Chapter – 10 Before the Fall
Two Years Later
In these two years, their lives were mostly the same as before, but they started saving coins, and their living conditions became much better.
Lucien had been living with Aren and his sister Lira.
It had been two years.
Aren trained hard during these past two years. He was now 8 years old, and Lira was 6.
Lucien also trained hard during these two years. While training in Aura, he also started learning magic. Right now, Lucien can use two types of magic:
Fire magic and wind magic.
He also began learning flight magic, which comes under wind magic.
Lucien was the same age as Aren.
"It's been two years…" Lucien thought while training.
"Hey Lucien, let's spar again," said Aren.
Lucien replied, "You already lost many times—"
Aren cut him off. "This is the last time."
Lucien looked at Aren and sighed.
"Fine."
They both took their positions.
"This time, I'll defeat you," said Aren.
Aren moved first.
A powerful strike—but Lucien blocked it.
Lucien stepped back and swung a strong counterattack.
Aren blocked it but felt the pressure.
In two years, they trained every day. Their movements were different now.
Faster.
Stronger.
More balanced.
Their swords no longer felt heavy in their hands.
After many exchanges, Aren unleashed his Aura.
His sword was covered in dark blue Aura.
Aren stepped forward and swung.
Lucien blocked, but he was pushed back. Aren kept striking, not giving Lucien time to regain balance.
Lucien blocked every attack while Lira watched from a safe distance.
Lucien's balance became unstable, but even so, he swung a powerful strike.
Aren stepped back.
"He can still swing like that?" Aren thought.
Lucien used that moment to regain distance. He took a long breath.
Then he stepped forward and swung his sword with Aura.
Aren barely blocked it.
Lucien created distance again, then stepped forward, lowering his body and sword.
"It's over, Aren," Lucien thought.
With one powerful swing, putting all his strength into it—
Aren fell to the ground.
Lucien won.
"Ah!" Aren shouted.
"Again… I lost. You didn't even use your magic, and I still lost."
"Well, don't worry," Lucien said. "I know that one day, you'll defeat me."
Aren looked at the sky.
"That day is so far away."
Lucien pushed him lightly. "Let's start training again."
He said it while smiling.
"Okay," Aren replied.
They started training again.
Days Pass
"I am leaving for—" Lucien said.
"Huh?" Aren looked at him with wide eyes and a confused expression.
"Why are you leaving?" Aren asked.
"Listen carefully," Lucien said. "I'm leaving because there is someone I want to meet."
"Oh! I thought you were leaving us," Aren said with relief.
"You'll come back in 2–3 hours, right?"
"2–3 weeks," Lucien replied.
"EH?! That's too long!"
"Aren't you worried about us? What if another Thrug attacks?"
"You can easily defeat them," Lucien said calmly. "They're weak. Just remember your training."
When Lucien mentioned training, Aren became quiet.
"Okay."
"When are you going?" Aren asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
That night, Lucien told Lira he would be leaving for 2–3 weeks.
She didn't say anything, but Lucien could see the sadness in her expression.
Next Day
When Lucien was leaving, Aren and Lira watched silently.
"I'm going," Lucien said.
"Take care," Aren replied. "When you come back, let's have a match."
Lucien smiled. "Okay. But you're still going to lose."
"We'll find out," Aren said confidently.
Lucien looked at Lira. She was hiding behind Aren.
"Take care," she said softly, then started crying while waving her hand.
Lucien looked at her with wide eyes.
"Take care, both of you."
He waved and walked away.
After getting some distance, Lucien thought:
"Why are they both so attached to me?"
Then he continued walking.
"Now I will go meet her… the mid-boss of this novel world. A genius sorcerer."
"In order to meet her, I must protect her first."
Then he went left empire and headed toward the Ashveil Borderlands.
This place lies between the Solaris Holy Empire and the Aelanthor Forest, where the Elven Kingdom is located.
It would take 2–3 days to reach.
Lucien had learned flight magic in the past two years, but he could only use it once a day and not perfectly.
He spread mana through his legs and back, lifting his body as if the air itself held him. With a push of magic, he rose into the sky and moved forward.
After three difficult days, he reached Ashveil Borderlands.
From above, the place wasn't destroyed yet.
It looked like a village, with many houses and one large building in the center.
Lucien was sure the leader lived in that central building.
He smiled.
And began his plan to find her.
Seris Fadehart was the mid-boss of this novel world.
She was the same age as Lucien and a genius in magic.
Lucien wanted to save her.
With her talent, she could help him grow stronger. And she didn't deserve to die.
Her mother was once a noble from the Fadehart family. But over time, the family fell and lost everything—their mansion, wealth, and status.
They left with a few loyal guards.
On the way to another village, bandits attacked them.
The guards were killed.
Her parents were killed.
Her mother was kidnapped and taken to Ashveil Borderlands.
No noble family helped her because the Fadehart name had already fallen.
For years, her life was filled with suffering and her life become hell.
Seven years later, Seris was born.
Her mother became very sick after childbirth but still protected her daughter.
When Seris was four years old, the bandits killed her mother, seeing her as useless.
Seris was imprisoned since the age 4.
Years later, when bandits tried to violate her, she awakened her magic and killed them all.
She destroyed half the place and escaped.
She had learned magic alone since childhood.
But that darkness changed her.
Years later, she became the mid-boss.
Lucien's plan was simple:
He would protect her before she walked fully into darkness.
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END CHAPTER - 10
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