CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: THE VEIL BETWEEN

Arden leaned back against the cold wall of the hall, a grin stretching across his face as the interface shimmered faintly before his eyes.

[Life Echo Veil (Proto-Domain)

Growth Phase: Projects a faint field of life energy around him (~5–10 meters). Sensitive space that detects disturbances—movement, killing intent, energy flow, detecting spells and skill formations. Slightly amplifies his reaction speed as the veil warns him before sight or sound. Can flicker or collapse if overextended but grows steadier with training. Additional effects gained with expertise of technique]

He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Not bad. Another one for the book." His tone was half-proud, half-mocking of himself. "Still just a proto-domain though. Guess I like playing in leagues above my pay grade."

Zephyra padded over and brushed her fur against his leg, her low rumble carrying the same pride she felt through their bond. Arden reached down and rubbed her head. "You get it, don’t you? Even if it’s rough, it’s mine."

She gave no reply, only a flick of her tail before settling beside him.

After that quiet moment, they left the hall together.

The following morning, Nyra and Rael arrived already buzzing with energy. They had grown used to their father’s harsh lessons, but today was different.

Arden stood in the center of the hall with a grin that said he’d been waiting for this moment.

"You’ve been cooking something," Rael said, narrowing his eyes. "Spill it."

"Or," Arden countered, rolling his shoulders, "you could find out the fun way. How about a spar? Both of you against me."

Nyra arched a brow. "Confident, aren’t you?"

"Confident? No. Prepared? Definitely."

Rael laughed, sparks flickering faintly around his hands. "Fine. I was itching to hit you anyway."

The lord of the hall listened quietly before giving a nod. "Very well. It’s still training. I’ll oversee." His voice carried authority, but there was a trace of interest he didn’t bother hiding.

Arden spread his arms wide. "You heard the man. Come on then."

The moment the spar started, Rael charged forward, lightning crackling across his arms. Nyra’s wind stirred around her, sharp and biting, already twisting into shards of ice.

Arden’s grin didn’t fade. The Life Echo Veil unfurled around him, invisible yet steady, brushing against the edges of the hall. He felt it ripple as Rael’s energy built, the rhythm of the lightning telling him when and where the strike would come.

He sidestepped before Rael’s fist even sparked fully, tapping him lightly on the shoulder as he passed. "Late."

Rael spun with frustration, missing again as Arden ducked smoothly out of reach.

Nyra followed with a flurry of wind-laced ice, the shards spinning like daggers. Arden felt the veil shift with every movement, guiding his feet before his eyes caught them. He stepped between the gaps, brushing away a shard with his forearm, his energy humming faintly to reinforce him.

"Better aim," Arden said, flashing her a grin. "But you’re still telling on yourself before you shoot."

Nyra pressed her lips together, frustration mixing with determination. She pulled more air, faster this time, weaving wind and ice until the shards spiraled unpredictably.

Arden’s grin softened as the veil warned him again. He leaned aside, barely dodging, the shard grazing his sleeve. "That’s more like it."

The lord narrowed his eyes. To him, the field was clear even if no one else could sense it. It wasn’t visible, but the way Arden moved gave it away. He didn’t react to attacks. He was already there, already prepared.

"There’s a space around him," the lord muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "Not sight. Not instinct. Something else. It disrupts your timing."

Nyra heard him and grit her teeth. "So that’s it..."

Rael spat, lightning sparking across his arms again. "Then we break it."

The lord’s gaze stayed on Arden. "I can’t sense the energy. But from the way he reacts, the field stretches about ten meters. Any step within it, he feels before you move. Be unpredictable. Layer your attacks."

Rael and Nyra shared a quick glance. She darted left, wind carrying her in bursts of speed, while Rael leapt forward, lightning snapping in arcs instead of single bursts. Their coordination had grown sharper in these past days.

Arden felt the veil tremble with two points of disturbance at once. He chuckled under his breath. "Finally taking me seriously."

Rael’s strike came in close, and for once Arden had to block, life energy reinforcing his arm as sparks burned against him. At the same time, Nyra’s cryowind shift burst from his blind side, ice rushing with wind’s momentum.

The veil shivered, warning him, but late this time. Arden spun, pulling his energy tighter around him and letting the ice graze his shoulder. He winced, but the grin never left.

"Good. That’s the kind of hit that’ll make me learn."

Nyra didn’t stop. She pressed on with another wave, while Rael circled, sending bolts of lightning to force Arden into her path.

The hall echoed with blasts of wind, sharp cracks of lightning, and Arden’s laughter between them.

He ducked, weaved, and let the veil carry him, finding gaps where none should exist. Yet every time he avoided, he did it by the smallest margin.

Finally, with a burst of speed, Arden slipped between them, placed his hands on their backs, and shoved. Both Nyra and Rael stumbled forward and hit the floor hard, panting.

Arden stood over them, breathing heavy himself but smiling. "Not bad at all. You two almost had me a couple times."

Nyra rolled onto her back, still catching her breath. "Almost?"

Rael groaned. "He’s impossible."

Arden extended a hand to each of them. "Come on. Don’t pout. You did better than you think."

They took his hands, pulling themselves up.

The lord stepped closer, his expression calm but eyes thoughtful. "That technique of yours," he said. "It isn’t complete. It flickers when you’re pressured. But it’s promising. Refine it, and it may become something... invincible."

Arden scratched his cheek. "Invincible’s a bit much. I’ll take useful."

The man didn’t argue, only gave him a long look before stepping back. "Enough for today."

Nyra lowered her gaze but her father’s words replayed in her head. A path was forming, one that could lead her to her own domain one day, perhaps even beyond her father’s. Rael too felt the push, the knowledge that he wasn’t being left behind, that Arden’s presence forced him to grow faster.

As the lord departed, silence returned to the hall.

A/N:

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