Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The dawn broke over the secluded estate, bathing the training grounds in soft golden light. Rui stood in the courtyard, his new adaptive weights strapped to his wrists and ankles. They hummed faintly with mana. The resistance was unlike anything he had experienced before—each movement burned, his muscles straining with every strike.

It had been a week since he acquired them from Kara, and despite his rapid progress, he hadn't come close to mastering them. But that only fueled his determination.

Each day had been a battle of will and endurance. Rui pushed his body to the edge, finding the balance between progress and overexertion. His strikes grew sharper, his movements more efficient, but he quickly realized that the weights, while a powerful tool, weren't enough to perfect him.

Master Telsor had watched silently from the sidelines for most of the week, occasionally stepping in with advice. On the seventh day, however, he approached Rui with a serious expression.

"You've hit a wall," Telsor said bluntly, his amber eyes gleaming with intensity. "Your progress with mana control is exceptional, but your aura remains untapped. Without mastering it, you'll plateau."

Rui lowered his fists, sweat dripping from his brow. "My aura? I thought the weights would help me strengthen everything."

"They strengthen your body and mana output, but aura is far more complex," Telsor explained. "It's the projection of your essence—your intent, your will. You've seen it in battle, how Amara's fiery aura reflected her unyielding aggression. Yours is calm, precise, but it lacks depth. To master it, you need guidance."

Rui wiped the sweat from his face, his breathing steadying as he processed Telsor's words. "I know what aura is. Someone knowledgeable explained it to me during the ride to the capital. It's the projection of intent, will, and essence. But why focus on it now? I've gotten this far without relying on it."

Telsor crossed his arms, his expression unwavering. "Yes, you've come far, but your battles so far have been against those who couldn't fully utilize their aura—or against those who underestimated you. As you climb higher, you'll face opponents who've mastered it. Without matching their control, even your strength and mana won't be enough."

Rui frowned, the weight of Telsor's words sinking in. "You're saying it's not just another tool—it's a necessity?"

Telsor nodded. "Exactly. Aura is not simply an extension of power. It's the battlefield itself. A strong aura can suppress enemies, disrupt their focus, and even force them to fight on your terms. At higher levels, it becomes tangible—capable of imposing physical force or defending against it. If you don't master it, you'll eventually face someone who will."

The Path Forward

Rui's mind raced as he considered the implications. He had felt the power of aura before—how it shaped the flow of battle, how it turned intent into an overwhelming force. He thought back to Amara Velare, whose fiery aura had almost broken his rhythm in their duel. Her sheer presence had been like a weapon of its own.

Rui's silver eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And where do I get that guidance?"

Telsor smirked faintly. "The Headmaster anticipated this. Your aura teacher will arrive tomorrow."

The Aura Teacher

The next morning, Rui stood in the courtyard, his silver aura flickering faintly around him as he waited. The air felt heavier than usual, charged with anticipation.

When the gates creaked open, a tall figure entered the estate. The man wore dark robes embroidered with intricate runes, his presence commanding yet strangely serene. His aura was invisible at first glance, but Rui could feel it—an overwhelming pressure that seemed to ripple through the air.

"I am Erion," the man said, his voice calm but resonant. "I've been tasked with helping you unlock the full potential of your aura."

Rui bowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "Master Erion. I've been told aura is about more than strength."

"It is," Erion replied, stepping closer. "Aura is the manifestation of who you are. It reflects your emotions, your intent, and your control. Without understanding yourself, you'll never truly command it."

Rui straightened, his silver eyes meeting Erion's gaze. "Then let's get started."

The First Lesson

Erion led Rui to the meditation chamber, its walls glowing faintly with stabilizing runes. The air inside was still, the hum of mana almost imperceptible.

"Sit," Erion instructed, gesturing to the center of the room.

Rui obeyed, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.

"Your aura is calm and steady, but that is its surface," Erion began, his voice low and measured. "Beneath it lies the storm of your thoughts, your fears, your ambitions. To master your aura, you must face them."

Rui frowned slightly, his breathing steady. "I've faced my fears before."

"Not all of them," Erion said sharply. "You've locked parts of yourself away—memories, emotions, truths you've chosen to ignore. Aura doesn't lie. If you want to control it, you must confront everything."

Rui's breath steadied as he sank deeper into meditation, following Master Erion's instructions. He reached inward, past the hum of his mana and into the depths of his essence, where his aura flickered like a steady flame. He could feel its presence, calm and precise, as if waiting for him to shape it.

But something was wrong.

The moment Rui attempted to draw his aura outward, a surge of mana rose unbidden from his core. It overwhelmed the delicate balance he was trying to achieve, causing his aura to collapse. The stabilizing runes around the room flickered in response, and Rui's silver eyes snapped open, frustration etched on his face.

Erion frowned, watching intently. "Again," he said.

Rui exhaled sharply and closed his eyes once more, his focus unyielding. He repeated the process—reaching inward, finding his aura, and attempting to project it. Again, his mana surged uncontrollably, smothering the faint flicker of his aura before it could take form.

Erion raised a hand, stopping him. "That's enough for now," he said, his tone neutral but firm. "Your mana is interfering."