Chapter 11: The Beginning

He led us thirty minutes away from the inn, deeper into the city's outskirts, until we reached a park even farther from downtown. It wasn't anything special — cracked walkways snaked through patches of grass, rusted workout equipment stood abandoned, and trees stretched endlessly into the horizon, giving the illusion of a vast forest.

"Did you kids know when the use of aura spread across our continent?" Nargomedov asked, his voice low and steady.

"My parents always told me our country was founded because we learned about aura," Ivaar replied.

"That's only half true, Ivaar. A hundred years ago, all the biggest countries on Amphitri were nothing more than small territories," Nargomedov began, his tone taking on a storyteller's cadence. "Then came a theorist from a tiny nation in the heart of Amphitri. The aura itself wasn't newly discovered, but this man changed everything when he likened aura to a physical ability — something to be trained and refined, not a divine gift granted at birth."

We listened intently as the old man continued. "The territory that embraced his knowledge used it to conquer its neighbors with ease. They built a new work ethic, different from the standards of the time, and within a few years, the theory spread like wildfire, reshaping the continent into what we know today."

Ivaar frowned. "But if aura users were so important for conquering new territories, why does the army have entire battalions that can't use aura?"

"Ah, good question," Nargomedov said, nodding. "The same clans that rose to power understood the danger of a land full of aura users. So they imposed a steep cost on the aura examination, making it nearly impossible for common folk to access proper training. The nobility you see today — their ancestors were part of those original clans. They guard that knowledge carefully."

I exchanged a glance with Ivaar. "And you're going to teach us this theory?"

"Yes," Nargomedov replied, eyes gleaming. "Aura theory has been divided into several branches over time, each with specific objectives. What I'll teach you is the art of the aura warrior."

"Is this what they teach in the clubs?" I asked.

The old man scoffed. "Hardly. The nobles ensured that the clubs only spread half-truths — fragmented techniques with no real substance. The so-called masters in those clubs don't even realize they'll never threaten the social order."

He smirked. "But you two… you're lucky. I'll teach you what few ever learn. I won't waste my breath convincing you of its superiority. In time, you'll see the results for yourselves."

I felt a spark of excitement stir inside me. "At last, we can start the training, old Nargomedov."

"Yes, yes," he waved me off. "Whether a man is born with talent or not is irrelevant. Talents are just tools — like a sword at a warrior's hip. What defines a warrior is the work he puts into mastering those tools."

He folded his arms and looked at us sternly. "Your training will cover three key areas — physical strengthening, increasing your aura reserves, and developing your recuperation abilities."

"We're already pretty athletic," I said. "Can we move on to increasing aura?"

Nargomedov chuckled. "I can see that both of you have been trained well, Mickael and Ivaar. So, I'll make you a deal. Today, we'll start by increasing your aura reserves. Let's see if you've got what it takes."

The Clan of the Iron Veil:

Long before the rise of the great nations, the Iron Veil was a secluded clan nestled in the shadow of the Blackthorn Mountains, now bordering the south of the country of Franc. They were once miners, toiling deep underground in search of precious metals. The harsh conditions forced them to develop an extraordinary tolerance for pain and fatigue, but their true secret was the discovery of a natural phenomenon deep in the mines — veins of ore that pulsed faintly with aura.

Legends say the Iron Veil's founder, Varok the Silent, meditated for days within those tunnels, learning to draw aura directly from the earth. He discovered a technique to harden his body like the very stone surrounding him. Soon, the clan abandoned mining and became warriors, feared for their resilience and brutal combat style. Their aura techniques focused on endurance and fortification, allowing them to shrug off mortal wounds and fight long after ordinary men would fall.

When the aura revolution spread across Amphitri, the Iron Veil allied with a rising kingdom, serving as unyielding bodyguards and frontline warriors. But once the war ended, they became the guardians of the southern frontier of Franc, standing watch over the Blackthorn Mountains.