THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The quiet hum of the Kirean estate felt heavier than usual in the days following Rui's awakening. Whispers of the ceremony traveled quickly through the halls, carried by both servants and noble visitors. Words like "tempered mana" and "unprecedented core" seemed to linger in every corner, and though Rui had yet to fully recover, the impact of his awakening reverberated across the estate.

Rui lay in his bed, the afternoon sun streaming through the large windows of his room. His body felt weak, but his mind buzzed with fragments of the awakening. He couldn't remember much—only flashes of light, the feeling of mana overwhelming his senses, and then darkness. The grand mage's words echoed faintly in his memory, though their full weight hadn't yet settled in his young mind.

"You're awake."

The soft voice pulled Rui from his thoughts. His mother, Arielle, stood at the doorway, her expression a mix of relief and warmth. She carried a tray with a small bowl of broth and a cup of herbal tea.

"How long…?" Rui's voice was hoarse, his throat dry.

"Two days," Arielle replied, setting the tray on the bedside table. "You've been resting. The grand mage insisted you wouldn't wake for at least another day, but it seems you're as stubborn as ever."

Rui managed a small smile, though his body protested even the slight movement. "What… happened? I remember the light, but everything else is blurry."

Arielle sighed, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "Your awakening wasn't like the others, Rui. The mana… it was overwhelming. Even the grand mage was left speechless. He said your core is unlike anything he's ever seen."

Rui frowned slightly, his silver eyes narrowing as he tried to process her words. "Is that… good?"

Arielle reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "It's extraordinary. But extraordinary things come with challenges, my son. The grand mage said your mana is dense, refined—tempered. That's not something we've ever heard of in a first awakening."

Rui remained quiet, his mind turning over the implications. He had always felt different, even before the ceremony, but to hear it confirmed in such a way felt strange. "What does that mean for me?"

"It means you have a gift," Arielle said softly. "But it also means you have a responsibility. A core like yours… it will demand more from you than others. More discipline. More control."

Rui's small hands clenched the blanket beneath him. He didn't know what to say, but a quiet determination began to settle in his chest. He wasn't afraid of hard work; he had spent years practicing mana, even before his core awakened. But the thought of being different, of standing apart, made him uneasy.

"Your father wanted to speak to you when you woke," Arielle continued. "But I told him to wait. You need to recover first."

Rui nodded, grateful for the reprieve. His father's stern, commanding presence always left him feeling like he had to prove himself, and right now, he wasn't sure he had the strength for that conversation.

The following day, Rui found himself in the garden, propped up on a bench with a blanket draped over his shoulders. The fresh air felt good against his skin, and the distant chatter of the estate's servants provided a comforting backdrop.

Liora appeared, her presence a welcome distraction. She approached with her usual grace, her sharp eyes studying him carefully. "You look better than I expected," she said, sitting beside him.

Rui gave her a tired smile. "Thanks, I think."

"They're all talking about you," she continued, her tone lighter than usual. "The grand mage's words… they've got the whole estate buzzing. I think half the nobles want to invite you to their houses, and the other half are probably jealous."

"I didn't do anything," Rui muttered, glancing down at his hands. "It's just… my core."

"Exactly," Liora said with a grin. "Your core. And not just any core—a Silver Core. Tempered, or whatever they're calling it. That's not nothing, Rui."

Rui sighed, leaning back against the bench. "It doesn't feel like it's mine. Like… I didn't earn it. It's just something that happened."

Liora tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. But you're the one who practiced magic before anyone else. You're the one who worked harder than anyone I've ever seen. Maybe you didn't choose your core, but you earned it, Rui. Don't forget that."

Her words settled over him like a balm, easing the knot of uncertainty in his chest. He nodded, though he still wasn't sure he fully believed her.

Later that evening, Rui finally met with his father. Soren's study was dimly lit, the glow of the fire casting long shadows across the room. Soren stood by the window, his back to Rui as the boy entered.

"You've recovered quickly," Soren said, his voice even.

"I'm fine," Rui replied, his tone steady despite the lingering weakness in his body.

Soren turned, his amber eyes sharp as they met Rui's. For a moment, there was only silence between them, a quiet weight that seemed to fill the room.

"Your awakening," Soren began, his voice measured, "was unlike anything I've seen. The grand mage was right to be cautious. A core like yours… it's not just rare. It's unprecedented."

Rui shifted slightly, unsure of how to respond.

Soren stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "You will have to work harder than anyone else, Rui. Not because I expect it, but because your core will demand it. You'll need to master control, to temper your own power the way your mana has been tempered."

"I understand," Rui said quietly.

"Do you?" Soren's voice sharpened slightly, though there was no malice in it. "This is not a burden to take lightly. You have the potential to shape the future—not just for yourself, but for this family. For the Kirean name."

Rui nodded, the weight of his father's words settling over him like a mantle. He didn't fully understand what the future held, but he knew one thing: he would not falter.

As he left the study, his resolve felt stronger than ever. The road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face it. For himself. For his family. For the potential that burned within him.