TBATE: Shadows Of The Past

Chapter 4 - The Awakening's

[1st POV - Reynolds Leywin]

My boys!

I was ecstatic when I first found out Alice was pregnant, even more so when we learned it was twins, two boys. I couldn't help but wonder when they could start training. When did I start training? I can't wait to teach them all about magic. I hope one, if not both of them, will turn out to be augmenters like their old man. I may only know the basics of conjuring, but I can only use it as a form of mental exercise.

Alice, on the other hand, is one of the most talented people I've ever seen, even as an emitter. She joined my party back then after agreeing to date me, and we went on missions together. Her restorative powers were incredible, but what truly shocked me was her area of effect spell, which healed all allies within its range. She's truly one of a kind, and she's my wife!

Hehe.. I still don't get tired of saying that.

In the past, before settling down, we used to venture into the Beast Glades to hunt for mana beasts. These creatures were born with the unique ability to absorb mana and create their own mana core, which we called beast cores. Beast cores had countless uses and were highly valuable, especially the higher class ones. Mana beasts ranged from E-class, like the domesticated fanged wolf used for meat and leather, to SS-class monsters, which were said to exist, but I never saw or heard much about them.

It was a general rule that mana beasts were stronger than humans of the same class, even without taking mana into account, as their physical bodies were naturally stronger. While the Beast Glades were dangerous, it was easy to avoid trouble as long as you were cautious and stayed away from deeper dungeon-like underground caves or the core of the Glades where the stronger beasts resided. The first few tens of kilometers around the perimeter of the Beast Glades were well mapped, and as long as you were at least a C-class adventurer, you could explore without much trouble.

Occasionally, there were missions that required multiple parties of adventurers to explore and clear out the more challenging dungeons that had not been fully mapped out. If a mana beast was powerful enough to create its own lair and have other mana beasts serving it, then you could be sure that there were valuable treasures to be gained.

I often talk to my sons about this life and share with them everything I know in the hopes of inspiring them to become adventurers themselves when they grow older. I can't even imagine what I would do if even one of them don't awaken, or worse, if neither of them does. But as long as they can both awaken and train to become any kind of mage, I'll be a proud and happy father.

It is relatively easy to discern what type of mage someone will become upon awakening by observing the behavior of mana when augmenters, and conjurers form a translucent barrier. Augmenters form a repelling force around the barrier, indicating their dominant mana channels. In contrast, conjurers generate a vacuum of mana around them, suggesting their mana veins are more prominent. Of course, the strength of the pushing or vacuuming force depends on their talent in either category.

I don't mean to boast, but when I first awakened at the age of twelve (while asleep, mind you), the pushing force was strong enough to levitate me for a good few minutes! It was powerful enough to lift a human body!

If it wasn't for that time... I'm sure we wouldn't have settled down this fast. Anyways, as soon as either of them awakens, I'm going to train them both! If either of them ends up becoming a conjurer, I think I can get him a tutor from the main town since Alice and I aren't adept enough to be teaching an conjurer.

...Is what I said but..

*BOOM*

Currently, the entire house and some of the front and backyard are completely gone.