Kneel or Rise

When Leo stepped out of the solitude chamber, the first thing he noticed was the smell.

The second thing he noticed was the woman standing directly in front of him, arms crossed, her amber eyes burning with irritation.

"By the gods, boy," Sylvara De Emberwyrm snarled, pinching her nose. "You reek worse than a demon's armpit."

Leo blinked. "Aunt Sylvara? What are you—?"

"No time for questions!" She grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the hall. "Go. Wash. Now. If I smell you for one more second, I'm burning your clothes myself."

The guards stationed nearby—stoic, battle-hardened men—flinched as Leo passed, their faces twisting in disgust. One of them gagged.

Leo sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going."

The Bathroom – Moments Later

Hot water cascaded over Leo's shoulders as he scrubbed away the sludge, his mind racing.

"Ethiyos said the Outer Gods are planning something," he muttered. "But how am I supposed to stop them? Last time, even with the system, I lost."

A smooth, feminine voice echoed in his mind.

"Master, while the previous Ethiyan System granted quests for strength, I am far more refined."

Leo paused. "Raphael?"

"Master, while the previous Ethiyan System granted strength through quests, I am significantly more advanced. My analysis suggests your current capabilities place you at:

- Aura Core: Stage 3 (Advanced Swordsman - Comparable to Elite Mage)

- Mana Core: Stage 1 (Novice Mage - Barely Apprentice Level)"

Leo scowled at the steaming water. "That weak?"

"In magic? Pathetically so," 

I can provide quests, analyze threats, and even predict possible outcomes. And yes," she added, amused, "I do reward you for success."

Leo smirked. "Good to know. Then show me my status."

A translucent screen materialized before him, glowing softly against the steam.

ETHIYAN SYSTEM – STATUS WINDOW

NAME: Leorion Von Lionheart (Alex Benjamin)

AGE: 17

RACE: Human (Dual-Core Awakened)

AURA CORE: Stage 3 (Advanced Swordsman)

MANA CORE: Stage 1 (Novice Mage)

EYES: Left (Natural Blue) | Right (System-Gold)

TECHNIQUES:

Kinglion Tempest Sword Art (Mastered)

Iron Fang Martial Style (Advanced)

Phantom Strike (Beginner)

Heavenly Black Serpent Art (Intermediate)

ETHIYAN SYSTEM MODE: ACTIVE

ULTIMATE QUEST:

"Defeat the Ten Heavenly Outer Gods"

REWARD: "Salvation of the Multiverse"

His stomach growled violently.

"Master," Raphael chimed, "your caloric reserves are critically depleted. Probability of surviving Sylvara's training without food: 12%."

Leo's Chambers – The Family Interrogation

Freshly scrubbed and dressed, Leo opened his door to find his entire family waiting—Queen Sylvia's worried gaze, Caius's assessing stare, Galen's amused smirk.

"Seven days in isolation," Caius noted. "Either you've gone mad or made a breakthrough."

"Both," Leo said, just as his stomach emitted a sound like a dying dragon.

Galen burst out laughing. "The mighty demon-slayer, felled by hunger!"

A maid scurried in, trembling. "Young Master, Lady Sylvara demands—"

"She can wait," Leo snapped. "I need. Food."

By the time Leo arrived, his belly full and energy restored, Sylvara was pacing like a caged beast.

"Finally," she hissed. "I was about to drag you here myself."

Leo opened his mouth to speak—

And the air itself slammed into him.

A crushing pressure, like an invisible hand, forced him to his knees. His bones groaned. His vision blurred.

Sylvara loomed over him, her amber eyes blazing.

 WARNING: GRANDMASTER-CLASS MANA SUPPRESSION

COUNTERMEASURES:

Aura reinforcement ( Error ) ( Ineffective Against Arcane Dominance)

Aura Burst ( Error) (Ineffective Against Arcane Dominance)

Endure (Recommended)

"Five minutes," Sylvara said coldly. "Stay standing, or I drop you in the moat."

A new notification flashed:

QUEST RECEIVED: "Survive Sylvara's Initiation"

REWARD: Basic Mana Reinforcement

FAILURE: Public Humiliation + Amphibious Transformation**

Leo gritted his teeth as sweat poured down his face. "Raphael... any last tips?"

"Pray."

To Be Continued...