episode_0031

Aura.

Something different yet similar to mana.

An essential element required to reach the pinnacle as an unmanned being.

As with such abilities, aura also falls within the realm of talent.

No matter how much one trains, there are those who cannot obtain aura, while others can acquire it through very small triggers.

However, even if one obtains aura, not everyone gets the chance to reach the pinnacle, as each individual has a predetermined limit.

While it is said that one can gradually extend this limit, the gap between transforming from a small cup to a bowl and being a lake from the start is incomparable.

Some may have obtained aura after many hardships, but it might be like a small bowl, while others may have acquired it through a small trigger, yet it’s as vast as a lake.

It’s truly irrational.

There are likely countless people who resent this.

But, it’s inevitable.

Because that’s “talent.”

Even if a mere human resents the world, they cannot defy the predetermined nature of things.

Anyway, that’s how it is.

Father asked if I remembered using aura, which was no different from saying that I had obtained aura.

Since my father, who was called the “Black Star,” would not have been mistaken, it was probably right to judge that way.

However, the important thing was that such memories did not remain in my mind.

I had never even felt anything similar to aura.

So, I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t really know….”

He was not just anyone; he was my teacher, my father. There was no need for me to bolster my pride by lying.

If it had been during my foolish days, I might have made a different choice, but at least now, I was not like that.

“When Luna staggered, didn’t you rush to support her? That was when you used aura, and since you don’t remember, you probably used it unconsciously.”

When Luna staggered….

I carefully reconsidered my memories.

And soon, I could recall.

Luna, staggering with wounds all over her.

Me, running to support her with the intention of rescuing her.

Despite the considerable distance between us, we were able to connect in a fleeting moment.

I suspected it might be an aura, but I never thought it would really be an aura.

“It seems like you’ve remembered from the expression on your face.”

“Yes. However, I still don’t know how to use it.”

It was as my father said, unconscious.

I had never used an aura in the first place, and at that time, all I had in my head was the determination to find Luna.

“No one is good at first. Everyone has a clumsy period.”

My father said with a proud smile.

As the father of his son who possessed an extraordinary talent, there was no reason for the proud martial artist not to be pleased.

I felt the same way.

Outwardly, I pretended to be indifferent, but inside, I was cheering.

If I, as the son of a martial artist, had no talent, it was obvious what kind of ridicule I would hear from the world.

“I have a talent too.”

If I had continued to live as a wastrel without coming to my senses, I would have never known this in my entire life.

This time, it’s thanks to you.

Thinking that, I shifted my gaze to the mansion.

Luna was standing by the window, looking at the garden.

“Are you so concerned?”

“Yes?”

“I understand your feelings, but forget about it for now.”

While holding the sword, focus solely on the sword.

That’s what my father was saying.

Confidently, I replied, “Yes,” and grasped the sword.

However, of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy.

It was because she had taken up such a large space within me.

In the end, I was thoroughly beaten in the match against my father.

As I lay on the ground, looking up at the sky, my father approached and said, “Albert, if Luna sees you in such a sorry state, what will she think?”

“I’m sorry.”

Even uttering a single word was not an easy situation.

I couldn’t even remember how many times I had been hit.

But at least my pupils were intact.

I slowly rolled over and looked at the window of Luna’s room.

“She’s not here.”

Luna, who had been looking outside, had disappeared, and the window was tightly closed.

Had she become tired of seeing such a sorry sight as my father said?

If not, did I go to the garden in the first place because I didn’t even have an interest?

Only negative thoughts came to mind.

However, thanks to that, I was able to neatly give up and organize my thoughts.

From now on, I will focus only on the sword.

I thought so and got up.

But, isn’t Luna visible in one corner of my sight?

Luna was sitting on a bench near the garden, looking this way.

As always, with a dry expression.

Did she see me getting hit by my father and not being able to retaliate even once?

“Pathetic.”

Thinking that I’m so pathetic, I got up in surprise.

My body was already very tired and screaming, but such things didn’t matter at all.

Take a deep breath.

As air filled my lungs, severe pain was felt in my side and chest.

I grip the sword and stand straight.

My arms were trembling, and my posture was about to collapse.

Father looked at me silently and smirked.

And then he stood facing each other at a distance.

“Among the expressions I saw today, this is the one I like the most. Come at me.”

No need for a response.

Everything will be told by the sword.

I ran off, and my father started running towards me as well.

I raised the sword and brought it down diagonally.

It was a sword filled with determination to cut my father.

However, my father simply deflects the sword with a light touch, changing the trajectory of the attacking sword.

Clang-.

The blades scratched each other, and a chilling sound spread.

At the same time, the center of my body shifted to one side along with the sword.

There was a gap.

And soon, there was an opportunity.

I used the shifted center to swing my leg, aiming for my father’s exposed side.

Two strikes made in a short moment.

But still, as they say, he was my master.

There was no attack that could reach my father.

Instead, my father delved into me with his arms and lifted my chin with his shoulder.

It was an action that could never be considered an attack, but the martial artist’s body turned it into one.

Thud-.

My head rang, and for a moment, my vision was engulfed in darkness.

The center that was already crumbling is pushed backward.

Relying on instinctive senses, I managed to avoid falling somehow, but when my vision cleared again, my father’s thrust was sharply attacking me.

If this continues, my father’s sword will pierce my throat and I will die.

It probably won’t really happen, but the situation felt so urgent that such thoughts arose.

“The best course of action I can take in this situation.”

A method I have never used before.

And a method that should not be attempted if life is precious.

Attacking with the resolve to die.

Instead of retreating, I pushed forward with my hind legs, twisting my body to the maximum.

Swoosh-.

With just a slight difference, my father’s sword grazed past my neck.

At the same time, I swung my sword.

From the lower right, diagonally upward.

At this distance, there is no way for my father to evade my sword.

Yes, it must have been like that.

Clang-!

With a sharp sound, my sword was knocked away.

For some reason, the end of the sword was cut off.

My gaze followed the shattered pieces of the sword.

Spinning and flying at high speed, the end of the flying metal shards pointed towards….

Luna, who was looking in this direction, unaware of anything.

“Luna…!”

This wasn’t the time to worry about training or anything else.

My legs pounded the ground.

As a result, dust flew up, and the air rushed out as if exploding.

Soaring.

Sensations surpassing limits.

The pain that had been felt in my body had long since disappeared.

The scenery outside my field of vision quickly receded, and the distance between the flying metal shards and me gradually decreased.

But, it’s precarious like this.

Can I really do it?

“No, I have to.”

My body, having surpassed its limits, accelerates further.

The pain I had forgotten returned to torment my body.

However, I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t stop.

We were getting closer and closer, and soon we met face to face.

I smiled.

With a piece of the broken sword in my hand.

“I’m sorry for surprising you.”

Luna’s head moved slowly up and down.

Perhaps she didn’t understand the situation, as her eyes continued to blink.

Feeling that the atmosphere had become awkward, I continued speaking.

“I’m relieved that the weather is nice today. If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the expedition.”

It was truly a devastating way with words.

To the extent that it seemed better not to speak at all.

It was my father who rescued me from the crisis.

My father, who had arrived at Luna’s side before me, tapped my shoulder and said,

“If you stay still, at least half will be gone.”

I can’t tell if he saved me or scolded me.

But since I saved Luna, that should be enough.

Perhaps.