It had been two months since Alaric began teaching the twins. The lessons had settled into a steady daily rhythm in one of the smaller study rooms off the main library. Alaric stood at the front of the room with a large diagram spread across the low table. He explained the flow of mana through the body with calm precision, his voice steady and clear.
Nasir sat on the cushioned bench and listened without interruption.
His red eyes stayed fixed on the diagram, absorbing every detail in silence. He did not ask questions or offer comments. He simply sat and listened.
Nadia sat beside him. She leaned forward slightly and raised her hand when Alaric paused. "So the channels in the spine are the most important for keeping the mana steady?" she asked, her voice soft but clear.
Alaric nodded. "Exactly. The spine acts as the main pathway."
Nadia smiled faintly and made a small note on the paper in front of her. Nasir continued to watch the diagram in silence. He understood the concept perfectly but saw no need to speak. The tutor's explanations were enough.
Alaric continued the lesson for another half hour. He reviewed the core colors and ranks once more, then closed the primer. "That is enough theory for today. Tomorrow, we will try to awaken your cores."
The twins nodded. Nasir stood first and left the room without a backward glance or bow. Nadia followed with a quick "Thank you, Alaric" and a small polite bow before she left the room together with her brother.
Two days later Alaric led them into the quiet training room in the east wing. The space was empty except for soft mats on the floor and tall windows that let in steady natural light. Alaric had chosen it for its calm atmosphere and privacy. No servants were allowed inside during the session.
Nasir and Nadia stood in front of him. They wore simple training clothes. Alaric spoke in a measured tone.
"Today is the day we take the next important step," he said. "This is the step that will allow you two to awaken your cores and allow you to use mana. Five is the youngest age where your body is ready for this. But many people still wait much longer before they even try."
He paused, giving them a moment to absorb the weight of what was about to happen. Then he continued more gently.
"You will feel a warm spot behind your sternum. That is your core. It holds the mana. You do not force it open. You reach for it gently and invite the mana to flow. Breathe slowly and evenly. When you sense the warmth, raise your hand so I know you are ready to continue."
Both children closed their eyes. The room grew quiet except for their soft breathing.
Nasir raised his hand first. His expression remained calm and focused. "I feel it," he said simply.
Nadia raised her hand a moment later. "I feel it too," she said, her voice steady with concentration.
Alaric knelt between them. "Good. Now we begin the real work. Gently draw a thin thread of mana out of that warm spot. Think of it like pulling a single strand of thread. Let it circulate slowly through your body. Start with your arms, then your legs, then your spine. Feel how the mana moves through each channel. If it feels sharp or painful at any point, stop immediately and tell me."
Nasir stayed very still. His breathing stayed even. A faint aura flickered around his small frame. At first it was unsteady, like a candle in the wind. He focused harder. The aura steadied. It grew stronger, wrapping around his arms and legs. He felt the mana moving through the channels Alaric had described. It was warm, almost alive, spreading outward in controlled waves. He opened his eyes and looked at Alaric without a word. The aura held firm.
Nadia took longer. Her small hands trembled slightly at first. She breathed carefully, adjusting her posture once, then again. Alaric spoke softly to her, reminding her to stay calm and not rush. Slowly a soft aura appeared around her. It was lighter than Nasir's but clear and stable. She kept her eyes closed a few seconds longer, feeling the mana flow through her body for the first time, a gentle current that warmed her limbs and settled into a steady rhythm. When she finally opened her eyes, she gave a small nod, her gold eyes bright with quiet achievement.
Alaric watched both auras carefully for several minutes. He made sure the flow remained stable and did not spike. Only when he was satisfied did he speak again.
"You have both awakened your cores successfully. You are now at the Brown core and Initiate rank. This is only the first step. The mana you feel now is raw and unrefined. Over the coming weeks we will train regularly to strengthen the flow and build control. Remember that advancing becomes harder the higher you climb. Most people reach a point and stay there for the rest of their lives. You two have the talent to go further if you stay consistent."
The children stood up. Nasir rolled his shoulders once and tested a small step. The faint aura still lingered around him, making his movements feel lighter and stronger than before. Nadia flexed her fingers and smiled quietly to herself. She could feel the new energy humming gently inside her chest.
Alaric placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "You both did well. Awakening takes a lot of energy. Rest for the rest of the day. We continue lessons tomorrow."
As the twins left the room, Alaric watched them go.
Although they were only five they were progressing at a very fast rate. It wasn't a stretch to call them prodigies or even geniuses. Awakening at five already put them ahead of other noble children. High-ranking noble families like
House Vace tended to start their heirs on mana training early, but even among them the twins were exceptional. Most children their age were still struggling with basic theory or had not yet attempted any form of circulation. These two had not only grasped the concepts quickly but had awakened their cores on their first guided attempt with remarkable stability.
He smiled to himself.
In his lifetime he had seen many, many awakenings, both warriors and mages. He had witnessed countless children and young nobles attempt their first circulation under careful guidance. Yet he had never quite seen two children this talented.
Awakening at five with such clean, stable auras on their first guided attempt was extraordinary. These two could be something very, very powerful in the future.
He knew the road ahead would not be easy.
Core advancement grew exponentially more difficult with each step.
Most mages plateaued at Yellow or Green cores and never progressed further. Even talented nobles often stalled at Blue cores. But these two… Alaric allowed himself a small, private nod of approval. If they maintained this pace and discipline, they had the potential to reach heights few ever touched.
The duke had chosen well when he requested Alaric specifically. These children were not just students. They were future pillars of the empire, and he would do everything in his power to give them the strongest possible foundation.
Alaric turned back to gather his materials, already thinking about tomorrow's lesson. The real work was only beginning.