Six days passed quietly at the orphanage
During these six days, Law spent most of his time training.
Running and gathering Aurion for his Aura Core.
At night, he focused on his Mana Core.
The effort was not wasted and he already manage to form his First-Circle on it although it is still a Low stage.
A faint ring of mana now slowly revolved around the blue core inside his consciousness.
Although the circle was still unstable, it meant he had officially stepped into the First-Circle Sorcerer realm.
However, Law knew his real focus was still the Knight Path.
His Aura Core had already reached the limit of Mid Stage.
One more pushed and he can break through the Peak stage!
Not only that, he also discover that his Affinity is Runes. At first, he thought that he had four Affinity since the last time he dreamed.
Turn out he can use the Runes as a medium to change it with however he thinks. Though, he still doesn't understand the language the Runes is using.
As long as he channel the mana out and successfully imagined the logic behind it, he can achieve it.
As for Lily, she just manage to reach the Mid stage, making a considerable progress.
But when she used her lighting to zap him, it still feel as ticklish as ever.
Law also went out to hunt outside the Orphanage to gain understanding about his power.
In this world, animals still exist making a perfect livestock for humans to eat. Though, some monsters also can be eaten as they bring more benefits.
Monsters were divided into five categories:
Tyrant Beast
Overlord Beast
Emperor Beast
Sovereign Beast
Ancient Beast
Primordial Beast
And above them are the Demons.
While Law was going out, he didn't tell anyone about this, because if he did, Lily and Aunt Maria surely won't let him go.
And so he defeat the lowest monster, Tyrant Beast, with just one punch. He only use his enhanced physical strength without the help of Runes.
This strength is beyond his expectation as a Tyrant Beast can be said to be the same level as First-Circle practitioners.
When Law returned to the Orphanage, he also brought the corpse as it can increase the body of his and others child.
In this cold weather, there is no need for him to worry the meats will go spoil.
Unfortunately, what welcome him is the stern gaze from Aunt Maria and scolding from Lily.
Asking him various of things while checking whether he is injured or not.
...
Law's room.
Inside his room, Law sat cross-legged, eyes closed, his body radiating a faint golden aura.
The air around him trembled slightly as the Aurion being gather into his Aura Core pulsing like a heartbeat.
The golden ring of Aurion around his core glowed brighter, then snapped into place with a sharp, crisp sound.
Law managed it, he reach the Peak stage. One more step toward forming his Second-Circle. And then he can finally use Aura.
He opens his eyes, looking around the room he felt a bit melancholy. After spending 6 years here, he is finally leaving this place.
Suddenly, the door bursts open. Ruining the atmosphere immediately.
"Laaaaaw! Hurry up!" Lily shouts, bounding into the room, her ponytails bouncing. "The carriage is here! We can't be late!"
Law blinks, momentarily startled by her energy. "I… I'll be there in a moment."
Lily rolls her eyes and waves a hand. "No 'moment'! Let's go!"
Law stands, stretching briefly, trying to shove down the lump in his throat. He casts a glance at the room one last time the bed, the little chest, the worn floorboards… all memories of quiet mornings and snow-covered courtyards.
Together, they walk down the stairs. Outside, the carriage waits. The children and Aunt Maria are gathered near the gate.
"Law! Lily!" a chorus of voices calls out.
He gives a small smile. "Take care, everyone."
Aunt Maria steps closer, her eyes glimmering slightly with unshed tears. She places a hand on Law's shoulder, her voice soft. "Law… watch over Lily, alright? Keep her safe."
Then she turns to Lily, her expression gentle. "And you… take care of Law too."
Lily fidgets, blushing slightly, while Law feels a warm twinge in his chest. Both nod to her and then they board the carriage with their luggages.
The carriage wheels creaked as it began to roll, crunching over the snow-covered path leading out of the orphanage.
Law settled into the seat, his hands resting lightly on his knees, eyes scanning the familiar landscape one last time.
Children waved, their voices fading as the distance grew, while Aunt Maria stood at the gate, her small figure trembling slightly in the cold.
The carriage moves forward, the snow-dusted landscape stretching endlessly on either side.
"The academy is still in the Northern region, right?" Lily asked, moving closer to Law for warmth.
Law nodded. "Yes. It's under the jurisdiction of the Boreas Family, near the edge of the Frostholm, connectting to the outside border."
"Then doesn't that mean it's dangerous?" Her face worry.
"Silly girls, that is why the House of Borealis is here, protecting the border."
As they continue speaking, the carriage suddenly halt making Lily stumble forward.
Luckily, Law manage to catch her in time.
Lily, who is in Law arms looks at Law face up closely, 'Is Brother Law always this handsome..?' she blushed a bit.
But Law paid attention to the outside, putting aside Lily, he quickly exit the carriage and went to the Coachman.
Law's eyes sharpened as he scanned the snowy road ahead. Shadows moved among the trees—figures blocking their path.
The carriage jolted, and the coachman muttered under his breath, "Bandits…"
Lily's ponytails bounced as she leaned forward، popping out her head through the window, "Brother Law… what's—"
"Stay inside!" Law's voice was firm, his hand shoving her head inside, "It's dangerous."
She resist at first, then pout, but stepped back into the carriage, leaving Law alone at the edge of the door.
Two rough voices echoed across the cold air.
"Hey… look at that girl inside," a tall bandit sneered, eyes fixed on the carriage. "You can see it, right? That one is pretty."
The other chuckled darkly, eyeing the crest. "And that crest… Borealis, huh? That girl inside must be someone important. Sell her and we'd make a fortune."
They ignored Las entirely, although his look is handsome, they just thought that maybe he is just a servant.
The carriage remained still, Lily's small hands clutching the edge of the door as she peeked out nervously.
Law's eyes darkened instantly. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.
"Sell… her?" he hissed, his voice low but deadly. "You dare… even think it?"
The bandits froze for a split second, sensing the shift in the air. Something about this young man radiated danger.
But they realized, this seemingly dangerous kid is only at the First-Circle.
Law's eyes flicked toward the shadowed figure at the back. The bandit's Leader. He couldn't see his exact strength. But something about him screamed danger.
'If I rely only on physical strength, I might be outmatched… but with my Mana Core, and the Runes I've been practicing… I can handle this', Law thought, his fingers flexing at his side.
A voice cut through the cold air, deep and commanding. "Capture them! I want them alive!"
The first bandit swung a sword downward with force. Law's bare fists shot forward like lightning, meeting the blade. The metal shattered under his strength and shot toward the bandit face, knocking him instantly.
Another lunged from the side, aiming for Law's chest. Law twisted with perfect balance, and delivered a crushing punch to the shoulder. The man screamed as his armor dented, and he collapsed onto the snow.
The remaining bandits hesitated for a moment, reassessing their opponent. But the sharp command pushed them forward again.
Soon enough, all of the lackey was defeated leaving only the bandit Leader alone.
The last one yet the hardest one.
"You got some strength kid," The Leader said, "How about you join me? I can forgive what you did to my lackey."
"Screw you!" Law move charged forward with his bare fist shotting towards the Leader face.
The Leader smirked as he caught Law's fist effortlessly. "Too weak."
Before Law could react, the leader's other fist slammed into his stomach.
Boom!
Law was sent flying several meters, crashing hard into the snow and carving a shallow trench across the ground.
A trace of blood slipped from the corner of his lips.
"Brother Law!" Lily rushed out of the carriage, her voice trembling as she ran toward him. "You… you're bleeding!"
Law forced himself to stand, wiping his mouth.
"It's just a scratch," he said quietly. "Go back inside. It's about to get dangerous."
Lily hesitated, her eyes full of worry, but she finally nodded and hurried back to the carriage.
The leader laughed coldly.
"Done with your little lover talk? Just wait until I sell that girl. I'll make you watch everything happen."
Law's eyes darkened.
Inside his body, mana surged violently.
He slowly raised his hand.
A glowing rune suddenly appeared in the air, burning with a crimson light before sinking into his palm.
Flames burst around his fist, swirling like a living thing.
The leader's eyes widened.
"Fire Aura? Impossible! You're only a First-Circle!"
Law said nothing.
Another rune formed beneath his feet, crackling with lightning.
In the next instant, Law's figure blurred.
He shot forward like lightning itself.
The leader barely raised his weapon in time.
Boom!
Their clash sent snow exploding into the air.
The leader staggered backward, his
expression finally turning serious.
"What kind of power is this—"
Before he could finish speaking, Law vanished again.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of him.
A flaming fist shot forward.
Thud.
A small hole appeared in the leader's stomach.
The man's eyes widened in disbelief.
His body slowly collapsed into the snow.
Silence fell over the road.
The flames around Law slowly faded.
His breathing became heavy, his vision spinning.
After pushing his body too far, Law finally collapsed onto the ground.