Birthday Party

The scorching midday sun slowly gave way to the orange hues of dusk, while stars began appearing in the clear sky. Unlike Earth, this world still had a pristine atmosphere, allowing people to enjoy the beauty of the cosmos without obstruction. However, in the heart of the city, artificial lights gradually took over, dimming part of the celestial view.

Inside a dimly lit room, Eryon woke up with half-lidded eyes. His hair and clothes were messy, clear signs that he had slept for too long. His head felt heavy, and his expression was still dazed.

He sat on the bed, lazily rubbing his face before glancing at the window, where the evening glow dominated the sky.

"Damn, how long have I been asleep?" he muttered.

Instead of getting up immediately, he remained in a daze, staring at the floor with an empty mind.

His prolonged sleep had led him to dream of something strange, but the more he tried to recall it, the more the details slipped away. After nearly half an hour in a semi-conscious state, he finally dragged himself to the bathroom to freshen up.

---

Thirty minutes later, Eryon stepped outside with a refreshed face and a lighter body. Now, he stood in the backyard, dressed in comfortable casual clothing.

Sleeping for more than eight hours and waking up at night meant he wouldn't be able to sleep again anytime soon. Instead of wasting time, he chose to do something productive.

He started with some stretches, ensuring his body was prepared before moving on to more intense movements. Carefully, he extended his arms to the sides, rotated his shoulders, then stretched his legs.

After a few minutes, he drew Durandal and began practicing basic movements. Vertical slashes, diagonal cuts, and horizontal swings—all executed with a steady rhythm, each stroke as smooth as possible, synchronized with his breathing.

As his training progressed, he increased the difficulty.

Eryon activated his ability, gradually increasing the gravity around his own body. Instantly, the weight on him multiplied, making every movement heavier, every step more restrained. In this state, he resumed his sword practice, this time with greater intensity. Sweat started forming on his temples, but he remained focused, ensuring every strike carried precise execution.

He still remembered how difficult it was to face a giant cobra. But he wasn't discouraged, because he understood the reason—his lack of experience and combat technique.

Eryon Ashbourn had previously only focused on building his physique at the gym, never once considering actual combat training.

Even so, his past physical training helped. His body had long adapted to intense movements, making him far more flexible than the average person.

Taking a deep breath, he altered the gravity around him, making his body lighter. With a strong push from his legs, he leaped into the air, hovering several meters above the ground.

He maintained his state, but his energy drained quickly.

One minute.

Three minutes.

Five minutes passed before he suddenly coughed violently, losing control over gravity and plummeting to the ground.

Panting heavily, his body was drenched in sweat as if he had just been caught in a downpour. But beneath the exhaustion, his expression showed satisfaction.

"Five minutes. Not bad," he muttered with a smirk. "Given time, I'll definitely master it until I can fully fly."

He wasn't disappointed. His potential was still vast. After all, he hadn't even started cultivating yet.

However, that was precisely the problem. He had no idea where to begin. He didn't even understand how the cultivation system in this world worked.

As he tried to steady his breathing, the sound of his phone vibrating behind him caught his attention.

Drrrt—Drrrt—

He turned toward the patio table, where his smartphone buzzed. His brows furrowed slightly before he sighed, lowered his sword, and walked over. It was rare for anyone to call him.

Looking at the screen, the caller ID displayed William's name. Without hesitation, he picked up.

"Yo, Eryon, are you ready? I'm already on my way to your house," William's voice came through.

Eryon frowned. "Ready for what? As far as I remember, we didn't make any plans."

"Seriously? Don't tell me you forgot about Eleonor's birthday party? Did you even forget about her?" William sounded incredulous.

Eryon fell silent. That name wasn't unfamiliar. And in an instant, he remembered—his former classmate for three years in junior high school.

"So, are you coming or not? I'm already on my way," William asked again.

"Yeah, pick me up. I'll be ready by the time you arrive," Eryon replied casually.

"Alright, don't take too long," William said before hanging up.

Eryon sighed and went back inside his villa. The night was still young. Instead of just training, having some fun once in a while wasn't a bad idea. Who knew? Maybe he'd find something interesting at the party.

---

Fifteen minutes later, Eryon was ready. Dressed in a plain black shirt, black trousers, and matching black shoes, he looked both elegant and sophisticated as he stepped out of the villa.

Outside, William was already waiting beside his black sedan, dressed in formal attire.

"Man, you look amazing. I still don't get why Candice chose Julian over you. I guess she just has terrible taste," William said jokingly.

"Don't bring that up, William. Maybe Julian has something I don't," Eryon replied calmly while opening the car door.

William got in and started the engine. "Like what? Honestly, you're better-looking and have a more toned physique—at least in my eyes. Not to mention you excel in academics and athletics. You're superior in every way."

Eryon's brows knitted together as he glanced at William with an expression of mild disgust and confusion.

William's face went blank for a moment before he quickly clarified, "Come on, don't look at me like I'm into guys. I'm straight, bro."

Eryon just shook his head. "Whatever, just drive."

William chuckled lightly before stepping on the gas, guiding the car out of the villa's premises.

Their destination was in the north, about 15 kilometers away. Traffic was moderately heavy, making William drive at a steady pace.

As he sat quietly, Eryon suddenly grew curious. "Do you think any important figures will be there? Like a guild leader or an academy official?"

"Possibly. Eleonor's family are noble. There might be a lot of influential people attending. Why do you ask?"

"I want to start cultivating, but I have no idea where to begin. Maybe I can ask someone at the party," Eryon said.

William nodded. "Maybe. But seriously, cultivation is boring. I can't imagine someone spending all their time just absorbing crystal cores for minor power boosts."

"That's because you don't have high talent. And I'm sure cultivation is more complex than just absorbing energy," Eryon countered.

William clicked his tongue. "Maybe. But aren't you starting a little too late? Most people begin cultivating between the ages of five and eight. You're already eighteen."

"There's no such thing as too late to learn," Eryon replied with a smirk.

William glanced at him briefly before shaking his head. "Suit yourself."

With that, he pressed the gas pedal a little harder, driving them toward Eleanor's residence.