The training chamber hummed faintly with the residual energy of dormant mana devices, their soft glow casting long shadows along the polished stone walls. Rynar stood where Lady Kaelis Vallin had left him, her piercing words lingering like an imprint on his mind.
You'll learn, Rynar. Not just about strength or strategy, but about the people who run this world. Their weaknesses, their fears, their limits. And when you're ready, I'll tell you everything.
His green eyes stared into the distance, the gravity of her statement pulling at his thoughts. He didn't notice her return until the subtle sound of her footsteps broke the silence.
"You didn't leave," Kaelis observed, her tone light but sharp as she stepped into the chamber. Her silver robes trailed softly behind her, catching the faint glow of the mana-lamps. "Good. I was worried you might overthink your decision."
Rynar turned to face her, his jaw tightening slightly. "I've made my choice," he said simply. "But that doesn't mean I understand what I'm walking into."
Kaelis's lips curved into a faint smile, though her sharp blue eyes held an unspoken intensity. "That's the first step," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Understanding comes later. For now, we focus on laying the foundation."
---
Kaelis gestured for him to follow as she moved toward a smaller, more private section of the training chamber. This area was less grand but no less intricate, its reinforced walls lined with glowing runes and its floor marked with concentric circles of Aetherium.
She stopped at the center, turning to face him. "Do you know why aura is so feared?" she asked, her tone almost conversational.
Rynar frowned, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "Because it makes people stronger?"
Kaelis chuckled faintly, the sound devoid of mockery but tinged with amusement. "That's the simplest explanation. But aura isn't just about strength—it's about connection. Aura is the manifestation of willpower, control, and discipline. It amplifies what already exists within you."
Rynar's brow furrowed. "So it's like mana?"
"No," Kaelis said sharply, her gaze fixing on him. "Mana is external—borrowed from the world, the system, the energy that flows through all things. Aura is internal. It's yours and yours alone. That's why it can't be measured, stolen, or replicated."
Kaelis stepped back, giving him space. "Let's see what you can do," she said. "Close your eyes."
Rynar hesitated but complied, his broad shoulders relaxing slightly as he shut his eyes.
"Focus on your breathing," Kaelis instructed, her voice steady. "Feel the rhythm of your body—the tension in your muscles, the beat of your heart. Aura starts with awareness. It's not something you summon. It's something you tap into."
Rynar's breathing slowed as he followed her instructions. He felt the weight of his own presence—the coiled strength in his frame, the pulse of his veins—but there was no shift, no surge of energy. His brow furrowed slightly.
"Nothing," he muttered, opening his eyes.
Kaelis's expression remained calm, though her sharp gaze flicked over him with measured intent. "You've spent your whole life suppressing your power, holding it back. Learning to channel it will take time. Aura isn't brute force—it's precision, control, and understanding."
---
Kaelis stepped forward, her silver robes shifting softly. "Watch closely," she said.
She raised her hand, her movements fluid and deliberate. A faint shimmer surrounded her fingers—a subtle glow, almost imperceptible, but undeniably present. The air around her seemed to shift, growing heavier as the glow spread up her arm, faint tendrils of light pulsing outward.
With a flick of her wrist, the glow condensed into a sharp arc of energy, slicing cleanly through a nearby training dummy. The dummy remained still for a moment before its upper half toppled to the floor with a dull thud.
Rynar stared, his green eyes widening slightly. "That's aura?"
Kaelis nodded, her faint smile returning. "A simple application. Aura enhances everything you do—your strength, your speed, your reflexes. But it's not magic. It's willpower given form."
---
Kaelis turned back to him, her expression sobering. "You have the raw strength to rival knights, but strength without control is chaos. If you want to survive in this world—if you want to thrive—you need more than brute force."
Rynar crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "And you think I can learn that?"
Kaelis stepped closer, her sharp blue eyes locking onto his. "I don't think, Rynar. I know. But only if you're willing to trust me."
He hesitated, his green eyes searching hers for any sign of duplicity. "You said the higher-ups would see me as a threat," he said finally. "You think learning aura will change that?"
Kaelis's gaze softened slightly, though her tone remained firm. "Learning aura won't change their fear of you, but it will give you the tools to navigate their world. The more control you have, the less they'll see you as an anomaly—and the more they'll see you as an asset."
---
The conversation left a heavy silence in its wake, the hum of the mana-devices filling the void. Kaelis stepped back, her silver robes catching the faint glow of the runes.
"That's enough for today," she said, her voice carrying an air of finality. "We'll continue tomorrow."
Rynar nodded, his expression unreadable as he turned to leave the chamber. But as he reached the doorway, Kaelis's voice stopped him.
"Rynar."
He turned back, his green eyes meeting hers.
"You've taken your first step," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare warmth. "Don't stop now."
Rynar gave a faint nod, the weight of her words settling over him as he left the chamber. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he felt like he had the tools to navigate it.