Chapter 10
The waves are rougher than I thought. Caron felt the Azure Mana surging near his heart and smiled slightly.
The waves gradually spread from his heart to other parts of him. Each time they hit his mana pathways, it felt as if his flesh was being torn apart. And yet, pain like this was familiar for him. No matter how fierce the Azure Mana was, it was still better than the dreadful mana bestowed by the emperor.
Because this was his own choice, he felt happiness rather than suffering. For the sake of gaining great power, he could endure this pain with a smile.
My mana pathways are expanding, Caron thought.
Although the pathways had been opened during the Awakening Ceremony, the waves crashed continuously with no consideration for their size. The Azure Mana seemed to have a will of its own, persistently expanding Caron's mana pathways.
He could have stopped the process if he wanted to. Even though the mana waves were rough, Caron still had control over them. But he didn't do so, as there was no reason for him to stop this in the first place. The wider his mana pathways were, the smoother the mana's movements would become, which would allow him to control a greater amount of it.
There was only one thing he had to do in this situation.
I have to guide the waves, he thought.
Caron had to use the relentless waves to expand the pathways throughout his body. He didn't have to guide them perfectly; he just needed to direct the flow. He began holding his breath as he adjusted the waves.
"This is unbelievable," Sabina muttered as she watched Caron, amused. She let out a hollow laugh and shook her head; she could see the waves surging inside Caron, reminiscent of a vortex.
"Arrgh," Leo groaned.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Leo," Sabina said as she realized that Leo, who was sitting beside Caron, was groaning. She quickly brought him behind her.
"Sa-Sabina," Leo managed to mumble as he regained his consciousness, starting to watch Caron. He and Caron had been practicing the Ocean Dominance Arts together, but he had lost consciousness at one point.
As Leo was only just barely reaching 2-Star, he couldn't understand what Caron was doing. But when he saw Sabina's expression, it gave him a clue. She had never smiled at him, and yet now she was beaming at her youngest grandnephew, Caron.
"I'm sorry, Lady Sabina. I almost lost consciousness..." said Leo.
Sabina shook her head and said, "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. It's just that Caron is extraordinary. Each person's mana has different characteristics, but… I've never seen anything like this before."
Not everyone's Azure Mana had the same qualities. Just as the ocean could have various different characteristics, so did Azure Mana. There were calm and tranquil oceans that brought peace to the mind just by looking at them, but there were also terrifying oceans that seemed to swallow everything.
Sabina thought Caron's ocean was like the latter kind, making it dangerous to even look at the child. If she had noticed Leo just a little later, the boy's mana would have rebounded.
He's like a vortex, Sabina mused. She thought even Halo didn't fully understand. Caron's potential. This child didn't need a lighthouse; his ocean could swallow even the light of a lighthouse.
Even without detailed instructions on how to open his mana pathways, Caron had already done so all across his body. Thus, he wasn't just opening them now; he was expanding them. Caron didn't seem to be delicately adjusting the waves, but it even seemed as if such rough control was intentional on his part.
All Sabina could do at the moment was simply watch Caron in silence. And just like that, an hour passed.
Whoosh.
The turbulent waves within Caron finally began to calm down. A moment later, he opened his eyes to reveal that they were imbued with Azure Mana, glowing with a blue light. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Caron Leston, I've never met anyone like you before. It's hard to believe you're Fayle's son," Sabina said.
"Lady Sabina, do you like my father?" Caron asked.
"Of course. How could I dislike a good nephew who always gives his aunt pocket money? But, before that, I have a question for you," Sabina said as she slowly approached Caron.
"Why did you stop your training?" she asked, knowing Caron had stopped on his own.
Typically, when children in their family first practiced the Ocean Dominance Arts, they pushed themselves to the brink of exhaustion out of greed. Her brother had done it, she had done it, and so had her other nephews. That was precisely why a guardian had to supervise the children during their first training sessions.
Caron smiled slightly in response to Sabina's question and said, "My father always says that overexertion isn't good."
Unexpectedly expanding his mana pathways put a considerable strain on him. Caron didn't want to be overly greedy. Overexertion would damage the pathways he had carefully expanded, causing his mana circulation to rebound.
He had plenty of time ahead of him, so he had to know how to restrain himself. He wasn't about to ruin his body again the way he had in his previous life.
"Even that is amazing," Sabina said, satisfied with Caron's answer. She continued, "Excessive greed always leads to ruin. A true martial artist knows how to control themselves. Remember that going forward."
"Yes, Lady Sabina," Caron replied respectfully.
"So, how did you find your first experience with your ocean?" Sabina asked, curious about his thoughts on the turbulent ocean he had just encountered.
Caron pondered for a moment, then nodded to Sabina with a smile.
"It was rough, but I enjoyed it," he said. It was his honest opinion; Caron was very satisfied with his ocean. He looked forward to the day he could completely control it.
I'll reach the place I always desired, Caron thought.
Sabina laughed heartily, then said, "Caron, I like your honesty." She clearly liked his response.
She looked down at her grandnephew and thought again that it was undoubtedly a stroke of luck to be able to teach him. It felt like a blessing that had rolled into her life in her twilight years, ending her boredom.
***
When Sabina's first training session ended, she spoke to Caron privately.
"From now on, we will train every morning at ten o'clock. However, if you wish, you are welcome to come here and practice controlling your mana at any time. I will always be here waiting for you."
Caron was delighted to hear that. The annex training hall overflowed with Azure Mana, but children who hadn't undergone the Coming of Age Ceremony needed a guardian's supervision, which was a hassle. However, since Sabina had willingly offered to wait for him, that meant he didn't need to worry about bothering adults.
He knew this was a gesture of support from Sabina. It also meant she was willing to be his patron.
I'm glad she likes me, Caron thought.
No one in Azureocean Castle dared to displease Sabina. As long as she was around, even his uncles wouldn't openly oppose him. One of her other titles was 'the Mad Dog of Azureocean Castle'. She had explained the background behind it to him.
"No one here wants to be bitten by a mad dog. I made a promise to my brother to stay for three years. After that, I have to return to the North Sea. So, my dear grandnephew, please keep me entertained."
Sabina promised Caron her protection for three years, which he believed was more than enough for him to strengthen himself. Three years in Azureocean Castle would be incomparable to ten years outside of it.
What's in the North Sea, anyway? Caron thought.
Even the dragon he had briefly encountered during the Awakening Ceremony had told him to come to the North Sea. Whatever it was, it likely held ancient secrets of the Leston family. Someday, he would find out by going to the North Sea himself. But for now, his priority was to focus on growing stronger under Sabina's protection.
His first goal was clear. It was to develop the strength to protect himself within these three years.
"By the way, Leo, why are you shaking so much? The little incident between us is already resolved, isn't it?" Caron asked.
"Huh? Oh… It's strange. I just keep feeling scared whenever I see you," Leo replied.
"Really? I wonder why."
"You're scary… And so is that sword you're carrying…"
"Well, it'd be a bit odd to go to swordsmanship training empty-handed, don't you think?"
Caron and Leo walked toward the training grounds of the Oceanwolf Knight Order, which were located in the main building of Azureocean Castle. As they were walking, Caron swung the scabbard of his sword with a slight smile.
The scabbard, named Duban, was a gift from Halo. Made entirely from high-quality mana stone, it had originally belonged to the seventh head of the family and had been stored as a family treasure. However, it had been given to Caron out of necessity. Only Duban could conceal the ominous aura continuously emanating from his sword, Guillotine.
"If you're curious, I can lend you my sword for a while. I mean, you are my older cousin…" Caron said.
"No, I'm fine. I really am," Leo answered.
"Just let me know if you change your mind."
"I really don't need it. Oh, we're here."
They had arrived at their destination. It was a vast training ground in the backyard of the main building of the Azureocean Castle. In front of the storied headquarters of the knights, many knights sparred and trained with their swords.
Those of the Oceanwolf Knight Order were also known as the Azure Wolves that protected Azureocean Castle. They were the greatest military force commanded by the Leston family.
This place was called Oceanwolf Island, which was an apt name for the gathering place of the Azure Wolves.
As Caron stood silently, observing Oceanwolf Island, a middle-aged man approached them.
"Welcome, Young Master Leo and Young Master Caron," he greeted.
Caron turned his gaze to the man and let out a quiet exclamation of awe.
The people in Azureocean Castle are like monsters, he thought.
The man was a knight at the 8-Star level, and that made it easy for Caron to guess his identity. He was the leader of the Azure Wolves and Halo's right-hand man, the commander of the Oceanwolf Knight Order, Zerath Winterguard. Caron was sure it was him.
"I am Zerath Winterguard, the commander of the Oceanwolf Knight Order. Please feel free to call me Zerath," the commander said as he bowed respectfully.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Zerath," Caron replied.
"I will be in charge of your swordsmanship training starting today," Zerath informed him.
"Yes, I heard from Heinrich," said Caron.
Caron had been receiving mana training under Sabina's guidance, and he would learn swordsmanship training under Zerath's lead. Although Sabina could also teach the family's swordsmanship, there was a tradition that had been passed down for generations. Family members were tasked to gain recognition from the Oceanwolf Knight Order, the Azure Wolves, in order to become true members of Azureocean Castle.
Zerath carefully studied the boy in front of him. Even though Caron had only undergone his first Ocean Dominance Arts training earlier that day, the mana that emanated from him was astounding.
However, having great potential of mana alone wasn't enough to earn the recognition of the Azure Wolves. In this place, Caron would have to demonstrate his strong willpower. He would need to prove, in every moment, that he was a worthy member of the honorable Ducal Family of Leston. After all, Oceanwolf Island was a place where the honorable and brave Azure Wolves didn't bow to bloodline alone.
"I will refrain from addressing you 'Young Master' until you have earned the recognition of the Azure Wolves. It may seem disrespectful, but I hope you understand," Zerath said.
"Don't worry about it. I only heard that title for the first time after arriving at the main residence. Honestly, it's more comfortable to be called by my name," Caron replied with a shrug, unfazed by what would usually be considered an affront.
"The sword you brought with you…" Zerath said as he glanced down at Caron's sword.
Although the scabbard partially covered it, a menacing aura emanated from the sword. It was hard to believe such an ominous weapon belonged to the Leston family.
"You won't be using it here for a while. Training will be conducted with a wooden sword of the same weight as your real one. You will be permitted to use the real sword only when you reach a certain level," Zerath explained.
"Okay, I understand," Caron answered.
"Alright, let's move on," Zerath said as he guided Caron into Oceanwolf Island.
When they stepped into the training ground, the knights paused their swordsmanship training to look at Caron. It seemed as if some people were looking at him with anticipation, and others with jealousy. Within their gazes, there were many different emotions.
At the same time, he also felt immense tension. The Azure Wolves exuded a powerful presence in unison. Caron realized that this was the initiation ceremony they had prepared.
This reminds me of the past, Caron thought.
On the day he died in his previous life, the Azure Wolves' seniors had entered the Imperial Palace together with Halo. Perhaps among them were survivors from that day. Caron recalled the brave wolves who hadn't feared death; they had deserved respect despite being enemies. Perhaps that was why he was very pleased with the spirit they displayed, only coming to like this place more.
Though they had been his foes in his past life, in this new one, these wolves would stand by his side.
Now, they'll be my comrades, Caron thought as he felt a profound sense of reassurance.
With a confident smile, he stepped forward. The Azure Wolves watched the young boy's resolute stride in silence. It was the moment when the name Caron Leston was firmly engraved into their minds.
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