The sun hadn't fully risen yet, but light streamed through the cracks of the Hale home. It was quiet—peaceful in the way only early mornings in Whistlehollow could be. But that morning, something felt different.
Aleron was awake.
He sat upright, propped against the worn wooden edge of his cradle, blinking as though rediscovering how to use his eyes. His fingers flexed as he looked around, not with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, but with a calm, precise awareness.
Corvin stood there frozen.
"Hi," Aleron said again.
Eira's jaw dropped. "You're... actually awake. Like... normal-people awake."
Corvin crossed the room in two strides and dropped to his knees beside the cradle. He didn't speak at first, just stared. Then he grinned—so wide it hurt his cheeks.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this," he whispered.
Aleron tilted his head. "I do, actually."
Corvin blinked.
"I heard everything," Aleron said. "Thank you... for not giving up on me."
Corvin's throat tightened. He tried to laugh, but it came out cracked. "Of course I didn't, dumdum."
The reunion didn't go unnoticed for long. Rina came rushing in minutes later, alarmed by the noise. She froze when she saw Aleron sitting up, awake, blinking at her like nothing was strange.
He greeted her with a polite nod. "Good morning."
Rina put a hand to her chest and exhaled slowly. "You... look well."
"Rested," Aleron said with a tiny smile. "Very rested."
She narrowed her eyes and stepped forward slowly. "Aleron, what happened? You were quiet for so long, barely responsive... and now you're—this."
Aleron hesitated, then offered the most believable thing he could.
"I don't know," he admitted softly. "I heard you all, even if I couldn't respond. I felt... safe. Like I was wrapped in something warm. But I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Just listen."
Rina's shoulders relaxed. She crouched beside him and gently brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. "You scared me, you know."
"I didn't mean to."
She smiled faintly and ruffled his hair. "Well. You're back now. That's what matters."
That evening, when the others were asleep, Aleron sat alone beneath the open sky.
God's Whisper reactivated with a gentle shimmer only he could see.
[Stasis Completed. Mana Accumulation Report:]
[Mana Core: Violet Tier — Condition: Stable]
[Unlocked Skill: Fire Spark]
[Unlocked Skill: Pulse Regulation I]
[Unlocked Trait: Arcane Efficiency I]
He exhaled. The mana inside him was calm, powerful—but still young. He had enough to work with when the time came, but not enough to be reckless.
He waved his hand to summon the system window again.
[User Profile: Aleron]
Age: 4 years (Biological) / ??? (Mental)
Path: ??? (Undecided)
Mana Core: Violet
Traits:
- Arcane Efficiency I (Reduces mana cost for basic spells by 15%)
- Mental Resilience I (Slight resistance to confusion, fear, and mental interference)
Skills:
- Fire Spark (Basic ignition spell — low mana cost, precision ignition)
- Pulse Regulation I (Control over internal mana flow, useful for concealment and stability)
Active Blessing:
- God's Whisper (Appraisal-Type System)
He frowned thoughtfully.
Then he turned toward Rina's room. She was still awake, reading by lantern light. He focused.
"Appraise."
God's Whisper flickered... then struggled.
[Subject: Rina]
Status: Appraisal Failed — Target exceeds current system clearance]
[Partial Data Unlocked:]
Title: Summoner – Class Unknown
Power Level: ???
Potential: ???
Threat Level: [Redacted]
"Too strong," Aleron muttered, lowering his hand. "Figures."
He then turned back toward Corvin, curled under a blanket.
"Appraise."
God's Whisper shimmered.
[Subject: Corvin Hale]
Age: 4
Path: Undiscovered
Potential Affinity: ???
Unique Blessing Detected: Voice of the Heart
Status: Activated
Note: Unusual resonance detected. Target's blessing likely awakened early due to prolonged proximity to Host. Mana signatures indicate a high level of synchronization.
Aleron raised an eyebrow. "So we've really been linked this whole time."
The bond was real—something that couldn't be faked or trained. Just time. Just emotion. Just presence.
He watched Corvin breathe, peaceful and steady.
"That's a rare kind of magic," he whispered. "The kind that doesn't need a spell circle."
He returned to bed without a sound, curling up beside the peacefully sleeping Corvin. Eira snored from the corner, occasionally kicking her blanket off in her sleep.
Aleron watched them both.
"My family," he murmured.
God's Whisper pulsed softly.
[New Quest Available]
[Objective: Remain Hidden — Continue Observing]
[Time Until Aptitude Ceremony: 1 Year, 4 Months]
He smiled again.
And this time, it was the smile of someone who had returned from very, very far away.