Mana

In this world, mana was everything, whether being utilized in magic tools known as relics or manipulated through spells, bloodlines, or skills. Mana was undoubtedly the center of the world. And those that couldn't awaken mana, nor afford relics? Cast out, seen as human trash. 

This underlying issue plaguing society would not be addressed for another five years, but in the current era, there were only two ways to awaken mana. One could either possess enough wealth to purchase a mana stone and awaken through it, or gain admission to Andġiet Academy. However, to Kai's understanding, while everyone in the world had some affinity with mana, the majority couldn't afford a mana stone for awakening. Moreover, Andġiet Academy exclusively admitted nobles or commoners with an A rank talent or above. As a result, most ordinary folk had no means to awaken their mana, creating a significant gap in the hierarchy of the world. 

Of the two current methods of awakening mana, Kai would have preferred to awaken via a magic stone, as it would allow him to keep his affinities private. However, despite hailing from the Morrow family, one of the wealthiest families on the continent, his stepmother regarded him as an eyesore due to his birth from his father's late wife. Additionally, she viewed him as competition for her daughter's potential claim to head of the family. Because of this, she treated him terribly throughout his life, eventually persuading his father to disown him from the family. Because of this, purchasing a mana stone was not an option meaning he would have to enroll in Andġiet Academy.

Although Kai would prefer to enroll at Andġiet Academy immediately, he couldn't. The entrance ceremony for Andġiet Academy always took place during the new year, leaving Kai two months before starting his academy life.

Although slightly inconvenient, there were countless tasks Kai wanted to accomplish before entering the academy anyway. His first priority was to build his own wealth. Given that his family never provided him with resources, Kai had struggled to train initially in the past. However, using his knowledge of the future, this time wealth shouldn't be an issue.

Stepping out of his room Kai looked around the mansion. Throughout the estate, extravagant signs of riches were everywhere: walls adorned with gold framed paintings, corners adorned with exquisite vases, and marble floors echoing affluence. In stark contrast, Kai's room was musty, aged, and woefully neglected. A gift from his stepmother, you could say, who forbade maids from stepping foot in his room. Kai continued walking through the mansion until he arrived at a particularly extravagant room. Upon knocking, a gruff voice responded.

"Come in."

As Kai entered the room, his father glanced up to identify the visitor.

"Ah, Kai, it's just you," his father said, losing interest almost immediately.

"Hello father." Kai said flatly.

His fathers disinterested eyes instantaneously shot open as he looked back up at Kai.

"K-Kai you can talk now?" His father said shocked. 

"Yes but don't mind that father." Kai said monotone. "If you will, can you spare me an allowance." 

Though his father would typically never entertain such a notion, the shock of his son, who hadn't spoken in years, suddenly speaking to him in a casual manner left him in a state of disbelief. Consequently, his thoughts became muddled, and he impulsively handed Kai 10 gold coins. 

"I appreciate it, Father, "Kai said matter-of-factly before turning to leave the room. As he departed, he gestured towards one of the maids in his father's room, one that looked particularly disheveled and seemed to get bullied by the other maids.

"You, come with me," he commanded. "Your going to be my personal maid from now on, I hope that's alright father." 

The maid nervously glanced at his father, but under the pressure of Kai's piercing gaze, she gave in and stammered, "O-okay, sir," before following Kai out of his father's room.

As Kai was walking back through the estate he looked back at his newly appointed maid. 

"Anna, you know how to drive a carriage, right? I feel like going shopping."

"Y-you know my name, sir?" Anna stammered, shocked.

"I have a general idea of everyone's name in our estate," Kai lied.

In truth, he only knew Anna's name among the maids. This was because five years later when a new method of awakening one's mana emerged, it was revealed that Anna possessed a rare affinity for the space element, an extraordinarily useful power that granted the ability to teleport among other remarkable abilities. Unfortunately, before she could harness this element, her little brother succumbed to an extremely deadly illness for which there was no cure at the time. Devastated by the loss, Anna took her own life, never having the chance to utilize these remarkable abilities.

This time, however, if Anna proved herself loyal, he was prepared to save her little brother. Kai knew of the cure for the sickness that would eventually kill her brother, although that cure would not be officially made for another decade. 

Snapping Kai out of his thoughts was Anna's voice, "To answer your question, I do know how to drive a carriage, sir," she answered nervously. "All maids who serve elite families do."

"Good," Kai said with a slight smile. "Because you're going to be driving a rather expensive carriage."

Arriving at where his family kept their carriages he picked one out that looked particularly extravagant. 

"Alright Anna, lets go." Kai said calmly. 

Contrary to Kai's calm demeanor, Anna looked petrified.

"I-isn't that the mistresses carriage." Anna asked nervously.

"Why yes it is," Kai responded flatly. "I'm sure that 'lovely' mother of mine wouldn't mind us taking her carriage to town."

Nervous beyond belief but realizing there was nothing she could do to go against Kai, Anna reluctantly took her place at the reins of the carriage. 

"Good," Kai said from the back of the carriage. "Now take us to the north side of Lyndell."

"The n-north side of Lyndell?!" Anna asked, horrified. "No disrespect, young master, but you do understand that it's a place ridden with crime, right?"

To that, Kai only scoffed. "And that's precisely why we're going there."