The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Hayden sat cross-legged on the floor of his dorm room, the crystal was in the palm of his hand and it seemed just like an expensive jewel...

However, he knew very well that the Headmaster Mensa and Vice Headmaster Sabin would not lie to him.

Soon, the Ocularis Lens completed its inspection but didn't find anything.

Well, it wasn't surprising since this item didn't exist in his past life.

'But how can I really use it?' Hayden thought for a moment but he couldn't recall anything in the books he read. Not even his Lens could find information about it so it wasn't that surprising.

'Still, this crystal contains Clovis's Aura…' Hayden thought as he imagined himself awakening his Aura with its help...

'If I can activate it, maybe I can learn from his experience and refine my own Aura.' He couldn't help but wish for it to happen.

In any case, since he had no idea what to do with the crystal, he closed his eyes and focused. He was trying to use his will to make the crystal respond. But nothing happened as he expected.

The crystal remained still, showing no signs of activation.

'What to do here?'

Hayden frowned as he tried to use his blood to trigger it. Unfortunately, it was the same. There was no reaction at all.

"Does it need Aura to use it?" he muttered to himself.

Unfortunately, he still couldn't manifest Aura. There was no way for him to activate it if that was the case. However, the Headmaster hinted that he should be able to use the crystal now.

It means that the Headmaster knew that he should be capable of triggering it somehow.

'I should've asked a while ago… However, I don't think that they'll just give me the answer I need. That man liked to test me after all.' Hayden thought.

'But still, having an Aura should be one of the methods to activate it. Without Aura, it's just a pretty rock… Or is it?'

Hayden set the crystal down on the floor in front of him, staring at it as if it might suddenly come to life. But deep down, he knew that it was impossible unless he decided to do something.

'Wait… What if there's no need to activate this thing? I just need to—'

With an idea in his mind, Hayden took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind.

He remembered the modified breathing technique he would use every day.

To be honest, with the modification he made to the breathing method, he should be on the verge of awakening his Aura. At this moment, he already has the body to accumulate it…

Unfortunately, he was just lacking something to awaken his Aura… He had no idea what it was but even if he tried to recall the past experiences of the Aura Users from the book, he couldn't find a clue…

According to their records, all of their awakening was completely different. Some had it easy while others had to risk their life.

There were many records that even after risking their lives, they wouldn't awaken their Aura at all. Many people have actually died because they used such extreme methods.

'Let's try…' Hayden thought as he used the method to focus his mind and body, to channel energy and achieve a state of inner balance, his modified Foundation Breathing Technique…

'It's worth a try,' he thought. 'Even if it doesn't work, it's better than doing nothing.'

His eyes remained closed as he began the breathing exercise, inhaling deeply through his nose and exhaling slowly through his mouth.

He continued the rhythm for a while, letting it guide him into a meditative state.

At first, nothing happened. The room was silent except for the sound of Hayden's breathing.

But as he continued, something began to change.

'Hmm?'

A faint warmth spread through his chest, like a tiny spark igniting in the darkness.

Hayden's eyes opened, but he forced himself to stay calm, to keep the rhythm of his breathing. He felt that something was happening!

The warmth grew stronger, spreading through his arms and legs, until his entire body felt alive with energy.

It was faint, almost undetectable, but it was there—a flicker of Aura, awakening within him!

He wasn't even sure if he was still doing his Breathing Technique because of what he just felt!

Hayden's heart pounded, but he didn't dare break his focus.

'I need to focus!'

He immediately kept breathing, each of his inhales drew more energy into his surroundings, but each exhale would also refine it.

At this moment, his Lens finally noticed something.

The crystal in front of him started to fade! As if it would disappear at any moment now, if now for his Lens noticing it, he would have no idea at all.

'This…'

Suddenly, the energy within Hayden gushed, and a faint hot energy covered his body. It was weak, not visible, but it was unmistakable—Aura.

Hayden's eyes widened in awe as he stared at his hands, the energy was there and he could feel it… And as he focused on it, he could actually see the faint aura within his body.

'Something's wrong… I already have an aura at this stage?! Isn't this a bit too fast?' Hayden thought.

After all, his Aura should just be a small amount within his body. The amount of Aura he actually possessed at this moment was already similar to a Knight Candidate!

It was an Aura that could cover his entire body!