The lecture hall remained silent long after Archmage Helior finished speaking.
Aura.
Domain.
Unique Skill.
Three words that would decide the fate of every existence in Aetherion.
Helior let the tension linger before continuing.
"One misconception destroys more geniuses than monsters ever will."
He raised his staff.
"Power is not uniform."
A new illusion spread across the hall.
THE NATURE OF AURA
A hundred silhouettes appeared—each surrounded by a different aura.
Some burned.
Some pressed down like mountains.
Some whispered like wind.
"Aura reflects the core of the self," Helior explained.
"Not your element alone."
He gestured toward a blazing figure.
"Two fire users will never possess the same aura."
The image split.
One fire aura roared violently, overwhelming everything nearby.
Another flickered calmly, precise and sharp.
"One dominates."
"One refines."
"Neither is superior."
Lucien nodded enthusiastically.
"So basically," he whispered, "personality matters."
ELARION — ELVEN AURA (FUTURE FORESHADOWING)
An illusion briefly highlighted an elven silhouette.
Its aura flowed outward like overlapping leaves and currents.
Aura Type: Harmonized Field
Effect: Gradual amplification of allies, suppression of chaos
Elarion's eyes widened slightly.
"So… aura can support others?"
Helior nodded.
"Some auras command."
"Some nurture."
"Some corrupt."
BROM — DWARVEN AURA (FUTURE FORESHADOWING)
A squat silhouette appeared next.
Its aura was dense, heavy, unmoving.
Aura Type: Immutable Pressure
Effect: Physical reinforcement, resistance to impact and magic
Brom's grin spread ear to ear.
"That's MY kind of aura!"
KAEL — DRACONIC AURA (FUTURE FORESHADOWING)
The illusion shifted violently.
A draconic presence filled the air.
Aura Type: Tyrant's Dominion
Effect: Instinctive fear, obedience suppression, killing intent amplification
Several students shuddered.
Kael crossed his arms.
"As expected."
Lucien whistled softly.
"Okay, that one's unfair."
DOMAINS — PERSONAL LAWS
Helior waved his staff again.
The illusion expanded into multiple territories.
"A Domain is not merely territory," he said.
"It is a rule imposed upon reality."
One domain froze everything inside.
Another accelerated motion unnaturally.
A third twisted gravity.
"Domains vary wildly in scope and nature."
"Some dominate the battlefield."
"Others rewrite conditions."
"Some are subtle—deadly only after it's too late."
Lucien leaned forward, fascinated.
"So you're saying," he muttered, "there are trick domains?"
Helior glanced at him briefly.
"…Yes."
Lucien smiled.
UNIQUE SKILLS — THE SELF MADE ABSOLUTE
The illusion collapsed into singular figures.
Each bore a glowing sigil.
"A Unique Skill manifests only at Rank SSS," Helior said.
"It is the crystallization of existence."
The sigils rotated, revealing multiple layers.
"Every Unique Skill possesses two to four functions."
Examples flashed briefly—deliberately incomplete.
A blade that cut concepts, not matter
A crown that amplified allies while consuming enemies
A mirror that reflected fate itself
"No two Unique Skills are alike."
"Even twins will manifest different abilities."
Lucien's heartbeat quickened.
So mine will be… mine alone.
LUCIEN — SYSTEM UPDATE
World Law Confirmed
• Aura Types: Infinite Variance
• Domain Types: Infinite Variance
• Unique Skills: Absolute Individuality
Note:
Bond Multiplication will scale according to compatibility, not similarity.
Lucien blinked.
"Oh, that's dangerous," he whispered happily.
OTHER MAIN CAST POV — REALIZATION
Elarion
Even if we reach the same rank…
Our power paths will diverge.
His gaze returned to Lucien.
What kind of aura does a smiling anomaly possess?
Brom
"Ha! So I won't be copying anyone else!"
He laughed heartily.
"That's the best part!"
Kael
Unique Skill…
For the first time, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
Even dragons cannot predict that.
GODDESS OF SIGHT — POV
She observed silently.
"Different auras."
"Different domains."
"Different absolutes."
Her gaze fixed on Lucien.
"But your path…"
Her smile sharpened.
"Will intersect them all."
The rules were clear.
The board was set.
And every throne—
Was unique.