The morning sun illuminated the training grounds of the Jubo estate.
Damon stood opposite Roderick, holding his sword with both hands. His breathing was steady, and his eyes remained fixed on his instructor.
"Again," Roderick ordered.
Damon moved.
His sword swept forward in a familiar arc, carrying the momentum of his Crosswind Sword Art. Roderick raised his own weapon to intercept it, but Damon adjusted his stance midway through the exchange, changing the direction of his attack.
Their swords collided.
Clang!
Roderick took a step backwards.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Better."
Damon withdrew his sword, breathing slightly harder.
"Only better?"
"Don't become too proud. You still have plenty to improve."
"I was hoping for a little more praise."
"You'll receive it when you earn it."
Damon chuckled.
Their training had become increasingly demanding over the past few days. Since discovering the possibilities of Desire Perception, Damon had been experimenting with the ability whenever he could.
He was beginning to recognise subtle changes in the intentions of others, although maintaining the perception for extended periods remained difficult.
Roderick had also noticed improvements in his reactions.
"Your movements have become sharper," the captain remarked. "Whatever you're doing differently, continue working on it. But don't neglect the fundamentals."
"I understand."
Roderick stepped back and raised his sword again.
"Now, let's see how well you handle a continuous exchange."
Damon tightened his grip.
The next clash began.
This time, Roderick attacked without giving him an opportunity to settle into his rhythm. Damon blocked the first strike, evaded the second and attempted to counter.
But before his sword could reach its target, Roderick changed direction.
Damon barely managed to defend himself.
The impact forced him backwards.
He tried to recover his footing, but his body suddenly experienced an unusual sensation.
His muscles tightened. A wave of warmth spread through his limbs, followed by a strange feeling of pressure gathering deep within him.
Damon's eyes widened.
Something was changing.
The pressure intensified, spreading throughout his body. His breathing became heavier, and the mana he had gradually learned to control responded to the transformation.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the sensation settled.
A familiar notification appeared before his eyes.
[Universal Desire System]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[A cultivation breakthrough has been achieved.]
[Breakthrough Reward: 3 Stat Points to each attribute.]
[Available Stat Points: 9]
Damon stared at the notification.
Three points each.
Nine points in total.
It was a generous reward, but he had no intention of distributing them carelessly.
He dismissed the notification and examined his condition.
His body felt noticeably different. There was a greater sense of strength in his movements, although he understood that he would still need time to adapt to the changes.
"Young Master?"
Roderick's voice brought him back to reality.
Damon looked up.
"Are you alright?"
"I think I've just experienced another breakthrough."
Roderick's expression changed.
"Another one?"
Damon nodded.
The captain examined him briefly before a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Congratulations, Young Master. Your progress is becoming increasingly impressive."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Don't let it get to your head. A breakthrough means you've reached another stage of development, not that you've mastered everything that comes with it."
Damon laughed.
"I expected that lecture."
"Good. Then you already know what comes next."
"More training?"
"Exactly."
Later that morning, Damon decided to visit the family healer.
There was something he had been meaning to investigate.
His knight cultivation was progressing, but his original problem had never been completely resolved.
His mana node.
For a long time, the damaged node had prevented him from following the conventional path of magic cultivation. Although he had found another route through knighthood, he hadn't abandoned the possibility of recovering his magical abilities.
If his body was improving, perhaps his mana node was also changing.
After informing Roderick, Damon made his way to the medical section of the estate.
The family healer, an elderly man named Master Orlan, was examining medicinal ingredients when Damon arrived.
"Young Master Jubo."
"Master Orlan. I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all. What brings you here?"
"I'd like you to examine my mana node."
The healer's expression became serious.
"Has something happened?"
"I've been experiencing some changes during my cultivation. I wanted to know whether there's been any improvement."
Orlan nodded.
"Very well. Come with me."
He led Damon into a private examination room.
After asking him to sit down, the healer began his examination. He placed a hand near Damon's abdomen and channelled a small amount of mana through a specialised instrument.
Several minutes passed.
Orlan frowned slightly.
He adjusted the instrument and repeated the examination.
This time, his expression changed.
"Interesting."
Damon looked at him.
"What is it?"
"Your mana node..."
The healer paused, seemingly trying to understand what he was observing.
"Has something changed?" Damon asked.
Orlan nodded slowly.
"It appears to be recovering."
For a moment, Damon remained silent.
"Recovering?"
"Yes. The damage is still present, and your mana node is far from completely healed. However, there are clear signs of improvement."
Damon leaned forward.
"Does that mean I can cultivate magic again?"
"Not yet."
The healer's response was immediate.
"Your mana node is still too unstable. Attempting conventional mana cultivation now could interfere with its recovery. You must not rush."
Damon nodded.
"Then how long?"
Orlan examined the readings once more before answering.
"If the recovery continues at its current pace, I estimate that you should be able to begin cultivating mana again in approximately one month."
One month.
Damon repeated the words silently.
For years, he had believed that his ability to follow the path of a conventional magic cultivator had been taken away from him.
Now, there was a possibility that he could return to it.
"Are you certain?"
"I cannot guarantee the exact time. Recovery depends on how your body responds over the coming weeks. But the signs are encouraging."
Damon released a breath he hadn't realised he was holding.
"Thank you, Master Orlan."
The healer gave him a gentle smile.
"Don't thank me yet. You still have a month of recovery ahead of you. Continue following my instructions, and avoid anything that could place unnecessary strain on your mana node."
"I will."
Before leaving, Damon made one final request.
"I'd prefer that this examination remain confidential."
Orlan understood immediately.
"Your medical information will remain private, Young Master. I will not discuss it with anyone without your permission."
Damon thanked him again before returning to his room.
That evening, Damon requested a private meeting with his father.
Marcel was in his study when Damon entered.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Father. There's something important I need to tell you."
Marcel put aside the documents he was reviewing.
"Go ahead."
Damon briefly explained his visit to Master Orlan and the results of the examination.
For several moments, Marcel said nothing.
"Your mana node is recovering?"
"Yes. The healer believes I may be able to resume conventional mana cultivation in about a month."
Marcel slowly rose from his chair.
He walked around the desk and placed a hand on Damon's shoulder.
"Are you certain this is what he told you?"
Damon nodded.
"He examined me twice."
A quiet smile appeared on Marcel's face.
"That's good news, son."
There was genuine relief in his voice.
For a long time, Marcel had watched his son struggle with a problem that even the family's resources had failed to resolve completely.
Now, there was hope.
However, the duke's expression soon became serious again.
"Does anyone else know?"
"Only Master Orlan."
"Good. Keep it that way."
Damon had expected the response.
"Why?"
Marcel returned to his chair.
"There are two reasons. The first concerns the academy."
He folded his hands.
"Your admission to the Arcane Magical Academy is approaching. If the academy learns that your mana node is recovering, it may change how they assess you. We need to decide when and how that information becomes public."
Damon nodded.
"The second reason is the investigation."
Marcel's expression hardened slightly.
"We still don't know everything about what happened to your mana node. Whoever was responsible may have believed the damage was permanent. If they discover that it is recovering, they could change their plans."
He paused.
"Keeping this information private gives us an advantage. We can continue investigating without alerting anyone that the situation has changed."
Damon understood.
The people responsible for his condition might still be watching the Jubo family. Revealing his recovery too early could give them a reason to act.
"So, for now, we keep it between us."
"Exactly."
Marcel looked at his son.
"Continue your knight cultivation, but don't interfere with your mana node's recovery. One month is not a long time. There is no reason to risk what we have gained."
"I understand."
"Good."
Marcel's expression softened.
"And Damon?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you're getting another chance."
Damon smiled.
"So am I, Father."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Marcel returned to his documents, and Damon left the study with a renewed sense of anticipation.
A month.
For the first time in a long while, the possibility of becoming a magic cultivator again seemed real.
Elsewhere in the capital, another conversation was taking place.
Gassi sat in a private room while one of his attendants delivered a report.
"Young Master, we've received confirmation that Damon Jubo has experienced another breakthrough in his knight cultivation."
Gassi looked up.
"Another breakthrough?"
"Yes. The information came from someone familiar with the Jubo estate's training activities."
Gassi leaned back in his chair.
He had expected Damon to improve eventually, but the speed of his progress was surprising.
Not long ago, Damon had been the subject of rumours because of his damaged mana node and uncertain future.
Now, he was steadily developing along the path of knighthood.
"How far has he progressed?"
"We haven't been able to confirm his exact abilities."
Gassi's expression darkened slightly.
"So the Jubo family is keeping things hidden."
He tapped his fingers against the armrest.
The more he heard about Damon, the more curious he became.
He didn't want to confront the Jubo heir without understanding his current strength.
Instead, he decided to arrange something that would force Damon to reveal a little more.
"Find someone who can challenge him."
The attendant looked up.
"What kind of person, Young Master?"
"Someone strong enough to make the fight interesting. Preferably someone with a reputation."
"I understand."
Gassi paused.
"There's a mercenary operating in the capital. What's his name?"
"Do you mean Garrick Vane?"
Gassi nodded.
Garrick Vane was a popular mercenary known among adventurers and independent fighters. He had built his reputation through numerous assignments and was currently at the First Level of Iron Rank.
"Should we tell him that you're involved?"
"No. He only needs a reason to accept the arrangement."
The attendant bowed.
"As you wish, Young Master."
Gassi turned towards the window.
He was curious to see how much Damon had improved.
Two days later, Damon visited the capital with Roderick and two guards.
He had been spending more time outside the estate recently, partly to understand the city and partly to develop the connections he had begun forming.
Their outing had been relatively peaceful until a man approached them near a busy commercial street.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a noticeable scar running across his left cheek. His clothing was practical rather than elegant, and the sword hanging at his waist suggested someone accustomed to combat.
Damon recognised him only from the whispers of nearby adventurers.
"Isn't that Garrick Vane?"
"Of course it is. The mercenary who cleared the Blackfang den?"
"I heard he's already reached Iron Rank."
The man stopped a short distance from Damon.
"So you're the Jubo heir."
Damon looked at him calmly.
"Do I know you?"
A few people nearby laughed.
Garrick's expression tightened.
"I'm Garrick Vane. I've heard quite a bit about your recent recovery."
"Then I hope the stories have been entertaining."
"Some of them are. Others are difficult to believe."
Roderick stepped forward slightly.
"Watch your words. You're speaking to the heir of House Jubo."
Garrick glanced at him.
"I know exactly who I'm speaking to, Captain. That's why I'm here."
He looked back at Damon.
"I've heard you've started cultivating as a knight. Apparently, you're making quite a bit of progress."
Damon didn't respond.
Garrick smiled.
"But rumours are easy to spread. I'd rather see for myself whether there's anything behind them."
"Then perhaps you should find something else to occupy your time."
A few spectators chuckled.
Garrick's face grew colder.
"Are you refusing because you're not ready, Young Master?"
Damon turned slightly, preparing to leave.
He had no intention of allowing a stranger to dictate his day.
But Garrick wasn't finished.
"Perhaps the Jubo heir is only strong when surrounded by his family's guards."
Roderick's hand moved towards his sword.
"That's enough."
Damon raised one hand, stopping him.
He looked at Garrick for several seconds.
The mercenary was clearly trying to provoke him into accepting a fight. Damon couldn't tell what motivated the man's behaviour, but the challenge was becoming a public spectacle.
He also understood that the man wasn't an ordinary opponent.
His reputation among mercenaries suggested considerable combat experience, and his Iron Rank cultivation placed him above Damon's current level.
A careless decision could be costly.
"You're interested in testing my strength?" Damon finally asked.
Garrick grinned.
"Very much."
"Then we'll do it properly."
The mercenary raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"One week from today. Arrange a proper match, and I'll face you."
The surrounding spectators began whispering.
Garrick's smile widened.
"One week? Are you planning to spend that time learning how to hold your sword?"
"Perhaps. You should use the time to prepare as well."
Garrick laughed.
"Very well. One week."
He turned and walked away, apparently satisfied.
Roderick waited until the man was out of earshot before speaking.
"Young Master, do you understand what you've just agreed to?"
"He's an Iron Rank fighter. First Level, according to what I heard."
"Correct. And he's a mercenary with real combat experience. This isn't the same as sparring with me."
"I know."
Roderick studied him.
"Then why accept?"
Damon glanced in the direction Garrick had disappeared.
"Because he wasn't going to stop. And if he wants to test my strength, I'd rather face him under proper conditions than allow him to choose the circumstances."
Roderick sighed.
"Your father won't be pleased if you get injured."
"I'll speak with him."
The captain shook his head.
"Then we have a week to prepare."
Damon smiled faintly.
"That sounds like a lot of training."
"Don't worry, Young Master. I'll make sure you don't waste a single day."
That evening, news of the challenge reached the Gassi estate.
Gassi listened to the report with a satisfied expression.
"So he accepted."
"Yes, Young Master. The match has been arranged for one week from today."
Gassi leaned back.
"Interesting."
He had expected Damon to refuse, but the Jubo heir had accepted the challenge.
Perhaps the rumours about his recovery were not entirely exaggerated.
Still, Gassi wanted to see the result with his own eyes.
"Keep me informed."
"Understood."
After the attendant left, Gassi remained seated.
One week.
He would finally have an opportunity to see how much Damon Jubo had changed.
Meanwhile, back at the Jubo mansion, Damon stood before his bedroom window, looking towards the training grounds.
A breakthrough.
Nine additional stat points.
And a mana node that might finally recover.
Yet he now had another matter to prepare for.
Garrick Vane.
Damon opened the Universal Desire System and looked at his available stat points.
Nine points remained unallocated.
He would need every advantage he could develop before the coming confrontation.
The next seven days would not be easy.