Chapter 14 Unintended Confession

Upon his return to the Chief's Mansion, Grant made his way to the mansion's courtyard, where Jasper was engrossed in his martial arts training. At the entrance, he paused, watching as Jasper practiced the aura awakening technique with a fierce concentration that brought a smile to Grant's weathered face.

The rhythmic movement of Jasper's form soon halted, his keen senses picking up on Grant's silent observation. He spotted the middle-aged servant in the doorway, a joyful energy bubbling up in him as he jogged over to greet him.

"Grant!" Jasper exclaimed, panting lightly from his rigorous training. "Look, I've improved, haven't I?" His enthusiasm was infectious, eyes shining with youthful determination.

Grant chuckled, nodding appreciatively. "Yes, Young Master, your progress is remarkable." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I had a conversation with your father..."

He proceeded to explain Cline's concerns, maintaining the secrecy of Jasper's aura awakening for the time being. The jubilance in Jasper's expression dwindled, replaced by a tinge of disappointment. Yet, he didn't utter a single complaint.

Seeing Jasper's crestfallen face, Grant couldn't resist ruffling his hair affectionately. "That doesn't mean you can't keep practicing new techniques," he pointed out, a glimmer of excitement dancing in his eyes. "The news may be confined, but your progress isn't."

Jasper's gloom lifted as if by magic. He began to bob up and down, his excitement palpable once more. Leading him to the center of the courtyard, under the comforting shade of the ancient trees, Grant prepared to instruct Jasper in the new technique, the mansion, and their small corner of the world sinking into a peaceful rhythm.

Jasper settled into a rhythm of life that seemed simple, yet was filled with resolve. Each dawn found him awakening even before the rooster's crow, practicing the aura awakening sword techniques and the Initiate technique taught to him by Grant. This morning, like all the mornings of the past two weeks, he strode purposefully towards the courtyard.

Guided by the steadfast tutelage of Grant, Jasper had grown self-sufficient. He no longer needed the man's persistent prodding to rise at dawn. Instead, it was his own determination that stirred him from sleep, leading him to the heart of the courtyard.

Amidst the tranquil hum of early morning, Jasper began to practice the new technique Grant had imparted. His body flowed through the precise movements, each step echoing a silent commitment to his path.

In the solitude, Jasper found himself lost in an inner monologue, mulling over Grant's teachings. 'This technique,' he mused, 'is actually one of the Initiate Techniques of the Martial Hall! There are a few of such techniques, each tailored for a different weapon - the swift Blade Technique, the powerful Spear Technique. But since Grant is an expert in the art of the sword. That's what he taught me. That's my path. He also told me that the Rapier wasn't a good sword for this specific sword style, so when my muscles grow strong enough for a proper sword I will switch swords.'

With the end of his inward discourse, Jasper's aura surged powerfully in sync with each sword swing, the invisible force rippling out from him like the waves of an unfathomable sea. He flowed through the technique sets one after another, until he felt his aura reaching its limit, a pulsating tide that seemed too immense to cycle through his body.

The initiation technique had been a pivotal instrument for Jasper, a key to unlock his potential. It had taught him to channel his aura, using it to temper and reinforce his core muscles, forging him into a stronger version of himself.

With his aura capacity maxed out for the moment, Jasper seamlessly transitioned to his original aura awakening technique. The shift was smooth, a testament to the countless hours spent under Grant's watchful eyes and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Even to an untrained observer, the change in Jasper's movements would have been evident. His swings were more precise, his footwork more assured. Each movement flowed into the next with a grace born of muscle memory and relentless practice, embodying the artistry that lies at the heart of martial discipline. The essence of his training was coming to fruition, turning him into a worthy wielder of the Initiate Technique of the Martial Hall.

Soon enough, the sun reached its zenith in the cloudless sky, the signal for Jasper's first break of the day. Ever since the awakening of his aura, his stamina had been on a constant upswing. The once grueling hours of practice from dawn to noon had now become a routine he accomplished with ease.

Jasper reverently placed his sword on one of the newly erected stands in the courtyard, they were a gift given to him by his father to congratulate him for his dedication to training. His muscles hummed with a pleasant fatigue, a sweet reminder of his exertions. He wiped the beads of sweat trickling down his face with a towel pre-prepared for him by one of the servants, his breath steady despite the rigorous training session.

With one last glance at the sun-soaked courtyard, Jasper turned on his heel and made his way back inside the mansion.

Upon entering the mansion, Jasper saw one of his personal servants, Alexa. She was a girl of around 14, a few years his senior, with an attentive demeanor that belied her age. Alexa's role in Jasper's life was somewhat more domestic than Grant's martial instruction; she took care of his day-to-day needs that were beneath Grant.

Alexa rushed over to him, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Young Master Jasper," she greeted, her voice light and cheerful.

Jasper returned her smile, grateful for the comforting familiarity of their daily routine. "Hello, Alexa,"

After the greeting Alexa motioned forward, guiding Jasper back to his room, helping him change out of his sweat-soaked training clothes and into fresh attire, before he had to go for lunch. Her tasks were plentiful and varied - from managing his wardrobe, to ensuring his comfort throughout the day. Alexa was more than just a helper; she was a constant presence in Jasper's daily life.

However, Alexa's duties also demanded her attention elsewhere. In addition to looking after Jasper, she was tasked with maintaining the cleanliness of his living quarters and managing his laundry. As such, there were times when she couldn't accompany him, yet for the most part, her presence was a constant in his days.

"How was your morning practice?" Alexa asked to fill in the void. While unfastening his training tunic with her assistance. "The practice was quite intensive. Grant has been pushing me harder these days."

Alexa's eyes twinkled with admiration and curiosity. "He must see great potential in you," she commented as she fetched fresh clothes for him. "You must be getting stronger by the day."

Jasper chuckled lightly, his eyes reflecting determination. "I hope so. I've a long way to go and the journey isn't easy. But with you and Grant by my side, it doesn't feel so daunting."

As Jasper settled into his fresh clothes, Alexa ventured a new topic. "Young Master," she started, her tone hinting at curiosity, "With your consistent training, it wouldn't surprise me if you're close to awakening your aura."

Caught off guard by her direct question, Jasper responded instinctively, "Actually, Alexa, I have. Recently I-" He halted abruptly, realizing his slip. He glanced up to see Alexa's eyes widened in surprise, reflecting her shock and excitement at his partial confession.

Jasper found himself caught in a difficult position, suddenly reminded of his promise to his father, and his mentor's advice to keep his aura awakening a secret. His half-revealed truth lingered in the air between them, an unexpected twist in their ordinary afternoon.

Caught in his unintended revelation, Jasper was left pondering his next move. He concluded that Alexa, being his personal maid and living under the same roof, was unlikely to misuse this information. Deciding to navigate away from the sensitive topic, Jasper promptly switched the conversation, hoping to steer Alexa's attention away from his half-spilled secret.

Alexa, sensitive to Jasper's shift in conversation, chose not to pursue the matter further. Yet, a sense of shock and awe still echoed in her thoughts. 'Young Master is quite talented!', she marveled silently, her respect for Jasper growing manifold. Even without the full details, the possibility of such a breakthrough intrigued her, offering a new facet to Jasper's character that she hadn't previously considered.