THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The days on the Kirean estate moved with the steady cadence of a life deeply entrenched in routine. Rui, now being his seventh year being in this world, had become accustomed to the flow of time—lessons from his mother, interactions with the other children, and the occasional quiet moment spent in deep thought. Yet, despite the outward calm, Rui could feel something shifting within him, as though an unseen force was preparing to stir. His magic had become more tangible, more aware, like an old, familiar song playing softly beneath his thoughts.

Still, there was a quiet frustration that gnawed at him. For all the lessons, for all his focus, his power seemed to be locked away—untouchable. He could sense it, just beyond his reach, and yet, despite his best efforts, he could not seem to push past the invisible barrier.

His mother's lessons had taught him how to channel mana, how to feel its flow, but she had never mentioned the most important step: the awakening of the core. Arielle had spoken of balance, of control, but never about the moment when a child's magic truly awakened.

It wasn't until one evening that Rui's father, Soren, noticed the growing frustration in his son's demeanor and decided to speak of the ceremony that would change everything.

"Rui," Soren said one evening, his voice low and measured as he watched Rui practicing his focus in the courtyard. "You're growing faster than even "I" had anticipated, I knew you were special but this..."

Rui glanced up from the soft blue glow of his mana. He had been attempting to manipulate the energy around him, but it seemed like the moment he reached for it, it slipped just out of his grasp. "I feel... stuck," Rui admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I can sense the magic, but I can't control it. Why is it so hard?"

Soren gave a small nod. "You've learned well for your age, but there is one thing you cannot force—not yet. Your magic, your core, is still dormant. You won't be able to control it until you awaken it."

Rui frowned, confused. "But I can already feel it. Why do I need to awaken it?"

Soren stepped closer, his gaze sharp but kind. "Your core, the very essence of your magic, must be awakened in a formal ceremony. It's not something that can be done at will. Only the yearly awakening ceremony, when you turn seven, can bring it to the surface. Until then, you can only prepare, wait, and refine your understanding of the mana around you."

The words hit Rui like a quiet thunderclap. "A ceremony?"

Soren nodded. "Yes. Every year, the noble children of the estate undergo the same ritual when they turn seven. It is the moment when their magic becomes truly theirs. Before that, you cannot progress. You cannot tap into the full potential of your abilities. Not until the awakening ceremony."

Rui's mind raced with questions. He had heard the older children mention the ceremony in passing, but never in such a direct, personal context. Why hadn't his parents spoken of it before? Why had they let him grow so far without telling him that his magic could not truly awaken until this moment?

"When is the ceremony?" Rui asked, trying to hide the nervousness creeping into his voice.

"Soon," Soren said with a gentle smile. "The ceremony will take place in the coming days. All the noble children who are above 7 years old and haven't awakened, gather in the central hall. It is then that your core will be awakened by a grand mage. That is when your true training begins."

Rui's heart raced. It was both exciting and terrifying. All the magic he had been practicing, all the focus, all the control—it had been leading up to this one moment. But he couldn't help but feel the weight of uncertainty press down on him. What if he wasn't ready? What if the ceremony didn't go the way it was supposed to? What if somehow, the core didn't awaken?

As the day of the ceremony approached, Rui's thoughts became more restless. He spent hours in the gardens, attempting to practice his focus, but the magic felt out of his reach. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing that the leap was inevitable, but unsure of what lay beyond. But he knew, this wall will be eventually broken through after the ceremony....if it goes well.