In a spacious room filled with the soft light of morning, Harry sat at the edge of his bed, deeply engrossed in a book on Aura Techniques. It had been half a month since he began this journey, and he felt he was finally grasping the essence of the method he was studying.
The book lay open in his lap, its pages covered in intricate diagrams and detailed notations about various Aura Techniques. Each pattern was carefully etched into the pages, designed to preserve the knowledge for generations, preventing it from fading away like whispers in the wind.
But what fascinated Harry most was not just the book itself. He closed his eyes, clutching it tightly as he delved into his thoughts. This process was neither simple nor easy; it required immense concentration and time. He had faith that persistence would lead to success.
After a while, he opened his eyes, his mind flooded with a wealth of information. He felt the specifics of the Aura Techniques resonate within him, clear and precise, integrating seamlessly into his understanding. Among the revelations, one name stood out: Wind Aura.
"A fitting name," he mused, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He reflected on the Aura Techniques traditionally associated with Baron Senda's family. They emphasized speed, allowing knights to move with remarkable agility and precision. This contrasted sharply with the techniques of the Cecil family, which focused on strength. But Harry found comfort in the fact that practicing different Aura Techniques was not mutually exclusive. A knight could incorporate multiple techniques without detriment; it might just be a matter of time spent training.
And time was something Harry had in abundance. He could practice endlessly in this world, drawing on its energy to enhance his skills without the pressure of time constraints. Wasting hours felt inconsequential as long as he gained the results he sought.
Yet, one aspect of the Aura Technique intrigued him above all: its transmission. The method was not merely written; it was imprinted in a way that connected with his mind. "Can a knight truly achieve this?" he wondered aloud, gazing thoughtfully at the book in his hands.
The creator of this remarkable tome must have been a knight. But could knights possess the ability to impart knowledge through such a mental link? Harry's father, Baron Ethan, was a knight renowned for his incredible strength, yet in Harry's memories of his previous life, Ethan had shown little in the way of this kind of extraordinary skill. Knights were primarily warriors; their abilities focused on combat rather than on arcane knowledge or magical feats.
"This just gets more fascinating," Harry said to himself, a spark of excitement igniting within him.
He thought back to the legends of wizards he had heard whispers of in his travels. Though he had paid little attention to them before, the existence of knights made him reconsider. If knights were real and possessed true power, then perhaps mages existed in this world as well.
"Why not?" he mused, his curiosity piqued. "If knights can wield extraordinary strength, it stands to reason that wizards could also manifest their own brand of power."
With a newfound sense of purpose, Harry returned his focus to the Aura Technique. The world around him felt charged with possibility, and he was determined to uncover every secret it held. The path ahead was uncertain, but the thrill of discovery beckoned him onward.
For Harry, the uncertainty of the world was a welcome challenge. If everything were laid out before him, fully visible at once, it would strip away the thrill of discovery, the joy that came from overcoming obstacles and achieving new heights. He understood that the greater the challenge, the more rewarding the journey. Each step upward brought not only new experiences but also a deeper sense of accomplishment.
After committing the Aura Technique to memory, Harry sought a hidden spot to safely stow the precious book. The knowledge it contained was too sensitive to be left carelessly exposed. He tucked it away, satisfied with his caution.
Once that was settled, he turned his attention to the matters at hand, focusing on building his influence. Through the orc forces he commanded, he continued to engage in raids and skirmishes against neighboring territories. Each victory expanded his power and deepened his control, allowing him to gather more energy from the world around him. His realm was steadily growing, and he was preparing for the day when he would embark on his next great journey.
However, tranquility was a fleeting luxury. Just days after returning to his estate, a servant approached with a message that disrupted his focus.
"Lord Harry, Madam Glinda requests your presence at her manor," the servant said, bowing respectfully.
Harry's brow furrowed at the mention of her name. "Madam Glinda wishes to see me? What does she want?"
"She hopes to discuss important matters with you, my lord," the attendant replied, maintaining a respectful demeanor.
Initially, Harry considered declining the invitation. However, a thought crossed his mind, this could be an opportunity. "Inform Madam Glinda that I will honor her request," he finally decided.
"Yes, my lord. She has been eagerly anticipating your visit," the servant responded, relief evident in his tone as he bowed and left the room.
Alone again, Harry's thoughts turned darker. Lady Glinda was Baron Ethan's current wife, and she had a history of conflict with Harry, Harry's half-brother. As Ethan's second wife, Glinda was fiercely protective of her status, often clashing with Harry and any of Ethan's other children. Her hostility had pushed Harry away from the manor, forcing him to carve out a life independently.
Harry had felt the weight of that animosity himself during his time in the manor, often suppressed and sidelined. The tensions among the family members had affected him deeply, especially considering the previous targeting by Mutan, which seemed to stem from Glinda's influence.
Now, she was inviting him into her sphere. It was clear what she intended, a bid for control or influence over him. But Harry found the prospect intriguing. "The messier the situation, the better for me," he thought. Harry had ultimately disappointed him, unwilling to share any of the Aura Techniques he had access to, leaving Harry feeling undervalued.
With Glinda hoping to win him over, Harry felt little hesitation about engaging with her.
A few days later, dressed in casual attire, Harry made his way back to the familiar manor. The surroundings felt eerily nostalgic. He had spent over a decade of his life here, and despite his memories belonging to his predecessor, they tugged at him in a way he couldn't fully ignore.
As he walked through the corridors, a wave of familiarity washed over him. The sights and sounds felt like echoes from another life, but he quickly pushed the sentiment aside. These memories weren't truly his; they belonged to someone else, someone who had navigated this world before him.
With purpose, he moved through the manor until he reached the designated meeting place. There, in an elegant parlor, someone was already waiting for him.