Aric woke to sunlight streaming through the windows, accompanied by the distant sounds of servants moving through the estate.
After spending a few moments gathering his thoughts, he got out of bed, washed and dressed before making his way downstairs. The previous day had been exhausting, particularly with everything he had learned about his new family, but he was beginning to settle into his unfamiliar surroundings.
When he entered the dining room, everyone was already gathered around the table. Feron sat at the head, speaking with Kyra, while Emilia was busy eating. Ivar, on the other hand, seemed more interested in whatever was happening outside the window.
"Good morning," Aric greeted.
His father immediately turned towards him, a smile spreading across his face.
"Good morning, Aric. Come, sit down. We were just about to start."
Aric took the empty seat beside Emilia, who immediately pushed a small plate towards him.
"I saved you some."
"Thank you and it’s also surprising to see you awake."
"You should eat more today. Mother said you need plenty of food to get better."
Kyra chuckled from across the table.
"I believe I said you needed proper meals, not that you should force food into your brother’s mouth."
"But he needs to eat!"
Ivar glanced at his sister with an amused expression.
"At this rate, he will have no choice."
Emilia frowned at him before returning her attention to Aric.
"Ignore him."
Aric smiled and began eating, enjoying the familiar warmth of the conversations around him.
There was something comforting about sitting with them, listening to their ordinary conversations and watching them interact as though nothing unusual had happened. He had spent so much of his previous life wishing for a different family that he sometimes found it difficult to believe he had been given another chance at one.
As breakfast continued, Feron eventually turned towards him.
"Your mother tells me you have been asking Julia about the estate."
"Only a few things. I wanted to understand how everything is arranged."
"And have you managed to satisfy your curiosity?"
"Not quite. There is still a lot I don’t know."
"Then you will have plenty of time to learn. There is no need to rush through everything."
Aric nodded.
Feron took a sip from his cup before continuing.
"Your brother spends most of his mornings at the training grounds. If you are interested, you can accompany him whenever you like. I imagine watching him train would be more entertaining than spending the entire day in your room."
Ivar looked up.
"Father, you make it sound as though I am some kind of entertainer."
"Would you prefer I describe you as someone who spends too much time swinging a sword?"
"That is considerably better."
Kyra laughed, while Emilia looked between them with a confused expression.
Aric joined in, finding himself enjoying the exchange.
"I might take you up on that offer," he told his father.
"Of course. Just remember that watching and participating are two different things. We will discuss your training when the time comes."
"I understand."
After breakfast, Aric decided to take a walk outside. He had spent most of his time indoors since waking up, and the opportunity to explore more of the estate sounded appealing.
Ivar led Aric towards the training grounds, where several knights were already occupied with their morning exercises.
Their weapons clashed as they practised beneath the watchful eyes of their instructors. Some worked in pairs while others trained individually, their movements disciplined and well practised.
A few stopped to greet Ivar as he approached, bowing respectfully before returning to their exercises.
Aric looked around with interest. He had seen the training grounds countless times as a child, but it had been years since he last spent any time here.
Ivar noticed his attention shifting around the courtyard.
"Brings back memories?"
"A few," Aric replied, watching two knights exchange blows with their swords.
Ivar followed his gaze before picking up a sword from a nearby rack.
"Come on. Let me show you something."
He stood in the middle of the courtyard with a sword in his hand, facing one of the training posts. His expression was focused, a considerable contrast to the playful attitude he usually displayed around the family.
Aric stopped near the entrance, deciding not to interrupt him.
Ivar adjusted his footing before drawing a steady breath. Something began to change around him.
A faint reddish glow emerged beneath his skin, spreading from his chest towards his shoulders and down his arms. The light was subtle, almost like heat rising from a fire, but as it reached his hands, the air around his sword seemed to grow heavier.
Battle Aura.
Aric recognised it from the memories he had inherited, although witnessing it in person was an entirely different experience.
Ivar shifted his weight onto his back foot, tightening his grip around the hilt before moving.
His sword swept forward with incredible speed, leaving a faint trail of red light behind it. A sharp crack echoed across the courtyard as the blade connected with the wooden post, sending a vibration through the surrounding ground.
The thick post split down the middle, its upper section breaking away and crashing several feet behind it. Splinters scattered across the courtyard as the remaining portion tilted dangerously to one side.
Ivar lowered his sword, the reddish glow gradually fading from his body.
Aric stared at the damaged target.
He had seen people fight in films and games before, but none of that quite captured what he had just witnessed. The force behind the strike was difficult to comprehend, especially knowing that Ivar had achieved it through his own physical abilities.
"How long have you been standing there?"
Aric turned towards his brother, who was approaching with a towel draped over his shoulder.
"Long enough to see that."
Ivar glanced towards the damaged post.
"That one was already worn out."
"Of course it was."
"I am serious. Father keeps complaining about the cost of replacing them."
Aric chuckled before looking at the sword in his brother’s hand.
"Was that Battle Aura?"
Ivar nodded.
"You remember it?"
"Of course I do. I just never had much talent for it because of my mana core."
Ivar nodded in agreement.
"Your mana core made it difficult for you to circulate mana properly, which affected your swordsmanship. It was hardly something you could overcome through practice alone."
Aric glanced at the sword in his brother’s hand.
"How exactly does it work?"
Ivar smiled slightly.
"Battle Aura is formed by circulating mana through your body and concentrating it around your muscles, bones and weapons. It enhances your physical abilities, allowing you to move faster, strike harder and withstand attacks that would normally injure an ordinary person."
Aric looked towards the sword again.
"And it took you how long to learn that?"
"Several years. Controlling the flow of mana is not particularly easy, and there is a considerable difference between producing Battle Aura and using it properly."
Aric considered that for a moment.
He had a mana core now, one that had somehow survived the damage it had suffered before his awakening. Yet he had barely begun to understand what it was capable of.
"Do you think I could learn it this time?"
Ivar regarded him for a moment before smiling.
"Why not? I could teach you myself. It would also give me an opportunity to see how much your mana core has recovered and what it is capable of now that it has been restored."
Aric chuckled.
"Are you planning to use me as your next training experiment?"
"You make it sound like I’m planning to do something terrible to you. We can talk about that once Father allows you to start training. Until then, you’re welcome to watch as much as you like."
Aric nodded, his attention returning to the courtyard.
Aric nodded, his attention returning to the courtyard.
He had spent the past few days trying to understand the circumstances of his new life, but seeing Ivar use Battle Aura made him realise just how much there was to learn.
The world he had inherited was far more complicated than the fragments of memory he possessed, and he wanted to experience more of it for himself.
"Can you show me another technique?" he asked.
Ivar raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile spreading across his face.
"Look at you, already making demands. I suppose I’ll have to deal with you properly now that you’re awake."
Aric chuckled.
"Don’t complain. You were the one who offered to teach me."
Ivar laughed and turned towards the training area.
"Very well. Watch closely this time."
He returned to his position, raising his sword as the reddish glow began to gather around his body once again.
Aric watched attentively as his brother moved through several techniques, each strike displaying a different application of the same power. Some were swift and precise, while others carried enough force to send the training targets shaking against their supports.
For the next several minutes, Aric remained by the courtyard, asking questions whenever Ivar finished a technique.
Eventually, one of the knights approached them and bowed.
"Young Master, Lady Aster Riven has arrived. She is waiting for you in the main hall."
Aric’s attention shifted towards him.
"Aster?"
"Yes, Young Master."
Ivar’s expression brightened.
"Well, you should probably go. You wouldn’t want to keep your fiancée waiting."
Aric glanced at his brother before turning towards the servant.
He knew Aster well enough through the memories he had inherited, but he had not seen her since waking up. She had been part of his childhood, someone who had shared countless afternoons with him long before either of them understood what their engagement meant.
He wondered how she would react to seeing him again.
It seemed his peaceful morning was about to become a little more interesting.