Chapter 19 Let the World Call her Hero

Liora stood in the shade of the castle wall, speaking softly to Aura. The girl was sweating more than usual, her steps uneven. Something was wrong.

Then Liora pulled a small, glass vial from her coat — a deep purple liquid glinting in the fading light.

"That vial again?"

Rein froze behind the corner.

"She’s been drinking those for months now. I thought maybe it was some advanced stamina potion or recovery blend, but…"

Aura uncorked the vial. Her face was pale. She didn’t hesitate. She drank it.

For a moment — silence.

Then she dropped. Aura fell to one knee, hand clutching her chest like something inside was tearing open. She gasped and coughed hard — blood splattered against the stone tiles. Her whole body trembled.

Rein’s heart hammered in his chest.

"What the hell is that potion doing to her?"

Liora knelt instantly, helping Aura to get up, whispering something too soft for Rein to hear.

"Why does she keep taking it? Why would she… what’s happening to her?"

He wanted to step out, to demand an explanation. But he stayed hidden.

Liora had left Aura resting against the stone bench beneath the ivy-covered wall. Her steps were swift, professional — as always — but Rein wasn’t letting her go this time. Rein followed her.

He turned the corner just in time to see Liora walking alone, hands folded behind her back in her usual composed manner.

“Liora! Wait.”

She slowed, then stopped. She didn’t turn to him immediately.

 “Ahhh, Prince Rein. What a surprise. Shouldn’t you be resting after training?” she said softly, still facing ahead.

“I saw it. Behind the yard. You gave her that vial again. She collapsed. Spat blood. Care to explain what is going on?!”

Liora finally turned, smiling — a gentle, fake expression, eyes closed as usual. 

“Ah… you saw that. Well. Not like it’s a secret. I can tell.”

“What was it?”

“The Hero’s Blessing Elixir. Aura was chosen. Officially. Quietly. The ceremony was held privately, by the King’s order. It hasn’t been announced yet.”

“She was chosen as the new Hero?”

“She is. Or, more precisely — she will be. Once her body finishes adapting to the blessing. She’s… not the perfect match, unfortunately. But it’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to—? She collapsed. She bled. She looked like she was dying!”

“And yet she got back up. Stronger than before, every time. You’ve seen it yourself, haven’t you? How she moves faster. Hits harder. How she pushes past every limit.”

 “So that’s why no one can keep up with her anymore.”

“Exactly. She’s outgrowing everyone. Even you. She chose this. She wants to be strong enough to protect people — like she protected you. The King gave her the chance. All I do is guide her.”

 “But the pain—”

“She accepted it,” Liora cut in, “She endures it without complaint. That’s what makes her a candidate worthy of the Hero title. So no, you don’t need to worry, Your Highness. She will be fine. She just… needs a little more time.”

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Next Day

Rein stood by the outer wall of the yard, arms crossed, leaning into the stone. Aura was in the center again — wooden blade in hand, sparring against ten knights at once. No… toying with them. Neither man lasted more than a minute. 

He watched, quietly.

"That’s the third match this morning. And she’s not even breaking a sweat. She was drinking it again this morning. The vial. The one Liora kept handing her."

 He hadn’t told anyone. Not even Aura. Not because he was afraid. But because she chose it.

"She knew what it would do to her. Knew the pain. The risks. And she drank it anyway. Over and over. Some people would probably call it cheating. A shortcut. A way to rig the system before the Hero selection even began. But what right I have to judge that? Not when I was born like this."  

A sudden memory flashed — he had always known things he shouldn't. Mastered techniques quicker. Learned spells faster than others. He had always been different — and deep down, he had always known why.

"I was isekai’d here. Born with gifts. From another world. A walking advantage. A cheat. So, who am I to call her out for wanting power the only way she can get it?"

He looked up again. Aura was now standing before the commander. Liora hovered at the edge, watching her training.

A few days passed like this. Every sparring match ended the same. Aura was no longer the strong girl from the village. She was now the strongest person in the entire kingdom. The gap between her and the rest was no longer something to close. It had become a chasm.

Then came the day. The New Hero celebration.

Banners were hung. Nobles gathered. The royal court filled with people.

And when her name was called, the entire throne room echoed with one voice — “The new Hero of the Kingdom: Aura of House Calden.”

She stood before the King, cloaked in white and silver. Her hair done up, a ceremonial sword strapped to her side. Rein stood behind the crowd, just outside the circle of light the chandeliers cast onto the polished floor.

He didn’t step forward. Didn’t cheer. Didn’t smile. Just watched.

And as everyone clapped, as the King raised his hands in approval, as nobles whispered and guards saluted, Rein spoke only to himself.

"She did it. She took every wound, every curse in those vials, and turned them into strength. She’s the Hero now. And me? I’m still chasing. Still standing behind her. Still wondering if I can ever catch up. But that’s fine. Let her shine. Let the world call her Hero. I’ll be the one in the shadow — the one who trains harder, watches closer, pushes past the pain, and someday... Someday I’ll be strong enough to fight beside her. Not because of a blessing. Not because I was born different. But because I chose it. Just like she did."