In the vast corridors of the palace, where the torchlight reflected off the polished floors like a layer of liquid gold, two men walked side by side with steady steps, their voices echoing faintly in the quiet emptiness.
The first was Morvan, from the Valen family, his features as rigid as ever, his sharp eyes hiding an immeasurable depth. The second was Strofan, from the Orian family, Star father, and despite his attempt to remain composed, signs of worry were evident on his face.
Strofan spoke in a low, tense voice: "Morvan… has my daughter condition reached this point?"
Morvan did not turn, and replied calmly: "Do not worry. Saruto saved her before her condition worsened."
Strofan exhaled slowly, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. "That is reassuring…"
But Morvan continued in the same tone: "But the condition of her hands… is not good."
Strofan steps halted for a moment, before resuming, slightly slower this time.
"Her attack backfired on her. The burns were not superficial… the tissues were damaged, and the nerves as well. Healing through normal means… is impossible."
A heavy silence fell between them, then Morvan turned to him and noticed his calmness. "You seem calm... aren't you worried about your daughter?"
Strofan gave a faint smile, but it did not reach his eyes. "I am worried… but Star reassured me."
Morvan said: "How?"
Strofan replied: "She said her friend will heal her."
Morvan paused for a moment, then looked at him with scrutiny. "And do you trust your daughter words?"
Their eyes met. "My old friend… when my daughter says something, she does not speak idly."
The silence continued for a few seconds… before Morvan finally nodded. "Alright… I will trust her words as well."
---
They arrived at the room. Morvan opened the door, and Strofan entered first.
Inside, silence filled the place. Saruto was sitting beside the bed, holding Star hand gently, as if it were something fragile that might break if he let go. She was asleep, her features strangely calm compared to what she had been through.
As they entered, he immediately raised his head, then stood and greeted respectfully. Strofan smiled slightly, but his eyes did not. "Will you not bow, Saruto?"
Saruto lifted his gaze directly to him. "We, the Valen family… do not bow to anyone."
The smile vanished, and in the next moment, Strofan aura exploded. An overwhelming pressure flooded the room, as if the air had turned into a heavy sea drowning everyone within it. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the temperature suddenly dropped.
Saruto body stiffened, his knees trembled, his breathing grew heavier… slower… as if his chest was being crushed from within. "Is this… his true power…?"
But the corner of his mouth lifted. "So he is trying… to force me to kneel using his aura?"
He raised his head with difficulty and looked toward Morvan, who was watching calmly. "I will not disappoint you."
At that moment, a dark aura surged from Saruto body. Weak… yes, but it was not unstable. It was firm. Solid. It clashed against Strofan aura. The air trembled. The eyes of those present widened. Strofan said: "He… can release an aura?"
He smiled, his excitement igniting. "Interesting…"
And he increased the pressure. The weight doubled. The ground beneath Saruto feet began to crack. But Morvan voice came cold… decisive. "That is enough."
In the next moment, his aura erupted. It was not mere pressure. It was… dominance. It crushed everything. Strofan aura vanished. And Saruto aura extinguished.
Saruto fell to his knees, gasping, his body trembling. As for Strofan, he stepped back half a step… without realizing it. Morvan looked at them coldly. "You have woken Star."
Everyone turned. She had opened her eyes. Morvan immediately withdrew his aura and said calmly: "I apologize."
Star smiled faintly. "It is fine… I was already awake."
Then she looked at her father. "How are you, Father?"
He approached her and smiled. "I am fine… and you?"
The star said: "I'm fine too."
He nodded, then turned toward Saruto. But this time, his gaze had changed. "Saruto… thank you for saving my daughter."
He stepped forward. "I am in your debt. Ask for anything you want."
Saruto shook his head. "No need. Star is my friend… and this is my duty."
Strofan smiled. "If you change your mind… my offer will remain."
---
Later, at the palace gate, the carriage was ready. Saruto stood before it, his eyes not leaving Star. "Take care of yourself…"
He said it calmly. "And when you recover… tell me."
She smiled. "I promise."
The doors closed. The carriage departed. He remained standing… until it disappeared.
---
He returned inside. His steps were slower this time. Heavier. "I will not allow that to happen again."
He entered the library and headed straight toward one of the shelves. He stopped in front of it. Number 17. His fingers brushed over the books… until they stopped. He pulled one out. The title of the book was: "The Three Founders of the Dark Family."
He looked at it for a moment and said: "I found you, the same place you were in my previous life."
Then he turned and left the library.
---
Saruto headed toward his father, stood in front of his desk, and knocked on the door. Morvan said: "Enter."
He entered, while Morvan said without raising his head: "Hurry up and speak, Saroto, I am very busy now."
He did not respond. He stepped forward. And placed the book on the desk.
Morvan stopped. He raised his gaze. Looked at the book… then at his son. Silence. Heavy seconds.
Then Saruto said, in a steady voice that carried no hesitation: "I want to train… in the Time Chamber."