Aidan felt like his body was weighed down—every movement was difficult. His hands, his legs—everything ached. Matthew truly wasn't going easy on him, even on the first day of training. After basic hand-to-hand practice, Matthew ordered him to work on stamina, endurance, and strength alongside the other recruits.
Aidan leaned against a tree at the far edge of the training grounds, utterly exhausted. Sweat drenched his body as he struggled to steady his breathing. The shade of the tree stretched over the nearby area, and from beneath it, he watched the other recruits still training. They had started at dawn, and now, with afternoon approaching, they showed no signs of stopping—no breaks, no rest. Unlike him.
Aidan clicked his tongue in frustration.
Just then, Matthew appeared before him.
"Enough rest, Aidan. It's time for you to feel the aura. Are you ready?" he asked.
Aidan got up, using the tree for support as he stood. His legs still shook, wobbling slightly as he said with a smile, "Never before have I been more ready for something as much as I am now."
Matthew waved his hand helplessly and sighed before saying, "Alright." Stepping closer to Aidan, he lowered himself to the ground and gestured for Aidan to do the same.
Aidan, too, sat in a lotus position, just like Matthew.
"Let me clarify something before we start," Matthew said. He opened his palm, which was soon covered by a red hue. Picking up a pebble from the ground, he crushed it effortlessly with his index and thump finger.
"This—what I just used—is aura. You can enforce your body with it to do things that a normal body can't, just like how I did now."
"First, we need you to sense the aura. Sensing aura isn't difficult—almost everyone can do it with some training. Some learn early, some later, but nearly every person succeeds. Only in very rare cases is someone unable to sense it at all."
He pointed at his abdomen. "Pulling it here and solidifying it here is the hard part. This is also the step that, when completed, earns you the name of incomplete Rank One being. It's where many people stop, unable to infuse mana into their core."
Matthew waved his hand dismissively. "This is not something that you need to worry about for now."
"You need to feel the aura that flows through your body. Only after that will you be able to pull it toward the center of your abdomen, solidify it, and make it a core. The more exhausted or in pain a person is, the more likely they are to feel aura.
There are some exceptional cases where, if one has a larger aura limit, they can unleash it in times of danger, but it is purely unconscious."
Aidan frowned. "What decides someone's aura limit?" he interrupted.
Matthew snorted and shot him a glare. "I was getting there."
"Aura limit is decided by your body's potential—the healthier and stronger you are, the more aura you can hold, which depends upon your lineage and genetics."
Matthew pointed at Aidan. "You have strong genetic potential because of your father, but it doesn't mean anything if it isn't properly nurtured. Do not misunderstand, Aidan—aura is still just a step and not the end. Having genetic potential doesn't mean you are stronger compared to your peers; it just simply means you have a slight edge."
Aidan nodded in understanding. He already knew he was blessed in this life.
Matthew continued, "Aura is also capable of physically strengthening your body—literally. As an example," he pointed to the tree, "if you were to punch that tree and break your knuckles, then drink a potion called Restorix, you would be able to heal the injury while also reinforcing that part of your body.
"This is because of the potion's properties—such as liquefied mana in a small amount—which accelerates healing and amplifies aura's effects, even without a core."
"But it doesn't mean that your body doesn't have a limit to getting stronger. There will be a point when it stops getting stronger until you undergo life-essence transformation."
"This potion is meant for recruits to use before forming their core, ensuring they develop a strong foundation and strong aura. Most recruits follow this method, but some choose a softer approach, avoiding physical reinforcement and rushing to form a core instead. Once a core is formed, it naturally strengthens the body without the need to go through this."
Matthew stopped and asked, "Any questions now?"
Aidan thought before he spoke. "If forming a core first strengthens the body anyway, why bother with reinforcement? Isn't the 'soft' path smarter?"
"A core grown in a weak body is like a sword made of rust," Matthew replied. "It'll cut, but shatter against real steel. The soft path is for those who'll never reach the top. It's as simple as that, Aidan."
He leaned forward, his voice turning grave. "Weak cores have their own consequences—inability to sustain refined mana in larger amounts, negligible body strengthening, and more."
Matthew studied Aidan's face. "The path you choose is yours and yours alone. So tell me—shall we begin your first aura-sensing lesson?"
Aidan nodded firmly. "I'm ready."
"Now heed my words and close your eyes. First, start with the outside and slowly enter the inner world. Let your exhaustion and pain guide you. Focus on where your body aches most—that's where you'll first sense the aura.
"Search for that subtle energy trying to mend your weariness. Feel your blood coursing through you, your breath steadying—that rhythm is the energy you seek. Just focus on your internal self now."
Aidan felt the afternoon wind—slightly hot—touch his skin. At that moment, he felt the shade of the tree which covered the area while hearing a bird chirp above. As he slowly entered the inner world, he felt his breath. With each inhalation, his stomach rose, and with each exhalation, it fell.
He slowly diverted his attention toward his blood, feeling it course through the areas where he was most exhausted—his legs. He tried to focus on the pain in them, searching for any motion in that area. Time passed. He didn't feel any change, other than feeling less exhausted than before. He struggled, his brow unconsciously furrowing.
Matthew, who was watching Aidan, saw his frown and spoke. "That's enough for today."
Aidan opened his eyes. "I didn't feel any aura."
Matthew laughed slightly before smiling. "It's your first day—what did you expect? No matter how big of a genius you are, it's never been heard of to feel aura on the very first day. So relax and let your body rest. Don't get impatient."
"Alright," Aidan nodded as he stood, understanding it wasn't something to rush. He had a class with Henry to attend.
He was at the very end of his class, which he would finish in a few sessions with Henry.
No one noticed it not even Matthew, but there was figure in the sky as watching Aidan from start to finish.