The corridors of Ravenhold were already busy by the time Ethan left his room. Servants moved between wings of the fortress carrying documents and supplies while armored guards patrolled their assigned routes with practiced discipline. As he walked through the familiar halls, Ethan found himself wondering why Adrian had summoned him so suddenly. His father was not a man who called meetings without purpose.

A few minutes later, Ethan arrived outside the Marquess study. The pair of guards stationed outside immediately stepped aside and opened the heavy doors without question. Ethan nodded in thanks before stepping inside.

The study was much as he remembered. Maps of the Northern Frontier covered one wall, while military reports and sealed documents occupied most of the large desk near the window. Behind it sat Adrian Ravencrest, calmly reviewing a stack of reports. Gareth stood nearby with his arms folded, his expression as stern as ever.

The moment Ethan entered, Adrian set the document aside and looked up.

Adrian had sensed Ethan’s approach long before the study doors opened. Under normal circumstances, he would not have paid it any attention. Ravenhold Estate contained thousands of people, and the presence of his own son was hardly unusual. Yet something about the approaching aura caused his attention to return a second time. A faint frown appeared between his brows. The fluctuations felt wrong—not unstable, not dangerous, but wrong. For a brief moment, Adrian thought his senses had deceived him.

The presence moving through the corridors carried the unmistakable characteristics of a Knight. Impossible. Ethan was ten years old. Even so, the sensation remained unchanged no matter how many times he examined it. By the time the doors finally opened, Adrian had already reached a conclusion. He simply refused to believe it. As Ethan stepped into the study, Adrian quietly released a thread of aura and swept it across the room. The result caused his fingers to still against the armrest.

Knight Realm.

For several moments, Adrian simply stared. Ten years old. Even after all his years of experience, the reality felt absurd. Something had changed far more than Adrian had expected.

His gaze lingered on Ethan a fraction longer than usual, which Ethan immediately noticed and recognized for exactly what it was. That wasn’t the look of a father greeting his son. It was the look of a commander evaluating a soldier and not yet deciding what to make of what he found.

"Ethan," Adrian said, gesturing toward the chair opposite him. "Sit."

Ethan complied without argument. As he settled into the seat, he noticed Gareth quietly observing from the side — the veteran commander appeared relaxed, yet Ethan knew enough about him to recognize that nothing inside the room escaped his attention.

For several moments, silence filled the study. Adrian leaned back slightly, studying Ethan with a thoughtful expression.

"How far has your training progressed?" Adrian finally asked.

The room grew quiet. Outside the study window, the sounds of Ravenhold continued as normal — but inside, the quality of the air seemed to sharpen.

Ethan considered his response carefully. There was little point hiding everything. His breakthrough had already changed his body noticeably, and Adrian was too experienced to miss such details. Attempting to conceal a Knight Realm breakthrough from the Sword of the North would have been approximately as effective as attempting to hide a bonfire behind a curtain.

After a brief pause, Ethan answered honestly.

"I recently broke through."

The study fell silent.

Gareth did not display any grand, outward shock, nor did his military posture break. However, a sharp, calculating focus settled into his eyes as his arms remained tightly folded.

"So, my eyes didn’t betray me, I thought," Gareth murmured, a look of grim fascination crossing his rugged features. "The moment I walked into your room today, bra—" Gareth coughed into his fist. "Young Master. The air around you felt entirely too heavy." To actually breakthrough to the Knight Realm before your awakening ceremony... "I’ve never heard of such a thing."

A faint twitch appeared at the corner of Adrian’s eye. Whether it was amusement or disapproval, even Gareth seemed unwilling to find out.

Adrian remained outwardly calm, but Ethan noticed his fingers tighten ever so slightly against the armrest.

For several moments, Adrian remained silent. The impossible conclusion he had reached through his senses the moment Ethan approached the room had turned out to be entirely true. Even knowing the answer beforehand did little to lessen the impact.

A ten-year-old Knight. Among the younger generation of the Empire, there were certainly prodigies — talented children appeared in every generation and were celebrated accordingly.

Yet reaching the Knight Realm before awakening was something Adrian had never personally witnessed in nearly two decades of his frontier service.

The silence lingered.

Eventually, Adrian exhaled slowly and shook his head.

"Every time I think I’ve finally understood how talented you are," he said, "you somehow manage to exceed my expectations."

Part of him felt pride. Another part felt concern, because talent attracted attention and extraordinary talent attracted enemies. A ten-year-old Knight would not remain hidden forever. Sooner or later, word would spread beyond Ravenhold.

A faint smile appeared on Ethan’s face.

Across the room, Gareth looked between father and son before letting out a low chuckle.

The tension inside the study eased slightly, but Adrian’s attention never left him. The breakthrough itself was astonishing, yet Adrian wanted to probe further.

"You’ve reached the Knight Realm," Adrian said as he leaned back in his chair. "That explains your physical changes, but it doesn’t explain everything. Tell me, how far have you progressed with Mountain Cleaving Strike?"

Ethan understood immediately where the conversation was heading. The Northern Heaven War Art was the foundation of House Ravencrest. Every generation learned it, but mastering it was an entirely different matter.

"I’ve practiced it regularly," Ethan replied.

Gareth shifted his stance slightly, looking toward the Marquis. "I’ve noticed it a few times during his sessions, My Lord. In fact, I think he is approaching near mastery of the form."

The room became quiet again.

Adrian’s fingers tapped lightly against the desk as he processed his commander’s words. Hearing such an assessment from a veteran like Gareth carried significant weight. To be approaching near mastery of a core technique at ten years old was unheard of.

"Show me," Adrian said.

Ethan wasn’t surprised by the request.

Without hesitation, he stood and stepped into the open area near the center of the study. The room had been designed with military discussions in mind, leaving ample space between the furniture. Gareth moved slightly to the side while Adrian watched attentively from behind the desk.

Taking a slow breath, Ethan allowed his stance to settle. The familiar principles of the Northern Heaven War Art flowed naturally through his mind — he lowered his center of gravity, adjusted his footing, and moved.

Northern Heaven War Art

First Form—Mountain Cleaving Strike.

The motion appeared simple. No explosive aura. No dramatic display. Just a single, clean slash performed with perfect timing and control.

Yet the moment the movement finished, silence filled the study.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. Gareth’s expression became thoughtful. Neither man spoke immediately.

The strike itself wasn’t the issue. The execution was.

A beginner could copy movements. A talented child could imitate technique. What Ethan had displayed went beyond imitation — there was understanding behind it. The transition of force. The positioning of his body. The precision of every movement. It resembled the work of someone who had practiced the form for years rather than weeks, and both men in the room were experienced enough to know the difference.

Adrian remained silent for several moments before finally speaking.

"Who taught you that?"

The question was calm. Almost casual. Yet Ethan immediately recognized its significance — Adrian wasn’t asking about the form itself. He was asking about the mastery behind it.

Ethan met his father’s gaze without hesitation.

"I practiced what you taught me."

The answer wasn’t entirely false. Adrian had taught him the form. Just not in this lifetime alone. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

A complicated expression appeared on Adrian’s face. As much as his instincts told him something was unusual, there was no evidence of outside influence. Ethan rarely left Ravenhold, and no hidden master had suddenly appeared to train him. The logical conclusion remained frustratingly insufficient, which was not a feeling Adrian particularly enjoyed.

Eventually, he released a quiet sigh.

"Perhaps I’ve underestimated you."

A faint smile appeared on Ethan’s face.

Across the room, Gareth chuckled. "I’ve been saying that for weeks."

The veteran commander shook his head before looking at Ethan again. "Most children your age are proud when they memorize a form. You’ve somehow skipped straight to understanding it."

Adrian couldn’t entirely disagree. The more he observed Ethan, the more he felt as though he was looking at someone far older than ten years old — which was an absurd thought and yet the only one that seemed to fit.

After a few moments, Adrian rose from his chair and walked toward a locked cabinet positioned against the far wall. Ethan watched quietly as his father retrieved a dark blue manual bearing the silver crest of House Ravencrest.

The moment he saw it, Ethan already knew what it contained.

Adrian returned to the desk and placed the manual down between them.

"The First Form was intended to occupy you for several more years," Adrian said. "Clearly, those plans are no longer realistic."

Ethan’s gaze lowered toward the manual. His expression remained calm, but inwardly he couldn’t help feeling a trace of nostalgia. In his previous life, obtaining this manual had taken far longer and considerably more suffering. This time, things were unfolding very differently.

Adrian continued. "If you’ve truly reached this stage, then it’s time you begin learning the next level of the family’s inheritance."

For the first time since entering the study, genuine anticipation appeared in Gareth’s eyes. Even within House Ravencrest, advancing through the Northern Heaven War Art was considered a significant milestone — not something handed to children who had merely memorized the First Form.

Adrian rested a hand atop the manual before speaking.

"Inside are the Second and Third Forms."

Ethan looked up.

Adrian’s expression remained calm, but a hint of pride had finally appeared within his eyes.

"Raven Wing Sweep." A pause. "Frozen Battlefield." Another pause. "From today onward, you can study them."

-----

For a few moments, silence lingered within the study after Adrian’s announcement. The dark blue manual rested on the desk between them, its silver Ravencrest insignia gleaming beneath the morning light. Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on it while memories from his previous life surfaced unbidden — back then, earning the right to learn the Second and Third Forms had taken years of effort and countless battles. This time, the same opportunity had arrived before he had even undergone his awakening ceremony.

Adrian watched Ethan carefully as he picked up the manual. Rather than the excitement most children would have struggled to conceal, the Marquis noticed a surprising calmness in his son’s expression — focused rather than elated, as though Ethan was already considering what came after rather than savoring the moment itself.

Ethan opened the manual and skimmed through the first few pages. Detailed diagrams filled the text, accompanied by explanations regarding body positioning, force transmission, aura circulation pathways, and the foundations of the Northern Gale Steps. The structure was far more complex than Mountain Cleaving Strike, requiring a level of control that many adults struggled to achieve. Even knowing the techniques from memory, seeing it once again brought a sense of nostalgia.

Before Ethan could continue, Adrian’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Don’t rush to practice them."

Ethan looked up.

"The Second and Third Forms are far more difficult than Mountain Cleaving Strike," Adrian said, tapping the cover of the manual. "The same applies to the Northern Gale Steps. Spend today understanding the principles behind them. Tomorrow morning, I’ll personally guide you through each technique."

A faint smile appeared on Gareth’s face.

"Consider yourself fortunate, Young Master. The Marquis rarely teaches anyone personally these days." He glanced toward Adrian. "His schedule has become somewhat full since someone started requiring doubled estate patrols."

Adrian ignored the comment and continued as though it hadn’t been made.

"Understanding comes before execution. If you fail to grasp the basics, no amount of practice will compensate for it." His expression remained calm, but the concern beneath it was clear. "You’ve advanced faster than anyone expected. Faster than I expected. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but basics matter." He folded his hands together and held Ethan’s gaze. "A weak foundation creates limitations that follow a warrior for the rest of his life. I’ve watched it happen to stronger men than most people will ever meet."

"I understand," Ethan replied.

Adrian studied him for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. Although the answer was simple, it carried a confidence that eased some of his concerns. There was a difference between a child saying I understand and meaning it. Adrian was fairly certain which version he was looking at.

The conversation gradually shifted toward training schedules, future development, and the upcoming awakening ceremony. As the discussion continued, Ethan noticed that Adrian was no longer speaking to him as though he were merely a child. The change was subtle, but unmistakable — his father still treated him as a son, yet there was now a measure of respect reserved for someone who had begun proving himself in ways that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

Eventually, Adrian rose from his chair and walked toward the large window overlooking Ravenhold. The fortress city stretched beneath the morning sky while soldiers trained in the courtyards below. For several moments, he remained silent.

"Two years."

Ethan looked up.

"That’s how long remains before your Awakening Ceremony." The Marquis leaned back slightly against the window frame. "For most young nobles, that day determines the direction of the rest of their lives."

His gaze drifted toward the training grounds visible beyond the glass.

"Some awaken Warrior Cores and walk the path of Knights. Some awaken Mage Cores and pursue the arcane arts. Others awaken Spirit Cores and devote themselves to healing, faith, and spiritual cultivation."

"There are exceptions to those categories. On rare occasions, an individual awakens two cores simultaneously rather than one. Such Dual-Core Awakeners have appeared throughout the Empire’s history, though their numbers have always been small. Whenever one emerges, their name spreads quickly among noble houses, military organizations, and the great academies. Even among talented generations, they remain uncommon enough to be remembered."

"The Core determines the foundation of one’s path, but not necessarily its destination. Not every Warrior Core user becomes a frontline knight. Some become commanders, instructors, craftsmen, or master blacksmiths. Not every Mage Core user becomes a battle mage. Many become alchemists, enchanters, scholars, or researchers. The same is true for Spirit Core users."

"The Empire is built upon all three."

A faint trace of pride entered his voice.

"For generations, the vast majority of our bloodline has awakened Warrior Cores. "The North was defended by warriors. That is why Warrior awakenings have always been treasured within House Ravencrest."

Gareth nodded in agreement. "Every generation produces dozens of Warrior Core users. A few Mage Cores. An occasional Spirit Core. But Warrior Cores have always been the backbone of House Ravencrest." He paused. "Your uncle Marcus awakened a Warrior Core. So did the Marquis. And both of them," he added, with the tone of someone delivering information rather than a compliment, "awakened Legendary-Rank cores."

The room grew quiet at the word.

Legendary.

A realm beyond SSS. A rank so rare that most cultivators would never encounter one during their entire lives. Throughout the Empire, even among Duke families, a Legendary-grade awakening was considered a cause for celebration — many Duke Houses could pass several generations without producing a single one.

Yet House Ravencrest had never been an ordinary noble house.

"The bloodline of House Ravencrest has never produced a direct heir below SSS-Rank," Adrian said, returning to his chair. "It is one of the reasons our family stands at the pinnacle of the northern territories despite holding only the rank of Marquess."

Gareth’s expression carried a quiet satisfaction.

"Most noble houses would celebrate for years after producing a single Legendary-grade awakening. House Ravencrest has produced several throughout its history, and every one of those individuals left their mark upon the Empire."

Adrian shook his head slightly.

"Which is precisely why expectations for the next generation are never low."

He held Ethan’s gaze for a long moment.

"Most noble children also awaken talents alongside their cores. Some are useful. Some are powerful. And a few become the foundation of legends." Genuine curiosity surfaced in his eyes for the first time. "Your foundation already exceeds anything I expected. I find myself wondering what rank your core will reveal when that day arrives."

Ethan remained silent.

Legendary-Rank Warrior Cores. In his previous life, both Adrian and Marcus had awakened them. They were undoubtedly geniuses — the sort of people history recorded because the alternative was that history would have felt incomplete without them.

Yet Ethan felt no pressure.

Because he already knew what awaited him at the ceremony.

Even now, remembering the awakening ceremony from his previous life, he couldn’t entirely suppress a trace of quiet confidence.

Father... Uncle Marcus... I think you’ll both be surprised when that day finally arrives.

A faint smile touched his lips before he carefully arranged his expression back into something more neutral.

Gareth, who had apparently been watching him throughout this internal moment, suddenly chuckled.

"Commander Marcus is going to think we’re exaggerating again."

Adrian’s expression softened slightly. "He already ignored half of Lucian’s report."

"To be fair," Gareth replied, "if someone had told me a ten-year-old reached the Knight Realm, uncovered an assassination plot, I wouldn’t have believed it either." He glanced toward Ethan with the particular expression of a man who had been repeatedly surprised by the same person and was beginning to accept this as a permanent condition. "I’m still not entirely sure I believe it, and I was there."

A rare smile appeared on Adrian’s face.

"Then perhaps it’s fortunate Marcus will see it himself eventually."

Ethan’s attention sharpened at that.

"It won’t be long before the younger generation gathers in the capital," Adrian continued. "Noble heirs, military families, and talented commoners from across the Empire will all participate. For most, it will be the most important day of their lives."

A faint smile appeared on Gareth’s face. "For some people," he said, glancing toward Ethan, "it may become the most shocking day of their lives."

Adrian ignored the comment, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly in a way that suggested he didn’t entirely disagree.

"Before that happens, I want you to continue training and stabilize your recent breakthrough. There is no need to chase rapid advancement for the sake of advancement itself."

Ethan nodded. That had already been his intention. The Knight Realm was merely the beginning. Rushing forward recklessly would only weaken the foundation he had worked so hard to rebuild — a lesson he had learned the painful way the first time and had no interest in repeating.

Adrian tapped the desk thoughtfully.

"If your progress remains stable, I may send you to Northwatch for a time."

Ethan’s attention sharpened immediately.

Gareth raised an eyebrow. "With Commander Marcus?"

Adrian nodded. "The frontier offers lessons Ravenhold cannot. For someone advancing as quickly as you are, training alone is no longer enough." His gaze drifted briefly toward the distant northern mountains visible through the window. "Some lessons can only be learned beyond the safety of these walls. Monster hunts. Patrol operations. Military discipline. Controlled exposure to real danger."

Gareth chuckled. "And a chance to give Marcus a headache."

For the first time, genuine amusement appeared in Adrian’s eyes. "That as well." He paused. "Consider it motivation."

After discussing a few final matters, Ethan rose from his seat and carefully stored the manual within his Inventory. Neither Adrian nor Gareth noticed anything unusual, naturally assuming he had placed it within a storage treasure — which was, technically, not entirely inaccurate.

"Thank you, Father."

Adrian inclined his head. "Don’t disappoint me."

The words sounded stern. The pride hidden beneath them was impossible to miss, at least for someone who had spent a lifetime learning to read Adrian Ravencrest.

A faint smile appeared on Ethan’s face as he turned toward the door. The meeting had accomplished more than he had expected. Not only had he gained official access to the next stages of the Northern Heaven War Art and the Northern Gale Steps, but he had also taken another step toward earning his father’s trust — which, given what was coming, would matter more than almost anything else.

As he left the study and entered the corridor, his thoughts drifted naturally toward the manual resting safely within the Inventory. Raven Wing Sweep. Frozen Battlefield. Northern Gale Steps. Techniques that had once taken years to obtain now lay within reach.

The future was changing once again.

And this time, Ethan intended to make full use of every opportunity it offered.