The sun had barely risen over the southern skies of Mist Palace, casting pale amber rays across the polished stone courtyard. A thin mist still lingered, coiling around the trimmed hedges and pillars like lazy ghosts unwilling to leave.
In the center of the open yard, the sharp sound of slicing air echoed with rhythmic intensity.
Shhhnk. Whoosh. Thrust.
Eris's blade moved in a blur, each strike carving through the air with such force that it created visible pressure trails. The sound wasn't just from the blade—it was the intent behind it. Controlled. Focused. Dangerous.
He wasn't just swinging for practice. He was refining.
Watching from the shade of the archway, a few armored knights stood at attention, their training momentarily forgotten as their eyes followed the fourth young Master's movements.
"…Was the Fourth Young Master always this good?" one whispered.
"I heard he awakened Aura recently," another replied, more awe than skepticism in his tone.
"You're kidding me… He looks like he's been wielding the sword for decades—what the hell kind of training is this?"
Their murmurs ceased the moment a stern voice cut through the air.
"Gentlemen," came the calm but piercing tone of Maria. "If you've time to gossip, then kindly make way."
The knights straightened instantly, startled. Her sharp gaze was enough to part the group like water before a blade. She strode past them with the elegance of a maid and the authority of a commander. The wind gently tousled her chestnut hair as she approached the still-training Eris.
After another slash and a perfectly grounded backstep, Eris finally paused, lowering his blade with a faint exhale. Beads of sweat clung to his temple, sliding down his jawline.
"You've been at it since dawn," Maria said softly, offering him a folded towel from her arm. "Please, young Master. A short break won't harm your growth."
Eris blinked, then accepted it with a slight nod. "Ah… thank you."
Maria watched him for a moment before commenting, "Your swordsmanship—it's grown sharper. More fluid."
A brief smile crossed Eris's lips. "You could tell?"
"It's part of my job to observe," she said dryly, but a hint of warmth colored her voice.
"It's all thanks to Sister Selena's sword technique," he replied, glancing at his sword. "I've been trying to incorporate her footwork. It's… honestly incredible."
He wiped his forehead, eyes thoughtful.
"Honestly, I knew this technique was strong… but I didn't expect this much. The precision, the balance… even techniques from my past life that I couldn't execute with this child body—they're starting to feel possible. If I adjust the motions just slightly..."
His fingers curled slightly around the towel. "The real bottleneck was managing my Crimson Energy alongside my Four Cores. I used to struggle with maintaining both at the same time, but for some reason, they're syncing together. No resistance, flow. I've been growing faster than even I anticipated. At this rate… I could reach any grade I want. Maybe even—"
He stopped mid-thought, blinking as a young servant girl ran across the courtyard, breathless. She skidded to a stop beside Maria and whispered something quickly in her ear.
Maria's expression flickered with surprise, then settled back into her usual calm. "Understood. You may return to your duties," she said gently.
The servant bowed and hurried off. Eris raised an eyebrow, wiping the last of his sweat.
"Something happened?"
Maria turned to him and gave a subtle nod. "It seems the Third Imperial Princess has arrived… ."
Eris paused mid-wipe. "What?"
"She's here in person."
"…Is it just me, or have people been showing up uninvited a little too often lately?"
Eris groaned lightly and tossed the towel onto a nearby bench. "And why would an Imperial Princess come here unannounced?
Maria held back a chuckle. "Perhaps your presence is finally attracting attention."
Maria tilted her head slightly, waiting for his command. "Should I prepare a formal reception?"
He thought for a moment, then waved a hand dismissively. "No need. Just give her a cup of tea or something to drink. If she asks about me… say I'm not here."
Maria blinked. "You're not going to greet her?"
"It's fine. She came without notice. That means it's not an official visit," Eris replied coolly, resting the tip of his blade against the ground. "So I'm under no obligation to meet her."
"…Even so, she is an Imperial Princess."
He looked at her, calm, unshaken. "Whatever. I didn't ask her to drop in."
Maria studied him for a moment longer.
"…Understood. I'll see to her comfort."
With a short bow, she turned and walked off, her figure growing smaller against the brightening horizon.
Eris exhaled again and looked up at the clouds. The breeze tousled his dark hair as he gripped the hilt of his sword once more.
"No matter who comes," he muttered to himself, "my path won't change."
He raised his blade.
And resumed his training.
The crisp clang of Eris's sword slicing air once more echoed through the courtyard, now empty but for him. His breathing was steady, his body flowing with the natural rhythm of the footwork he'd been drilling all morning.
He'd just begun to shift into a more advanced stance when a shrill, unfamiliar voice pierced the calm.
"There you are! So this is where you've been hiding!"
Eris blinked, his sword pausing mid-air. He turned to see a young girl—no, a child, perhaps his age—storming into the training ground like a miniature thundercloud. Her golden hair was tied in twin curls, her frilly white-and-gold imperial dress practically sparkling with arrogance and rage. Behind her walked a taller girl, clad in knightly armor, composed and quiet, her attendant.
The imperial emblem was impossible to miss.
…Who are you supposed to be?" Eris asked, more confused than alarmed, his tone casual, almost bored.
The girl gasped, recoiling as if struck across the face. "A-Are you seriously saying you don't know who I am?!"
Eris tilted his head slightly, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes. "As far as I know… I've never met a loud, snotty little brat with a crown complex."
The effect was instant.
Her face flushed a violent shade of crimson, eyes blazing with fury. "Snotty brat?! You insolent mongrel—how dare you insult imperial blood!"
Without a second thought, she drew a slim ceremonial blade from her waist. The steel hissed against its sheath like a viper ready to strike.
With a sharp cry, she lunged straight at him, wild and without hesitation. But before her blade could even leave the scabbard entirely, a calm yet commanding voice rang out behind them.
"Your Highness—please, control yourself. This is not a battlefield."
Maria had reappeared at the edge of the training ground, eyes narrowed, voice sharp with concern. Beside her, the armored attendant moved swiftly, grabbing the princess's shoulder with firm hands.
"My Lady," the knight said gently but firmly, "we are currently in Vale territory. If you raise your sword here, it could become a diplomatic incident."
Ariel growled under her breath, but after a few tense seconds, she exhaled and lowered her blade. "Tch. Fine."
Maria stepped forward with grace and gave a brief, apologetic bow to Eris. "Young Master, allow me to introduce our guest formally. This is Her Highness, the Third Imperial Princess of the Solkardia Empire—Ariel von Solareign."
She gestured to the armored girl beside the princess. "And this is her attendant, Knight Second-Class Charlotte Bensvil."
Charlotte bowed respectfully, one hand over her chestplate. "It's an honor to meet you, Young Master Eris."
"…Right," Eris replied, raising an eyebrow, trying to recover his composure. "Nice to meet you both, I suppose."
He looked at the still-seething princess. "Now, may I ask… what brings an imperial guest to this humble corner of the north?"
Ariel's fists clenched again as she stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "Are you seriously asking me that?! After you stole from me?!"
"…Stole?" Eris narrowed his eyes. "Are you accusing a direct descendant of the Vale Clan of theft? That's not something taken lightly, Your Highness. You'd better explain, or there could be consequences."
Ariel stomped a foot, her voice rising. "Playing dumb now, are you?! Don't act like you don't know! You stole the Dragon Heart from me!"
Eris blinked. "Dragon Heart…?"
Charlotte stepped in again, her voice calm. "Please allow me to clarify, Young Master. Her Highness Ariel is a fellow Aura user, currently studying swordsmanship under Lady Bellatrix."
"Wait—Bellatrix?" Eris raised a brow. "My sister?"
"Yes. Lady Bellatrix was planning to provide Her Highness with a rare Dragon Heart to aid in condensing her Aura into a stable core. However, for reasons we do not fully understand, she decided to offer it to you instead."
Eris blinked.
Ah… so that's what this is about.
He remembered the meat his sister had handed him just a few days ago. The scent alone had ignited his core, and he'd spent the entire night refining his energy afterward. It was delicious and powerful.
He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Wait… Bellatrix did say it was a rare treat… did she give me a Dragon Heart meant for the princess?"
Then Ariel marched forward, eyes filled with indignation. "I don't know what method You Use. Not only did you deceive my Master to steal the dragon's Heart! You have also brainwashed her somehow! Ever since she returned, all she talks about is you—'my little brother this, my little brother that'!"
She imitated Bellatrix mockingly, then threw her hands up in the air. "She even said you might be a good rival for me! Me!"
Eris tried—and failed—to keep a straight face.
"…Rival?"
"Yes!" she yelled. "You! A nobody who only awakened Aura recently! As if I'd acknowledge someone like you as a rival!"
She pointed her blade dramatically at his chest.
"I, Ariel von Solareign, challenge you to a duel!"
I'll prove my strength—" Ariel growled, her voice low and trembling with fury.
"—by defeating you here and now… and showing just how vast the gap between us truly is."
She raised her blade, eyes locked onto Eris like a predator sizing up its prey.
Silence fell over the courtyard for a long moment. Even the birds seemed to pause.
Then Eris slowly blinked.
…Oh boy.
His internal voice was already sighing. Looks like another headache just walked into my life.
End Of The Chapter...