Chapter 14: Warning
Jonathan was standing there, anxious as his thoughts raced.A cold silence had fallen over the garden, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the soft hum of mana still lingering in the air. His expression, once calm and composed, now carried the weight of fear and realization. He stood still for a moment, his gaze unfocused, his mind caught in a storm of thoughts that refused to quiet down.
He was thinking of the potential danger his son could be in — dangers that went far beyond anything an ordinary person could comprehend.
If it became known to the world that Aiden — his son — not only possessed an undetectable mana heart but was also the youngest mana cultivator in history, the consequences would be unimaginable.
And now, on top of that, Aiden had shown affinity with all ten elements.
Jonathan's thoughts grew darker with each passing moment. He knew the world well — too well. The world of mana cultivators was not one of kindness and fairness; it was a world of cruelty, ambition, greed, and hunger for power.
If such information were to spread…If people discovered Aiden's secret…
Some would covet his powers, seeking to use them for their own ambitions — kings, nobles, powerful families, and ancient clans. They would do anything to claim such a prodigy for themselves and use him as their pawn.
Others — those without morality or restraint — would want to experiment on him, to dissect and study him in search of the secret behind all these miracles. Aiden would be nothing more than a tool — a specimen to be cut open, analyzed, and discarded. He would be put through immense torture.
Jonathan's fists tightened unconsciously. The mere thought of it filled him with dread and rage.
And then there were those even worse than all the rest — the parasitic mana cultivators.
These beings were monsters in human form — cruel, merciless, and endlessly ambitious. They would not just try to control Aiden. They would attempt something far darker.
They would parasite him, infiltrating his body, his mana veins, and his very soul — taking control of his body and replacing his consciousness with their own.
Through that, they could achieve what no one had ever achieved — become an all-elemental mana cultivator by stealing Aiden's body and heart.
Jonathan's expression darkened further, his jaw tightening as his mind ran through the countless possibilities, each one more horrifying than the last.
He could not let that happen.He would never let that happen.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his fear as he turned to look at his son. Aiden stood quietly before him, his expression calm yet curious. The boy did not yet understand the depth of what he had become — nor the dangers that lurked in the shadows because of it.
Jonathan lowered his voice, his tone grave, filled with authority that left no room for argument.
"Aiden," he said slowly, his eyes locking onto his son's. "Listen closely to what I am about to say — and don't ever forget it."
His words carried the weight of command, and Aiden, sensing the seriousness of his father's tone, straightened unconsciously, his small hands tightening slightly.
Jonathan continued, each word deliberate and heavy.
"You must not tell anyone else about you being a mana cultivator — nor about being an all-elemental mage, or about your unique and invisible mana heart. Not anyone. Even if they are the most trusted, the most loved, or the closest person in your life. Understand?"
Aiden blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes, but he didn't speak. His father's tone was far too serious to interrupt.
Jonathan continued, his voice lowering even more. "If word of this gets out, you will be in immense danger. Not even your mother and I will be able to save you from that."
Sara, who stood quietly beside them, nodded with a grim expression. Even she could not deny the truth in Jonathan's words.
Jonathan went on, his tone hardening. "Mana cultivators of higher stages will come for you — trying to covet your power, experiment on you, or take your body for themselves. You must always be aware, Aiden. Always."
He paused for a moment, his expression turning even darker as he uttered the final warning."And remember — you should always be aware of the Parasite."
The word sent a chill through the air.
Aiden's small body stiffened. The tone in his father's voice was unlike anything he had ever heard before — not anger, not frustration, but genuine, paralyzing fear.
When he heard this, a great sense of horror rose from the depths of his heart. The realization slowly sank in: if even his parents — who were powerful, high-stage mana cultivators — could not protect him from what might come, then the danger he faced was far beyond anything he could imagine.
His father and mother were both Stage Four cultivators — Half Immortals, nearly indestructible, immune to mortal harm. And yet even they would not be able to save him if the wrong people found out.
That alone was enough to make Aiden's blood run cold.
He felt a shiver creep down his spine as his young mind tried to grasp the magnitude of the danger he was in. He truly was standing at the edge of something far greater — and far deadlier — than he could comprehend.
As Aiden was lost in those thoughts, Jonathan's deep voice broke through again, calm but sharp.
"Are you listening, Aiden?"
Aiden snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes refocusing on his father. His heart was still pounding, but he straightened his back, forcing his voice to remain steady.
"Yes, Dad," he said seriously. His tone carried a faint hint of fear. "From now on, I won't tell anyone about anything at all."
Jonathan nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly, though his face remained serious.
"Good," he said quietly.
After that, Jonathan's expression softened, but only slightly. His eyes still carried the weight of caution and responsibility. He spoke again, his tone steady and measured.
"From now on," he said, "your mother and I will teach you about our elements until you have fully mastered every spell of fire, water, healing, and puppeteer mana. After you've mastered them all, I will find suitable teachers for you — teachers who can help you control the different elements."
Aiden listened attentively, his small hands clasped together, his eyes full of focus.
Jonathan continued, pacing slowly as he explained. "You will first learn from a single teacher. After you have learned everything from him, I will find a new teacher for you. This will continue until you've mastered every element."
He stopped for a moment, glancing back toward Aiden, his expression grave. "And remember — your progress will be far slower than everyone else's. It's because they only have one, two, or three elements to master. But you… You have ten."
Aiden nodded, his face serious. "I understand, Dad."
Jonathan gave a faint, approving nod. "But you also have much more time than others," he continued. "Because in this era, even the rarest geniuses only become mana cultivators at the age of thirteen. You have six more years than them."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke with quiet confidence. "In that time, I will make sure you become a Stage Two mana cultivator with complete mastery over all the elements you can use. With those elements, even if your opponent is one stage stronger, you'll be able to defeat them. But remember — this is only feasible at lower stages."
Jonathan's tone shifted slightly, carrying the firm resolve of a father determined to prepare his child for what lay ahead.
"After you reach the age of eleven," he said, "I will send you to the best mana cultivation academy in this empire. You'll be able to live among others — to learn, to grow. You won't have to hide forever."
He looked toward Sara for a moment, who gave him a soft, approving nod.
"And you don't have to worry about anyone discovering your unique mana heart," Jonathan added. "There are many nobles who use different devices or instruments to conceal their stages or mana hearts. No one will doubt you."
He paused, his tone softening for the first time. "Alright. Now go get some rest. From tomorrow onward, your training will begin. Get good rest today and be prepared for tomorrow."
Aiden heard everything attentively and replied, his voice calm and respectful, "Yes, Dad."
Jonathan nodded, then placed his hand gently on Aiden's head, ruffling his hair softly. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though the worry never fully left his eyes. Sara watched quietly, her gaze filled with both pride and fear — pride for what her son had accomplished, and fear for the dangers that would follow because of these accomplishments.
After that, Aiden spent the rest of the day the way he usually did — quietly, simply. He helped Sara with small chores, listened to her stories about the old world, and practiced basic breathing techniques in the garden.
The hours passed gently, and soon the orange hue of sunset bathed the house in warmth. The calm of the night followed.
When the stars appeared above, Aiden returned to his room. He sat on his bed, cross-legged, and began to absorb mana from the surroundings. The air shimmered faintly around him as invisible energy flowed into his body.
He continued for fifteen minutes, his breathing rhythmic and controlled. When he finally stopped, he felt a gentle warmth spread through his chest — the faint pulse of his hidden mana heart.
He lay down from exhaustion, catching up to him, as he slowly drifted to sleep.
The night was peaceful. The wind outside was calm. Everything was still.
But deep beneath the earth, somewhere far below the house — where the roots of mana itself seemed to twist and breathe — a faint heartbeat echoed in the darkness.
It was not coming from Aiden's body.
It came from somewhere deep underground.
Author's Note / Disclaimer:This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and settings are purely fictional. Any resemblance to real individuals or situations is coincidental.The story continues — as the shadows beneath Aldia Village begin to awaken.