As Aidan approached the castle gates, the fading light casting long shadows on the ground, a formidable figure stepped into his path, effectively blocking his way. This man, broad-shouldered and imposing, carried the unmistakable air of someone not to be trifled with. He was one of Elara's servants, a fact that became evident not just from his attire, which bore the insignia of Elara's house, but also from the purposeful manner in which he confronted Aidan.
"I've been waiting for you," the man said, his voice deep and unyielding. His stance was confrontational, yet there was a hint of professionalism in his demeanor, suggesting he was not there for a personal vendetta but on a mission.
However, Aidan's reaction was not one of fear or concern. Instead, he met the man's gaze with a disinterested look, an air of nonchalance surrounding him. It was clear that Aidan was neither intimidated nor bothered by the encounter. His confidence stemmed not only from his own capabilities but also from the knowledge that he wasn't alone.
Lurking in the shadows, unseen yet ever-present, Aidan's wolf companion was poised and ready. The creature, a testament to Aidan's unique bond and control over his essence conduit, shared a silent communication with its master. Its body tensed, ready to spring into action at the slightest signal, a coiled spring of natural instinct and loyalty.
The servant, unaware of the lurking danger, continued his attempt to intimidate Aidan, delivering warnings and threats meant to unsettle. Yet, Aidan remained unmoved, his expression unchanged. The disparity in their understanding of the situation was evident—while the servant believed he held the upper hand, Aidan knew the truth of his own strength and the support lying in wait.
Aidan's disregard was not born of arrogance but of confidence in his own power and the strategic advantages he possessed. He understood the dynamics of power well, knowing when to display strength and when to reserve it. The presence of his wolf, hidden yet vigilant, was a reminder of the resources at his disposal, resources that those who sought to challenge him often underestimated.
After bypassing the servant without a second glance, Aidan made his way into the castle and soon found himself a quiet corner in a bustling inn. He ordered a selection of dishes, the aromas and colors promising a feast for the senses, and settled down with a jug of wine. His demeanor was relaxed, almost leisurely, as if the encounter at the gate had never occurred, a testament to his unflappable nature in the face of adversity.
The servant approached Aidan's table, standing imposingly as he leaned in. "You may think you've seen the last of this, but you haven't," he started, his tone menacing. "Do you not know that Tristan is Elara's little brother? Aidan, you've provoked someone you shouldn't have."
"Lady Elara is not someone you want as an enemy. Her prowess on the battlefield is renowned, and her love for her brother knows no bounds. You've crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed."
Aidan, without looking up from his meal, responded nonchalantly, "Is that so?"
"Yes, it is," the servant continued, trying to gauge any fear or concern in Aidan's demeanor but finding none. "Her temper is as fierce as her loyalty is deep. Many have regretted underestimating her, and if I were you, I'd think twice before making an enemy of her."
Aidan finally glanced up, meeting the servant's gaze with a calm, almost amused, look. "And so?"
The servant, frustrated by Aidan's lack of fear, pressed on. "This isn't just about threats. It's a warning. Lady Elara's reputation is not to be taken lightly. Those who have made the mistake of harming her kin have found themselves facing challenges... challenges that, more often than not, they aren't prepared to handle."
For a mere mortal, not even an ascender, Aidan had no interest whatsoever. As for this Elara he mentioned, she might barely count as a figure of note, but...
Elara, being the eldest daughter of the Grand Duke and an Awakened Tier ascender at the pinnacle of her power, undoubtedly stands as a formidable force within the confines of Mistvale Castle. However, for Aidan, who had reached the Transcendent Tier level in his previous life, such a figure hardly catches his interest.
As Aidan sipped his wine, enjoying the simple pleasures of the meal before him, the servant, meanwhile, was quick to relay the encounter back to Elara, his tone laced with urgency and a hint of frustration. Despite his intimidating presence and the threats he hurled towards Aidan, the young Gu Master's indifference had clearly unsettled him. Yet, bound by duty, he continued to shadow Aidan from a distance, hurling veiled threats and warnings, none of which seemed to reach Aidan, let alone affect him.
The disparity between the two men couldn't have been starker. On one hand, the servant, despite his loyalty and strength, found himself at a loss, his usual methods of intimidation failing against an opponent who refused to acknowledge them. On the other, Aidan, whose calm was not born of ignorance but of confidence in his own strength and the cunning of his strategies.
The inn, filled with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of glasses, served as a backdrop to this quiet standoff. Aidan, for his part, appeared to be a patron like any other, enjoying a meal alone. Yet, beneath this facade of normalcy, the wheels of his mind were turning, always planning, always considering the next move in the intricate game of power he found himself a player in.
To the casual observer, Aidan's indifference to the servant's threats might have seemed like carelessness, but in reality, it was a carefully chosen stance, a demonstration of strength in its own right. By refusing to engage, Aidan not only preserved his energy and resources but also sent a clear message to both the servant and Elara: he was not a foe to be easily cowed or controlled.
Just as the tension seemed to thicken, the entrance echoed with the arrival of a clear, proud female voice.
Elara, with her imposing stride, entered the inn. A group of the family's most formidable servants trailed behind her, their presence alone a statement of strength and authority. She stood tall, her figure striking, accentuated by the form-fitting blue warrior attire that she wore with undeniable confidence. A broad red belt cinched at her waist, adorned with square iron plates, each engraved with a conspicuous "2", signifying her esteemed rank-- a Awakened Tier Ascendants.
The moment she stepped into the inn, an aura of command enveloped her, silencing the bustling dining hall into a hush. Her arrival wasn't just the entrance of a high-ranking warrior; it was the entry of power, of a force that demanded recognition and respect.
The room's atmosphere shifted palpably as all eyes turned toward her. Conversations ceased, and the clatter of utensils paused, as if the very air had stilled in anticipation of what was to come. Elara's reputation as an Awakened Tier ascender at the peak of her prowess preceded her, making her presence all the more commanding.
Her gaze swept across the room, an unspoken challenge to any who dared meet it, until her eyes found Aidan. The tension between them was palpable, an electric current that charged the air with the promise of confrontation and resolution. The inn, a place of casual reprieve for many, had suddenly become the stage for a clash of wills between two formidable individuals, each marked by their own brand of strength and resolve.