Morning felt the same as always. I woke up, washed up, and sat down for breakfast with my family. Nothing unusual at first glance—calm atmosphere, familiar routine—but I already knew the day wouldn't be entirely ordinary. After breakfast, training began.
This time, however, there was a difference. Tia was training with me. And that alone changed everything.
We started with a run. As always, I wore my weighted gear—five weights, twenty kilograms each. Heavy, but manageable. I had long since adapted to this burden.
But then I glanced at Tia…
She was wearing five weights of one hundred kilograms each.
For a moment, I just stared.
Despite her slender, almost fragile appearance, she moved effortlessly, like the weight meant nothing. Like gravity simply didn't apply to her.
A quiet thought slipped through my mind:
She's a damn monster…
—Did you just think something rude?
Her voice cut through my thoughts instantly.
—No.
I answered calmly, but a chill ran down my spine. Her instincts were terrifying.
After the run came strength training. The usual routine—but with Tia nearby, everything felt more intense. She wasn't just training. She was watching. Evaluating.
Then she spoke again:
—Brother, want to spar again?
There was a faint smile on her face.
—I don't mind… but isn't it a waste of time for you?
—No. Helping my little brother is worth it.
—I see. Then I'll rely on you.
—No magic. Only the sword.
I didn't argue.
We took our positions, standing opposite each other with training swords in hand.
At first, the fight resembled yesterday's. We exchanged blows—sometimes I attacked, sometimes she did. I used the Twelve Steps of the Storm. Tia responded with it as well, but also mixed in a sword style I didn't recognize.
Something she learned at the academy, no doubt.
And since I didn't understand that style, I kept getting hit.
The fight dragged on for about ten minutes.
Thanks to my training—and especially the experience from the mage's inheritance—I had learned to manage my aura far more efficiently. Even after ten minutes, I had only used about half of it.
—So? Ready to get serious?
Tia's tone changed slightly.
Then she accelerated.
Now I could barely keep up. Every strike was heavier, faster, sharper. If this continued, I'd end up beaten like a dog again.
…No choice.
I had to take a risk.
I decided to try something I had been thinking about—parrying using the Twelve Steps of the Storm.
Timing it perfectly, I struck her blade with the technique.
It worked.
I immediately transitioned into a counterattack.
Tia parried everything. Effortlessly.
Damn it… this is impossible.
Frustration rose inside me.
I miscalculated again—just slightly—and the next moment her training sword struck my face.
Pain exploded, and my vision blurred.
Still not enough.
I tried again. Another attempt to parry using the Storm Steps—
This time I failed completely.
My sword snapped.
—Your sword's broken. Let's stop here—for now.
I nodded.
Even so… it wasn't a waste.
My swordsmanship was improving—not just the style, but fundamentals too. My defense had become noticeably better.
Then a thought crossed my mind.
—Tia… help me learn to parry using the Twelve Steps of the Storm.
She looked at me, slightly puzzled.
So I explained:
—If I strike the opponent's blade at the right moment using the Storm Steps, I can redirect the momentum… and immediately counterattack.
—I see… so that's what you were trying to do.
She nodded, understanding.
—You know, that's actually a good idea. If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it was possible.
She paused, then smiled slightly.
—If it works… then help me learn it too.
—Fair enough.
That evening, after dinner, we resumed training.
This time, we focused entirely on that parrying technique.
It was incredibly difficult. Catching the exact timing felt almost impossible.
But since neither of us was using excessive aura, our swords didn't break during practice.
And after a full month of training…
We both mastered it. Perfectly.
Of course, we didn't forget sparring.
And every time—I was still beaten like a pig.
But I didn't complain.
My skills were improving at an insane pace.
At the same time, I didn't neglect cultivation.
My Sea of Consciousness was still far from the second rank…
But my aura core was getting closer.
Closer and closer.
And then—
On the tenth month in this body, I woke up as usual. Washed up. Breakfast. Another beating from Tia. Nothing special.
I had already gotten used to everything.
Even the nightmares. Even waking up in the middle of the night.
After training, I sat down to meditate.
And finally—
A breakthrough.
The new rank.
Pain surged through my entire body, like thousands of needles piercing me at once.
It hurt.
But I knew what it was.
Impurities leaving my body.
After ten minutes, it was over.
Strangely… it was easier than the first rank.
—Congratulations on your breakthrough.
Tia stood nearby, smiling brightly. She was genuinely happy for me.
—Who would've thought you'd reach the second rank in just ten months…
Second rank…
Finally.
Now I could use the Caldrys movement technique.
Why hadn't I learned it earlier?
Because it was dangerous.
Due to the nature of the Storm Steps, parts of the legs are coated in aura. Using an incompatible movement technique could easily injure them.
Storm Stride — 5★
A wind-based movement technique that builds momentum with each step.
When combined with the Twelve Steps of the Storm, it becomes equivalent to a 6★ technique.
The technique was delivered to me by the butler.
From what I understood, Ryuon was one of the most trusted people in the household… and likely at least fourth rank.
Now I could see Tia's rank clearly—but not his.
That alone said enough.
From that moment on, my training with Tia also included mastering Storm Stride.
Two weeks later, father returned.
When he saw me, even he paused for a brief moment.
But quickly regained his usual cold expression.
—How are things at the border, Your Grace?
I asked.
—Most demons who tried to cross it are dead.
Most…
Meaning not all.
The rest of the day passed as usual.
And after another month, I finally mastered Storm Stride at an advanced level.
Now… it was truly usable in real combat.
—Tomorrow we leave for the capital.
At dinner, father dropped the news like a bomb.
—There's a banquet. Princess Eleris is entering the academy.