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

{{Infirmary – Almost Dawn}}

Kael's eyes snapped open as he gasped for air. His chest heaved, and a strange warmth spread through his lower abdomen, like a fire burning deep inside him. It was an odd sensation, but strangely… comforting.

He blinked, adjusting to the dim candlelight. The infirmary was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves outside the window. His drenched clothes clung to his skin, and he could still feel the lingering echoes of the excruciating pain from earlier.

Ding!

[ The removal process was successful. ]

Kael exhaled, relieved.

[ During your unconscious state, I took the liberty of scanning your brain. You have read several books on swordsmanship before, correct? ]

Kael frowned. "I have… but I barely remember anything from them."

[ I can assist with that. I can transfer all the knowledge directly into your memory, ensuring you retain it as if you had mastered it yourself. Additionally, I can adjust your physique to prevent injuries while practicing new techniques. ]

Kael's eyes widened.

He clenched his fists, feeling a strange lightness in his body. The weakness that had plagued him for years… felt distant, like a memory.

He wasn't going to waste this chance.

Throwing off the covers, he stood up. His legs were still shaky, but he felt better than ever. He needed more information.

Ignoring the shocked healer who noticed him standing, Kael rushed toward the library.

{{Library – Dawn}}

Kael didn't stop at just one book.. he grabbed every single one he could find on swordsmanship and aura.

With the system's help, he scanned through them at an unnatural speed. Page after page, knowledge flooded his mind.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

By the time he came to his senses, dawn had broken. He had spent hours absorbing everything.

Just then, footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Kyle and Garrett.

Kael didn't even have to look up. He knew their voices.

Kyle scoffed. "Well, well, what do we have here? The great weakling of the Valor family… reading?"

Garrett, ever disciplined, ignored the insult. "Kael, what are you doing here? You were rushed to the infirmary last night. Mother and Cassian have been looking for you."

Kael shut the book in his hands. "I'm fine."

Kyle smirked. "You? Fine? Please. You probably just passed out because you tripped over your own feet."

Kael didn't take the bait. Instead, he stood up and walked past them. "If you'll excuse me, Mother and Cassian are waiting."

Kyle clicked his tongue. "Tch. Acting all high and mighty now, huh?"

Garrett said nothing, but his sharp gaze followed Kael's movements. There was something different.

And he wasn't the only one who noticed.

{{Valor Manor – Hall}}

Elysia Valor rushed toward him the moment he entered the hall. "Kael! Are you alright?"

The warmth in her voice made Kael hesitate.

He quickly nodded. "I'm fine, Mother. It wasn't anything serious."

Cassian, standing beside her with his arms crossed, wasn't convinced. "Then explain why you were found collapsed in the library." His piercing gaze locked onto Kael's.

Kael swallowed. He couldn't tell them the truth. "I… I overexerted myself. That's all."

Cassian narrowed his eyes. "You're hiding something."

Kael stiffened.

For a brief moment, Cassian's sharp senses caught something. Kael's aura. It was faint, but it felt… different. Stronger.

Something had changed.

And Cassian was going to find out what.

{{Valor Manor – Hall}}

Kael forced a sheepish chuckle. "Well… I kinda stink."

Elysia blinked. "What?"

"I haven't had a proper bath since yesterday." He tugged at his sweat-drenched clothes. "I must've passed out from exhaustion and, uh, the smell."

Cassian's piercing gaze lingered on him for a moment before he exhaled. "Hah… You're hopeless." He decided to let it go. Pushing further would only make their mother worry more, and he had other pressing matters to attend to.

"Just don't make a habit of worrying Mother like this," Cassian warned before turning away. "We have more urgent concerns. Kyle leaves for the academy in three days. We'll be busy preparing."

Kyle grinned smugly. "Heh. That's right. Soon, I'll be training with the best while you're stuck here… doing whatever weaklings do."

Kael rolled his eyes but let it slide.

Elysia was still visibly worried, but after Kael reassured her once more, she reluctantly let him go.

{{Kael's Room – Morning}}

After a quick bath and change of clothes, Kael felt refreshed. But instead of staying in the manor, he decided to head out.

He needed to see the town for himself.

{{Town - Market}}

As Kael walked through the bustling streets, something became painfully clear... people were avoiding him.

Shopkeepers who once greeted nobles with smiles looked away. Some villagers whispered to each other. Others simply turned and pretended not to see him.

Kael frowned.

Flashes of memories, pranks, arrogance, thoughtless tricks, rushed through his mind. The old Kael had built a reputation… and not a good one.

Before he could reflect further, a sudden commotion snapped him back to reality.

The frantic neighing of a horse.

Gasps and screams filled the air.

Kael turned his head and saw it.. a wild-eyed stallion pulling an out-of-control carriage, barreling down the road at full speed.

And directly in its path.

A pregnant woman and a small boy.

His body moved before he could think.

Kael sprinted. The world blurred around him. The wind roared in his ears.

Faster.

Stronger.

The moment he reached them, he scooped them both into his arms and rolled to safety. The carriage thundered past, its wheels kicking up dust.

Silence followed.

Then—

Gasps. Whispers. Shocked stares.

Kael slowly stood up, setting the mother and child down gently.

The woman clutched her belly, eyes wide with disbelief. "W-We're alive…?"

The little boy, still shaking, looked up at Kael with awe. "That was… amazing!"

Just then, heavy footsteps approached. A familiar voice rang out.

"Mary! Aaron!"

Kael turned to see a familiar figure running toward them.

Luke. His personal trainer.

His face was filled with pure relief as he reached his family. He immediately pulled them into a hug before turning to Kael. "You… saved them."

Kael nodded, catching his breath. "Yeah."

Aaron, the little boy, tugged on his father's sleeve. "Father! I want to be strong like Sir Kael! I want to be a knight so I can help people too!"

Kael froze.

Something inside him stirred.

More memories of the old Kael surfaced, people cursing his name, fearing his presence.

But now…

A child wanted to be like him.

Luke's wife, Mary, wiped her eyes and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Kael. You saved our lives."

Kael swallowed, feeling something foreign.. pride.

For the first time, he had done something that people admired.

This was the path he wanted to take.

He wasn't going to be the same Kael from before.

He was going to fix everything.

One step at a time.

With a small smile, he bid them farewell and continued exploring the town, a newfound determination burning in his heart.