The night stretched long in the Cromwell estate, its halls bathed in the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. Archduke Julius Cromwell stood motionless within the confines of his late mother's chambers, his fingers grazing the dust-laden bookshelf. The room had been preserved since her passing, untouched by time. Tonight, however, Julius sought answers.
Aeros's duel had been a spectacle, but what had truly unsettled him was the symbol etched upon his son's chest. He had seen it once before—in this very room.
As he stepped inside, his gaze landed upon an old, leather-bound journal resting atop a mahogany desk. It had belonged to her—Eleanor Cromwell, the woman who had once stood proudly as his first wife. He traced the golden embroidery on the cover before flipping it open. Pages filled with delicate handwriting spoke of her thoughts, research, and something that made his breath hitch—a passage about the ancient legacy of their bloodline.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the Cromwell manor, Aeros lay unconscious in the medical chamber, his body still recovering from the immense strain of his duel. Ellie sat beside him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
Adrian, pacing near the physician, couldn't contain his concern. "Are you sure he's alright? Shouldn't we call in a high-ranked healer? He took direct strikes from father!"
The physician sighed, used to noble overreactions. "His internal injuries are already healing faster than expected. But…" His eyes flickered towards Julius, who had just entered. "There was an unusual surge of mana in his body. It's as if something has been unlocked."
Julius's expression remained unreadable, but internally, his mind raced. Is this the awakening of the Aetherial Legacy? He gave a sharp glance to Ellie and the physician. "No word of this leaves this room."
Ellie stiffened at his authoritative tone while the physician nodded in compliance. Adrian frowned but didn't argue. He had never seen his father this rattled before.
The Kingdom of Aetherion was founded over a thousand years ago by Emperor Lucian Everhart, a man of unparalleled martial and magical prowess. It was built on a foundation of strength, honor, and discipline, where nobility held structured ranks based on their contributions to the kingdom.
The Royal Family (Everhart Dynasty) – The ruling bloodline with absolute authority.
Archdukes (Cromwell, Duskbane, Ravencourt Families) – The highest nobility, second only to the royal family.
Dukes – Powerful noble families overseeing vast territories.
Marquises – Guardians of border regions and war strategists.
Counts – Landowners managing trade and internal affairs.
Viscounts & Barons – Minor nobles overseeing smaller territories.
Knights & Honorary Nobles – Those who gain noble status through merit.
Aetherion's advancement in swordplay and magic had made it one of the strongest kingdoms on the continent. Over the centuries, martial styles evolved, blending techniques with magic. Elite warriors mastered Mana-Forged Weaponry, weapons imbued with runic enchantments, while mages developed combat-efficient Battle Magic Forms.
The Kingdom of Aetherion thrived under a structured system of power. Every noble, warrior, and mage was classified based on their mastery over Mana Circles and Mana Cores.
Mana Circles defined a mage's aptitude. A single-circle mage barely wielded magic, while those with Nine Circles stood at the pinnacle of magical prowess. Only a handful in the kingdom had ever reached such heights.
On the other hand, Mana Cores dictated a martial artist's strength. Forming a core was a sign of transcending mortal limits. The rankings went as follows:
Copper Core – The weakest, held by fresh trainees.
Bronze Core – The first step towards true combat ability.
Silver Core – A sign of a skilled martial artist, often seen in knights.
Gold Core – Reserved for elite warriors, rare among nobles.
Platinum Core – A level near legend, possessed only by grandmasters.
Aether Core – A mythical stage said to be achieved by only a select few in history.
Aeros, despite being the son of an Archduke, had neither a Mana Core nor even a single Mana Circle. Until now.
Unlike regular martial growth, there existed an ancient, almost forgotten technique—Dual Cultivation. It allowed practitioners to refine both their Mana Circles and Mana Core simultaneously. However, the method was incredibly taxing and often failed, leading many to abandon its study. Only a select few bloodlines were ever able to withstand its strain.
Julius clenched his fists, and his thoughts clouded. If Aeros had inherited his mother's bloodline, then the symbol on his chest could mean only one thing—
He was a candidate for Dual Cultivation.
With a newfound sense of urgency, Julius turned his attention back to Eleanor's journal. If she had left behind any clues, he would find them.
In the medical chamber, Aeros stirred, his body aching as his senses slowly returned. Ellie leaned forward, raising a brow. "Took you long enough."
Aeros blinked at her, groggy. "Why… are you here?"
Ellie smirked. "Because I enjoy watching you suffer."
Adrian sighed from the corner. "Ignore her."
Julius entered at that moment, his sharp gaze falling on Aeros. "You're awake. Good."
Aeros forced himself upright, wincing. "Father…?"
Julius studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Rest for now. Training resumes soon."
Aeros groaned. Why does this family have no chill?
Ellie snickered, earning herself a sharp glare from him. Adrian, however, remained silent, his eyes filled with something Aeros had never seen before—respect.
Unbeknownst to them, their world was about to change forever.