Rival or What?

In previous chapter we saw saaransh met someone, an entity whom he felt familiar feeling from. Saaransh tried channeling dark mana into his circuits but failed to do so, brcause someone was denying the flow, the dark mana was resisting. When saaransh asked whoever the being it was that let him channel the mana and use his strength that entity denied the fact and told him that he is not worthy right now. Saaransh spirit and determination was so strong that he challenged that entity that he will use his power for his own good

Saaransh:- okay, no matter what you afe i dont care and one day i will make it sure to make your power mine

(Next day)

Saaransh:- (sleeping)(hears someone's footsteps, they are comimg near his room)(saaransh woke up)who is there on the door?

Unknown:-(came inside of the room)

Saaransh:- it's you?why are you here in my room?

Unknown:- are you awake?did i disturbed your sleep?

Saaransh:- not at all sis Sylvaine Its fine(he got up from his bed, and now is standing staring at his sister)so what you wanted from me sis?

Sylvaine:- saaransh, this straightforward behaviour of yours, i dont know why i feel you act way older than what you really are

Saaransh:- (smirks and talks calmly)haha, sis you are just guessing things. I just dont like to act harsh and like normal things like usual kids

(Sylvaine raised an eyebrow at his words. Saaransh had always been composed, but now his demeanor carried an air of wisdom far beyond his years)

Sylvaine:-tch, here you go again. Father wants to see you

(Saaransh's expression didn't waver. He had expected this. After last night, it was inevitable that his father, Reginald, would have noticed the shift in his mana)

Saaransh:-(nodding)okay i will go and meet him

(Sylvaine gave him a long look before turning away)

Sylvaine: Just don't do anything reckless, Saaransh. You may think you've grown up, but you're still my little brother

(Saaransh chuckled softly, though there was a hint of cold determination in his eyes)

Saaransh: I don't plan to be little forever,

Sylvaine. One day. I'll stand at the top.

(Without another word, he followed her out of the room)

(Saaransh followed Sylvaine through the grand corridors of their estate. The morning light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows on the marble floor. Servants bowed as they passed, but Saaransh barely paid attention. His mind was focused on the meeting ahead)

(Soon, they arrived at a large set of ornate doors. Sylvaine pushed them open, revealing a spacious study. Inside, Reginald, their father, stood near a tall bookshelf, flipping through an ancient tome. The man radiated authority his very presence commanding respect. His dark eyes, the same as Saaransh's, lifted from the pages as he acknowledged them)

Reginald (closing the book and turning to face Saaransh): You're here. Sit

(Saaransh walked in with an air of quiet confidence, taking a seat opposite his father. Sylvaine leaned against the wall, watching the interaction unfold)

(Reginald studied him for a moment, as if searching for something)

Reginald: How are you feeling? Any discomfort or strange occurrences lately?

(Saaransh remained calm. He could tell from his father's tone that Reginald hadn't sensed what had happened last night the resistance of the dark mana, the unknown entity suppressing him. That meant Saaransh had time. Time to figure things out on his own)

Saaransh (shaking his head): I'm fine. Just preparing myself for the Awakening Ceremony

(Reginald narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't press the issue)

Reginald: Good. Your Awakening is only six months away, and I expect nothing less than excellence from you. You hold our bloodline's strength don't disappoint me

(Saaransh met his father's gaze without flinching)

Saaransh: I won't

(A moment of silence passed between them as Reginald leaned back in his chair)

Reginald: You have always been talented, Saaransh. But talent alone is not enough. The world is ruthless, and strength without control is useless. Tell me what do you seek?

(Saaransh's expression remained unreadable, yet within, his conviction burned like an unquenchable flame)

Saaransh (calmly, with unwavering intensity): I seek mastery over my power. I want to harness every ounce of strength I possess, to push beyond my limits

(Reginald raised an eyebrow, intrigued)

Reginald: And for what purpose?

(Saaransh held his father's gaze steadily, his voice measured and resolute)

Saaransh: To carve my own destiny to stand firm in the face of any challenge and never be bound by fate or the will of others

(Reginald observed him closely. There was something different in his son's demeanor, something far beyond his years. He had always been disciplined, but now there was a quiet storm beneath the surface)

(Finally, Reginald let out a small chuckle)

Reginald: Hmph. Fine words. Let's see if you can back them up

(He stood up, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the room)

Reginald: From today onward, your training will intensify. No more excuses, no more limits. If you truly desire power, then prove it to me

(Saaransh nodded)

Saaransh: I expected nothing less

(Reginald smirked slightly)

Reginald: Good. Then prepare yourself, my son. Your real test begins now

(With that, the weight of his father's words settled over Saaransh. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but his resolve was unshakable. The secrets of the dark mana and the mysteries surrounding it would be unveiled in time, and he would master them all to shape the destiny he alone would command)

Reginald:- now, you can leave my som. Prepare well for your upcoming ceremomy, dont get defeated from your cousins. You have to win. But even if you dont their is no worries

Saaransh:- dont worry dad, i will make sure to win and be the highest awaken on that day and will awake the golden aura just like you

Reginald:- (chuckles)as expected from my som. Now you can leave and go prepare son

Saaransh:- yes dad, take care (leaves)(goes back to his room)

Saaransh:- (sits on bed)(sighs)that was too much of a work. So the ceremony is in 6 months. And he wants me to win it. That's not too much for this body, back in my time there was very less gifted people who had a body like this. This body is even better than my previous body if we compare it.

(Thinking)i have to find a way to make that dark mana mine. Because that mana is too important for me, i can have two attributes of sword aura because of that mine. I have to give my best no matter what happens

And my cousins? I never met them, but i got to hear from Sylvaine, she told me that they are bigshots hmm. I dont mind, no matter who comes in my way, they will get beaten because in this life i will not stop and succeed

The heavy doors creaked open, revealing an older man dressed in a pristine butler's uniform. His every movement was precise, calculated radiating the discipline of a warrior rather than a mere servant. His sharp gray eyes locked onto Saaransh, bowing slightly in respect but never lowering his guard.)

Butler: Young Master, pardon my intrusion.

(Saaransh recognized him instantly. This was no ordinary attendant this was Alistair, his father's most trusted retainer and the Shadow Fang of the stoneheart family. A man whose name alone was enough to make seasoned knights falter. He had served Reginald for decades, not just as a butler but as a blade in the dark an enforcer of the family's will.)

Saaransh (leaning forward slightly, his expression unreadable): Alistair. It's rare for you to visit me personally. What brings you here?

(Alistair's cold, calculating eyes studied Saaransh for a moment before he spoke, his voice measured yet firm.)

Alistair: One of your cousins is on their way to the palace, Young Master.

(A flicker of curiosity flashed in Saaransh's gaze, but he remained composed)

Saaransh: Oh? And which one would that be?

(Alistair's next words carried a weight that made the air in the room feel heavier.)

Alistair: The one who considers you their greatest rival. The one who seeks to claim what is rightfully yours

(A sharp silence followed. Saaransh's fingers tightened slightly, his smirk fading into something far more dangerous calm, cold, and calculating.)

Saaransh (murmuring to himself): So. it begins.

(The winds outside howled against the palace walls, as if heralding the storm to come)