Darkness.

A slow, rhythmic creaking filled his ears, the sensation of swaying making his stomach twist. His body ached, every inch of him a dull, throbbing pain, but none of it compared to the disoriented panic clawing its way into his chest.

Where was he?

The last thing he remembered was falling, his body giving out, his mind too fractured, too exhausted to keep him upright. And before that… the docks, the fight, the desperate chase. The ship. His only way out.

His breathing hitched. He wasn't in Alvar anymore.

Still, instinct screamed at him. The darkness, the way the world rocked beneath him, it felt too much like being trapped in some crumbling ruin, buried under debris while those men still hunted him. His heart pounded, and he forced himself to stillness, straining his senses.

The world creaked again, a long groan of wood shifting. A faint, salty breeze filtered through the room, carrying with it the damp scent of seawater and something acrid, like tar and unwashed bodies. There was no stone, no lingering heat of battle, no scent of fire or blood.

Just the ocean.

Aether pulsed faintly around him, sluggish, unsteady, just like him. He finally noticed the dim light bleeding in from beneath a door, flickering slightly as if swaying with the same motion as everything else.

Then it hit him.

The ship.

The escape.

Uncle's death.

The realization sent him sprawling back onto whatever hard surface he was lying on. He was free.

He was free.

His mind barely knew what to do with the knowledge. Uncle had dominated his entire life, every decision, every action had been influenced by him in some way. His schemes. His expectations. His punishments.

And now?

He was simply gone.

A hollow, gaping thing settled in Thorne's chest, clawing at the edges of his mind. It wasn't grief. It wasn't relief, either. It was something more complicated, something he wasn't ready to untangle, not here, not now.

Instead, he focused on the one thing he could control.

His notifications.

With a deep breath, he summoned his character sheet and prepared to finally check what had changed.

Name

: Thorne

Level

: 44 → 46

Race

: Human

Age

: 19

Special Trait:

Aetherbound [Elder Race]

Veilbreaker

1/5

Lunar Champion

2/5

Health Points

: 1000/1000

Aether

: 570/570

Stamina

: 920/920

Core Attributes

Strength

: 78

Agility

: 96

Dexterity

: 83

Endurance

: 92

Vitality

: 100

Spirit

: 137 → 182

Wisdom

: 57

Intelligence

: 52

Combat Skills

Vengeful Blades (Daggers):

10→ 12

Lethal Flurry

: 16 → 17

Backstab

: 18

Bloodletting

: 8

Unarmed Combat

: 28

Combat Reflexes

: 48 → 50

Sword Mastery

: 19

Charging Strike

: 3

Throwing Knives

: 21

Knife Fan

: 8

Crossbows

: 10

Critical Eye

: 20

Archery

: 24

Piercing Arrow

: 5

Silent Draw

: 7

Stealth & Deception

Veil of Light and Shadow (Stealth)

: 8 → 9

Shadow Meld

: 33

Sleight of Hand

: 23

Pickpocketing

: 20

Lockpicking

: 19

Stealth Strike

: 29

Escape Artist

: 36

Survival & Miscellaneous Skills

Tracking

: 28

Foraging

: 6

Acrobatics

: 49 → 50

Burst of Speed (Running)

: 14 → 16

Herbalism

: 6

Hunter's Insight

: 12

Cunning Trapper

: 16

Swimming

: 2

Mental & Social Skills

Acting

: 40

Haggling

: 10

Reading

: 15

Arithmetic

: 12

Mindguard

: 19

Echoes of Truth

: 31

Mask of Deceit

: 40

Deception

: 36

Sculpted Persona

: 14

Tactful Deflection

: 11

Defensive Skills

Resilience

: 47 → 49

Aetheric Skin

: 25 → 29

Aetheric Abilities

Primal Aether Manipulation

: 35 → 42

Aether Burst

: 17 → 20

Aether Surge

: 20 → 29

Aetheric Grip

: 9 → 11

Invisible Threads

: 12 → 15

Aether Lance:

1 → 5

Aether Barrage:

1 → 2

Aetheric Explosion:

1 → 3

Special Abilities

Veil Sense

Lunar Regeneration

Silverlight Strikes

The battles had done wonders for his skills, there was no arguing that. His body might have been broken, his stamina spent, and his mind frayed from the sheer intensity of it all, but there was no denying the growth he had undergone. His Primal Aether Manipulation had skyrocketed, finally mirroring his growing mastery over the raw, untamed force that had once resisted his will. He had unlocked three new Aetheric skills, the most difficult to acquire and the hardest to level. They were a game-changer, powerful enough to turn the tide against even the most overwhelming foes. They had allowed him to defeat a berserker and severely wound two incredibly high-leveled opponents—something he never would have thought possible before.

And now, as he lay in the dark confines of the ship's cabin, his limbs trembling from exhaustion, he saw something even more enticing. Two of his skills were ready to evolve.

A shaky breath left his lips, a mix of excitement and dread coursing through him as he pulled up the notifications.

[Skill Evolution Available: Combat Reflexes → Select New Path]

Three new skill options materialized before his weary eyes, each one gleaming with potential.

Aetheric Instinct

Description: Your reflexes transcend physical limitations, allowing you to sense and react to incoming attacks even before they fully manifest. Your body moves in response to intent rather than action, giving you an almost supernatural ability to avoid harm.

Effect:

Reacts before an enemy fully commits to an attack.

Increased reaction speed against magical attacks or projectile strikes.

Occasionally dodges without conscious thought, as if guided by instinct.

Thorne frowned in consideration. This skill was essentially an extension of what he had already begun to experience, his ability to read and anticipate an opponent's moves before they happened. It would let him dodge faster spells and attacks that he might not normally react to in time. But was it enough? It would make him more elusive, more like a phantom in battle. But he wasn't looking to just evade anymore, he was looking to overpower.

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Battleborn Reflexes

Description: Years of experience and muscle memory have honed you instincts to perfection. Every movement is refined for combat, turning even the smallest flinch into an effective counteraction.

Effect:

Autonomous counterattacks—If an enemy attacks from close range and misses, you instinctively retaliate without hesitation.

Chain Reactions—The more attacks dodged in quick succession, the faster you react to follow-up strikes.

Can read micro-movements to predict an opponent's next attack.

Thorne exhaled slowly. This one was a fighter's dream. It would make him deadly in close combat, turning every dodge into an opening. He would no longer just be avoiding attacks, he would be punishing enemies for missing. His speed and unpredictability would compound, each motion flowing into the next with lethal precision. It was a perfect match for his fighting style, but was it the best option?

Deadzone Reflex

Description: Your reaction time reaches such an extreme that, for an instant, everything slows down in your perception, allowing you to act in the perfect moment.

Effect:

Occasionally, time seems to

briefly slow when a deadly attack is incoming.

Able to dodge split-second attacks (like arrows, daggers, or fast jabs) with unnatural ease.

Gains a brief moment of enhanced precision w

hen countering after a dodge.

Thorne's breath hitched. This. This was the one.

For the first time since his fight with Uncle, he felt clarity.

This ability was perfect for him. It didn't just make him faster, it made time itself slow in the most crucial moments. A dagger aimed for his throat, an arrow loosed from the dark, a split-second feint leading into a lethal strike… He would see them all.

And not just see them. React.

Move.

Kill.

This was more than just instinct, more than just muscle memory, it was a moment of absolute dominance. A razor-thin window in time where he would always be in control.

The thought alone sent a shiver through him.

Without hesitation, he made his choice.

[Skill Evolution Complete: Deadzone Reflex Unlocked.]

A shift resonated deep within his core, like something inside him had clicked into place. His body felt lighter, more responsive, more… aware. He flexed his fingers, feeling the faintest tremor in the air, like the world around him had grown just a fraction slower.

Yes.

This was it.

He wasn't just fighting to survive anymore.

He was fighting to win.

Thorne's fingers twitched in anticipation. If Deadzone Reflex had already made his reactions sharper, then this… this would make him unstoppable in motion. He could hardly wait to see what his next evolution had in store. His Acrobatics skill had finally reached level 50, and it was ready to evolve.

The moment he focused on it, the notifications appeared, bringing three new paths into view.

[Skill Evolution Available: Acrobatics → Select New Path]

Windborne Agility

Description: You move as if carried by the wind, naturally adapting to any airborne maneuver and reducing the impact of gravity on your body.

Effect:

Extended jumps

and longer air time when leaping or falling.

Negates fall damage

from reasonable heights by instinctively rolling upon landing.

Mid-air control

, allowing minor adjustments while flipping, vaulting, or dodging.

Thorne's glowing eyes scanned the description, his mind already picturing the freedom of movement this would offer. This wasn't just an evolution, it was a transformation. His body would adapt to leaping impossible distances, softening his landings even from heights that should shatter bone. It would make vertical combat easier, letting him attack or escape with more fluidity.

But was it enough?

Phantom Leaps

Description: Aether subtly bends around your movement, making leaps and dodges feel unnaturally smooth, as if you briefly exist between reality and the unseen.

Effect:

Double-jump equivalent

can push off the air with minimal aether expenditure.

Mid-air redirection

, allowing an extra twist, kick, or grab even when airborne.

Silent landings

, as if their weight vanishes just before touching the ground.

Thorne exhaled through his nose. This was the assassin's choice, no doubt. It would allow him to double-jump, making an already impossible feat seem effortless. A second jump meant new avenues of escape, unpredictable changes in motion. The ability to redirect himself mid-air would let him dodge incoming attacks or turn a fall into an ambush.

And the silent landings? Perfect for someone like him.

Still… something felt off. Would this help him in direct combat? Would this help him when things came to an all-out fight, when dodging wouldn't be enough?

He needed more than just escape.

Flicker Step

Description: Movement becomes so fast and fluid that to an observer, you seem to disappear for brief moments between steps.

Effect:

Rapid footwork

allows for instant repositioning during combat.

Near-instant bursts of movement

, reducing time between flips, jumps, and rolls.

Momentum preservation,

a dodge into a sprint doesn't slow down, keeping full speed instantly.

Thorne's jaw tightened. This was… terrifying. The ability to vanish between movements meant that in a fight, he would be a ghost. He could attack, reposition, and attack again before an enemy even registered his movement. This was for the predator, the one who wanted to strike before being seen.

His heart pounded.

It was tempting. So tempting.

But then, as his fingers clenched into fists, he thought about what he really needed.

Windborne Agility.

Not Flicker Step's bursts of speed, not Phantom Leaps' deceptive movement—but true control.

It was the best balance between mobility, adaptability, and survival. He could jump further, fall without worry, and most importantly—adjust in mid-air. That meant fighting in three dimensions, twisting to counter and redirect his own attacks, using terrain like a weapon instead of a limitation.

It was more than movement, it was freedom.

With no hesitation, he chose.

[Skill Evolution Complete: Windborne Agility Acquired.]

The change was immediate.

His muscles felt lighter, his balance effortless. Even in the confined space of the ship's cabin, he could feel it, like his body already knew how to adapt. He shifted forward just slightly, and felt his weight distribute perfectly, ready for action at a moment's notice.

A small, wild grin pulled at the corners of his lips.

This… was going to be fun.

Thorne let out a slow breath, his body aching but no longer screaming in agony. The ship rocked gently beneath him, the rhythmic sway lulling him into an almost dreamlike state.

But he couldn't stay here.

With a grunt, he stretched his arms, feeling the soreness in every muscle, the lingering pain of battle woven into his very bones. He had spent so long running, fighting, bleeding but now, for the first time in what felt like forever, he was somewhere else. Somewhere new.

He needed to get up, to explore, to see where he was heading and who else was aboard. He needed information, what kind of ship this was, who its captain was, whether he could trust anyone here at all.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up onto his elbows, readying himself to stand...

...and then he saw it.

A full bar next to his Veilbreaker trait.

His breath caught, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

His Veilbreaker trait had evolved.

The realization sent a thrill of exhilaration through his battered body. His traits didn't evolve like skills; they were different, rarer, more powerful. They grew only when he had achieved something monumental, something that fundamentally changed who he was.

And what could be more fitting than this?

He had killed Uncle.

His entire life, Uncle had been a force that loomed over him, a monster that dictated his every step. And now, he was gone.

And in his place, Thorne had ascended.

He focused on the Veilbreaker trait, his pulse pounding in his ears. The number next to it shifted, no longer 1/5, but 2/5.

Something deep within him stirred.

[New Veilbreaker Ability Unlocked: Aether Binding]

Aether Binding

Description: After siphoning enough aether, you could bind the residual energy into a magical weapon or item, allowing you to create temporary artifacts with Veilbreaking properties.

Infuse Aether into objects

, temporarily enchanting them.

Weapons could bypass magical defenses

, cutting through enchanted armor or barriers.

Aether-bound items gain Veilbreaking properties

, meaning they interact with magic in ways others cannot.

Thorne stared, stunned.

This was it.

This was game-changing.

His mind whirled with possibilities. If he could bind aether into his daggers, they could cut through magical barriers like paper. If he could infuse armor, it might resist spells entirely.

And in Aetherhold…

He let out a breathless laugh.

Aetherhold was a place where mages reigned, where spells dictated power. This ability—this power, was the ultimate equalizer. He could already picture it: battling a mage who thought themselves untouchable, only for his blade to slice through their defenses like they were nothing.

He grinned.

Uncle had taken everything from him, his childhood, his freedom, his choices. And yet, in his death, he had given Thorne something priceless.

A new power.

Thorne closed his character sheet, the exhaustion in his bones momentarily forgotten.

He had work to do.

Thorne sat up abruptly, his body feeling lighter than it had in days. The weight of exhaustion and battle still clung to his bones, but there was something else, a strange absence.

A missing weight.

He laughed quietly, the sound foreign even to himself, until he registered something odd. He wasn't wearing his clothes.

His breath hitched as he looked down.

Instead of his usual gear, instead of the tattered remains of his once-pristine Lost Ones attire, he was dressed in an old, rough shirt, its fabric coarse against his skin, and brown linen pants that barely reached below his knees.

His mind blanked for a moment.

What?

Then realization struck.

His coins. His gems.

But more importantly...

His letter.

His Aetherhold admission letter.

A cold wave of horror crashed into him.

His heart pounded as his hands patted frantically over his new clothes, searching for the familiar bulk of his hidden pockets.

Nothing.

His bag of stolen treasures, gone.

His letter of admission, gone.

The magical sphere, gone.

His breath quickened, his fingers clenching into the thin sheets beneath him.

Without the letter, he couldn't get to Aetherhold.

Without the sphere, he had no means of reaching it in time.

He forced himself to steady his breathing, but another thought stabbed through his gut like a dagger.

How long have I been unconscious?

Before he had collapsed, he had still had two days before the full moon.

Had that time passed?

Had he lost his chance?

His fingers dug into his scalp, his mind spiraling.

No. No. No.

It couldn't be.

Bea…

His chest tightened, panic squeezing his lungs.

No!

A sudden set of footsteps thundered toward the door.

Thorne's head jerked up, his entire body snapping into high alert as the sound grew closer, heavier.

The door banged open, slamming against the wooden wall with enough force to make the frame rattle.

Thorne's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at the figure standing in the doorway.

For a moment, he could only stare, aghast, his mind short-circuiting as the impossible became real.

"You?" His voice barely left his throat, hoarse with shock and disbelief.

He swallowed hard, his fingers curling into the sheets.

"This is your ship?"

Silence.

The figure in the doorway smirked.

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