Generally, a person awakens their spiritual core between the ages of eight and twelve. Russell, the eldest, was now nine years old and had awakened his spiritual core half a year ago, inheriting his father's fire element.
Becoming gifted would make someone's future much brighter. They could devote themselves to the kingdom or become a guard for a minor noble, and money would come naturally.
But Russell, who had lost his father, didn't want to leave his mother and younger sibling behind the way his father had.
Roele was now sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, both hands clenched atop his thighs. Rather than wait years for an uncertain awakening, he had chosen to forcibly awaken his spiritual core.
After all, he was the creator of this world, and he knew more about spiritual cores than anyone else.
Roele smiled crookedly as he closed his eyes. Focusing and clearing away every unnecessary thought, he began to sense the energy of nature flowing toward his body from every direction. The heart of the two-year-old boy pounded uncontrollably. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, stirred by excitement and a hint of doubt.
After sensing the natural energy rushing into his body, Roele felt a deep pain in his chest. His eyes and brows drew tight, but he wasn't about to stop. Roele endured the pain and continued allowing the energy to enter his skin and blood.
"Ugh."
Roele grimaced, keeping his eyes shut even as his body seemed to be pulled in opposite directions and might tear apart at any moment. He tightened his tiny fists atop his thighs.
Clear tears streamed from his still-closed eyes. Roele hadn't expected to cry from such overwhelming pain. Yan Adamine's body simply wasn't strong enough to endure it.
'I just have to hold out a little longer. Please.'
It felt as though his heart were being crushed. Roele sobbed harder without stopping the process.
The high-pitched howl of wind.
Roele opened his eyes wide, breathing heavily.
'I... did it.'
Looking around, he saw the things on the table scattered across the floor. The bed creaked and shifted. The window curtains flapped wildly.
Roele concluded that he had obtained the wind element.
"Cough!"
The two-year-old boy doubled over as blood stained the wooden floor. His face went pale.
"My body is too weak..."
Roele grimaced at his own words. What could he expect from a tiny body that had only been born into the world two years ago?
He quickly washed his face and cleaned up the mess. He removed every trace of what had happened, even deliberately spilling some perfume so Russell wouldn't be able to detect any suspicious metallic smell.
After making sure everything was safe, Roele sat down with his back against the bed frame. He tilted his head up and let out a long breath.
"That was exhausting."
Covering his face with his tiny palms, Roele secretly felt proud that he had managed to awaken his spiritual core at only two years old.
This was an insane change.
The wardrobe mirror in front of Roele reflected a blood-red-haired figure smiling with his little lips.
"You're one seriously cool baby, huh?"
He laughed to himself without realizing it, then stood and approached the mirror in front of him. His small hand reached out to touch the reflection of the two-year-old boy in the glass. His resolve was firm.
From now on, he was no longer Roele the loser.
He was Yan Adamine.