5 Oath

The first light of dawn peeked over the horizon as Nathan woke up. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Today was the day he'd been waiting for – the day he'd officially start training as a mage or aura user, but for him, it was both.

Time had flowed like a swift river, 7 months ago over the day he tried making both the aura core and a mana heart, after his daily regimen sculpted him into a fusion of discipline and ambition, a warrior in the making. 

He grabbed a quick breakfast and raced towards the training ground. It wasn't fancy, but it had a special feeling.

It was a space humble in its grandeur, a reflection of the kingdom's financial constraints yet infused with a spirit that transcended its simplicity.

Generations of royals and knights honed their skills here

Fresh air filled the open space, with hallways and white pillars surrounding it. The ground, paved with sturdy stone, showed the marks of countless drills. Three dummies stood in the center, each for a different kind of combat.

A wooden dummy, a hay bale, and a rusty iron warrior – these were Nathan's training partners. In the corner, training weapons hung on a rack, ready for him to use. 

Here, where history met ambition, Nathan stood ready for a new chapter. With the sun rising high, he set foot on a path that would bind magic and aura to his core, taking him to places he'd only dreamed of.

The sun beat down mercilessly as Nathan skidded to a halt beside his father. Roderick was already there, deep in conversation with a stranger.

Nathan's breath hitched in short gasps, a reminder of his frantic sprint. "Father!" he blurted, his voice laced with eager anticipation. "When do we begin? And who is this with you?"

Roderick's eyes crinkled at the corners as he spotted Nathan. A warm smile played on his lips as he addressed Nathan's questions.

"Nathan," he began, his voice carrying a hint of pride, "this is Barch. He will be your instructor, guiding you through the fundamentals of both mana manipulation and swordsmanship. Consider him your bridge to more advanced studies. Don't worry, I've known Barch since we were children ourselves. Our skills are nearly on par, it's just that I hold a one-star advantage in my Core star rank."

Commanding respect with every inch, Barch, Grand Marshal of all five royal knight orders, stood before Nathan. 

Twenty years a veteran, his aura whispered of a life spent in war. Sunlight glinted off Barch's polished armor, highlighting the bulk of his battle-worn form.

A jagged scar, etched across his left eye, spoke of countless battles waged and victories earned. Short, red hair, bound in a no-nonsense ponytail, framed a face hardened by experience, radiating authority, and a strength honed by a lifetime of combat.

Learning of Grand Marshal Barch's high rank and connection to King Roderick, Nathan felt a wave of oppressive aura emanate from the man.

Though faint and carefully suppressed, it held the unmistakable killing intent honed by countless battles of carnage. Despite the small amounts of potent killing intent Barch clearly held back in the presence of the King, a subtle act hinting at surprising concern for the young prince's safety.

Upon gazing the young prince, Barch addressed the king, voicing a concern that echoed his apprehensions. "Your Highness, with all due respect, I have serious concerns about the prince's young age. A grievous injury could have devastating consequences for his future and the kingdom itself."

"You underestimate him, Barch," King Rodrick's voice held unshakable conviction. "He is my son, and I have unwavering faith in his capabilities, as well as yours."

Barch bowed his head, a flicker of doubt lingering in his eyes. Yet, as a loyal servant of the realm, he spoke the words of deference, "Your Highness's wisdom is beyond reproach. I shall heed your command and undertake the training of the young prince."

Under the warmth of the sun, a silent pact was sealed – between a prince's potential and a knight's experience. This was a journey that would shape not only the young heir but the very fate of his kingdom.

The training ground became the stage for this new chapter, a testament to both guidance and dedication. Barch's voice rang out, firm and unwavering. "Let your training begin, young prince." His tone reflected the weight of his long service.

Nathan followed Barch's directive, finding a place on the ground to sit cross-legged. He closed his eyes and straightened his back as instructed.

"Feel the mana within you," Barch's voice was clear and precise. "Imagine it as tiny droplets scattered throughout your body. Collect them, guide them through your mana vessels in a continuous cycle, tracing the pathways inside you."

Nathan focused intently, absorbing Barch's words. He followed the instructions carefully, eager to explore the depths of his potential.

But beneath his obedient facade, Nathan harbored a secret. He was no novice; his mastery was simply disguised. With both mana heart and aura core nearing completion, he held an ambitious goal – to excel in both disciplines.

His mind hummed with the method he'd created, a fusion of different mana and aura theories balanced by his unique understanding of opposing forces.

He named it "THE EQUILIBRIUM" Breathing and Circulation Method, a testament to his determination.

As the sun traced its path across the sky, Nathan embarked on a dual journey shrouded in secrecy, one destined to etch his name into history. With every breath, every circulation, he moved closer to an equilibrium that promised greatness.

Unbeknownst to him, this hidden achievement would thrust him into a world of both allies and enemies. While Barch's instructions guided him through the intricacies of aura training, Nathan's future unfurled— a tapestry of challenge and possibility, forging him into a force to be reckoned with.

Barch's instructions hung in the air, laced with a hint of sarcasm born from experience. "Once you've got the hang of circulating your mana, direct it to your lower dantian. Use your breathing method to refine the ambient mana in the surroundings, then circulate it in your body, compress and store it. That's how you'll form your aura core and after that earn your first core star."

He paused, a playful smirk on his face. "But don't get ahead of yourself, kid. You're months away from that point. For now, just keep practicing..."

Nathan cut Barch off, his words bold and revealing a truth that stunned the knight. "I can already circulate and store mana in my lower dantian," he declared, his gaze steady and confident. "What's the next step? How do I forge the full core or a core star?"

Barch froze, disbelief and astonishment warring on his face. For Nathan, this was simply a continuation of his secret training, the fruit of his relentless practice.

"What? How?" Barch sputtered, suspicion lacing his voice. He placed a hand on Nathan's back, a surge of his own mana seeking the truth of the boy's claim.

The inspection yielded a revelation that shook Barch to his core. A fully formed aura core pulsed within Nathan, but an even greater shock followed – a mana heart thrummed beside it, an impossible anomaly.

Barch's face mirrored the whirlwind of shock and awe swirling within him. His eyes widened, breath hitching.

Nathan recognized Barch's unwavering loyalty, yet sought to shield this knowledge from his parents. With regal authority that belied his age, he made him make the mana vow. Words laced with power echoed in the air, binding Barch, staking the knight's very existence as an aura user.

"Should you break this oath," Nathan intoned, his young voice unwavering, "your aura stars will shatter, your core dissolve. Your path of cultivation will end."

In this moment of revelation, a secret held close to the heart and unveiled only to a select few, Nathan's destiny was further intertwined with Barch's loyalty. Their shared journey would be one of trials and growth, a testament to the bonds formed amidst the currents of magic and aura.