Then came the words that had sealed Aeren's fate-words spoken by the kingdom's most revered oracle, her voice trembling with a mix of awe and dread.

"A child shall be born under the shimmering glow of twin moons, a night foretold by seers as a divine blessing. This child will not be bound by the laws of magic as we know them. He will command the elements not as separate forces, but as extensions of his very soul. His existence will mark the beginning of an age unknown, an era where the balance of power itself is rewritten."

"He shall stand beyond the reach of kings, beyond the limits of gods, a force that neither light nor darkness can claim. And when his power awakens, the world will tremble, for he alone shall decide its fate-whether to lead it into an age of prosperity... or to reduce it to nothing but ruin."

The words had sent chills down the spines of all who heard them. A power beyond comprehension. A force capable of reshaping the world itself. The kingdom had feared such a being, had deemed his very existence a threat. That was why the king, despite his initial joy at his son's birth, had made the choice to cast him away.

And now, that very child stood before him, completely unaware of the destiny that had been thrust upon him.

Thalos exhaled sharply, his gaze fixed on Aeren, who was still staring at his own trembling hands, struggling to process what had just happened. The sheer force of his magic had sent waves crashing, uprooted trees, and shaken the earth itself. This was no ordinary talent. This was not simply the gift of a genius mage.

This was the power of the one foretold by prophecy.

Thalos closed his eyes for a brief moment before finally stepping forward, his voice calm yet firm.

"Aeren," he said, drawing the boy's attention. "Magic is not just power. It is responsibility. Strength without control leads only to destruction."

Aeren swallowed hard and nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

Thalos placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, his expression unreadable.

"This power of yours... it is greater than anything I have ever seen. And it will only grow stronger. From this day forward, your training will no longer be that of an ordinary mage. If you wish to wield this strength, to command it rather than be consumed by it... then you must be prepared for the path ahead."

Aeren hesitated but then clenched his fists. He didn't fully understand what was happening to him, but he knew one thing-he didn't want to be afraid of his own power.

He looked up at Thalos, his gaze filled with resolve.

"I'm ready."

Thalos studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Then let us begin."

Thalos stepped back, folding his arms as he observed Aeren closely. The boy had already proven that his raw magical talent was beyond anything seen before, but raw power alone was meaningless without discipline, control, and understanding.

"Aeren," Thalos began, his voice carrying a weight of experience, "magic is not just about destruction or creation. It is a force that can be shaped, refined, and applied in ways beyond simple attacks. It can enhance, protect, and even manipulate. A true mage does not rely solely on overwhelming force-they master the art of control."

Aeren nodded, his eyes filled with determination.

Thalos raised his hand, and a ripple of energy pulsed through the air. "Magic can be used offensively," he said as he flicked his wrist, causing a burst of flames to erupt and shoot forward, igniting a distant rock before vanishing in an instant. "But it can also be used defensively."

He turned his palm upward, and suddenly, a transparent barrier of light surrounded him. The air shimmered as if bending to his will. "This is a defensive barrier. Strong enough to withstand direct attacks, yet flexible enough to disperse force." He let the barrier fade and took a step forward.

"Magic can also enhance your body," he continued. "Speed, strength, endurance-all of it can be amplified through proper control."

To demonstrate, Thalos stomped on the ground, and in an instant, his body blurred. He vanished from sight, reappearing behind Aeren in a mere blink. The boy gasped, turning quickly to face him.

"This is Body Reinforcement," Thalos explained. "By directing magic through your muscles and nerves, you can push past normal human limits. If done correctly, even a weak body can become as strong as a warrior's."

Aeren listened carefully, his mind absorbing every word.

"But magic isn't just about the body," Thalos continued. "It can enhance your perception as well. With enough control, you can sense things beyond ordinary sight-movements in the air, the pulse of energy, even the thoughts of others."

He extended a finger and lightly tapped Aeren's forehead. In an instant, the world around Aeren changed. Sounds became sharper, every rustle of leaves and crackle of fire distinct. He could feel the magic in the air, as if it had a pulse, flowing and shifting like a living entity.

"Whoa..." Aeren whispered in awe.

Thalos allowed him to experience it for a few more moments before withdrawing his magic, bringing Aeren's senses back to normal. "This ability is known as Heightened Perception," he explained. "It takes time to control, but with it, you will never be caught off guard. You will see and feel things long before your enemies can act."

Aeren swallowed, excitement building within him.

"Finally," Thalos said, his tone growing more serious, "magic can even influence the minds of others."

He lifted a single hand, and in an instant, Aeren's body froze. His arms refused to move, his legs locked in place. He struggled, but it was as if invisible chains held him down.

"This is Mental Dominion," Thalos said. "It allows you to impose your will upon others. The weak-minded can be controlled, their thoughts guided by your influence. But the strongest individuals will resist, and a battle of willpower will determine the outcome."

With a flick of his wrist, the pressure vanished, and Aeren stumbled back, gasping.

Thalos looked at him with unwavering seriousness. "Understand this, Aeren. Power is not just about what you can do. It is about how and when you use it. A fool will burn everything in their path. A true master will know when to strike, when to defend, and when to command."

A

eren took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I understand."

Thalos studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then your real training begins now."