Huaa!!!
Huaa!!!
Huaa!!!
Gusts of sharp wind echoed in the distance as Jonan practiced the first step of his Battle Art, Lunar Grounding. He began with his left foot planted firmly on the ground, twisting it counterclockwise while his right leg shot upward before slamming down with force.
Barefoot, he repeated the motion, focusing solely on refining his form.
Training against an object would come later first, he had to perfect his stance and technique. Only then could he move on to the next phase of his training.
He was practicing the first step of his other Battle Art, Moonlit Reverence and was getting better at it after a week, but he felt, that It would be a waste of time for him to simply practice his Battle Art without any real combat.
He had already spent over five months mastering the first step of Mirage of the Forgotten Path at its initial stage. While that was an impressive achievement, it was not enough for him, and simply practicing a Battle Art behind closed doors take a lot of time, whereas in real battle, one can analyze their strengths and weaknesses fast, grow stronger faster.
He needed to push his progress forward, and the only way he saw fit was through real battle experience, something he sorely lacked. At first, he thought about venturing into the mountainous regions, where colonies of beasts roamed.
But that would be suicide. Even with escorts to protect him, there was no telling what dangers lurked in those mountains. And going alone? That would be the height of stupidity.
Humans thrived in battle through teamwork. Fighting alongside a group would not only grant him valuable combat experience but also ensure his survival.
Jonan had made up his mind, that he would seek his mother's permission to go to the front lines.
He couldn't simply leave on his own, he needed approval from the family elders, who would then assign him to a group of warriors.
After completing his exercises, he returned to his courtyard, washed up, and set off to find his mother.
Checking the time, he knew exactly where she would be, with her friends in The Whispering Willow Garden, his stepmother Aurelia's private retreat, where they spent their afternoons gossiping and chatting about their day.
Step by step, he made his way toward the garden. Upon arriving, he was met by a maid, to whom he politely inquired about his mother's presence and mentioned that he had something important to discuss with her.
The maid politely bowed before stepping into the garden while Jonan waited outside. After a short while, she returned and said, "Young Master, the Mistress has permitted you to enter. She has also mentioned that there's no need for formalities among family members. Your mother is inside with the others, you may go in."
Jonan felt a bit embarrassed by the remark but still believed it was more respectful to ask rather than to barge in unannounced.
Stepping into the garden, he walked beneath a canopy of vibrant flowers. Water cascaded down stone walls adorned with blossoms, filling the air with a soothing ambiance.
As he ventured deeper, he noticed several women gathered, some were wives of the Hero Draven, while others were friends from outside the household.
His eyes scanned the garden in search of his mother.
Soon, he spotted a white wooden swing where two middle-aged women sat engaged in an intense conversation.
Recognizing them, he approached and respectfully bowed to both his mother and his stepmother.
Upon noticing Jonan, both women smiled.
Elara, his mother, spoke first. "Yes, dear? The maid told me you have something important to discuss."
Jonan glanced at his stepmother, Aurelia, but did not hesitate.
He knew he would need her support later when the time came to arrange his group assignment, an essential factor in ensuring his safety at the front lines.
"Mother, Aunty, I have been training relentlessly for the past five months. I need your blessings to apply my skills in the real world."
Aurelia frowned in confusion. "I don't understand, child. What do you mean?"
Jonan hesitated for a moment before gathering his resolve. "I want to go to the front lines, with your blessings."
Elara's expression shifted from surprise to anger. "Jonan, you have already endured storm after storm. Why must you throw yourself into another? I don't want you to get hurt! I appreciate your dedication, but this is reckless, you're worrying me endlessly."
A heavy silence settled over the garden.
Aurelia, too, felt unsettled by his request. But then, a painful realization struck her, she has also send her son to the front lines. In the Starfall Family, it was a grim tradition.
Every mother, whether wife or concubine, would eventually face the harrowing day when their child was sent off to the front lines, with no guarantee of return.
Though it was an honor for those who survived, the risk was undeniable. Many never came back.
For years, she and others had secretly envied Elara, believing her son was exempt from such a cruel fate.
Yet here he was, willingly asking to step into the very nightmare they all dreaded.
Noticing Elara's saddened expression, Aurelia felt the urge to scold Jonan for his reckless idea.
But before she could speak, her face stiffened, her expression darkening and twisting.
Meanwhile, Jonan was distressed. He hadn't expected such an intense reaction from his mother and stepmother. Then again, it was his fault for assuming otherwise. To them, he was still just a helpless child, one without any affinity for weapons, someone who hadn't even reached the first stage, Weapon Seeker.
What they didn't know was that while he hadn't formally reached that stage, he was confident he could fight on equal terms with ordinary Weapon Seeker warriors. But he couldn't reveal his strength, nor the secret that had allowed him to overcome his tribulation of weapon affinity and push forward.
As he pondered over what to say next, Aurelia suddenly broke the silence.
"You are right, child. You've come of age, and it is your duty to share the family's burden. You may go now, return to me here tomorrow morning. I will make the necessary arrangements."
Elara, who had been sitting quietly, was stunned. Her dearest friend had agreed, without even consulting her! She turned sharply toward Aurelia, demanding an explanation with her eyes, but Aurelia only gave her a helpless look.
A silent signal to wait.
Jonan, meanwhile, observed the exchange between his mother and stepmother but couldn't quite grasp what felt wrong about the situation. He assumed they had something to discuss in private.
Since he had already received their permission, he chose not to linger. Bowing respectfully, he asked for leave and stepped out of the garden.
As soon as he left, Elara turned to Aurelia, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Sister, you know how much I worry for Jonan. Why did you agree to this? How could you allow him to go to that dreadful place? You, more than anyone, know how much his safety means to me."
Aurelia sighed deeply. "Elara, do you think I don't understand your pain? I know how much this hurts, but you cannot shield him forever. He must grow, spread his wings, and find his place in this world. None of us want our sons and daughters to face such risks, but you know as well as I do, that strength is what has earned our family its place among the great houses. If we wish to remain strong, we must all play our part."
Elara bowed her head in shame. She felt saddened but knew that her friend's words were true. Yet, her worries ran deeper, unlike others, her son did not have the luxury of advancing through the path of power.
"I understand what you mean, Sister Aurelia, and under different circumstances, I would agree. But my son lacks a weapon affinity. That alone is enough to keep me up at night. I want him to grow strong, to bring honor to his family, but without a path forward, how can he?"
Aurelia's expression softened with sorrow. "Sister, I wish it were that simple. I understand your fears but don't worry. I will have him join my son's battalion, they will ensure his safety. And you know how much his elder brother cares for him." She forced a small, reassuring smile.
Elara felt a sliver of relief, but the weight of her concerns still lingered.
Unable to hold back any longer, Aurelia finally whispered, "It is also His Highness's wish for Jonan to be tempered in the anvil of battle."
Elara froze. Her breath hitched as shock spread across her face.
For His Highness—her husband, the Hero Draven—to take a personal interest in their son's fate was no small matter.
Aurelia's voice turned urgent. "Elara, it would be best if you kept this to yourself. You know how dangerous it would be for Jonan if His Highness's sudden interest were to be revealed."
Elara nodded hastily, pressing her lips together in fear, yet her mind swirled with questions. Why now? Why is her husband paying attention to their son?