Dusk filtered through the high windows of the Arkanveil fortress, casting golden shafts across the stone chamber where warriors had trained for generations.
At its center stood Aleron Arkanveil—firstborn, commander, and the quiet guardian of the household.
He had been the MC's first mentor. First protector. First proof that strength could be kind.
And now, Lucien approached him not as a younger brother, but as the one bearing legacy-changing power.
The Trait Evolution Pill shimmered between his fingers—like molten crystal sealed in glass. Its aura alone was enough to make even seasoned knights hold their breath.
Lucien offered it without flourish, only conviction.
> "It's time."
Aleron looked down at the pill. His jaw tightened. "This… this is priceless. You could use it for yourself later."
Lucien shook his head once. "I have Devour. And I have plans. But you—"
He stepped closer, eyes glowing faint crimson.
> "You've always been worthy. Now you'll be unstoppable."
A moment of silence passed between them. Not doubt—just gravity.
Then, Aleron nodded.
And swallowed the pill.
---
The effect was instantaneous.
The earth hummed. Air vibrated. The light dimmed—not from shadow, but from reverence.
Mana surged from Aleron's core, wrapping him in a storm of white-gold radiance.
His aura didn't explode.
It ascended.
Lucien stepped back, eyes narrowed, watching the shell of limitation fall away.
---
And then, the system shimmered before him.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE: STATUS PANEL – ARKANVEIL, ALERON]
Name: Aleron Arkanveil
Age: 21
Rank: Level 89
Class: Royal Knight Champion
Bloodline: Arkanveil (High Human – Tier 3)
[TRAITS]
– Guardian's Will (S) → Evolved: Champion's Oath (SS+)
– Steel Body (S)
– Sword Control (S+)
[TITLES]
– Eldest of the Arkanveil
– Wall of the West
– Unyielding Blade
[MANA CORE]
– State: Reinforced Core
– Quality: High-Diamond Tier
– Affinity: 60% Earth / 30% Light / 10% Wind
– Efficiency: High-Grandmaster Grade
[EVOLVED TRAIT: Champion's Oath (SS+)]
– Passive: Greatly increases resistance to mental attacks and fatigue.
– Active: Temporarily boosts all allies' defense and stamina regeneration in a 50-meter radius.
– Command Aura: Strengthens weaker allies based on the user's authority and intent.
– Oath Unbroken: When guarding an ally under 50% HP, reduces incoming damage by 40%.
[SPECIAL SKILLS]
– Bastion Strike
– Heavenly Guard
– Aura Lockdown
– Defensive Echo (Reflects 20% physical damage)
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: Trait Evolution complete. Command-level aura unlocked.]
---
Aleron dropped to one knee—not from pain, but from focus. His hand clenched over his chest, where mana still pulsed like a second heart.
Lucien moved closer.
Aleron looked up, his voice quiet, but charged with new depth.
> "It feels… like I can carry more."
Lucien smiled. "You'll have to."
---
That evening, the household noticed a shift.
The guards straightened when Aleron passed. The lieutenants instinctively saluted. His footsteps no longer echoed—they commanded silence.
And in the war room, when he spoke, everyone listened.
He didn't need to shout.
He was heard.
---
Later, as the brothers stood alone atop the eastern rampart, Aleron glanced sideways.
> "You've changed, Lucien."
> "So have you."
> "No… you've grown."
Lucien didn't answer. Just looked ahead, toward the mountains in the distance.
The same mountains that once held destiny.
Now, they held his.