Fortress Quarters, Morning

Sunlight filtered through the fortress windows, casting long, steady beams across Aiden's quarters. He sat quietly, flipping through his status screen, something he hadn't had time for in a while. Amid the fortress's numerous challenges and recent battles, his own progression had taken a back seat.

Aiden's eyes widened in mild surprise. Level 12. 

Aiden: (surprised) "Wow, I didn't realise I'd levelled up this much! With everything going on, I guess I haven't checked my system screen in a while.Let's see then.."

While his other attributes were growing steadily, his strength and stamina lagged behind. Both stats were crucial to survival but weren't prioritised by his Base Keeper class, which focused more on Intelligence, leadership and resource management. But if he was going to face more threats, especially in close combat, he'd need to improve them.

Aiden: (seriously) "I need to hurry. Once I reach level 15 and can materialise Aura, it'll set the course for how far I can go in the future—if I don't boost my stats by then..."

Aiden leaned back, pondering on a new goal.He would focus on increasing his strength and stamina before aiming for Level 15.

In Chrono-Realm, Aura is an ancient life-giving force that is the essence of magic and life itself. For warriors, Aura is woven into their very being, enhancing their physical capabilities. Warriors create an Aura Heart, a powerful core within them that acts as a reservoir for mana, constantly generating and circulating energy through their bodies. Mages, on the other hand, approach Aura as a source to be shaped and wielded externally rather than internally. Instead of an Aura Heart, a mage develops Aura Rings—concentric circles of aura formed within their body, usually around their core or hands, where aura is gathered, stored, and refined.

Aiden prepared to set out on a jog toward the training grounds, hoping to build his stamina bit by bit—an area his class didn't typically prioritise. Just as he was about to begin, he noticed a figure by the entrance to the command room: Muinin, one of the younger soldiers.

"Muinin!" Aiden called out, gesturing for him to join. Muinin met Aiden's gaze with a spirited salute, his eyes gleaming with respect and enthusiasm. His youthful features were sharpened by a recent battle experience, but there was a lightness to his expression—one that still held an admiration for Aiden's leadership.

"Lord Aiden," Muinin said, his voice bright, "I'm here to guide you if you need anything, sir."

Aiden nodded. "Muinin, good to see you. I need to check in on the recruitment process and discuss it with Marius. Lead the way."

"Oh, and let's jog there too, alright?"

As they jogged, Muinin kept a steady, respectful pace beside him. He clearly held Aiden in high regard, and his energy was palpable, a reminder of the loyalty Aiden's recent actions had earned among the fortress soldiers.

"Huff... Huff... I-I... am going to die!" Aiden gasped, stumbling as he reached the training grounds. It had only been a ten-minute jog, yet his lungs burned, and he felt as though every breath was a battle. He remembered his one and only time participating in a marathon when he was 15 years old but wasn't even able to complete it half. "I should have taken care of my physical health!" Aiden thought in regret. 

Muinin glanced over, eyebrows knitted with concern. "Are you alright, my Lord?"

Aiden waved him off, forcing a grin through his exhaustion. "Y-yeah, just... a bit out of shape."

Soldier: (shouting) "Don't look away!!! Read the direction of the blade!"

Before Muinin could respond, a sudden roar of voices echoed through the air—the shouts of soldiers deep in training, their energy and drive filling the grounds with a steady rhythm of discipline and strength.

Training Grounds

The clang of metal rang through the air as soldiers trained in a large, open field. Aiden scanned the scene, watching as his troops practised formations and honed their weapon skills. His gaze shifted to Marius, who was observing the recruits, but just as Aiden started to approach, a sharp voice from behind broke the rhythm of the training.

"Who goes there? If you have no business here please leave. Soldiers are bothered by your gaze and can't train properly " came a drawling, sarcastic tone.

Aiden turned slowly, finding himself face-to-face with Vice Commander Conan. Conan's expression was twisted into an arrogant smirk, his stance laced with an air of superiority that was hard to ignore.

Muinin: "Sir this is lord Aiden."

Conan: (sarcastically) "Ah~ so it was Lord Aiden! I thought you were some rat bastard sneaking around and watching." his face broke into a sly grin, though a glint of mischief lingered in his eyes. He gave Aiden a mock salute, clearly unfazed by his earlier accusation, as if daring him to respond.

Aiden's gaze remained calm.

"Huh, what the hell is this now?" He was clearly annoyed.

Conan was taken aback by Aiden's reply, momentarily thrown off balance. He remembered Aiden as a timid, gloomy kid who used to avoid even the slightest confrontation. But now, there was something different—an unexpected edge in his tone, a quiet confidence Conan hadn't seen before. It was as if he were looking at a stranger in the familiar face of the boy he once knew.

Aiden: "Vice-Commander Conan, Let me ask you something….. What is your duty?" he approached Conan with bloodshot eyes.

"Vice Commander, what happened?" Two soldiers approached, eyes darting between him and the newcomer.

One of them squinted. "Huh? Isn't that the base keeper? What the hell is he doing here?"

The Vice Commander's lips curled into a smug grin. "Yeah, just the base keeper," he sneered. "Even the villagers looked down on him until yesterday, and now he thinks he belongs here?" The thought lingered in his mind, clearly amused at the idea of the base keeper stepping out of his place. The soldiers exchanged looks, barely hiding their own smirks, feeding off their superior's condescension.

Conan: "Hmph.. As you can see , We're in the middle of training, so I can't answer you. Keeper, go continue your task."

Muinin: (hesitant) "M-My Lord let's jus–"

Aiden cut him off, his voice firm "Vice-Commander Conan, I am asking you a question. Tell me what your duty is." Aiden demanded furiously.

Conan: "... To strengthen the fortress and to protect my Lord and the inhabitants." His voice wavered as he tried to form a response.

Aiden: "That's right. Strengthen and protect. But you're…." As he spoke, he removed his glove and flung it at Conan's face "A failure at both of the duties you just mentioned."

A clear challenge for duel.

 End of Episode 12