Aren scanned the room, a sense of unease settling over him. He felt like an intruder in a museum, surrounded by relics of a bygone era. His gaze drifted to a large table dominated by a detailed map. Small, colored figurines were strategically placed across its surface, undoubtedly representing troop deployments or Darius's intricate battle plans. He observed that the map depicted a single, large continent encircled by a vast expanse of water.

"What's this map?" Aren inquired, striving for a tone of casual curiosity. He didn't want to appear overly interested or, worse, ignorant.

"This is Atheria, our kingdom," Valerian responded, his voice measured and formal. "As you can see, it's divided into Dominions, each governed by a Duke, such as Lord Darius. Above them all stands the King, who rules Atheria from the capital city of Veritas, a city independent of any Dominion."

A feudal system, just like in history books. Victor would find this fascinating. He'd probably start drawing parallels to medieval Europe. Aren suppressed the urge to pepper Valerian with questions about the figurines. They likely represented sensitive military information, though he doubted Valerian would risk bringing him here if this held any secrets.

"When the Duke declared that I was now part of his family, what exactly did he mean by that?" Aren asked, carefully choosing his words.

Valerian's expression shifted, becoming more serious. A subtle tension entered the room. "Within the Stormborn Dominion, numerous nobles oversee their own territories, each with established names and family lineages. Since Lord Darius has bestowed noble status upon you by his own authority, you are now a noble under his direct patronage. Your actions and your standing will inevitably reflect upon him, and by extension, the entire Stormborn Dominion. Therefore," he emphasized, "you must exercise extreme caution and act with impeccable wisdom, lest you bring dishonor to our Duke and, consequently, to all of Stormborn Dominion." The atmosphere in the room seemed to thicken, the air growing heavy with unspoken expectations. Valerian's message was clear: Aren's actions had consequences, and failure would not be tolerated.

He's dead serious. If it weren't for the whole Ether thing, I'd tell him where to stick his threats. Speaking of Ether...

"A victory in the upcoming tournament would undoubtedly benefit the Duke's reputation, wouldn't it? What steps should I take to adequately prepare myself?"

Valerian's posture relaxed slightly, easing the palpable tension. He seemed satisfied by Aren's response. "Lord Darius has granted permission for his own son, Leo, to participate alongside you in the tournament, which introduces a layer of complexity to the situation. Your victory would serve to highlight the Duke's astute judgment in recognizing and elevating a promising fighter. Leo's victory, on the other hand, would bring glory and further renown to the Stormborn name. However, should the two of you be pitted against each other in the arena, the outcome for Duke's reputation becomes far more difficult to predict and manage. Leo has been diligently tempering his body with Ether since early childhood. This rigorous training has undoubtedly enhanced his inherent strength, even when he isn't actively channeling Ether. You, however, possess remarkable skill and natural talent, but your physical body remains weak in comparison. You will undoubtedly come to understand the full extent of what I mean during your upcoming training sessions."

Indeed. If I were to fight the Duke's son and defeat him, it could be interpreted as a sign of weakness within Stormborn family. If I lose, they might question the Duke's decision to grant me a title, or even suspect that I deliberately threw the fight under pressure from the Duke himself. A lose-lose situation. Why did he even allow his son to participate alongside me in the first place?

"I understand. The situation is indeed delicate, but I assure you, I have no intention of yielding to anyone," Aren declared, meeting Valerian's gaze directly, his eyes conveying unwavering resolve, despite the inherent risks of such a bold statement.

Valerian responded with a subtle shift in his demeanor, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Sir Aren, I am well aware that you are deliberately concealing certain aspects of your character. However, I perceive no inherent malice or ill intent within you. Here in Stormborn, we place great emphasis on judging individuals based on their actions, and thus far, you have consistently proven yourself to be a worthy and honorable young man. Therefore, I will refrain from demanding any explanations regarding your past, and Lord Darius has agreed to do the same. However, as the appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Stormborn army, I bear the weighty responsibility of safeguarding Lord Darius and his family from all potential threats. I am obligated to thoroughly assess all potential dangers. Therefore, I must be certain your motives are entirely pure, untainted by any ulterior design." Valerian's tone remained carefully neutral, conveying no threat, as if he wished to ensure an honest, unpressured answer. "Tell me, Sir Aren, what is your ultimate goal at this present moment?"

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Aren fully grasped the implications of Valerian's words. A mysterious individual with amnesia and extraordinary combat skills could easily be suspected of harboring hidden agendas. They could easily see me as a spy, a pawn of some rival Dominion, sent to worm my way into Stormborn Family. Maybe they think I rescued Isla just to gain the Duke's favor and get close to him.

Aren knew he couldn't reveal his true origins. That would be far too outlandish, even in a world where magic was commonplace. However, he resolved to answer Valerian's question with complete honesty, as far as he could. "My primary goal is to master Ether and find the path to true strength."

"And why do you seek such power?" Valerian pressed, his gaze unwavering.

"Can one truly claim to be virtuous without possessing the strength to defend that virtue?" The answer was so obvious to Aren that he didn't even think about it.

"Hah!" Valerian chuckled, a genuine smile finally breaking across his face. "It would appear that my initial suspicions were indeed unfounded. I shall be most interested in observing your progress along the path to strength."

"Speaking of which," Aren interjected, seizing the opportunity, "can you elaborate on what Ether is?"

"Very well, but I must caution you that, while I am highly proficient in its practical application, my detailed theoretical knowledge is somewhat limited. Our resident researcher, Veridian Jaxx'im, would be far better equipped to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. However, in essence, Ether is the fundamental building block of everything in Atheria. It is a form of energy that permeates all living and non-living things, functioning as an invisible lifeblood that sustains our world. It can be harnessed to fortify the physical body, enhancing strength, speed, and agility. Some skilled individuals can even manipulate the forces of nature through Ether. Others focus on using Ether to influence and control the minds of their opponents. The potential applications are virtually limitless. However, it is crucial to understand that the more power one wields, the greater the inherent risk. Ether seems to possess a form of sentience, and the reckless or excessive use of its power can lead to catastrophic consequences. The most infamous example occurred some three hundred years ago, when two Ascendants engaged in a cataclysmic battle, unleashing the full extent of their power. Their reckless use of vast amounts of Ether triggered a devastating five-year winter in the three southern Dominions, which served as the primary source of food for the entire kingdom. A horrific famine ensued, claiming the lives of millions."

That sounds ridiculous. What power should have been used to cause such a catastrophe?

"What exactly are Ascendants?"

"Ascendants are individuals who have transcended the known limits of Ether manipulation and have achieved a level of understanding that is far beyond the comprehension of ordinary practitioners. They are widely regarded as the most dangerous and powerful beings in all of Atheria. We typically measure Ether proficiency on a scale of one to ten, but Ascendants exist far beyond the 10th tier, operating on an entirely different plane of existence."

"What level are you, and what level was that mercenary I fought back then?"

"It is difficult to provide a precise assessment without the aid of the specialized diagnostic tests employed by the Veridians, but if I were to offer a rough estimate, I would place that mercenary somewhere between the second and third tier. As for myself, I currently operate at the eighth tier, which is a testament to my skill and experience, and a significant factor in my appointment as Commander-in-Chief."

He's only at the eighth tier? He cut down that mercenary faster than I could even blink. If that's eighth tier, I can't even imagine what an Ascendant is capable of.

This revelation ignited a fresh surge of motivation within Aren, an almost uncontrollable desire for power surging through him. If the eighth tier is capable of such incredible feats, imagine what I could achieve if I truly dedicated myself to mastering Ether. A predatory grin stretched across his face, the thought of such strength intoxicating.

"Then I have one final question for you," Aren stated, his voice firm. "What is expected of me now that I have been granted the title of nobility? Was it all simply a reward for saving Isla's life?"

"I must confess that I, too, was somewhat surprised by Lord Darius's decision to take such a drastic step," Valerian replied. "It would be best to discuss his motivations with him directly. However, I am pleased with the tenor of our conversation. I believe that our values are closely aligned, and I am optimistic that you will prove to be a positive influence here in Stormborn Dominion. I believe we have concluded our business for the time being. I have received instructions to escort you to Lord Darius, who wishes to discuss the upcoming tournament and your future within the Dominion."

"Very well then, lead the way," I hope the Duke has managed to sober up.