The training grounds were quieter than usual.
Not because the students were relaxed—
but because today, everyone was focused.
For the past three weeks, the academy had pushed them relentlessly.
Running at dawn.
Sword drills until their arms trembled.
Controlled breathing exercises under supervision.
All of it for one goal—
To awaken aura.
Adrian stood among the first-year students, wooden sword resting on his shoulder.
His breathing was calm.
Too calm, compared to the others.
Some students fidgeted nervously.
Others whispered among themselves.
At the front, Instructor Kael observed them with sharp eyes.
"Today," he said, voice steady, "you will attempt to sense and draw out your aura."
A pause.
"If you fail, you try again tomorrow. And the next day."
"No one leaves this phase without awakening."
Adrian exhaled slowly.
So it begins.
He already understood the theory.
Aura wasn't something external—it came from within.
From stamina.
From will.
From control.
The problem wasn't strength.
It was stability.
"Sit."
The command echoed.
Everyone sat cross-legged.
"Close your eyes."
Adrian followed.
Darkness.
Silence.
Then—
Breathing.
Slow. Controlled.
Just like he practiced.
At first, there was nothing.
Only the faint sensation of his own body.
Then gradually—
A flicker.
Like a thin thread of warmth, deep inside his chest.
Around him, some students shifted.
One groaned.
Another exhaled sharply.
They were struggling.
Adrian ignored them.
He focused only on that thread.
Didn't rush it.
Didn't force it.
Just… guided it.
The warmth grew.
From a thread… to a stream.
Then—
It spread.
Through his arms.
Through his legs.
Not violently.
Smoothly.
Controlled.
Outside—
Instructor Kael's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Already?"
A faint, almost invisible layer formed around Adrian's body.
No explosion.
No dramatic surge.
Just—
stability.
Adrian opened his eyes.
He could feel it.
Not powerful.
Not overwhelming.
But present.
And obedient.
[System Notification]
Aura has been successfully awakened.
Reputation has increased.
Current Reputation: 204
[Milestone Reached: 200]
Reward Granted:
Aura Capacity (Beginner)
Aura Control (Beginner)
Additional Stats:
Control +3
Stamina +2
Strength +1
Adrian didn't react outwardly.
But internally—
So this is the difference.
The aura inside him… stabilized instantly.
What others struggled to hold—
He controlled effortlessly.
Nearby, a student suddenly gasped—
A burst of aura flickered wildly around him before collapsing.
"Too forceful," Instructor Kael said coldly. "Control it."
Another student succeeded.
Then another.
Some failed completely.
A few meters away—
Seraphina sat quietly.
Eyes closed.
Unmoving.
Then—
A sharp, clean surge.
Her aura awakened.
Stronger than most.
More refined.
She opened her eyes—
And instinctively glanced to the side.
Toward Adrian.
Their eyes met briefly.
No words.
But something passed between them.
Recognition.
On the other side—
Cedric clicked his tongue as his aura flared roughly.
"Damn… harder than I thought."
Instructor Kael stepped forward.
His gaze swept across the group.
Then stopped.
On Adrian.
"You."
Adrian looked up.
"Stand."
He did.
Kael walked closer.
Silent.
Observing.
Then—
"Release your aura."
Adrian didn't hesitate.
A faint layer formed around him again.
Steady.
Controlled.
No waste.
For a moment—
There was silence.
"…Good," Kael said.
Simple.
But different from how he spoke to others.
"Maintain that control," he continued.
"Strength without control is useless."
Adrian nodded.
"Understood."
Kael turned away.
But his expression had changed slightly.
Interesting.
The session ended soon after.
Students stood, some excited, some frustrated.
Cedric approached Adrian.
"Hey," he said, stretching his arm, "you awakened pretty easily."
Adrian shrugged lightly.
"Just followed the method."
Cedric smirked.
"Yeah? Didn't look like 'just' that."
Before Adrian could reply—
A calm voice interrupted.
"You're both improving."
Seraphina.
She stood there, composed as always.
But her gaze lingered on Adrian for a moment longer than usual.
"Not bad," she added.
Adrian met her eyes.
"Same to you."
A short silence.
Not awkward.
Just… quiet.
Then she turned and left.
Cedric leaned slightly closer.
"…You two have a thing or what?"
Adrian ignored him.
But as he walked away—
He could still feel it.
The aura within him.
Stable.
Growing.
And for the first time—
He felt it clearly.
He wasn't just keeping up anymore.
He was progressing faster.
And this…
Adrian's gaze sharpened slightly.
…is just the beginning.