Sigil Online: I became the duke's third son

After what felt like minutes, the mark finally dimmed, returning to normal. But something had changed. Luan felt different, like an army general who had survived countless battles, carrying the weight of experience and the unshakable presence of a leader.

Around him, the knights dropped to their knees, nearly prostrating before him. Yet Luan remained seated, eyes closed, absorbing the flood of information pouring from the sigil into his mind.

***

Name: Sigil of the Elven Monarch

Type: Leadership, Aura Enhancement

Category: Hybrid (Divine & Charisma)

Abilities:

1. Commanding Presence – Instills a natural aura of authority, compelling respect and obedience.

2. Battlefield Sovereign – Troops under the user's command resist fear and fight with greater cohesion.

3. Authority's Gaze – A piercing gaze that forces hesitation or submission from weaker-willed individuals.

4. ??? – The true potential remains locked.

***

Then, visions surged through his mind, fragments of history belonging to past wielders of this sigil. He saw elven rulers guiding their people with wisdom, expanding their nations through diplomacy, forging alliances that turned their kingdoms into superpowers.

But then the visions darkened. He saw other rulers, ones who abandoned diplomacy for conquest. They led armies across continents, toppling kingdoms and carving their names into history with blood and steel. Their empires stretched far and wide, but their ambition outpaced their control.

Civil wars ignited. Rebellions broke out. Trusted subordinates turned traitor. And just as quickly as they had risen, their great empires crumbled to dust.

The visions left Luan both inspired and uneasy. He had seen rulers meet gruesome ends after abusing the sigil's power, but also those who ruled wisely and lived long, prosperous lives.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he slowly opened his eyes. Looking around, he saw all the knights on their knees, almost worshipping him.

"Heh? Kian, what's going on here?" Luan exclaimed.

But even Kian was affected by Luan's aura; he was barely staying on his feet in an almost ninety-degree bow, still with impeccable posture, however.

"Young master, after the crown mark on your hand started glowing, we all turned around, and then a couple of minutes later it stopped glowing, but your aura felt completely different, and the knights couldn't stay upright." Kian replied, sweat dripping down on his forehead.

"I'm sorry for this unsightly behavior, but could you please release your aura, young master?" Kian pleaded, even though he couldn't hold out much longer.

He was, however, very surprised by the powers of Luan's sigil, barely after awakening it, and the well-trained knights and even he, a well-trained assassin, could hardly resist. 'And he even has another one; our young master is definitely not going to be ordinary.'

"Um, how do I do that? Do I just meditate again or how?" Luan sighed, closing his eyes again and trying to control the aura.

After some effort, Luan grasped the sigil's basic mechanics. He could either unleash its full force or suppress it entirely; nothing in between.

'I'll need to experiment more. For now, it's all or nothing.' A grin spread across his face; even though the visions made him uneasy, he was still excited to master and use this power for his own gains.

The knights and Kian felt the commanding aura fade, finally able to breathe freely again.

The knights hesitated, shuffling uncomfortably. The oppressive weight of the aura was gone, but its memory lingered.

One of the younger knights leaned toward Kian, whispering, "Is it alright if we put some distance between us and the young master?" His ears burned red. "That was... intense."

"That's a fine idea. But make sure nothing happens to him; you don't want to earn the ire of the first madam." Kian cautioned.

The knight gulped and signaled for the others to put more distance between themselves and the young master while calling for reinforcements.

With a sigh, Luan ran a hand through his hair before collapsing on his back. Staring at the sky, he couldn't help but smile.

'This is awesome,' he mused as he turned his head to look at Kian.

"Kian, go and grab the papers from my room and a table and chair. We will continue going over them here." He ordered as he closed his eyes to rest a little.

Kian disappeared from his spot, acknowledging Luan's order.

When the knights didn't hear anything anymore, they turned to where Kian was supposed to be, but they saw no one there.

"He truly is like a ghost; even last time when he just appeared, he said, Send some knights to guard the young master, and just vanished. The madam truly has good judgment in whom she hires." A knight muttered to his fellow knights.

"Indeed, but stop daydreaming; if anything were to happen while he is away, we won't be able to bear the consequences. Not like I expect anyone to try anything right after the sigil awakening ceremony, but you never know." An older knight with short white hair remarked, turning around and grasping his sword tightly.

"Young master, I have brought refreshments," Kian whispered, his voice cutting through the silence.

Luan's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked in confusion. He hadn't even noticed Kian leaving—let alone returning.

'He truly is a great butler; I really want him to be mine. I'll ask Hana when I see her,' he thought. Accepting the teacup Kian had brewed and downing it.

"That hit the spot; thanks, Kian." Luan said, taking a seat at the table Kian has placed down, Who knows when?

Kian stood right behind Luan, waiting for the maids to bring the papers.

"So, Kian, did you find any good butlers? Or none were satisfactory yet?" Luan inquired.

"Well, they're still young and inexperienced, but there were some with potential. I have to say, madam's resourcefulness always surprises me."

Luan leaned back in his chair, hands interlocked behind his head, gazing at the sky. "That puts a lot of pressure on my shoulders, not that I mind it. Makes me want to do my best so I don't disappoint her."