The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Hayden found this class quite interesting as he felt that once he became an Aura Knight, he might really encounter these powerful Noble Families.

'Wait… If Fein came from the Voss Family, why is he studying here instead of going to the Capital?' Hayden mused for a moment as he felt that Fein may not be from the main house.

It seemed that he didn't have to worry that much if Fein decided to make some foolish moves.

Anyway, Seraphine continued on her class as she pointed at the black serpent coiled around a white rose—House Valenford.

"My kin," she said with a faint smile. "We specialize in information. If you ever need a secret buried—or uncovered—come to us. But be warned: our help always comes with a price. There's not much to say about our family… The current head is an Earl after all."

Phoebe nudged Hayden. "That's why she's teaching this class. No one knows politics like a Montclair."

Hayden smiled as it certainly made sense. Furthermore, it seemed that they really trusted the two retired Aura Knights to take care of Seraphine. It was as if they really knew something about those two old men.

Then, the fourth crest was a red lion on a field of stars or the House Kaelthorne.

"Remember that this house has the King's own bloodline from his late mother's side." Lady Seraphine said as she looked at everyone. "I will not say much about them but you must know to tread carefully around them."

Everyone nodded silently as they could tell that their Professor was being careful as well.

Finally, she pointed at the silver gauntlet clutching a lightning bolt—House Montclair.

"The youngest of the Great Houses," she said. "I don't know much about them but I know that they're masters of naval warfare. They can be bold, innovative… and ruthless. If you cross them it's always better to be on their side… At the very least, I heard that Aura Knights like working for them."

The class then continued to talk more about how these noble families interacted and informed about the Magicians and Aura Knights working for them…

Apparently, these Noble Families wouldn't shy away from supporting those with talent in magic as long as you would basically serve the family for your whole life. Well, it wasn't too surprising since producing a Magician would consume a lot of resources, which also means a lot of money.

Soon, the class ended, and as Hayden thought that he finally had some free time, he had a young academy messenger, probably doing some missions, standing in front of him while he was on his way to the forge.

Hayden curiously looked at the young man who was quite similar to his age, and waited for him to speak.

"Headmaster Mensa demands your presence. Immediately."

Hayden's eyes lit up as he already had an idea of what was about to happen.

"Thank you!"

After that, he made his way to the familiar Headmaster's office.

When he entered the office, Mensa wasn't seated at his desk. He stood by the window looking at his academy grounds.

"You've been compromised."

Hayden froze. "Sir?"

He was confused…

Mensa turned and smiled at him before chuckling. It seemed that this was not a serious matter.

"Well, three days ago, Lord Dainar hosted a banquet. His drunken master-at-arms boasted that Dawnspire's Headmaster had taken a disciple." A muscle twitched in Mensa's jaw. "By yesterday morning, most of my acquaintances knew I'd named an Elite Squire."

Hayden certainly didn't understand what had transpired in the banquet but he knew that since other people now knew about him… "They'll come for me." Hayden muttered.

"Not just for you." Mensa strode to his weapon rack and drew a blade Hayden had never seen before—a slender longsword with a core of a blue gemstone.

It seemed like a ceremonial sword.

"They'll come to break you. Because breaking my disciple would humiliate me."

'Ugh… Did he get so many enemies just by running an Academy?' Hayden finally felt regretting why he accepted this old man as his master.

Mensa tossed a sealed letter onto the desk.

The wax bore the imprint of a gauntlet clutching lightning—House Stormcrest.

This family may not be included in the five Great Houses but they were still a notable family and the current head was a Viscount.

"Captain Rygar Stormcrest's personal squire arrives next week. A monster of a fifteen-year-old who's killed bandits twice his size." Mensa's eyes then turned to Hayden. "Before the day of the Academy Competition, he'll challenge you publicly. And he won't hold back."

Hayden's mouth went dry. "Because his master hates you?"

"Because I broke Rygar's nose twenty years ago," Mensa corrected with a chuckle. "And worse—the Kaelthorne boy is coming too."

Hayden nearly choked. This Headmaster was a disaster!

He wasn't even ten yet!

However, it seemed that Mensa was already convinced that this battle would happen.

"Can I not participate? I'll just stay here… You haven't even passed down your knowledge to me. You're making this matter too fast." Hayden replied.

However, Mensa had already decided.

"Haa… Don't worry… You still have three weeks to learn. From this moment, you live in the special training hall. No classes. No missions. Just this." Mensa said as he gave the sword to Hayden.

'Seriously…' Hayden was certainly glad to learn from an Aura Knight. However, the fact that he would have to fight others who were nobles from a higher rank bothered him.

As much as possible, he didn't want to get too tied up in the politics of the noble families. It wasn't something he wanted to do, especially after taking the Lady Seraphine's class.

Unfortunately, Hayden could only accept his fate for now… After all, his Ocularis Lens could also tell that the things he would learn from the old Aura Knight would be priceless.

***

And so began the torture.

On that same day, Hayden learned the Twilight Footwork, a dizzying dance of misdirection meant to counter larger opponents.

On the next day, Mensa drilled him in the Dawnbreaker Strikes, a brutal series of feints that left Hayden's arms screaming. After all, Mensa doesn't want him to rely on using Aura.

However, at dusk, they sparred blindfolded, training Hayden to sense Aura flows in his enemies!