sing some of them to enhance our physical strength and agility. It was exhilarating; it felt as if an entirely new world had opened up before us. We had also

nes and enhances the user's ability to sense and int

" I suggested to Jinvolo, f

he replied

alo gave him access to an arsenal of ancient objects and spells, some even forbidden. T

ion. Flora stood off to the side, her eyes alight with excitement as she watched us prepare. I co

oice steady, "This is just practice. Focus

umming beneath my skin, ready to be unleashed. I clenched my fists, gathering my strength, and

etween us, its surface rippling like water. I slammed into it with all my might, feeling the resistance pu

zed the barrier weakening, the light dissipating like mist in the wind. Slowly, I could feel the resistance l

d, but I could see the concentration o

eact, dodging to the side just as the energy blast whizzed past me, sizzling through the air. I knew I coul

unity, closing the distance between us in a flash. I aimed a swift punch at his mids

a hint of amusement in his voice. "But yo

e fight spurring me on. "Oh

f our auras. Each move we made was a test of skill and strategy, a dance of power and precision. I could feel my

nes; her excitement palpable.

los, Flora and I were on the path to becoming even stronger. And with Lohto still out there, we would need ever

y heart raced as I tried to anticipate his next move, but Jinvolo was an expert in unpredictabi

ght around my fists blurred as I swung, aiming to break through his defenses. Jinvolo parried most of my strikes, usi

whip of pure energy from his Arcane Halo, lashing it toward me. I barely had time to reac

me. I willed the energy whip to unravel, its strands of magic dispersing into the air.

er at this," he said, his voice cal

I wasn't about to give up. I summoned a wave of light, sending it crashing toward Jinvolo

d, refusing to let Jinvolo regain his footing. I channeled my halo's power, launching a flurry of ethereal orbs at

nder my breath, feelin

emed to grow heavy with a dark, foreboding energy. I watched as a complex

. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck st

r with each word. "This is a forbidden spell," he said, his voice echoing with a strange resonance. "Something I lea

The ground beneath him darkened, shadows pooling at his feet like ink. I could f

t made of pure darkness. Its eyes glowed with an unholy light, its scales shimmering with an u

speed that defied its size. I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws

rpent crashed into the barrier, its form distorting and writhing against the blinding radi

different level of magic. Forbidden spells aren't just about power-they're about

s assault. I could feel my strength waning, my energy reserves d

searching for a weakness, a flaw in its form. But it was too strong, too overwh

uggle. "You've done well, Nova," he said, his voice c

energy swirling back into the ground beneath him. I collapsed to

face etched with concer

reath. "Yeah... I'm fine," I said, though m

Nova. You've got a lot of potential. With more training,

but feel a sense of pride. I had held my own against Jinvolo, even if only for a whil

r of forbidden spells was terrifying, but it was also a reminder of how much more there was to learn. I

ions. It wasn't just about refining our energy control or learning new spells; he also had us focus on raw physical strength and enduranc

ime getting us started. He had constructed a series of makeshift weights using fragments of broken asteroids and other celest

toward the largest of the weights. "I want you to press

oned the power of my Ethereal Halo, letting its energy flow through my muscles. With a grunt, I lifted the weight, my arms straini

each lift a little easier. By the time I reached the tenth rep, my arms were burning, but I felt a ru

a hint of approval in his v

ugh to be challenging. She had been working hard over the past few days, and I could see the improvement in her stren

through the lifts. I could see the strain on her face, but she didn't falter. She completed her

approvingly. "You're both getting strong

ush our limits. He had us practice creating complex spell formations, manipulating energy flows, and casting spe

eling exercise. "I want you to create a barrier using your Ethereal H

lo. I felt the familiar surge of power as it flowed through me, coalescing around my hands in a shim

centration. "Good. Now, I'm going to attack. I want

rcane power. They struck our barriers with a force that sent shockwaves through the

arms as I fought to keep the barrier intact, my muscles trembling with the effort. Beside me, Flora was

olo shouted over the roar

er, the energy wavering under the impact. I grit my teeth, pushing harder, willi

ce steady despite the strain. "We j

through me, its energy bolstering my strength. I pushed harder, reinforcing the shield, and felt Flo

odding approvingly. "Excellent work, both of you. You're getting stro

was a sense of accomplishment in the air. I could feel the improvement in our strengt

ing his hands. "We'll continue in an hour. Y

ng from the intense training, but it was a good kind of pain. It

, seeing the determination in her eyes. "We're getting better," I

ssing her lips. "Yeah, we will.

and a reassuring squeeze. "

but feel a renewed sense of hope. With each day, with e

said to Flora. "W

ck the pocket dime

tions. I pulled out a few dishes, settling on some hearty vegetable stew and a side of quinoa. I avoided the meat. Even though I was of vampire lineage, the taste of bloo

curious look on his face. He studied me for

I wasn't sure if you were truly their son, but after seeing who your sister was, my suspicions were confirmed. If you really are th

leading, but Jinvolo's serious tone compelled me

r of recognition and something like fear in them

ked, sensing the gra

ly their son-the son of the almighty King and Queen of Vampires. Essentially, you're royalty, Nova. Your parents are gods among

I never fully grasped the magnitude of what that meant. "So, what does t

tap into. You're stronger and faster than most, but there's so much more you could learn-skills

her expression a mix of awe and c

as different, but this revelation brought a new level of responsibility. If I was truly the

uncertainty with a determined tone. "I

our skills-physical, magical, and vampiric. You have a lot to learn, Nova, and not mu

her eyes. "Whatever it takes, we're in this toget

s like these, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. And with their h