A new day in Aerion dawned before the sun had even kissed the horizon. At four in the morning, an hour when the majority of the city's inhabitants still lay in the embrace of deep slumber, Henry was already awake.
It was a habit forged over years, an iron discipline he had imposed upon himself. Regardless of the previous night's life-or-death struggles or horrifying discoveries, if he couldn't elevate his Rank, then physical prowess and combat skill were the bedrock of survival in the harsh world of Tehra, a truth he understood better than most.
Henry officially began utilizing his Mystic Sense after eight years of accumulated energy. In its passive state, when not actively engaged, Mystic Sense operated silently with a ten-meter radius.
It was akin to a sixth sense, perpetually alert. Now, it granted Henry the ability to perceive everything within that ten-meter sphere with astonishing clarity. Every inanimate object, every minute movement of an insect, every subtle current of air, all manifested in Henry's mind as a vivid, three-dimensional map, intuitive and detailed down to the millimeter. He could "see" the world around him without opening his eyes.
Determined to explore the limits of his newfound ability, Henry began channeling aether into his unique sense, striving to expand its scanning range. As the radius stretched to thirty meters, the difference became palpable. The world around him seemed to zoom out, encompassing a far more expansive area.
However, the cost was not insignificant. Within a mere twenty minutes of maintaining this range, Henry felt a tenth of his stored aether reserves drain away. A swift calculation flashed through his mind: at this level, he could only sustain Mystic Sense for roughly three continuous hours before his energy would be completely depleted.
Not content to stop there, curiosity propelled Henry to continue his experimentation. When the scanning range reached fifty meters - the highest limit he could currently achieve - the rate of aether consumption became alarming. In a scant six minutes, another tenth of his precious energy vanished. Henry continued his training exercises, simultaneously striving to memorize and compare the nuances of his perception as he incrementally increased the intensity of his Mystic Sense.
Surprisingly, no matter how far he extended his sensory net, the level of detail within the "living map" in his mind remained constant. The only variables were the scale of the area he could encompass and the amount of aether required to maintain that awareness.
However, during those moments when Henry focused all his will to sustain the maximum fifty-meter scanning range, a peculiar phenomenon flickered at the edge of his awareness.
Beneath his feet, deep within the earth, a stream of emerald light would momentarily pulse into existence, like a subterranean vein of luminescence. Each appearance lasted only a few fleeting seconds before vanishing without a trace.
Henry frowned slightly, a sense of inexplicable strangeness settling over him. But he quickly dismissed it. In the mystically saturated world of Tehra, countless enigmas remained beyond his comprehension. One more peculiar occurrence was hardly surprising.
After his rigorous training, Henry's morning security patrol commenced. He walked alongside several other soldiers, familiar comrades, traversing their designated sectors in East Aerion. With his Mystic Sense subtly active, Henry meticulously observed his surroundings. Now, it wasn't just tangible objects; the very three-dimensional structure of space and every minute movement registered clearly in his mind. He could "see" the flow of pedestrians, the carriages traversing the streets, even the birds soaring through the sky.
Occasionally, Henry's unique ability allowed him to sense fleeting undercurrents of negative emotion emanating from nearby citizens - anxiety, unease, even simmering anger. He could also perceive unexpected hazards, like a child darting into his path without looking or a drunkard staggering precariously close. Mystic Sense was gradually proving its exceptional utility in patrol duty, helping Henry and his comrades preempt potential incidents before they occurred.
However, Henry also recognized a distinct limitation of his Mystic Sense. It was a tool of observation and perception, but it didn't directly enhance his combat prowess or offensive capabilities.
Despite this, Henry wasn't disheartened. According to the records he had read, Mystic Sense was a power with a unique capacity for evolution, adapting to the potential of its wielder. He eagerly anticipated the wondrous abilities Mystic Sense might unlock in the future, even though he had no idea how to catalyze that evolution.
The atmosphere within the city remained peaceful, the rhythm of life unfolding as usual. This was hardly surprising, for this was Aerion, the heart of the Zephyros superpower - a fortress city and one of the most prosperous in the world.
With its formidable defenses and powerful military, the notion of Aerion being attacked seemed an impossibility. If even the heart of Zephyros were to be breached, then surely the entire vast nation would descend into chaos and flames.
Aerion was not only the economic and cultural hub but also the political nerve center of Zephyros. Here stood the magnificent Silver Wing Castle, the seat of the Supreme Council - the eight individuals who held the fate of the entire nation in their hands.
Adjacent to the castle stood the imposing Aerion Grand Cathedral, the holy site of the Church of the Radiant Angels, a sacred pilgrimage destination for devout followers across Zephyros. Surrounding the central district were administrative offices, military headquarters, and the opulent residences of the nobility; further towards the outskirts lay the densely populated residential areas and bustling commercial districts.
To manage the ever-increasing population and bolster the capital's defenses, the Supreme Council had constructed four satellite cities - East, West, South, and North - encircling Aerion.
These acted as sturdy shields, protecting the capital from external threats while also alleviating the pressure of the influx of migrants seeking opportunities in the center. Though built on a similar model to central Aerion, the satellite cities were smaller in scale and possessed a much higher population density due to the constant stream of newcomers.
After his patrol shift, Henry visited the Estath Cathedral to pray. Though it might have been mere imagination, every time he knelt before the statues of the Angels, he felt a lightness in his body, a serenity in his mind as if cleansed. Today was no different. The haunting memories of yesterday's battle seemed to recede, leaving only faint ripples in his thoughts.
In the afternoon, Henry attended the history and religion class - an integral part of the curriculum for every Zephyros soldier. This nation was one of the three great powers of Tehra, with a unique political structure: the Supreme Council, composed of eight members, including the military commander, the Pontiff, the Holy Knight, and representatives of the nobility - all figures of extraordinary power and ultimate authority.
The dominant religion of Zephyros venerated the Radiant Angels. According to historical records, during the First Epoch, when the world of Tehra was ruled by the ancient behemoths - the Ancient Monsters - the three Archangels Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel descended from the heavens.
They bestowed power and knowledge upon sentient beings, naming them the High Spirits. Thus empowered, the High Spirits joined the Archangels in overthrowing the tyranny of the Ancient Monsters, slaying ten of the twenty-four and sealing the remaining fourteen across the world.
The High Spirits later evolved into the Guardians . The Guardians became the most active force in repeatedly protecting Tehra from external threats such as Demons, Great Monsters, and Void Lords. They were revered by countless nations and peoples across Tehra. The major religion of the Eternal Guardians - held influence comparable to that of the Radiant Angels. These were two of the four leading religions in the world of Tehra.
The lecture washed over the lingering unease of yesterday's mission like a tidal wave, stirring within Henry a deep sense of loyalty to his nation and its faith. Perhaps this was the ultimate purpose of this education.
Just as he stepped out of the cathedral, Henry received a message from Jacobs, relayed by a priest: "Gather at the Dunlyke Tavern."
Everyone had already assembled, sharing bread and stew. The atmosphere was more akin to a family meal than a meeting of comrades.
"Did you eat here and skip your wife's cooking? Laura will probably make you sleep on the floor." Henry teased.
"You're the third person to say that, just with a different punishment." Jacobs grinned wryly.
"Oh? Anyone else want to guess the alternative punishments?"
"Melly thinks you'll get a non-stop scolding all night, probably because she's afraid of getting punished herself. Torsan guessed you'd be locked out all night, which is apparently his usual punishment from his mom. And you… you think I'll be banished to the floor, no sharing the bed with Laura. Seems like you've been thinking about sharing beds a lot lately, huh? Enjoying married life?"
Jacobs raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye as he glanced at Henry, then subtly towards Sophia. Instantly, the entire team turned their knowing gazes towards the two of them. Sophia, who had been sipping her fruit beer, flushed crimson, afraid to set down her glass lest her embarrassed expression become more obvious. Henry froze, realizing he had just kicked a hornet's nest.
To change the subject, he quickly asked, "Did you gather us here today because there's more information about yesterday's mission?"
"Smooth subject change," Jacobs chuckled. "Everyone remembers the details from yesterday, right? In that cave, we found twenty-five bodies, while the town only reported seven missing. The other eighteen could be travelers or other villagers whose disappearances haven't been reported yet. After compiling information from all the reconnaissance teams, Command has concluded that over twenty towns and villages around the capital have been targeted."
The team fell silent, waiting.
"Other reconnaissance teams have discovered numerous corpses killed in ritualistic sacrifices. Some were brutally executed, others tortured beyond recognition, and some even had their souls completely drained."
The atmosphere turned icy. The horrific memories of yesterday resurfaced instantly, but this time they were even more chilling, as they realized this wasn't an isolated incident but something that had potentially been happening for a long time.
"So, what's Command's conclusion?" Lumos asked, his voice heavy.
"These are sacrifices to dark gods. The Black Sect is trying to accumulate power to advance in Rank."
"Advance?!" Haziel frowned.
"That's right. Some dark cults grant their followers power when they sacrifice a sufficient number of lives. Once they reach a certain threshold, they can advance to Rank 4 or higher."
The tension in the air thickened. The entire team was only Rank 1 or 2, and even Jacobs was just Rank 3. If there were dozens of individuals out there preparing to break through to Rank 4, or even Rank 5, then soldiers like them were nothing more than prey waiting to be hunted.
"But don't worry, Command has a plan. Starting tomorrow, the Royal Guard will be deployed to the satellite cities. High-level reconnaissance teams and the Investigation Bureau will take over these missions. We just need to do our jobs well and stay safe."
Jacobs's words eased the tension somewhat. At least they weren't alone in this.
On the way back, Henry tightly held Sophia's hand. He felt terrifyingly small in the face of the forces that threatened them. At that moment, Sophia used her free hand to grasp his.
"No matter what happens, I believe you'll always be there for me. You'll always be the hero who protects me, just like before."
Sophia's voice trembled with emotion, tears welling in her eyes as she spoke. Henry pulled her close, holding her against his chest, offering silent comfort.
Unbeknownst to Henry, less than three months later, the magnificent capital of Aerion would descend into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions. When blood stained the cobblestone streets crimson, when terrified screams echoed through the once-clear skies, Aerion would become a colossal battlefield. There, even Rank 5 individuals - those they currently looked up to with awe - would be revealed as nothing more than fragile pawns.
Only the Rank 6 powerhouses and the Rank 7 demigods would be able to truly display their might. For ordinary soldiers like Henry, Sophia, and Jacobs… whether they lived or died would depend entirely on the fickle hand of fortune amidst the raging storm of war.