บท 9: Unyielding Path

Valen stood alone in the vast training grounds, the cool air brushing against his skin. His breath was steady, his focus intense. Before him were a row of steel dummies, reinforced to withstand the impact of mana-infused attacks.

Today, he aimed for something greater: to push himself beyond Adept sub-level and into the Expert sub-level of his Battle Arts.

With a deliberate step forward, he gripped the hilt of his blade and executed Void Cleave—a sharp, clean strike that sliced through the space between him and his target. The dummy split in two, the top half sliding off cleanly as if severed by invisible forces.

His breathing quickened slightly, but he pressed on. Moving seamlessly, Valen transitioned into Lunar Barrage, a series of rapid, coordinated strikes that hit multiple dummies simultaneously.

The impact shattered them into pieces, sending fragments across the field. But there was more to come.

Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, Valen took a deep breath and prepared for his next move—Galactic Rend. It was the third move of the Astral Edge, one he had only unlocked recently.

The strain on his body was immediate as he channeled his mana into the blade, feeling the immense pressure building within him.

With a sharp exhale, he released the attack. A single, devastating slash tore through the air, leaving a bright arc of energy in its wake. The remaining dummies exploded upon impact, disintegrating into dust.

Valen's arm throbbed from the effort, and he staggered back slightly, struggling to maintain his balance. He had used the move, but at a cost—his body wasn't fully ready to handle the power yet.

It wasn't perfect, but it was enough. As the dust settled, Valen felt a familiar sensation—a surge of mana deep within him.

The shackles of the Adept sub-level broke apart, and the insights of the Expert sub-level flowed into him. His Battle Arts had advanced.

He sheathed his sword, exhaling slowly. The next sub-levels—Master and Zenith—would be even more difficult, but for now, this was progress.

After a brief rest, Valen focused on his Void Step technique. His body flickered, appearing and disappearing in rapid succession as he mastered the technique's first two moves.

The Shadow Drift was clean and precise, allowing him to move short distances in the blink of an eye. But as he attempted the second move—Spectral Walk—moving swiftly and undetected through shadows, he faltered a bit, due high mana consumption and his low mana reserves.

He could feel the strain, but pushed through. Spectral Walk was powerful, especially for ambush tactics, but it required an incredible amount of control. Still, his body moved with a speed and grace that made him nearly invisible to the naked eye.

The final move of the Void Step eluded him entirely. He wouldn't even gain an understanding of it until he reached Zenith, the pinnacle of his Battle Arts.

Valen knew it would be years before he could fully unlock the third step, but the progress he had made today was enough to keep him moving forward.

Later that day, Valen found himself seated beside Aeliana in the courtyard, the soft sunlight casting a warm glow over the gardens. Aeliana looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, her hands gripping the edge of her dress.

"Do you think I'll be as strong as you one day?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Valen smiled faintly, though his thoughts were far from tender. "You have a special role in our family, Aeliana. You're important, more than you realize."

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Important? How?"

"You'll see," Valen replied smoothly, his voice gentle. "When the time comes, you'll understand."

Aeliana's face lit up with excitement, clearly thrilled by the idea of having an important part to play. Valen watched her carefully, knowing how easy it was to influence her emotions. She trusted him implicitly, and he intended to keep it that way for as long as it served his goals.

____________

The next day, in the training chamber, Marcellus stood before Valen, his presence commanding but calm. Valen sat cross-legged on the floor, his gaze fixed on the vial of glowing liquid in his father's hand.

"The Elixir of Resplendence has been used by our family for generations," Marcellus said, holding the vial out to his son. "It will cleanse your body, purging the impurities within and allowing you to progress further. But the pain will be severe."

Valen took the vial without hesitation. "I'm ready."

His father's eyes met his, and for a moment, there was a shared understanding between them—one of ambition and power, of pushing through pain for the sake of greatness.

Marcellus nodded once, stepping back to observe as Valen uncorked the vial and brought it to his lips.

The liquid was thick and bitter, burning as it slid down his throat. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, a searing pain ignited in his chest, spreading outwards through his limbs. Valen's body tensed as the elixir began its work.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain still as the pain worsened. His skin prickled, and a black substance began to seep from his pores, the impurities being purged from his body. The room grew hotter, the air thick with the smell of burning metal and sweat.

The sensation was overwhelming, as if his very blood were being boiled inside him. But Valen remained silent, his mind steady, his past life's suffering serving as a reminder of what true pain was. This was nothing. He could endure it. He had to.

Minutes passed, though it felt like hours, before the pain began to recede. When it was finally over, Valen opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. His skin was clearer, his muscles more defined. He felt stronger—lighter.

Marcellus stepped forward, his gaze appraising. "The impurities are gone. You'll notice the difference soon."

Valen nodded, rising to his feet. He already felt it—his body was not only stronger but sharper. His understanding of the Battle Arts he had been practicing seemed to come to him more easily. His movements felt smoother, his control over mana more refined.

He glanced at his reflection in the polished metal of a nearby weapon rack. His features had become more striking, his eyes sharper, and his posture more imposing. The elixir had done more than just cleanse his body—it had transformed him.

After recuperation for sometime, as Valen left the training room, a soft breeze carried the faint scent of incense. The halls of the Aetheris estate were quiet, save for the distant sounds of conversation.

But something felt different—there was a tension in the air, a subtle shift that Valen couldn't ignore.

Moving past his father's study, he overheard voices—his father and an elder.

"There's been an unusual occurrence near the northern borders," the elder said, his tone grave. "The experiments… they've stirring trouble."

Valen paused, listening closely.

"What sort of trouble?" Marcellus asked, his voice low.

"Reports of increased activity among the creatures. It's starting to spread, and the Count of Eres's territory may be affected soon."

Marcellus remained silent for a moment, then said, "We'll monitor the situation. If it gets out of control, we'll act swiftly. But for now, let it continue."

Valen's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued down the hall, thought of what was to come lingered in his mind.

So it's begun.