The sun was still low in the sky when Lucius arrived at the Ardentis training grounds, his body aching from the relentless routine that had ruled his life for the past few weeks. His once-lean frame had transformed—his muscles were no longer soft, but hardened and defined from the grueling physical training. Though not bulky, his body was built for speed and endurance, like a predator waiting to strike.

  Despite the soreness, he welcomed the pain. It meant he was growing stronger.

  Standing in the center of the training grounds was Marshal Reynard, his arms crossed as he observed Lucius’ approach. His sharp, unreadable gaze made it impossible to tell whether he was satisfied or disappointed.

  "You’re improving faster than I expected," Reynard finally said. "But you’re still not strong enough."

  Lucius clenched his fists. Still not enough? He had spent weeks pushing himself beyond his limits—what more could he do?

  "What do I need to do?" Lucius asked, determination clear in his voice.

  Reynard smirked slightly.

  "Today, we refine your Aura Blade."

  Reynard unsheathed his sword, and in an instant, a thick, silver glow coated the blade. It wasn’t flickering or unstable—it was sharp, dense, and completely under his control.

  "An Aura Blade is not just about infusing your weapon with energy. It’s about control. Without control, all the power in the world is useless."

  Lucius nodded and reached for his sword. He had already learned how to manifest an Aura Blade, but maintaining it was a different challenge. His previous attempts only lasted five minutes at most before flickering out.

  He gripped his sword tightly and took a deep breath. A pale-blue glow enveloped the blade. He could feel the energy flowing through it, but no matter how much he tried to stabilize it, there were tiny cracks of instability forming along the aura.

  "Hold it as long as you can," Reynard instructed.

  Lucius swung the sword, feeling the added resistance in the air. At first, it felt solid, but after four minutes, the aura flickered like a dying flame. By the fifth minute, the energy collapsed entirely, and the blade returned to normal.

  Lucius cursed under his breath.

  Reynard shook his head. "That’s not going to cut it. Again."

  Lucius tried again. And again. And again.

  By the tenth attempt, he was drenched in sweat. His arms felt like lead, his breathing was ragged, and his sword refused to cooperate.

  "It’s not working!" Lucius growled in frustration.

  Reynard sighed. "You’re forcing the energy. That’s your mistake. Aura isn’t meant to be forced—it’s meant to be guided."

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  Lucius looked at him, confused. "Guided? What do you mean?"

  Reynard turned his sword toward Lucius and stepped forward.

  "Let me show you."

  Without warning, Reynard attacked.

  Lucius barely reacted in time, raising his glowing sword to block. The moment their blades clashed, his Aura Blade shattered instantly.

  A sharp jolt of pain shot up Lucius’ wrist as he was forced back several steps. He barely managed to keep his balance.

  "That’s what happens when your aura is weak," Reynard said. "Your blade might look strong, but it has no foundation. A single direct hit, and it shatters."

  Lucius gritted his teeth and reformed his Aura Blade. This time, he focused on stabilizing the energy rather than just increasing its power.

  "Good. Now block."

  Reynard struck again, but Lucius held firm. The impact sent vibrations up his arm, but this time, his Aura Blade didn’t shatter immediately.

  "Better," Reynard said. "But not enough."

  For the next three days, Lucius was subjected to non-stop defensive training. Reynard attacked without mercy, forcing Lucius to hold his Aura Blade for as long as possible. Every time his aura flickered, Reynard struck harder, punishing every lapse in concentration.

  By the end of the week, Lucius could maintain his Aura Blade for ten minutes.

  By the second week, he had reached fifteen minutes.

  "That’s still too slow," Reynard muttered.

  Lucius scowled. "You’re impossible to please."

  Reynard smirked. "Welcome to the world of warriors."

  The key to strength wasn’t just duration—it was density.

  "An Aura Blade that lasts for twenty minutes is useless if it has no cutting power," Reynard explained. "You need to focus on compressing your aura. The denser it is, the more lethal your blade becomes."

  Lucius closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Instead of spreading his aura evenly over the blade, he tried condensing it into a single point at the tip.

  At first, the blade flickered violently, as if rejecting his control. But Lucius held firm.

  Then—a change.

  The pale-blue light darkened into a deeper, richer hue. The edges of the aura sharpened, giving off an almost vibrating hum.

  Reynard’s eyes widened slightly. "Not bad."

  Lucius swung the sword. This time, the weight felt completely natural—not like something that drained him, but something that moved with him.

  He turned to Reynard and smirked. "Now, let’s test it properly."

  For the next two weeks, Lucius refined his technique.

  His attacks became sharper, faster, and more efficient. He no longer wasted unnecessary energy, and his movements were calculated. Reynard made him fight for twenty minutes straight without letting his Aura Blade flicker.

  By the twelfth week, Lucius stood in the training grounds, sword in hand, the deep-blue glow of his Aura Blade stable and unwavering.

  "Now," Reynard said, sheathing his sword, "you’re ready for the duel."

  Lucius let out a slow breath. The training had been worth it.

  That evening, the news reached Duke Magnus.

  He sat in his private chamber, reading the report. His fingers tapped against the wooden table, deep in thought.

  "Twelve weeks… That’s far too early," he muttered. "Is he truly ready to face Darius?"

  For the first time in years, doubt crept into his mind. The boy he had once dismissed as weak and useless had somehow transformed into a warrior worthy of a duel against Commander Darius, one of the strongest knights in the kingdom.

  Across the city, Commander Darius received the news as well. He read the message and smirked.

  "That boy is full of surprises."

  The duel was officially scheduled one week from now at the Ardentis Training Grounds.

  The event would be held in the presence of Duke Magnus, Marshal Reynard, the elite knights, and a handful of nobles close to the Duke's family.

  Lucius stood alone in the moonlit courtyard, gripping his sword.

  "This training… was worth it," he whispered.

  In just one week, the entire House of Ardentis would witness his strength.