Chapter 11: The Impossible Truth
Boom!
The explosion ripped through the calm morning air like a thunderclap, shaking the very earth beneath their feet. The instrument that had stood gleaming in the sunlight only moments ago shattered in an instant, bursting into countless fragments that scattered in every direction.
Tiny shards of metal and crystal glimmered in the light as they flew outward, whistling sharply through the air.
Aiden, who had been standing closest to the device, barely had time to react. The force of the blast struck him head-on. He instinctively raised his arm, but it was too late — several fragments tore through the air and embedded themselves in his skin. Small but deep cuts appeared across his hands, legs, and face, crimson lines quickly forming as warm blood trickled down.
The pain came in sharp waves, burning but tolerable. His body swayed slightly from the impact, dust swirling around him as the remnants of the explosion faded into silence.
For a heartbeat, everything was still — only the faint rustle of leaves disturbed the aftermath.
Then —
"Aiden!"
Sara's voice cut through the smoke like lightning. Her expression was filled with panic as she dashed forward, her figure blurring. The ground beneath her feet cracked slightly from the sudden burst of mana as she appeared beside her son in an instant.
Without hesitation, she raised her hands, her palms glowing with soft golden light. The warmth that radiated from them was gentle yet powerful.
Her hands hovered just above Aiden's wounds. The golden light flowed into his skin like liquid sunlight, mending the small cuts and closing the bleeding scratches in mere seconds. The faint scent of mana filled the air, blending with the smell of dust and scorched grass.
"Aiden," she asked hurriedly, her voice trembling slightly, "are you alright? Are you seriously injured?"
Aiden blinked slowly, his breathing calm despite the blood still drying on his skin. He looked at her, his tone steady and composed."No, Mom, I'm fine. I'm only slightly injured."
Sara paused for a moment, her eyes scanning his face and arms to confirm his words. The wounds had already vanished, leaving only faint traces of where the shards had hit. Seeing that, she exhaled in relief and nodded quietly.
"Alright," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
But her expression soon hardened. She turned her head sharply toward Jonathan, who stood a short distance away, still staring at the shattered remains of the instrument scattered across the garden floor. Her voice carried a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"I think the instrument had a problem with it," she said firmly. "First, it glowed on all ten elements — and then it exploded. It's definitely flawed. Otherwise, how could a single person have all ten elemental affinities? Even for a genius like Aiden, that's impossible."
Her tone carried the conviction. As a Stage Four mana cultivator and healer, she had seen many prodigies in her life — but this, this defied every law of the world.
Jonathan's gaze remained fixed on the broken metal pieces glinting faintly on the ground. His brows furrowed as he thought deeply, the silence stretching between them heavy with uncertainty. After a long moment, he spoke, his tone measured.
"I also have a similar thought," he admitted slowly. "Why don't we test it again — with another instrument?"
He turned to Sara, his expression calm but decisive. "You can change positions with your puppets that are one kilometer away from here. I've already placed several of your puppets on the route toward the capital — all positioned one kilometer apart. You can use them to move instantly and retrieve another instrument from the Elfis supply depot. You'll be able to bring it back in just a few minutes."
Sara's eyes flickered slightly in acknowledgment. By now, Aiden's wounds were fully healed, his skin once again smooth and unmarked. She straightened her posture, her expression serious as she replied, "Okay. I'll come back in a few minutes."
The moment the words left her lips, her figure shimmered — and then vanished.
In the space where she had stood, a faint wooden doll appeared in her place, its surface etched with glowing runes. The puppet blinked once, lifeless yet aware, its small carved eyes reflecting the morning light.
Aiden stared for a brief moment, still fascinated by his mother's unique ability. Even after seeing it countless times, it never ceased to amaze him — how effortlessly she could exchange her position with one of her distant puppets, as if space itself bent to her will.
Jonathan stood beside him, arms crossed, silently waiting. The seconds ticked by in quiet tension.
Then — the puppet trembled, the runes on its surface fading to dark. With a faint hum, it disappeared — and in that same instant, Sara reappeared in its place, as if she had never left.
In her hand, she carried another silver tube — identical in shape and design to the destroyed one. The faint glimmer of runic lines shimmered along its metallic surface.
She handed it carefully to Jonathan. "Why don't you and I check it first before giving it to Aiden?" she suggested. Her tone was practical but cautious. "If it's also flawed, it won't injure us the same way."
Jonathan nodded once, his expression unreadable. "Okay."
He placed the new instrument on the ground, kneeling beside it. The morning light caught on its polished surface as he set his right hand gently on the palm-sized crystal sphere. Closing his eyes briefly, he began channeling mana from his body into it.
Within seconds, the ball lit up — a calm, steady glow that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. The mana flowed smoothly through the tube, entering the ten small bulbs one by one.
Aiden and Sara both watched silently.
After a brief moment, the process ended. Only two of the bulbs were glowing — one blue, one red — representing water and fire.
Jonathan studied it for a few seconds, then removed his hand and looked toward Sara and Aiden as he said. "It doesn't have any problems," he said simply. "The flow was stable. You can try again."
Aiden nodded, his expression calm but determined. "Okay, Dad."
Jonathan handed him the device. Aiden accepted it with both hands, his small fingers gripping the cool metal tightly. He placed it gently on the ground, taking a slow breath to steady himself.
He placed his palm on the crystal sphere again. The surface felt smooth and cold against his skin.
He began the breathing technique. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm as he guided the mana from his heart toward his arm. The energy pulsed through him — familiar yet alive, responding to his will.
The instant it reached his hand, he released it into the crystal.
The sphere began to glow — faintly at first, then brighter, swirling with neutral light. The soft hum returned, low and rhythmic, as the mana traveled through the tube. The glow slithered through each bulb, flowing gracefully from one end to the other.
And then —
The light began to intensify.
Aiden's eyes widened as the brightness grew stronger, reflecting in his pupils like stars. The tube vibrated faintly. The mana's pace increased, flickering rapidly through the ten bulbs.
Jonathan's face darkened. He could feel the air around them shift, the faint pressure of energy building again.
Sara took a cautious step forward. "Jonathan," she began, but before she could finish, the light suddenly burst —
All ten bulbs lit up at once.
Every single element — fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, healer, light, puppeteer, parasite, illusion — all of them burned with radiant color, the hues blending together into a blinding brilliance that illuminated the entire garden.
The mana within the instrument started to move violently, the hum turning into a deafening vibration.
Jonathan's instincts screamed. "Aiden!" he shouted sharply. In one swift motion, he lunged forward, grabbing his son by the shoulders and pulling him away from the device with all his strength.
The very instant Aiden was dragged back —
Boom!
A second explosion erupted, even louder than before. The shockwave blasted across the ground, throwing dust and grass into the air. A flare of multicolored light burst outward, painting the surroundings in streaks of gold, red, blue, and silver before fading into smoke.
Fragments of the instrument were once again sent flying in all directions, clattering across the garden stones and embedding into the ground.
Jonathan shielded Aiden with his body, his arm still wrapped protectively around him. The dust settled slowly, revealing the smoldering remains of yet another destroyed affinity instrument.
Silence returned, heavy and absolute.
For a moment, none of them spoke. Only the faint crackle of broken metal cooling in the breeze could be heard.
Jonathan exhaled slowly, his face unreadable. His hand lowered from Aiden's shoulder as he stared blankly at the smoking fragments scattered across the earth. His lips moved almost unconsciously, his voice a low murmur.
"All ten elements… How is that possible?" he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "But the instrument didn't have any problem…"
He trailed off, his words fading into silence. The disbelief in his tone was evident — he was a man of knowledge and reason, but suddenly he was facing something beyond his comprehension once again.
Beside him, Sara's breathing grew uneven. Her hand trembled slightly as she pressed it against her chest, her pale face reflecting the fading glow of the broken device.
"How can this be possible…" she whispered, her voice thin and trembling. "How…"
The wind moved softly across the garden, carrying away the last trails of smoke.
Jonathan, Sara, and Aiden stood there as they witnessed to a truth that defied every law of their world.
Author's Note / Disclaimer:This novel is a work of fiction. All characters, names, and events are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to real people or events is coincidental. This story continues Aiden's mysterious journey through a world bound by mana, fate, and the unknown.