The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the wind slipping through the open window. A cool breeze drifted inside, brushing against Orion's skin like a whisper of the night. It carried the crisp scent of the distant forest, mingling with the lingering warmth of candlelight.
Orion exhaled; his breath steady.
Tonight, was the beginning.
He lowered himself onto the wooden floor, crossing his legs into a meditative posture. His spine straightened, his palms resting gently on his knees. The soft glow of the moon bathed his form, casting shadows across his sharp features.
From beside him, he picked up a ManaGold pill—a small, crystalline sphere with a golden-yellow hue. It shimmered faintly in his palm, radiating a faint warmth.
Orion studied it for a moment before tilting his head back and dropping it into his mouth.
The pill melted instantly on his tongue, spreading a thick cold yet warm syrupy down his throat. It wasn't unpleasant—the taste was slightly floral, with a hint of bitter earthiness.
Then—
BOOM!
A violent surge of energy exploded within him.
Mana raced through his veins like a wild river, slamming into his meridians with brutal force. His muscles tensed. His bones vibrated. It felt as though his entire body had been lit on fire from the inside.
Then came the pain.
Agonizing. Blistering. Relentless.
A guttural growl rumbled from his throat as he clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His vision swam, his breath turned ragged. It was as if something inside him was being ripped apart—shattered—reborn.
His stomach twisted violently.
Then—
"Kah!"
He coughed violently, and a mouthful of black, foul-smelling blood splattered onto the floor. The stench was unbearable—rotten and metallic, like rotting iron soaked in decay.
And it wasn't over.
His pores opened, and thick, tar-like impurities oozed from his skin, coating him in a foul-smelling sludge. It was suffocating, like a century's worth of filth being forcibly expelled.
Orion's body shook uncontrollably, his breath coming in sharp gasps. Every cell of his being screamed at him to stop—to make the pain end.
But he endured.
Minutes passed. Then hours.
His body shuddered, sweat dripping from his chin, mixing with the black filth pooling around him.
Then—
As the midnight hour struck, the pain began to fade.
The storm inside him settled. The searing heat cooled, leaving behind an unfamiliar sense of lightness.
For the first time in his life, Orion felt… free.
His breathing slowed. His heart steadied.
Then he felt it.
A new presence within him.
The mana around him had changed. It was clearer, sharper—as if the world itself had been unveiled before him.
He lifted a hand, flexing his fingers. The power flowing through his veins was undeniable.
He had broken through.
A slow, victorious smile crept onto his lips.
"Finally… I have started my cultivation path."
But as the excitement surged in his chest, he quickly suppressed it.
This was only the beginning.
Taking a deep breath, he glanced around his room.
It was a disaster.
The wooden floor was stained with black impurities, the air thick with an acrid, unholy stench. Even the walls felt tainted, as if the very room had undergone a transformation alongside him.
He glanced toward the window, seeing the deep midnight sky stretching across the Vale estate.
Calling a maid at this hour was out of the question.
With a tired sigh, he forced himself up, his body still buzzing with energy. First, he cleaned himself, scrubbing away the filth until his skin felt fresh. Then, after a long, warm bath, he returned to his bed.
The moment his head touched the pillow, sleep took him.
----------
A sharp knock echoed through the door.
"Son, are you still asleep? Have you forgotten? Today, you need to meet your father."
Orion's eyes snapped open.
His mother's voice.
For a moment, he lay still, his mind drifting between the leftovers of slumber and the lingering warmth of mana coursing through his body.
Then, he exhaled sharply.
"I'm coming, Mother… Just give me a moment."
He forced himself up, stretching his arms. His body felt different.
Stronger.
Lighter.
More alive than ever before.
He quickly freshened up, slipping into a clean robe before heading downstairs.
At the dining hall, Celia, Sera, and Elara were already seated, waiting for him.
As Orion entered, Elara froze mid-bite, her blue eyes widening.
"Brother…" she mumbled. "You look different today!"
Celia and Sera turned toward him. The moment they sensed his aura, their expressions shifted to shock.
Sera was the first to react. "Dear… did you really advance to Novice First Star already?"
Orion simply nodded and smile. "Yes. Last night."
A soft breath escaped Celia's lips before she beamed with pride.
"That's incredible son!"
Elara, however, puffed her cheeks in frustration. "Brother, I haven't even started cultivating yet, and you've already broken through?! If this keeps up, I'll be left behind!"
Orion chuckled at her dramatic reaction, but Sera simply stroked her black hair. "You'll catch up soon, my dear."
Orion, however, turned to Elara with a thoughtful gaze.
"Elara… You haven't taken your ManaGold yet, have you?"
Elara frowned. "No, not yet. Why?"
A mysterious glint flickered in Orion's eyes. "Good. Then don't."
Elara blinked. "What? Why not?"
Celia and Sera exchanged curious glances.
Orion smirked. "Because I have a surprise for you."
Elara leaned forward. "A surprise?"
Celia raised an eyebrow. "Orion, what exactly are you planning?"
He simply chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough."
Elara pouted but nodded. "Fine… but you better not forget!"
The family shared a warm breakfast before Orion finally stood up.
It was time.
He stepped outside, heading toward his father's mansion.
The Viscount's Estate loomed ahead—a grand palace of marble and gold, standing tall like a monument of power.
Guards stood at the massive iron gates; their expressions unreadable. Beyond them, manicured gardens, towering pillars, and regal banners decorated the vast mansion grounds.
Orion stopped for a brief moment, gazing at the place he had never truly belonged to.
Today… that might change.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward.