The roar echoed through the forest again.
This time it was closer.
Birds burst from the trees in panic, scattering into the sky.
Leon felt the ground tremble beneath his feet.
He swallowed nervously.
"That thing sounds huge."
Beside him, Aether continued walking calmly toward the sound.
"It is."
Leon hurried to catch up.
"You're way too relaxed about this."
Aether didn't respond.
After several minutes of moving through the forest, they reached a clearing.
The sight before them made Leon stop instantly.
At the center of the clearing stood a massive creature.
It resembled a bear.
But it was far larger than any normal animal.
Its dark fur looked like iron.
Its claws were longer than Leon's entire arm.
And its glowing yellow eyes radiated pure aggression.
Leon whispered,
"That's not a bear…"
"No."
Aether studied the creature calmly.
"It is an Ironclaw Beast."
Leon stared.
"That thing could crush a house."
"Yes."
Leon slowly turned to Aether.
"…You're not serious about me fighting that."
Aether looked directly at him.
"I am."
The Ironclaw Beast suddenly noticed them.
It lifted its massive head and sniffed the air.
Then its eyes locked onto Leon.
A low growl rumbled from its chest.
Leon's heart pounded.
"That thing is looking at me like I'm dinner."
"You are prey," Aether replied calmly.
Leon sighed.
"This training method is brutal."
Without warning, the Ironclaw Beast roared and charged forward.
The ground shook under its massive weight.
Leon's instincts screamed danger.
He jumped sideways just as the beast slammed into the ground where he had been standing.
The impact cracked the earth.
Leon stared in shock.
"That would've killed me instantly!"
Aether spoke from behind him.
"Correct."
Leon gritted his teeth.
"Very encouraging."
The beast swung its massive claw.
Leon ducked barely in time.
The claw tore through a nearby tree like paper.
Wood exploded everywhere.
Leon rolled across the ground and jumped back to his feet.
His breathing grew heavy.
This thing is way stronger than the wolf…
The Ironclaw Beast roared again and charged.
Leon raised his wooden sword.
But deep down he knew.
That won't work.
Just as the beast attacked again…
The strange sensation returned.
The world slowed.
Leon's eyes widened.
He could clearly see the beast's muscles moving.
The direction of its claws.
The path of its attack.
Without thinking, Leon moved.
He slid beneath the beast's swinging arm and struck its side.
CRACK.
The wooden sword bounced off its iron-like fur.
Leon jumped back immediately.
"That barely did anything!"
Aether watched silently.
Leon's perception ability had clearly activated again.
But the boy still lacked the power to damage stronger monsters.
Which meant…
He needed to push further.
The Ironclaw Beast roared in anger and slammed both claws into the ground.
The impact sent Leon flying backward.
He crashed into a tree and fell to one knee.
Pain shot through his body.
Leon struggled to stand.
"This thing is insane…"
The beast slowly approached him.
Each step shook the ground.
Leon looked around desperately.
Then he noticed something.
The monster's left shoulder had a deep scar.
An old wound…
Leon's eyes sharpened.
The beast lunged again.
But Leon was ready.
The moment his perception ability activated, he moved.
He dashed forward instead of retreating.
The beast's claw missed him completely.
Leon leapt onto a nearby rock and jumped toward the monster's shoulder.
Then he swung the wooden sword with everything he had.
CRACK.
The strike hit the old scar directly.
The beast roared in pain.
It stumbled backward violently.
Leon landed roughly on the ground.
He stared at the monster, breathing heavily.
For a moment…
Neither of them moved.
Then the Ironclaw Beast collapsed.
The ground shook when its massive body hit the earth.
Leon stood there in shock.
"I actually beat it…"
He slowly sat down.
"My body hurts everywhere."
Aether finally walked forward.
He looked down at the fallen monster.
"Good."
Leon looked up at him.
"That's all you're going to say?"
"You survived."
Leon sighed.
"I nearly died again."
"That will happen often."
Aether studied Leon carefully.
The boy's perception ability had activated twice during the battle.
Each time it lasted slightly longer.
Which meant the bloodline power was growing.
Leon looked up at him.
"So… what happens now?"
Aether answered calmly.
"We continue."
Leon groaned.
"Of course we do."
Far away in the Imperial Palace, the ancient founder of the empire opened his eyes once more.
Caelus Aurelion had felt the battle.
The awakening power inside Leon was becoming clearer.
The old ruler smiled faintly.
"Yes…"
"Your potential is greater than I expected."
Because if the forgotten prince continued growing like this…
The day might come when even the strongest members of the imperial family would look at him differently.
Back on the frontier, Leon stared at the enormous beast he had just defeated.
His training had only begun.
Yet already…
He was changing.
And somewhere deep within his bloodline…
A powerful ability continued to awaken.