The soft patter of rain against the roof filled the quiet dining room. The flickering lanterns cast a warm glow over the wooden table where Zay sat, finishing his meal. The warmth of the food lingered in his stomach, a comforting contrast to the cool air seeping in from the misty streets outside.
He set his bowl down with a soft clink, exhaling lightly as he wiped his mouth.
"Thanks for the meal. It was really good." His voice was calm, almost absentminded, as he pushed the chair back and stood.
The house was dimly lit, the wooden floor cool beneath his steps as he walked down the corridor. The scent of rain drifted in through the open windows, blending with the faint scent of old books and candle wax. Stopping at a door near the end of the hall, he raised his hand and knocked softly.
"Come in." Maple's voice came from inside, light but firm.
Zay slid the door open, stepping inside. Maple sat near her desk, a half-read book resting beside her, the candlelight illuminating the strands of her black hair. She turned slightly in her chair, watching him with an unreadable expression.
Zay didn't waste time.
"I suggest seeking a higher education at Ovaris Grandium." His voice was steady, purposeful.
Maple's brows lifted slightly, but she didn't speak right away. Instead, she leaned back, crossing her arms.
"… W-Why suggest such a thing out of nowhere?"
Zay studied her for a moment.
'I can't exactly say I know what she's thinking of doing in the future… but around this time, she starts considering her path. I suggested that one specifically because of an event that happens in a few years… If she does decide to go, she'll be in her third year by then.'
He exhaled lightly, choosing his words. "I just thought to give you some advice. That's where I was planning to go after I graduated, but I ended up choosing a different path." A small smile tugged at his lips before he pushed himself off the chair. "That's all I had to say."
'Even if she's older than me, she never thought of taking an actual path in life until now.'
He turned, walking toward the door.
Maple didn't stop him, but her hazel gaze lingered on his retreating figure.
The corridor was dimmer now, the rain outside growing heavier. Zay felt the humidity in the air as he entered his room, sliding the door shut behind him. His eyes drifted over a small wooden table cluttered with a few scattered books, and a thin layer of dust settling over the surface.
He sighed. "I need to clean that."
Walking over, he swiped a hand across the table, clearing the dust before stacking the books properly. The sight was more organized now, making the room feel lighter, less stagnant.
'That's a lot better.'
The rain continued to trace patterns along the window, streaks of water slipping down the glass. Zay exhaled, rolling his shoulders before stifling a small yawn.
"Well… Looks like I need to get some rest." His voice dropped to a murmur, half-speaking to himself. "To stay on schedule, I need to contract my Seal sometime in the next five months… That should be more than possible with the way my aura is developing."
He walked to his bed, pulling back the thick, warm blankets before settling beneath them. The moment he lay down, the warmth settled around his body, the steady sound of raindrops against the roof lulling him into stillness.
Turning to his side, he let out one final breath, his thoughts drifting as the night stretched on.
As the hours slipped away, the golden hues of late morning filtered through the curtains, casting long streaks of light across the wooden floor. The faint chirping of birds outside mixed with the distant murmur of the city awakening, but within the room, all was still—until a slow, drawn-out breath signaled movement.
Zay stirred, blinking away the remnants of sleep before pushing himself upright. A yawn escaped his lips as he stretched, his joints popping in protest after hours of stillness. The cool air from the small opened window brushed against his bare skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the blankets now pooled around him.
'Two months of aura mastery and physical conditioning. The third month will be solely for aura mastery. The fourth will be divided into two parts. The first part will solely be for physical training, and the rest of the month for forming the contract with a Seal.'
It was a brutal schedule, pushing the limits of what should be reasonable for a body in its teenage years. But, reasonable wasn't an option. If he wanted to ensure everything went to plan perfectly, there was no choice but to commit fully.
Sliding the door open, he stepped into the corridor, the dim candlelight flickering against the polished wood as he made his way toward the living room. The air was thick with the scent of morning dew that had seeped in through the walls, mingling with the faint smokiness of burnt-out candles.
Renzo was already there, seated casually on the floor, his hands resting on his knees, but his sharp gaze lifted the moment Zay entered.
"Let's get some more training done?" Renzo's voice carried a lazy confidence, but the underlying energy was unmistakable.
Zay smirked. "Perfect timing. I was just about to get started." He cracked his knuckles slightly. "Will Lily be joining us, or are we going solo?"
Renzo let out a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "She already started—about four hours ago."
That actually made Zay pause. He raised a brow, impressed despite himself. "She woke up early? And actually did something instead of hibernating until dinner?"
"Before me, even." Renzo stretched, rolling his shoulders before shaking out his arms. "She was out the door before sunrise."
For a moment, Zay was quiet, his gaze thoughtful.
'Maybe… this time will be different after all.'
'Both of them know how to use aura, even if only at a basic level. That fact alone placed them leagues ahead of the average person. Most criminals in this continent don't even have aura. No training, most, not even knowledge that it even existed. That single advantage was a game-changer. It eliminates a significant portion of the risks they'd otherwise have to account for.'
Zay exhaled slowly before nodding to himself. "Let's go." Without another word, he pushed open the front door and stepped outside, Renzo following close behind.
The moment they emerged, Renzo squinted up at the sky, blinking in exaggerated disbelief.
"No way…" He let out a breathy laugh, wiping away an imaginary tear. "A day without rain? The sun is actually shining instead of pissing on us with a bunch of clouds? Miracles do exist."
Zay shot him a deadpan look, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "You're an idiot."
Renzo only grinned.
The cool air clung to the damp stone streets as Zay and Renzo stepped forward, their boots splashing through shallow puddles left behind by the rainfall. Though the sky had cleared, the scent of fresh rain lingered, mixing with the earthy aroma of wet wood and the distant traces of roasted bread from the bakeries preparing for the day.
They moved through narrow streets lined with aged stone houses, their rooftops slick with moisture, chimneys still releasing wisps of smoke from the dying embers of last night's fires. Some homes had their wooden shutters thrown open, revealing dimly lit interiors where families gathered for breakfast. Others had clotheslines strung across small alleyways, fabric swaying lightly as the breeze carried the scent of soap and lavender.
As they walked, merchants were hard at work setting up their stalls. Wooden carts creaked as they were rolled into position, and the crisp rustle of burlap sacks being opened filled the air.
"Fresh fruit, straight from the southern orchards!" a vendor called, his voice rising over the morning murmur.
"Hot pastries, just out of the oven! Come get 'em while they're fresh!" another shopkeeper shouted, waving a tray stacked high with golden-brown bread glistening with honey.
Zay and Renzo passed a blacksmith's forge, where the sound of hissing steam filled the air as molten metal met cool water. A burly man with soot-streaked arms hammered away at a blade, each strike ringing out sharply.
"Need repairs? I've got time before the real rush starts," the blacksmith called out, barely glancing up from his work.
"We're good," Zay replied with a small nod, though he made a mental note to check in later.
Beyond the smithy, a tailor's shop was just opening, the scent of fresh linens and dye wafting into the streets as bolts of cloth were unfurled from storage. An elderly woman stood outside, adjusting the display mannequins draped in flowing robes and fitted tunics.
"Need something stitched up, boys?" she asked without looking, her hands deftly working a needle through a length of cloth.
Renzo grinned. "We'd ruin your work in a day."
The woman chuckled. "More business for me, then."
The streets grew livelier with each step. Children darted past, their laughter echoing as they splashed through puddles, heedless of the annoyed glances from passing nobles who stepped carefully to avoid the muddy water. A pair of scholars in deep blue robes walked briskly toward the central plaza, their voices low and urgent as they discussed something in hushed tones. A group of guards in polished armor patrolled the streets, their heavy boots thudding against the wet stone as they exchanged short, clipped words.
Then, a deep, resonant sound cut through the morning air.
GONG.
The first bell rang out from one of the empire's two grand cathedrals, its toll rolling through the city like thunder, signaling that the morning service was about to begin.
GONG.
More bells followed, their chimes overlapping as they called the faithful to prayer. Doors creaked open as people began making their way toward the towering structure in the distance, its spires cutting into the sky. The air shifted, filled with murmurs of conversation as families dressed in their finest robes headed for the grand halls.
Renzo glanced at Zay. "We cutting through the main square, or avoiding the crowd?"
Zay exhaled slowly, watching as the streets thickened with people. "Let's take the side streets. We need to get to the training grounds, not get stuck behind a bunch of nobles."
Renzo smirked. "Thought you wanted to pray for a miracle."
Zay rolled his eyes and kept walking. They veered off the main road, their pace steady as they wove through the alleys of the city, the echoes of cathedral bells and morning commerce fading behind them.
The alley twisted and turned, leading them through a maze of side streets where the noise of the main road gradually faded into a distant hum. The deeper they went, the fewer people they saw—just the occasional stray cat darting past or an old man sitting on his doorstep, puffing lazily on a pipe as he watched them with tired eyes.
Eventually, the alley opened up into a wider path lined with sparse trees, their leaves still slick with moisture. The scent of damp earth mingled with the faint metallic tang of weapons being swung through the air.
The training grounds were vast, an open space of compacted dirt surrounded by weathered stone walls. Wooden training dummies stood in formation, their surfaces riddled with deep gashes and scorch marks from past sessions. To one side, racks of training weapons gleamed under the sunlight, blades freshly sharpened and staffs neatly lined in rows.
Lily sat on a worn wooden bench, catching her breath.
Her long dark blue hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, strands of it clinging to her damp forehead. Beads of sweat rolled down her cheek before she wiped them away with the back of her wrist. Her chest rose and fell steadily as she worked to slow her breathing, her posture momentarily relaxed—but her sharp eyes caught movement.
She glanced up, spotting the two of them as they stepped into the grounds. A smirk tugged at her lips.
"Skipping service, are we?" she teased, stretching her arms above her head. "I never took you two for the devout type, but not even a quick prayer?"
Renzo snorted, shaking his head. "Yeah, because I definitely need to pray after all the blessings I already have." He gestured to himself with a dramatic flourish. "You see this? This is divine craftsmanship."
Zay simply rolled his eyes and walked past them toward the training racks.
Lily chuckled before standing up, rolling out her shoulders. She took a step toward Zay, tilting her head slightly as she studied him.
"You're not getting straight to training, are you?" she asked, voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Zay glanced at her, already knowing where this was going.
Lily smirked. "Spar with me."
Her emerald eyes gleamed with anticipation, the morning sun had begun drying the damp ground, but the air still carried a chill of last night's storm. Around them, the training grounds stood empty, save for the quiet rustle of leaves and the distant echoes of cathedral bells still ringing through the city.
Zay exhaled slowly, cracking his knuckles.
"Fine."
"Hand-to-hand combat only," Zay said, his tone firm as he slid into a stance—feet shoulder-width apart, hands raised, body relaxed but coiled like a spring.
Lily wiped the lingering sweat from her forehead, shaking out her arms before settling into her own stance. Her emerald eyes gleamed with excitement, the fatigue from her earlier training all but forgotten.
Renzo stepped back, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Alright then… GO!"
Lily wasted no time.
She lunged forward, light blue aura bursting to life around her left fist. The air crackled as she drove a powerful punch toward Zay's face.
Violet aura shimmered around Zay's body as he snatched her wrist mid-strike, using her own momentum to pivot. His muscles tensed, and with a swift pull, he vaulted over her. Twisting midair, his left foot pulsed with aura as he lashed out in a downward kick.
Lily's emerald eyes widened.
She barely managed to raise her arm in time, aura surging to reinforce her forearm. Zay's foot connected with a sharp thud, sending a jolt through her bones. Even with aura shielding her, the sheer force of the strike stung like hell, forcing her to stagger back.
'D-damn… he kicks like a damn warhorse.'
Lily charged back in, her movements sharper, more calculated. Quickly, she went for an upward kick, watching Zay react as he raised his arms to block.
'Gotcha.'
Mid-attack, she slammed her foot down instead, shifting her weight and launching an aura-infused punch straight into his ribs.
Zay's eyes widened. He hadn't expected the sudden shift—her speed, her deception. 'A feint, huh? Damn.'
Her fist connected. A deep, dull thud echoed as her knuckles sank into his side, aura bursting on impact. Zay gritted his teeth as he was sent skidding across the dirt, his boots digging trenches into the ground.
The moment his momentum slowed, he caught himself, planting a foot firmly to halt his slide. He straightened, rolling his shoulder with a small exhale, violet aura flickering briefly around his ribs where he had absorbed the impact.
Lily cracked her knuckles, breathing slightly heavier now. A confident smirk pulled at her lips. "Surprised?"
He shifted his stance slightly, aura humming to life around his hands.
"Not bad," he admitted.
Zay exhaled slowly, violet aura crackling around his entire body like a living force, pulsing in rhythm with his steadying heartbeat. His movements became sharper, his breathing controlled.
"I didn't want to do this, but I need to finish this quickly. I've got other things to do," he muttered.
Then, he moved.
His body enveloped completely in a glow of violet.
His fist cut through the air like a hammer descending, aimed directly for Lily's head.
Lily barely reacted in time, ducking low beneath the strike as the sheer force of his punch sent a shockwave towards the ground, scattering dust and loose debris. She twisted, pivoting on her heel, and launched a counterattack—her fist surging with light blue aura as she drove it toward his ribs.
But Zay had already predicted that.
His leg was in motion before her punch could land.
A devastating roundhouse kick slammed into her side.
The impact was like a sledgehammer against her ribs.
The air rushed from her lungs as her body was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing into a stone wall with an explosive CRACK. The ancient stone buckled under the force, fragments breaking away as she collapsed into the rubble, coughing violently. Blood and saliva splattered against the cracked surface as she gasped, struggling to force air back into her lungs.
Zay stood still, his aura slowly dimming as he assessed the damage. His expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of concern passed through his mind as he watched Lily push herself upright with trembling arms.
Had he gone too far?
Lily inhaled sharply, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth. Her legs felt weak, but she forced herself to stand—only to realize she had nothing left.
"This… is my loss," she admitted, voice strained as she leaned her back against the wall, sliding down until she was sitting.
Her fingers pressed against her side, her body still pulsing with pain. "I'll be fine… after a while. Continue without me." She forced a small smirk despite the sting in her ribs.
'If I hadn't activated my aura in that split second before the kick landed… I don't think I'd be alive right now.'
Renzo let out a low whistle as he walked over, crouching beside Lily with an amused shake of his head. "Damn, man. You really didn't have to obliterate her."
Zay's violet gaze lingered on Lily, thoughtful.
"Perhaps…" he murmured.
But something about the fight had stuck with him.
'She really is a natural. That last moment, she had reacted on pure instinct. A fraction of a second before my kick connected, she had reinforced her ribs with aura, mitigating what should have been a possible life-ending blow. I would've stopped my kick before it landed, but since I sensed aura, that's the only reason I didn't stop. Most people, even with aura around this time wouldn't have been able to process the danger, let alone react in time. Yet she did... somehow.'