Chapter 26: Foundations of Knowledge

Next day. The sun had begun its descent, casting an amber glow across the mansion's expansive grounds. Inside, Aiden sat at the polished oak desk in the study, his hands clasped in front of him, absorbing the teachings of Lady Grace . The lesson today was unlike any he had received before—lessons not of behavior and etiquette, but of a much broader and more complex world.

Lady Grace sat across from him, her poised demeanor unfaltering as she spoke, her voice steady yet brimming with wisdom.

"Now that we have covered the basics of noble behavior," she began, "it's time to expand your understanding of the world around you, Aiden."

Aiden's attention sharpened. His mother had always told him that true power wasn't just strength but knowledge, and Lady Grace's lessons had begun to open his eyes to the reality of the world he would one day lead.

Grace leaned forward slightly. "This world, Celestia, is divided into several regions, each with its own culture, politics, and races. It is not just the Kingdom of Celestia that you must understand, but the balance of power between all the nations."

Aiden nodded, ready to learn."Celestia is located in the central region of the continent," Grace continued, "and it is surrounded by powerful kingdoms and factions. To the north, you'll find the Kingdom of Valkora, known for their mastery over ice magic and their harsh winters. To the east, the Republic of Eryndor holds a great influence, being a land of scholars and inventors, while the southern territories are home to the wild and untamed land of Tarok, where tribes of fierce warriors roam."

Aiden felt the weight of the information, the map of the world expanding in his mind as he imagined these distant lands. He could almost see the ice of Valkora, the great libraries of Eryndor, and the towering mountains of Tarok.

"But what truly divides these nations," Lady Grace continued, "is the power tiers of the world. The hierarchy of strength that determines who rules and who follows. Your understanding of this power will shape your future, Aiden."

Aiden leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. He had heard whispers of power levels from his mother and the guards, but this was the first time he was learning of the specifics.

"Aiden," she began, her voice firm yet kind, "in our world, the balance of power is primarily held between mages and warriors. The mages control the elements, the arcane forces, and the laws of nature, while the warriors focus on combat, honing their physical prowess, and their ability to dominate their foes through sheer force of will and strength."

Aiden's mind raced. He had already learned that the powers of mages were tied to elements—fire, water, earth, air, and more esoteric forces like light and darkness. Warriors, on the other hand, were often renowned for their strength, agility, and combat skills.

But Aiden, he knew, was different. His powers didn't fit neatly into these categories.

"The power system is tiered," Grace continued, drawing Aiden's attention back to her. "There are 10 ranks that define the strength of mages and warriors in this world, though only the first five are commonly understood and attainable. Beyond that, only legends exist, and they speak of power beyond comprehension."

Aiden's heart skipped a beat. He was hungry for knowledge.

"The first tier is Basic," Grace began, "where most people begin their training, whether as a mage or a warrior. It's the foundation, the understanding of the basic elements or physical techniques."

Aiden felt a sense of recognition here. This was the stage where most began, where his own power first took root. As a child, he had felt the stirring of his ability—healing his mother, even if unconsciously.

"The second tier is Adept," she continued. "Those who reach this rank gain better control over their powers—mages can manipulate their element with greater precision, and warriors become more attuned to combat, mastering basic techniques and gaining strength."

Aiden thought of his mother, Lyria, the powerful warrior. She had reached this tier long ago. Her combat prowess was legendary, and Aiden had seen firsthand how she could bend her physical strength to overcome almost anything.

"The third rank is Mastery. At this level, mages can summon elemental forces with great power, shaping them to their will. Warriors can read the flow of battle and anticipate an enemy's movements with near-perfect precision."

This seemed like the ideal place for someone like Lyria, a master of the sword. Aiden could feel his own power stirring at the thought, eager to grow into something more.

"The fourth rank is Ascendant, where the boundaries between reality and the extraordinary blur. Mages can manipulate complex forces,Warriors can unleash feats of strength that seem to defy human limits."

"And then, there is the Core rank," Grace said, her voice taking on a grave tone. "Only the most powerful individuals achieve it. A mage or warrior who reaches this rank can control the very space . They can bend the world to their will and travel between realms. Few reach this stage, and it takes a lifetime of dedication."

Aiden's breath caught in his chest. Travel between realms? That would mean crossing into different worlds—a dream far beyond the reach of most.

"But there is more," Grace added, as though reading his thoughts. "The Core rank is the limit for most. After that, there are the legendary ranks, known only by myth."

Aiden leaned in, eager to hear more.

"The Transcendent ranks,are said to transcend the limits of this world. Those who reach these ranks are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. They are capable of rewriting the laws of nature and bending the very essence of reality. Legends speak of Transcendent . But none have ever been seen—or at least, no one living can confirm their existence."

Aiden's thoughts swirled. Could he become one of them? The legends of such power were far beyond even his wildest dreams."There is one more thing you must understand," Grace's voice softened, becoming almost a whisper. "The power you hold is not the same as others. You do not belong solely to the world of mages or warriors. Your abilities, while rooted in this world, extend far beyond it. You are unique, Aiden. And with that uniqueness comes both opportunity and danger."

Aiden's eyes narrowed. He was indeed different. His healing powers, the ability to influence emotions, the sense of something greater waiting to be unlocked—it didn't fit within the usual mage or warrior framework.

Grace leaned closer, her gaze intense. "When you reach Core, your powers will be far more potent. But you must also understand the dangers. Soul damage is real, Aiden. If you push yourself too hard, your soul may fracture. Overusing your powers will not only harm your body but could also erase memories, or worse—take your life."

Aiden nodded, the weight of her words settling in his chest. He had to be careful. Power without caution would lead to destruction.

Grace smiled softly. "That is why your path will not be easy. But I have faith in you, Aiden. You have the potential to transcend not just this world.Aiden stood up slowly, a sense of determination building in his chest. Transcendence, Core, the ability to shape worlds and travel across them—it was within his reach. He was unique.

The journey ahead was long, but he would walk it with purpose.As the night grew deeper, Aiden's thoughts turned inward. The power inside him—hidden, yet growing stronger with every passing day—was unlike any other. He wasn't bound by the limits of a mage or a warrior. He was something greater, something destined for something beyond.

He had much to learn, but one thing was certain: his journey would change not just his world, but every world he would one day step into.