A World Beyond

After the recent events, collaboration between the Clock Tower mages in London and Malaysia's Tigers Guild intensified. The dynamic duo of Hassan and Alex gained a reputation in the secret world, earning the nickname "Curse Slayers" for their numerous achievements against cursed entities. Their exploits led to increased cooperation and recognition, with their efforts frequently bridging gaps between the two organizations.

Reflecting on the past battles and their harsh lessons, Hassan became acutely aware of the world's cruel realities. Determined to prepare Danial for the challenges ahead, he significantly intensified his son's training regimen. Initially, Hassan was hesitant, fearing that the rigorous training might overwhelm Danial. Yet, he observed a remarkable transformation in his child. Danial not only grew more mature but also developed an admirable work ethic.

In just a year, Danial's progress was astounding. At five, he struggled to lift a 1.5 kg weight. Now, at six, he could effortlessly lift 6 kg. While this might not seem extraordinary for an adult, for a child, it represented tremendous strength. When combined with proper technique, such force could double into a 12 kg powerful strike. With his foundation in Silat, Danial could harness and apply this strength effectively.

Currently, in the training room, a young Danial was performing a complex series of movements, showcasing his developing prowess.

"Okay, that's enough," Hassan announced, watching his son with pride. "With your current level, you're qualified to be a bronze-grade warrior."

"Bronze-grade warrior? What's that, Dad? Is it something you can eat?" Danial asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Of course not, you goof," Hassan replied, giving Danial a light smack on the head. "It's a rank, not a snack."

Despite the playful reprimand, Hassan was relieved to see his son maintain his sense of humor and playfulness. The training hadn't turned him into a rigid machine but had instead nurtured his strength and spirit.

"Hehe, sorry, Dad. Please continue," Danial said, rubbing his head but grinning widely.

damn that's actually hurt....

Shaking his head, Hassan continued his explanation. "Martial arts have various ranking and grading systems. This made it difficult to compare strengths across different disciplines. For example, a red belt in one martial art might be high-grade, while in another, it's low-grade. Some martial arts, like Baji Quan, boxing, and Muay Thai, don't use belts or grades at all. To standardize everyone's skills, a universal grading system was established by the Martial Arts Super Society which we call it MASS for short."

"Wow, so now everyone uses the same method? What about you, Dad? What rank are you?" Danial's curiosity was piqued.

"In the current grading system, there are four main ranks: Warrior, Elite, Master, and Grand Master. Each of these ranks is further divided into three levels: bronze, silver, and gold. Over the past year, I've grown stronger and finally achieved the rank of silver-grade Grand Master."

"Whoa, Dad! That's amazing! You're awesome!" Danial exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Alright, that's enough flattery, also please bear in mind while your prowess are indeed on the level of a beginning warrior you're not yet there since you haven't yet to cultivate the internal energy! I will not explain it now so don't bother to question me."

Hassan said, though he couldn't hide his smile.

"btw I know your birthday is coming up, and you're hoping for something special. Don't worry; you'll get your surprise. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, we'll be celebrating your birthday in London, so get ready."

Danial, who was about to cheer again, froze in shock.

"W...WHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!" he exclaimed, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

............................

13 January

Two days before Danial's birthday, anticipation and curiosity buzzed in his mind like a relentless bee. He was eager to explore and confirm his theories about the true nature of this world.

This is my chance to look around properly, Danial thought, his mind racing. If my hypothesis is correct, this Earth is far larger than the one I knew.

His thoughts were interrupted as they arrived at the bustling airport. Danial, clutching his small backpack, glanced up at his mother with wide eyes.

"Mom, why are we here so early?"

"Son, don't you know it takes 21 hours to get to London?" Lili replied, her voice a mix of amusement and patience.

"Ehh!!? Isn't it supposed to take only 15-17 hours from Malaysia to London?" Danial's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Huh? Where did you hear that, son? That's clearly a scam. How could we travel that fast?"

"Er, I mean, with our current technology, shouldn't we be faster?" Danial stammered, trying to align his previous knowledge with this world's reality.

"It's precisely because of our technology that it only takes around 23 hours. Even with the VIP flight your father booked, it still takes about 19 hours to get there," Lili explained, adjusting her son's coat.

Danial's thoughts spiraled as he processed the information.

This world... isn't it too big!? he thought, his mind reeling.

The family boarded the VIP plane, enjoying a luxurious yet surprisingly long journey. Upon their arrival, a man with crew-cut blonde hair, wearing a chocolate-colored suit that seemed to fit him perfectly, greeted them with open arms.

"HASSAN! Over here! It's been too long, my friend!" shouted Alex, the advanced tier-6 mage, as he hugged Hassan tightly.

Hassan returned the hug with a warm smile. "A month, I think, since I last saw you."

"A lot has changed in that month," Alex said with a knowing grin. "After that battle with the curse bearer three months ago, things haven't been the same."

Hassan nodded, recalling the fierce battle. "Yeah, you gaining enlightenment from that fight and advancing to tier-6 mage was a game-changer."

Alex's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That battle was a turning point. It forced me to push my limits. But enough about that; let's get into the car!"

"You mean this limo?" Hassan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course! It's mine. Why else would I invite you?"

The family, including Hassan, were taken aback by the unexpected extravagance. Their surprise only grew as they pulled up to a grand mansion.

"Welcome to my home, my dear friends!" Alex announced with a theatrical flourish.

The whole family stood gaping at the palatial estate before them.

"You... you mean this... this mansion!?" Hassan stuttered, eyes wide.

"Ah, did I forget to mention I'm an aristocrat? Ahahahahaha!" Alex laughed heartily.

"Don't 'ahahahaha' me, you damn idiot!" Hassan retorted, half-amused, half-annoyed.

Inside, they were greeted by a lifelike dragon statue, its intricate details capturing Danial's fascination immediately. He couldn't take his eyes off it, wondering about its origin and craftsmanship.

"Alright," Alex clapped his hands, snapping Danial out of his reverie. "I'll have the servants take your bags and show your wife to her room. Hassan, you and I will head to the meeting room."

"Wait, Alex," Hassan interjected, "what about my son?"

"Charlotte, my dear, will you show this young man around? Make sure to be polite to our guest," Alex called out, turning towards the grand staircase.

Descending the staircase with the grace of a practiced aristocrat was a young girl with emerald eyes and golden hair, her dress flowing elegantly as she moved. She approached her father, lifting her skirt slightly in a courteous bow.

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Charlotte Wein Dragonia. Please, just call me Charlotte."

Alex beamed with pride at his daughter's flawless manners. "You must be Danial, the birthday boy. Charlotte will show you around; please follow her."

Danial caught a fleeting expression on Charlotte's face—a hint of disdain that she quickly masked with a polite smile. While the adults were too preoccupied to notice, Danial, trained by his father to observe minute details, picked up on it immediately.

What's up with this girl? Did I do something wrong? he wondered, his mind buzzing with questions.

Charlotte's thoughts, meanwhile, were similarly engaged, scrutinizing the boy her father spoke so highly of. What's so special about this boy? Father must be mistaken. I'll show him who's in charge here!

As they began their tour of the mansion, both children silently sized each other up, their minds racing with speculation and determination. Little did they know, this encounter was the beginning of a complex relationship, setting the stage for events that would soon reshape their world.