A day had passed…
In the courtyard of the palace, where only the wind dared to disturb the silence, Kray stood tall, waiting in stillness.
She held her sword with a sharp, masked blade. No armor covered her — only loose trousers and a light shirt.
A powerful aura surrounded her, radiating dominance, yet her eyes remained fixed on Isaac, who lay motionless on the ground.
Her voice broke the silence, calm but laced with authority:
"Today, my little one, we begin the foundation of Noxvir's legacy.
Tell me… are you still unable to open your eyes?"
No response.
Kray sighed softly and brushed a strand of hair from her face, murmuring with a faint, motherly smile:
"I understand… you already answered me before.
But this mother — the one standing before you — cannot erase her worry.
It's beyond my control, my dear."
After a long pause, Isaac spoke. His voice was quiet, steady… but a hidden anger simmered beneath his still expression:
"Tell me… why do you always smile?
I'm genuinely curious why you're always so happy about meaningless things."
Her smile deepened as she stepped closer and gently placed her hand on his head, caressing it with tender affection:
"How could I not smile… when you're alive and before me?
As long as you're safe, that's all that matters to me.
Your voice… it frees me from the burdens of this life.
You are my reason to exist. My purpose."
His expression darkened further, and his voice turned sharp:
"Isn't that… the very definition of slavery?
The loss of self?"
She gazed into his face with eyes full of warmth and undying love, whispering softly:
"Since the day your father died… and I discovered I was carrying you…
You became everything to me."
Something stirred deep inside Isaac — a prickling pain in his chest, subtle but persistent.
What is this feeling? Why does it hurt?
Impossible… Could this body be—?
But his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the voice of the Blue Sovereign:
"Perhaps it's your first time… experiencing real emotions.
Not so terrible, is it?"
Isaac's tone turned cold with fury:
"Emotions are weakness.
If I could… I would rip this heart out, just to silence them."
The Blue Sovereign chuckled calmly:
"Unfortunately… it doesn't work that way."
**
Isaac returned to himself.
His eyes remained closed, yet he could see and sense everything.
The scent of the wind. The warmth of the sun. Even the quiet breathing before him.
Then came her voice again — soft, yet filled with delight:
"You're finally back…
It's been thirty minutes.
You fell into a deep meditative state, and I didn't want to disturb you, my little one.
After all… you are special."
Kray sat before him, and with a confident tone, she continued:
"Let's begin your sword training.
The first technique was created by the founder of our family.
He named it… The Steps of Death."
Her eyes gleamed with pride as she explained:
"When mastered to its limit, this technique turns you into a shadow that dances between life and death.
Only the family's original head ever achieved that level.
Currently, the one closest to it… is my father.
He reached the rank of Sword Master."
She detailed the technique:
• Silent Steps: The swordsman never lifts their feet completely, but glides gently across the ground — like floating on water — minimizing noise and making their movements unpredictable.
• Weight Distribution: Balance is spread equally between both legs, enabling movement in any direction without losing stability.
• Fluid Offense: Instead of walking in straight lines, the movement becomes curved or erratic — making it harder for opponents to anticipate.
• Killer's Pause: At certain moments, the user completely freezes, disappearing in plain sight, creating a visual illusion before launching a sudden, deadly attack.
• Environmental Use: On uneven or obstructed surfaces, the user blends with the terrain, becoming one with their surroundings.
**
Kray began moving.
Her body flowed like wind, silent and precise. Isaac, still with closed eyes, studied every detail.
Then, he rose.
He followed her instructions — step by step, motion by motion — replicating her movements with striking accuracy.
Excitement crept onto his face… and for the first time in a long while, he smiled.
**
An hour passed.
He had mastered the first stage: Cloud Step — a technique that tripled his speed compared to an average swordsman.
Kray sat nearby, sipping water, watching him with a soft smile:
"So… this is where you find joy?"
He froze. The smile still lingering on his face.
She spoke again, her voice like the tide — shifting, emotional, warm:
"Wherever your happiness lies… use me to reach it."
She didn't know how hard he was fighting inside his mind — resisting the pull of these emotions.
But the pull was stronger than he wished.
**
He returned to training without pause.
By sunset, he had reached the second stage: Water Step — allowing him to traverse across water and rough terrain for short distances by channeling mana beneath his feet to form a barrier between his body and the surface.
Exhausted, his body finally collapsed.
He lay motionless, breathless.
Kray remained where she was — unmoved — her eyes soft, filled with longing:
"My little one… I know you're hurting.
But even in your hatred of my love, you've never once yelled at me.
And that alone… makes me happy."
Her words pierced through Isaac like a blade.
He lowered his head, unable to speak.
**
Just then, Lara entered:
"My lady, my lord… the bath is ready."
Kray turned to him and said gently:
"Noxvir, let's bathe and then eat.
You did well today."
**
He walked to the bath, lost in his thoughts.
Silence consumed him.
He undressed, his clothes already soaked, and sank into the warm water.
Resting his head on the edge, the steam curled around him like mist.
The Blue Sovereign spoke:
"What troubles you, my friend?"
Isaac, after a long pause, answered:
"Shame.
That woman… she's infiltrating my mind, my balance.
It feels like I'm fighting an immortal in battle… and losing.
I hate this feeling of weakness."
"Why not… try accepting her?" the Sovereign asked.
Isaac cut him off sharply:
"Strength… requires solitude."
The Sovereign replied quietly:
"Time always wins, my friend.
Don't be so harsh with yourself."
**
Fatigue overtook him.
He whispered as sleep claimed him:
"Solitude is the path to strength…"
The Blue Sovereign's voice echoed faintly in the final moment of Isaac's awareness:
"But you regretted that path… in your past lives."
Isaac didn't hear it.
Sleep had taken him.
**
Some time later, Lara entered the bath, speaking to herself:
"Lord Noxvir has been here for over two hours…
My lady still waits at the table.
The food has grown cold.
I hope… he's okay."
She stepped closer and found him sleeping, deeply, unmoving.
She whispered:
"How can you sleep so peacefully… when she's been waiting without rest?"
Suddenly, Isaac's voice responded quietly:
"Apologies… I dozed off.
Tell her I'll be out shortly."
**
As he sat up, a strange feeling enveloped him.
It was as if something unseen was watching… an enemy he could sense, but not see.
He glanced toward the rising steam — and for a brief moment — it looked as if the steam… was smiling.
Then, without warning, a voice thundered in his mind.
Not the Blue Sovereign's.
A new voice. Harsh. Burning. Sharp as flame:
"Weak."
He snapped awake, body tensed in a combat stance.
Muscles strained.
Sweat dripped down.
His heart pounded — on the verge of stopping.
And then… he laughed.
A wild, hysterical laugh.
He held his knee, eyes gleaming with madness:
"So I felt fear…
Whoever said that… you're right."
Then, turning to the Sovereign:
"And you… you won't answer me either, will you?"
The Sovereign replied calmly:
"I don't know what that was either."
Isaac said nothing more… and left the bath.
**
Soon after, dressed in light noblewear, he met Lara.
She spoke with nervous urgency:
"Young master… your mother has been waiting for more than three hours.
She hasn't eaten…
She told us not to disturb you, but… I couldn't keep still."
She hesitated, then gathered her courage and blurted out:
"You're unfair.
Even if you don't love her back… she loves you unconditionally.
Isn't that worth some appreciation?
She brought you into this world…"
His eyes widened.
Like a truth he had long ignored finally hit him.
He bowed his head:
"Thank you."
And walked toward the dining hall.
**
He opened the door to find Kray waiting.
She turned to him immediately, a smile rising from her very soul:
"The food's gotten a bit cold… but it's still delicious."
Then she pointed to the seat beside her:
"Because you were late… you have to sit right next to me."
He hesitated — but his body moved on its own.
**
They began to eat.
He realized… the food was truly delicious.
The Blue Sovereign spoke gently:
"Doesn't food taste better… when shared?"
Isaac didn't answer.
He simply kept eating…
His thoughts lost in the weight of those words.
And in the feelings… he could no longer escape.