The Anomaly's Path

Six days.

Six days since I stepped into that treasury and came out with something worth more than gold. Six days of waking up, eating, cultivating, playing with Mia, training until my legs gave out, and collapsing into bed just to do it all over again.

And right now?

I was lying on the training hall floor. Again.

The cold stone pressed against my back. My chest rose and fell in slow, heavy breaths. Sweat soaked through my shirt—actually, when did I last change? This morning? Yesterday?

The ceiling hadn’t changed. Still the same high ceiling with those glowing mana-lamps. Still the same faint hum of the AI watching me from above.

I’d lost count of how many laps I ran today. Fifteen? Twenty? My legs weren’t talking to me anymore. They’d given up somewhere around lap fifteen and now just existed as vague suggestions attached to my body.

[You’re still alive, Host. Impressive.]

Yeah but barely.

[Your heart rate is stabilizing. You pushed harder than yesterday. Don’t let it go to your head. You’re still trash.]

”...”

I wanted to flip Nova off, but moving my arm felt like too much effort. So I just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, letting my breathing slow.

Thirty days left.

That thought sat in my chest every day now. A timer I couldn’t see but always felt. Thirty days left. until the Path Awakening trial. Thirty days left. to turn this garbage body into something that wouldn’t die the moment I stepped inside.

Was it enough?

No idea.

But I was trying. That’s more than the old Leo ever did.

The past six days blurred together in my head.

Every morning, I woke up before the sun. Splashed cold water on my face. Changed into clean clothes. Then down to the dining hall where Mom was already waiting with that soft smile, like she was still making sure I was real.

Breakfast became my favorite part of the day.

Not the food—though the food was insane, like five-star restaurant level insane. But sitting there with them. Mom asking how I slept. Father reading reports but glancing up whenever I talked. Mia chattering about Sir Hops-a-Lot like the frog was her actual best friend.

Speaking of Sir Hops-a-Lot.

That frog had grown. Not like, magically or anything. Just... bigger. Fatter. The thing was practically a green bowling ball with legs now. Mia still carried it around like it was a kitten, and the frog just let her.

I swear that thing understood her.

”You have to see him jump today, Leo! He jumped SO high!”

High for a frog, maybe. High for anything else? Not really.

But I nodded and smiled and let her drag me to the garden after breakfast. Ten minutes. That’s all she asked for. Ten minutes of watching her play with a frog while she told me about her day.

It was... nice.

After that, mana cultivation. Hours of sitting in my room, focusing on my breathing, pulling mana into my core. Foundation Breathing Art wasn’t flashy, but I felt it working. Each day, my core felt fuller. Heavier. Like it was actually becoming something instead of just existing.

Then training.

I’d hit the hall in the afternoon and stay until night. Running laps. Stretching. Trying to force this body to move faster, last longer. The AI tracked everything. Gave me numbers. Told me I was still trash but slightly less trash than yesterday.

And every night, without fail—

Lyra.

She was there when I stumbled out of the hall. Waiting at the same spot. Same calm expression. Same quiet offer to help me back to my room.

The first few nights, I told her not to come. Told her I was fine. Told her she didn’t need to wait around for someone like me.

She just nodded and showed up again the next night.

After the third time, I stopped telling her not to.

”Thanks, Lyra.”

”You’re welcome, Young Master.”

_

[Host.]

Hm?

[You’ve been lying on the floor for twelve minutes. Your muscles are cooling down. You should move.]

Five more minutes, buddy.

[That’s what you said ten minutes ago.]

And I meant it both times.

Nova didn’t respond. Probably calculating how annoying I was.

I forced myself to sit up. My abs screamed. My back cracked. Everything hurt in that satisfying way that meant I actually did something today.

Twenty-four days left.

But my body was better now. Not good—better. I could run longer without feeling like death. My core actually responded when I called mana. The passive part of Flash Instinct was sharper now too—I could hear footsteps from down the hall, feel when someone was about to open a door.

Progress.

But it wasn’t enough.

I needed to learn how to fight. Not just run and cultivate. Actual combat. Techniques. Something that would keep me alive when the trial threw monsters at my soul.

I looked at my hands. Soft and Useless.

Time to fix that.

I stood up slowly. My legs wobbled but held.

[Where are you going?] Nova’s voice shimmered in my head.

Back to my room. It’s already late.

[You said you needed to learn combat.]

I do. But not tonight. Tonight I need some sleep.

Nova didn’t argue.

I limped toward the exit. The doors hissed open. The hallway was dark—night setting on the mana-lamps.

And there she was.

Lyra. Still there. Still standing the exact same way. Did she move at all while I was inside?

”Young Master.”

She approached me as I limped forward.

”Lyra.” I gave her a tired smile. ”Walk me back?”

She nodded and stepped beside me.

We reached my room. She stopped at the door, releasing my arm carefully.

”Young Master, shall I prepare something for you to eat?” she asked softly.

I shook my head. ”Nah. I’m gonna take a bath and sleep.”

Her expression flickered—concern, maybe. ”Are you sure?”

”Yeah. I’m fine.” I gave her a small smile. ”Go rest. You don’t have to wait for me every night.”

She looked at me for a long moment. Then bowed her head.

”...As you wish, Young Master. Good night.”

”Good night, Lyra.”

She left. I watched her go for a second, then pushed open my door.

I entered the bathroom and turned the water on—hot, almost scalding—and stepped in. Steam filled the air. The heat seeped into my muscles, slowly loosening the knots of tension. I leaned against the wall and let the water run over me.

For the first time today... I relaxed.

A long pause.

Then—

[Host. You mentioned wanting to learn combat techniques. Do you have someone in mind?] Nova’s voice echoed in my head.

I opened my eyes. Stared at the steam for a second.

...Yeah. I do.

[Who?]

I sighed. Leaned my head back against the wall.

My uncle. My mom’s brother.

[You have an uncle?] Nova asked, curiosity in its voice.

Yeah. Count Theron Valdris. Mom’s younger brother. Head of the Valdris family.

[Valdris... that name sounds familiar.]

It should. They’re one of the oldest warrior families in the Human Domain. Not as big as the Celestials politically, but respected. Feared, even. They produce swordsmen. Real ones. People who can make mana sing through a blade.

I paused.

And Theron? He’s the best of them.

_

Count Theron Valdris. The head of a warrior family and my mother’s brother.

Platinum hair, bright blue eyes—the Valdris look, apparently. Thirty-four years old. Low Transcendent rank. SS-rank core. His Path was SS-rank too—Frostwind Sword Path or something like that. I’d have to check my memories later.

He had two affinities. Frost and Wind. Rare combo. He made his sword style unpredictable—fast and cold, cutting and freezing at the same time.

They called him the Storm Blade. Not because he was loud or flashy. Because his sword moved like wind and left behind frost. Quiet. Deadly.

He was strong, skilled and respected by everyone who mattered.

[I see,] Nova continued, [but if he’s from the warrior family, then what about your mother? She is also a warrior?]

No. It’s true that she’s a daughter of the Valdris family—warriors, swordsmen, the whole package. But she was different. While her brothers trained with blades, she chose healing.

Funny how that worked. A family known for producing killers, and the daughter became a healer. One of the best in the Human Domain, actually.

Grandmaster-rank healer. She’s a high rank healer and healers were rare—really rare. Elves were famous for it, but humans? Not so much. Mom was one of the exceptions. People traveled from other domains just to get her help.

She wasn’t weak—far from it. Grandmaster wasn’t a rank you reached by accident. But her power wasn’t in destruction. It was in mending. Fixing. Saving.

[Mom is really cool, right.]

Yes she is, but—I continued—since when did she become your mom, bastard?

[Um, Host. I was wondering if your uncle is so cool, so why is there a problem? Why can’t you just learn from him?]

This bastard was changing the topic. I clicked my tongue.

Because the old Leo was an idiot.

When I was younger—like, twelve or thirteen—Theron came to visit. He brought me a sword. A real fine katana.

Said he wanted to train me himself when I got older. Said he saw something in me. Potential? Maybe I was going to become a fine swordsman.

[That doesn’t sound like hatred.] Nova observed.

It’s what came after.

The water drummed against my skin. I stared at the steam.

I was already bitter about my core by then. B-rank core and failure. All that. Theron didn’t care—he said core didn’t matter, that hard work could overcome anything.

He actually believed in me. But I was young and stupid and angry. So when he offered to train me, I...

[You what?] Nova pressed.

I acted like a true bastard. I threw the sword at his feet. Told him I didn’t need his pity. Told him to take his ”fake kindness” and get out.

Silence.

[...Oh.]

Yeah. Oh.

[That would do it.]

I laughed—dry, humorless.

You wanna know the worst part?

He didn’t even get mad. He just looked at me with this... disappointed expression. Picked up the sword. Said ”When you’re ready to be a man, Leo. Come back to me again.” And left.

[He hasn’t spoken to you since?]

Not really. He tried to, but I was just a scumbag, so I just pushed him away.

The water kept running. I kept staring at the wall.

He still visits sometimes. Checks on Mia. Talks to Mom. Even trains Sylvia when she’s around.

But me? Nothing. As a bastard I was, I didn’t even care what he did.

[...I see.] Nova said quietly.

Yeah.

[So why him? Why not someone else?]

Because he’s the best. I could learn from my father about swords, but in terms of just pure swordsmanship, he is far better than him.

”And because...” I paused. ”Because I think, deep down, he still wants me to prove him wrong. To show him I’m not the same brat who threw away his gift.”

[That’s a lot of assumptions.] Nova pointed out.

Maybe. But I don’t have time to find someone else. Twenty-four days, Nova. I need someone who can actually teach me.

Silence.

[You’re going to ask your mother for help.] Nova stated.

Yeah. She’s the only one who can reach him.

[And if he says no?]

I turned off the water. Stepped out. Grabbed a towel.

Then I’ll find another way. But I have to try.

I dried off, pulled on loose clothes, and stumbled toward my bed. The sheets were cool. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling.

...Tomorrow’s going to be interesting.

[Get some sleep, Host. You’ll need it.] Nova’s voice was soft in my head.

Yeah. Goodnight, Nova.

[Goodnight, Leo.]

I closed my eyes.

And for the first time in six days, I didn’t dream about the trial.