Nightveil: The Forbidden Trait

The morning sun hadn't fully risen when I turned to Lady Eriica and asked, "So… this is where our training begins?"

She gave me a soft smile, radiant and kind. "You're right. But not just any training. You're about to learn how to cast your aura into a single point."

She walked slowly toward a circular training platform beside the Hollow Flame field, her heels clicking lightly on the marble.

"First," she continued, "we begin with something simple—but powerful. The Aura Punch."

I nodded, standing ready.

"You must concentrate your aura into your hand," she explained, raising her slender fingers. "Channel your energy. Pull it inward. Let it condense until it burns like fire. The harder you condense it, the stronger your strike. And remember—where it lands, nothing will stand."

She motioned for me to try.

I closed my eyes and focused. My breathing slowed. I felt the warmth pool inside my chest, crawling slowly down my arm like thick black ink charged with lightning. It flowed into my hand, heating my palm.

My eyes snapped open.

My hand glowed with deep black light, crackling with silver sparks.

"Not bad," she said, impressed.

Then, without a word, she summoned a beast.

A fire creature—towering and made entirely of blazing embers—stood before me. Its mouth hissed. It roared with molten fury.

"Hit it," she said calmly.

I narrowed my gaze.

Then I moved.

One step. One punch.

BOOM.

The impact didn't echo—it devoured the air. The fire monster vanished instantly, crumbling into ashes mid-roar.

Lady Eriica gave a small nod. "Good. But be careful. That power can easily kill even a seasoned mage. If you lose control... it won't end well."

I nodded. The power pulsing through me was exhilarating—and dangerous.

"Next," she said, "Aura Kick. Same principle. Just shift your focus to your legs."

I centered myself again, channeling the aura downward. The energy flooded my thighs, collecting around my shin. Heat swelled in my calf like coiled energy.

The moment I kicked, a sonic burst tore through the training ground, splitting a nearby stone slab clean in half.

I kept training the rest of the day. Casting spells. Perfecting form. Channeling aura.

Lady Eriica watched everything. Her eyes calm, yet alert.

Evening arrived.

She approached as I wiped sweat from my brow.

"Well done, Ryan," she said. "You've trained enough for today. Rest now."

As I nodded, she added, "But before you go, I want to tell you something. About mana beasts… and Great Beasts."

I tilted my head. "Great Beasts?"

She explained, "A mana beast is a creature born from your own aura. When your aura reaches its highest state, one will awaken and form a link with you. But the Great Beasts… they're ancient. Unique. Tied to the world itself."

Her expression darkened slightly.

"There is one sealed near this palace. In a cave beyond the rosewood forest. You are not to go near it. Understood?"

"Why is it sealed?" I asked.

She hesitated.

"I'll tell you another time," she said, yawning slightly. "Sleep now, dear."

I returned to my room and freshened up. As I was about to lie down, something caught my eye through the window.

Rimu.

She was heading into the forest. Alone.

Meanwhile...

Rimu stepped carefully through the dense foliage.

"Oh… I finally reached," she whispered.

Before her stood the entrance of the forbidden cave.

The Cave of the Sealed Great Beast.

She stepped inside, determined.

The path was dark, lined with crystals that hummed faintly with mana. The further she went, the colder it became.

Then… a throne.

And on it sat a creature—large, grotesque, humanoid with fish-like features and scaled armor. His sharp teeth were curled into a wicked smile.

"Well, well," he crooned, "A royal in my domain? How long has it been? Thirteen years without the scent of a woman…"

Rimu narrowed her eyes. "This will be your first and last interaction. I'm here for your will."

The creature laughed—a deep, rumbling sound.

"I am Fisorc, the Great Beast. You want my will? I'll take yours instead. Then you'll stay—as my prize."

Without warning, Rimu struck.

Her spell, Love Fangs, flashed forward. But with a single backhand, Fisorc deflected it and launched her into the cavern wall.

She winced. "How strong… is this guy?"

"I haven't even warmed up," he mocked.

Another punch. Another crash. She was crumbling fast.

As he prepared to strike again—

A dark figure landed between them.

Me.

"You alright?" I asked, grabbing Rimu.

She coughed. "Ryan… I'm sorry."

"Don't be," I replied, setting her down gently.

Then I faced the beast.

"Who dares interrupt my—"

I cut him off with a roundhouse kick, laced with black aura. He staggered.

"Oh? You can punch. Let's dance, kid."

[Begin Intense Battle Sequence]

Fisorc roared and charged. I weaved past his clawed hands and landed a series of martial strikes to his abdomen. He caught my leg, flung me into a pillar, but I flipped mid-air and rebounded.

He cast a water spike. I ducked, rolled, and uppercut him with an aura-infused jab.

He countered with a tail sweep, knocking me sideways. I groaned, blood dripping from my lip.

He laughed, towering over me.

"Done already?"

But I pushed myself up. My eyes burned.

My aura surged. My body glowed black.

I clenched my fist, pooling everything I had.

"Let's end this."

He lunged.

I vanished.

Reappeared behind him.

AURA PUNCH.

The impact shattered the air.

Fisorc screamed. The cave shook. His monstrous body cracked, then disintegrated into blue sparks.

I stood there, panting, aura slowly fading.

Victory.

I turned to Rimu.

She was staring at me, wide-eyed.

"Why were you here?" I asked softly.

She hesitated… then spoke.

"I was weak when I was younger. Couldn't control my aura. My brother—Kaiser Jr.—was born with everything. Power. Respect. They called him a diamond. I… was the graphite. They said if I didn't make it into a high guild, I'd be exiled. So I came here. To take the will. To get stronger."

I walked over, placed the beast's remaining crystalized will into her hand.

She looked at me, tears forming.

"Thank you… for saving me."

I smiled. "Come on. It's late. Let's head back."

As we walked through the moonlit path, she suddenly stopped.

Then—without warning—she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the main palace hall.

From the window above…

Luci stood watching.

A glass slipped from her hand.

It shattered on the marble floor below.

To be continued…