The training ground of Stonefall Keep was a simple, utilitarian yard of packed earth, surrounded by weapon racks and stern-looking wooden dummies. It was here that generations of Valerius children had shed their first blood, sweat, and tears. For Kaelen, it was a place of countless humiliations in his first life. Today, it was the stage for his first deception.
He stood in the center of the yard, clad in a loose-fitting training tunic. His father, Baron Theron, observed from the side with a critical eye, while his uncle, Marius, took the lead, circling him like a patient predator.
"Alright, Kaelen," Marius began, his voice echoing slightly in the crisp morning air. "We will begin as we always do. First, your mana. Reach out. Feel the elements around you and try to manifest a simple spark. Show us your affinity."
Kaelen closed his eyes, feigning concentration. In reality, he was interfacing with the System, its cool blue text scrolling through his mind.
> [Skill: Mana Affinity: Lightning (Dormant)]
> [Skill: Mana Affinity: Wind (Dormant)]
> Warning: Direct manifestation without proper conditioning may cause backlash.
>
In his past life, he had always struggled, only ever managing to produce a faint, pathetic glimmer after minutes of strain. Now, he could feel it clearly—a vibrant, crackling energy in the air, buzzing like a thousand tiny insects, begging to be commanded. It was the lightning element, a power far more potent than the simple "light" affinity they had always assumed he had.
He had to fail, but he had to fail convincingly. He extended his small hand, channeling the barest trickle of mana. A tiny, flickering white light, the size of a candle flame, appeared in his palm. It sputtered weakly for a few seconds before dying out.
He let out a rehearsed, frustrated sigh.
From the side, Baron Theron's shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly. It was the same disappointing result as always.
"Do not be discouraged, nephew," Marius said, his voice laced with false sympathy. "Control will come with time. Now, for your qi. Strike the testing pillar. Let us see the strength of your body and the flow of your internal energy."
Kaelen turned to face a thick wooden pillar wrapped in hardened leather. In his first life, he could barely make it shudder. His qi was present, but it was a shallow, sluggish stream. Now, with his Aurus nature unlocked, he could feel a quiet, resilient energy coiled in his dantian. It was different from his mana—calm, steady, and filled with latent vitality.
He took a deep breath, mimicking the clumsy stance Marius had taught him. He focused on his fist, channeling just enough qi to seem like an effort. He struck the pillar.
Thud.
The pillar vibrated slightly, a result that was, by all measures, pathetic for the ten-year-old heir of a warrior house. He stumbled back, feigning exhaustion.
"Again," his father commanded, his voice sharp with disappointment.
Kaelen struck the pillar again. Thud. And again. Thud. He made each strike seem like a struggle, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But on the fifth strike, he allowed himself a sliver of true control. He focused his qi not on raw power, but on a single point of impact, just as a master cultivator would.
CRACK!
A small, spiderwebbing crack, no bigger than his palm, appeared on the hardened leather.
Silence descended on the training yard.
Marius's smile vanished, his eyes narrowing in genuine surprise. Baron Theron took a step forward, his gaze locked on the crack. A ten-year-old with sluggish qi should not have been able to do that. It wasn't about power; it was about focus. An impossible level of focus.
Kaelen quickly fell to one knee, breathing heavily, clutching his fist as if he were in pain. "I... I don't know how I did that," he stammered, looking up with wide, confused eyes.
His father stared at him, a complex mix of shock, confusion, and for the first time in a long time, a flicker of genuine hope in his eyes. Marius's expression was unreadable, but a new, calculating glint had appeared in his gaze.
The seed was planted. They thought it was a fluke, a moment of accidental genius. They would not suspect it was a calculated move. For Kaelen, it was a declaration. The weak, disappointing heir they knew was gone. A new game had just begun.
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