A Difficult Beginning

After conversing with the elderly man Michael for a while, Liam finally comprehended his situation. This world was full of danger with monsters everywhere. The monsters were everywhere, especially at night when it became extremely dangerous. Just stepping outside and being spotted by the monsters in the sky would almost certainly mean becoming their prey. If he wanted to stay safe, it would be best to grow stronger and move to a safer land.

Unfortunately for him, the safer land was also the most dangerous. He would have to go to Riverside Academy, a place that trained the strong. The tuition there was completely free, but the entrance requirements were extremely strict, and the dropout rate was very high. If he wanted to survive in this world, his only option was to go to that academy.

As for the power system in this world, it was divided into two types: Force and Elemental. Most people use Elemental energy with five different types: earth, wind, fire, lightning, and water. At the age of 13, the appropriate age to activate the energy core, people would accumulate mana from the air into their bodies, and they would randomly choose one of the five elements. Liam's Force ability was quite rare; apart from the Carter family, there were still people across the world who could activate the Force core. Force energy mainly serves to heal and enhance physical strength.

If he wanted to get stronger, he would need to level up, progressing through ranks F, E, D, C, B, A, and S. To level up, it depended on two factors: the body naturally absorbing mana from the air and the energy stones from monsters of grade C or higher.

However, if his potential was grade S, he wouldn't need to collect energy stones; just letting time pass would be enough. His fate was to become the strongest, but it would take a very long time if not an incredibly long time. Unfortunately, the monsters of grade C or higher were extremely powerful and intelligent. Moreover, the chance of finding energy stones in those monsters was quite low. There was also another way to level up, but very few people chose this method: constantly putting oneself in life-or-death situations. In those moments, the body would increase its absorption of mana from the world.

***

"As for the hawthorn apple you mentioned, I've actually never heard of it before," the old man said with a thoughtful expression, stroking his beard. "Perhaps it's... a unique item that only the Carter family possesses."

He turned to Liam and continued, "It's late now. Go to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll give you some basic training on how to use energy."

"Are you sure that's okay?" Liam asked with a slightly worried expression.

"Of course... I'm his grandfather," the old man said softly, looking through the door towards the next room where James was sleeping.

Then he turned back to Liam as if he'd forgotten to mention something. "Take that cloth and tie it around your forehead... Not everyone likes that tattoo."

"What do you mean?" Liam asked, not quite understanding the meaning behind the tattoo on his forehead. Did it symbolize something?

"It's the symbol of the Carter family. Most of the people there look down on commoners like us. Not to mention, it's a... cold-blooded family," the old man said, his body trembling slightly as he recalled the events caused by that family.

Seeing the old man's reaction, Liam was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected someone like the old man to be afraid. Perhaps he really would have to wear that cloth for the rest of his life.

The next morning, Liam was fully recovered. He could walk normally. He had intended to leave this family but with Michael's permission. He could stay with them for a few more days. This might be the reason why the two of them had a cold war. They hadn't spoken to each other for quite a while since they set sail. In reality, Liam didn't want to burden them any further. He felt very guilty for causing their family to become estranged. However, if he refused Michael's offer at this point, he would surely die once he left Atlas town. After all, this place wasn't safe for him.

"Liam… come here," Michael called from the bow of the boat.

Hearing this, Liam quickly approached him. It seemed it was time for his training.

Michael looked at Liam calmly, then gazed out at the sea. "Now, I will teach you how to use energy to walk on water."

Michael immediately jumped off the boat. His feet touched the surface of the sea, creating small ripples that spread out from his feet. Now, tiny sparks of electricity began running across his body, creating crackling sounds.

"Mana is a special kind of energy. When you control it, try to compress it into your feet. It will allow you to float on water."

Liam stood on the boat, his eyes wide as he watched Michael. The only thing he could think at that moment was, "Amazing."

If he had known this before, he might have been able to escape the sharks. He immediately tried to mobilize the energy within his body. Red energy began to appear all over his body but then quickly disappeared. Seeing this, he strained himself, furrowing his brows to make the energy appear.

But in the end, the energy only appeared as a small flickering red layer that could vanish at any moment. When the energy finally appeared, he let out a breath, as if he had just lifted a huge burden off his shoulders. Feeling the energy flowing throughout his body, he joyfully jumped into the sea. But things didn't go as he had expected.The moment he hit the water, there was a loud splash, and he immediately sank.

"What a disaster!" James, standing at the edge of the boat, frowned slightly as he witnessed what had happened. He was beginning to doubt whether Liam was really from the Carter family.

"His ability to control energy is really too weak," Michael said as he stroked his beard, watching Liam struggle to swim back to the boat.

"You've really surprised me with your energy control. Even a newborn with an energy core could control it better than you," Michael bluntly stated the reality of Liam's situation.

Liam didn't say anything in response. It seemed he had realized that the root of the problem might be because he was from another world, so he wasn't familiar with the mana of this one.

"James! Lower the rope ladder. You two stay here and support each other. I'll go find and hunt a fish before nightfall," the old man shouted towards James. Then, with a pensive look towards the horizon, he ran off in another direction.

"Damn! This James guy seems to dislike me. What if he tries to kill me while the old man is away?" Liam thought, feeling a bit scared as he watched Michael disappear from sight.

James didn't say anything in response to the old man's words. He walked over to the edge of the boat and lowered the rope ladder near Liam. Looking down at Liam, who was clinging to the side of the boat, he coldly said, "Do whatever you want."

Watching the cold-eyed, sun-tanned boy disappear from view, Liam let out a sigh.

"Hopefully, nothing will happen."