The old man watched him go with a proud smile and then turned to the captain of the manor guards. "Richard, your thoughts".

Richard the only one amongst the three yet to speak stepped forward at the sound of his lord's voice. He was a large man. Far larger than the other two at seven feet and blessed with thick corded muscles. He was also dressed in dark leather and shiny steel. Massive steel gauntlets covered his forearms, large steel sabatons and greaves for his legs along with a breastplate made his identity as an elite warrior too easy to guess. There was clearly good reason for him to be the captain of the guards.

Scars could be seen at his jaw leading down into his vest and there were surely more beneath his clothes. A calm man, he spoke in a low tone at a measured pace and walked with a slight limp.

"I checked, magistrate. Valerian really has begun bone transformation. It is obvious that he has no idea of it but his body is readily absorbing world essence on its own. The whole thing is strange. All the evidence suggests that he is practising some sort of cultivation method but if he was or even if he came into contact with one we would know. In fact, the young master's knowledge is uncharacteristically sparse when it comes to martial arts and cultivation in general".

He paused with a slight frown on his face as if annoyed at having to say so much in one go but continued nonetheless. "I honestly cannot figure out how this came about. There is no way he could have started cultivating without a method, technique, knowledge or teacher but he has none of these".

"If it were anyone else or another circumstance I would stand by the opinion that the person knew or obtained a cultivation method somehow but this... There is just no way. We would surely know if that were the case. I confess to being confused and unable to help in this matter" he concluded.

The magistrate nodded slightly as each point was made and when Richard was done he turned to Avery. The sword-carrying minder did not need the question to be voiced. He merely shrugged helplessly.

"I am afraid that I too am useless in this regard. The reason it took me so long to come to you was to make sure that what I was seeing was really happening. Even after watching for many days I am still not able to understand anything concerning how the young master is cultivating".

The magistrate hummed thoughtfully and stroked his beard. The other two men looked at each other. Their master was always like this. His actions made it clear that he had some idea as to what was happening but had to do this first. Richard looked at Avery and motioned with his head leading him to sigh mentally and take this one.

"Could it be that you know something about this magistrate?"

The old magistrate paused his actions for a brief moment before continuing with the beard stroking. "I'm not sure whether I should say. It is just a theory. One that cannot be truly confirmed. At least not yet anyway".

Knowing that he would end here if not given further prompts Avery spoke up again. "I'm sure master's theory is probably right. You have read wide, studied much and experienced a lot there's no way such a thing would elude you. Please enlighten us".

Valan paused again gaining a slight, faraway look as if considering it and then answered. "Valerian knows no cultivating method. This we know to be true and yet he has somehow entered the initial phase of the bone transformation stage. This I have confirmed. So either what we know is wrong or he is somehow cultivating without cultivating. The truth is simple. He has a special body.

"It is instinctively strengthening itself using world essence. Luckily such a situation is not wholly unheard of though to my knowledge, this is the first instance of it happening in DaleGuard. There is only one thing that can create such a special physique and that is a high-tier legacy".

"A high-tier legacy..." Avery mumbled before realisation dawned on him. "Could this be related to his mother?"

"Without a doubt", the magistrate stated resolutely. "Our clan's legacies have no such power or ability so it is definitely hers. Sadly with her and my son missing, there is no way to truly confirm this until it manifests itself. Right now we have to focus on the fact that Valerian is evidently innately gifted at cultivation".

The two men nodded, clearly understanding the wisdom in doing what was possible and focusing on what was near. They couldn't help but wonder how powerful such a legacy would be. However these thoughts were dispelled by the glare their master shot them.

"It goes without saying that no one, absolutely no one, even the family is to know about Valerian having a high-tiered legacy or that his body is self-cultivating" he made clear.

The two men quickly nodded.

"Good! Richard, tomorrow arrange for your brother to come to the manor. We will need an array master to properly check out Valerian and aid in planning his training. Avery, you begin making preparations, essence crystals and equipment. Whatever you think is necessary. I will inform my wife of what is happening and make some arrangements of my own".

With that he turned around and began to walk out of the courtyard. Richard and Avery looked at each other, fully aware that their jobs, Avery's especially were about to get a lot harder. It would be worth it though with Valerian's obvious intelligence, paternal lineage and now this maternal clan legacy, he was sure to become an outstanding cultivator in the future.

"Also", came the voice of the magistrate. "Avery, you need to work on your flattery. It is bland, and completely blatant. Your delivery is quite poor and forced as well. It needs work." With that said he disappeared into the manor.