7

Following the intense battle against the Shadow Bats, Sebastian watched Roland with a curiosity that went beyond simple interest. The way Roland had anticipated the creatures' movements and apparent fragility before the fight, as if he'd read a detailed report on them, had left him intrigued. There had been no visible magic, no incantations, just a quiet certainty in Roland's words.

"Roland," Sebastian asked as they gathered their fallen arrows and cleaned the blood from their weapons, "how did you know those bats were so agile, but not very strong? It didn't look like ordinary magic."

Roland sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, now streaked with dust and sweat. A shadow of melancholy crossed his face before he answered. "It's something I learned at the Eldoria Adventurers' Academy," he finally said. "They teach us many useful things there, from swordsmanship to knowledge of the beasts that inhabit these lands. But not everyone is born with the same talent… or the same luck."

"An adventurers' academy?" Sebastian asked, surprised. He had never heard of such a place, though his limited life within small towns and botanical studies hadn't given him many opportunities to experience the world.

"That's right," Roland nodded. "It's an ancient and prestigious institution, where the best adventurers of the realm are trained. My family… has always valued strength above all else. Members of my lineage have been warriors and leaders since time immemorial. The academy was the logical next step, the place to hone talent and forge legends." A bitter smile touched his lips. "But I… I didn't fit in. I didn't have the natural aptitude for combat they expected. Despite my efforts, I never excelled. I was… a disappointment."

Sebastian was silent for a moment, sensing the pain hidden behind Roland's words. "But… what does that have to do with the bats?" he finally asked, trying to change the subject.

Roland took a deep breath, turning his gaze to the darkness of the corridor. "At the academy, besides physical and strategic training, they teach us to perceive the world in a different way. We develop a skill called 'Soul Perception.' It allows me to perceive the life fluid of creatures, their… aura, so to speak. It's not an exact science, but it gives me a general idea of their capabilities." Roland extended his hand, showing his open palm. "Imagine a flame," he continued. "Its size, its color, the way it flickers… all of that gives you information about its intensity. A small, weak flame will barely illuminate a room, while a large bonfire will warm everything around it. Soul Perception works similarly, but with life energy. Every living being, even inanimate objects, radiates a subtle energy, an aura that reflects their essence. The intensity, the color, the way that energy flows… it all gives me clues about their strength, their agility, their resilience. It's not a precise reading, like a divination spell might give, but it allows me to get a general idea."

"And what does this 'aura' exactly mean?" Sebastian asked, his eyes fixed on Roland, absorbing every word like a sponge. The idea of an invisible energy surrounding all things was fascinating to him, a new field of study opening up before him.

Roland shrugged, searching for the right words. "It's difficult to define precisely. The scholars at the academy describe it as the manifestation of the life fluid, the energy that animates all living beings. It's like an energetic footprint, a vibration emanating from everything. It's affected by their physical state, their emotional state, even their environment. A wounded warrior will have a weak and trembling aura, like a flame about to go out, while a wild beast will radiate an intense and chaotic energy, like an uncontrolled bonfire. Even an inanimate object, like this stone wall, has an aura, though much fainter and more stable, reflecting its composition and its age."

He gestured towards the corridor wall. "Look. With Soul Perception, I can see a faint grayish mist surrounding the stones. It's the aura of the rock, cold and dense. It tells me this dungeon is very old."

Sebastian tried to concentrate, focusing his gaze on the wall, but he only saw smooth, cold stone. "I don't see anything," he admitted with frustration.

Roland smiled understandingly. "It's a skill that requires practice and training. It's not learned overnight. At the academy, we spent hours meditating and practicing concentration to sharpen our senses and learn to perceive those subtle energies. Some were more gifted than others. I… well, let's just say I was never the best at it." A new shadow of sadness crossed his face.

"And how does that help you in combat?" Sebastian asked, returning to the main topic of the conversation.

"It allows me to get a general idea of my opponents' capabilities," Roland explained. "For example, before the bats attacked us, I could perceive that their auras were light and quick, which indicated their great agility. But they were also thin and faint, which suggested low physical resistance. That's why I knew arrows would be effective."

"I understand," Sebastian nodded, beginning to grasp the usefulness of Soul Perception. "So it's not a precise reading, but rather an estimate."

"Exactly," Roland confirmed. "I can't see exact numbers for strength or agility, as if I had a stat sheet in front of me. It's more like… a feeling. I intuit the force of a blow by the intensity of the aura that precedes it, or the speed of a movement by how quickly their energy flows. But it's not infallible. Creatures with complex auras or a strong will can distort my perception. And the more powerful the creature, the harder it is to read their aura."

"So, even with that skill, you still rely on your own combat skill and experience," Sebastian concluded.

"Of course," Roland replied. "Soul Perception is a useful tool, but it's not everything. In the end, what counts is your swordsmanship, your strategy, and your adaptability. And teamwork, of course." He looked at Markus and Liam, who were listening attentively to the conversation. "Without you two, I wouldn't be here."

"So, even with that skill, you still rely on your own combat skill and experience," Sebastian concluded, processing the information.

"Of course," Roland replied. "Soul Perception is a useful tool, but it's not everything. In the end, what counts is your swordsmanship, your strategy, and your adaptability. And teamwork, of course." He looked at Markus and Liam, who were listening attentively to the conversation. "Without you two, I wouldn't be here."

A brief pause settled between them. The crackling of the torches and the distant dripping of water were the only sounds that broke the silence of the corridor. Sebastian noticed a shadow of sadness in Roland's gaze, a melancholy he hadn't seen before.

"You said your family valued strength above all else," Sebastian said cautiously, trying to better understand his companion's past. "What exactly happened at the academy?"

Roland sighed deeply, as if releasing a weight he had carried for a long time. "My family… is ancient and noble, though we don't possess great political power. They've always focused on cultivating exceptional warriors, natural leaders. Physical strength and combat prowess are… almost an obsession for them. The Eldoria Adventurers' Academy was the perfect place to hone those skills and turn them into a weapon in service of the realm… or of our own house."

He paused, looking at the ground with a bitter expression. "But I… I was never what they expected. I trained hard, I tried my best, but I never excelled. I didn't have the natural talent that seemed to flow through the veins of my brothers and cousins. My instructors tried, but… I just wasn't good enough. My swordsmanship was… mediocre, my strategy… basic. And my control of Soul Perception… well, you've seen it. I can get a general idea, but I don't have the precision of others. At the academy, some could see a creature's aura in such detail that they could predict its movements exactly. I… I can barely distinguish the basic colors."

He raised his gaze, meeting Sebastian's understanding look. "At first, my family tried to be patient. They encouraged me to try harder, to train more. But over time, the disappointment became evident. They no longer saw me as a future leader or a glorious warrior, but as a blemish on their lineage. Finally… they discharged me. They told me I didn't have what it took to represent the family, that I'd be better off finding my own way."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Markus and Liam exchanged somber glances. Sebastian felt deep empathy for Roland. He understood what it was like to feel different, to not fit into the expectations of others.

"That's why I use those… 'codes' when we talk about the creatures," Roland continued, breaking the silence. "It's a way to communicate with Markus and Liam without having to give detailed explanations. 'Agility thirty' doesn't mean it literally has thirty units of agility. It's just a quick way of telling them they're very fast. It's a system we developed together to understand each other better in combat."

"That's why I use those… 'codes' when we talk about the creatures," Roland continued, breaking the silence. "It's a way to communicate with Markus and Liam without having to give detailed explanations. 'Agility thirty' doesn't mean it literally has thirty units of agility. It's just a quick way of telling them they're very fast. It's a system we developed together to understand each other better in combat."

Sebastian nodded, understanding the logic of the code. It was a practical, albeit imperfect, solution. "I understand. So, even with Soul Perception, you're still relying on your experience and teamwork."

"Exactly," Roland confirmed. "No skill will save you if you don't know how to use it. And in a place like this, trusting your companions is crucial. Everyone brings something different to the group." He looked at Sebastian with a sincere smile. "You, for example, saved our hides back there with your knowledge of plants. Without your ointment, Liam would be suffering a lot more right now."

Liam nodded, touching his bandaged arm. "Seriously, Sebastian, thanks. That stuff was stinging like a thousand devils before you put that paste on it."

Markus nodded with a grunt of approval. "Good work, botanist. Your herbs are more useful than I thought."

Sebastian felt a warmth spread through his chest at his companions' words. Despite his lack of combat experience, he was proving to be valuable to the group. His knowledge, which he had previously considered purely academic, had become a vital tool for survival.

"Thank you," he replied with a shy smile. "I'm glad I could help. I've always been fascinated by the healing power of plants."

Roland placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder. "And not just healing," he said with a grin. "Your paralyzing arrows were pretty effective too. You have a natural talent for archery. With a little more practice, you could become a formidable archer."

Sebastian blushed slightly at the compliment. He had never considered himself a warrior, but the idea of improving his archery skills was appealing. "I suppose it's never too late to learn something new," he replied.

"It never is. And in a place like this, every skill counts." He turned towards the dark corridor that stretched before them. "Well, I think we've rested enough. It's time to continue. Ready to see what awaits us further in?"

Markus stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Always ready."

Liam drew his daggers, testing their edges with his thumb. "Let's do it."

Sebastian took a deep breath, adjusting his satchel. Despite the danger that lay ahead, he felt a strange excitement. He was in an unknown place, surrounded by mysteries and dangers, but also accompanied by friends who trusted him. And that, to Sebastian, made him feel… useful.