The giant wolf climbed the rocky cliff slowly.
Its claws dug into the stone with terrifying ease.
Red eyes glowed in the darkness.
Its breath came out in low, rumbling growls that echoed across the valley.
Leon stood frozen for a moment.
The wooden sword in his hand suddenly felt very small.
Very useless.
Behind him, Aether stood calmly with his arms crossed.
Watching.
Waiting.
Not moving.
Leon's heart pounded violently.
This is insane…
He had never fought a real monster before.
Training with palace instructors was one thing.
But this?
This creature could tear him apart in seconds.
The wolf finally reached the top of the cliff.
Its massive body towered over Leon.
Saliva dripped from its sharp fangs.
It lowered its body slightly.
Preparing to pounce.
Leon glanced quickly at Aether.
"You're really not going to help?"
Aether's voice remained calm.
"No."
Leon nearly panicked.
"I'm going to die!"
Aether tilted his head slightly.
"Perhaps."
The wolf lunged.
Leon barely reacted in time.
He rolled sideways as the monster crashed into the ground where he had been standing.
The impact shook the cliff.
Leon scrambled to his feet.
His hands trembled.
Too slow…
The wolf turned instantly.
It moved much faster than Leon expected.
Claws slashed toward him.
Leon raised the wooden sword instinctively.
CRACK
The force threw him backward.
Leon slid across the ground, gasping.
His arms hurt from the impact.
The wooden sword nearly flew from his grip.
From behind him, Aether's calm voice echoed.
"Stop thinking about dying."
Leon looked back angrily.
"That's easy for you to say!"
Aether continued.
"Observe your enemy."
Leon gritted his teeth.
Then he forced himself to focus.
The wolf circled him slowly.
Leon watched carefully.
Its front right leg moved slightly slower than the others.
It's injured.
Leon's eyes sharpened.
The wolf lunged again.
But this time Leon moved differently.
Instead of retreating…
He stepped forward.
At the last second, he ducked under the monster's claws.
Then he swung the wooden sword with all his strength.
CRACK
The sword slammed against the injured leg.
The wolf howled in pain.
It stumbled slightly.
Leon quickly jumped backward.
His breathing was heavy.
But his eyes burned with determination now.
"I can do this…"
The wolf became furious.
It roared loudly and charged again.
This time even faster.
Leon raised his sword.
But suddenly…
Something strange happened.
For a brief moment…
The world slowed.
Leon could clearly see the monster's muscles moving.
The path of its claws.
The exact moment it would strike.
Without thinking, Leon moved.
He stepped sideways.
The wolf's attack missed him completely.
Leon's eyes widened.
What was that…?
The wolf was now completely exposed.
Leon reacted instinctively.
He swung the wooden sword with all his strength.
Directly toward the creature's throat.
CRACK
The wooden blade struck perfectly.
The monster collapsed heavily onto the ground.
It struggled for a few seconds.
Then slowly stopped moving.
Silence returned to the cliff.
Leon stood there in shock.
"I… won?"
Aether finally stepped forward.
He looked down at the fallen monster.
"Acceptable."
Leon blinked.
"Acceptable?!"
"I almost died!"
Aether glanced at him.
"You did not."
Leon sat down heavily.
"My arms are numb…"
"That will pass."
Leon looked at the giant wolf again.
A strange feeling filled his chest.
He had fought a real monster.
And survived.
Aether studied Leon carefully.
"You felt it, didn't you?"
Leon looked up.
"Felt what?"
"That moment."
"When your perception changed."
Leon slowly nodded.
"For a second… everything slowed down."
Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.
"As I suspected."
Leon frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Aether turned toward the moonlit forest.
"Your bloodline ability is beginning to awaken."
Leon stared at him.
"My… bloodline?"
Aether nodded.
"Yes."
"But it is still incomplete."
Leon stood slowly.
"What kind of ability is it?"
Aether looked back at him.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on the Void Sword's face.
"We will find out."
Far away, inside the Imperial Palace, a powerful presence stirred.
High above the capital, the ancient founder of the empire slowly opened his eyes.
Caelus Aurelion had felt something.
A very small change.
But unmistakable.
The old ruler smiled faintly.
"So it begins."
Because the forgotten prince had just taken the first step toward awakening a power that might one day rival the greatest bloodlines of the empire.