As I walked down the hallway, I had to pass by the duke's room. Just then, I suddenly felt something—something so powerful and terrifying it stopped me in my tracks.
It wasn't just a presence—it was an overwhelming, suffocating aura of bloodlust. I couldn't move. It felt like it was crushing my chest, slowly squeezing the air from my lungs.
Then the pressure grew even worse. I couldn't breathe—not through my nose or mouth. I clawed at my chest, desperate for air.
Haa—haa—
[What… is this? I'm going to pass out…]
I reached for the wall to steady myself, my chest heaving, my legs barely holding me up. It felt like someone—or something—was trying to crush me from the inside.
And then it stopped.
I gasped for air and stood upright again, my breath finally returning to me.
[I don't know what that was… but it was dangerous. Terrifying. Master must have sensed it too—he's probably with the Duke right now. I need to find out what just happened.]
I rushed to the Duke's room just in time to see Master stepping out like nothing had happened.
"Where are you headed, Attu?"
"What was that just now? You felt it too, didn't you? That aura… it was overwhelming!" I spoke breathlessly.
"First, calm yourself. Second—are you okay?"
"I'm fine. But—"
"All your questions—including this one—will be answered once the second part of your mission begins. But now is not the time."
"When is the time?"
"You won't have to wait long."
After hearing that, I said nothing more and quietly returned to my room. There, I sat alone, still shaken.
[What was that aura? It wasn't just mana; there was magic in it too. Something ancient. Something dark. Master said the answers would come soon. I guess… I'll just have to wait.]
The next morning, as usual, I began my training with Master. Though he had told me we'd speak about yesterday's incident later, I couldn't stop thinking about it. And despite his earlier warning, I decided to bring it up again.
"Master… I wanted to ask about what happened yesterday."
"I told you, didn't I? You'll learn everything when the time is right."
"I'm not asking about why it happened. I just want to understand what it was that I felt. It was like the bloodlust aura you showed me once… but different somehow."
"…Fine. I'll explain. Listen carefully."
"When an Elestar warrior reaches a certain level of combat mastery, they begin to awaken something within them: an aura. This aura keeps them from retreating or panicking, even in the worst of battles. But what happens when an Elestar faces magical creatures? Unlike wild beasts, magical beings are much stronger and harder to intimidate."
"That's when the Elestar adapts. Their body channels mana into their aura, reshaping it—refining it—into something overwhelming. At its peak, this aura can paralyze an enemy… or even kill them with a mere glance."
"What you felt yesterday was an Elestar Aura. You could say it's a much stronger form of the standard warrior's aura."
[I see… So what I felt yesterday was an Elestar's aura. That means if I ever face one in combat, I'll be powerless against them. I have to learn how to use it myself—fast.]
"Master, please teach me how to awaken my Elestar Aura!"
"You haven't even fully awakened a normal combat aura yet."
"I don't care. I don't want to stand there helpless like a scared child the next time something like that happens. Please… teach me."
Master's face softened, a rare smile touching his lips.
"In that case, we'll need to make your training even tougher."
And so, we began a new phase of my training: unlocking my aura. Of course, the Elestar Aura was still far off—I would need to start with the basics.
Days passed. My training intensified. And on the other side of my life, something else grew as well: my bond with Anna. We talked every day now—about books, the weather, history, and whatever else came to mind. The awkward tension between us had long since faded.
One week later, Anna began eating meals with Master and me. I was genuinely happy about it. We were no longer strangers to her. Over time, I saw more sides of her—her humor, her playful nature. She would try to scare me by popping out of nowhere or teasing me during meals. I realized then—she was just a normal girl.
And Suna… Suna wasn't quite the polite, well-mannered maid I thought she was. You'll come to understand her true nature yourself soon enough.
It had been twenty-three days since I first arrived at the Duke's estate. In that time, my swordsmanship had improved, and I'd managed to awaken a faint aura. It wasn't perfect, but it was something. I had also grown more comfortable with my new sword and trained with it constantly.
That day, Master and I were still in the middle of sparring when Suna arrived.
"Sir Valorant, Attu, dinner is ready."
"We'll be right there," Master replied, glancing at me.
After a while, we gathered at the table for dinner—Anna, Master, and I. As we began eating, Anna gave me a mischievous look and spoke up.
"So, you got beat up again today?"
"Not exactly…"
"Oh please. You're covered in bruises."
"It's just part of training."
"Liar."
As Anna teased me, Gustav walked up to Master and whispered something in his ear. When he finished, Master's face turned grave, and he looked at me with seriousness.
"This doesn't concern you," I said to Anna, trying to keep her from noticing the shift.
"Attu," Master called.
"Yes, Master?"
"Do you remember what I told you—that I'd explain everything when the second part of your mission begins?"
"Yes."
"Well… that time has come. Gather your things. We need to leave—immediately."
"What happened?"
"…The Duke. Alaris is dead."