Chapter 9: Stages and Elements.
The faint light of the sun crept gently through the curtains, brushing against Aiden's face. The golden hue of morning sunlight filtered through the wooden window, illuminating the small, neat room. Aiden stirred in his bed, his eyelashes fluttering as he woke up. For a moment, he simply lay there, listening to the soft chirping of birds outside the window and the distant rustling of the wind swaying through the trees.
He yawned quietly and sat up, stretching his small arms above his head. His body felt light, his mind fresh — the exhaustion of the previous days had completely faded. He could feel energy surging faintly through his limbs, his heart beating steadily within his chest.
As he got off the bed, the wooden floor creaked softly beneath his feet. The house was peaceful; faint sounds of movement came from the kitchen — the sounds of the clinking of dishes and the faint hum of a familiar voice. Aiden smiled slightly, recognizing that voice instantly.
He changed into his usual clothes — a light brown shirt and dark trousers — and made his way to the small washroom. The cool water splashed against his face as he washed, chasing away the last remnants of sleep. He dried his face with a cloth, ran a hand through his black hair to fix it a bit, and then stepped out, ready to start the day.
But the moment he entered the kitchen to eat breakfast, he froze. He was so surprised that he could not believe his own eyes.
There, sitting at the breakfast table, was Jonathan Scytes — his father.
Aiden blinked twice, thinking for a second that he might still be half asleep. His father — who, on every single morning that Aiden could remember, came late to breakfast — was already there, seated neatly, his posture straight, his cup of tea steaming before him.
It was the first time in Aiden's life that Jonathan came so early to the breakfast table.
For a moment, he stood there staring, too stunned to speak. Then, regaining his composure, Aiden smiled and greeted them warmly."Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad."
Sara, who was standing near the stove preparing breakfast, turned around with her gentle smile. The morning light glowed softly on her silver-white hair, giving her an almost ethereal look. "Good morning, dear," she said warmly.
Jonathan looked up from his tea, his deep, steady eyes softening. "Good morning, son," he said in a calm voice, one that carried both affection and authority. "How are you feeling today?"
Aiden smiled back, walking toward the table. "I'm fine, Dad. How are you?"
Jonathan gave a light chuckle, setting his cup down. "I'm fine as well. Come, sit."
Aiden took his seat at the table, still curious about his father's unusual punctuality. "Dad," he asked after a moment, "when did you come back from the capital?"
Jonathan leaned back slightly, his expression composed. "I arrived just a few minutes ago," he replied calmly.
Aiden paused, his eyes softening as he lowered his voice. "Dad… I'm sorry for making you go through all this."
Jonathan looked at him for a moment, then his lips curved into a teasing grin. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked lightly. "I did it because I wanted to. And how can I not be excited when my son has become the youngest mana cultivator in history?" His eyes gleamed with pride as he added, "In fact, I'm really proud of you."
Aiden felt warmth spread through his chest. He smiled faintly and said softly, "Thanks, Dad."
Sara brought the dishes to the table — warm bread, butter, and a steaming pot of herbal tea. The aroma filled the room with comfort. The three of them sat together, and for a while, only the clinking of utensils and the gentle crackling from the stove filled the silence.
After breakfast, Jonathan wiped his hands, stood up, and said, "Let's go to the garden. I've brought the instrument that can check your elemental affinity." His voice carried calm excitement. "I'll also tell you about the different types of mana cultivators and how they advance."
As he stepped out, Aiden followed close behind, while Sara walked behind them, the hem of her light dress brushing softly against the floor.
Outside, the morning air was cool and clean. Dew still clung to the tips of the grass, shimmering like tiny jewels under the sun. The garden behind their house was wide and open, surrounded by short wooden fencing. It was the same place where Jonathan often trained — the ground bore faint marks of burns, cracks, and deep cuts left by past spells.
Jonathan stopped in the center, turning around to face Aiden. His presence was calm, commanding. He reached into his pocket and drew out a long instrument — sleek, silver, and polished, reflecting the sunlight with a faint glow.
It was a long tube, divided into ten small bulges that looked like miniature glass bulbs along its length. Each bulb bore a name engraved beneath it — faint ancient letters marking the names of the elements. At the very end of the tube was a round crystal sphere, smooth and clear, roughly the size of a palm.
Aiden looked at it with awe.
Jonathan held the instrument carefully, his tone taking on the calm seriousness of a teacher. "Before we test your affinity," he began, "you should first understand the different types of mana cultivators — and how they advance."
Aiden straightened his back instinctively, his expression attentive as he said. "Yes, Dad."
Jonathan nodded, looking toward the open sky as he spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "Aiden, there are ten different types of mana cultivators in this world. They are — Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Healer, Light, Puppeteer, Parasite, and Illusionary."
He paused, letting the names linger in the air. The faint morning breeze brushed against the grass, carrying his deep voice across the garden.
"A person can possess more than one element," he continued, "but that's extremely rare. The highest ever recorded in history is four elements, and there are only a handful of such individuals. They are called Quadraelemental Mana Cultivators."
Aiden's eyes widened slightly as he whispered, "Four elements…"
Jonathan smiled faintly. "Yes. And those few who possess four elements are considered blessed — but also cursed. Balancing four powers within a single heart takes incredible control. If harmony between the elements breaks, the mana within their hearts turns unstable… and destroys them from within."
The light in his eyes dimmed briefly, as though remembering something long buried, before he continued.
"When a person forms their mana heart, they enter Stage One," he said, his tone calm but firm. "There are a total of seven stages, each one representing a qualitative transformation in a cultivator's power and mana."
He crouched slightly, drawing lines in the dirt with a small stick as he explained. "A Stage One cultivator has a mana heart that is light green in color, just like yours. As they progress, the color deepens and changes, marking their advancement. Stage Two has a light blue-colored mana heart. Stage Three's is violet. Stage Four is pale yellow. Stage Five turns golden. Stage Six becomes silver. And finally, at Stage Seven… it turns pure white."
He looked up at Aiden, his eyes steady. "A pure white mana heart is the mark of transcendence — the final perfection of mana control. Those who reach that level are no longer bound by mortal limits."
Aiden listened silently, his gaze serious. "So… the color represents the strength of one's heart?"
Jonathan nodded. "Exactly. Each advancement brings qualitative changes to the cultivator's mana. It strengthens the body, sharpens the senses, and deepens the connection to the elements. But the process isn't easy."
He tapped the ground lightly. "A cultivator advances by absorbing mana from the surroundings — slowly refining and strengthening their heart until it changes color. The purer the mana, the faster the advancement. And that's why high-density mana zones are so important."
Sara, who stood quietly behind them, added softly, "Those places are where the mana of the world is thickest."
Jonathan nodded, glancing briefly at her before returning his gaze to Aiden as he continued. "A person who cultivates in such a place can speed up their progress tenfold. But it's also dangerous. Too much mana can overwhelm the heart and destroy it entirely."
Aiden's expression turned thoughtful. "So… balance is the key," he said slowly.
Jonathan smiled faintly, pride flickering in his eyes. "Exactly. Balance is what defines a true cultivator."
He paused for a moment, then exhaled softly. The faint breeze passed between them again, carrying the scent of morning dew and wildflowers. Jonathan stood straight, slipping the silver instrument back into his pocket.
Jonathan said as was putting it in his pocket."You aleady have a wind elemental affinity and i think you will be dual or triple elemental mage because you mother and i both are dual elemental mana cultivators and there is a high chance tha you are a dual elemental mana cultivator"
Aiden listened as he said, " Dad, I know that you have fire and water elements, and mother has healing element, so what is the other element that mother can use?"
Sara, who was standing to the side replied," Dear my second element is puppeteer, I can create dead animals, plants, and different objects into puppets by creating mana strings and controlling them with it."
Aiden felt enlightened as he thought about his mother's powers. Jonathan said softly, "Ok, now let's check what other elemental affinities Aiden have."
Author's Note / Disclaimer:This novel is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and events are the creation of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. The story explores growth, power, and destiny in a world shaped by mana and mystery.