The sun had barely risen when Aiden stepped onto the training grounds of the Noah estate, his breaths steady, his body light yet brimming with strength. Though he was still only eight years old, the memories of his past life lingered—his hardened instincts guiding his movements as he practiced wielding his newly awakened Grace, Absolute Authority.

  Weapons of various shapes and sizes hovered in the air around him, suspended by an unseen force. Wooden swords, spears, greatswords, and shields floated effortlessly, rotating in precise formations above his height. With a flick of his fingers, they danced through the air, shifting into their respective groups before aligning themselves with the practice dummies scattered across the field.

  His right hand was outstretched, fingers splayed as he willed the weapons to return to their racks in a smooth, controlled motion.

  Next to him, Serena watched with wide, sparkling blue eyes.

  "Wow…" she gasped, barely able to contain her amazement. "Your Grace is amazing! You can fight from afar—you don’t even need to touch your weapon!"

  Unlike most children their age, who would feel envious or even resentful of someone awakening their Grace before them, Serena was different. She possessed a rare purity—genuine in her joy for others, even at the cost of her own pride. Even if she had to lower her head, suppress her strength, or bear the weight of inferiority, she would do so with a smile.

  Aiden turned to her, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. He reached out, gently ruffling her golden locks, feeling the soft strands slip between his fingers.

  "Yeah, I’ve thought about that," he admitted.

  Serena beamed up at him, her joy infectious.

  Their morning had begun as usual—her daily visits were a constant, just as they had been in the fallen world of Eden. Two hours ago, she had arrived in a white carriage bearing the crest of House Enid, accompanied by the ever-loyal butler Truman. Aiden had recognized him immediately—Serena’s father’s most trusted man, his unwavering shadow.

  As soon as she had stepped out of the carriage, she had rushed toward him, throwing her arms around him in an embrace filled with warmth and familiarity.

  And Aiden had responded in kind.

  Even now, standing on the training grounds, he could still feel the lingering comfort of her presence.

  He sighed inwardly, his thoughts drifting.

  'So, Ramiro went on a mission to deal with those wretched demons, huh?'

  He had already known about it—King Aldrich’s royal summons had arrived through an enchanted envelope, one that only the intended recipient could open. Even if someone else managed to pry it open, its contents would remain blank, an ingenious safeguard that only a mage of exceptional skill could craft.

  Aiden admired such craftsmanship. And he knew of this enchantment not because of his current life, but from his past.

  Back when he was seventeen—when he had already lost everything—he had worked under Ramiro, serving both as Serena’s protector and as the last living member of House Noah. It had been by pure chance that he had discovered one of those letters in Ramiro’s study while searching for documents at his request.

  'Not that it matters now,' Aiden thought wryly, shaking the memory away. 'I’m still just a child, and I’ve only just awakened my Grace. There’s nothing I can do to change Ramiro’s path—yet.'

  For now, he focused on what was in front of him.

  He turned to Serena, a playful glint in his eyes.

  "Now," he said, "how about we have our second sparring match? Think you can do better than yesterday?"

  She perked up, nodding enthusiastically. "Mhm! I'm ready when you are, Aiden!"

  Aiden grinned, using his Grace to lift two wooden swords from the rack, guiding one gently into Serena’s waiting hands while keeping the other for himself.

  "Ah, and this time, try not to use too much force in one strike," he advised, recalling yesterday’s match where she had almost sent his sword flying with a single, unbalanced swing. "And no unnecessary complicated moves, alright? I’ll guide you through it, so don’t worry—even if I do get smacked in the forehead again."

  Serena giggled, shifting into a combat stance. "Got it! I promise I’ll be careful this time!"

  Aiden chuckled, mirroring her stance.

  'She hasn’t changed at all,' he thought. 'And I won’t let her.'

  This time, he would protect her. Not just with his sword—but with the future itself.