The air of the Cromwell estate was thick with tension, yet beneath it all, a quiet understanding had begun to form. Aeros's training had begun in earnest, but in the quiet corners of the estate, other stories were unfolding—ones that would shape the future just as much as his struggles.
The candlelight flickered gently in the lavish chamber of Leon Cromwell, casting soft shadows on the stone walls. Across from him, his mother, Lady Evelyn Cromwell, regarded her son with an affectionate gaze. Unlike the other wives of Julius, Evelyn had always been a calm and composed woman, never one to involve herself in the political strife between the different branches of the family. She had raised Leon with the same mindset—to grow strong but never let envy consume him.
Yet tonight, Leon's heart was restless. A strange mix of anticipation and doubt churned within him, memories of past battles flashing through his mind. He clenched his fist absently, recalling every moment Aeros had once faltered, every instance where he had proven himself unworthy. And yet, something had changed. That certainty was gone, replaced by an unsettling excitement—an itch he couldn't quite scratch.
"He's improving," Leon murmured, swirling the herbal tea in his cup. "That match with Father… even though he lost, he held his own. He's changing."
Evelyn's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And does that bother you?"
Leon exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "No… well, not in a bad way. It's frustrating, sure, but also… exhilarating. I always thought he'd remain the weakling everyone whispered about. But now, I don't know. It's like he's finally becoming someone worth fighting against."
Evelyn set her cup down, her emerald eyes twinkling. "That's a good thing, Leon. Rivalry can either breed hatred or strength—it depends on how you wield it. And I know my son well enough to believe he will take the right path."
Leon leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "I want to fight him again. Not out of obligation… but because I want to see how strong he'll become."
Evelyn chuckled softly. "You sound just like your father when he was younger. He never truly respected anyone until they proved themselves. And now, it seems Aeros is doing just that."
Leon smirked, shaking his head. "Don't compare me to Father. He's on a completely different level."
Unknown to them, a figure stood just outside the chamber door, listening quietly. Lys, the loyal knight assigned to Aeros, had been passing by when he overheard the conversation. At first, he had only intended to check the halls, but hearing Leon's words made him pause.
He had always respected the young lord for his strong will, and now, hearing him acknowledge Aeros's growth with genuine admiration, Lys couldn't help but feel pride swell in his chest. The Cromwell family was filled with warriors, but the true strength of a house wasn't just in their might—it was in the bonds they built.
Lys smiled to himself, stepping away before he was noticed. At least some of them are on his side.
But not everyone in the estate shared the same sentiments.
Across the estate, in the dimly lit corridors of another wing, hushed voices spoke in venomous whispers.
"Julius is paying too much attention to that boy," a woman's voice hissed.
"He's still nothing but a weakling," a younger voice responded—smooth, arrogant. "Copper Core? He's still beneath us."
Lady Vivian Cromwell sat in the cushioned chair of her private chambers, her delicate fingers tracing the rim of a wine glass. Her son, Darius Cromwell, stood by the window, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto the distant training grounds.
"He may be weak now," Vivian said, swirling the wine in her glass, "but if he keeps progressing at this rate, he'll become an inconvenience."
Darius scoffed. "Then we should put him in his place before that happens."
Vivian smirked, swirling the wine in her glass with deliberate ease. "Patience, my dear." The best way to deal with a rising star… is to make sure it never gets to shine."
As the night deepened, unseen forces moved within the Cromwell estate—some in admiration, some in loyalty, and others in silent malice. The trials Aeros would soon face were only just beginning.
Back in the medical chambers, Aeros stirred in his sleep, a frown creasing his brow. A sense of unease gnawed at his subconscious, though he couldn't place why. Even in a new world, even with a new family, one truth remained unchanged—
Not everyone wanted him to succeed.
Aetherion's sky stretched vast above the Cromwell estate, the golden hue of dawn painting the horizon as morning mist curled around the stone paths. The past few days had been a blur for Aeros—between training, uncovering pieces of his mother's past, and dealing with the weight of his father's expectations, sleep had been a luxury he had rarely indulged in.
Still, as he stood in the private courtyard, his muscles aching from relentless sparring, he knew he had little time to waste. He was at the Copper Core level but what stage that was unknown, and the academy required at least a Silver Core to even be considered. That meant weeks, if not months, of grueling training ahead.
Or at least, that was the plan.
From the shadows of the training yard, a figure watched Aeros carefully. Tall, broad-shouldered, and donned in polished armor, It was none other than "Lys", short for Lysander Vaelmont, he was unlike the other knights in the Cromwell estate. His piercing gray eyes held an intensity that many found unnerving, but his presence was steady, like an immovable fortress. Unlike the other guards, who paid their respects to Julius first, Lys's loyalty had always been unwaveringly directed toward Aeros.
"Your stance is too rigid," Lys said, stepping forward. "You won't be able to counter a faster opponent if you plant your feet too firmly."
Aeros, who had been struggling to keep his balance in a particularly difficult form, turned to look at the knight. "And you are?"
Lys smirked. "Your new combat instructor."
"Wait, what? Since when?"
Julius's voice cut through the crisp air. "Since now."
Aeros turned to find his father approaching, arms crossed, his ever-present cold demeanor unwavering. "Lys is among the few warriors who have attained a Platinum Core and is well-versed in both martial and magical combat. If you have any hopes of reaching Silver Core before the academy, you'll need someone of his caliber."
Aeros blinked. Platinum Core? That was absurdly high—beyond what most knights ever achieved. He eyed Lys warily. "So, what's in it for you?"
Lys simply chuckled. "A personal promise I made long ago." His tone gave nothing away, but there was a glint of something in his gaze that made Aeros uneasy.
Aeros trained under the guidance of Lys, while the Loyal knight excused himself and strolled out of the courtyard.
Deep in the grand halls of the palace, a meeting was taking place in hushed voices. Cloaked figures stood in a dimly lit chamber, gathered around an ornate table where a map of Aetherion lay spread. At the center of the discussion was the Cromwell family—and more specifically, Aeros.
"The boy is improving," a voice rasped from the shadows. "Julius has taken too much interest in him. "
A noblewoman, her features veiled by the flickering candlelight, leaned forward. "Then we move forward with the plan?"
A grizzled man nodded. "Yes. He must not reach the academy. We make our move before then."
Unbeknowst to them, someone stood outside the door and had heard everything Tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword, Lys backed off into the shadows.
Back at the estate, Lys approached Aeros, his expression unusually grim.
"What's with the face?" Aeros asked between breaths.
Lys hesitated before speaking. "You should be careful." His voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency that made Aeros pause. A faint chill ran down his spine at the knight's tone. He forced himself to shake it off, but the unease lingered, a nagging whisper in the back of his mind. "Not everyone in this kingdom wants you to succeed."
Aeros frowned but didn't press further. He made a silent vow—whatever secrets this family held, he would uncover them all. And he would make sure he survived long enough to do it.
In the large study room, Julius was walking from one side to the other impatiently. When he heard the door of his room creak, he turned to the person entering and asked, " What took you so long? Report now! " The voice from the other side said, "My Lord, you guessed it right. They are planning to make their move when the young lord travels to the academy." The voice speaking was Lys the loyal knight to Aeros. Julius, his expression grim, spoke, " Lys, make sure to eliminate all threats aimed towards my boy. I don't want them spared. "
"Understood, my lord. You can be rest assured I won't let anyone with ill intent come within a mile radius of my young lord." Hearing this, Julius sighed in relief.