The Duke’s Retribution

The Journey Back – Aldric's Perspective

The snow-covered landscape of the north stretched endlessly before them, the howling wind carrying whispers of the frozen wilderness. The black-cloaked knights of Ravenshade rode in perfect formation, their steeds' hooves crunching against the thick layer of ice and snow.

But Aldric Ravenshade barely noticed.

His black-gloved fingers tightened around the letter in his hand, the elegant handwriting of his wife delivering the words he already knew he would hate to read.

> Averis suffered severe mana loss and instability during training. His condition became critical. He is recovering now, but the situation was dangerous.

Aldric's jaw clenched.

> That foolish child.

He had expected talent from his son. Expected power. But reckless self-destruction? That was unacceptable.

Mana Overload Syndrome.

He knew the signs. The uncontrolled surges. The violent releases. The way the body seized control when the mind could no longer regulate its own mana.

> Aldric (thinking): "He isn't just powerful. He is unstable."

And now, because of that instability, Averis had almost destroyed himself.

> Aldric (thinking): "He's not ready."

The journey back was faster than usual. The moment he received Seraphina's letter, he left the royal palace immediately—ignoring the formalities, the politics, and the curious gazes of nobles who dared not question his abrupt departure.

Aldric never left matters unfinished.

But this?

> This was more important.

---

The Duke's Return

The estate gates groaned open.

Aldric stepped out of the black carriage, the icy wind cutting against his face. His knights dismounted behind him, their movements crisp and disciplined.

He walked forward, his long black cloak billowing in the storm, but his expression remained unreadable.

The moment he entered the manor, silence followed.

Servants froze in place, lowering their heads as he passed. The halls of the Ravenshade estate were always quiet, but now?

Now, it was suffocating.

> They knew.

He did not need to ask. The state of the estate's atmosphere told him everything.

---

The Confrontation

At the top of the grand staircase, Seraphina Ravenshade stood waiting.

Her crimson-red eyes met his black ones, calm yet unwavering. The weight of her presence alone was enough to halt him in his steps.

She knew why he had come.

She knew what he wanted.

> Aldric (low, dangerous): "Where is he?"

> Seraphina (calm, but firm): "Resting. He is still recovering."

Silence. Tension crackled in the air.

Aldric's fingers curled slightly at his sides.

> Aldric: "He nearly destroyed his mana core."

> Seraphina: "I know."

> Aldric: "And yet you stopped me from seeing him immediately."

> Seraphina: "Because you would do something reckless."

His expression darkened, but Seraphina did not look away.

> Seraphina (firmly): "I will not have you punishing a child who barely survived."

Aldric exhaled sharply through his nose, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then—

> Aldric (quietly): "If this continues, he won't survive at all."

Seraphina's fingers tensed slightly at her sides.

She knew that. Of course, she knew that.

And yet—

> Seraphina (softly): "He is not you, Aldric."

A muscle in his jaw tightened.

He knew what she meant.

Aldric had never been a normal child. His training, his suffering, his relentless pursuit of power—all of it had been forged through pain and discipline.

> But Averis was not meant to be a weapon.

---

The Next Morning – The Duke's Judgment

Averis woke early.

He knew today was the day.

A servant informed him that his father was waiting for him in the private study.

Averis straightened himself, suppressing the lingering weakness in his body, and walked toward the study doors.

Inside, Aldric sat behind his massive oak desk, his black eyes unreadable.

> Aldric (calmly, without looking up): "Sit."

Averis obeyed.

For a long moment, Aldric said nothing.

He simply watched him.

The silence was suffocating.

> Averis (calmly): "You're angry."

> Aldric (flatly): "No. I'm disappointed."

Averis flinched.

That hurt more than yelling.

> Aldric: "I sent you here to train. I expected you to push yourself—but not to the point of self-destruction."

Averis clenched his fists.

> Aldric: "Tell me. Why did you do it?"

Averis looked down for a moment. Then—

> Averis (softly, but honestly): "Because I thought I could handle it."

Aldric's gaze didn't waver.

> Aldric: "And now?"

Averis exhaled.

> Averis: "Now… I know I can't. Not alone."

A pause.

Then—Aldric leaned back slightly, exhaling.

> Aldric: "Good."

Averis blinked, confused.

> Averis: "You're… not going to punish me?"

> Aldric (raising an eyebrow): "Oh, I didn't say that."

Averis swallowed.

> Aldric (smirking slightly): "You will receive new training. Under my supervision."

Averis tensed.

> Averis: "…Training?"

> Aldric (darkly amused): "You nearly shattered your mana core because you were too reckless. I will make sure you never repeat that mistake."

Averis suddenly felt like he might regret this conversation.

---

The Duke's Training – A New Trial Begins

Aldric personally taking over his training changed everything.

His methods were unlike anything Averis had ever endured.

> Brutal. Precise. Unrelenting.

His training now focused on:

Control.

Endurance.

Strategic mana usage.

Aldric introduced harsh, high-level mana control techniques meant to discipline his unstable core.

Averis, for the first time, struggled to keep up.

Every time he shattered, he was forced to rebuild.

> Break. Heal. Break again.

And for the first time—

Averis realized.

> The Ravenshade Family's True Power… was not just strength.

> It was the ability to endure and rise stronger.

A new trial had begun.

---

End of Chapter 36