Extra: Yandere Milfs Obsessed with me!-Chapter 43: Becoming a Warrior

In this world, two main paths allow individuals to wield forces beyond understanding: that of the warrior and that of the mage. A warrior’s progression always begins with long physical training, supplemented by strengthening potions designed to push the body beyond its natural limits.

When this training is sufficiently advanced, the aura awakens, revealing the ability to project this energy or envelop it around one’s body or weapons.

Beastkins achieve this awakening more easily than humans thanks to their innate constitution. A warrior’s evaluation is based on their endurance and the degree of mastery over their aura; the more precisely they control this energy, the higher they progress in the ranks from F- to S+.

Mages from the first circle to the ninth follow an entirely different path. Their power originates from meditation and the absorption of mana, either from the ambient air or from mana stones. When mana condenses in their core and forms the first mana circle, the individual becomes a first-circle mage.

The elves of Yggdrasil cross this stage more easily than humans. Among humans, generally only nobles have the necessary potential to create mana circles, as everything depends on their absorption capacity.

This talent is measured by the amount of mana an individual can extract from a stone in one go...

The higher the circle, the more mana the mage can manipulate and create complex spells. Mages first learn a few fundamental spells, but they can only become powerful by forging their own spells. Their destructive capacity surpasses that of warriors, but their body remains fragile: a seventh-circle mage only reaches a physique comparable to that of a D-rank warrior.

***

Two weeks passed quickly. The days followed one another without him really noticing. Since the funeral, Kaiser had returned to his precise rhythm. He woke up early, had a full breakfast, briefly reviewed family affairs, then went almost immediately to the training courtyard.

It had become a habit. Kethra was waiting for him most of the time, standing motionless, with that cold calm that belonged to her.

That day, Kaiser arrived before her. He observed the flat surface of the ground, the old traces left by previous fights, and raised his eyes to the gray sky. The air was cool. He felt his muscles slightly tense, proof that his body had grown accustomed to constant effort.

The strengthening potions he was consuming were also starting to produce visible effects. His movements were smoother.

"Even being mediocre, I’ve still improved."

Kethra arrived a few minutes later. She wore the same dark, light, practical outfit. With a severe expression, she greeted him with a simple nod. He responded in the same way. No words were necessary.

They each took a training weapon. Kaiser chose a reinforced wooden sword. Kethra did the same. They positioned themselves in the center of the courtyard.

Kethra spoke first.

"You seem in good shape."

Kaiser nodded.

"I’ve followed your advice, and I’m here thanks to your training."

She observed his posture without commenting. She took a long breath and then assumed a guard stance.

"Well, let’s see what you’re worth today."

Kethra brought her sword down toward his shoulder, a first testing blow meant to check Kaiser’s reflexes. He raised his blade and parried without difficulty.

The clash echoed in the courtyard, sharp and clean. Kethra did not chain immediately. She waited, curious. Kaiser advanced a step, attempted a targeted strike toward her hip. She dodged by pivoting her torso. Kaiser followed the movement, anticipated a counterattack, and stepped back just before she tried to hit his flank.

He was dodging better than before. His reactions were faster. He was no longer content with just enduring.

Kethra observed him, slightly attentive.

"You have indeed progressed a lot."

That was all she said, but her tone was not the same as usual. There was no longer that impression that she was amusing herself. She was starting to take him more seriously.

Kaiser felt a discreet satisfaction rise within him. He showed nothing and resumed the exchange. The wooden blades struck, slid, ricocheted. Kaiser feinted several times, testing Kethra’s attention. At times, his feints were so sharp that she reacted genuinely, which had never happened before.

Once, when he feinted a vertical strike to then attempt a lateral one, Kethra really had to pivot to parry his attack. Her face remained calm, but Kaiser noticed that her eyes were a bit more focused than usual.

"You’re forcing me to stay vigilant," she said.

"I’ll take that as a compliment, but anyway, I can’t even force you to use your aura," he replied.

"Patience, Kaiser. For a novice, it’s pretty good."

Kaiser moved quickly, taking advantage of his new endurance. He took small steps, conserved his energy, and maintained an effective distance. His attacks were not powerful, but they were placed with precision. And he managed to chain them without tiring too quickly.

"Is it true, then, what average level should a guy my age have?"

Kethra, for her part, remained an experienced fighter. She anticipated most of his movements. Yet, Kaiser began to surprise her. Once, he leaped slightly to the side, used the momentum to strike diagonally. Kethra raised her weapon at the last moment. The wood produced a sharp crack. Kethra stepped back.

Kaiser noticed it immediately. His heart raced. He had28 had really made her step back.

She fixed her gaze on him, serious.

"A fifteen-year-old kid? I’d say an E+ warrior. Your body is sturdier, and your footing has become much better."

"I hope the awakening isn’t too far... Because the real geniuses are probably already C+ rank warriors, even B-" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’In reality, even the protagonist Kris was only slightly above average; the most talented duke’s son was rather his childhood friend, Hugo Frostvine, whose talent was only inferior to the legendary families.’

Kethra launched a sudden, quick strike. Kaiser parried, but the impact made his forearm vibrate. She continued chaining, wanting to check how far he could follow. Kaiser stayed focused. He dodged, bent, pivoted. Once, he even passed under her arm before attempting a strike toward her ribs. She stopped it with her elbow then pushed his sword away with a firm gesture. Kaiser slid a few steps back but stayed on his feet.

His breathing was heavier, but not chaotic. He was in control of his rhythm.

"You’ll know when it happens; don’t worry," she said.

Kaiser gave a slight smile.

She attacked with a series of precise and quick movements. Kaiser parried some, dodged others. His reflexes were sharper. He moved with more assurance. He almost felt Kethra’s intentions, not because he was reading her mind, but because his body was adapting better to the pressure of combat.

At one point, she made a movement she had never used against him before. A rotating strike that combined speed and precision. Kaiser stepped back instinctively, without thinking. The blow passed in front of his face. Kethra seemed satisfied.

The fight intensified further, each exchange faster and more precise than the previous. The steps clapped clearly on the cold stone floor.

Kaiser felt a diffuse burn run through his shoulders and arms, but he held on, concentrating his breathing. He launched a few counterattacks, seeking an opening. At one point, he attempted an arm grab to unbalance his opponent, but Kethra anticipated the movement; with a firm and seemingly effortless push, she repelled him to a distance. They separated with a synchronized step, resuming a cautious guard, a few meters between them.

Kethra leaped again, her weapon describing a quick arc. This time, however, Kaiser planted his feet firmly and blocked the blow with a sharp and clean clash. He did not waver, did not step back an inch. Their blades remained crossed between them, immobilized in perfect balance. A suspended silence settled, broken only by their regular breathing.

"Hmm?" she noted, her voice neutral but clear.

He did not respond with words. His eyes gleaming slightly.

Kethra disengaged with a wrist twist, but the movement seemed less easy than before, but Kaiser pivoted instinctively and launched a kick to her abdomen.

She managed to block it but her feet slid a few meters back.

"Interesting..."

A few seconds later, she lowered her weapon and ceased all offensive movement.

"What do you mean?"

Kaiser, for his part, was lightly massaging his forearm to relax his muscles. He felt an unusual warmth run from his ribcage to his shoulders. His body was getting hotter and hotter with protruding veins.

"Strangely, I suddenly feel in great shape. It must be the adrenaline."

"I don’t think so; let me check something."

Kaiser stopped, not understanding. Kethra advanced toward him with a firm step. Her gaze scrutinized every detail, every movement, every vibration around her student. Kaiser did not know what she was looking for, but he felt that something was different. His blood was pulsing harder with muscle spasms.

Kethra stopped two steps from him.

"You have... just awakened your aura."