Returning to his newly assigned chamber, Zeke found little to admire.
The room was no larger than a prison cell.
Bare stone walls.
A thin blanket.
A single canteen.
Nothing more.
After changing into his yellow ninja uniform, he sat cross-legged on the hardened floor and reopened the Immortal System.
[Immortal System]
----Calculated Results...
Pros:
2x Pickpocketer
2x Special Delivery
3x Gift of Gab
2x Survivor
1x Executioner
1x Cold Blooded
Cons:
1x Hesitation
2x Subserviency
1x Cuffed
1x Unaware
1x Regretful Soul
Final Grade: B
Reward = N/A
----Recalculating Results...
Pros:
2x Pickpocketer
2x Special Delivery
3x Gift of Gab
2x Survivor
1x Executioner
1x Cold Blooded
1x Appeased Soul
Cons:
1x Hesitation
2x Subserviency
1x Cuffed
1x Unaware
Final Grade: A
Reward =
Awaken (1st Magical Circle)
Advance to Stage 2 Disciple
THCOUS Map
(Claim Reward: [Y/N])
Zeke studied the screen quietly.
Despite earning an A Rank, disappointment lingered.
The second fragment of Great Immortal Ito remained out of reach.
Worse still, the trial had reminded him how powerless he truly was.
Elizabeth had died because he lacked the strength to change the outcome.
His fingers curled into fists.
"I need power."
The words escaped almost instinctively.
"More than ever."
Without hesitation, he accepted the rewards.
The first reward activated immediately.
A surge of Qi spread throughout his body.
His cultivation advanced to Stage 2 Disciple.
Although insignificant compared to his former self, the growth was still astonishing.
In his previous life, he hadn't reached this stage until the age of fifteen.
Now he had achieved it at ten.
The Immortal System was proving far more valuable than he originally expected.
Still, one reward interested him more than the others.
Awaken (1st Magical Circle).
Zeke selected it.
Instantly, agony erupted throughout his body.
Unlike the smooth advancement of martial cultivation, this felt invasive.
Violent.
As if something foreign was forcing itself into existence.
Sweat poured down his face.
His muscles trembled.
Yet he endured.
Pain was hardly unfamiliar to him.
Eventually, the storm subsided.
Breathing heavily, he examined himself internally.
His Spiritual Root had changed.
Nestled beside it rested a newly awakened magical core.
The two structures intertwined naturally.
A radiant multicolored circle revolved around them like a celestial ring.
[Status Window]
Mana (2,593/2,593)
Qi (5,900/5,900)
Sword Force (N/A)
Power Level (34,466)
Health (13,700/13,700)
Titles:
(Blood Physique)
(1st Circle Mage)
(Stage 2 Disciple)
A grin spread across his face.
"So this is magic..."
For the first time since arriving in this world, genuine excitement appeared.
Then reality ruined the moment.
"There is one slight problem."
He had absolutely no idea how to use it.
Thinking back to Den Mother Vivien's funeral spell, he extended a finger.
"Ignite."
Nothing happened.
Not even a spark.
"...Worth a try."
With no teacher and no spellbook, experimentation would have to wait.
For now, he returned to what he understood best.
Cultivation.
Closing his eyes, Zeke began circulating Tortoise Breath.
....
Three months later.
A horn echoed throughout the Hidden Cave.
Zeke slowly opened his eyes.
Three uninterrupted months of cultivation had passed.
During that time, he successfully advanced to Stage 2 Master.
Unfortunately, the results left him dissatisfied.
[Status Window]
Mana (2,593/2,593)
Qi (7,200/7,200)
Sword Force (N/A)
Power Level (41,136)
Health (16,000/16,400)
Titles:
(Blood Physique)
(1st Circle Mage)
(Stage 2 Master)
His growth was respectable.
Yet nowhere near what he expected.
'So this is why martial cultivators are treated as second-rate.'
The conclusion felt unavoidable.
The World Spirit's influence within this realm was noticeably weaker than in his previous life.
Without sufficient spiritual energy, cultivation slowed to a crawl.
Still, frustration solved nothing.
For now, he would continue growing stronger.
Patiently.
Quietly.
Until he possessed the strength to bite back.
After stretching his stiff limbs, he grabbed his canteen and stepped outside.
Immediately, he noticed streams of yellow-clad fledglings heading toward the training grounds.
The Hidden Cave resembled an enormous anthill.
Everyone moving with purpose.
Everyone following orders.
"Oh."
A familiar voice greeted him.
"So you're still alive."
Leaning against a nearby wall stood Kenshin.
Zeke raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
Kenshin stared at him.
"Seriously?"
His forehead twitched.
"You locked yourself inside for three months."
Zeke blinked.
"We knocked."
Kenshin crossed his arms.
"We yelled."
Still silence.
"We even considered breaking the door down."
Only then did Zeke realize the problem.
Cultivation had consumed his entire focus.
He hadn't considered how his disappearance looked to others.
"...My apologies."
The sincerity surprised even him.
Kenshin sighed.
"Forget it."
A grin suddenly appeared.
"Besides, how can I stay mad at a face like yours?"
He immediately reached out.
Zeke slapped the hand away.
"Don't."
"Too late."
Kenshin laughed.
Then his expression shifted.
"Hold on."
He looked Zeke up and down.
"You got taller."
Zeke paused.
Only now noticing they stood nearly eye-to-eye.
Three months of cultivation had accelerated his growth dramatically.
"Interesting."
"Interesting?"
Kenshin scoffed.
"You grew over half a foot."
"Whatever."
Zeke started walking.
"You mentioned someone else earlier."
Kenshin followed.
"Den Mother Vivien."
A brief silence followed.
"And Liz."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Zeke already knew the answer.
"Still angry?"
Kenshin nodded.
"She barely speaks."
His eyes lowered.
"But I keep checking on her."
Despite everything, there wasn't an ounce of resentment in his voice.
Only concern.
"Even if she hates us forever..."
Kenshin's expression hardened.
"She's still our sister."
Zeke thought about Elizabeth.
About the promise.
"Right."
His answer carried no hesitation.
Whether Liz hated him or not changed nothing.
A promise was a promise.
Together, they entered the crowded arena.
Rows upon rows of yellow uniforms filled the stands.
Across the training grounds, a familiar head of red hair immediately caught Zeke's attention.
Liz glanced in their direction.
For the briefest moment, their eyes met.
Then she turned away.
As though he didn't exist.
Zeke simply looked forward.
He had expected nothing else.
Soon, an assassin dressed in black appeared on the arena floor.
The next phase of their lives was about to begin.