Chapter—Shadows Behind the Spotlight
The sun was already leaning toward the west when the training finally ended.
Exhausted but satisfied, the members of Aurafiest left the guild training center together. Laughter echoed down the road as they talked about mistakes, small improvements, and big dreams. Luke walked slightly behind the group, his hands in his pockets, his expression calm—but his mind was anything but.
Auru peeked out from inside his bag, invisible to everyone else.
"That man…" Luke whispered under his breath as they walked. "The Aura Master of our country. Do you think he noticed me?"
Auru floated closer, her voice soft and steady. "If he had truly sensed you, he would have reacted. At least a glance, a pause—something."
Luke frowned. "But it still feels strange. Someone like him… there's no way he doesn't have an aura creature."
"I sensed none around him," Auru replied. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Some Aura Masters do not always stay connected to their aura creature. Especially those with long combat experience."
Luke slowed his steps slightly. "So he might be hiding it… just like me."
"Possible," Auru said. "His aura control is extremely refined. That level usually comes from years of discipline. Martial arts, perhaps."
Luke remembered Marin mentioning his background.
Martial arts… that explains a lot.
Still, the thought bothered him. A man that powerful, that knowledgeable—yet calm enough to walk away without suspicion. Luke felt an odd chill.
Before he realized it, they had reached the familiar streets near his home.
"I'll head off here," Luke said to the others.
"See you at school!" Marin waved.
"Don't slack off!" Chika added.
Luke smiled faintly and turned toward his apartment.
As he walked, his thoughts returned to that man.
What name marin said ...
Kaizen Ryuga —
Yah ,a name that meant "forged through discipline" and "dragon of refinement."
Yes… that was his name.
Luke reached home just as the sky turned orange.
Inside the living room, the television was on as usual. His father sat on the sofa, eyes fixed on the screen, watching the news with serious focus.
On the screen—
Kaizen Ryuga.
The same man from the training ground.
Luke froze for half a second.
"…Guilds are forming rapidly across the country," the anchor's voice said. "Some have already reached Rank A and Rank B. What are your thoughts on this, Mr. Ryuga?"
Ryuga answered calmly, his posture straight. "This is not limited to our country. Worldwide, guilds are rising. Soon, we may witness the birth of the first S-Rank guild."
Luke's father let out a low whistle. "S-Rank already, huh…"
Ryuga continued, "If multiple outstanding guilds emerge, the system may even recognize an SS-Rank—reserved for exceptional groups that change the balance."
Luke's mother entered the room just then. "Luke, you're home."
Luke nodded. "Yeah. Training took longer today."
His father turned toward him. "How was it?"
"It went fine," Luke replied. "Our guild got officially registered. E-Rank start."
His father's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
"That's great!" his mother smiled.
Luke added, "The Aura Master from the interview… he actually came to our training ground."
Both his parents looked stunned.
"You met him in person?" his father asked.
Luke nodded.
For a moment, pride filled the room.
On the TV, the anchor asked another question.
"Mr. Ryuga, have all Aura Masters been identified?"
Luke's heartbeat slowed… then suddenly spiked.
"We have identified most," Ryuga replied. "However, some chose to keep their identities private, and we respected that."
Luke swallowed.
"And the world-unique Aura Master?" the anchor pressed.
The room felt too quiet.
"We have not identified him yet," Ryuga said. "But we have a clue."
Luke's heart began pounding loudly in his ears.
"Whoever it is," Ryuga continued, "they clearly understand the nature of Aura Masters. Recently, system-issued aura gloves were taken from an official store. No damage. No violence. Only payment left behind."
Luke's fingers twitched unconsciously.
"This suggests intelligence," Ryuga said calmly. "And intent to remain hidden. We will find him eventually."
Luke's parents began talking excitedly.
"Who could that be?" his mother wondered.
"Must be someone incredible," his father said. "Living between among us, maybe."
Luke stood right in front of them.
Tension wrapped tightly around his chest.
But mixed within it—relief.
He doesn't recognize me.
Not yet.
"I'm going to rest," Luke said quietly. "Training was tiring."
His parents nodded, unaware of the storm inside him.
Luke entered his room and closed the door.
Auru emerged from his bag, floating gently.
"…That was close," Luke muttered.
"Yes," Auru agreed. "But also proof. He does not know who you are."
Luke sat on his bed, staring at the floor. "Why me, Auru? There are so many people better than me. Stronger. More deserving."
Auru floated closer, her expression warm. "You are living normally, Luke. Just with awareness. Perhaps the system chose you because you would protect balance—not seek glory."
Luke exhaled slowly.
"…Maybe."
That night, Luke ate dinner quietly, exchanged normal words, and went to bed like any other student.
But deep inside, he accepted the truth.
This life—
A hidden power.
A hidden name.
A hidden future.
And he would live it carefully.
For now.
End of chapter.