After the awakening, everything changed for Aaron. The palace, once a sanctuary of warmth and belonging, became cold and unwelcoming. His mother, who had always been a comforting presence, disappeared without a trace. His father, once a guiding force during rigorous training sessions, now scarcely acknowledged him.
Even Ren, his elder brother, and closest sparring companion grew distant, leaving Aaron to navigate his struggles alone. The elders, who once praised him for his potential, now regarded him with indifference.
Her absence hit Aaron harder than he had anticipated. Sleepless nights, shattered focus, and a diminished appetite became his new reality. Each day felt like an uphill battle, and his health visibly deteriorated. Yet, no one reached out to him. Alone in his suffering, Aaron spiraled deeper into despair.
Over time, Aaron began clawing his way back. It was far from easy, but he forced himself to eat, gradually regaining his strength. His focus returned, fragile but improving. Still, there were moments when he stared into nothingness, lost in thought.
Sleep, however, remained elusive. Nights were spent tossing and turning, his mind racing with unanswered questions and unspoken fears. In the absence of comfort, he returned to what he knew: training. The sword became his solace, and the palace's indifference faded into a background hum he learned to ignore.
He began practicing the family's intricate breathing techniques to harness mana. Each step was executed with meticulous care, his determination unwavering. But the results were cruelly inadequate mana trickled in at an agonizingly slow pace. Frustration gnawed at him, but he dared not voice his struggle, fearing it would cement his reputation as a failure.
Desperate for answers, Aaron turned to the internet. After hours of fruitless searching, he stumbled upon something promising: mana potions. These potions, typically used to rank up or replenish mana cores, represented a lifeline for him. Unlike raw herbs, which carried damaging side effects when overused, mana potions were safer, though expensive.
Aaron calculated he would need at least two potions each week to increase his mana capacity incrementally. Unwilling to explain himself to the elders, he ventured beyond the palace walls for the first time since his awakening. The bustling world outside was overwhelming but offered a welcome distraction.
As time passed, Aaron grew accustomed to life beyond the palace. He navigated marketplaces with care, purchasing the potions he needed while remaining unnoticed. These outings, initially daunting, became small moments of respite.
One day, an elder named Jared Nira took notice of him. Jared, an S-ranker renowned for his spear expertise and respectable swordsmanship, offered to spar with Aaron. Though Aaron had already pushed the basics of swordsmanship to their limit, Jared's offer intrigued him. Unable to learn advanced sword arts that required mana, sparring provided an opportunity to refine his skills.
Their sessions became a routine. Daily, they clashed, Aaron wielded his sword with precision, while Jared countered with the fluidity of his spear. These duels filled Aaron's days with purpose, transforming his passion for the sword into an obsession.
Eager to push further, Aaron explored the family's sword arts and discovered a technique that caught his eye.
Crescent Dance (Grade 4): A battle art that turns unpredictability into opportunity. By maintaining fluid motion, the user can adapt seamlessly to unexpected attacks, mimicking the arcs of a crescent moon. It allows for wide, sweeping strikes that transition effortlessly into defensive counters.
Aaron threw himself into mastering the art, his blade carving through the air in graceful arcs. Each strike reflected countless hours of relentless practice. Sparring against opponents stronger than him, Aaron's relentless precision and instinct began to turn the tide in his favor.
His victories mounted, proving his growth. Yet, his condition continued to haunt him. Even with the help of Mana Refill (D), his mana replenishment remained frustratingly low barely reaching 50%. It wasn't enough, but Aaron pressed on, refusing to let his limitations define him.
Months turned into a year. By then, Aaron had defeated D-rankers and even held his own against D+ rankers. His blade became a force to be reckoned with, his growth undeniable. Jared, who initially held back to match Aaron's rank, now had to fight at least two ranks higher to challenge him.
Every clash of their weapons resonated with determination, each strike bringing Aaron closer to his goal of mastery. Despite his progress, he was acutely aware of his standing. At 14, he reached F+ rank, a decent accomplishment for most but a source of embarrassment for the heir of Solarius.
Undeterred, Aaron looked to the future.
The Pre-Academy
At 14, Aaron joined the pre-academy, a 15-month program designed to prepare young talents for the academy where the real challenges and growth start. Initially, his life there was uneventful. Surrounded by peers his age, he hoped to forge connections but kept his distance, wary of their motives.
Over time, he formed a tentative bond with his assigned team: Harries, Asher, Cindy, and Susan. They were friendly and often tried to engage him, but Aaron remained cautious. He suspected their efforts stemmed from his status as Solarius's heir rather than genuine camaraderie. Still, their presence occasionally eased his stress.
Despite the challenges, Aaron stood resilient. Each day brought him closer to mastering his swordsmanship. His journey was far from over, but he faced it with unwavering determination, ready to carve his own path in a world that had seemingly abandoned him.
Aaron ranked 12th overall in the entire pre-academy, which consisted of 850 students. Achieving 12th place was a significant accomplishment, especially for someone like him. However, his success was met with mixed reactions. As the heir to the Solarius family, the expectations were high, but when they remembered his potential they couldn't help but laugh at him.
Time went by, and his growth was undeniable. Aaron reached a D+ rank last month; it took him 11 months to go from F+ to D+, and he was up for the challenge of ranking up as quickly as possible.
Aaron ranked 12th overall in the entire pre-academy, which consisted of 850 students. Achieving 12th place was a significant accomplishment, especially for someone like him. However, his success was met with mixed reactions. As the heir to the Solarius family, the expectations were high, but when people remembered his potential, they couldn't help but laugh at him.
***
As Aaron exited the training room, he noticed Cindy standing by the gates, Her long brown hair fluttered in the breeze as she turned and waved at him, her smile warm and easy.
"Hey, Aaron! That was some intense sword practice, huh?" Cindy called out, her voice bright.
Aaron nodded,
Cindy raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Right. Well, since you're done, how about we grab a coffee? It's been a while since we've just hung out."
Aaron hesitated for a moment, but the thought of a brief respite from the constant grind was appealing.
He nodded. "Sure, A coffee sounds good."