Chapter 43: A Suspicious Man
Aiden woke up in the morning. For the first time in a year, he truly felt refreshed. His eyelids fluttered open as a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He whispered softly, almost in disbelief, "The voice is gone… it didn't invade my dream, there were no whispers. Is it because the heart is now completely sealed?"
He sat upright, exhaling deeply. His body felt lighter than it ever had. There was no heaviness in his chest, no trembling from the night before. For once, his mind was calm, clear like still water.
He stretched his arms slowly and felt energy coursing through his veins — vibrant, alive. He had advanced. His mana had grown deeper and steadier. His body felt stronger because he was now a Stage 2 mana cultivator.
But it wasn't only that. This morning, there was peace — a rare, fleeting peace that made him feel like a normal human again.
Every morning before this, he had woken up suffocated, his dreams consumed by that whisper — the same haunting voice that crawled into his mind. Yet now, it was gone.
He changed his clothes quietly, the fabric rustling softly against his skin. The sunlight crept through the window, painting golden lines across his face.
Then, he walked toward the kitchen. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air. He could hear the faint clinking of plates — his mother was already awake.
The day passed as usual. He ate breakfast with his parents, trained during the day, and after dinner, absorbed mana under the dim light inside his room.
He absorbed man for two hours straight — his limit had expanded. His mana veins pulsed with vigor, and when exhaustion finally struck him, he lay down and drifted into sleep once more — undisturbed.
Another day went by peacefully.
Then came the third day.
Today was Aiden's birthday. He was now twelve years old.
He got off his bed, washed up, and changed into a clean shirt. Then he went towards the kitchen to eat breakfast with his parents.
When he entered the kitchen, he greeted his parents with a bright smile. His tone was polite as he said. "Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad."
Jonathan looked up from his seat, his broad shoulders framed by the early sunlight, as he smiled faintly and said. "Good morning, son."
Sara turned from the stove, her eyes filled with warmth as she said with a bright smile. "Happy birthday, son."
Aiden smiled as he replied. "Thank you."
Sara glanced at Jonathan knowingly as she said. "You forgot your son's birthday again, didn't you?"
Jonathan suddenly froze. His face stiffened. The calm composure he always wore cracked instantly as he said, "No, I didn't forget! I was… I just wanted to surprise him."
Sara's eyebrows as she said. "Liar. It's written all over your face. You completely forgot his birthday."
Jonathan's expression turned from embarrassed to defensive. But before he could say anything, Aiden chuckled as he added. "It's okay, Mom. Dad's getting old. His memory is slowing down."
Jonathan's face twitched as he said. "Hey, you brat, what did you say?"
He got up suddenly, his heavy footsteps echoing across the wooden floor as he approached Aiden. Aiden darted away laughing. "Blitz!" he muttered under his breath — mana surged beneath his feet, and in an instant, he vanished from the spot.
"Come back here!" Jonathan ordered, as he vanished, chasing after him around the house. The house filled with laughter.
Moments later, Jonathan returned triumphantly, as he was carrying Aiden upside down under his arm like a sack of grain, as he said. "Say that again, you cheeky brat!"
Aiden was laughing uncontrollably as he apologized. "I'm sorry, Dad! I'm sorry!"
Sara shook her head but smiled as she said. "Let him go, Jonathan. Today's his birthday. And you both should go get ready for the preparations — the villagers will start coming at noon. You both have a lot of work to do."
Jonathan sighed, setting Aiden down as he replied. "Fine, fine."
They finished breakfast together. Then, Jonathan and Aiden headed into the forest. The air was cool and earthy. Together, they hunted — a boar, a bear, a goat, and even a small rabbit.
Aiden's movements were more precise now; his mana control had improved. He could sense life energy more clearly.
They returned home with their prey. Jonathan and Aiden began skinning the animals while Sara baked a large cake, her hands moving gracefully as she mixed flour and sugar. The scent of sweetness soon filled the entire house.
After skinning was done, Sara started cooking various dishes — rich stews, roasted meat, freshly baked bread — while Aiden and Jonathan set up chairs and tables in the garden.
The grass was green and damp underfoot. The decorations were simple yet warm — colorful ribbons and flower garlands that Sara had made earlier that morning.
Three hours later, the villagers began to arrive one after another. Laughter echoed through the house. Children ran around. The small village, usually quiet, now brimmed with life.
Stefan arrived first. He had grown even fatter since last year, his brown hair messy, his small eyes gleaming with energy.
Aiden saw him as he said teasingly. "So you came to eat all the food, huh, Grizzly?"
Stefan frowned as he replied. "It's still better than you, who never hangs out with us after school. You're probably spending time with a cute girl, eh?"
Aiden grinned as he said. "You always say the same thing. Is your brain so dead you can't think of anything else?"
Stefan's cheeks flushed red as he shouted. "Shut up!"
Then, after a few moments, Cybil arrived — wearing a soft green dress that fluttered in the breeze. She was ten years old now, her bright eyes shining with innocence. She walked up to Aiden, holding a small box wrapped in faded pink paper.
"Happy birthday, Brother Aiden," she said sweetly.
Aiden smiled warmly. He patted her head as he said. "Cybil, you didn't have to bring me a gift. You should spend that money on yourself."
She pouted immediately as he replied. "No! I wanted to give you this gift. Don't say that again."
Aiden laughed gently as he said. "Alright, alright, I won't say it again." Then he glanced at Stefan and whispered to Cybil, "Did you listen to my advice about not hanging out with the Grizzly too much?"
Cybil giggled and nodded.
Stefan's face darkened as he once again shouted. "It's all because of you that Cybil doesn't play with me often anymore!"
Before Aiden could reply, Sara called out from the kitchen window. "Aiden! Come here — it's time to cut the cake!"
He ran to the table where the large cake was placed, covered in creamy frosting. His parents stood on either side of him, smiling. Aiden picked up the knife. Everyone began to sing together, their voices warm and cheerful.
"Happy birthday to you… happy birthday, dear Aiden…"
Aiden cut the cake, the blade sliding smoothly through the frosting. He took a small piece and turned to his mother first. "Here, Mom."
Sara took a bite, smiling tenderly.
Then he turned to Jonathan. His father crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow as he said. "Don't do anything cheeky."
Aiden chuckled as he replied. "Don't worry, Dad. I've grown up now."
Jonathan nodded proudly.
But the next moment, as he leaned forward to take the bite, Aiden shoved the cake straight into his face.
Cream splattered everywhere as his face was covered in cream and cake.
"Y-You stinky little brat!. How dare you trick your father?" Jonathan roared, his face completely covered in white frosting.
Aiden burst into laughter and sprinted away. Jonathan chased him around the yard, shouting threats he clearly didn't mean. Everyone watching laughed uncontrollably. The sound of joy and life filled the garden.
As the sun began to set, the party slowly came to an end. The villagers bid their farewells one by one. The last to remain was Cybil. She hadn't left with her parents because she wanted to play longer.
So Aiden decided to escort her home.
The road was quiet. The sky glowed orange, and a cool breeze brushed through the trees. They talked and laughed along the way, their shadows stretching long across the dirt path.
When they reached her home, Cybil turned and waved cheerfully. "Bye, Brother Aiden! See you tomorrow!"
Aiden nodded with a smile as he said. "See you tomorrow."
He turned and began walking back home. The forest trees around him moved softly, the night creeping in.
Then, he saw someone.
A figure emerged from the side of the road, walking slowly toward him. The man's head was covered by a helmet, and his body was clad in black soldier armor.
Aiden's heart tightened. He had never seen this man before. His movements were controlled, too calm for an ordinary villager.
Aiden suddenly became cautious.
The armored man stopped a few feet away and spoke in a low, steady tone. "Excuse me, child. Can I ask you something?"
Aiden nodded cautiously. "Yes, sir."
The man's eyes, hidden behind the visor, glinted faintly as he asked. "Do you know anyone named Jonathan and Sara living here?"
The words struck Aiden like lightning. His body stiffened. His mother's warnings echoed in his mind — his uncle had sent soldiers across the continent searching for them.
He forced his expression to stay calm. "No, sir," he replied softly. "I don't know anyone with those names."
The man tilted his head slightly as he asked again. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. I'm sure." Aiden replied.
The soldier paused for a moment, then said, "Alright. You can go now."
Aiden nodded and began to walk away — slow, steady, pretending to be unbothered. But the moment the man disappeared from view, Aiden's calm shattered.
Mana surged beneath his feet as he used "Blitz!"
He dashed through the village, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Leaves blurred past him as he ran faster and faster.
When he reached home, he burst into the garden, shouting, "Mom! Dad! There are soldiers in the village asking for you—"
But the words froze in his throat.
His breath was caught in his throat. His pupils dilated. A cold shiver crawled up his spine. Sweat began to form on his forehead.
Standing in front of the house was a man.
He was around the same age as Jonathan, his hair silver, his eyes gray, sharp and lifeless like steel. He wore a royal robe adorned with the family crest.
Aiden's heart stopped beating.
He recognized that face.
It was Michael Draconia.
His uncle. The current head of the Draconia family.