A New Beginning

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of Strider's room, gently rousing him from his sleep.

He blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the soft glow of the morning. The world outside was alive with the sounds of birds chirping and the faint rustle of leaves swaying in the wind.

Yet, amidst the tranquility of the early hour, a rhythmic sound caught his attention—the distinct, sharp noise of someone practicing martial arts.

Curious, Strider pushed himself up from his bed and walked to the window. Peering outside, he saw his younger sister, Silvia, in the practice field below.

She moved with precision and grace, each strike and step a testament to her rigorous training and natural talent.

Her dark hair flowed behind her as she executed a flawless sequence of moves, her expression one of fierce determination.

Strider leaned against the windowsill, watching her. Despite being only 14, Silvia had already achieved the 3rd layer of Mortal Transformation, a remarkable feat that had earned her the admiration and pride of the entire Cromwell family.

Unlike him, who had been found to lack any talent for cultivation at the age of six, Silvia had been born with extraordinary potential.

His three older brothers, while talented enough to cultivate, had far more modest abilities compared to Silvia.

Their cultivation barely met the minimum requirements for advancement, which meant their progress was slow and heavily dependent on resources.

To further their training, they had joined the nearby Cloud Sword Sect, a mid-tier sect known for providing ample opportunities for its disciples to grow—if they were willing to take on missions and face risks.

For Strider's brothers, the sect was the only viable path to improve their strength and support the family.

Silvia's situation, however, was different. Her talent had far surpassed that of her older brothers, and it had become clear early on that she was the family's greatest hope.

Baron Cromwell, their father, had made a decisive choice: all available resources would be dedicated to Silvia's cultivation. Unlike her brothers, who were required to take on dangerous missions to gather resources in the sect, Silvia would be nurtured in the safety of the barony.

Baron Cromwell's ambitions for Silvia were no secret.

He dreamed of seeing her ascend beyond the Mortal Transformation realm and reach the Energy Accumulation realm—the second stage of cultivation. While Mortal Transformation was the foundational stage, allowing practitioners to refine their bodies and prepare for higher levels, Energy Accumulation was a different league altogether.

It marked the beginning of true immortality, granting cultivators the ability to fly and extending their lifespan to 300 years.

For Baron Cromwell, this was not merely a matter of personal pride but a strategy for the survival and prosperity of the Cromwell family.

The barony had once enjoyed the protection of a cultivator in the Energy Accumulation realm: Strider's great-great-grandfather, Alex Cromwell.

Alex had been the last member of the family to ascend to the second stage, and his strength had safeguarded the barony for nearly two centuries.

Now over 200 years old, Alex Cromwell was nearing the end of his extended lifespan. Though his cultivation had stagnated, and he had no hope of advancing further, he remained a formidable figure and a guardian of the family.

His presence in the shadows provided a layer of protection that no one dared challenge.

Strider had only met his great-great-grandfather once, on the day Silvia's exceptional talent was revealed.

It was a day etched into his memory. Alex Cromwell, though aged, had exuded an aura of power and authority that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

When he laid eyes on Silvia, his stern expression softened, and he openly doted on her, recognizing her as the family's best chance to produce another Energy Accumulation cultivator.

For the rest of the family, Silvia's potential was a source of hope and unity. Even Strider's brothers, who might have harbored jealousy, supported her wholeheartedly.

They understood that Silvia's success would benefit not just her but the entire family, securing their legacy and protection for generations to come.

Watching Silvia train now, Strider felt a mix of admiration and bittersweet emotion. He was genuinely proud of her accomplishments and the discipline she demonstrated at such a young age.

Yet, he couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy as he compared her trajectory to his own. In a world where cultivation defined one's worth and destiny, Strider had always been the outlier, the one without talent, the one destined for mediocrity.

But things were different now. The Demon God Simulator had given him a glimmer of hope, a chance to rewrite the narrative of his life. It wasn't a traditional path, and it certainly wasn't without risk, but it was a path nonetheless.

As Silvia continued her practice, Strider's thoughts turned to the future. His father's dream of having a family member reach the Energy Accumulation realm was a noble one, but it was also a heavy burden for Silvia to bear.

The pressure on her shoulders was immense, and while she handled it with grace, Strider knew how isolating such expectations could be.

He resolved to support her in any way he could, even if that meant carving out his own unconventional path.

With the simulator at his disposal, Strider could potentially achieve something extraordinary, something that would not only elevate his own status but also relieve some of the weight from Silvia's shoulders.

As the morning progressed, Silvia finished her training and began cooling down with a series of stretches.

Strider stepped away from the window, deciding it was time to face the day. Though his journey was just beginning, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Today would mark the start of a new chapter in his life, one where he would no longer be defined by his lack of talent but by the choices he made and the strength he gained.

Whether through the simulator or his own determination, Strider vowed to rise above the limitations of his birth and prove that he, too, could leave a lasting legacy in the world of Red Star.