Chapter 20: Artifact.
A few days passed as usual.
During this time, Aiden spent most of his hours in the garden, refining every spell he had learned so far. Each morning began the same way — the soft warmth of the rising sun, the faint songs of birds echoing through the quiet estate, and Aiden standing barefoot on the dew-covered grass. His breathing was steady, his focus sharp as he moved from one spell to another — conjuring fireballs, shaping water streams, commanding puppets, and channeling healing mana into his limbs to recover from fatigue.
He could feel it — the mana flowing smoother than ever before. The control he once struggled to maintain now felt almost natural, like the mana itself was responding to his will. His progress had become undeniable.
As the days went on, his precision increased. His fireballs burned brighter and denser, the water streams cut cleaner through the wooden targets, and even the invisible mana strings he used for puppetry moved faster and with greater stability.
It was during one such afternoon, while Aiden was training in the center of the garden beneath the golden glow of the sun, that his father's voice called out to him.
"Come here, Aiden."
The words were calm but carried authority.
Aiden immediately stopped channeling his mana. The faint glow of energy around his hands faded, and the soft hum of elemental vibration died out. He turned toward the veranda, where his father, Jonathan, stood with his hands in his coat pockets. The older man's posture was as composed as ever, but there was something in his expression — something that hinted at importance.
Aiden quickly walked over, his steps steady yet filled with curiosity. When he reached his father, he spoke politely.
"Yes, Dad?"
Jonathan nodded slightly, his gaze steady as he spoke.
"I have brought the artifact that can make your appearance look older. And tomorrow," he continued, "your teacher for Lightning and Wind will also be here. So be prepared for harsh training. He is very strict."
Aiden's brows lifted slightly. A new teacher? Lightning and Wind? His curiosity rose.
Jonathan continued, his tone serious but proud.
"Remember, you'll have to tell him that you are thirteen years old."
Aiden nodded in understanding. His father had often spoken about the dangers of revealing his real identity or the true nature of his powers.
Jonathan paused for a brief moment, then slowly pulled his hand from his pocket. Between his fingers, he held a small object — a locket.
It was unlike anything Aiden had ever seen before.
The locket was black, polished to a mirror-like finish that reflected faint glimmers of light. At its center was embedded a golden crystal, faintly pulsing with mana energy. It radiated a subtle pressure — not threatening, but heavy, commanding respect. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the aura surrounding it was ancient, almost sacred.
Jonathan looked at the locket with a faint smile, his tone filled with meaning.
"This is a mana artifact that was created using the mana heart of a Stage Five Immortal," he said solemnly. "It can make you look older, and no one under Stage Six can detect your true appearance or your mana signature."
Aiden's breath caught.
A Stage Five Immortal... even among powerful cultivators, that was an incredible existence. His parents themselves, despite being strong, had once told him they could not defeat a Stage Five cultivator. That meant this locket was made from such a being's mana heart and was priceless — something far beyond what ordinary families could even imagine possessing.
Jonathan's gaze softened slightly as he continued, "It's a very special and precious artifact, Aiden. It can even protect you in life-threatening situations. Always keep it safe, understand?"
Aiden stared at the artifact with awe. His heart was beating faster. His father had bought such a powerful treasure for him. It wasn't just the object's value — it was what it represented: trust, love, and the immense responsibility his father placed on his shoulders.
He nodded firmly. "Yes, Dad. I will remember."
Jonathan nodded back, satisfied, and explained, "To use this artifact, you need to wear it and then think about the appearance you want to take. After that, inject your mana into it. Once you do that, your appearance will change accordingly. Now, give it a try."
"Okay, Dad."
Aiden took the locket with both hands. It was cold to the touch, but a faint vibration pulsed through his fingers, like a living heart beating softly within. Carefully, he placed it around his neck. The black chain settled against his skin, and the golden crystal rested just above his chest, pulsing gently.
He closed his eyes, recalling an image — the way he looked when he was thirteen years old back on Earth. His black hair, his slightly sharp eyes, his calm yet youthful face. He held that memory firmly in his mind, then slowly began channeling mana into the locket.
At first, nothing happened. Then, the golden crystal pulsed brightly. A warm wave of energy spread through his body, wrapping him in faint golden light.
When the light faded, Aiden opened his eyes. His hands looked longer, his fingers thinner and more mature. His body felt slightly taller, more balanced. His features were different — no longer that of a small child.
Jonathan watched with quiet amazement. From his pocket, he pulled out a small mirror and handed it to Aiden.
"Look."
Aiden took the mirror and stared at the reflection. The face that looked back at him made him blink in surprise.
It was the same boy he once saw in his memories — black hair that caught the sunlight, sharp black eyes filled with intelligence, and a faintly mature expression. His face was gentle yet calm, radiating a quiet confidence. He looked about thirteen years old — just as he had imagined.
Jonathan couldn't help but smile faintly. "You did well, Aiden. The appearance is perfect — older, but still fitting your personality. You've imagined it clearly."
He placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Now you can continue your training. Afterward, get some rest. Your teacher will arrive in the morning, and trust me — he won't go easy on you."
Aiden nodded seriously. "Yes, Dad."
He returned to his training immediately. The afternoon passed with fireballs streaking across the garden and streams of water slicing through dummies. The sky turned golden, then crimson, and finally darkened to violet as the sun sank behind the distant hills.
When the stars began to appear, Aiden finally returned inside, exhausted but satisfied. He had trained until his mana reserves were nearly empty.
That night, as the moonlight filtered through his window, he lay down on his bed, gazing quietly at the ceiling. The faint golden glow from the locket shimmered softly on his chest.
"Tomorrow," he whispered to himself, "my new training begins."
With that thought, he slowly drifted into sleep.
Morning came.
The air was cool and fresh, filled with the songs of birds. The rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, illuminating Aiden's room. He slowly opened his eyes, stretched his body, and got out of bed. He went to the washroom, washed up, and changed into fresh clothes. His routine was simple, but today, there was an unfamiliar sense of tension in his chest.
After that, he walked to the kitchen. As usual, his parents were there — Sara preparing breakfast, and Jonathan reading a book at the table.
"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, dear," both of them replied warmly.
He sat down and began eating. His appetite was good, but his mind was preoccupied — wondering what kind of person his new teacher would be.
Jonathan noticed his son's focus and smiled slightly. "Don't overthink it. Just do your best. You'll be fine."
Aiden nodded silently.
After breakfast, he headed toward the garden once again. The grass was fresh with dew, the wind light. But today, someone was already there.
A man stood in the middle of the garden. He looked to be around his mid-thirties, wearing casual black trousers and a dark shirt. His black hair was messy, and his posture was relaxed — too relaxed. But there was something dangerous about the way he stood. Even though his expression was calm, his presence carried a strange sharpness, like a blade hidden behind silk.
He was around five feet ten inches tall, with fair features, blue hair, and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through everything they looked at.
Aiden froze for a second. Is that… my teacher?
As if reading his thought, the man turned his gaze toward him. Their eyes met. For a single moment, the world seemed still. Then, without a word, the man moved.
He disappeared from his spot in a flash — no, not disappeared. He moved with lightning speed. The air cracked faintly, and before Aiden could react, a powerful kick came rushing toward him from the side.
The strike was so fast that even Aiden's eyes struggled to track it.
"Wha—!"
Instinctively, Aiden crossed his arms in front of his body, channeling mana to strengthen his defense. The impact hit him like a shockwave, sending him stumbling several steps back before he managed to regain balance.
The man stopped where he had stood, his leg lowered, his expression still calm.
"Not bad," he said in a low, steady voice. "You reacted quickly. Maybe you'll survive my lessons."
Aiden looked at him, heart pounding, both shocked and impressed. The speed, the precision, the control — everything about that single attack was perfect.
His father's voice suddenly echoed from behind.
"Aiden, meet your new teacher." Jonathan's tone was casual, but there was a trace of amusement in it. "This is Rayan — a Stage Four Lightning and Wind cultivator."
The man — Rayan — looked down at Aiden, a faint grin appearing on his face.
"Get ready, kid. Starting today, your real training will begins."
Author's Note: This marks the beginning of Aiden's next phase of growth. From mastering elemental control to stepping into the world of combat mastery, each new element will test not only his talent but his resolve. Thank you for reading — your support means everything. More intense chapters are coming soon.