The body of the giant wolf lay still on the rocky cliff.
Its massive form looked far less terrifying now that life had left it.
Leon stood there quietly, staring at it.
His first battle.
His first victory.
His first kill.
The feeling was strange.
Not triumph.
Not pride.
Just… realization.
"I actually did it," Leon murmured.
Behind him, Aether stepped forward calmly.
"Yes."
Leon looked at the monster again.
"I thought I was going to die."
"You almost did."
Leon sighed.
"You really don't sugarcoat anything, do you?"
Aether ignored the comment.
Instead, he knelt beside the wolf's body and examined it briefly.
"Your strike was precise."
Leon blinked.
"That's a compliment, right?"
"It is an observation."
Aether stood and gestured toward the monster.
"Come here."
Leon walked closer.
"What are we doing?"
Aether drew his black blade — the Void Sword.
Even under the moonlight, the weapon looked unnatural, as if it absorbed the light around it.
With a single swift motion, Aether cut through the monster's chest.
Leon winced slightly.
"That's… messy."
Aether ignored him and reached into the creature's chest cavity.
Moments later, he pulled something out.
A small crystal glowing faintly red.
Leon's eyes widened.
"What is that?"
"A mana core."
Leon had heard of them before.
Powerful monsters sometimes formed magical cores within their bodies.
They were valuable materials used by mages and enchanters.
Aether tossed the crystal toward Leon.
"Take it."
Leon caught it.
The moment the crystal touched his hand…
He felt warmth spreading through his palm.
"That's strange…"
Aether nodded.
"Monster cores contain condensed mana."
"They are often used by warriors during training."
Leon looked at the glowing crystal with fascination.
"So I should absorb it?"
"No."
Leon blinked.
"…Then why did you give it to me?"
Aether's expression remained calm.
"Because you earned it."
Leon held the crystal tightly.
The warmth slowly spread through his arm.
For a brief moment…
He felt that strange sensation again.
The same feeling from the battle.
Like his mind was sharpening.
Like something inside him was waking up.
Leon frowned.
"You said my bloodline is awakening."
"Yes."
Leon looked down at the mana core.
"What exactly is it?"
Aether crossed his arms.
"That is the question."
Leon sighed.
"That's not helpful."
Aether continued.
"Bloodline abilities among the imperial family vary greatly."
"Some control fire."
"Some enhance their bodies."
"Some manipulate magic."
Leon nodded.
His siblings all had powerful abilities.
But he had never shown any sign of one.
Until now.
Aether looked at Leon carefully.
"What happened during your fight?"
Leon thought for a moment.
"For a second… everything slowed down."
"I could see the wolf's attack clearly."
"Like I had more time to react."
Aether nodded slowly.
"Enhanced perception."
Leon tilted his head.
"Is that good?"
"Yes."
Leon smiled slightly.
"That sounds useful."
Aether continued.
"But that was only the surface."
Leon frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Aether pointed toward Leon's chest.
"The power is deeper than that."
Leon placed his hand over his heart.
He could faintly feel something there.
Something quiet.
Something waiting.
The campfire burned low as the night grew colder.
Aether returned to his seat beside the fire.
Leon sat across from him again.
"So what happens now?" Leon asked.
Aether answered simply.
"Training."
Leon groaned slightly.
"I thought the monster fight was the training."
"That was only the beginning."
Leon leaned back.
"How bad will it be?"
Aether stared into the flames.
"Very."
Leon sighed dramatically.
"Great."
After a moment, Aether spoke again.
"From tomorrow onward, we will hunt monsters every day."
Leon nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
"Your body will grow stronger."
"Your instincts will sharpen."
"And your bloodline ability will gradually awaken."
Leon looked at the forest stretching endlessly beyond their cliff.
"How long will we stay here?"
Aether answered without hesitation.
"Until you are no longer weak."
Leon scratched the back of his head.
"That might take a while."
Far away, deep within the Imperial Palace, an ancient figure sat quietly inside a vast meditation chamber.
The air around him shimmered faintly with overwhelming power.
It was Caelus Aurelion.
The old ruler slowly opened his eyes.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Yes…"
He could feel it now.
The change within Leon's bloodline was becoming clearer.
The power awakening inside the boy…
Was something rare.
Something ancient.
Something that had not appeared in the empire for centuries.
"Interesting…"
The First Sovereign leaned back calmly.
"I wonder what you will become."
Back on the frontier, Leon stared into the fire.
He could still feel the faint warmth of the mana core in his hand.
His first monster battle.
His first taste of real danger.
His first hint of hidden power.
Leon clenched his fist slightly.
"Tomorrow…"
He looked toward the dark forest.
"…I'll be stronger."
Across the fire, Aether watched him silently.
The Void Sword could already see it.
The boy's potential was far greater than anyone in the palace realized.
And if Leon continued growing like this…
One day…
Even the strongest warriors of the empire might fear the forgotten prince.