The morning sun slipped through the curtains of my chamber, gilding the floor in pale gold. Today was not just another day of bruises, dogs, and sadistic instructors. Today was the day I would commit the ultimate crime in a transmigrated world: stealing the protagonist's opportunity.
I stood before the tall mirror as Lira laid out my combat uniform. A black tunic woven from lightweight beast-hide clung snugly against my frame, etched with faint silver runes for defense. The trousers were tight enough for movement but durable enough to take punishment. A long cloak of midnight blue completed the look, fastened at the collar with a small obsidian clasp in the shape of a dragon's fang.
I adjusted the cloak, tilted my head, and smirked. "Hah. Barely above average in looks, but put me in black and suddenly I look like I'm auditioning for the role of mysterious genius."
Inside, though, my mind was less about fashion and more about fate.
This opportunity wasn't meant for me. In the novel, the hero and his party stumble upon it during their early quests. It's an aura technique so ancient that even history itself forgot it. From a time when this world knew no mana, when the power ceiling was pitifully low. And yet… even then, someone broke through. Someone surpassed all limits and walked into a realm beyond SSS rank.
I paused, tugging on my gloves.
Even I don't know what lies above SSS. The novel wasn't complete when I died, and though it hinted at gods, at beings above mortals, I don't know how many ranks it takes to climb that high—or if it's even possible to reach godhood at all.
I strapped a dagger to my thigh, checked the fastening on my boots, and laughed bitterly.
Oh, right. Before I get carried away, let me clarify something. By taking this opportunity, I'm not crippling the hero. That son of luck is an ether user. And ether, as everyone knows, is the glorious fusion of aura and mana—a power technique available only to the upper nobles. He'll get it no matter what. His destiny is too thick to stop.
So why did the novel make this aura technique one of his opportunities? Because scattered pieces of it become his trump cards in dire battles. Without it, his journey will be a little rougher, maybe a little bloodier… but not impossible. And me? I don't care about fate or fairness. This technique belongs to me now.
I strapped my spatial bracelet to my wrist and checked its contents: rations, potions (except the healing kind, curse that sadistic bastard), ropes, flints, a map, and—most important—a small hexagonal charm like the one I had used in the jungle.
Unlike everyone else in this world, I don't plan to become an ether user. My plan? Madness itself: cultivating aura and mana separately, simultaneously. Ninety percent of people would call it suicide. Ninety-nine percent would call it stupidity. But my sane, normal brain—yes, I assure you it's sane—keeps whispering: "Your life is too simple. Let's screw it up."
Ether is powerful, yes. Stronger than aura or mana alone. For geniuses of noble birth, it's considered difficult but not impossible to master. But if someone—just someone—managed to cultivate both aura and mana to equal heights, their power would eclipse an ether user at the same rank. The problem? The higher you climb, the slower the progress. Even geniuses would eventually have to abandon one and settle for ether. Anyone else would stagnate forever.
And me? I'm betting against common sense.
I laughed softly, tugging the hood of my cloak over my head. "Screw you, life. Let's see how far I can push this."
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
The door opened, and Lira stepped inside. My maid, my so-called protector, with eyes as clear as twilight skies and hair bound neatly behind her back. She wore light armor under her servant's attire, a sword at her waist—a beautiful contradiction of elegance and lethality.
"Are you prepared, young master?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with the faintest thread of concern.
I turned, giving her my best mock-serious expression. "Lira, do you believe in fate?"
She blinked, tilting her head slightly. "…I believe in duty."
"Of course you do." I sighed dramatically. "Here I am, about to rob fate blind, and all you care about is duty."
Her lips twitched—the closest thing she ever gave to a smile. "Then it is my duty to ensure you return alive, no matter how many gods or heroes you choose to offend."
I grinned. "That's why you're my favorite. Now, let's go steal the future."
Even though she couldn't understood or maybe ..not listening the blabbering of noble brat she still nodded
And with that, I stepped out into the corridor, cloak swirling at my heels, ready to take what was never meant to be mine.