Kaiser finally left the training grounds after his fight with Adriana. Sweat still clung to his skin, and his aching muscles reminded him of the grueling day he had endured. He headed straight for the estate baths, seeking a moment of calm. The hot water offered welcome relief and gradually melted away the heaviness in his body. Once out, he dried off quickly, slipped into clean clothes, and set off toward his manor, certain the evening would end without further surprises.
He was wrong.
At the foot of the stone staircase leading to the gardens, he made out a motionless figure in the middle of the path. It was Kethra. She was not in the habit of showing up unannounced. She never came just to say hello.
He stopped a few paces from her.
"You were really waiting for me here," he asked.
She held out a vial.
"It's a strengthening potion. You'll need it."
Kaiser froze for a moment. Receiving something from her was not common. She always kept that distant attitude, that cold gaze that seemed to weigh every word. Yet today he sensed something different. Nothing dramatic, just a detail, a nuance. A slightly less sharp way of looking at him.
"Thank you," Kaiser replied, taking the vial.
They walked a few steps in silence before settling on a bench near a well-tended flowerbed. The breeze gently stirred the leaves, and the garden's calm lent a simpler atmosphere to their exchange. Kaiser uncorked the potion and took a few sips. Warmth from the liquid spread through his body at once.
Kethra crossed her arms.
"The fight against Adriana made you improve. But it's not enough if you want to awaken your aura."
Kaiser looked up at her.
"When exactly will that happen? You've done it yourself. You could at least give me an estimate."
She shook her head gently.
"You train, but you're not training the way you need to yet. My master always told me that aura is only granted to those who deserve it. Not to those who demand it."
She spoke those words with a seriousness that showed how important the subject was to her. Kaiser knew her master was no ordinary person. In the memories from the novel, that master belonged to the Ashborn family, a lineage whose reputation alone could silence any warrior. A sister of the clan head, if memory served. A woman known for her strict discipline and almost inhuman demands.
Kaiser set the vial down and sighed.
"So I just have to keep wearing myself out day after day."
"That's how everyone started," Kethra answered. "You think I became like this in a month? You're dreaming."
She raised a hand and lightly tapped the top of his head, as if to bring him back to reality. The gesture was quick, but it felt a little more human than usual. Kaiser felt a brief flicker of embarrassment, though he showed nothing.
He stretched slightly.
"I'd need something more than strengthening potions. If I could buy a life elixir, that would be perfect."
Kethra turned her head toward him a fraction.
"You know vital elixir isn't easy to find. It's not the kind of potion you just buy. Even your status isn't always enough."
'Damn, I said that out loud. Whatever, I know,' Kaiser replied. "But I'll try anyway."
Vital elixir was a rare product, crafted only by the finest alchemists. The raw material came solely from Yggdrasil sap. The very name was enough to drive its price sky-high. The elixir lacked the explosive power of a healing potion, but its effects lasted long: two months. Two months during which fatigue seemed to vanish and endurance grew day by day. With such a thing, Kaiser could train without endless breaks. He could push past his limits far faster than planned.
'I need to rank up as quickly as possible,' he thought. 'I can't waste time at my current level.'
Kethra gazed at the sky for a moment; she seemed to understand what he was thinking.
"As long as you keep working, you'll get there eventually. But if you think a potion will do the work for you, you're wrong. The elixir doesn't replace effort."
"I never said otherwise," Kaiser answered with a faint smile. "But I don't see why I'd turn down something that can help."
She appeared to accept his answer. Coming from her, that was almost a sign of trust.
A soldier appeared on the far side of the garden. He approached with a respectful bearing.
"Young Lord Kaiser, several people wish to meet with you."
'Tch, not even a damn moment of peace…'
"Send them to my office," Kaiser replied.
The soldier saluted and left at once.
Kaiser stood.
"I guess the evening isn't over."
"It never really is," Kethra said calmly.
They left the garden together. The manor loomed before them, imposing and silent. Since taking his brother's place, Kaiser had inherited the authority, the weight of responsibilities, and the main office.
Isaak's funeral was scheduled for tomorrow. The thought made Kaiser's shoulders sag slightly.
Even dead, that bastard was giving him a headache. He had to handle the preparations, greet important guests, organize the guards, check the ledgers, receive reports. It was too much for one person, but he had no choice. The heir had to stand tall. The heir could not afford to falter.
He entered the manor. The corridors were lit by lanterns with soft light. Portraits of past family members hung on the walls. Isaak was in one of them. Kaiser quickly looked away and headed to his office.
The room still carried the faint scent of discreet perfume. The desk was perfectly organized.
He drew a slow breath and sat down.
"Alright, let's see what you want from me."
The doors opened and the visitors entered.
The night had only just begun.