What is his ultimate goal?
While clenching his hand, feeling the surge of new power coursing through his body, Noel asked himself that question.
The answer was simple.
To not be affected by anything... or anyone.
That was his goal — in reality.
But then, what about the simulation?
And in turn, to become stronger.
And he was doing that.
Bit by bit — his survival time, his strength — they were both growing.
It still felt too slow.
Then what is the problem?
Noel asked himself again. His fingers curled tighter, jaw stiffening as he stared ahead.
And the first thing that came to mind was... Selena and Lilith.
The root of everything.
If he slept with Selena, then Lilith would imprison him.
If he suffered too much under Lilith, then Selena would do the same.
That’s how it had always been — every single time.
Until now, Noel had always believed in facing the problem head-on.
To not care about the simulation — as long as there was progress.
What mattered was reality.
He believed that if he just grew stronger — strong enough that even if they were jealous, they couldn’t do anything — then he’d win.
Maybe there’s another way.
Maybe... he could take the hand of someone else.
It was a bad idea — almost reckless — to get involved with someone powerful enough to act as a counterbalance to Lilith and Selena.
But somehow... it still felt easier than trying to force the two of them to compromise.
His thoughts settled there — quietly.
But then, the real question came:
Does he even know someone who fits that role?
...Would they stand against Lilith?
Noel didn’t think so.
The Merrow family — his enemies.
And the Ravelli noble family, supposedly based in Italy.
Should he try to reach them?
He kept thinking. Fingers relaxed slightly. His gaze drifted.
And finally... Noel reached a conclusion.
He is literally isolated, and without any connection to the Hidden Society.
So, first... he needs to break out of the shell around him.
Everything else would come after.
Anyway, despite everything — he is advancing.
Noel, who had arrived at his decision, didn’t make any changes in his notebook. Instead, he turned to the Codex Null.
[Do you want to spend 10 Null Points to start a Premium Simulation?]
Would there be any change this time?
Would his strength alone make a difference?
With those thoughts swirling in his head, he agreed.
[Life Simulation begins.]
[The simulation is over. You can choose two of the following.]
[1: Dense Bones (Rooted Talent)]
[2: Strengthened Soul (Slightly Recovered Soul)]
[3: Strengthened Physical Strength (First Stage of the Blood Refinement Path)]
[4: Initial Mastery over Blood Scripture]
[5: Memory of this Simulation]
’So, you mean to say this measly strength is still not enough to make any change, right?’
Noel couldn’t help but think that, upon reading a simulation almost identical to the one before it.
In the end, that didn’t matter.
It was already a thrown-away simulation in his mind.
Or at least... that was his intention.
But then his eyes lingered on the options in front of him.
At the first one — Dense Bones.
A talent that should be stronger than the Seedling-tier ones he had before.
And somehow... it caught him off guard.
’Things really do come when one least expects them.’
A quiet, almost involuntary smile crept across his face.
Dense Bones, despite its simple name — Noel felt it was going to be quite useful, after all.
That’s why, without hesitation, he made his choices.
[You have selected: Dense Bones (Rooted Talent).]
[You have selected: Strengthened Physical Strength (First Stage of the Blood Refinement Path).]
Noel could feel it in real time — his blood growing denser, more pure. His body... stronger.
It was the same transformation he had experienced before.
But this time, it was different.
He had reached 90% of the Vital Purification.
He was nearly there — on the cusp of entering the second stage.
His strength was just that much now.
But those were the changes tied to the Blood Scripture.
There was something else too.
Noel had long since realized it — his talent for the Blood Refinement Path wasn’t exactly high.
But in this moment... things changed.
If he started training again now, his progress would be far faster compared to before —
And that’s without counting the nutrient speed.
If he added that too?
Then it would be a game changer.
That aside, Noel couldn’t help but pause.
Something nagged at the edge of his thoughts.
He hadn’t chosen the soul option — not even once today.
And after a brief moment of contemplation, he made a decision.
A change in priority.
Strengthened Physical Strength.
For the foreseeable future, that’s how it should be.
Because while immediate strength was good...
The Soul Path — that was the true foundation.
Not just to regain his memories.
But also... to begin dabbling with Laws.
With these thoughts lingering in his mind, Noel slid his notebook back into the hidden compartment in the drawer, then glanced at the hour.
It was barely evening — and he still had ample time.
That’s why Noel decided to train in the Blood Scripture on his own.
Despite his current strength, he had zero understanding of it.
So training now... could help him later during simulations.
He began with the basic exercises — slow, deliberate movements meant to deepen his awareness of his own body.
And with his strength, the mastery over them came quickly.
Of course, it couldn’t compare to the version of him inside the simulation — the one who had been practicing the Blood Scripture for years.
Still, after four continuous hours, Noel could already feel the blood flowing in his body.
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, steady and calm.
He paused his training, sitting cross-legged on the ground, sweat still glistening along his neck.
He closed his eyes for a moment and began reviewing his earlier movements in his mind.
Noting where he had made mistakes.
Where his breath had broken rhythm.
Where tension had gathered in the wrong muscles.
After that, he went to the next section of the Blood Scripture in his mind and studied it in silence for a while, calmly digesting the instructions.
Then, at last, he returned to physical practice.
And every second mattered.
He didn’t know how long he could continue uninterrupted , after all.