The sprawling grandeur of Drestar Manor reflected its master, Duke Callen Drestar—elegant, powerful, and unyielding. In his private chamber, the atmosphere was heavy, the weight of the duke's authority pressing down on everyone present. His sharp blue eyes, as cold as the frost of Glacia, bore into the kneeling merchant before him.
"My lord, please, I only meant to turn a profit. I didn't intend—" the merchant stammered, his face pale and slick with sweat.
"Profit at the expense of an empire's future?" Duke Drestar's voice was a low growl, quiet yet sharp enough to cut through the air. He stood from his ornate chair, his long robe trailing behind him as he approached the trembling man.
"You sabotaged Adrian Falter—a knight who faced the Lower Seventh Demon and lived—over petty greed?" His tone darkened, his gaze narrowing. "Or was it fear that guided your hand? Fear that someone like him could rise above what you deem acceptable?"
The merchant pressed his forehead to the floor, his voice shaking. "My lord, it was foolishness! Please, I beg for your mercy!"
Drestar's lips curled into a humorless smile. "Mercy is earned, not begged for."
Turning to his guards, he barked, "Strip him of his trade licenses and confiscate his properties. He is exiled from the dukedom, effective immediately."
"My family!" the merchant cried, clawing at the guards as they dragged him away. "Please, they'll have nothing!"
Drestar watched impassively, his voice colder than before. "They'll learn to live without the shadow of your disgrace."
As the door slammed shut behind the guards, the duke addressed his aides, his tone commanding. "Ensure Adrian Falter receives the resources he requires. Any further sabotage in my domain will be met with harsher consequences. This is my land, and I will not tolerate weakness or treachery."
* * *
Back in Arvendale, Adrian sat cross-legged in the quiet of his modest home. Around him lay the fruits of his trip to Drestar—glowing aura crystals, mana-enhancing herbs, and vials of potions that seemed to hum with potential. The faint flicker of candlelight reflected in his eyes as he stared at the items, his mind replaying the events that had led him here.
The memories of Dravokh's overwhelming power and the helplessness he'd felt burned like a brand in his thoughts. "I need to be stronger," Adrian murmured to himself. "I won't let that happen again."
With a deep breath, he began his cultivation. The mana potion burned as it slid down his throat, spreading a fiery warmth through his core. The herbs, though bitter, sparked with energy as he chewed them. Carefully, he reached out with his aura, guiding the power from the crystals into himself.
Adrian's breathing slowed, his focus turning inward as he visualized the energy coursing through him. The raw power of the materials clashed against his limits, straining his body as he worked to refine and absorb it. His aura flared, flickering like a flame in the wind, struggling to stabilize under the weight of the influx.
Sweat dripped from his brow as hours passed, his muscles tensing with the effort. The room grew hotter, the energy swirling around him in waves as he pushed himself to the edge.
"Almost there," Adrian whispered, his voice strained but resolute.
The pressure reached its peak, and with a sudden surge, the barrier that had held him back shattered. A wave of energy burst from his core, radiating outward as his aura flared brightly. The light filled the room, casting sharp shadows on the walls before fading into a steady, refined glow.
Adrian opened his eyes, the faint glow in them subsiding as he exhaled deeply. "Tier 3, Second Stage," he said, a small but satisfied smile crossing his lips.
* * *
The next morning, as the sun rose over Arvendale, Adrian emerged from his home to find Captain Mohan waiting for him. The old commander leaned against the fence, his arms crossed and a knowing smirk on his face.
"Late night?" Mohan asked, his tone casual but tinged with approval.
Adrian nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "I broke through. Tier 3, Second Stage."
Mohan raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening into a grin. "Not bad. You're moving faster than I expected. Keep this up, and you'll be outpacing me in no time."
Adrian shook his head. "Not yet. But I'll get there."
The two began walking toward the training grounds, the early morning air crisp and invigorating. Adrian's steps felt lighter, his movements more fluid. The changes in his body were subtle but undeniable.
"I won't let what happened at Eralith happen again," Adrian said, his tone resolute. "Next time, I'll be ready."
Mohan clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. But don't get too comfortable. Every step forward brings tougher challenges. Just remember—growth is a journey, not a race."
At the training grounds, Adrian wasted no time diving into drills. His movements were sharper, his strikes faster and more precise. The new strength in his aura amplified each swing of his blade, the energy humming with a newfound intensity.
Kael watched from a nearby perch, his sharp eyes tracking Adrian's progress. "He's getting better," the archer said, a note of approval in his voice. "Stronger, faster. That breakthrough did him good."
Kiera, the druid, nodded as she observed from beneath the shade of a tree. "His resolve is stronger too. He's not just fighting harder—he's fighting smarter."
Seraphina stood nearby, a faint smile on her lips as she watched Adrian spar with Lucas. "He'll need every bit of that strength for what's coming," she said softly.
As the team trained, a messenger arrived, his expression grim as he handed Mohan a sealed letter. The captain's brow furrowed as he read, the lines on his face deepening with concern.
"What is it?" Lucas asked, stepping forward.
Mohan folded the letter carefully, his gaze sweeping over the team. "A new mission. A series of villages on the western frontier have gone silent. The empire suspects demonic activity."
Adrian stepped forward, his expression steady. "When do we leave?"
Mohan's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Soon. But this isn't just another skirmish. The demons are getting bolder, and we're walking straight into their territory. This mission will test us all."
Adrian nodded, his resolve unshaken. "Then let's go."
As the team prepared for the mission, Adrian couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come—and how far he still had to go. The road ahead would be dangerous, but he welcomed the challenge.