With the tips Rita gave me, I finally succeeded in learning how to control my aura.
The level of output I must maintain to prevent my body from crashing under the burden, instances where full body reinforcement was better than a selected part.I spent the next hour experimenting with all of these until I eventually got a hang of it.
After that, I paused my training and walked back into the mansion.
It was late morning by then, and when I trekked through the hallway, I came across someone unexpected.
"Big brother!" I ended up bubbling out as I took notice of Abel. He was facing our family portrait in idle silence until I called him, and he turned to face me.
As the acting Grand Duke of the family, he spent most of his days in the Capital, informing the Royal family of the happenings in his region.
To put it simply, he was a busy man, and just like Vanessa, Alice and I hardly saw him.
"Oh!"
Seeing me, he blinked, somewhat confused, before cracking a smile of realization.
"You have grown stronger!" he muttered and took a step towards me.
My body froze, his presence too overbearing to handle.
"Alice told me about your little secret and yet, I'm still amazed."
Reaching close enough, he patted my shoulder and continued.
"Now might not be the time for this, but I will say it either way. Little brother, strength comes with responsibility. Can you handle yours?"
"Yes!" I didn't hesitate.
I knew of the burdens that would await me as I grew stronger, the expectations that would be placed on me, and the losses I might face. But my experience at the library had taught me one thing.
Strength was the only way to protect in this world. In the current age, warriors,be it mages or aura users — marched to the frontline, acting as a shield for the weak.
I would act as that shield for Alice, just like my father wanted, and once she surpassed me, I would find my own path.
".....I see!"
Taken aback by my response, Abel continued to observe me, trying to pry for any weakness or lies.
I grew tense under his watchful gaze, praying he didn't figure out who I truly was.
By luck or divine intervention, he smiled softly and said, "Good job protecting Alice."
His words were laced with gratitude but—
"She's my sister, it's the least I can do."
I probably should have kept my mouth shut and accepted the gratitude since speaking made me appear much older than I was supposed to be, but Abel didn't bat an eye before his expression turned serious.
"Two days from now, you and I will be facing two opponents from the Branch family."
I furrowed at the mention of two, instead of three, and seeing this, Abel paused to explain.
"Our sister has been disqualified."
"Wait, what?"
I paled at his words. What did he mean Vanessa was out? What did she do?
As if reading my mind, Abel sighed before responding.
"She attacked the Branch family in Shard City, slaughtered their Elites, and disobeyed the order of an Elder — and for that, I had to suspend her."
"..."
I expected this, but hearing it actually happen made my mood sour.
I perfectly understood where Vanessa was coming from, but even I could tell she went a bit too far.
That slaughter was uncalled for, but it made sense to her, since she had spent her teen life killing demons on the battlefield.
"So we've lost one point," I stated, and Abel nodded.
The worst-case scenario had transpired, and now our uncle was in the lead.
Abel wouldn't lose his match — that was a guaranteed victory for us — meaning the deciding battle was on me.
If I were to lose, it would be two to one in favor of the Branch family, but if I were to win, it would be two to one in our favor, and yet the crack I didn't want would still exist.
Vanessa, in her quest to protect this family, had left a bad image of our family in the public eye.
"Where is big sis Vanessa now?"
For now, it didn't matter. I never cared about the public eye to begin with; it was my family that I wanted, not them.
"She's currently locked in her room. I would advise you let her be for the time being. At least until all this is over."
I really didn't want to, I knew Abel also wanted the same, but for now, defeating the Branch family was all we could think about.
----------
Shard City
Kain walked through the ruined temples brought down by the rampaging Valkyrie.
With his hands behind him and a carefully crafted smile tugging his lips, he reached the main plaza, where rows of corpses were being bagged for cremation.
"He..."
Before a laugh could escape his lips, he felt a familiar presence and sealed his lips.
"To what do I owe this presence, Great Elder Holi?"
The man walking next to him was passing past his fifties, and yet his body flourished with youth.
He had both hands behind him, and he turned his face to meet Kain's.
"What sin is there in visiting my fellow Elder?"
Holi merely smiled, but Kain could see through the sarcasm of his words.
Holi had always been a man Kain admired, because he actually knew his place — unlike the others.
And exactly because of that, he had survived till now.
"I see no sin, rather I welcome your presence!"
Deciding to humor Holi, Kain responded.
"Really now." Holi scoffed.
"Yes! I'm sure you bore witness to the rampage of my niece."
"I did indeed."
His arm bones were still strained from the impact of Vanessa's blow.
"Now, fellow Elder, do you think such a troublesome child is fit to bear the title of the main branch?"
"She is but a child!" Holi stated.
He wasn't proud of what Vanessa did, but she was forced at hand.
"A child or not, her actions cannot be excused. I dare say she needs to be imprisoned."
"Don't push your luck!"
An explosive surge of golden aura erupted from Holi as he grabbed Kain by the shoulder, interrupting him.
Kain's pupils shrank, but he kept his composure, choosing to keep his reaction at minimum.
"Whatever actions you took, you have reaped your reward. You earned your point — now let the system decide the rest."
Kain cracked a smile at the fact that he had been seen through.
"Remove your hands, old fossil!"
Unwilling to hide anymore, his aura exploded, cracking the ground and warding Holi away by slapping his hand aside.
The old man, glad to have earned the reaction he wanted, offered no response to his insult and walked away, a bruised hand in toll.