The training grounds of the Veyrith estate were never truly quiet.
Even in the early hours, the sound of movement—steel clashing, feet striking stone, instructors calling out corrections—filled the open space with constant energy.
Kael stood near the entrance.
This was different from the small courtyard he usually trained in.
This place was larger.
Structured.
Divided into multiple sections.
One area for weapon practice.
Another for Aether training.
A separate section for sparring.
And unlike his private training—
This place had people.
Young nobles.
Children of knights.
Heirs of minor houses under the Veyrith domain.
All gathered here for one purpose.
To grow stronger.
Kael stepped forward calmly.
His presence didn't go unnoticed.
It never did.
"…Isn't that him?"
A voice from the side.
"The one without Aether?"
Another followed.
"Why is he here?"
Kael ignored them.
He had expected this.
For six years, nothing about his condition had remained hidden.
If anything—
It had become a quiet fact within the estate.
Not spoken openly.
But known.
Kael walked past them and moved toward an empty section of the training ground.
No weapons.
No Aether.
Just space.
He started with running.
Simple.
Direct.
Controlled breathing.
Steady steps.
The voices didn't stop.
"…What is he doing?"
"Running?"
A faint laugh.
"Is that supposed to help?"
Kael didn't react.
Because none of it mattered.
His pace remained steady.
In.
Out.
Each breath measured.
Each step consistent.
After a few minutes, he stopped.
Turned.
And began again.
Faster this time.
His movements sharpened.
His posture adjusted naturally.
From a distance—
Someone was watching.
"His form is… clean."
An instructor stood near the edge of the field, arms crossed.
"…But pointless."
Another instructor replied.
"No Aether. No output."
They weren't wrong.
But they weren't completely right either.
Kael slowed down again.
Then moved toward a wooden training dummy.
He picked up a basic wooden sword.
Light.
Simple.
He raised it.
And struck.
The first hit—
Unrefined.
The second—
More controlled.
The third—
Sharper.
He adjusted his stance slightly.
Corrected his grip.
Changed angle.
Again.
And again.
Each strike improved slightly.
Not stronger—
But better.
"…He's adjusting mid-motion."
One of the older students spoke quietly.
"That's not normal."
"Doesn't matter," another replied. "Without Aether, he's still useless."
Kael continued.
Ignoring everything.
Because—
This wasn't about them.
Minutes passed.
Then—
A voice called out.
"You're doing it wrong."
Kael stopped.
Turned slightly.
A boy stood a few steps away.
Older.
Around twelve.
Confident posture.
A faint glow of Aether surrounded his hand.
"Your stance is inefficient," the boy said. "Your strikes lack force."
Not mockery.
But not kindness either.
Just superiority.
Kael looked at him calmly.
"…Show me."
The boy raised an eyebrow.
Then smirked slightly.
"Fine."
He stepped forward.
Picked up a wooden sword.
Took position.
Then—
Struck.
Fast.
Clean.
And enhanced.
A faint surge of Aether flowed through the movement.
The dummy shook slightly on impact.
"That's how you do it," the boy said.
Kael watched carefully.
Not impressed.
Observing.
"…You rely on Aether to reinforce impact," Kael said.
The boy frowned slightly.
"That's the point."
Kael nodded.
Then stepped forward.
Took the same stance.
Adjusted it slightly.
Raised the sword.
And struck.
No Aether.
But—
Clean.
Precise.
The impact was weaker.
But controlled.
Balanced.
The boy's expression shifted slightly.
"…That won't win fights."
Kael lowered the sword.
"I'm not fighting yet."
Silence.
The answer was simple.
But unexpected.
Before the boy could respond—
"Brother!"
Lyra's voice cut through the tension.
She ran toward him, slowing down as she reached his side.
Her eyes immediately scanned him.
"You're here already?" she asked. "You didn't tell me!"
"I didn't think it mattered."
"It does," she said quickly.
Then glanced around.
Her expression changed slightly as she noticed the others watching.
"…They were bothering you?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
She frowned anyway.
Then stepped slightly closer to him.
Subtle.
But intentional.
A quiet form of support.
"I came for my session," she said. "Instructor said we're working on Aether control today."
Kael nodded.
"That's good."
She looked at him again.
"…You're training like this again?"
"Yes."
She hesitated for a moment.
Then said softly—
"Just don't push too hard."
Same words as before.
Same concern.
Kael nodded slightly.
"I won't."
From the side, the boy from earlier scoffed quietly.
"…You're wasting time."
Lyra turned immediately.
"You don't decide that."
Her voice wasn't loud.
But firm.
The boy frowned.
"…I was just stating a fact."
"You don't know anything about him," Lyra replied.
Silence followed.
Kael didn't interfere.
Because—
She didn't need help.
After a moment, the boy looked away.
"…Do what you want."
And left.
The tension eased slightly.
Lyra turned back to Kael.
"…Ignore them."
"I already am."
She smiled faintly.
"Good."
An instructor's voice called out in the distance.
"Lyra! Over here!"
She turned.
Then looked back at Kael.
"I'll come back later."
Kael nodded.
"Focus on your training."
"I will."
She hesitated briefly—
Then said quietly—
"…Don't leave without telling me."
"…Alright."
She smiled.
Then ran off.
Kael watched her go for a moment.
Then turned back to the training ground.
The system appeared again.
[Strength: 5 → 6]
A small increase.
But real.
Kael looked at his hand.
"…Not enough."
But it didn't need to be.
Not yet.
He picked up the sword again.
Took position.
And struck.
Again.
And again.
Around him, Aether users trained.
Energy flowed.
Power clashed.
But in one corner—
A different path was being built.
Slowly.
Step by step.
And Kael—
Had no intention of stopping. 🔥