Weeks passed.
Evans was training with more intensity, seeking to increase his speed and the capacity of all his senses. Since the duchess had left the duchy, he preferred to wait to seclude himself, as he was worried about being ambushed or that they would try to take Aria.
Evans moved through the trees at the speed of someone at the peak of the third rank, only using the mana contained in his two circles, as he did not intend to attract unnecessary attention.
"Faster, I must move faster, so that my senses adapt to the change that occurs when increasing the physical and magical capacity of the body"
Evans headed towards the ground and fell gently, then walked towards the dome of the garden.
In his current state, training no longer caused him fatigue, since to feel fatigued he had to train at the level of a fourth rank, but he did not want to appear suspicious, so he decided to meditate at night, gradually increasing the amount of his energy circulating in his body.
Upon reaching the garden dome, Aria was shaping the sparks of light she was playing with.
"Wow! What a talent!"
Some sparks joined together to form something resembling a flower, but since Aria still lacked a magic circle, what she was doing was typical of a genius.
-A flower, a flower, brother. -Aria said smiling enthusiastically.
-What will we do? My little sister is going to surpass me. Will you protect me when you are stronger than me? -Evans asked Aria while stroking her head.
-Yeah! I will protect you! -Aria exclaimed with the joy and naivety of an eight-year-old girl.
Evans sat and watched the sparks for a while...
Fire! Crackle!
An unpleasant smell that was not present, but that he remembered.
-Young sir, it's time for dinner, we must go in. -Ana indicated.
-Yes, let's go in. -Evans answered that it had been extracted from a sudden introspection.
Evans saw Aria sleeping in Lizet's arms as he walked inside the mansion.
"I think I'm close to remembering; but it still feels hazy and far away; how strange!"
When more than a month had passed, there began to be military movement in the mansion, warriors and magicians came and went.
Evans, who was resting since his body, once strengthened, was unlikely to lose the conditions it had gained, watched, leaning on a pilaster, everything that was happening.
"Something will happen soon, this has become annoying"
Among the warriors there were some nervous faces which made it evident that something that affected the dukedom was happening or about to happen.
-Young Sir, have you called me? -Stan asked following the label.
-What is happening? -Evans asked bluntly.
-A conflict is arising over water resources in the South of the Duchy. County Polt is claiming the right to possession of part of the duchy's territory based on a document that is more than 200 years old. That is what is said.
-Why is there so much movement? Who is going to run the campaign? -Evans asked, although he already had his suspicions.
-Duke Alfred Qualty; due to the severity of the conflict and the number of enemy troops in the south. -Answered Stan, who seemed worried.
"Polt County, you are on the wrong side, you will cease to exist when I regain my power."
-That's all for now. If something important happens, let me know immediately. -Evans said walking away to go to his room.
-As you order, young sir. -Stan responded, returning to the duchy's training fields.
In his room Evans saw the 10 mid-level mana elixirs that contained his energy and another 5 high-level mana elixirs that also contained his energy.
"It's powerful, but only if you attack someone off guard, otherwise they will just dodge my attacks"
Evans looked at his right hand, put the elixirs into his ring, and sat on the edge of his bed.
"This will be more chaotic than I thought. Can I still leave this body? I would wander in the middle of nowhere again. Over time I may forget Aria and my new identity; it is possible. but first, I will give my all if necessary"
Evans lay down and fell asleep.
Die!
Burn it!
The crackling of fire, a burning fire, burns a human.
He feels pain, emptiness, his heart is broken; He hates everything, he wants the flames of the fire...
Evans presses his chest with his left hand; He feels empty, but he doesn't remember; he suffers, but he doesn't know why; he hates; but he doesn't know who.
"What is happening to me? Why do these nightmares that I don't remember suddenly attack me; yes, since that day, that music, and that voice"
Evans stood up, as in the past the bed had been stained with his blood, to prevent this he attached a magical barrier to his gloves so that they would not let the blood escape.
Knock, knock, knock.
-Forward. -Evans indicated.
The butler Fred came in and reported to Evans:
-His father wants to see him.
-Okay, I'll go see him right away. wait for me a moment. -Evans went to the bathroom, changed his glove and then walked with the butler to the duke's study.
In the duke's study.
-Evans, you have worked hard, in three months you will be fourteen years old, I know you are close to the third circle, but you have been ensuring your sister's safety. You must know that in this life you have to make sacrifices to obtain greater things. I called you because I want you to accompany me to the South, so you will gain experience and then go to the academy with an unquestionable reputation. -The duke said as he looked at Evans with an inquisitive look.
-What will happen to my sister? -Evans asked without hesitation.
-I know you love her. But she is just a burden that you must leave behind if you want to achieve great achievements. -The duke indicated without showing the slightest doubt or concern for his daughter.
Evans closed his eyes for a few seconds, opening them he responded to the duke in a confident tone:
-Father, you are right, I love my sister; I also want the dukedom in the future. But I prefer to sacrifice everything, if I can guarantee Aria's safety.
The shine disappeared from the duke's eyes, he was disappointed. "In the end, you are also weak," thought the duke who finally indicated to Evans:
-I'll leave tomorrow. If you want to stay I'm not going to object. You can withdraw.
-I thank you father. May heaven witness your victory. -After saying those words Evans bowed and left the studio.