As the dust settled in the training hall, Aeros lay unconscious on the ground. The young heir had pushed himself beyond his limits, and now, he was paying the price. His body ached, his limbs felt like they had been torn apart, and the world around him faded into darkness. Yet, in this void, he felt something shift within him—something ancient, something powerful.
Julius Cromwell stood over his son's fallen body, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. He had expected Aeros to lose, but the boy's sheer determination had caught him off guard. His performance in the final round… the way he had moved, how his strikes had landed—there was no denying it. Something within him had changed.
Adrian, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly felt his heart race. His younger brother had collapsed, and yet their father stood there, unmoving. Frustration boiled over as he turned to the royal doctor, who had been summoned moments ago.
"What's taking so long? How is he?" Adrian demanded, his voice sharper than intended.
The doctor, an elderly man with decades of experience, was carefully checking Aeros's vitals. "His breathing is stable, but his body is extremely fatigued. His mana core... it's behaving strangely."
Adrian clenched his fists. "Strangely? What do you mean strangely?"
"I need time to examine him further, young master. Please be patient."
"Patient? He just collapsed in front of us after that fight!" Adrian was losing his composure. The memories of Aeros being weak, sickly, and constantly falling behind in training resurfaced. He had never paid them much thought before, but now… he couldn't ignore the sense of unease gripping him.
Julius finally spoke, his voice carrying an authority that silenced the room. "Enough, Adrian. The doctor knows his work. Do not hinder him."
Adrian gritted his teeth but stepped back, exhaling sharply. Selene, who had been standing behind them, watching quietly, gave him a reassuring glance. She was often distant in the presence of other nobles, maintaining the regal demeanor expected of a lady of high standing. But here, within the halls of the Cromwell estate, she allowed her emotions to show, even if subtly.
Julius, however, was focused elsewhere. His sharp eyes had noticed something that no one else had yet.
The symbol on Aeros's chest.
It had never been there before. A mark, glowing faintly, pulsed with an energy he had not felt in years. His gaze narrowed, his mind racing. The moment his eyes met the mark, a subtle but undeniable shift in mana resonated from Aeros's body.
Julius had seen something like this before, long ago.
He turned slightly, his expression unreadable. "No one speaks of this. Doctor, you will keep this hidden. Ellie, you as well."
Ellie, who had been kneeling beside Aeros, looked up sharply, her usual smirk gone. She had never seen Julius this serious before. She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the weight in his voice made her swallow her words. Instead, she nodded. "Understood."
The doctor hesitated, but after a glance at the Archduke, he bowed his head in agreement. "As you command, my lord."
Julius exhaled, tension settling deep in his shoulders. He had expected his son to show some improvement after the training, but this… this was far beyond what he had imagined.
"Take him to the medical chambers," Julius ordered. "Make sure he receives the best care. And…" he hesitated for a moment before adding, "Keep an eye on his mana fluctuations."
As the attendants moved in to carry Aeros away, Julius remained behind, watching them disappear down the hall. His gaze lingered on the space his son had occupied moments ago. He had always known that the boy was different, but now, the proof was undeniable.
The past was beginning to repeat itself.
And Julius Cromwell did not like it.
In the Medicine Bay...
The medical chambers of the Cromwell estate were quiet, the only sound being the rhythmic breathing of the young heir resting on the pristine white sheets.
Adrian, despite being told to wait, had followed closely behind. He paced the length of the room, crossing his arms in frustration. "Is there nothing more you can do?" he asked the doctor for the third time.
The old physician sighed. "My lord, I have checked him thoroughly. His body is exhausted but stable. The mana within him is moving in strange patterns, but it does not seem harmful—if anything, it is reinforcing his core."
"Reinforcing?" Adrian repeated, his frown deepening.
"Yes. It's as if something is awakening within him. His body is adjusting to it. He just needs time."
Julius, who had arrived moments before, took a seat in the corner of the room, watching the entire exchange in silence. He said nothing as Adrian's frustration boiled over, nor did he speak when Selene entered, her steps quiet as she approached Aeros's bedside.
Her fingers hovered over his forehead before she pulled back, exhaling softly. "He's strong," she murmured.
Adrian glanced at her. "What?"
"He's stronger than we ever gave him credit for."
Adrian didn't respond immediately, but as he watched his younger brother, something inside him shifted. He had spent years treating Aeros like a fragile thing, someone who would never catch up. But now, watching him lie there, bearing the signs of a battle he had fought against their father—a battle where he had forced their father to acknowledge him—it was impossible to see him as weak anymore.
The respect Adrian had always reserved for warriors… was now starting to extend to his little brother.
Julius finally spoke, breaking the silence. "Selene."
She turned to him, her expression neutral.
"Stay with him. I need to investigate something."
Selene simply nodded. She understood her husband well enough to know when he had something weighing on his mind. And for Julius Cromwell to be unsettled… whatever he had seen tonight was not to be taken lightly.
Without another word, the Archduke left the room, his heavy steps echoing down the corridor.
And as Aeros slept, his body adjusting to the new power stirring within him, the world outside continued to move. Unbeknownst to him, forces beyond his understanding were taking notice.
The Forsaken Heir was no longer forgotten.