Evening had settled over the grand Cross Family manor, the warm glow of lanterns flickering softly in the hallways. Inside the grand library, Adrian sat at a polished wooden table, his small figure surrounded by towering bookshelves. Sir Darius stood nearby, watching the boy with a mixture of pride and puzzlement.
But not long ago—
A flashback played in Darius's mind.
Adrian had been sprinting through the hallway, his little legs moving as fast as they could. Thump!
"Ahh—!" Adrian crashed right into the sturdy figure of Sir Darius.
Darius looked down, steadying the boy gently. "Are you okay, young master?"
Without thinking, Adrian blurted, "Old man Darius—!"
For a second, the hall fell silent.
Darius's eye twitched, his kind smile frozen as his thoughts raced:
"O-Old man!? Did he just call me old man!?"
Adrian's eyes widened in realization, and he quickly slapped both of his small hands over his mouth. His cheeks puffed up, and his eyes glistened like a startled puppy, making the scene unintentionally funny.
Darius let out a slow, deep sigh, one hand on his chest as if calming his spirit.
Moments later, Adrian lowered his hands, face serious. "Sir Darius… will you help me enter our library? Even the lowest level only will suffice."
His tone was firm. Clear. Like a little gentleman.
Darius blinked, stunned.
"Is this really the old young master Adrian? He's only 10 years old… but he speaks more maturely than his older siblings…"
The loyal knight closed his eyes briefly, letting out a soft breath.
"Very well, young master," Darius said with a respectful nod. "Follow me."
Adrian sat at one of the polished reading desks, his small figure barely reaching over the thick leather-bound book before him. The golden glow of the library's lamps cast a warm light across the pages as he flipped through them carefully, his eyes wide and curious.
Flip… flip…
He passed diagrams of sword forms, notes on battle stances, and illustrations of famous ancestors.
But then, a phrase caught his eye.
"Mana Surge"
Adrian paused, leaning closer, his nose nearly brushing the page.
He read intently:
"Mana Surge — a fundamental mastery of the Cross Family, taught to all who wield a blade. By focusing mana into a single point—whether a fist, blade, or foot—the user strengthens the power of their attack severalfold. Even the simplest strike gains the force of a storm. A skill that forms the basis of the Cross Family's feared combat arts."
Adrian's eyes sparkled.
He turned to Darius, who was standing nearby with his hands behind his back, watching over him like a gentle guardian.
"Umm… Sir Darius?" Adrian asked, his voice polite but eager.
Darius leaned down slightly. "What is it, young master?"
Adrian pointed a small finger at the page. "Can you… demonstrate or explain about this Mana Surge?"
Darius raised a brow, then smiled softly. "Mana Surge, is it?"
He stepped back a little, giving himself space.
"Very well, young master. Watch closely."
Darius slowly raised his left fist, holding it before him at shoulder level. His expression grew calm, focused.
"First, you gather your mana—"
A faint blue glow began to shimmer around his fist, swirling gently like mist drawn inward.
"—and guide it into a single point. Concentrate it. Shape it."
The glow grew brighter, condensing around his knuckles until his entire fist seemed wreathed in a steady blue aura. The air around his hand hummed faintly, the lamp lights flickering as if affected.
Then—
WHOOSH!
Darius struck forward, his fist cutting through empty air.
A sharp crack echoed as a burst of wind erupted from his strike, rushing across the library. The force rattled the shelves, scattering a few loose papers, and even made Adrian's hair fluff up wildly for a second.
Adrian's jaw dropped.
"T-That's more powerful than my fully charged Blast Ring!" he thought in shock, gripping the edge of the desk as his heart raced in excitement.
Darius lowered his hand, his expression as calm as before, as if he hadn't just shaken the entire room.
"And that, young master," Darius said with a slight grin, "is only the most basic form of Mana Surge."
As the last ripples of wind settled in the library, Adrian was still wide-eyed, processing what he had just witnessed.
Suddenly, the familiar soft ding echoed in his mind, followed by the clear voice of the system:
「Darius's explanation and demonstration analyzing… complete. Mana Surge: fully analyzed.」
There was a short pause, like the system was making sure it had Adrian's attention.
「Do you want to save this skill?」 the system asked, its tone a bit playful, as if it already knew the answer.
Adrian nodded quickly in his thoughts.
「Save it!」
At that, the system's tone shifted to its usual explanation mode, but this time with even more precision and detail:
「Mana Surge — Upgraded Data Version: A fundamental combat technique of the Cross Family, refined over generations. Focus mana into a precise point on your body or weapon, amplifying striking power, durability, and penetration force. Depending on the user's mastery and mana control, the effect can range from a sharp gust to a devastating shockwave. The surge strengthens not only the physical blow, but also the user's own resilience at the moment of impact. Efficiency of mana use increases as proficiency rises.」
「Warning: At low mastery levels, excessive use may cause muscle strain or mana exhaustion. Training recommended.」
Adrian's thoughts whirled as he absorbed the information, his heart beating faster.
"T-That's amazing… I didn't know it had so many layers…" Adrian thought, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
The system, with a teasing tone, added one last comment:
「See? Observing and learning pays off, young master! Imagine how much RP I saved you just now.」
Adrian's eyes lit up with a sudden idea.
"I know what to do!" he said with determination, his small voice echoing slightly in the quiet library.
Before Darius could react, Adrian hopped down from where he'd been sitting, stepping into a clear space between the towering shelves.
Darius blinked in surprise, watching the boy's sudden burst of confidence.
"Young Master—wait. I don't think it's the right time for you to attempt Mana Surge at your current level. You need more preparation, more training. If not, you might injure—"
But his words trailed off.
Adrian was already standing firm, his hands loose at his sides, his expression calm but focused. The air seemed to shift around him, the quiet of the library filled with the faint stirring of wind. His black hair, soft and slightly messy, swayed gently as if the world itself was responding.
Adrian inhaled slowly, closing his eyes, and began to gather his mana—not at a single point, but letting it flow through his entire body, as though his whole form had become one unified focus.
Darius's eyes widened, his breath catching.
"D-Did he just…? No… this isn't focusing mana at a single point... he's making his entire body the point of convergence... from his head to his feet… all enhanced at once…"
In that moment, the elder butler's usual composed face softened into a smile filled with awe.
"Amazing… Young Master… I believe you might truly change the future of the Cross Family… No…"
Darius's eyes glimmered with pride.
"This will be the start of a new Cross legend."
In front of him, Adrian slowly opened his eyes. His brilliant blue gaze seemed to glow, filled with determination and unyielding will. White and blue aura swirled around him, threads of mana dancing like living energy, wrapping him in a soft but powerful light. The breeze inside the library grew stronger, as if nature itself was acknowledging the boy's rising strength.
Adrian's blue eyes shone with resolve as he steadied his breathing.
"Sir Darius… I have a request," Adrian said firmly.
But before he could finish, Darius smirked knowingly, crossing his arms.
"You want to test it out, am I right, Young Master?"
Adrian blinked in surprise but nodded.
Darius stepped forward, planting himself solidly in front of Adrian, his stance firm like a great oak.
"Then don't hold back. Attack me with everything you've got. I'll take it head-on."
Adrian, filled with respect, gave a small bow — the bow of a warrior honoring his opponent.
Then, without a moment's pause, he raised his left hand, his finger pointed at Darius like a gun. His right hand clenched tightly behind it for stability.
The air thickened.
White and blue energy surged around him, swirling like a raging storm. His black hair fluttered wildly, caught in the gust of his own mana.
The gathered mana began to condense at a single point — the tip of the Blast Ring. The white-blue light grew brighter, humming with raw power.
The library shook slightly under the pressure, and a low, resonating sound filled the room:
Vmmmmmm—!!
Adrian gritted his teeth as he pushed to his limit, his small body trembling under the force he was controlling. His voice cracked out in a mix of strain and determination:
"O-OVERBURST!!!"
In a flash, a powerful blue-white ray shot forth, tearing through the space between him and Darius at blinding speed.
BOOOOOM!!!
Darius's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, bracing himself. He planted his feet into the floor, the wood beneath cracking slightly under the force.
CLAAAANG—!!!
The blast collided with him, the energy surging like a tidal wave, pushing him back step by step. His boots scraped against the polished library floor, leaving trails as he fought against the force.
The air erupted in a powerful explosion of wind and light, shaking the shelves, scattering papers, and rattling the windows.
When the blast faded, smoke curled through the library. Darius stood there, his arms slightly singed, his clothes ruffled, but his eyes… wide with shock.
"That… that was stronger than I expected…!" he muttered, staring at the boy in disbelief.
Adrian, drained from the massive outpour of mana, wobbled. His vision blurred, and his legs gave out beneath him.
"Y-Young Master!" Darius shouted, sprinting toward him.
Before Adrian could hit the floor, the old butler caught him in his arms, worry flooding his face as he checked him over.
Adrian's eyelids fluttered weakly, a small, tired smile on his face as he whispered in his mind:
"I did it…"
And with that, the room settled into silence — the aftermath of a moment that marked the rise of a new Cross legend.
In the grand study of the Cross Family mansion, Gregor Cross stood by the window, the evening light casting long shadows across the room. The door creaked open as Darius entered, his formal steps echoing softly on the polished floor.
Gregor didn't turn. His gaze was fixed on the distant training grounds where the faint glow of Adrian's earlier blast still seemed to linger in his mind.
"Report, Darius."
Darius bowed deeply, his voice steady but filled with genuine astonishment.
"My lord… I have served the Cross Family for decades, and in all that time I have never seen anything like what I witnessed today."
Gregor's eyes narrowed slightly in interest, though his expression remained composed.
"Go on."
Darius took a breath, as if still trying to process the feat he'd seen.
"Young Master Adrian… mastered Mana Surge — an advanced Cross Family technique — in less than an hour. Not just imitating it… he truly understood it. He adapted it, focused it, and created a strike so powerful that even I… struggled to hold it back."
Gregor slowly turned, now facing Darius fully. A grin, rare and filled with intrigue, tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Is that so…?"
Darius nodded, his eyes glinting with respect.
"Yes, my lord. His potential is beyond what I imagined. His control, his intuition — it's as though he was born with it sealed inside, waiting for today to awaken. That attack… it would have overwhelmed most warriors many times his age."
Gregor folded his arms, his mind already racing.
"So the boy finally reveals his fangs… good. Very good."
He strode toward his desk, then stopped, speaking firmly.
"Darius. I intend to host an event soon — one that will change the flow of our family's future. I want Adrian ready. I want him trained… not to simply match his siblings… but to surpass them."
Darius placed his hand over his chest, bowing low, his voice resolute.
"It will be done, my lord. I will not stop until Young Master Adrian can stand at the peak of the Cross Family… and beyond."
Gregor's grin faded, his sharp eyes turning cold and calculating. He shifted the topic with a weight in his voice that made Darius straighten even more.
"In one week, I will host a banquet."
Darius blinked, caught off guard.
"A ban…quet, my lord?" he repeated, his brows furrowing.
"Pardon me for asking, but… for what reason are you planning such a gathering at this time?"
Gregor's gaze shifted to meet Darius's, his tone low and steady — like steel hidden beneath silk.
"The Sorin Family will be attending."
At that name, Darius's eyes widened, a rare crack in his usually composed expression.
"The Sorins…" he echoed, almost to himself.
"The family known for their obsession with magic… refining and mastering it at any cost."
Gregor gave a slow nod, his expression hardening.
"Yes. The headwife of their family will be bringing her daughter. Whatever schemes they're weaving… whatever ambitions they carry... it will not work here. Not in this house. Not in my domain."
His words rang with quiet menace, like a storm waiting to break.
Darius clenched his fist over his heart, bowing deeply.
"My lord… I too would stake my life to protect you and this family. Whatever their intentions, they will find no foothold here while I draw breath."
Gregor's eyes softened just for a breath's moment — a rare flicker of trust and respect between master and loyal retainer. Then, with his usual calm authority, he gazed back out the window, toward the place where Adrian lay recovering.
"Good. Prepare the house, Darius. Let's see what cards they dare to place on this table."