The morning mist rolled in soft and quiet over the eastern woods of the Aetherwyn estate, blanketing the training fields in a silver veil. A lone figure stood at the foot of a steep hill, arms folded, expression resolute.
Aaron Aetherwyn, dressed in plain training robes and soaked in early dew, stared up the incline with grim determination.
"I've been too soft," he muttered to himself. "Sure, I meditate. Sure, I read books I can't understand. But am I truly training?"
He clenched his fist, dramatically.
"I need to break my limits."
Then, with the seriousness of a hero embarking on a world-saving quest, he looked around for something to train with.
That's when he saw it: a large, oddly symmetrical black boulder lodged in a shallow crater just a few paces away. It hummed faintly in the air, unseen to all but the most sensitive magical instruments.
Aaron blinked. "Perfect."
---
Elsewhere…
In a forgotten chamber beneath the Holy Tower of Origin, an ancient crystal flared.
A seer choked on her tea.
"The World Core Fragment just… shifted?" she whispered. "That's impossible. It's sealed under six celestial inscriptions and a dragon's curse."
The head priest of the Order of Balance dropped his staff.
"Notify the Nine Thrones. A god has returned."
---
Back on the hill…
Aaron wrapped his arms around the boulder. "Alright, you heavy little thing, let's go."
It didn't budge.
He adjusted his grip.
"Okay. Use your legs, not your back."
He strained.
The earth cracked beneath his feet. Wind gusted outward. In the forest, birds took flight en masse.
The boulder groaned… and lifted.
Aaron stumbled backward, shocked.
"Oh. Huh. I thought it'd be heavier. Weird shape, though. Why's it humming?"
Shrugging, he began carrying the rock up the hill.
---
At a military observatory in the Western Reaches…
"Commander!" a mage shouted. "Massive celestial spike near the Human Continent's central point. Tier-S grade artifact activity!"
The commander turned pale. "Is it… waking up?"
"No," the mage whispered. "It's moving."
---
Meanwhile…
Aaron had finally reached the top of the hill. Sweat soaked his shirt, his arms ached, and his heart pounded.
He dropped the boulder with a grunt and flopped down beside it.
"That… was definitely a workout. I think my bones are crying."
He stared at the sky, panting.
"I bet other people do this kind of training every day. Probably with heavier rocks, too. I'm really behind."
The boulder glowed faintly in response. Aaron didn't notice.
He rolled onto his side and patted the stone like a loyal dog.
"Good job, buddy. You'll help me get strong."
Then he curled beside it and dozed off.
---
Back at the mansion…
The Duke of House Aetherwyn read the scout's report with a blank expression.
> "Young master carried a large unidentified magical object up the east hill. Witnesses observed spatial distortion, mana fluctuation, and tremors. Estimated mass exceeds 30,000 tons. Training concluded with nap."
The Duke set the paper down and slowly took off his glasses.
"…He's already entering the 'object-familiarization phase.' Just like the Archon of Stars…"
He stood. "Summon the Elders. Quietly. And double the concealment enchantments around him. If any other household realizes he's awakening, the world will not be ready."
---
In the capital…
A black-robed figure stood before an ancient mirror, watching the flickering silhouette of the boulder rise into view.
"So… the seal is weakening," the figure whispered. "After two thousand years… it stirs again."
His eyes narrowed.
"…But who is the fool touching it?"
---
Back on the hill…
Aaron snored softly, curled beside the divine artifact like a cat beside a radiator.
One leg twitched.
He mumbled in his sleep, "…Stupid mosquito…"
---
End of Chapter 8