Chapter 3: Acceptance and Awakening

The soft light filtering through the curtains bathed the room in a gentle glow, casting long shadows on the luxurious furnishings. The bed, draped with fine linens, seemed almost too perfect, a product of wealth and elegance. Yet, the young man lying in it, his body stiff and still, appeared oblivious to the surroundings. His mind, however, was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them his own.

Keiran, now inhabiting the body of Kaelan Drakemont, was struggling. The sudden rush of memories—the lives he had lived, the emotions, the burdens of Kaelan's existence—was too much to bear. It was as though two separate lives were fighting for dominance within him. He had been Keiran once, a civil servant with dreams of a quiet life, but now... now he was Kaelan, a young man from a noble family whose life had been marked by tragedy and loss.

The weight of Kaelan's memories pressed down on him. He could still feel the echoes of his past—his mother's untimely death, the slow erosion of his position within the family, the mysterious disappearance of his father. Yet, through all the confusion, there was a sense of power rising within him—a power he couldn't deny.

It took several moments before Keiran finally allowed himself to breathe. He forced his thoughts to slow, to quiet. I am Kaelan Drakemont, he told himself. The words felt foreign, but they were true. This was the reality he had to accept, for there was no turning back now.

As his heart began to settle, so too did his thoughts. He focused on the sensations in his body, feeling the strange new strength coursing through his limbs. He rose from the bed, his muscles rippling as he stretched. The movement was smooth, controlled. His body, so foreign just moments ago, now felt like an extension of himself. It was almost too perfect—more fit than the body he'd left behind on Earth. In his previous life, he had been a fit man, a judo player, strong and agile, but this... this body was something else entirely.

He ran a hand down his torso, feeling the defined muscles beneath his fingers. His chest was broad, his abdomen flat and sculpted, each movement of his body revealing a strength he had never experienced before. He had the build of a warrior, a body capable of feats beyond human limits. It was more than just physical strength—it was the very essence of power. His veins seemed to pulse with energy, radiating a vitality he had never known.

Keiran stood tall before the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, admiring the reflection that was no longer his own. The face staring back at him was youthful, with sharp features—a face that held the promise of greatness. He looked every bit the noble son of the Drakemont family, a young man who would inherit his father's legacy, if not for the tragedy that had marred his life.

But as he gazed at himself, something else lingered beneath the surface—a strange, unshakable feeling. The pulse of aura, the power that seemed to surge from deep within him, was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It wasn't just physical strength. It was something greater, something mystical, a force that thrummed in tune with the world around him.

Keiran closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. He could feel it now—this force that surrounded him, that infused every cell of his being. It was aura, and he instinctively understood its flow. His hand moved in the air, tracing a pattern, and with it, the aura responded. He felt its presence, a cool, flowing energy that connected him to the very essence of the world. It was as though his body had been designed for it, built for this kind of power.

I'm at Stage 3: Aura Knight, Substage 2, Keiran thought. He couldn't deny it. The memories of Kaelan had made him aware of his current power level. He could feel it in the way his body responded to the aura, the way his mind grasped its presence. He was at the level of an experienced warrior, skilled with the sword, capable of incredible feats of strength and speed. But compared to his father, Darius Drakemont, who stood at Stage 6, Substage 1—the level of an Aura Sovereign—he was still a fledgling.

Keiran couldn't help but marvel at the disparity. His father, a living legend, could control aura in ways that even Kaelan had never fully comprehended. He was a figure of immense power, capable of bending the very fabric of reality with his aura. Keiran's aura was strong, but it was nothing compared to Darius's. Yet, for all his father's power, Keiran felt a fire within him, a desire to reach that level, to surpass even the legendary Aura Sovereign.

The memories of Kaelan began to surface more vividly now. He remembered his childhood—his father's immense strength, the way his mother had always been so loving and nurturing. But then, he remembered the moment his world had shattered—the day his mother had died. Her death had been the beginning of his fall. His father, consumed by his own grief and the responsibilities of his title, had grown distant. And then, there was Elena, Kaelan's stepmother, the woman who had schemed her way into power, pushing Kaelan aside in favor of her own son, Tomas.

The memories of his father, Darius, were the clearest. A towering figure, his presence overwhelming, his aura like a storm contained in human form. Darius was a man who commanded respect—both from allies and enemies alike. His sharp, weathered features were framed by silver hair, and his eyes burned with the intensity of a man who had known both victory and loss. His aura was as imposing as his physical presence, an unshakable force that resonated in every word he spoke and every action he took.

Kaelan's mother had been the soft, guiding force in his life—a gentle beauty with warm brown eyes and dark, flowing hair. Her death had left a hole in Kaelan's heart, one that was never filled. And then came Elena, with her calculating eyes and cold demeanor. She had only ever wanted power, and she had used her position as Kaelan's stepmother to weaken him, to replace him with Tomas. The bitterness of it all—Kaelan's neglect, his mother's death, his father's disappearance—had shaped him into the man he had been before his tragic end.

But now, Keiran was here, and he was determined to change everything. He wasn't just here to survive—he was here to reclaim Kaelan's life, his power, and his place in this world.

Just as Keiran began to gather his thoughts, he felt a sudden dizziness wash over him. It was as if the power inside him had surged too quickly, too forcefully, and his body couldn't keep up. He stumbled and collapsed to the floor, his vision blurring for a moment. The feeling passed as quickly as it had come, but it left Keiran breathless.

The door to the room opened abruptly, and Milos, the Drakemont family butler, stepped in. His eyes widened in concern as he saw Kaelan on the floor. "M'Lord!" he exclaimed, rushing to his side. "What has happened? You collapsed suddenly."

Keiran raised his hand weakly, signaling that he was fine. "I'm alright. Just need a moment."

Milos hesitated but nodded, sensing that his lord was no longer in immediate danger. "I'll fetch a doctor at once," he said, already turning to leave.

Within minutes, a doctor entered the room. He was a seasoned man, his face lined with years of practice and knowledge. He quickly checked Kaelan's pulse, his eyes narrowing as he took note of the changes.

"My Lord, your condition..." the doctor said slowly, his voice tinged with disbelief. "From the reports, you've been in poor health these past few months. Yet now, it's as if you've been reborn. There's no sign of illness, no trace of injury. Your aura—it's surging with strength. I cannot explain it."

Keiran looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as he marveled at the vitality flooding his body. He felt better than he ever had, better than he'd ever dreamed possible.

"Everything is fine now," Keiran said, his voice calm. He was no longer just a young man struggling to understand his place in this world—he was Kaelan Drakemont, the heir to a legacy, a man with the power to forge his own future.

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AURA USER HEIRARCHY

Stage 1: Aura Novice (Basic Control)

Substage 1.1 - Unmanifested Aura

Aura exists but is not consciously accessed or manifestable. The user may feel faint energy but cannot control it or make use of it.

Substage 1.2 - Awakening Aura

The user gains the ability to manifest their aura but lacks control. Their aura may flicker unpredictably, and it is weak and unstable. The user may be able to enhance their physical abilities slightly (e.g., increased strength or minor defense).

Substage 1.3 - Aura Manifestation

At this stage, the user can properly manifest and control their aura, though it's still weak. They can produce a faint energy signature, useful for defense or simple attacks, but they're still in the beginner phase.

Stage 2: Aura Adept (Initial Mastery)

Substage 2.1 - Controlled Aura

The user has learned to control their aura, allowing for a more stable manifestation. Their energy output is improved, and they can perform basic aura-enhanced techniques, such as empowering their sword strikes or blocking small attacks with an energy shield.

Substage 2.2 - Aura Strengthening

The aura is now stronger and more refined, allowing the user to use more complex techniques. At this stage, an aura adept can begin to learn elemental or weapon-related aura abilities (e.g., creating a flame or ice blade).

Substage 2.3 - Aura Expansion

The user can extend their aura beyond their body, allowing them to detect the presence of enemies or perform ranged attacks. They also begin to learn how to direct their aura to increase physical attributes like speed or endurance for a short period.

Stage 3: Aura Knight (Experienced Warrior)

Substage 3.1 - Aura Weaponization

The user can manifest their aura into solid forms, like a sword, shield, or other weapons. These weapons are energy-based but can cause physical damage, offering greater offensive and defensive options.

Substage 3.2 - Aura Blade Mastery (CURRENT KALEON)

The user becomes proficient in creating and controlling their aura weapon. They are capable of faster and more powerful strikes, able to channel their aura into specific attacks like devastating slashes or elemental explosions.

Substage 3.3 - Aura Armor Formation

The user can create an aura-based suit of armor to protect themselves. This armor doesn't necessarily block all damage, but it significantly reduces incoming damage and increases their durability in battle.

Stage 4: Aura Master (Elite Fighter)

Substage 4.1 - Aura Reinforcement

The user can reinforce their physical body with their aura to enhance strength, agility, and resilience. This allows them to perform feats beyond the normal physical limits of a human, like breaking through walls or jumping great distances.

Substage 4.2 - Elemental Affinity

The user can manifest their aura into elemental forms (fire, water, earth, air) and control the elements. They can conjure fireballs, manipulate the wind, or even create barriers of stone or water. At this stage, aura users can combine multiple elements for enhanced attack strategies.

Substage 4.3 - Aura Transference

The user can transfer their aura to others, healing or strengthening allies by sharing their power. This is a rare and valuable skill, often used in supporting roles or healing in battle.

Stage 5: Aura Lord (Legendary Power)

Substage 5.1 - Aura Manipulation

The user can manipulate their aura to change its form, bending it into different shapes and manifestations. They can use their aura to heal, create barriers, form constructs, and more with far greater control and power than an Aura Master.

Substage 5.2 - Aura Suppression

At this stage, the user gains the ability to suppress the aura of others, rendering them temporarily powerless. This is a technique used in combat to neutralize weaker opponents or those with unstable auras.

Substage 5.3 - Aura Overload

The user can push their aura beyond its limits, causing a massive burst of energy to overwhelm enemies. However, this causes significant strain on the body and can lead to damage or exhaustion if overused. The ability to control this overload becomes essential at this level.

Stage 6: Aura Sovereign (Mythical Power)

Substage 6.1 - Aura Domination (DARIUS DRAKEMONT) 

The user has complete control over their aura and can now dominate the battlefield. Their aura can envelop entire areas, creating a space where they have absolute power. They can manipulate the terrain, create giant constructs, or even bend the will of weaker-minded opponents.

Substage 6.2 - Aura Fusion

The user can merge their aura with others (even enemies in rare cases), enhancing their power or fusing abilities for a short period. This can lead to powerful combinations of skills, like a fusion of elemental magic or aura-enhanced physical combat.

Substage 6.3 - Aura Manifestation of Will

At this peak level, the user's aura is an extension of their will. They can reshape the world around them with their aura, bending reality and shifting the very fabric of nature. They are practically untouchable, and only the most powerful beings can challenge them.

Stage 7: True Aura Master (Beyond Mythical)

Substage 7.1 - Reality Shaping

The user can alter the flow of time, space, or even physical laws within a limited area. They can reverse time, freeze moments, or create new physical rules within their domain, making them near god-like in power.

Substage 7.2 - Aura Convergence

The user's aura converges with their very soul, becoming a permanent part of their being. Their power becomes limitless, and they can achieve feats that defy all logic, such as creating entire universes or realms with a single thought.

Substage 7.3 - Aura Ascension

This stage marks the true awakening of a being beyond mortal limits. The user transcends the physical world and merges with the energy of the cosmos. Their essence is pure aura, and they exist as both a physical and spiritual entity, above all others.