A Fresh Start

He really did it," Axel muttered, still staring at the notification. For a moment, he hesitated.

The sum was immense. Even knowing Rael was loaded, it felt absurdly generous. Considering that the agreement to guarantee Rael's safety hadn't entirely gone as planned, the fact that Rael still paid the five million spoke volumes.

Either he was genuinely grateful for Axel's help and trying to forge a good relationship, or he was simply too rich to care.

[You have received 5,000,000 credits from Rael Faelith.]

Accepting the transaction felt almost surreal. A subtle chime confirmed the transfer, and Axel's system interface updated his balance to reflect the staggering amount.

The glowing numbers seemed to mock his old life, one where he had barely scraped by in the poor district of Heaven City.

Axel let out a slow breath, leaning back in his hospital bed. "Well, looks like my life just got a whole lot more interesting."

The Saint Augustus Hospital room was luxurious by most standards, a far cry from the dingy clinics he was used to. Axel couldn't help but marvel at the stark contrast.

Of course, Rael had covered all the expenses, as mentioned in his message, but still, Axel couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The sterile environment made him restless, and if he was feeling well enough to brood over his situation, he was well enough to leave.

By midday, Axel had checked himself out, much to the surprise of the staff. He returned to his rundown apartment, the stark contrast between his current finances and his current living conditions hitting him like a freight train.

The peeling wallpaper, the creaking floorboards, and the faint smell of dampness felt almost offensive now.

"Nope," Axel declared, dropping his old bag onto the floor. "This isn't happening. First order of business: a new place."

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Axel left his apartment for what he hoped would be the last time. He headed straight to the city's mid-tier district, where apartment complexes catered to those who could afford a bit of comfort without crossing into the realm of absurd luxury.

Heaven City's economy thrived on hierarchy, and Axel knew he couldn't afford to look too ostentatious. Not yet, anyway.

The apartment complex he settled on was a sleek, modern building with clean lines and expansive windows that overlooked a park. The lobby was quiet but inviting, with polished floors and a friendly concierge who greeted him warmly.

"We've recently opened several units for rent," the concierge explained, handing him a tablet with listings.

Axel scrolled through, his eyes catching on a spacious two-bedroom unit on the seventh floor. It was furnished with contemporary decor but still left room for personal touches.

The rent was high, but with five million credits in his account, Axel barely flinched. The cost—80,000 credits per month—seemed a small price for the comfort it provided.

"I'll take it," he said without hesitation.

By the time the paperwork was signed, and the keys were in his hand, Axel felt an unfamiliar sense of satisfaction.

Moving in was surprisingly simple, the unit came with basic furnishings, but he quickly made a list of additional items he'd need to make the space truly his own.

It wasn't quite the penthouse he'd shared with Kara during their brief, extravagant stint together, but it was close, an undeniable step up from his previous living situation.

The following days were a blur of activity. Axel visited high-end stores for clothes, something he'd always skimped on before.

He opted for durable yet stylish attire, suitable for both casual wear and the occasional formal meeting. The shopping spree cost him another 50,000 credits.

Next came the furnishings. He spared no expense, ensuring his apartment was not just livable but a reflection of his aspirations.

A plush sectional, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, and even a custom kitchen setup for the rare times he felt like cooking. Furnishing the apartment added another 100,000 credits to the tally.

Once the apartment was in order, Axel turned his attention to more practical matters. The dungeon raid had taught him a painful lesson about his fighting style.

Relying on his monster form's claws had been effective but reckless. The injuries he'd sustained were proof enough that he needed better equipment.

Axel spent hours researching weapon options, finally settling on a C-rank longsword, an ordinary weapon but sufficient for his current rank.

It was practical and efficient, though not extravagant, costing him 30,000 credits. He visited a well-known armory in the central district to make the purchase.

Next came training. Axel enrolled in a private dojo specializing in weapon mastery for awakeners.

The instructor, a grizzled, long-bearded man named Caius, welcomed him warmly. Clearly a veteran, Caius exuded an air of authority that silenced even the most skeptical participants. His scarred arms and sharp gaze told a story of countless battles.

Without delay, he grouped the trainees by skill level, pairing Axel with other beginners.

The dojo was a lively blend of individuals, each with their own goals. Some awakeners sought to refine their skills for professional raids, while others were enthusiasts learning self-defense.

As Axel settled into the dojo's routine, he trained diligently while observing his surroundings. Among the trainees, one woman stood out, her quiet reserve contrasting with her undeniable beauty.

As she moved with precision through the drills, her graceful curves and pert breasts bounced hypnotically, drawing Axel's gaze like a moth to a flame.

Her long, slick black hair swayed with each calculated slice of her sword, the damp strands clinging to her slender waist and glistening white skin. The cold edge to her gaze only added to her allure, hinting at secrets and desires hidden beneath her icy exterior.

Axel couldn't tear his eyes away, his thoughts straying to the forbidden fruits he swore to avoid.

"Fuck, she's gorgeous," he muttered in a low voice. "Any red-blooded man would be thinking the same thing. It's not my fault nature makes me want to tame that wild little kitten."

He shook his head, trying to dispel the tempting image, but his traitorous body responded with a growing ache in his pants.

With a sigh, he adjusted himself discreetly. It seemed avoiding women would be harder than he thought, especially with temptation incarnate training right beside him.

His self-admonishment didn't last long. Axel wasn't blind to his own appeal, either.

With his tall frame, sharp jawline, and striking features, he'd been popular once. Women had approached him often back when life was good.

But those days felt like a distant memory—being broke and dumped had dulled his once-vibrant spirit. The confidence that used to light up his eyes had been replaced by a lifeless, dull stare.

Lately, though, things seemed to be improving. "I'm starting to look like myself again," he muttered.

He'd checked his reflection that morning and had to admit the changes were there. The money he'd recently earned had helped restore some semblance of his former self. Yet, the trauma of his ex's cold-hearted betrayal kept him wary.

Training progressed. Caius began with the fundamentals: stance, grip, and basic strikes. Over time, he introduced more complex techniques.

Every swing of the sword tested Axel's endurance, and every correction from Caius drilled the importance of discipline into him. The dojo's monthly fee of 20,000 credits felt steep, but Axel quickly realized its value.

Swordsmanship was a complex art, and talent varied greatly among individuals. Beyond the physical training, they also worked on mana utilization—a critical skill for awakeners.

Each class had its own patterns of mana use, and progress in this area depended largely on innate talent. For swordmasters, mana utilization was as crucial as physical prowess.

Titles like Swordmaster or Archmage represented not just mastery but exceptional talent, elevating these individuals far beyond the average.

By the end of the first week, Axel had made noticeable progress. His strikes were sharper, his footwork more precise, and he felt a growing control over his mana. Caius's strict yet supportive guidance was molding him into a capable swordsman.

Still, Axel couldn't shake a lingering dissatisfaction.

His stats were impressive for a C-ranker—enough to place him among the highest in his rank. But his mana utilization lagged behind. It was average at best, and he knew it limited his potential.

Bitter thoughts clouded his mind as he considered the implications. Talent in mana utilization was innate and unchangeable. While his high stats compensated for now, they wouldn't be enough to reach the level of a true Swordmaster or equivalent titles in other professions. That realization stung.

"The only way forward," Axel thought grimly, "is to rely on that form."

Axel's monster form was a game-changer. In that state, his stats, adaptability, and even mana utilization soared to incredible levels.

He vividly remembered the exhilarating feeling of using it in the dungeon. It was like unlocking a cheat code, transforming every aspect of his combat ability.

But there was a problem. Each time he activated his monster form, the system identified him as a true monster. Worse, it sent out alerts to nearby awakeners.

"How the hell am I supposed to use it without drawing attention?" he muttered.

The thought of being hunted down by the Awakeners' Association loomed over him like a dark cloud.

Exhausted and drenched in sweat, Axel returned to his apartment that evening. The unanswered question still gnawed at him as he stripped off his clothes and took a refreshing shower.

Afterward, he collapsed onto the sofa, flipping on the TV. An entertainment broadcast filled the screen. It wasn't his usual interest, but after weeks without watching anything, the distraction was welcome.

Minutes passed before a familiar system notification buzzed into view.

[You have received a new message.]

Axel opened the notification and navigated to his inbox. The sender's name brought a small smirk to his lips.

"I was beginning to think they'd never reach out," he muttered.

It was from the Association, just as Rael had predicted. He'd been waiting for this message for over a week.