Aethorion Exarch

"Lav? Can you stop floating around my head in circles?"

Valac sighed, his eyes following the little dragon as it darted excitedly through the air in circles, its wings flapping rapidly with a sound that made his head spin.

"Kyu! Kyu! Kyu!"

The baby dragon was practically vibrating with energy, buzzing around him like a persistent fly.

Valac raised an eyebrow, curiosity gnawing at him.

What's got him so worked up? But then again, it's not like I can understand Lav's high-pitched chirps.

"Lav, I'm trying to meditate. Can you just... chill for a second?" Valac groaned, shifting uncomfortably as the dragon circled him again, its wings cutting through the air.

It was as if the dragon had too much energy to burn off and was determined to share it all with Valac to cheer him after the awful yet not so awful breakfast.

The little creature's energy contrasted sharply with Valac's own after training and breakfast with the Duke.

Looks like one of us had a good night's sleep, Valac mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"I can't focus if you keep flitting around like that," Valac muttered under his breath, raising a hand to push at the air where Lav was flying.

The little dragon darted back and forth, its small form a blur against the dim surroundings.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, Valac flicked Lav's forehead, trying to quiet the dragon's excitement.

Lav halted in midair, a little stunned by the tap, before dramatically raising a paw to rub at his forehead, as if it was offended greatly.

"Kyu!" Lav whined, his wings fluttering in a huff.

Valac let out a soft chuckle, watching the dragon pout and then hide under the pillow, sulking.

Such a drama queen.

"Stop disturbing me if you think it's unfair," Valac said, shaking his head. "Pfft. You're something else."

Lav stayed hidden for a moment, his tiny form curled under the pillow, before poking out one eye to glare at Valac. Valac couldn't help but smile again, feeling relaxed.

Valac took a deep breath and closed his eyes, forcing himself back into his meditative state.

His body still felt heavy from the training, but there was no time to waste.

I have to see Nico tonight. There's also the heir selection ceremony. In this world, mana is the most important to survive after all.

Valac's mind cleared slightly, and he tried to focus on the flow of mana around him.

Sweat began to form on his forehead as he stretched his senses outward, trying to feel the faintest bead of mana in the surrounding air. It wasn't easy… everything felt so... empty.

Why can't I feel even the faintest bit of mana? Is this body useless? Will I have to live in prejudice again?

The room, the air, the world around him… it felt like it was holding its breath, refusing to let him find even a trace of mana.

Please… Please don't let this body be useless. Please, God. Just a little more. Please.

His fingers twitched involuntarily as the desperation took hold. He pushed harder, trying to calm his breathing.

There had to be some kind of mana in his body, some way to tap into it.

Valac's breath hitched as his concentration wavered.

Valac's palms were beginning to sweat, fingers trembling with frustration as he pushed deeper into his meditation. His body screamed for relief, the strain from his training and the weight of his thoughts gnawing at him.

Still, he refused to give up.

I must have my revenge. Teran Desmond.

"An illegitimate child."

"Waste."

"Go die, b***h!"

"I wish you were never born."

The cursed words of people repeated in Valac's mind like a mantra, each one a reminder of the stakes.

Valac's brow furrowed as he reached inward, trying to feel something—anything.

The air around him was stagnant, oppressive, as if it was deliberately denying him access to the mana that should have been flowing through the air.

Why can't I feel anything? The panic was starting to creep in, but Valac shoved it aside. There is no room for fear now. I can't fail.

His fingers clenched at the air as if he could physically pull the mana to him.

Sweat beaded at his temples, the pressure mounting in his chest. The silence in the room was suffocating, his focus narrowing until it was almost painful.

Suddenly, his fingers brushed against something. A faint pulse. It was like touching a delicate thread, barely there, but real.

Valac's heart raced in his chest. Is this it? His breath caught as he tried to latch onto the sensation, to follow it deeper, but the moment he tried to draw it in, it flickered, like a candle struggling to stay alight in a draft.

As a holy knight, I only had divine power and aura residing in holy sword as Isis. Mana is new to me. It's harder to feel too. Yohan used to say it's present everywhere. Then, why can't I feel it?

"Come on... Come on..." Valac whispered, his voice hoarse with the effort.

Valac stretched his senses further, his body trembling with the exertion. Every fiber of his being was focused on that faint pulse, willing it to grow stronger, to fill him with the energy he needed.

It was there, but it was weak—so weak that it barely seemed to register against the void.

Yet, Valac knew it was the only chance he had. He pushed harder, his mind straining to connect with the flow. His fingers twitched, and the world seemed to blur around him.

Then, with a sudden jolt, a surge of energy rushed through him. It wasn't a flood, but a trickle—a crack in the dam.

A wave of heat flooded his body, and for a moment, Valac thought he might pass out.

His heart raced as the mana he'd felt before now pulsed stronger, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

The air in the room shifted, the temperature rising as the mana within him began to move, slowly at first, like a hesitant stream, but it was moving.

The dark emptiness that had surrounded him began to retreat, replaced by a faint hum of light that resonated in his bones.

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Congratulations to the Host!

You have unlocked SSS- Grade Body, Aetherion Exarch!

Aetherion Exarch Level : 0

Effects : Mana +71, Luck +7

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Aetherion Exarch!?