Night had already fallen when Adam and his group saw the great walls of the city of Arkam.
Seeing that their long journey had come to an end, Adam could finally breathe a sigh of relief. His hand was still shaking from what he had seen deep in the forest. He knew that to uncover the mystery, he first had to become stronger.
He sighed and pushed those thoughts out of his mind; this was no time to be pensive.
Not long after, they entered the city, where some people remained awake and stared at the Rank III monster in fear.
Some even thought that the creature would suddenly open its eyes and kill them all.
"What is that monster? I've never seen anything like it."
"Son, if you don't listen to me, that monster will come for you in the night."
"As expected of Lord Zephyr's son, he managed to enter and leave the demonic forest alive."
The different voices reached Adam's ears, but he made no effort to pay attention to them; miraculously, he was still conscious.
Shortly after, they arrived at the mansion.
From the commotion in the streets and the stares that accumulated, Adam understood that news of his arrival had already spread throughout the city. That's why both his mother and father were waiting for him at the door.
Zephyr had a big smile on his face, while his mother, Alisha, covered her mouth with her hands. Adam could see the concern in her eyes, even though she remained steadfast in her prideful welcome.
Adam dismounted from his horse with his armor shattered, but there was a slight smile on his lips.
"I'm home, Mother... Father..."
He couldn't finish the sentence. Everything went completely dark, and the last thing he heard was his mother's muffled scream.
"ADAM!"
...
Without knowing how long he had been asleep, Adam slowly opened his eyes and recognized the ceiling of his room.
His whole body ached; it felt as if a horse had trampled him, so he tried not to move too much.
To think that I would pass out as soon as I arrived.
He looked around and saw his mother sitting next to him. Adam smiled slightly; he felt somewhat guilty for having worried her like that.
"Mother..."
She slowly opened her eyes when she heard him. They sparkled, although she seemed to be struggling to hold back her tears.
"You know how much. I've been worried; you've been unconscious for two days."
Adam opened his eyes slightly, surprised.
"Two days?"
Alisha nodded, letting out a sigh.
"Yes, but your father said you were just too exhausted, and a wizard healed your wounds."
"I see..."
Adam remained thoughtful for a moment. It was true that, since he had traveled back in time, he had been constantly on the move, demanding more from his body than he should have. The incursion into the demonic forest was probably the last straw.
He sighed deeply and looked at his mother, lowering his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Mom, for worrying you."
Adam closed his eyes, waiting for a blow, but it never came. When he opened them again, he saw his mother with a slight smile.
"I'm not going to hit you. I'm glad you're okay."
"…"
He remained silent, clenching his fists under the blanket.
Then he began chatting with his mother about his experiences in the demonic forest, deliberately omitting the parts about the combat. He only told her what the place looked like and what the different "harmless" creatures there were like.
...
The next day, Adam finished completing the daily mission to earn EXP and a stat point.
He wasn't just doing it for the reward. It also helped him stay disciplined and keep up the pace. Habits mattered. He knew that. The body got used to things quickly, for better or worse.
He didn't know where those terms came from. It wasn't the first time.
Sometimes, random ideas popped into his head: concepts, words, ways of thinking that he felt were too advanced for someone like him. Things he was sure he had never learned.
He hadn't paid attention to them before. He was too consumed by revenge.
But now... now it was different.
Adam couldn't help but wonder.
Where did that knowledge come from? Had it always been there? Was it some legacy? Memories that didn't belong to him?
Many questions. Zero answers.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten about the slaves he bought in Calic. He was focused on something else at the moment.
The Mana Dragon Lotus.
If he wanted to cultivate it, he first had to prepare the ground.
Adam finished running what he needed to complete the daily mission. When he finished, the reward notification windows appeared.
[You received 1 stat point.]
[You received 1 EXP]
He glanced at them briefly as he finished stretching. When he was done, he looked at Asterin, who was floating near him.
"Asterin."
She turned and looked him straight in the eye.
"When will you teach me your fencing? You've only given me advice on how to improve mine, but you've never shown me yours."
A slight smile appeared on Asterin's lips.
"So, you've finally decided to ask about this queen's fencing. Well, I'll teach you the basics of my fencing, but first, go and get a wooden sword."
Adam returned shortly after with a wooden sword in his hands.
"Okay, pay close attention."
Asterin began to manipulate the mana around her and create a figure of herself the size of an adult man.
Every time Adam saw her, he couldn't help but marvel.
"The fencing I use is not taught like the others."
She continued.
"It has no rigid forms or memorized sequences. It was not born for duels of honor or exhibitions. It was born to lead."
Adam felt a chill run down his spine.
Asterin raised her hand, and this time, a sword appeared in it, made of pure mana.
"Watch carefully. Just once."
She stood in front of him.
Her stance was unlike anything Adam had ever seen. It wasn't aggressive, it wasn't defensive. It was... balanced as if her body and sword existed in perfect harmony with their surroundings.
"My fencing is based on three pillars. Don't name them. Just understand them."
She raised her sword just a few inches.
"Presence."
Suddenly, Adam felt as if he couldn't breathe. His body reacted as if he were facing something inevitable.
"A king does not need to attack to be recognized."
She continued.
"His mere presence decides the field."
The sword descended a little further.
"Authority."
Asterin took a single step forward.
Adam raised his wooden sword reflexively.
CLACK.
The impact was soft... but absolute.
In that instant, Adam felt that he had lost more than his balance. His center, his rhythm, even his intention were nullified. He didn't know how, but his body understood it couldn't go on.
"When a sword clashes with mine," said Asterin, "you must accept one truth: this battle does not belong to you."
She took a step back and lowered her blade.
Adam swallowed hard.
"And the last pillar..."
Asterin closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"Responsibility. A king does not fight for himself. He fights for what lies behind him. For what he cannot retreat from."
She opened her eyes and looked directly at Adam.
"That is why this fencing cannot be copied. It cannot be stolen. It can only be inherited."
The mana sword vanished, as did the figure it had created.
"Today you only saw the shadow of my path."
Adam clenched his fists.
"So... you won't teach me?"
Asterin watched him for a few seconds, assessing him.
"I'll teach you something better."
She approached and placed two fingers on Adam's chest, just above his heart.
"You will learn to stand firm when everyone else backs down."
She turned away.
"Tomorrow I will show you the first cut. So rest up, because tomorrow we will begin in earnest to see if you are worthy."