Chapter 13: Unknown Danger.
Jonathan composed himself as he said, "You really have fire affinity. Good. Now I will teach you how to use water mana."His voice was calm and steady, but a faint hint of pride lingered within it. The morning breeze brushed through the garden, carrying the faint scent of dew and earth. Aiden stood in front of his father, his small figure straight and focused, his eyes reflecting pure determination.
Jonathan continued as he said, "First, close your eyes, then imagine a tide of water while sensing the blood flowing in your body. After that, use the breathing technique to do the same as you did for fire."
Aiden heard this as he nodded slightly. His expression turned serious as he took a deep breath. Slowly, he closed his eyes, letting the sound of the wind fade away from his mind. In his thoughts, he began to imagine it—an endless ocean, calm at first, then forming waves that rose and fell, crashing against the invisible shore of his mind.
He imagined the cool sensation of the sea breeze on his skin, the flow of the tide, and the faint chill in the air that came with it. Then, after that, he began to sense his blood flowing in his body — a rhythmic pulse, soft and steady, echoing like the tide itself.
After that, he pushed the mana into his palms. Slowly, the energy within his body began to move — from his heart, through his chest, flowing down his arms like warm liquid that was suddenly turning cold, then it flowed towards his hand.
The moment the mana reached his palms and left his body, it shimmered softly — and then, it turned into a bursting small tide of water. Clear droplets shimmered in the sunlight, flowing and swirling gently before falling to the ground with a soft sound.
It meant that he also had an affinity with the water element.
Jonathan saw this, and his expression grew solemn. "You also have a water affinity," he said slowly, his voice low but filled with disbelief and admiration. "As of now, you are a tri-elemental mana cultivator. Even if you don't have all ten elements, you will still be a rare genius seen in this world."
He stopped for a second, his gaze thoughtful, then turned toward Sara as he said, "Now you can teach him to use healing and puppeteer mana."
Sara nodded solemnly as she said, "Okay."
Then she turned towards Aiden, her silver hair swaying slightly as the wind passed through it. Her eyes were soft yet serious as she said, "Healing and puppeteer mana are different than fire and water, and there is a different way to use them. First, I will teach you how to use healing mana."
Her tone became gentle, nurturing, and filled with warmth as she explained, "To use healing mana, you must have a pure heart that really wants to help the injured. You should feel emotions like love, friendship, sympathy, or sorrow for that person. For others, you must feel their sorrow or feel sympathy for them — and for your family and friends, you feel friendship and love.
"After having these emotions, you can make your mana flow into your hands and then inject that mana into the other person's wound. It will heal the injured's wounds. Alright, if you remember this, give it a try."
Aiden, who was listening attentively, said with a serious and calm tone, "Okay, I will try."
But after a few seconds, he thought for a moment and said to his mother, "But Mom, what shall I heal?"
Before Sara could speak, Jonathan reached into his pocket. His movements were calm but deliberate. He pulled out a small knife, the metal glinting faintly in the light. Without hesitation, he turned his hand and cut his palm. A thin line of blood appeared instantly, bright red against his rough skin.
He looked at Aiden and said in a composed tone, "Heal my hand."
Aiden saw this, and his eyes widened in shock. "But Dad, why are you injuring yourself?"
Jonathan replied, his voice calm and reassuring, "Don't be worried. If you can't heal me, your mother will heal it instead."
Aiden heard this as he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He was still worried for his father — after all, even though he knew it was a minor wound, the thought of hurting his father made his chest tighten.
But he also knew that his father would never ask him to do something dangerous without reason.
As he looked at Jonathan's bleeding hand, Aiden closed his eyes and began to focus. He thought of what his mother had told him — the emotions he needed to feel. Love. Friendship. Sympathy. Sorrow.
He thought about how much his father had done for him — the lessons, the patience, the guidance, and even the sacrifices he made to help him grow. He felt warmth in his chest, a pure and sincere desire to help, to heal, to protect.
Slowly, he started to make the mana flow into his hand. He guided the energy from his heart, letting it move through his mana veins like a river of light. His breathing slowed, his concentration deepened.
Then, he thrusted the mana out. His hand began to glow — faintly at first, then brighter. The glow was soft, light green, and it pulsed gently, just like his mother's whenever she used healing magic.
Sara and Jonathan watched silently, their expressions tense yet hopeful.
Aiden took a step closer, placed his small glowing hand on Jonathan's injured palm, and focused. The light seeped into the wound like flowing water, carrying warmth and energy with it. The blood stopped, the torn skin began to mend, and within a few seconds, the wound completely healed — leaving no scar behind.
The light faded.
Sara and Jonathan saw this, and their expressions turned even more solemn.
Jonathan looked at his now-healed hand, then at his son. His voice was low but firm as he nodded seriously and said, "You also have healing affinity. Let's try with Puppeteer."
Sara heard this as she said, "Okay."
She then turned to Aiden again, her tone shifting back to that of a teacher explaining a delicate art. "Now, for you to learn how to use puppeteer mana, you will have to think about yourself as the master of the thing you are going to make into a puppet. It can be a dead animal, a person, a wooden doll, or anything else.
"After thinking that, you will focus your mana into your fingers, not your palm, so that when the mana leaves your body, it will be in the form of strings. Then you will inject these strings into the object that you are trying to make into a puppet. After that, you will make the strings go through the whole body of the object and control all its muscles, bones, and joints. After you completely control all this, it will become your puppet. Okay, now give it a try."
Aiden listened to all this information carefully and memorized every single word. He took a moment to breathe and collect his focus.
After a brief moment, a wooden doll suddenly appeared in Sara's hand. The doll was about the size of a small child, crafted with care — smooth wood, fine joints, and faint carvings decorating its limbs. She placed it in front of Aiden and said gently, "Try to control this."
Aiden nodded. His eyes carefully analyzed the entire doll, noting every curve, every joint, every movement it could make. Then, he closed his eyes.
In his mind, he thought that he was the master and owner of this doll, that it was an extension of his will. The doll would even walk toward destruction if he told it to do so. He believed in that thought, made it absolute.
After that, he began to channel mana into his hand. He felt it gather within him — smooth, dense, and ready to obey. He pushed the mana toward his fingers, focusing on directing it precisely. Then, he thrust it outward.
The moment the mana left his body, it transformed — it turned into light-colored strings, glowing faintly in the daylight.
Jonathan and Sara watched closely, their eyes not missing a single motion.
Aiden slowly guided the strings toward the wooden doll and injected them into its body. The strings moved like living threads, slithering into the wood, weaving through every part of the doll, controlling its joints, its limbs, and its frame.
He could feel it — the connection between him and the puppet. It was like feeling another body that obeyed his will.
After a minute or so, the doll was completely under his control. Aiden opened his eyes and focused. Then, in a calm voice, he commanded, "Stand."
The doll, which had been motionless just moments ago, suddenly moved. Its wooden joints creaked softly as it straightened and stood up perfectly.
Jonathan and Sara both stared at the sight in silence. Their already solemn expressions turned even more serious.
This confirmed it. Aiden had successfully used puppeteer mana as well.
The reason their expressions grew heavier was not because of joy, but because of realization.
This almost confirmed that Aiden was an all-elemental mana cultivator.
And though it was an unimaginable blessing, it was also a curse.
Because if people knew of this, there would always be those with dark intentions — those who would covet his power, who would desire to dissect the unknown. They would capture him, cut open his body to study his mana veins, and put him through all kinds of torture just to learn the secret of becoming an all-elemental cultivator.
It was far too dangerous for a child like Aiden. He was far too young for this cruel world and its cruelty.
Jonathan clenched his fists quietly, a shadow flickering across his eyes. Sara's gaze softened as she looked at her son with reverence and pity.
Aiden stood there silently, unaware of the silent storm brewing in his parents' hearts. He only knew that he had succeeded.
And for now, that was enough.
Author's Note / Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, and events are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. This chapter continues Aiden's journey as he discovers the depths of his power — and the dangers it brings.