THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The days passed slowly, then turned into months. Each one blending into the next as Rui continued to immerse himself in the study of mana. Rui is now over 3 years old. His understanding of the energy that flowed through the world deepened, and his control, while still imperfect, became more attuned to his will. Yet, despite his progress, a sense of restlessness grew within him. His father's words that he said that day had planted a seed that refused to be quieted: "Balance is key."

What did that truly mean? Strength was something he could grasp, but wisdom, patience—those were harder to understand, especially when magic responded to his call, eager and restless. Why wait when the world itself was full of possibilities?

His mother's soft voice cut through the silence one evening as she entered his room. "Rui, you've been practicing for hours again."

Rui didn't open his eyes, his focus still centered on the swirling mana in front of him. It was a faint glow, barely visible, but he could feel it. He could almost hear it humming, as if it were alive. "I'm trying to control it, Mother," he murmured.

A soft chuckle filled the air. "I can see that. But even the greatest mages must rest. Mana is a delicate force. It doesn't respond well to being rushed."

Rui opened his eyes to see Arielle standing in the doorway, her figure framed by the warm light of the evening. Her smile was gentle, a quiet understanding in her eyes. She didn't have to say much—her presence alone was a calm anchor, reminding him that he was still learning, still growing.

"I know," Rui said, lowering his hands. "But sometimes it feels like I can almost control it completely. I just need to push a little harder."

Arielle walked toward him and knelt down, placing a hand on his small shoulder. Her fingers were cool, a contrast to the warmth of his body, but the contact was grounding. "You've made incredible progress, almost unbelievable for your age Rui. But magic isn't a race. You need to trust in your progress, not in speed. You'll get there, but only if you take the time to truly understand it."

He sighed, resting his forehead against his knees. "I just want to be strong. I want to protect people, like Father."

Arielle's expression softened, and she sat beside him. "Your father is a great man, Rui, but strength isn't just about power. It's about understanding your role, knowing when to fight and when to protect, when to push forward and when to pause."

Rui frowned, unsure of how to reconcile these two opposing forces. His father's words, his mother's advice—they both made sense, but they felt different. It was hard to grasp, especially when magic beckoned to him, promising strength with each successful spell.

"You've been spending a lot of time on your magic," Arielle continued. "But have you thought about other aspects of your training?"

Rui blinked, confused. "Other aspects?"

His mother nodded. "Strength isn't just in magic, my son. It's in how you live your life. In how you think, how you relate to the world and the people around you. You're learning how to control mana, but have you learned how to control yourself?"

Her words echoed in his mind. Could he really understand magic if he didn't understand himself first?

Before he could respond, Arielle stood and offered him a hand. "Come with me. There's something I'd like to show you. This was supposed to be when you are a bit older but this should be fine."

Rui stood slowly, feeling the weight of his mother's words settle around him like a cloak. "What is it?"

Arielle's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "A new kind of challenge. A challenge that doesn't involve magic at all."

Outside, the sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden light across the sprawling garden of the Kirean estate. Rui had spent countless hours exploring the vast grounds, but tonight, his mother led him toward a different area he hadn't ventured into before. It was a quiet space, tucked away from the main house, surrounded by thick trees that created a natural barrier from the outside world.

"Come," Arielle said softly, leading him down a narrow path. "The challenge I want to give you is one of patience. Of focus."

Rui glanced at her, puzzled. "But... I'm already practicing magic. Isn't that enough?"

His mother gave him a knowing smile. "It's not about magic, Rui. It's about quieting your mind, honing your inner strength. Sometimes, the greatest strength isn't in what you can do, but in what you can resist."

They came to a clearing, where a large stone stood in the center, surrounded by soft moss and the steady rustling of leaves. Arielle gestured to the stone. "This is your challenge."

Rui raised an eyebrow. "A stone?"

"Yes," she said. "For the next hour, you will sit in front of this stone and focus. Do not let your thoughts wander. Do not attempt to move it, or use magic on it. Simply sit and observe."

Rui blinked, a little perplexed. "You want me to just sit?"

Arielle nodded. "Yes. It may sound simple, but it is not. Your mind is constantly racing, isn't it? Magic pulls at you, the world pulls at you. This is a challenge of stillness, of focus. The stone will not move. Neither will you, if you are truly patient."

Rui sat down cross-legged before the stone, his mind already starting to resist the stillness. He wanted to move it. He wanted to feel the surge of magic that would allow him to manipulate the stone, but his mother's words lingered in his mind. Resist. Focus.

As the minutes passed, Rui's thoughts became more restless. He wanted to fidget, to give in to the impatience bubbling in his chest. His low-attention span from his last life kicking in. But slowly, he began to understand the lesson. The stone was still. He was still. And in that stillness, there was strength. He had an opportunity that no one else had, he can't be defeated by some mere rock!

The hour passed in silence, and when it was over, Rui stood up slowly, feeling an unexpected sense of accomplishment. It wasn't the kind of accomplishment that came from a successful spell or an easy victory—it was the kind that came from within, from learning to control his impulses.

Arielle smiled at him, her eyes filled with quiet pride. "You did well, Rui. The path of a mage is long, but it is also one of many layers. Magic will come, but so will other challenges. And with each one, you will grow."

Rui nodded, his heart still racing from the stillness he had fought against. He knew there was more to his journey than magic. His path was about balance—about finding his place in the world and learning when to act and when to wait.

And with that knowledge, he felt a new kind of determination well up inside him. The journey was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning...