Aidan shifted his stance, recalling the way the captain had moved on the training ground—light on his toes, grounded yet fluid. He threw a sharp jab, followed by a quick kick, his eyes focused on keeping his balance just right. He had learned martial arts on earth making it bit easier for him to grasp the techniques.
After doing a few sets of the combat techniques, he paused, taking small sips of water from the nearby container.
After taking a fifteen-minute break, Aidan started again, this time with push-ups and sit-ups. Aidan made sure that he didn't overdo it. One, two, three... he counted the number of push-ups in his mind as sweat ran down his arms.
Twenty-nine, thirty... he counted the final one as he took a seat, waiting for his body to recover before starting with other exercises.
This had become a routine for Aidan now after finishing his dinner with his family, which included everyone from his parents to Uncle Erwin and Lady Charlotte, lady violet and aunty lily
After finishing his dinner, he ran straight to his room - something he had been able to get after some insistence on his birthday. Aidan, who had recovered a bit, started his practice. Just as he reached twenty sit-ups, he heard a knock on his door, which was followed by his mother's voice.
"Yes, Mother?" Aidan replied, panicked.
Sophia pushed the door open as she entered, saying, Why so jumpy? Sophia said, stepping in with a soft sigh. "I've been out here for a while now. So this is why you made such a fuss about getting your own room."
Aidan, who knew that he had been caught, quietly walked toward his mother. "I'm sorry, Mother," he said, his expression downcast.
Sophia shook her head as she said, "its fine, Aidan," while she cupped his cheeks with both of her hands. "You want to learn combat, right? Go, go for it," she said as tears appeared in her eyes. She stumbled on her words before saying, "But promise me, Aidan… if it ever comes down to it, choose yourself first. Not strength. Not pride. Just you."? Tell me you will prioritize your safety first?"
Aidan, seeing his mother, felt a tightness in his chest - a painful sensation. This pain on his mother's face was familiar to him; it was something he had given to many. It was pain.
He nodded, unable to say more than that. He wanted to hug her, to say not to worry, but his hands didn't move, nor did his mouth.
Sophia wiped her tears away as she said, "Thank you!!" with a half-smile on her face.
Once again, Aidan felt pain. Why was she thanking him? Those things she wanted him to promise were for his sake. Then why was she thanking him? He should be the one thanking her. Aidan opened his mouth as he said, "Thank you, Mother." Sophia smiled hearing his words.
Aidan felt a bit lighter. The tightness in his chest softened. He knew that just a thank you couldn't possibly ease the pain she was feeling, but even so, those two words still must have helped, he thought, his palm clenched.
Sophia looked at him, her warm gaze visible, as she couldn't help but ask. She paused but continued, "Why are you so eager to become a ranker?" she asked.
"Mother, I'm not eager to become a ranker," Aidan said, pausing as he continued, "I just wish to be strong - strong to be free." Aidan stated, his eyes firm.
Sophia couldn't help but be taken aback as she tilted her head, asking once more, "What does 'strong' mean exactly?"
"It's simple, Mom," Aidan said. "Being strong, Mother... its freedom. The power to break the chains that hold you, to walk your path without asking for permission. To shape the world—not be shaped by it." That's what strong means, Mother - to be unbounded by rules and regulations, to be oneself. That is what it means to be strong."
Sophia couldn't help but think how she had never paid attention to her son's ambition before. It was vast. His yearning for power wasn't something she could stop. His ambition to be free, to be strong, was visible from the start. She just hadn't noticed.
Sophia cupped his cheeks once again as she said, "Alright, son. Go become strong if that is what you wish. But remember this: if you feel tired on the journey, return to me. I am always going to be here." She kissed his forehead, saying good night as she left his room.
Aidan lingered in the same position for a few seconds as the words of his mother echoed in his ears before reaching for his bed.
Sophia walked toward her room, her fingers sliding along the walls.
She loved her son more than anything—and yet, here she was, standing in the way of the very thing he needed. Just like the world had once stood in her way.
She knew that power was crucial in this world, more than anything. She knew what that power was: the nobles, the prestigious superior nobles of the Human Empire, who first had dismissed her like the beggar she was but now were at her feet.
Not because they feared her - no - but because they feared and respected her husband.
Her husband's power was so vast that they didn't even dare to talk badly to her. Not even those of other proud races dared to mention the dark past of the Wilson duchess.
She sighed heavily, opening the door as she stepped into her and her husband's room.
Liam, already aware of everything, stepped forward and wrapped her in his arm as he said, "Sophia, stop worrying. Aidan is my son." A proud smirk appeared on his lips as he said, "I can already say this even before he's started his journey: Aidan Wilson will create history unlike anyone. He will reshape the entire world."
Sophia chuckled as she wrapped her arms around his waist, hearing his words. "Every father wants his son to surpass him," she said, "but the thing is, Aidan's father Liam Wilson has set the bar too high."
Liam didn't say more. He just smiled, watching Sophia's face lighten at last. The room fell into a soft silence.