The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Chapter 197: Rumors



After reaching Second-Level Aura Mastery, Van spent the next few days recovering and adjusting to his new power.

He didn't take another pill for an obvious reason, he knew his body needed time. If he rushed the process, he risked damaging what he'd just accomplished, and that was something he couldn't afford.

In the days that followed, Van began training in secret.

"I have to get used to this…"

At odd hours when most servants were resting, or during moments when the training grounds were unused, he would practice alone. He would pay Sarah and Xiel to make excuses for him, like doing errands, night walks, and practicing in the private training ground.

The difference in his Aura was astounding.

Compared to the First-Level, where Aura moved like an invisible mist just under his skin, his Gray Aura now felt like a second set of muscles—a powerful current flowing through every limb, every nerve.

It responded faster, and it also hit harder, so he had to know how to control it properly.

"This feels good…" Van muttered as he confirmed that he could maintain an Aura Blade longer now, even giving it a larger or different form was a lot easier now…

With his Gray Aura, he was able to create a small axe that could cut through wood and even chip low-tier magical defenses…

But that wasn't the only improvement. While focusing on his breathing in the servants' quarters, Van attempted to suppress his presence.

It wasn't just concealing his Aura anymore… This time, it was his complete presence that he was able to hide.

He realized that it worked far better than it should have, thanks to his Ocularis Lens.

"Interesting…"

With his Ocularis Lens, he was able to confirm that he had done really well.

[ Aura Compression Mode: Enabled ]

[ Presence Suppression Mode: Enabled. ]

Van blinked.

"Whoa… You even created a notification for that." Van mused as he saw the message from the Lens.

Of course, he also disabled it, and he was notified as well.

It was quite a good measure as it would also let him know if the compression and suppression mode was disabled without his permission.

After all, it means that there might be someone or something that could be affecting him, so he must be careful.

As he continued to practice, he managed to compress his Aura so tightly that it became nearly undetectable.

It was almost like he was no longer just compressing or suppressing it; it felt like it had been hidden all along.

Of course, he trusted the Lens' analysis, but it was better to try it.

Indeed, Van tested it.

He walked past several servants, including one who had recently advanced to First-Level Aura, and none of them noticed anything unusual.

Even a passing Apprentice Mage failed to give him a second glance.

'Is this a new Aura Technique I learned because of the Lens and my control… This could be useful. No, this could be dangerous if someone like me used it the wrong way... Should I give it a name?' He mused.

He knew that the skill wasn't invisibility… He was simply dampening his presence so no one could notice him. It seemed to be a special trait of his Gray Aura as well.

It was a pity that he had no teacher and couldn't fully grasp these new powers he obtained, but nonetheless, he was very happy to have such an ability.

***

For the next few days, Van focused his training on this very thing: Aura Cloaking.

It was the name he had decided after so much thought. During this time, he actually confirmed how complicated the Aura Cloaking was. It should be a skill that requires a high level of Aura Control mastery.

It was something that only those who had been controlling Aura for two decades could possibly do, or so…

Anyway, Van knew that since he had hastily done it, there was still room for improvement. Because of that, he learned to adjust the flow, redirect the pressure, and fold his energy inside himself.

He wanted to improve it!

Thankfully, his Ocularis Lens helped track the ripple of energy down to his bones. At some point, he could move silently, even when circulating his Aura during combat.

He imagined himself reaching the Third Level soon—the Blue Aura.

The books at Dawnspire described it as the stage where the Aura began resonating with elemental traits—the color was not just visual, but a reflection of a Knight's power. It was said that with Blue Aura, a Knight could strike down a thick tree with a single wave of the hand.

Indeed, not using a weapon but just a wave of the hand with Aura.

The thought alone made his blood stir.

He would definitely feel more confident roaming the world outside if he reached that level at the very least.

After all, in a place where slavery was active, where only strength granted freedom and security, he had no choice but to become strong…

***

One evening, as Van sat on a bench outside the servant quarters. Xiel approached him, tossing him a wrapped meat bun.

"You hear the news?" Xiel asked with a lowered voice...

"What news?"

Van had been busy over the past few days, so he was unaware of any news.

"There's a war coming. A rebellion. Some rogue mages, they said. I heard the Tower might get involved. Maybe even conscript servants for support units."

Van bit into the bun, chewing slowly.

"Rebel mages?"

It would be terrible if they really got caught up in it. After all, it wouldn't be surprising if the slaves died first in this war.

Xiel nodded. "I'm not sure, but someone said that the rebels were targeting research towers. Alchemy towers, to be specific. The others said it was some kind of cult; they were aiming at something related to the purity of magic."

Van wryly smiled after hearing this.

No matter what, it seemed that they would be involved in a mess.

That night, the meat bun sat half-eaten beside him.

It was already cold.

Xiel's words echoed in his mind as he couldn't help but feel a bit worried about it.

A rebellion… A war… A possible cult…

And worse, the Tower's likely involvement.

The idea that servants would be sent to the front lines—or worse, used as experimental pawns—wasn't just a grim possibility.

It was a reality that Van had read about countless times in historical alchemy records. When Towers were threatened, they responded like beasts: sacrificing pawns to save the core.

Van clenched his fists.

He needed to know more.

And so, during the night, Vale decided to investigate himself.

[ Aura Compression Mode: Enabled ]

[ Presence Suppression Mode: Enabled. ]

His Gray Aura drawn tightly within himself and Van's presence disappeared into the corridors of the Mage Tower.

His footsteps were silent. Even when passing servants or low-ranked Apprentice Mages, not one looked in his direction. It was like walking through a dream—unseen, untouchable.

He began his investigation with the inner servant halls near the supply wing, where deliveries were sorted and Mage Assistants often slipped details to the servants and slaves.

Van waited near a stack of crates while two people exchanged news…

"I'm telling you, Instructor Malvek already requested a transfer. He's trying to move to the Frostpoint Enclave."

"Seriously? He's a Senior Enchanter, why would he leave?"

"He says it's to assist with spatial array research, but everyone knows it's because of the attack on the nearby Dispel Tower last week. That was a rebel strike. They killed three Four-Circle Mages and took the Mana Furnace core of the tower..."

Van's heart skipped a beat.

The Dispel Tower was two provinces away… That was far… but not too far.

As Van continued his research, he found out more details… Luckily, he decided to check the stairs leading to the second floor of the Tower.

Apparently, two old Apprentice Mages were talking in the corner…

"I don't care what Professor Derun said. If you've got family, get them out now…" the first whispered.

"You think they'll really conscript?" the second asked, visibly anxious.

"Conscription is the best outcome. I've seen supply orders being modified. They're stockpiling reagents for combat potions, not research. And the Mage Wardens have been drilling every night for a week. This Tower's going to war."

Van's eyes narrowed.

These weren't rumors anymore. These were preparations.

He slipped away before they could notice the sudden chill in the air.

The next morning, Instructor Chavez, the one who brought them to the Whistler Forest, disappeared.

Some said he just vanished, while others said that she was "recalled" to the Mage Council.

Needless to say, it was something that Van had also confirmed with Julia.

It wasn't just that, Julia also helplessly mentioned that Apprentice Mage Gian, a student who once trained with them in the Forest, had been assigned to a "long-term external mission" according to the registry log.

"Hmph… That fool is so ungrateful…" Julia commented.


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