Chapter 2 Aspects, Ass whopping's, Amaya's Birthday
Today was a big day as it would be the first time, I would officially meet more of my new family members. Most of my father's brothers and sisters didn't have children yet and the one that did would be showing up today. It was also Amaya's birthday as well. Today I would be meeting her mother and my aunt Ahana Kan, The Protectorate. She would also take over my father's station in the city and he would be returning to the Wall.
Murnia entered the room and gave me a curtsy. She had become much less nervous as she grew into her duties as my personal maid. Originally, I didn't know what to make of her assignment to me after I helped save her and her friends, but I was slowly warming up to the dark-haired girl.
"Young Master, the Young Ladies ball will begin in an hour and a half. The Duke and Lady Keala request your presence within the hour."
"Tell mother in father I won't be late."
"They have instructed me to make sure you understand the balls importance and tardiness will not be tolerated."
A small chuckle escaped my lips, and I gave Murnia an apologetic look. I could hardly blame the girl as I got stuck in my own fantasies. Daily. Watching her leave my room I returned my attention back to its original focus.
'Start again from the top' I said in my mind speaking to the other occupant of my body.
Once again Aegis Kan the System is an Artificial Intelligence. Its purpose is to create a way for mortals like you to rise and become something, more. The System was primed and prepared by [Beyond]. Using the inhabitants of Earth whose souls are much stronger as host the System will proliferate throughout this universe.
'Interesting. How were these souls chosen and why the fuck am I one of them? I mean you have access to my head and my thoughts. I'm certain you can see I was a nobody before all this came about.'
System wouldn't say the son of two prominent doctors who came from nothing as a nobody. Besides the point, however, is that the Harbingers were chosen at random. 100,000 souls who met the quality level [Beyond] was looking for were chosen. You, Aegis Kan, happen to be one of them.
I paced around my room lost in my thoughts. A chime was heard, and I rushed to start getting dress. I had roughly 40 minutes left, and I planned on grilling as much as I could from the system as possible. I understood the purpose of the system, but I didn't know what it could truly do for me or anyone I'd choose to expose it too.
'So, what's your capabilities? What can you do for me? How can you make me stronger?'
I swore I could sense something of a smile coming from the being that called itself the System.
In the easiest way to understand the System grants Aspects to its users slowly replacing your current method of cultivation. The System can make not only you but anyone under your command stronger. However, the System is to be spread to all sentient lifeforms in Gaia or any world you happen to come across.
Keywords and information had been given out. Aspects, and the system wanted to be spread to a lifeform in Gaia or beyond. As I thought about the words the System said I increasingly grew worried. This sounded like I was going to be making a deal with a devil.
'What happens if I don't use or spread the System.' This was my biggest question and concern although my soul had been hijacked, I wouldn't let no unknown being control me or dictate my actions. I had an entire world and several others to explore. I was a duke's firstborn son. How better could my position be? What more could I ask for? I waited for the answers sensing a pause from the System.
Nothing will happen to you. However, be warned you are in a Prime World unless you choose to use System there will always be someone stronger than you. There will always be someone who could do as they wish with you or your family. Just like [Beyond].
Damn this bitch knew how to push my buttons, she was in my head after all.
'Prime World? That's the second time you mentioned that what, is a Prime world?'
It means there is no world beyond this one. No world higher.
This got my interest from slight curiousness to peak within a split second. I already knew this world was different. I mean just look outside at the 2 suns and several moons. Not even mentioning the daily use of magic in my surroundings.
"No worlds beyond huh."
Could this have something to do with lesser worlds and planes. I asked the System several more questions but received no answer on the subject, so I turned my attention back to one final question. Besides I was running out of time the birthday party would be starting soon.
'What are Aspects?'
Now I could clearly sense the savage grin that the System was giving off.
Aspects are in a sense an enhancement to its particular user. The System will provide 3 main points of what Aspects can do for you before you can receive any more information you will have to complete a mission. First, how will an aspect enhance its user? I will give you a few examples of the most common aspects to appear. The Aspect: Strength, the Aspect: Fighter, the Aspect: Speed, and the Aspect: Vitality. There are a few more but for the common man these 4 matter the most as these aspects replace cultivation. Any individual using the system will receive 3 aspects throughout their life. Each of those aspects will follow the name that it is given but for the people using the aspect they can receive different benefits all depending on a number of options. For example, if a farmer where to choose the Aspect: Strength they would be able to till the fields faster. Remove tons of debris single handedly, among other things. If a warrior took up the Aspect: Strength. By themselves they could combat the most vicious beast. Beast that would usually take a team to take down. All aspects enhance the user in some way.
Second, each aspect will receive 3 perks or abilities an example of this would be Limit Breaker or Body Enhancement for the Aspect: Strength. Those perks do exactly as the name suggest. Finally, and most important users receive 3 aspects of their choosing. It is important to synchronize those aspects. One more word of advice, aspects can be removed but not without a price.
The System went silent after that, and I started to move myself to the study when my door was thrown open. A dark-haired girl was glaring daggers at me, and I let out a small sigh before making my way to the entrance.
*
As I arrived to one of the terraces of the castle, I saw 3 figures waiting for me. 2 of those figures where my parents and the 3rd was the woman, I could only assume to be Ahana my aunt the Protectorate of the dukedom. I still didn't fully understand what that meant but I was certain in my upcoming days to find out. When I arrived before them, I gave a bow taught to me by my teacher Rue.
"Good, manners maketh man!"
The woman standing just a bit under my father's height was… impressive. Honestly, I had no other word to better describe her. She was built, not full-on body builder built, but more like track athlete built. She was like a dagger in a sheath ready to spring into action.
"Very good. Vasu you didn't tell me the boy could read into a person to such a degree."
I stared at them in confusion. She could tell I was reading her. Even with no iris? The woman was lighter than my father with brown skin, a slim waist, but wide hips and a small perky chest and golden iris just like her daughter and hair exactly the same.
"He is quite the accomplishment. He can already slightly cast the 4 base elements."
I could hear the pride in my father's voice. That was the first time I heard any acknowledgement from the man and my chest puffed out with pride.
A chuckle came from my mother and a hand patted my head.
"Mother, Father, and Aunty Ahana is there a reason you called me so early to the celebration?"
This time my father spoke up.
"I will be leaving and wanted to make sure your aunt got a proper look at you before my departure. As she would be the one to take over your training."
I looked at the woman in question only to see what I would start calling the iconic Kan's smile. Savage.
Oh, fuck me.
When training with my father little to no words were spoken only hits and kicks to correct my posture or bad form or if I over extended to show me where I messed up. With that savage grin I knew she'd be just as heavy handed as my father.
A few more words were exchanged between my father, mother, and aunt before he kneeled down and brought me into a hug.
"Train hard and pay attention. Talk to your teacher and Ahana about edible plants and survival tactics. You will need it" he whispered into my ear.
Rising he brought my mother into the hug and kissed her before moving away.
"Also take care of your siblings."
With a flash of light, he was gone. Several flashes appeared within my vision. Guards? Some sort of teleportation spell, I guess. Turning my attention back to my mother and Aunt we left the terrace and moved to the main event.
"Siblings?"
*
"Get up, boy."
Gritting my teeth, I looked up at my aunt in frustration. A full day had yet to pass since her arrival and she was already beating my ass. The good thing was I wasn't the only one to be getting their ass kicked. Amaya came in low swinging the sword for her mother's thigh. I got up swiftly only to hurriedly drop my weapon and catch Amaya as she came flying towards me.
Her birthday had been a success in my opinion with a few scions and smaller noble houses showing up for the event. Nothing like mine as all houses under the territory of the duke appeared for my third birthday along with multiple from the northern and eastern territories of the Empire.
Stopping Amaya's body with a grunt I set her back on her feet only for her to drop and take a knee. She was winded and recovering. Ahana pulled nothing back even on her daughter. If anything, she was much worse than my father as he would beat us (train us) but never to the point of serious bruising or damage appearing. Ahana showed little hesitation and took any opening that we showed to put a dent in our bodies.
"Do the two of you know the difference between a knight and a mage?"
"One uses physical cultivation while the other uses magical cultivation."
Amaya spoke up quickly. The way she had looked and followed her mother yesterday was all I needed to see to know of the girl's adoration of her mother. This was probably her first time really spending time with her. As I learned that somebody from the Kan family is always, always stationed at the wall. After she gave birth to Amaya, Ahana returned immediately as it was her turn to be stationed there for the next 3 years.
"Wrong, both are forms of magical cultivation but good try" Ahana said smiling at her daughter.
Now I looked at her in confusion. How could both be magical cultivation.
"The main difference between mages and knights is how we utilize our magic. The system of cultivation that we humans use is not that different than those of the other races just slight variations here and there. The difference between the magical cultivation types is that one is used to enhance the mind and the other the body. For example, the level 3 tier spell Ground Tremor" Ahana pointed a little way in the distance and fired off the spell construct.
A small earthquake erupted in the affected area and the ground broke apart.
"Now pay attention."
Bringing my focus back to Ahana I watched as she walked a little way away before stomping. Hard.
The ground broke apart and the effects was very similar to Ground Tremor.
"The difference between the magical cultivation types is one uses the magical essence to reinforce the mind and the other uses it to reinforce the body. Both can produce the same effects for most spells. A knight can use friction to ignite the air similar to a fireball. It's one of the first combat arts most knightly schools teach to their students. The main reason why people call it physical and magical cultivation is because of the old generation of knights and mages who had their differences on how magic essence can be used. Just a difference in ideologies both will take you to the same source.
Raising my hand to ask a question I waited for Ahana to finish speaking and acknowledge me.
"If both come from the same source and just use a different way to get the same answer, why can't you call down meteors with physical cultivation?"
"Good question but you can call down a meteor with physical cultivation."
Now I looked at her in confusion. Opening my mouth to ask more I was stopped as she raised a hand.
"If I pick up a mountain and chuck it, would it not have the same effects as a meteor summoned like the 8th tier spell?"
I opened my mouth then closed it. Technically it would but I found it a bit hard to imagine knights being able to lift mountains. What type of strength would you need to do something like that? My eyes shone bright in anticipation.
"Now any more questions?"
Ahana asked while giving a pointed stare at her daughter. Amaya was breathing less heavy and now taking steady and calming breaths. We had been sparring nonstop for an hour. I was used to these sessions and knew how to pace myself while Amaya was just starting out. Plus, I was older, wiser, and more experienced than the young girl.
Standing up she looked at her mother before hesitating she then opened her mouth to ask:
"If magic and physical cultivation are the same thing. Why do we need both to advance to a higher stage?"
"You've been paying attention in your studies. Good, very good. The answer is simple. Too much magic and your body will explode. Too much physical cultivation and your mind will lag behind. From what the Empire has discovered of the path both physical and mental parts of the body must be cultivated in order to rise higher. Remember this is the Empires way of cultivation when you travel outside of the Empire you will see many different cultivations and ways of life of the other races.
The common folks do not know proper cultivation and even most adventures will not know until they reach that tier were things might get dangerous. The only reason the two of you are learning this is because of your status. The next Duke and Protectorate will be the two of you that's why you're learning this at such a young age. You will have power, but also responsibility. Our subjects depend on your protection to keep the monsters away. To keep the Empire safe.
To keep the Empire safe huh. How would I play into this role and what would introducing the system and aspects change? Find out next time on-
"Now back to your positions. The suns have yet to rise, and your training is far from over.