Primordial's Legacy

Chapter 02 "A Gift"

Noah stood there, frozen in place, his mind blank. He had dreamed about this moment countless times, but none of those dreams had gone like this.

Mia, ever the composed one, rushed to his side. "Sir... don't worry about it. It's not the end of the world. You can still become a renowned magic warrior."

The magic warrior path. The logical choice for someone like him, born with Low-Grade mana veins. It wasn’t as if Low-Grade mages were completely useless—they could reach up to 4-star rank—but their spells consumed too much mana for the spells that didn’t have much firepower making them inefficient for large scale battles but nonetheless they were useful in battles for swarming spells. Some of them ended up becoming alchemist, priests, or support roles.

Meanwhile, magic warriors were the backbone of armies, using a mix of physical prowess and magic to carve through the battlefield. The rankings were clear: Sergeants Low-Rank Magic warriors who could take on 2-star mages, sometimes even 3-stars if mages were even a bit careless. Majors Mid-Grade magic warriors who could fight 4-star mages, while Generals could stand toe-to-toe with 6-stars. But beyond that? The 7-star Archmages were in a different league entirely. And reaching the General rank was no easy feat—it required absurd resources and sheer, unrelenting willpower. Most never made it.

Noah clenched his fists, his mind still reeling from the revelation. He had spent his entire life training, studying military affairs, politics—everything. As the son of the Ducal Sylvester family, he had access to the best resources. But what use was that now?

Then, as if snapping out of a long dream, he inhaled sharply. "If I can’t become an Archmage… then I’ll carve my own path to pinnacle. Let’s go, Mia."

Mia blinked at his sudden resolve but smiled. "Understood, Sir Noah."

-

As they arrived at the outer courts of the Noah’s estate, the atmosphere remained still. The residence wasn’t grand like the inner halls where nobles gathered, but it was still a place of status—reserved for those of royal blood who weren’t quite at the center of power.

Noah stepped forward and entered his room, his gaze locked onto Mia, his personal maid, stood with her usual composed demeanor, her hands neatly folded in front of her. Despite her role as a servant, she was far from ordinary. A Major-Ranked magic warrior—someone with the strength to turn battlefields with sheer skill alone. If anyone could train him properly, it was her.

Taking a deep breath, he faced her directly. “Mia, I want you to train me as a magic warrior.”

His words were firm, without hesitation.

‘I don’t care about the limitations of this path,’ Noah thought, his fingers tightening into fists. ‘I’ll carve my way to the pinnacle with my own hands.’

For a moment, Mia simply studied him, her crimson eyes unreadable. Then, after a brief pause, she gave a slight bow.

“As you command, Young Master. If you are truly prepared, I will instruct you accordingly.”

A breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling the leaves as if whispering of the trials to come. And just like that, Noah’s path had been set in motion.

-

A grand study, lined with towering bookshelves, filled the air with the scent of old parchment and polished wood. At the center, a finely crafted medieval table bore the golden maple emblem of the Sylvester family. Seated upon a leather chair was Alfred Sylvester, his jade-like pearl eyes scanning the pages of an ancient tome. His sharp jawline, marked with streaks of gray and black hair, made him seem like a man who had carved through life with sheer will.

Opposite him stood an aged butler with neatly combed silver hair and a monocle, Aizan.

"Sir," Aizan began, his voice steady yet urgent, "you must decide on the succession. Both young master Erza Sylvester and young mistress Ash Sylvester have reached 6-star mage rank. Erza, in particular, is expected to reach 7-star in a few years."

Alfred sighed, closing his book. "Yes… but they are not yet ready for that burden."

"But, Sir—"

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

"Enter," Alfred commanded.

The grand doors creaked open, and a mage in red robe stepped in. Sir Leo bowed deeply before speaking. "Sir, the awakening ceremony for Celestial Calendar 1342 has concluded."

Alfred nodded. "Noah attended, didn’t he? What was the result?"

Sir Leo hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Yes, Sir. Among the collateral family, two children awakened Middle-Grade mana veins. As for Noah Sylvester… he awakened Low-Grade mana veins."

Alfred stiffened. His normally composed face cracked ever so slightly. "...Are you certain?"

Sir Leo bowing"Sir, on my honor as your loyal subject, I verified it myself."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. Then, Alfred exhaled, rubbing his temples. "That child… worked so hard too. Alas, as Aither wills it."

Aizan, ever the pragmatist, interjected, "Sir, while this is unfortunate, you need not dwell on it. Sir Erza and Miss Ash both possess High-Grade mana veins."

Alfred’s gaze softened, though a shadow of regret flickered in his eyes. "I know, but he is still my child."

Ever since Mary’s death—his beloved wife, who had passed giving birth to Noah—Alfred had been distant from his youngest son. Their interactions could be counted on one hand.

Perhaps that had been a mistake.

Alfred spoke “Give Youngest the Sylvester Magic Warrior Technique with a vile of body strengthening potion”

The Sylvester Magic Warrior Technique—designed to cultivate warriors of General rank. Yet, the path to mastering it was grueling, requiring immense effort and even more resources than what was needed to become an Archmage. Unlike the path of a mage, which required careful study and vast mana reserves, this technique demanded the user's body to undergo constant reinforcement, breaking and rebuilding muscle and bones to withstand monstrous levels of combat. The sheer cost and pain involved meant that only those with unwavering determination could ever hope to succeed.

Aizan hesitated. "Sir, granting him this technique means subjecting him to an arduous path. Are you certain?"

Alfred’s gaze was unwavering. "I am."

With a resigned nod, Aizan relented. "As you command."

Perhaps… it was because he had remembered something.

Mary’s final words, spoken on her deathbed, whispered in his mind:

"Please… take care of our child, Alfred. Don’t blame him. It is simply the way of Aither. Remember that."

Alfred dismissed Aizan and Sir Leo with their orders. Left alone in his grand study, he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

He had never given Noah a gift before.

‘Use this wisely, Noah. Do not make me regret it.’

-

Early in the morning, Noah woke to the sound of knocking.

Mia’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Sir, your father has sent something for you.”

When she entered, she carried a large black box, adorned with a golden maple ornament on the front.

Noah raised a brow. “What’s in it?”

Mia carefully opened the box, revealing an old yet well-preserved book alongside a crimson vial filled with a shimmering liquid.

Noah’s breath hitched. “This… it’s the Sylvester Secret Magic Warrior Technique and a High-Grade Body Strengthening Potion.”

He stared at the contents, a complicated expression crossing his face. His father had never sent him a gift before.

Never—until now.

And in this box lay resources that others would kill for.

Mia met his gaze, her voice steady. “Sir, you should use these immediately. They will benefit you greatly.”

Noah exhaled, pushing aside his thoughts. “Yeah, let’s go to the training grounds.”

-

Seated in a lotus position, Noah focused his mind. The secret technique required him to channel mana through his veins, allowing it to flow into his muscles and tendons. It sounded simple in theory—but in practice, it was anything but.

As the mana coursed through him, a sharp, tearing pain spread across his body. Every fiber of his being screamed as his muscles strained, broke, and rebuilt themselves stronger than before.

Minutes passed, stretching into what felt like eternity. Sweat drenched his body as he finally released a shaky breath. He could feel a subtle difference in his physique. Though he hadn’t reached the Sergeant rank yet, completing even a single cycle of the technique had left him exhilarated—and utterly exhausted.

Mia’s voice cut through his heavy breathing. “Learn this technique and reach the Sergeant rank first. Then, the potion’s effects will be greatly enhanced.”

Noah nodded. He understood. This was only the beginning.

And so, his days of arduous and painful training continued.