After spending two hours discussing the engagement between Rossette and me, it was settled that we would marry as soon as we graduated, so everything would be much simpler, and apparently, our engagement will be announced tomorrow.
"How do you feel after such a fruitful conversation?"
That mocking smile on Rossette's face only makes me feel more tired. Right now, I just need to train and improve the boxing skills I acquired—or so I thought ten minutes ago, before seeing Rossette show up in what also looks like training clothes.
"Wipe that long face off. I noticed you wanted to stay here training, so I thought we could spend some fiancé time together and teach you a technique or two."
She's right. Training will be faster if I just use it to improve my technique.
"You're right. Besides, I don't want my fiancée to feel completely alone after confirming you'll have to spend your life with this body."
"Enough trivial chatter. Let's begin."
Without giving me room to maneuver, she quickly approaches and starts throwing punches directly at my face. Rossette's first punch whistled through the air, grazing my cheek as I jerked my neck back.
"Come on, Arthur. Do you want to get knocked out on the first day of our engagement?"
My muscles reacted before my mind. I dodged her next blow with a sidestep and countered with a quick jab to her shoulder.
The jab found its mark, but Rossette barely flinched. Instead of retreating, she pivoted on her left foot and launched a surprise counterattack: an uppercut disguised as a dance move, her fist rising from below like a snake.
My chin burned from the impact, making me stagger.
"Now that was a strong hit."
"Thanks, it's all because of what happened before."
She seems to hold a grudge.
"My turn."
I took advantage of her confidence. A feinted jab with my left made her raise her guard, exposing her side. She blocked the right hook that followed, but she didn't expect what came next: I abruptly changed my rhythm, lowering my stance as if to attack again, only to launch a low kick that struck her thigh with precision.
Rossette stepped back, surprised, rubbing the point of impact with a mix of irritation and admiration.
"Since when do nobles use low kicks?"
"Since this body doesn't have the soul of a noble."
"If we're playing this way, I won't hold back either."
Rossette's fist glowed with a golden gleam an instant before impacting my chest. The blow made me step back, not just from the force, but from the strange heat it left on my skin.
"What the hell was that?"
Rossette's eyes widened like saucers.
"You really don't…?"
Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding.
"Ah, right. You're not from here."
She closed her eyes and extended her palm upward. A swirl of golden light began to spin over her skin, forming intricate patterns.
"This is Aura, the physical manifestation of our life force. Everyone in this world is born with it, though few learn to master it."
I can only stare in amazement. It's hard to believe I've truly seen something as astonishing as this. I take one of her hands, making her jump in surprise.
"I want you to teach me how to use Aura."
"Teach you? I'm not sure if I'd be a good teacher, and I don't even know if your body can generate Aura since, technically, you're not from this world."
"Let's just try. After all, we have nothing to lose."
She looks at me and just sighs.
"Fine, I'll try to transfer some of my energy to you so you know what it feels like and can do it on your own."
Nodding quickly, we sit on the training ground. Rossette places her hands on mine, guiding them in a circular motion.
At first, there was only darkness.
A silent void, like falling into a dream without images. But then, slowly, something pulsed. A faint throb in my chest, synchronized with my heart but distinct, like an echo of energy. Aura? I didn't know, but I followed its rhythm, letting my breath merge with it.
The heat began as a tingling, then transformed into a current flowing from my core to my limbs. Red. Scarlet. Like blood illuminated under the skin. I didn't try to control it. I didn't fight it. I just existed within that flow, watching it move, how it breathed on its own.
And then…
I got lost.
There was no time. No thoughts. Just the Aura and me, merging into something greater.
"Arthur!"
The voice sounded distant, as if someone were shouting from the other side of a glass wall.
"Wake up! By all the heavens, open your eyes!"
Something shook my shoulders with brute force. The world returned abruptly: the cold of the stone floor.
"What's wrong, Rossette? Why so worried?"
"What do you mean, why, you idiot? I've been trying to wake you up for over ten minutes! You've been in that position for more than two hours!"
Two hours? I quickly stood up, and a slight dizziness washed over me, but I managed to stay on my feet.
I looked around. The shadows lengthened, the sun nearly hidden. Two hours, maybe more. My hands still glowed with a crimson radiance, but now it was steady, like embers covered in ash.
[NEW SKILL: Aura]
Can't this system's notifications be configured differently? I'd set it to only important messages.
Let's set that aside.
"Red? Do you know why my Aura is red?"
"It all depends on how you look at things. That Aura could mean anger, pain, or resignation. But Aura can also be shaped through memories and experiences, not just the feelings you have when creating it."
Now I understand. My memories from recent years formed this kind of Aura, which might look striking at first glance.
"Why the long face? Did you think learning to use your Aura would be easier?"
"No, to be honest, I expected it to take me at least a few days to learn how to use Aura. I just wish it had been blue and green."
Rossette let out a mocking laugh, crossing her arms.
"Blue and green? Did you want to look like a lake in spring? You don't choose your Aura, idiot. It's a reflection of your essence, no matter how dark it is."
The crimson red of my energy still flickered around my hands, like dancing flames.
"So, this is me? Anger and pain?" I murmured, remembering the years of family neglect, Ernesto's taunts, the loneliness on my birthday…
"Yes, but not just that."
Rossette lowered her voice, stepping closer. Her golden Aura glowed faintly, as if responding to mine.
"Red is also passion, determination. A fire that doesn't go out easily, though in your case, it might be more stubbornness than anything else."
I ignored the comment and concentrated my energy into my fist. The Aura intensified, turning almost scarlet.
"How do I use it in combat?"
"Ugh, straight to the point. Fine."
Rossette adopted a fighting stance, her Aura enveloping her arm like a luminous glove.
"Imagine it's an extension of your body. Don't force it; flow with it as if it were any other part of you."
I tried to imitate her. Closing my eyes, I visualized the Aura as a current flowing through my veins. When I punched the air, a red flash followed the movement, leaving a fleeting trail.
"Wow! You're faster than I thought,"
Rossette admitted, though her tone remained sarcastic.
"But don't get excited. Controlling Aura in real combat is different. Tomorrow at the academy, if you survive the scandal of our engagement, you can practice against someone other than me."
"Survive? It's not like I'm going to die just because people find out I'm your fiancé."
"Hey, look at me. I'm still a beauty many men would want by their side. And above all, I'm strong, I have status, money, and I'm very intelligent."
And from what I see, you're also very modest.
The sun began to set, painting the training field in orange hues. Rossette stretched her arms.
"It's late. Tomorrow awaits us a deliciously complicated day."
Rossette stands up and starts walking straight toward the exit of the training field.
"Rest well today. You'll need a lot of energy for tomorrow."
I don't even respond and lie back on the ground.
"System."
[ Name:William Sanders
Age:19
Race:Human
Titles:[Neanderthal Killer]
-----------------------------------
Strength:9 +1
Agility:6
Endurance:8
Intelligence:9
Luck:4
Perception:8
Willpower:10
-----------------------------------
[Skills]
[Calm Mind][Running (Lv:3)] [Stealth (Lv:2)] [Boxing (Lv:3)] [Aura (Lv:1)]
-----------------------------------
[Missions]
[Shop] ]
The Boxing skill has leveled up. Now I want to see what effects my new skill brings, even though my strength only increased by one point with all today's training.
[Aura: Effects vary depending on usage.
+1 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Endurance, +1 Perception]
I see. So if I channel Aura into my fists, my strength increases by one point, and if I use it in my legs, I can increase agility. I can even boost these effects if I use it simultaneously.
"So, the colors are just for show?"
I'll have to genuinely ask Rossette how it works. Although it doesn't seem like a very strong skill since I don't know how long I can use it, as the level increases, it could become my most powerful ability.
"Well, time to rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."