The Starting Point

Thrabumri's POV

It's 8 a.m., and I'm sitting in a chair in the living room, sipping on a warm cup of coffee my wife prepared.

Luthein is tidying up-arranging the books on the shelf, wiping dust off the windows, doing her usual morning routine with quiet determination. Her expression is calm, but I can tell her mind is still restless.

Rain hasn't come out of his room yet.

I'm sure he's awake-probably just lying in bed, avoiding eye contact with the outside world after what happened. Understandable. Luthein was furious with him last night, and that anger doesn't disappear overnight.

But me? Honestly?

I'm impressed.

No. I'm proud.

My son... he's the most talented magician I've ever known.

To learn Assassin Step-a technique that's practically forbidden, reserved only for the most elite warriors of the Walker Organization-it's like climbing a vertical cliff without gear. Most mages, even the talented ones, would fail halfway.

Yet Rain climbed it. Quietly. Alone.

Of course, Luthein and I have always known he was practicing magic. He thought he was hiding it from us, sneaking around at night, using tiny traces of mana. But as parents, we noticed. We just didn't confront him. Not yet.

We watched him grow.

But even we didn't expect this. Not Assassin Step. That technique requires more than just power. It needs discipline, precision, multiple elemental manipulations in perfect harmony.

And Alejandro...

That fox-faced bastard. How dare he teach my son something so dangerous without telling us?

Still, I trust Luthein. She said she'd handle him. I'll let her take the lead. But if that smug bastard gives her any trouble, I'll handle the rest-with my fists.

What really bothers me is this:

How strong is Rain now, really?

I know he's gifted. His control over mana is sharp, clean, beyond his years. But I can feel it-he's still hiding something. Something big.

I down the last of my coffee in one gulp, place the cup on the table, and make my way upstairs.

Standing in front of his door, I knock.

"Rain?" I call. "May I come in?"

There's a pause, then a flurry of shuffling sounds.

"W-wait! H-hold on, Dad! Just a second!"

Panicked?

He's at that age, huh? Probably doing something awkward. I decide to let it slide.

A few seconds later, the door cracks open.

"H-hi, Dad. What's up?"

He's blocking the doorway, clearly trying to keep me from seeing too much of his room. I glance past him anyway and catch a glimpse-yeah, his room's a mess.

"Did you eat breakfast already?" I ask.

"Breakfast? Uh, not yet. But I'm about to!"

I nod. "Good. Eat up. After that, we're going out."

Rain tilts his head, curious. "Eh? Where are we going?"

I grin. "To my personal training ground."

His eyes widen slightly.

I chuckle. "Let's spar."