THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The crowd was on edge, their voices rising in a cacophony of anxious murmurs as the dust from the explosion began to settle. Whispers of David's demise rippled through the arena like a wave, and some spectators, their faces pale with disbelief, murmured that he had to be gone.

Luna stood apart from the chaos, a small grin pulling at her lips as she observed the scene. "He lost," she muttered under her breath, a mix of amusement and intrigue in her tone.

Mariana, overhearing Luna's words, turned to her with concern etched on her face. "What do you mean, he lost? Is David okay?"

Realizing her slip, Luna quickly masked her expression and reassured Mariana, "Oh, he's fine. Don't worry. But... let's just say he didn't quite stick to his word."

Mariana's eyes narrowed in confusion, but before she could press further, the arena was engulfed in a piercing white light. The brilliance forced the crowd to shield their eyes, gasps of astonishment echoing around them. Slowly, as the light dimmed, the sound of deliberate clapping cut through the stunned silence.

All eyes turned toward the center of the arena, where the dust had finally settled to reveal David, unharmed and standing tall. His hands slowly came together in a mock applause, his figure radiating an undeniable, almost otherworldly presence.

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and shocked exclamations. "What kind of monster is he?" someone shouted.

In a corner of the arena, Yue and Litty materialized from thin air, their expressions mirroring the astonishment of the audience. Yue, normally composed and confident, was wide-eyed, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Impossible... That spell was designed to incapacitate even a King-ranked swordsman..."

Litty, equally stunned, looked at her mother, then back at David. "Mother, your spell... it failed?"

David's calm voice broke through their shock. "You two were incredible. That was a commendable attack—one that could have brought most seasoned warriors to their knees. But..." His eyes scanned the arena, stopping at Mariana and Luna before turning back to the duo. "I lost."

A stunned silence fell over the arena. The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, trying to comprehend what they'd just heard.

The receptionist, who had been frozen in place, suddenly remembered the conditions of the match. Stepping forward with a mixture of awe and apprehension, he pointed at David. "You weren't supposed to use Aura to fight or defend yourself... But right now, Aura is covering you."

David glanced at himself, the faint glow of his Aura enveloping his form like a protective shield. He sighed and nodded, acknowledging the truth of the statement. "You're right. I broke the rules."

The crowd erupted again, their earlier awe replaced with an uproar of mixed emotions. Some jeered, others laughed, and a few cheered for Yue and Litty, acknowledging their victory.

Mariana looked at David, her face a mixture of relief and mild annoyance. "You said you wouldn't use Aura..."

David shrugged, his lips curving into a sly smile. "Sometimes, instincts take over. But that just shows how dangerous they were." He turned to Yue and Litty, bowing slightly in respect. "You two were magnificent. I look forward to seeing what more you're capable of."

Yue and Litty exchanged a glance, their shock slowly melting into pride at David's words. Even in defeat, they had earned the respect of someone who, Aura or not, had proven himself to be a force of nature.

As the crowd's excitement began to settle, Yue stepped forward, her small frame commanding attention despite her childlike appearance. Her emerald eyes gleamed with curiosity as she approached David. "Bend down," she said softly, her tone carrying an unusual intensity.

David raised an eyebrow, but with a shrug, he crouched to her level. Yue leaned in close, her lips near his ear as she whispered, "Why didn't you tell me that the unknown energy from back then—the one we couldn't figure out—was just Vrynxor Aether?"

David blinked, his head tilting slightly. "Vrynxor Aether?" he repeated, confused.

Without hesitation, Yue smacked him lightly on the head, causing him to flinch. "Don't tell me you've forgotten! Vrynxor Aether is one of the topmost forms of energy, commonly wielded by Dragons. How could you not know this?"

David's mind raced, the pieces of the puzzle scattering wildly. Dragons? Topmost energy? White Aura? His confusion was evident, his eyes darting as he tried to make sense of Yue's words.

Yue squinted at him, studying his expression. "Wait... Don't tell me—you didn't know?" she asked, her voice laced with incredulity.

David opened his mouth to respond, but Yue grabbed his hand, cutting him off. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, her senses probing the faint traces of energy emanating from him. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, wide with disbelief.

"Your Aura... it feels like a Dragon's, but at the same time, it doesn't," she muttered, half to herself. Her gaze bore into him, demanding answers.

Before Yue could dig further, Mariana approached them, her noble demeanor instantly shifting the atmosphere. She offered Yue a polite nod, her voice respectful. "It's an honor to meet an S-class alchemist. Individuals like you are exceedingly rare."

Yue blinked, caught off guard by the noblewoman's greeting. Bowing slightly, she replied, "The honor is mine, Lady Flame sword. Your reputation precedes you."

Mariana smiled graciously, her tone soft but commanding. "I'd like to extend an invitation to both you and Litty. Tonight, there's a banquet at my castle. Your presence would be most welcome."

Yue's mouth fell open slightly, and even Litty looked taken aback. "A banquet... at the castle?" Yue stammered, her usual composure slipping.

David, who had been quietly watching the exchange, broke into a warm smile. "You should accept," he said, winking playfully at Yue.

Yue's cheeks flushed faintly, and she nodded, understanding the subtle message in David's gesture. Turning to Mariana, she and Litty bowed deeply. "We would be honored to attend."

Mariana nodded approvingly, her eyes glancing back at David as a smile tugged at her lips. "Then it's settled. I'll see you all tonight."

As the trio watched her walk away, Yue turned to David, her curiosity not entirely sated but momentarily set aside. "You've got some explaining to do," she whispered, her tone both amused and intrigued.

David chuckled, the weight of Yue's words lingering in his mind as he prepared for the evening ahead. Vrynxor Aether... Dragons... what exactly am I?

****

A/N: Hey everyone! Apologies for not publishing yesterday—I was attending an event, and it turned out to be super rewarding! I had the chance to connect with a god-tier artist who has previously worked with Redice Studio, the creators of Solo Leveling. Fingers crossed, but I might be dropping some original character designs soon! Let me know in the comments if you think this book should be adapted into a manhwa!