"Slow down. You're going too fast."
Tap tap
The sound of my boots tapping the floor echoed throughout the wide room. Thanks to the correction, I was able to keep myself from falling. Again.
"Almost finished, keep it up." The stoic but feminine voice kept me anchored to my current task.
I kept moving across the room with grace and elegance. Not too fast, not too slow. Just like she taught me.
There was a warm sensation that spread across my hand that reminded me of the final part of this routine.
"I won't be helping you this time. Do it just like I taught you." Amy said while our hands were clasped together in a deafening dance.
Nodding my head I took charge of her movement. I pulled her along with me, not aggressively but more like I was subtly guiding her.
'Right foot here, left arm over the shoulder…'
The end of the dance was slowly approaching.
This time with a bit more force, I pulled Amy toward me. As we were about to collide with each other, I smoothly spun her body with her arms until we were facing each other again, hands interlocked once again.
"Haaah…..haaaah." My chest heaved up and down while staring at the head maid's eyes.
She gazed all over me for a few seconds before eventually nodding and letting go of my hands.
"Well done, Kaelith. It went flawlessly this time. I am pleasantly surprised." With her usual monotone voice, the head maid Amy Unise congratulated me.
"Thank you, Amy. Does this mean we no longer have to do any dance classes?" I hoped deep within my heart I would never have to do this again.
She thought for a minute before seemingly coming to an answer.
"I would prefer to make sure that you can do it well consistently but knowing you, there will not be a reason to perfect the duo dance."
"Haaah." I let out a breath of relief despite the words which one could call an insult attached to the verdict.
It's almost 3 weeks since the Duke's arrival. Many things went like normal. I have etiquette lessons with Amy, training alone or with Henry and visiting my sister.
Frederick still isn't back from his mission so I haven't been training with him.
And ever since receiving Echoing Rhythm, I haven't really seen Vera. I've only seen her in passing a few times but not for long.
"Since we tackled dancing, your most difficult issue, your lessons should be finishing soon." Amy's voice pulled me out of my mind.
'These lessons are finishing, huh.'
It truly made me realize how long I've been in this estate. About one and a half months.
I felt a little sad that these lessons were going to end soon. Ever since the talk we had a few weeks ago, I could feel a thin bond formed between me and Amy.
It got to the point that we call each other by name during these lessons unlike the formal 'Sir' from earlier.
"When do you think our lessons will end?" I posed to Amy.
"Probably next week." She answered after thinking for a while. "That should give you enough time to prepare for the academy."
'That's true. The academy starts in about 2 weeks.'
My mind went to all the other responsibilities I have.
"Thank you for the lesson Amy, I appreciate it." I nodded my head to her with a slight smile.
"I am just doing my duty. Now go. You seemed quite eager to finish today's lesson. I'm sure you have something important to do." With a thin smile, Amy sent me away.
But she was right. Today is an important day.
I felt a rare true smile appear on my face.
'Today, I will break through to Tier 2.'
***
Whenever an awakened reaches the top of their tier, their mana heart's expansion is halted by a barrier. Once this barrier is shattered, the awakened can proceed to the next Tier.
In order to break the barrier, the awakened has to focus all the mana they have into their mana heart, condensing it and increasing the pressure.
And when the pressure becomes too much for the barrier, it shatters. The mana heart will use its shattered remains and the compressed mana to reform itself. A rebirth.
This is what I was preparing to do.
I was sitting in my room cross-legged.
The luxurious walls brought me comfort, unlike the awkwardness they gave earlier. The light of dawn seeped through the crossed windows, bathing my room in an orange light.
I had refrained from training this morning to make sure that I have enough mana to do this.
"Haaaah." With a deep exhale I started moving the mana inside me.
Ever since receiving my awakening, I've gotten more comfortable with manipulating my mana. Following the familiar feeling I slowly condensed the mana within my mana heart.
I could feel some kind of wall restricting the expansion of my mana. It was tough but it also felt smooth, as if urging me to break it.
Slowly but surely, the condensed mana started pressuring the mana heart.
Sweat poured down my back as my body started shivering due to the strain.
As the pressure mounted, I could feel my body straining itself more and more.
But I didn't stop.
I kept increasing the pressure until it started affecting the barrier.
Crack Crack
It might have been my imagination, but I could hear the barrier straining under the pressure of my mana.
'Almost there.'
With gritted teeth I used all my will power to shatter the struggling barrier.
Crack crack crack
The cracking sounds became more and more frequent, until….
I felt something break.
'Did I do it?'
Before I could examine my body, a euphoric feeling enveloped me.
My senses became sharper. It was as if I could see a whole new world. The bones and muscles within my body felt stronger and healthier. Instinctively I knew that I was easily five times stronger than before. It felt amazing.
And not just that, but my mana as well.
If before the mana in my mana heart could be described as a bucket, then now it would be a vast lake, filled with deep potent water.
I felt….
'Incredible.'
I wasn't really able to revel in the feeling of awakening due to Aiden's threat but now? I don't think I want to go back to how I was before.
I lifted my hand in the air. With tiny effort, a translucent blue veil covered my body. But unlike when I was Tier 1, it wasn't nearly as straining. Mana moved way more smoothly now, as if there was some kind of blockage before.
And not just that….
'I'm not getting tired.'
Though I could feel the drain on my mana reserves, it wasn't nearly as strong as it was before. I'm confident I would be able to efficiently use it in a fight now.
'Wait a minute…'
While I was feeling my new potent aura, I tried something else.
Crackle Crackle
White-ish bolts of lightning started covering my body as I felt my speed increase and my senses heighten even more.
Lightning Aura.
Just like regular aura, it came a lot easier than it did when I was Tier 1. But…
'It's draining so much mana.'
Unlike aura, the lightning drained that vast like of mana reserves incredibly quickly.
Sigh
I guess lightning aura is for another time.
It was a disappointment I could live with. It's probably better to focus on perfecting my aura. It still isn't as stable as the other Dawn Knights, or even Vera.
'Wait a minute. There was something odd about her that day…'
I thought back to the fight between Vera and the Tier 3 knight. Her body was surrounded by elemental aura as well. But only on certain occasions.
'Is it possible to temporarily use elemental aura?'
In short burst. In this way you could get some of the benefits of elemental aura while not draining it completely.
I once again focused on converting the mana in my mana heart. I had my sword readied as well.
Just as I was about to swing, the white strings of lightning started covering my body-no, my arm.
Woosh
With insane speed, my sword cut through the air.
"Woah." I couldn't help but exclaim.
'I didn't completely do it right, but the effects were immediate.'
If I can master this technique…
'I think I'm starting to like this feeling.'
'The feeling of getting stronger.'
***
The next day I was out in the training grounds with Henry.
"You broke through to Tier 2? Congratulations!" Henry's excited voice rang throughout the square.
"Thanks. Aren't you also getting close to Tier 3." I asked back.
"Me? Well I'm not far off but it is still going to take a while," he said while scratching the back of his neck.
"I'm sure you-"
Hooorn
Before I could finish my sentence, a familiar horn echoed throughout the estate once again. This is the same one that announced the arrival of the Duke. But the Duke is already here?
Which means…
"Someone of importance has arrived. Most likely a noble, " Henry said with shock in his voice.
"A noble? Which one? And why?" I asked.
Many of the knights were leaving to greet the new arrival. As they were leaving a maid came up to me.
Not just any maid, but Amy, the head maid herself arrived.
"Amy, why are you here?" I asked curiously.
She looked at me for a moment before speaking, "Get cleaned up. Vera is expecting you in the audience room of the Mansion. Make haste."
Before I could respond, she walked off with urgency in her steps.
'Why is she in such a hurry? Who could possibly be coming to make her reaction that special.'
Regardless of who it was , I headed to my room and started preparing myself.
I showered, wore my favorite black military uniform with silver accents, made my hair and headed toward the Audience room.
As I reached the room I could hear voices come from them.
One was familiar while the other was not.
I quietly knocked on the door.
"Come in." Vera's voice resounded through the door.
I swiftly entered the room.
The audience room was a big space full of flowers and paintings. There were 2 couches in the center with a fragile but expensive looking table in the middle. The table had 2 steaming cups on it and a big plate full of pastries.
On the other side of the table stood Amy, not wearing any expression on her face as usual. Though for some reason I could feel a bit of worry coming from her.
Before I could figure out why, I gazed at the two people-women sitting on opposing couches.
Vera sat on the left side. She was wearing a red dress with a glittery pattern on it. Her pale blond hair was straight and neat while her red eyes were complemented by red earrings hanging from her ears.
But on the other side sat a young woman, about the same age as me and Vera. She had dark brown hair, styled into a long braid with a brooch. Her skin was fair and healthy, almost like a well preserved doll.
Her bright emerald eyes settled on me as I walked in.
'Who is….'
At that moment my eyes widened.
"Well, I didn't know we were receiving some company." A calm and melodic voice from the unknown woman.
'But she wasn't unknown….'
The woman stood up with a regal curtsy.
'She is…'
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Isabella Florentina Felora…" Her authoritative smile settled on me as she looked up. "...The first Princess of the Felora Kingdom."