Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Kael's Room – Morning}}

Kael woke early, the first rays of sunlight filtering through his window. He stretched, rolling his shoulders to ease the lingering fatigue from yesterday's feast. Though his body felt slightly sluggish, his mind was already sharpening for the day ahead.

He couldn't afford to relax too much. His training had to continue.

Stepping outside, he inhaled the crisp morning air and began his drills. His movements were precise.. each step, each breath synchronized as he cycled through the techniques Lucien had drilled into him. Footwork, aura control, body reinforcement, each motion carved deeper muscle memory into his body.

Even after all he had accomplished, he knew he wasn't strong enough yet.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, his gaze fell upon his bag. Inside, a small, intricately carved pouch caught his attention. His expression softened.

"The gift from Princess Elara…"

He lifted the pouch, feeling the weight of the near-infinite storage space inside. A priceless artifact, one he had yet to fully explore.

Securing it to his belt, he grabbed his bladeless sword sheathed inside the gift from Lucien. Strapping it firmly at his waist, he made his way out.

{{Valor Manor – Hallway}}

The moment he stepped outside his room.

"Ah—!"

Kael bumped into Sylvia. The maid stumbled slightly, nearly dropping the folded linens in her arms. Her face instantly turned red.

"S-Sorry," she stammered, avoiding his gaze.

Kael raised a brow, then smirked. "Hmm? Sylvia, are you blushing?"

Her cheeks darkened further, but she quickly composed herself. "Don't flatter yourself, young master," she huffed before briskly walking past him.

Yet, as she turned the corner, he caught her stealing a glance back at him.

Kael chuckled. Women are strange.

He continued outside.

{{Valor Manor – Courtyard}}

Waiting for him in the courtyard stood Cassian, Garrett, Freya, and Selene.

Cassian crossed his arms. "We're sparring later."

Kael grinned. "Looking forward to it." He cracked his knuckles. "But first, I need to visit the Ironclad Adventurer's Guild."

{{Valor Town – Streets}}

As Kael strolled through town, he was met with warm greetings. Some townsfolk clapped his back, others nodded in respect. His return was still the talk of Valor Town.

Then—

"Sir Kael!"

A young voice called out.

Kael turned, spotting Aaron, Luke's son, sprinting toward him. The boy's eyes gleamed with admiration.

"You're really back!" Aaron beamed. "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't lose, no matter where you went!"

Kael smiled, ruffling the boy's hair. "You've grown, Aaron."

Aaron straightened, puffing his chest. "I've been training hard! I'll be a knight, just like you someday!"

Kael chuckled. "I'm not a knight."

Aaron shook his head stubbornly. "You're stronger than a knight! One day, I'll fight beside you!"

Kael's smile softened. "Then keep training. I'll be waiting for that day."

Aaron nodded enthusiastically before dashing off.

Kael watched him go before continuing toward the guild.

{{Ironclad Adventurer's Guild}}

Silence fell the moment Kael stepped inside. Conversations halted. Eyes widened.

Then—

"Kael Valor?"

"He's alive?"

"I thought he was dead!"

And then—

"I never thought you died."

Kael turned to see Ann, the guild receptionist, smirking behind the counter.

"You didn't?" he asked, amused.

Ann shook her head. "I saw your strength firsthand. The way you saved those three adventurers, even though you knew there could be a Shadowfang Bear? Someone like you wouldn't go down so easily."

Kael smiled. "Thanks, Ann. I'll take on some quests later."

She nodded as he left, heading toward the training area.

{{Training Grounds}}

A crowd had already gathered. At the center stood his siblings, all waiting for him.

Selene stepped forward first, rolling her shoulders. "I've gotten stronger while you were gone, little brother."

Kael smirked. "Let's see, then."

Selene vs. Kael

Selene's movements were swift, her speed had improved. She struck with precise, calculated blows, her aura flaring with each attack.

Kael dodged effortlessly.

Her sword came down in an overhead arc, he sidestepped. A slash toward his ribs, he parried it with the flat of his sheath.

Annoyance flashed in Selene's eyes.

"Are you toying with me?!" she snapped, her aura flaring.

Kael's smirk deepened. "Not at all."

Selene lunged.

Kael caught her wrist, twisted, and swept her legs out from under her.

She hit the ground with a grunt.

Kael extended a hand. "Not bad." while handing his hands to help Selene

Selene scowled but took it. "I'll get you next time."

Freya vs. Kael

Freya attacked fiercely, her strikes carrying strength beyond her delicate appearance. She fought with a combination of speed and controlled bursts of aura.

Kael, still not unsheathing his sword, evaded her strikes.

With a well-timed counter, he struck her wrist, disarming her. Her sword clattered to the ground.

Freya clicked her tongue. "Tch. Next time I'll win."

Garrett vs. Kael

Garrett was different. He fought with raw strength.

A single blow sent Kael skidding back. His arms ached from the force.

The next strike came, and Kael barely dodged.

Garrett's aura surged as he lunged, delivering a devastating punch to Kael's ribs.

Kael coughed, staggering back. A hit like that would've shattered bones if not for my aura reinforcement.

But then.

His system activated.

[Injuries Detected. Healing Initiated]

His injuries instantly healed.

The crowd gasped.

Garrett blinked. Then, he grinned. "Not bad."

Kael smirked. "Let's continue."

A few minutes later, Kael secured his victory.

Cassian vs. Kael

This was different.

Cassian's aura flared.. a dark red aura, an aura far stronger than the others. His sheer presence was overwhelming.

Kael exhaled, focusing.

Then—

Cassian moved.

Kael barely reacted before Cassian's punch connected with his stomach. He flew backward, tumbling across the ground.

He coughed, his body screaming in pain.

[Injuries Detected. Healing Initiate—]

Cassian didn't wait. He advanced, delivering a precise kick to Kael's ribs.

Kael rolled, barely avoiding a follow-up strike.

[Healing Initiation Ongoing]

Kael pushed himself up. His aura surged.

Light Red enveloping him.

Cassian smirked. "Good. Show me what you've got."

Kael unsheathed his sword.

His aura condensed, forming a pure blade of energy.

Cassian's smile widened. "Interesting."

They clashed.

With the help of [System] Kael's new ability activated. He read Cassian's movements.. anticipating his strikes.

He countered, his blade slicing through Cassian's aura defenses.

Then—

A final strike.

Cassian stumbled, then fell to one knee.

Silence.

Then.

Cheers erupted.

Cassian exhaled, then smiled. "You're full of surprises, little brother."

Above them, perched on a tree, Lucien watched.

A soft smile played on his lips.

"My friend Valor… your bloodline will shake the world once more."

Then—

[[WHOOSH]]

He vanished.