The castle was quiet except for the soft crackling of torches lining the stone corridors. The gentle hum of the night was disrupted only by the rhythmic footsteps of the patrolling guards. Little did they know, danger had already slipped past them.
Three figures clad in black clung to the shadows as they weaved through the halls. House Duskbane's elite assassins—masters of silent execution. Their orders were simple: kill Aeros Cromwell before dawn.
Inside his chamber, Aeros sat cross-legged, eyes shut, body still. To any observer, he appeared to be asleep, but in reality, he was deep in meditation. His rigorous training had disciplined his mind, allowing him to fine-tune his body's natural awareness.
Then, something shifted.
A cold sensation crawled up his spine—a gut-wrenching instinct, screaming danger. His eyes snapped open. The room remained still, but he could feel it. Something was watching him.
Perception Skill Activated.
His vision blurred for a moment before refining with startling clarity. The air shifted. The faintest disturbance in the curtains. Then—
There! A glint of steel!
Aeros rolled off his bed just as a blade sliced through the pillow where his throat had been. Feathers burst into the air like silent fireworks. The assassin hissed in irritation and lunged again.
Still adjusting to the sudden attack, Aeros barely dodged the second strike. His instincts guided him as he grabbed a nearby lamp and hurled it at his attacker. The assassin dodged, but the commotion was enough to alert Lys, who had been standing guard outside.
The door burst open.
"Master Aeros—" Lys's voice faltered at the scene before him. His young master dodges lethal strikes from an assassin—no, three assassins.
Lys drew his sword without hesitation. "You dare attack the heir of House Cromwell?" he growled, charging in.
One of the assassins engaged Lys while the Silver Core-ranked group leader advanced on Aeros. The young noble, despite being in the midst of chaos, found himself… oddly calm.
Why am I not panicking?
His Perception Skill flared again. The Silver Core assassin's movements became slower in his eyes. He could see the pattern of attacks, the slight shifts in weight that revealed the next strike.
I can see his weakness.
Aeros ducked under a wide slash, pivoted, and delivered a precise counterstrike to the assassin's ribs. The man staggered, shocked. Aeros used the moment to land another blow—this time to the assassin's knee, forcing him down.
"You—what kind of monster are you?" the assassin rasped.
Lys, meanwhile, had dispatched his opponent and turned to see Aeros standing over the Silver Core warrior. His eyes widened in disbelief.
How? How did he overpower a Silver Core assassin?
Before he could process it, Aeros moved in a blur, knocking the assassin unconscious.
The remaining assassin attempted to flee, but Lys was quicker, blocking his escape. "Not so fast."
The castle guards finally arrived, spears raised.
Aeros exhaled, feeling an unfamiliar rush of energy through his body. And then, the system spoke.
Aetherial Codex System Update: User Status
User: Aeros Cromwell
Core Rank: Silver Core (Mid-Stage)
Mana Circles: 2
Affinity: Ice and Thunder
Attributes Unlocked:
Strength: 30Agility: 30Endurance: 30Intelligence: 40Perception: 30Battle Instinct: 50+
System Message:
"You have surpassed the limits of natural progression due to relentless training and unwavering discipline. Skipping Bronze Core was a reward for your dedication."
Aeros blinked. "Wait… I skipped an entire stage?"
The system responded in its usual smug tone.
"Did you think all that training was just for show? Your sleepless nights, relentless drills, and unwavering resolve have granted you this reward. Kid, be grateful."
Aeros pinched the bridge of his nose. "I swear, you enjoy messing with me."
"Absolutely."
Lys, having overheard part of this, was torn between shock and exasperation. He shook his head. "Master Aeros… you're not normal."
Aeros chuckled, stretching his arms. "I get that a lot."
Cromwell Estate - War Room
A few hours later, the estate's key figures gathered. The assassination attempt had shaken everyone.
Archduke Cromwell, his expression thunderous, slammed his hand on the table. "Duskbane dares send assassins into my home? This is an act of war!"
Lord Adrian leaned back, arms crossed. "They failed this time, but they won't stop. We need a plan."
Lady Selene sipped her tea, seemingly unbothered. "They must be getting desperate if they're resorting to such direct means."
Leon, usually composed, was visibly angry. "We can't keep playing defense. We need to send a message."
Julius turned to Aeros. "Son, what do you think?"
Aeros, arms folded, smirked. "Let them come. I'll be ready."
Lys groaned. "That's not a plan, Master Aeros."
Aeros grinned. "It is if you're me."
Selene chuckled. "I like this one."
Lord Adrian sighed. "Then we strengthen our defenses. We can't afford another surprise."
Leon nodded. "Agreed. But we should also make them think twice about sending more assassins."
The room fell silent. Then, Julius smirked. "I have an idea."
Aeros raised a brow. "Oh?"
The Archduke leaned forward. "We spread a rumor… that the assassin wasn't captured."
Aeros caught on immediately. "You want them to think their man is still out there, feeding us information."
His father nodded. "It'll keep them guessing and hesitant."
Leon grinned. "I love mind games."
Lys, exhausted, sighed. "I just hope we all survive them."