. We will do the element awakening ritual tomorrow."
She ruffled his hair affectionately.
"Lillian, take him to his room."
"Yes, Mistress."
Lillian, still hugging Velion, started going upstairs while teasing and talking to him.
After tucking him into the blanket, she left the room. But before leaving, she said,
"Rest well, Master. Tomorrow's a special day."
With this, she closed the door.
Velion tried to sleep, but even after a few minutes of trying, he couldn't sleep because he couldn't stop the new feeling in his heart. He spent the whole night thinking.
Even though I know I'll get the Fire element... why am I feeling excited?
But what if I get another element besides Fire? Would I have two elements because I already have Fire?
Like this, the night went on, as he couldn't sleep but somehow managed to fell asleep after slamming his head on wall ten times.
During midnight a pulse of magic—cold, sharp, and wrong—pierced through Velion's senses.
He sat up slowly, eyes glowing faintly.
He walked to the window and pulled back the curtain.
Outside, shadows moved in the moonlight. Cloaked figures. Armed.
Their mana reeked of death.
Velion eyes started to glow red, as one tree near his window started to burn slowly.