As they walked to Lucien's tent, he suddenly asked, "How is my older sister?"
"I don't have any news about your older sister, but we've sent her a report about our current status," Kalios said to Lucien.
"Where is she, by the way?" Lucien asked, curious about his sister's whereabouts.
"She's on an exploration mission, young master. Accompanied by some of our strongest knights," Kalios replied in a respectful tone.
Lucien's gaze lowered slightly, his voice softening. "It's been ten years since I last saw her... I was nine back then. She was always so kind to me."
They reached Lucien's tent, but just as he was about to enter, he stopped and asked,
"Kalios, what is my sister's rank?"
"Sword Sovereign, young master. She's one of the youngest to reach that rank. They call her The Blooming Tempest—a fitting title for her sword style," Kalios replied to Lucien.
(AN: Grandmaster, Sovereign, King, etc)
Lucien said nothing and simply entered his tent. Once inside, he walked straight over and laid down on his bed, silent and thoughtful.
In the middle of the camp, many people whispered and murmured among themselves about the youngest of the Valtair family. The rumors had always said he was thin, weak, and useless—but now, after seeing him with their own eyes, everything changed.
Not only did he easily defeat a knight, he spoke to Kalios with calm authority—like someone born to command. And then there was his appearance. Sharp eyes, a cold but majestic aura, and a face that seemed carved from elegant, refined, and striking.
He wasn't just strong. He looked like someone from a legend. Their perspective on Lucien shifted completely. He was no longer the forgotten youngest son—he was someone to fear… and admire. Lucien, not knowing what was happening outside, suddenly had a thought.
He remembered the box Kalios had given him—the one that supposedly held the sword style his father used. He quickly jumped out of bed and looked around for it. After finding it among his things, he opened it without hesitation.
"Velmourn Eclipse Scripture..." Lucien said as he read the cover of the manual, which was scarlet red with an eclipse design in the center.
Lucien opened the manual and carefully analyzed every part of it. He began planning how to learn and apply it in his mind. Not wanting to waste a single second, he immediately sat down on the floor with his legs crossed, closed his eyes, and began.
Lucien closed his eyes as he started to learn the Velmourn Eclipse Scripture.
Inside his mind, it felt like he was standing in a dark space. In the middle of that space was an eclipse, slowly spinning and glowing faintly. Around it were shadows moving like swords, showing him the forms of the techniques.
Lucien stepped forward in his mind and followed the first move. He raised his hand and copied the stance. A wave of pressure spread in the space. Then he moved to the second, and the third. Each move felt natural, like he already knew them. He didn't force it. He just let it flow.
His real body stayed still, sitting cross-legged, but his mind was fully focused. His aura around him started to react, rising slowly. He kept practicing: 'Moonpierce Severance.' 'Eclipsing Bladefall.' 'Dusk Fang Spiral.'
Each one became faster, smoother, stronger. Then, in the middle of the space, a figure appeared. It wasn't real—it was a memory, a shadow from the past. His father, Alaric Valtair, stood under the eclipse, silent and calm, like always. Lucien didn't speak either. He just stepped into the final stance of the scripture. Everything became quiet. Then the figure of his father disappeared.
Lucien opened his eyes. Only two hours had passed. But he had mastered the sword style.
Lucien stepped outside his tent, only to find out it's already afternoon. In just about an hour, the sun will set. As he looked around, he saw a wooden sword near the ground, maybe because his tent was next to the training ground. He walked toward it and picked it up, planning to try the 'Velmourn Eclipse Scripture'.
Holding the wooden sword, lucien walked to the middle of the training ground. After reaching the center, he took the first stance and aimed at one of the training puppets. He let his aura flow into the wooden sword. And then—he moved. He performed the technique sharply, and with one clean motion.
*Boom!
The puppet was blown back, shaking like it was hit by a real weapon. At the side, Kalios who was holding food for Lucien, froze in place. His eyes wide in shock. He dropped the food without realizing it.
"…Young Master?" Kalios said, still frozen as he watched Lucien stand quietly in the fading light, wooden sword in hand.
Lucien didn't say anything. He just looked at the puppet, then slowly lowered the wooden sword. Kalios walked closer, still shocked, but his expression slowly turned serious.
"That… was the 'Velmourn Eclipse Scripture', wasn't it, Young Master?" Kalios asked in a low voice.
Lucien turned his head slightly, then nodded. "I've learned the first movements," he said calmly.He decided to keep it hidden for now—he already knew the other techniques, but there was no need to show everything just yet.
Kalios looked at the puppet again. It wasn't just damaged—it had deep cracks, and part of its chest was dented in.
"And with just a wooden sword…" Kalios whispered, almost like he was talking to himself.
Lucien started walking back toward his tent. "Clean that up," he said as he passed Kalios.
Kalios nodded quickly. "Yes, Young Master." He stood still for a moment, then looked down at the food he had dropped. "…I'll also bring you another plate."
After a while, Kalios returned with another plate of food. Lucien was sitting outside his tent, calmly watching the sky turn orange as the sun began to set. Kalios walked up and handed him the plate. "Your food, Young Master."
Lucien took it without saying much. He ate in silence for a few seconds, then asked, "How are the soldiers?"
Kalios stood straight. "They're still training, Young Master. Some are recovering, but overall they're in good shape. According to schedule, we move in a week."
Lucien looked at the fading light, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Change it," he said quietly.
Kalios blinked. "Young Master?"
Lucien turned his gaze toward him. "Make them ready in three days."
Kalios was surprised. "Three days? That's half the preparation time—"
"We don't have time," Lucien interrupted. "We'll strike the Veridane camp earlier. Before they expect anything. Delay gives them a chance to regroup."
Kalios paused, then nodded firmly. "Understood, Young Master. I'll begin drills tonight. They'll be ready."
Lucien finished another bite, his tone calm. "Good. I'll handle the rest."
Kalios placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "Then I will make the arrangements immediately."
Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly. "Good. I don't want excuses when the time comes."
Kalios responded firmly. "There won't be. I'll handle it."