As soon as Adam finished his meal, Jordan looked at him with a calm expression and said, “You have some free time now. You can do whatever you want—play, rest, or anything else that you enjoy.”

Without waiting for a response, Jordan stood up and walked away. Adam noticed him heading toward his room, where he quietly shut the door behind him.

Adam tilted his head slightly, puzzled by Jordan’s behavior. Why does he always retreat like this? he wondered. But he quickly decided against prying, remembering that Jordan had never shared anything about his past. Adam didn’t want to unintentionally trigger anything sensitive.

Shaking off his curiosity, Adam looked around. The quiet, forest-surrounded house had a calming yet mysterious vibe. After some thought, he stepped outside, curious to explore the surroundings.

The dense forest stretched endlessly in every direction, its tall trees casting long shadows over the ground. Adam walked a little further and found a clear patch of earth. He sat down and began to ponder. What can I do in such a remote, barren place? he asked himself.

As he stared at the ground in deep thought, an idea struck him.

Excited, Adam jumped to his feet. As he stood up, he realized that his Aura Sense skill was still active. Even amidst the thick forest, he could see small glowing white lights at a distance—tiny animals scurrying around, their life energy visible to him.

A smile spread across his face as he observed the faint glow. It was fascinating and exhilarating to see the hidden life of the forest so clearly. He looked down at the ground beneath his feet and noticed something even more remarkable.

Beneath the surface, he could see countless tiny insects and creatures, their faint white energy glowing faintly like fireflies buried in the earth.

Adam crouched down, narrowing his focus on the bugs. To his amazement, the light around them intensified as he concentrated, revealing intricate details about their tiny forms.

“This... this is incredible,” Adam muttered, his voice filled with awe. “This skill is far more powerful than I ever imagined.”

The possibilities of what he could achieve with this newfound ability filled his mind. As ideas began to form, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.

What if I could enhance my senses further using magical spells? Adam thought to himself. His mind raced with possibilities.

Eager to test his limits, Adam’s gaze shifted to the weighted devices strapped to his wrists and ankles. These devices were designed to absorb his energy and increase resistance, pushing his physical limits.

Though Adam had grown accustomed to their weight, he knew they weren’t fully under his control yet. The devices still absorbed energy from him constantly, making them a challenging tool to master.

Determined to push himself, Adam decided to perform a small test. He stretched his arms forward and began to take slow, deliberate breaths.

With each inhale and exhale, he focused on controlling the energy within his body.

He could feel the energy swirling rapidly around his core, a sensation like a storm trapped within his abdomen. Sweat formed on his forehead as he concentrated, but he didn’t let the strain deter him.

Gradually, Adam felt his energy responding to his control. The chaotic swirl in his core began to stabilize, rotating in harmony with his breathing. His focus deepened as he realized he was succeeding, albeit slowly.

Adam stood motionless, fully immersed in his experiment. With each passing moment, his connection to his energy and his Aura Sense grew stronger.

The intensity of his determination filled the quiet forest around him, as though nature itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what he would accomplish.

Scene shift

Sinu strode purposefully through the corridors of an old-style Japanese mansion. His footsteps echoed on the polished wooden floors, followed by the heavy steps of several samurai trailing behind him.

His face betrayed a mix of excitement and tension as he approached a wooden sliding door.

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Stopping in front of it, Sinu raised a hand and knocked lightly on the door.

A calm yet commanding voice responded from within, “Enter.”

Sinu slid the door open with care and stepped inside, immediately kneeling down as a gesture of respect. “Master, I have returned from my mission,” he announced, his head bowed low.

Before him sat a young man with striking white hair and piercing blue eyes. The man wore traditional Japanese clothing, his posture impeccable as he sat cross-legged in front of an old-style tea table. His serene appearance was contrasted by the sharp authority in his gaze.

The young master studied Seinu for a moment before speaking. “Sinu, did you complete your mission?”

Sinu felt his heart race. His excitement over the information he carried was difficult to contain. He quickly responded, “Young Master, I couldn’t complete my mission, but—”

Before he could finish, the young master vanished from his spot in an instant. The room fell eerily silent, and Sinu froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening.

Suddenly, he felt the cold steel of a blade pressed against his neck. The young master now stood beside him, his sword drawn and poised with precision. His blue eyes burned with a fury that sent shivers down Sinu’s spine.

Sinu gulped audibly, his body stiff with fear. He dared not move as he stammered, “Y-Young Master…”

The young master’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unforgiving. “How dare you show your face to me after failing your mission?”

Sinu’s mind raced. In his eagerness to share the news of his discovery, he had completely overlooked the consequences of his failure. Now, the realization hit him like a blow to the chest.

The blade pressed closer, its edge mere centimeters from his throat. Beads of sweat formed on Sinu’s brow as the young master leaned in, his expression as cold as the steel he wielded.

Sinu felt his breath hitch. He had no choice but to speak quickly. Gathering his courage, he shouted, “Young Master! I have vital information—information that is of the utmost importance!”

The blade paused, hovering motionless just above his skin. The young master’s eyes narrowed, his glare filled with suspicion.

“This information,” the young master hissed, his voice low and dangerous, “had better be worth my time. If it’s not, Sinu, nothing in this world will save you.”

Sinu swallowed hard, his throat dry as he nodded. His mind screamed at him to stay calm as he prepared to speak.

The young master’s blade remained inches away from Seinu’s throat, its cold steel pressing against his skin. Beads of sweat trickled down Sinu’s face as he stammered, “Young Master, I have found Lord Jordan’s whereabouts!”

The young master’s stern expression shifted instantly to one of sheer astonishment.

His piercing blue eyes widened as he withdrew his sword, the tension in the air easing slightly. He stepped back, then knelt directly in front of Sinu, his gaze locked onto him. “What did you just say?” he demanded, his voice sharp but laced with curiosity.

Sinu swallowed hard, his heart racing. “Young Master, our mission failed because Lord Jordan interfered.”

The young master’s eyes narrowed, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. “Lord Jordan? What was he doing in that village?”

Sinu hesitated, his mind racing. The truth would expose the complete disaster of the mission, but concealing it could have its own risks.

He lowered his gaze, pretending to collect his thoughts, while internally debating how much to reveal. Finally, he muttered, “We don’t know why he was there.”

The young master’s gaze hardened. “Why are you hesitating? Speak clearly!”

Sinu flinched, realizing he had no choice but to provide some explanation. In a panicked voice, he said, “Young Master, Lord Jordan appeared in the middle of our mission and defended the village from us.”

The young master’s eyebrows shot up, his disbelief evident. “What nonsense are you spouting? Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

Sinu, trembling slightly, continued, “Young Master, Lord Jordan left us with a message to deliver to the branch family’s elders.”

The young master leaned forward, his voice low and commanding. “What message?”

Sinu took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Lord Jordan declared that the village and all its inhabitants are under his protection. He said that if we want to attack the village, we’ll have to face him directly.”

The young master was momentarily stunned, his mind reeling from the weight of this revelation.

For a few moments, the room was silent, save for the faint rustle of fabric as he stood up abruptly. His expression was a mixture of shock and contemplation.

“This news is far too important,” he said firmly, looking down at Sinu. “Go immediately and report this to the elders. I’ll arrange for a meeting with them right away. Do not let this information reach anyone else before the elders are informed.”

Without waiting for Sinu’s reply, the young master spun on his heel and strode out of the room, his movements swift and determined.

Sinu watched him leave, his body collapsing onto the floor in relief the moment the young master was out of sight. His breathing was ragged, and his arms trembled as he leaned on them for support.

“If he ever finds out that a young boy singlehandedly killed almost all the samurai under my command,” Sinu muttered to himself, “I won’t live to see another day. I need to bury this truth, no matter what.”

Just as Sinu was trying to steady himself, a voice called out from behind him. “Sinu, you’re back!”

Startled, Sinu turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat. His initial panic subsided when he saw who it was. Standing there was Hang, his closest friend and confidant.

Hang raised an eyebrow, noticing Sinu’s disheveled state. “What happened to you? And why are you looking like you’ve just survived a war?”

Forcing a weak smile, Sinu replied, “Perfect timing, Hang. I’m on my way to meet with the elders.”

Hang’s eyes widened in surprise. “You? Meeting the elders? Don’t joke with me, Sinu.”

Still smiling faintly, Sinu shrugged and said, “Believe what you want, Hang. I don’t have time to argue.” He brushed past Hang, his focus now on the task ahead.

As Sinu walked away, Hang stared after him, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.

The chapter ended with Sinu vanishing into the corridor, his steps resolute yet burdened by the weight of the secret he carried.