Chapter 14:Decor technique
After dinner, the mansion grew quieter. Laughter faded. Plates were cleared. The clatter of dishes and soft murmur of family talk gradually gave way to silence.They were shoked by Aven transformation but didn't say much , Only crack jokes because he is still their family.
Aven had shared the meal with Eyra, his brother,his cousins, his aunt,his mother—his father and uncles were absent again, still caught in the web of politics, power, and the looming threat of the Veron family.
He kissed Eyra goodnight, ruffled her hair once more as she pouted and smiled in turn, then finally made his way to his room on the upper floor of the Drax mansion.
Robert had already posted himself near the outer perimeter of the estate, taking position as the silent guardian he'd become.
Inside, Aven's room was dimly lit, the silver glow of the moon filtering through glass windows. He pulled off his coat, loosened his collar, and dropped onto the bed like a weightless shadow finally allowed to fall.
"…What a day."
He stared at the ceiling.
Everything was happening fast. Too fast.
He had awakened a bloodline core. He had made his first serum. He had revealed future-altering tech to his family.
Yet, somehow… lying in bed, it still felt like he hadn't moved an inch.
Like the shadows of Rivan Bosc—his former self—still clung to him.
Aven let out a quiet sigh.
Then his voice rang out in his mind, calm but firm.
"Orion."
[Yes, Master?]
Aven sat up slowly, the exhaustion still clinging to his limbs.
"Show me my current status. I want to see where I stand now."
Orion's voice came sharp, clean, emotionless.
[Affirmative. Displaying full status.]
[AVEN DRAX – STATUS INTERFACE]
[ Name: Aven Drax
Age: 17
Bloodline: Unknown (Mutation Detected – High Purity Tier)
Core: Formed – Legendary Grade (Black Lightning Type,???)
Ability Stage: Unawakened (Tier 0)
Next Breakthrough: Tier 1 Warrior
Combat Parameters
Power: 26
Speed: 24
Bloodline Energy: 40
Core Amplification: x4 (compared to standard cores)
Stamina: 22
Recovery Rate: High
Amplification:
Core multiplies bloodline energy output and body reinforcement by 4x.
Ability (Locked):
[Black Light] – Avenge-type lightning manifestation; opens upon reaching Tier 1 Warrior.
Description: Condensed dark-element lightning formed from soul-core synchronization. Extremely destructive. Functions as both offense and speed-enhancer.]
---
Aven stared at the screen in silence, his dark eyes reflecting the blue-tinted display.
Legendary Grade…
And Black Lightning — a type almost extinct in Volmera's recorded history.
He tapped the "Core" tab. A 3D glyph of his core rotated slowly. A black crystal, pulsing faintly with violet static. It didn't glow like others—its darkness devoured light.
"Four times the strength…"
He leaned back on the bed, feeling the dormant energy thrumming through his veins. It was like a wild beast—unwilling to roar yet, but awake and watching.
[Master, reaching Tier 1 will unlock true capabilities of your bloodline. Right now, your body is still adjusting.]
Still seated on his bed, the faint light from the moon glinting off the black glass of his system panel, Aven's breath slowed.
[Reward for Awakening a core is ready Accept it master]
A line of new text scrolled across the digital display in front of him.
---
[ New Technique Unlocked: Decor Technique
Description:
A legendary-level core technique only accessible to cores ranked Legendary or higher.
Allows the user to absorb compatible foreign cores or energy signatures—gaining partial attributes, elemental affinity, or even traits from the consumed core.
Restriction: Only possible for rare entities whose bloodline possesses a Double-Origin Signature—you are one of them]
---
Aven's brows furrowed in deep focus.
"Orion... what is this Decor Technique?"
[Master, this is a forbidden method. Ancient bloodline families once used it during the Core Wars. It allows the user to forcibly absorb and refine other beings' core energy into their own system.]
[It was banned because of how devastating it became on the battlefield. Their are some problems with it but now it is became perfect]
Aven's voice sharpened with interest. "Can anyone else do this?"
[Negative. This technique is bound by the nature of your unique core. Only those with Legendary or Mythic-grade cores and dual-origin bloodline patterns can use it. You are the only confirmed case in this era.]
Aven closed his eyes, letting the knowledge sink in.
"Then I'll use it. When the time comes."
His voice was quiet. Firm. Heavy with resolve.
Aven smirked.Still seated on his bed, the faint light from the moon glinting off the black glass of his system panel, Aven's breath slowed.
Just as he thought the screen would fade, a sudden pulse of energy flickered across the interface.
[Core Synchronization Level Increased. Hidden Trait Unlocked.]
A line of new text scrolled across the digital display in front of him.
[New Trait Unlocked: Devour
Description:
Allows the user to absorb compatible foreign cores or energy signatures—gaining partial attributes, elemental affinity, or even traits from the consumed core.]
---
Aven's brows furrowed in deep focus.
"Orion... what is this Trait Devoured
[It is match perfect with your technique.]
Aven closed his eyes, letting the knowledge sink in.
Vairen's Flashback – 14 Years Ago, Veron Family Private Clinic
The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air. Monitors beeped faintly in the background, each pulse slower than the last. Rain pattered softly against the window, painting the glass with streaks of silver tears.
Vairen Veron stood by the bedside, fists clenched, lips tight, his eyes locked on the frail woman lying in front of him.
Her skin was pale—far too pale—and her once fiery eyes were dimming, yet still filled with a fierce warmth that even death couldn't erase.
"Vairen…" she whispered.
He leaned closer, gripping her cold hand tightly. His voice, always thunderous and commanding, was barely audible now.
"I'm here, Rayna. Just hold on."
She gave a weak smile, blood at the corners of her lips.
"I don't… want to die… But I know I can't stop it."
"Don't say that," he growled, voice cracking against his will. "You're strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever known—"
"I'm tired… and I don't have time for lies, love." Her fingers curled around his, trembling. "Promise me…"
"What?"
"Take care of them… of Valeck and Marza. Don't let them turn into… monsters." Her eyes shimmered with a please deeper than any command. "Promise me, Vairen… protect them… even from themselves."
His throat tightened. For a man like Vairen Veron—steel-hearted and unshakable—it was the first time in years that the tears threatened to fall.
"I promise," he whispered.
Her lips moved faintly into a smile. Then the heart monitor flatlined.
Vairen didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't blink.
He stood there like a statue carved in grief, unmoving for over an hour—until the nurses finally pulled him away.
Back to Present
At Veron family estate
In the dim solitude of his private lounge, Vairen Veron, patriarch of the Veron family, sat slouched in a high-backed leather chair. A half-empty bottle of vintage whisky rested beside him, its amber contents reflecting the soft golden lights above.
He swirled the glass lazily in his hand, watching the liquid move.And thinking about his past and his promise to his wife which failed to fulfill.
"I'm getting old…"
The words slipped from his mouth, more a confession than a statement.
He took a long sip. The burn was familiar. Comforting.
"Valeck…" he muttered, the name lingering like a weight on his tongue.
"How are you going to handle this world, boy?"
His gaze turned toward the window, where distant city lights flickered.
"Your mother…" he whispered.
"She died too early. She was the one who kept the fire in you controlled. After her, I should've been the one to restrain you. Instead…" he trailed off, bitterness creeping into his voice.
He took another sip.
"I let you grow wild. Let you chase shadows and build ego with no spine to carry it."
His hand clenched the glass tighter.
"You're not like your sister. Marza... she's a strategist. Cold. Brilliant. A true leader. But a woman… and this world still looks at power through the eyes of men."
He scoffed bitterly.
"Now she have to married—alliances. But will it be enough?"
He stared into the whisky like it might offer an answer.
"Perhaps it's time I stepped in… before Valeck drags the entire Veron name into the fire."
The room fell silent, save for the ticking of a brass wall clock and the distant hum of city wind. The Veron patriarch closed his eyes, lost in a storm of failures and decisions long overdue.
Hotel Meeting
Location: High-rise luxury hotel, Penthouse Suite, Niremo City.
The skyline glittered beyond the wide windows. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with expensive perfume, cigarette smoke, and political scheming.
Five people sat around a circular table — two women, three men, all dressed in tailored suits. Drinks in hand, their smiles didn't reach their eyes.
One of the men, smug and polished with slicked-back hair, leaned forward and said loudly:
"Tension between the Drax and Veron families is heating up. Feels like something big is about to explode."
One of the women, her lips painted deep crimson, laughed dryly as she swirled her wine.
"So what? Let them kill each other. I hope both families burn. They've monopolized power in Niremo and Tavoran's City for far too long."
The other woman nodded, draping one arm over the back of her chair, confident and cruel.
"Their fall would open up the entire eastern market. We've been waiting for this."
Then, a third man—dressed in a sharp blue suit with a gold pin of a lesser-known merchant guild—set down his glass and spoke quietly, yet clearly:
"It doesn't matter who wins… Drax or Veron. Either way, we profit."
His words caused a ripple of amusement and knowing looks around the table.
The first man chuckled.
"So we keep watching. Stir the pot where needed, but never show our hands."
"Exactly," the blue-suited man replied.
"Let the kings fight. We'll buy the ashes."
Outside, the Niremo skyline blinked silently—like a city holding its breath.