"U-ugh, looks like I am back," a young voice echoed through the library.
"Looks like the book is gone."
'How long was I gone?'
As Lucas pondered the strange event that had just occurred, he heard footsteps approaching him.
"Young master, it is already late, and you have missed dinner as well. I think you should stop for today," Lucielle said as she approached him.
"Ah, yes, no need, Lucielle. I finally found everything I needed."
Lucielle's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she asked in a bewildered tone, "Really, young master? Did you already solve your problem with that Chaos element?"
"Yeah, look, Lucielle," Lucas said, raising his right hand.
Lucas began channeling the mana he felt in his body and guided it towards his right hand. Suddenly, his hand was enveloped in a flame-like energy that was red and black.
"W-what, young master! Stop, please!" Lucielle exclaimed in panic and bewilderment, concerned that Lucas might harm himself since he hadn't practiced mana. It was normal for her to react that way, but Lucas felt like he could do it. Suddenly, the energy dissipated.
"Hehe, see, I already have control over it, Lucielle," Lucas said in a smug tone while looking at the bewildered Lucielle.
"A-ah, yes, I see, young master... But please, for your safety, don't practice any magic until you have someone to supervise you," Lucielle said in a worried but firm tone that allowed for no refusal.
"Ah, yes, sorry, Lucielle. I was just excited," Lucas apologized.
"It's fine, young master. Now, let's go back to your room; it is already late at night."
"Yes, let's go."
**********
In an open field, a young boy with white hair and red eyes could be seen running laps, while a middle-aged man with white hair and blue eyes watched him from a distance.
"Young master, for a swordsman, it is important to have a good physique since we move a lot and fight in close-range battles. We must have a strong body," William advised as Lucas continued his laps, gasping for breath.
"I-I know, why else am I running around while I am on the verge of death, dammit!" Lucas retorted between breaths.
"Haha, you are funny, young master," William chuckled, amused by Lucas's response.
After a while, Lucas finally stopped and lay down on the ground to catch his breath after finishing 50 laps.
"I-I am tired," Lucas muttered in a fatigued tone.
"Good job, young master," William praised, pleased that Lucas had completed the laps without stopping.
"Now, I want you to do 1000 push-ups, 1000 squats, and 1000 sit-ups," William instructed in a friendly tone.
Lucas just looked him dead in the eye, swearing in his heart that he would have his revenge against this battle maniac.
***
Meanwhile, a red-haired man with a commanding presence approached William, who was watching Lucas train.
"659,660,661,662,663,664,665,666" The boy counted while doing his sit-ups, sweat could be seen over his whole body and even on the ground as he was fully focused at completing his sit-ups after doing 1000 push-ups and squats.
"So, how is my son doing?" Lucas's father inquired, observing his determined son.
"He is doing amazing, my lord. He doesn't stop even once until he finishes each task. He is very determined," William replied proudly, watching Lucas complete his sit-ups with focus.
"That is good. Keep building up his body until the end of the week. After that, train him in the sword, and I will have Lucielle train him in magic," Lucas's father decided.
Lucielle, a peak 8-star level mage, would be the perfect teacher for Lucas, as she knew him almost as well as his own parents.
"My lord, I can't help but ask, wouldn't this be too much for the young master? If he starts learning both magic and the sword, wouldn't that be too much of a burden for him?" William voiced his concern.
"Haha, it might be, or it might not. That depends on my son and how much effort he is willing to put into becoming the strongest, don't you think, William?" Lucas's father replied with amusement.
"I don't think the young master really cares about becoming the strongest, but the path he has taken will obviously lead him there if he continues training with the same determination he is showing now," William remarked, gazing at Lucas with admiration.
"I agree," Lucas's father nodded in acknowledgment.
******
A week passed by quickly, and now William stood before Lucas, ready to teach him about sword intent.
"Young master, what I am about to show you is sword intent. I have mastered my sword intent to the highest degree, to the point where I don't even need a sword anymore," William explained to Lucas, who watched him intently.
With a serious expression, Lucas nodded inwardly, signaling his readiness to learn.
Golden aura began emanating from William's right arm, coalescing into a double-edged sword made of golden energy.
"This is what most can do when they become an 8-star level swordmaster, young master. It is called sword intent," William elucidated.
"Those at the 4-star level can use their aura to envelop their sword, enhancing its damage and allowing for cleaner cuts. This is called sword aura," William continued his explanation.
"At your level currently, you need to learn how to release your aura. When your aura is released, you can make it envelop your body, providing increased durability and strength in combat, in other words this is called aura release." William added.
"The same applies to mages who use mana to shield their bodies, providing protection against physical attacks and spells," he explained further.
"Then what about me? Can't I use both mana and aura to envelop my body?" Lucas inquired.
William's expression hardened momentarily before he responded, "Young master, have you been neglecting your studies? You know that mana and aura repel each other, so you can't mix them, even if you use both simultaneously."
"Oh, yeah, I knew that. I was just asking if you knew as well," Lucas replied, feigning ignorance.
"Right... Now, young master, please sit cross-legged and close your eyes. We are going to try to release the aura stored inside your body," William instructed.
Lucas's POV
"Now, try to feel all the pores around your body. They are your keypoints. Focus on opening them while at the same time feeling the aura inside your body and spreading it out, releasing it through the pores," William instructed me, and I followed his guidance diligently.
It was challenging, but eventually, I managed to locate all my keypoints. However, I encountered a problem—I couldn't release my aura. It felt as though there was a barrier or door preventing my aura from flowing out.
As I continued to push my aura out, my body began to sweat profusely. Concerned, William observed my condition closely.
Deciding to take a risk, I persisted in pushing my aura against the barrier blocking its release. After a while, cracks started to form in the barrier, indicating that it was about to break.
"Young master, please be careful. It's alright if you fail—" William's words were cut off as he froze in place, his eyes widening in shock.
And then, with a resounding boom, I felt the barrier shatter, and a surge of red aura enveloped my body, matching the color of my eyes.
"So, this is what aura release feels like? It's exhilarating! I feel so powerful right now," I exclaimed with excitement, but when I looked at William, he was staring at me as if I were some kind of monster.
"William?" I tilted my head in confusion, unsure of why he was reacting this way.