The summons came at dawn.
I woke to find it on my desk. Black wax. Patriarch's seal. Expensive paper.
Kael Valdris. Main Hall. Noon. Mandatory.
Fuck.
"Kael?"
Serina stood in my doorway. Still in her nightclothes. Hair loose. Face pale.
"You saw it," I said.
Not a question.
"They're going to kill you."
"Maybe."
"Kael—"
"Or they'll use me." I picked up the summons. Studied the seal. "Mythic talent's too valuable to waste."
"That's what—" She stopped. Took a breath. "That's not guaranteed."
"Nothing's guaranteed, Mother."
She walked in. Sat on my bed. Hands shaking.
I noticed the dark circles. The red eyes. She hadn't slept.
"You stayed up all night," I said.
"Researching. Writing letters. Calling in favors I don't have."
"Mother—"
"I'm your mother. It's my job to protect you."
"You can't protect me from the Patriarch."
"I know!" Her voice cracked. "I know, Kael. I know I'm weak. I know I'm just a Bronze Core concubine with no power and no allies and—"
She broke.
Started crying.
I stood. Walked to her. Hugged her.
"You're not weak."
"I am. I couldn't stop them from sending Roderic. I can't stop whatever happens today. I can't—"
"You're here. That's enough."
She pulled back. Looked at me.
"When did you become the adult?"
"Always was. Just smaller now."
She laughed. Bitter. Wet.
"Seven years old. Talking like a forty-year-old."
Shit. Said too much again.
"I mean—"
"I don't care where your soul came from, Kael. You're my son. That's all that matters."
Something in my chest tightened.
"Thank you, Mother."
"Don't thank me. Just..." She wiped her eyes. "Just survive today. Please."
"I'll try."
"That's not good enough."
"It's all I've got."
She stood. Kissed my forehead.
"Then it'll have to do. Get dressed. Something formal. We leave in an hour."
"You're coming?"
"Of course I'm coming. You think I'm letting you face the Patriarch alone?"
"Mother, if this goes bad—"
"Then we go bad together."
I stared at her.
She stared back.
"Fine," I said. "Together."
"Good. Now get dressed. And Kael?"
"Yeah?"
"Whatever happens in that hall. Whatever they say. Whatever they do. Don't show fear."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
She left.
I got dressed. Black formal robes. Stiff. Uncomfortable.
Like wearing a suit to my own funeral.
Again.
Roderic's memories surfaced. Unbidden.
The Main Hall. Father's throne. Stone face. Cold eyes.
Judgment without mercy.
I pushed them down. Focused.
Today decides everything. Live or die. Tool or threat.
Better be a tool. Tools survive.
Threats get eliminated.
Serina met me in the common room. She'd changed too. Dark blue robes. Hair bound. Face calm.
But her hands still shook.
"Ready?" she asked.
"No."
"Me neither."
We left.
The walk through the clan compound felt like walking to execution.
People stared. Whispered.
"That's him. The Devourer."
"Killed Roderic. Ate his soul."
"Demon child."
"Monster."
I kept my face neutral. Kept walking.
Let them talk. Words don't kill.
Usually.
The Main Hall loomed ahead. Massive black stone. Carved pillars. High ceiling.
Guards at the door. Gold Core. Both of them.
They stepped aside as we approached.
Didn't speak.
Didn't need to.
Their eyes said enough. Monster. Freak. Dead man walking.
We entered.
The hall was packed.
Three hundred people. Maybe more. Elders. Concubines. Important children.
All staring.
At the far end, on a throne of black obsidian, sat Patriarch Aldric Valdris.
Diamond Core. 156 years old. Killed his own father for that throne.
And he's deciding if I live or die.
Great.
"Kael Valdris." His voice echoed. Deep. Commanding. "Approach."
I walked forward. Serina beside me.
Every step felt measured. Watched. Judged.
Roderic's memories kept surfacing. I couldn't stop them.
This hall. Age ten. Caught stealing. Father didn't yell. Just looked.
Disappointed.
Worse than anger.
We stopped ten paces from the throne. Standard distance.
"Patriarch." I bowed. Formal. Precise. Not too deep.
Serina bowed deeper.
He studied me. Silent. Long enough to make people uncomfortable.
Finally: "You killed Roderic."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"Explain."
"Combat assessment. Third match. Instructor Gareth paired us. Roderic drew real steel. Attempted murder. I defended myself."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Silver Core versus Mortal Core," the Patriarch said. "How?"
"Desperation. Luck. Refusal to die."
Someone laughed. Cut off quickly.
The Patriarch's eyes never left mine.
"Instructor Gareth. Report."
Gareth stepped from the crowd. Bowed.
"Patriarch. The boy speaks truth. Roderic escalated beyond training parameters. Drew lethal blade. Self-defense was justified."
"And the body?"
Gareth hesitated.
"Unusual, Patriarch. Withered. Drained. Complete essence extraction. I've never seen anything like it."
More murmurs. Louder now.
The Patriarch raised a hand. Silence fell.
"Kael Valdris. What is your talent?"
Here we go.
"Devourer's Mark. Mythic tier."
"Function?"
Should I lie? Partial truth?
No. They saw the body. They know something happened.
Better to control the narrative.
"Soul absorption, Patriarch. Kill equals power transfer. Skills, memories, cultivation. All absorbed."
The hall exploded.
"Dark cultivation!"
"Forbidden art!"
"Demon!"
"Kill him!"
The Patriarch's essence flared.
Diamond Core pressure crushed down on everyone.
I nearly collapsed. Serina gasped beside me.
Then it stopped.
Silence.
"Continue," the Patriarch said.
I caught my breath.
"It's my awakened talent. Not learned. Not chosen. Just what I am."
"Corruption level?"
He knows about corruption.
Of course he does. He's Diamond Core. He's seen everything.
"Three percent. From Roderic."
"Threshold?"
"Fifty percent for personality degradation. Hundred percent for total loss of self."
He leaned back. Thinking.
The hall waited.
"Show me your status."
I pulled it up. Made it visible.
╔════════════════════════════════════╗
║ KAEL VALDRIS ║
║ AGE: 7 | MORTAL CORE - MID ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ TALENT: DEVOURER'S MARK ║
║ RANK: UNIQUE - MYTHIC TIER ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SOULS CONSUMED: 1 ║
║ CORRUPTION: 3% ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ABILITIES: ║
║ • Soul Absorption [UNIQUE] ║
║ • Blade Dance [COMMON-T3] ║
╚════════════════════════════════════╝
The Patriarch read it. Expression unchanged.
"Blade Dance. Roderic's technique."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"Demonstrate."
A servant appeared. Handed me a practice sword.
I took it. Closed my eyes.
Felt for the technique. It was there. Roderic's muscle memory. His training. His ten thousand repetitions.
All mine now.
I moved.
The blade sang. Three cuts. Five. Eight. Flowing like water.
Blade Dance - Common Tier 3.
Fifteen years of practice in an instant.
This is what I am now.
I stopped. Handed back the sword.
The Patriarch's eyes gleamed.
"Impressive." He stood. Descended from the throne.
Everyone tensed.
He approached. Stopped directly in front of me.
Looking down.
"Kael Valdris. Son of my fifth concubine. Bastard child. Weak. Worthless. Expected to fail."
Each word hit like a punch.
"And yet. Mythic talent. Killed a Silver Core at seven. Absorbed his power. Demonstrated his technique."
He circled me. Predator studying prey.
"Some say you're a demon. Should be eliminated before you become a threat."
Here it comes.
"Others say you're a weapon. Should be controlled. Aimed. Used."
He stopped. Met my eyes.
"What do you say?"
I held his gaze.
"I say I'm a survivor, Patriarch. I'll be whatever keeps me alive. As long as I'm breathing, I'm useful."
Silence.
Then he smiled.
Cold. Sharp. Calculating.
"Honest. I appreciate honesty."
He turned to the crowd.
"Kael Valdris is officially recognized as my son. Legitimate. Mythic talent bearer. He will train with the main family. Silver District access authorized immediately."
Gasps. Protests. Shock.
Silver District. Where the real heirs trained.
"Furthermore." His voice cut through the noise. "Kael Valdris is under my direct protection. Anyone who harms him without authorization answers to me personally. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Patriarch!" The crowd responded.
He looked at me again.
"Don't disappoint me, boy."
"I won't, Patriarch."
"Your corruption. Monitor it closely. If you approach fifty percent, report immediately."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"Dismissed."
I bowed. Turned.
"Kael."
I stopped. Looked back.
"Yes, Patriarch?"
"Monitor your corruption. Approach fifty percent, report immediately."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"And Kael? Welcome to the real family."
He returned to his throne.
I left. Serina beside me.
Neither spoke until we were outside. Away from ears.
Then Serina grabbed my arm.
"What just happened?"
"I got promoted."
"He protected you. Made you legitimate. Gave you Silver District access."
"Yeah."
"Why? Why would he—"
"Because I'm useful." I kept walking. "Mythic talent. Power absorption. I'm a weapon he can aim at enemies."
"That's—"
"Smart. Practical. What I'd do."
She stared at me.
"You're seven years old."
"Age doesn't matter. Only survival."
We walked in silence.
Finally: "What happens now?"
"Now I train with the main family. Get stronger. Control my corruption."
"And then?"
"Then I survive long enough that nobody can kill me."
She stopped. Pulled me into a hug.
"I hate this world."
"Me too, Mother."
"But at least we're still alive."
"For now."
"That's not comforting."
"Wasn't trying to be."
Silver District training grounds made Bronze look like shit.
Larger. Better equipment. Real instructors.
And the students.
Fifteen kids. Ages seven to twelve. All main family or top concubines' children.
All staring at me like I had plague.
"Listen up!"
New instructor. Woman. Scarred. Gold Core. Missing her left hand.
"I'm Instructor Chen. You know about the new student."
She gestured at me.
"Kael Valdris. Devourer. Soul eater. Monster."
Great introduction.
"He trains here now. Patriarch's orders. Problems?"
A boy stepped forward. Twelve. Gold Core. Main wife's eldest.
"I have a problem."
"Name."
"Lucian Valdris. I don't train with soul-eating freaks."
"Take it up with the Patriarch."
"I will."
"Good. Until then, shut up and line up."
Lucian glared. Stepped back.
Chen looked at me.
"Kael. You're seven. Mortal Core. Everyone here is stronger, faster, better trained. Clear?"
"Yes, Instructor."
"You'll get destroyed. Repeatedly. Clear?"
"Yes, Instructor."
"Good. Get in formation."
I joined the line.
Girl next to me shifted away.
"Don't touch me."
"Wasn't planning to."
"Monster."
I ignored her.
Let them hate. Doesn't matter.
"Formation drills!" Chen barked. "One hour! Move!"
We started.
I struggled immediately.
Their essence control was perfect. Synchronized. Practiced.
I was the weak link. The outsider. The mistake.
"Faster, Valdris!"
"Can't keep up?"
"Eat someone. Get stronger!"
Laughter.
I kept moving. Gritted teeth. Ignored them.
Been here before. Different life. Same shit.
Hour ended. I was gasping. They were fine.
"Break! Ten minutes!"
I collapsed against a wall.
Someone sat next to me.
Darius.
"You're here too?" I asked.
"Parents got me transferred. Said I had potential." He offered water. "You look terrible."
"Feel terrible."
"They're going to destroy you."
"Already noticed."
"Lucian especially. He hates competition."
"I'm not competing."
"You killed Roderic. You're absolutely competing."
Fair.
"What do I do?"
"Survive. Don't make more enemies."
"Too late."
"Yeah. Probably."
"Break's over!" Chen shouted. "Sparring! Pair up!"
Everyone scrambled for partners.
Nobody came near me.
"Kael Valdris!"
Stood.
"You're with Lucian."
Of course.
Lucian smiled. Mean.
"Fun."
We entered the ring.
"Rules!" Chen called. "First to yield or unconscious. No killing. No permanent damage. Begin!"
Lucian moved.
Gold Core fast.
Fist to my ribs. Crack.
I flew back. Hit ground.
Fuck.
Rolled. Avoided follow-up.
Stood.
"Show me your power, monster!"
He attacked.
I dodged. Used Blade Dance footwork.
Helped. Not enough.
He was better. Stronger. Faster.
Knee to stomach. Air gone.
"Pathetic."
Grabbed his leg. Twisted.
He stumbled.
Swept other leg.
He fell.
I jumped on him. Punched.
Once.
Blocked. Threw me off.
Both stood.
"Not bad. For a Mortal."
"Thanks."
"Not good enough."
Essence flared. Gold Core power.
Vanished.
Appeared behind me.
Palm to my back.
Essence flooded in. Wrong. Painful.
My core screamed.
Collapsed. Vomited blood.
"Match! Winner: Lucian!"
Lucian stood over me.
"Welcome to Silver, monster."
Walked away.
I lay there. Breathing hurt. Everything hurt.
Seven years old. Destroyed. Again.
Darius helped me up.
"Okay?"
"No."
"Fair."
Chen approached.
"Medical tent."
"I can—"
"Now."
Healer was cold. Efficient. Fixed ribs. Cleared channels.
"No cultivation for three days. Let your core stabilize."
"Yes."
Limped home.
Serina saw me. Went pale.
"What happened?"
"Training. Lucian."
"Main wife's son?"
"Yeah."
"Kael—"
"I lost. It's fine."
"Stop! Stop saying it's fine!"
Sat down. Winced.
"What do you want me to say?"
"That it's hard! That you're struggling!"
"Of course I'm struggling! Everything's hard! But what choice do I have?"
Silence.
She sat. Took my hand.
"I'm sorry. I just hate seeing you hurt."
"I'll heal."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
"The point is you're seven. Fighting Gold Cores. And I can't protect you."
Voice broke.
Squeezed her hand.
"You protect me by being here. By caring. More than I ever had."
She looked at me.
"Your last life?"
Shit.
"I mean—"
"Tell me."
Sighed.
"Orphan. Street kid. Gang member. Boss. Betrayed. Killed. Reincarnated."
"How old?"
"Forty."
"Forty years. Now seven."
"Yeah."
"That's horrible."
"It was."
"Did you have anyone?"
"Associates. Not friends. Not family."
"Until now."
"Until now."
She hugged me.
"I'll care for both lives."
Something tightened in my chest.
"Deal."
That night, memories finished integrating.
Status window updated.
╔════════════════════════════════════╗
║ MEMORY INTEGRATION COMPLETE ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SOURCE: Roderic Valdris ║
║ MEMORIES ABSORBED: 15 years ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ NEW KNOWLEDGE: ║
║ • Valdris clan politics ║
║ • Secret passages ║
║ • Hidden alliances ║
║ • Social hierarchies ║
║ • Training routines ║
╚════════════════════════════════════╝
I knew things now.
Secret routes. Hidden agendas. Who hated whom.
Fifteen years of politics in my head.
Useful. Dangerous. Perfect.
Pulled up full status.
╔════════════════════════════════════╗
║ KAEL VALDRIS ║
║ AGE: 7 | MORTAL CORE - MID ║
║ IMPRINTS: 2/3 ACTIVE ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ VIT: 120 | ESS: 150 ║
║ STR: 110 | AGI: 115 ║
║ PER: 95 | WIL: 140 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ACTIVE ABILITIES: ║
║ • Soul Absorption [UNIQUE] ║
║ • Blade Dance [COMMON-T3] ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ PASSIVES: ║
║ • Devourer's Mark ║
║ • Mafia Intuition [PAST LIFE] ║
║ • Killing Intent ║
╠════════════════════════════════════╣
║ CORRUPTION: 3% ║
║ SOULS CONSUMED: 1 ║
║ HUNGER: Satisfied (5mo) ║
╚════════════════════════════════════╝
Three slots. Two filled. One remaining.
Choose carefully.
Lay back. Stared at ceiling.
Day one Silver District: Destroyed.
Politics: Complicated.
Patriarch's interest: Dangerous.
Corruption: Manageable.
Survival odds: Improving.
Same game. Higher stakes.
Tomorrow: Train harder. Learn faster. Adapt.
Like always.
Survival of the fittest.
And I plan to be the fittest.
No matter how many souls it takes.
End Chapter 3tered