[Source Flame]

"It looks like a common book, could it really be the rare Growth-Type?"

Once I opened the first book, I remembered soemthing and couldn't help but laugh.

"That bastard, Lucas Redvein will have to find some other magic to use, it's not like you can find a copy of this." I thought.

The moment I opened the first page, bright words appeared. I flipped past it and found every other page blank so I flipped back to the first one.

In bold black text, a question was written.

The book's question was 'What is the strongest element?' a normal person would say Ice or lightning but I had reread the novel too many times not to know that the answer was different.

"It's obviously flame. Each book of this type asks a similar question and the answer is different in each one."

I took a quill off of my desk and wrote the word 'Flame' on the book.

"that should do it."

Instantly, the book turned into a white stream of light and flew to the center of my forehead.

"It should start no-"

An influx of information filled my mind and every minuscule bit of information about [Source Flame] was engraved in my mind. At the same time, a rectangular black line was left on my forearm.

"Pheeew~ it feels like I've spent a year studying a dozen books, my mind is tired and this appeared on my forearm. A Roman numeral I." I thought.

I went outside to the practice area and started my testing.

"[Source Flame]." I said.

A thick white flame appeared in my palm and danced wildly.

"How beautiful, the queen of flames that can burn anything and everything, the [Source Flame],"

My circles began to spin wildly as the flame grew and grew, and my mana quickly began being depleted. The white flame grew into the air to about the size of a person and then stopped.

[You have learned a rare growth-type magic. Passive-skill [Mana Recovery] will be granted.]

[Mana Recovery is in effect. Your mana will recover 30% faster.]

"How beautiful, now if I just focus I can change its form to any form I want"

I suddenly sensed my 'father' walking towards me. When I looked I saw that alongside him was a young man about my age with dark purple hair and wine-colored eyes. His sharp features were adorned with a well-trained physique and two daggers hanging from his waist.

"Your magic has grown leaps and bounds I see, but I hope your swordsmanship hasn't lagged behind." my 'father' said.

"Welcome back from your trip, father! Isn't this Mother Serena's son? " I asked.

"I can't tell you too much yet but this is your shadow, Cedric, he was also born in the same year, day, and hour as you. A sign of good luck."

"Huh…? What do you mean?" I wondered.

The purple-haired young man knelt down to one knee and lowered his head.

"My life is yours, young master! I will serve as your shadow until I can no longer breath," he said with a conviction-filled voice.

"Wait what? Father, what's going on?" I asked in confusion. A show of false confusion to be more precise, the fellswords were known for raising shadows, hidden servants/protectors along with their heirs. Of course, I wouldn't be an exception.

"That's enough for an introduction! I'll explain further when you're older, now let's see if your sword has improved!" my father suddenly said.

"Huh wai-"

The young man disappeared as my father tossed me a wooden sword and picked up his own.

"Let's see if you've mastered the basics. First is the stance."

I moved on past the strange encounter and took a balanced stance with my weight evenly distributed.

"Second is the Cut."

My 'father' put up his defense and I cut towards him from different angles.

"What a heavy sword! You've already mastered the cutting techniques! Third is the thrust!"

My 'father' took a blocking stance as I thrust towards him with my strength focused on the tip of the sword.

"Such focused power!" he said.

My 'father' easily blocked the thrust.

"Now let's test your guard!"

I quickly put up my guard as my 'father' struck down with his sword.

"Ughh!!"

My father's injured body was still that of a veteran Sword Expert tempered by war and Aura but my body was also tempered by my training and the Physical stat.

"That's my son, you don't even have Aura yet and your physical strength and endurance already surpass your peers, not bad!"

My 'father' stopped attacking and suddenly took in a deep breath.

"Now it's time, my son. I'll use Aura to repeatedly attack you, you must parry my attacks while sensing my Aura, this is the way my father helped me sense Aura for the first time! Now get ready!" he suddenly said.

I took in a deep breath as my 'father''s wooden sword started shining bright silver.

"Make sure to parry!"

I suddenly lost sight of my 'father' as he reappeared an inch from me and struck down with extreme speed causing me to barely be able to parry and redirect his attacks.

"Woah!" I shouted unconsciously.-

"Don't lose focus! Think of the aura and try to sense it!" my 'father' repeated.

I focused on the bright silver energy as I barely parried my 'father''s swift attacks.

A FEW MINUTES LATER.

"Cassian, you're definitely a genius in the sword! I can feel your movements becoming sharper and sharper! I'll increase my output now!"

Suddenly, just as my 'father''s attacks became faster and faster, and I felt my energy surging intensely.

'I can feel a chaotic and rough energy! Wait no, it's increasing too fast!'

[Your Aura has gathered! The process of Aura core formation has begun!]

My body froze and my Aura Core began forming.

My father seized his attacks in worry and touched my heart.

"What is it, my son..?! Wait, your Aura Core is forming already? but you're too young! I only wanted you to slightly sense Aura's existence but this might cause a bottleneck!"

….