Capítulo 14: Scheme
Aerich was outside his room's courtyard, performing strange movements on the ground. In his hand, he held a technique manual borrowed from the Technique Hall: Shadow Step. While glancing at the illustrations in the book, he mimicked the movements described, his steps a mix of awkwardness and determination.
"Aerich, you should've chosen that offensive technique instead of this trash movement skill," Starry Sky's voice echoed in his mind from within the locket. "This thing is useless in actual combat. It's only good for running away if you're up against someone stronger."
"Why would I be stupid enough... to stay and fight... if running away is an option?" Aerich replied, panting as he continued to practice. He had been moving nonstop for an hour now, and his focus never wavered.
He could've relied on the system to reward him with techniques eventually, but he wanted to test his comprehension skills. Moreover, the training helped kill his boredom. Even though he had once enjoyed reading comedy novels to pass the time, there was a limit to how much entertainment they could provide in this world.
Time slipped by, and afternoon turned into night. Under the full moon's glow, the courtyard was bathed in silver light, illuminating Aerich's determined figure. His cultivation at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm allowed him to see clearly even in the dark.
"Haa..."
Though his body wasn't physically exhausted, his mind was drained. Even an Earth-Rank technique like Shadow Step was proving challenging for him to master—a humbling reminder of his "awesome" talent.
Still, Aerich felt a faint sense of gratitude toward the unknown benefactor who gave him the system. Although it only rewarded him with cultivation and not techniques, it was more than enough. After all, raw strength was often sufficient to overpower weaker cultivators without the need for flashy skills.
Despite sensing slight improvement, he was far from mastering the technique. Eventually, he stopped, not because of frustration, but because his spiritual energy had almost been depleted.
The servant standing at the courtyard door hurried forward with a cloth as soon as Aerich finished, offering it to wipe away his sweat. Without a word, Aerich nodded in acknowledgment and returned to his room to recover and absorb spiritual energy.
As soon as Aerich disappeared into his room, two shadowy figures emerged from the darkness nearby. They were Draec and Yu Zhong. Draec, cloaked in a black robe with his face hidden under a hood, spoke first.
"I'll leave Tasia and Berlotte in your care for a while. If I don't return..." His voice trailed off ominously.
Yu Zhong understood the weight of his words and nodded.
The two men silently observed the courtyard. The sounds of Aerich's training echoed faintly through the air. They exchanged a glance, both sharing a subtle look of concern.
Draec extended his divine sense to envelop Yu Zhong, and in an instant, they appeared above the courtyard, watching Aerich practice.
"Even with an Earth Fate, your child is such a hard worker. That's rare these days. Most young masters I know fall into depression or take out their insecurities on others," Draec remarked, his tone carrying a hint of approval.
"He must've been inspired by Tasia," Yu Zhong replied humbly. "Seeing someone just a year older than him already at the Foundation Establishment Realm must've motivated him."
Draec's eyes narrowed. "No, it's not inspiration. It's fear."
"What? Fear? Of whom?" Yu Zhong was surprised. Draec, a Nascent Soul cultivator, could sense subtle changes in emotions, but even his perceptions weren't infallible.
"When Aerich first saw Tasia, I noticed it. He hid behind you, not out of shyness, but fear. Even now, that fear lingers."
"But your daughter is quite cute," Yu Zhong said with a chuckle. "I can't imagine what there is to be afraid of."
"She's not as innocent as she looks," Draec replied sharply. "Don't let Tasia get too close to Aerich in my absence."
Yu Zhong raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Alright, alright. I understand. You're worried about the two of them developing feelings for each other."
Draec didn't bother correcting the misunderstanding. Aerich was far more perceptive than most. He would likely sense any ill intentions directed at him. Draec only hoped that Tasia wouldn't push boundaries in his absence.
With a shared understanding, the two men departed—Draec heading north while Yu Zhong returned to his room. No goodbyes were exchanged; there was no need.
"Finally, they left," Starry Sky sighed in relief within the locket.
For a brief moment, even though he was a soul, he felt his nonexistent breath catch. "I didn't dare spread my divine sense with a Nascent Soul cultivator nearby. If I had, he would've detected me instantly. I could've fought and escaped, but the cost would've been immense. The village, and possibly even you, could've suffered."
"I told you they were just here to observe me," Aerich replied. He had been stunned when Starry Sky informed him about the two presences in the sky. There were only two people in the estate who could've been outside at this hour: Draec and Yu Zhong.
Aerich knew Draec was leaving tonight, and with his departure, Aerich's life would become far more precarious. The leash restraining Tasia and her ever-scheming maid had been severed.
Although they presented themselves as graceful, polite young ladies in public, Aerich had seen their true nature. Behind closed doors, they were calculating and manipulative, using everyone around them for their own benefit.
"Tasia doesn't trust anyone except her father," Aerich muttered, his voice heavy with resignation.
The days ahead would test him in ways he could only begin to imagine.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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