THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Ashley stared at the marble ceiling, her fingers idly tracing the silken sheets, lost in deep thought. The events of the day played on repeat in her mind. They had all returned to the estate, battered but alive, and before she had a chance to properly thank David, both Elder Tyron and Elder Scroll whisked him away.

It gnawed at her—how could she have been so blind, so misled by rumors? She had heard whispers of David, comparing him to his infamous brother, the Blood Whale. But now, seeing him in action, she realized how misguided those rumors had been. David was a beast in his own right, and perhaps even more dangerous in his quiet strength.

Ray had taken both her and Noelle to the infirmary, insisting they get checked for any internal injuries. After the ordeal, Ashley had felt heavy with exhaustion, but her mind refused to settle. Before they parted ways, she had invited Noelle to her guest quarters. It took some convincing to get the headstrong swordswoman to agree, but in the end, Noelle couldn't resist the temptation of a noble's feast.

Now, with Noelle fast asleep beside her, snoring lightly after gorging herself on more food than she could handle, Ashley's thoughts drifted back to David. She couldn't shake him from her mind. There was something about him—his strength, his presence. She had always thought herself a good judge of character, but David was an enigma. He was far stronger than she had imagined, more than just a master swordsman. The way he moved, the way he commanded power—it was like he was on the threshold of something greater, perhaps a King Swordsman in the making.

Ashley turned onto her side, restless. How had she missed it before? David had a calm, almost detached demeanor, yet there was a burning intensity beneath the surface. She remembered the way he had looked at her during the battle, the way he had calmly told them to escape while he stayed behind to face the monster alone. He hadn't flinched, hadn't hesitated. That kind of strength was rare—more than just physical prowess, it was the strength of someone who knew exactly what he was capable of and feared nothing.

Her heart pounded as she thought of him, the last son of the Earl, a figure shrouded in mystery. She had to speak with him, had to understand the man behind that stoic mask. There was more to David than met the eye, and Ashley was determined to uncover it. She wanted to know how he had become so powerful, how he had surpassed the expectations of those around him. More than that, she wanted to know what drove him, what lay behind those intense, calculating eyes.

She rolled over again, frustration bubbling up inside her. Tomorrow, she would find him. She had to. David De Gor was no ordinary noble—he was a force to be reckoned with, and Ashley needed to know what that meant for her future.

****

In the quiet dimness of his room, David sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing the hair of both Shay and Luna, who lay peacefully beside him. He was in the middle, sandwiched between the two as their soft breaths filled the room. The rhythmic strokes of the brush against their hair seemed to calm not only them but also him. He couldn't help but reflect on the day's events.

Earlier, Elder Scroll had insisted David visit a mage healer after the gruelling battle, even though David had tried to reassure him multiple times that he felt perfectly fine. His skill, [Rejuvenating Surge], had done more than enough to restore his energy, but there was no way he could explain that to the Elder. Telling him about such a powerful ability would raise too many questions, ones David wasn't ready to answer.

Despite his reassurances, both Elder Scroll and Elder Tyron had accompanied him through the castle, firing off snippets of questions about the battle. Each time, David deflected with polite nods and vague answers, saving the details for the inevitable formal meeting they'd mentioned. They would want to know everything about his fight with Erexis, but for now, they had accepted his request for some rest.

After being released from their interrogation, David had found himself wandering toward the dining room, where luck had been on his side. Katrina, with her soft smile and radiant presence, had been there. They had spent a few blissful hours together, talking and enjoying each other's company. It was a welcome reprieve from the chaos, a brief moment of normalcy in his otherwise complicated life.

By the time David retired to his chambers, his body was tired, but his mind was far too energized to sleep. He had just begun to relax when the door creaked open, and Shay slipped in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She crawled into bed beside him, her presence warm and familiar. Before they could say a word to each other, the door flew open again, this time with Luna storming in, her face contorted with anger and jealousy. Her arms were crossed, her pout almost comical as she glared at the two of them.

David had expected a tense situation, but Shay, to his surprise, managed to calm Luna down with nothing more than a few whispered words and a reassuring smile. He watched in bewilderment as Luna's fiery temper faded, her pout replaced by a reluctant grin as she nestled into the bed beside them.

"How did she do that?" David wondered, amazed at Shay's ability to soothe Luna so effortlessly. There was something about Shay, a quiet grace and understanding that seemed to bridge the gap between him and Luna's temperamental nature. David felt a deep sense of gratitude for both of them, though his thoughts remained clouded by curiosity.

Now, as they slept soundly next to him, he remained wide awake, the excitement of the day's achievements buzzing through his veins. His mind raced, unable to settle down. He couldn't stop thinking about the battles, the unexpected victories, and the power he had unleashed during the fight. He had levelled up, devoured a powerful skill from Erexis, and surpassed his own limits.

Reaching over, David pulled up his status window mentally, his heart pounding with anticipation. He scrolled through his achievements, each one reminding him of how far he had come, and yet how much farther he still had to go. There was still so much untapped potential, so many skills to master, so many mysteries to unravel.

Though sleep eluded him, David didn't mind. The excitement was worth it. He had no doubt that tomorrow would bring even more challenges, but for now, nestled between Shay and Luna, he allowed himself a rare moment of peace—an interlude before the storm that was sure to follow.

Name: David De Gror

Race: Human

class: Ascendant

class division: Awakened, Type: [Vortex Adept]

Role: ???

LV: 50 [500/1000,000]

Skills: Eternal Gluttoney, Celestial Wheel, Wolf's grace, Heaven Whispering Plam, Sacred Essence Cultivation, Eyes of Veilborn Dissonance.

Aetenus: Blood Alpha, Draven The Fallen

HP: 1000 >> 1500/1500

MP: 200 >> 650/650

Stamina: 500 >> 700/700

Strength: 150 >> 500

Agility: 350 >> 700

Intelligence: 190 >> 650

charm: 100 >> 200

David leaned back, feeling a flicker of satisfaction as he reviewed his growth. His stats had improved significantly, but it still wasn't enough. He craved more power, the kind that didn't require relying on Luna, his weapon, or even the system itself. He needed to stand on his own, to be strong enough that nothing could shake him. His eyes wandered over his status window, finally landing on his newest acquisition—the skill he had devoured from Erexis.

[Skill: Eyes of Veilborn Dissonance]

[Description: Erexis, the Veilborn Devourer, opens its many eyes, each glowing with a sinister, hypnotic light that seeps into the minds of all who make direct eye contact. The gaze fractures reality around the victim, distorting their senses and making them experience overwhelming hallucinations. Each eye holds the power to manipulate thoughts and memories, bending the will of the victim with a single glance.]

David's lips curled into a slow, almost predatory smile as he read through the skill's description. The mere idea of being able to twist reality, shatter minds, and control others with just a look sent a thrill down his spine. This was no ordinary power—it was a weapon of pure manipulation, a tool that could break even the strongest of wills. The skill's potential was endless, and in David's hands, it would become something far more terrifying than Erexis could have ever made it.

"This is going to be fun," David whispered to himself, his voice a low murmur of anticipation that barely reached the quiet corners of his room. The thrill of his newfound power hummed through his veins, igniting a rush of exhilaration unlike anything he'd felt before. His pulse quickened, and a grin slowly crept across his face, the edges sharp with a mix of curiosity and hunger. The idea of bending reality and manipulating minds with just a glance made his heart pound in his chest, as if the very promise of it had awakened something dark and primal within him.