A New Path

Kayn didn't wake up until the next day, but he felt refreshed and his mind had never felt so clear. While he didn't understand what happened, he could tell that his thought process seemed faster than before.

Kayn was curious about what happened, but in the end, he decided to leave it alone and focus on his birthday that was coming up.

He was born in the ninth month of the year and in the eighth, his sister would be leaving for the academy in the capital of their empire. With his sister leaving the house, he would be alone and have more time to study.

Birthdays weren't celebrated with parties in his new world, but rather allowed for more privileges. Only the coming-of-age birthday at 16 was truly celebrated. Otherwise, only special events were celebrated, such as the formation of a mana core.

Kayn knew that he couldn't really ask for a present, but he still decided to ask his mother for a favor for his birthday. Kayn's request was simple, he wanted a tutor who specialized in healing abilities since he would have more time with his sister gone.

He was always interested in medicine and healing in his last life. Thus, with his knowledge of anatomy and physiology from his previous world and the abilities of this world, he could perform miracles he used to only dream of!

While he didn't know the intricacies of those practices, he hoped with a new teacher he would be able to learn and expand his knowledge on the topic.

His knowledge and intelligence were his biggest advantage to him in this new life. He learned that his race was definitely going to be an incredible boon, but being able to keep his knowledge of his past life and even have increased intellect from his deal would surely benefit him more.

His mother easily agreed to his request since she figured he might be lonely without his sister to play with on a daily basis.

As the days passed and the day his new teacher would arrive neared, Clementine left for the academy and Kayn as left alone. Since his sister had left, he didn't have the exercise from chasing her around or being chased, so he focused more during his physical exercise lessons and even asked to learn basic martial forms to practice.

He also decided to use his Analyze skill again for the first time in years since he had an odd sensation that he would get a different result this time, and indeed he did when he used it on the book he was reading.

[Book: Basic Martial Forms (Common)]

Thus, until the day his healing teacher arrived, Kayn spent most of his time either in books or practicing different martial art forms that he was taught, all the while analyzing anything he could. Zerana even decided that she could teach him the basic forms of the Obsidian Void Dragon Clan since he had shown such dedication and talent for learning.

…

On the day his new teacher arrived, Kayn was eagerly sitting on the inside stairs that were near the front door of their mansion. When he heard a knock, he waited for his mother to arrive before she opened the door, but Kayn still stood by her side to welcome his new teacher.

"Hello my Lady, you must be Zerana, the wife of Ezekiel. I'm Healer Lydia, I was told that you requested for help in teaching healing arts to your child?" The woman asked as she looked between Zerana and the small boy to her side.

The woman looked in her mid-30s, but Kayn knew in this world that looks weren't relevant to determining age. However, he knew that either she was younger, of a longer living race, or has strengthened her mana core since she was younger as that would allow for a younger appearance.

She had straight hair as blue as the sky that ran down to the mid of her back. Her stature was a couple heads shorter than his mother; she was only about 1.4m (4'7") by his old world's standards. She also carried a peculiar aura about her that Kayn couldn't quite understand.

Kayn bent his waist 90 degrees in a bow then stood up straight and cupped his hands. "My name is Kayn Vestarius and I would be honored if you taught me about the arts of healing!"

Zerana beamed at the smile and polite attitude of her son. She was glad he paid attention to etiquette as well, instead of just magic and fighting.

"How old are you, Kayn?" The woman said with a little disdain as she looked at the boy.

"I have just turned 7 years old, honored teacher."

"Miss Lydia, I would like to have a word with you alone for a moment. Kayn, please go to your study and prepare your materials for your lessons today." Zerana spoke as she gave a glance to Kayn.

Kayn found this a little odd, but he figured that his mother was just working out the details with his new teacher about payments and housing. Thinking this he left for his study.

"Now Miss Lydia, I saw that look of disdain on your face, but please hear me out for a minute." Zerana looked seriously into the eyes of the woman who had just entered her home.

"Please, just Lydia is fine. While I may be arrogant and proud, I am not without respect for those who deserve it. Now, what is it you would like to tell me?" Lydia questioned.

"Please call me Zerana then. Kayn is young, he doesn't have a mana core, the ability to manipulate mana, nor does he know his aptitudes, I know this. I realize you most likely only teach those that have access to mana, but my son is trying to get a head start on his path and is too intelligent for his own good.

"At this time, he prefers to theorize anything having to do with magic and cultivation of mana. He's a child who will definitely bring changes to the continent when he is older." Zerana smiled as she spoke proudly of her son.

"Zerana, your son may be smart, but that doesn't mean he will be able to theorize the arts of my field nor be able to efficiently learn it. Ezekiel's offer and request are hard to pass up, but I will not waste my time on something I don't believe in or that will not be worth my time." Lydia was adamant in her opinion as she hated wasting time.

"Well Lydia, I happen to have a piece of information that will make you change your mind. Kayn is able to absorb and analyze any knowledge given to him like a sponge. He has already memorized almost every book in our library that we have given him access to and is able to explain their contents and the comprehensions behind them if one randomly shows him the book." Zerana smirked as she watched Lydia's mouth go agape.

"What?"

Lydia couldn't help but let out her astonishment as this was simply unheard of for a child. No one was able to retain every piece of what they read, at least not at that age.

"This is not possible Zerana! If what you're telling me is true, he would have an insane learning and memorization capacity. While he may not be able to put my teachings into practice, he could possibly put his knowledge into theories for future use. Hmmm…"

After pondering for a few minutes, she decided to take a gamble on this young child.

"I would be happy to teach a child with such a bright future, but my pride does not allow me to accept just anyone, especially since I would be teaching privately to a child with no mana core. Your son must prove himself to me and become my disciple, or I will not teach him."

Lydia spoke in a serious and monotone voice for the latter part of her statement. She had to make it clear that she only taught those who showed interest and promise in her field.

"I'm sure that my son will more than impress you, Lydia. He places knowledge and learning above all else besides his family. Lastly, while I don't know his exact purpose for wanting to learn healing arts, he was the one to request it, so I believe you will find his interest in your field to be satisfactory."

Zerana was nothing but smiles while she boasted about her son. She was confident that he would make a good impression on Lydia and convince her to accept him as a disciple.

…

Meanwhile, Kayn was sitting in the chair of his study swinging his legs since he wasn't tall enough to reach the floor with his feet yet.

'I hope that they work things out soon, I'm too excited to start learning! If I can incorporate what I know and use mana to affect bodily functions, I can achieve things that were classified as miracles on Earth.

'The only thing is that I don't know is how advanced their anatomical and physiological knowledge are in this world. I know each continent has their own specific knowledge, but since travel between them is possible, I would assume that any knowledge has been spread to an extent. I guess I can only wait to be taught before I can come up with ideas.'

As Kayn continued to think about his future and what he might be able to accomplish, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes a short woman with blue hair entering the study.