Forged in the Abyss

The Duke's Decision (One Hour After Meeting Averis)

Aldric Ravenshade sat alone in his study, the candlelight flickering against the dark wood of his desk. His black eyes, cold as the northern blizzards, skimmed over the parchment before him. The quill in his hand barely paused as he finished the letter to the Emperor.

> "I will not leave Ravenshade for the next one and a half years."

His hand moved with practiced ease, sealing his words in wax.

A knock at the door.

> Aldric (without looking up): "Enter."

A knight stepped inside, bowing.

> Knight: "My Lord?"

Aldric handed him the letter.

> Aldric: "Deliver this to the Imperial Palace immediately. No delays."

The knight bowed deeply before departing.

As the door shut, Aldric exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming against the polished wood. His mind replayed Averis's quiet, honest confession.

> "Because I thought I could handle it."

Foolish. But not beyond correction.

His son had potential. Immense potential. But potential alone was worthless without discipline.

> "If you lack control, you will break. And if you break, you will be discarded. I will not allow that."

Aldric's gaze shifted to the vast, snow-covered courtyard outside.

Tomorrow, Averis's real training would begin.

---

The First Trial – Breaking and Reforging

Averis had expected difficulty. But this? This was something else.

His father was relentless. Unforgiving. Precise.

The first lesson of the day? Mana compression.

> Aldric (coldly): "Sit. Breathe. Condense your mana until it strains you."

Averis obeyed. He sat cross-legged in the frost-covered training ground, exhaling slowly as he guided his mana inward.

At first, it was smooth. Easy.

But then—the pressure built.

It was like forcing a storm into a glass bottle. His mana core trembled under the strain, instability rising, the familiar painful sting of MOS creeping in.

His breathing grew uneven.

> Frozen Raven (perched nearby, amused): "Already struggling, hatchling?"

Averis gritted his teeth.

> Aldric: "Hold it. Do not release until I say."

Seconds stretched into minutes.

His mana felt like it was boiling. His veins burned. His core screamed for release.

> Averis (thinking): "I can't—!"

> Frozen Raven (calmly): "Endure. Control is forged through suffering."

Averis bit down hard on his lip, drawing blood.

> Aldric: "…Good. Now let it settle. Refine it. Make it yours."

It took everything in him, but he obeyed.

And when he finally released, his mana flowed sharper. Smoother. More refined.

Aldric nodded.

> Aldric: "Again."

---

The Second Trial – The Ravenshade Body Method

Averis could barely move by the time they moved on to body training.

> Aldric (holding a small vial): "Drink this."

Averis hesitated.

> Frozen Raven (eying the vial, amused): "A healing potion. But do not be fooled, hatchling. Your suffering has only begun."

Averis gulped the liquid down.

Instant relief. His torn muscles knit back together. His breathing steadied.

Then—his father attacked.

A blur of movement. A fist slammed into his stomach, sending him skidding backward.

> Aldric (coldly): "Stand up."

Averis coughed, eyes widening.

> Aldric: "This is the foundation of all strength. Break. Heal. Break again. Until your body learns."

Averis clenched his fists.

> Averis (thinking): "Fine."

> If this is what it takes—then so be it.

---

The Third Trial – Mana Circles

By the time they reached mana circle formation, Averis's body was bruised, his mana drained, his mind screaming for rest.

Aldric did not care.

> Aldric: "You will not leave this training ground until you succeed."

Averis kneeled, sweat trickling down his brow.

> Frozen Raven: "Focus, hatchling. A mana circle is not simply power—it is refinement. Stability."

Averis focused.

He shaped the first ring. It flickered, unstable.

> Aldric (watching closely): "Too rigid. Flow with it, not against it."

Averis adjusted.

Slowly—the circle stabilized.

Aldric's eyes narrowed slightly, the closest thing to approval he had shown all day.

> Aldric: "Again."

---

Noble Lessons – Strength in Every Aspect

Training did not end when the sun set.

Averis still had lessons.

Dancing. History. Nobility.

But now? He attended them with weighted bracers and anklets.

> Instructor (exasperated): "Young Master, must you wear those while learning court etiquette?"

> Averis (panting, but determined): "Yes."

His movements were slower. His body screamed in protest.

Yet—he pushed through.

> Frozen Raven (watching): "Hmph. At least you learn quickly, hatchling."

Averis smiled faintly.

His training was hell. But he was growing.

---

The Duke's Silent Approval

That night, as Aldric sat in his study, his mind lingered on Averis's progress.

> "Three days. And he still stands."

His son was reckless.

But he was learning.

Aldric smirked faintly.

> Aldric (to himself): "Good."

If Averis could survive this, then perhaps…

Perhaps he was truly worthy of the Ravenshade name.

---

End of Chapter 37