The grand double doors creaked open with a whisper of ancient magic, revealing the opulent interior of the Drake Family’s Castle—a place where the old world seamlessly met the new in a constant, uneasy harmony.
Towering vaulted ceilings arched above, supported by obsidian-black columns etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with mana. Despite their age, the carvings shimmered with enchantments both ancient and modern, flickering like neon veins coursing through stone.
The floor beneath their feet was a mosaic of polished crystal tiles, shifting colors like oil on water with every step. Floating above, holographic chandeliers—complex arrays of arcane light-tech—hovered silently, shedding a cold, pristine glow that bathed the hall in a surreal light. Around them, centuries-old tapestries depicting dragonlords in fierce spellwars hung beside sleek LED display panels, broadcasting the latest news from the magical world. The clash of eras was deliberate—a message whispered from the stones: power survives by evolving.
Tall windows framed with silver tracery stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing golden sunlight and filtered aetherlight to spill into the hall. A dance of translucent spirals, the aetherlight moved through the air like slow-burning incense, filling the space with an odd scent—ozone, ancient parchment, and a hint of high-end cologne—noble, potent, unmistakably powerful.
As they moved through the corridor, Ethan turned to his parents. His voice was quiet but tinged with curiosity. "Will I be alone like the last two times when I’m tested for my spirit core and spirit talent?"
Aurora glanced at him, a gentle smile flickering on her face. "Today, the progress of all children your age will be recorded," she replied softly.
Ethan’s mind spun with that information. So, she would be there too—she, the girl had never met but had heard about. His fiancée, he guessed—though never officially spoken. The engagement felt almost non-existent, like a paper promise turned to dust with time. Still, the upcoming test might reveal whether he had even inherited a spirit core or talent, where he would hide his spirit core. If not, the backlash—facing rejection, disappointment, and perhaps an end to that fragile ’engagement’—would be unavoidable.
As they continued down the hall, Ethan suddenly caught faint sounds—murmurs, glasses clinking, the steady click of polished boots. A spark of curiosity surged within him. He subtly reached out with his spirit power to observe what lay ahead.
In an instant, his vision expanded. More than five hundred people filled the hall, swirling in a grand ball-like event—dancing, mingling, the air thick with anticipation. Ethan’s eyes widened at the sight of so many gathered under one roof.
When they entered the hall, a servant promptly approached, guiding them to their designated seats—rows arranged with meticulous care for the family members and invited guests. Ethan was then led away to where the children of his age had gathered: a lively, bustling area filled with nervous chatter and excited whispers.
Anthony and Aurora exchanged anxious glances. Both secretly wished for a miracle—hoping Ethan’s spirit core or spirit talent would awaken during the test. But deep within, they knew the truth. If Ethan possessed even a fragment of those powers, they would notice. The real reason behind bringing him here wasn’t concern for his talent but something more subtle, An Order.
Just as their thoughts drifted into the shadows of doubt, a voice echoed softly in their ears:
Startled, Anthony and Aurora instinctively turned around. Approaching them were two figures—strangers who had just arrived, their presence both familiar and startling.
Anthony’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Valen," he said carefully, his tone edged with caution, "you know exactly what we were doing—and thinking."
Valen, a tall man with an air of quiet authority, nodded sagely. Behind him, a woman approached, her features delicate but her gaze sharp and calculating. Aurora instinctively stepped forward and embraced her, murmuring warmly: "Isolde."
She looked radiant, her aura calm, but her eyes flickered with hints of concealed power. "I am fine," she replied with a small smile. "And you? How are you holding up?"
Just as Ethan’s parents were deep in conversation, Ethan was led to the children’s area—a lively, bustling space filled with nervous energy and excited whispers. He found a quiet seat at the side, away from the chatter, and sat down. Closing his eyes, he let the darkness fall around him.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself perched on the tip of a very tall tree in the heart of a dense forest. The air hummed with the sounds of unseen creatures, and the scent of damp earth and ancient wood hung heavy in the air.
In front of him, a Low Ascendant Rank 3 Tooth Tiger prowled—a majestic creature, its fur a tapestry of shadows and dappled light. Its eyes gleamed with a predatory sharpness, muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat.
At that moment, Ethan’s lips parted, and he uttered a single word: "Die."
As the command left his lips, green, vine-like tentacles sprouted from the ground, moving with a life of their own. They twisted and coiled around the tiger, wrapping it in an inescapable embrace.
The tiger struggled, its roars muffled by the tightening vines, but it was futile. The tentacles constricted, suffocating the creature until its body went limp, and the light faded from its eyes.
Ethan watched the scene unfold, a mixture of satisfaction and grim determination on his face. Right now, he was in his clone—the same Elder Rank clone he had received previously. But through constant training and battles, the clone’s cultivation had increased, now hovering at the very limit of the High Ascendant Rank.
The clone’s power surged through him, a heady rush of strength and vitality. He could feel the thrill of the fight, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. Yet, at the same time, he was acutely aware of the need for secrecy, the importance of hiding his true power from the world.
With a final glance at the fallen tiger, Ethan closed his eyes once more, retreating from the forest and back into the bustling hall. The transition was seamless, his expression never faltering as he returned to the present.
Around him, the other children continued their excited conversations, oblivious to the battle that had just taken place in another realm. Ethan remained silent.