Two years have passed since the system awakened. Winter started in November, a month earlier than last year. My birthday was two months ago; I tried to enjoy it like a child, but as an adult in my previous country, celebrating an adult's birthday feels a bit strange.
The weather is bright, even though the snow is starting to thicken, thanks to the magical devices that warm the entire castle. The size of this castle is huge, yet one magical device can cover the entire place. From what I've learned, the cost of a heating magical device for one castle is very expensive because it must operate continuously using the mana core of magic beasts.
Magic beasts differ from what is called monsters; magic beasts are like monsters in games and fiction I used to read on Earth. Magic beasts have existed in this world since the beginning. However, the monsters in this world are different; they don't originate from this world. They come here without warning and destroy anything they see without discrimination. According to the books I've read, they come from a world beneath the one I currently reside in. Of course, there's no evidence to support this claim, but the gates they use to emerge are always connected to the ground. They come from 'below' and move 'upward.'
The holes they use to emerge are called 'Gates.' It is said that the leaders of the monsters use Gates as a means to connect to the surface world, with the goal of conquering it. It sounds like a Demon King wanting to rule the world, right? But there are also Demon Kings here. The Gates used by the monsters are high-level dimensional magic that not even the best Sages on this continent can perform. Interdimensional travel can be done, but not by humans; only Dragons can do it.
Dragons in this world are like an absolute force that cannot be reckoned with. The strongest Dragon in this world can destroy a continent three times the size of Earth with a single breath. That's how terrifying this dangerous world is.
Oops, I've gone off-topic. Let's change that. What have I done in these two years? First, I learned swordsmanship according to my father's guidance, and as a result, I became the youngest Sword Master on the continent. Imagine a five-year-old Sword Master; with abundant sword energy, I can cut the peak of a mountain (speculation(?)). With this achievement, my name is recorded in the history of the Empire. Sword energy, also known as Aura, can coat my weapon, making it stronger. It can also enhance my body's strength by enveloping it or improve the performance of muscles and bones throughout my body. Those who can use Aura perfectly and apply it to their bodies are called Aura Masters. When we talk about Aura, it's another use of Mana, just like how sorcerers use Mana to create phenomena according to the laws of nature; fighters use Aura for their bodies. In essence, it's like a buff from a game perspective. Sword Masters can also unleash Aura attacks from their weapons, using it for long-range attacks.
Meanwhile, becoming a Grandmaster is a more challenging realm to achieve. A Sword Master has to be able to materialize a weapon with their own Aura. For example, during the monster invasion in Kalen City, my father used a weapon created using pure Aura. Grandmasters also have Aura colors that match their nature and personality, making their Aura thicker and purer than a Sword Master who hasn't aligned their desires and hearts with their own Aura. What's most unique about Grandmasters is that they can use Aura to create projectiles that can easily penetrate tanks. This is the final step before reaching the pinnacle of human strength.
Lastly, Sword Saint. This is the pinnacle of strength that humans can achieve. My father, who reached this level at the age of 45, is considered the most brilliant Sword Saint on the continent. Those who wish to become Sword Saints must reach the Grandmaster realm, master sword intent, and create the Sword Heart. Sword intent is the state where a person and the sword become one, as if they are the sword themselves. Meanwhile, the Sword Heart is a strong, firm yet gentle desire from your heart to be able to cut anything. It's essentially a very strong determination that allows your heart to cut anything; for example, when you hold a sword and simply wave it at a piece of paper, the paper will split even if it's not directly hit by the blade. The aura of a Grandmaster is like a leaf that can be torn by a Sword Saint with a single strike.
I still have a long journey to surpass my father, but it feels very close somehow.
Avel opened his eyes and completed his meditation exercise. "Phew...," his black hair and obsidian eyes looked up at the clear sky above him. "My time is really short, huh... If only there were no time limits, maybe I'd still be lazing around in my room." The background of where Avel sat was a tree on top of a hill in the Ferdant family castle's courtyard. This place was covered in a lot of snow due to the coming season.
Avel's personal servant, Cassandra, came over. She was a child of one of the knights who served the Duke of Ferdant's family, and she was three years older than Avel. "As usual, good job with your training today, Young Master." Because of her age, the Duke hired her as Avel's personal servant since last year. Cassandra handed over a scarf she had made herself as a 5th-anniversary gift to Avel. "Young Master, you forgot your scarf again today."
"Thank you, Cassandra," Avel smiled and walked back into the mansion. "I'd like a private lunch today, Cassandra. Can you arrange it?", "Of course, your command is a priority in my heart."
***
Duke's Office
Rohzen was working on a stack of documents on his desk. The room was quite simple; the decoration consisted of flowers and some of Rohzen's personal collections. There were so many documents he was working on that they piled up behind the chair he was sitting in, and the assistant sitting next to him was busy giving detailed explanations.
"Sir, food supplies for this year have decreased by 14.8% compared to last year, and pests and insects have multiplied more this year compared to two years ago. What do you think, Sir?"
"Call the alchemy team in the capital; I heard they've finished their research on pests and insects and are ready to commercialize their potion products."
"I'll make a note of that."
"Sir, the mythril mine in the mountains of our region has experienced a landslide due to the accumulated snow. There were no casualties from this incident. What are your thoughts?"
"Summon the wizards and warm the temperature there to prevent further landslides, and prepare magical devices for...
...
...
"Good job, Duke. All the work for today is finished. You can go rest now."
"Yeah, yeah. Get out of here."
"Alright, then I'll take my leave," and the regional assistant left, closing the door behind him.
"Ugh, I shouldn't have taken a break. I'd get bombarded with regional duties every day," Rohzen complained, placing his head on the table. Although a Sword Saint had extraordinary vitality and didn't easily tire, mental exhaustion was the same for everyone.
"But it's good to take a break and train Avel for a few years," Rohzen's eyes, which had lost their sparkle, lit up again. "Isn't my son amazing, Mia?" Rohzen's gaze turned to a picture frame next to him. It was a photo of Rohzen, his wife Mia, and Emilia, all smiling.