The morning light streamed through the grand windows of the Cromwell estate, illuminating the pristine marble floors with a golden hue. Aeros sat up in his massive canopy bed, rubbing his temples. His body still ached from the sparring session with his father, but something felt different—an unfamiliar warmth pulsed within him, almost like an unseen force was coursing through his veins.
As his eyes adjusted, he heard a loud knock on the door. Before he could respond, Ellie barged in with her usual smirk.
"Finally awake, sleepyhead? You look like you got run over by a warhorse."
Aeros groaned. "Must you always be this loud in the morning?"
Ellie plopped onto the chair beside his bed, crossing her legs. "Oh, forgive me, Your Highness. Next time, I'll enter with a royal fanfare."
Adrian soon followed, looking slightly less amused. "You're still in bed? I thought father beat some discipline into you."
Aeros gave him a deadpan look. "He beat something into me, alright. Mostly pain."
Adrian smirked before his expression turned serious. "The physicians cleared you, but Father wants to see you. Now."
Aeros stiffened. This early? He hadn't even had time to process everything that had happened yesterday. The symbol, his body's changes, and his father's grave demeanor—something was going on.
Julius stood with his hands behind his back, his usual unreadable expression in place as Aeros entered the private study. The room smelled of aged parchment and polished wood. The Archduke motioned for his son to sit before sliding a parchment across the desk.
"Read it."
Aeros picked it up, his brows furrowing as he examined the intricate drawing of the very same symbol that had appeared on his chest.
"This…"
"It is a crest that has not surfaced for over a century," Julius explained, his tone measured. "Your mother, Eleanor, once possessed knowledge about this symbol. However, her research was incomplete when she passed."
Aeros swallowed hard. He traced the lines of the ancient design with his fingers. It felt almost… familiar. "What does it mean?"
Julius sighed. "That is what we must uncover. But before that, tell me—how do you feel?"
Aeros hesitated before answering. "Stronger. Faster, maybe? It's hard to explain, but I can feel something inside me, like a dormant power waiting to be awakened."
Julius nodded. "That is your mana. It has finally begun to stir."
Aeros blinked. "Wait… so I have mana now? Like, real mana?"
Julius's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you assume you were ordinary?"
Aeros scratched his head sheepishly. "Well… yeah."
Ellie, who had been silently watching, burst out laughing. "Wow, even your father thinks you're an idiot."
Julius ignored her, focusing entirely on his son. "Your body is changing. If my suspicions are correct, your mana core is forming, but something about it is… unique. You are no longer simply at the Copper Core stage."
Aeros sat up straight. "Wait, you mean I skipped a stage?"
"No," Julius said grimly. "You are evolving differently. And that concerns me."
That night, Aeros lay awake, staring at the ceiling. His father's words replayed in his head. Evolving differently. What did that mean? He clenched his fist, willing whatever power he had to manifest.
[STATUS WINDOW OPEN]
A sudden wave of dizziness hit him as glowing text appeared before his eyes.
Aetherial Codex System: User Status
Name: Aeros Cromwell
Age: 15
Bloodline: ???
Core Rank: Copper Core (?)
Mana Circles: 0 (Locked)
Abilities:
??? (Sealed)Enhanced Recovery??? (Sealed)
Special Trait: The Forsaken Heir's Awakening (Condition Locked)
Aeros's breath hitched. What the hell is this?
His heart pounded as he examined the screen. He had abilities, but most of them were locked? And what did "Forsaken Heir's Awakening" mean? Was this related to the symbol on his chest?
[New Quest: Strengthen the Core]
Objective: Reach Silver Core before the academy entrance exam.
Reward: System Function Unlocked.
Aeros groaned. "Fantastic. Homework from a system I didn't sign up for."
The next morning, Julius took Aeros to a secluded training ground deep within the estate. The air was thick with mana, and the surrounding trees were marked with past battles.
"Your body has awakened," Julius began, "but it is far from ready. The academy requires a Silver Core for enrollment. You must achieve that within six months."
Aeros nearly choked. "Six months?! That's insane!"
"Then consider this insanity your reality," Julius said coldly. "Or do you wish to remain weak?"
Ellie snickered from the sidelines. "Yeah, Aeros, do you want to be the academy's punching bag?"
Aeros glared. "You could at least pretend to be supportive."
Julius ignored their banter and motioned towards a training dummy. "Show me what you can do."
Aeros exhaled. Alright, let's see if I got stronger. He focused on his core, willing his strength to manifest. A faint glow surrounded his fist as he lunged forward and struck the dummy.
The wooden figure barely moved.
Silence.
Ellie tried—and failed—to suppress her laughter.
Aeros turned, mortified. "I swear it looked stronger in my head!"
Julius sighed. "We have much work to do."
Days turned into weeks. Every morning, Aeros was pushed to his limits. His father drilled him relentlessly—strength training, core refinement, mana channeling, and swordsmanship. By the end of each session, he was too sore to move.
But gradually, he felt it. His body was adapting. His attacks were sharper, his reflexes quicker. The once-dormant power inside him was growing, waiting to be unleashed.
One evening, as he sat catching his breath, Adrian approached. "You're improving."
Aeros looked up, surprised. "That's new. Usually, you're laughing at me."
Adrian smirked. "Don't get used to it."
Aeros grinned, but deep down, he felt a growing determination. He wasn't just training to meet academy requirements—he was training to uncover the truth. About his mother. About the symbol. About himself.
And he wouldn't stop until he had answers.