Herman's Hidden Past

Ariase hopped onto a vacant treadmill.

Though it was a bit tall for him, he still managed to operate the controls with a bit of tiptoeing.

Fredrick, watching from nearby, was about to step in and assist but stopped in his tracks, surprised.

'Is this really his first time on a treadmill?' Fredrick thought.

'How does he know exactly what buttons to push? Even some adults who've been coming here for days still need help.'

Deciding to let Ariase figure it out on his own, Fredrick observed quietly.

Ariase, meanwhile, followed a cardio routine that felt second nature to him, it was the same one he used in his previous life.

After finishing his time on the treadmill, he took a short break, not because Fredrick instructed him to, but because it was part of his regimen.

Though Fredrick had insisted on guiding him, it quickly became apparent that Ariase didn't need much help.

Moving seamlessly to the next piece of equipment, Ariase continued his workout with focus and precision.

Before he knew it, three hours had passed.

Fredrick, who had been watching Ariase the entire time, stood dumbfounded.

'Three hours... without breaking a sweat?' he thought with pure astonishment.

'What in the world is this kid?' Fredrick wondered. 'He's only 12, unawakened, and hasn't even undergone the rite yet. How is he not exhausted?'

Ariase finished his session, politely bid farewell to the awe-struck Fredrick, and made his way back to the penthouse.

As he walked, he reflected on his performance.

"This body... it's really incredible," he mused.

"Only two purifications so far, and I can already last three hours while exercising without feeling dehydrated. I just need to keep this up, build my strength steadily, and I'll be more than ready for school."

The days blurred together.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday passed in a monotonous rhythm.

Then, finally, Saturday arrived, the day Ariase had been eagerly anticipating yet dreading.

Excitement and fear churned in his chest as he prepared for the third purification.

His uncle had warned him repeatedly about the pain, emphasizing that bones are compact and dense, making them hard and painful to purify.

He even stressed that this purification would be far worse and longer than the previous ones.

'Sigh... let's be positive, it's finally the last step. After this, I'll have a complete cheat ability, just like an MC~'

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a woman's raised voice echoing from the living room.

Startled, Ariase hurried out of his room, peeking into the mirror to avoid being noticed.

What he saw shocked him.

A young woman wearing a mask and cap was berating his uncle.

Herman, usually confident and assertive, sat meekly on the floor, as if kneeling before her.

'Who is she?' Ariase wondered.

'I've never seen her before, and she doesn't look like Uncle's fiance from my previous life. But to think she can make Uncle act this way... impressive.'

Focusing his heightened hearing, Ariase caught snippets of their heated exchange.

"Herman, what are you thinking?!" the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.

"Do you even understand the cost of bestowing a talent to an unawakened? It's a scripture taboo! If I had known what you were planning, I wouldn't have come here!"

"I had no choice!" Herman shouted back, desperation etched into his face.

"If I didn't do it, Ariase would be condemned to a life of mediocrity! My brother and his wife died because they weren't talented enough! If they hadn't crashed into the unstable void gate, they would still be alive!"

"Please, Erica... I just want to help Ria. This is the only way to give him a strong foundation."

Herman's words, filled with pain and conviction, softened Erica's expression.

Her stern demeanor faltered as her face wrinkled in worry and empathy.

'This man... really!' Erica thought, sighing deeply, her frustration palpable.

'He's such a fool! If the Spirit Elders or the Arcane Halo discover us, we're as good as dead!'

Meanwhile, Ariase, crouched just out of sight, bit his lower lip.

Everything he overheard made his chest tighten.

His uncle, his usually proud and indomitable uncle, was pleading.

It stung Ariase to see him so vulnerable.

A flicker of anger ignited in Ariase, directed at the woman who seemed to be tormenting Herman.

He was just about to silently curse her when the next thing she said made his mouth drop wide open.

Erica's voice cracked as she shouted, "Then what about me, you bastard?!"

Her hands trembled as she grabbed at Herman's shirt, her emotions spilling over like a broken dam.

"You ghosted me for years! You left without a word, and now you come calling and crawling back, asking for a favor?! Do you have any shame?"

She dropped to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Three years, Herman! I waited for three whole years! I trusted you. I believed you had a reason for leaving me. But now... tell me, you fool! Why?! Why did you leave me like that..."

Herman's expression softened, guilt clouding his face.

Gently, he placed his hand on Erica's head, stroking her hair with trembling fingers.

He then pulled her into a tight embrace.

Ariase, watching the scene unfold from the reflection of the hallway mirror, was dumbstruck.

'Wait a minute... That brute of a woman was Uncle's girlfriend?!'

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

'Uncle even ghosted her? Doesn't that make him kind of a... total bastard?! Whoa~ Uncle's life is more dramatic than it was in my previous life. This is getting good.'

Though Ariase pretended to listen for context, deep down, he was savoring the juicy drama.

But just as he was leaning in for more, his eyes met his uncle's through the mirror.

Herman's gaze darkened, his jaw tightening.

"Ariase Ruiz!" Herman said, his voice sharp and dangerous, "Come here! Right now!"

Ariase froze.

His heart pounded in his chest.

'Oh no. I'm dead.'

Panic set in as he prepared to bolt.

But before he could take another step, Herman uttered the world command, [Ancestria].

Golden chains materialized out of thin air, their metallic clinks echoing ominously.

The chains shot toward him, binding his feet just as he reached his door.

Tumbling forward, Ariase grabbed the doorknob for dear life.

"Uncle, wait!" he cried out, desperation in his voice.

"I didn't hear anything! I swear! I was just going to the kitchen to grab a snack!"

Herman growled, gritting his teeth.

"This brat really dares to lie after I caught him red-handed?"

He yanked the chains, pulling Ariase away from the door like a fish on a hook.

Ariase flailed, sweat dripping down his neck as he silently cursed his bad luck.

'I'm so dead. So, so dead.'

Moments later, Ariase found himself dragged into the living room, clumsily falling on the floor.

From his new vantage point, he got a proper look at the girl who had been yelling at his uncle.

Now unmasked, Erica's beauty took him by surprise.

Her long obsidian-black hair shimmered under the light, and her dark, star-like eyes seemed to pull him into an infinite abyss.

Despite the danger of the situation, Ariase's mischievous streak got the better of him.

He knelt down dramatically, clasping his hands together as he looked up at Herman with exaggerated puppy-dog eyes.

"I'm sorry..." he said, voice trembling with faux sincerity.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, really. And I promise I didn't hear much about what you and sister-in-law were discussing!"

The room went silent.

"S-sister-in-l-law?!" Erica stammered, her face turning red as she hastily covered it with her silky hair.

Herman's reaction was no better.

His face twitched, and a faint blush crept onto his cheeks.

"You little brat—"

He cut himself off with a karate chop to Ariase's head.

"Ow!" Ariase winced, rubbing the sore spot.

With a sly grin, he whispered, "I might be mischievous, but at least I'm not a bast—"

Before he could finish, Herman's hand was already mid-swing for another chop, "This unfilial brat!"

Ariase ducked, pointing dramatically at Erica, "Look, sister-in-law!"

The words hit Erica like a thunderbolt.

She instinctively grabbed Herman's arm, her face flushed as she glanced nervously at the boy

"H-Herman," she stammered, her voice soft. "L-let it go... He's just a kid..."

Herman froze, caught off guard by her sudden change in demeanor.

His gaze softened as he looked at Erica's blushing face, and he let out a reluctant sigh.

"Fine. I'll stop..."

But the moment he turned back to Ariase, his eyes glinted with a deadly promise akin to saying, 'You'll pay for this later, Ria!'

Ariase gulped, his earlier bravado vanishing as he felt an icy chill run down his spine.