A Will Sovereign Chapter 12: Chapter 12—Six Great Academies.

Read chapter 12 of A Will Sovereign by Sloche on NovelPedia.

The training grounds remained silent long after the duel ended. No one spoke. No one even moved immediately. The image of the floating longsword behind Darian's neck remained deeply engraved within everyone's minds. Especially the practitioners. Because unlike ordinary spectators— they understood exactly how terrifying that final exchange truly was. Darian was not weak. Far from it. He was a genuine second-step Martial Pathway practitioner with years of combat experience. Yet throughout the entire duel— Soldret had completely controlled the rhythm of the fight. Without even using a weapon. Eventually— Darian slowly lowered his head. "I lost." His voice remained calm. No frustration. No unwillingness. Only honesty. Because he clearly understood that if this had been a true life-and-death battle— he would already be dead. Soldret calmly looked toward him before speaking. "You are undeniably strong. That much I can attest to." "But…" "You relied too heavily on your instincts." Darian frowned slightly. Soldret continued calmly. "Instincts are useful." "But if your instincts become your only answer during combat…" "…then your opponent merely needs to manipulate your senses." "To play you like a puppeteer." The surrounding practitioners quietly listened. Even some instructors narrowed their eyes thoughtfully. Soldret slowly looked around the training grounds. "The moment you lost confidence in your own perception…" "…the battle was already over." Silence followed once more. Eventually— Soldret quietly exhaled. The duel had consumed more focus than he initially expected. His stomach suddenly reminded him he had not eaten since morning. So he calmly broke the silence himself. "I'll head for breakfast first." Only then did the heavy atmosphere around the training grounds gradually loosen slightly. Several practitioners finally began whispering amongst themselves once more while Darian remained standing silently near the center platform. Meanwhile— Caelon quietly observed Soldret's departing figure. His eyes slowly narrowed. Because even he had not expected Soldret's control over the Will Pathway to become this refined so quickly. And more importantly— Soldret had still been holding back. That much Caelon could clearly tell. --- By the time Soldret arrived at the dining hall— the atmosphere inside the estate had mostly returned to normal. Sunlight poured through the enormous crystal windows while servants quietly moved throughout the luxurious hall carrying dishes and tea. Seraphina had already finished breakfast. She was currently discussing household matters with several attendants while reviewing documents projected from a small Astra-guiding device floating beside her. Meanwhile— Lyanna was nowhere in sight. One of the servants quietly informed him, "Young Miss is currently in the eastern gardens, Young Master." "…Playing with Miss Linley." Lyanna had named the Emberfox Linley not long after their departure from Vareth. Soldret could already imagine the scene. The little Emberfox had probably caused chaos somewhere again. A faint smile unconsciously appeared on his face before quickly fading. After eating quietly— Soldret eventually left the dining hall and returned toward the inner sections of the estate. The servants respectfully bowed as he passed through the corridors. Unlike yesterday— his mind now felt considerably clearer. The duel with Darian had allowed him to properly understand the current extent of his physical strength and Will Pathway control. But more importantly— it made him realize something else. He was already standing at the threshold of Essence Refining. And with the perception granted by the Will Pathway— his progress would likely be far smoother than ordinary practitioners. Eventually— Soldret arrived at one of the private cultivation rooms located deeper within the Del Ray estate. The room itself was circular and quiet. Several essence circulation arrays glowed faintly beneath the metallic floor while soft st