Announcement: Terrane Roc will now be referred to as Li Shenlong and the Roc Clan will now be the Tiantu Clan
As Ryker slowly opened his eyes, the lingering glow of his mental breakthrough still flickered faintly within them, like embers refusing to fade. His gaze shifted to Lila, who watched him intently. Her golden eyes were a kaleidoscope of pride, calculation, and something deeper—a mother's quiet acknowledgment of her son's first true step toward greatness.
"How do you feel?" she asked, her voice a perfect blend of gentleness and expectation, as though she already knew his answer but wanted to hear it in his words.
Ryker took a slow, deliberate breath, his mind attuned to the newfound clarity humming within. "Stronger," he replied simply, his voice steady despite the maelstrom of sensations coursing through him. "Everything is… sharper. My thoughts, my senses—it's like I was seeing the world through fog before, and now it's crystal clear."
A small, approving smile lifted the corners of Lila's lips. "Good," she said, her tone calm yet purposeful. "That is the first blessing of the solidified consciousness stage —the ability to perceive the world as it truly is, rather than how you assume it to be. It grants you sharper better perception allowing for many possibilities. I will allow you to explore the rest on your own." Reaching out, she brushed a stray strand of fiery hair from his face with a tenderness that softened her otherwise stern demeanor. "But remember, Ryker—awareness is nothing without the will to act. Strength without purpose is just a weapon waiting to be misused. You must learn to wield it, not be consumed by it."
Ryker nodded, her words carving themselves into his soul. Yet beneath his composed exterior, a fire raged within him. He already had a purpose—to surpass all expectations, to climb to the very pinnacle of humanity, to ensure that no one, not even fate itself, could dictate the course of his destiny. His recent breakthrough had altered him profoundly. It had changed the way he saw the world, as though a veil had been lifted from his understanding. He no longer fretted over the division between rulers and the ruled. His sharp mind now grasped a stark truth: purpose and ideals without power were nothing more than folly—a fool's death wish. He would first acquire the power necessary then he would shape the world as he saw fit
After a long moment, Lila rose to her full height, her regal presence commanding and unshakable. "Go to your father," she instructed, her tone brooking no argument. "You've strengthened your mind—I believe you now have what it takes to endure the cruelty of your father's training. It will not be easy, but I know you will push through. Remember," she added, her voice softening slightly, "after every training session, come here to meditate. You need to solidify your mental realm and temper your progress."
Ryker nodded, acknowledging her wisdom. Rising to his full height—an impressive 130 centimeters despite his tender age of three—he turned on his heel and strode out of the room with purposeful steps. He knew his father's training was brutal and would be even more so for him. Aiden Phoenix had impossibly high standards, and there was no way he would allow his own son to be mediocre. If it was strength Ryker sought, then he must become the absolute strongest—the peak. Nothing less would suffice.
But Ryker was ready.
He would go through the fire, endure the unrelenting crucible, and when he emerged on the other side, he would be unstoppable. He would dominate. He would shape the world as he saw fit. Neither the beasts who thought themselves kings, nor the noble clans, nor the hidden forces lurking in the shadows would deter him. Once he reached the summit, nothing else would matter.
To enact change, he would need the strength to do it himself, without relying on anyone else. He needed to be self-made, untouchable, and unshakable.
And so, Ryker strode forward, his steps echoing down the grand halls, already formulating his future plans. His mind was a crucible, burning with ambition, his heart aflame with purpose. The road ahead would be harsh, but the fire within him burned brighter still.
Ryker arrived at the training courtyard just as the sun reached its zenith, casting sharp, golden rays that illuminated the vast expanse of the Phoenix Clan's domain. There, at the center of it all, stood Aiden Phoenix, his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an aura so imposing it felt as though the very air around him bowed in submission. He appeared less like a man and more like a world-conquering titan, as if an ancient beast—primordial and untamed—had taken human form.
The moment Ryker's eyes fell on his father, his heart momentarily caught in his chest. A wave of suffocating pressure emanated from Aiden, engulfing the courtyard. In that instant, Ryker felt as though he was standing before not a man, but a legendary dragon clothed in human flesh, its presence vast and immeasurable.
For a brief moment, his steps faltered, hesitation gripping his small frame. But then, as if in defiance, his improved mental strength surged, fortifying his resolve. Courage bloomed within him, giving him the will to push forward against the intangible yet crushing weight of his father's aura.
Unbeknownst to Ryker, this was the first test of a long and grueling journey. Aiden was already watching, evaluating. If he couldn't summon the courage to push through such a minor display of pressure, Aiden thought, then he had no business seeking power.
With each deliberate step, Ryker advanced, steady and determined, his muscles taut as he wrestled with the fear threatening to root him in place. His father's sheer strength filled him with an instinctive awe, but Ryker snuffed that feeling out almost as quickly as it appeared. Why should I stand in awe of something that is merely a matter of time for me? he told himself. He could admire strength, yes. But to be awed by it? Never. For he was destined to stand at the peak of all things—the very embodiment of power itself.
That thought ignited something deep within him, and in the next heartbeat, a tyrannical will erupted from Ryker like a storm. It encapsulated his small form, pushing back against the aura that sought to crush him.
Aiden raised an eyebrow at this display of resistance. His lips curved into a wide, wild grin. Pride sparked in his chest as he murmured to himself, Good… better than I hoped. But this was far from enough to satisfy him.
With an almost imperceptible shift of his posture, Aiden intensified the pressure, amplifying it to a level that matched the peak of what a genius at the Intermediate Stage of Awakening could withstand. The aura came crashing down on Ryker like a tidal wave, merciless and overwhelming.
The aura came like a flood and crush down at Ryker without mercy. Ryker knees buckled as he was about to fall to his knees his face scrunched, and a strong feeling of unwillingness filled him. It felt like allowing himself to kneel at the mere aura of another was sacrilege.
Deep within his mental space, the ethereal sword emitted a soft hum. A pulse of golden light radiated outward, fortifying his mental energy. Ryker felt the shift immediately; his strength renewed, his willpower heightened. The oppressive force weighing down on him suddenly seemed less immovable.
With painstaking effort, he straightened his spine, inch by inch, until he stood ramrod straight, his small but resolute frame holding fast against the crushing aura. His fiery eyes met Aiden's with unwavering determination, unyielding and proud.
For what felt like an eternity, the two remained locked in this silent clash of wills, father and son staring into each other's souls. Then, without warning, a booming laugh erupted from Aiden, echoing across the courtyard with unrestrained joy.
He laughed harder than he had in years, the sound raw and genuine, filled with something more than mere pride—it was ecstasy. This was no ordinary moment for Aiden Phoenix. This was a moment of profound satisfaction, of seeing potential that exceeded even his lofty expectations.
When the laughter subsided, Aiden's sharp gaze softened slightly as he looked at Ryker, pride gleaming in his eyes. "That mental fluctuation from the mansion," he said, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity, "that was you, wasn' it?"
Ryker met his father's gaze without flinching. "Yes, Father," he replied, his voice clear and unwavering. "That was me."
Aiden's smile widened. "So, you've experienced a breakthrough in your mental realm?"
Yes, Father I have
What realm are you in
Ryker nodded. "The Solidified Consciousness Realm," he said matter-of-factly. "At least… that's what Mother told me."
"Good," Aiden said, his tone rich with approval. "I expect nothing less from the son of I Aiden Phoenix."