《Boundless Cultivation - [Isekai Progression Fantasy with Light LitRPG Elements]》 Chapter 1 - The Luminous One Alaric was exhilarated. Today was the day he would finally attempt to bloom his crown chakra. The 7th chakra - Sahasrara - was the seat of divinity. Once you succeeded in fully unfolding all the petals of the crown chakra, you could merge with true divinity itself. However, in all his years as a chakra cultivator, he had not managed to unfurl a single petal of the 7th chakra. After years of preparation - consuming the appropriate elixirs, performing the proper karmic actions, and synchronizing his subtle body with the cosmic energies of the world - he believed today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to overcome this hurdle. In a cave high above the ¡®Titan Peaks¡¯ - his personal cultivation chamber where a significant number of the ley lines converged - Alaric positioned himself in the lotus position, eyes closed, his hands resting gently on his laps. His pristine cultivation robe - a mix of purple and black - billowed like a sail that caught the wind, as he directed his Qi. With unbroken concentration, he visualized all the seven chakras of his subtle body - Muladhara (Root Chakra), Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra), Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra), Anahata (Heart Chakra), Visuddha (Throat Chakra), Ajna (Third Eye chakra), and Sahasrara (Crown Chakra). His first six chakras were in full bloom and pulsed gently to the rhythm of his heartbeat. The final chakra still remained in the bud form but he was ready to change that today. With a deep breath, Alaric cycled the Qi through his body, filtering it through the first 6 chakras and refining it to convert it into cosmic energy. It took over an hour to perform the purification ritual and stabilize the cosmic energy, which was now personalized to his own vessel. With an effort of will, he contained the volatile energy - which demanded to be released - into his 7th chakra. Every beat of his heart amplified force, and he commanded it to open the final chakra. It was working. A burning sensation radiated from the crown of his head and rippled through his whole body. He felt his heart pounding wildly. A sheen of perspiration coated his whole body, but he was lost in the process with no sense of time. Hours went by, testing his willpower to the limits, but he retained control of the potent volatile energy. His danger sense alerted him to the arrival of a person deep below the cave. Even with his eyes closed, his ¡®True Vision¡¯ ability allowed him to see through every obstacle in his vicinity for miles in any direction. Everybody had been strictly notified to not disturb him during this special ascension ritual. After all, it took him his whole lifetime to prepare for this, and another opportunity might never arise. So, he knew something was wrong when the leader of the ¡®Iron Mountain¡¯ sect came limping to his cultivation chamber, a hand clutching at his bleeding chest, the other one severed from the elbow. The leader of the ¡®Iron Mountain¡¯ sect, Jiang, being one of the few Immortal-grade cultivators in the world, was the strongest cultivator in this country. Whatever calamity had befallen him that left him this gravely wounded could not be taken lightly. A few seconds later, Jiang forced himself into the cultivation chamber, collapsing to his knees with his head pressed to the ground for breaking protocol and disobedience. ¡°Your Grace,¡± he exclaimed with passion, ¡°forgive the intrusion but we need your help...¡± He hacked up a mouthful of blood before choking and fell forward unconscious. For a moment, a sliver of anger and irritation flickered in Alaric¡¯s mind before he squashed it with his force of will. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. He was so close to walking the steps of divinity but it would take him several hours or perhaps, even days to bloom his crown chakra. If he gave up this opportunity now, Alaric doubted he would ever be able to harness such a powerful cosmic alignment and resources for his advancement again. A smile spread across his face. So be it. Such is the nature of fate. I will never abandon my followers and build my power by spilling the blood of innocents. Ever since the monster horde¡¯s onslaught on his village 17 years ago where he lost his family, he yearned to become stronger. It was due to a kindhearted cultivator that he and the other children in the village survived. For that, he was eternally grateful. All those years ago, in the midst of pain and anguish, he vowed to become strong to protect the weak - to never experience the same despair again. It was his whole reason for becoming a cultivator in the first place. And now, his people needed his strength. He would seize or forge another opportunity to progress. Alaric snapped open his eyes. With a grunt, he redirected the energy enveloping the 7th chakra center to the energy channels of his body. He pointed a finger towards Jiang and unleashed a healing spell. A translucent green glow surged into Jiang¡¯s body. The injury to his chest healed rapidly, and his severed elbow regrew at a visible rate. Within a few minutes, Jiang regained his vitality and consciousness. When Jiang refocused his attention on Alaric, he averted his eyes, a look of shame crossing his face. He struggled to rise and bow again but Alaric stopped him. ¡°No need for formality. Which region?¡± Alaric prepared a teleportation spell while waiting for Jiang to recount his story. Apparently, an Elder Dragon soared over the Northern Capital of Ennora, wreaking havoc in its path. Currently, all the capital city sects were battling the Elder Dragon, striving to minimize the devastation, while other sect members scrambled to aid city dwellers in evacuating the region. Unfortunately, even with the combined efforts of all the powerful capital city sects, they were failing to subdue an Elder Dragon. The ¡°Iron Mountain¡± sect along with the ¡®Golden River¡¯ sect - two of the strongest sects in the country that had initially offered support - suffered the most damage and were almost shattered. But that was not the most alarming part. Alaric had vanquished many Elder Dragons in the past, and he would do so again. However, an Elder Dragon never abandoned its territory or attacked ¡°puny¡± human civilization unless it was provoked or it was fleeing from an even stronger enemy. A shimmering blue portal materialized in front of Alaric. He seized Jiang and dove into it. A split second later, both of them emerged at the Northern Capital. The stench of blood, smoke, and decay assaulted Alaric¡¯s nose. Screams and deep, reverberating explosions echoed in the air. The once beautiful capital city was now marred with violence and death. From his vantage point a few hundred feet above the capital city, he observed thousands of wrecked houses alongside an equal number of corpses. Flames ravaged a section of the city, with thick tendrils of smoke clouding visibility. Alaric had witnessed massacres by demon armies and monster hordes but usually, they were committed during times of war. To slaughter innocents was unforgivable. He expanded his perception and ¡®True Vision¡¯ to the limits and locked on to the large black dragon engaged with numerous cultivators in combat. A second later, he teleported next to the dragon and smacked it in the snout with an ¡®Empowered Fist¡¯. The neck of the Elder Dragon whipped back from the force of the impact. Its massive body hurtled through the air and crashed into a mountain peak with a tremendous boom. A massive dust cloud and a cascade of dirt obscured the whole mountain, causing the ground beneath to quake. All the cultivators from the various prestigious sects froze for a moment, their mouths agape. A second later, a unanimous roar of appreciation erupted in the air. ¡°The Luminous One is here¡­the city is saved,¡± somebody shouted. ¡°Your Grace¡­¡±¡°The Transcendent Emperor has emerged from seclusion¡­¡± All around him, the cultivators erupted in joy, some shedding tears of happiness. The cultivators bowed deeply. One by one, they gathered together and withdrew from the scene of the fight, content to witness the clash between the two powerhouses from a distance. All of them realized they would only hinder Alaric if they tried to help. Chapter 2 - The Anomaly Alaric remained focused on the Elder Dragon. He recognized the creature by its energy signature, and that worried him. It was corrupted with a foreign energy he had never sensed before. The Elder Dragon was ¡®Tiberian¡¯, the guardian of the ¡®Shadow Pass¡¯, a magical region infamous for its high probability of spawning dimensional rifts. He recalled his brief interaction with Tiberian when he visited ¡®Shadow Pass¡¯ to seal an extremely dangerous dimension rift that threatened to obliterate the whole region. Tiberian was a sensible Dragon and kind-hearted. It doesn¡¯t make any sense for him to attack a human civilization¡­unless¡­ Alaric ignited his ¡®Throat Chakra¡¯, preparing a special incantation. Tiberian heaved himself up from the wreckage of the destroyed mountain peak and unleashed an earth-shaking roar. His eyes were clouded and red with rage. There was no trace of sanity in them. The Elder Dragon inhaled deeply, his maw agape as tiny particles of mana swirled together in front of it. A blazing fireball the size of a golf ball formed, and in a split second, swelled rapidly to become as large as a house. The temperature in the area soared to extreme levels. Tiberian compressed the fireball further, as its glow turned red hot and released his signature technique ¡ª Elder Dragon¡¯s Breath. A beam of pure red energy surged towards the capital city, threatening to level it to the ground. The cultivators gasped, too shocked to release any type of defensive technique. Not that it would have mattered. The Elder Dragon had been toying with the ¡®puny¡¯ humans all this while and only now exhibited its true might. Alaric clapped his hands sharply, conjuring a golden shimmer that blanketed the entire capital city in the blink of an eye. The fiery beam of pure destruction splashed against the defensive barrier and dissipated harmlessly into nothingness. All the cultivators erupted in cheers for Alaric and sang his praises. Tiberian prepared for another breath attack, but Alaric¡¯s special chant - fuelled by the power of his ¡®Throat Chakra¡¯ at full bloom - had reached its climax. He traced a cross sign in the air and quietly mumbled - ¡°Release.¡± Tiberian spasmed for a moment before collapsing to the ground. A moment later, his clouded red eyes, filled with rage, turned white as he struggled to rise. ¡°What¡¯s¡­happening? Where am I?¡± Tiberian groaned, turning to Alaric with a glint of recognition in his eyes. Alaric released a sigh. Just like I expected, he was being mind-controlled. If there was a cultivator strong enough to control an Elder Dragon, it was bad news and the threat was not over yet. ¡°Guardian of the Shadow Pass - ¡± Alaric gestured towards the scene of havoc caused by Tiberian, ¡°It looks like your age is catching up to you.¡± Tiberian knew exactly what Alaric implied. His willpower had degraded. It was no longer strong enough to resist being mind-controlled, and in his compromised state, he broke numerous vows. The Elder Dragon, unexpectedly, dipped his head in acknowledgment instead of rebutting him. ¡°I thank you¡­ Luminous One and beg for forgiveness due to my failure,¡± Tiberian blurted, ¡°I was defeated by a creature that emerged from a rift and¡­¡±. Suddenly, a portal tore open in the region, and out came a creature unlike anything Alaric ever saw before. It was a humanoid figure, towering over 10 feet tall that resembled a golem. However, instead of a body made of rocks, its form was composed of something that resembled liquid-metal, reflecting the scene of carnage below. A rhythmic pulse of purple energy emanated from its core, rippling through its body every second with a resonant hum. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°It¡¯s the same creature...¡± Tiberian roared as he rose to his full height ready to battle again. Alaric didn¡¯t need the warning to realize that he faced a truly formidable entity. He hadn¡¯t sensed its presence before it teleported into the area. Even now, the creature didn¡¯t emit any type of mana signature, Qi, or aura. That changed as the wave of purple energy, previously pulsing through its body, suddenly expanded to envelop the entire region. A suffocating pressure descended upon the capital city, flooding it in purple light. Cultivators crumpled like marionettes with their strings cut, unable to endure the oppressive aura. At least, the energy behaved like an aura. Even Alaric¡¯s skin prickled with unease, and his throat tightened for a fleeting moment. All around him, cultivators were overcome with wild fury, their eyes glowing red with rage. He sensed the malicious aura invading his mind, attempting to seize control. Alaric traced a cross in the air and bellowed, ¡°Break!¡± The oppressive aura shattered, and the color of the world returned to normal. Below, the cultivators regained their composure. The figure cocked its head at Alaric, evidently reevaluating its strategy. Alaric smirked. It would take a lot more than that to invade my mind and break my will. The creature¡ªor whatever it was¡ªanalyzed him just as he was scrutinizing it. Through his ¡®True Vision,¡¯ the creature¡¯s form blazed with foreign energy¡ªnot mana, Qi, aura, prana, or even cosmic energy. It was something utterly alien. As his sight delved deeper into its essence, Alaric observed that the being had no bones, blood, or organs akin to a living creature. Tiny inscriptions¡ªstrange, unfamiliar runes¡ªwere carved into every part of its body. With heightened focus, he perceived the creature¡¯s outer shell giving way to its subtle body. To his surprise, the enigmatic runic inscriptions were embedded within its subtle body as well. There was no sign of chakras in its subtle body, confirming that the being was not alive. It was an advanced automaton¡ªa construct unlike anything chronicled in any legend, myth, or grimoire known to the world. The only energy that resonated with Alaric¡¯s senses was a peculiar spatial energy often found inside dimensional rifts. Alaric theorized that whatever this being was, it did not originate from this world¡ªit was a true outsider. Had it crossed through a rift from another dimension? The sheer power radiating from the construct was sufficient to destabilize any rift in the Shadow Pass. Moreover, Alaric noted that the being¡¯s magic was powered by the special runes rather than mana, aura, or cosmic energy¡ªa profound anomaly, as traversing rifts traditionally required the use of all three energies. Alaric spotted Tiberian amassing a tremendous amount of mana. Tiberian released Elder Dragon¡¯s Breath at the thing, hoping to incinerate it. The humanoid creature thrust a hand forward and released a purple beam of its own, which met with Tierian¡¯s in a clash of thunder and explosion. Unfortunately, it was pretty clear Tiberian was not a match for the thing as the purple beam easily overpowered Elder Dragon¡¯s Breath. Alaric formed his golden protective barrier over the city once again to shield it from a shower of flames and residual sinister energy. He cycled the cosmic energy he¡¯d prepared for his ascension and compressed it into his core. It seemed mana-based attacks were utterly useless against the thing. Meanwhile, the creature screeched and released a green beam this time, which radiated far more power than before. The green ray of death widened to engulf the entirety of the mountain, consuming Tiberian whole and leaving behind a vast, empty valley stretching as far as the eye could see in the heart of the mountain range. No blood, no bones, not even smoke. The Elder Dragon was no more ¡ª erased in an instant. Chapter 3 - Sacrifice The residual impact of the beam collided with the golden barrier protecting the city, and a spider-web of cracks raced across its surface. Alaric froze in disbelief. Even he was unsure whether he could stop the thing without sacrificing his own life. His instincts screamed that the creature had far more devastation to unleash beyond the green ray of death that had annihilated an Elder Dragon and an entire mountain range. The alien creature emitted a sound that resembled a snicker. The ripple of purple across its body shifted to green and swelled outward to smother the region once again. The ground trembled and buildings crumbled as cultivators were pulled to the ground, unable to withstand the might of the attack. This time, Alaric had to cycle his cosmic energy to the absolute limit to keep his spine straight. He gritted his teeth and roared ¡ª Release. Once again, the oppressive pressure subsided, but many cultivators remained unconscious. The ones who were still in their senses shouted like maniacs and scrambled to flee the area which was sure to become their grave. Through his ¡®True Vision¡¯, Alaric saw the runic inscriptions on the thing¡¯s surface scramble and rearrange itself. The green ripple on its body turned red. It was preparing for something. There is no way around it. Alaric mentally prepared himself to sacrifice his life force ¡ª the most potent form of energy available to him ¡ª and prayed it would be enough to save the city. He had sacrificed his Dao Energy in favor of wielding cosmic energy, but he knew even his Dao wouldn¡¯t have been a match for this abyssal energy, which seemed limitless in his ¡®True Vision¡¯. Cosmic energy, on the other hand, was much more versatile, powerful, and capable of merging seamlessly with other energy forms. Fusing the entirety of his Prana, or life energy, with the cosmic energy he nurtured for his ascension, he forged a barrier that enclosed the thing. With an immense surge of willpower, Alaric clapped his hands together, shrinking the transparent barrier trapping the creature. The barrier¡¯s walls steadily closed in, forcing the thing to get into a fetal position. Just a little more¡­ Unfortunately, it looked like whatever the thing was trying to do was complete. The red ripple expanded and struck the energy barrier from within. Once. Twice. Thrice. Each impact formed another crack on the barrier¡¯s surface. Alaric gritted his teeth, straining his willpower to the limits. Chanting a final incantation, he bellowed with all his might ¡ª Obliterate. The inside of the barrier turned into a black void, but Alaric could still feel a tremendous pressure threatening to readjust the scales of power at any moment. Suddenly, he felt the pressure turn up a notch as a red spiral surged out of the center of the black void. Little by little, the red energy ate away at the black void. Alaric observed the red ripples pulsing multiple times a second, vibrating with a high-pitched tune. It¡¯s not enough. The thing will break out of the barrier any second. Alaric felt a deep sense of regret in his heart. For failing to protect humanity. A series of images flashed before his eyes. All the training he underwent with his mentor. The happy moments he spent with his peers as a child. All the disciples who depended on him and saw him as an infallible figure ¡ª the stuff of legends. No, I cannot give up. Not like this. Not now. Not ever. Alaric decided to change his strategy and bet everything on the following attack. Even if it meant committing a taboo and erasing his existence from the cycle of life and death. He quit channeling cosmic energy into the barrier to channel it fully into his heart Chakra ¡ª Anahata ¡ª to the limits. The barrier restraining the thing burst almost instantly. Even faster than that, Alaric created a shimmering energy funnel in place of the barrier and linked it to his heart and soul to siphon in the tremendous energy within the barrier ¡ª now released ¡ª before it could wipe out the entire city. The thing was momentarily taken aback, confused by what happened. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Then it focused its hollow slit-like eyes and released a roar. Alaric barely managed to restrain the tremendous energy ¡ª a mix of his own and foreign ¡ª and channeled it towards opening his Crown Chakra. The whole process took barely a minute before a single petal bloomed and time seemed to slow down until it stood completely still. A wave of insight staggered him, and he found himself adrift in an ocean of pure nothingness. A single petal was not enough to merge with ¡®True Divinity¡¯, but it was enough to allow him access to Karmic Energy. Time resumed, and with a final intention of sacrifice, he swore a Karmic Oath in exchange for momentary power. Every soul that left its mortal vessel was reborn into a different body, world, and circumstances, depending on its previous life karma ¡ª good or bad. Good karma led to good destiny while bad karma led to bad destiny and misery. This karmic manipulation was not possible unless you were blessed by ¡®True Divinity¡¯. Now that Alaric had managed to partially bloom his Crown Chakra and could manipulate Karmic energy in a limited capacity, he decided to exhaust all the good karma he had accumulated in this life. That meant he would be reborn into misery after he died. Or he would not be reborn at all for committing this taboo. However, there was no sense of regret in him due to that if it offered him a chance to save his loved ones, friends, and humanity. As the Karmic Oath settled into place, he felt an ocean of golden energy flood every inch of his being. It was pure and serene, untouched by any other form of energy. The golden energy squashed the foreign energy in his body like a candle flame snuffed out by the wind. A sense of serenity radiated from his body, which seemed to calm down every cultivator that was fleeing for their life. With a lazy gesture, Alaric formed a fist and chanted ¡ª Obliterate. A golden barrier formed once again, trapping the thing in it. This time, the red runic energy vibrating within the barrier was utterly useless in shaking the barrier by even a single hairwidth. As the barrier constricted with ease, the red energy turned to black. However, even that was extinguished by the radiance of the golden energy. The golden barrier shrunk down to a pinpoint with a plop and obliterated the alien creature. Alaric released a sigh of relief. The world is safe, for today at least. He closed his eyes, savoring the happy old memories from his childhood one last time as his body began to disintegrate from the edge of his limbs. His knowledge of what happens in the afterlife was all conjecture and shrouded in fog. But he supposed he had committed a grave taboo. Still, there was not a thread of regret in his heart. He followed his path to his last, dying breath. He heard a familiar echo of a voice in his mind ¡ª his master¡¯s. You did well, young Alaric. Before his body disintegrated completely, he shed a single drop of tear. Suddenly, he was greeted by an ocean of black void. Only his sense of ¡®I¡¯ -ness remained. But this sense of ¡®I¡¯ was utterly different from the one which inhabited his body and mind complex. It was just him, a being that existed and remained aware of only itself. There was no thought, no understanding, no feeling, no movement. Time and space lost their meaning. Suddenly, he regained his sense of intellect along with his mind and memories. His emotions were numb, but there was no movement. A flicker appeared in his mind. Greetings Soul #19892321. You are in the process of being reborn. # Error Detected # Initializing¡­Please Wait. Process Resolved. Due to your contributions in defeating a wanted Anomaly, you have been awarded the following: Experience points (adjusted) - Once reborn, you can utilize the experience points to improve your stats. Memory Retention - You retain access to the memories of your previous life. Rebirth Customization - Select your region of rebirth, identity, and status. Choice of cultivation resource - Choose from a list of resources to gain a head start on your cultivation journey. Signature Title - Ally of the System (Unique). Would you like to proceed forward? Yes/No. Chapter 4 - The System To say Alaric was baffled would have been an understatement. There he was, absolutely sure he died, but instead of meeting his final end, he was very much alive. Well¡­at least he felt alive with his familiar consciousness, mind, and emotions, although he couldn¡¯t feel his body. On top of that, he was seeing weird letters imprinted in his mind. What is happening? As if in response to his query, a flood of information entered his mind. Instead of dying and being reborn into misery like he feared, the act of defeating the foreign monster and saving the world had tipped the karmic scales in his favor. Now, instead of being punished for committing what he considered a taboo, he was being rewarded by this¡­system. Some kind of soul afterlife management system? Alaric couldn¡¯t physically laugh at his own joke but he did feel some mirth. I still don¡¯t understand what these choices mean. It was a lot to process, especially with everything that happened just a few seconds ago where he was locked in a life-and-death battle. The incorporeal words flickered for a moment before another line appeared below. Subject [Soul #19892321] requests assistance from an administrator. Initializing¡­Request granted. Alaric sensed another presence enter his awareness. A calm presence that felt benign but powerful beyond imagination. [Greetings, Soul #19892321... Ah, Alaric is it. You must be somebody special for being granted access to an administrator. Let¡¯s evaluate the Karmic deeds of your previous life. Hmm¡­interesting, exceptional¡­what? That¡¯s not possible.] Alaric chose to keep quiet. He didn¡¯t want to inadvertently offend this powerful presence or entity. Besides, he didn¡¯t have a clue about what he did that was not possible. [A mere soul from a system-less planet managed to defeat a class 3 Anomaly?] Suddenly, the black void he occupied blazed with white light and eventually transitioned into the familiar fight scene with the Thing. Alaric felt as if he was witnessing a replay of his fight with the Thing from a different perspective. After the conclusion of the fight, the scene reverted to being a black void. [I retract my words. You are not a mere cultivator. Consider me impressed. Ask your questions.] ¡°I thank you¡­honored administrator.¡± Alaric decided to show the proper respect. ¡°Can you let me know what this system is and what that entity was?¡± [You can simply address me as administrator. The origins of the system cannot be disclosed to you¡­at least, at this current moment. Just know that the system will guide you in the new world, as it does to any cultivator. You will be rewarded by the system based on your effort. Don¡¯t worry, you will learn more about what the system represents and does when you are reborn in the new world.] Alaric was not disappointed. He figured as much and continued to listen intently. [I can disclose bits of classified information about the Anomaly since your role in defeating it was absolute. However, you are strictly forbidden from sharing this classified information with anybody. Doing so could incur severe penalties from the system.] Alaric nodded in agreement. [Anomalies are usually considered enemies of the system. These could be any type of creature, entity, or construct that acquires power outside the scope of what the system permits and uses it towards their personal advancement ¡ª often at the cost of innocent lives. The Anomaly you encountered was not especially strong ¡ª only class 3 ¡ª but extremely powerful for a system-less world. It appears the Anomaly was able to open a dimensional rift into your world ¡ª somehow without triggering the system¡¯s alert.] ¡°It was trying to destroy our world ¡ª an easy target ¡ª to fuel its own growth?¡± [Correct, we apologize for that. Typically, we have defenses in place to prevent that sort of thing. An Anomaly is not just a threat to a world, but also a threat to the system itself. By defeating it, you have done a great service and, hence, earned your rewards. Aside from that, you have been rewarded for your extraordinary karmic actions.] ¡°Are there any more of those Anomalies in the new world?¡± [There are, but they have been either incapacitated or in stasis. Don¡¯t worry about them anymore. The system will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what caused this incident. Now, let¡¯s focus on your new life and the choices you¡¯ll have.]Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Alaric was ready. He felt a huge weight shift from his shoulders. I don¡¯t have to bear the burden of saving the world anymore. I did my part. Now, I can start my journey once again. A new life. [Okay, here we go. First of all, you will retain the memory of your previous life ¡ª as stated before. Use that knowledge however you see fit. Second, to make your transition into the new world smooth and advantageous, you can choose your point of rebirth in the new world.] Suddenly, the black void transformed to show a huge stellar object that quickly zoomed in his vision. The new planet? How beautiful. The new planet looked like his homeworld. Alaric had soared up the skies numerous times in his life and saw what his homeworld looked like from space. Even with his emotions numb, Alaric appreciated the thread of nostalgia that tugged at his heart. Focusing on the planet below, he could see multiple land masses. Half of the continents sparkled with tiny motes of light in the dark. It was night-time. The other half was a mosaic of deep green, crimson, yellow, white, and black. Everything else was a shade of deep blue - the ocean. Of course, without his senses and power currently active, he was utterly oblivious to what was going on in each region, the mana concentration, or even any sounds. ¡°The planet is beautiful.¡± [It sure is¡­from a distance. Planet TSR-0351, locally known as Gaia, is every bit as dangerous as it is beautiful. After manual review, the system decided this planet would feel the most familiar to your original homeworld. Now, are you ready to choose which part of the planet you want to be reborn?] Alaric considered for a moment. ¡°If I am being given a choice, that means there are good and bad options. If I am being rewarded, why can¡¯t the system simply designate a favorable location for me?¡± [Ah¡­I forgot to mention. Your rewards are based on your accumulated Karma Points in the previous life, system merit, and experience points you earned for defeating the Anomaly. These will be distributed based on the choice of location, identity and status, and cultivation resource reward.] ¡°Now I get it. It is a balancing act. If I select the best option from one category, will I only be able to choose mediocre options from the other categories?¡± [Yes, you are partially correct. Your choice of selection in one category will determine the future available rewards in other categories based on your remaining Karma points. It will also adjust the final experience points you will receive.] ¡°I see. Can I see all the available options I¡¯m eligible for in all the categories first?¡± [You want to view and sort through all the 7891 different options currently available to you without any adjustments?] The administrator sounded a little playful. Alaric, on the other hand, released a sigh. Well, I tried. Too many options will only serve to confuse me. ¡°Er..no. Let¡¯s proceed normally.¡± Alaric saw more lines added to the system message. Available regional rebirth options are as follows:
  1. Zephraxis - The mighty empire, Zephraxis - once considered an equal to the Aurion Empire - suffered a mysterious catastrophe 500 years ago which resulted in its decline. Now known as the ¡®Fractured Empire¡¯, it is controlled by a fractured monarchy with rival kingdoms led by warlords and noble houses. It is home to expansive river systems, fertile plains, rolling rivers, and crumbling fortresses. Currently, it is in a state of civil war with multiple noble houses waging war to claim the ¡®Zephyr Throne¡¯, which has been waiting for its rightful ruler for 20 years.
  1. Nereid¡¯s Veil - Bordering the unexplored ¡®Dark Continent¡¯, Nereid¡¯s Veil is known as ¡®The Archipelago of Mists¡¯. It is governed by a loose union of merchant captains and pirate lords known as the ¡®Confederacy of Pirate Kings¡¯. It features thousands of islands, sunken ruins, coral ruins, underwater runners, and fog-shrouded shores. A humid subtropical climate dominates the islands with mild storms and occasional typhoons. It exists in a state of shifting alliances with pirates often switching sides for gold and forming new ¡®Fleets¡¯ every year.
  1. Isfrost - The southernmost continent of Gaia - Isfrost - is also known as ¡®The Glacial Dominion¡¯ due to its eternal winter and constant snowfall with only brief periods of sunless twilight. The ¡®Theocracy of the Eternal Frost¡¯ - frost priests who worship the ¡°Frozen Saint¡± - reigns supreme in this region. Frozen seas, tundras, glacial valleys, and ancient ice-locked ruins adorn this continent. This continent is under religious tyranny, and heretics are subjected to harsh punishments by frost priests for their sins.
  1. Ignavus - The northernmost continent of Gaia - Ignavus - is home to constant volcanic tremors, scorching heat, and toxic fumes. The volcanic landscape, ash deserts, lava lakes, and underground magma caves give it the name, ¡°The Ashen Peninsula¡±. The Monarchy of the Flame Sovereign is the final power which exercises its power through martial tyranny. The volcanic warlord king rules by fear, crushing rebellion with fire-based cultivators.
  1. Verdalen - Verdalen hosts sprawling jungles, dense forests, ancient tree spires, and hidden ruins. It is also known as ¡®The Verdant Crown¡¯ due to its perpetual canopy of green mist and warm, humid climate. It is a mysterious place which is surrounded by a magical barrier that keeps outsiders out. Rumour has it that it is ruled by a druidic council that governs forest tribes known as the ¡®¡®Council of Rootbound Elders¡¯.
  1. Krotaar - Home to black stone deserts, jagged mountain peaks, colossal stone effigies, and underground caverns, it is another landmass that borders the ¡®Dark Continent¡¯. Also known as ¡®The Iron Wastes¡¯, it features frequent sandstorms and harsh winds. Here, warlords compete for the last remaining water sources. It is ruled by the Warlord Confederacy.
  1. The Aurion Empire - It is known as ¡®The Heart of Civilization¡¯ due to its prosperity and relative stability compared to the other major continents in Gaia. It is home to temperate forests, fertile plains, silver rivers, and majestic mountain ranges on the northern border. Four distinct seasons, with relatively pleasant summers and gentle winters, make it a suitable place for prosperity. The central powers - ¡®Imperial Monarchy¡¯ and ¡®The Orthodox Church of the Radiant Flame¡¯ - are delicately balanced by the strong local autonomy of noble houses and guild associations.
Chapter 5 - Reviewing Options After reviewing all the available options, Alaric took a moment to consider how to proceed. No matter how he analyzed it, there was only one suitable option that he could consider - The Aurion Empire. All the other continents or regions were either under the grip of subjugation, tyranny, or war. He definitely didn¡¯t want to start his new life living in constant fear or competing for resources, just to survive, let alone progress in his cultivation journey. Although, if he selected one of the bad starting regions to be reborn, he would secure a better reward on the following selections. And, if he could survive in one of those lands, he would definitely grow stronger. Still, he already had a good option and it made no sense to wait for something better when he couldn¡¯t be certain it even existed. On second thought, Alaric judged the system was doing him a favor by feeding him information about some of the major powerhouses on the new planet. This would definitely help him get some context and prepare more effectively in the future. [Only ¡®The Aurion Empire¡¯ can be considered a powerhouse among the list. Don¡¯t worry. You will learn all about the major powerhouses of your new world in time. Now, decide your option.] No matter, my mind is set. As he mentally made the choice, the system accepted his response. Would you like to select the option - The Aurion Empire? ¡°Yes¡±. The system screen cleared and another message appeared. Available identity and status options are as follows:
  1. Noble-born options -
  1. Tradesman¡¯s family options -
  1. Religious background options -
  1. Other Influential Family Options -
Alaric reviewed all the identity and status options one by one. Hmm¡­interesting. He immediately ignored all the religious background options and tradesman¡¯s family options. He was from a different world, and it was unlikely he would find it appealing to follow the ideals and doctrines of some religious organization. He also didn¡¯t fit the mold of a tradesman. No, he respected them but first and foremost, he was a cultivator at heart. After doing some more thinking, he decided to choose the ¡®bastard child of a noble option¡¯. Alaric was convinced that if this new world was anything like his homeworld, status and peerage carried immense weight. He would need some amount of status to build good connections, get access to valuable resources, and avoid unnecessary trouble. Being a ¡®bastard¡¯ instead of a full-fledged noble offered him the best compromise between freedom, responsibility, and status. Would you like to select the option - Bastard child of a noble? He mentality selected that option. The letters on the system screen cleared and another line appeared. Available cultivation resources options are as follows: Alaric reviewed the options and raised his non-existent eyebrows. Available cultivation resources options are as follows:
  1. Evolving Dimensional Storage (Soul-bound) - A special pocket dimensional storage tied to your soul and the system. It will grow in size and functionality as your cultivation advances. All items stored within the personal dimensional storage space will be kept in a state of stasis. Thus, consumable items such as food and potions will remain fresh.
  2. Soul-bound weapon (Growth-type) - Try your luck and get a unique soul-bound weapon (sword, bow, spear, gauntlet, etc.). The weapon will evolve in power, form, and abilities based on your cultivation path and achievements. It can ¡®absorb¡¯ defeated enemies to gain new traits, techniques, or elemental affinities.
  3. Temporal Training Chamber (Time Dilation Space) - A private space bound to your soul and the system where time moves slower inside compared to the outside world. Suitable for extended training sessions. The time dilation ratio improves as you grow in cultivation. Some restrictions apply.
  4. Cultivation Sanctuary (Personal Cave / Mystic Retreat) - A portable pocket dimension cultivation cave with an ideal environment uniquely suited for your cultivation path. It features elemental fields, dense spiritual energy, meditation spots, and more. The sanctuary will evolve as your cultivation advances and if you offer it the correct resource.
  5. Spirit Companion / Familiar (Evolving Guide) - Try your luck and obtain a sentient, shape-shifting spirit bound to your soul. It can fight alongside you, offer advice, and evolve as it absorbs ambient energy. It can serve as a combat companion, trainer, or even a scout. Its power and form can change as it absorbs your karmic energy.
  6. Ancestral Relic (Living Artifact) - Test your luck and get a fragment of an ancient living artifact that grants you access to ancient knowledge, skills, and rare cultivation techniques. Beware, living artifacts possess a will of their own and may challenge your authority unless you prove your worth.
All the cultivation resource options were truly extraordinary. They were not one-time upgrades. Instead, they would remain useful to him throughout his cultivation journey. It was not difficult for him at all to choose his selection. First of all, he eliminated options two, five, and six because they included an element of luck. Who knew what kind of weapon, spirit companion, or relic I would receive? And, they might not be immediately useful to me. Besides, I am not used to fighting with any type of fancy weapon or artifacts. Alaric felt a tingling of mirth in his awareness. He became one of the strongest cultivators of his homeworld by forging his own path. New world or not, he was not ready to forsake his old cultivation practices in favor of untested ¡®ancient¡¯ knowledge. He also eliminated option three. To be clear, a temporal training chamber would be immensely useful¡­for any other cultivator. Fortunately, he was a ¡®Chakra¡¯ cultivator and he had his own methods to extract the most out of the available hours of the day for training. That left options one and four. Although option one was not bad, he believed it was the least valuable option out of all the options presented. There must be spatial storage devices in the new world. Perhaps they would be very expensive, but I can get one of them later. A personal cultivation sanctuary, on the other hand, sounded immediately useful. Since it was a pocket dimension, he would be able to meditate in peace and boost the growth of his cultivation from day one. But what really attracted his attention was that it would be uniquely suited for his cultivation path. As a ¡®Chakra¡¯ cultivator, finding the resources to awaken the chakras of his new body and blooming them would be incredibly hard without the proper resources. Would you like to select the option - Cultivation Sanctuary (Personal Cave / Mystic Retreat)? Alaric approved and the screen cleared. [Congratulations Alaric. You are almost done. Just a reminder, you cannot disclose the process of your rebirth or any information about the Anomaly you witnessed in your homeworld with anybody, except under special circumstances which the system will determine.] Alaric mentally acknowledged and gave his assent. [Now, since you are currently not in your mortal form, your system status screen is not active. You can view your title and gain access to your experience points after you settle down into your new mortal body. Now, prepare for transit.] Faster than Alaric could mentally prepare, the void flashed white and shifted through all the shades of the rainbow before he lost consciousness once again. Chapter 6 - The New Identity When Alaric regained consciousness, he was assaulted with a sense of weakness that gripped his entire body and mind. He didn¡¯t even possess the strength to pry his eyes open without straining his eye muscles. His head throbbed gently, and his bones ached with an intense fatigue. The warm weight of a blanket draped over his body, and he could feel somebody dabbing a wet fever cloth on his forehead. Where..am I? Even his thoughts felt sluggish. Alaric tried to open his eyes and move his body. He barely managed to part his eyes into a slit before the brightness of the light pierced his vision and nearly triggered a headache. Closing his eyes once again, he drew in a deep breath. He inhaled through the nose for four seconds, held his breath for four seconds, and exhaled through his mouth for four seconds. Breathing deeply for a few repetitions allowed him to feel a little better. But he dared not move his body again or open his eyes. ¡°Sweet child, are you awake?¡± a melodious, tender, female voice inquired. ¡°Aagh..Uh,¡± Alaric grunted, unable to articulate words through his mouth. ¡°Shh¡­no need to speak, now. Don¡¯t worry, you will feel better soon.¡± The voice tried to reassure him and it somehow succeeded in calming him. Whoever it was, the voice felt familiar to his sluggish mind, and he could feel only positive emotions associated with it. ¡°Here, sweet child, have some broth. It will help you recover.¡± The woman gently caressed his forehead as she lifted his head. A warm spoon pressed against his lips. He smelled a mix of vegetables, spices, and meat. Eagerly, now feeling hungry, Alaric sipped on the broth and relished its taste. It tasted savory and delicious. He could feel the warmth of the liquid spread through his mouth, throat, and stomach, and it helped to cheer him up a little. The lady gently rested his head on the soft pillow once again. He could feel the delicate hands rubbing warm oil into his feet and hands. Once his extremities were warmed up properly, he felt sleepy once again. Alaric felt safe, knowing there was somebody in the new world who tended to him. The last thing he heard before transitioning into dreamland was a melodious prayer dedicated to his swift recovery. *** Alaric woke up to the pitter-patter of rain striking the closed windows of his bedroom. It was dark and quiet except for the sound of the rain and the muffled howling of the stormy winds outside. No, not quite. He could hear a faint snoring by his side. Inspecting his body and senses from within, Alaric felt much better than before, albeit still pretty fatigued. It seemed the worst of his sickness was now over, but he still needed to rest for a few days. Opening his eyes, he noticed the soft glow of a few candles barely reaching the dark recesses of the large room. Some of them had been snuffed out. This bedroom is quite big. I wonder what time it is. Discarding that thought, he decided to inspect the room in the dim light. The walls looked old with scant decoration, and the carpeted floors looked a little dusty. Although, it could just be the darkness playing tricks on his mind. There was a small study table by his bedside and a small tea table with two chairs in the far corner. A woman lay dozing on a chair next to his bedside table, which contained a glass of water and some containers. He noticed the fever bandages on a dustbin below while fresh ones were arranged on the table. The lady is still here beside me? Overall, it was acceptable. He hadn¡¯t expected much, being a bastard child. In his old world, many nobles fathered multiple bastards under the influence of alcohol, youthful vigor, and fleeting romance. It was pretty common for bastards to be admitted into an orphanage or be completely left on their own with their fates on their hands. In this regard, Alaric considered himself in a much better position since he had a roof over his head, clothes over his body, and food in his stomach. Sure, he had chosen the option to be reincarnated as a bastard himself, but frankly, he hadn¡¯t known what to expect. Reflecting on that, he suddenly became more aware of his current physical vessel. How old am I? After some preliminary inspection, Alaric decided he couldn¡¯t be more than six or seven years old by his best estimate. He mentally groaned and a sense of irritation took hold of his mind. Aah¡­I should have discussed this with the administrator. What should I do when I recover¡­play games? He mentally reprimanded himself for this oversight. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Although, in his defense, he had never reincarnated before with his mind and memories intact. Well, at least, I don¡¯t have to start as a toddler. I have a few years of headstart. Another thought crept into his mind. Wait¡­the child was sick. Did I take over the soul of this body after it died? Or was my soul always the rightful owner of this mortal shell and I just gained the knowledge of my reincarnation and all of my previous memories? He shook his head. No, dwelling on this is pointless at this stage. There is no way to confirm any of the hypotheses. Alaric decided to believe the second conclusion, for the sake of his mental peace. Pushing those thoughts aside, he observed the lady who had nursed him during his illness. She appeared to be around thirty, with hints of age lines adorning her face. Long, auburn hair woven into a thick braid graced her head. Fair complexion. There were no ornaments on her ear, nose, or wrist. She leaned back on the chair, her chest rising and falling slowly. A look of tenderness and kindness was etched into her sleeping face. A knitting tool and cloth rested on her lap. She wore a brown dress that was nothing too fancy but seemed better than what most maids would wear. Hmm¡­a practical woman. I wonder what her name is¡­ At this thought, a series of fractured images and mental impressions surfaced in his mind. Memories and feelings of his childhood years, when he was just a baby. It was not comprehensive, but it was enough to produce a very favorable impression of Elara. Yes, that was her name. She was the personal maid of this ¡®bastard child¡¯ and temporarily acted as the nursemaid during his illness. As expected, the countess didn¡¯t deign to spend a single moment with the ¡®bastard child¡¯. And, since his own mother was absent, it was Elara who had spent the most time with him and taken care of his needs. The nursemaid or his personal maid was practically a ¡®second mother¡¯ to him. That explained the feeling of warmth and comfort he felt towards her. Alaric felt the pull of drowsiness calling to him once again. Releasing a deep sigh, he closed his eyes, ready to get lost in the lands of dreams once again. *** Alaric was not amused when he woke up. He had a nightmare where he found himself battling a large pink horse that refused to bark. What was that nonsense? Never in his life did he experience such an irritating dream. He could only chalk it up to the sickness or the mental impressions of a kid. A slight grin spread across his face. Well, I am that kid now. It was early in the morning. Thick rays of sunlight pierced through the windows of his bedroom, perfectly illuminating it. In the light of the day, his bedroom looked not too shabby, but he could recognize the signs of neglect. A little bit of dust lined the edge of the door, lint and dirt clung to the sides of the carpet, and some marks on the furniture were not cleaned properly. For the first time, he detected a slight musty smell in the room. Possibly due to the damp weather. He shook his head. Alaric was used to staying in mansions meticulously maintained without a speck of dust. They were decorated pristinely and looked after by hordes of junior sect members. After he ascended to the ¡®Immortal¡¯ realm, even a little bit of dirt, dust, and odor felt irksome to his superior senses of sight and smell. Perhaps it was the habit of expecting perfection from all the junior members that reared its ugly head back. He decided to temper his expectations. Different worlds should have different standards. Or perhaps, it was because he was the bastard child that the servants didn¡¯t prioritize cleaning his rooms properly. Either way, Alaric was not really upset. It didn¡¯t bother him as much ¡ª now that he had lost his superior sense of smell and sight. He surmised that he would get used to it after a while. Alaric scanned the bedroom and noticed Elara was absent. Maybe she is busy now. He shrugged. Feeling much better, he decided it would do him good to stretch out his limbs. He tossed aside the thick blanket and immediately felt the cold air seep into his bones. Suddenly, he hesitated to leave his warm spot on the bed. When the realization hit him that he was still just a child, he mentally groaned again. It will take a while to get used to this body. Alaric pulled himself off the bed, a surprisingly difficult task now, considering his short height. But he managed to accomplish the simple task. Turning around, he spotted a large wardrobe with a full-length mirror. He approached the mirror slowly and took stock of his appearance. His short, disheveled black hair matched the green of his eyes perfectly. A look of cute scowl was locked into his face. His cheeks were chubby, his neck short, and his body more plump than he¡¯d have liked. Naturally, he was of short height like any child, with stubby arms and legs. Alaric released a deep sigh. Looks like I have to work on this body a lot. Thankfully, I am prepared to work out a lot and get fit. With that thought in mind, Alaric tried to visualize the seven ever-present chakras of his subtle body that had been with him ever since he set foot on the path of cultivation. It was strange. The fully bloomed chakras that shone like suns in the sky were no more. He expected as much. After all, he was starting from scratch. The real problem was that he couldn¡¯t even detect a hint of his subtle body, let alone the chakras. A thread of fear slithered into his heart and he felt his face sweating. The more he tried to concentrate and visualize his subtle body and the chakras, the more he felt his focus slipping. His mind refused to bow down to his will. It was like trying to catch a slippery eel. He felt his heartbeat rise and his emotions getting out of control. ¡°What in the heavens is happening?¡± Alaric muttered. ¡°That is exactly what I would like to hear, young master.¡± A stern voice interrupted him. Chapter 7 - Memories Alaric whipped around to see Elara gazing at him with concern in her eyes. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what to do. It felt awkward. A part of him lit up from the inside when meeting the kind woman who always took care of him, cheered him up, and told him fascinating stories of adventurers who conquered dungeons. Another part became paralyzed, not knowing how to answer her question in fear of getting caught. He did the only thing he could ¡ª flashed a sweet smile. ¡°Come here, now.¡± Elara approached him swiftly and raised him up by the arms. Placing him down on the bed, she bent down and wrapped the blanket around him, and continued, ¡°Why are you out of bed so early? Especially when you are so sick.¡± ¡°I¡­feel fine. I¡¯m more sick of staying in this bed.¡± A look of disbelief crossed her face. ¡°Nonsense. The physician said you would have to rest for another week.¡± She pressed the back of her hand against his forehead and raised her eyebrows. After quickly checking the temperature of his cheeks and arms as well, she paused for a moment. Suddenly, her eyes gleamed with barely constrained tears. She continued, ¡°Thank the Radiant Flame. Your fever is finally down.¡± She wiped a single tear that leaked around the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. Alaric placed a hand on her shoulder and said, ¡°I¡¯m really fine now. You don¡¯t need to worry anymore. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Ms. Elara.¡± Elara gasped and covered her mouth with a hand. ¡°Young master, you never called me by my name before.¡± Alaric winced internally. Did she notice I¡¯m not the same kid? She beamed at Alaric. ¡°It fills my heart with joy to be acknowledged.¡± Elara leaned closer and pulled him into a tight hug. Alaric noticed that she called him ¡®sweet child¡¯ when he was barely conscious and addressed him as ¡®young master¡¯ now. After a moment, she released him with an impassive expression on her face and stood up. ¡°The fever could still return, so you need to take your medications and rest for a few more days,¡± Elara said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll inform the maids to bring you your breakfast. Might as well have it now since you are awake. The physician will check on you later.¡± Alaric raised his hands in mock surrender. ¡°As you say. I¡¯ll be a good child and stay in bed.¡± Elara sported a look of confusion and doubt. Then, she shrugged and released a smile. ¡°You mischievous boy, I¡¯ll be watching you with my powers.¡± Alaric mentally snorted but kept his face playful and nodded. Yeah, right. Okay. Elara left the room and he settled down on the bed. Alaric liked his personal maid. She didn¡¯t disrespect him for being a bastard and genuinely performed her duties. He had no doubt that Elara was mocked, maybe even shunned since she was responsible for raising the bastard. Alaric didn¡¯t notice any type of wedding ring on her fingers. It looks like she is not married, nor does she have kids of her own. If that is so, it makes sense for her to form an attachment to the only child she is raising. I wonder what her story is. Putting that thought aside, Alaric decided to revisit the issue of not being able to sense his subtle body and his chakras. After probing his mind for a few minutes, he reached a conclusion. The concentration of this mind is abysmal. I have to train it properly and get control over it before I can concentrate and visualize the subtle body and chakras. Alaric was not happy with that fact. Of course, it was to be expected, him now being trapped in the body of a child. The more concerning thing was that he had no idea how long it would take to develop sufficient concentration. In his first life, Alaric started training on the path of ¡®Chakra Cultivation¡¯ when he was 16 years old. Back then, the difficulty of visualizing and detecting his subtle body came from not understanding exactly what his master instructed and not knowing what to expect. However, his mind was sharp and willpower strong. Now, his problem was completely reversed. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to achieve it. Alas, his mind was dull and filled with distractions. It refused to obey. No matter. I have overcome tougher obstacles. Alaric settled down into the lotus position. To his annoyance, even crossing one leg over the other was difficult at this stage. Stolen story; please report. It strained his knee joints. And, he couldn¡¯t keep his spine straight without experiencing discomfort. When he closed his eyes to meditate, the pain in his joints and the discomfort in his body added to the distraction. Alaric decided to ignore it but he quickly realized his capacity for withstanding pain and discomfort was also not as strong as before. After only a few minutes, he couldn¡¯t maintain his posture. And, as if that was not enough, he couldn¡¯t focus on his breathing for more than a few seconds before his mind was pulled toward another thought. He relaxed and ended his meditation session. This will have to be enough for now. He was distracted when somebody knocked at his door. It was the maid who was supposed to bring him his breakfast. The maid looked much younger than Elara with her bright blue eyes and golden hair. She was quite short and approached his bedside timidly, avoiding eye contact. Hmm¡­probably about 20. An introvert, I guess. ¡°A very good morning to you¡­Ah, Miss Iris.¡± Alaric grinned at her. The maid looked unprepared for the interaction. ¡°I¡­uhm, I..¡± She slightly bowed her head and mumbled, ¡°Gud¡¯ mornin.¡± After placing the food on his bedside table, Iris bowed again and left the room in a hurry. Alaric smirked. What am I¡­a tiger? He shook his head and eyed the food. A large plate included two hefty slices of buttered bread, two boiled eggs cut in the middle with some pepper sprinkled over them, some type of cheese, and an assortment of fruits like oranges, apples, and bananas cut into thin slices. Along with it, there was also some tea that smelled delicious. His stomach grumbled at the smell of food. Alaric cheerfully picked up the fruit plate and bit into the bread slices. He popped an entire egg slice into his mouth. The combination of soft, chewy buttered bread and the eggs tasted heavenly. He sampled the cheese which carried a slight tang and then tried the fruits one by one. Once he had devoured the food, he sipped on the warm tea, relishing its sweet and complex flavor. The tea tasted distinctly different from what he was used to in his homeworld. There were hints of spices, and he got a slight kick out of it. Once done with his breakfast, he released a burp, feeling satisfied and content. The food was great. During his childhood, he belonged to a poor family, and that meant rationing food. More than once, he had to leave his home for work on a half-empty stomach. It was only after he became a powerful cultivator that he got to enjoy delicious meals every day. Alaric contemplated his new life for some time. He couldn¡¯t help but replay the battle with the Anomaly in his mind for a while. His life in his village as a child, the memorable moments spent with his friends, becoming the disciple of the ¡®Chakra Sage¡¯, spending time under the care of the ¡®Elder Witch of Night Peaks¡¯, and more. One by one, all the memories of his past life flashed by in his mind and he suddenly realized, there might come a time when he could forget about his previous life. It would have been great if he could document the thoughts and memories of his previous life, but that would be too dangerous and risky. A simple curious thought by somebody to check his peculiar habit of writing could expose his secrets. Alaric released a sigh. I¡¯ll have to settle for reviewing the memories in my mind. Settling that thought, Alaric tried to recall the memories of his childhood years ¡ª his life as a young bastard. For some reason, his memories as a young child were a lot more fragmented and mainly consisted of mental impressions compared to the vivid memories of his previous life. Images, voices, and faces flashed through his mind. He got lost in it for some time, trying to unwind the tangle of memories from his imagination. Apparently, the bastard¡¯s name was Alaric as well. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at that coincidence. For some reason, he had a suspicion that the system had a hand to play in this coincidence. Well, I¡¯m happy about it. Digging deeper into his memories, all he could discern was that his father was a Count and he was mostly left to his own devices by the servants and maid. He spent most of his time and interacted mainly with Elara. Everybody else simply opted to ignore him, unsure of his status in the mansion as the bastard. He faintly remembered seeing some guards training on a practice field. Trying to recall the layout of the mansion led him to nowhere. It seemed that baby ¡®Alaric¡¯ mainly kept to himself in his room after being scolded by the Countess once for ¡®crossing his boundaries¡¯ while exploring the mansion. This is getting me nowhere. I have to figure out the layout of the mansion. Alaric propped a fist under his chin. I have to learn the hierarchy of the servants, the schedules, and their attitudes towards the ¡®bastard¡¯. He caught the faint sound of shouting from a distance. It was coming from outside the windows. He pulled himself up from the bed and shambled towards the large window. Outside, he observed a sprawling, well-maintained garden. A gazebo stood in the middle with an assortment of beautiful flowering plants adorning the sides. Two exquisite fountains lay to the north and south sides. He noticed a few gardeners tending to a few plants ¡ª cutting branches, clearing the fallen leaves on the ground, watering the shrubs, and so on. Beyond that, close to the estate boundary wall and a line of small buildings ¡ª barracks ¡ª he could see a mass of people clad in light armor practicing sword swings. A larger man in heavy armor and a crimson feather affixed to his helmet barked orders as the group of people followed his every command. That must be the training grounds, and those must be the houseguards. Alaric leaned on the window sill and observed the training for a while. Chapter 8 - Captain Aldric Farrow Alaric felt a surge of excitement, and a grin spread across his face. It was difficult to see properly from such a distance, but he was satisfied with what he witnessed. By his estimates, there were currently 30 to 50 guards training. He spotted other guards busy doing various activities such as transporting weapons or tending to their armor. There must be even more guards on duty around the mansion. That is quite a lot. All of this indicated to him that the Count must be very wealthy and a shrewd administrator of his estate. Suddenly, Alaric had the urge to train after witnessing all the guards practicing in the training grounds. A few simple push-ups should be fine. He lowered himself onto the ground with his palms pressed firmly against the floor, shoulder-width apart, and ankles drawn together in the center. With some effort, Alaric pushed with his palms, engaging his pectorals and bicep muscles. He could barely do 5 push-ups before he felt exhausted. Either this body is weaker than I thought or the sickness is still taking its toll. He gasped for air and felt lightheaded. After resting for a few moments, he decided to attempt another 5 push-ups. It was more difficult this time, his arms trembling with exhaustion and the initial burst of energy completely gone. His heart throbbed, and the dizziness intensified. A sheen of sweat covered his body. Just a few more. Alaric decided to try once again but he could hear the sound of approaching footsteps. Breaking his posture, he scrambled back to his bed, lay down, and wrapped the blanket over himself. Moments later, Elara peeked into his room. ¡°Young master, did you eat well? How are you feeling now? Huh¡­¡± Elara scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. Alaric gave a slight smile. ¡°The food¡­was delicious.¡± ¡°Why are you sweating? And, you look like you are out of breath.¡± Elara rushed into the room and checked his temperature again. ¡°Sweet child, are you feeling sick again? Should I call for the physician?¡± ¡°No¡­no need. I¡¯m fine, truly.¡± Alaric tried to reassure Elara who was overly concerned for his health. He was still a little out of breath. ¡°You don¡¯t have a fever, but why are you so sweaty?¡± Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She placed her hands around her waist and glared at him softly. ¡°Young master, were you up to some mischief?¡± Alaric struggled to maintain his best poker face. Somehow, being scolded like a child was irritating and amusing at once. ¡°Of course not. I was just watching the guards train outside.¡± He pointed towards the window. Elara remained silent, waiting for him to continue. ¡°I may have tried to exercise a little¡­¡± Alaric admitted in a meek voice. ¡°To recover quickly,¡± he added when he noticed the glare on her face turning into a scowl. Why am I acting like I did something wrong? It makes no sense. Elara slapped her forehead. ¡°You did what? I spent two weeks nursing you, praying to the Radiant Flame to cure your illness. Not eating or sleeping properly, worrying about you day and night. And now¡­the moment you feel a little better, you do this?¡± She gestured sharply with her hands. ¡°Stress your body again? Do you think this is a joke?¡± Alaric felt a sense of guilt crawl into his chest. He was more worried about upsetting Elara, who had taken care of him during his illness, than getting sick again. She had a point, though. Exercising and stressing his body before he recovered fully could land him into his bed again. And, that would delay his progress even longer. ¡°You¡¯re right. I didn¡¯t realize¡­I am sorry.¡± Alaric shook his head. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t exercise again until I¡¯ve recovered fully,¡± he said with a look of embarrassment. What else could he say? That he couldn¡¯t wait to get stronger or that he felt excited watching the guards train? Those reasons wouldn¡¯t make sense to Elara. At the acknowledgment of his mistake, Elara seemed to calm down a bit and her features softened. It seemed she was preparing to try to make him understand the error of his ways. To counter the excuses Alaric would say in order to avoid being reprimanded. However, contrary to her expectations, Alaric admitted his fault and even apologized to her. Bastard or not, somebody with noble blood in their veins never apologized to maids. For the first time, Elara sensed something different about Alaric. She couldn¡¯t quite explain it yet but it made her feel odd. ¡°You really mean what you said?¡± She looked intently. ¡°I do.¡± Alaric nodded solemnly. A kind smile graced her face. It looked like the nurturing side of her won over the side that was frustrated. She couldn¡¯t stay upset at Alaric any longer and nodded approvingly.Stolen story; please report. She dragged a chair to the bed and sat down. ¡°Here, I came to read you your favorite story.¡± She opened a book titled, ¡°The Adventures of the Dungeon Explorers¡± and began narrating it to him. Alaric released a sigh, happy to have eased Elara¡¯s worry. He settled down comfortably on his bed and tuned into the story - which, surprisingly - sounded interesting due to her storytelling skills. This must be a part of our regular routine. Well, this is not so bad¡­Training can wait till later.
Captain Aldric Farrow''s POV ¡°Swing your swords harder, you dumb wits. Didn¡¯t your momma feed you as a child?¡± Captain Aldric Farrow bellowed at the squad of new recruits assembled for training. They had been at it for only an hour and already, he could spot many of the wannabe guards dripping with sweat and faltering significantly. He felt irritated but couldn¡¯t really blame them. Being a soldier or a guard took time. You couldn¡¯t master it in only a few weeks of training. Besides, they were all working their asses off for honest coin. Still, it didn¡¯t do anything to improve his mood watching the imperfect forms and exhaustion of his new squad of guards. How am I supposed to rely on them when the enemy strikes? He shook his head. Captain Farrow had served Count Eustace de Vermond - lord of Montreval - for the past few years. After retiring as an adventurer, he took the position of the Captain of the guards of House Vermond, and it had been smooth sailing for the most part. It was peaceful in this area, south of the kingdom, with almost no conflicts over territory between the nobles. Sure, a few thugs and bandits dared to try their luck at looting the border territories, but the Lord swiftly crushed them by deploying his squad of knights. The most he had to fear in all these years was when a group of thugs attempted to storm the manor treasury while Lord Vermond was out on some mission with his squad of knights. The fools bit off more than they could chew. They severely underestimated the houseguards and paid the price for it. Well, all that changed when Lord Vermond acquired the rights to the ¡®Greyheaven¡¯ mana mines that shared a border with his northern territory and the southern territory of Count Valeran de Clairmont. Apparently, Count Clairmont had been illegally exploiting the ¡®Greyheaven¡¯ mana mines prior to that incident. Now, he could do nothing legally as the order had been sanctioned by the Royal Council. Count Clairmont was a nasty man and vindictive by nature. At first, he tried to negotiate for the mines with Lord Vermond. When that didn¡¯t work, he subtly threatened the lord. The audacity of that scum... The wretched count wouldn¡¯t dare to attack his estate while Lord Vermond was present with his knights. However, the lord had to leave frequently for important missions. He predicted that Count Clairmont would use the lord¡¯s absence and strike the estate with his squad of knights. He could chalk up some excuse later since there would be no higher authority present at the manor during the lord¡¯s absence. Lord Vermond, being the shrewd man he was, doubled the number of guards around the mansion for that reason. And now, Captain Farrow had to forge these greenhorns into capable defenders before an attack or invasion could happen. He scrutinized the forms of the trainee guards for a few moments before calling his vice-captain, Garret Holt. There was nobody Farrow trusted more than Garret, who was almost as formidable as him despite being much younger and far less experienced. Garret arrived and saluted Farrow. ¡°At your service, Captain Farrow¡±. Captain Farrow turned around to face him. ¡°You take over. If anybody breaks form¡­¡± he spun around, ¡°make them do 50 push-ups.¡± The trainee guards flashed looks of fear and began practicing their swings more meticulously. Farrow chuckled. ¡°As you command, captain.¡± Garret faced the trainee guards and began barking orders. Farrow strode towards the garden and sat on a bench that faced the mansion. He took out an apple from his storage bag and bit on it, savoring the juicy taste. Hmm..delicious. It had almost become a routine for him to retreat to the garden at this time. He gazed upwards, and there he was¡­the boy peering intently while leaning on his windowsill. He had heard that the bastard had been sick for a few days but had recovered now, somehow. However, he had strict orders from the physician to not leave his room for a few days. At first, Farrow assumed the bastard was simply bored. Who wouldn¡¯t be when they are stuck in their rooms while they have the energy to roam around? However, he had noticed the bastard scrutinizing the training of the guards for the past four days. That was not the part that unsettled him. It was the look in his eyes. Even from this distance, Captain Farrow could clearly see the sparkle and look of intense focus on those child-like eyes. It was eerie, as if the boy was trying to soak up every detail. More than once, he saw him mimicking movements, as if swinging an imaginary sword at an invisible enemy. Farrow straightened and chuckled. Another noble brat charmed by the legends of knights and soldiers. He will get bored eventually. He shook his head and got up. There was important work to do. *** Alaric was curious. He liked watching the guards train, swinging their swords, and drilling their combat moves. It was only a shame he still couldn¡¯t visit the training grounds and practice on his own. His body was still weak. Exercising for more than ten minutes was enough to sap the air from his lungs and invite intense physical exhaustion. Fortunately, he was getting better. He had never trained in sword fighting before. His path had been different in his old life. In this life, he wanted to try it. Do something different. Also, he had a suspicion that being a noble now ¡ª albeit a half-blood ¡ª he would be challenged to duels to settle personal and formal disputes. Like any other noble. So, it was essential to learn the art of sword fighting. His suspicion had some basis of fact, based on the stories of chivalry and noble honor that Elara had shared with him over the past few days. Well, he was up for a challenge, especially one that would help him to purify his Root Chakra. Chapter 9 - The Daily Routine The library had quickly become his favorite place to visit. It was a hall of a decent size with rows of bookshelves that lined up the walls. The smell of wood and old books filled the air and the silence of the room infused him with a sense of peace. There was a line of windows on the far wall with colored glasses. It transformed the sunlight entering the library and bathed it in an ethereal glow. Almost nobody visited the library during the day. Only the maids came once in the morning and in the evening to dust off the shelves and polish the furniture that had accumulated dirt. Overall, he liked the cleanliness of the place. Yesterday, he spotted a bearded old man with a book propped open on the reading table but quickly departed before he could notice him. The man resembled a tutor. Well, at least, he exuded that vibe. For now, Alaric wanted to avoid contact with tutors. After all, they loved asking questions to gauge the knowledge of children. And, Alaric didn¡¯t want to engage in that battle without some preparation. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t have to evade his half-brothers since they never once came into the hall of knowledge. Alaric approached a bookshelf to the far right. The adjacent sections were filled with storybooks, books on knitting, manuals of different weapons, cooking, politics, and more miscellaneous subjects that he had no idea about. On his first day, he skimped through a few books that taught the alphabet of the new world. It was then he realized that he could actually read the language of the new world. Well, one of them at least. A major section of the bookshelf contained texts written in a language that he couldn¡¯t recognize. However, there were quite a few books that were written in the same language, with the exact same vocabulary, pronunciation, and rules of grammar as his homeworld. Another coincidence? Alaric shook his head. No, he believed that the system had something to do with it. Probably. He couldn¡¯t be certain because the system wasn''t even functioning properly. In a book titled, ¡®The Basics of System Knowledge¡¯, he learned that the kids of this world gained access to mana and the system at the age of twelve. It was a major event in everybody¡¯s life and was a cause for celebration. A simple thought such as ¡®status screen¡¯ or merely the intention would open something called a ¡®stat sheet¡¯ that relayed the personal information of the user. This status screen was private and nobody could view it unless you willed it. He was still confused about the whole concept of a ¡®system¡¯ that monitored the progress of a cultivator and performed many other magical functions. Frankly, it was a little confusing to him, and he decided to learn more about it when he gained access to it. Full access to it. Alaric mentally thought, ¡®status screen¡¯ and a translucent screen popped up in his vision. It felt a little disorienting at first, focusing his eyes in mid-air without paying attention to his surroundings. However, he quickly got used to it. The status screen followed his eye movement and was always at an optimal distance that didn¡¯t strain his eyes. However, with some experimentation, he figured out that he could view the status screen with his eyes closed too. The overall feel of the experience felt similar to when he was observing his rewards options in that black void. Only this time, the screen hovered outside his body but still felt inside his mind, if that somehow made sense. Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 7 Stats: Access denied Titles - Ally of the System. Unused experience points - 713 Note - System functionality is compromised. Detecting cause¡­ System functionality will be restored once the user reaches the appropriate age. Alaric released a sigh. His status screen was still the same. His name, age, and title were in black letters. They appeared fine. However, every other option was greyed out. He felt like he should do something with the unused experience points. However, at the thought of that, he heard two beeps that instinctively felt like an ¡®error¡¯ sound. No matter, I just have to wait for 5 more years before I can access this whole ¡®system¡¯ thing. Plenty of things to accomplish before that. The system, at least, confirmed that he was currently 7 years old. Alaric chuckled. How amusing. He dismissed the status screen and pulled a book title, ¡®Geography of the Continent¡¯ and sat down on a bench facing the reading table. He couldn¡¯t quite believe that he had access to so much information at first. Knowledge was power, and here he had access to a vast reservoir of knowledge about his new world. Sure, it was a lot to digest at once, and he still felt like his mind was not quite as it used to be. He could read fast and remember a lot. But it was nothing compared to the quality of mind he was used to as a ¡®Supreme Cultivator¡¯ back in his homeworld. Oftentimes, he caught his mind wandering on unnecessary thoughts such as what he should eat for dinner. It was absurd. Still, he was grateful for being able to read quickly and retain so much information.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. The book, ¡®Geography of the Continent¡¯, was a thick, leather-bound book. He flipped its pages, taking in the colorful maps of different nations, islands, cities, districts, and provinces. It featured an extensive section on ¡®The Aurion Empire¡¯, being the major landmass and authority on the continent. In fact, the book presented different types of maps of the Empire ¡ª some depicting a collection of rivers, territorial features, and resources, while others illustrated a network of roads, railway lines, and important cities. The maps of the capital cities were drawn down in fine detail, and it was evident that the cartographer had poured significant effort into them. The Imperial Capital ¡ª Solandis ¡ª was the most impressive, which was a massive city divided into 12 districts, each controlled by a different faction. The Emperor or Supreme Monarch was the Supreme Ruler of the ¡®Aurion Empire¡¯. His authority spanned many nations ¡ª large and small ¡ª which were ruled by respective kings and high kings of those nations. Only a small portion of the continent remained autonomous and ruled by independent kings. For the first time, he really comprehended the scale of power the Empire wielded over this continent. He could now see why it was considered the ¡®Heart of Civilization¡¯. Another thing that impressed him was the Authority of the Church of the Radiant Flame. It seemed like the Church was a Semi-Autonomous power, practically a state within a state. It was one of the largest nations in the empire. Essentially, it was a theocratic nation under the supreme authority of The Pontifex, a.k.a ¡®The Voice of the Flame¡¯. However, it was also a part of the Empire since the Emperor himself was a member of the church. As a result of this, the Church commanded a strong influence throughout the empire and across the mainlands as well. Every city or village in the empire had a local church, chapel, or place of worship that practiced the orthodox religion of the Radiant Flame. Alaric scrunched his brows. He didn¡¯t trust powerful religious orders with so much influence. Unless you followed their religion, you¡¯d be labeled as a heretic. I¡¯d have to be wary of the church. All of that was impressive, but what really surprised him was that even this vast continent was just a small part of ¡®Gaia¡¯, his new homeworld. There were many other major continents on this new planet. In fact, only the fractured empire ¡ª Zephraxis ¡ª was considered a continent in these books. The other five starting locations he knew about were considered more like independent countries. The other major continents and powerhouses of the world were briefly mentioned towards the end of the book, but there was not much information about these locations to form a clear picture in his mind. Well, I¡¯ll have the opportunity to learn in the future. Alaric got lost in tracing the different maps and analyzing the various resources. For some inexplicable reason, flipping through pages of colorful map drawings gripped the attention and focus of his childlike mind like a magnet. However, he quickly found himself grappling with information overload as his head began to throb slightly. He massaged his temples a bit and returned the book back to its original spot. Phew, that was a lot of interesting information. A good workout for the mind. When Alaric turned to leave, he saw a flicker of silhouette dart out of his vision. Hmm¡­what was that? He stealthily approached the door and peeked outside. Two maids were chatting with one another on a far corner. He looked around and spotted no other person. He scrunched his bows. There was somebody else, keeping an eye on me. No matter. Alaric shrugged and left the library to have his lunch. His stomach growled. Yep, lunchtime it is. *** It¡¯s been over a week since Alaric had recovered. He couldn¡¯t wait to finally go outside the mansion and venture to the training grounds to start his physical exercise training. During his brief period of rest, his routine was simple - wake up, eat breakfast, do some light exercise in his bedroom, observe the guards practice, delve into the books in the library, consume lunch, rest in the afternoon, meditate, eat dinner, sneak around the mansion to investigate, return to his bedroom, and retire for the night. It was not exactly boring - the library alone was enough to keep him engaged for hours. However, he was really itching to visit the grounds and engage in some vigorous activity. During his evening escapades, where he sneaked around the mansion doing his best to hide from the maids and servants while mapping the layout of the house, he learned something interesting. Apparently, his half-brothers Edwin and Lucien were instructed by some combat instructor on the art of sword fighting and dueling. He spied on them sparring with wooden swords a few times but he was not impressed. The combat instructor took it easy on them, focusing more on teaching proper form and stances than on genuine combat techniques, and emphasizing the rules of dueling etiquette. He also spotted the same bearded old man instructing them in reading, writing, mathematics, and religion. It was to be expected since they were older than him ¡ª Lucien being 8 and Edwin being 10. He had no idea whether he would also be presented with the opportunity to learn from a tutor or train under a combat instructor, but he refused to wait around for that. He would train independently and perhaps, ask any of the guards to teach him the basics of swordsmanship. His interpretation of swordsmanship ¡ª the principles and etiquette ¡ª would differ from the knowledge he¡¯d acquired. After all, the sects were the dominant powerhouses in his homeworld, with nobles being the minority. And, the library was sufficient to answer his questions - for now. However, he suspected that he would also be permitted to study under a tutor when he grew a little older. Alaric chewed the last morsels of his breakfast and gazed towards the window overlooking the brilliant blue sky. A sunny day. Perfect for my first step into the training grounds. He could hear the guard captain shouting like a drill sergeant and his subordinates responding in sync. During his morning observation routine of the guards, he detected the guard captain looking at him more than once. Sometimes, he pretended not to notice Alaric, and other times, he gazed at him directly. It was intriguing, being the focus of a formidable soldier. Truth be told, Alaric was interested in meeting the man, eventually, when he felt more prepared. One thing that unnerved him though was that he felt somebody shadowing his movements. Almost all the time. The count probably tasked somebody to keep an eye on me and report to him about my activity and behavior. He instinctively knew that whoever it was posed no danger to his life. But it certainly irritated him intensely being under the supervision of some unknown observer. Alaric shook his head. I will unmask them in time. For now, it¡¯s time to visit the training grounds. With that thought in mind, he exited his bedroom. Chapter 10 - The Training Begins The house guard¡¯s training ground was much larger than it looked from a distance. Up close, he could see that it was divided into different sections, and the far end of it housed many dormitory-style buildings ¡ª barracks ¡ª where all the houseguards lived. He also spotted a few fortified buildings which he supposed were the armory, likely brimming with emergency weapons, gears, and other essential supplies. It was always guarded by a few veteran guards clad in heavy armor. Their gaze screamed danger, and he only witnessed a few senior guards permitted to enter the armory. Recently, Alaric learned that the opposite end of the estate housed the Knight Quarters, where all the Honor-bound vassals serving the lord lived. Some of them lived with their families and had separate rooms and cottages. They were minor nobles ¡ª a few of them without titles or lands. They also maintained their own training grounds, which were adjacent to the estate grounds. The Knight¡¯s training ground was not visible from his bedroom. He decided to explore the Knight¡¯s training grounds later. Focusing his attention back to the massive training area, Alaric surveyed the layout of the area and gauged the function of each section. The entire area was surrounded by an oval-shaped dirt track. and he spotted a few guards sprinting and competing in races. It was the perfect place for doing endurance runs, sprint races, and chase drills. Towards the corner of the yard, he noticed a weapons rack filled with wooden practice swords and wooden polearms for spear and sword drills. Another rack included real steel swords for the experienced guards, along with wooden and iron-clad shields for shield exercises. A large circular arena filled with sand and packed dirt lay at the heart of the training yard. It was the sparring area. Even now, he observed two guards grappling unarmed, each trying to get an edge over the other. This area is perfect for sparring matches. Rows of dummy targets ¡ª scarecrow-style effigies crafted from straw ¡ª lined the sword swing zone. This was the area that was visible from his bedroom. He saw a plethora of guards honing their sword swings for speed, power, and precision. A few of the guards that looked formidable aimed for the weak points of the dummies, such as the neck, gaps in the armor, and joints on the dummy frame. After inspecting the sword swing zone for a while, he turned his attention towards the strength training area. It housed an array of heavy equipment, including stones and wooden logs that the guards could lift, drag, shove, and hurl to build their physical power. Two groups of guards were currently engaged in a rope-pulling contest, probably to build their grip strength. A set of battering rams lay nearby, used for practicing door breaches. The final section of the area was dedicated to bodyweight workouts. It was a general fitness zone for physical conditioning and endurance training. He saw many guards engaged in doing push-ups, squats, sit-ups, pull-ups, and planks. Some of them leaped onto boxes in a series of explosive jumps, while others navigated across logs and wooden beams to sharpen their balance. A thick rope dangled from the branch of a large tree. It is probably used for rope-climbing exercises. The sparring area was filled with the sounds of clashing wooden swords, the grunts of effort, and the pungent mix of dirt, sweat, and iron. The shouts of senior sergeants and corporals barking instructions at the junior guards echoed through the air. All of them were busy either drilling their combat forms, sparring with a partner, or honing their physical conditioning and strength. It was exactly as he had envisioned. A smile spread across Alaric¡¯s face. It has everything I need, for now. Alaric approached the general fitness area to start his physical training in earnest. The guards who were currently engaged in doing their own exercises didn¡¯t even notice him. However, a few guards who were resting in between their exercise sets glanced his way with surprise. One guard even jabbed a finger in his direction and snickered. Alaric chuckled. Let them think I¡¯ve gone mad or whatever. He ignored the amusing stares of the guards currently training in the area and settled in a space tucked away in the far corner. He began stretching his limbs, warming up the untrained muscles of this new body. He cycled through a series of arm raises, hip circles, high knees, and leg swings.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. After about ten minutes of pre-workout stretches, he started doing push-ups. He matched each push with a powerful exhale and inhaled deeply before pushing his body against the ground once more. His chest burned and sweat beaded on his forehead. His ears flushed hot and red. Alaric pushed on, ignoring his racing heart. He was pleased to note that he could now do 8 push-ups continuously after recovering from his illness. Granted, it was still not that impressive, perhaps, even for a 7-year-old boy, but he was okay with it for now. When he reached his final rep, he gripped his willpower striving to do just one more. His arms ached, his heart thrummed wildly, and his lungs seized. His throat became dry and constricted. Cannot give up now. This is the real test. Ignoring all his bodily sensations, Alaric pushed against the ground with all his might for one last time ¡ª completing his 9th rep. Once done, he collapsed onto the ground and turned his face to the bright sky, eyes closed, inhaling long, deep breaths to calm down his racing heart. He felt satisfied. The first step to mastering his chakras was to purify them, and that required him to push beyond his limits. Each of the seven chakras was tied to different aspects of your cultivation. The root chakra was connected to the physical body. Naturally, it required a highly fit body that was strong, powerful, and flexible. That meant exercising, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep. However, there was another crucial element¡ªthe mastery of austerity. In a sense, it was a path of continuous improvement where one must push beyond their limits and challenge oneself continuously ¡ª no matter how tough it feels. If your limit is 10 push-ups, strive to do just one more. If you naturally wake up at 7 am, push yourself to wake up at 6:50 am. If you get angry easily, try to restrain your outburst. If you can focus on a thought for just 5 seconds, strive to hold to a single thought for 6 seconds. Whatever it is that you can do easily, make it harder. This helps to develop extreme control over the willpower, emotions, body, and mind. More importantly, it helps to purify the chakras and prepares a cultivator for activating them. Alaric eliminated his rumination. Thinking about chakras will not get him anywhere unless he is able to purify them first. Resting for a brief few minutes, Alaric continued his physical training session. He lost track of time, focusing intensely on completing his training goal for the day. He powered through 2 sets of push-ups followed by 15 squats. His body remained inflexible. As a result, he was unable to execute sit-ups with proper form. It hurt his core and upper back to complete even 10 reps with improper form. With the exhaustion seeping into his bones, he was able to complete a 10-sec plank. When he came to his senses, he noticed the guards engaged in their own activities. Only the guard captain paid some attention to him from a distance. For some reason, Alaric sensed the guard captain didn¡¯t want others to feel like he was paying any attention to him. It was amusing. After resting for 15 minutes, he strode towards the sprinting ground for a brief run. It took him approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds to complete a lap around the 400-meter track. By now, he was practically out of breath. Alaric slumped onto the ground and eyed the thick rope dangling from the tree branch. He released a sigh. Not today. It would be too much. Climbing the rope would require much more grip strength than I currently possess. Alaric pondered over how to improve his grip strength and improve his back muscles. He spotted a few soldiers hanging on to sturdy tree branches and others hoisting themselves up on wooden support beams inside an indoor area for pull-ups. He shook his head. Alaric had no delusions about his ability to perform even a single pull-up in his current form. However, that wasn¡¯t the main issue. The tree branches and wooden beams were beyond his reach, even if he tried to jump. He¡¯d need someone¡¯s help to grab hold of them. Who would help me? For now, he decided to ignore those worries. It was time to head back. *** Captain Farrow POV - When Captain Farrow noticed Alaric stride into the guard¡¯s training area for the first time, he wasn¡¯t surprised. He kind of expected him to arrive sooner or later, considering how he was always glued to the window every morning, observing the trainee guards¡¯ practice. If you didn¡¯t have an interest in mastering sword techniques or engaging in physical activities, in general, you¡¯d get bored easily. Yet, the bastard didn¡¯t leave the opportunity to watch the guards practice for even a single day. He sneakily tracked Alaric from a distance. Naturally, the kid was struggling, his form rough and unpolished. He chuckled. How could he learn without an instructor? Imitating the guards will only get you so far. He reckoned the kid would try to request a guard to teach him the forms and train him. He furrowed his brows at that thought. Captain Farrow decided to ignore the Aalric for now. I¡¯ll handle him when that time comes. After all, he is not disturbing anybody yet. It was surprising. Although the kid¡¯s form was clumsy, it felt like he was doing the exercises with purpose. He took rests in between sets and tried to maintain his distance from others. He didn¡¯t look scared at all with all the guards shouting and engaged in sparring battles. In fact, it almost looked like he didn¡¯t want to be disturbed by anybody else. Tony and Nappo openly mocked the bastard from a distance. I¡¯ll have to reprimand them later. Bastard or not, if the lord comes to know of it, he won¡¯t like it. Surprisingly, the bastard paid them no attention. Farrow even spotted a smile on his face. Once he was engaged in the exercise, the sheer determination in his eyes was perfectly clear. He was completely focused on his own training. A child of seven with such an amazing focus was rare. Captain Farrow shook his head. Hmmph. He¡¯s no match for my Rowan. He¡¯ll quit by the end of the week. Chapter 11 - The Art of The Sword 4 Weeks After Today, Alaric set another record. He woke up at 6:30 am once again, for the fourth consecutive day. It was difficult, at first, trying to escape the clutches of sleep. Breakfast was usually served at around 8 am, and naturally, the kids were woken up by the maids 15 minutes prior to that. Not that there was any strict schedule. According to his knowledge, Edwin and Lucien usually woke up after 9 am. Regardless, he tried to wake up a little bit earlier each day. There was so much to accomplish. So much to learn. Besides, the adults woke up much sooner. The servants awoke as early as 5:30 am to prepare the meals, clean the stable and grounds, fetch water, and complete other chores. The guards started their training at 7 am. So, it made no sense to sleep longer and miss out on all the fun. Once Elara noticed that he started waking earlier than usual, she grew concerned. Alaric eased her worries and simply explained that it had become a habit. Since Alaric was not sick anymore, she gave up trying to convince him to sleep a little longer. When that didn¡¯t work, she instructed the maids to have their breakfast ready earlier than the other kids. Alaric marched into the training grounds and claimed his usual spot. By now, the guards had noticed his daily training regimen and decided to leave him to his own devices. And, he was grateful for that. Luckily, nobody tried to dissuade him or cause any trouble. He was the lord¡¯s son after all, even though he was just a bastard. He took his position on the ground and powered through push-ups. It had become a lot easier. Now, he could do about 15 push-ups at one go without getting out of breath. Once done with the push-ups, he advanced to squats and sit-ups. Afterward, he went to the resting area and eyed the section with the rope. Today, he decided to attempt rope climbing exercises and pull-ups. He approached the rope climbing area and waited for his turn. There was one guard currently climbing the rope while two others lounged, having completed their climb for the day. One guard eyed him and said, ¡°Young master, this exercise isn¡¯t for kids.¡± He chuckled. ¡°If you fall, you could break your bones.¡± Alaric saw real concern in the guard¡¯s eyes. Sure, if I injure myself while under your supervision, the guard captain will skin you alive. Alaric found it amusing but outwardly, he feigned an innocent expression. ¡°Really?¡± He blurted. Then, acting as if an idea struck him, he added, ¡°It¡¯s good you guys are here then, right?¡± The guards exchanged glances. ¡°Us?¡± One pointed a finger at himself. ¡°We can¡¯t babysit you. We are busy,¡± he said smugly. Alaric tilted his head in mock confusion. ¡°Aren¡¯t the houseguards supposed to protect the lord and his family?¡± ¡°Well, yes¡­that is¡­but¡ª¡± Alaric dipped his head in a small bow. ¡°Thank you for your service. Please take care of me.¡± That seemed to appease the guard. He simply glanced at the other guard and shrugged. Alaric extended a hand for a shake. ¡°I¡¯m Alaric.¡± The guard noticed the tiny hand and shook it. ¡°Fenrir,¡± He pointed toward the other guard and said, ¡°This is Theon.¡± Once the guard climbing the rope was done, he ignored the group and left the scene. Alaric ignored him. He approached the thick rope and grabbed it with his tiny arms. He almost couldn¡¯t form a grip around it. With an intense effort, he tried to lift himself off the ground but failed miserably. Exhaling a sigh, he eyed Fenrir. ¡°Can you lift me off the ground so that I can grab the upper portion of the rope?¡± Fenrir shrugged, grabbed Alaric under the shoulders, and lifted him up. When Alaric grabbed the rope, Fenrir released him but kept his arm underneath. ready to catch him if he fell. Alaric gripped the rope with all his might. He felt pain and heat in his forearms and shoulders. Even hanging onto the rope was difficult at his current strength. His grip was slipping. Alaric mentally counted the seconds. 4¡­5¡­6. Just a little more. His fingers ached under the strain. ¡°Keep holding, young master,¡± Fenrir encouraged him. ¡°You can do it.¡± 7¡­8¡­9¡­10. Ugh. Done. Alaric released his grip. Fenrir caught him and eased him onto the ground. ¡°That was good for your first try.¡± Theon had a look of approval on his face which matched Fenrir¡¯s own. Apparently, neither of them expected Alaric to hold on to the rope for as long as he did. ¡°Thank you for helping me,¡± Alaric said. Fenrir flashed a smile. Looks like he was happy being acknowledged. Using that chance, Alaric asked Fenrir to lift him up so that he could grab hold of a wooden support beam. Perhaps he could attempt some pull-ups. Fenrir agreed to help.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Reaching the indoor area took a few minutes. Even Theon came along to check his form. Apparently, Theon and Fenrir were both senior sergeants who oversaw the north and east wings. And, they were good friends. Fenrir helped Alaric grip the edge of the wooden support beam. Alaric¡¯s tiny fingers struggled to clamp down on the thick support beam. When Fenrir released him, he immediately felt the strain on his fingers and shoulders. He let go after hanging for only about 5 seconds. Alaric exhaled a sigh. Looks like I have to build more strength with the rope climbing exercise before I¡¯m ready for pull-ups. ¡°Young master¡­we have to go,¡± Fenrir hesitated. ¡°We really have work to do.¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Alaric nodded once again. ¡°I appreciate the help.¡± Of course, they were busy. They were senior sergeants, after all. Fenrir and Theon went their separate way while Alaric strode toward the sword swing zone. It is time I picked up a wooden sword. Alaric had noticed a few other boys his age mock-fighting with wooden swords. Perhaps they were the children of the guards and such. One boy, a little older than his age, stood out amongst them. Nobody challenged him while he was drilling sword forms with a dark brown wooden sword. Hmm, that wooden sword looks heavy. He has good focus and form. Currently, he was battering the wooden dummies with a ferocious look on his face. His red hair gleamed in the sun. Alaric didn¡¯t know his name but he surmised the boy was probably the son of the guard captain since he also had fiery crimson hair. Alaric approached the weapons rack and selected a small, wooden sword. After slicing it through the air a few times, he deemed it suitable for his use. Hmm¡­not quite as heavy as I thought it would be. Alaric strode towards a wooden dummy with a look of determination. The wooden dummy looked more impressive from up close. It was clad in armor and matched the height of human soldiers to replicate their form. He gently struck the wooden dummy and felt the force reverberate through his forearms and shoulders. Just a simple strike made his arms throb with a dull discomfort. He couldn¡¯t imagine what would have happened if he had struck it with full force. Yep, not ready yet. I should practice my forms first. Alaric had fought many masters who followed the path of the sword. They were geniuses who wielded the sword as if it were an extension of their own body. There was no rhyme or reason to their forms and techniques. At that level, it was instinctual. You couldn¡¯t predict it or even counter it without raw power. The sword form he saw the guards drilling was different. It consisted of basic moves that everybody practiced until it became second nature. He wasn¡¯t sure how effective those rigid forms and movements would be when fighting with a real enemy, but he decided to learn them first. Primarily, his intention for learning sword fighting was to become proficient at dueling. After observing the guards drilling the same sword forms again and again, he memorized some of the patterns. With that in mind, he began swinging his wooden sword, visualizing striking at an enemy in front of him. He felt out of breath and his arms burned with fatigue only after a couple of swings. He let out a chuckle. So, it¡¯s not as easy as it looks. No matter. I will improve with time. His body engaged muscles he had never used before, and he felt his form was incorrect. How I wish there was somebody who could spot my mistakes and offer me the proper guidance. Alaric spotted the guard captain frown at him. What¡¯s his problem? He noticed the captain grimace as he swung his sword once more. Wait¡­is my poor form irritating him? He chuckled. Well, in that case¡­ Alaric began to thrash the wooden sword left and right as if he were slicing through hordes of monsters. He exaggerated his movements and ignored his stance. He deliberately overreached and swung with a sloppy posture. It didn¡¯t take long. After only about a few minutes, he saw the captain marching toward him, his face twisted into a nasty scowl. *** Captain Farrow POV Captain Aldric Farrow didn¡¯t expect the bastard to maintain interest in physical exercise for as long as he did. After all, he had seen many kids dabble in training only to abandon it within a few days. It took even more discipline to exercise regularly without the oversight of an instructor. Sure, there were other kids his age who ¡°trained¡± in the yard, but their version of training was nothing more than ¡°play fighting¡±. Kids, merely pretending to be knights and fighting imaginary monsters. The bastard was different. He arrived every day and diligently followed his training regimen. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, followed by running and sometimes, sprinting. And, after about a month, he was already showing small signs of improvement. He could complete more push-ups and endure longer runs now. Captain Farrow enjoyed watching the bastard struggling every day to improve his strength. The kid had potential. In fact, he noticed Fenrir and Theon assisting him with rope climbing today. Kids with noble blood shouldn¡¯t train here. The lord ought to have him study under the house combat instructor. He shrugged. What do I know? Perhaps the lord has his reasons. Captain Farrow kept his distance from the kid since he wanted to avoid any sort of drama. The bastard¡¯s status in the household was still unclear to everyone. It would shift dramatically depending on whether the lord favored him or not. As a result, Farrow wasn¡¯t sure how much respect to show him. All that changed when the kid began swinging his swords. It was exasperating to watch such a promising child swing his sword with such sloppy technique and flawed posture. The Lord will have him study under the house instructor. He kept telling himself that. After all, the count had eyes and ears throughout the entire estate, and nothing within his mansion escaped his notice. News of the bastard¡¯s strange behavior must¡¯ve reached him by now. He¡¯s simply choosing to overlook it for god knows what reason. He reigned in his irritation and simply observed the bastard from a distance. Then, suddenly, the kid locked eyes with him for a moment and smirked. After that, he transformed into a complete dumbwit, flailing his sword without any semblance of technique or purpose. He couldn¡¯t bear to look at the spectacle. It was almost as if the kid was doing it on purpose¡ªdeliberately trying to provoke him. The guard captain couldn¡¯t take it anymore. The art of the sword is sacred. If you¡¯re going to practice it, then you have to do it properly. Chapter 12 - Who is the Spy? Captain Aldric Farrow''s POV He strode toward the kid, suppressing his anger, and said, ¡°Kid, that¡¯s not how you train with a sword. Stop before you hurt yourself.¡± His voice rang out sharper than he intended. To his merit, the kid didn¡¯t look scared at all. He even looked like he was satisfied. Locking eyes with him, the kid grinned and said, ¡°Then show me how to do it.¡± Wait. Did he just manipulate me into coming here? Farrow¡¯s initial flicker of anger morphed into amusement. The kid is¡­clever. Huh¡­noble blood runs strong in him. Outwardly, he feigned anger and barked, ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself. You¡¯re far too young for me to train you personally.¡± Hah. Your trick didn¡¯t work. The bastard shrugged and smirked mischievously. He spun around, tossed the sword into the air, and caught it. Then, he resumed swinging the sword wildly. He¡¯s at it again. A vein popped in Farrow¡¯s head. ¡°Here, look¡­¡± The kid took an unusual stance, lowering his hips. ¡°What do you think of this attack?¡± He launched himself up in the air and drove the sword¡¯s tip into the ground. ¡°Descending Fang!¡± The guard captain slapped his forehead. If any other kid dared to mock swordsmanship in his presence, he would¡¯ve slapped them by now. In truth, only his loyalty to the lord restrained him from disciplining the bastard. ¡°It was awesome, right?¡± The kid flashed an innocent smile. ¡°Nobody¡¯s teaching me, so I¡¯m inventing my own moves.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Farrow was furious. What should I do with the kid? ¡°Watch this, another technique¡­¡± The kid attempted to launch into a lunge but Farrow clamped down in his arms, halting him mid-motion. ¡°Alright, Alright¡­¡± Aldric released a heavy breath. Turning his head, he shouted, ¡°Rowan, get over here.¡± He noticed the boy¡¯s gaze shifting to inspect his son, Rowan. There it is ¡ª That same calculating look in his eyes. Farrow shook his head and turned to face his son. ¡°Teach him the basics¡­¡± Rowan grimaced but nodded once he saw the look of warning flash across his father¡¯s eyes. Captain Farrow turned back to face the kid. ¡°There you go. I¡¯ve taught him personally. Learn from him¡­¡± The boy¡¯s face lit up with joy. He dipped his head and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± Well, at least you know your manners. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve inherited your father¡¯s talent as well. *** When the captain of the guards departed, leaving him and Rowan alone, Alaric released a sigh. Frankly, the guard captain scared him a bit. Not mentally but the body of this child had a physiological reaction to seeing the powerful figure of the barrel-chested man. He had a ruddy complexion which matched the red of his hair. His pockmarked face featured wide-set eyes that scrutinized your every movement. I wouldn¡¯t want to be an enemy of that man. His son, Rowan, shared the same red hair as his father. However, he had a tall and thin frame and a pristine face with calculating eyes. After observing him for some time, Alaric concluded that the kid was sharp. Perhaps a few years older than him. Rowan behaved politely which indicated he was aware of Alaric¡¯s status as a half-noble. He maintained a no-nonsense attitude which he probably inherited or learned from his father and straight away went to demonstrate the basic guard positions without much small talk. In their first training session together, Rowan instructed Alaric on how to hold the proper guard positions - high guard, low guard, and middle guard. Apart from that, Rowan introduced him to a few basic strikes such as the basic overhand swing, side swing, and upward cut. When Alaric pressed him further, Rowan showcased his amazing footwork - advancing, retreating, and side steps. Overall, Alaric was pretty impressed by the kid. His father had trained him well. The stances were a little difficult to hold at first, thanks to the awkward flexibility of his child-like body. However, he adapted towards the end of the training session. In fact, he could replicate the guard positions on command, which seemed to please and even surprise Rowan. For the rest of the training session, Alaric failed to spot the guard captain anywhere on the training grounds. He dismissed that thought. However, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that somebody was observing him from a hidden location. Alaric still couldn¡¯t get used to the idea that somebody was monitoring his every action. At first, he tried to ignore it but it quickly became annoying since it disrupted his focus. On a side note, Alaric learned from Rowan that his father¡¯s name was Aldric Farrow. Apparently, he used to be a member of an adventurer¡¯s guild known as the ¡®Twilight Hawk¡¯. It was a regional guild with above-average adventurers in the northern area of the empire.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. He decided to investigate adventurers at a later date. *** 6 months later Alaric had started to enjoy his new life. It was a little irritating, being trapped in the body of a child. It restricted his freedom to explore around the manor and into the city. In fact, once when he asked Elara to take him to the city, she told him that the lord would have to grant him permission. And, the likelihood of the lord permitting him to roam the city without an escort guard would be nil. It turned out that his father denied his request. Apparently, Alaric would have to fulfill his role as a member of the family and earn his reward. He chuckled. Well, that seems fair. Although a little harsh. With so many guards around, he couldn¡¯t spare a single guard for escorting me into the city? Fortunately, his regular schedule granted him some sense of sanity and peace of mind. Exercising, training with Rowan, reading books in the library, and meditating took up the vast majority of the day. He noted that none of the maids and servants were eager to interact with him more than necessary. In fact, he noticed many of them deliberately avoiding him. Only Elara interacted with him and made sure he was truly alive. When he questioned Elara about that, he learned that apparently, the servants and maid were afraid of incurring the wrath of the countess. She despised Alaric and often requested the lord to put him to work in the stables so that he could earn his keep. Or expel him from the mansion and absolve the stain on his honor. The Count disregarded her requests. He decreed that the bastard would stay, and his word was final. However, everybody knew of the open hostility of the countess towards Alaric. Since his status - as a bastard - in the family was not ironed out, the servants and maids kept their distance. The lord neither favored Alaric nor dismissed him. However, Alaric appreciated the fact that he was left to his own devices for now with a roof over his head, food to eat, and clothes on his body. Still, he suspected that this was bound to change soon enough. Recently, he had detected that same sense of unease even while he was meditating in his bedroom. Somebody stealthy observing him. He eliminated that thought from his mind. It was no use worrying about things beyond your control. It was almost noon and Alaric had just returned after completing his morning exercise and sword practice with Rowan. He retrieved a notebook and pen from the desk drawer and started recording his recent gains. It had become a habit of his to document his achievements for the day so that he could track his progress over time. After logging down his performance for the day, he quickly scanned it. Push-ups - 35 Sit-ups - 45 Squats - 60 Pull-ups - 10 Plank time - 2 min 400-meter timed lap - 1:45 min Running -5 laps Rope climbing - Reached the top today. Overall, Alaric was satisfied with his progress. It was not amazing progress but still good progress. That would have to wait until his root chakra was properly purified. He settled down into the lotus posture and concentrated his attention inward. Focusing his attention at the base of his spine, he tuned out everything else. After some time, he sensed a ball of warmth germinating on the base of the spine where the root chakra was supposed to dwell. He still couldn¡¯t visualize the chakras clearly but he could feel them. Hmm¡­my root chakra is halfway purified. Just a few more months. His other chakras were also being purified but those were not his focus at this time. His attention had also sharpened considerably. Now, he could meditate straight for 20 minutes without any distractions. He still struggled to hold on to a single thought for more than a minute. However, he was more aware when his mind slipped from his object of focus and he redirected his attention back to it. His object of focus being the base of the spine where the root chakra resided. After completing his meditation session for the day, Alaric strode towards the library. *** Count Eustace de Vermond''s POV It was early morning. The first layer of snowfall was just starting to descend around the manor. Winter had arrived. Count Eustace de Vermond reclined in his study poring over a few important documents. After reviewing the lot, he sorted a stack of documents and set them aside. With his usual precision, he began signing the remaining ones and stamping his house seal. Somebody knocked on the door. ¡°Enter.¡± His silky voice echoed. The door didn¡¯t budge. Instead, the head butler of the house ¡ª his most trusted confidant ¡ª materialized a few feet away, facing his desk with his head bowed. ¡°Lord, I have the report.¡± He extended a missive to the count. Eustace broke the seal and read through the contents. A smirk crept onto his face. ¡°It looks like Valeran is scheming to stir up some trouble. He just can¡¯t let go of the mines.¡± The butler and the lord locked eyes. Both of them grinned. The count touched his necklace, which was embedded with a blue gemstone. It glowed faintly at his touch. A voice emerged from the other side. ¡°My lord¡­¡± ¡°Come to my study.¡± The count commanded. After that, the count stretched his arms and eased into a more comfortable posture. He sipped some water and approached the window of his study that overlooked the knight¡¯s training area. He massaged his aching back as he observed the jousting practice of the knights in the mounted combat area. ¡°Looks like I am getting old, Edgar.¡± The count remarked with a grin. ¡°Nonsense, my lord. Wait till you reach my age and then we¡¯ll see,¡± The head butler retorted mockingly. Both of them burst into laughter. Edgar Greyford, the head butler of the house, was a mysterious figure in the mansion. His authority was absolute, second only to that of the count, countess, and the legitimate heirs. He was in charge of all the servants and managed them with cold discipline, acting as the count¡¯s direct liaison. He also served as the economic manager of the residential estate. Thus, his responsibilities included all aspects of day-to-day logistics such as food procurement, payroll for staff, guard schedules, and household discipline. Kitchen stewards, footmen, cooks, maids, and servants ¡ª everybody was afraid of this enigmatic figure since he reported directly to the count. However, he also had a secret role that only the captain of the guards and the knight-commander were aware of. He was an exceptionally powerful cultivator who acted as the count¡¯s right-hand man. He was also his closest friend. While the count resided in his mansion, the head butler operated as his personal bodyguard. While the count was away on visit, that responsibility was delegated to the knight commander and his squad of knights. During the count¡¯s absence, the head butler became the de facto leader of the residential estate. ¡°Tell me, Edgar. How are the kids doing?¡± The count turned to listen to the head butler. Chapter 13 - Alaric鈥檚 Origins ¡°Master Edwin usually socializes with the other noble kids who visit him. He¡¯s progressing in his studies at an adequate pace.¡± The count nodded. Edwin was a good boy but he was not fit to become an heir. He flared up at the slightest provocation and squandered most of his time playing with his friends. The boy will mature soon, Eustace reassured himself. ¡°Master Lucien¡­well,¡± Edgar continued, ¡°boys will be boys.¡± The count¡¯s mood soured. Lucien was rather dim-witted. His head was filled with stories of noble prestige and adventurers fighting off dangerous monsters to rescue princesses in distress. He didn¡¯t know when that began, but he suspected that both of his boys had been influenced by the stories narrated by the countess. That woman was too prideful. I¡¯ll have to do something about that. The count decided to have a conversation with his wife. ¡°What about¡­¡± The count¡¯s voice faltered. It was difficult to talk about Alaric. There was a lot of baggage associated with the child. Edgar coughed and cleared his throat. ¡°The youngest, master Alaric¡­is peculiar. He rises early in the morning, far earlier than Edwin and Lucien. He trains every day. Not play fighting like the other boys his age, but genuine training ¡ª push-ups, sword swings, endurance runs.¡± The hint of admiration was unmistakable in his voice. The count arched an eyebrow but didn¡¯t interrupt. The head butler continued. ¡°He spends hours in the library. Not to read stories, but to study history and maps. The servants are whispering, my lord. They say he eats his vegetables.¡± Eustace¡¯s eyes widened briefly before he burst into laughter. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought¡­¡± He slid open a concealed compartment in his desk, took out an ornate golden locket, and flipped it open. Inside, a portrait of a beautiful girl with deep black hair and green eyes¡ªSeraphina¡ªthe true love of his life and Alaric¡¯s mother. A single tear rolled down his cheek. He wiped it with the back of his hand and returned the locket to its hidden compartment. ¡°That¡¯s not all, my lord. Alaric is talented. I¡¯ve personally witnessed him training in the fields. He has progressed at an astonishing rate ever since he recovered from his illness a few months ago.¡± As if a thought occurred to him, Edgar continued. ¡°I might be imagining it, but sometimes I feel like the child can somehow sense my presence when I¡¯m shadowing him.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­he is my child, after all.¡± Eustace¡¯s gaze grew distant. ¡°It seems his mother¡¯s royal blood runs strong in him. It¡¯s a shame I cannot declare him my official heir. Not until the church¡­¡± Eustace shook his head and buried that thought. Speaking of such matters, even in his private chambers, was risky. Even the walls had ears, and one could never be too cautious. He straightened his back. ¡°Keep watching him,¡± he commanded in a firm voice. ¡°Report to me if he displays signs of¡­ambition.¡± ¡°As you wish, my lord.¡± The head butler bowed. ¡°I will take my leave now. It seems the knight commander has arrived.¡± Edgar disappeared. A few seconds later, somebody knocked on the door. ¡°Enter.¡± Sir Baldwin du Rocher, Commander of the Knights of House Vermond, strode into the study and bowed, ¡°You summoned me, my lord.¡± ¡°At ease, Baldwin. Here, take this¡­¡± Eustace handed the missive to Baldwin who accepted it politely. After reading through the missive, he raised an eyebrow and smirked. ¡°The spies are finally proving their worth. Lord Valeran has stepped out of his bounds this time. Plotting to assassinate the miners is too far, even for him.¡± ¡°I agree. If you depart with a few knights within the hour, you can rendezvous with the other team within a few hours. I¡¯ll send them a message.¡± The count said icily. ¡°Valeran''s men will have a nasty surprise waiting for them.¡± ¡°As you command, my lord.¡± Sir Baldwin bowed and left the study. Eustace eased himself into the high-back chair. He had a lot on his mind. Valeran was a minor problem. He could handle it. After all, Valeran wouldn¡¯t dare to launch a direct assault on his territory, only stir up minor inconveniences. He was more worried about Alaric. Few people knew the truth¡ªAldric was not a mere bastard. Eustace and Seraphina had been legally married, albeit according to the customs of another kingdom.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The issue was that although she had royal blood in her veins, Seraphina was also a descendant of a powerful witch clan. The two had fallen in love and married later. It happened when Eustace was dispatched on a diplomatic mission by an Imperial Order. He had spent four years there. The kingdom was outside imperial jurisdiction and without the Church¡¯s presence to interfere. Unfortunately, it also meant that he couldn¡¯t exactly escort his wife to his fief without risking her life and inciting massive trouble. After a lot of arguments, Seraphina resolved to stay in her homeland. The time he shared with Seraphina was some of the most cherished in his entire life. He witnessed the birth of his child and loved every moment of it. However, the kingdom had its own dilemma. The witches were a fractured clan and they didn¡¯t like outsiders. After his birth, there was already an attempt on Alaric¡¯s life. He was not safe in his own birthplace. With no other choice - unable to acknowledge his legitimacy and unable to abandon him - Eustace returned to his mansion with a 3-year-old Alaric in his arms. He was the bastard that he fathered while on a diplomatic mission. Nobody questioned his history or bloodline ties. Nobody dared except the countess. When the countess, Isolde de Vermond, realized she wouldn¡¯t get an answer no matter how intensely she probed the matter, she stopped asking. However, the seething anger lingered in the depths of her heart. Eustace was not worried about that. Alaric was beginning to demonstrate his talent. Sooner or later, he would have to officially acknowledge him if he wanted to ensure Alaric grew to his full potential. However, it was a delicate line trying to balance how much favor he should grant the bastard vs his legitimate heirs. Sooner or later, somebody would notice and scrutinize his actions. And, if it were the Church, it would unleash a can of worms Eustace was not eager to confront. *** It was winter and his time training outside in the field had shortened considerably. The cold weather, snow-covered ground, and icy wind ¡ª all made it difficult for his small, untrained body to withstand the harsh conditions without falling ill. However, Alaric was not all that concerned. He honed what he could inside his bedroom which was large enough for push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. He executed his pull-ups by climbing onto a chair and leaping to grip a ledge. Alas, he couldn¡¯t continue with his rope climbing and sprinting exercises. Those would have to wait until spring returned. For this reason, he devoted extra time to meditating and striving to purify his root chakra. The process was fairly simple for now. All he had to do was concentrate on the base of his spine until a warmth blossomed and then channel it upwards towards his crown. Of course, he had to continue his physical training, eat well, and maintain a proper sleep schedule as well. There was an indoor area where the guards continued practicing their sword drills. However, it was not large enough to accommodate all the guards at once. Frankly, Alaric felt stifled inside. So, he visited the indoor training hall when most of the guards were preoccupied with other things. Rowan and Alaric had formed an agreement. Both of them formed a good bond over the past few months, and now, they practiced their sword drills together. Alaric was amazed at the skill of that child. He learned later that Rowan was 10 years old. Already, he was beginning to grasp the intricacies of swordsmanship. After their first lesson together, Rowan instructed Alaric in all the basic offensive techniques such as slash, thrust, draw cut, pommel strike, and more. His favorite was the wrist strike where you had to target the wrist of your opponent to disarm them. It was a showcase of skill and agility at the same time. In all of their mock practice duels, Alaric had yet to defeat his friend a single time. It was understandable with Rowan being trained much earlier. He couldn¡¯t defeat Rowan yet but Alaric surmised he was grasping the intricacies of the sword quickly. The main limitation was not his skill but his physical body. Well, that will change soon. I can practically feel my root chakra is almost purified. Alaric was immersed in meditation when Elara called to him. He opened his eyes and noticed a complicated expression on her face. He smiled. Must be weird seeing me meditate for so long. When Elara saw him meditate for the first time, she was confused beyond reason. According to her, a child of his age was supposed to roam around the mansion, play with toys, read storybooks, and socialize with their friends. They were not supposed to sit still and not to anything for long, boring periods. Alaric barely managed to convince her that it was for his good. Meditating helped to calm his anxiety. Besides, he couldn¡¯t boast about having too many friends. He didn¡¯t have the luxury to ¡®play¡¯ with friends like his half-brothers. That seemed to shut her up. ¡°You are doing it again,¡± Elara said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you can sit on your bed and do nothing for hours.¡± Alaric chuckled. ¡°I play with my imaginary friends in my imaginary world.¡± Elara gave him a look of disbelief but held her tongue. By now, she realized that Alaric had become a little strange ever since he recovered from his illness. She just released a sigh and continued, ¡°Well, you have to say goodbye to your friends for now. The Lord has ordered your presence in his study.¡± Alaric straightened up. Hmm¡­that is interesting. I wonder why the count is requesting my presence. ¡°Do you know why Father wants to see me?¡± Elara shrugged. ¡°Who knows what the lord is thinking? You must hurry¡­the lord doesn¡¯t like to wait.¡± Before departing from his bedroom, she glanced back at him one last time and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid Alaric. He loves you too.¡± Alaric let out a chuckle. Today is going to be interesting. Let¡¯s see what the count wants from his bastard. Alaric knew the way to his father¡¯s study. It was always guarded by two guards and he never dared to sneak inside. He rubbed his palms and pulled the hood around his head. I hope it is warm inside the count¡¯s study. Chapter 14 - Meeting the Count The count¡¯s study did not disappoint him. The room was dimly lit and warmed by the glow of the crackling fireplace. The heat of the fireplace radiated inside the room, pushing back the cold. It was honestly pretty cozy considering the frigid temperature outside. I wish my room had a fireplace in it. Alaric mused. Sturdy wooden shelves lined the walls, packed with leather-bound tomes and scrolls. A large, heavy mahogany desk dominated the center of the room. It was cluttered with stacks of parchment, wax-sealed letters, and an ink pot with a quill resting atop it. Thick woolen carpets blanketed the floor, muffling his steps as he approached his father. The faint crackling of the burning wood and the rustle of paper echoed in the room as the count sifted through the documents. The whole place exuded a sense of subtle power and formality. Alaric bowed deeply and said, ¡°Father, you called for me?¡± The count did not respond or glance up, as he expected. The count was sorting through a stack of documents, appearing very busy. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with an imposing face that matched his status. His movements were slow and deliberate. He knew there was no hurry, nothing to prove to anybody - just like a lion. Count Eustace de Vermond was dressed in a fine woven doublet lined with fur at the collar and cuffs. It was luxurious but practical. There was no excessive ornamentation on his person, just quality and precision. His sharp eyes flicked toward Alaric for a moment before returning to the documents. The man is used to giving commands, not receiving them. The count was every bit the lord Alaric had imagined. When the count finally turned his gaze on Alaric, his eyes held a look of calculation, but it was not unkind. ¡°Word has reached me that you train hard. Harder than any of the boys in the yard. What is your purpose? Why do you train so hard?¡± His tone was firm and curious. Alaric took a moment to gather his thoughts. This is a chance for me to leave a good impression on him. A simple answer won¡¯t suffice. Alaric locked eyes with his father and replied, ¡°I know my place, Father. I understand what it means to be a bastard.¡± He saw the count scrunch his brows. ¡°I train to earn my keep. So that I can contribute to the family.¡± It was a simple answer. However, it would let the count know that Alaric appreciated the generosity of the count, for sheltering him. And, for that, he was grateful and ready to contribute to the family¡¯s cause. When he finished, he saw a brief flicker of surprise on the count¡¯s face, which he quickly masked. ¡°And you like to read books in the library?¡± Alaric was not surprised. He had already suspected somebody was observing him and tracking his activities, probably on the count¡¯s orders. He was about to shrug but controlled his reaction. Instead, he nodded, pretending like the count had just asked about his favorite activity. ¡°Yes, Father. I like the quiet. Nobody disturbs me there.¡± Alaric smiled. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve learned from the books that knowledge is power, even more so than physical strength.¡± The count narrowed his eyes for a moment before he turned to look outside the window. His gaze grew distant, and Alaric noticed the subtle shift in his body language. The count was thinking about him, not judging him. After some time, the count leaned back in his chair and declared in a firm voice, ¡°Since you would like to earn your keep, you will have the chance. Pass the test, and I will permit you to train with the guard captain.¡± A smile spread across Alaric¡¯s face. The count continued, ¡°And since you are so fond of reading books, I will have you study under the same tutor who teaches Lucien and Edwin. Use this opportunity to prove your worth, Alaric.¡± Alaric was stunned. It was more than he had expected. Frankly, he hadn¡¯t known what the count wanted from him. His status in the mansion was unclear to everyone. The count didn¡¯t openly reject him nor did he openly favor him. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. However, Alaric believed that the count had a soft spot for him since he allowed him to remain in the estate. He cares for me but hides it well. ¡°That will be all, my child. Go now, stay busy.¡± Alaric bowed deeply at the waist once again. ¡°Thank you so much, Father. I will not let you down.¡± He turned around and exited the room. He didn¡¯t know what test the count was referring to but he resolved to get over any hurdle. *** The Count worked fast. It was only the day after, and already, he had been summoned by Master Vellan to his study. Apparently, he was the house tutor who instructed his half-brothers Edwin and Lucien. When he entered the room, he immediately sensed a mild, suppressed hostility. He mentally chuckled. Looks like Master Vellan is not pleased with the fact that he now has to teach a bastard. He let go of that thought and focused on the small but well-furnished room. Two wooden shelves crammed with books on mathematics, history, and natural sciences flanked the walls. In the center of the room stood a large wooden table with two chairs. A set of papers, quills, and an inkpot rested neatly on the table. Alaric shifted his attention to Master Vellan. The man was currently shuffling through some papers. He had spotted the man from afar a few times in the library, but they had never interacted with each other. Both of them had been content to mind their own business. The man possessed a balding head with bushy gray eyebrows and a lined, weathered face. ¡°Sit down, child.¡± The tutor barked irritably when he noticed his entrance into the room. A dark, formal scholar¡¯s robe graced his body, signifying his status as a tutor. However, the dignity was marred by the look of impatience and irritation on his face. So, you believe it is beneath you to teach me. No matter. That impression will change soon. There was no point in getting angry or irritated at the man for underestimating him. He was simply a man of pride who clung to certain prejudices. Alaric sat down on the empty chair and waited for the teacher to elaborate further. After some time, Master Vellan finally deigned to observe him properly. He didn¡¯t make eye contact, instead letting his gaze wander over Alaric¡¯s body, inspecting him with hostile calculation. ¡°I was told to assess your competence,¡± he sneered. ¡°Although, I suspect it will be a waste of time for both of us. Here...¡± He shoved a sheet of paper toward Alaric and continued, ¡°If you manage to pass this simple test, I will commence your formal education starting tomorrow. Otherwise, we¡¯re done here.¡± Alaric accepted the test papers without a word. Master Vellan scratched his cheek and added, ¡°I hear you have been lurking in the library, reading books on your own. Care to explain what you have learned?¡± Alaric didn¡¯t appreciate the tutor¡¯s tone. He was regarding him as if he were a stray animal that had done something amusing. He suppressed the thread of irritation trying to creep into his mind. Controlling his emotions was also a form of training. It would help to purify his sacral chakra, which dealt with emotions and willpower. He brushed aside that train of thought and focused on how to answer the man. He didn¡¯t want to appear arrogant but didn¡¯t want to appear weak either. He shrugged and said, ¡°I like reading history and geography books. The library is quiet and helps me focus. I¡¯ve learned quite a lot.¡± Master Vellan¡¯s eyes narrowed in disbelief and suspicion. He clearly didn¡¯t believe a single word. ¡°We will find out the depths of your knowledge shortly, boy.¡± He let out a disapproving grunt. ¡°Your test starts now. You have one hour.¡± With that, the man closed his eyes and leaned back on his chair, evidently planning to take a nap. Alaric ignored the tutor and examined the test paper. After some quick review, he couldn¡¯t help but let out a slight chuckle. A test for a 7- or 8- year old child. What did I expect? Of course, he knew that questions that would challenge a normal child of his age would be easy for him. But not this easy. Honestly, he didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or feel insulated a little bit. The test paper was divided into four sections ¡ª mental math, logic puzzles, pattern recognition, and map identification. The questions were beyond simple. Easy calculations like, ¡°If a merchant sells 9 bolts of cloth for 2 silver each, how much did he earn?¡± Under the logic section, "Three brothers cross a river using a boat. The boat can only carry two at a time. How do they all cross?" The pattern recognition section included fill-in-the-blank type questions. Such as a sequence of numbers (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ?). Only the map identification section ¡ª which required him to identify the correct regions and landmarks on a drawn map of local provinces ¡ª challenged him a little. Alaric typically studied the continental and national maps since they were more useful for forming an idea about his new world. He was not that interested in learning about local provinces. Fortunately, the regions and landmarks he had to identify were of ¡®Montreval¡¯, the fief of Count Eustace de Vermond, his father. And, he was at least somewhat familiar with the most popular landmarks. He was done with all the questions in under 20 minutes but decided to wait a little bit more before handing his paper to the tutor. Master Vellan was snoring loudly, most probably lost in some type of dreamland. Alaric had no intention of wasting any more time. He waited for another ten minutes and slammed the test paper on the table. ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± He declared calmly. Master Vellan jolted awake from his sleep as though he had been struck on the head. When he realized that Alaric had just submitted his paper, a flash of anger crossed his face. Alaric remained outwardly calm but chuckled inwardly. Looks like he¡¯s ready to skin me alive for disturbing his precious sleep. Chapter 15 - Meeting the Half-siblings Master Vellan POV Vellan was not happy at all. When the lord summoned him and informed him that he would have to teach the bastard, he was furious. Of course, he didn¡¯t reveal it openly to the count. Teaching a bastard child was beneath him. How could the count not realize that? However, the count didn¡¯t tolerate any disobedience. His orders had to be obeyed. That didn¡¯t mean he quietly accepted it. Instead, he requested permission to conduct a test to evaluate the aptitude of the child. After all, if the bastard was to study with master Edwin and Lucien, he had to possess some degree of aptitude. To his surprise, the lord supported the idea. Vellan learned that the bastard had been poring over history and geography books in the library, on his own. Which child ever did that? What an odd kid. He must be doing something fishy. Of course, he didn¡¯t voice his concerns with the count. But he was pleased when the count instructed him to make the test appropriate for somebody who already had some knowledge. Like crafting a test for Master Lucien or Edwin. It was a little harsh, considering the child had never been formally taught before. However, what did he care about? Vellan accepted the directive since it would only make his task easier. The sooner he could be done with it, the better. When Vellan spotted the bastard for the first time, he immediately noticed a stark difference between him and all the other noble kids he had taught before. The bastard ¡ª Alaric ¡ª maintained an unnervingly calm attitude. He didn¡¯t exhibit the skittish energy that Vellan was so used to seeing in noble kids. Nor any trace of fear. Master Edwin was brash and lazy. Master Lucien was hesitant and timid, being the younger brother after all. Alaric, on the other hand, exuded confidence beyond his years. Well, if he can somehow pass the test, it would prove he does have some merit, Vellan reflected. He wouldn¡¯t mind guiding a talented kid. He was a scholar, after all. However, that was an unlikely outcome. Usually, bastards were left without care and they grew up like common trash ¡ª dull-witted. Why would this child be any different? Vellan handed over the test paper to Alaric and decided to take a brief nap. He fully expected the kid to struggle and labor until the last minute to complete the test. He didn¡¯t realize when he slipped into dreamland ¡ª basking in the glory of being awarded the prize for the best teacher at the Lyceum ¡ª but his moment of pride didn¡¯t last long. Apparently, the bastard had completed the test. Vellan checked the time and immediately got annoyed. Just as expected. He had given up already. Vellan was about to berate him but restrained his temper. It was pointless to scold a dull-witted kid. Instead, he focused on grading the paper. Vellan felt the first sliver of surprise when he checked the logic puzzles. They were correct. In fact, his reasoning was spot on, articulated in eloquent language that was rare for a child. Impossible! He solved the logical puzzles ¡ª but, how? Even Edwin could barely get through the first one. And, he is 3 years older than him. He leaned forward as his posture grew taut. The drowsiness vanished. The mental math calculations and the pattern recognition questions were also answered accurately. Every answer was flawless. What impressed him the most were the map identification questions. Both Edwin and Lucien struggled with those. These were challenging questions that truly revealed how hard the kid had studied. He set the paper down and inspected the kid. He had the same calm look on his face. If he didn¡¯t know it better, Vellan would have suspected that the boy had somehow cheated. But that was not possible. He was in the room the whole time. Although he was sleeping, even a single unexpected movement would have alerted him. The boy not only passed but achieved a perfect score. A moment of realization struck him. This boy is no ordinary kid. He is something else¡­a prodigy. His previous disgust quickly morphed into admiration. ¡°Where did you learn all this, kid? Who taught you?¡± ¡°I studied in the library¡­on my own,¡± Alaric replied plainly. It was hard to believe. So, Vellan did the one thing that he could to confirm his suspicions. He fired off rapid questions about history and geography. Alaric answered with precision, although he hesitated on a few questions. However, it was evident that the boy was talented beyond his years. By god, he is sharper than his brothers. Much sharper. Vellan shook his head. No, after a little polish, he would put all the capital city nobles to shame.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Well, young Alaric¡­¡± He declared warmly, ¡°It seems I¡¯ve underestimated you.¡± He nodded with approval. ¡°Not a mistake I¡¯ll make again.¡± He patted Alaric¡¯s back, signaling his acceptance. ¡°Be here at 10 am tomorrow. I won¡¯t go easy on you.¡± Vellan chuckled. Alaric bowed and nodded, ¡°I will be in your care from now on, Master.¡± *** Alaric was the first to arrive at Master Vellan¡¯s study the next morning. Rising early was no longer difficult for him anymore. He was already used to it since he performed his exercise at dawn. However, from now on, his schedule had to change. The morning slot was booked for study with Master Vellan and his half-brothers. Alara noticed three chairs opposite the oaken desk inside the room. Master Vellan was engrossed in reading some scrolls at the other end. They exchanged greetings, and Alaric sensed no lingering animosity in his teacher¡¯s eyes. How could he be angry at him any longer? Alaric had demonstrated his knowledge, intelligence, and cunning. He had achieved perfect marks, something that was difficult even for his elder half-brothers. Any true scholar appreciated a student who liked to study and was clever. Alaric already anticipated some drama when his siblings learned he would be studying alongside them from today onward. And, his prediction proved correct. When Lucien and Edwin entered the room, their gazes immediately locked onto Alaric. Alaric pretended to not notice, but he was acutely aware of their reactions. Lucien appeared simply surprised. Edwin¡¯s face immediately morphed into a scornful glare, before shifting into a sneer. It was pretty clear to Alaric that Edwin saw him as an invader in his ¡®territory¡¯. ¡°What is the bastard doing here?¡± Edwin sneered. Lucien, being the younger brother, mimicked the attitude of his older brother but remained silent. Alaric simply ignored them. He chuckled to himself, leaned back on his chair, and reached for a history book resting on the table. ¡°Be careful what you say, Master Edwin. He is the lord¡¯s son as well.¡± Master Vellan tried to snub the tension before it sprouted into something worse. Edwin¡¯s arrogant demeanor faltered at the reprimand of his teacher. ¡°But he¡¯s just a bastard¡­ How could he be allowed to study with us?¡± As if recalling a private joke, he added. ¡°Mom said bastards are dull. What good will it do for him to study?¡± Master Vellan¡¯s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°The Lord has personally permitted Alaric to study.¡± He leaned forward. ¡°Do you presume to know better than the lord himself? Are you suggesting you will disobey his command?¡± The last declaration slammed both of his siblings like a blow from an iron hammer. Edwin blanched and darted a nervous glance at Lucien. Neither of them uttered another word. Over the course of the study session, all of them faced numerous questions on logic puzzles, arithmetic, and ancient history. Edwin performed well at first but fumbled when the questions grew more challenging. Lucien struggled to keep pace with Edwin and failed spectacularly. When they noticed how easily Alaric answered all the questions, they became disheartened and grew more jealous of him. The look in their eyes radiated pure hatred. They think I¡¯m cheating somehow. Alaric mused. Well, they¡¯re not entirely wrong. I¡¯m actually older. Alaric didn¡¯t find any joy in competing with kids. But he was locked into these circumstances due to a twist of fate. However, that didn¡¯t bother him. The one thing that did bother him a little was their open hatred and jealousy. They are children. Why do they exhibit so much negativity? After some pondering, he came up with a theory. They were influenced by their mother ¡ª the Countess. Children were like sponges and they absorbed whatever they were exposed to. The Countess was not fond of Alaric. She must have brainwashed his siblings into believing that Alaric was somehow ¡®lesser¡¯ than them or any other noble kid. However, now that they experienced the reality firsthand, they couldn¡¯t quite accept it. Alaric breathed out a sigh. It was going to be a long study session. *** It had been a few days since Alaric met with the Count. Since then, he had been anticipating a summons from the guard captain Aldric Farrow. However, it seemed like the guard captain was preoccupied with some other mission. There was something fishy going on. He noticed that the guards were more vigilant. In fact, he noted that the Knight Commander had departed with a squad of knights, destination unknown. It was probably the absence of the Knights ¡ª the Count¡¯s elite guards ¡ª that had the guard captain so on edge. Alaric was currently sparring with Rowan. The boy was only 3 years older than him, but he could clearly observe the dedication he poured into his sword training. His form was immaculate for his age, and his strength was formidable. Alaric had yet to defeat Rowan in a sparring match. Whenever Alaric thought that he had gained the upper hand or tried to exploit an opening, Rowan adjusted his strategy and outmaneuvered him. Granted, he was utilizing advanced techniques that Alaric had not been taught yet. And, of course, Rowan¡¯s greater experience and longer reach gave him an advantage. Still, Alaric was not one to accept defeat easily, and it gnawed at him. ¡°You are getting better, Alaric,¡± Rowan said through ragged breaths after they both clashed their wooden swords. ¡°Not enough to defeat you yet,¡± Alaric quipped, between short breaths. Just then, he noticed Rowan¡¯s eyes widened and he snapped to attention. Alaric¡¯s gaze darted around. What is the guard captain doing here at this hour? Hmm¡­it looks like he is approaching us. Aldric Farrow had been absent for the past few days, and he rarely visited the indoor training area at this time. If he was here, Alaric suspected it was to speak with them. He strode forward with a commanding gait and halted before them. His eyes inspected their stance, and he gave a single approving nod before saying, ¡°Alaric, I¡¯ve spoken with the count. Starting today, you¡¯re to prepare for a test.¡± Alaric pointed a finger at himself. ¡°Me? What test? When?¡± he blurted. Captain Farrow¡¯s eyes locked onto him. ¡°Yes. When you turn 8, we¡¯ll see if you are worthy of advanced training.¡± With that, he turned around and marched away. Alaric mulled over his words for a moment. So, I¡¯ve got less than 6 months to prepare for the test ¡ª whatever it is. He grinned and locked eyes with his friend. Rowan looked surprised. Apparently, he thought it was still too early for Alaric to face such a test. Alaric, on the other hand, brimmed with excitement. Plenty of time to prepare. Eliminating that thought, he lunged at Rowan, who deftly parried the strike. They continued their spar with renewed vigor.. Chapter 16 - What鈥檚 up with Rowan? The Day Before The Test It was late at night. The world outside lay still, cloaked in darkness, with a full moon hanging in the sky outside. Usually, Alaric preferred to practice his chakra visualization meditation at this hour. It had been nearly a full year since he had been reborn and a lot had happened. He still hadn¡¯t fully adapted to being a child, but he was adjusting. After all, he has progressed rapidly. He had a friend now ¡ª Rowan ¡ª whose companionship he surprisingly enjoyed. Much more than either of his half-brothers Lucien or Edwin. For some reason, they kept their distance from him. Well, ever since they realized how much smarter Alaric was compared to either of them. He eliminated those thoughts and focused on the task at hand. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he focused on the cadence of his deep, rhythmic breathing. Slow inhales, slow exhales. Once his mind was sufficiently centered, he turned his focus inwards and visualized the base of his spine. He envisioned a glowing red orb at the base of his spine, flickering like a controlled flame. The red glow had gotten brighter over the past few weeks. It felt warm now, radiating a subtle heat that spread through his body. His legs, hips, and core grew heavier and felt more grounded like roots anchoring themselves deep into the earth. He exerted his willpower and tried to spin the root chakra. The process was sluggish but he continued with sheer willpower. As he settled deeper into the trance, his thoughts drifted toward all that he had achieved. His mind roamed through vivid flashbacks, replaying moments with remarkable clarity. His early lessons with Rowan, back when he was still struggling to wield his wooden sword. The replays of the guard positions. He remembered the moment Fenrir observed him and Rowan practicing. Fenrir¡¯s words echoed in his mind, ¡°Your stance is your foundation, like the roots of a tree.¡± The clash of wooden swords and the grunts of sparring partners echoed in his thoughts. Fragments of practice duels surfaced ¡ª slashing, thrusting, and feinting. Scenes of parrying, blocking, and dodging against Rowan¡¯s strikes flashed in his mind¡¯s eye. Alaric relieved the triumph of defeating other sparring partners with ease. The sharp sting of failure when Rowan¡¯s strike landed on him. The surge of pride when he successfully dodged Rowan¡¯s attack for the first time. He recalled the countless times Rowan corrected his form, encouraging him to move faster and do better. Rowan¡¯s voice echoed once more, quoting his father¡¯s wisdom, ¡°If you want to stand tall, your roots must be unshakable.¡± His awareness returned to the present moment. Alaric felt the warmth of his root chakra growing stronger. He envisioned the swirling red energy flowing smoothly and gently stabilizing. Slowly, it was transforming from a flickering glow to a steady, pulsing warmth. He imagined himself as a young tree with roots burrowed deep into the ground. He was unshakable. Alaric sensed the last remnants of a knot ¡ª a dark spot nestled in the core of the red glow ¡ª dissolving within the chakra¡¯s radiance as it stabilized. His mind and body felt more connected than ever in this new body. Alaric¡¯s eyes drifted open, and he released a slow, measured breath. My root chakra is nearly purified. Perhaps a few more days. A smile spread across his cheek. *** Alaric 8 Years Old The day of the test arrived. However, instead of feeling anxious, he felt better than ever. Today was Alaric¡¯s birthday, and he suspected that Elara was preparing a delicious meal for him. Perhaps, something else awaited, and he couldn¡¯t wait to find out what it was. Alaric chuckled. Instead of stressing about the test, I am daydreaming about food. The training ground buzzed with a sense of quiet excitement and mild tension. Apparently, news about the test had reached the ears of all the guards and the children who trained there. The guards continued with their drills but they all tracked Alaric as he approached the training grounds. The children were clustered to one side, eagerly waiting to see his performance. He couldn¡¯t blame them. Alaric had sparred with many of them over the past few months. Although it wasn¡¯t quite right to call them friends, all of them recognized Alaric and admired him. They knew he was skilled and wanted to witness just how far he could rise. He spotted Rowan off to one side, a serious expression etched into his face. What¡¯s up with him? Alaric wondered. For some reason, Rowan appeared grimmer than usual ¡ª as if he were the one undergoing the test instead of Alaric. Off to the side, three kids his age lingered, faces unfamiliar to him. Hmm..where did they come from? One of them eyed Alaric intently, inspecting him from every angle. The other two whispered to each other. When Alaric met their gazes, they quickly averted their eyes.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. A few moments later, Captain Farrow strode onto the field. He announced the rules of the test to Alaric. He would face challenges in one-on-one sparring matches, a reflex trial, and endurance runs. After finishing his explanation, the captain smirked. ¡°There¡¯s a final challenge, but I¡¯ll share it only after you¡¯ve completed the others.¡± What was that about? Why the suspense? Alaric shrugged. No matter what awaited him, he would strive to come out on top. Alaric stepped into the dueling ring with his trusty wooden sword. A moment later, the three unfamiliar boys approached. One of them entered the field with a wooden sword of his own. Alric was up for a challenge but was sorely disappointed. His first opponent was too predictable. His swings, thrusts, and blocks were all very easy to predict. Alaric swiftly dodged a telegraphed overhand swing and countered with a tap to the chest. The match ended. His second opponent moved faster. Alaric had to rely on his precise footwork. However, he defeated him easily with deft side steps and feints to misdirect him. It wasn¡¯t difficult to land a decisive hit on him. The third opponent was a little tougher, but Alaric quickly adapted to his rhythm. He slipped inside his opponent¡¯s defenses and struck his wrist, disarming him. Some of the kids cheered for him, and Alaric felt proud. The test is easy¡­ so far. Captain Farrow simply grunted as he observed Alaric. As though he expected no less from Alaric. Without hesitation, Alaric proceeded to the next test area, where a series of weighted pendulums swung at random intervals. He smirked and advanced. Alaric either deflected or swiftly dodged each pendulum with sharp, controlled movements. He was forced to duck, twist, and leap backward as needed. It was a test to evaluate his footwork and defensive skills. One pendulum nearly grazed his arm, but he adjusted his rhythm for the next swing. By now, his breath came heavier, and his legs burned from the relentless movement. His forehead was adorned with beads of sweat but his focus remained unshaken. Once he was done with the second test, he advanced to the sprint track. Other kids waited at the starting lines. The test included a series of short, explosive sprints to test his endurance. Alaric¡¯s speed was unmatched, and he left behind all the children competing alongside him. He gasped for breath and felt his chest tightening. However, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. He was satisfied with his performance. Captain Farrow approached, Rowan trailing behind him. ¡°Good work, Alaric. Now, for the final test¡­¡± He gestured towards Rowan, who slowly stepped inside the dueling ring with a wooden sword in his hand. ¡°You don¡¯t have to win. Just survive for ten minutes.¡± Alaric had anticipated something like this. He felt many sets of eyes settle on him as he stepped into the dueling ring once. However, it was Rowan¡¯s gaze that unsettled him the most. It was filled with a steely focus, his usual playful demeanor completely absent. Rowan glanced briefly at his father, who gave a curt nod. Captain Farrow raised his hand and declared firmly, ¡°Start.¡± As his hand dropped, signaling the start of the duel, Rowan lunged at Alaric. He was swift, aggressive, and relentless. Rowan¡¯s strikes hit much harder than during their usual sparring sessions. He didn¡¯t use any playful feints ¡ª just raw, calculated offensive strikes. Alaric was forced to remain on the defensive, blocking and parrying with all of his focus. His heart pounded in his chest. He¡¯s serious this time. For some reason, Rowan¡¯s attitude felt different. Alaric¡¯s arms grew heavier with each impact, the force of Rowan¡¯s blows sending painful vibrations up to his shoulders. Alaric was already exhausted from completing the previous tests. However, he didn¡¯t mind having to fight Rowan without being allowed to rest for some time. No enemy would wait for me to recover during a life-or-death battle. He took it up as a challenge ¡ª a chance to sharpen his focus, strengthen his resolve, and purify his chakras. Why is Rowan fighting like this? His eyes flicked to Captain Farrow and then back to Rowan. Is he trying to prove something? Alaric¡¯s breaths came in ragged gasps, and his vision began to blur. Suddenly, Rowan executed a perfect feint, and Alaric fell for it. Rowan used that opening to strike Alaric in the ribs. The sharp pain dropped him to his knees, gasping desperately for air. *** Captain Aldric Farrow''s POV Captain Aldric Farrow was astonished by Alaric. The boy had improved tremendously over the past year. He didn¡¯t believe the child had any potential at first, being a bastard. However, Alaric quickly proved him Wrong. His technique was still rough but his strength and raw battle sense were extraordinary. Even without learning any of the advanced techniques, he instinctively adapted to the rhythm of his opponents and saw through their fighting patterns. It was not a stretch to claim that no one his age could match him. The results of the test did not surprise him that much. It was merely an official assessment that served as a record of Alaric¡¯s performance. Farrow was acutely aware of Alaric¡¯s discipline and talent. In fact, Captain Farrow had already decided to begin teaching him the advanced techniques the next day. The final test against Rowan was more of a formality. It was intended to give Alaric a taste of humility before progressing further. After all, it was still not possible for Alaric to defeat Rowan, who was three years older than him. Farrow personally trained his son, teaching him everything he had to offer for years. His child was his proudest achievement. Watching Rowan overpower Alaric so decisively lit up his face. Yes, that¡¯s my boy. Don¡¯t go easy on him. His chest swelled with pride for Rowan, yet his respect for Alaric remained. Sure, Alaric¡¯s form was still rough at the edges and his footwork was imperfect. However, the instincts he displayed were sharper than boys twice his age. ¡°He¡¯s not ready for Rowan, though,¡± Farrow muttered under his breath. And that fact was easy to observe. As expected, Rowan dominated the duel from the start. He took the initiative and kept Alaric on the backfoot for the whole time. Yes, push him. Show him the gap between talent and experience. Alaric was struggling, his movements growing slower with every passing second. He was pushing himself too hard. It¡¯s too much even for Alaric to fight Rowan without rest. Farrow glanced at the clock. Only three more minutes. Unfortunately, it looked like Alaric wouldn¡¯t be able to endure to the end at this pace. At that moment, Rowan struck Alaric in the chest, and the boy slumped down on the ground. Will he give up? Farrow inspected Alaric closely. He pondered whether he should call off the fight or let it continue. Just as he was about to signal for the fight to stop, he saw Alaric push himself back onto his feet as his gaze hardened. Hmm¡­what¡¯s this? Farrow paused and inspected Alaric more closely. Something had changed ¡ª something unusual. This isn''t normal. Chapter 17 - Channeling the Power of Root Chakra Alaric sprawled on the cold, dirt-packed ground. His limbs hung like dead weights, and his breathing came in ragged, shallow gasps. Every muscle burned with fatigue. However, it was the sharp, stabbing pain in his ribs that gave him pause. Should I give up now? I thought I had improved so much¡­but maybe, I overestimated myself. He spat to get rid of the dirt on his lips. Is this the limit of this body? Something deep inside him stirred ¡ª a raging defiance. Memories of countless life-or-death battles from his previous life flooded his mind. Moments where he stood on the brink of death, facing enemies far more powerful than Rowan. No, I have endured worse than this. I never gave up before. I¡¯m not starting now. His fingers twitched, but he lacked the power to form a fist. He closed his eyes and dove inward, focusing on his internal world. In his mind¡¯s eye, he visualized the root chakra ¡ª a bundle of small crimson energy nestled at the base of his spine. With an effort of will, he commanded it to spin faster and faster. Spin faster. Damn it. Rowan didn¡¯t wait idly. Alaric sensed Rowan closing in, and instinctively deflected a strike. A flash of surprise surged through his head, mirroring the stunned expression on Rowan¡¯s face. How did I deflect the blow? His hand found the wooden sword, but his focus snapped back to the spinning vortex of energy at his spine. Alaric sensed Rowan surge forward again, faster this time. He barely managed to avoid another blow, stumbling to the side. At this rate, he¡¯ll land a solid hit. Rowan¡¯s face twisted into a scowl as he prepared another attack. Alaric¡¯s thoughts snapped back to the chakra he visualized. ¡°Faster. Spin. More spin, more power. SPIN!¡± Suddenly, the energy shifted. It didn¡¯t just spin ¡ª it erupted into a whirling cyclone. A wave of warmth radiated up Alaric¡¯s spine, washing over his chest, arms, and legs, dissolving the ache and fatigue. It felt as though roots extended from his spine, anchoring him to the earth, stabilizing him, and feeding him with power. My root chakra has been completely purified. And it has partially awakened. Alaric felt the mental fog lift from his mind. His thoughts became razor-sharp, and his focus became crystal clear. His muscles tightened and felt solid and firm. Gone was the sluggishness. It was as if he had awakened from the deepest, most restorative sleep of his life. Alaric climbed to his feet. Rowan unleashed a furious strike, but Alaric met it with a flawless parry, flicking Rowan¡¯s sword off balance with an effortless motion. Rowan stumbled back, shock etched across his face. Alaric went on the offensive for the first time. He pressed Rowan back with a combination of thrusts, slashes, and feints, forcing him onto the defensive. But then, Alaric noticed the warmth on his limbs dissipate, replaced by the creeping chill of exhaustion. His muscles lost their power, his breath turned more ragged, and his strikes lost their edge. No, I¡¯m slowing down. The surge of power wasn¡¯t permanent. His root chakra was now fully purified and partially awakened. Unfortunately, it still required fuel to function and currently, Alaric was running on fumes. Rowan realized the shift in his explosiveness. His strikes grew sharper, faster, and more aggressive. With a decisive upward swing, Rowan disarmed Alaric, sending the wooden sword spinning from his hand. Alaric hit the ground hard, his arms sprawled, his cheek pressed into the dirt. However, he was neither disappointed nor angry. He was satisfied. Alaric could still taste the lingering power of activating his root chakra, smoldering within him. This is enough for today. He closed his eyes as darkness took hold of him. *** Rowan POV Alaric was not at all how he imagined a bastard would be. In fact, he didn¡¯t resemble a noble scion or any other kid for that matter. Alaric didn¡¯t parade around like an entitled kid, but he was not dumb either. No, he was very clever and always focused on his training. Over the past year, Rowan had forged a deep bond with Alaric. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. He really enjoyed training with him. However, in the past few weeks, Rowan caught himself growing a little jealous of his friend. What took him years to master, Alaric grasped in only a few weeks. At this rate, Alaric would surpass him in skill in a few more months. Oftentimes, he saw his father observing Alaric with a look of admiration. Somehow, that made him a little sad. However, he didn¡¯t harbor any malice toward Alaric. All he yearned for was the same respect and admiration from his own father. So, when his father decided to pit him against Aalric, Rowan seized the chance. Frankly, Rowan wasn¡¯t surprised at how well Alaric performed in the other tests. His duel with Alaric should be considered the real test. And that meant Rowan would give it his all. The look in his father¡¯s eyes at the start of the duel was clear. Don¡¯t go easy on him. Rowan decided to take the initiative from the start, just like his father had drilled into him. And, he was keeping Alaric on the defensive. See, Father. I¡¯m not destined to simply become a house guard. I can become an adventurer like you. Rowan yearned to show his father just how much he had sharpened his skills over the years. He was no less capable than any noble scion. And, he almost succeeded in defeating Alaric. He noticed Alaric growing more and more tired. His strikes grew heavier, his movements slower. A part of him was feeling a tinge of guilt witnessing his friends in such a miserable state. However, he squashed that thought. This is an exam, not training. Alaric wouldn¡¯t hold back, so I won¡¯t either. The moment of victory was near. Alaric was on the ground. Rowan prepared to end the fight. Really, it was a shame. Only a few more minutes and Alaric would have passed the test. However, Rowan¡¯s eyes widened when Alaric deflected his strike and subsequently dodged another blow by a narrow margin. Alaric slowly got up, his posture straight, his breathing calm and steady. Rowan instinctively realized something had changed in Alaric. What is happening? Before he could react, Alaric burst into motion and put him on the defensive for the first time. His movements turned unpredictably fluid. His footwork became more precise and his attacks struck with a newfound weight. Alaric was chaining all the moves he had learned in the previous year with unnatural grace. He¡¯s using all the moves we practiced, but so much better. Rowan was forced to settle for blocking and parrying Alaric¡¯s strikes, each impact numbing his hands. If he hadn¡¯t trained rigorously with his father, Rowan was certain Alaric would have disarmed him by now. Where is he getting all this strength? He never struck this hard before! For the first time, Rowan felt a flicker of fear. No. I won¡¯t lose. Rowan clenched his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword. Not to Alaric. He refused to back down and tried to match Alaric blow for blow. Suddenly, he noticed Alaric slowing down again. Whatever mysterious energy was fueling him was fading. This is my chance. Rowan didn¡¯t miss the opening. He slipped inside Alaric¡¯s defenses and, with a sharp flick of his sword, sent Alaric¡¯s weapon spinning into the air. Alaric crumpled to the ground. His heart was pounding, and a sense of relief washed over him, mixed with guilt and admiration for his friend. He glanced at his father, who nodded at him. He had managed to defeat Alaric. I won, but somehow, it doesn¡¯t feel like I won. Rowan knelt beside his friend and gripped his shoulder. ¡°You did good, Alaric. You survived for ten minutes,¡± Rowan whispered in his ear. ¡°You passed the test.¡± Rowan took a moment to gather his thoughts. Alaric was truly no ordinary kid. He might have won against Alaric today, but the outcome could be different in a few months ¡ª he had no doubt about that. I have to train harder. *** Alaric was currently digging into thick cuts of venison seared to perfection. The rich gamey aroma mixed with the sharp scent of garlic and wild herbs elevated his eating experience to a whole nother level. It was his birthday lunch. Usually, Alaric consumed his meals alone in his room, and today was no exception. He had passed by the dining hall where the count and his family dined together, but there was no desire in him to join them. Instead, relishing his food from the comfort of his bedroom felt much more appealing to him. The cooks had truly outdone themselves this time. His usual spread of bread, soup, fruit, and cheese was present. However, the cooks had prepared venison steaks and honeyed sweet rolls specifically for his birthday. The soft, golden rolls were brushed with honey. Each bite tasted heavenly since it melted in his mouth with little resistance. A little later, Elara entered his room with a covered tray. She wore a playful grin. ¡°Don¡¯t fill up too soon, young master. I¡¯ve made something special for your birthday.¡± She set down the tray and lifted the cover to reveal a special birthday cake. It was a honeyed fruit cake. The stress from the duel with Rowan that morning immediately melted away when he saw how much effort Elara spent preparing the cake for him. The round cake was topped with a layer of golden honey. It was decorated with deep red strawberries, bright golden apricots, and dark purple figs. When Alaric tasted a slice of the cake, he felt a single tear escape his eyes. It was simply otherworldly. ¡°I never knew something could taste this good.¡± Elara beamed at the compliment and released a sweet smile. She ruffled his hair and encouraged him to eat some more. But Alaric was already full and content. They spent some time discussing his sword test earlier. Apparently, the news of his excellent performance and the amazing duel with Rowan had quickly spread throughout the maid circle and everybody on the estate. There were plenty of guards who had witnessed the duel. In fact, Elara revealed that even the Knights were talking about it and wishing they could have seen the spectacle. Alaric was amused. Yes, he was happy. He had given it his all and even managed to finally purify his root chakra. I¡¯m 8 now, Alaric reflected. When did time fly by so quickly? After Elara left the bedroom, Alaric decided to inspect the condition of his subtle body. Chapter 18 - The Seven Chakras Alaric settled into the familiar lotus position and visualized the condition of all the chakras. His root chakra was glowing a brilliant crimson, a small orb in his subtle body spinning steadily. With each rotation, his partially awakened root chakra generated a portion of the energy that formed his Pranic force. The life force, or Prana of a person, determines everything about them ¡ª their potential for strength, intelligence, willpower, growth, soul strength, and more. Each chakra governed a different aspect of one¡¯s being. The purer they became, the higher a cultivator¡¯s potential ceiling would rise. And if a cultivator managed to awaken their chakras, it would bestow additional benefits. However, to a chakra cultivator, unfurling the petals of the chakras was the most significant achievement. Unfurling even a single petal would make mastering different abilities, skills, and techniques vastly easier. Many cultivators in his homeworld knew about the presence of chakras in the subtle body. However, their knowledge was incomplete. Chakras were energy centers, but their impact on the body could vary significantly depending on how they were visualized. Moreover, even though most people remained unaware of the chakras¡¯ presence in their subtle bodies, it didn¡¯t mean they lacked them. In fact, powerful cultivators often possessed naturally pure chakras. Some of them even managed to awaken them unknowingly. It happened as a byproduct of cultivating and refining the body, mind, and spirit to extraordinary levels. However, unfurling the chakra petals required specific knowledge and the proper method. This was what distinguished chakra cultivators from other cultivators. Alaric¡¯s master had instructed him that the ancient records that spoke of chakra cultivation recommended visualizing these chakras as flowers akin to water lilies. Just as a water lily can blossom even in the filthiest water bodies but remain pure in itself, untainted by the dirt, a chakra cultivator must envision these seven energy centers in their subtle body taking root and flourishing. These were not physical points in the physical body. They resided in the subtle body, which overlapped with the physical body. Chakra cultivation encompassed a three-step process ¡ª Purifying the chakra by cleansing the body, mind, and soul; awakening the chakras; and unfurling the petals until each chakra bloomed fully. There were seven chakras in the body: The 1,000 petals in the crown chakra symbolized infinity because it represented the universal consciousness, which was boundless. During meditation sessions, a chakra cultivator must visualize each petal of their respective chakra unfurling if they wished to fully bloom them. However, the process remained truly enigmatic. It combined the strength of their visualization, focus, deep absorption, and harmony with their subtle body. With the introduction of the system, Alaric was not certain how the system would play its part in assisting or hindering him in his cultivation journey. He eliminated those thoughts aside. I will cross that bridge when it comes. Alaric scanned through all the chakras in his body. His root chakra was fully purified and partially awakened. He would have to concentrate on fully purifying all the chakras in his subtle body before fully awakening them. Then, he could progress to unfurling the petals. His other chakras were at varying stages of purity, with purity increasing toward his base. Alaric was satisfied with his progress for now. Progress, even if gradual, was a good sign. It is only when you noticed stagnation that the real concerns began. Reflecting on his growth, Alaric opened his training journal to the last page ¡ª where he had recorded yesterday¡¯s results ¡ª and analyzed the progress he made over the past year. He shut the notebook and pondered for a while. The root chakra governed the physical body ¡ª everything from muscular structure, bone density, and endurance to reaction speed and agility. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. A fully purified root chakra would help Alaric to develop a strong physical foundation. When he eventually practiced more advanced esoteric cultivation or mana arts, he would enjoy a tremendous advantage. From now on, his growth would accelerate rapidly with the support of his root chakra. The root chakra in Alaric¡¯s subtle body rotated steadily, generating a portion of his Prana with each spin. This subtle energy would be filtered through the root chakra and stored within it. However, it could also be directed toward anything concerning his physical body. The way he had expended root chakra energy during the duel with Rowan wasn¡¯t the most effective use. The ideal application during his growing years would involve channeling the root chakra energy throughout his body, infusing every bone, muscle, and organ to maximize their potential. It would be a slow and gradual process, requiring patience before any noticeable improvements could be observed. However, it would pay tremendous dividends in the future. This subtle energy could also be utilized to gain a tremendous temporary boost in physical prowess ¡ª as he had demonstrated in his duel with Rowan ¡ª but such usage was wasteful, better reserved for true emergencies. It was akin to consuming food purely for flavor without extracting its full nutritional value. Alaric couldn¡¯t wait to finally start his training with Captain Farrow. Although Rowan was competent and an effective instructor, now that Alaric had purified the root chakra, he knew he would surpass him in the near future. A more experienced teacher would become necessary. For some reason, the count didn¡¯t permit him to study under the same combat instructor who trained Lucien and Edwin. Honestly, Alaric was happy about that. He had no interest in enduring the same irritation he felt during his academic lessons. However, both his siblings gradually let go of their jealousy after they realized Alaric was truly out of their league. Truth be told, Alaric preferred the idea of training under a seasoned veteran like Guard Captain Aldric Farrow. Perhaps the count has something in store for me for later. Alaric finally settled down and started his meditation session in earnest. *** Alaric was currently flipping through the pages of a book that outlined some sword-fighting guidelines. He felt good to be back in the library - one of his favorite places - after such a long absence. Ever since he began studying under Master Vellan, he hadn¡¯t been able to carve out time to visit the library. His schedule was packed. There was some good news, though. It seemed that Alaric outpaced the syllabus suitable for his age. In fact, Master Vellan was considering teaching Alaric separately from now on, as studying alongside his siblings would only slow his progress. Today, he was allowed to skip his morning study session with Master Vellan since he had the sword fighting test in the morning. So, with some free time on his hands, Alaric decided to roam through the library for some time. He felt invigorated, admiring all the different types of leather-bound books and tomes in all shades of colors. Today, he opted to delve into some books that detailed weapon fighting styles, particularly sword fighting. There was a lot of information about the various techniques and skills one needed to master to become proficient at the art. He noted brief descriptions of the basic moves he had practiced with Rowan. However, the books offered far more, such as advanced strategies that dealt with momentum and tempo control, deception and trickery, psychological and tactical approaches, and more. Still, simply learning theory wouldn¡¯t do him much good. Alaric was simply preparing himself to become familiar with all the technical terms before Captain Farrow began training him the next day. Understanding the theory first would allow him to grasp the intricacies of the practical application more effectively. He stumbled upon another fascinating discovery. Alaric heard a faint beep in his mind and instinctively realized that something had changed in his system status screen. Unfortunately, although he could summon the system screen into his vision, it remained blurred, and he couldn¡¯t really interact with it. Looks like I have to wait until I turn 12 before I can finally see what the hassle is all about. In the past year, Alaric had learned a lot about the system. At least, the theoretical aspects. However, it was still difficult to wrap his mind around it without witnessing the system in action. He couldn¡¯t even access his personal Cultivation Sanctuary, which was a real shame. Well, no matter. That time will come soon enough. He cleared his thoughts and honed in on a tingling sensation. In his previous life, Alaric had sharpened his danger sense to a tremendous level. It wasn¡¯t anywhere near that level now, but Alaric had been diligently refining it once more. He had finally begun to detect a faint tingling sensation whenever he was around someone powerful, such as Captain Farrow or the Count. However, he also felt the same sensation unexpectedly during his regular activities when no one was visibly around. Alaric suspected that his danger sense flared up whenever somebody was spying on him. After his meeting with the count, he felt whoever was spying on him left him alone. However, the same feeling was back again and it made him a little irritated. There was nothing he could do without awakening his ¡®True Vision¡¯ and awakening more of his chakras. He practically felt blind without his signature ability ¡ª True Vision. Alaric would need to awaken his Third-eye Chakra for that and it was going to take a while. Still, he had enough experience to understand that this person was simply observing him without any malicious intent. It is probably the same person who was observing me earlier, somebody who reported to the count. Chapter 19 - Deception and Trickery Count Valeran''s POV It was drizzling lightly outside the Count¡¯s manor. A storm loomed in the distance, and sharp flashes of lightning illuminated the night sky for a few brief moments. Count Valeran was sipping his favorite red wine in his study. His personal guard ¡ª Knight Commander Reynard De Fonce ¡ª stood by his side, poised and vigilant, his hand resting gently on the pommel of his sword. A man cloaked in shadowy black garments and a demonic mask obscuring his face was currently conversing with the count. He belonged to a mysterious organization, which was like a double-edged sword for the count. On one hand, the count had profited enormously, by trading mana stones mined from the ¡®Greyheaven¡¯ mana mines. However, it also painted a target on his back, especially if his involvement with the group was exposed to the Imperial investigators. Count Valeran didn¡¯t know much about this mysterious organization. He suspected the group operated in illegal dealings, and probing too deeply was a gamble he dared not take. However, if there was one thing that the count liked about this mysterious organization, it was their ability to pay on time. In fact, they always provided an advance to incentivize their partners. When news of the ¡®Greyheaven¡¯ mana mines slipping from his grip reached his ears, he feared the worst. He had already accepted a hefty advance from his ¡®business associates¡¯ and believed their enforcers would arrive to settle accounts soon. In reality, Count Valeran had already squandered the money and had no means to pay them back. So, he steeled himself for the worst. However, it seemed the group was already informed and assured him he had nothing to fear. Legally, nothing could be done under the orders of the ¡®Royal Council¡¯. However, that didn¡¯t mean they wouldn¡¯t try to recoup their losses through other means. Valeran had already attempted to instigate a plan to close down the mines a few months ago. However, he had underestimated Count Eustace. The cunning man must have had spies embedded within his operations. It had to be the case. How else could they have deployed a full squad of knights and mercenaries precisely when his forces arrived at the mines? No confrontation took place and no blood was spilled. Both houses would have suffered considerable losses if an open battle was to break out. But the message was clear ¡ª his opponent was one step ahead of him. It irritated him, but he accepted his defeat. He even resolved to pay off his debt to the organization in small installments. Now, suddenly, the organization sent somebody to ¡®assist¡¯ him. He didn¡¯t appreciate it. And, he didn¡¯t trust them. So, although Valeran put up a calm facade, fear churned inside him. It was the presence of Knight Commander Reynard De Fonce by his side that allowed him to keep his wits. ¡°Count Eustace is scheduled to depart for the Imperial Capital in a few weeks,¡± the masked man rasped, his voice dissolving like smoke in the air. ¡°We will infiltrate his study and extract any potentially incriminating information.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that too risky? He¡¯s doubled his guard detail. And, while the Knight Commander might be absent, Captain Aldric Farrow is no easy opponent either.¡± ¡°You need not concern yourself with our methods,¡± the man interjected sharply. He was clearly underestimating the forces of Count Eustace. Valeran chose to remain quiet. Either they will succeed or they won''t. As long as I remain uninvolved, it doesn''t matter. ¡°We will hand over the compromising information to you. Use it to negotiate with the count and reclaim the mines.¡± The count couldn¡¯t fathom why the organization was so adamant about acquiring the mines. There were countless mana mines scattered across the northern regions. With their resources, securing a steady supply of mana stones should have been trivial. He merely shrugged and nodded in acknowledgment. The man dissolved into a swirling mist of smoke, vanishing into the shadows. *** Captain Aldric Farrow could only dedicate 30 minutes of his demanding schedule each day to instructing Alaric in the advanced sword arts forms. However, in every session, Alaric learned more than he could glean in an entire week poring over sword art manuals in the library. Training with him was extremely hectic. It was nothing like sparring with his friend, Rowan. Whenever Alaric thought he had mastered a basic move such as a simple strike, slash, or cut, the captain introduced new variations. These weren¡¯t all orthodox forms. In fact, the orthodox forms served merely as a guideline ¡ª a foundation to infuse one¡¯s understanding of the art and combine it with instincts.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°React faster,¡± Captain Farrow bellowed, swinging a wooden sword at him. Alaric barely deflected the strike, the force of the blow numbing his hands and nearly wrenching the sword from his grip. It always took him a moment to recover and launch a counter-swing. However, in that brief opening, the captain struck him softly at three vital points. It didn¡¯t even seem like the man was trying. No wonder Rowan would be so formidable if he had endured such harsh training. Beyond standard strikes, thrusts, and chops, the captain demonstrated a specialized technique ¡ª the glancing blow ¡ª where one struck at an angle. This maneuver was used to disorient the opponent or set up follow-up attacks. Not surprisingly, Captain Farrow was not a fan of deception and trickery techniques, except for the simple feint. He believed in overpowering his foes with raw skill and strength. However, for the sake of Alaric¡¯s education, he demonstrated a handful of deceptive techniques, including body feints, false retreats, and blind spot attacks. Understanding these tricks was essential to avoid being caught off guard by cunning adversaries. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll show you something no official martial instructor would ever teach noble kids,¡± Captain Farrow said with a sly smirk. ¡°Take your position.¡± Alaric didn¡¯t like the sound of that or the gleam in the captain¡¯s eyes. His instincts were right. When Alaric launched a strike, the captain effortlessly blocked with one hand, seized Alaric¡¯s sleeve with the other, and yanked him forward. Alaric was nearly lifted off his feet, but he managed to tilt his head just in time, narrowly avoiding the sword¡¯s point. ¡°Oh, you managed to not get hit,¡± the captain said, a mild surprise flashing across his face before he grinned. Sharp pain flared from Alaric¡¯s left foot and shot up his leg. Dirty bastard! Captain Farrow exploited Alaric¡¯s brief lapse in focus to deliver a sneaky strike. The captain released him, and Alaric immediately began rubbing his aching foot. ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± Alaric protested aloud, although he wasn¡¯t really angry at the captain. His instructor was simply demonstrating that enemies could play dirty. ¡°Remember, kid, such tactics would result in an instant disqualification in an official duel match,¡± the captain said grimly. ¡°But, real enemies don¡¯t play by any rules. In a life-or-death battle, they fight dirty.¡± His eyes darkened briefly as if recalling a distant memory. Then he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve seen plenty of talented duelists die because they expected honor from their opponents. Enemies who didn¡¯t follow rules.¡± Alaric knew that to be true as well. Fighting in duels bound by rules and regulations was completely different from fighting for survival. No matter how talented or skilled, one could lose their life in the blink of a second due to one moment of carelessness or misplaced trust. ¡°That will be it for today. Go on, practice with Rowan.¡± The captain ordered. With that, the intimidating man departed, leaving Alaric to seek out his friend. *** It didn¡¯t take long to locate Rowan, who was engrossed in refining his footwork skills. It was odd for both of them when they initially reunited after the exam. Apparently, Rowan hadn¡¯t wanted to hold back against Alaric, aiming to acknowledge his strength and show him the proper respect. It was also an examination. So, treating it casually like in a sparring session could have been considered cheating. However, his biggest reason was his desire to impress his father by demonstrating how much he had progressed over the years. Alaric could relate to that. What caught him by surprise was Rowan¡¯s guilty expression when he admitted feeling somewhat envious of him. Well, not exactly envious of Alaric himself, but of the speed at which he was advancing. Alaric wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to that. But he harbored no bad feelings towards Rowan. In fact, he appreciated the fact that Rowan took him seriously and didn''t hold back. After all, it was the challenge that finally allowed him to surpass the hurdle of purifying his root chakra. Now, it felt like their bond had grown even stronger. It had become a daily ritual for them to spar and analyze each other¡¯s forms and techniques after Alaric concluded his sword training sessions. He was advancing at an incredible pace after purifying his root chakra. Alaric was channeling the root chakra energy to enhance all of his physical attributes, and the results were already apparent. He got tired less quickly and moved with greater agility. His strength remained unchanged, but that would improve over time. When Rowan spotted Alaric, he immediately lunged at him. Alaric deflected his strike and launched a counter-attack. Rowan parried it effortlessly. He began circling Alaric, and the pattern of his movement revealed an obvious baiting maneuver. Hah¡­he thinks I¡¯ll fall for it. Alaric was tempted to exploit the weak spot, but it was too obvious ¡ª at least for somebody as capable as Rowan. When Rowan realized Alaric wasn¡¯t biting, he unleashed a rapid flurry of thrusts. Alaric dodged, blocked, or redirected each blow. Rowan had already shown improvement in just a few days. His father must have taught him some new tricks. He employed deceptive footwork and more than once, Alaric prepared to defend against an expected strike only for Rowan to suddenly shift direction. It was more than a simple feint; Rowan fully committed to the movement to make it convincing. Midway through the spar, Rowan attempted to disrupt Alaric¡¯s rhythm by striking at uneven intervals. The irregular tempo caught Alaric off guard a couple of times, but his battle instincts enabled him to evade a decisive hit. Alaric tried to inch toward Rowan in an attempt to dominate the center line, but he wasn¡¯t having it. Rowan¡¯s impeccable footwork allowed him to maintain the optimum range for both striking and defending. ¡°Where is that energy and strength you flaunted during the exam, Alaric?¡± Rowan teased. ¡°Looks like it was just luck rather than skill.¡± More than once, Rowan had attempted to provoke Alaric into displaying that extraordinary strength he¡¯d shown during the exam. However, Alaric hadn¡¯t repeated such feats during their sparring sessions. Of course, Rowan wasn¡¯t fighting at full capacity either. I¡¯m sorry, my friend. I¡¯m not wasting my precious energy just to teach you a lesson. Alaric smirked and replied, ¡°You need to work on your taunts a little more. They¡¯re falling flat.¡± He sidestepped another strike. ¡°Besides, I can defeat you anytime I want. But where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± ¡°Really?¡± A grim look crossed Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°Let¡¯s see you handle this.¡± Suddenly, Rowan slashed his sword in a diagonal arc, aiming high at Alaric¡¯s head. The strike carried far more force than before. Instead of blocking it, Alaric chose to duck and sidestep. However, Rowan twisted his sword at the last moment and slammed the point against Alaric¡¯s hand, disarming him. Chapter 20 - What Creeps Into the Night Alaric flexed his palm. ¡°That was a mean strike,¡± he complimented Rowan. ¡°I picked up this move a few days ago,¡± Rowan said smugly. ¡°Took you by surprise, didn¡¯t I?¡± He winked. ¡°That you did,¡± Alaric chuckled. That strike had been truly impressive ¡ª a perfect blend of strength, finesse, and tactics. Mastering such a move at just eleven years old was remarkable. Unlike him, Rowan didn''t have years of fighting experience. Both of them wandered over to the resting area and began munching on some snacks. Their meal consisted of a few slices of bread with cheese accompanied by some fruits. A few guards cast envious glances their way, but neither Alaric nor Rowan paid them any mind. The guards would have their own break soon enough. Rowan¡¯s gaze drifted into the distance, his expression clouded with concern. Alaric sensed his friend was troubled by something. Nudging Rowan with his elbow, he asked, ¡°What has got you all worried?¡± Rowan snapped back to the present, shaking his head before replying, ¡°Something¡¯s got my father on edge. Have you noticed how the guards are always on high alert at night?¡± Alaric nodded. ¡°Yeah. I heard the Count is leaving for some important business. I think your father¡¯s just uneasy about the estate¡¯s security when the knights accompany the lord.¡± For the past week, Alaric and Rowan had also been training in the evenings. Captain Farrow had insisted they practice fighting in low-light conditions for at least an hour, reasoning that they needed to be prepared for any scenario. None of the guards joined them; they were spread thin, patrolling the estate¡¯s various locations. Just yesterday, Alaric had noticed an increase in the number of guards making the rounds of the mansion during the night shift. Even the knights, who typically patrolled with an air of confidence, seemed unusually alert and cautious. With the Count preparing to leave for several weeks, a substantial portion of the house knights would accompany him, leaving the estate noticeably more exposed. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn¡¯t pose a significant risk. The houseguards were capable enough to defend the property against common thugs and bandits. However, whispers among the servants hinted at a long-standing dispute between Count Eustace and another noble. That changed everything. A wealthy Count could rally considerable forces, and if conflict erupted, the estate might face a genuine threat. That was probably why Captain Farrow was worried. Alaric decided to remain a little more alert. Of course, if a battalion of soldiers and mercenaries arrived at their gates bearing arms, there would be little he could do aside from fleeing or surrendering. But vigilance could still make a difference ¡ª it might buy them time to escape or prepare for an impending attack. After some back-and-forth discussion, Rowan and Alaric agreed to meet again later that evening at their usual spot. *** The two boys reclined in the cool grass after their evening training. The sun had dipped below the horizon moments ago, bathing the sky in streaks of orange and red. The soft hues of twilight suffused the garden in a wonderful glow. The distant chittering of crickets echoed through the still air. Rowan was rambling about something, but Alaric wasn¡¯t paying attention. He wanted to relish these few moments of beauty. Soon, he would have to return to his bedroom to meditate. However, it was an unhealthy habit to remain perpetually occupied with tasks. After all, the mind and body needed moments of reprieve to function properly. Both of them were exhausted, their bodies covered in sweat. Yet, instead of heading straight for a bath to wash away the grime, they preferred to linger together, enjoying each other''s company and unwinding. Ever since the Count had departed the estate with his regiment of knights a week ago, a heavy gloom had settled over the grounds. Everybody could feel it in their bones ¡ª an impending storm lurking on the horizon. The maids and the servants whispered anxiously. The guards patrolled the grounds with heightened vigilance. Captain Farrow was on edge all the time. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. The few knights who had remained assisted the guards during their nighttime patrols. Suddenly, Alaric felt a sharp tingle as the hairs on his neck stood erect. His danger sense flared to life. The icy, creeping sensation was far different from the unease he¡¯d felt under the watchful gaze of the Count¡¯s messenger. No, this time the danger was real. ¡°Rowan, quiet for a moment,¡± Alaric murmured. He raised a hand sharply, his expression darkening to indicate the seriousness of the situation. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.¡± Rowan froze mid-sentence. Just as he was about to speak again, both of them noticed a series of shadows stretching across the nearby boundary wall. Moments later, faint, measured footsteps became audible. ¡°Get down,¡± Alaric hissed. ¡°Hide behind that bush. Quick.¡± Rowan didn¡¯t protest. Both boys darted behind a dense cluster of shrubbery, their small bodies vanishing in the darkness of the evening. The cool, damp leaves pressed against Alaric¡¯s skin, but he remained still ¡ª observing ¡ª his senses stretched to the extreme. The muffled whispers and footsteps gradually revealed themselves as a group of figures emerged from the shadows. They were clad in tight, black attire, their faces hidden behind featureless masks. One figure, however, stood out ¡ª he wore a demonic mask etched with sharp features and a menacing scowl. That man is probably the leader of the group. ¡°Who are they? What¡¯s happening?¡± Rowan whispered, his voice trembling, his body quivering with fear. Alaric gently squeezed Rowan¡¯s hand, pressed a finger to his lips, and shook his head firmly, signaling silence. The intruders communicated in hushed tones, paired with sharp hand signals. Suddenly, a guard spotted them. Before he could shout an alarm, one of the intruders struck him swiftly at the base of the neck, and the guard crumpled to the ground. Rowan flinched violently, nearly crying out, but Alaric¡¯s hand clamped down on his wrist, grounding him. Rowan turned to Alaric, his eyes wide, sweat glistening on his brow. However, the steady calm etched into Alaric¡¯s face seemed to ease his fear. Alaric cupped his ears, straining to catch snippets of the intruders'' conversation. Words like ¡®study,¡¯ ¡®documents,¡¯ and ¡®move quickly¡¯ drifted to him. The shadowy figures dispersed, melting back into the darkness and disappearing from view. Alaric and Rowan remained motionless for several long moments, trying to make heads or tails of what they¡¯d just witnessed. ¡°This isn¡¯t an assassination attempt on the Count,¡± Alaric mumbled. Rowan blinked, confusion etched across his face. Alaric continued, ¡°The Count isn¡¯t even here, remember?¡± Rowan nodded slowly. ¡°And they don¡¯t seem like they¡¯re planning to attack the estate directly. There are too few of them for that. I think¡­¡± Alaric paused, considering his words. ¡°Their objective is espionage, not violence.¡± ¡°But they assaulted the guard. He is probably dead¡­¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think they killed the guard. They simply knocked him out. It would be too messy otherwise.¡± ¡°What should we do? Should we keep hiding or flee?¡± Rowan was still panicking. Alaric grabbed hold of his shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. ¡°Steady yourself, Rowan. We are not fleeing. Listen to me.¡± Alaric quickly shared his theory with Rowan. ¡°Please alert your father as swiftly as possible. But be sneaky and stick to the walls. I will head towards my room.¡± Rowan nodded and hurried off. Alaric lied. He planned on heading to the count¡¯s study to keep an eye on the intruders. It was a risky move, and he didn¡¯t want Rowan to worry about him. Alaric crept cautiously through the garden¡¯s shadows. Once outside the garden, he avoided exposed paths and hugged the walls. One of the intruders could be keeping watch, and it was crucial to remain vigilant. He spotted a silhouette scaling the second-floor balcony towards the count¡¯s vacant study. Hmm, looks like my guess is correct. Alaric couldn¡¯t climb, nor did he intend to make himself an easy target. He slipped through the main entrance doors, noticing guards. As expected, when he relayed what he saw to the door guards, they merely scoffed. Fortunately, he noticed someone approaching from the east side who might believe him. It was Fenrir. *** Rowan POV Rowan crept silently, crouching as low as possible to reach his house. He glanced over his shoulders every few steps. His limbs trembled, but it was not due to the biting chill. He spotted a few unconscious guards hidden behind the bushes. If Rowan had not been crouched and hyper-focused on his surroundings, he wouldn¡¯t have detected them. His breathing was labored and his heart pounded in his chest. How did Alaric remain so calm in that situation? Rowan was sure he would¡¯ve been caught if it were not for Alaric trying to keep him composed. Even now, he could recall the cold, calculating gaze in his eyes. There was no fear in them. Rowan wiped the sweat off his eyebrows with the back of his palm. He spotted his house in the distance. Just a few more steps... I¡¯m almost there. The sense of fear gave way to urgency. He straightened to his full height and sprinted towards the door. Unfortunately, after only a few steps, he heard a snap and tumbled on the ground. Pain radiated through his ankles, and he screamed. However, in the next moment, the air around him shimmered, and the noise was abruptly silenced. ¡°A noisy little mouse... aren¡¯t you? Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t notice you?¡± a harsh, raspy voice sneered behind him. Rowan twisted around. He spotted one of the intruders advancing slowly, his steps deliberate, as if savoring the hunt. There was no mask on his face now, and he wore a wicked grin and cruel eyes. Rowan scrambled backward, but the intruder pinned his injured ankle with a boot. He screamed to no avail. The sound couldn¡¯t escape the invisible sphere surrounding him. ¡°We weren¡¯t supposed to kill anybody tonight,¡± the intruder hissed. ¡°But I cannot resist the look of agony on your little face.¡± A small dagger materialized in his hands, and he dragged his tongue along its edge. ¡°Who would worry about a small... dead... child?¡± The intruder raised the dagger to strike him. Chapter 21 - Shadows and Sand Rowan POV Rowan was utterly frozen by fear. All his years of sword training ¡ª and for what? It amounted to nothing in the face of real danger. His father¡¯s grim face flashed in his mind. Don¡¯t ever give up. He recalled what his father had drilled into his mind. Alaric. Alaric¡¯s steady eyes, how he remained calm in the face of danger. Always. As the dagger descended toward his throat. Rowan found the energy to sidestep, adrenaline numbing his pain for the moment. He rammed his head into the man''s stomach, hoping to make him stumble. It wasn¡¯t much, but he would not surrender. If only I had a weapon. Tears blurred his vision. Even my wooden sword would have helped. The man simply grunted as he took the blow. Rowan felt as if he¡¯d collided with a sack of sand. The intruder didn¡¯t budge an inch. He seized Rowan by the shoulders and hurled him to the ground again. This time, Rowan¡¯s head struck the ground hard, almost knocking him unconscious. ¡°Insolent brat. Just accept your death.¡± He flung the dagger, aiming for Rowan¡¯s neck. Rowan shut his eyes, bracing for the end. A sharp clang rang out, and Rowan opened his eyes. Hmm¡­ I¡¯m not dead¡­ He spotted the back of a man with his sword drawn. The man¡¯s red hair glowed eerily in the darkness. ¡°Father¡­¡± He choked out a cry. He intercepted the dagger¡­ I¡¯m saved. ¡°You have got some nerve, striking my son like that,¡± his father growled. Rowan had never seen his father so furious before. This was not his usual irritation, no. This was raw, seething anger. Suddenly, the intruder, so full of confidence just moments before, wore an expression of doubt. He thrust his arm, and a thick, black whip embedded with countless nails materialized out of thin air and lashed at his father. In the blink of an eye, his father sliced through the whip with his sword, severing it cleanly. Then, he grasped the end of the whip with his other hand and yanked. The intruder was ripped from the ground and hurtled toward Captain Farrow at tremendous speed. The vile man tried to speak, but his words were cut off as his father planted the boot of his foot into the intruder¡¯s stomach, knocking the breath out of him and spraying blood across the ground. The whip, still clutched in his father¡¯s hand, tore apart from the force of the strike. The intruder was flung through the air and crashed into the far wall, landing in a heap of rubble, although still not dead. His father released the spiked whip, and Rowan noticed that his palm was unscathed by the sharp nails. ¡°We aren¡¯t supposed to kill intruders before interrogating them¡­¡± Captain Aldric Farrow thrust out his open palm, clenched it, and roared, ¡°Ground Coffin.¡± The ground beneath the intruder split open, swallowed him whole, and slammed shut with a deafening crack¡ªall in under a second. Moments later, blood seeped through the ground where the intruder had vanished. ¡°...but I heard there are more of them. The count will not mind.¡± He turned and flashed Rowan a toothy grin. Even through the searing pain in his foot and head, a smile broke across Rowan¡¯s face. His father had come to save him and had avenged his suffering. *** Alaric, Fenrir and one of the door guards were crouched near a wall in the corner, observing the intruders silently. One of the door guards dashed off to alert Captain Farrow and rally more guards so that they could ambush them together as a team. Just as Alaric had suspected, they infiltrated the count¡¯s room after subduing the two men who guarded the Count¡¯s study. Alaric and the others witnessed them incapacitating the two guards, but not a single sound reached their ears. They were employing some type of skill that nullified sound. There were four of them, including their intimidating leader. Currently, the leader and another intruder slipped inside the room while two of the intruders remained on guard. The look on Fenrir¡¯s face was grim. ¡°I can handle the three intruders, but their leader, his aura is different¡­¡± he murmured. ¡°Only the guard captain can face him.¡± He gestured for Alaric to retreat and find safety. However, one of the intruders keeping watch suddenly spotted the door guard, who was growing visibly impatient. ¡®Enemies¡­¡¯ the intruder bellowed, and Fenrir had already lunged forward to strike the enemy. The door guard reacted slower but followed closely behind. Alaric darted to the side, keeping his distance. Unfortunately, this was not a fight he could contribute to now.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. He had no weapons or any useful skills, techniques, or abilities. Worse, he could quickly become a liability. So, he pulled back but continued monitoring the skirmish that erupted. Fenrir effortlessly overwhelmed his target, but the door guard was swiftly taken down by his opponent. Another intruder stormed out from the room, and together, the three of them kept Fenrir engaged. The senior sergeant was holding his ground admirably against the three intruders. And it seemed like he might secure victory given a little more time. All that changed when suddenly, a purple orb shot out of the count¡¯s study and almost slammed him in the chest. Fenrir managed to deflect the purple orb with the flat of his sword at the last second, but the force still hurled him off the ground and slammed him against the back wall. He immediately sprang back up and took a defensive stance. A white shimmer enveloped his body, his muscles bulged slightly, and his face flushed pink. He is using some type of skill or ability. In the next second, Fenrir vanished as another purple orb smashed into the spot he had occupied just moments before. Alaric observed as the enemy leader, wearing a demonic mask, strode out of the count¡¯s study with deliberate steps. He carried a few rolled stacks of papers tucked under his left elbow. Looks like he has accomplished his objective. Alaric wasn¡¯t happy, forced to become a sitting duck. He couldn¡¯t assist any of the guards in stopping the enemy. The leader must not be allowed to escape. He clenched his fists, struggling to suppress his anger. The enemy leader raised the index finger of his right hand, and another purple orb materialized at its tip before it shot forward toward Fenrir. The senior sergeant nimbly evaded the oncoming purple orbs but couldn¡¯t close the distance to the leader. Meanwhile, the three intruders supported their leader by flicking kunais at bullet speed at Fenrir. He continued to deftly dodge both the purple orbs and the deadly projectiles. That is a good physical-power boosting skill¡­however, it won¡¯t last long. Fortunately, it looked like the enemy leader was not taking Fenrir too seriously. He didn¡¯t intend to kill him, just keep him occupied. The leader nodded at the other intruders and retrieved a small, intricately designed box concealed within his clothing. Alaric sensed him channeling mana into the object, and moments later, it began glowing with a blue hue. He released the object, and it sank into the ground. The floor started trembling, and small mounds erupted across its surface. Don¡¯t tell me¡­a summoning artifact. Humanoid figures sculpted from stone and rock burst through the ground. Chunks of stone flaked off their bodies. The pale white of their forms contrasted with the lifeless black of their eyes. Stone golems! There were at least ten golems, with more steadily emerging. One of the golems lunged at Fenrir with a guttural groan. He sidestepped it, but another purple orb struck him in the back. Fortunately, his power-boosting skill allowed him to endure the blow with some effort. We need reinforcements, otherwise¡­ Just then, Alaric spotted Captain Farrow entering the fray with his sword drawn, sand swirling subtly around him. In the blink of an eye, he cleaved two nearby golems into rubble. For the first time, Alaric felt a flicker of relief. The captain¡¯s commanding presence was indeed reassuring as he started dispatching the stone golems with ease. ¡°You will not leave here alive¡­unless I will it, scum,¡± said Captain Farrow grimly to the enemy leader. The leader chuckled darkly and launched a purple orb at the captain, who effortlessly deflected it with a swift swing of his sword. However, this didn¡¯t seem to worry the leader of the intruders at all. He simply gestured at the decapitated golem remains, and suddenly the lifeless stone fragments began reassembling. It looked like destroying the golems wouldn¡¯t be that easy. Fenrir was still struggling to subdue the three intruders, who were now prioritizing escape over combat. It seemed they would reach an exit on the far side. However, just as one of the intruders neared the doorway, a figure appeared and blocked their escape. It was Theon, Fenrir¡¯s friend. Just like Fenrir, Theon¡¯s skin was flushed pink, and his muscles bulged. He was employing a similar physical power-boosting skill. The intruders attacked in unison, but Theon wove through their strikes and incapacitated them one by one. He then joined Fenrir¡¯s side and began battling the stone golems. The stone golems weren¡¯t particularly strong individually. However, their overwhelming numbers and constant regeneration made them a relentless threat. A squad of guards arrived shortly after Theon, engaging the golems in combat as well. By now, over fifteen stone golems were obstructing the guards¡¯ efforts to capture the intruders. The enemy leader had indeed come well-prepared. He was currently locked in combat with Captain Farrow. The intruder¡¯s body was shrouded in a cloak of darkness. with shadowy tendrils lashing out at the guard captain like serpents. Captain Farrow deflected the shadowy tendrils with his blade. The air around him swirled with protective sand, shielding him from the tendrils¡¯ onslaught. One deflected tendril smashed into the ground, shattering it. Alaric spotted Rowan crouching in a safe corner. When they locked their gazes, Rowan crept towards Alaric. He was clutching a real sword this time, not his usual wooden one. Well¡­it is a life-or-death battle. It would be challenging for a child to wield a real sword effectively. Their weight distribution and balance were vastly different. But it was still better to rely on a real weapon than a wooden one at this moment. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Alaric asked him. He had been worried about his friend for some time. The bruises on his head and body were glaringly evident. Fortunately, it seemed he had managed to survive and alert his father in time. ¡°Yes, I thought I wouldn¡¯t survive today, but I managed to pull through,¡± he replied, attempting to mask his worry with a faint smile. ¡°Father saved me.¡± Fenrir and Theon were still locked in fierce combat with the stone golems. Captain Farrow and the enemy leader remained deadlocked in their confrontation. Suddenly, the air around Captain Farrow shifted, and brown energy began radiating from his body. The energy expanded, towering over him, and the image of a massive beast manifested behind him. He exuded an overwhelming aura that startled the enemy leader. However, rather than fear, the leader¡¯s expression twisted into amusement. ¡°So, you¡¯re a climber?¡± he sneered. ¡°Well, so am I. I was getting tired of these silly games anyway. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s stronger.¡± Chapter 22 - The Head Butler The floor beneath Captain Farrow transformed into sand, and a torrential river of sand surged toward the masked man. It appeared as though the sand would swallow the enemy leader whole. However, the black tendrils of shadow coiling around the man solidified into a protective barrier. Some tendrils extended and shaped themselves into the image of a dark beast behind him. It was similar to Captain Farrow¡¯s manifestation. However, where the guard captain¡¯s energy radiated rock-solid stability and immense strength, the masked man¡¯s aura felt cold and sinister. The colossal river of sand collided with the shadowy tendrils shielding the masked man, and it looked like all hell broke loose. The entire mansion quaked violently, and it seemed as though it might crumble to the ground. Alaric scrunched his brows as he witnessed the damage. The count won¡¯t be pleased with the destruction. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine the count¡¯s face twisted into a sour expression as he surveyed the damage. However, it was likely the servants would restore the mansion before his return¡ªif they survived, of course. Rowan tugged at Alaric¡¯s arms. ¡°Come, we need to leave,¡± he urged. Alaric nodded, and both of them crept toward an exit to the side. They dodged chunks of debris hurtling through the air. Some shards of rock grazed them, leaving shallow cuts, but they pressed on toward the exit. Unfortunately, it looked like their escape wasn¡¯t meant to be. A stone golem pulled itself up from the ground and locked its unfeeling gaze on them. Alaric shoved Rowan aside as the golem¡¯s massive arm slammed down on the spot he had occupied moments before. Rowan scrambled to his feet, narrowly avoiding another crushing strike. ¡°Alaric...escape. It¡¯s too dangerous.¡± Rowan held his steel sword in a defensive stance, bracing himself to protect Alaric while he made his escape. Alaric was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he felt proud of the boy who was willing to risk his life to save a friend. On the other hand, he was deeply frustrated by his own helplessness. Never in my life would I have imagined such a scenario. ¡°Rowan, come back here!¡± he shouted after his friend, who dashed toward the stone golem and slashed at its massive body. However, the force of the strike nearly wrenched the sword from Rowan¡¯s hand, leaving nothing more than a shallow scratch on the creature¡¯s stone surface. Rowan didn¡¯t give up. He roared and attacked again, but this time, the golem wasn¡¯t having it. It shielded itself with one massive arm. The sword rebounded off its hardened body and clattered to the ground. Rowan leaped sideways, narrowly dodging another crushing blow. But he was exhausted. Alaric lunged forward, snatching up the fallen sword. He burned every ounce of subtle energy from his root chakra and focused it into his arm holding the sword. With a ferocious yell, he drove the sword into the golem¡¯s hip joint, managing to crack it slightly. Not enough. The force of the strike sent shockwaves through his hands, nearly numbing them. Only the protective energy from his chakra kept his arms from giving out entirely. But that one strike had drained half of the energy he had painstakingly stored for weeks. Alaric gritted his teeth and swung again, targeting the weakened joint with every ounce of strength he had left. The sword struck true, chipping away at the stone. The crack splintered through the hip joint, and the structure gave way. The stone golem toppled, unable to support its immense weight on a single intact leg. Alaric dropped to the floor, utterly spent, his limbs trembling uncontrollably. Alaric¡¯s blurred vision settled on Rowan, who stared at him with wide, panicked eyes. ¡°Alaric, watch out!¡± Rowan bolted forward, desperate to reach his friend. Alaric could already sense the golem¡¯s shattered limb knitting itself back together, its fist preparing to launch a crushing blow. But his body refused to respond. He couldn¡¯t turn, couldn¡¯t rise, couldn¡¯t flee. Rowan wouldn¡¯t make it in time. Alaric simply smiled faintly and whispered, ¡°Run¡­¡± Just when Alaric accepted his fate, an oppressive aura crashed over the corridor like a tidal wave. The stone golem froze mid-attack, its fist suspended mere inches from Alaric¡¯s face. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Alaric scanned the area and saw every stone golem in the area had come to a dead stop as if whatever energy was fueling them was utterly suppressed. Theon and Fenrir were crouched on the floor, their enhanced forms reverted to normal. They gasped for breath. Even Captain Farrow and the masked enemy leader stood locked in place. The faint sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the far end of the hall. A lean man with grey-streaked hair emerged from the shadows. His sharp eyes glinted with quiet authority, and his mere presence commanded absolute obedience. With a simple flick of his hand, the oppressive aura intensified for an instant. Every golem in the hall disintegrated into fine dust, their forms unable to regenerate. ¡°I take my eyes off things for a moment, and rats start scurrying where they don¡¯t belong. How¡­tiresome.¡± Alaric noted that even though the aura was not directed at him, it still felt suffocating. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the intense aura dissipated. It was then he realized that the aura signature felt familiar. It is the same man who had been spying on me for the count. His name was Edgar Greyford, the head butler of the mansion. Frankly, Alaric had barely registered the man more than a few times. And, his presence hadn¡¯t felt this formidable during those brief encounters. That was a mistake. This man is as powerful as Captain Farrow. Perhaps¡­even stronger. The enemy leader flicked his eyes between Captain Farrow and Edgar. His face twisted into a scowl. Clearly, he was scheming to escape now that he faced two formidable opponents. The shadows engulfed the masked figure, and it propelled itself towards the exit at tremendous speed. However, the cocoon of darkness faltered after a few meters, and the darkness shrouding the man dissipated. Alaric spotted a thin thread of mana attached to the back of the enemy leader, extending to Edgar¡¯s fingers. ¡°Oh no¡­ you¡¯re not escaping, rat,¡± Edgar hissed. ¡°You¡¯ll answer for the damage you¡¯ve caused to this property.¡± Suddenly, something glowed brightly within the masked leader¡¯s cloak. The energy radiating from it was immense. It¡¯s a bomb! Fortunately, both Captain Farrow and Edgar detected it just as quickly. A wall of sand crystallized in front of Alaric and Rowan, shielding them from the impending blast. However, before the explosion could detonate, Edgar vanished in a blur of motion, ripped the suicidal artifact from the masked leader¡¯s clothing, and hurled it out of a nearby window. The bomb erupted violently outside, shaking the ground, but leaving the estate intact. The enemy leader¡¯s last-ditch effort to escape and kill his enemies in a single blow had been foiled. As the dust settled, Alaric observed the masked leader bound by some type of magical restraint. He had been subdued by Edgar. Fenrir and Theon moved swiftly to neutralize the remaining intruders alongside the other guards. Captain Farrow approached Edgar and clasped his hand firmly. For the first time, Alaric noticed the guard captain offering a faint smile. He was clearly reassured by the head butler¡¯s presence. The guard force dragged the intruders to the underground interrogation chambers. After a while, Captain Farrow shifted his gaze towards Alaric and Rowan and approached them. *** It was morning. Alaric woke up at his usual time and began meditating on his root chakra. Restoring the subtle energy of the root chakra was a priority since he had drained it entirely the previous night. Yet, depleting all that energy, which he had carefully cultivated over weeks of practice, didn¡¯t feel like a setback to him. In that moment, it had been necessary to save his friend ¡ª Rowan ¡ª and he would make the same choice again. Sure, it had left him weak and exhausted, but such consequences never bothered him. If he let something so minor upset him, he wouldn¡¯t have become such a formidable Chakra cultivator in his previous life. Besides, depleting and replenishing this subtle energy could also be viewed as a form of training. It would acclimate his body to the cycle and teach it to regenerate the subtle energy of the chakras more efficiently. As he focused on his slow, deep breaths and visualized the throbbing crimson root chakra, he settled down into the familiar process that had become almost second nature to him. At this stage, at least. So, he could divert a tiny section of his attention to another part of his mind. The events of the previous night still lay fresh in Alaric¡¯s mind. How the intruders infiltrated the mansion and almost killed him and Rowan. It was not even a direct attack, just a simple infiltration to gather intelligence on the count. At least that is what Alaric concluded. Whatever interrogation the guard captain and the head butler conducted, Alaric and Rowan were not privy to it. We are kids after all. What adult would disclose such privileged information to a child? Alaric didn¡¯t dwell on it much. He was sure the guards and the count would handle everything. However, he was upset at his powerlessness. He had grown so accustomed to the normal routine of his new life, that he began to relax. Alaric deduced that the masked leader belonged to some kind of criminal organization. They were professionals. The way they effortlessly subdued the guards without killing them demonstrated their skills. It was only thanks to Captain Farrow, Fenrir, Theon, and Edgar that they were all safe. The masked leader was formidable but he shouldn¡¯t be anybody beyond middle management. Upper-echelon members don¡¯t sneak in like rats. That was the thought that worried Alaric. Sure, Captain Farrow and Edgar handled the problem. However, such criminal organizations didn¡¯t give up that easily. At least, as long as they were paid and harbored a personal grudge against somebody. On the other hand, they could simply decide that the cost of revenge would be too high and leave the matter alone. Alaric opened his eyes and released a sigh. Meditation time always flew by fast. Outside, he could hear the grunts of the guards training intensely. Many of them assisted the servants in clearing the wreckage of the fight and together, they had already initiated repairs. Those who were uninjured and not occupied with the repair work simply followed their regular routine. I suppose I should head out too. It¡¯s time to ramp up the effort. Chapter 23 -A Year of Progress Alaric age 9 Alaric had turned 9 the week before. After the incident with the masked intruders, nothing significant happened. The count remained surprisingly calm about the whole incident, almost as if he had predicted that something like that might occur during his absence. In fact, he commended the guard captain and the guards since no lives were lost. According to the rumors he gathered from Rowan, the intruders were allegedly tied to a criminal organization whose name remained unknown. Whatever documents they attempted to steal from the count¡¯s study stayed a mystery, as expected. It was likely that only the butler was privy to that information, given how close he was with the count. There was one detail Rowan overheard from his father, though. The guard captain had cursed a noble ¡ª Count Valeran de Clairmont. Apparently, the noble harbored some grudge against Count Eustace, but there was no conclusive evidence to act on the matter. Well, whatever. Not my problem. I just have to get stronger. He pulled out his training journal and recorded the progress he had achieved over the past year. A smile spread across his face. He was progressing, albeit slowly. Push-ups - 75 Sit-ups - 100 Squats - 120 Pull-ups - 20 Plank time - 5 min 400-meter timed lap - 1:20 min Running - 10 laps Rope climbing - Can climb easily. Alaric settled down and began concentrating on the chakras of his body. His root chakra brimmed with subtle energy, and his sacral chakra had been completely purified. All that remained was to awaken it. The sacral chakra granted him superior control over his emotions and willpower. As a result, he became even more focused during his training sessions and could persevere through fatigue without succumbing to stress. He had succeeded in cleansing the impurities from his solar plexus chakra as well. However, to awaken it, he needed to wield mana ¡ª something impossible in this world unless one gained access to the system, which usually happened at the age of 12. Well, that wasn¡¯t entirely accurate. When a kid gained access to the system, the very first skill they acquired was called [Mana Sense]. This skill made it easier for them to perceive mana and begin manipulating it. Alaric could already detect mana in his surroundings, but there was a disconnect between his will and the mana. He could sense it but couldn¡¯t grasp it with his intent, and therefore couldn¡¯t manipulate it. It felt as if the system actively prevented him from molding mana to his whim. Well, whatever, I¡¯ll figure it out later. The solar plexus chakra governed all forms of energy manipulation ¡ª mana, aura, prana, dao, and even cosmic energy. Without a properly purified and awakened solar plexus chakra, one¡¯s ability to manipulate any type of energy would remain stunted. Currently, Alaric was focused on purifying his heart chakra. Refining the heart chakra offered numerous benefits. The most obvious was an enhanced healing factor and heightened resistance to poisons and diseases. A cultivator with a strong heart chakra rarely fell ill and responded more effectively to healing abilities. However, that was just the surface-level advantage. The true benefit was that purifying the heart chakra also refined one¡¯s bloodline. This, in turn, amplified all bloodline abilities, skills, techniques, and more. The purer the bloodline, the greater one¡¯s potential to awaken formidable bloodline powers. There was one thing that was bothering him, though. An experienced chakra cultivator such as Alaric could detect faint traces of bloodline powers when channeling the heart chakra. So far, he could distinctly sense the same resonance from his heart chakra that he felt in the presence of his father ¡ª the count ¡ª and his half-siblings. Essentially, it served as proof that he was of noble blood and shared their bloodline. However, he could also perceive another bloodline resonance within his chakra. This was perplexing because it implied that his mother was of noble descent as well ¡ª or at least someone with bloodline powers. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it So, what could be the reason for the count to refuse to acknowledge him as an official heir despite such a pure bloodline? He was not the son of a commoner. What¡¯s more, the other bloodline power radiated a stronger resonance. This suggested that the second bloodline power was purer and, therefore, more potent. Alaric resolved to wait a few more years before directly confronting the count about this matter. For now, his goal was to cleanse the impurities of his heart chakra so that he could unlock the bloodline powers of the de Vermond family. His throat chakra, third eye chakra, and crown chakra were still not as purified as he desired. But he didn¡¯t concern himself with that because it wasn¡¯t his immediate priority. He would purify all of the chakras before he turned 12. The throat chakra governed one¡¯s ability to assert their willpower and influence the world through the power of their voice. Essentially, it managed contracts, pacts, and oaths. Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made to attain greater power. And if someone made a promise ¡ª to others or themselves ¡ª and upheld it no matter the cost, they could gain extraordinary power. However, violating these sacred oaths could lead to disastrous consequences. Typically, people with tainted throat chakras couldn¡¯t uphold their promises and oaths. At best, they wouldn¡¯t experience any power boosts, and at worst, they would suffer a severe backlash. In this world, there were various ways for a cultivator to attain immediate power aside from mastering pure cultivation techniques or awakening bloodline abilities. One of these methods involved forming a bond with an entity. If one were talented enough to earn the system¡¯s recognition, they could enter the ¡®Tower of Trials¡¯ to forge a pact with a powerful entity or creature. Alaric shook his head. This isn¡¯t the time to dwell on that. I¡¯ll start preparing for the Tower of Trials in a few years. The third eye chakra was Alaric¡¯s favorite chakra. After all, it governed everything related to the mind and the ¡®truth of things.¡¯ It allowed cultivators to distinguish knowledge from raw information with exceptional clarity. Thus, it was vital for comprehending Daos and evolving them into higher forms. A cultivator with an impure third eye chakra would struggle immensely to grasp new Daos or integrate them into their techniques. However, Alaric cherished the third eye chakra because he used it to fuel his signature ability ¡ª True Vision. And he was determined to reclaim this ability in his new life, no matter what. The [True Vision] ability allowed chakra cultivators to perceive beyond the physical realm and penetrate the deepest layers of truth. It enabled chakra cultivators to perceive the different forms of energy, and the chakra systems in individuals, detect hidden traps, counter stealth techniques, heighten their awareness of their surroundings, and so much more. Alaric practically felt blind without his signature ability. And that was just the surface-level benefit of awakening the third eye chakra. A deeper advantage was that it granted access to the realm of dreams and allowed connection with your subtle body. The crown chakra governed everything related to the soul. It is one of the most challenging chakras to purify, but performing the proper karmic actions is one way to cleanse it. However, the main benefit is that it enables cultivators to merge with ¡®True Divinity¡¯ or ¡®One Consciousness¡¯ ¡ª to bask in their true self. But Alaric wasn¡¯t particularly interested in achieving immortality. No, he wanted to experience the joys and hurdles of life. Maybe that was one of the reasons it had taken him so long to prepare the ritual to bloom his crown chakra. So much to accomplish before I turn twelve. A smile tugged at his face. I¡¯m enjoying this new life. Let¡¯s see how far I can go this time. *** A few months later How did I find myself in this mess? Alaric couldn¡¯t help but sigh internally. Currently, he stood in the dueling ring on the guard¡¯s training ground, facing Lucien, a proud smirk etched onto his face. ¡°You can do it, Lucien,¡± a kid ¡ª probably his friend ¡ª yelled from the ring of spectators. ¡°Teach that bastard a lesson he won¡¯t forget.¡± Yep, definitely one of his noble friends. On one side of the ring, Alaric spotted a few guards and Rowan with a smug expression. He even noticed Captain Farrow stopping by briefly, nodding at Alaric with a faint smile, as if signaling him to teach that noble brat the difference between real fighting techniques and party tricks. Both of them understand my skill and strength. Alaric mused. As do the guards. They¡¯re just here for the show. On the other side of the ring, he noticed Edwin scowling with his arms crossed, flanked by a few noble kids whom Alaric assumed were friends of his half-brothers. However, what truly caught his attention was the immaculately dressed man with a saber strapped to his hip. He was the combat instructor of both Lucien and Edwin ¡ª Instructor Gauvain. His sharp eyes scanned Alaric from head to toe before his expression settled into something nasty. Clearly, he wasn¡¯t impressed. ¡°Take positions¡­¡± the guard acting as the referee barked. Both boys assumed a fighting stance. Alaric really didn¡¯t want to fight a kid like Lucien. Defeating him wouldn''t give him any joy. Lucien wouldn¡¯t pose a challenge at all. ¡°And¡­start.¡± Alaric hesitated for a moment, allowing Lucien to take the initiative. He had no desire to humiliate the kid in front of his friends and wanted to give him a fair chance. However, watching Lucien¡¯s sluggish movements and the way he flailed his wooden sword grated on Alaric¡¯s patience. It was wrong of him to expect more from a child ¡ª not everyone was Rowan. However, there was a limit to his patience. He casually sidestepped a clumsy sword strike and lightly prodded Lucien in the chest, right over his heart. Lucien stumbled backward and hit the ground. ¡°Halt¡­Alaric wins!¡± The referee declared. Alaric turned away, shaking his head. What a complete waste of time. Some of the guards cheered and applauded him. Rowan simply gave a thumbs-up, his expression neutral. The outcome had been obvious. Lucien trudged back to his side of the ring, his head bowed in shame. His friends huddled around him, offering words of encouragement. Instructor Gauvain¡¯s brows knitted together, his sharp gaze narrowing. Before Edwin stepped into the ring, Gauvain gripped his shoulder and murmured something into his ear. Edwin glanced briefly at Alaric, then back at his instructor, and smirked. Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Chapter 24 - Victory and Loss Edwin sauntered into the ring with confidence. Unlike Lucien, Edwin could pose a real challenge. It¡¯s been a few months since he turned 12. So, now he could sense and accumulate mana into his core. Perhaps, he has also learned a few mana skills. Alaric smirked. Let¡¯s see whether you are a match for Rowan. Since Alaric still couldn¡¯t wield mana, he was naturally at a disadvantage. At least, that is how it appeared to the onlookers. However, infusing the bones, muscles, and organs of his body with the subtle energy generated by his root chakra for the past year and a half had made them far stronger than a typical 9-year-old. He could channel the accumulated subtle energy in his root chakra to give Edwin a surprise. However, that would be cheating. And, there were too many eyes on the match. He resolved not to use it even if it risked his defeat. We¡¯ll see. As both of them assumed their positions in the center of the ring, the crowd erupted in cheers for their favorites. It seemed even Captain Farrow had arrived to witness the fight. Oddly, Alaric noticed Captain Farrow and Instructor Gauvain glaring at each other coldly before exchanging forced smiles. A moment later, Captain Farrow turned his gaze to Alaric, sending chills down his spine. As if he was saying, ¡°You better not lose, kid.¡± Oh boy¡­they are both here to measure who is the better teacher and who has the superior student. If I lose, Captain Farrow will skin me alive. ¡°What¡¯s with that expression¡­Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go easy on you, bastard,¡± Edwin sneered. So, he caught the concerned look on my face and thought I was afraid of sparring with him. Alaric chuckled inwardly. ¡°That¡¯s a good excuse in case you lose, big brother.¡± Alaric simply laughed. Edwin¡¯s face morphed into a ripe tomato. ¡°I¡¯m not your brother¡­and I won¡¯t lose to you.¡± He practically spat the last words. ¡°Commence fight!¡± the referee barked. Edwin instantly burst into motion, clearly using some type of movement skill fuelled by mana. It was enough to catch any 9-year-old off guard, except for Alaric. He was accustomed to sparring with Rowan, who was older and sharper than Edwin. Alaric sidestepped the strike and countered. Their wooden swords collided, and Alaric felt the impact reverberate through his elbows. He¡¯s stronger than Rowan when he¡¯s not serious¡­but slower. Edwin unleashed a flurry of strikes, one after another, but none even brushed against Alaric¡¯s clothes. After some time, Alaric noticed Edwin sweating and gasping for air. He¡¯s pouring too much mana into each strike. Does he want to hurt me that badly? ¡°Finally showed your true form, bastard,¡± Edwin growled between ragged breaths. ¡°Stop cheating and running ¡ª fight me like a man!¡± he shouted. Alaric simply shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re just¡­slow.¡± Edwin charged again, but Alaric effortlessly evaded his attacks with impeccable footwork. Suddenly, Edwin changed his stance, and the rhythm of the fight shifted. Now, he mixed feints with actual strikes. Of course, it was still nothing spectacular. When that didn¡¯t work, Edwin used some type of skill that flushed his face with a pinkish hue. Aah...a physical-enhancement skill? His speed surged, and his strength multiplied. Now, we¡¯re talking. The physical boosting skill resembled what Fenrir and Theon employed but was far less refined. However, it did improve the challenge. Alaric could no longer rely solely on footwork to dodge. He had to parry or block each strike. Every blow carried enough force to numb Alaric¡¯s hands. However, it still wasn¡¯t enough to overwhelm him. How could it be? He had endured similar sparring sessions with Rowan for months. Frankly, Alaric was simply waiting to check just how strong Edwin was compared to Rowan. To say he felt a little disappointed in his half-brother would have been an understatement. Rowan was miles ahead of Edwin due to his superior footwork, speed, and technique. Alaric decided to end the match. He lowered his guard and pretended to be open. Edwin, as anticipated, seized the bait and lunged forward, landing a strike on Alaric. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Alaric swallowed the pain but prepared for what was to come next. As Edwin pressed into his guard to strike the same spot again, his overconfidence cost him. Alaric swept Edwin¡¯s foot out from under him and hammered his wrist, elbows, and temple in quick succession. For the first time, he revealed his true striking speed. Edwin crashed to the floor, unable to support his weight, and screamed in pain as Alaric¡¯s final strike connected. ¡°Stop¡­¡± The referee barked, ¡°Alaric is disqualified. Edwin wins.¡± For a moment, nobody made a sound. Then, Lucien and Edwin¡¯s friends erupted into cheers. Alaric simply smirked and began walking out of the ring. When he spotted Rowan and Captain Farrow, they both wore smug expressions. Instructor Gauvain, on the other hand, glared at him with a deep scowl. ¡°Stop, you scum. Striking below the hip with your foot is illegal. You cheated,¡± Edwin shouted, his voice trembling with both rage and pain. Alaric pivoted to face him. ¡°Of course, I did. I¡¯m a bastard, remember¡­¡± He shrugged nonchalantly, ¡°And, for that, I lost the match.¡± He smiled. Officially, that is. It was painfully clear to all the adults that in a real life-or-death encounter, Edwin would have already been dead. But Alaric didn¡¯t care about official victories. This whole duel had been a farce from the start. *** Alaric and Rowan were currently in the dining hall, sharing dinner. They had begun eating their meals together a few months ago, and nobody really objected. Almost everyone knew they were friends. And if the lord of the estate didn¡¯t prohibit their camaraderie, no one else had the right to interfere ¡ª except Captain Farrow. Fortunately, the guard captain approved of their friendship and lately, he had started acting like a father figure to Alaric. Except during training. Then, he transformed into an unyielding taskmaster. ¡°You were taking it so easy on your big brother¡­¡± Rowan said between bites of roasted chicken. ¡°I spotted so many openings, but you just kept defending.¡± Alaric finished his chicken stew and let out a satisfied burp. ¡°I wanted to assess what the instructor taught him¡­¡± He locked eyes with Rowan and smirked, ¡°And how he measured up to my arch-rival.¡± Alaric winked. ¡°Oh, is that all?¡± When Alaric didn¡¯t elaborate, Rowan jabbed his arm with an elbow. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t leave me hanging¡­spill it. What¡¯s your verdict?¡± Alaric pretended to think a little by cupping his hands on his chin. ¡°Hmm, Edwin is much better than Lucien¡­but his training lacks depth.¡± Alaric clicked his tongue. ¡°Not fit for real-world combat.¡± ¡°And? That¡¯s all?¡± Rowan feigned anger. ¡°Well, I suppose you are a little better than him,¡± Alaric teased and shoved a slice of apple into his mouth. ¡°Just a little?¡± ¡°A teeny-tiny bit.¡± Alaric pinched the air between his thumb and index finger to mock Rowan. But his friend wasn¡¯t having it. Rowan retaliated with a mana-infused punch to Alaric¡¯s elbow. ¡°Ouch, what was that for?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t pretend like that hurt you.¡± Rowan positioned himself to smack him again. Alaric quickly raised his arms and grinned, ¡°Okay, okay... You are a lot better than Edwin.¡± That seemed to light up Rowan¡¯s face. He dipped another chicken leg in some sauce and tore into it. For a while, Rowan and Alaric chatted about a few other things. However, when they finished their dinner, Rowan finally asked Alaric what he planned to do next. ¡°So, are you finally coming to the knight¡¯s training ground tomorrow?¡± Rowan¡¯s expression wavered with doubt, but excitement gleamed in his eyes at the thought of his friend joining the training with the other squires. After turning 12, Rowan had been spending most of his time training with the squires. He only ever saw Alaric during their evening sparring sessions and shared meals. Unfortunately, entry into the knight¡¯s training grounds was restricted until one turned 12 and unlocked access to mana. Since Alaric was still 9, he had been barred from training there. ¡°Yes. Father has given me permission to train with the squires,¡± Alaric said playfully. Rowan pumped his fist and exhaled the breath he¡¯d been holding. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve demonstrated your strength against Edwin, there¡¯s no reason to hold you back,¡± Rowan let out. Alaric was also looking forward to sparring with the squires. ¡°Are there any strong opponents?¡± ¡°Well, most of the squires are older than us, so they¡¯re naturally stronger, but...¡± Rowan¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°The Knight Commander¡¯s squire is especially strong.¡± ¡°Well, look at that...¡± Alaric nudged Rowan. ¡°It seems my friend has another rival.¡± Rowan was not amused but let out a laugh. ¡°No, he¡¯s more like an arrogant prick,¡± Rowan muttered. ¡°Well, less arrogant than you. Nobody can beat you in that regard.¡± This time, Alaric playfully smacked Rowan¡¯s side. *** Alaric opened his eyes, shifting his focus from his steady breath to the world around him. He had completed his nightly meditation but still needed to take stock of things. Tomorrow, he would step into the knight¡¯s training ground. The count had granted him permission. Frankly, he was more excited about training alongside Rowan again. He¡¯d had minimal interaction with the knights of the estate. Unlike the guards, who mingled freely, the knights were minor nobles who clung tightly to their dignity. He could already picture the disapproving frowns and snide remarks he would face when he entered the training grounds. He opened his training journal and recorded today¡¯s progress: Weighted push-ups (10 kg ) - 50 Weighted Squats (30 kg) - 100 Weighted Pull-ups (5kg) - 20 Weighted Plank time - 5 min 400-meter timed lap - 1:15 min Running -12 laps Weighted Rope climbing (5kg) - Can climb easily. Alaric grew bored of performing the same exercises again and again, especially since he could perform them effortlessly. So, he decided to up the challenge by utilizing weighted objects such as sandbags and sacks of grain. It was a far more effective method for building strength. Of course, he¡¯d need to wait till he hit puberty to gain a bunch of muscles. However, strength training at such a young age would allow him to sharpen his nervous system responses and enhance the flexibility of his tendons and ligaments. With his body continually strengthened by root chakra, the risk of injuries like pulled muscles or overstrained bones was now minimal. Alaric shut his training journal and lay down to sleep. He needed to rest to prepare for what was to happen tomorrow. Chapter 25 - New Grounds and New Friends The knight training grounds sprawled over a much larger area than the guard¡¯s training grounds. It was also fortified by a large boundary wall with the entrance to the field guarded by two knights in full armor. When Alaric neared the entrance with a clear intention of entering it, the knights attempted to stop him. However, a voice from inside bellowed, ¡°Let him inside, he has the lord¡¯s permission.¡± The knights merely shrugged and permitted him to enter the training field. Alaric surveyed the area and endeavored to identify the owner of that commanding voice but couldn¡¯t spot anybody nearby who wasn¡¯t engaged in some form of training. It was during these moments he felt powerless in this new body. Somebody was employing stealth or possessed an immense perception skill that enabled them to monitor the whole ground. He did notice a small enchanted object on the opposite wall of the entrance. Perhaps it is some type of communication device. Alaric disregarded it for now and proceeded to explore the fields. His first impression of the knight training grounds was that it seemed a lot more organized and prestigious. Whereas the guard¡¯s training ground felt more rugged, this field appeared more professional. There were no kids in the area play-fighting with wooden swords or wandering around. Here, men sparred with real swords and shields while donning heavy armor. ¡°Alaric, over here¡­¡± Rowan called out when he spotted Alaric. He, in turn, strode over to where his friend was with a smile pulling at his face. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll give you a brief tour of the area.¡± Rowan tugged Alaric by the arm, eager to show him around. First, they arrived at the mounted combat area where knights were trained to fight on horseback. The large oval field featured riding paths, straw dummies, and elevated targets. He observed knights on horseback practicing jousting against a rotating dummy. They wielded lances, swords, or bows to strike a target while riding. A group of mounted knights drilled under a strict instructor. These included trotting, galloping, and abrupt halts. Overall, Alaric was impressed by the sheer discipline of the knights. He had no desire to master mounted combat, but he could clearly understand the advantages during small-scale wars. After spending some time observing the knights execute their various maneuvering moves, they continued to the duel area a.k.a ¡®The Pit¡¯. This area dwarfed the sparring grounds of the guards. It was packed with sand and bordered by raised stone. He noticed many knights in full armor locked in full-contact duels with real swords. Off in another section inside the ring, some practiced with blunted swords and wooden weapons. Off to the far side stood the horse training stables. It reeked of hay, horses, and steel. It was the area where the war horses were housed, groomed, and trained. The few war-horses currently in the paddocks appeared menacing due to their larger bulk compared to regular horses. He imagined how they would appear when they were fully armored. After some time, they proceeded to the precision range where the knights honed their skills with ranged weapons such as knives and javelins. Rows of targets adorned the precision range at various distances where many knights hurled daggers or javelins. The precision drills looked nothing short of amazing to Alaric. Off to the far side, knights armed with bows and crossbows unleashed volleys at specific points on targets as swiftly as possible. Beside the precision range lay the strength and conditioning area. Large men slammed shields against weighted dummies on one side. Knights donned weighted iron gauntlets and chainmail suits while perfecting their sword drills and performing their exercises. ¡°What do you think? They are putting in some work, huh?¡± Rowan asked Alaric. ¡°They sure are. But we will surpass them.¡± Alaric chuckled to which Rowan simply nodded. ¡°Come, let me show you something interesting.¡± Rowan guided Alaric to a large indoor area off to a separate section of the field. It was the ¡®Strategy Hall¡¯ reserved for knights to study strategy and tactics. When Alaric and Rowan entered the large hall, a few sets of eyes scrutinized them briefly before disregarding them. The large hall had a few rooms. The largest room served as a resting area where the knights could lounge after completing their daily training. A few aged men occupied this area. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Another room brimmed with maps, chalkboards, and game pieces. It was a room dedicated to practicing tactical war games and battlefield strategy. The final room focused on studying the layout of fortresses, siege plans, and formations. Both the rooms were filled with knight captains and knight-lieutenants. They were probably discussing some important strategy. Alaric yearned to study the maps and the layout of the fortresses and siege plans; however, he couldn¡¯t do so directly without appearing awkward. No kid enjoyed such things. Besides, the senior knights would probably shoo them away. Perhaps I will inspect the area when there are fewer people. There was nothing else for them to accomplish in the Strategy Hall. So, Alaric and Rowan departed the area to commence their training for the day. *** 1 year later Alaric couldn¡¯t fathom how the previous year zipped by in the blink of an eye. It seemed like only yesterday to him when he commenced training in the knight training grounds. Over the past few months, he and Rowan had forged a few friendships. Initially, the young squires disregarded either of them. One was a simple commoner whereas the other one was a bastard. However, when Rowan began flaunting his skills and started defeating some of the talented squires left and right, many of the squires came flocking to him. Of course, the majority that sought to make acquaintances or form friendships were of non-noble birth. The minor nobles were too proud. Later, when Alaric demonstrated his talent, some of Rowan¡¯s new friends overlooked Alaric¡¯s status to befriend him as well. Gareth and George were two of their closest friends now who were both 12 and commoners. Typically, the four of them trained and sparred together. ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± Alaric twirled his wooden sword after defeating a sparring partner. He was not yet exhausted and yearned to continue his winning streak of two wins. When he glanced at Gareth, the older fellow raised his hands in mock surrender and said, ¡°I¡¯m not fighting you, freak.¡± He stuck out a tongue. ¡°I¡¯d much rather duel Rowan.¡± He gestured at Rowan immersed in his own sparring session off to the side ring. ¡°At least, it would help me save face.¡± ¡°You sure? I will go easy on you.¡± Alaric smirked. ¡°Uh uh. Spare me.¡± Gareth went off to the side and started practicing with his sword. ¡°I simply don¡¯t understand how you can be so strong even without access to mana,¡± said George. ¡°But you won¡¯t defeat me today, Alaric.¡± He entered the ring and assumed his stance. Unlike Gareth, George was a full head taller with a longer reach. It was challenging for Alaric to strike at him unless he employed his subtle energy. Alaric lunged at George when both of them nodded they were ready. The bigger guy easily deflected his strike and counterattacked. Alaric parried the strike. His blow felt heavy, almost as strong as Rowan''s. However, Alaric had adapted to it by now. His body was fortified significantly by the root chakra energy. His emotions and willpower were tempered by sacral chakra energy. ¡°You will become a monster when you awaken the system,¡± George muttered as he defended himself from another attack. ¡°I wonder how many mana skills you¡¯ll be able to acquire.¡± Alaric ignored the comment and focused on any tells that might indicate when George became serious or shifted his fighting style. And, he was glad that he did. George adjusted his stance but instead of attacking outright, he kicked at Alaric¡¯s knees. Years of combat experience sharpened Alaric¡¯s intuition for such moments of trickery and deception. He dodged the kick and delivered a kick of his own. When the knights sparred with each other, they didn¡¯t adhere to the usual dueling rules as nobles did. The primary goal was to incapacitate your opponent. George dodged the blow as well and channeled a portion of his mana into his sword arm to strike faster. Alaric barely parried the blow, and then another chained mana strike. He was being pushed back but was yet to be injured. Sweat beaded his body and a smile crossed his face. Yes, this is the feeling I crave. He kept deflecting, parrying, and evading the strikes, just barely. He was growing tired and began to slow down as well. George, on the other hand, was still sustaining the same pace. With one powerful blow, the older kid nearly disarmed Alaric. He managed to cling to his sword only because he infused a drop of root chakra energy into his palms. It was just enough to prevent his hands from going numb. ¡°Come on, go easy on me a little bit¡­¡± Alaric protested, switching his wooden sword to the other hand. He rotated his wrist to ease the pain of the strike a little bit. However, he didn¡¯t lower his guard. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him¡­.¡± Gareth shouted from the side. ¡°He is faking it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going easy on him, junior or not,¡± proclaimed Geoge. ¡°I¡¯ve seen him in enough sparring matches to know he can quickly pull a fast one on his opponents.¡± He flashed a predatory smile. Cunning bastards. They know me well. Alaric wasn¡¯t that irritated. In fact, he was even enjoying it. However, that didn¡¯t mean he would let them off the hook. ¡°By the gods.¡± Alaric feigned surprise. ¡°Both of you are bullies.¡± ¡°Cut the crap.¡± George activated his boosting skill and charged at Alaric. He cycled another drop of root chakra energy and narrowly dodged the strike. However, George followed up with another strike and landed a hit on his stomach. The pain radiated from his stomach to his chest, but he summoned his willpower to keep his emotions in check. He locked eyes with George, who looked a little surprised. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got, big guy?¡± George bellowed and lunged at Alaric, aiming the sword at his head. Alaric deflected the sword with a roar. However, the power of the strike forced his sword back. Both of them were locked in a battle of attrition, but George was quickly overpowering him. Instead of contesting in a battle of strength, Alaric loosened his grip on his sword as he sidestepped. His sword hit the ground, and George lost his balance for a moment. However, in that small window, before George realized what had happened, Alaric planted his feet firmly on the ground and delivered an uppercut to George¡¯s chin. His fist throbbed with pain as it connected. George¡¯s head snapped back, and he stumbled backward onto the floor. Alaric stepped forward and offered a hand to help his friend up. George rubbed his chin with one hand, grasped Alaric¡¯s palm with the other, and pulled himself up. ¡°Why do you even bother fighting him? Only Rowan can defeat him,¡± Gareth remarked from the side. ¡°I enjoy it. Besides, I get to learn how not everything is about strength, speed, or technique,¡± George admitted. ¡°That was a great fight,¡± Alaric complimented him. The squires who witnessed their spar started clapping and cheering for both of them. Chapter 26 - Chakra Cultivation Secrets The night before Alaric¡¯s 12th Birthday Alaric reclined on his bed but couldn¡¯t drift off to sleep. He was too exhilarated. After all, tomorrow, he would finally gain access to the system and everything would transform. After waiting for all these years and learning all he could about the system, he was eager to experience it for himself. He could still observe his ¡®status screen¡¯ but it was restricted. The worst part was that since he was unable to access the system, he couldn¡¯t access his ¡®Cultivation Sanctuary¡¯ for all these years. Alaric chuckled at that thought. When he chose that reward option, he hoped it would prove to be immediately beneficial. But fate threw him a curve ball and he couldn¡¯t access his reward for 5 years. No matter. I¡¯m still in the early stages of my cultivation journey. On a positive note, Alaric was quite satisfied with what he had accomplished so far. Although he had failed to partially awaken any of the other chakras, he had successfully purified all the 7 chakras of his subtle body - well, technically at least. Except for his root chakra, they were all on the verge of being completely purified and stepping into the start of the awakening phase. Alaric¡¯s master would¡¯ve sternly refuted the declaration that a chakra cultivator has fully refined his chakras until they were at least partially awakened. This is because tens of thousands of chakra cultivators got trapped between the gulf of chakra purification and partial awakening. In his case, all of them, except the root chakra - which had been partially awakened - demanded a little extra effort to cross to the next threshold. For partial awakening, the root chakra and sacral chakra required one to push beyond their physical and emotional limits, continuously. Otherwise known as the path of continuous improvement. Alaric succeeded in partially awakening his root chakra during his duel exam with Rowan. Enduring such a grueling experience could also trigger the partial awakening of the sacral chakra in many chakra cultivators. However, he had a more definitive approach - mind-tempering meditation practices. The solar plexus chakra required an infusion of mana and performing an ancient breathing technique known as ¡®Pranayama¡¯ to finalize the refinement process. It was ideal to execute it when forming his mana core. To complete the refinement process and partially awaken the heart chakra, he needed to harmonize the three qualities or gunas present in all individuals. Balancing the Trigunas - Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas - was essential for advancing in his cultivation journey and empowering his bloodline. Another method was to follow the path of ¡®Bhakti¡¯ - a devotional worship dedicated to a Supreme God. However, this path didn¡¯t resonate with Alaric, so he didn¡¯t dwell on it too much. Fortunately, there were many paths that led to the same ultimate destination. It was just a matter of when one would achieve their goal. The throat chakra required him to vocally chant sacred mantras empowered by his determination to practice - ¡®Pratyahara¡¯ - withdrawal of the senses. The five senses were more fickle than the wind. Thus, anchoring one¡¯s focus to a suitable ¡®Alambana¡¯ (support) such as a mantra, was extremely important for the proper practice of ¡®Pratyahara¡¯ and achieving success. There were many different types of mantras a chakra cultivator could embrace to finalize the purification process, but not all mantras were created equal. When one no longer had to rely on the support of an external Alambana such as a vocal mantra, they could progress to the next step. The third-eye chakra demanded him to engage in ¡®Dharana¡¯ or Ekagrata (one-pointed concentration) to stabilize the mind so that one could attain the state of ¡®Dhyana¡¯ to cleanse the mind. Unlike what many cultivators presumed due to a lack of proper knowledge and understanding, ¡®Dhyana¡¯ was not synonymous with meditation. It was not a practice one could do deliberately. In his homeworld, these ancient practices were chronicled in ancient scriptures known as the Vedas. These Vedic texts were inscribed in Sanskrit - the language of the Gods. Unfortunately, a majority of the population was untrained in Sanskrit, and any translation of specific terms such as Pratyahara, Dharana, or Dhyana couldn¡¯t capture their full essence since they couldn¡¯t be translated precisely. It was merely an approximation. In this context, the term ¡®Dhyana¡¯ more accurately signified another term known as ¡®The Flow State¡¯ where one encountered no hindrance when engaging in any kind of physical activity in the present moment. The ¡®Flow State¡¯ enabled humans to perform at their peak potential. ¡®Dhyana¡¯ was a distinct type of ¡®Flow State¡¯ - only there was no physical activity; it was entirely mental. The physical body remained completely still, whereas the mind effortlessly concentrated on a single Alambana. A chakra cultivator could consciously practice ¡®Dharana¡¯, which required mental exertion. Once they became sufficiently adept at this practice, they seamlessly transitioned into the flow state of ¡®Dhyana¡¯ where all efforts to still the mind ceased to exist. It was an inevitable progression - like pushing a ball and observing it glide along the surface for a time. However, eventually, this momentum would dissipate. It was the same with ¡®Dhyana¡¯. Lastly, there were numerous ways to partially awaken the crown chakra. One approach was to persist in practicing Dharana and honing it to progressively dwell longer in the Dhyana state. After attaining sufficient mastery, this Dhyana state would ascend to the state of ¡®Samadhi¡¯ (Complete Absorption), where even your ¡®Ahamkara¡¯ (Ego or sense of identity) would dissolve. It was only then that you could glimpse your ¡®True Self¡¯ (Atman) - The Non-Dual Awareness (Brahman). The state of Samadhi was further classified into many levels, but Alaric didn¡¯t ponder on them for now.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Another way to partially awaken the crown chakra was to undertake ¡®Nididhyasana¡¯ (Vedantic Contemplation). However, this required the correct understanding of ¡®Atman¡¯ and the guidance of a Guru (Spiritual Master) who could assist you in unraveling the profound meaning of the Vedantic cryptic texts and enigmatic statements known as Mahavakyas (The Great Sayings). Under the blessing of a Guru, when one truly comprehended the essence of the ¡®True Self¡¯, contemplating these Mahavakyas alone was sufficient for the liberation of their soul and achieving enlightenment - let alone partial awakening of the crown chakra. Or so he had learned from his master. In his previous life, he hadn¡¯t had the fortune to encounter a single Jivanmukta (liberated while living) - a True Immortal Soul who was freed from the cycle of birth, death, and karma. For Alaric, this last phase loomed as his biggest challenge. His master was a tremendously powerful chakra cultivator, but he was not a Guru. Alaric exhaled a sigh and redirected his focus to scrutinize his subtle body. Each of his chakras vibrated at a distinct frequency of the pranic energy spectrum and pulsed with a unique color, corresponding to the colors of the rainbow. Starting from the root chakra radiating a vivid crimson to the crown chakra radiating a brilliant violet. They filtered the prana of his mortal vessel in their respective ways, storing it for future utilization. It would endow him with all the necessary advantages to rise to the top of the cultivation food chain. Once he gained access to mana, he would be able to fully awaken these chakras to derive more benefits. And, later came the painstaking task of blooming the petals to extract their real value. Alaric dismissed these thoughts. Instead, he concentrated on his plans for tomorrow. Lately, he had been training exclusively in the Knight¡¯s training ground. Captain Farrow had finished imparting all he could at this stage almost 6 months ago. Now, they engaged in bi-weekly sparring sessions. To his embarrassment, Captain Farrow still wiped the floor with Alaric without even shifting from his position. Sometimes, Alaric liked to channel root chakra energy to catch his stern instructor off guard, but ultimately, it made no difference. On the flip side, Alaric ranked as the third strongest kid in the estate, after Rowan and Therin. Rowan had advanced significantly after unlocking access to mana. At age 12, when one unlocked the system and mana, they became a Tier 0. At this stage, their objective was to learn how to sense mana and, of course, acquire the three foundational mana skills. Once they learned sensing mana, the next task involved learning the skills for absorbing and controlling it. Ultimately, their aim was to integrate the three foundational skills into the fundamental mana manipulation ability. Naturally, some kids were better at mana manipulation due to their innate talent and intellect. However, hard work and knowledge about the correct way to manipulate mana helped a lot. Once one learned to manipulate mana well, the subsequent goal was to form their mana core to advance to Tier 1. Typically, this entire journey - acquiring the three foundational skills and crafting their mana core - spanned anywhere between 3 months to a year depending on numerous factors. Rowan succeeded in acquiring the three foundational skills and forming his mana core in 6 months. He was exceptionally gifted and diligent but lacked the proper resources to speed up his progress. At Tier 1, the objective was to learn how to cultivate and assimilate mana into different aspects of your body and permanently integrate it with your being. This enhanced the physical strength of your body to an entirely new level. At this stage, it was essential to master as many mana skills as possible to establish a strong foundation. Of course, there were numerous other considerations that Alaric wasn¡¯t privy to yet. At age 15, Rowan was almost on the verge of becoming a Tier 2 now. Therin was the Knight Commander¡¯s squire and the same age as Rowan. However, he was also a minor noble and, therefore, had access to cultivation resources that propelled his progress faster than Rowan¡¯s. Overall, Therin and Rowan possessed a comparable power level, but Therin managed to secure an edge during combat due to his bloodline. Alaric released a sigh. No, I have to sleep for now. He clutched his side pillow closer. There will be plenty of time to dwell on this later. *** Alaric wasn¡¯t sure what time it was, but his sleep was interrupted by a warm sensation radiating through his body. He snapped awake but couldn¡¯t move his body ¡ª not even open his eyelids. However, he could sense the surge of energy coursing through each of his limbs, organs, skin, blood, and bones. The entire process wasn¡¯t painful. It just felt peculiar. Fortunately, it didn¡¯t last long. When the warm feeling subsided, he heard a high-pitched ding resonate in his mind. Congratulations! You have gained access to the system. Please, open your status screen for further details. So, here it is, at last. He felt an immense urge to inspect his status screen that very moment. Almost as if some foreign force was urging him. No use waiting. Let¡¯s see what I¡¯ve got. Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 18 Agility - 19 Vitality - 16 Mind - 23 Soul - 29 Titles: Ally of the System (Signature) Unused experience points - 713 System Rewards Granted - Cultivation Sanctuary Alaric reviewed his status screen but didn¡¯t feel as enthusiastic as he hoped. The stats didn¡¯t mean anything to him. Hmm¡­I have to compare these stats with somebody, perhaps Rowan to comprehend them. Alaric had no doubt that his starting stats were higher than normal due to the gains he derived from purifying his chakras. Of course, the physical training contributed a little bit but not enough to truly make a difference. He assumed new sections of his status screen would unlock as he progressed through the Tiers and advanced in his cultivation journey, but he would have to be patient for that. His attention shifted to the title, ¡®Ally of the system (Signature)¡¯. As soon as it did, a new window popped up in his view. Ally of the system (Signature) - You are favored by the system and granted privileges beyond the reach of ordinary users. The effects of this title include an increased skill acquisition rate, enhanced survivability during tribulations, and reduced penalties for actions that might trigger the wrath of the system. Hmm¡­what a cryptic description. Alaric understood the part about the improved skill acquisition rate. That in itself was a major advantage since the number of skills one possessed played a major role in their overall power and progression journey. However, enhanced survivability during tribulations and reduced penalties had some cryptic implications. Typically, a cultivator could encounter tribulations when they broke a solemn oath or committed something severe to disrupt their karmic balance in order to cheat their way to power. But that was a rare scenario. Now, what might offend the system and provoke its wrath, he had no clear idea. Perhaps, something like that Anomaly could trigger the wrath of the system. Alaric shrugged. He eyed over the ¡®unused experience points¡¯ section. Would you like to spend the experience points to level up your stats? Current available points - 713. Alaric dismissed the system prompt with a mental command. He didn¡¯t want to allocate any experience points to level up for now without discussing these matters with Rowan. Finally, he navigated to the ¡®rewards granted'' section. Would you like to access your cultivation sanctuary? Alaric decided to wait on that matter. Who knew how time functioned in that pocket dimensional space? He opted to experiment with his cultivation sanctuary tomorrow. Now, it was time to rest. When Alaric attempted to close his status sheet, a sudden ping resonated in his mind. Error! Unusual cultivation technique detected in the user. Initiating scan¡­ Adjusting the status screen to reflect new parameters. Chapter 27 - Gaining Access to the System Alaric¡¯s body froze, as a wave of unfamiliar energy surged through him. It felt as though the System was peeling back the layers of his physical and subtle bodies, dissecting them with meticulous precision. ¡°What now?¡± Alaric muttered, a tinge of irritation creeping into his voice. He gritted his teeth as the sensation grew, then ebbed away just as suddenly as it began. Scan complete. Status sheet updated. The screen shimmered and reassembled itself before his eyes, displaying new details with an almost ceremonial gravitas: Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 18 Agility - 19 Vitality - 16 Mind - 23 Soul - 29 Titles: Chakra Cultivation Progression: Unused Experience Points: 713 System Rewards Granted: Alaric scanned the updated status sheet, his eyes lingering on the new title and its benefits. Progenitor of Chakra Cultivation (Unique) - You have accomplished a feat unprecedented in Gaia - fully purifying all of your chakras before the age of 12. As the originator of this unique cultivation method, this title is bestowed upon you as a mark of your insight and merit. All your chakra cultivation efforts are boosted by 30%, and your affinity for chakra-based energies is significantly amplified. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s one way to recognize my efforts,¡± he muttered, already considering how best to leverage this newfound advantage in his cultivation journey. Next, Alaric focused on the ¡®Chakra Cultivation Progression¡¯ section. As he scanned through the list of chakras, he couldn¡¯t help but grin. If nothing else, the System had categorized the benefits and the functions of the chakras quite effectively. However, he was amused to find the System listing the passive and active benefits of each chakra at their current stage ¡ª well, except for the last one. This is too much to go through at once. Alaric yawned. I really need to sleep now. Alaric resolved to inspect each of the benefits in detail at a later date. He assumed tomorrow would be an exciting day once he shared the news with his friends. Well, except for sharing the news about the chakra cultivation part. The System had only warned him not to reveal information about his rebirth and The Anomaly. It didn¡¯t forbid him from sharing his secrets of chakra cultivation. So, he was itching to share at least some guidance with his friends in order to improve their cultivation foundation. I guess I could share the basics at least to enable them to purify their chakras. However, there were two big problems with doing so. First, how would he go about sharing such detailed information about a completely different type of cultivation technique without arousing suspicion? Perhaps, if he were a little older - a wandering adventurer or the disciple of some mysterious master - he could attribute the credit to the discovery of a cultivation manual in an ancient ruin or simply the teachings of his master. Well, I need to join an academy once I turn 16. Perhaps I¡¯ll chalk it up to some hidden cultivation manual I unearthed in the far corner of the library. Alaric chuckled at that thought. As it stands now, it would be too suspicious and unbelievable. Alaric clicked his tongue. The second problem was that each of his friends already had their own cultivation techniques. Practicing multiple cultivation techniques was not only more challenging but could also clash with each other, ruining the cultivation foundation. He had no way of discerning how practicing chakra cultivation alongside other cultivation techniques - unknown to him in this new world - would complement or hinder each other. Aside from that, they wouldn¡¯t possess his innate advantage - his experience and knowledge from his previous life. Alaric exhaled a sigh. His eyelids were growing heavy. I will figure something out¡­later. He closed his eyes. Cannot leave them behind too far.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. *** ¡°Congratulations, mate.¡± Rowan playfully slapped Alaric¡¯s back. ¡°Now, you have finally ascended to the realm of cultivators,¡± he winked. Rowan was just as thrilled as Alaric at the news. Of course, all his friends, including Rowan, knew it was Alaric¡¯s birthday, but hearing the news firsthand from Alaric made it real. Gareth and George shook hands with Alaric, and all of them decided to lounge in a corner of the strategy hall while savoring their breakfast as usual. Eating breakfast together was another time that Alaric cherished every morning. ¡°What are your stats?¡± Gareth asked in between bites of his toast and sips of his fruit juice. ¡°I bet he has at least one or two stats in the double digits,¡± commented George. ¡°You guys have no idea¡­I believe all his stats are close to 20,¡± said Rowan. Alaric simply shook his head as he chuckled. No need to keep them waiting in suspense any longer. He mentally recited all his stats. All three of his friends had a different reaction. Gareth wore a skeptical expression and said, ¡°Come on, stop pulling our legs. Even I don''t have any stats close to 30.¡± George¡¯s face displayed sheer astonishment. ¡°I can understand having double-digit starting stats in strength, agility, and vitality, but mind and soul¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°How are they your highest stats?¡± Only Rowan remained unfazed. In fact, he even smirked. ¡°Well, you exceeded my expectations¡­like you always do.¡± He slapped Alaric on the back once again. ¡°Typical Alaric.¡± Alaric simply chuckled. On one hand, he relished the reactions of his friends. However, he realized that it would not be wise to reveal his stats so easily to others. A cultivator''s stats were a personal matter, and they could either choose to disclose them or keep them private. However, a teacher or their cultivation master could compel them to reveal their skills and stats to assess their progression. Alaric shook his head. In his old life, he hadn¡¯t forged many friendships. After that horrible incident in his village, he was reluctant to form any new bonds for fear of losing them again. As he grew stronger, many people began respecting his power and him. However, there were few individuals he could genuinely call his friend. And, they didn¡¯t derive joy from such simple things. When did I become so carefree? When did I learn to savor such simple pleasures? For some reason, Alaric truly appreciated this moment. It wasn¡¯t a grand achievement. He hadn¡¯t saved a village from a monster horde attack, battled a demonic monster, or eradicated an evil cult. However, he was proud of himself for befriending Rowan, George, and Gareth. A bubble of warmth blossomed in his chest. This is embarrassing; I have to cycle sacral chakra before anybody notices! Alaric was used to pain, exhaustion, fear, anger, and more. These were emotions he had mastered and kept in check. He had to deal with such emotions frequently. The emotion he was experiencing now - being accepted and loved - was rare. So, he was somewhat unprepared for it. Years of chakra training to control my emotions and I¡¯m losing my grip over it for such a simple reason. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s celebrate...It¡¯s your birthday after all!¡± cried George. Gareth and Rowan nodded enthusiastically. Alaric invited all of them to his room later in the evening for a small feast. Well, he would consult Elara and see what could be arranged. As they conversed, Alaric marched over to the sword stand to retrieve his wooden sword. He noticed Gareth and George commencing their usual sparring session. Alaric exhaled deeply. For some reason, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he would outpace his friends in a few years if they couldn¡¯t match his growth rate. Sure, it was likely he would build new friendships as he grew older and explored more of what this new world had to offer. But how could they compare to the bond he had already forged with Rowan, Gareth, and George? Once again, he envisioned sharing the basics of chakra cultivation with his friends - when the right moment came. Chakra cultivation wasn¡¯t easy or straightforward; he had only managed to progress through the stages so quickly due to his prior knowledge and experience. In his previous life, it had taken him 17 years to ascend to the pinnacle of chakra cultivation - almost. He hadn¡¯t fully awakened the crown chakra. And, he had been considered a prodigy by his master - a child with an extraordinary affinity to the third-eye chakra, granting him boundless access to his ¡®Lucid Inner World¡¯ from a young age. It was one of the reasons his master had chosen him as a student while rejecting so many others who yearned to be his disciple. It was also the primary reason he ascended to the pinnacle of power in his world in just 17 years, whereas others took multiple decades, sometimes centuries, to reach his level of mastery. Even if it was possible for his friends to grasp the basics of chakra cultivation, they couldn¡¯t truly excel in it without dedicating themselves entirely, abandoning their already refined cultivation techniques. Techniques that were proven to yield results. Why would they choose to suddenly embrace chakra cultivation over other cultivation methods without examining any records that outlined its advantages? Not that any documentation of chakra cultivation existed in this new world. And, if by some twist of fate, they accepted Alaric¡¯s claims without question, would their parents approve of their decision? How long would it take them to reach the pinnacle without an inherent edge like Alaric¡¯s? ¡°Hello,¡± Rowan waved his hands in front of Alaric. ¡°Where have you drifted off to?¡± He studied him curiously. Hmm...when did he get here? Alaric cleared his throat. ¡°Nothing, I was just pondering a few things.¡± Rowan shrugged, and they moved to their usual sparring spot. However, before initiating their sparring session, Alaric decided to broach the topic of experience points and titles. Of course, he possessed some theoretical understanding of experience points and titles from reading books. However, learning it practically from somebody was different. He nudged Rowan. ¡°So, do you have any recommendations for allocating experience points?¡± asked Alaric. Rowan squinted his eyes at him. ¡°Why are you asking¡­¡± He teased, ¡°Did you already slay some monsters?¡± He chuckled. When Alaric didn¡¯t respond and simply stared at him blankly, Rowan¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you actually fought a monster?¡± Rowan whispered. Alaric gestured for him to calm down and stay quiet. Thankfully, Gareth and George were sparring off to the side and couldn¡¯t overhear them. ¡°I didn¡¯t fight any monsters¡­¡± Alaric acknowledged. When he didn¡¯t elaborate further, Rowan grabbed his elbow and said, ¡°I know that expression, Alaric. You are hiding something from me.¡± Alaric didn¡¯t know what to do. He couldn¡¯t divulge the truth to Rowan without revealing details about his past life. Otherwise, it would simply confuse him. But that wasn¡¯t an option. On the other hand, he didn¡¯t want to lie to his best friend either. ¡°I may have accumulated some experience points¡­just don¡¯t ask me how.¡± Alaric raised a hand to stop Rowan from questioning further. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m unable to disclose how I got the experience points at this moment.¡± Rowan considered what Alaric revealed for a moment and then nodded. ¡°How many experience points do you have? Can you tell me that?¡± Alaric nodded and said, ¡° About 700, more or less.¡± Patreon Annoucement! Hello everyone! I hope you¡¯re all doing well and enjoying my story so far. I can¡¯t express how grateful I am to have 2,500 people following my story ¡ª that¡¯s absolutely incredible! Thank you for your support and for giving my work a chance. As much as I¡¯d love to do this full-time and release chapters more frequently, I need to find a way to make a living from writing. Why I¡¯m Launching Patreon Now My original plan was to launch Patreon after creating a solid backlog to offer: $3 tier: 5 chapters ahead $5 tier: 10 chapters ahead $10 tier: 25 chapters ahead Unfortunately, building that backlog has taken longer than expected due to my current writing pace and other responsibilities. Some author friends also advised me that waiting too long, especially after the Rising Stars run on Royal Road, could make it much harder to build a successful Patreon. That advice really stuck with me and pushed me to launch my Patreon now, even if it feels unprepared and unfinished.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. What I¡¯m Offering Right Now For the moment, I¡¯ve simplified things with just two tiers: $3 General Support Tier $10 Tier: 10 chapters ahead Up to Chapter 35 is already live on Patreon, and I¡¯m working on editing and uploading the rest of the 10 advanced chapters over the next couple of days. I know that 10 chapters might not feel like the best value for $10, but I wanted to offer something for those who want to read ahead and support me, even if it¡¯s not ideal at this stage. My Goals and the Future If I can reach $1,000/month, I¡¯ll be able to leave my part-time job and write full-time. Here¡¯s what that would allow me to do: Write 2 chapters a day Upload 1 extra chapter daily ahead of Royal Road to Patreon Build the backlog to fulfill my original vision (25 chapters ahead) within 2 weeks At a minimum, I need $500/month to cover my debts and another $500/month basic living expenses. With enough support, I could even work toward offering 50 chapters ahead in the $10 tier in the future. A Personal Note Even if I don¡¯t earn anything this month, I¡¯ll keep working to build my backlog and fulfill my original vision, hopefully within the next month. However, your support now would give me tremendous confidence and help me through a difficult time in my life. I¡¯ll be honest: I¡¯m at a challenging stage right now, and if I can¡¯t earn at least $500/month, I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯ll move forward. Writing has become my passion and my hope for a better future, and every bit of support brings me closer to making that a reality. Thank you for reading, for your kindness, and for being part of this journey. Your belief in me and my story means everything. Click here to Join My Patreon. Chapter 28 - Accessing the Cultivation Sanctuary "Well, that''s decent for an ordinary Tier 0 with normal stats, but for somebody with your foundation, it¡¯s not much," Rowan remarked, scratching his cheek. ¡°But it¡¯s enough to secure you a couple of stat upgrades at your current stage.¡± Rowan explained to Alaric how cultivators could use experience points to level up their stats. Basically, experience points could be spent to level up any of your attributes such as strength, mind, and so on. However, the higher your stat is in any attribute, the more experience points it would demand to advance further. The system even offered an option to auto-allocate the experience points based on a cultivator¡¯s preferences. Hmm¡­that makes sense. The stronger you become, the harder it is to push forward in your cultivation journey. The Titles granted by the system were equally interesting. These were awarded by the system when a cultivator accomplished a significant feat, such as clearing a dungeon solo or defeating a monster above their tier. There were countless types of titles available, and depending on their rarity, each title offered varying levels of benefits. Apparently, only geniuses and prodigies earned titles, which further amplified their strength. An average cultivator might not even receive a single title in their lifetime. That was an intriguing insight. Alaric casually inquired about the rarity levels of titles, but Rowan lacked detailed knowledge since most people preferred to keep their titles confidential. However, one thing was clear ¡ª Unique and Signature Titles were exceedingly rare. Alaric decided to invest his accumulated experience points into his strength and agility attributes for now. It made no sense to delay such an accessible power boost. Experience points used. Alaric felt a rush of warmth spread through his muscles. The euphoric sensation lasted only for a moment but left him with a lingering satisfaction. A smile spread across his face as he checked his status screen. Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 18 -> 20 Agility - 19 -> 20 Vitality - 16 Mind - 23 Soul - 29 Titles: Chakra Cultivation Progression: Unused Experience Points: 0 System Rewards Granted: Overall, Alaric was quite satisfied. His next objective was to explore his cultivation sanctuary later that night and assess the advantages it might offer. ¡°Let me know when you get the Tutorial invite from the system,¡± Rowan said. ¡°What Tutorial invite?¡± Alaric questioned, puzzled. ¡°The invite to the Tutorial Rift,¡± Rowan gestured casually. ¡°It¡¯s where Tier 0s are supposed to acquire their mana skills and practice them. It usually takes about a week before the system sends you the invitation.¡± That was new information to Alaric. None of the books he had read mentioned anything about such a feature. Then again, most of those books weren¡¯t particularly practical ¡ª they were encyclopedias cataloging skills and their combinations. Reading them felt like sifting through a dictionary, so he had mostly avoided them. ¡°Oh..is that it?¡± Rowan patted his back. ¡°Yes, don¡¯t worry. I will explain everything to you later. Knowing you, getting your mana skills will be a breeze.¡± With that said Rowan tossed a wooden sword at Alaric. It was time to begin their sword training session ¡ª or so it seemed. Alaric shook his head and handed the sword back to Rowan. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You feeling okay?¡± Rowan asked, concern flashing across his face. After all, Alaric rarely backed down from a challenge. ¡°I¡¯m getting tired of swords,¡± Alaric smirked and assumed a battle stance with his bare fists. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can wield your limbs as well as your sword?¡±The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Rowan threw his sword to the ground and took his own fighting stance. ¡°I¡¯ll wipe the ground with your ass,¡± Rowan smirked. The next moment, the two friends launched themselves and struck each other in the face. And, thus began their first bare-fist spar. *** Alaric and his friends were currently in his room celebrating his 12th birthday. That meant munching on fruit custard tarts, roasted boar, and honeyed sweet rolls. However, the best part of the feast was something Elara kept as a surprise. ¡°I wonder what is the special preparation for your birthday,¡± Gareth mused in between stuffing his mouth with the honeyed sweet rolls. ¡°Finish what you have on your plate first,¡± George remarked while smiling. ¡°Hey, you know I like to eat...¡± Gareth grumbled, ¡°I just like to eat slowly, unlike you.¡± He scrunched his face at George. The larger guy shrugged it off without concern. Rowan and Alaric were savoring their meal without making much fuss. However, Alaric couldn¡¯t wait to see the reaction on their faces when Elara unveiled the final dish. He firmly believed that Elara wouldn¡¯t let him down on his birthday. And, speaking of the angel, she swept into the room carrying trays laden with food. An unusual gamey smell permeated the air, coupled with a hint of roasted spices. Gareth practically salivated, and Alaric felt his stomach growl. ¡°Kids, these are courtesy of the lord... take your time,¡± Elara announced proudly. Somehow, she had managed to secure permission from the count to prepare these dishes. Perhaps these required some rare ingredients. As she lifted the tray covering the food, all four of them had their eyes hooked on the two very special dishes laid before them. ¡°What are these?¡± Rowan blurted out. Alaric examined the dishes. One tray showcased large pieces of meat ribs, but they didn¡¯t resemble boar or lamb. These are something entirely different. The other tray contained four bowls of stew with a mix of meat chunks and veggies. ¡°These...¡± Elara gestured to the exotic meat ribs, ¡°are Fire Drake Ribs. The other one is Thunder-beast stew.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Gareth murmured, his excitement palpable. Even Rowan and George had a look of delight etched on their faces. And, that was understandable considering exotic beast meats were so expensive. Hunting exotic beasts required preparation to avoid accidentally damaging their bodies too much. And, elemental spells couldn¡¯t be used for fear of ruining the meat and its flavor. On top of that, only first-class cooks could make dishes with exotic meats. It seems like this is a gift from my Father. Well, Elara and Father both. Alaric smiled. ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Alaric dipped his head at Elara, expressing his gratitude. All of his friends followed suit. ¡°Be sure to thank the lord as well. Now dig in before they get cold,¡± Elara winked and departed, leaving the kids to relish their special feast. All of them eagerly sampled the Fire Drake ribs. As Alaric sank his teeth into the meat, it easily slid off the bone. A smoky, spicy, and fiery flavor erupted in his mouth, and he savored every moment of it. The Thunder-beast stew delivered an electrifying tang mixed with a sweet and sour flavor. The meat chunks were soft and delicious, releasing a flavorful taste with each bite. ¡°In all the years of being your friend, I finally feel like it was worth it,¡± Rowan quipped while shooting a sly glance at Alaric. Alaric playfully smacked him on the shoulder. ¡°Alaric, you are inviting us to your birthday next year too, right?¡± George leaned in closer to him. ¡°Right?¡± Alaric simply chuckled. ¡°Of course, I will.¡± He pretended to think for a moment. ¡°If I don¡¯t accidentally die fighting a wild beast.¡± All of them burst into laughter. The next few hours passed in a blur of laughter, stories, and lighthearted jokes. *** After the end of the birthday party, Alaric settled himself in the lotus position on his bed and shut his eyes. It was time to access his cultivation sanctuary. Would you like to enter your cultivation sanctuary? Alaric mentally approved. Suddenly, he perceived his body descending into the ground, endlessly. He didn¡¯t open his eyes, only concentrating on the sensation of sinking. It was starting to get nauseating but thankfully, the sensation diminished after a while. A bright light flooded his vision and he discovered himself standing on a green field. He blinked a few times to adjust his eyes to the brightness of the light. He examined his surroundings and what he observed stole his breath away. At first glance, he discerned six islands drifting above white clouds in his vision, far up to the horizon. He was standing on the seventh floating sky island. A radiant sun hung in the sky, providing illumination in this pocket dimension. The air was fresh and thick with mana, and breathing felt significantly easier. He couldn¡¯t detect any noise - animal sounds or birds chirping - except for the faint rustle of leaves. The whole scene made him feel serene. This is¡­more than I expected. Alaric had assumed that his cultivation sanctuary would be more like a room or a cave filled with enriched mana, not a collection of floating sky islands. He felt a smile spread across his cheek. This is appropriate. Turning around, he noticed ancient-looking pagodas in each of the sky islands. Once he inspected them more closely, he recognized that each of the pagodas was colored in the hues of the different chakras. Hmm, I wonder if each of the sky islands and pagodas represents a different chakra? The description stated that the cultivation sanctuary would be uniquely suited for my cultivation method, after all. The island he was standing on currently featured a red pagoda. So, it was likely that it was associated with the root chakra. As Alaric approached the pagoda, he instantly experienced a change in his body weight. His body felt significantly lighter. What¡¯s this? Before he could regulate his pace, his body floated up into the air in the direction he was heading. ¡°Woo-hoo!¡± he exclaimed as he experienced a thrill of adrenaline coursing through his body. It seems I can directly access my subtle body in this pocket dimension. That¡¯s excellent! Alaric theorized that when he accessed his personal cultivation sanctuary, everybody in the real world would simply perceive him meditating as he usually did. However, inwardly, his subtle body would transition into this pocket dimension. This was truly a marvelous gift by the System. He couldn¡¯t fathom its value. A meticulous weaving of space, matter, and time Daos along with tremendous skill and experience. Perhaps some other forms of energy and artifacts. Whatever it was, Alaric was deeply grateful. He quickly adapted to navigating this inner world with his subtle body. After all, he was experienced in ¡®Astral Travel¡¯ and ¡®Dream Manipulation¡¯ as well. Memories of him training in his ¡®Lucid Inner World¡¯ resurfaced in his mind. Alaric chuckled. Now that he finally had access to mana, he couldn¡¯t wait to revisit his lucid inner world. It took him only a few seconds to reach the Root Chakra Pagoda. He observed that the gate was locked with a seal. A handprint was engraved below the seal. Alaric aligned the handprint with his right hand and sensed a faint pulse of mana probing his Prana. The next moment, the mana retracted and the seal glowed crimson. The doors to the Root Chakra Pagoda gradually parted. Chapter 29 - The Tutorial Rift Alaric examined the interior section before stepping inside. He observed a stone path winding up to a central ground marked by glowing crimson sigils. As he neared the central ground, he noticed the sigils reacting to his root chakra. There was a connection that called him closer. It is a natural meditation spot. Alaric positioned himself in the lotus pose directly atop the pulsing crimson sigil, synchronizing with his breathing and chakra flow. Channeling the subtle energy of his root chakra felt smoother than ever in his new body, as though the sigils were guiding his vital energy and refining it. None of the other chakras were responding to his focus. So, this sigil is limiting the activity of the other chakras while enhancing the function of a single chakra? Not bad. Alaric concluded it could accelerate his chakra cultivation by a factor of three. As he concentrated fully on channeling his root chakra energy, he settled into a steady breathing rhythm. With each breath, he absorbed the abundant mana in the surroundings and transformed it into subtle energy for the root chakra. Without a system-specific skill for this process, the practice progressed relatively slowly, but progress was progress. He lost track of how much time he spent inside the pagoda until he finally opened his eyes. Typically, he could meditate for two hours at a stretch. It would be intriguing to verify whether this cultivation sanctuary possessed a time dilation feature. Although, he strongly suspected that time flowed differently here. It would be interesting to practice my mana cycling here as well¡­Alaric shook his head. After I finally get the mana sense skill and other related skills. When in the heavens will I get the tutorial invite? Alaric had presumed that he would automatically gain the skill upon turning twelve. He could discern mana quite clearly now. However, a barrier remained between the mana and his will, preventing direct control except for cycling it. And, although he could sense mana, he still hadn¡¯t unlocked a skill for it. He dismissed that thought and rose from the ground. Surveying the area inside the pagoda, he identified multiple sealed rooms. As he approached them and attempted to unlock them the same way he had accessed the pagoda¡¯s entrance, he instinctively sensed rejection. Hmm¡­I wonder. Alaric spotted special altars nearby, connected to the rooms by runic lines etched into the ground. He advanced toward one of the altars and placed his hand on it. Would you like to begin the test for awakening your Root Chakra? He mentally declined the offer. I am not ready to fully awaken the root chakra before I create my mana core. He turned his attention to the other altars. These were larger and adorned with intricate runes. As he rested his hand on one of them, a system message appeared. Would you like to make an offering? Reward - Potential to unfurl a petal of your Root chakra. Alaric was stunned. This was not how he envisioned unfurling the petals of his chakras. Sure, unfurling the petals of a chakra demands dedicated resources and requires performing specific rituals. However, one of the greatest challenges was locating ¡®Places of Power¡¯ that harmonized with the proper subtle energy of a specific chakra, significantly boosting the chances of success. The system had simplified the entire process and rendered it far more accessible. Now, he merely needed to prepare his body, mind, and soul and contribute the necessary resources to trigger the unfurling process. He was certain there would be a test tied to the process, but that was expected. Alaric burst into laughter. ¡°This is truly a blessed reward," he exclaimed at the sky. *** Only an hour had elapsed when Alaric emerged into the physical world from his Cultivation Sanctuary. However, he had spent nearly three hours inside the pocket dimension. This confirmed that time indeed flowed differently within the pocket dimension ¡ª three times faster, to be precise. Alaric beamed. Yes, it would enable me to cultivate for extended periods on any given day. A wonderful advantage. Overall, Alaric felt gratified by the benefits he could derive from his Cultivation Sanctuary. As he attempted to move his body, he suddenly perceived the pull of gravity and became sharply aware of the physical weight of his form. Alaric almost stumbled to the floor as he tried to rise from the bed. Spending so much time inside a pocket dimension where one didn¡¯t experience gravity played tricks on his mind. I have to get used to entering and exiting that space. Nevertheless, he didn¡¯t worry about it too much.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. It was almost midnight, and it was time to sleep. He locked the door to his room and went back to sleep *** When Alaric woke up in the morning, he couldn¡¯t be happier. He heard a faint beeping sound in his mind and instinctively knew what it meant. Upon opening his status screen, his assumption was proven correct. You have been granted access to the Tutorial Rift. Once you accept the invitation, you will be transported into a system-managed area where you will have the opportunity to learn and train different mana skills. Note - You can visit and leave the Tutorial Rift anytime you wish. The monsters you encounter in the Tutorial Rift will be adjusted to match your capabilities as determined by the system. Would you like to enter the Tutorial Rift now - Yes / No. Alaric didn¡¯t hesitate. He promptly selected ¡®Yes¡¯. Rowan had informed him earlier that the family members would be notified whenever a child entered or exited a Tutorial Rift. Thus, his father would know Alaric had entered the Tutorial Rift and would inform someone to prevent panic if he wasn¡¯t found in his room. Of course, it was still wise to venture into the Tutorial Rift in the presence of his friends, but he simply couldn¡¯t wait any longer. The moment Alaric accepted the invite, his vision blazed white, and his body distorted unnaturally. It was the familiar sensation of being teleported to another dimension. Alaric had mentally acclimated to the experience, but this body had not. It exerted a stronger, nauseating pull compared to when he entered his Cultivation Sanctuary. A few moments later, Alaric found himself in a vast forest filled with mist and teeming with vibrant flora. The air was devoid of mana but he could detect faint patches of mana in the distance that were very easy to detect with his senses. Welcome to ¡®The Mana Grove¡¯. You will learn and train the 3 fundamental mana skills in this region. Alaric recalled what Rowan had said. The Tutorial Rift was divided into many different zones. Typically, children spent a few months mastering the three fundamental mana skills in the first zone at Tier 0 ¡ª Mana Sense, Mana Absorption, and Mana Control. There were challenges and objectives cultivators could undertake in the Mana Grove to enhance their chances of acquiring the respective skills. However, completing the challenges also served as an excellent method to develop and level up their mana skills. When Rowan attempted to brief Alaric on what to expect from the challenges in the first zone or offer tips, Alaric firmly declined. He wanted to savor the thrill of discovery on his own, just like other kids. Let¡¯s see what this place has to offer. Alaric surveyed the area and noticed a well-worn path winding deeper into the forest. He decided to follow the path and explore where it led. After a while, he spotted a creature resembling tiny clusters of smoke and jelly. These creatures glowed with a translucent green hue and vanished from his sight after a moment He recalled his studies from the monster bestiary in the library. These beings were known as Mana Wisps. Suddenly, he felt a nudge in his mind. Objective 1 - Track and capture at least 10 Mana Wisps. Reward: Learn the skill [Mana Sense] (Common). A grin spread across his face. So, let the fun begin. The translucent glow of the mana wisps in his view suddenly dimmed, making them much harder to detect with the naked eye. However, he could still sense them as these tiny creatures emitted faint pulses of mana while darting and vanishing amidst bushes and shrubs. Alaric quickly grasped the true aim of the test. It wasn¡¯t about tracking these creatures through plain sight. That would be arduous, nearly impossible for a child. The real test was to locate them using mana sense. He closed his eyes and expanded his awareness to encompass his surroundings. The rich pulses of mana radiating from these creatures stood out starkly against the otherwise mana-deprived environment. He could locate them effortlessly. After all, Alaric had mastered detecting mana a long time ago; he simply hadn¡¯t unlocked a skill for it yet. He cautiously advanced toward a bush where he detected a cluster of mana wisps. Once he was close enough, he extended a hand and grasped one mana wisp, feeling it dissolve in his palms. No notifications popped up but he continued with this strategy. Alaric recognized how this challenge would help other kids develop their ability to sense mana and acquire the skill Mana Sense. It took him less than 10 minutes to locate and capture 10 mana wisps. Congratulations! You have acquired the skill [Mana Sense] (Common). [Mana Sense lvl 1] Once he focused on the skill, another message popped up in his view: Mana Sense - You can sense mana more easily, both within yourself and in the environment. As you level up this skill, your ability to discern mana density and mana flow will improve significantly. Would you like to train your skill [Mana Sense lvl 1] or proceed to the second objective? Alaric decided to level up his [Mana sense] skill before proceeding forward. It is always better to polish and level up your fundamental skills before trying to learn new skills. A strong foundation will make it much easier to learn new skills in the future. And, the opposite was true as well. Challenge 1 - Track and capture at least 15 Mana wisps in 20 minutes This time, the challenge became a little harder. The mana wisps began zipping around unpredictably, making them much harder to track. However, Alaric refused to give up. He closed his eyes and sharpened his focus. While he could still detect the mana wisps using [Mana Sense], they evaded his grasp whenever he reached for them. No, not like this. Alaric adjusted his strategy. Stealth was no longer the correct method. This was now a test of reflexes and swift reactions. Anticipating their movements became far more challenging, but Alaric successfully captured all 15 mana wisps within the time limit. Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 1 -> Mana Sense lvl 2] Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 2 -> Mana Sense lvl 3] Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 3 -> Mana Sense lvl 4] Alaric was exhausted and collapsed onto the mossy forest floor. The added pressure of the time limit made this challenge even more difficult. However, he felt the time investment was worth it. Now that his [Mana Sense] skill had leveled up, the presence of mana wisps emitting mana pulses felt even more pronounced. I¡¯m progressing at a phenomenal rate. Alaric surmised that completing such challenges would require a lot of attempts for an average child. Even he had some difficulty and was utterly exhausted. And, the difficulty will ramp up from now on. Still, he was exhilarated. [Mana Sense] was the easiest skill to level up. Let¡¯s see if I can push it all the way to level 10 within a week. He rose to his feet and ventured deeper into ¡®The Mana Grove.¡¯ Chapter 30 - Skills and Abilities As he ventured deeper into the forest, he felt a slight disappointment upon realizing that the system didn¡¯t present him with any additional challenges to further level up his [Mana Sense] skill. He had a suspicion. I suppose I have to first acquire the other mana skills before I can proceed with the challenge. After some time exploring, Alaric discovered a pathway bordered by a variety of colorful flowers. The enchanting fragrance and the vivid medley of colors and shapes nearly stole his breath away. He inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet aroma. Such a nice view. Alaric shook his head. It¡¯s a shame it also smells like a trap. Alaric surveyed the area and noticed that he would have to traverse the flower garden to reach the next section of the forest. No matter how he analyzed it, a pathway surrounded by such beauty felt far too convenient. However, with no alternative route, he stepped boldly into the garden. As soon as he set foot on the garden path, he heard the familiar ding of the system notification in his mind. Here we go. Welcome to the 2nd stage of the ¡®Mana Grove.¡¯ Objective 2 - Reach the other side of the Witherbloom Garden without losing any bit of mana from your body. Reward: Learn the skill [Mana Absorption] (Common). Alaric chuckled at the phrasing - Witherbloom Garden. He continued forward through the path and immediately noticed the different flowers shift to face his direction. It was subtle at first, but he perceived his body slowly leaking mana as he moved forward. No, my body is not leaking mana. He formed a fist. It is being stolen. Alaric scowled. Suddenly, the beautiful flowering garden resembled a den of parasites rather than a serene place to unwind. He shut his eyes and turned his focus inward. With his new [Mana Sense] skill, he could discern multiple thin threads of mana tethered to hundreds of mana-draining flowers surrounding him. Each individual flower drained an insignificant amount of mana, barely detectable by his senses. However, the combined pull of these parasitic plants generated a substantial effect. At this rate, my body would be drained of mana in less than half an hour. He felt the urge to crush the plants, tear them out, or grind them underfoot. However, instead of succumbing to his impulse, he merely shook his head. The power of the sacral chakra steadied his emotions and willpower. It eased his anxiety and frustration. No, trampling on the plants won¡¯t be enough to recover mana. No, a cultivator would have to learn to absorb mana to pass this test. Fortunately, Alaric was already well-acquainted with the process of mana absorption. This time, when he attempted to draw the ambient mana into his body, he noticed the block enforced by the system had finally been lifted. Alaric was thrilled. With a surge of determination, he began absorbing a stream of ambient mana into his body to counteract the mana depletion he was experiencing. Slowly, the balance started to shift in his favor. However, as he progressed deeper into the path, he sensed the mana-draining flowers intensifying their pull on his energy. Alaric smirked. Really? Some fragile plants contesting with me in a mana absorption contest? He humored himself. This trial would have been very challenging for someone unfamiliar with mana absorption. However, Alaric effortlessly adjusted the flow of mana entering his body. Normally, without a mana core, it was nearly impossible to absorb mana rapidly and store it permanently. However, since the mana in his body was actively being drained as well, he could force more mana into his body even without the presence of the cycling force of a mana core. The deeper he proceeded, the more mana threads latched onto him, amplifying the mana drain. Just a few more steps. However, this effort was nothing to Alaric who had experience in cycling mana in severe mana-restricted regions in his former life. He reached the end of the path and plopped down on the ground. I admit, this was a fun test. Towards the end, he noticed a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Absorption] (Common). [Mana Absorption lvl 1] Alaric focused on the skill to bring up its description in his view: Mana Absorption - This skill enables you to draw mana from the environment. As you level up the skill, you will find it easier and faster to absorb more ambient mana. Would you like to train your skill [Mana Absorption lvl 1] or complete the third objective? Once again, Alaric decided to polish his [Mana Absorption] skill a bit before tackling the third objective. Challenge 2 - Survive in the Witherbloom Garden for 10 minutes. Suddenly, the path through the Witherbloom Garden constricted, and the parasitic plants on each side sprawled outward. Hey, that¡¯s cheating! Alaric mentally protested. And, just as he suspected, he felt the mana drain intensify as many more mana-draining flowers latched onto him. He still managed to absorb mana faster than he was losing it. However, in the final minute, something unexpected occurred. The Witherbloom plants began lunging toward him. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. He allowed a plant to brush against his leg just to check what would happen. The moment a Witherbloom plant made contact with his body, it siphoned a substantial chunk of mana from within him. Damn it. Alaric attempted to evade the plants in the narrow path, but it was incredibly challenging as too many plants struck from multiple angles. He begrudgingly allowed several plants to brush against his legs, draining mana in greedy gulps. The sudden ambush in the final moments cost him the challenge. Still, he managed to extract some benefits from the ordeal. Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption ] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 1 -> Mana Absorption lvl 2] Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption ] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 2 -> Mana Absorption lvl 3] Looks like the system is not playing around. He flexed his fingers. Well, next time, I¡¯ll be ready. Alaric steeled himself to attempt the test once more. *** Alaric was back in his bedroom. He decided to postpone the third objective for later. The mana-absorption trial had taken more out of him than he anticipated. However, he had successfully completed the mana-absorption challenge and even earned another level. Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption ] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 3 -> Mana Absorption lvl 4] As he reviewed the final system notification, he couldn¡¯t suppress a satisfied grin. He pushed himself up from his bed and headed out to meet with his friends. It was time to share the exciting news. *** ¡°You did what?¡± Gareth blurted. ¡°You entered the Tutorial Rift without telling us? Why?¡± Rowan simply shook his head, and George whistled. Alaric scratched his cheek, feeling slightly awkward. ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist exploring it.¡± He shrugged. ¡°And I only went in once.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point. We didn¡¯t prepare you for what to expect.¡± Gareth gestured sharply, clearly frustrated at having to spell out something so obvious. ¡°And besides, it was supposed to be a special moment. I wanted to see you go, poof!¡± He mimicked an exaggerated poof with his hands. ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Alaric murmured, unsure what else to say. ¡°I¡¯ll re-enter the Tutorial Rift with all of you watching so you can see me go poof!¡± Kids and teleportation ¡ª somehow, they never got tired of seeing someone disappear into thin air. ¡°Well, how was the experience?¡± George chimed in. ¡°Did you manage to get any skills?¡± ¡°It was an interesting experience. Quite fun,¡± Alaric admitted. ¡°I managed to acquire the [Mana Sense] and [Mana Absorption] skills.¡± With every word, Alaric noticed the growing astonishment on his friends¡¯ faces. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard anyone describe their first time in the Tutorial Rift as fun.¡± Gareth shook his head incredulously. ¡°And he managed to obtain two skills on his first try.¡± Rowan finally spoke up, planting a hand on his hip. ¡°Alaric, you¡¯re a monster. That just doesn¡¯t happen.¡± ¡°It took me three weeks to acquire the [Mana Sense] skill and over a month for [Mana Absorption],¡± George added. Alaric cleared his throat. Should I tell them I¡¯ve also leveled up my skills? Alaric decided to not add fuel to the fire. I¡¯ll share that detail later. ¡°What¡¯s with that face, Alaric?¡± Rowan leaned in closer. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something¡ªspill it!¡± Suddenly, the sky, trees, and grass became infinitely more fascinating to Alaric as he avoided their gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­you attempted the skill challenges too?¡± George speculated. Alaric¡¯s eyebrows twitched for a moment. ¡°There it is¡­¡± Rowan pointed accusingly. ¡°I saw that twitch. No use hiding it. Come on, spill the beans.¡± Alaric released a sigh. Why am I nervous about sharing my achievements with these kids? He shook his head. They¡¯re my friends now. When it happened, he didn¡¯t realize. Somewhere along the way, Alaric had already started to change. ¡°I¡¯ve managed to level both skills up to level 4.¡± All of his friends closed their eyes, crossed their arms, and nodded sagely. ¡°Hmm¡­level 4.¡± They mumbled. Then, all of them shouted in unison, ¡°Don¡¯t mess with us¡­level 4? Seriously?¡± Gareth began playfully smacking him with his fists. ¡°Share some of your talent with me, mighty Alaric!¡± Alaric pushed him back, but Gareth clung on stubbornly. ¡°If it were anyone else, I wouldn¡¯t have believed them,¡± George said with a broad grin. ¡°I always suspected you¡¯d surpass us in cultivation,¡± Rowan added with a knowing smile. ¡°But not by this much.¡± Alaric tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. Honestly, he was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. Fortunately, he was in the presence of friends and none of them really envied him. However, that would change once more people learned of his abilities. So be it. After all, not every finger on a hand is the same. ¡°I think you would be able to learn the [Mana Manipulation] ability in under a month, at this rate,¡± said Rowan. Alaric didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, he pondered on how he wanted to advance his skills. Common skills could be enhanced to level 10. After which one had many different options. The most popular option was to merge similar skills with synergies and transform them into a compound ability. Generally, most cultivators attempted to level up the three foundational skills - [Mana Sense], [Mana Absorption], and [Mana Control] - to the fullest and merge them to form the [Mana Manipulation] ability. Thus, it was the most popular basic compound ability. This process freed up the limited skill slots. However, the single [Mana Manipulation] ability allowed cultivators to perform the function of three different mana skills that were used to create the ability. Of course, more skill slots became available the higher one advanced through the tiers but mana skills were the most basic skills. So, it was important to unlock skill slots so that one could acquire more advanced skills. Skills were restrictive in nature compared to abilities which granted cultivators unrestrained control over them. However, it was comparatively easier to learn a skill and they were directly assisted by the system. At first, it was difficult to learn a skill. Fortunately, there were tons of guides providing recommendations and guidelines on what to do and what to practice in order to obtain a certain type of skill. So, depending on the skill a cultivator wanted to acquire, they simply had to locate the proper guide. But then cultivators had to train it on their own. Once they achieved a certain level of proficiency, they could receive the desired skill option from the system and sometimes, even more options. And, once you managed to acquire the skill, the system assisted you, which meant faster advancements, lower consumption of mana, and quicker activation times. Some cultivators were natural at learning different types of skills on their own. Prodigies could innovate unique skills based on their own merit and understanding. Since cultivators already had to level up skills to the max before they could merge and convert them into abilities, cultivators with abilities were naturally proficient with it even without the aid of the system. However, they could become more proficient and powerful by leveling up their abilities too. The 2nd option was to directly evolve a skill into a more potent skill instead of combining it with other similar skills to turn it into an ability. This was much more challenging since it required a good grasp of the intricacies of the skills and a clear vision of what one wanted to achieve. There were some guides that listed the various types of documented skill evolutions but the process was still unique to each individual. And, the 3rd option was to merge different types of skills with some form of synergy and evolve them into a rarer skill. This process was very challenging and typically, only talented cultivators in the higher tiers pursued this strategy. Cultivators who have formed a bond with a powerful entity. Not to mention, having a bond with a powerful entity both restricted certain options and unlocked options that were inaccessible to other cultivators. Alaric didn¡¯t want to settle for the basic [Mana Manipulation] ability, he aimed higher. He wanted to achieve [Advanced Mana Manipulation] ability or perhaps, even [Superior Mana Manipulation] ability. Rowan waved his hands in front of Alaric. ¡°Hello, where have you been lost?¡± Alaric noticed his friends eyeing him curiously and shook his head. ¡°Nothing...I was just thinking.¡± Alaric said nonchalantly, Alaric said casually, ¡°You are right, though. I want to advance through the mana skills as quickly as possible.¡± Chapter 31 - The Mana Rune Puzzle Alaric was back inside the Tutorial Rift - The Mana Grove to be exact. Yesterday¡¯s training session had been so productive, he decided to jump right into it to complete the final objective in the first stage of the system-managed zone. He dismissed the challenge notifications and marched forward through the Wither-bloom garden. After some time, the forest opened up into a clearing where the trees towered, their branches forming a natural dome overhead. Alaric surveyed the area and spotted an ancient stone altar in the center of the clearing. The stone altar bore intricate grooves etched onto its surface. Four stone pillars encircled the altar, faint runes etched into their surfaces. As he advanced, he received the notification he had been anticipating from the system. Objective 3 - Solve the Mana Rune puzzle by connecting all the nodes without breaking the flow of mana. Reward: Learn the skill [Mana Control] (Common). Alaric leaned forward to examine the runic patterns etched in the stone altar. He identified five nodes of mana sockets connected by a series of straight lines. As he traced the lines with his eyes, he observed that some of the lines failed to connect to any of the nodes. It resembled an ancient circuit diagram. Interesting. Alaric noticed a palm-shaped indentation on the surface of the stone altar and pressed his hand against it. The moment his palm contacted the surface of the stone altar, he sensed a pull on the mana inside his body. It surged through his hands as if the stone altar acted as a magnet. Alaric restrained the force of the pull with his conscious control. He smirked. This is a clever way to teach the kids how it feels to emit mana outside the body. To normal kids, this would feel like the opposite of absorbing mana. To Alaric, it felt like a bother. However, the initial momentum of the pull on his mana subsided as it established contact with the stone altar. Alaric had already analyzed the puzzle to figure out the optimum path to connect all five mana socket nodes. With deliberate effort, he gradually released more mana from his body and guided it through the straight line connected to the first node of the mana socket. These mana sockets seemed designed to retain some of the mana. As an experiment, Alaric attempted to infuse too much mana, but it spilled over the straight lines. He heard a mental beep that he instinctively recognized as an error sound. He appreciated the system''s guidance designed for the kids, though it left him slightly unsettled. Why was the system investing so many resources in training the cultivators? For what purpose and benefit? What was the catch? He mentally shook his head. This is not the time to dissect the purpose of the system. I need to concentrate. Alaric ceased funneling mana into the runic lines and observed the mana retrace the path he had covered so far. So, if I stop funneling mana, it will retrace and waste my time. Concluding his experiments, Alaric pressed on by pouring more mana. The moment Alaric¡¯s mana reached the first mana node, it illuminated in an azure glow. Alaric sensed his mana lock into the mana node and suddenly, he felt the strain on his willpower diminish. He halted the flow of mana and realized he no longer needed to concentrate to prevent the mana from flowing back through the runic lines. However, this moment of reprieve lasted only for 30 seconds. The system didn¡¯t grant any more time to relax. Alaric gradually advanced through the circuit, pouring more mana and solving the puzzles within 15 minutes. By the end of the test, his forehead glistened with beads of sweat. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Control] (Common). [Mana Control lvl 1] He examined the skill description. Mana Control - This skill allows you to control and direct the mana inside your body. Each level-up boosts efficiency and prevents wastage. At higher levels, it enables finer control, allowing you to direct mana into specific body parts. It was a pretty standard description of the skill. The Mana Rune Puzzle was not too difficult to complete, but it did require sustained focus. He was eager to tackle the challenge stages of the puzzle. Would you like to train your skill [Mana Control lvl 1] or proceed to the next region? Alaric decided to train the skill. In fact, he had challenged himself to level up all the foundational skills to the maximum level within a week.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Challenge 3 - Solve the Curved Mana Rune Puzzle within 20 minutes. Suddenly, Alaric noticed the mana rune lines shift from their positions and slowly morph into more intricate patterns. The mana node sockets were now linked by curved lines that formed spiral patterns. Alaric simply smiled. He loved a challenge. This time, he discovered it was harder to guide the flow of his mana into the puzzle piece due to the curvature of the lines. It became much easier to spill his mana outside the curved lines if he didn¡¯t focus and regulate his mana precisely. When he reached his first mana socket node, he encountered the first surprise. The mana socket nodes didn¡¯t lock his mana into place this time. Thus, he had no time to pause or rest. Not that he could afford to do so with a time limit. But the lack of rest added an element of mental strain to the task. The second surprise he encountered was that the mana socket nodes were now overloaded and fused like a light bulb ¡ª resetting the puzzle ¡ª if he tried to store too much mana into them. That was a clever trick by the system. Storing more mana in the sockets made it easier to direct the flow of mana further along the path. But the system didn¡¯t permit too much leeway. Unprepared for the second surprise, he failed to complete the challenge on his first attempt. However, he was not discouraged in the slightest. These surprises made the challenges more engaging. Ding! Your skill [Mana Control] has leveled up. [Mana Control lvl 1 -> Mana Control lvl 2] Ding! Your skill [Mana Control] has leveled up. [Mana Control lvl 2 -> Mana Control lvl 3] Alaric resolved to continue his training for all three foundational mana skills. *** A few days later Alaric readjusted his senses as he emerged from his Cultivation Sanctuary. Meditating on his chakras inside his Cultivation Sanctuary felt like pure bliss. The same applied to mana cycling since the mana in the pocket dimension was richer compared to the ambient mana. However, until he maximized the foundational mana skills - mana sensing, mana absorption, and mana control - he refrained from forming his mana core and advancing to Tier 1. Instead, he aimed to finish leveling up these three mana skills and acquire the basic mana manipulation ability first. The reason was straightforward. It would enable him to wield mana with far greater precision than a simple skill could provide. The aroma of delicious food - his breakfast - pulled him out of his reverie. Lately, the maids and even Elara refrained from disturbing him while he meditated in his room. He furrowed his brows at the thought. Wait¡­when I¡¯m meditating in my room, I¡¯m actually in my Cultivation Sanctuary! He scratched his head. Does that mean they do try to communicate with me but give up and leave my breakfast on the table when I don¡¯t respond? He quietly chuckled. He didn¡¯t mind either way as long as it didn¡¯t cause him any trouble. His stomach growled. Oops! Time to eat first. Alaric dove into his food - a mix of vegetable stew, some toast, fruit slices, and spiced tea. Eating his fill, he headed towards the knight¡¯s training area to meet his friends. Since all of his friends were older than him, they had already cleared the Mana Grove Zone of the Tutorial Rift and upgraded the 3 foundational mana skills into the basic mana manipulation ability. Rowan ventured deeper into the Tutorial Rift to acquire a few more mana skills but he paused exploring the tutorial rift to focus on completing the other objectives of advancing through Tier 1. Thus, only Alaric was currently delving into the Tutorial Rift. However, he started entering it in the company of his friends. It was enjoyable to emerge from the rift and discuss his progress and frustrations for the day. Not to mention, Alaric didn¡¯t feel like he was training in isolation that way. Everybody was happy. Alaric had been delving into the Tutorial Rift daily for the past few days. He enjoyed participating in the challenges a lot. In fact, he had already completed all the basic challenges several times and managed to level up all three foundational mana skills to level 7. He scanned his updated status screen Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 20 Agility - 20 Vitality - 16 Mind - 23 Soul - 29 Skills: Titles: Chakra Cultivation Progression: Unused Experience Points: 0 System Rewards Granted: The more he advanced the skills, the harder they became to level up. Mana control proved the most difficult to improve since the mana rift puzzles grew significantly more intricate. Yet, his progression remained much faster than any typical 12-year-old. He didn¡¯t really have any benchmarks, but he trusted his friends. Today, he decided to attempt the advanced challenges of The Mana Grove. Hopefully, completing these challenges would help him level up his foundational skills to the max. As he arrived at the knight training grounds, he spotted Rowan sparring with Gareth. More precisely, Rowan was short of beating the crap out of him. When Gareth spotted Alaric, he immediately blurted, ¡°Alaric, save me. Your friend is a devil!¡± He darted behind Alaric¡¯s back as Rowan attempted to land a punch on him. ¡°If I go easy on you now, how will you handle a real threat?¡± Rowan said with utter seriousness. ¡°Stop hiding behind him and step forward,¡± he flexed his fist, ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll start honing my combat skills on you.¡± Gareth simply pulled a face and bolted when Rowan lunged to grab him. Alaric couldn¡¯t suppress a laugh at their antics. After a while, he noticed George entering the ring with a cheerful demeanor. However, as George approached, Alaric saw Therin and his group of friends closing in on him. What are they planning? Alaric distrusted their group. Therin was currently the strongest kid on the estate, and it had inflated his ego excessively. He was a few steps away from becoming a real bully. When George tried to sidestep their group, Therin, and his friends obstructed his path. They began speaking, which quickly bloomed into an argument. Rowan and Gareth caught sight of the commotion and moved toward the scene. Alaric smacked his forehead. This is why I hate teenagers. He marched toward the area with a stern expression. They are always itching for a fight. Chapter 32 - First Advanced Challenge Alaric was almost too late to prevent a nasty fight from erupting between George and Therin. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t have to rescue his friend. When George was about to strike Therin, Rowan swiftly seized him by the back and stopped him. ¡°Leave it, George. You know he¡¯s messing with you. He¡¯s not worth it.¡± Rowan tried to calm him down. George was fuming, his brows furrowed, his fists clenched tight. Therin simply smirked while his group of friends snickered from behind him. ¡°What¡­cannot take a step without your friends granting you their permission?¡± Therin taunted him. ¡°No wonder they keep you on their leash¡­once a dog, always a dog.¡± They erupted in laughter. Even Gareth ¨C who always tried to evade a fight ¨C gripped the pommel of his sword, ready to unleash a strike at any moment. The situation is getting out of hand. Alaric still didn¡¯t understand why Therin suddenly targeted George and his group and escalated the situation. He wanted them to avoid a fight but he was not going to stand back and observe. He patted George on the back and flashed him a reassuring smile. ¡°Do you always listen to the dogs barking in the street?¡± He shook his head, ¡°Come, we have better things to do.¡± George simmered down slightly. Rowan and Alaric managed to bring him to his senses. ¡°What did you call me, scum?¡± Therin hissed between his teeth. ¡°Just because you are the lord¡¯s son doesn¡¯t mean you are entitled at the same level as us.¡± He eased his stance and leaned back slightly before glancing at his friends, who were all nodding at his proclamation. ¡°We are all nobles while you are merely a bastard.¡± They burst into loud laughter. Alaric and his group turned around ready to leave them alone. ¡°Yeah, run away,¡± a kid with snot in his nose shouted. ¡°Like the little chickens you all are.¡± He began mimicking chicken sounds, flapping his elbows up and down. Alaric couldn¡¯t comprehend how the kid didn¡¯t realize he was only embarrassing himself by trying to insult their group. He mentally chuckled. However, it seemed George had reached his limit. He whirled around swiftly, preparing to engage. Therin was ready for this moment as he unleashed a mana-boosting skill. However, before they could clash, a flicker of shadow intervened between them and smacked both of them on the head. ¡°What do you think you kids are doing, huh?¡± said Sir Baldwin du Rocher, Commander of the Knights of House Vermond. The commanding presence of the knight instantly dissolved any hostility between the groups. In fact, Alaric observed Therin was the most intimidated. He was the squire of Sir Baldwin, after all. Therin bowed deeply in a hurry and stammered, ¡°Sir, we¡­they¡­¡± The knight commander simply raised a hand to silence him. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve not been observing you kids causing a ruckus all this while,¡± he thundered. ¡°Any fight outside of an accepted sparring session or an official duel under the supervision of your master is strictly prohibited.¡± He looked each of us in the eye, ensuring he conveyed his point. The knight commander continued. ¡°The next time I catch you kids stirring trouble on my grounds, I will scrub the stable floor with your face. It will not be fun¡± He chuckled, ¡°For you kids.¡± All the kids agreed with nods. He pivoted to Therin and jabbed a finger at him. ¡°And you, boy,¡± His expression turned grim, ¡°You have some explaining to do later.¡± He disappeared into thin air. However, Alaric could detect that he had employed some type of stealth skill or ability. ¡°Serves you right,¡± Gareth muttered triumphantly, trying to keep his voice low. However, it was still loud enough for the other group to overhear. When the snot-faced boy attempted to retort, Therin silenced him, a vein bulging on his face. He pivoted and marched away, as did the other members of their group, one by one. ¡°What happened?¡± asked Gareth. ¡°Why did he suddenly attempt to assault you?¡± Alaric and Rowan didn¡¯t say anything but they were equally curious to learn what caused the conflict. George raked his hand through his hair to calm himself down. As they approached the lounge area, he sank into a seat, and a grin spread across his face. ¡°He didn¡¯t want me to spread how his ass was handed to him by some girl in an alchemist¡¯s guild in the city.¡± He snickered. ¡°Wait..what? Now I really want to know.¡± Rowan said. ¡°Explain in detail.¡± Apparently, George visited an alchemist¡¯s guild in the city ¨C The Argent Flask ¨C to complete an errand for his father. And there, he encountered Therin and his friends harassing a girl their age. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. He didn¡¯t know exactly what they were discussing, but it seemed likely that Therin was pursuing the girl. The girl was probably an apprentice or a worker. When Therin didn¡¯t back down despite the girl firmly rejecting his advances, she slapped Therin across the face, leaving a nasty red handprint on his cheek. When George witnessed the scene, he couldn¡¯t resist laughing out loud. Unfortunately, Therin noticed him at that moment. Fortunately, George swiftly entered the alchemist¡¯s guild and managed to avoid their group. Today, Therin threatened George to not spread anything that would tarnish his noble reputation. When George refused and even mocked him slightly, he grew furious and began insulting his lineage and friends. That ultimately ignited the argument. So, he sought revenge for his own humiliation? Alaric chuckled inwardly. ¡°Haha, serves him right,¡± commented Gareth. ¡°I want to see the beauty who slapped Therin.¡± ¡°Come on, don¡¯t stir up any more trouble,¡± said Rowan. ¡°No problem.¡± George draped an arm over Gareth¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I will take you there.¡± All of them laughed. Hmm, now that I think of it, I¡¯ve never explored the city. He exhaled a breath and smiled. Seems like a good idea. ¡°Yeah, I never really set foot outside the estate, let alone explore the city.¡± ¡°No way, are you serious?¡± exclaimed Gareth. Alaric simply scratched his cheek with his finger. What could he say? He was busy doing other things. ¡°Well, to be fair, he doesn¡¯t have the opportunity to run any errands,¡± said Rowan. ¡°And his father is the lord himself. He doesn¡¯t have time to go on a trip with him.¡± Both George and Gareth regarded him kindly. Why are they suddenly getting all sentimental? ¡°That¡¯s it, we are going to explore the city in the evening,¡± declared George. He nudged Alaric, ¡°I have so many amazing things to show you.¡± ¡°And meet that girl at The Argent Flask as well,¡± added Gareth. All of them laughed. With their evening plans confirmed, each of them commenced their own training. Alaric dove into his tutorial rift. It was finally time to conquer all the challenges of the Mana Grove. *** Alaric returned to the Mana Grove within the system-managed zone. He had already traversed much of the fog-filled forest over the past few days. Every new area he ventured into posed a fresh challenge that he could tackle to refine his mana skills. As he neared a section that connected to a cavern, a new challenge popped up in his view. Advanced Challenge 1 - Identify and memorize the mana signatures of at least 5 different types of creatures in the cavern. So, this time I don¡¯t have to chase things around but locate them? Alaric strode into the cavern which felt empty to his senses at first. It was large enough to feature multiple pathways leading to various sections within. Alaric merely shrugged and advanced toward the first path he spotted. The crunch of rock and sand under his feet echoed in the enclosed chamber. His mana sense skill was running passively, and he detected a cluster of creatures emitting mana pulses deeper into the path. However, Alaric didn¡¯t rush to engage them. He already identified these creatures ¨C Mana Wisps. A novice cultivator who had just started using mana sense couldn¡¯t effectively distinguish the mana signatures of various creatures. For that, one needed the experience of perceiving the mana of a wide range of beings. Every type of creature discharged mana uniquely ¨C varying in intensity, interval, or speed. Identifying an individual by their mana signature alone was exponentially harder and almost impossible without specialized skills or abilities. For Alaric, this test was not that difficult. One of his favorite practices in his previous life had been identifying the energy signatures of different individuals, which often provided valuable insights about them. As he moved closer, he confirmed these were indeed mana wisps. He noticed another opening to the side of the path and veered into it to delve deeper into the cavern. The entire passage was eerily silent, save for the faint whoosh of mana wisps. It was dark, and his vision struggled to penetrate the gloom. Distinguishing the mana of another creature amid this crowd would be tough without careful attention. However, Alaric didn¡¯t have to wait long. He rushed forward to grab a tiny creature upon detecting a different mana signature. Unclasping his hand revealed a tiny forest sprite. It was a tiny creature resembling a fusion of human and plant traits, with four large insect wings adorning its back. As soon as Alaric released his palm to inspect it, the forest sprite buzzed away faster than a wasp. Alaric chuckled. Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have grasped it so tightly. Could have harmed it. Another distinct mana signature pulled his attention to the side wall. Alaric leaned in closer and spotted a glowing, brown beetle. That¡¯s three creatures. After a while, the path opened up into the forest grounds once again. He heard the splash of a waterfall nearby and decided to check to investigate. The waterfall wasn¡¯t particularly large but sufficient to create a misty spray as it cascaded over the hard ground from a height. He detected mana emanating from a far corner of the river and spotted numerous forest sprites flitting about. However, amidst them, he discerned a unique mana signature. He approached the spot, dipped his hands into the shallow river, and pulled out a large, red fish. Looks like a carp. He released the fish and stood up. One more. Alaric scoured the area for over an hour, striving to detect a unique mana signature to no avail. Wherever he perceived mana, he encountered the same type of creature. He was growing a little frustrated when suddenly an idea struck him. Of course! It is so simple. Alaric settled onto the ground and closed his eyes. He concentrated inward, attuning himself to his own mana signature. It was effortless even without a mana core. All he needed was to emit a bit of mana from his body after absorbing it for a while. As soon as he pinpointed his mana signature, a familiar notification chimed in his mind. Congratulations! You have completed the challenge. Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 7 -> Mana Sense lvl 8] The skill advancements had slowed significantly. Yet, Alaric was not upset. He devoted another hour to repeating the same test several more times and successfully identified various mana signatures. The system, conveniently, introduced new creatures into the forest. The variety of creatures had been deliberately limited during the initial test. He believed the true objective was to teach young cultivators to recognize their own mana signature. Once that was achieved, the system ceased restricting the diversity of creatures. Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 8 -> Mana Sense lvl 9] Ding! Your skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up. [Mana Sense lvl 9 -> Mana Sense lvl 10] I will level up all the skills to the max by evening. Alaric rested for a bit before advancing to the next stage. Chapter 33 - Leveling up the Foundational Skills Alaric examined the path leading through the collection of Witherbloom plants. He had completed the survival test inside the Witherbloom garden for 10 minutes and leveled up his [Mana Absorption] skill to level 7. Of course, it became easier to absorb more mana as he leveled up the skill, which provided some leeway when the parasitic plants drained mana from his body. However, the trick was to avoid letting the plants contact the body parts at the last minute. That was the main reason for the severe mana drain. Now, he was eager to discover what kind of new challenge the system introduced for this section. When he approached the path, a system message appeared in his vision presenting a new challenge. Advanced Challenge 2 - Find your exit through the Witherbloom Garden Maze without completely depleting the mana in your body. The grinding of stone on stone reached his ears as he observed the whole garden floor shift, come apart, and rearrange itself to become the new testing ground. Now, he noticed multiple paths leading deeper into the large garden, which had now transformed into a maze. Dense collections of Witherbloom plants bordered each of the paths, obscuring the view to the other side. So, I have to enter this mana-draining maze, navigate through it, and locate the exit on the other side? Wonderful! Alaric chuckled. Being completely deprived of mana, especially when you didn¡¯t have a mana core, felt very discomforting. Like you had not eaten for days. However, Alaric was not the least bit concerned. He had honed the ability to deplete the subtle energy of his root chakra in this new body since it was part of his training. And, that feeling was in no way less intense than experiencing your body completely devoid of mana. He ventured into one of the paths leading to the hellish maze and immediately detected the drain on his mana. However, Alaric promptly activated the [Mana Absorption] skill and maintained it, countering the mana drain. The constant absorption and depletion of mana was mentally and physically exhausting. I cannot keep this up for more than 30 minutes. Alaric scanned the path leading deeper into the maze to locate some type of clue that would allow him to figure out where the exit was located. I have to find the exit soon. As he went deeper, Alaric noticed the density of the Witherbloom plants on each side of the path increase, along with the mana drain. It was difficult to counter the mana drain after 10 minutes. So, Alaric decided to shift his strategy. Instead of walking slowly, he started sprinting to cover more of the path. This made it harder to concentrate on the [Mana Absorption] skill, and he was losing even more mana. However, it allowed him to cover more ground. Unfortunately, it seemed there was no end to the maze. He continued sprinting and encountered many more paths. Each of them led to a dead end inside the maze. Alaric was nearly out of mana at this point, physically and mentally exhausted, and almost out of the time limit. No, there must be some kind of strategy to clear this maze. Otherwise, this challenge would be too difficult. He seated himself on the ground to recover some of his physical energy and absorb more mana. I really miss my [True Vision] ability. This challenge would have been a piece of cake if I had it now. Just then, he conceived an idea. Alaric activated his fully leveled-up [Mana Sense] and scanned the area. Time was running out. So, he rose after a moment and resumed scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, he detected an unfamiliar mana signature in a corner that didn¡¯t belong to the Witherbloom plants. He sprinted towards that corner but didn¡¯t perceive anything different. Only a wall of Witherbloom plants greeted his sight. However, as he approached to scrutinize it, he noticed a shimmering pattern barely discernible to the naked eye. Alaric grinned. Found the exit. He plunged into the shimmering pattern right through the wall of Witherbloom plants and emerged on the other side of the maze. That last contact nearly exhausted the final remnants of mana inside his body, but he narrowly succeeded in completing the challenge. Congratulations! You have completed the challenge.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 7 -> Mana Absorption lvl 8] Alaric pumped his fist and celebrated his achievement. I did it. He turned around to survey the maze once more. Now, I just have to tackle it a few more times to max out the skill. He released a sigh. Alaric navigated the Wither Bloom Garden Maze two more times. On subsequent attempts, the maze reconfigured itself and even introduced deceptive shimmers that led him back to the starting point. This was initially frustrating. However, now that he had figured out the trick, it took him less than 20 minutes to exit the maze each time. The entire time, he maintained his [Mana Absorption] skill, which proved to be an excellent method for training it. Once he finished the challenge, he reviewed the system notifications to assess his progress. Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 8 -> Mana Absorption lvl 9] Ding! Your skill [Mana Absorption] has leveled up. [Mana Absorption lvl 9 -> Mana Absorption lvl 10] Overall, Alaric felt satisfied. It was a productive session. However, he had no intention of retreating. Instead, he proceeded to tackle the final challenge. *** Alaric inspected the stone altar that featured the mana rune puzzles. This was the hardest test in the Mana Grove, and for good reason. It demanded skill, patience, control, and perseverance. Still, he had conquered the previous challenges in record time and intended to do so again. He approached the stone altar and awaited the challenge notification. Advanced Challenge 3 - Solve the Multi-layered Mana Rune Puzzle. The stone altar trembled, and the upper surface that contained the rune lines sliced into various sections, reassembling into a far more intricate and intimidating configuration. When the stone altar completed its transformation, Alaric leaned in to analyze the changes. He let out a whistle. The stone altar now displayed a three-dimensional puzzle grid where the mana node sections and rune lines were interconnected across multiple layers of vertical planes. This is going to be troublesome¡­for most young Tier 0s. Alaric advanced with a confident smile and placed his palm on the designated spot to channel his mana. As soon as he touched the stone surface, he sensed the familiar magnetic pull of mana from within the altar surge and settle down after a while. He activated his [Mana Control] skill and began directing his mana through the rune channels. Now, let¡¯s see. Alaric scanned the multi-layered mana rune puzzle to locate all the mana socket nodes. However, it proved far more challenging than he initially anticipated. The complex arrangement of the rune lines obstructed visibility through the layers. It was a new type of obstacle that wasn¡¯t present in the flat-surface puzzles. Alaric immediately deduced the purpose of such a sophisticated configuration. He activated his [Mana Sense] and concentrated on detecting the mana socket nodes that were concealed from his view. As he anticipated, utilizing [Mana Sense] to locate the mana socket nodes proved much easier, and he began a journey to connect all of them slowly. After some time, he triggered his [Mana Absorption] skill since channeling mana deeper through the rune lines consumed substantially more mana. The cumulative length of the multi-layered rune lines was far greater than those featured on a flat surface. Beads of sweat appeared on his face, and he wiped them off with his free hand. It became much harder to keep all three of his foundational skills simultaneously activated. However, Alaric managed to pull through since he had purified his solar plexus chakra, which enhanced his ability to regulate every form of energy. He had connected 17 mana socket nodes and assumed he was close to completing the challenge when the system knocked him up with another surprise. Some of the mana socket nodes began siphoning more mana, while others started repelling his mana. He delicately adjusted the balance of mana he supplied to each mana socket node to prevent them from becoming overloaded or underloaded with mana. By the end, he was utterly drenched in sweat and mentally exhausted. But he succeeded in completing the challenge. Ding! Your skill [Mana Control] has leveled up. [Mana Control lvl 7 -> Mana Control lvl 8] Alaric plopped down on the ground, massaging his forearm. Directing the flow of mana constantly through his arm put a mild strain on it. But it was nothing too severe. However, he was not looking forward to attempting the mana rune puzzle again. Unfortunately, there was simply no way around it if he wanted to level up his skill quickly. He rested for 20 minutes and recovered his depleted mana. It was getting a little late, but he was determined to see the challenge through to the end, no matter how long it took. Alaric participated in the Multi-layered Mana Rune Puzzle a few more times to fully advance his skill. During the final attempts, the rune lines began shifting continuously midway through the puzzle, repeatedly disrupting a single connection to the mana socket nodes. This caused him to fail a couple of times, but ultimately, he completed the final challenge. Ding! Your skill [Mana Control] has leveled up. [Mana Control lvl 8 -> Mana Control lvl 9] Ding! Your skill [Mana Control] has leveled up. [Mana Control lvl 9 -> Mana Control lvl 10] Alaric sprawled on the floor, basking in the warmth of the sunlight on his skin. The final test had been mentally exhausting and required immense focus. No wonder it took others weeks to solve all these challenges. Congratulations! You have completed the zone - Mana Grove. Would you like to proceed to the next zone - The Azure Caverns? Note - It is recommended you form your mana core before entering the next section. Alaric dismissed the system notification. He was driven but not insane. There was simply no good reason to attempt the next zone without forming his mana core first. He took one last glance at the Mana Grove and exited the Tutorial Rift. As he returned to the real world, he spotted his friends snacking and chatting in the lounge area. When Gareth noticed him, he hollered for Alaric to join them for some food. Alaric didn¡¯t refuse the invitation. His stomach growled. I¡¯m starving. Time to have some food. He strode toward the group, eager to share his accomplishments. Chapter 34 - Forming the Mana Core Alaric noted that it was lunchtime by the time he exited the Tutorial Rift. He settled into a chair facing Rowan, picked a piece of bread from his plate, dipped it in meat stew, and put it into his mouth. The rich taste of meat stew coupled with the chewy texture of the soft bread made him delighted. ¡°Mmmm, so good." He closed his eyes and savored the taste for a while. ¡°Looks like you are pretty hungry,¡± Rowan said smiling. ¡°How did the training go?¡± ¡°I am famished,¡± Alaric responded between bites. He spotted a servant and requested his lunch. ¡°The final mana rune challenge was exhausting.¡± ¡°Did you manage to level up all the foundational skills as you wanted?¡± asked George. The big kid scrutinized him closely. The servant delivered his lunch. It was pre-prepared. Alaric merely shrugged and continued eating. ¡°Maybe I did¡­who knows,¡± he teased his friends. ¡°Really? My fists are itching to thump someone,¡± Rowan retorted irritably. ¡°Would you care to guess who they¡¯re itching to thump?¡± Alaric coughed and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He ate his food in large mouthfuls and was done with his lunch in only a few minutes. ¡°You¡¯re no fun,¡± Alaric complained but quickly added when he noticed Rowan flexing his fists. ¡°Yes, I did. I cleared the Mana Grove.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the fastest I¡¯ve heard of anyone completing the Mana Grove,¡± Gareth commented. ¡°Now what? Will you attempt to form your mana core today?¡± Alaric nodded. There was no reason to wait any longer. He planned to form his mana core after merging the three foundational mana skills to develop the basic [Mana Manipulation] Ability. That step would elevate him from Tier 0 to Tier 1. ¡°Do you need any pointers or tips on forming your mana core?¡± George inquired. ¡°He probably has it all figured out, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Rowan interjected before Alaric could respond. Alaric smiled and nodded. Forming a mana core was nothing too complex. He had already studied the process in a book covering that subject. The procedure wasn¡¯t different from what he had accomplished in his previous world. The real challenge lay in refining the core as much as possible before advancing to Tier 2. This would provide him with a significant edge. Every bit of advantage he could gain in the earlier tiers would strengthen him compared to other cultivators at the same tier. Additionally, it would pave the way for him to climb through the higher tiers, which were much more difficult. ¡°I need to rest a bit before I attempt to form my mana core,¡± Alaric declared, rising from his chair. ¡°See you guys this evening.¡± He winked at Gareth, who was the most eager to explore the city later, all under the pretense of visiting The Argent Flask. Gareth went a little red in the face as all of them started laughing. He crossed his arms over his chest and said, ¡°Don¡¯t act like I¡¯m the only one interested in visiting the gi¡­er¡­The Argent Flask.¡± George patted him on the back to calm him down. ¡°Of course, not,¡± said George. ¡°We just want to show Alaric all the fascinating spots in the city.¡± They chatted for a few more moments before Alaric retired to his room to rest. *** Alaric was back inside his Cultivation Sanctuary. It was time for him to forge his Mana Core. He had explored each of the seven chakra islands and identified that the solar plexus chakra island possessed the richest concentration of ambient mana out of all the islands. And, the central meditation ground inside the pagoda helped the most in cycling the mana inside his body. Thus, he determined it would be the perfect spot for forging his mana core. But first, he had to merge his three foundational mana skills into the mana manipulation ability. As soon as he thought of it, a notification popped up in his mind. Would you like to merge the skills [Mana Sense], [Mana Absorption], and [Mana Control]? Alaric mentally assented. He sensed a part of himself reconfiguring itself deep inside his soul. A moment later, the process was complete. He didn¡¯t experience any pain or pleasure. Congratulations! You have created your first ability - [Mana Manipulation lvl 1] (Common). Alaric smiled. He concentrated on sensing the dense mana around him with his new ability. Hmm¡­this is nice. Just as he anticipated, he could sense mana better over longer distances. It was also easier to absorb and command the mana in his immediate surroundings. However, the most important benefit he recognized was that he now wielded voluntary control over mana manipulation. The system didn¡¯t assist him in any way unlike when he used the respective skills. He appreciated the system, so far. It was helpful and provided him with many resources that aided him in his cultivation. However, he couldn¡¯t fully trust it. Especially, considering it could control almost everything about a cultivator¡¯s progress.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. His reasoning was simple. If something could bestow extraordinary powers, it could also revoke them. So, Alaric¡¯s goal was to escape the clutches of the system as much as he could. Who knew, if he would someday inadvertently become an enemy of the system due to a grim twist of fate? If he depended solely on the system for his power, it could spell real trouble in such a case. Alaric shook his mind to get rid of those thoughts. No use brooding over such depressing things at the moment. He prepared himself to forge his mana core. Generally, at Tier 0, cultivators could sense and absorb the ambient mana and manipulate the mana in their bodies in a limited manner once they acquired their respective skills. However, they couldn¡¯t store the mana permanently in their body without a mana core. As a result, mana continuously leaked from their body. In order to form a mana core, first a cultivator had to learn to detect their subtle body and locate the central energy center that resided within it. Then, they had to learn how to saturate this energy center with mana in order to create their mana core. However, without the [Mana Manipulation] ability, it was not possible to suffuse this central energy center with mana. The process of making the ambient mana submit to one¡¯s will and transform it into their individual mana required conscious control and much more effort. This was not achievable with skills or the aid of the system. A cultivator had to learn how to do it on their own. Alaric closed his eyes and sensed his subtle body. He didn¡¯t have to delve deep through the layers of subtle body like when he had to visualize the chakras, no. The central energy center was on the upper surface of the subtle body and felt like a depression or cavity that needed to be filled. He activated his [Mana Manipulation] ability and grasped the ambient mana, channeling it gradually through his body to fill this cavity. At first, he encountered resistance when he attempted to fill it. There was a thin membrane of energy - a barrier - separating the inside of the cavity from the rest of his subtle body. Alaric didn¡¯t attempt to brute force the process or cram as much mana as he could. That was one way of handling the problem but it was a wasteful tactic. Instead, he enveloped this circular membrane with mana and infused his will into it. The concentration of mana surrounding the outside of the barrier gradually intensified. And then, he waited. After a while, the mana surrounding the barrier began to seep inside the cavity just like water or milk seeps into a dried raisin. Once the inside of this cavity was fully filled with mana, it ceased accepting any more mana. It took him almost an hour to saturate this small cavity that felt like a small marble to his senses. Congratulations! You have formed your Mana Core (Early). Ding! Your ability [Mana Manipulation] has leveled up. [Mana Manipulation lvl 1 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 2] Alaric ignored the notifications. He was not done yet. The mana inside his mana core resembled water vapor - it was dispersed and barely perceptible. Currently, accumulating mana inside his mana core was easy but it lacked potency. When he activated his [Mana Manipulation] ability for the first time pulling the mana from his mana core, he instantly observed a significant difference. The activation time was noticeably faster. Still, he was not completely satisfied. He directed the mana inside his mana core to cycle slowly. Initially, it was slightly challenging to initiate the cycling process but once the mana inside his core began cycling, the momentum sustained itself. Over time, the cycling speed accelerated. The mana inside the core pressed against the membrane from the inside. And, Alaric attempted to infuse more mana outside his newly formed core. The process strained his will and the boundary walls of his core. However, he started noticing the results of his effort fairly quickly. Slowly, the pressure from both sides of the mana boundary wall began condensing the dispersed mana near the wall inside his core and transformed it into a fine mist. He maintained the cycling of the mana and progressively, converted all the mana inside his core from a water vapor-like consistency to a fine mist-like consistency. The mana inside his core was more concentrated now but it was still insufficient to meet his standards. Alaric concentrated on his Solar Plexus Chakra, filled with a yellow spiral of purified subtle energy deep within the layers of his subtle body. He linked his mana core to the Solar Plexus chakra with multiple strands of mana and began feeding mana into it. The Solar Plexus Chakra started absorbing his mana greedily and Alaric felt the mana drain from his core at an alarming rate. As this process unfolded, he practiced Pranic breathing, inhaling deeply through his right nostril and exhaling deeply through his left nostril. He visualized his vital breath coursing through the back of his spine and settling into his Solar Plexus Chakra, nurturing it and empowering it to surpass the threshold of the purification process. Once all of the mana inside his body was depleted, he felt a resonance from his Solar Plexus Chakra. It began pulsating rhythmically to the beat of his heart. The subtle energy started rotating, accelerating with each second without any effort on his part. Finally! Alaric inhaled deeply and exhaled a long sigh. I¡¯ve managed to partially awaken my Solar Plexus Chakra. To fully awaken all his chakras, he needed to undergo training inside the Pagodas. However, this was sufficient for his purposes. Alaric registered the familiar beep of the system in his mind, signaling his success, but opted to disregard it for now. He severed the mana strands linking his mana core to his Solar Plexus Chakra. Then, he directed his Solar Plexus Chakra to connect with his mana core. Delicate, yellow threads of energy from his third chakra extended toward his mana core and linked to it. Subsequently, it began nourishing his mana core with the purified subtle energy accumulated within his Solar Plexus Chakra. Alaric resumed absorbing ambient mana inside his core but this time, the process felt significantly easier. He willed his Solar Plexus chakra to spin faster and his mana core mirrored the action. With each rotation, his core gathered more mana and it was filled with a fine mist-like consistency within 10 minutes. However, Alaric didn¡¯t stop; he continued cycling mana inside it, striving to compress it further. Now, fueled by the subtle energy of the Solar Plexus chakra, all resistance dissipated and within a few minutes, he succeeded in reaching the next level of density inside his mana core - a thick fog-like consistency. His mana became denser and more tangible. Apparently, it took new cultivators almost a year to attain this stage. Alaric opened his eyes and inspected his status sheet. Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 20 Agility - 20 Vitality - 16 Mind - 23 Soul - 29 Skills: Abilities: Mana Core Stage: Titles: Chakra Cultivation Progression: Unused Experience Points: 0 System Rewards Granted: A smile tugged at his lips. This is okay¡­for now. Chapter 35 - Exploring the City Alaric and his group of friends were currently outside ¡°The Argent Flask,¡± one of the reputed alchemist¡¯s guilds in the city. George¡¯s father was a local healer and he frequently procured a plethora of ingredients from The Argent Flask to craft minor healing potions. He scanned the sturdy stone building with stained glass windows that shimmered in the hues of gold and green. As they entered the large building, Alaric detected the scent of herbs and faint traces of metallic compounds in the air. The entrance area was bustling with people who were inspecting and handling flasks filled with different colors of glowing liquid, powdered dusts, and other unusual things. In the distance, Alaric noticed a line of people waiting for their turn at the billing desk where an employee was efficiently processing transactions. Beside the billing desk was the reception desk - likely for addressing queries - and receiving custom orders. A blonde with a deep blue iris and rose-tinted cheeks was currently engaged in a conversation with a few people. ¡°There,¡± George pointed in that direction, ¡°That is the girl.¡± Alaric and Rowan casually eyed the girl without trying to make it too obvious. Gareth, on the other hand, approached her with a huge grin on his face. ¡°Wait. Stop¡­¡± Rowan called out behind him. ¡°Don¡¯t stir up trouble.¡± Gareth stuck his tongue out at Rowan but didn¡¯t stop. Alaric and George simply smirked, eager to witness what would unfold. Without any other option, all of them trailed behind Gareth. When it was their turn, Gareth boldly approached the counter. A badge on her chest identified her name - Elisa. ¡°How may I assist you, Sirs?¡± Elisa inclined her head slightly. Gareth combed his fingers through his hair, flashed a smile, and propped his elbow on the counter. Elisa immediately scrunched her brows but waited for a response. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve already assisted us plenty,¡± Gareth remarked, ¡°By slapping Therin yesterday.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Who?¡± Elisa¡¯s face twisted in confusion, but then she exclaimed when she finally connected the dots. ¡°Have you come to seek revenge?¡± She placed a hand on her waist and continued. ¡°Let me warn you, noble or not, I will report to the guild master. He knows the count.¡± ¡°Haha¡­the count¡¯s son is ¡ª¡± Rowan interrupted Gareth before he could make matters worse by creating a misunderstanding. ¡°We are not his friends,¡± Alaric stated calmly. ¡°And, we are not seeking revenge.¡± Elisa examined all of them with suspicion and responded. ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± She crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Just don¡¯t ask me to supply you with the forbidden ingredients.¡± Alaric and the other exchanged glances. Now, this is interesting. He leaned forward and inquired, ¡°What forbidden ingredients are you referring to?¡± ¡°Arrgh¡­¡± She released a sigh. ¡°I cannot accept orders for Widow¡¯s Veil, Stilled Hemlock Sap, and Shade Lotus Petal without the guild master¡¯s express permission. You have to contact him first.¡± ¡°So, Therin was not pestering you because he liked you?¡± Gareth muttered. ¡°What! No, of course not¡­¡± Her eyes flashed anger. ¡°He tried to bribe me. When I didn¡¯t accept, he had the nerve to threaten me and insult my family.¡± Well, that was a completely different story than what George had recounted to them. When Alaric glanced at George, he simply shrugged his shoulders. There was nothing else to pursue at The Argent Flask, and so all of them exited into the street. Elisa had explained that these ingredients were used to concoct highly potent sleeping potions that were utilized by adventurers for hunting monsters. However, they would need a license to purchase them. And, the ingredients were costly. So, why was a 15-year-old kid eager to purchase these ingredients and where did he get the money? All of them deduced that Therin and his friends were scheming something suspicious. That¡¯s why Therin couldn¡¯t allow this information to spread and reach the ear of the count or anyone else for that matter. That¡¯s why he attempted to intimidate George into staying silent. Unfortunately, his entire plan backfired on him. Alaric chuckled. I wonder what the Knight Commander or the Guard Captain will say when they learn of this information. ¡°Should we notify someone?¡± George inquired. ¡°Yes, Of course.¡± Rowan scrunched his brows. ¡°I will inform my father when I return home.¡± With that, Rowan pivoted and draped a hand around Alaric¡¯s neck, grinning. ¡°Enough of this. Now, let¡¯s get you acquainted with the city.¡± *** Alaric and his friends arrived at ¡°The Sunlit Plaza¡±. It was the city¡¯s bustling heart - the market square - where various stalls lined the streets selling ripe fruits, colorful trinkets, street food, garments, and more. Street performers adorned the streets, juggling flaming torches and playing lively tunes on unique musical instruments. A small stone fountain served as the centerpiece inside the market square, encircled by benches where Alaric observed many people congregating. George led Alaric to his favorite snack shop, and all of them proceeded towards it. ¡°Ooh..what is that smell?¡± Gareth remarked. Alaric patted him and directed his attention to the vendor who was preparing skewered meat and vegetable kebabs. The vendor was busy brushing wooden skewers - loaded with grilled chunks of seasoned meats, onions, and bell peppers with a spiced sauce - as they sizzled over hot coals. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Alaric practically salivated at the sight and smell. This smells delicious. He made up his mind to grab a bite and so did all his friends. They also sampled small fillets of river fish - coated in seasoned batter and fried until crispy - served with tangy herb sauce on the side. George practically devoured food worth all of them combined. Alaric elbowed him, ¡°Slow down, you glutton,¡± he quipped, ¡°Let us keep up with you.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Yes, street food is not good for your health.¡± Commented Gareth as he bit into crispy herb potato wedges. Rowan simply chuckled, opting to stay out of the squabble. George narrowed his eyes. ¡°Huh...as if you¡¯re one to talk?¡± he retorted to Gareth. All of them laughed together. After a while, they left the market square to wander through a few other sections of the city. *** It was quite late when Alaric and his friends returned to the mansion. They hadn¡¯t managed to explore all the fascinating hangouts in the city, but Alaric was satisfied. The market square alone had been highly entertaining, where they had spent most of their time. However, Alaric had also glimpsed the local branch of the Church of the Radiant Flame and a popular adventurer¡¯s guild - The Bronze Griffin Hall. He resolved to explore the two places in greater detail sometime later. But he was most intrigued by the vast forest that lay beyond the city walls - The Whispering Woods. Apparently, it was a forest teeming with various types of monsters, and the city guards along with numerous adventurers regularly cleared monster nests to mitigate the risk of monster infestation that could endanger the city. There were rumors of a rift deep within the heart of the forest, but all information about it was concealed from the common people. Perhaps I¡¯ll have an opportunity to investigate it someday. *** Alaric lay on the central meditation ground of the solar plexus pagoda. It had become his favorite spot for mana meditation. His current goal was simple - to absorb ambient mana and condense it inside his core as much as possible before delving into the next zone of the Tutorial Rift. He used his [Mana Manipulation] ability to draw the ambient mana into his mana core. However, it was not until Alaric began harnessing the purified energy of his solar plexus chakra that he managed to accumulate more ambient mana within his already full mana core. His solar plexus chakra and the dense, foggy mana within his core rotated in harmony, pulling in more mana with each rotation. At this stage, it was easy to overcome the resistance within his core, and he perceived tiny droplets of liquid mana condensing on the walls of his core. After a while, Alaric ended his cultivation session. It would likely take him a month at this pace to form a liquid mana core. A smile crept into his face. He was just starting to build the foundation of his cultivation journey. Alaric released a sigh. There is so much to accomplish before I advance to Tier 2. Perhaps I¡¯ll even receive an invitation from the system for the Tower of Trials. Alaric shook his head. He dismissed those thoughts and focused on his short-term goals for now. Tier 1 was centered on body reforging and physical enhancement. Typically, cultivators at Tier 1 pursued three major objectives - to expand the size and density of their mana core, reforge and fortify the body through mana cultivation, and acquire as many physical enhancement skills as possible. Well, the last part was not a priority for noble scions who had powerful bloodlines. Their primary goal was to develop a strong foundation so that they could get an invite from the system for the Tower of Trials and climb the highest floor possible. Climbing higher floors granted better rewards, but the most sought-after prize was the opportunity to forge a bond with a powerful entity. Once a cultivator forged a bond with a powerful entity, they could share their powers. In return, they gained special skills and abilities based on the entity¡¯s powers. This also included physical enhancement skills. Most cultivators simply aimed to advance through the tiers as quickly as possible. However, if a cultivator lacked proper education, talent, or access to cultivation resources, they could stagnate and remain trapped in a single tier for years, their cultivation path cut off forever. To progress to Tier 2, a cultivator had to reforge at least one aspect of their body to average quality. Depending on the aspect reforged, they enjoyed different benefits. Body reforging aspects and their benefits included: The reforging quality levels were divided into different grades: Reforging any of the main organs - heart, lungs, or brain - could be considered reforging a single aspect. However, there were mentions of prodigies being able to reforge all three of their main organs - a perfect main organ reforge. At Tier 1, most cultivators could only reforge one aspect of their body to average or mid-quality. Talented cultivators, with proper guidance and resources, could reforge two to three aspects to mid or high-quality. Geniuses with powerful bloodlines, exceptional guidance, and unparalleled resources at their disposal managed to reforge three to five aspects at high to peak quality at Tier 1. It was customary to strive to reforge additional aspects of the body at higher Tiers, but that ambition is what distinguished prodigies from ordinary cultivators. Geniuses could fight above their weight class due to their excellent foundation and early advancement. At Tier 3 and beyond, cultivators who had reforged at least three aspects to peak quality strived to reforge two additional special aspects, which were far more challenging to reforge: Alaric aimed to reforge all aspects of his body at the supreme quality - the highest quality possible. He would settle for no less. Achieving superior reforging quality across multiple aspects early on would grant him a significant advantage at his tier level. He resolved to reforge all five aspects of his body before advancing to Tier 2 and to reforge his mind and soul before ascending to Tier 3. However, his most immediate objective was to develop a liquid mana core and, eventually, form a solid mana core before reaching Tier 2. Advancing his mana core beyond the solid stage would require him to bloom his Solar Plexus Chakra, which was not possible in the near future. Typically, only geniuses succeeded in forming a liquid mana core at Tier 2 and a solid mana core at Tier 3. Beyond that point, his knowledge was somewhat limited. Most individuals failed to advance their mana core beyond the solid stage. He suspected that many noble scions or sect prodigies had access to resources comparable to, or perhaps surpassing his cultivation sanctuary. Well, at least, they might have access to cultivation chambers saturated with significantly denser ambient mana. However, Alaric had a significant advantage - chakra cultivation. He chuckled. I cannot let my guard down just because I¡¯m improving rapidly. That¡¯s why he resolved to undertake something considered exceptionally reckless and potentially ruinous to his cultivation journey if he failed. Chapter 36 - The Azure Caverns Alaric was back in his bedroom with his notebook open. He scanned through the short-term goals, medium-term goals, and long-term goal sections that he had written in it. Short-term Goals: Medium-term Goals: Long-Term Goals: Of course, this list of goals was not all-inclusive and subject to change. He would add new goals to the list when and if suitable. I wonder what Rowan would think when he learns I¡¯m aiming for the [Superior Mana Manipulation] ability? In Gaia, there were many ways to progress through your cultivation journey depending on your goals, talents, and resources. Most cultivators that didn¡¯t aspire to participate in the ¡®Tower of Trials¡¯ opted to diversify their skills at Tier 1 by acquiring physical enhancement skills along with a few more mana skills. Although they ventured into the mid zones of the Tutorial Rift to level up their mana skills, delving into the higher zones was not a priority. Of course, completing the higher stages of the Tutorial Rift was a challenge in itself. And, they needed to acquire more mana skills first. Not many were able to acquire more than 5 mana skills or level them up by completing the higher stages. Moreover, acquiring more mana skills vs diversifying their skill set presented a risk-reward type dilemma since the skill slots were limited. At Tier 1, cultivators were limited to 12 skill slots. Mana skills were foundational for progressing through the tiers and reaching the highest power levels. However, if a cultivator had no hope of reaching the highest tiers or was less talented, it was better to limit the number of mana skills at first and focus on learning physical enhancement skills. If they managed to advance to the later tiers, they could always attempt to gain more mana skills. Cultivators who aimed for the upper floors of the Tower of Trials had to establish an excellent foundation. Thus, they pursued the [Advanced Mana Manipulation] ability. Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of people attained success and many sabotaged their future prospects because they overestimated their talents. To acquire the [Advanced Mana Manipulation], a cultivator needed to merge 10 mana skills (the 3 foundational + 7 additional skills). Each skill occupied an additional skill slot and if they were unable to acquire or master 10 mana skills, they couldn¡¯t develop the [Advanced Mana Manipulation] ability. Thus, either their skill slots were permanently locked if they abandoned the effort or they squandered many years learning and mastering all the 10 mana skills. To attain the [Superior Mana Manipulation] ability, a cultivator had to evolve all 10 mana skills into their advanced forms and then integrate them. Thus, they had to dissolve the basic [Mana Manipulation] ability and reclaim the 3 foundational skills aside from acquiring additional 7 mana skills. This was an immensely risky gamble and almost nobody without a superior bloodline, talent, and immense resources aimed for this rare ability. The system didn¡¯t assist cultivators in evolving their skills. The Tutorial Rift was designed by the system to enable cultivators to obtain the three foundational mana skills and hone their basic mana skills. A cultivator needed exceptional talent to evolve any type of skill further. That, in itself, was a major hurdle. However, the issue was much more complex. It was the easiest to evolve the [Mana Sense] skill. Now, if a cultivator managed to evolve only this single skill, the other 9 slots remained wasted with no path back to basic or [Advanced Mana Manipulation] ability. This is because once one evolved a skill to a higher rank, there was no way to revert it. On the flip side, if a cultivator fell just short of evolving only 1 of the 10 mana skills they had acquired, they would still be stuck since they needed to fuse 10 advanced skills to create the [Superior Mana Manipulation]. However, if Alaric succeeded in evolving all 10 mana skills and obtained this rare ability, he would wield unparalleled control over mana. Alaric closed his notebook. It was time to sleep and allow his body to recover from all the stress he had subjected it to today. Tomorrow, he resolved to dive into the next stage of the Tutorial Rift - The Azure Caverns. With that thought in mind, he headed to his bed. *** Welcome to The Azure Caverns. Alaric was back inside the Tutorial Rift but this time in the second zone. Once a cultivator completed mastering the three foundational skills back in the previous zone - The Mana Grove, the system stopped holding their hands. Thus, unlike in the previous zone, the system wouldn¡¯t reward cultivators with any mana skills for completing objectives from this zone onward. However, it would still provide them opportunities to learn new mana skills on their own when exploring the region. And, the challenges presented in each zone would allow them to level up the mana skills they had acquired. Alaric didn¡¯t venture into this zone completely unprepared like the last time. He consulted with his friends to understand what to anticipate inside the higher zones. Typically, the challenges encountered inside the higher zones would be customized by the system based on some unknown factor. However, the type of possible challenges a cultivator had to tackle inside these higher zones was documented - at least for the earlier zones. Generally, it was a good strategy to practice the type of mana skill you intended to acquire so that you had a goal to concentrate on when delving into the higher zones.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. The system - uncannily - recognized what type of mana exercises a cultivator was practicing and designed the challenges based on that. Thus, it also boosted your chances of acquiring the specific mana skill when exploring the Tutorial Rift. Master Vellan had gifted Alaric with a book that cataloged the most common mana skills that could be attained in the higher stages of the Tutorial Rift. Alaric hoped to gain two specific skills in the Azure Caverns - Mana Solidification and Vital Mana Flow. He had been practicing a few mana exercises the past days specifically to acquire these two mana skills. He focused on his surroundings. As the name suggested, the Azure Caverns were a network of dark underground caves, illuminated by bioluminescent crystals that emitted a bright blue glow. The mana in the region was denser than the Mana Grove and crystals of all shapes and sizes adorned the cave walls. Alaric advanced toward an opening in the distance that caught his eye. The presence of a blue shimmer drew his attention. Hmm¡­that looks interesting. I should probably head there but first¡­ Alaric stopped just short of crossing the opening. His gut was telling him that a new challenge would pop up once he crossed the threshold. So, he aimed to prepare for any oncoming test. He clenched a fist and invoked his [Mana Manipulation] ability to draw the ambient mana around it. It wasn¡¯t challenging at all to absorb the dense mana in the region and envelop his fist with it. He had practiced it a few times and felt it was easier in this region. Alaric exerted his willpower to its limits to compress the mana as much as possible, and after a while, a thin layer of solidified mana coated his arms. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Solidification] (Common). [Mana Solidification lvl 1] A grin spread across his face. Alaric concentrated on the skill to summon its description into view. Mana Solidification - You can solidify mana to make it denser and more potent. Higher skill levels enable more condensed, stable mana, which can be utilized in crafting, spell potency, or direct reinforcement. The skill he attained - Mana Solidification - was one of the most versatile skills a cultivator could wield in their arsenal. However, it could also seem a little misleading. Many amateur cultivators assumed they had to master this skill first to make the leap from a liquid mana core to forging a solid mana core. However, that was a complete misconception. The process of forging a mana core and enhancing it only demanded the ability to manipulate mana, strong willpower, and a specific cultivation technique. Thus, the higher a cultivator¡¯s [Mana Manipulation] was leveled up and the stronger their willpower, the better and denser they could forge their mana core. Of course, one required a refined cultivation technique to progress through the various stages of forging the mana core as well. Many mana cultivation techniques were common knowledge, often found in books. These were sufficient for beginners. However, if one desired to learn advanced mana cultivation techniques, they either had to join a powerful sect or become the disciple of a master. Of course, nobles possessed special cultivation techniques tailored to their bloodlines. Alaric adhered to Chakra cultivation. He dismissed the basic cultivation technique taught by Master Vellan and the one offered by his father - the count. Of course, Alaric hadn¡¯t informed them of his choice. He shook his head to stop his chain of thoughts. The fundamental point to grasp was that a mana core was not a physical object; it resided in the subtle body. The [Mana Solidification] skill enabled cultivators to crystallize or solidify mana in the physical world. It couldn¡¯t be used to forge a mana core. This skill was primarily the most popular among craftsmen and healers who employed mana tools forged with this skill for superior results. However, with the proper skill and creativity, it could also be utilized to craft a variety of armaments made of mana, which could amplify combat ability tremendously. I wonder how long it would take an amateur to learn this skill. For Alaric, it wasn¡¯t difficult to learn this skill at all. In his previous life, he had wielded a similar skill during his novice years. However, he speculated, that perhaps his title - Ally of the System - also contributed to him being able to master skills quickly. He couldn¡¯t definitively confirm it. There was no way to deactivate the effects of a title. With the [Mana Solidification] skill acquired, Alaric stepped into the opening, which revealed itself to be a vast cavern. The familiar system beep immediately rang inside his mind. Challenge 1 - Defeat the Azure Golem Spawnling. One of the larger crystals embedded in the wall of the cave quaked and extracted itself with a groan, reshaping into a humanoid form. The crystalline golem stood at a similar height to Alaric and didn¡¯t appear that menacing compared to the stone golems he had encountered before. However, he knew better than to underestimate an enemy or monster. The azure golem spawnling noticed him and advanced with shuffling steps. Alaric scanned the area for another exit. He identified none. So, I have to defeat this golem to explore the rest of the cavern. He clasped his fist encased in a layer of thin, crystallized mana with his other hand and grinned. Fine by me! Instead of waiting for the abysmally slow golem to reach him, Alaric rushed at the creature ready to strike it. The golem swung at him, but Alaric deftly sidestepped. He slipped inside the golem''s guard and drove his fist into its chest. Just as he anticipated, the thin layer of crystallized mana encasing his fist flaked off upon impact with the golem¡¯s body, and his arm throbbed in pain. The golem, on the other hand, only staggered a single step. Alaric rubbed his fists and reformed the layer of solidified mana around his fist using the [Mana Solidication] skill. The process was noticeably faster now, thanks to the skill. Every time he struck the golem, he had to regenerate the layer of solidified mana. It hurt his arms but Alaric didn¡¯t give up. Slowly, he chipped away flakes of crystallized mana from the golem¡¯s body as well. However, Alaric was running out of patience. This isn¡¯t working. I have to change my strategy. Alaric attempted to create multiple layers of crystallized mana over his fist. Even with the skill¡¯s assistance, it was a slow process. Meanwhile, the golem trudged toward him, preparing to strike. Fortunately, he was faster than the golem, and evading it was not difficult at all. The crystallized mana enveloping his arms had become denser, but Alaric remained unsatisfied. He concentrated on forming sharp spikes around his knuckles. It required greater precision, but he succeeded. Alaric registered a series of beeps in his mind but ignored them for now. He approached the golem, planted his feet firmly, and unleashed a devastating uppercut below its supposed chin. His arms reverberated from the impact, and shards of broken crystallized mana lacerated his arms deeply. Pain radiated through his limbs as blood trickled down in rivulets. However, Alaric was content. The golem¡¯s head snapped back from the sheer force, with a massive chunk of it obliterated. Although Alaric wasn¡¯t entirely immune to physical pain at this stage, his purified sacral chakra helped temper his emotions quite a bit. Fortunately, these golem spawnlings lacked the regenerative abilities of the stone golems. The creature¡¯s form was reduced to a grotesque shape, with large portions of its body carved away, yet it still attempted to move Alaric formed another spiked mana gauntlet and delivered a decisive blow to the golem¡¯s head, dislodging it from its body and ending its life. The severed head soared through the air, smashed into the far wall, and shattered. Alaric plopped to the ground, gasping for air. Congratulations! You have completed the basic challenge. He dismissed the system notification and reviewed his gains from the battle. Ding! Your skill [Mana Solidification] has leveled up. [Mana Solidification lvl 1 -> Mana Solidification lvl 2] Ding! Your skill [Mana Solidification] has leveled up. [Mana Solidification lvl 2 -> Mana Solidification lvl 3] Ding! Your ability [Mana Manipulation] has leveled up. [Mana Manipulation lvl 2 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 3] A smile spread across his cheek. Now we¡¯re talking! He examined his arms, now embedded with multiple shards of mana crystals. Alaric cycled his heart chakra and focused on the vibrant green subtle energy pulsing within it. Let¡¯s see if I can obtain my second skill in the zone. Chapter 37 - Lake Gloom Alaric could channel the purified subtle energy stored in his heart chakra to effectively heal his wounded arm. However, that would waste the valuable energy that was best utilized for enhancing the bloodline - aside from true emergencies. In fact, during his meditation sessions, Alaric circulated the vibrant green energy of the heart chakra throughout his blood just for this purpose. Depending on how pure his bloodline became, he could unlock access to more powerful bloodline abilities. However, the most important function of a purer and stronger bloodline was that it enabled cultivators to forge bonds with stronger entities and preserve their own presence and will. Otherwise, the entity could subdue the cultivators. And, he felt that odd sensation of two different bloodlines clashing for dominance within his soul. Alaric shook his head and focused on his arms. I¡¯ll worry about it later. He guided a little bit of the green subtle energy and infused it with the mana coating his wounded arms. Next, he activated the Solar Plexus chakra to facilitate the fusion of the two different energy types and transmute it into vital energy - something that could be harnessed for healing. He directed this vital energy through his wounded arms, envisioning it patching up his cuts and abrasions. His whole arm stung with pain but Alaric simply gritted his teeth and focused on the energy mending his arm. The process was slow but it was working. After an hour or so, the mana crystals embedded in his arms were gradually expelled from the layers of cut flesh as they began to heal. A criss-cross of new, soft, pink flesh covered his arm that was previously wounded. The bones of his arms still ached significantly, and the healed skin was still tender to the touch, but for now, it would do. There was nothing else he could attempt at this moment. Alaric was completely drained of mana after this effort. He estimated it would take about a week of healing his arms this way to completely recover them, which was still much faster than normal recovery. However, his goal was accomplished. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Vital Mana Flow] (Common). [Vital Mana Flow lvl 1] Alaric released a sigh. He checked the skill description. Vital Mana Flow - You are able to harness the vital essence of mana to accelerate the healing of physical injuries faster than normal. At higher levels, this skill significantly enhances natural recovery, reduces healing time, and boosts stamina regeneration. Yes, I got it! The moment of happiness didn¡¯t last long though. Alaric intended to venture further into the Azure Caverns and level up his two new skills. However, his healing efforts completely sapped him out of his mana. Now that he was out of mana, he would have to rest and recover for a while. Hmm¡­I wonder. A sudden idea struck Alaric. Can I enter my cultivation sanctuary within this Tutorial Rift? Alaric found no reason why he shouldn¡¯t. Sure, he could simply leave the Tutorial Rift and then access his cultivation cave. However, what if he ever faced a challenge that restricted access to the exit until he completed it? Could he enter it then? He aimed to experiment and uncover these possibilities to prepare ahead for such potential outcomes. Alaric scanned his immediate surroundings for any signs of new monsters or Azure Golem Spawnling. With this area cleared only a while ago, it was unlikely any monster would ambush him unless he ventured further. And, his danger sense remained as calm as a still lake. Still, it was always wiser to err on the side of caution. Unfortunately, he noticed no suitable space that could serve as a hiding spot while he attempted to enter his pocket dimensional space. Alaric shrugged and settled into the familiar lotus position. Then he dove into his cultivation sanctuary and arrived at the familiar spot - the solar plexus pagoda. Yes, it worked! Alaric began to absorb ambient mana and replenish his depleted mana core. It took about three hours or so to fully refill his mana core inside this pocket dimension but only one hour would have elapsed in the outside world.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. I wonder whether the time dilation ratio would remain consistent inside the Tutorial Rift as well. Alaric returned to the Tutorial Rift and immediately scanned for any danger. As anticipated, there were no monsters lurking, and it was unlikely because he would''ve detected any threat even inside the cultivation sanctuary. His physical body remained in its place, after all. There was no way to determine how much time had passed inside the Tutorial Rift unless he exited and asked his friends. But he would be satisfied if the time-dilation ratio remained consistent. Essentially, it would amplify his ability to regenerate the mana inside his core by three times compared to everybody else who lacked an innate advantage. He pulled himself up and ventured further into the Azure Caverns. The sound of stone grinding on stone attracted his attention and he turned around. A wall opened up in a distant corner beckoning him to explore. Seems like I found my next destination. Stepping inside the new area, he observed a murky lake cluttered with patches of dry leaves and water hyacinth. A ring of gnarled trees encircled the lake, which extended from wall to wall. Far ahead on the other side of the lake, he noticed an exit that led somewhere else. Alaric released a sigh. Looks like I have to swim through the lake to reach the next section of the Azure Cavern. He dipped his toe into the lake to test the waters. It was freezing, and Alaric began shivering. He scanned the area once more to find an alternative route to reach the opposite end. If there was, he couldn¡¯t find it. Perhaps, there are other sections I should explore first. Just then, he heard the familiar beep of the system! No¡­not now. Not today! He closed his eyes, deliberately attempting his best not to glimpse any notifications. Unfortunately, the system wasn¡¯t allowing it. The beep echoed repeatedly and got faster. As if urging him to check the notification. When Alaric didn¡¯t comply, the notification popped up in his view even with his eyes shut. Alaric opened his eyes and released a sigh. Well¡­whatever, I have to complete the challenge sooner or later. He glanced at the cold, murky water one last time before scanning the notification. Challenge 2 - You have discovered Lake Gloom. Retrieve the Azure Pearl within the lake to complete the challenge. Alaric activated his sacral chakra to stabilize his emotions. No use wasting time, now. He scanned the surface of Lake Gloom for any monsters. He didn¡¯t like what he noticed. At present, he detected no creatures that could pose a threat. Of course, that was simply an illusion. He had no doubt the moment he dove into it in search of the Azure Pearl, a swarm of predators would attempt to assault him - the intruder in their domain. He could handle that and was more than ready for a fight. What irritated him was how vile the lake felt to his senses. The air reeked of rust and decay - as if rotten carcasses lingered within its depths. A wave of mist emerged from the side walls and gradually began enveloping the far end of the lake. Alaric observed a series of stairs descend into the depths of the lake and advanced toward it. He cautiously descended the slippery stairs coated with algae, his senses on full alert. The murky black water clung to the skin of his legs like some sort of slimy goo. His feet started itching. Ughh¡­so filthy. Why couldn¡¯t the system design a challenge in a pristine lake? He detected movement on one side of the lake but couldn''t pinpoint anything under the long shadows of the tree branches. Except for the bubbling of water and soft splashes that rang just just outside his vision. Suddenly, Alaric¡¯s danger sense flared, and he began reinforcing his arms with a spiked mana gauntlet. No creature lunged at him from the depths, but he felt fatigue take hold of him, and the itching on his leg intensified by the second. Why do I feel so exhausted suddenly? Is this lake draining my energy? Alaric dipped a hand and attempted to scratch his legs. Instead, he felt his fingers graze against a cold, slimy, wriggling creature. He instinctively seized it and yanked it out of the water. A massive black leech with countless sharp teeth and blood oozing from its mouth greeted his sight. Fucking hell! Alaric squished the leech with his fingers encased in solidified mana. The creature screeched and splattered blood as its body was squashed. Numerous leeches were feasting on his blood, sucking the vitality and stamina out of his body. Alaric thrashed his body haphazardly in an attempt to dislodge the vile leeches. It was an instinctive response and wasn¡¯t proving effective at removing the leeches. The ring of water around his body darkened to red. His body was leaking blood. With each passing second, he felt a cold exhaustion seep into his bones and steadily drain his energy. Alaric started trembling. No, I¡­have to¡­stay calm. He activated his [Vital Mana Flow] skill and immediately sensed the energy drain diminish. The skill was pumping new life into him and rejuvenating his body and mind. He focused on the spots of his body where he detected the intense itching sensation to pinpoint the mana signatures of the bloodsucking leeches. Cycling his mana, Alaric guided it to these locations on his body and began accumulating it within the layers of his skin. Then, he attempted something drastic. ¡°Feast on this you suckers.¡± Alaric roared. All the points on his skin where he accumulated the mana erupted into sharp, long spikes that skewered the leeches draining his blood on those spots. His skin tore from the inside, but he succeeded in removing the creatures. A series of dings repeated in his mind. Alaric ignored them and focused on pumping mana into his [Vital Mana Flow] skill. Now that no leeches were draining his life force, he experienced a substantial improvement in his recovery. However, his exposed wounds seared under the murky waters. Alaric gritted his teeth and cycled his sacral chakra. Unfortunately, the danger was far from over. Something coiled around his legs and yanked him into the lake with immense force. He barely managed to keep his head above the water¡¯s surface in an attempt to breathe properly. Is it a snake this time? Alaric resolved to unleash another burst of mana spikes from his legs. Unfortunately, with so much mana being channeled to heal his wounds, it was taking significantly longer to accumulate the mana beneath his skin. Not to mention, concentrating mana on his injured skin amplified the pain exponentially. Before Alaric could unleash the attack a second time, the creature coiled another tendril around his neck and dragged him beneath the murky lake. Chapter 38 - Surprises Alaric held his breath under the surface of the water as the creature yanked him down into the depths. His vision blurred under the low light conditions and his lungs burned due to a lack of oxygen. The tendrils constricted tightly around his legs and neck nearly strangling him. Alaric summoned a drop of his root chakra energy, seized the tendril coiled around his neck, and tore it apart. The creature emitted a guttural moan from somewhere below the depth. It slackened the grip on his legs and withdrew somewhere far below. So, it wasn¡¯t a snake. More like a giant squid or octopus! With renewed physical energy he rapidly swam to the surface of the lake and exhausted a drop of heart chakra energy to accelerate his healing process. The wounds on his legs began healing much faster. For some reason, Alaric felt this challenge was much more dangerous compared to the previous challenges. He recalled George informing him that sometimes, it was possible to discover cultivation resources and other valuable materials inside the Tutorial Rift if one was fortunate. However, such challenges were much more difficult. The system didn¡¯t offer anything for free. If a cultivator sought some valuable resource, they would have to strive for it. Hmm¡­could this Azure Pearl be a valuable resource? He already understood that the challenges inside the Tutorial Rift were custom-tailored by the system. Alaric grinned. However, it only signified that the system believed Alaric could conquer this challenge, if he exerted himself hard enough. And, he didn¡¯t want to disappoint the system. Alaric bristled with the energy of the root chakra and heart chakra fortifying his body. He reformed his spiked mana gauntlet on both of his arms and expanded his senses to the maximum. His danger sense was not a match for [True Vision] ability but it informed him that danger lurked everywhere hidden beneath the lake''s surface. He identified numerous bloodsucking leeches due to their mana signature and a few other creatures that glided deeper. It seemed that no other creature was eager to confront Alaric after he managed to evade the clutches of whatever dragged him beneath the lake. That creature was probably the alpha of the lake. I need to acquire a long-range offensive skill. Although Alaric was comfortable with close-range combat, he preferred to wield long-range offensive skills when it was necessary to fight with multiple creatures. His [Mana Solidification] skill served as a decent close-range offensive skill but that wouldn¡¯t be enough. In fact, it would be difficult to overcome this challenge with the current set of skills and abilities, especially if he had to confront the numerous creatures swimming beneath. However, Alaric was not disheartened. I don¡¯t need to fight every creature that crosses my path; simply avoid them and locate the Azure Pearl. He wasn¡¯t going to retreat from this challenge without giving it his all. When the creature hauled him down, he had observed an area below that gleamed brighter than the rest. He deduced that it was being illuminated by some type of light source. And, that meant there might be another exit somewhere down below. It was much closer to the exit on the other side of the lake. Thus, Alaric resolved to reach the possible exit down below first. He expended another precious drop of root chakra and heart chakra energy to brace for what was to come. Then, he plunged into the lake, propelling himself with tremendous speed to reach the illuminated section deep below. Alaric detected numerous leeches advancing toward him. However, they were too slow. He was able to evade them easily. As he descended deeper into the illuminated area, he discerned a few other types of creatures that dwelled below for the first time. Indeed, there were some small snakes and a collection of colorful fishes that steered clear of him. However, far ahead in the distance, he spotted a massive crocodile-like creature charging at him, eager to make him its snack. This crocodile was covered in a collection of azure crystals that adorned its back. It swam much faster and closed in on him at a staggering rate. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe that is the true alpha of the lake. Or at least, a close second. Alaric grinned. Well, come at me if you dare. He extended the spikes of his mana gauntlet a few more inches and reinforced them with more mana. Just as he was about to reach the exit, the crocodile lunged at him with its jaw wide open, ready to swallow him whole.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Alaric struck it in the side of the jaw, deflecting its face and embedding the spikes of his mana gauntlet into it. The crocodile bellowed in pain. Alaric swiftly adjusted his trajectory and reshaped the mana gauntlet spikes. Although he had managed to injure it, he concluded that battling it in the water would not be wise. Besides, he was nearly out of breath underwater and needed to locate the exit soon. The lake grew brighter as he neared the exit, and he noticed the thick tendrils of the squid-like creature drifting toward him. However, instead of attacking him, the tendrils coiled around the crocodile that charged at Alaric once again. That was a nice coincidence, or was it? It seemed like the lake had two alphas and they couldn¡¯t tolerate each other. No, scratch that. He detected the presence of many more crocodiles approaching from nearby. I really need to escape this lake now. Alaric identified an underwater tunnel that was the source of the illumination and darted into it. He disregarded the sounds of the battle erupting behind him and focused on keeping his body steady against the fluctuating water pressure caused by the conflict. After a while of gliding through the tunnel, he finally located the exit and hoisted himself up from the water''s surface. He emerged inside a medium-sized cave that extended into a tunnel with torches adorning the side walls. The torches must have been fueled by some type of magic because they radiated a bright orange hue without any apparent need for oxygen or oil. So, these were the source of the illumination. Alaric gulped down mouthfuls of stale air to soothe his burning lungs. He figured it would take a while to conquer Lake Gloom. First, he would have to level up his [Mana Solidification] and [Vital Mana Flow] skills. On that note, he checked the notifications he had ignored earlier. Ding! Your skill [Mana Solidification] has leveled up. [Mana Solidification lvl 3 -> Mana Solidification lvl 4] Ding! Your skill [Vital Mana Flow] has leveled up. [Vital Mana Flow lvl 1 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 2] Ding! Your skill [Vital Mana Flow] has leveled up. [Vital Mana Flow lvl 2 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 3] It was decent progress. After catching his breath, he proceeded towards the tunnels. His danger sense remained steady, but Alaric continued to scrutinize the area for any creatures. He was a little surprised when he couldn¡¯t detect a single creature. That was very peculiar since for some reason, he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that wherever the tunnel led wasn¡¯t any safer. Nonetheless, he proceeded with caution. After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the end of the tunnel. A massive metallic door, embedded with runic etchings, was set into the back wall, currently sealed. Now, what is this? Alaric had anticipated finding a treasure chest with the Azure Pearl. Not an ominous-looking door that led somewhere else. Still, he couldn¡¯t suppress his curiosity and approached the door. A familiar ding rang in his mind and he immediately checked the system notification that popped up. Congratulations! You have uncovered a hidden zone - Azure Ruin Arch - within ¡®Lake Gloom¡¯. Warning - Proceed with caution. The ¡®Azure Ruin Arch¡¯ is a hidden zone kept concealed from the masses due to its heightened difficulty. Only those favored by the system can uncover such zones if luck favors them. Any mention of hidden zones to unauthorized users is forbidden and could revoke access to it. Congratulations! You have been granted - Three Tutorial Rift Invite Tokens (Limited Access). Alaric was completely taken aback. He had never heard of any mention of hidden zones within the Tutorial Rift. Not from his friends, master Vellan, or from any books. Hmm¡­I wonder if it is because the system prohibits the sharing of such information. But why would it do so? All of this felt highly suspicious to Alaric. On one hand, the system helped cultivators to grow stronger. However, it also offered exclusive opportunities to talented cultivators. And, apparently, Alaric wasn¡¯t the only one who was favored by the system. Perhaps, there were numerous ways to earn the favor of the system. However, he firmly believed that his relationship with the system was far deeper than those who were merely favored by it. He possessed a signature title that identified him as an ally, after all. Now, what was stranger was these invite tokens. Alaric summoned the description of the invite tokens into his view. Tutorial Rift Invite Token (Limited Access) - Grants the owner the ability to send an invitation to other cultivators for delving into the Tutorial Rift together. This invite token has limited access - You and your party can only explore this zone - The Azure Caverns and its associated hidden regions - when delving together. Note - This information is restricted. Disclosing this information to anyone outside selected party members could revoke access to current and future invites. Alaric let out a whistle. He knew that adventurers could assemble a party with others when delving into dungeons and rifts. Usually, it was done to tackle more challenging stages and distribute rewards and experience points collectively. However, everything he had learned about the Tutorial Rift made it seem like cultivators were expected to explore it solo. There was no mention of Tutorial Rift Invites anywhere. Again, he guessed it was because the system restricted the spread of such knowledge to a select few individuals. Perhaps, many people are privy to such information. They simply cannot disclose it openly to the masses. Alaric shrugged. Whatever the situation might be, now that he could invite his friends, Alaric was eager to venture into and conquer The Azure Cavern together. His intuition was telling him that accessing the ¡®Azure Ruin Arch¡¯ without a team at his current stage would doom him. On the other hand, he wasn¡¯t entirely sure how to inform his friends about these gifts without raising eyebrows. Hah¡­I will blame everything on the system or attribute it to my luck. Alaric chuckled. Suddenly, he heard another beep in his mind. Now what? He reviewed the notification. Alert! Your father - Count Eustace de Vermond - has requested your presence. Exit the zone in 5 minutes or you¡¯ll be expelled. Alaric scratched his cheek. Did I linger too long here today? He crossed his arms over his chest and racked his mind for some sort of explanation. If his father had summoned him, it must be something serious. Perhaps Alaric was in trouble or had done something to displease his father. Either way, there wasn¡¯t much time to deliberate, and Alaric exited the Tutorial Rift. Chapter 39 - Uncovering Motives Alaric strode toward his father¡¯s study with long, measured steps, trying to stretch out as much time as possible. He wanted to deduce why he had summoned him. As he approached the room, he discerned the voices of many people echoing inside it. Hmm.. it looks like there is a large crowd present inside. As he entered the study, the floorboards groaned beneath his boots. All eyes swiveled toward him. He distinguished three groups of people in the dimly lit room illuminated by the streaks of sunlight piercing through the heavy drapes. Off to one side were his friends. Rowan smiled subtly, Gareth grinned, and George sighed in relief when they spotted him. Alaric simply nodded at them. Captain Farrow leaned against a table while Sir Baldwin Du Rocher stood rigid in his polished armor. The head butler Edgar Greyford loomed silently behind the count who lounged in his chair. Off to the other side stood Therin and the snot-faced kid. The other members of his group were absent. Both of them appeared frozen with fear. Alaric smirked. All of the elders maintained a neutral expression, but there was no mistaking the purpose of this meeting. It was an interrogation. Alaric inwardly chuckled. They are trying to scare the kids, and it seems it¡¯s working. He immediately understood why they had been summoned. Rowan must have informed his father about the forbidden ingredients that Therin was attempting to procure from the alchemist¡¯s guild ¡ª The Argent Flask. ¡°Alaric, approach my boy,¡± the count commanded. He reclined in his chair with his fingers steepled. ¡°Your friends have leveled a serious accusation against Therin ¡ª He was trying to obtain forbidden ingredients from the Argent Flask.¡± He gestured at Therin. ¡°Therin, naturally, is refuting the accusation. Would you recount what transpired that day when the altercation broke out?¡±Alaric smirked and glanced at Therin. He went pale. Evidently, Therin had been up to no good, and it seemed he was merely bracing for his punishment. It was obvious from his demeanor. The count was simply attempting to confirm his story. Alaric narrated what happened that day ¡ª How Therin tried to intimidate George and deter him from revealing what he witnessed when he had visited the Argent Flask the previous day and got slapped by Elisa. How a brawl nearly erupted, and Sir Baldwin had to intervene. What they discovered from Elisa when they returned to the Argent Flask the next day. With every sentence, Therin¡¯s face turned ashen. ¡°Lies, all lies. They are fabricating lies because they despise us. I visited no alchemist¡¯s guild, spoke to no girl named Elisa, nor attempted to acquire any forbidden ingredients.¡± The snot-faced boy fidgeted nervously as well. Alaric couldn¡¯t fathom why he had been summoned too. Or why only he had been called and not Therin¡¯s other companions. Suddenly, Sir Baldwin interjected. ¡°Kid, don¡¯t waste our time. We can summon the receptionist and verify all the details. However, it won¡¯t bode well for you if you keep on wasting our time.¡± Therin was struggling. It seemed he wanted to admit his guilt but couldn¡¯t. He locked eyes with the snot-faced kid, who shook his head. Suddenly, an aura swept over the room, bearing down on them both. ¡°Kid, let me simplify this for you - we have already investigated the matter and corroborated the details with Elisa,¡± the count declared. ¡°Didn¡¯t you wonder why we summoned Ruben here as well? We were merely giving you a chance to cooperate, but it seems we¡¯ve been too lenient with you.¡±¡°Please forgive us, lord,¡± cried Therin, collapsing to his knees. ¡°Then tell us the truth, be honest. Why did you seek those ingredients?¡± demanded Sir Baldwin. ¡°We were instructed to procure them,¡± Therin blurted out. ¡°By whom and for what purpose?¡± And, with that, Therin divulged all the details we needed to know. Apparently, Therin had encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation journey ¡ª specifically in the reforging process of his bones. With his current capabilities, he could reforge his bones to a mid-grade quality. But he wasn¡¯t content with that, especially since he aspired to participate in the upcoming regional fighting tournament and win it. Many recruiters from prestigious guilds attended these tournaments to scout for talent. If Therin could somehow reforge his bones to peak quality, he would have a chance to win the competition and secure recruitment into a prestigious guild. The only way to achieve that goal was to obtain a peak-grade bone-forging pill. Unfortunately, peak-grade bone-forging pills were a rare resource that were exorbitantly expensive. They were accessible only to the most talented disciples of elite sects.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. For minor nobles like Therin, they were virtually unattainable. However, fortune smiled on him when his friend Ruben stumbled upon a mysterious dealer who offered exactly what they needed ¡ª peak-grade bone-forging pills. When Ruben informed Therin and his friends, they were skeptical at first. All of them went to meet with the dealer to verify the claims, and indeed, they saw a genuine peak-grade bone-forging pill. At least it matched the descriptions they had learned ¡ª a small, whitish marble-sized pill. The dealer even demonstrated the strength of his superior reforged bones, which he attributed to these pills. Of course, the pills were still exorbitantly priced, but the dealer proposed another option. Acquire three ingredients ¡ª Widow¡¯s Veil, Stilled Hemlock Sap, and Shade Lotus Petal ¡ª from an alchemist¡¯s guild. The dealer assured them he would even provide the funds for acquiring these ingredients. It was a risky gamble to attempt to procure forbidden ingredients, but according to Therin, a cultivator¡¯s journey was fraught with risks. All of his friends agreed to obtain the materials. After extensive searching, they uncovered that these three ingredients were exclusively available at The Argent Flask. He was so close, but Elisa refused to sell them these ingredients without written authorization from the guild master. When George stumbled upon Therin and his group pestering Elisa for the ingredients, everything spiraled into chaos. The amusing part was, that Therin wasn¡¯t enraged or fearful about being exposed over the ingredients. No, apparently, Therin was simply embarrassed. He didn¡¯t want Rowan and Alaric to discover that he was chasing an extraordinary shortcut to enhance his cultivation, instead of depending on his own abilities. Therin¡¯s goal was to rub it in Rowan¡¯s face when he reforged his bones to peak quality and ascended to Tier 2. Rowan was Therin¡¯s toughest rival, after all. When everything came to light, Alaric couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. George and Gareth bore skeptical expressions. They didn¡¯t buy this story for a second. Rowan scratched his cheek, uncertain what to make of it. Captain Farrow clicked his tongue, clearly displeased by their foolishness. The Count and head butler maintained their impassive expressions, but Sir Baldwin, for some reason, seethed with anger. ¡°Kid, you have no idea how close to danger you were,¡± he said and gestured toward Alaric and his group. ¡°You should count yourselves fortunate George spotted you that day.¡± He folded his arms across his chest, ¡°Otherwise, I would have had to explain to your father why you went missing while under my care.¡± That declaration caused Therin and Ruben¡¯s faces to twist in confusion. It was the same for the other children and Alaric. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± blurted Therin. Sir Baldwin retrieved a stack of papers from the count¡¯s desk and extended them toward the group. ¡°Come here and examine these.¡± All the kids marched over and scrutinized the papers, which turned out to be posters of missing children. They included additional details such as their names and physical descriptions. Hmm¡­are those missing kids? It seemed Rowan and Therin also deduced the meaning of those posters. ¡°These are all missing posters of children who disappeared over the past year here in this city,¡± Sir Baldwin said grimly, ¡°All Tier 1s on the brink of advancement who were lured with promises of extravagant resources by some unknown men.¡± Therin and Ruben both turned pale. Alaric furrowed his brows. So, the count hadn¡¯t been exaggerating when he said they had already conducted an investigation.Sir Baldwin summarized their findings briefly. Apparently, Therin and his friends had narrowly avoided falling into the clutches of a notorious criminal organization that had been targeting children like them ¡ª young, ambitious Tier 1s. The group enticed them with promises of rare resources. In return, the network exploited these children to procure illegal materials, only to abduct and silence them during the final exchange. Their true motive remained elusive. Perhaps they kidnapped children to erase evidence or for more sinister purposes. Over the past year, countless children had vanished under similar circumstances, leaving authorities scrambling for answers. With each word the knight commander uttered, Therin and Ruben¡¯s faces grew paler and paler. They were practically drenched in sweat. ¡®Now, the reason we summoned you here, Ruben,¡¯ he directed his gaze toward the snot-faced kid, ¡°is that you were the one who made first contact with these criminals.¡± Ruben felt like a mouse cornered in a trap. ¡°I¡­well¡­no,¡± he stammered. Sir Baldwin raised a hand to halt him. ¡°Relax. We won¡¯t harm you,¡± he smirked. ¡°If you cooperate by sharing everything you know. Where did you encounter them? At what time? What was the dealer wearing, his name, height? I need all the details.¡± As Ruben began divulging everything, Alaric approached his friends, a grin tugging at his lips. Rowan furrowed his brows and said, ¡°You seem to be enjoying yourself.¡± Alaric shrugged. ¡°What? It all just sounds so intriguing.¡± He chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re part of an investigation to uncover a massive criminal network.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gareth inquired, raising his eyebrows. ¡°I have a feeling our role in this isn¡¯t over yet,¡± Alaric replied. ¡°Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be discussing these details with all of us present.¡± ¡°Well, I want to know more about this criminal organization,¡± commented George. ¡°It is indeed thrilling to be involved, although equally terrifying.¡± Alaric patted him on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got your back.¡± He smirked. ¡°Who¡¯s got whose back now?¡± Rowan nudged Alaric. ¡°You¡¯re the youngest of us all.¡± All of them burst into laughter. ¡°But I think there¡¯s nothing more for us to do here,¡± Rowan said. ¡°The authorities will handle the rest, right?¡± Alaric shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± He scratched his cheek. ¡°The authorities have struggled to apprehend these criminals for a long time. But this time, they have a solid lead they can pursue to trap them.¡± He gestured for his friends to glance over their shoulders. As they did, all of them noticed the count and his faithful butler scrutinizing their group. ¡°Why is the lord observing us?¡± commented Gareth, his voice tinged with fear. ¡°Well, if my instincts are correct, we¡¯ll find out in a few more minutes.¡± All the elders gathered and discussed something in hushed tones. After a while of discussion, Captain Farrow shook his head while attempting to suppress his frustration. However, when the count spoke, he seemed to regain his composure. Then, suddenly, all four sets of eyes fixed on their group. Chapter 40 - Forming Plans Gareth was quite nervous while George struggled to remain composed. Rowan furrowed his brows, ready to tackle whatever lay ahead. Therin and Ruben were visibly shaken by all that was unfolding. They appeared resigned to their fates. Alaric simply smiled. He was eager to discover what would happen next. The elders all assumed their original positions once again. ¡°Come here, kids,¡± the count gestured for them to approach. As they gathered around the table, he exhaled deeply. ¡°We didn¡¯t want you kids entangled in this matter any further, but...¡± He reclined in his chair and combed his fingers through his hair. ¡°You all are our best chance to catch this group in the act.¡± Captain Farrow grumbled while crossing his arms over his chest. It appears the guard captain is displeased about involving Rowan in this ordeal. Or perhaps all of us. ¡°Kid,¡± Sir Baldwin fixed his gaze on Therin and continued, ¡°You will proceed with the original plan, with a slight modification.¡± He raised a hand to prevent him from objecting. ¡°You, Ruben, and Alaric¡¯s group will go together to deliver the ingredients and obtain the bone-forging pills. None of your other friends will be involved further.¡± Therin swallowed hard. ¡°But I cannot procure the ingredients.¡± ¡°I will make an arrangement with the Argent Flask¡¯s guild master to secure the necessary ingredients.¡± He outlined the details of the plan and ensured everyone understood it thoroughly. The plan was to lure the dealer of the criminal network into a trap. The kids would feign delivering the ingredients, and once the transaction was completed, the city guards would swoop in to apprehend the dealer and any associates. Unfortunately, Therin and Ruben alone could no longer be relied upon for this task. And it would be too dangerous for just the two of them to approach the dealer. If they went as a group to complete the transaction, they would at least stand a chance against the dealer while the city guards arrived to intervene. Moreover, it would appear less suspicious since the dealer had already met them as a group earlier. He had not specifically requested Therin or Ruben to come alone. The concern, however, was that if the dealer was comfortable meeting so many kids, he was either extremely confident in his power or had accomplices at the meeting site. Another complication was the unfamiliar faces of Alaric and his group. Still, it was a risk they would have to take. They could attribute it to Alaric¡¯s group being interested in the bone-forging pills as well. Alaric was proud of all of his friends. Although they were apprehensive about being part of the plan, they remained steadfast. Anything could go awry with such a plan, but they refused to back down. ¡°If you want to withdraw, now is the time,¡± the count said, addressing George and Gareth. They exchanged glances with Alaric and Rowan before nodding at each other. The message was clear ¡ª they would face this challenge together as a group. Both of them agreed. ¡°I will personally inform your parents of the details,¡± stated the count. ¡°Only with their consent will you be allowed to join the plan.¡± They both agreed with a nod. Alaric and Rowan already had permission from their fathers. For Therin and Ruben, it served as a form of punishment. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t let anything happen to you kids,¡± Captain Farrow smirked. ¡°I personally know the city guard captain Kael; he will be more than capable of protecting you all.¡± Rowan visibly relaxed. ¡°Well, if Uncle Kael is involved, I¡¯m certain we¡¯ll all be safe.¡± It seemed he was well-acquainted with Captain Kael. ¡°Won¡¯t you and Sir Baldwin be present during the stakeout?¡± asked George. Sir Baldwin shook his head. ¡°Captain Farrow is in charge of the estate guards. His duty is to safeguard the count¡¯s estate, not the city.¡± He exhaled deeply. ¡°As for me, I cannot intervene directly in this matter either. The presence of this criminal group has been identified in multiple cities beyond the Count¡¯s jurisdiction. Thus, the operation falls under the authority of the Imperial city guards.¡± Noticing the kids¡¯ disappointment, Sir Baldwin added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As Farrow mentioned, we have a good rapport with the city guards.¡± He scratched his cheek. ¡°At least in this city.¡± ¡°Then why is my father so annoyed?¡± Rowan gestured toward Captain Farrow. ¡°I recognize that look, Father. Don¡¯t even try to deny it.¡± Sir Baldwin and Captain Farrow exchanged glances. Captain Farrow merely grunted, unwilling to elaborate. ¡°Ahem...¡± The knight commander cleared his throat. ¡°Your son is as astute as ever, Farrow.¡± He turned to Rowan and chuckled. Rowan narrowed his eyes, while Alaric folded his arms across his chest.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°And it seems to me you¡¯re attempting to change the subject,¡± Alaric remarked with a grin. After a brief pause, the count continued. ¡°Well, there is a minor complication.¡± All the kids leaned in, eager to listen. ¡°We suspect that this criminal network may be operating under a notorious cult.¡± As if that explained everything. ¡°What about it?¡± Alaric inquired. ¡°The Church has been pursuing this group for some time as well,¡± explained the count. ¡°So, we must inform Bishop Drevon about this matter as well.¡± ¡°Why would that be an issue?¡± Gareth asked. ¡°It¡¯s politics!¡± Sir Baldwin exclaimed, followed by a sigh. ¡°The Church and its members are not obligated to obey the Count or any other noble. They answer only to their leaders, the Pontifex, and occasionally to Imperial commands.¡± The knight commander elaborated on the complexities of the situation. Evidently, the Church had its own military force separate from the Imperial military and the nobles¡¯ forces, enabling it to pursue its own agenda. The Count and the other adults believed that once the Bishop was informed about the criminal group¡¯s presence in the city, he would deploy the local city guards under the service of the Church - The City Watch of the Flame. At that point, it would evolve into two separate task forces and operations. If the Count couldn¡¯t negotiate an agreement with the Bishop, there was no chance for a joint task force. And, even that would further complicate the matters. The involvement of two distinct forces in a single operation always risked miscommunication. And, for some reason, Captain Farrow detested them. ¡°I still maintain that kids shouldn¡¯t participate in this operation if the Bishop doesn¡¯t agree to collaborate with the City guards,¡± argued Captain Farrow. ¡°Come on, Farrow. You¡¯re overthinking this. Bishop Drevon is a reasonable man.¡± He scratched his neck. ¡°And the City Watch of the Flame are quite skilled.¡± Captain Farrow barked a laugh. ¡°Hah¡­skilled!¡± He crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°Well, would you prefer they work with an Inquisitor and their Black Flame Hunters?¡± the knight commander interjected. Captain Farrow¡¯s face twisted into a scowl. ¡°If it were them, I wouldn¡¯t let the kids anywhere near them,¡± he growled. ¡°Okay, enough, both of you,¡± the count calmly commanded as order returned to the room. He turned his gaze to the children and said, ¡°That will be all for today. Return here at the same time tomorrow. We will update you with further details. You are all dismissed.¡± Alaric and his friends left the count¡¯s study, maintaining a noticeable distance from Therin and Ruben. Alaric observed both groups. There is still a lingering tension between both groups. He combed his hair with his hand. First, we¡¯ll have to solve this issue. Otherwise, this plan is doomed to fail. *** ¡°Can we really trust Therin and that other kid?¡± George muttered. Gareth nodded, clearly agreeing with his doubt. After all, their strained relations couldn¡¯t be repaired overnight. Rowan attempted to reason with them, but it wasn¡¯t working. Alaric sighed. No, this isn¡¯t working. This issue needs to be resolved now to avoid trouble in the future. The kids stood in the training yard. Alaric¡¯s group gathered on one side, while Therin and Ruben lingered in the opposite corner. They appeared embarrassed and kept their distance from their other friends. Unfortunately, staying away wouldn''t solve the issue. ¡°Guys,¡± Alaric called, drawing his friends¡¯ attention. ¡°We need to function as a team if this plan is going to succeed.¡± ¡°Well, how do you propose we fix this?¡± Rowan countered. ¡°I¡¯m tired of trying to explain it to these two.¡± He gestured at George and Gareth. ¡°This issue won¡¯t be resolved unless Therin, and especially that stupid kid, apologize to us,¡± remarked Gareth. George nodded in agreement. This is going to be tough but I have to try at least. Alaric motioned for silence and gestured for Therin and Ruben to come over. Both of them looked startled. Therin pointed at himself as if asking if Alaric was really called for them over to their place. When Alaric smiled and waved, Therin hesitated before breaking into a small smile, only to quickly compose himself. Ruben, on the other hand, appeared anxious and shook his head. Therin seized his hand and practically dragged him to their spot. Alaric chuckled. Kids and their antics. It¡¯s better for them to realize now that today¡¯s enemies can become allies or even friends of tomorrow and vice-versa. He sighed. Before it¡¯s too late. As they approached, Gareth couldn¡¯t resist making a remark. ¡°Alaric, you know I don¡¯t like chickens.¡± He addressed Alaric but cast a sidelong glance at Ruben. The jab was clearly aimed at Ruben, who had previously mocked their group with chicken sounds and flapping arms. Rowan attempted to prevent Gareth from adding more cutting remarks, but Ruben had already caught it. He clenched his teeth, visibly embarrassed and ready to answer back. Argh¡­you just had to kick things off with an insult. Alaric chuckled awkwardly, attempting to diffuse the tension. However, it was Therin who intervened to prevent his friend from escalating matters. ¡°I¡­we...I mean¡­¡± Therin rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Yes, what do you have to say for yourself?¡± George demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. Therin met each of their gazes and bowed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my rude behavior that day. I just¡­¡± He paused, shaking his head before glancing at Ruben. When Ruben merely shrugged, Therin smacked him on the back. Ruben reluctantly offered his apology as well. Well, that was unexpected. Alaric had assumed that Therin¡¯s pride would prevent him from apologizing. It seemed Alaric wasn¡¯t the only one caught off guard. His friends were equally surprised, especially George. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be sorry after all that,¡± George retorted. However, his tone had softened. ¡°No, really,¡± Therin pressed on. ¡°I was just jea¡­¡± He coughed and glanced at Ruben, who eyed him suspiciously. ¡°Well, everything happens for a reason, I suppose. If it weren¡¯t for you, Ruben and I might have been kidnapped or worse.¡± George grumbled. ¡°I suppose I might have acted like a jerk too.¡± He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Therin for any trace of insincerity. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Gareth interjected. ¡°You guys forgave him that easily?¡± Rowan clapped him on the back. ¡°Cut it out,¡± he muttered, furrowing his brow. ¡°Don¡¯t stir things up when everything¡¯s going smoothly.¡± Gareth scratched his head and made a face but didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Hey, forgive and forget,¡± Alaric proclaimed. ¡°That¡¯s a great motto if you want peace of mind.¡± All of them looked at Alaric as if he said something weird. ¡°What? What¡¯s with those looks? Why are you staring at me like that?¡± Alaric asked, confused. The kids collectively walked to the other side of the training yard, leaving Alaric behind. Alaric chuckled. They were all teasing him. Looks like there was nothing to worry about after all. Alaric shrugged. And here I was, ready with a whole speech about the benefits of teamwork and the dangers of acting foolish. He trailed after the group. Chapter 41 - Sharing Secrets Alaric strode over and rejoined the group. It was still necessary to make some plans for what was to unfold tomorrow. I hope they can get along tomorrow. He shook his head. No, I''ll have to ensure they realize what¡¯s at stake here. Therin and George were debating something animatedly while Rowan, Ruben, and Gareth interjected in between. ¡°Guys, I hope you all understand that this is not a personal issue anymore,¡± Alaric declared, meeting all their eyes, ¡±The fates of many children are intertwined with us now.¡± He gestured. ¡°So, let¡¯s try to set aside our personal squabbles for now, okay?¡± All of the kids glanced at each other, considering his words. Rowan approached Alaric with a smile and clapped his back. ¡°I agree with Alaric. If we can help apprehend the criminals, perhaps the authorities can trace back the abducted kids. Not to mention, we can prevent many kids from being kidnapped in the future as well.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really have a choice in this matter anymore,¡± said Therin. ¡°And, if we fail to comply¡± He glared at Ruben, ¡°perhaps we¡¯ll face consequences for real.¡± Ruben concurred with a nod. ¡°Do you think the count will reward us if the plan succeeds?¡± commented Gareth. The kid is thinking about rewards. Alaric chuckled. Well, I cannot blame him. It is a nice motivator, after all. ¡°I think that is a possibility,¡± said Alaric. He turned to Therin and continued, ¡°Who knows, perhaps you would even receive the peak-grade bone-forging pills that you wanted so much.¡± Therin¡¯s face broke into a smile but he quickly composed himself. ¡°A reward would be good,¡± said George. ¡°We¡¯d be risking our lives, after all.¡± The discussion of potential rewards and the involvement of the fates of the abducted kids finally spurred them to collaborate, at least for now. Alaric scrutinized Rowan, George, and Gareth. The animosity they had towards Therin and Ruben seems to have diminished by a lot. He nudged Rowan and whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s wrap this up here. I have some important things to discuss with you all.¡± He glanced at George and Gareth. Rowan nodded and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s head to your room then.¡± Alaric agreed. With that, he pivoted and exited the training yard. Rowan signaled Gareth and George to follow him. Therin and Ruben departed from the group with a farewell. *** ¡°So, what¡¯s with that grim look?¡± asked Gareth while munching on crispy potato fries. Alaric¡¯s friends had realized that he wanted to share something important and confidential that couldn¡¯t be discussed in a public setting. That¡¯s why they were now in his room, snacking on food, drinks, and chips. Alaric, however, was deliberating whether he should disclose what he discovered about the secret area of the Tutorial Rift and the invitations. I¡¯ll have to let them know sooner or later. He released a sigh. Might as well do it now. ¡°How many zones of the Tutorial Rift did you manage to complete?¡± inquired Alaric. George met Gareth¡¯s gaze and shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ve progressed into the third zone - The Ember Plains but couldn¡¯t finish it.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Gareth furrowed his brows. ¡°Those pesky flame hounds are a nightmare to handle.¡± All of them turned toward Rowan. He scratched his cheeks and admitted, ¡°I advanced into the fourth zone - The Howling Expanse.¡± He crossed his arms over his chest, contemplating. ¡°I stopped exploring though. Cannot finish it without ascending to Tier 2.¡± Alaric nodded, noting all of their responses. ¡°But why are you asking?¡± questioned Gareth. ¡°Well, have you ever encountered any special regions while exploring or heard of them?¡± ¡°What do you mean? I don¡¯t get it?¡± said Gareth. ¡°I mean Ex*****ve zones that are Hid**n F**m the Re**?¡± Alaric heard a series of dings in his mind. All of his friends looked at him weirdly. ¡°What gibberish are you saying?¡± commented George. He raised his eyebrows. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t catch any of it.¡± said Rowan. Weird? Alaric paused to think. Hmm, wait is the system actively censoring the information that I¡¯m trying to share? He reviewed the system notifications. Warning - You have attempted to share restricted information with unauthorized users. Repeated attempts to share such information will revoke access to - The Azure Ruin Arch. Alaric was a bit surprised. Wow, I didn¡¯t even mention the name of the hidden zone and it already censored the information. Alaric smirked. Well so be it. He observed his friends who were all staring at him suspiciously. If the system considers them unauthorized users, I will make it recognize them as authorized users in a moment.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up with you?¡± Rowan waved a hand in front of Alaric. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m about to do something¡­.quite strange.¡± He scratched his cheek. ¡°Just letting you know so that you don¡¯t get confused. Wait a minute.¡± ¡°What is it? Come on, tell me. I can¡¯t wait,¡± remarked Gareth. George placed a hand over his mouth and said, ¡°Give him a moment. He said to wait.¡± Rowan chuckled. Alaric shook his head and smirked. That kid is too impatient. He thought of the tutorial rift invite tokens to the Azure Caverns and a window popped up in his view. Would you like to use the Tutorial Rift Invite Tokens (Limited Access) for - Azure Caverns? Invite Tokens remaining - 3 Alaric mentally confirmed. Invite Tokens used - Select your party members. Alaric thought of his friends - Rowan, George, and Gareth and mentally selected them to join the party. 3 Invitations to the stage two of Tutorial Rift - Azure Caverns were sent. Invite Tokens remaining - 0 Suddenly, all of his friends gasped. Alaric chuckled. They must¡¯ve received the invites. All of them stared blankly ahead for a while, reviewing the system notification they received. Rowan was the first to break the silence. ¡°Alaric...¡± He looked at him, scanned the notification once more, and locked eyes with him again, clearly astonished. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Yes, how did you get an invite token for the Tutorial Rift?¡± commended Gareth. Alaric shrugged. ¡°Hey, I was just as surprised as you when I got it. Accept it so that I can disclose more information.¡± ¡°It¡¯s saying this information is restricted and cannot be shared,¡± replied George. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s why we never hear about Tutorial Rift invites,¡± Rowan muttered. ¡°Is it exclusive?¡± Alaric heard a series of dings in his mind and checked the notifications. Your friend Rowan has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party. Your friend George has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party. Your friend Gareth has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party. ¡°Okay, now spill it,¡± Gareth insisted. ¡°How the hell did you get a Tutorial Rift invite?¡± ¡°Well¡­I acquired it when I discovered the Forbidden super-exclusive secret hidden zone,¡± Alaric said smugly. Gareth scrunched his brows and smacked him in the thigh. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t joke around.¡± Alaric raised his hands in mock surrender to halt him. ¡°Okay, okay.¡± He grabbed a crispy potato wedge and popped it into his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s just a hidden zone called the Azure Ruin Arch that I discovered in the Azure Caverns.¡± Gareth still wore an expression of doubt. ¡°Are you actually telling the truth? I¡¯ve never come across any mention of hidden zones inside the Tutorial Rift either,¡± remarked George. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m telling the truth. It¡¯s also restricted information and it appears the system actively censors the spread of such information¡± He sipped some apple juice and continued. ¡°That¡¯s why my words sounded garbled when I attempted to share information about it earlier¡±. Alaric recounted his journey in the Azure Caverns, through Lake Gloom and how he ended up discovering the hidden zone. ¡°That is fascinating.¡± Rowan''s face lit up. ¡°I know adventurers occasionally discover hidden zones in high-level rifts and dungeons, but...¡± He shook his head. ¡°I think my father tried to tell me about it once, but he couldn¡¯t...¡± He folded his arms across his chest. ¡°But I think I can ask him about it now. The system probably wouldn¡¯t censor his words anymore.¡± ¡°Does that mean we can delve into the Azure Caverns together, including that hidden zone - the Azure Arch Ruins?¡± asked George. Rowan nodded. ¡°I believe so, if this invite functions like every other invite.¡± ¡°So, should we delve in now or what?¡± said Gareth. Everyone turned to Alaric. Apparently, they were all eagerly awaiting the chance to explore the hidden zone as a team. ¡°Give me a moment,¡± Alaric said with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve yet to consolidate my gains from the last delve.¡± Alaric checked his remaining experience points from defeating the Azure Golem and those leeches. Remaining experience points - 2719 He distributed his experience points equally among all his attributes and checked his status sheet Name - Alaric De Vermond. Age - 12 Stats: Strength - 20 -> 22 Agility - 20 -> 22 Vitality - 16 -> 19 Mind - 23 -> 24 Soul - 29 -> 30 Skills: Abilities: Mana Core Stage: Titles: Chakra Cultivation Progression: Unused Experience Points: 0 System Rewards Granted: Hmm...looks good for now. Alaric focused on the two partially awakened chakras and summoned their details to scrutinize them. Muladhara (Root Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened) Passive Effect: The purified subtle energy of the Root Chakra continuously fortifies your physical body ¡ª enhancing the strength and resilience of your bones, blood, muscles, and tissues. It unlocks the full potential of your physical growth, ensuring your foundation remains unshakable. Active Effect: By channeling the purified energy of the Root Chakra, you can temporarily gain a significant boost in physical prowess, best utilized during moments of critical need. Use this power wisely, as it demands energy reserves and can leave you fatigued if overused. He reviewed the details of the Solar Plexus Chakra next. Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened) Passive Effect: The purified subtle energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra constantly refines and amplifies your capacity to perceive, harness, and manipulate all forms of energy. This includes mana, aura, prana, dao, and even the elusive cosmic energies, unlocking the full potential of your energy manipulation abilities. Active Effect: By channeling the purified energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra, you can temporarily gain improved mastery over energy manipulation, bending even the most volatile forces to your will with precision and authority. Alaric released a sigh. This will have to do for now. Perhaps I¡¯ll acquire some resources within the hidden zone to accelerate my progress. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s dive in,¡± Alaric smiled. All of his friends buzzed with excitement to explore the Tutorial Rift together for the first time. Chapter 42 - Group Delving Alaric promptly reviewed the notification that popped up the moment he and his friends arrived at the Azure Caverns. Welcome to The Azure Caverns. Group delving detected! The challenges, difficulty levels, and rewards of this zone have been adjusted. It seemed like all of them received the same notification. Alaric surveyed the surroundings. To his senses, nothing appeared different. The dark underground caves remained illuminated by bioluminescent crystals that radiated a bright blue glow. They approached an opening in the distance, and a new challenge popped up as soon as they set foot inside the area. Challenge 1 - Defeat the Azure Golem Spawnlings The whole cavern trembled, and many of the embedded crystals began extricating themselves and reshaping into humanoid forms. Alaric burst into motion, forming a spiked mana gauntlet to pummel the azure golems. Just as a golem finished fully forming, Alaric smashed its head into tiny crystals. ¡°Let¡¯s see who can destroy the most golems here,¡± Alaric smirked. ¡°I¡¯m down for the challenge,¡± Rowan grinned. He brandished a sharp, crystallized sword made of mana that effortlessly cleaved through the golems. Looks like he has a similar skill akin to mana solidification. Alaric considered wielding a sword made of mana someday once he leveled up his skills and abilities to a sufficient level. Unlike last time, Alaric was channeling his [Vital Mana Flow] skill in conjunction with the [Mana Solidification] skill while engaging the golems. Thus, although he sustained damage, he was being healed continuously. To minimize the damage to his fists, he exclusively targeted the heads of the golems since they were the weakest parts of their bodies. Gareth and George were collaborating as an effective team. George shielded Gareth¡¯s blind spots with a shimmering mana barrier while Gareth stomped the golems with a luminous surge of mana enveloping his kicks. Alaric dashed from golem to golem, obliterating their heads like a reaper of death. However, the damage he absorbed was taking a toll on his arms. His healing skill wasn¡¯t advanced enough yet. Besides, it had only been a few hours since he repaired his arms using heart chakra energy. He didn¡¯t want to harm himself too gravely at this stage and waste that precious energy once again. ¡°Is that the best you¡¯ve got?¡± Rowan called out ahead of him, a smile etched on his face. He was darting through the Azure golem spawnlings, severing their limbs left and right, and dismantling them. Alaric grinned. ¡°Not even close.¡± He redoubled his efforts, caving in the head of another golem. ¡°Guys, leave some monsters for us,¡± Gareth shouted from behind. ¡°Yeah, let us get some practice,¡± George cried, deflecting falling rocks with his shield. It only took about ten minutes for them to clear the area. All of them were panting. ¡°I destroyed 11 golems,¡± declared Rowan, a proud smile etched on his face. ¡°I only managed 9, but I¡¯ll surpass you next time once I enhance my skills,¡± replied Alaric. ¡°Hah¡­keep dreaming¡± replied Rowan. Suddenly, the whole cavern quaked again. Elite Event Triggered - Defeat the Azure Golem Elite. Reward - Extra experience points ¡°Guys, aren¡¯t elite events supposed to trigger at higher rift zones?¡± commented Gareth. ¡°Why are you so worried?¡± said Alaric. ¡°There are four of us and one puny golem¡±. The Azure Golem elite wrenched itself from the ground and completed forming - a collection of blue azure crystals that towered over 8 ft tall. A mish-mash of sharp, pink crystals lined its spine. ¡°Is that your definition of puny?¡± questioned George. The elite golem thrust forward its arm and launched a rain of crystal spikes at their position. They all dodged together and George covered their backs with a large shimmering mana shield. As the collection of crystal spikes struck the barriers, a spiderweb of cracks spread across its surface. ¡°It¡¯s too strong,¡± shouted George. ¡°Be cautious.¡± Alaric couldn¡¯t reach its head. But he devised a plan. He darted toward the golem and began hammering it in the leg. His whole arm vibrated. The body of this elite golem was far tougher than the regular golem spawnlings. The golem elite roared and attempted to grab Alaric. Fortunately, even the elite was too slow for Alaric. Using that opportunity, Rowan neared its feet and delivered a criss-cross of sword strikes with a roar. His sword began chipping at the edges but so did the leg of the golem. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. All four of them worked in tandem to defeat the golem together. Gareth and Alaric worked to distract it, Rowan hacked away at its legs, while George shielded them from exploding rock fragments and near misses. The strategy seemed to be working. One of its legs was almost hollowed out. Just a little more and it should collapse. Alaric had expended almost 50 percent of his mana by this stage. Running two skills simultaneously for so long drained his mana substantially. He presumed his friends were likely low on mana as well. The golem groaned in pain as one of its legs splintered and it collapsed to the ground. Rowan rushed in an attempt to behead it. Alaric''s danger sense flared up. ¡°Rowan, be careful!¡± He shouted. Luckily Rowan heeded Alaric and stopped mid-motion. Gareth formed a mana barrier in front of Rowan. The pink crystals along the spines of the golem flashed bright and immediately, a trail of sharp crystals erupted from the ground and raced toward them. Rowan leaped aside just as these crystals smashed into the mana barrier and shattered it. Alaric and his friends barely evaded the massive mana spikes. Tiny crystals of mana began sprouting around where its leg had splintered. ¡°Don¡¯t let it regenerate,¡± shouted Alaric. He sprang forward and scaled the golem''s back, poised to deliver a decisive strike. The golem elite reached for him but he dodged its colossal hand and slammed it in the back of the neck, forming a thin crack. Alaric¡¯s whole arm shuddered and the spiked mana gauntlet fractured. He gritted his teeth and reconstructed the mana gauntlet as swiftly as possible. As the golem attempted to seize him, Rowan deflected it with a powerful sword strike. ¡°Alaric, hurry up with whatever you¡¯re doing,¡± said Rowan as he kept the golem occupied. George and Gareth were doing their best to harass the golem as well. Alaric commanded his mana core to spin faster and release mana more efficiently. The mana around his arms encased them quicker than ever, but he didn¡¯t stop there. He attempted to envelop his arm up to the elbow with multiple layers of mana to reinforce them. Once it solidified, Alaric clamped onto the golem¡¯s face from behind, planted a foot at the base of its spine, and used all his strength to wrench. The golem elite thrashed violently, and its back flared pink once again. The spikes on its back elongated and punctured Alaric¡¯s body in several places before a barrier materialized around him. He roared but endured the pain. It was working, almost. The golem¡¯s back arched at an unnatural angle, and Alaric was almost on the verge of ripping its head off his spine. Rowan lunged forward and cleaved its neckline. That did the trick, and Alaric almost stumbled to the floor with the golem¡¯s head in his palms. The next moment, its body blazed pink and crumbled to the ground. Congratulations! You have completed the Elite challenge. A series of dings rang in his mind and Alaric sprawled on the floor. As did all of his friends. ¡°That was intense,¡± Alaric grinned as he swallowed mouthfuls of breath. He exhausted a drop of his heart chakra to accelerate the healing process. It was a waste but couldn¡¯t be avoided at this stage until he evolved his skill into something better. All of his friends wore a stunned expression. ¡°Alaric, you¡¯re bleeding from every part of your body,¡± cried Rowan. It warmed him to see all his friends care so much. Little did they know this was nothing. Alaric had faced the brink of death too many times to count in his previous life. ¡°This is nothing,¡± he said as he rose and cracked his neck. Then, he turned his back toward his friends and approached the remains of the golem elite. He was drenched in his own blood and enduring excruciating pain. However, he refused to reveal any weakness to his friends. That would only discourage them from pressing onward, and he couldn¡¯t allow that. Unlike the Tutorial Rift, real enemies wouldn¡¯t let them escape. They had to keep moving forward. ¡°Alaric, we should return and get you patched up,¡± George pleaded. ¡°We didn¡¯t bring any healing potions -¡± ¡°No,¡± Alaric growled. He turned to face George. ¡°I¡¯m having too much fun to back down now.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re bleeding,¡± said Gareth. ¡°Nothing an hour of rest can¡¯t fix. I have a healing skill.¡± When his friends tried to argue, he raised a hand to silence them. ¡°If I don¡¯t feel better in an hour, we¡¯ll head back.¡± He flashed a warm smile. ¡°Use this break to heal yourself and recover your mana as well.¡± As Alaric healed his body, he plunged into his Cultivation Sanctuary to replenish his mana more efficiently. On that note, he had already confirmed that the time dilation ratio was identical inside the Tutorial Rift as in the real world. *** Alaric didn¡¯t notice how an hour slipped by in the blink of an eye, but he was feeling much better now. His friends were stretching their limbs after completing their own meditation sessions as well. He checked the system notifications. Ding! Your skill [Mana Solidification] has leveled up. [Mana Solidification lvl 4 -> Mana Solidification lvl 5] Ding! Your skill [Vital Mana Flow] has leveled up. [Vital Mana Flow lvl 3 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 4] Ding! Your ability [Mana Manipulation] has leveled up. [Mana Manipulation lvl 3 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 4] He checked the experience points earned from defeating the Azure golem spawnlings and the elite golem. Remaining experience points - 9719 Alaric allocated his experience points evenly across all his attributes and confirmed the distribution. Stats: Strength - 22 -> 26 Agility - 22 ->26 Vitality - 19 ->23 Mind - 24 ->26 Soul - 30 ->32 He was satisfied. Yes, this is good progress for now. He glanced at the unused experience points. Unused Experience Points: 0 Alaric chuckled. The system was incredibly complicated. In his world, all he needed to grow stronger was to cultivate and train. There was no system monitoring and facilitating his growth. So, he hadn¡¯t noticed at first that every time he used his experience points to level up his stats, the unused experience points always dropped to zero. It was peculiar. No matter how he calculated, he couldn¡¯t decipher a mathematical formula that precisely distributed it evenly. When he asked Rowan about it, he explained it to him. Apparently, every young cultivator had the same question. There wasn¡¯t any known formula for how the system converted experience points into stats. It was only observed that the higher your stat, the more experience points were required to level it up. However, once a cultivator chose to utilize their experience points, the system consumed all of it. Any supposed remainder was allocated to some attribute, but the system didn¡¯t display stat attributes in decimal values ¡ª it rounded them off. In fact, Alaric could intuitively sense that even though his strength, agility, and mind attributes were currently 26, it would require fewer experience points to level up his strength stat compared to the other two, as some experience points were already attributed to it. The status simply didn¡¯t display it. Of course, experience points were just the tip of the iceberg and only one method to level up one¡¯s stats. As cultivators progressed through the tiers, their stats naturally advanced as well. And there were other ways to enhance one¡¯s stats. Alaric shook his head. Now wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on all these details. He stood up and shouted, ¡°I¡¯m fine now. Who¡¯s ready to go for a swim?¡± Chapter 43 - The Azure Pearl Alaric and his friends were currently fighting three massive crystalback crocodiles within Lake Gloom. The massive creatures posed a significant challenge, but it was the blood leeches that irritated his friends. At first, he wasn¡¯t sure how they would manage to communicate underwater. Fortunately, it appeared that forming a team with the assistance of the system enabled party members to communicate mentally as well. ¡°Alaric, you said nothing about these damn leeches in here,¡± cried Gareth. Alaric chuckled. Apparently, none of his friends had discovered Lake Gloom in the Azure Caverns before. So they had no idea about the type of creatures they would encounter in it. He deliberately omitted information about the leeches since he wanted to annoy them. Fortunately, all of his friends possessed healing skills, and the leeches amounted to nothing more than a nuisance. Alaric had learned to coat his entire body with a thin layer of mana, which prevented them from clinging to his body. Rowan and George managed to execute something similar. Only Gareth was struggling. ¡°It¡¯s more fun this way,¡± replied Alaric with a grin. Gareth was the only one who didn¡¯t find it amusing as everybody else had to suppress a laugh. However, all of them had to focus on dodging the crystal-back crocodiles that darted toward them. The crocodiles were much faster than them and immensely strong too. Fortunately, they had uncovered a weakness. Although its back was armored with a dense collection of azure crystals, its underside had a soft belly that was easy to damage. Alaric evaded one of them as it neared him and punched hard with his spiked mana gauntlet, tearing through its innards and staining the water red. Rowan wielded his crystallized sword to replicate the feat and eliminated another crystalback crocodile. Both of them approached George and Gareth who were struggling against the third one. As George spotted them, he acted vulnerable. The massive creature swam to eat him whole but slammed into a shimmering mana barrier and became disoriented. Using that moment of disorientation as an opening, Rowan severed its tail while Alaric impaled its belly. All of them swam toward the surface of the lake to refill their lungs with air. However, their moment of respite didn¡¯t last long. ¡°Watch out,¡± yelled Alaric. All of them scattered and avoided the grasp of the tentacles that the squid-like creature launched at them. ¡°That¡¯s a crystal-tip squid,¡± shouted Rowan. ¡°I know its weakness. We have to find its body and destroy its core.¡± Gulping a large mouthful of air, Alaric and his friends dove into the lake once again, maneuvering to evade the numerous massive tentacles and find the location of its body. Alaric utilized his mana sense to pinpoint its body and surged toward it. He deflected the few tentacles that attempted to snare him. As he closed in, a black-shadowy shape emerged, revealing itself to be the massive, elongated body of the squid. Alaric grinned. Found you! However, as he attempted to approach, the squid groaned and released an ink-like substance that obscured his vision. With his visibility gone, Alaric ramped up his danger sense and sharpened his focus, striving to pinpoint the creature by its mana signature alone. Unfortunately, there were too many tentacles thrashing nearby, making it impossible to distinguish them from its main body. There is no other way. I¡¯ll be out of breath soon. For the first time, Alaric cycled a drop of his third-eye chakra and focused it in the center of his forehead. His sense of perception expanded and intensified. Time appeared to slow to a crawl, and he found it much easier to detect the shifts in his environment, process the information, and analyze all the details. Suddenly, he attained an insight for a new skill. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Zen Flow] (Uncommon). The blackness of his surroundings faded to gray, revealing faint outlines and shapes, barely perceptible in high contrast. He immediately located the body of the crystal-tip squid and advanced toward it. The crystal-tip squid deployed its numerous tentacles to obstruct him, but it was futile. With his new focus skill active, Alaric deftly evaded the tentacles, slipping past them with minimal effort. He noticed smaller tentacles lined with sharp crystal tips guarding its body. Alaric smirked. He directed a significant portion of his mana to elongate the spiked gauntlet on his right arm as far as possible. Now, it resembled a small lance. Wielding his new mana gauntlet lance, he severed a few of the crystal-tip tentacles. Rowan closed in from the opposite direction and mirrored his actions. Together, they skewered the beast from opposing angles. George and Gareth joined in and began harassing it. Rowan carved a massive gash at the base of its crystal-tip tentacles, exposing a tiny azure crystal that served as its energy core. ¡°Alaric, now!¡± Rowan shouted mentally. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Alaric seized the opportunity created by his friends. He pierced the pulsing energy core of the beast with his mana gauntlet lance, shattering it into fragments. The crystal-tip squid convulsed violently before becoming still. ¡°Quick, follow me,¡± Alaric signaled for them to trail him toward the underwater tunnel that led to the second exit. They were almost out of breath. Catching their breath in the cave that connected to the hidden zone, they swam upward and reached the first exit on the far side of the lake. Alaric wasn¡¯t sure about what they¡¯d encounter there since he hadn¡¯t explored this part of Lake Gloom previously. The exit was a narrow tunnel with shallow water that barely reached their knees. As they ventured deeper, he observed a dense cluster of azure crystals forming on all sides, even underwater. At the tunnel¡¯s end, he discovered a massive entity ¡ª its body covered by a fusion of azure crystals and corals. Elite Event Triggered - Defeat the Azure Shellbeast. Reward - Azure Pearls. Alaric beamed. He wasn¡¯t sure how they would allocate the resources they¡¯d uncover during the dive. Initially, Alaric was confident that this exit wouldn¡¯t harbor any monsters, only a treasure chest or something similar containing a single Azure Pearl. However, now that the stage had been redesigned and the rewards adjusted by the system, everyone would be able to gain something worthwhile from the dive. The Azure shell-beast resembled a colossal oyster-like creature fused with azure crystals and vibrant corals. It appeared dormant, but its jagged shells emitted a faint blue glow, promising retaliation against those who dared to provoke it. Alaric dashed forward and drove his mana gauntlet lance at its body. However, his mana gauntlet lance fractured at the tip as it clashed against the shell-beast''s hardened shell, failing to pierce it. Alaric''s entire arm throbbed with pain. He retreated just as a barrage of razor-sharp mana spikes erupted from the creature''s body, targeting his location. Rowan and Gareth also failed to penetrate its defenses. The shell beast groaned and parted its mouth slightly. Suddenly, Alaric sensed a massive drain on his mana. The creature was siphoning all the mana in its vicinity. All of them withdrew beyond the skill''s effective range to avoid the mana drain. The shell-beast remained content to stay motionless, merely defending itself from attacks. However, it proved exceedingly difficult to defeat. Its tough shell exterior was almost impenetrable. Moreover, attacking it up close was impossible due to the crystal spike assaults and the aggravating mana-draining aura it radiated. Alaric reformed the mana gauntlet lance and surveyed the surroundings before advancing again. There has to be a way to take this creature down. He noticed it was anchored to the lakebed with tentacle-like roots that almost blended into the ground. He shared the discovery with his friends, and together they devised a plan. Once the creature settled down, Alaric and Rowan approached its body, poised to strike. Gareth and George targeted the tentacle-roots, and the shell-beast let out a piercing screech, opening its mouth much wider this time. Yes, it¡¯s working. Alaric seized the opportunity and plunged his mana gauntlet lance into its mouth, impaling the now-exposed soft flesh. Rowan followed suit. Its mouth was lined with jagged crystals that tore into Alaric¡¯s mana gauntlet lance and shredded his arms up to the elbow, but he endured the pain. His arm dripped with thick, black ichor. The creature reactivated its mana-draining aura, but neither Alaric nor Rowan retreated. It followed up with a surge of deadly mana spikes. They had planned for this moment. George conjured a mana barrier around Rowan and Alaric, and the sharp crystals crashed against it. Under the influence of the mana-draining aura, they were losing mana at a staggering rate. However, the creature appeared to be on the brink of death Alaric stomped his foot on the lower shell and drove his arm upwards, forcing a wider opening. The Azure shell-beast let out an ear-splitting wail before finally succumbing. Its resistance evaporated, and its body split in two, the upper half collapsing to the other side. Congratulations! You have completed the Elite challenge. Five Azure Pearls nestled inside the soft flesh of the creature. All of them cheered in triumph. Alaric picked up one of the Azure Pearls and inspected it. Azure Pearl - A highly condensed form of ambient mana that is often found inside the body of Azure Shell-beasts. It can aid and significantly accelerate the development of a user¡¯s mana core. All of them grinned. It seemed that the group delve was already fruitful even though they hadn¡¯t yet explored the hidden area. None of them knew the exact value of an Azure Pearl, but they surmised the fifth pearl could fetch a high price. They resolved to sell it and divide the earnings. ¡°We should absorb the mana in the pearl as much as possible before venturing deeper,¡± suggested Alaric. All of his friends agreed and settled down to extract the mana. Alaric assumed his meditation pose and dove into his Cultivation sanctuary - the meditation grounds of the solar plexus island to be exact. He examined the Azure Pearl he held in his hand. So, I can indeed bring cultivation resources inside this pocket dimension. Alaric puzzled over how this was possible. He couldn¡¯t transport his physical body into the cultivation sanctuary, nor could he carry in tangible objects. He had tried to transfer physical items into his cultivation sanctuary before but failed. This time, however, he succeeded. It seemed the system imposed restrictions on what types of materials could be physically brought into the pocket dimension. For what reason, he couldn¡¯t discern yet. Alaric probed the Azure Pearl with his senses and immediately detected an ocean of mana at his disposal. He grinned. It would probably take him a few days to absorb all the mana into his core. But time was of the essence, and he didn¡¯t want to wait long. He cycled a drop of purified energy from his solar plexus chakra and drastically accelerated the mana absorption process. His willpower strained to the limits, and his body ached as he tried to absorb so much mana at once. Alaric activated [Zen Flow] to improve his focus and steady the mind. Acquiring a non-mana skill at Tier 1 wasn¡¯t part of his plan, but he couldn¡¯t avoid it. At least it is an uncommon skill. The dense, fog-like mana inside his core condensed under the pressure of the invading mana and gradually liquefied. He wasn¡¯t sure how long he spent in this meditative trance. However, once the mana absorption concluded, he felt satisfied. The Azure Pearl was no more. He had managed to absorb it completely in a single session. He scanned his mana core and felt a surge of satisfaction upon discovering that all of the mana within had transformed into liquid. Just like that, he had accelerated his mana core development by an entire month. He checked his notifications. Mana Core Stage: Liquid Core (Early) - Clear Liquid Skills: [Mana Solidification lvl 5 -> Mana Solidification lvl 7] [Vital Mana Flow lvl 4 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 6] [Zen Flow lvl 1 -> Zen Flow lvl 4] Abilities: [Mana Manipulation lvl 4 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 6] Alaric expended his experience points and checked his stats: Stats: Strength - 26 -> 29 Agility - 26 -> 28 Vitality - 23 -> 25 Mind - 26 -> 28 Soul - 32 -> 33 Chapter 44 - Exploring Azure Ruin Arch Alaric couldn¡¯t explain to his friends how he managed to absorb the entire Azure Pearl in a single session. All of them had spent two hours absorbing a small portion of the pearl. In fact, when each of them displayed their pearls after absorption, he failed to perceive a noticeable difference in size or shape. His guess was accurate. It would take all of them about a week to absorb their own pearls. ¡°What,¡± Alaric smirked. ¡°I¡¯m just more talented than you all.¡± He couldn¡¯t divulge the secrets of chakra cultivation or the cultivation sanctuary to anybody. So, when they tried to probe him for more reasonable information, he simply evaded their queries. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time to complete the hidden zone,¡± Alaric urged them. ¡°We need to secure every benefit we can extract from this dive.¡± That finally stirred them up. All of them agreed to explore the hidden region straightaway. Once they reached the ominous-looking door, a system prompt appeared in his vision. Sufficient party members detected. Would you like to access the hidden zone - Azure Ruin Arch? Alaric mentally agreed. The large, metallic door with the runic etchings groaned and slowly parted to reveal a shimmering blue portal. So, this zone isn¡¯t directly connected to the Azure Caverns. It appeared the hidden zone was in a completely different location, and their group would be transported to the new area once they entered the portal. Just in case, everybody clasped each other¡¯s hands and plunged into the portal together. Alaric¡¯s vision blurred and darkness enveloped him for a moment before he emerged in a bright setting. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he found himself on a sprawling sandy beach by an ocean. The sand glimmered faintly in a bluish hue, as if infused with fine azure crystals. The sounds of the crashing waves felt relaxing to his senses but he immediately took stock of his surroundings. All of his friends were present and eager to explore the new area. Large ruins of ancient stone buildings were scattered across the beach. Some sank halfway into the sand while others protruded out of the water. Shards of azure crystals were embedded into these structures, along with intricate carvings of waves and marine creatures. The ambient energy signature felt familiar to his senses. It was almost identical to his cultivation sanctuary. Hmm¡­I wonder if these places are actually located in this world. Alaric wondered if these regions were accessible to cultivators without the aid of the system. All of them strode towards the ruins to inspect them in more detail while remaining alert for any hidden dangers. They uncovered remnants of an ancient civilization scattered among the ruins - broken statues, ancient tablets etched with unknown runes, rusted tools, and more. Suddenly, Alaric sensed the presence of a creature off to the side. ¡°Get down,¡± he shouted as he ducked. And, just in time, as a jet of green liquid streaked past his head and struck a statue, dissolving it in mere seconds, smoke rising from the spot. Fortunately, everybody managed to evade the acid attack. A collection of acid-spitting scorpions the size of a small dog were approaching them from a distance. Their bodies featured metallic azure carapaces, and their tails were tipped with bulbous acid glands. The acid glands of a few of the scorpions pulsed ominously before discharging another acid attack at them. The remaining scorpions burrowed into the sand, camouflaging themselves as mounds of sand. All of them burst into motion, each tackling them in their own way. Alaric activated [Zen Flow] and weaved through jets of acids before he began striking each acid-spitting scorpion with his mana gauntlet lance. A few droplets of acid seared his skin through his clothes but he used his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to heal his body continuously. The best way to handle these creatures, he discovered, was to rupture the acid glands in their tails since it also managed to eliminate any nearby scorpions when they exploded. Although these acid-spitting scorpions were menacing, their attack patterns were predictable, which made dispatching them much easier. It only took about 20 minutes for them all to annihilate the whole group of scorpions. ¡°I hope there aren¡¯t any more of them,¡± said George. ¡°Nasty insects.¡± Alaric and his group ventured further into the maze of ancient ruins, exterminating small groups of scorpions every once in a while. They demolished any mounds of sand they encountered that could¡¯ve concealed a scorpion, not wanting to risk leaving their backs exposed to attacks. As they went deeper, water carried by the waves gradually flooded the ruins. Alaric grew more alert for any type of aquatic foes that might be lurking underwater. The path led up to a colossal structure that resembled a stadium. As they entered, the entrance gate collapsed, sealing their exit. All of them grew more alert as water started flooding the whole structure at a rapid rate from hidden inlets. Alaric detected the presence of creatures swimming fast toward them. ¡°Quick, get up there,¡± Alaric shouted. All of them hauled themselves onto large floating debris that served as their ground for now. Alaric spotted a large swarm of small but ferocious fish with razor-sharp teeth and shards of glowing azure crystals embedded in their fins and jaws. They were circling the group underwater, waiting for them to plunge into it so that they could shred them to pieces. ¡°Curses,¡± muttered Rowan. ¡°We are not equipped to defeat a Shardfin Piranha Swarm.¡± Some of the shardfin piranhas launched themselves into the air toward them. Alaric began skewering a few of them alongside Rowan, while George conjured a mana shield to block one side. The water was steadily rising and submerging the debris. It would engulf them within a few minutes. ¡°This isn¡¯t working.¡± Alaric devised a plan. Initially, intended to acquire the [Mana Shield] skill in the Ember Plains - the third zone of the Tutorial Rift - when he would¡¯ve advanced his mana core. The skill was mana intensive. However, now that he had a liquid mana core, he attempted to acquire the [Mana Shield] skill. He had witnessed George use the skill numerous times and grasped how to perform it. Alaric emitted a profuse amount of mana, targeting a location in the air, and commanded it to harden into a shield. The mana agreed to his will and manifested into a hard dome. At his current stage, the entire process was inefficient, but it was better than nothing. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Shield] (common). With his new defensive skill acquired, Alaric assisted George in enveloping their entire group with a large shimmering mana shield and plunged into the water. The shard fin piranhas harmlessly collided with their barrier.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. It would drain a significant amount of mana to sustain this shield for more than a few minutes, but it was essential for their survival. The surge of the turbulent waves propelled them to one corner of the stadium, near a wall. Once they reached it, Alaric immediately deactivated the skill so that his friends could start scaling the walls to reach a higher surface. Rowan and Gareth ascended first while Alaric and George guarded them from the piranhas. Protecting his friends left him vulnerable. The vicious fish sank their teeth into Alaric in multiple places, causing a searing pain. He gritted his teeth and cycled his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to mitigate the pain. Once all of them reached higher ground, Alaric tore off the few fish that still latched onto his skin and dispatched them. All of them gasped for air. Alaric decided to check the descriptions of his new skills before he ventured further. Mana Shield - Allows you to form a basic barrier of mana as a defense against attacks. At higher levels, the shield is sturdier and can cover more area. Zen Flow - This skill boosts your mental capability, improving your focus, perception ability, and reaction times. Improves combat efficiency and reduces the feeling of pain. As they progressed deeper, Alaric noticed an exit to the stadium that led to another maze of ruins. He instantly sensed a group of creatures lying in wait on the other side of the door for an ambush. Rowan shouted at them to a halt. All of them charged up their respective skills and prepared for the ambush. Warning - Approaching the territory of Murkfiends. Proceed with caution. Hulking humanoid creatures with slimy, scaled skin emerged near the exit. Their skin shimmered faintly blue as the light reflected off it. These creatures gazed at them unblinkingly with their bulbous eyes, and the gills on their necks flared rhythmically. Long, sharp fins extended from their arms, and Alaric glimpsed their needle-like teeth as they sneered. These fish are treating us like prey. Alaric felt irritated but knew he couldn¡¯t underestimate these creatures. These Murkfiends appeared intelligent and wielded barbed spears. A few of them burst into motion and hurled objects toward the group that expanded into nets. Alaric and George blocked with their mana shields while Rowan sliced the nets. However, Gareth was ensnared in one of them. He couldn¡¯t break free. The nets were laced with fish oil, rendering them slippery and nearly impossible to tear apart. Alaric wielded his mana gauntlet lance to shred one side of the net while his friends defended their flanks. The Murkfiends coordinated their attacks meticulously, making it difficult to catch any one of them off guard. One of them yanked a lever on the wall, causing the surroundings to quake as more water surged in from hidden inlets. So, it was these creatures that blocked our exit and released the shardfin piranhas. As water flooded inside the maze of ruins, he noticed the Murkfiends bulk up, as if they were absorbing the water. Their strength and speed in the water amplified significantly. Alaric had managed to lacerate a few of them, but they visibly healed their wounds. These creatures were some kind of aquatic troll-fish hybrid. Alaric evaded a barbed spear hurled at him and impaled a Murkfiend. Unfortunately, their stupendous regeneration granted them a significant advantage. ¡°Get away from the water,¡± Alaric shouted. All of them sprinted together, aiming to reach a different location. They spotted a sandy beach nearby and lured the Murkfiends onto dry ground. These creatures, driven by bloodlust, pursued them, abandoning their aquatic advantage. Once they had enticed the Murkfiends to the desired location, all of them exchanged knowing glances and grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s let loose,¡± declared Rowan. Alaric¡¯s friends unleashed their respective physical enhancement skills for the first time in this dive. These skills were mana exhaustive and best used during moments of emergencies. Alaric didn¡¯t have any physical enhancement skills yet. However, he replicated their feats by expending a drop of root chakra and activating his [Zen Flow] skill. ¡®Target their gills,¡¯ shouted Alaric as he stabbed one of the creatures in the neck. It appeared that once their gills were damaged, they ceased breathing and their regenerative abilities faltered, especially now that they were on dry land. Alaric and his friends turned into reapers of death, stabbing Murkfiends in the neck and dispatching them effortlessly. However, some of the Murkfiends began retreating into deeper sections of the ruins. ¡°Don¡¯t let them escape,¡± commanded Alaric. These creatures relied on ambush tactics. Leaving any of them alive could spell disaster later. They pursued the remaining Murkfiends, navigating through the ruins until they reached a central chamber ¡ª a crumbled temple with a partially flooded interior. Luckily, many raised platforms provided opportunities to battle above the water. Boss Event Triggered - Defeat the Elder Murkfiend. Reward - ??? Alaric¡¯s friends gasped. He smirked. A boss event would be challenging but would also promise greater rewards. The Elder Murkfiend towered over the regular Murkfiends, brandishing a massive barnacle-encrusted club forged from coral and bones. Its body bore countless scars, and its fins glowed with brilliant azure streaks. ¡°Take out the regular Murkfiends first, quickly,¡± shouted Rowan. They all complied, eliminating the remaining Murkfiends before they could submerge and fall under the Elder Murkfiend¡¯s protection. Unfortunately, it seemed more Murkfiends were approaching from somewhere deeper, heeding the call of the boss. Alaric and his friends devised a plan to get rid of the boss first, while they still had time. The height of the Elder Murkfiend made reaching its weak point - the gills - much more difficult. As they tried to approach it, the boss monster roared and slammed its club into the ground, generating a small shockwave that disrupted their balance. He quickly recovered just in time to dodge the barbed spears hurled by the advancing Murkfiend. Alaric maintained his mana shield active on one side, shielding himself from numerous thrown spears. He deftly dispatched a couple of Murkfiend by slashing their necks to create openings for his friends. The Elder Murkfiend unleashed an aura with a roar. The nearby remaining Murkfiend went crazy with bloodlust. They became far more aggressive and began regenerating faster. Fortunately, Alaric and his friends could match their speed and power with their physical enhancement skills engaged. Rowan dispatched the last of the Murkfiends while Alaric managed to carve a nasty gash on the Elder Murkfiend¡¯s leg. The boss monster swatted him away as if the wound didn¡¯t hurt at all. It visibly mended itself within a few seconds. Its regeneration capability was far more potent than the regular Murkfiends. Fortunately, wielding the massive club made it slow, which allowed their group to harass it from all sides. Frustrated, it hurled a massive net at their group, which engulfed their whole group, even encompassing the mana shield barrier. The massive creature tugged, and the four of them together couldn¡¯t withstand it. All of them were on the brink of dropping from the raised platform, but Alaric and Rowan succeeded in tearing the net from the inside. They scattered in four directions, confusing the boss. Alaric leaped from platform to platform, higher up the surface until he reached the top where he was above the boss. Rowan arrived in the opposite direction. Together, they locked eyes and nodded in agreement to initiate the attack. They swooped down on the boss and impaled its neck from both sides, spraying nasty black ichor over their bodies. The boss howled in pain and flailed wildly. Alaric clung on and drove his mana gauntlet lance deeper into its neck. Gareth and George managed to rip off its arms from both sides using that opportunity. The barnacle-encrusted club crashed to the ground along with the boss. Alaric dropped down to the ground, feeling his broken ribs. He had managed to endure when the Elder Murkfiend struck him by cycling a drop of his heart chakra, barely. But it still hurt a lot. Congratulations! You have completed the Boss challenge. The elder golem''s body crumbled as smoke billowed around it. The sound of stone grinding on stone drew his attention, and he noticed an altar emerging from the water in the central ground. A small, intricate stone chest rested on top of it. That must be our reward! Alaric grinned and advanced toward it with his friends. Four vials filled with some type of red liquid rested inside. Troll¡¯s Blood Elixir - An elixir derived from the blood of an Elder Murkfiend. Can be used for crafting highly potent healing potions and blood rituals. Consuming it can greatly enhance the reforging process. All of them marveled. This elixir rivaled the value of bone-reforging pills, perhaps even surpassing it. Blood reforging was rarer than bone reforging, after all. It was an incredible reward. He secured the Troll''s Blood Elixir for later use and checked his notifications. Skills: [Mana Solidification lvl 7 -> Mana Solidification lvl 9] [Vital Mana Flow lvl 6 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 8] [Zen Flow lvl 4 -> Zen Flow lvl 6] [Mana Shield lvl 1 -> Mana Shield lvl 4] Abilities: [Mana Manipulation lvl 6 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 8] Alaric expended his experience points and checked his stats: Stats: Strength - 29 ->31 Agility - 28 ->30 Vitality - 25 -> 28 Mind - 28 ->30 Soul - 33 -> 35 The delve was complete. It was time for them to return home. Chapter 45 - Deal Gone Wrong Alaric and his group returned to the count¡¯s study. As did Therin and Ruben. However, aside from the count, his faithful bodyguard, Captain Farrow, and Sir Baldwin, three more people were present. The most prominent of them all - a middle-aged man adorned in luxurious robes with intricate gold embroidery - sat opposite the count. A chain with a sun emblem dangled around his neck, and a look of self-importance gleamed in his eyes. It appeared the man regarded himself as an equal to the count. That must be Bishop Drevon. A tall, imposing figure in red armor bearing the sigil of a blazing sun flanked his side like a personal bodyguard. He maintained a permanent smirk etched into his face and shared the same condescending eyes as the Bishop. The final figure lingered near Captain Farrow, conversing in hushed tones. He wore armored clothing with a silver-and-gold imperial sigil. His face remained impassive, but Alaric could sense that he suppressed a great deal of anger. And, judging by his body language, it was directed at the Bishop and his bodyguard. That must be the imperial city guard Captain Kael. ¡°Approach, all of you, and take these,¡± The count called out to all the children and handed each of them a protective amulet. Apparently, the city was funding the cost of these precious amulets, which would provide some type of defense against attacks. How well these would function, Alaric couldn¡¯t tell. He had never experimented with protective amulets before. When the count finished introducing the strangers, Alaric discovered that the figure in red armor was the captain of the ¡®City Watch of the Flame¡¯ ¡ª Captain Fernandes. Sir Baldwin reiterated the plan to ensure there was no confusion and entrusted Therin with the forbidden ingredients ¡ª Widow¡¯s Veil, Stilled Hemlock Sap, and Shade Lotus Petal ¡ª carefully preserved in a large pouch. ¡°The Church alone can handle this mess,¡± The Bishop sneered. ¡°No need to involve kids,¡± he motioned towards the kids, ¡°And the city guards.¡± He glared at city guard captain Kael. ¡°With all due respect, Drevon,¡± The count met his gaze. ¡°We¡¯ve only informed you as a courtesy. The primary obligation to apprehend the criminals rests on the shoulders of the city guards.¡± He raised a hand to silence the Bishop when he attempted to interrupt. ¡°And, the kids are crucial for the success of this sting operation,¡± he exhaled deeply. ¡°Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have allowed them in such danger.¡± ¡°But these kids will botch up the plan for sure,¡± protested Fernandes, furrowing his brows as he scrutinized them. ¡°You are more than welcome to withdraw from this operation if you don¡¯t enjoy babysitting,¡± retorted Kael. Suddenly, a mild argument erupted. The city guard captain and his rival Fernandes clearly despised each other. The kids began sweating. Alaric chuckled. He relished the show. It appeared the head butler enjoyed the show as well. The count raised his voice slightly and put a stop to the arguments once and for all. The Bishop and Fernandes clearly detested being commanded by a non-church member but they had to suppress their pride. They didn¡¯t have full authority on this matter and had to reluctantly agree to their terms. Alaric shook his head. He couldn¡¯t envision how this plan could unfold without any trouble. *** There was a world of difference between devising a sting operation and executing it. It was evident in the expressions and the body language of all the kids as they navigated the dim, narrow alley in the slums. Shadows clung to the walls of abandoned buildings, and the faint smell of damp rot permeated the air. This is the perfect hiding spot. No wonder they chose this place. Alaric and his group trailed after Therin and Ruben, who navigated the way and guided them to the exchange spot of the criminal dealer. All of them wore somber expressions and even Alaric was on high alert. However, he wasn¡¯t nervous at all. In fact, he was looking forward to letting loose. After all, two whole groups of military powers were covertly lying in ambush for the criminals. And, they possessed the protective amulet. He was more concerned about the criminals escaping before they had a chance to capture them. Therin and Ruben halted as a figure emerged from around a bend in the alley. He was tall and strolled with a casual gait, his hands in his pockets and a smoke dangling from his mouth. As Alaric and his group approached closer, he detected the lean muscles under his arms and the predatory gleam in his eyes.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Therin approached the dealer and initiated a conversation. The dealer ignored Therin and fixed his sharp gaze on Alaric and his group, inspecting each of them slowly, as if committing every detail to his memory. When his gaze reached Alaric, both of them held their stare as if engaging in a silent duel. Alaric smirked, and the dealer arched his eyebrows. Then, gradually, he unveiled a smile as well. It seemed like the dealer possessed a playful personality. He interrupted Therin mid-sentence and clapped him on the back, attempting to steer him away to another corner. Therin refused and gestured toward Alaric¡¯s group. Rowan retrieved the pouch with the forbidden ingredients and shook it in his direction. All of them eagerly awaited Therin and Ruben¡¯s approach to make a run for it. The soldiers would charge in at that moment. However, the dealer trailed Therin and Ruben as they advanced toward their group. This is going to be a problem. They would need to divert the dealer from their trail somehow so that the soldiers could charge in. Unfortunately, the captain of the ¡®City Watch of the Flame¡¯ had a different plan. Apparently, he deemed an early assault worthwhile even though it jeopardized the lives of the kids. Captain Fernandes roared as tens of church soldiers swarmed the alleyway. The dealer sneered and released an ear-splitting howl, summoning countless hidden allies to surge from the concealed corners of the laneways and rooftops. Then, he morphed into a grizzly werewolf. A beastman? Here? He surveyed the surroundings and pinpointed countless werewolves clashing with the Church soldiers. Apparently, the dealer wasn¡¯t as defenseless as they all had assumed. In fact, Alaric now suspected that the dealer had anticipated the plan all along and was merely toying with them. Otherwise, why would he have so many allies poised for an ambush? Alaric and his group bolted for their lives but found themselves caught between the two factions battling. Captain Fernandes unleashed fire-based area attacks to subdue the leader, showing complete disregard for the children¡¯s safety. In fact, a tornado of fire nearly engulfed their entire group. Fortunately, the protective amulets activated and cloaked each of them in a shimmering green barrier, shielding them from being incinerated. Muscle-headed idiot! Who made him a captain? Fortunately, it seemed Captain Kael was far more dependable. Although he arrived a bit late to the rescue with his soldiers, he personally conjured a barrier of gale that warded off other werewolves attempting to attack them. ¡°Kids, retreat to that corner,¡± Kael commanded and pointed towards a section where a group of city guards stood ready for them. However, before they could reach the location, a burning building collapsed and obstructed their path. The dealer and Fernandes were going all out. Kael entered the fray. However, instead of coordinating with Kael to apprehend the criminal, Fernandes focused solely on trying to kill the enemy. He was completely ignoring the plan. Fernandes hurled waves of fire with his sword strikes while Kael generated tornadoes that shredded through entire buildings. The dealer sustained multiple injuries, blood seeping from his wounds. His abdomen bore a vicious gash, courtesy of Kael. Unable to contend with both of them simultaneously, the dealer lunged at their group, targeting the children. He sought a hostage to ensure his escape. No, the dealer didn¡¯t target the children; he pounced on Alaric. ¡°Alaric, look out,¡± his friends yelled. Alaric attempted to dodge his grasp but the dealer seized him by the arms. He was much quicker. Apparently, the dealer either considered him the easiest target or harbored some personal grudge. Perhaps he didn¡¯t like the way Alaric smirked at him earlier without cowering. Wrong choice. Alaric resolved to bide his time and strike when the opportunity arose. ¡°Stop, or I''ll kill this kid,¡± the dealer bellowed. Fernandes prepared an attack as if not giving a damn. He was unwilling to sacrifice his chance to slay the criminal and claim glory. However, Kael blocked him with an outstretched arm. ¡°Release the child and surrender,¡± Kael growled. ¡°There is no escape,¡± he indicated the surrounding area where countless werewolves lay dead or wounded alongside an equal number of soldiers. ¡°We don¡¯t want to kill you.¡± The dealer glared at Fernandes and sneered, ¡°Hah¡­all lies.¡± He pivoted to Alaric with a cruel look. However, he didn¡¯t find the fear in his eyes as he had anticipated. Instead, he encountered the same smirk etched onto his face. Alaric channeled a significant portion of his root chakra, activated [Zen Flow], maximized the output of his mana gauntlet lance, and drove it into the wounded abdomen of the dealer. The enemy was a werewolf, yes, but it wasn¡¯t a mere beast or animal. It was a person. Still, there was no hesitation in Alaric as he plunged the mana gauntlet lance and ripped his abdomen to shreds. Alaric broke free, and it seemed the dealer would be incapacitated for a while. Plenty of time to apprehend him now. However, Alaric sensed the scorching heat of a massive fireball hurtling toward him, threatening to consume them both. He was exhausted. The last attack had sapped much of his strength, but he wasn¡¯t finished yet. However, a shimmering green barrier enveloped him just as the fireball detonated in his vicinity. Kael had shielded him. The fireball raged on the spot, obliterating several buildings, but Alaric remained unscathed. Fortunately, his friends were all out of harm''s way. Once the dust settled, all he could spot was charred ruins. The criminal dealer was gone ¡ª he had managed to flee. ¡°Why the hell would you do something so reckless?¡± shouted Kael. Fernandes merely shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°Just doing my duty to eliminate criminals.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t the plan, and you know it,¡± Kael retorted. ¡°You ruined everything.¡± Fernandes scowled and spat on the ground. His message was clear - the church operated on its terms, regardless of the consequences. A vein pulsed on Kael¡¯s temple, but he exhaled sharply, choosing to let the matter slide for now. He stepped toward Alaric, as did his friends. Alaric could discern a glimmer of respect in his eyes. ¡°What you did there was impressive,¡± said Kael. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you managed to unleash such a powerful attack and hurt a Tier 3 cultivator.¡± ¡°The man was already wounded,¡± Alaric replied with a shrug. ¡°And he recovered quickly.¡± There was truth in his statement. He had only managed to harm the enemy because he was already gravely injured. And even that was just enough to buy him time to escape. However, what impressed Kael wasn¡¯t Alaric¡¯s strength but his ability to remain composed under pressure and seize an opportunity to escape. Alaric scanned the area mired with destruction and chaos. Although the enemy leader had escaped, perhaps they could salvage something out of this mess. It would take a while to take stock of the area. Meanwhile, he began to heal his wounds. Chapter 46 - Demanding Answers It had been a few hours since the whole incident, and Alaric had recovered his mana completely. He was gathered with his friends on the rooftop of a building to keep out of the way of the guards who were surveying the damage in the slum alley, now littered with unconscious and restrained criminals. Smoke from Fernandes'' reckless fire attack still lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of burnt stone and singed fur. It was due to him that the enemy leader had managed to flee at the last moment. Alaric scrutinized him, who was standing off to one side, arms crossed, and a smug smirk barely concealed. He hadn¡¯t trusted the man when he first encountered him, and now he despised him. He had jeopardized the safety of every child, especially him, and for what? To seize glory? He couldn¡¯t believe it. The man didn¡¯t appear to be incompetent but he was too reckless. Did Fernandes let the dealer escape to spite Kael? Or was this an order from Bishop Drevon? Alaric couldn¡¯t fathom the Church could have a deeper connection to a cult, but he could be wrong. Perhaps, Fernandes was involved in this matter personally and didn¡¯t want his secrets exposed. Alaric had no official authority to conduct an official investigation but he wouldn¡¯t let this matter go unanswered. In fact, he resolved to make Fernandes accountable for his actions. He eyed Captain Kael who was still visibly frustrated with how everything had unfolded. Well, at least I have one supporter on my team. Alaric chuckled. *** A lot had happened in the previous two weeks. Although the dealer escaped, the operation was not a complete bust. The werewolf beastmen were apprehended by the city guards and interrogated thoroughly. A few of them cracked under the pressure and disclosed the locations of nearby safe houses around the city and suburbs. The city officials orchestrated a raid on these locations and uncovered forbidden alchemical ingredients, stacks of currency, and other valuables. And, of course, they also procured a few of the Peak-grade bone-forging pills ¡ª the very same pills the dealer had been offering in the transaction. However, their greatest success was the discovery of locations of recently kidnapped children and their rescue. Many children had already been saved, with many more still planned for rescue. Finally, they obtained documents from the safehouses that confirmed the link between the criminal network and a cult ¡ª The Crimson Veil. In fact, Alaric was currently reviewing a stack of papers provided by the count along with all the other kids inside the count¡¯s study. It contained information about the investigation and depicted the symbol of the cult ¡ª a twisted sun, with serpent-like tendrils curling outward, resembling flames. Alaric chuckled. It is mocking the holy sun emblem of the church. Bishop Drevon clearly didn¡¯t appreciate that fact. He was debating something animatedly with the count just out of earshot. However, the count didn¡¯t seem to entertain him any longer and called the kids toward him. ¡°I¡¯m proud of all of you,¡± the count declared with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve been a big help in apprehending these criminals and uncovering their network.¡± He retrieved a box from his desk drawer and placed it on the table. ¡°Naturally, you all deserve rewards.¡± Sir Baldwin unlatched the box for them and displayed a collection of small, whitish marble-sized pills. These were the peak-grade bone forging pills. Alaric stepped forward and selected a pill when it was his turn. ¡°If that is all, we¡¯ll be leaving,¡± declared Bishop Drevon and turned around to leave. ¡°No, that is not all,¡± stated Alaric calmly. All eyes turned to him. The Bishop and Fernandes stopped in their tracks and turned to face him. ¡°What did you say, kid?¡± He scowled. ¡°I want the City Guard Captain to corroborate my statement,¡± Alaric gestured toward Kael and continued, ¡°Captain Fernandes¡¯s reckless actions endangered the children¡¯s lives on multiple occasions.¡± Alaric locked eyes with Fernandes and smirked. ¡°His incompetence and impatience nearly got me killed and allowed the dealer to escape.¡± ¡°Watch your mouth, kid,¡± Fernandes warned. Alaric ignored him and gazed at the Bishop. ¡°We demand compensation, trusting in the goodwill of the Church.¡± The Bishop simply glared at him but didn¡¯t utter a single word. Yeah, swallow that. ¡°Is this true?¡± The count inquired. ¡°Yes, my lord. I¡¯ve witnessed it with my own eyes,¡± Kael confirmed and regarded Fernandes. ¡°So did all the guards present at the scene.¡± Fernandes gripped the pommel of his sword and immediately regretted it. His head jerked back as if yanked by some invisible force. Thin lines of blood surfaced on his neck. Alaric sensed Edgar pulling some trick to subdue him. ¡°Violence will not be tolerated on these premises,¡± said the count gravely. ¡°Eustace, you are overstepping. Mistakes like these happen during missions,¡± the Bishop gritted his teeth. ¡°Order your man to release him.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Whatever trick Edgar was pulling, Fernandes couldn¡¯t counter it. He collapsed to his knees, blood seeping from his eyes and nose, almost on the verge of passing out. ¡°Sure, mistakes can happen,¡± the count reclined on his chair, inspecting his nails. ¡°By anyone, anytime, anywhere,¡± he said with a pointed look. ¡°Okay, we will compensate the kids.¡± Drevon spat. ¡°Release Fernandes¡­please.¡± The count gestured, and the strain on Fernandes immediately eased. He clutched his neck and hacked up a mouthful of blood onto the ground. Told you I would get back at you. Alaric chuckled inwardly. To be fair, he hadn¡¯t anticipated things escalating this far, but he couldn¡¯t say he was disappointed. He exchanged a glance with Edgar, who nodded to him. That man has my respect. The Bishop withdrew a few cards from his pockets and began signing them. Once finished, he slammed them onto the table. ¡°These are level one Church treasury access cards with my signature on them.¡± He eyed the kids. ¡°You can use them at any branch of the Church treasury in this state to obtain level-one resources for free.¡± That was indeed quite a value compensation. The Church treasury was brimming with artifacts and resources. Even though it would grant them only level one access, it was still highly valuable. Non-church members were rarely granted access to the Church treasury, and even then, they had to qualify for it. The kids all grinned. They hadn¡¯t anticipated another reward. However, all of them had earned it. The Bishop strode out of the room without another word. Fernandes threw a hateful look at Alaric before exiting. Alaric shrugged. Hey, you reap what you sow. He was certain the Bishop would reprimand him later. However, knowing the man¡¯s personality, he would likely seek revenge on him someday. Alaric vowed to be prepared if such a day ever arrived. The count dismissed all the kids. However, Alaric stayed behind. He needed some answers. ¡°Yes, Alaric,¡± The count interlocked his fingers. ¡°Do you have something to say?¡± ¡°I do, father.¡± Alaric scratched his cheeks. ¡°Although it is a sensitive matter.¡± Captain Farrow, Kael, and Sir Baldwin bowed to the count and departed as well. Edgar conjured an invisible barrier around the room to prevent any sound from escaping. The presence of the head butler implied there were no secrets between them. Alaric shrugged. Well, so be it. ¡°I¡¯ve detected traces of bloodline powers during my cultivation session,¡± Alaric began. ¡°More than one.¡± The count glared at him as if offering him a chance to back down. I¡¯m sorry, Father, I¡¯m not leaving here today without some answers. Alaric met his gaze resolutely. The count exhaled a sigh, yielding to his persistence. ¡°Alaric, my child,¡± the count pulled a hidden compartment from his desk and retrieved something. ¡°You have proven yourself worthy. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Where did that come from all of a sudden? Alaric maintained a neutral expression and bowed. ¡°I¡¯m glad to live up to your expectations, Father.¡± ¡°I know I¡¯ve neglected spending time with you,¡± he admitted, shaking his head. ¡°Know this ¡ª it¡¯s not easy for me, but I cannot openly favor you.¡± He gazed out the window. ¡°Not under Isolde¡¯s scrutiny.¡± Alaric chose to remain silent, absorbing as much information as possible while the count was willing to share. ¡°You are old enough to learn about your true origins.¡± He turned to look at Alaric, scrutinizing him as if reconsidering his next words. ¡°You are¡­¡± He closed his eyes, shook his head, and suddenly blurted, ¡°You are more than a bastard, Alaric.¡± Hah¡­I thought as much. There was no other explanation. However, that statement carried a cryptic meaning, and Alaric didn¡¯t yet know how to decipher it yet. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked. The count returned whatever he had taken from the compartment to its original place. However, Alaric had managed to glimpse it ¡ª a locket. Why take it out if you hadn¡¯t decided to show it to me yet? ¡°I will reveal everything¡­ just not here and now.¡± The Count glanced at Edgar and nodded. ¡°I will summon you when the time is right.¡± Alaric reluctantly agreed and exited the room. If the count wasn¡¯t prepared to share any more details at the moment, the information must be very sensitive indeed. However, he wondered why the system had to complicate everything. He chuckled. Whatever the case, he would try to use this to his advantage as well, if possible. *** A storm raged outside. Winds howled and hailstones battered the bedroom windows rhythmically. The air was cold. Alaric and his friends gathered in his bedroom, and the ambiance mirrored the chaos outside. Snacks and drinks rested on a table, yet nobody touched them. Alaric was disheartened. All of his friends were departing soon, ready to embark on the next phase of their life. Of course, he had always known this day would arrive, just not this soon. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you guys tell me sooner?¡± Alaric demanded. However, before they could reply, he shook his head. It wasn¡¯t an easy subject to discuss. ¡°Forget it. How much time do we have left?¡± ¡°For me, probably about a month or so,¡± Rowan clenched his fists. ¡°I can feel it in my bones.¡± Rowan had been on the cusp of reaching Tier 2 for several months. He had already reforged his skin and bones to mid-quality. However, he refrained from making the leap to Tier 2 since he wanted to solidify his foundation, just as Therin had wanted too. Now, with special resources like peak-grade bone-forging pills, Troll¡¯s Blood Elixir, and the Azure Pearl, his progress had accelerated severalfold. His bones were nearly reforged to peak grade, and it would take a month for the process to conclude. Additionally, his blood was almost reforged to mid-grade along with his skin. ¡°What about you guys?¡± Alaric turned to Gareth and George. Gareth and George weren¡¯t as gifted as Rowan, but they had also experienced accelerated progress. They were content with reforging their bones to peak grade and blood to mid-grade before advancing to Tier 2. And that meant it was time for them to become apprentices. ¡°I think six months would suffice at the rate we¡¯re progressing,¡± replied George, glancing at Gareth, who nodded in agreement. ¡°What are your plans?¡± asked Alaric. ¡°I¡¯m going to join the Twilight Hawk Guild,¡± Rowan scratched his cheeks. ¡±My father was a former member. He has connections, so he can secure me an internship.¡± Cultivators could join adventurer guilds as soon as they ascended to Tier 2, but they had to wait until they turned 18 before becoming full-fledged members. The ¡®Twilight Hawk¡¯ guild was a regional B-rank guild located in the northern area of the empire. ¡°I want to join an Alchemist¡¯s guild in the Capital eventually,¡± said George. ¡°Once I complete my apprenticeship in my father¡¯s shop.¡± George¡¯s father was a local healer, and he already assisted with the family business. However, once he turned 14 ¡ª the legal age for apprenticeship¡ªand ascended to Tier 2, he could contribute significantly. That would mean assisting his father full-time. Not to mention, he had plans to leave the city sooner or later. ¡°Well, I have no plans of joining any guilds,¡± declared Gareth. ¡°But I¡¯d have to relocate to a different city and assist with the family business.¡± Gareth¡¯s father owned a blacksmith shop and had recently established his base in another city after he retired from an adventurer¡¯s guild as the resident blacksmith. He and his mom resided with his uncle and his family who served the count. Alaric detected the sadness in the air. He couldn¡¯t leave things in such a state of gloom. He patted George¡¯s back and exclaimed, ¡°Come on, you guys. What¡¯s with the sad face?¡± Alaric smirked. ¡°It¡¯s not like we won¡¯t be seeing each other again. I¡¯m sure we can keep in touch.¡± George chuckled a self-deprecating laugh and retorted, ¡°Who are you kidding, Alaric? You know your path is different from ours.¡± Alaric hesitated, unsure how to reply. ¡°Perhaps, except for Rowan.¡± He turned towards Rowan. ¡°Why don¡¯t you share the other bit of news as well?¡± Chapter 47 - Future Plans ¡°What other bit of news?" asked Alaric. ¡°I¡¯ve received an invite from the system,¡± Rowan grinned. ¡°For the Tower of Trials.¡± Alaric wasn¡¯t really surprised. He had always expected Rowan to get the invite sooner or later. However, hearing the news from him filled him with joy. ¡°That¡¯s marvelous!¡± He clapped Rowan¡¯s back. ¡°Congratulations and good luck on ascending the tower when you do.¡± The ambiance inside the room visibly brightened as all of them rejoiced at the news. George grabbed a plate of snacks and started devouring crispy chicken and salad. All of them followed suit and discussed further. Rowan had always aimed to follow in his father¡¯s footsteps and become a strong adventurer. Captain Farrow had been a distinguished member of ¡®The Twilight Hawk¡¯ guild but departed from the guild due to some private reason. He had ascended to the early mid-floors of the Tower of Trials - Floor 30 - and established a bond with an earth elemental entity. He had mentored Rowan since childhood to prepare him for this very moment, and now, Rowan was on his way to fulfilling his dream. He would enlist in the ¡®Twilight Hawk¡¯ guild as an intern and train under them to scale the Tower. The age limit to begin climbing the Tower was 18 years. Most people embarked on their climb just before turning 18. This allowed them time to develop a strong foundation and skill set to ascend as high as possible. Only the most talented prodigies or geniuses dared to climb the tower at earlier ages with their robust foundations and skill sets. Tier 2s who conquered the Tower and forged a bond with a powerful entity became far stronger than Tier 2s who couldn¡¯t. In fact, it served as the bedrock of their future progress in cultivation and in life. They gained stronger elemental affinities and found it easier to master elemental skills and abilities depending on which type of entity they had bonded with. Moreover, forming a bond with higher-floor entities provided additional advantages related to aura manipulation, bloodline abilities, and dao as well. Nobody understood how the Tower of Trials functioned. The trials inside the Tower were tailored based on the ascender''s bloodline, their capabilities, and other factors known only to the system. However, a few facts were known about the tower. The difficulty level escalated as one climbed the floors, as did the rewards. The entity one could bond with depended on their bloodline. That¡¯s why it was common for family members sharing the same bloodline to form a bond with the same entity when all other factors remained equal. Alaric felt a surge of competitiveness ignite in his chest. I¡¯ll have to prepare for the Tower of Trials too, now. He shook his head and redirected his attention to the conversation with his friends. ¡°Hello, where have you been lost?¡± Rowan waved his hands in front of his face. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get an invite once you are on the verge of ascending to Tier 2 as well.¡± All of his friends agreed with Rowan. ¡°What about you, Alaric?¡± inquired Gareth. ¡°What are your plans for the future? You do have a plan, right?¡± ¡°Yes, of course,¡± Alaric smirked. ¡°I have a plan.¡± His primary goal was to train and develop as strong as possible. Whatever opportunity arose to facilitate that, he would seize it. And, he longed to explore this new world. As the son of a noble, there was no profession he wouldn¡¯t be able to undertake. Although, it was yet to be seen how his bastard status influenced that. Still, he believed that becoming an adventurer was a safe bet. They should accept everybody as long as they are strong, regardless of their status. There was just one slight headache. He would have to enroll in an academy once he turned 14. The count had already expressed his wish regarding this subject. Usually, nobles were homeschooled till the age of 14, after which they endeavored to join a prestigious academy where they could gain in-depth knowledge about the wider world and advance further in their cultivation journey. Alaric didn¡¯t know what to think of it yet. On one hand, if he could crack the test of a prestigious capital city academy such as ¡®The Stellan Institute¡¯ or ¡®Evercrest Academy¡¯, he would gain access to resources that would enable him to prepare much better for his future. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. On the other hand, he wasn¡¯t looking forward to interacting with teenagers and all the restrictions that came with being in an academy. However, this wasn¡¯t something that could be avoided. In fact, he assumed it would be essential to join a prestigious academy if he wanted to forge connections with influential people who would hold positions of power in the future. That is, if they could overlook his bastard status. When Alaric shared his thoughts with his friends, all of them laughed. Gareth nudged him and said, ¡°That is why you¡¯re so different, Alaric.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± he countered. ¡°You aren¡¯t anxious about joining ¡®The Stellan Institute¡¯ or ¡®Evercrest Academy¡¯ at all, are you?¡± asked Gareth. Alaric shrugged. What could he say? He was confident he would crack the exams. It was only a matter of which one to choose. ¡°See,¡± Gareth continued. ¡°While most nobles would be panicking, preparing rigorously for the tests to get into these academies, you remain unbothered.¡± Alaric simply laughed. ¡°That¡¯s why I said your path is different from ours,¡± George eyed him. ¡°Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed how you have restrained your powers during the dives.¡± Alaric winced. They had been delving into the Azure Caverns together for the past couple of days. Although they couldn''t get the precious one-time rewards any longer, fighting the monsters still netted them a good amount of experience and allowed them to hone their fighting skills. Alaric had observed that George and Gareth couldn¡¯t keep pace with him anymore. They most likely hadn¡¯t succeeded in forming a liquid core yet - which restricted their mana output and skill potency - even with the aid of the Azure Pearl. And, Alaric managed to outmatch their physical enhancement skills even without channeling a drop of root chakra energy. However, he restrained himself from unleashing his full potential when group-delving. It was no fun battling monsters while watching them struggle. ¡°Is that why you refrained from delving together yesterday?¡± Alaric glared at him. George sunk under his gaze and locked eyes with Gareth. ¡°We¡¯re holding you back,¡± said Gareth. ¡°Nonsense, I..¡± Alaric faltered. The look in their eyes said it all, especially George. He couldn¡¯t sugarcoat the truth. What they said was undeniable. Alaric exhaled and playfully punched George¡¯s arm. ¡°Is that what¡¯s been bothering you?¡± He flashed a grin and clasped his shoulder. ¡°Even if I become some prodigious cultivator or renowned adventurer in the future, and our paths diverge,¡± he met each of their gazes, ¡°I won¡¯t forget about you guys.¡± All of them looked embarrassed at his heartfelt expression and tried to deny these accusations. Alaric simply chuckled, happy to clear their doubts and ease their worries. *** Alaric was refining his mana core in his cultivation sanctuary when he detected a disturbance that broke his concentration. Somebody is in my bedroom. Although his danger sense didn¡¯t trigger, he felt someone scrutinizing him. He broke his meditation and opened his eyes. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he swiftly turned around ready to fight. It was Edgar, smirking at him while leaning against a side wall. Alaric clicked his tongue. The cunning butler had emitted a faint killing intent to throw off his senses. ¡°You seemed deeply engrossed in meditation,¡± he remarked, picking his ear with his pinky finger while surveying the bedroom. ¡°Almost as if you were lost in another dimension.¡± Alaric felt his emotions waver but quickly steadied them. No, there was no way he could perceive the existence of the cultivation sanctuary within my soul. Alaric pretended to be oblivious to his remark. Instead, he asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Come, the count has called for you.¡± Edgar offered a hand for him to grab. Alaric stared at the hand. ¡°What, are you going to hold my hand and escort me to the count?¡± he scoffed but grasped it anyway. The moment he did, Edgar smirked, and Alaric felt his vision distort as his entire body jolted. The next instant, he found himself standing before the count in his study, under his intense scrutiny. Portal-less teleportation. Alaric knew Edgar possessed a powerful stealth skill, but he hadn¡¯t realized the man wielded such an advanced teleportation skill. Hmm¡­perhaps he has an artifact for it? He dismissed those thoughts when he noticed Edgar and the count glancing at him oddly. ¡°You look surprisingly well,¡± said Edgar. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Alaric felt a little queasy but not too sick. ¡°Most children would nearly collapse when they teleport,¡± Edgar observed. Alaric shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m used to delving into the Tutorial Rifts.¡± The truth was, Alaric frequently immersed himself in his cultivation sanctuary, which simulated the sensation of portal-less teleportation far more intensely. By comparison, entering the Tutorial Rift felt significantly less taxing. When neither of them responded, he pressed on. ¡°So, why did you summon me, Father?¡± Alaric already suspected it had something to do with his identity, and he was proven correct. Just not in the way he expected. ¡°Alaric, what do you say we take a little tour?¡± suggested the count, a playful smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Where exactly?¡± The count didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he gestured for Alaric to come closer. Edgar stepped forward, and all three of them clasped hands. In the blink of an eye, they teleported once more and emerged in a forest clearing. Twisted, old, gnarled trees greeted his vision, their bare branches stretching towards the sky. The forest floor was littered with crisp autumn leaves. A gentle breeze wove through the woods, creating a symphony of whispers. Alaric glimpsed the towering boundary walls of the city, barely visible through the tangled branches. He recognized this place ¡ª it was the vast expanse beyond the city walls, The Whispering Woods. He was almost certain. The count confirmed his suspicion when he asked. He had longed to visit this immense forest one day, and now he was thrilled to explore it sooner than expected. To fight monsters and hone his skills. At the count¡¯s command, Edgar conjured an invisible barrier around them, silencing all external sounds. The count was not taking any chances. ¡°Alaric, it¡¯s time you learn everything,¡± the count said gravely. Alaric nodded, ready to learn what had the count so on edge. Chapter 48 - Trust Issues ¡°Alaric, what I¡¯m about to reveal cannot be shared with anybody,¡± uttered the count. ¡°That¡¯s why you must swear an oath.¡± He produced an intricate-looking paper slip with something inscribed on it and a place for affixing a thumbprint. Alaric¡¯s mood soured. They expect me to accept an oath enforced by the system? He eyed both of them, who were watching him expectantly. So, they don¡¯t trust me to keep a secret. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut,¡± he affirmed. ¡°You have my word.¡± ¡°Not like this,¡± the count insisted, extending the slip. ¡°It must be a system-enforced oath.¡± Alaric didn¡¯t reach for the oath slip. ¡°Is there anybody else who knows about this secret?¡± he inquired, glancing at Edgar. ¡°And, did they swear a system-enforced oath too?¡± The count and his bodyguard looked stunned. Judging by their expressions, he deduced there were a few more people who knew about the secret of his origins, but none of them had taken a system-enforced oath. ¡°Alaric, you don¡¯t need to concern yourself with such matters,¡± the count responded grimly. ¡°Just do as you are told. It is for your own good.¡± ¡°No,¡± Alaric refused, shaking his head. He could understand the need for secrecy. However, if they didn¡¯t trust him with the secret without a system-enforced oath, they didn¡¯t truly trust him at all. The count¡¯s face flushed pink. He was starting to get irritated. ¡°I already gave you my word. So I will not take an oath. Either you will reveal it to me, or you will not.¡± Alaric was tempted to learn the secret. However, he needed to establish something here. Sure, they were partially justified in not fully trusting a child. However, he was not truly a child. This confrontation would lay the groundwork for future negotiations. If he yielded to their demands now, they would always wield power over him in the future. Besides, he could sense that the count was eager to share this information with him. Perhaps out of guilt or the weight of responsibility. Whatever it was, it gnawed at him, and he could no longer suppress it. ¡®Insolent brat,¡¯ the count bellowed. ¡®Do you know how easy it is to extract a secret without an oath enforced by the system?¡¯ He gestured. ¡°A good beating, and people confess everything.¡± ¡°Not from me, they won¡¯t,¡± Alaric declared. He observed the count, frustrated and battling to restrain his emotions. The count clenched his fists, a vein throbbing in his forehead. This issue hit a sensitive spot for him. Alaric knew he was playing a dangerous game. Perhaps, the count would refuse to share the information after all. Or perhaps, he would beat him. However, right here and now was the perfect opportunity to pry the information out of him. And, so, he took a risk. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try me?¡± Alaric smirked and braced himself for getting his ass whooped. He watched his father¡¯s face cycle through a range of emotions - surprise, sadness, resignation, and sternness. The count lunged at him. It took every ounce of his willpower not to activate any skills or abilities or even channel the power of his chakras. He couldn¡¯t overpower the count physically. However, there was a way to win this fight. Unfortunately, first, he would have to endure a brutal beating. And, the count did not hesitate to teach him a lesson. He landed blow after blow on Alaric, hoping to break his resolve. Alaric¡¯s body throbbed with pain. Blood oozed from the numerous wounds that tore open across his body. Without maintaining any defensive or healing skills, his bones were on the verge of breaking. It was only his immense physical resilience, fortified by the root chakra and his mastery over his mind and senses, that enabled him to withstand blow after blow. He dropped to the ground, his face slamming into the dirt. Blood and saliva trickled from his mouth, but he refused to submit. He pulled himself up onto his knees and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. Locking eyes with the count, he declared, ¡°Not enough.¡± *** Edgar POV Edgar witnessed Alaric¡¯s thrashing with a somber expression. His usual playful demeanor had vanished. Ever since the count tasked him with monitoring the kid, Edgar had developed a fondness for him. In fact, he even respected him. Alaric was strong, competent, disciplined, and peculiarly wise beyond his years. Edgar shut his eyes and shook his head. No, at the end of the day, he is still a child. He isn¡¯t aware of the brutality of the world. A system-enforced oath would resolve many problems. It rendered the disclosure of secrets¡ªwhether spoken or written ¡ª utterly impossible, even under torture. In fact, it was one of the most effective means of avoiding torment for information. Unless an enemy was truly ruthless, they wouldn¡¯t waste time interrogating a hostage once they discovered a system-enforced oath bound to their soul. Sure, the soul bore the burden of such an oath, but it also provided some measure of safety. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. He winced inwardly every time Eustace struck Alaric. He couldn¡¯t fathom how much it must hurt the count to be hitting his child like that. However, it had to be done. The kid¡¯s arrogance had grown unchecked. The count wasn¡¯t just demanding an oath; he was trying to teach him a harsh lesson. But, at what cost? He shook his head. No, there must be a deeper reason why he is doing this. It isn¡¯t like him to suddenly snap and lose control. Edgar stepped forward but hesitated. No, it is not my place to intervene. He clenched his fists. He will surrender. Any moment now. However, Alaric astonished him once again in his usual way. He expected him to yield, to defend himself, or at least retaliate¡ªhe did neither. No, he chose to show deference to his father even in this dire situation. Alaric¡¯s body accumulated countless injuries, and blood seeped from his wounds. Edgar couldn¡¯t detect him using any type of skills or abilities to attack or defend. He¡¯s not even using a healing skill. What self-control. Edgar struggled to believe what was unfolding before his eyes. The kid swallowed the punishment with a smile on his face, never uttering a single word of protest. However, his concern for the count deepened. Nobody had defied him like this in years. The whole ordeal was spiraling into something more dangerous ¡°Agree to the oath, and this will all be over!¡± pleaded Eustace, his voice cracking. Tears trailed from his eyes, but his expression remained stern. Alaric was battered and broken, down on the floor. Yet, he pushed himself onto his knees and smirked through a swollen face. He spat blood onto the ground and rasped, ¡°Ne¡­never.¡± *** Alaric¡¯s body was exhausted and wrought with pain. His muscles hurt all over, and his bones ached. The count had roughened him up more than he had anticipated. However, inwardly, he was having fun. How far will you go to teach your child a lesson, count? Although Alaric was beaten to a pulp, he wasn¡¯t the one losing. The count had aimed to teach him a lesson ¡ªfor defying him, for instilling the seriousness of this matter, and for demonstrating the cruelty of the world. At least that¡¯s why he thought for now. He couldn¡¯t fathom why his father got so furious and violent. Just because he rebelled, or was there some other reason? Whatever the reason might be, Alaric hadn¡¯t reacted as expected ¡ª he didn¡¯t yield after being beaten to a pulp. What will you do now, count? Will you stop or take things further? Alaric was certain the count would come to his senses. Almost. He glanced at Edgar. If he didn¡¯t come to his senses, Edgar was his safeguard. The count demanded Alaric¡¯s submission. Alaric denied him. ¡°No¡­never.¡± That seemed to break something inside him. Frustration mounting, his father prepared an elemental spell. His hands crackled with blue lightning. Alaric didn¡¯t falter. Bring it on! Edgar reacted swiftly and seized Eustace¡¯s hand from behind before he could unleash more devastation upon Alaric. ¡°Stop it, Eustace! The whole reason you¡¯re doing this is to protect him,¡± shouted Edgar. The count froze in his tracks as Edgar¡¯s words pierced through his rage. ¡°What good will it do if you kill your own son trying to teach him a lesson?¡± continued Edgar. The rage in his father¡¯s eyes cleared, replaced by horror as he inspected Alaric''s broken form lying on the ground. Now, he shed his role as the count and embraced his role as a father. He sank to the ground and cradled Alaric, muttering something to him. But he wasn¡¯t listening, struggling to resist the weariness overtaking him. ¡°Now¡­do you¡­trust me?¡± Alaric whispered with a grin and succumbed to the call of sleep. *** When Alaric regained consciousness, they were all still at ¡®The Whispering Woods.¡¯ Edgar had administered a potent healing potion that accelerated his recovery dramatically. Apparently, he had been unconscious for only two hours. However, his body still throbbed and ached all over. Alaric immediately activated his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to aid in his recovery. The healing potion was still working, so he conserved his heart chakra energy. ¡°You are one crazy child,¡± remarked Edgar. ¡°Defying the count like that.¡± He grinned. Alaric attempted to laugh but winced. ¡°I knew you¡¯d protect me!¡± Edgar coughed and continued, ¡°We didn¡¯t foresee things escalating this far.¡± Alaric opted to remain quiet. ¡°Son,¡± his father approached them, a sorrowful look etched onto his face. ¡°I..¡± he shook his head. Looks like he is grappling between the roles of a father and a count. He is remorseful but cannot voice it. ¡°It¡¯s okay, father. I understand why you had to do it¡­¡± he said softly. ¡°And, I¡¯m sorry as well, for putting you in such a spot.¡± The count acknowledged him with a solemn nod. ¡°You¡¯ve earned my trust.¡± ¡°The secret better be worth it,¡± quipped Alaric. The count looked surprised by how Alaric still had the mood to joke around. However, he did release a smile and proceeded to disclose what he had been holding back. Apparently, Alaric was not truly a bastard ¡ª at least according to the customs of one kingdom. But the truth was far more complex than he had ever imagined. His mother was the princess of the Kingdom of Eldoria. It was a small kingdom bordering The Aurion Empire but had managed to retain its sovereignty. The reason was that it was home to formidable witches. The Church of the Radiant Flame loathed them, and numerous wars had been waged to subjugate the kingdom over the last century. Yet, the witches had never been completely subdued. The Emperor decreed a policy of neutrality to finally end the bloodshed and prevent further losses. However, tensions remained high, and witches or anyone associated with them were unwelcome in The Aurion Empire, where the Church wielded immense power. The count¡¯s marriage to the princess was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few in positions of influence. It had never been declared publicly in Eldoria, and all the official records of the marriage were kept private under great care. Naturally, the count had also kept his marriage undisclosed upon his return to The Aurion Empire. Announcing it would have been disastrous. Instead, he branded Alaric as a bastard, and that was that. His mother¡¯s name was Seraphina ¡ª a formidable witch in her own right. Alaric now understood why he sensed the traces of another bloodline power coursing through his veins¡ªone even more potent than the count¡¯s. That power was both a blessing and a burden. Alaric possessed a legitimate claim to Eldoria¡¯s throne, though he was not the first in line. His mother had not been the eldest princess. Still, the revelation complicated the entire political landscape. If word spread that he had royal blood in his veins, there would be no end to his troubles. Moreover, the count would be forced to answer for his ¡®sins¡¯ before the Church. Alaric chuckled. Suddenly, he felt like a prized political bargaining chip. Once again, he felt the system had played a trick on him. In his previous life, he had been under the tutelage of the ¡®Elder Witch of Night Peaks.¡¯ Now, history was repeating itself. He had no doubt that someone from the witch clan would come seeking him sooner or later. The Count feared that too. That was why he was so unsettled. Chapter 49 - Revelations ¡°Alaric, wear this at all times,¡± said the count, presenting him with a bracelet etched with intricate runes. When Alaric regarded him with a questioning look, he elaborated on the function of the bracelet. It was a mana scrambler ¡ª something that would obstruct cultivators from tracking him once activated. No witch would dare to approach Alaric while he remained in the count¡¯s estate. However, someday he would have to depart to explore the world beyond. It was inevitable that somebody from the witch clan would eventually attempt to reach him. Activating the mana scrambler would grant a measure of safety by preventing them from locking on to his position and pursuing him. Hmm¡­that¡¯s a nice artifact. He accepted the bracelet and clasped it around his hand, expressing his gratitude to the count. Alaric wasn¡¯t afraid to confront any witches whenever they came for him. He refused to live in fear of being targeted by an enemy all his life. The life of a cultivator was fraught with risks, and it was through those risks that they grew. However, this little bracelet could serve many purposes. It would not merely deter witches but anyone intent on hunting him. The count still appeared somewhat guilty after thrashing Alaric. He chuckled inwardly. In truth, he was rather grateful for the thrashing. It had granted him an excellent opportunity to partially awaken his sacral chakra. In fact, he could¡¯ve advanced his sacral chakra mid-fight. But he had vowed not to use a single skill, ability, or chakra power during the fight. It was the only way to truly win against the count and make him submit to his demand. However, there was another reason - it was too risky to use the powers of chakra under the scrutiny of Edgar and the count. Especially during moments of advancement when the uniqueness of his cultivation method would become more evident. He¡¯d succeeded in evading suspicion from Captain Aldric, but he didn¡¯t want to push his luck. Nevertheless, once he returned home, he resolved to channel the inspiration he had gained today to advance the cultivation of his sacral chakra during his mind-tempering meditation. Edgar materialized a whole table laden with a variety of snacks. A dimensional storage device. ¡°Eat your fill and recover your energy. We are not done yet,¡± said Edgar with a smirk. He clearly anticipated Alaric¡¯s curiosity about the dimensional storage device, but Alaric denied him that satisfaction. He feigned indifference. Instead, he retrieved a chicken sandwich and orange juice from the table. Edgar clicked his tongue in annoyance. Alaric smirked. ¡°Alaric, how far have you progressed in your cultivation?¡± asked the count. The count fixed his gaze on him, as if probing for any signs of dishonesty. Alaric relayed the truth ¡ª as much as he could. Of course, he couldn¡¯t divulge anything about his chakra cultivation process. However, he recounted his explorations in the Tutorial Rift and the number of skills he had acquired. He had yet to consume the bone-forging pill and the Troll¡¯s Blood Elixir¡ª he was reserving them for when he undertook his reforging process. ¡°Have you noticed anything peculiar inside the rifts¡± ¡°Like hidden zones?¡± The count and Edgar both raised their eyebrows. ¡°So, you did discover a hidden area?¡± Alaric confirmed. If he could communicate clearly about the hidden zone, that must mean they were both recognized as authorized users by the system - they had ventured into hidden areas on their own inside the Tutorial Rift. However, he could only explain the details of the ¡®Azure Ruin Arch¡¯, not anything about the group delving. Apparently hidden areas were also customized by the system and this whole group delving aspect was even more mysterious. ¡°You are doing good Alaric,¡± the count placed a hand on his shoulders. ¡°But we have to ensure you are living up to your full potential.¡± When Alaric didn¡¯t answer, the count continued. ¡°We have to prepare you for The Tower of Trials.¡± The count explained that Edgar and he would start training him after he acquired his mana skills in the Tutorial Rift. They had devised some plans for him. ¡°Try to acquire at least 10 mana skills and all the resources inside the Tutorial Rift,¡± said Edgar. ¡°With your potential, we believe you can attain the advanced mana manipulation ability.¡± Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Alaric scratched his cheek. ¡°Yes¡­about that¡­¡± When he explained his strategy for obtaining the [Superior Mana Manipulation] ability, they were stunned. Initially, they attempted to dissuade him, stating it was too reckless. However, upon witnessing his resolve, they gave up trying to convince him. ¡°I¡¯d have thrashed you to convince you,¡± said Edgar. Alaric smirked. ¡°But I already know it doesn¡¯t work on you.¡± He gestured at the count. ¡°Besides, I suppose you¡¯ve been battered plenty for one day.¡± The count shot him a glare, clearly unamused. When Alaric inquired how far they managed to delve inside the Tutorial Rift, both of them evaded the question. Hah¡­what happened to sharing information? ¡°You are progressing at a good rate,¡± said the count. ¡°We also need to focus on your reforging process.¡± Alaric simply nodded. ¡°Have you grasped the cultivation technique I¡¯ve taught you?¡± ¡°Ye..Yes.¡± The count squinted his eyes and glared at Alaric, who averted his eyes and casually munched on the chicken sandwich and sipped his juice. I hope he doesn¡¯t ask me to demonstrate the technique. Fortunately, the count refrained from requesting a demonstration of the cultivation technique he taught. Alaric knew the technique but would be clumsy at it since he hadn¡¯t actually practiced it. And that would prompt many questions ¡ª like how he had managed to progress so swiftly while being so inept at the technique. ¡°Okay, our first priority is to assist you in advancing your mana core to the liquid stage,¡± began Edgar. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you will receive some resources that will facilitate your advancement.¡± Alaric opted to remain silent. He wasn¡¯t sure how to break the news that he had already advanced his mana core to the liquid stage. The count caught his expression first and blurted, ¡°You don¡¯t seem that excited to be offered so many resources.¡± Alaric shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯m grateful. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve already received a resource for advancing the mana core inside the Tutorial Rift. An Azure pearl. ¡°Where is it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve used it already.¡± ¡°And, what stage is your core at now?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Alaric, at what stage is your mana core now?¡± The count leaned closer. ¡°Liquid¡­¡± The count and Edgar burst into laughter. Alaric couldn¡¯t comprehend what had suddenly amused them. The count flashed a knowing smile but swiftly masked it. Alaric expected the count to question him some more. Instead, he just patted his back and congratulated him. All of them worked out a training schedule for him. Originally, they had planned for Alaric to demonstrate his skills so that they could devise a proper training regimen for him. However, given his poor condition, they opted to wait for his recovery. The high-grade healing potion they administered would accelerate his recovery tenfold. And, Alaric was grateful for that. When Alaric finished his meal, all of them teleported back to the mansion. *** Eustace POV Eustace sat in his study with his trusted friend Edgar - a glass of whiskey in each of their hands. His heart pounded. What he did today - thrashing Alaric... He shook his head. I went too far today. He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. And, ultimately, I failed to accomplish my objective. I don¡¯t understand you, Alaric. ¡°What came over you today, Eustace?¡± said Edgar softly. ¡°When you said you¡¯d handle things, I didn¡¯t expect you to take it this far.¡± He downed his liquor in one gulp and slammed the glass onto the table. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t want to put that burden on you.¡± He gazed outside the window. ¡°I had to do it myself.¡± ¡°I know why you did what you did today, Eustace. You can¡¯t hide it from me.¡± He averted his gaze. It was too painful to acknowledge why he acted the way he did, even to his friend. ¡°Of course you do,¡± Eustace poured them another peg of whiskey. ¡°I was trying to teach my kid a lesson. The audacity of him, defying me,¡± he let out a half-hearted chuckle, sneaked a quick glance at his friend, and continued. ¡°I was just angry and lost control.¡± His friend wasn¡¯t buying his act. ¡°Eustace, you never lose control like this,¡± said Edgar. ¡°Have they arrived in the city already? How many?¡± He released a sigh and locked eyes with his friend. ¡°It seems I can¡¯t hide anything from you.¡± Edgar smirked and waited for him to continue. ¡°I¡¯ve detected the presence of three witches in the city,¡± he said gravely. ¡°Powerful ones too.¡± Eustace always knew this day would come. The moment Alaric entered the Tutorial Rift, Seraphina would have been alerted. And, the witches possessed all sorts of tricks. It was only a matter of time before they uncovered that information. And now they had. He hadn¡¯t disclosed this to Alaric. There was no point in worrying the kid. The bracelet wasn¡¯t just a mana scrambler; it was uniquely crafted to erase his mana signature as well. Hopefully, it would be enough to keep him safe. ¡°Do you want me to investigate them?¡± asked Edgar. ¡°No,¡± he denied, shaking his head. ¡°They are waiting for now. I don¡¯t want to escalate things unnecessarily.¡± Dealing with witches was never wise. It was like disturbing a hornet¡¯s nest. If you provoked them, you would get stung. In the end, it was a no-win scenario. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about Alaric,¡± assured Edgar. ¡°He is a good kid and has a strong heart.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m worried about,¡± he snapped. The burning sensation in his chest intensified under the influence of the alcohol, and he vented his frustration. ¡°The witches, the church, or even the emperor himself could take me hostage...¡± he exhaled sharply. ¡°Alaric has too much potential. I cannot allow him to become a slave or a puppet.¡± ¡°So, what?¡± bellowed Edgar. ¡°You mercilessly beat your own kid so that he starts hating you? That is not how you protect him.¡± ¡°There was no other way,¡± Eustace muttered, though even he didn¡¯t believe his own words. He had no idea how to guarantee Alaric¡¯s safety. ¡°And how did that work out for you?¡± countered Edgar. ¡°What about his friends? Will you take care of them, just so they cannot become a weakness too?¡± Eustace had no response. He had expected Alaric to hate him after delivering his ¡®punishment,¡¯ yet he couldn¡¯t sense even a trace of hatred from him. And he could never harm any of the kids, no matter what. ¡°Stop living with the guilt, Eustace,¡± Edgar urged, gripping his hand. He wanted the entire world to know that Alaric was his son. To acknowledge him as his rightful heir. He wanted Alaric to meet his mother. And yet, all he had done was create obstacles for him and strip him of the dignity he rightfully deserved. Eustace released a sigh. Perhaps, Edgar is correct. He resolved to approach this matter from another angle. Chapter 50 - The Ember Plains Eustace¡¯s POV Eustace was feeling a little better after venting his frustration. Edgar had managed to turn his mind. He had to think rationally to resolve this problem instead of succumbing to the guilt he harbored deep inside. If an encounter with the witches was unavoidable at some point, they would prepare accordingly. I will not give up so easily. ¡°We have to prepare Alaric to be as strong as possible,¡± said Eustace. ¡°Before he reaches an academy.¡± He trusted Alaric to secure admission into a prestigious academy with his talents. Capital city academies such as ¡®The Stellan Institute¡¯ or ¡®Evercrest Academy¡¯ were among the most secure places in the empire for students. Once Alaric secured admission into a prestigious academy, it would be the responsibility of the administration to protect him. And, he could relax for a while. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll make sure of it,¡± said Edgar. ¡°At the rate he is progressing, I believe he¡¯ll be able to acquire ten mana skills within six months.¡± Edgar scratched his cheek, as if wanting to ask him something but hesitating to approach the matter. He could discern the reason for Edgar''s hesitation. So, you have the same doubt. He chuckled and decided to broach the subject himself. ¡°Do you suspect Alaric is using a different cultivation technique as well?¡± he said. There was almost no mistaking his gut. There was no way Alaric could forge a liquid mana core so early without an exceptional cultivation technique. His own bloodline cultivation technique couldn¡¯t deliver such results. And that meant Alaric wasn¡¯t using the cultivation technique he had taught him. ¡°Yes, I do. Do you think we should talk to him about this?¡± Edgar asked. Eustace shook his head. ¡°No, there is no need.¡± He let out a laugh. ¡°Didn''t you notice his face when we questioned him about his progress?¡± Edgar nodded. ¡°Yes, he was nervous, as if he was guarding some kind of secret.¡± The count and his best friend agreed that it would be best not to press Alaric on this subject, at least for now. If Alaric didn¡¯t want to disclose where he had learned such a powerful cultivation technique, there was no way they could pry it out of him. Is he simply a natural-born prodigy? Or is there something more to this that I¡¯m unable to grasp at the moment? He shook his head. Some secrets are best left undisclosed. Although it still troubled the count how his kid discovered such a powerful cultivation technique, he decided to let go of the matter for now. *** Alaric felt unusually thrilled to explore the third zone of the Tutorial Rift - The Ember Plains. It was a volcanic wasteland that stretched to the horizon with rivers of lava flowing around hills. The ground shook intermittently when nearby volcanoes erupted. and the air was thick with ash clouds and heavy sulfur. However, he exhaled a long sigh, relieved to have the chance to explore a new zone - alone - after so many weeks. Now, he could unleash his power and battle enemies without constraints. He didn¡¯t have to fret about his friends when exploring together. The howling of a creature broke his reverie. Flame hounds. Alaric summoned his mana gauntlet lance and advanced deeper. Jagged obsidian rock formations all around served as both cover and obstacles. A creature lunged at him from behind an obsidian rock formation as he neared it. Alaric dodged it and drove his mana gauntlet lance at its ribs. It yelped in pain and retreated behind a pack of flame hounds that gradually emerged. The large, wolf-like creatures had black fur streaked with flowing fissures of magma. The pack encircled him, scrutinizing him but hesitating to strike first. Hah...intelligent creatures. Alaric lunged forward to strike at one of them with his mana gauntlet lance. However, it managed to avoid his strike. The flame hound reinforced their bodies with a skill - [Mana Strengthening]. Their muscles swelled and their agility improved. One of them howled and they spread out. As Alaric attempted to land another strike, multiple wolves harassed him from different angles. He conjured a mana shield to defend himself. At this rate, I won¡¯t be able to slay them. He exposed himself on purpose to create an opening. It was a risky move, but it yielded results. He managed to land a strike with his mana gauntlet lance onto a flame hound¡¯s body. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. However, his mana gauntlet lance hit the creature''s reinforced body and shattered. As the creatures realized his attacks were ineffective, they grew bolder. Alaric swiftly summoned a mana shield as multiple flame hounds lunged at him, attempting to pin him down. Heat radiated from their bodies, scorching his skin, and the pressure of their combined weight began to fracture his barrier. Alaric gritted his teeth, channeling mana into his barrier skill to the limits. No, I cannot give up. Unfortunately, his mana shield cracked under the force. One hound sank its teeth into his arm, and another latched onto his leg. He swallowed the pain and activated [Zen Flow] to reduce the strain. Time seemed to slow as he analyzed the wolves and detected how they circulated mana to reinforce their bodies. He had already suspected how to channel mana similarly. Now, he confirmed it. Got it! He grinned. Congratulations! You have acquired the skill [Mana Strengthening] (common). He pumped mana into his body to reinforce it and immediately felt new strength flooding him. It was akin to exhausting a drop of root chakra energy but not quite. Enhancing his body through this skill felt temporary, unrefined, and a little less potent at this stage. However, it was enough for now. With his newfound power, he drove a mana gauntlet lance into the hound that bit his arm with a roar. It shrieked in pain, fear now evident in its eyes. He kicked the other one that clamped onto his leg. Alaric rose and activated his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to heal his wounds. He scanned the flame hounds, noting their positions, now cowering under his glare. The creatures realized that what they had considered prey just moments ago was, in fact, a predator. The flame hounds would simply flee if he attempted to chase them, and that would waste too much energy. He tried something new. Instead of forging a mana gauntlet lance with his [Mana Solidification] skill, he sculpted a long javelin and hurled it at one of the hounds with tremendous force. Before the hound could comprehend what had occurred, the mana javelin pierced through its skull. Alaric summoned a long mana spear and charged into the fray, skewering the hounds left and right. The flame hounds were not a match for him anymore - in agility or strength. He launched mana javelins at those attempting to flee, killing them on the spot. His heart pounded, and heat surged through his chest. This is the feeling he craved ¡ª The power to annihilate his opponents without resistance. After taking care of every flame hound in the vicinity, he ventured further and arrived near a molten lake. His danger sense flared, prompting him to evade a projectile attack. A massive humanoid figure emerged from the pool ¡ª its body composed of cooled volcanic rock, with streaks of lava flowing through its form. Hot magma dripped from its hand. Lava Fiends. Alaric dodged once more as it flung a glob of lava at him, which exploded upon impact. He hurled a mana javelin at the lava fiend, expecting it to pierce through. However, the mana javelin erupted into flames and melted as it sank into the lava fiend¡¯s body. More of these monstrosities emerged from the pool and began lobbing globs of lava at him. He darted away from some and shielded himself from others. However, he couldn¡¯t remain completely unscathed, as the lava detonated upon contact with the shield or the ground, sending shockwaves and debris that battered his body. Alaric scoured his mind for a strategy. He observed that the lava fiends refrained from throwing lava globs when he was near them. He revised his strategy. He conjured a mana shield just as a lava fiend was about to launch a lava glob. However, instead of shielding himself, he enveloped the lava fiend¡¯s body. The lava glob detonated upon impact with the shield from within, shattering a section of its form. It roared in pain. Alaric grinned. Yes, this will work. He wove between the elemental monstrosities, capitalizing on their reluctance to strike their kin with lava globs, and encased them in shields when they attempted to attack him, turning their own assaults against them. It was all going well. Suddenly, the ground shook, and a far larger lava fiend emerged halfway from the pool, its upper body towering above the surface while the rest remained submerged. Elite Event Triggered - Defeat the Lava Fiend Champion. Reward - ??? The lava fiend champion plunged its hand beneath the magma lake, scooped up a massive glob of lava, and flung it at Alaric, who swiftly dodged. Unlike the previous lava globs that exploded on impact, this one adhered to the ground, spreading into a thick layer of magma. Alaric couldn¡¯t rely on his shield against these attacks. The lava would simply cling to and engulf his shield, scorching him when he dispelled it. More lava fiends emerged from the lava pool. The temperature in the area soared up. Alaric started sweating. The monstrosities advanced with newfound confidence, as if empowered anew under the watchful gaze of the lava fiend champion. They unleashed a relentless barrage of lava globs, far more than before. Alaric could only brace himself against the assault, with no opportunity to evade. Each time a lava glob exploded against his shield, the shock reverberated through his very bones. Time and again, his shield teetered on the brink of collapse, and he barely sustained it by channeling mana into the skill at a frantic pace. It was only possible thanks to his liquid core. However, when the lava fiend champion hurled a colossal glob of lava that latched onto his shield, the blistering heat nearly incapacitated him. His skin blistered, his hair singed, his throat dried, and his bones ached. ¡°Aargh..¡± Alaric roared, refusing to give up. If none of his skills were working, he would craft a new one. Alaric extended his palm and began gathering his mana. However, instead of solidifying it, he compressed it further, forcing an orb of condensed mana to coalesce around his hand. The concentrated mana vibrated under the grip of his willpower and yeared to be released. When he could no longer contain it, he aimed his palm at the lava fiend champion and released his hold on the mana. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Blast] (uncommon). A concentrated surge of mana erupted from his palm, obliterating a massive portion of his mana shield, carving through several lava fiends before colliding with the lava fiend champion¡¯s body, triggering a huge explosion. Chapter 51 - Experimentation and Suffering Alaric released a sigh, relishing the brief break in the fight. The previous attack depleted a huge chunk of his mana. But he was happy. I finally have a powerful long-range attack skill. He marched ahead on the path carved by his mana blast attack. But it consumes too much mana. I¡¯ll have to adjust its output. He surveyed the setting, preparing for battle once again. As the smoke from the explosion settled, he spotted the lava fiend champion hunched over, one side of its head now missing. However, pools of lava were amassing around the missing section, reconstructing its body anew. It¡¯s healing. Alaric smirked. No matter, I just have to obliterate it completely. But first¡­ Alaric turned around. The lava fiends were retreating back into the pool. You are not escaping anywhere. He leveled a finger at one of the monstrosities. Let¡¯s see if this works. Alaric triggered his [Mana Blast] skill and condensed mana at the tip of his fingers. He restrained the output of the power of the skill to conserve his mana. His finger seared and throbbed with pain but he didn¡¯t relent. A shimmering blue sphere materialized in front of his extended finger. The condensed mana threatened to unravel and detonate on his fingers but he stabilized it with his willpower. Shrinking the condensed mana to a pinpoint, he launched it at the lava fiend. The small ball of mana shot forward like a bullet and collided with its head, exploding on impact and annihilating its head. Hah¡­how does it feel to taste your own medicine? The lava fiends all around him scrambled into action. They began flinging lava globs at him, but Alaric effortlessly deflected or dodged the attacks. He unleashed carefully constructed condensed mana projectiles at them from afar, killing them with one shot each. The mana javelins didn¡¯t work but the condensed mana projectiles were surprisingly effective at destroying their bodies. With the lava fiend champion still regenerating, the lava fiends were were no longer a problem. The whole battlefield became his playground. He experimented with launching different sizes of mana projectiles and attempted to fire multiple projectiles at once. Forming mana projectiles the size of a pea was sufficient to detonate their heads. It was the best combination of power and efficiency. However, with his current skill level, he wasn¡¯t able to manifest and discharge more than one projectile even when using multiple fingers. No matter. I¡¯ll master it soon. With most of the lava fiends eradicated, he fixated on the lava fiend champion, which was almost done regenerating completely. Alaric aimed his palm and discharged another mana blast at its gigantic form. A huge orb of mana surged at the massive creature and collided with its head. This time, there were no obstacles in the way and the explosion completely obliterated the head of the creature. The headless body of the giant collapsed back into the pool of lava but it wasn¡¯t dead yet. Threads of lava intertwined around its injured neck and began reconstructing its head. Alaric lunged forward, preparing to unleash another mana blast. He resolved to finish the creature in the next move. This time, he cupped his palms together and expended almost a tenth of his mana to empower the mana blast. His body recoiled from the force of release, and he felt the bones in his elbows fracture. A swirling mass of mana the size of a basketball devoured everything in its path as it approached its target. Alaric instantly activated his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to heal his body and withdrew to evade the blast¡¯s radius. The ball of mana collided with the body of the lava fiend champion, carved a hole through its center, and sank deep into the pool of lava. The creature began disintegrating from the center outward, leaving only a small ruby gem in its wake. Alaric advanced, seized the reward, and stowed it away, planning to examine it later. After a while, a tremendous explosion shook the whole ground, and the lava pool erupted into a shower of molten rock. Alaric shielded himself. Multiple dings rang in his mind, but he chose to ignore the notifications. The whole region continued to tremble, as if an earthquake had struck. A vortex swirled within the lava pool, pulling everything toward its core. As the lava drained away, Alaric spotted a pathway leading deeper inside. Should I head deeper inside the pool or explore the region of the surface? However, he didn¡¯t have the luxury to decide at leisure. Disturbed by the chaos, a nearby volcano erupted, drenching the entire area in smoke and lava rain. It began covering the pool once again with molten lava. No, I have to get there before the entrance is sealed shut again. Alaric conjured a mana shield around his entire body, activated his [Zen Flow] and [Mana Strengthening], and plunged into the half-empty lava pool. Searing heat scorched his body, but he funneled more mana into his [Vital Mana Flow] skill to accelerate his healing. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Black smoke and ash obscured his vision, but he zipped through it all, focusing on reaching the entrance. Just as he dove inside, the pool was engulfed once again by molten lava. For a moment, Alaric was enveloped in darkness and the sensation of weightlessness. Then, a surge of heat rushed past him, followed by a blinding crimson glow. He crashed onto a scorched obsidian ground, the impact reverberating through his bones. Congratulations! You have discovered a hidden zone - The Infernal Arena Warning - This is a concealed hidden zone. Proceed with caution. Alaric rose and took stock of the area. He was inside a vast, circular arena carved within the heart of a volcano itself. Towering walls enclosed him on all sides¡ªjagged cliffs of black stone streaked with glowing veins of magma. Thick plumes of smoke billowed around him from the ground, periodically erupting into geysers of scorching fire. He realized he was standing inside a massive sigil that was engraved into the obsidian ground. Suddenly, molten lava flowed through the carvings of the sigils, and Alaric sensed the mana of the area stir into motion. It¡¯s some type of summoning spell. He instantly sharpened his focus, activating all his skills to brace for any danger. The temperature in the area skyrocketed, and black smoke and fire coalesced into a humanoid form. It was an unstable mass of fire and smoke, shaped like a human specter draped in a rugged smoke cloak. Molten red chains wrapped around its translucent limbs, and it hovered just above the ground. Two small globs of fire sparked to life where its eyes should be, and it fixed its gaze on Alaric. Boss Event Triggered - Defeat the Pyroclasm Wraith. Reward - ??? The wraith made no attempt to advance toward him. It merely tilted its head, scrutinizing his presence inside its lair. Alaric¡¯s danger sense flared. This boss felt entirely different from all the previous enemies he had faced inside the Tutorial Rift. He immediately hurled a mana javelin at it, but it merely phased through the creature and struck the wall behind. The creature wailed and thrust a hand toward him. He darted to the side as the spot he had occupied erupted into flames. Alaric fired a mana projectile at it, but it, too, passed through the creature without inflicting any damage. Alaric continued to launch mana projectiles and javelins at it, hoping to discover an opening, but each time, his attacks simply phased through the creature. Do no physical attacks work on the wraith? The wraith still hadn¡¯t moved from its position. Does it not consider me a threat yet? Alaric scrunched his brows. The creature simply blasted flames after flames at Alaric, snickering all the while. It was toying with him, and Alaric didn¡¯t appreciate that. He shielded his body from the flames, but his mana was depleting quickly. He couldn¡¯t keep this up. He had to figure out a way to inflict damage on the wraith. Alaric scoured his mind for any potential exploit. He analyzed its every movement, every gesture, every attack, and finally discovered a pattern. Just before launching an attack, its body turned a shade darker. Alaric charged a mana blast but didn¡¯t launch it yet. Instead, he waited for the wraith to make its move. Just as it was about to strike, Alaric unleashed his attack, synchronizing the timing perfectly. The ball of mana detonated within its form, scattering its body into smoke and fire. The creature wailed but rapidly began reforming. Hah¡­that¡¯s punishment for not taking me seriously. Alaric smirked and readied another attack. The wraith was no longer in a playful mood¡ªit no longer waited and watched. Instead, it began moving erratically, flickering between solid and ethereal states while bombarding him with blasts of fire. It became difficult to target the wraith in this state, forcing him to concentrate more on his defense. Alaric wasn¡¯t prepared for what happened next. Tendrils of black smoke reached for him and coiled around his limbs. They were intangible, making them impossible to evade. However, once the smoky tendrils wrapped around his limbs, they solidified into chains and yanked him down to the ground, stretching his limbs in four directions. His skin charred where the chains wrapped around his body. A searing, nerve-racking pain surged through his body. It wasn¡¯t just physical torment; it was burning his very soul. Alaric gritted his teeth, clinging to his sanity. He depleted a drop of root chakra on top of strengthening his body with mana but couldn''t break free. His vital mana skill failed to heal him fast enough to counteract the physical damage, and it proved utterly ineffective against the agony ravaging his soul. The wraith drifted toward him, savoring Alaric¡¯s torment. It peeled back its cloak to expose a grotesque face twisted into a wide grin lined with jagged black teeth. ¡°Ah... ooh. Isss, hea yeom,¡± muttered the creature, gesturing towards the arena. Alaric couldn¡¯t decipher a single word. All he understood was that the creature possessed intelligence and was attempting to communicate with him. Is it a sentient creature? But why is it trying to communicate with me? When it noticed Alaric¡¯s confused expression, its face darkened. The wraith repeated the words, gesturing more fervently for emphasis, but shrieked in frustration when it realized communication with him was futile. Multiple strands of fiery orange hair, sharp as needles, hovered around the wraith before stabbing into his flesh. Alaric screamed in agony, barely clinging to consciousness. The wraith giggled, delighted in his suffering. You will regret this. Alaric promised internally. Even through the soul-wrenching pain, he concentrated on his sacral chakra, channeled mana into it, and compelled it to spin. With each rotation of the chakra, he envisioned it siphoning the waves of physical and emotional torment, storing the suffering within, and alleviating his mind and body. Gradually, the burden on his being lightened. The mind-tempering process was progressing well. The wraith continued torturing him by piercing his body with searing needles. Alaric lost his sense of time, but he was grateful for the assistance in the mind-tempering process. His sacral chakra spun faster and faster until, eventually, it ceased absorbing his mana. It became self-sustaining, pulsating with an orange glow. It had partially awakened. Alaric felt tranquility wash over him. He gazed at the wraith with serene, unshaken eyes. The wraith flinched, suddenly realizing something was amiss. As if wondering where the terror in its prey¡¯s eyes had vanished. And why had his screams ceased? With his mind now calm, Alaric experienced a spark of inspiration for a new skill. It wasn¡¯t documented in any book he had studied on mana techniques. Nor had Master Vellan or his friends ever mentioned it. It was born from his desperation to wound the wraith and escape these accursed chains. When the wraith materialized to attack him again, Alric drained a drop of his solar plexus chakra, condensing all the mana in his body at once near his core. The next moment, he unleashed his grip over the mana and it rebounded, surging in a wave through his body and outside it in a spherical globe. The effect lasted for only a split second, but it was enough. The infernal chains wavered, their mana composition disrupted, and Alaric immediately seized that opportunity to break free from the chains. Before the wraith could comprehend what had happened, he clasped its face with his palm, cycled his sacral chakra, and discharged a mass of purified orange energy¡ªit was all the pain and suffering he had accumulated during his mind tempering process. Chapter 52 - Progress Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Scrambling] (Rare). Alaric ignored the notification. Instead, he focused on taking his revenge on the wraith. The discharged mass of purified orange energy surged through the wraith¡¯s face and cascaded down its body, ravaging it. The wraith shrieked in pain. Its face burned, and smoke billowed out of its eye sockets. It convulsed in Alaric¡¯s grip as he clamped onto the monster¡¯s face, refusing to let go. How do you like the taste of your own medicine? Alaric had withstood the torment. The wraith, however, lacked the will to endure the agony. He didn¡¯t like torturing foes ¡ª be they humans or monsters. However, moments ago, the wraith reveled in his pain and suffering. He had endured worse in his previous life. That¡¯s why he could persevere. But what about other young cultivators who stumble upon this secret zone? Would they be able to withstand the same torment as him? It is unlikely. He had no idea how the Tutorial Rift truly functioned. Whether the same monsters regenerated and ambushed young cultivators or not. But if it did, he wanted the wraith to experience the same torment it inflicted on its foes so that next time, it would think twice. When the wraith attempted to become intangible, Alaric used [Mana Scrambling] to discharge another wave of pure mana through the arm that clasped its face. A spherical dome of mana burst out of it and enveloped the wraith, destabilizing its intangible form and forcing it to rematerialize. The new skill devoured his mana and required a steady infusion of his purified solar plexus chakra energy, but it was worth it. It discharged a shockwave of pure mana - bound by his will - that infiltrated his target and temporarily disrupted the mana flow within their body. For now, it served to prevent the wraith from becoming intangible, but Alaric had a few more ideas on how to utilize his new skill. With its form now tangible, Alaric unleashed a wave of [Mana Blast] from his palm at point-blank range and obliterated the wraith¡¯s face. A series of dings rang in his mind, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. The dive today had been challenging, but a smile tugged at his lips. He had secured three new skills. And one of them was a rare skill, which was highly unexpected. He had also succeeded in partially awakening his sacral chakra. He reviewed the description of his new skills Mana Strengthening - You can reinforce parts of your body by channeling mana, providing slight boosts in strength, agility, and durability. Higher levels allow larger boosts and more stable reinforcement. Mana Blast - You can emit a wave of condensed mana at your target to inflict devastating damage. The capacity to condense mana and the volume you can accumulate will improve at higher skill levels. Mana Scrambling - You can discharge bursts of pure mana infused with your will to disrupt the flow of mana within its sphere of influence. Higher levels improve control, range, duration, and disruption potency. With that done, he inspected the ruby gem he obtained from defeating the lava fiend champion. Elite Lava Fiend¡¯s Core - A monster core filled with potent fire mana. Absorbing it permanently enhances fire mana affinity and heat resistance. It can be utilized for crafting powerful fire-infused weapons, armor, and enchantments. Hmm..not bad. Elemental affinities came into play when a cultivator advanced to Tier 2. Depending on their bloodline and inherent capabilities, a cultivator could possess affinities for various elements at different degrees of potency. However, there were methods to acquire new elemental affinities or augment existing ones by consuming specific resources. Of course, the best way to obtain and enhance elemental affinities was to forge a bond with an entity to share their powers. Testing for affinities was not a priority during the early stages of Tier 1 development. That¡¯s why Alaric had yet to evaluate his affinities. In fact, he hadn¡¯t yet determined which affinity to pursue. But fire affinity was always formidable, and this would be a viable option if he couldn¡¯t secure a better elemental affinity. The whole area trembled. It was on the verge of collapse. He observed the center of the sigil engraved onto the ground crumbling as an altar gradually ascended from the earth. A treasure chest rested within it. Alaric advanced to claim his reward. A small vial filled with luminous orange liquid rested inside it. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Molten Blood Elixir - An elixir infused with the fiery essence of Pyroclasm Wraiths. Absorbing the fiery essence significantly aids in reforging the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of your body. Permanently enhances heat resistance upon consumption. Excellent! Alaric was grateful for all the resources he could obtain inside the Tutorial Rift. It would accelerate his cultivation progress and enable him to reforge his body more effectively when the time arrived. He released a sigh and checked the details of his Sacral Chakra. Swadhisthana (Sacral Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened) Passive effect: The purified subtle energy of the Sacral Chakra continuously fortifies your emotional resilience and mental fortitude, allowing you to endure and overcome all forms of psychological resistance ¡ª be it pain, grief, fear, or anger. This helps to develop a mind that remains steady, unshaken by turmoil. Active Effect: By channeling the purified energy of the Sacral Chakra, you can temporarily gain an immense surge in willpower, enabling you to withstand overwhelming mental and emotional strain. In this state, doubt and hesitation fade, leaving behind indomitable willpower. A smile tugged at his lips. He had been striving to partially awaken his sacral chakra during his mind-tempering meditation sessions for some time now. Meditating on the inspiration he gained during his encounter with the count contributed greatly but it was still insufficient. In truth, nothing could truly compare with the stimuli one experienced in a life-or-death situation. In such circumstances, a cultivator either succumbed or ascended to new heights. It was the same for Alaric. He inspected his sacral chakra and clicked his tongue. It was nearly depleted of purified energy. He would have to regenerate the sacral chakra energy again. The purified energy of the chakras could be utilized in two ways. The usual way was to utilize it to gain some specific advantage in one¡¯s cultivation, such as strengthening the body and mind. It was also the easier way. Another way was to utilize it to impose a specific disadvantage on an opponent. However, it was significantly more challenging to wield the energy that way since it required one to contend with the opponent''s energy and willpower. Additionally, it consumed considerably more energy to use the chakra in that manner. Alaric managed to achieve this since monsters typically had weaker willpower compared to human cultivators at the same tier. Although that wasn¡¯t always the case. He dismissed those thoughts and checked the notifications. Skills: [Mana Solidification lvl 9 -> Mana Solidification lvl 10] [Vital Mana Flow lvl 8 -> Vital Mana Flow lvl 10] [Zen Flow lvl 6 -> Zen Flow lvl 10] [Mana Shield lvl 4 -> Mana Shield lvl 8] [Mana Strengthening lvl 1 -> Mana Strengthening lvl 5] [Mana Blast lvl 1 -> Mana Blast lvl 4] [Mana Scrambling lvl 1 -> Mana Scrambling lvl 4] Abilities: [Mana Manipulation lvl 8 -> Mana Manipulation lvl 10] Alaric grinned. He needed to obtain only one more mana skill to unlock the advanced mana manipulation ability. However, his true objective lay further ahead ¡ª superior mana manipulation. For that, he would need to evolve his mana skills. Fortunately, he already possessed two evolved mana skills ¡ª mana blast and mana scrambling. He invested his experience points and reviewed his stats: Strength - 31 -> 34 Agility - 30 -> 32 Vitality - 28 -> 30 Mind - 30 -> 34 Soul - 35 -> 37 It was time to return. *** Alaric and his friends wandered through the city. They had visited ¡®The Sunlit Plaza¡¯ earlier, and now, they stood by the riverside, watching the sun slowly descend beyond the horizon, painting the evening sky in a crimson glow. ¡°That is excellent news, Alaric,¡± said Rowan. ¡°Training with the count and Edgar will definitely accelerate your progress.¡± Alaric had shared the details of his new training schedule with his friends. Of course, he had not revealed why the count and Edgar had suddenly taken such an interest in training him. He wasn¡¯t worried about disclosing the secret of his bloodline to his friends. They were trustworthy and would keep silent. He simply didn¡¯t want to burden them with this information when there was nothing they could do to assist him. On the contrary, they could become targets if they were made aware of these details. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask them to participate in the training too?¡± suggested Alaric. ¡°We could spar together.¡± George and Gareth were not particularly interested in training. They had different aspirations in life. However, Alaric noticed a glimmer of enthusiasm in Rowan¡¯s eyes. His friend was eager to receive instruction from such formidable cultivators. Rowan had been invited to the Tower of Trials, after all, and he sought every advantage he could acquire to ascend as high as possible. ¡°No,¡± Rowan blurted. ¡°I don¡¯t think that would be appropriate.¡± Alaric chuckled. Rowan was hesitating. Such a young kid. Allowing hesitation to overpower their ambition often robs cultivators of many opportunities in life, which they regret later. That¡¯s why it was crucial to push through these emotional conflicts. ¡°Nonsense,¡± Alaric clapped Rowan¡¯s back. ¡°I will speak for you. In fact,¡± he raised a hand when Rowan tried to interject and gestured at George and Gareth. ¡°I will include the whole group.¡± Both of them grinned. They were not particularly interested in training, but they could still observe. In a few months, all of them would become too occupied to spend time together anyway. ¡°I suppose it would be more enjoyable for you as well,¡± said Rowan. Alaric grinned. ¡°If it makes you feel any better, I plan to invite Therin as well.¡± His friends exchanged confused glances. When George inquired why, he responded, ¡°I never had the opportunity to whoop his ass.¡± He smirked. Gareth was the first one to burst into laughter, followed by everybody else. Rowan and Therin were both on the cusp of advancing to Tier 2. In fact, with all the resources they had acquired, he figured they would become stronger than the average Tier 2 in the early stages of their advancement. However, Alaric had progressed as well, and now, he wanted to engage in a proper fight with them. Without holding back. It would be a farewell present for Rowan and a punishment for Therin. This would also allow him to gauge his strength in comparison to talented young cultivators around his age. However, the primary reason was that he was simply itching for a fight. He wanted to conduct some experiments with his new skills. Chapter 53 - Showcasing skills Alaric had been regularly training with Edgar in the whispering woods for a few days now. He hadn¡¯t revealed all of his skills when fighting with Edgar yet because he wanted to surprise him when it mattered the most. That¡¯s why he refrained from using his chakra-based powers and his two evolved skills - mana blast and mana scrambling. However, the man was perceptive. Edgar could discern that Alaric was restraining his strength during their training sessions for some reason, but he never pried. Usually, they discussed various types of fighting techniques and strategies to defeat different types of monsters. They engaged in sparring sessions occasionally since, even when restricting himself to mana-based skills and abilities, Edgar was too powerful for Alaric. Today, Alaric decided to broach the subject of inviting his friends here for a sparring session. Although he liked training with Edgar, he was longing for his friends. ¡°I would like to invite my friends to the training session tomorrow,¡± he stated. ¡°And, perhaps, Therin as well, sometime in the future.¡± Rowan and Therin had both succeeded in advancing to Tier 2 a few days ago, and Alaric wanted to measure himself against them. Edgar¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity. ¡°Did you already grow tired of me?¡± Alaric ignored his antics and conveyed that he simply wanted to spar with Rowan and Therin. Edgar was a little surprised and took some time to think before responding. ¡°You are very talented, Alaric,¡± he smirked. ¡°But I don¡¯t think you are prepared to handle Tier 2s yet.¡± Alaric flashed him a confident smile and asserted, ¡°I think I can take them on at their current level.¡± He could see the man hesitating. ¡°Well, I suppose you could,¡± he mused, crossing his arms. ¡°If you acquired the advanced mana manipulation ability. Would you reconsider learning it?¡± He shook his head. ¡°No. Besides, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.¡± Edgar¡¯s curiosity deepened, and he finally gave in to his demands. *** When Alaric¡¯s friends arrived at the training grounds inside the whispering woods, they were all amazed. The area had been restructured for training purposes using some type of artifact. Runic lines were inscribed into the boundary surrounding the large circular sparring area. The new modifications enabled cultivators to unleash their full power without worrying about damaging the environment. In fact, Edgar informed them that they could battle inside the sparring area without fear of permanently hurting their opponents. It was enveloped in a special spatial and temporal magic that restored any damage sustained during the sparring sessions - both to the environment and the cultivators who fought inside. Alaric was aware of the existence of such training grounds within the top academies. He couldn¡¯t fathom how much it must have cost the count to establish all this. His father was not hesitant to invest the money. ¡°You have a neat setup here,¡± said Gareth while eyeing the forest clearing. However, he averted his eyes as soon as he saw Edgar and the count waiting patiently to the side. Captain Aldric Farrow and Sir Baldwin were positioned on the other side, finalizing the preparations to ensure everything was set. Therin and his group lingered to one side as well. Almost all of them were curious, but Therin was especially eager to demonstrate his skills. He threw frequent glances at Rowan, who simply ignored him. Alaric grinned when he noticed that and nudged Rowan. ¡°Therin assumes he can overpower you easily now that he has ascended to Tier 2,¡± he remarked. ¡°Let him believe that,¡± Rowan smirked. ¡°I have a surprise for him,¡± he eyed Alaric and continued, ¡°for you as well.¡± Well, I have a surprise for you as well. Alaric grinned, opting to remain quiet. ¡°Everybody listen,¡± Edgar announced why they were all summoned here. Each of them would have the chance to engage in one-on-one duels with any of the other kids. Of course, not all of them were eager to participate. Most were simply keen to witness the duels. As expected, only Rowan and Therin stepped up to participate in the duels. The last one was Alaric. *** Rowan and Therin were currently clashing inside the ring. Alaric observed the breathtaking battle with his friends. After advancing to Tier 2, Rowan had learned to wield a combination of earth and sand-based powers. He probably learned them from Captain Farrow. Rowan had told him that his goal inside the Tower of Trials was to forge a bond with the same beast that his father had bonded with. It was an Earth elemental and would elevate his current powers to an entirely new level. However, for now, it was an impressive display to witness him wielding the earth, stone, and sand so effortlessly. Therin was no slouch either. He followed in the footsteps of Sir Baldwin and commanded metal-based powers. His entire body was enveloped in a sleek, metal armor that effortlessly withstood the barrage of rocks and stones Rowan hurled at him. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. However, even clad in that formidable armor, Therin was remarkably nimble and seamlessly kept pace with Rowan¡¯s speed. He also wielded a sword and shield combination, as expected of a knight entrusted with protecting his lord. It was uncertain whether Therin had been invited to the Tower of Trials as well, but Alaric resolved to inquire about it later. Both of them had completely different fighting styles - while Rowan concentrated on offense, Therin prioritized defense. However, it seemed they were evenly matched. Rowan couldn¡¯t penetrate Therin¡¯s shield and overall fortification, while Therin remained steadfast in his defense for now. After observing for a while, Alaric determined that both of them had yet to show the ace up their sleeves. He chuckled. They are waiting for the other one to reveal their trick first. When it became evident that the match was going nowhere, Sir Baldwin decided to call it a draw. Everybody applauded and cheered. It was a thrilling fight, albeit slightly anticlimactic. Well, the real fun will begin tomorrow when I get to fight these two. Alaric couldn¡¯t wait for his turn tomorrow. *** Alaric weaved through a hail of stones that Rowan launched at him, eager to close the gap. His friend was keeping the distance for now, opting to harass him from afar. His initial strategy was to engage in close combat, but since that wasn¡¯t feasible, Alaric adapted his strategy. He forged a mana javelin and flung it at Rowan, who summoned a barrier of earth around himself to intercept. Alaric clicked his tongue. That¡¯s a strong barrier. Unlike his mana barrier, the earth barrier was significantly stronger since it had real mass reinforcing it. ¡°Give up, Alaric,¡± said Rowan. ¡°I¡¯m far stronger now.¡± He launched razor-sharp spikes of stone at Alaric, which were troublesome to evade since they shattered on impact, forcing him to dodge the fragmented shards as well. Alaric kept his mana shield active on one side to deflect the barrage of rocks and stones. Handling Rowan had become far trickier now that he had secured a long-range advantage. Of course, he could bombard Rowan with mana bullets from a distance too but, it was too early to reveal that skill without a decisive advantage. He activated [Zen Flow] and [Mana Strengthening] to sharpen his senses and enhance his physical power. Suddenly, the projectiles Rowan hurled at him didn¡¯t seem as swift as before, and he dodged them with ease. Spotting an opening in Rowan¡¯s assault, Alaric finally closed the distance and attempted to pierce his shield with a mana gauntlet lance. His attack pierced through the earth shield, but Rowan parried it with a mana sword of his own. Both of them were evenly matched at this point, but Rowan suddenly smirked. ¡°Got you.¡± The ground beneath Alaric morphed into quicksand, and he found himself sinking up to his knees. He was stuck, unable to muster the strength needed to wield his mana gauntlet lance without being able to push on solid ground. A swirl of earth coalesced behind Rowan, solidifying into the shape of a massive lance aimed at him. Rowan was elated. ¡°You should¡¯ve mastered a long-range combat skill, Alaric,¡± he said. ¡°Give up now and you won¡¯t need to suffer.¡± Alaric could see the calculations running behind his friend¡¯s eyes. So, you think you¡¯ve already won. He was proud of his friend. Rowan had purposefully created the illusion of being weak at close combat while orchestrating such an effective strategy to disable his opponents. If Alaric lost now, nobody would blame him. Truthfully, he hadn¡¯t anticipated such a move, and escaping this state of entrapment would be difficult even if he unleashed his full power. A smarter move would be to forfeit this match for now, preserving his evolved skills for the next battle. However, the reason Alaric had refrained from using his evolved skills thus far was that he considered them overwhelmingly powerful. Becoming dependent on them could turn into a detrimental habit at this stage, where he still needed to refine his combat style. So, he wanted to check how far he could take the fight without relying on them. Now, he had witnessed it. Besides, losing to his friend without utilizing his full power would be disrespecting him. *** Rowan¡¯s POV Rowan had yearned for so long to engage in a proper duel with Alaric. During their group delving sessions, he had witnessed Alaric¡¯s growth first-hand. He was a natural at learning skills and utilizing them effectively. Deep down, Rowan knew that the day Alaric would surpass him in power wasn''t very far. So, when he secured all the cultivation resources and ascended to Tier 2, he finally believed he had established a significant gap between himself and Alaric. His reforging was a success, and his father had taught him basic earth elemental techniques. Granted, he was still grasping how to properly utilize his newly learned techniques and adjusting to his new fighting style. Still, he had no doubt that he could defeat Alaric at his current stage. That¡¯s why he was elated when Alaric fell into his trap. Fortunately, Alaric had yet to develop a long-range skill, and now, victory was within his grasp. ¡°Who says I don¡¯t,¡± said Alaric. Before Rowan could realize the meaning of his statement, Alaric pointed a finger at him and unleashed a mana bullet. He hastily conjured a shield of earth just moments before the mana bullet would have struck his face. And even then, the concentrated mass of mana punctured through the shield, grazing his cheek and drawing blood. Impossible! Why did he wait so long to use such a potent long-range skill? Even through the shock, Rowan realized the need for ending the fight right that instant. It wasn¡¯t he who had trapped Alaric. No, he was the one who fell into Alaric¡¯s trap. He released the earth lance at Alaric, fully expecting it to land on him. Alaric¡¯s mana shield wasn¡¯t strong enough to withstand the sheer force of the earth lance. However, contrary to what he expected, Alaric didn¡¯t use his [Mana Shield] skill to defend himself. Instead, a wave of pure white mana erupted out of his body, and as the earth lance went through it, it crumbled into dust, harmlessly dispersing over his body. Rowan was stunned. He had no idea how Alaric had accomplished such a feat. However, he refused to concede. Drawing upon a huge portion of his mana, he unleashed his [Sand Tsunami] skill. I¡¯m sorry Alaric but I cannot give up. This skill was the ace up his sleeve. It exhausted a tremendous amount of mana, and he could barely maintain control over it, but it was worth the effort. The whole training ground shook and the terrain convulsed and transformed into a turbulent mass of sand. Rowan gestured at Alaric, and a colossal wave of sand surged forward, ready to engulf him completely. Alaric struggled to maintain his footing as the solid ground beneath him dissolved into shifting sand. In response, he fired several mana bullets at Rowan. Rowan simply encased himself in a hardened cocoon of sand. His skill enabled him to manipulate the density of the earth, and at that moment, he reinforced it to be as resilient as steel. The mana bullets slammed into the cocoon of sand but couldn¡¯t penetrate. A smile spread on his face as he noticed Alaric hadn''t managed to evade his attack in time. The massive sand wave crashed into him. Yes, I got him! However, the next moment, he saw that bright sphere of light surround him once again, effortlessly keeping the sand at bay. Moments later, he spotted Alaric aiming his palm at him with a grin as a ball of blue energy gathered at his palm and surged toward him. Rowan instantly summoned a series of sand shields in front of him and fortified the density of the sand cocoon that encased his form. However, the blue ball of energy tore through every obstacle, devouring his sand shields and slamming into his sand cocoon. A huge explosion blurred his vision and a high-pitched sound echoed in his mind as everything turned dark and he lost consciousness. Chapter 54 - Skill Evolution As the dust settled, Alaric witnessed Rowan sprawled on the ground unconscious. His body was bloodied and wounded. For a moment, he was worried after seeing his condition. Did I unleash too much power in the mana blast? He shook his head. No, it¡¯s better that he suffered a major defeat here and learned from this experience than be unprepared when he joined a guild. Alaric had simply intended for his friend to experience how it felt to be caught in an unexpected situation where the battle could take a complete 180-degree turn. However, he was also quite impressed with Rowan. He realized Rowan was still adjusting to his new power-up after advancing to Tier 2 and integrating the new skills and abilities he had learned into his fighting style. For instance, Rowan had been focused fully on practicing close-ranged melee combat all his life, but now he had to learn to master long-ranged elemental skills. He would slowly refine his skills as a fighter, but for now, he would have to go through a period of adjustment, which meant unlearning a few fighting habits. It was likely the same case with Therin. Alaric scanned his condition. His body was wracked with wounds, especially his legs which absorbed the brunt of the attacks. Almost half of his mana was drained from his core. Rowan really did a number on me. He chuckled. If he didn¡¯t possess the two evolved skills, Rowan would¡¯ve won the fight. Despite the pain he endured, he was happy for the good fight. Captain Aldric dashed into the ring and snapped his fingers. A green shimmer of energy enveloping the whole training ground flickered for a moment before vanishing. That must be the special restorative field. The runic sigils etched into the ground surrounding the training field radiated an eerie green, and a wave of energy cascaded over everything. Alaric¡¯s vision wavered for a moment, and just like that, all the damage inflicted on the sparring ground was magically undone, as if it had never occurred. A bubble of excitement burst into his chest. His whole body was healed fully, and his mana was replenished completely. However, a sense of weariness still clung to his mind and body. Rowan awakened with no sign of damage on his body, but he still appeared drained. Captain Aldric turned to him with a glare but eased into a smile and showed him a thumbs up. Phew! That¡¯s one less thing I have to worry about. With that out of the way, he checked his notifications. Skills: [Zen Flow lvl 10 -> Zen Flow lvl 12] [Mana Shield lvl 8 -> Mana Shield lvl 10] [Mana Strengthening lvl 5 -> Mana Strengthening lvl 8] [Mana Blast lvl 4 -> Mana Blast lvl 6] [Mana Scrambling lvl 4 -> Mana Scrambling lvl 6] Common skills could be leveled up to 10, while uncommon and rare skills could be leveled up to 15 and 25 respectively. Only after that would one get a choice to evolve them into a better version. So, he was thrilled to see that he had finally succeeded in evolving his first uncommon skill - Zen Flow - past level 10. On rare occasions, a cultivator could instinctively acquire an evolved skill starting from uncommon and above if they possessed sufficient insight. That¡¯s why Alaric was able to seamlessly attain two uncommon skills and one rare skill without undergoing the skill evolution process. It was this requirement of acquiring sufficient insight into a skill that prevented Tier 1 cultivators from evolving common skills even when they leveled them up to max. Alaric achieved significant progress, but what truly exhilarated him was the insight he gleaned from the fight. Ding! Insight detected for the skill [Mana Solidification lvl 10] (Common). Skill evolution options available - Mana Hardening (uncommon), Mana Crystallization (uncommon), Mana Shaping (uncommon) He dismissed the notification. It was crucial to research and analyze the available skill upgrade options before committing to any of them. Alaric had obtained the insight after observing Rowan reinforcing his sand barrier. He had already contemplated a few ways to advance the skill, and the last bit of insight did the trick. Additionally, he could feel a stirring in his soul, confirming he had already attained substantial insight into the three foundational skills. Since his [Mana Manipulation] ability was maxed out, all he needed to do was dissolve it into the respective skills, and he would unlock a few skill upgrade options. But he opted to wait until he acquired his last mana skill before proceeding with the plan. Before that, he resolved to evolve his [Vital Mana Flow] skill, which had already reached level 10. Alaric released a sigh and strode over to his friend. He was excited to discuss the battle. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. *** Therin¡¯s POV Therin couldn¡¯t fathom how the battle had completely shifted. One moment, Rowan was aggressively cornering Alaric, and victory seemed within his grasp. The next, Rowan lay sprawled on the ground unconscious while Alaric emerged victorious. He had personally battled Rowan and his strength was no joke. In fact, Rowan¡¯s final attack had reinforced that belief. Yet, somehow, Alaric managed to remain unhurt through it all. Therin couldn¡¯t discern exactly what transpired during the final moments. The dust and chaos obscured his vision. However, he was certain there was no feasible way for Alaric to evade, withstand, or counter the attack. It was too overwhelming and encompassed a vast area. So, how did he do it? Judging by Sir Baldwin''s expression, he was thoroughly impressed with the fight. As were the other adults. They seemed to comprehend what had actually unfolded during the battle. Therin knew Alaric possessed power beyond his age. He was the third strongest kid in the mansion. However, he had never considered him competition. Only Rowan took that position. Now that Alaric had managed to defeat Rowan, he wasn¡¯t sure what to think. It was extremely unlikely for Tier 1s to compete with Tier 2s, let alone defeat them. Suddenly, he felt a ball of emotion well up in his chest. He clenched his fists and inhaled sharply, watching Alaric from afar as he conversed with Rowan and Captain Farrow. No, I¡¯m not scared of you. Therin glared. I¡¯ll find out just how strong you are tomorrow during our match. Suddenly, Alaric locked eyes with Therin, and he felt the hairs on the back of his head prickle. Therin had never felt this intimidated by any other kid, not even Rowan. Fortunately, Alaric made his way to his friends along with Rowan, leaving him to his own thoughts. *** On The Solar Plexus Chakra Island¡¯s Meditation Grounds Alaric clenched his teeth as he struggled to absorb as much mana as possible into his mana core. Now that he had a liquid mana core, it was far denser. Thus, forcing more mana inside it demanded much greater effort. Cycling the solar plexus chakra managed to ease the strain on his mind and accelerated the progress, but he was trying to push through to the next sub-stage of the mana core. His two evolved skills consumed far more mana than he was comfortable with. And as he continued to evolve all of his skills, the demand on his mana core would only escalate. There was no point in evolving skills if he was bottlenecked by the capacity of his mana core. That¡¯s why he resolved to solve that problem as soon as possible. If only it were as easy as forming his mana core. Unfortunately, forming a solid core would take a long time. However, there was another way to increase the capacity of one¡¯s mana core ¡ª expanding it. As he tried to absorb the ambient mana inside his core, it felt like somebody was drilling a hole into his body. The boundary wall of his mana core stretched and expanded by a few millimeters every couple of minutes. However, as he persisted, the pain and torment intensified even further. The strain on his mana core felt akin to the tension in the cheeks when one forcefully puffed them. Only it was far more excruciating and accompanied by a gut-wrenching agony. The rate at which he was expanding his mana core could be considered quite fast, especially without a special resource. However, the main limitation when expanding the mana core size was the capacity to tolerate pain during a single session and for how long. Sure, there were drugs and elixirs one could consume to numb the pain during their sessions. But prolonged use of such products wasn¡¯t advisable in the long term since they often led to undesirable side effects. Alaric refrained from cycling his sacral chakra to dull the pain since he wanted to fully experience the process. He wasn¡¯t in any life-threatening danger now, so it made no sense to waste such a valuable resource. Besides, anything could happen during a battle, and depending on the powers of his chakras for every minor challenge would ultimately weaken him. And, the more pain he swallowed now, the purer the energy of the sacral chakra would become¡ªenergy he would harness at a later date when he truly needed it. As the size of his mana core swelled, the amount of liquid mana it contained diminished in relation to the core¡¯s size. At the end of his meditation session, he had successfully enlarged his core from the size of a small marble to that of a walnut. About one-fourth of his core now housed liquid mana while the rest held thick, foggy mana. It would take a while for his body to replenish the liquid mana inside his new core, but the primary objective was accomplished. He checked his notifications. Mana Core Stage: Liquid Core (Early -> Mid) - Clear Liquid Alaric released a sigh. This is okay for now. He had a strong feeling that he would need a significant amount of mana for his fight with Therin tomorrow. Therin had yet to reveal all of his skills in his match with Rowan. And he had undoubtedly kept his trump card hidden. However, Alaric was certain of one thing ¡ª Therin possessed formidable defensive techniques. He wasn¡¯t sure if he could penetrate Therin¡¯s defenses with ordinary mana bullets. Alaric clenched his fists, and a smile crept over his face. He couldn¡¯t wait to unleash his new mana core in the next match. *** Alaric inhaled deeply as he stepped into the library. It felt great to be back. He quickly navigated to his destination and retrieved a book titled, ¡®Popular Mana Skills and Their Evolutions.¡¯ Hopefully, he would uncover descriptions of the skill options the system had presented to him within this book. As he flipped through the pages, he found all three skills listed. Mana Hardening was the direct upgrade of the mana solidification skill. It was widely favored by healers and blacksmiths since it enabled them to forge denser mana constructs with greater efficiency. Generally, this skill was best suited for creating long-term mana constructs, but it also required significantly more time to form such durable constructs. Thus, it provided durability at the expense of speed. Mana Crystallization was preferred by warriors who wielded mana-based armaments such as swords, needles, lances, spears, and more ¡ª essentially, anything with a sharp edge. It sacrificed durability in favor of sharpness. Hmm, perhaps I was offered this upgrade because I wielded a mana gauntlet lance and javelins. Alaric wondered whether Rowan had the same skill since he wielded an exceptionally sharp mana sword. There were very few documented cases of individuals possessing the mana-shaping skill. It prioritized precision over durability and allowed cultivators to craft mana constructs with far greater detail. Basically, it granted more flexibility when forming mana constructs, and Alaric was intrigued by that prospect. He enjoyed experimenting and devising new applications for skills, making mana shaping the most appealing option for him. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Mana Shaping] (Uncommon). [Mana Shaping lvl 1] Mana Shaping - You can mold mana into various forms, adjusting its density, flexibility, and potency at will. This allows for the creation of intricate constructs, from rigid weapons to pliable or fluid-like structures. Higher skill levels enhance precision, stability, and complexity, unlocking advanced applications in crafting, reinforcement, and spellwork. Alaric used his newly evolved skill to mold a ball of mana on his palm. He immediately noticed the difference. The whole process felt more efficient and easier, but now, he could do something he hadn¡¯t been able to before¡ªhe could generate flexible, physical mana constructs. Chapter 55 - Is That All You Got? Alaric had been experimenting with his new skill - mana shaping - for the whole day. The skill was very fun to use since it enabled him to craft a variety of mana constructs that were not possible with the mana solidification skill. For instance, he could now mold mana into a form that had the consistency of a thick fluid instead of simply solidifying it. Crafting fluid-like structures was much faster since they didn¡¯t have the mana density of solid structures. Of course, mana in fluid form was also very unstable. Just like water, it evaporated when left for some time. Alaric chuckled. I wonder what Edgar would think if he discovered that I''ve been experimenting with mana shaping instead of training for my fight with Therin. Many people believed it was important to train daily in order to be in top fighting form. Alaric agreed with them and usually embraced that concept. However, he also believed it was important to figure out exactly how one can wield their powers in the most effective way possible. And, that was only achievable through experimentation and creative applications of their skills and abilities. A little time invested in determining what works and doesn¡¯t work can come in quite handy during an actual battle. In fact, he already had a few ideas on how to utilize his new skill to enhance his fighting style. Another thing he noticed was that the skill synchronized well with a few other mana skills such as mana shield, mana blast, and mana scrambling. It was still too early to determine the best way to incorporate his new skill into his fighting style but for now, he had a plan. After concluding his experimenting session, he went to find his friends. It was time to teach Therin a lesson. *** ¡°Alaric, are you sure you can take him on?¡± said Gareth. He glanced nervously at Therin¡¯s direction, who was clad in full-steel armor, discussing something with Sir Baldwin. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Alarin smiled and scratched his cheek. He didn¡¯t want to declare outright that he had a strategy for the fight or appear too confident. Nobody could predict the future, and anything could happen in a fight. Edgar had informed him that Therin was approaching the fight much more seriously than he expected. In fact, Therin had been training diligently with Sir Baldwin the whole day, probably devising his own strategy for the fight. Even now, Therin cast frequent glances at Alaric, as if doing so would somehow grant him an advantage during the fight. He¡¯s probably more wary of me now since I¡¯ve managed to defeat Rowan. Alaric chuckled. ¡°Since Alaric managed to defeat Rowan, he can defeat Therin as well,¡± said George, throwing him a knowing look. ¡°Yes, I have complete faith in you,¡± said Rowan before Alaric could reply. ¡°Although, I¡¯m still puzzled how you managed to endure the final attack.¡± He chuckled. All of his friends eyed him, waiting expectantly for an answer. Alaric simply shrugged. He didn¡¯t want to disclose he had a rare skill at this stage. When his friends realized he didn¡¯t want to discuss the matter any further, they let it go. *** As Alaric stepped inside the training ground, the runic sigils on the ground glowed and a green shimmer of energy blanketed the whole ground, dissipating after a second. All the protections were in place. Opposite him stood Therin with his large shield in one hand and his sword in the other one. A grim expression shadowed his face with no sign of his usual smugness. He donned an exact replica of the armor that all the knights of House Vermond wore. However, Alaric knew that would change as soon as the battle started. Therin possessed a strong metal affinity granted by his bloodline after all. Alaric scanned his mana core. It was filled to the brim with potent liquid mana. Yes, I can experiment properly with my skills today. His goal for today¡¯s match wasn¡¯t only to win. It was to devise new ways to effectively wield his set of skills. ¡°Commence fight,¡± shouted Sir Baldwin. None of them moved but they had started their preparations. Therin¡¯s armor liquefied around his body and reformed into thin, silvery-grey strands of metal that wriggled on his body. A mist of dark grey sand-like substance billowed from the ground and encased him. As more of the metal-sand merged, the wriggling metal strands interlaced into a dense layer of threaded armor enveloping his whole body from head to toe. Only two slits marked his head - one for vision and one for breathing. It was fascinating to watch. Perhaps I should also attempt to create mana strands like him one day. Alaric dismissed that thought. For now, he concentrated on sheathing his fists with a layer of pliable mana and then encasing the whole thing with a layer of hardened mana serving as a protective casing. It was a refinement he tested on his usual mana gauntlet. Simply generating a layer of hardened mana around his fists was not viable for battle at his current stage. Although it provided a strong offensive option for close-range combat, it also inflicted damage on the bones and muscles of his fist. However, integrating a layer of pliable mana - with the consistency of thick viscous liquid - in between his fist and the hardened shell of mana served to mitigate the strain of the impact. Alaric activated [Zen Flow], [Mana Strengthening], and charged at Therin, swinging his fist with all his might. Therin braced himself, deflecting the attack with his armor, and retaliated by swinging his sword at him. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Alaric evaded his sword strikes and continued pummelling him with punches. Yes, this feels nice. He could clearly perceive the difference by adopting this strategy. The middle layer of mana absorbed a significant portion of the shock which alleviated the strain on his arms considerably. As a result, he didn¡¯t have to rely on his [Vital Mana Flow] skill as much, although he still activated it to reduce the strain. Unfortunately, Alaric¡¯s punches were making almost no impact when they clashed with Therin¡¯s dense, metal shield. The few times he managed to strike his body, the metal armor absorbed the impact, leaving him completely unscathed. The body armor Therin wore was reinforced with his mana. As a result, it was far more resilient than regular armor. ¡°You cannot leave a scratch on me, Alaric,¡± said Therin through his armor peace. ¡°No matter what you do.¡± Alaric wasn¡¯t fooled. Hah¡­sustaining that body armor must consume a tremendous amount of mana. Alaric could practically smell the mana oozing out of the armor. He shouldn¡¯t be able to maintain it for long. Alaric shifted his strategy. He created some distance and hurled mana javelins at Therin. However, the mana javelins were equally ineffective at piercing through his armor. Therin hadn¡¯t shifted from his spot yet, trying to project an illusion of overwhelming dominance. His strategy was simple. It was to endure the barrage of attacks while the opponent exhausted themselves before striking back when their morale was broken. The strategy was solid and would¡¯ve worked on any other kid. It was difficult to persist when one witnessed their attacks having almost no effect on their opponent. However, Alaric was just getting started. He aimed at Therin and launched a few mana bullets in quick succession. The mana bullets staggered him as they collided with his shield. So, you are not as infallible as you seem after all. The mana bullets packed much more power than mana javelins. So, Alaric continued to bombard him with mana bullets from all angles as he danced around him. Therin finally had enough. Breaking his stance, he lunged at Alaric and slashed his sword. He was surprisingly agile, but Alaric managed to evade the attack. For a while, they were locked in a stalemate, neither of them able to land a decisive blow. However, that all changed when Alaric unleashed his [Mana Scrambling] skill at close proximity and followed it up by striking him with his mana gauntlet. The wave of pure mana unleashed by Alaric went through Therin, unraveling the interwoven armored metal threads that shielded his chest, exposing the vulnerable area. Moments later, Alaric¡¯s blow landed. Therin buckled under the force of the impact and was launched backward, crashing to the ground. He coughed up blood for the first time in the match. A few spectators gasped, but Alaric paid them no mind. Instead, he aimed his palm at him and charged up a mana blast, ready to end this fight. However, Therin immediately recovered and rethreaded the metal strands to restore his full body armor. Alaric launched the blue orb of condensed mana, and it approached Therin¡¯s way with frightening speed, reading to cause devastation. However, instead of fleeing, Therin stood his ground with a smirk on his face. He triggered some type of skill, and the mana around him surged into motion. He drove the triangular end of his shield into the ground and crouched behind it, bracing for impact. It blazed with a grey glow and expanded to twice the size, providing cover for this whole body. The pure ball of mana smashed into Therin¡¯s shield, and he roared, refusing to back down. For a moment, it looked like an unstoppable force had met an immovable object. However, little by little, Therin¡¯s entire body began to slide backward, the shield carving a trench in its wake. Unfortunately, after a while, the ball of mana fizzled out. Smoke wafted from the shield, and as it dissipated, Alaric couldn¡¯t spot a single scratch on it. He must¡¯ve used a combination of uncommon skills or perhaps a rare skill for his defense. Therin emerged from behind his shield, panting, but grinning. He didn¡¯t hesitate a second before unleashing another skill. A grey shimmer enveloped his entire body, and his sword pulsed with an ethereal glow. A torrential amount of mana amassed in his vicinity before being absorbed into his blade. That¡¯s not good. Alaric scrunched his brows, preparing for another mana blast. This time he cupped his palms together to unleash the full power of his [Mana Blast] skill. However, he had to stop mid-way while condensing the mana and shift focus to shielding himself with a mana barrier. Therin had stopped being on the defensive and switched to a relentless offensive. His sword started glowing like a lightsaber. Without moving from his spot, he slashed the air, hurling arcs of razor-sharp mana at Alaric as if he had limitless reserves. Arcs of blazing white energy cleaved through Alaric¡¯s shield like butter as he dodged them. Somehow, he had gained a tremendous surge of mana and a potent long-range attack. Or perhaps, he had been concealing his true capabilities, waiting for the right moment to strike. Whatever power-boosting skill Therin had activated, it didn¡¯t just enhance his physical abilities. Alaric suspected it also amplified his focus and mana reserves significantly. Alaric couldn¡¯t close the gap nor remain stationary long enough to amass enough energy for a fully charged mana blast. All he could do was evade the scorching arcs of energy, channeling his [Zen Flow] and [Mana Strengthening] skills to their limits. Every mana-infused slash that struck the ground carved deep grooves into it or tore up the earth. Therin cackled like a madman, fully lost in the thrill of the fight. Perhaps it is some type of berserker skill? Alaric was tempted to channel the power of his chakras but he wanted to experiment with his skills some more. Instead of conjuring a single layer of mana shield, he wove multiple layers of protective barriers around his body. Still, it wasn¡¯t enough. The layers of mana shields he forged were shattered by arcs of sword slashes just as quickly as he formed them. Alaric was burning through mana at a tremendous rate, but a grin adorned his face. He was enjoying the challenge very much. He adjusted his approach. Using his [Mana Shaping] skill, he infused the gaps in the layers of the mana shield with pliable mana to fortify them. The arcs of sword slash still cleaved through them, but it slowed down just enough for him to cup his arms and unleash a fully powered mana blast. The attack drained almost a quarter of his mana. The condensed ball of mana was larger this time, and it devoured the sword arc slashes on its way as it barreled toward Therin. The knight commander¡¯s squire once again invoked the same defensive skill. He anchored his shield into the ground, ducked behind its protection, and roared. However, this time his shield expanded to four times its size, and the grey energy that accumulated was so dense it blackened. The large mana ball slammed into his shield with a massive boom, triggering a colossal explosion. Alaric was gasping for breath. This had better work; otherwise, I¡¯ll have to try that. He had another trick up his sleeve, but he wasn¡¯t sure he could pull it off without practice. As the dust settled, Alaric observed a crater gouged into Therin¡¯s location, followed by a deep trench at the end of which he remained intact with his shield raised. Alaric clicked his tongue. The combination of that formidable defensive skill and his immense offensive power boost had enabled him to withstand the blow. Once again, there wasn''t a single scratch on his shield. Therin slowly rose and aimed a finger at him. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± he cackled a harsh laugh. ¡°Well guess what, I¡¯m not done yet.¡± He roared, and his sword started radiating a brighter glow until it blazed orange. The kid is burning too much mana. Alaric sighed. Cannot blame him though. Alaric grinned and relaxed his stance. He cracked his neck and threw a taunting gesture at him. ¡°Bring it on.¡± Therin grimaced and his eyes bulged with red veins. Instead of launching sword slash arcs, he lunged at Alaric. Chapter 56 - Can You withstand My Attack? Alaric barely managed to dodge Therin¡¯s strike. The sword slammed into the ground and shattered it into a deep crater. He is much faster than before. Alaric prepared his layered mana shield. That power-boosting skill is no joke. He kept evading the sword strikes by the barest of margins, even channeling as much mana he could into his [Zen Flow] and [Mana Strengthening] skills. Once again, Alaric was tempted to cycle his root chakra to match Therin¡¯s power-boosting skill, but he decided to try something else. Therin¡¯s blazing hot orange sword gouged through his mana shield¡ªreinforced by multiple layers and pliable mana¡ªlike a hot knife through butter. He pursued Alaric and slashed his sword as if he were a predator who had locked onto its prey. Alaric avoided the grey energy that surrounded Therin. It felt invasive and poisonous to his senses. Not like a real poison but something that sapped away his energy. He used [Mana Scrambling] and discharged a pulse of pure mana to create an opening, but it failed to work as expected. The pure mana pulse successfully parted the grey energy surrounding his body but faded before it could unravel the body armor that covered Therin¡¯s body. Thus, Alaric couldn¡¯t risk closing the distance and hammering him with his mana gauntlets. He launched a few mana projectiles, but they failed to penetrate his body armor. Moments later, the grey energy refilled the opening in Therin¡¯s defense created by Alaric¡¯s earlier attack. There is no other way. I have to keep my distance and attack him from afar. Alaric continued to fire mana projectiles at Therin while evading him, but it didn¡¯t slow him down at all. When he finally created some distance, Therin unleashed white-hot arcs of sword slashes that prevented him from mounting a counterattack. ¡°Why are you retreating, Alaric?¡± Therin barked. ¡°What happened to your confidence?¡± ¡°Looks like we¡¯re at a stalemate,¡± Alaric smirked in an attempt to prod at his ego. Therin had good self-control. He refrained from unveiling his true power during his battle with Rowan to avoid exposing his most powerful cards before his opponent. When Alaric exhibited his [Mana Blast] and [Mana Scrambling] skills, Therin finally unleashed his full power. However, now, with his power-boosting skill running, he was losing his grip over his self-control. He was intoxicated by power and assured of his victory. It¡¯s a major drawback he would have to consider when facing powerful opponents. So when Alaric made that remark with a casual smirk, showing no fear, it had the intended effect on Therin. A vein bulged in his forehead, and his eyes looked as though they would pop out of their sockets. ¡°Stalemate?¡± Therin roared in disbelief. ¡°Then allow me to end the fight with this next move.¡± He clenched his sword in both hands, assumed a new stance, and aimed his sword toward the ground. Suddenly, the blade began to radiate anew with a fiery orange glow and gradually started turning crimson. Alaric could sense the heat radiating off Therin¡¯s sword even from this distance. He is amassing energy for a final attack. Alaric smirked. His plan had succeeded. Now, he had enough time to attempt what he intended. He released his hold on the [Vital Mana Flow] skill and [Mana Strengthening] skill. Instead, he fully concentrated on simultaneously wielding the four skills ¡ª mana shaping, mana shield, mana blast, and mana scrambling. Even a fully powered mana blast wasn¡¯t enough to breach Therin¡¯s defenses. And the mana scrambling pulse wasn¡¯t potent enough to inflict any real damage on its own. However, what if he combined the two skills? There was a slim chance to pierce through Therin¡¯s defenses if he could pull it off perfectly. While Therin was gathering power for his final strike, Alaric prepared his final preparations too. He cupped his palm and compressed an immense amount of mana, forming a blue sphere of energy. Next, he employed his [Mana Shaping] and [Mana Shield] skills to encase the condensed mana with a layered mana barrier, containing it within. This would serve as the payload of his attack. He cradled the payload in his palms and charged up a condensed disruptive pulse before unleashing it from his hand. Before the disruptive pulse could radiate too far, he immediately cycled his solar plexus chakra and enveloped the entire construct with another layered mana barrier, striving to confine the concentrated, volatile disruptive mana within it. The mana scrambling pulse was effective for catching opponents off guard at close range. However, since it radiated from the point of origin uniformly in all directions, it wasn¡¯t that effective at mid-range to long-range. As the mana scrambling pulse expanded outward, it diffused and diminished in potency. Thus, he simply couldn¡¯t blast a mana-scrambling pulse at his opponents. At least for now. Alaric had experimented with discharging a mana-scrambling pulse inside a barrier he formed on his palm, and so far, it hadn¡¯t yielded effective results. The pulse devoured all mana constructs, including his own. However, he had discovered that cycling a bit of solar plexus energy was enough to delay the deterioration of his mana constructs. Now, he sought to integrate all his knowledge into this next attack. Even now, the second layer of concentrated disruptive pulse gradually eroded the layered mana barrier that contained it. However, he only needed to maintain the construct long enough to deliver the payload. The entire process was highly inefficient and drained half of his remaining mana. But at this moment, Alaric had no other choice. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. The heat in the surrounding area peaked as Therin completed gathering energy for his final attack. He roared and swung his sword, unleashing a vast, blazing hot crimson arc of energy. It was impossible to evade. Alaric didn¡¯t deploy his payload yet. If he released it now, the two attacks could simply negate each other. No, he had a strategy. He cradled the payload, shielding it with his body, and braced for impact. Here it comes. The crimson arc of hell approached him swiftly, promising devastation. Alaric didn¡¯t summon his shield¡ªit wouldn¡¯t withstand such a powerful attack. Instead, he drained the remaining half of his mana to forge the densest disruptive pulse he had ever attempted. Moments before the blazing crimson arc reached him, Alaric unleashed his hold over the disruptive pulse. His entire body radiated with a luminous white corona for a moment before the scorching crimson arc crashed into it. He was completely out of mana, but the condensed disruptive pulse held for a few seconds, keeping the crimson arc at bay. He stood like a boulder in the path of a river¡¯s flow, splitting it in two, utterly unshaken by the chaos around him. Therin¡¯s final attack wreaked havoc in the surrounding area, but it proved utterly useless in harming Alaric. Unfortunately, the attack packed far more energy than Alaric¡¯s final disruptive pulse. He could already sense it fading. Although it had managed to weaken Therin¡¯s final attack, it couldn¡¯t shield Alaric completely. Just as the last remnants of the disruptive pulse dissipated, Alaric hurled the mana construct containing the payload toward Therin. The remaining fragments of the blazing crimson arc reached Alaric¡¯s body and ravaged it. His flesh shredded, skin charred, and bones fractured. Numerous wounds erupted across his body, drenching it in blood. Alaric gritted his teeth and dropped to one knee but refused to yield. He bellowed and cycled his sacral chakra and heart chakra to absorb the pain and continuously heal his body. Even when utterly drained of mana, he could rely on the purified energy of his chakras. The moment stretched on for eternity, but it was finally over. He was bloodied, battered with fractured bones, scorched skin, torn flesh, and utterly drained. His face was a swollen mess, and one of his eyes completely ruined. Still, a spark of exhilaration ignited in his chest. He had endured the best Therin had to offer. Alaric grinned and fixed his remaining eye on Therin. Now, let¡¯s see if you can withstand my attack. *** Therin¡¯s whole body trembled, and he was utterly exhausted. He had funneled every drop of mana he could muster into his previous sword slash attack. And yet, Alaric had survived. He was bloodied and battered, but he wasn''t out of the fight, refusing to surrender. In fact, it appeared Alaric had launched his final attack as well. How is that possible? How is he so strong while still being only at Tier 1? No matter how much he scoured his thoughts, he couldn¡¯t find an answer. Therin had believed he was fully prepared to compete in and claim victory in the regional tournament that year. His goal was to attract the attention of a scout from a prestigious guild. For that, he had trained relentlessly, day and night. His bloodline bestowed him with a good affinity for metal. It wasn¡¯t the strongest affinity nor the most potent, but it was sufficient to chase his dreams. He had believed only Rowan was a match for his strength in the entire city among their age group. But the gap wasn¡¯t much. To gain a decisive advantage, Therin had hounded Sir Baldwin for a long time until he finally heeded his request. Therin already possessed superior defense due to his metal affinity. However, when Sir Baldwin instructed him in the art of empowering himself with an Oath, he attained a tremendous power boost in a short period. Therin had been anticipating a showdown with Rowan for a while now, eager to defeat him undisputedly. However, his rival had also advanced in power, and Therin was hesitant to unveil his strength before Rowan did. In the end, neither of them exposed the true extent of their abilities during their fight. But it was different with Alaric. He grated on Therin¡¯s ego. Especially that smile, which he longed to wipe off his face. He couldn¡¯t fathom how Alaric had managed to defeat Rowan yesterday, not until today¡¯s match. Initially during the match, Therin was fully confident in his [Metal Shroud] skill, which enveloped his entire body with a layer of resilient metal armor. Coupled with the power of his bloodline, it could endure nearly any attack a low-grade Tier 2 could unleash upon him. It was proven by the fact that Rowan hadn¡¯t been able to breach his body armor. However, Alaric wielded some type of mana skill that simply disintegrated the mana holding the armor intact and created an opening. It was then that Therin realized for the first time that Alaric wasn¡¯t an ordinary kid. Still, he wasn¡¯t intimidated. When Alaric hurled that terrifying ball of mana, he simply mentally recited his oath and activated his defensive oath skill¡ªIron Bulwark. ¡°I shall not falter, nor shall I yield. Let every strike break upon me like waves against stone.¡± And, as expected, Therin had survived the collision. After that, he mentally recited his second oath and unleashed his offensive oath skill¡ªKnight¡¯s Resolve. ¡°To uphold my honor, I shall defy all limits¡ªeven if it means borrowing strength from tomorrow.¡± Oath skills were a double-edged sword. One had to remain resolute in their oath; otherwise, they would receive a backlash. And, oath skills couldn¡¯t be activated in all scenarios, only when someone challenged that oath. Finally, these skills were the hardest to master. Despite these restrictions, oath skills were immensely powerful. Still, Alaric somehow managed to dodge his strikes and retaliate. It was far more potent than expected, but he had withstood it. This time, Therin was certain he would witness fear in Alaric¡¯s eyes. But instead of fear, he saw him smirking. Alaric even taunted him. Therin simply couldn¡¯t tolerate it anymore and unleashed his most powerful attack. He was fully convinced that this final strike would defeat Alaric. Yet, fate had other plans for him. A cold fear gripped his heart when he witnessed the mana construct that Alaric flung at him, gliding toward him at tremendous speed. Therin had already experienced its power, but this time, the attack felt slightly different. Sir Baldwin had cautioned him about pushing the oath skills too far, especially the second one. Borrowing strength from his future self meant crippling himself in the future. He had no idea how many days, weeks, or even months it would cost him if he kept using its power. But he had no other choice. Alaric was younger than him and he had withstood Therin¡¯s full-power attack. Now, his eyes gleamed with a question - Can you do it too? Therin bellowed and empowered himself with [Knight¡¯s Resolve]. Then, he poured every ounce of mana into [Iron Bulwark]. Yes, I can. I¡¯ll show you. He drove his shield into the ground, crouched behind it, and steeled himself for impact. The shield expanded to four times its size, shrouded in deep grey energy, prepared for the oncoming attack. It will be just like last time. I just have to hold on until the power fades from the attack. However, when the swirling, layered ball of mana smashed into his shield, he experienced something completely different. The outer layer of the mana construct burst, and Therin immediately felt the power drain from his [Iron Bulwark] skill. The ball of devastation tore through the grey energy surrounding his shield and made contact. Unlike last time, Therin didn¡¯t just feel the impact rattle his bones. It completely shattered them and launched his whole body dozens of meters back. He witnessed the sickly ball gouge a hole through the shield and his body, triggering a massive explosion behind him before he lost consciousness. Chapter 57 - You Are Getting Too Confident Alaric grinned as he witnessed the mana blast payload breach through Therin¡¯s defense, ending the fight. He wasn¡¯t sure the unstable payload would last that long before doing its job since he hadn¡¯t perfected it yet. Watching Therin¡¯s poor state, he winced a little. Alaric wanted to punish Therin a little to strip the arrogance away from him. However, he hadn¡¯t meant to literally gouge a hole through his body. That must¡¯ve hurt like hell. Alaric shook his head to dismiss that thought. His own state was just as bad, almost. When the match concluded, he ceased channeling the power of his chakras. It would be a waste since the enchantments inside the training grounds would restore everything anew. When Sir Baldwin sprinted into the duel arena and snapped his fingers, his assumption was proven correct. The green shimmer of energy - only visible for a moment - fixed all the damage inflicted in the surroundings and healed both his and Therin¡¯s body. This assurance was the only reason they went all out during their battle. His body still felt drained, but he was grateful for the protective enchantments enveloping the training grounds nonetheless. The memory of the fight lingered fresh in Alaric¡¯s mind, and he resolved to analyze the fight during his meditation session. For now, opted to review the notifications he gained. Skills: [Zen Flow lvl 12 -> Zen Flow lvl 13] [Mana Strengthening lvl 8 -> Mana Strengthening lvl 10] [Mana Blast lvl 6 -> Mana Blast lvl 9] [Mana Scrambling lvl 6 -> Mana Scrambling lvl 9] [Mana Shaping lvl 1 -> Mana Shaping lvl 4] Hmm¡­Not bad. Alaric was satisfied with his progress. However, the real reward for this fight was the insight he gleaned during the match. Ding! Insight detected for the skill [Mana shield lvl 10] (Common). Skill evolution options available - Layered Mana Shield (uncommon), Reflective Shield (uncommon), Adaptive Shield (uncommon) He had heard of all three skill options, and they were all pretty useful in their own way. Like every skill, these had their pros and cons. The effectiveness of a skill ultimately depended on the fighting style of the user. Alaric was still experimenting with his fighting style and decided to evolve the skill after reflecting upon it some more later. Therin and Sir Baldwin approached him, both of them with different expressions etched on their faces. Sir Baldwin grinned as if he had discovered some hidden gem. Sweat trickled down Therin¡¯s face, and his face was twisted into a grimace. He still couldn¡¯t accept his defeat. ¡°That was a great fight,¡± said the knight commander. ¡°Truthfully,¡± he glanced at Therin, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to defeat him.¡± Therin¡¯s face flushed. ¡°I¡­you are much more powerful than I imagined,¡± he forced out. Alaric chuckled with a nod. ¡°You are quite powerful as well.¡± He patted Therin¡¯s back. Somehow, it didn¡¯t have the intended effect on him. Instead of being encouraged, the older boy grimaced harder. Before he could reply, Alaric marched over to his friends, who were eagerly waiting for him. After dodging a barrage of questions about how he had managed to unleash such a powerful skill and survive Therin¡¯s final attack, they all decided to have their lunch. However, before exiting the grounds, he sensed the gazes of Edgar and the count lingering on him. They probably wanted to uncover the list of skills Alaric had attained and how he had secured them so soon. Alaric guessed that all the adults could tell that he had already evolved a few skills. Otherwise, there wasn¡¯t any way to match the power level of a Tier 2 cultivator at his current stage. He was truly relieved nobody had attempted to probe into the details for now. Acquiring skills depended on a lot of factors, but the major factor was insight. And, insight could only be gained through experience and practice or if one was exceptionally talented. Still, it would be quite difficult to justify how he managed to gain so much insight in such a short amount of time. Alaric decided to let go of that matter for now. Still, his intuition was telling him that he would have to answer to somebody soon enough. *** Alaric was excited to delve into the fourth stage of the Tutorial Rift - The Howling Expanse. The promise of learning a new skill was enticing, but the rewards and special cultivation resources he could unearth from the hidden areas were even more alluring to him. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. It was a bit strange though. When he discussed with his friends what type of challenges and monsters they encountered inside the Tutorial Rift, all of them recounted experiences that were more or less similar. The challenges inside the Tutorial Rift were tailored for each cultivator, but the theme and monsters were almost always consistent. Unless one stumbled upon a hidden area, which was a rare phenomenon. Yet, Alaric had successfully uncovered two hidden areas. Whether he was fortunate or the system was somehow orchestrating events due to his ¡®Ally¡¯ status, he couldn¡¯t be sure. However, he strongly believed he could locate another hidden area inside the 4th stage. It was too precious of an opportunity to miss - it offered a chance to obtain precious resources. However, the danger was exponentially high as well. That¡¯s why he sought to be fully prepared before venturing in. So, before that, he wanted to evolve his mana shield skill to the next level. That¡¯s why he was back at the library with the book titled, ¡®Popular Mana Skills and Their Evolutions,¡¯ spread open on the table. It was time to make a decision. Reflective shield was the most common upgrade option for mana shield and was widely adopted by many tier 2 cultivators. The main benefit it offered was that a reflective shield could reflect a portion of the damage inflicted upon it back at the attacker. Thus, this not only made reflective shields more durable but also integrated an offensive element into them. The reflective nature of the shield was excellent for withstanding pure elemental attacks. Layered mana shields were far less prevalent. Alaric deduced he received this option only because he experimented with his shield skill and merged it with the mana shaping skill as well. As the name suggested, this skill enabled cultivators to forge densely layered shields with greater ease and speed. Layered shields lacked the reflective nature of reflective shields, but they could become significantly more durable when reinforced with enough layers. Adaptive shields were even rarer and primarily preferred by pugilists. These shields provided the best activation times and mana efficiency. When an attack struck a specific point in the shield, that specific point in the shield was fortified substantially, at the cost of weakening the other sections of the shield. Thus, it excelled at absorbing attacks from a single source but faltered when facing assaults from multiple angles. Typically, the strategy when utilizing adaptive shields was to envelop the body in a single, dense layer of mana and maintain it constantly due to its efficiency. Alaric was highly intrigued by the prospect of selecting the adaptive shield skill. At this stage in his cultivation journey, it would¡¯ve synchronized exceptionally well with his [Mana Shaping] skill and [Mana Strengthening] skill. However, after pondering for a while, he concluded that the layered mana shield skill would provide the best value for his overall combat style. The skill itself was quite practical. However, the primary reason he wanted to acquire it was its strong synergy with his [Mana Scrambling] and [Mana Blast] skills. In fact, it would become pivotal in engineering mana-scrambling bombs. That¡¯s what he decided to call the payload construct he deployed against Therin. Alaric grinned. I cannot wait to hurl mana-scrambling bombs left and right at monsters once I advance my mana core to a sufficient level. He selected the layered mana shield skill option and checked the skill description. Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Layered Mana Shield] (Uncommon). [Layered Mana Shield lvl 1] Layered Mana Shield ¨C You can rapidly construct densely layered mana shields, significantly increasing their durability compared to standard barriers. This allows for faster deployment and improved resilience, making defenses more effective against sustained or powerful attacks. Higher skill levels enhance layering efficiency, stability, and overall shield strength. Alaric activated his new skill to form a layered mana shield around his body. Unlike before, he no longer had to construct each shield layer individually. He could now forge a shield with multiple layers simultaneously. He could also regulate the gaps between the mana shield layers more effectively. One benefit of such a shield design was that if an attack managed to breach the outer layer, he wouldn¡¯t lose all his defense at once. The skill harmonized well with his [Mana Shaping] skill, allowing him to infuse the gaps in the mana layers with pliable mana, making the construct more durable and shock absorbent. I still have to experiment with the shield¡¯s performance during a battle. Alaric was eager to plunge into the Tutorial Rift right away. However, he restrained that thought since he sensed the presence of a familiar gaze lingering on him. Alaric slowly turned around with a smirk. ¡°You have a thing for people-watching, don¡¯t you?¡± he said. A black shadow materialized from behind the curtains. Edgar fixed his glasses, grinning. ¡°You never cease to amaze me with your detection skills.¡± He kept gazing as if anticipating an answer. Alaric simply shrugged. ¡°You just need to refine your stealth ability.¡± Of course, Alaric knew Edgar wasn¡¯t actually trying to be stealthy. It was just a joke. The head butler scrunched up his brows in mock disdain. ¡±Cheeky kid, you¡¯re getting too overconfident with your victories.¡± He smirked and extended a hand for Alaric to take. ¡°Come, let me bring you down a peg. You still have much to learn.¡± So, that¡¯s why you are here? Alaric smirked. Edgar and probably the count as well were concerned that his recent victories would inflate his ego. They didn¡¯t want him to slack off on training due to overconfidence. They¡¯re trying to teach me a lesson, just like I wanted to teach Therin. He was amused but nonetheless clasped Edgar¡¯s hand. The next moment, both of them arrived at the Whispering Woods training grounds. Nobody else was present at that moment. Edgar gestured for Alaric to step into the duel arena. He looked unusually pleased today. Alaric chuckled. The man is probably in the mood for some fun. ¡°I¡¯ll restrict my powers to Peak Tier 1 today,¡± said Edgar. ¡°Try to defeat me.¡± So, you¡¯re throwing down a challenge? Fine by me. Alaric cracked his neck and confidently strode into the ring. ¡°And, what would be my reward if I manage to defeat you?¡± Edgar looked surprised for a moment before releasing a smile. So, you didn¡¯t even entertain the idea of me defeating you? Alaric could see what Edgar was trying to achieve. He had never unleashed his full powers when sparring with Edgar before since there was no point ¡ª he couldn¡¯t win. Now that Edgar had declared he would limit his powers, it tempted Alaric to go all out. He wanted Alaric to showcase the same skills he had used against Rowan and Therin. Fine, I¡¯ll give you exactly what you want. He lunged at the head butler, and both of them clashed. Chapter 58 - How Did You Do That? Alaric and Edgar clashed inside the Whispering Woods training ground. Like always, the head butler was giving him a chance to showcase his skills. Usually, Alaric didn¡¯t enjoy such a sparring session, if it could even be called that. It was no fun hitting a brick wall when one didn¡¯t notice even a single crack appear on it. However, now that Edgar had limited his powers to peak Tier 1, Alaric managed to inflict some damage on the head butler. Throwing mana javelins at Edgar was always ineffective. So, he flicked mana bullets upon mana bullets at Edgar, and he dodged them. The ones he couldn¡¯t evade, he swatted away with his hands. Alaric noticed burn marks appear on Edgar¡¯s hands, but the head butler didn¡¯t activate any healing skills nor deploy any more powerful defensive skills. A smile was etched on the head butler¡¯s face. So, you are enjoying this as much as I am. Alaric had no way to verify what tier the head butler truly belonged to. He only knew that Edgar surpassed Captain Aldric, Sir Baldwin, and even the count. According to his estimate and research, he placed all of them in at least high Tier 3. He also suspected that just like Captain Aldric, Edgar ascended the Tower of Trials and had bonded with a powerful entity. ¡°Alaric, I¡¯m disappointed if this is all the power you can demonstrate.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just getting started,¡± Alaric aimed his palm at Edgar and unleashed a mana blast attack. Let¡¯s see how you block that without using your full power. Alaric had not unveiled his evolved skills to Edgar. He had kept them a surprise for his match with Rowan and Therin. However, Edgar had already observed him utilize his new skills during his previous matches. The fact that he still opted to restrict his powers to peak Tier 1 meant he was confident in winning against Alaric. Edgar didn¡¯t flinch when the swirling ball of condensed blue mana streaked toward him rapidly. His hands glowed red, and he received the ball like a volleyball, redirecting it to the side. The condensed mana ball collided with a large tree, splintering it before triggering an explosion further away. Alaric was surprised. Not because Edgar had managed to defend himself from the attack but because he harnessed a different energy than mana. I wonder if he is using what I think it is. Alaric conjured another ball of condensed mana in his arms and lunged forward in an attempt to breach his defense. Edgar didn¡¯t make it easy though. He gestured, and Alaric noticed thin, almost invisible threads of spindly fiber erupt from the ground, striving to latch onto his body. He forged a sharp mana sword and started slicing through the spindly fiber threads as he advanced toward Edgar. His [Mana Shaping] skill made it easier to sculpt sharp mana armaments than before. Just as he reached Edgar, Alaric used [Mana Scrambling] to discharge a wave of pure mana before hurling the condensed ball of mana at him. Edgar¡¯s hands once again glowed red, and he intercepted the ball of condensed mana and redirected it to another location. The mana wave was unable to disrupt the energy that coated Edgar¡¯s hands. He looked at Alaric triumphantly, fully expecting him to be shocked. However, when Alaric didn¡¯t express immediate shock, his face twisted into a scowl. So, you are using aura now? No wonder the mana-scrambling attacks aren''t working. Alaric didn''t mind him using his aura ability for this match. Technically, although Edgar was utilizing an aura ability - something harnessed by Tier 3 cultivators and above - it was in a very rudimentary manner. Just as he restrained his mana output to peak Tier 1, Edgar had severely restricted the output of his aura ability. Still, Alaric feigned interest in the ability Edgar demonstrated. Otherwise, he suspected the man would get cranky. ¡°Wow, what was that skill?¡± Alaric feigned enthusiasm. ¡°How did you manage to withstand my last attack? I¡¯ve never seen anything like that before.¡± ¡°Hah, stop spouting nonsense,¡± Edgar said irritably. ¡°Just a moment ago, you didn¡¯t appear even slightly surprised.¡± Alaric chuckled inwardly. The man is not easy to fool. He raised his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Okay, okay. I read about aura abilities before.¡± He motioned at his glowing red arm and continued, "And I believe you are utilizing aura to empower yourself. That¡¯s why I wasn¡¯t that surprised.¡± Edgar cast him a sidelong glance, as if he didn¡¯t fully trust Alaric¡¯s words. Instead of responding, he lunged forward to seize him. Alaric swiftly sidestepped and launched a few more mana bullets, which Edgar effortlessly deflected. ¡°You said you¡¯re going to limit your powers to peak Tier 1.¡± ¡°Kid, I¡¯m limiting my powers enough.¡± ¡°Stop using that aura.¡± ¡°Stop utilizing that mana scrambling attack.¡± Alaric smirked. So, you did figure out what kind of skill I used against Rowan and Therin. Alaric supposed that if Edgar had figured out his trick, all the other adults who witnessed his previous matches must¡¯ve figured it out too. Maybe that¡¯s why the Count and Edgar are concerned about me. The mana scrambling skill was very powerful since it could completely disrupt mana-based attacks. Alaric knew that if he formed a habit of relying on only that rare skill, he would only cripple his growth. Encountering a strong enemy or monster that didn¡¯t simply rely on mana-based attacks would be inevitable in the future. So, he was acutely aware of the shortcomings of using the [Mana Scrambling] skill as a crutch. Of course, his father and his mentor were unaware of his insights. It was evident from Edgar¡¯s actions that he didn¡¯t believe Alaric possessed the foresight to recognize this flaw and how to counteract it. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. So, Edgar had decided to teach him that lesson early by showing how ineffective his rare skill would be against aura-based attacks. And, of course, to indulge in some amusement in the process. Alaric valued Edgar¡¯s initiative in addressing this issue. However, it seemed Edgar was not having as much fun as before. Alaric hadn¡¯t reacted the way he anticipated. Instead of being stunned or bewildered due to his mana scrambling wave failing, Alaric calmly acknowledged the fact that there was nothing he could do against it. Edgar infused aura in his arms and threw sharp jabs at Alaric, who formed mana shields in an attempt to block them instead of evading. Alaric wanted to test the effectiveness of his new skill - layered mana shield - against aura-based attacks. As expected, the aura-infused fists effortlessly penetrated even through the densely packed mana layers that shielded his body. Competing with aura-based attacks was simply not possible with mana alone. It had to be countered with aura. Alaric internally assessed the condition and alignment of all seven chakras in his body. If he wished, he could already manifest an aura of his own. However, that would be a laughable attempt ¡ª like wielding a toothpick against a real sword, not even a training blade. However, it would also be highly suspicious for him to be able to use aura at tier 1 - something that peak tier 2s struggled to grasp. The condition and purity of one¡¯s chakras played a crucial role in aura generation. Of course, this factor was unknown to most cultivators who lacked profound knowledge of the chakras. They relied on other factors, such as unlocking the major meridians or gates of the body. One of the critical limitations was comprehending what aura truly was and how it differed from mana. Aura was an internal force that originated from within. Unlike mana, it couldn¡¯t be absorbed from the ambient environment and converted into personal energy. The potency of aura depended on the strength of one¡¯s willpower and emotional resilience, aside from the number of major meridians or gates a cultivator had managed to unlock. This was one of the major hurdles a cultivator had to overcome to progress beyond tier 2. Alaric barely withstood Edgar¡¯s aura-infused jabs. However, it seemed the head butler decided to escalate the fight. He rapidly closed the distance and launched an aura-infused punch at Alaric, piercing through his shield and striking his abdomen. Alaric¡¯s body buckled under the impact, and he coughed up blood. The force of the blow flung him across the yard, and his back slammed into a large tree. He activated [Vital Mana Flow] and started healing his body. Edgar halted in his tracks and motioned for Alaric to rise and continue the fight. Alaric spat blood onto the ground and smirked. So, you want me to go all out now? Fine by me. He cupped his hands and condensed all the mana he could muster, preparing to hurl a fully powered mana blast. Edgar stood firm, bracing for the attack. ¡°You really think you can handle this attack?¡± ¡°Watch and learn, kid,¡± Edgar extended his aura-infused arms in front of him, ready to intercept the oncoming swirling mass of mana the size of a basketball. Is he really going to try to catch it? Alaric had no doubt Edgar could effortlessly evade the attack or simply bat it away like before, especially if he infused more aura into his arms. However, attempting to seize the ball of destruction by channeling such a limited quantity of aura seemed a little reckless. Nonetheless, Alaric watched with his eyes peeled as he launched the fully powered mana blast. Edgar wanted to demonstrate something to Alaric, and he didn¡¯t want to miss it. As the ball of destruction slammed into Edgar¡¯s outstretched hands, he roared. The skin shredded from his arms, and his body was propelled backward due to the force of the impact, carving a nasty groove into the ground. His robes billowed as the surrounding area erupted into a mini hurricane, tearing massive chunks of earth and stone that whirled around him. The scorching winds obscured his body, but Alaric still glimpsed Edgar holding firm. For a moment, Alaric remained uncertain of the outcome¡ªthe ball of destruction and Edgar were locked in a deadlock. However, little by little, the ball of destruction shrank and eventually extinguished just as Edgar snapped his palms shut with a sharp clap. Smoke rose from his body. His sleeves were torn to shreds, and the skin on his arms had turned raw pink, blood trickling down from it. Edgar cast a smirk at Alaric. Moments later, black spindle threads wove around his arms, rapidly healing them. Alaric was really surprised. Edgar had severely restricted his powers. So, managing to absorb the force of the fully powered mana blast with only that thin layer of aura around his arms was astounding. His bones and muscles must have been reforged at a high to peak level. Unlike Therin and Rowan, who had only recently completed their body-reforging process, Edgar had undergone it long ago. He exemplified what to expect after a successful body reforging process. Granted, he was also utilizing aura to fortify his physical strength. ¡°Not bad, kid.¡± Edgar flexed his hands, which were still healing at a visible rate. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any Tier 1 capable of unleashing such a powerful attack.¡± Alaric grinned but decided to wait. Edgar wasn¡¯t finished yet. ¡°But I¡¯ve seen Tier 1s with defenses strong enough to endure such a powerful attack.¡± He rested a hand on Alaric¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You have the mana scrambling skill, but don¡¯t become overly reliant on it. There are ways to overcome it.¡± Alaric nodded. Edgar was correct. There were many powerful cultivators in the empire - people with powerful bloodlines or geniuses with tremendous battle sense. They might possess skills or abilities that utilized energy distinct from mana, even at Tier 1 or 2. In such cases, his mana-scrambling attack would be rendered ineffective. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± said Alaric. Edgar nodded with a grin and relinquished his hold over his power. A surge of suffocating energy cascaded over the surroundings, and Alaric instinctively unleashed a mana-scrambling wave to nullify it. However, the suffocating energy radiating from Edgar devoured the pure mana wave discharged by Alaric. Edgar chuckled. Alaric clicked his tongue. Crafty old man. What Edgar had done was unleash his own version of a mana-scrambling wave, infused with a killing intent. There wasn¡¯t a trace of aura in it. It was so unrefined that Alaric suspected it wasn¡¯t even a system-specific skill. However, Edgar¡¯s mana was far more potent than Alaric¡¯s, and that¡¯s why it managed to overwhelm Alaric¡¯s own. The head butler had just demonstrated to Alaric that the reason he restricted his mana-based attacks and relied solely on aura attacks during the match wasn¡¯t because it was the only way to counter his tricks. No, Edgar could¡¯ve overpowered Alaric even while using his mana and without the support of aura. However, this was a surprise he had kept for the end. ¡°What you just experienced is called killing intent,¡± stated Edgar. ¡°It is not easy to master, but I¡¯ll teach it to you.¡± Alaric chuckled inwardly as Edgar commenced his lesson on how to infuse his will and killing intent into his mana-based attacks. How the mighty have fallen. Of course, he knew what killing intent was. But he still chose to listen. Generating a wave of killing intent required a cultivator to embed their will into their mana with the objective of projecting their desire to kill their opponent. But merely projecting one¡¯s will wouldn¡¯t suffice. It also demanded real experience in killing. In his previous life, Alaric had wielded a formidable killing intent, honed by killing thousands of rogue cultists and sentient monsters. In this body and at his current stage, it was dulled¡ªhis body simply lacked the necessary killing experience. However, Alaric wasn¡¯t concerned. Typically, most cultivators didn¡¯t develop a strong killing intent before reaching Tier 3. Although, there would always be exceptions. He didn¡¯t wish to go down this path for now, but he wouldn¡¯t step back if his journey demanded it. Chapter 59 - Body Reforging After demonstrating how to weave killing intent into mana strikes, Edgar and Alaric paused for a brief snack break. He reassured Alaric not to be too anxious about learning how to infuse killing intent into his attacks for now. It wasn¡¯t a priority at the moment. Edgar simply wanted Alaric to learn about and recognize aura and killing intent so that he wouldn¡¯t be caught off guard in the future. They focused on something more relevant for Alaric¡¯s growth. ¡°Alaric, today we commence your body reconstruction journey,¡± Edgar announced. ¡°Your objective is to concentrate on reforging at least three aspects of your body. Strive to reach the high grade in each, and if you can push further¡ªaim for the peak grade.¡± Alaric had his own goals. He aimed to reforge all 5 aspects of his body to the supreme grade. No, it would be 7 aspects including a perfect main organ reforge. But he kept that thought to himself and simply nodded. Inwardly, he chuckled. I¡¯ll have to prepare an excuse for how I managed to achieve such a feat when I advance to tier 2. Reforging the body was a long process that took years. Coupled with his requirement to advance his mana core, progress the development of his chakras, and complete delving the Tutorial Rift, Alaric would become even more busy. Of course, he was already progressing at a rapid rate and for that, he was really grateful. ¡°Have you considered which three aspects of the body you want to reconstruct?¡± Edgar inquired, clearly testing him. Alaric had no doubt Edgar had already selected the choices for him. Of course, Alaric was also aware of the most probable options to prioritize, but he pretended to think a little just for show. Depending on their fighting style, available resources, and future aspirations, a cultivator could prioritize reforging these primary aspects of their body: bones, blood, a main organ, skin, and the complex network of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Among the main organs, most cultivators usually focused on either reforging the heart, lungs, or brain since reforging all of the main organs - a perfect main organ reforge - was extremely resource-intensive and difficult. Sure, a perfect main organ reforge yielded more value compared to reforging one main organ and other aspects of the body. However, it wasn''t widely pursued due to two primary reasons. First, most cultivators had limited access to resources, and second, each main organ harmonized well with another aspect of the body when reforged together. Thus, it was possible to extract the maximum value out of the reforging process when one had a solid vision of their cultivation path. In Alaric''s case, it made the most sense to focus on reforging the bones, blood, and the interconnected system of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The reason was simple - he had acquired three resources for it - the Peak-grade Bone Reforging Pill, Troll¡¯s Blood Elixir, and Molten Blood Elixir. Pushing things further, he could reforge any one of the three main organs. His best bet was reforging the heart since it would harmonize well with blood reforging. When Alaric shared his thoughts with Edgar, he looked satisfied and remarked that he had the same opinion. ¡°Good. It seems you¡¯ve contemplated this for a while,¡± said Edgar. ¡°Now, let me explain how the body reforging process is done.¡± Edgar explained the body reforging process in detail. Alaric found no fault in his explanation and reasoning. It was a much more in-depth explanation than those found in the books. However, he didn¡¯t possess the insights Alaric had acquired in his previous life. Of course, Alaric didn¡¯t convey his opinion and insights regarding the body reforging process. There would be no use in doing so without being able to explain how he acquired the insights. In fact, it would only arouse suspicion. Under Edgar¡¯s supervision, Alaric adopted a meditative posture and initiated the process of bone reforging for today. It was best to focus on reforging a single aspect of the body on any given day. For reforging multiple aspects, it was more beneficial to alternate the reforging sessions of different aspects each day. Body reforging was an intense process that involved infusing mana into the body to reconstruct and fortify it permanently. It was a fundamentally different process compared to infusing the body with mana and temporarily strengthening it using a skill such as [Mana Strengthening] or any other physical enhancement skill. Thus, this allowed cultivators to reap benefits without actively channeling mana. During the body reforging process, the body tissues were continually purified. That is, they were fundamentally broken down at the molecular level and restructured with mana. The old body tissues didn¡¯t simply disintegrate; they gradually transformed into impurities that accumulated inside the body and could cause health issues. Thus, it was crucial to expel them. These impurities could manifest in a variety of ways - foul odor, dirt accumulation on the skin, physical discomfort, high temperature, and more. Thus, the process was best conducted outside in a field. Alaric settled himself on the ground and concentrated inwards. He slowly examined his entire skeletal structure, carefully engraving every minute detail into his mind. In order for the reforging process to succeed, a cultivator must hold a precise mental image of the body part they intend to reforge. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. This was essential because one needed a clear vision of what they aimed to achieve through the reforging process. Without excellent visualization skills, the reforging process could become stunted and extremely inefficient. Fortunately, Alaric possessed exceptional visualization skills due to years of meditating on and visualizing the chakras of his subtle body. He pulled a bit of mana from his core and slowly directed it to the extremities of his toes. Concentrating solely on his big toe, Alaric slowly infused mana into it until it felt full to his senses. Up to this point, the process was not that different from temporary physical enhancement. He drew in a deep breath and started stuffing even more mana into that isolated part, ensuring that the mana didn¡¯t diffuse into other sections of the body. Simultaneously, he mentally envisioned the mana gradually dissolving the bone in his toe and replacing it with his mana. A jolt of pain shot through his toe. Sweat trickled down his temples, and his face flushed red. But Alaric clenched his jaws and continued. Reconstructing the body parts using mana was an excruciating process, but it was also worth it. The intensity of pain one endured was directly proportional to mana infusion potency in the localized region of the body. The potency of mana infusion simply meant the ratio of mana to body tissues that occupied the same region. Thus, the higher the mana potency in the body, the greater the pain, but it also meant a higher grade of reforging. This was one of the hurdles that a cultivator had to overcome if they desired to reforge their body into a higher grade. Most simply couldn¡¯t withstand the pain past a certain mana potency threshold. Seconds stretched into minutes, and minutes into an hour. Alaric didn¡¯t stop. He kept on cramming more mana into his big toe to increase the potency as much as possible. He was already past the stage a typical Tier 1 could bear since his body was already fortified by root chakra energy, and his mind was tempered by the sacral chakra energy. When he was nearly done with his first bone-reforging session, distant voices slowly sailed into his mind. Edgar was saying something to him, but he couldn¡¯t spare the focus to respond appropriately. Alaric opened his eyes and exhaled deeply. His big toe throbbed with pain but he had completed his first bone-reforging session. A series of dings echoed in his mind. Edgar glanced at him with furrowed brows. ¡°You¡¯ve been at it for a whole hour,¡± he said incredulously. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone endure a reforging session for more than a few minutes during their first time.¡± Alaric grinned and scratched his cheek. If only you knew that I have a lifetime of experience reforging the body. When he didn¡¯t respond, Edgar continued, ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? Check your stats.¡± Congratulations! You have initiated the reforging process of your body. New status options are unlocked. Alaric dismissed the notification and opened his new status screen that tracked the progress of his reforging. Bone Reforging: Reforging Progress - 2% Mana Infusion Potency - 3% Egar had already explained how to interpret the notifications he would receive from the system. The ¡®Reforging Progress¡¯ bar signified how close one was to completely reforging an aspect of their body. A cultivator must achieve 100% reforging progress before they could trigger the completion of the reforging progress and ascend to Tier 2. However, it wasn¡¯t as straightforward as that since the mana infusion potency in their body mattered too. As the name suggested, the ¡®Mana Infusion Potency¡¯ bar highlighted the permanent concentration of mana in a specific aspect of the body. If the mana infusion potency remained below 20%, the reforging process couldn¡¯t be triggered for completion even if the reforging progress bar had reached 100%. The level of mana potency also determined the grade of one¡¯s reforged aspect upon completion. Alaric mentally recalled the different reforging grades according to mana potency. For the vast majority of cultivators, the mid-grade remained a zone they couldn¡¯t cross. Talented cultivators dwelled in the realm of high grade, and if they had access to cultivation pills and elixirs, they could set foot into the realm of peak grade. Attaining supreme grade wasn¡¯t assured even with pills and elixirs since these were only crafted to provide a boost up to the peak grade. There were no documented treasures that could enable cultivators to reforge their bodies all the way up to the top. It all hinged on one¡¯s own potential. There was only a difference of 1 percent between peak grade and supreme grade body reforging level, but the gulf was immense - just out of reach. A doorless gate that cultivators simply couldn¡¯t cross. Generally, there were two ways to utilize pills or elixirs - to increase the mana potency of the body while reducing the pain or to accelerate the progress of reforging. Thus, a cultivator who found himself stuck in a certain grade could consume a pill or elixir to break through and reach the next grade. In such a case, they would have to consume the pill or elixir after they had reached their limits. Otherwise, if they were confident in reaching a certain reforging grade, they could consume a pill at the start of their reforging journey and reach their desired grade much earlier. This was the strategy of talented scions who focused on reforging multiple aspects of their bodies. An average cultivator required about two to three years to completely reforge an aspect of their body without the aid of cultivation resources. The speed of the reforging process and the mana potency level increased initially but slowed down significantly towards the end. Many factors could influence the reforging speed such as insight, pain tolerance, consumption of pills and elixirs, visualization skills, bloodline, mana potency level, and more. Typically, an improvement of over 1% per week was considered good if a cultivator engaged in 3 to 4 reforging meditation sessions per week for a specific aspect. Of course, this average was calculated after the completion of the reforging process due to the non-linear growth metric. Naturally, when one concentrated on reforging multiple aspects of their body, they had limited time per week to focus on reforging a single aspect. That meant they had to utilize cultivation resources to maximize the effectiveness of the reforging meditation per session. Alaric would need to concentrate on reforging all the 7 aspects of his body. Thus, at some point in the future, he would only be able to allocate 1 day per week to reforging a single aspect of his body. Even with a cultivation treasure, his growth would become too sluggish. Fortunately, his experience as a chakra cultivator and the benefits he received from the purification of his chakras helped mitigate that disadvantage. Alaric retrieved the peak-grade bone-reforging pill and swallowed it. Now, let¡¯s see what this can do. Chapter 60 - Farewell Alaric felt as if he had swallowed a ball of chalk. The bone reforging pill had a rough texture that didn¡¯t glide easily down his throat. He drew a bit of mana from his core and directed it to his stomach to aid in the digestion of the pill. After a while, a burning sensation erupted inside his belly as if he had swallowed hot coal. He gritted his teeth and channeled more mana into his stomach. The sensation of pain peaked and then gradually abated as a warmth radiated from his core to the extremities of his limbs. The warmth came in waves, lulling his senses. Time seemed to slow down and sound dulled all around him. The awareness of his body dissolved except for a keen perception of his skeletal system. He envisioned it in perfect clarity - from the toes of his feet to the crown of his head. The pull of gravity intensified and his awareness was yanked downward, accelerating at a rapid pace. The skeletal structure expanded massively as his sense of self shrunk and detached from it. The acceleration ceased and he stabilized, simply acclimating to this new feeling. After a while, he concentrated on examining the massive skeletal structure. The bones appeared whiter and denser than ever before. He noticed tiny details - the roughness of the texture, the weight, the rigidity, the hollowness, and so much more - that he had never detected before. Alaric engraved each and every detail into his memory. Each new detail sparked a new insight that could potentially aid with his bone reforging process. When he focused on one spot, he could magnify it so much that he could perceive the tiny gaps in the structure. Gaps that required fortification with mana. He recognized how every bone, cartilage, and joint interlocked and formed the structure of his skeletal system. Time lost its meaning. Alaric didn¡¯t comprehend how long he¡¯d lingered in that trance-like state. However, once he emerged, he was brimming with newfound knowledge and insight about his bone structure. He channeled his mana throughout his entire skeletal structure and observed a significant reduction in the pain he had endured before. Utilizing his new insights, he filled all the gaps in the structure of the bones with mana and then concentrated on sections that felt weak to his senses. Once that was accomplished, he began saturating more mana into his bones to amplify the mana potency. Now, his bones eagerly absorbed the mana he provided. It was another beneficial effect of consuming the pill. The pain in his big toe was alleviated as well. Alaric wanted to continue longer but his mana was depleted. He checked the progress of his bone reforging. Bone Reforging: Reforging Progress - 3% Mana Infusion Potency - 4% This would have to do for now. Alaric resolved to initiate the blood reforging process and the muscle reforging process within that week as well. He aimed to accelerate the reforging process by harnessing the energy of his chakras but resisted the urge while Edgar was watching. His happy mood was ruined as a nasty odor assaulted his nose. He nearly gagged. Ugh¡­how did I forget about this? His body was encrusted with a layer of black filth, and his clothes were soaked in it. Great, my clothes are ruined. He spotted Edgar standing a few feet away, pinching his nose while wearing an amused expression. For some reason, he clutched a twig in his hand. ¡°Kid, you stink like hell,¡± he chuckled. Alaric grew irritated. An idea struck him. He rose up and approached Edgar. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t come any closer,¡± Edgar exclaimed, his hands shooting up in alarm. ¡°Stay right there and grab this. I¡¯ll teleport you to your room.¡± He thrust the twig toward Alaric. Alaric eyed the twig and then looked at Edgar, who was clearly eager for him to grab the stick and be done with the whole thing. Alaric grinned. He ignored the twig and dashed toward Edgar. I¡¯m going to wipe that grin off your face! ¡°Alaric,¡± Edgar hollered as he dodged. ¡°I¡¯m going to leave you here, and then you can find your way back home on your own.¡± Alaric laughed. ¡°No, you won¡¯t,¡± he retorted but then halted. Of course, Edgar wouldn¡¯t abandon him there. However, it was best not to provoke him any further. He wanted to scrub his body and have a warm bath as soon as possible. So, without any further delay, he grabbed the end of the twig and found himself back in his room. Edgar was nowhere in sight. Alaric shrugged and hurried to his bathroom for a long, soothing bath. *** Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. It took over an hour for Alaric to complete his bath. No matter how rigorously he scrubbed his body or lathered himself with soap, the foul odor persisted. He despised that stench. Only when he felt thoroughly refreshed and clean did he finally step out of the bath. Fortunately, this wouldn¡¯t be a daily occurrence during his reforging sessions. Of course, he¡¯d face more impurities once he consumed additional cultivation resources to reforge other aspects of his body. But other than that, he could remain carefree until he had to trigger the completion of a body-reforging aspect. Dismissing those thoughts, he settled down on his bed and dove inside his cultivation sanctuary. It was time to meditate on his chakras. Today was a special day. Rowan would depart late in the evening, and they had all arranged a farewell party to celebrate the occasion. *** Alaric and his friends wandered through the ¡®Sunlight Plaza¡¯ under the dimming light of the evening sun. They had all agreed to visit their favorite spot¡ªthe market square¡ªone last time. No matter how many times he strolled through the place, it always lifted his spirits. Alaric doubted it was any different for Rowan, Gareth, and George. The market stalls bustled with activity¡ªhawkers bellowed to draw the attention of passersby, food vendors crafted mouthwatering dishes, street performers captivated their audiences, and more. As usual, Alaric steered toward his favorite food stall and ordered a variety of snacks to keep them entertained. Crispy fried chicken with tangy sauce, vibrant salads, and chilled fruit juices filled their table. He craved a cold beer but resisted the urge, knowing he was still too young. Besides, no vendor would dare sell alcohol to minors in public. Rowan wore a conflicted expression. It was easy to understand why. On one hand, he was thrilled to embark on the next chapter of his life after waiting so many years. On the other, he was reluctant to leave Alaric, George, and Gareth behind. Alaric sighed. Time really did fly. Memories of the moments they shared flooded his mind, and he let them flow freely. He didn¡¯t even channel any sacral chakra to numb his emotions. Sometimes, he appreciated experiencing the bittersweet sensation of nostalgia. For him, this wasn¡¯t just about the time he spent with Rowan, Gareth, and George in his new life. For better or worse, the nostalgia he felt stemmed from the memories of his previous life as well. Back then, he didn¡¯t have many friends. But the few he did, Alaric treasured deeply. Unfortunately, he had sacrificed their companionship to pursue his cultivation journey and climb to the pinnacle of power. No, that isn''t entirely true. It wasn¡¯t as if Alaric had abandoned them deliberately. His friends had urged him to move forward, recognizing his greater skill and talent. Alaric had long ago accepted a simple fact of life ¨C not everyone advanced at the same pace. He didn¡¯t necessarily regret leaving his friends behind in his pursuit of power and knowledge, but he occasionally wondered what might have been if they had remained a part of his journey. The sound of laughter jolted him from his reverie. Alaric had missed the thread of the conversation his friends were weaving but quickly refocused on their discussion. Fortunately, nobody had noticed him drifting off into his own thoughts. ¡°- yeah. And I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make a name for yourself in no time,¡± George encouraged Rowan. It wasn¡¯t easy to rise from an intern to a full-fledged guild member without demonstrating real talent. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have stayed a bit longer to compete in the upcoming regional tournament?¡± Gareth asked. ¡°I¡¯m confident you can beat Therin next time and maybe even win it.¡± Alaric had already suspected the reason behind Rowan¡¯s early departure but remained silent. He was curious to hear Rowan¡¯s explanation firsthand. ¡°No, I can¡¯t.¡± Rowan shook his head, his disappointment evident. ¡°Their recruitment period for the year ends before the tournament.¡± His gaze grew distant. ¡°Besides, they¡¯ll train me for the Tower of Trials. That¡¯s more important.¡± Just as Alaric had predicted. Winning the tournament would earn Rowan a decent reward, but delaying his entry into the guild and preparation for the Tower of Trials simply wasn¡¯t worth it. Fortunately, Alaric didn¡¯t have to worry about that just yet. At only twelve, he was already exploring the higher zones of the Tutorial Rift, a feat considered impressive by most standards. Learning mana skills hadn¡¯t been too difficult for him. In fact, he surmised he could acquire his [Superior Mana Manipulation] ability much ahead of schedule. I just have to get another skill in the next zone. Of course, Alaric was also committed to advancing his core to the solid stage by fourteen and reforging every aspect of his body. He still had ample time to refine his chakra cultivation, though progress would be gradual until he reached Tier 2 and beyond. As his friends exchanged old memories and promises to reunite in the future, time seemed to slip away. Rowan proudly displayed a black saber etched with intricate runes that perfectly complemented his adventuring gear. It was a level one treasure Rowan obtained using the Church treasury access card signed by Bishop Drevon. Although a level one treasure wasn¡¯t very rare, it would be perfect for a Tier 2 cultivator. Alaric had his own plans for using the Church treasury access card. He was simply waiting for when the time was right. Suddenly, Alaric detected somebody¡¯s gaze lock onto him before swiftly shifting away. He casually stuffed the last remnants of crispy chicken into his mouth and stretched his body, using the movement as a cover to survey his surroundings. Among the crowd of people, he failed to identify anybody suspicious that lurked in the dark corners. The sensation of being watched only lasted for a moment, short enough to attribute it to paranoia. However, Alaric¡¯s instincts suggested otherwise. Hmm¡­someone¡¯s spying on our group. None of his friends seemed to notice. Alaric considered whether it would be beneficial to warn his friends but decided against it. Whoever was observing them harbored no malice or hostility. In fact, he suspected the watcher wasn¡¯t even certain that their group was the target. It could simply be someone surveying the entire crowd. If that were the case, there was no immediate danger. Yet, Alaric couldn¡¯t shake off another suspicion. The runic bracelet gifted by the count hadn¡¯t shown any signs of activation, but it itched faintly. Perhaps the witches had finally decided to make a move. If that were true, Alaric concluded that it would be best to keep his friends out of this mess. ¡°We should all head home now,¡± Alaric announced as he stood up. ¡°It¡¯s getting late.¡± Fortunately, everyone agreed. Just then, Alaric¡¯s eyes caught sight of a figure cloaked in dark robes, lingering in the shadows of an alleyway, quietly monitoring their group. Chapter 61 - The Howling Expanse Alaric froze in his tracks, imprinting every detail of the robed figure into his mind. The person had also spotted him and straightened slightly. Somebody tapped him on the back. ¡°What happened?¡± asked Rowan. Alaric glanced at him for a moment and then snapped his gaze back to the alleyway. The stranger had vanished. In fact, Alaric couldn¡¯t even sense his presence in the surroundings. ¡°Hmm, what? Nothing,¡± he muttered absentmindedly. He scoured his surroundings to catch a glimpse of their hidden observer once again, but it was futile. The figure had truly disappeared. I need to be more vigilant from now on when I leave the estate. Alaric still wasn¡¯t completely certain it was a witch who had been observing their group. There was no reason to believe otherwise since the bracelet he wore effectively erased his mana signature - Edgar had informed him of that later. Still, he concluded it was better to stay cautious than complacent. All things considered, the stranger hadn¡¯t shown any hostility or murderous intent toward their group. That was at least a positive sign. Alaric and his friends headed toward the estate. Throughout their journey home, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that somebody was watching their group, but no matter how meticulously he searched, he couldn¡¯t detect the presence of anyone suspicious. *** It was early morning. Alaric had just arrived at the Whispering Woods with Edgar to begin their training session for the day. However, Alaric couldn¡¯t concentrate. His thoughts drifted back to yesterday¡¯s events. Yesterday, Alaric, Gareth, and George went to see off Rowan at the station after they returned to the mansion. Captain Aldric had taken a break from his guard duty for two weeks and accompanied Rowan to ensure he safely reached his destination - Ravenholm. It was the headquarters of the Twilight Hawk guild. Gareth and George were downcast after Rowan¡¯s departure. Not that Alaric was in high spirits either. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t feel anyone watching their group on their way to and from the station. All of them stayed up late, chatting, unwilling to be left alone with their thoughts. ¡°Kid, you need to focus,¡± said Edgar. ¡°Can¡¯t have you moping just because your friend left the city.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not about that,¡± Alaric shook his head. ¡°I need to tell you something. Yesterday, I spotted a robed figure observing our group from a distance.¡± ¡°Where was this?¡± Edgar raised his eyebrows. ¡°Did you notice anything else? Why didn¡¯t you tell me yesterday?¡± Alaric hadn¡¯t sensed any immediate danger from the figure, and his instincts were usually accurate. He recounted everything he could remember, and Edgar took a moment to process the information. Truthfully, Alaric wasn¡¯t too worried for now. Yesterday had been the perfect opportunity to ambush their group. They hadn¡¯t been under the supervision of any adults at the time. Therefore, if that spy hadn¡¯t attacked them then, they were unlikely to strike anytime soon. Especially now that his guard would be heightened. Edgar assured Alaric he would investigate and not to worry about anything. Alaric chuckled inwardly. Looks like you¡¯re more concerned about it than I am. Nevertheless, he was pleased that Edgar was taking his word seriously. Once the discussion was over, Alaric commenced his bone reforging session. *** Tutorial Rift Zone 4 - The Howling Expanse The Howling Expanse was completely different from the previous three Tutorial Rift zones. It was designed by the system for Tier 2 cultivators and thus, much more vast, challenging, and interesting. An endless barren desert sprawled before Alaric, stretching to the horizon in every direction. A sandstorm howled around him. His clothes were battered by razor-sharp, mana-infused sands swept up by the raging winds. In fact, the gales were potent enough to strip flesh from bone over time. This zone was unfit for cultivators lacking a reforged body. Yet, Alaric endured the harsh environment as his body, fortified by root chakra energy, was naturally resilient even without complete reforging. Even so, he activated his [Mana Strengthening] skill to adapt more swiftly. Alaric¡¯s lips curled into a grin. Let¡¯s see how long I can thrive in this merciless terrain. Eager to hunt monsters, he scoured his surroundings, but none appeared. All around him, rolling dunes stretched endlessly. Far away in the distance, a large mass of jagged stone cliffs and hardened rock formations dotted the landscape. The sky was overcast, clouding visibility further. The frequent flashes of lightning accompanied by the crackle of thunder further bathed the whole region in an eerie glow. Alaric bolted toward the sunbaked plateau of hardened earth he spotted in the distance. After a while, he discovered that the spot was much further away than he had initially thought. It took him an hour to reach the location and he spent a good twenty minutes scanning the area for monsters to exterminate. However, there were none in sight. He couldn¡¯t detect any mana signature and even his danger sense remained inactive. Where are all the monsters? At this rate, I¡¯ll run out of mana without having fought a single monster. Alaric didn¡¯t let his guard down for a moment. If monsters were lurking - and he was certain they were - they possessed highly advanced stealth abilities. A thought crossed his mind. Hmm, what if the monsters are merely waiting for me to drop my guard? Alaric surmised that these desert creatures were patient ambush predators, capable of waiting motionlessly for hours until their prey exhausted itself. Alaric deactivated his mana-strengthening skill and pretended to let his guard down. An instant later, his danger sense prickled. Sand to his left shifted, and a long, whip-like tongue shot out from the ground. Alaric instantly grabbed it as it coiled around his forearm. Got you! A massive desert chameleon, as large as a lion, emerged from beneath the sand, its body color perfectly camouflaged with its surroundings. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. What impressed Alaric even more was that even though he could now see the creature, he couldn¡¯t sense its mana signature. The desert chameleon possessed the power to erase its mana signature completely. Alaric perceived a void in his mana-sensing ability. The colossal lizard jerked on his arm, nearly unbalancing him. ¡°You did not just try to eat me,¡± Alaric tutted, wagging his finger at the creature in disapproval. ¡°Bad lizard!¡± He triggered [Mana Strengthening] and yanked its tongue, still coiled around his forearm, with all his might. Astonishingly, the chameleon was far heavier than he anticipated, preventing him from hurling it as intended. For several tense moments, Alaric and the chameleon clashed in a fierce contest of strength. The creature writhed in agony, realizing it had bitten off more than it could chew. Alaric thrust his palm forward and unleashed a mana blast at the lizard¡¯s face, shattering it. The tongue snapped cleanly at the midpoint, splattering blood across the sand. The lizard shrieked in pain. Alaric winced. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have been that harsh! His empathy evaporated the moment the lizard spun around and lashed at him with its massive tail. Alaric sidestepped and launched a series of mana javelins to end the fight. He didn¡¯t want to waste mana, but that approach proved ineffective. The creature¡¯s hide was too dense for the javelins to pierce. Even mana bullets failed to break through its skin. Apparently, its tongue was its vulnerability. Alaric marveled at the creature¡¯s resilience, fighting ferociously despite its mangled face. Its head was grotesquely deformed from the damage, blood gushing from its wounds in streams. He was certain the lizard had been blinded, yet it could still pinpoint his location. In the end, Alaric launched two more mana blasts to end the fight. Hah¡­that ended well. Alaric waited for a while, anticipating another ambush, but no creature dared attack. It seemed they had witnessed the skirmish and were now more cautious. If only I had my True Vision ability. He shook his head. Alaric had the insight to unlock the True Vision ability, but his limitation lay elsewhere. It required a precise application of mana, which he suspected would only be possible once he acquired the superior mana manipulation ability. Looks like l really have to get that final skill now. The recommended skill to gain in this zone was a perception-based skill. Alaric had hoped to avoid this since he eventually aimed to unlock True Vision and he already relied on his danger sense. However, a dedicated perception skill was exactly what he needed to navigate this zone effectively. Fortunately, he already had a solid idea inspired by his [Mana Scrambling] technique. Alaric focused on his core, commanding his internal mana to rotate. The shifting mana flow made it slightly easier to gauge its position relative to his surroundings. He needed to execute the next step flawlessly. Alaric sculpted a vivid mental image, mapping where the mana intersected with everything around him. He channeled solar plexus chakra energy to hone his mana manipulation. The vision crystallized, revealing every intricate detail of his core. In the next instant, a sharp pulse of mana erupted from his body, rippling through the desert. Some of it seeped beneath the sand and mingled with the airborne particles. The rest surged outward, spanning up to 100 meters. Moments later, Alaric emitted another pulse, then another, maintaining a steady rhythm. These mana pulses were delicate and infused with his curiosity about his surroundings, unlike the raw power of [Mana Scrambling]. These pulses were gentler, almost undetectable, yet capable of traveling vast distances with remarkable efficiency. They couldn¡¯t harm any creature but granted him an expanded awareness of his environment. As the mana pulses swept across the landscape, Alaric¡¯s mental map grew increasingly vivid. Each pulse subtly altered the image, capturing dynamic changes and creating an illusion of motion. He perceived every crack in the rocks, sensed what lay beneath the surface, and even perceived through the rugged cliffs. Naturally, he also identified numerous desert chameleons, concealed and waiting patiently for him to make a mistake. A series of dings rang in his mind and he decided to check them. It wasn¡¯t like the chameleons were in a hurry to attack him. Congratulations! You have acquired the skill [Mana Pulse] (common). [Mana Pulse lvl 1] Mana Pulse - You can emit subtle pulses of mana that travel in all directions, detecting the presence and location of creatures as they collide with their bodies or are absorbed by the surrounding terrain. This technique is highly mana-efficient and non-destructive, allowing for precise spatial awareness without revealing your position. Higher skill levels enhance range, sensitivity, and detection accuracy, even through obstacles. Alaric¡¯s lips curled into a grin. The skill functioned exactly as he envisioned. Perfect! Now, let¡¯s see. He aimed his palm at the closest desert chameleon and fired a mana blast. The creature was flawlessly camouflaged against a nearby rock formation. As the swirling ball of mana approached it, the chameleon didn¡¯t make any move to evade it. Instead, it seamlessly melded into the stone, dodging the attack as the blast shattered the rock. Seconds later, Alaric detected a shimmer as the chameleon reappeared, its tongue darting toward him like a spear. He sidestepped, noting the barbed tips on its tongue. This one is craftier. More chameleons emerged nearby and surrounded him. Alaric tactically positioned himself against a cliff to reduce the angles from which he could be attacked. He deactivated his [Mana Pulse] skill, observing that his foes had all chosen to reveal themselves. Although each pulse was more efficient than a mana scrambling wave, maintaining the frequency rapidly drained his reserves. All at once, numerous chameleons launched their barbed tongues at Alaric, who weaved through each attack effortlessly and retaliated with mana bullets. The ones he couldn¡¯t evade, he deflected with layered mana shields. His [Zen Flow] skill was running on full steam as Alaric danced in a primal battle with 12 predators, each one hungry for his life. His mana reserves dwindled rapidly. For nearly two hours, he had maintained his mana-strengthening skill, and his new ability siphoned a significant portion of his energy. On top of that, he had to unleash mana blasts at these tenacious creatures since regular mana javelins proved utterly useless. Pounding on their armored hides with mana gauntlets or a mana lance was equally ineffective. Their scales were too resilient, evolved to endure the brutal elements of The Howling Expanse. I need to end this quickly, or I¡¯ll be drained dry. Suddenly, the ground quaked as if an earthquake had struck, and Alaric¡¯s danger sense blared in warning. Many chameleons melded into the rock or sand, vanishing to save themselves. Alaric refused to stand idle and wait for whatever had terrified even the chameleons. He activated [Mana Pulse] and detected an enormous entity barreling toward them underground. But his brief lapse in focus cost him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t form his mana shield in time for the next onslaught. A cluster of chameleons lashed out, their tongues wrapping around his legs. One, then two, three, and four. The barbs on their tongue shredded the skin off his bone, sending searing agony through his body. Alaric gritted his teeth. These are poisoned. He felt the venom creeping through his veins, gradually paralyzing his limbs. Alaric triggered [Vital Mana Flow] and circulated a drop of sacral chakra to dull the pain. He funneled every ounce of his remaining mana into [Mana Strengthening] and wrenched at the tongues. ¡°Aargh!¡± It wasn¡¯t enough. He cycled a drop of root chakra, igniting a burst of strength in his muscles. With a savage roar, he became a whirlwind of fury, tearing the tongues that clung to his body. Blood drenched his frame and soaked the sand. The chameleons shrieked in anguish. He was on the brink of mana exhaustion, his breath ragged. Alaric shook his head. No, I won¡¯t fall here. He cupped his hands, attempting to channel a fully charged mana blast. A sphere of blue energy flickered to life in his palms but fizzled out before it could complete. He was out of mana. In the next heartbeat, a colossal ring of fangs erupted from beneath the earth, consuming everything in its path¡ªincluding Alaric.