Unbeknownst to Sam, a shadowy enemy had been investigating him from the darkness.
Sam, together with his maternal grandfather, returned to their grand mansion where they were warmly greeted by his maternal grandmother.
She exuded the appearance of a woman in her early thirties, possessing long, white hair and piercing blue eyes. "How was your training? Was he pushing you too hard again?"
"It's training; I'm supposed to be pushing him hard as his sparring partner," Jin retorted, shaking his head in jest as he spoke to his wife.
"I don't care; I just don't want you hurting my only grandson in the name of training," Hana Tatsuya shot a chilling glare at her husband, silencing him with a mere look.
Hana's face softened into a sweet expression as she turned her attention to her grandson. "I have something prepared for you."
Sam watched as Hana produced a scroll, beautifully tied with a red ribbon adorned with an image of an eagle.
"This is the sword technique belonging to my mother's ancestral family. I intended to give it to you on your sixteenth birthday, on the day of your martial awakening, but I couldn't resist," Hana said, handing the scroll to Sam.
[Name: Infernal Bird Reincarnation Art
Type: Evolutionary-Grade Sword Technique
Description: A collection of sword techniques created by the martial artists of the first generation of heroes, passed down for generations in the noble household of Tachibana.]
"Grandma Hana, this is amazing. Thank you," Sam exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"I'm glad you like it. This sword technique should be very suitable for you. The more you use it, the stronger it will become. In the long run, if you have the Aptitude for it, you may even develop fire immunity to an extent, and some other things" Hana smiled warmly at her grandson.
Her day would be complete as soon as she saw her grandson happy.
"The Tatsuya family's techniques are far better," Jin interjected with a jealous expression.
Hana and Sam ignored the grumpy Jin as they continued their conversation. "Your grandfather said you have reached your mortal limit?"
"Yes, I've reached level 15, and all my attributes except for strength and perception have reached 20, which is the limit a mortal can achieve unless awakened," Sam replied, looking at the system screen.
"Hmm, to reach the mortal limit at the age of 15, you really are a genius. You could easily enter the class of elites when you join the academy," Hana slowly commented.
The academy she was referring to was the Academy of Heroes, a prestigious institution for aspiring martial artists.
When a person reaches the age of sixteen, they awaken their innate martial potential, unlocking the ability to absorb mana into their bodies and convert it into Heroic energy, thus becoming cultivators.
Becoming a cultivator was the first step to even attempting to enter the academy.
Initially, the academy was established to house and train martial artists from low and middle-class households who lacked the necessary knowledge or masters to teach them.
As centuries passed, it became a tradition for noble clans to send their young martial artists to the academy to prove themselves to the community and establish their reputation.
Most noble clans took this tradition seriously, and as a result, those young masters would do anything to stand out in the academy, from cheating to brutally killing anyone who stood in their way.
Not everyone could enter the academy; their abilities, techniques, battle prowess, and potential would all be tested rigorously.
Only those who passed these harsh conditions could gain entry.
Even after gaining entry, students would be assigned to different classes based on their test results.
Those who barely passed would be placed in the C class, the lowest tier. Those who performed slightly better would be placed in the B class.
Above them was the A class, reserved for students who demonstrated great potential and skill.
And then there were the elites - those who showed unmatched potential, outshining their peers, and overcoming every challenge thrown their way.
They would be placed in the classroom of the elites, a distinction reserved for the best of the best.
...
Somewhere in the territory of heroes, within the opulent confines of a noble clan's mansion, a man adorned in regal attire sat at his work desk, engrossed in the tedious task of paperwork.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to the door, where a figure stood, concealed within the shadows.
"Didn't I make it clear before? If you haven't brought anything of worth to my time, then go away," the man said, his gaze remaining fixed on the papers in his hand.
"I have been following that kid from the Tatsuya clan, just as you instructed me. Today, I was able to confirm your suspicion, and indeed, you are right. He is a hero who can wield magic," the shadowed figure replied, his tone stern and resolute.
At once, the man behind the desk froze, his demeanor shifting to one of intense focus as he peered up, meeting the gaze of the figure in the shadows with a steely glare.
"Do you want me to dispose of him?" the shadow-cloaked man queried, his voice steady but edged with anticipation.
"You won't be able to kill him. Whenever he's within the city, he's virtually untouchable. And why would he leave the city when everything he desires is readily served to him on a silver platter? Let's not forget, he is the grandson of the great Jin Tatsuya," the man responded with a smirk, tapping his chin in contemplation.
"Even if he were to venture beyond the city walls, his family would ensure he remains under the utmost protection."
"Then what do you want me to do?" the shadowed figure inquired, awaiting his next command.
"Nothing," came the reply. "I will deal with him myself."
"If I may ask, why are you so intent on killing him? What threat does he pose?" the cloaked figure pressed, curiosity evident in his tone.
The man glanced at the shadowy figure, his expression hardening. "He is an aberration, a deviation from the natural order. An anomaly such as him cannot be allowed to exist."
"Is that reason good enough for you?"