"The Albero Family? I've never heard of that last name" Bruce knit his eyebrows.
"Ancient families don't usually interact with the outside world"
"Think of them as hidden independent empires" Jennifer explained.
"The major forces on the continent are the three great factions, the ancient families, and the ancient empires"
"Unlike ancient empires that expose themselves to the public, the ancient families conceal their presence from the outside world.
"There was a great war in the past that involved all the major forces on the continent. Due to countless casualties from the war, everyone agreed to not interfere with one another for 1000 years"
"The exception to the agreement was the Alliance of Kingdoms and Dark Forces"
"The two had been mortal enemies since the beginning of time and so the only modern public conflict is between the two great factions"
Bruce nodded after hearing Jennifer's explanation.
"I see, what were the forces fighting for in the previous great war?"
"I believe the war broke out for a treasure left behind by a supreme being" Jennifer recalled what she learned from her predecessors.
"However, no one knew for sure the true objective of the great war or how it came to be unless they were directly involved in the war"
"Perhaps my teacher or the headmaster may know more about it" Bruce added.
"Indeed, they might since they may have been involved in the war. But it is a sensitive topic, so I advise you to not talk about it with them openly"
"I understand" Bruce pretended to agree but he had other ideas in mind. His relationship with his teacher and headmaster was quite good. He was confident that they would tell him everything.
"Dad, when can we go see paternal grandma?" Bruce turned the topic back to his family.
"I have only seen her twice throughout my life… I don't know when we all will be able to see her" Logan stuttered as he replied. He had hidden his feelings about his mother for so long. He wanted to see his mother all his life, but his strength was not enough to gain recognition from her clan.
"What if I beat up the clan leader?" Bruce mused to himself.
"Don't you dare do it! Your grandma will die protecting everyone" Logan smacked Bruce on the head for suggesting such a stupid idea.
"Dad, I'll be super strong in the future." Bruce rubbed his head in confusion. In this world, strength is everything. It made sense in his head to beat the crap out of everyone until they allow him to see his grandma.
"You fool, the strength of an ancient clan is more powerful than you think!" Logan shook his head.
"Does the clan have a Worldly Supreme expert?" Bruce asked.
"No…" Logan didn't like where this was going.
"Then I'll make sure to smack the crap out of that damned leader!" Bruce smiled.
"You!" Logan almost fainted when he heard what Bruce planned to do.
"Your grandmother has protected all of us for the past decades. You cannot act rashly Bruce!"
"Dad, I'm tired of everyone on this continent treating our family like this"
"Smacking that person is me being nice." Bruce released his killing intent for the first time.
Both Logan and Jennifer were surprised by the intensity of his killing intent. They never imagined that Bruce had killed before.
"Bruce, what happened to you?" Jennifer didn't recognize her grandson anymore.
"I'm still your grandson. I'll be protecting everyone from now so please believe in me" Bruce retracted his aura and returned to his normal self. Deep down, he felt great rage boil in his chest.
"What's happening here?" Elizabeth walked out with Sophia behind her blushing crazily. Bruce didn't know what his mother said to Sophia for her to be that red.
"Nothing is happening mom" Bruce smiled as he didn't want his mother to worry.
"Hmm… How suspicious…" Elizabeth knew Bruce was lying but ignored it. She would have to conduct a thorough interview with her husband tonight.
"Sophia, why are you all red?" Bruce asked.
"Bruce… I have to go!" Sophia dashed out of the door and didn't look back.
"Mom, what did you say to her?" Bruce looked at his mother only to find her amused at the situation.
"Nothing, it's just girl talks" Jennifer giggled.
"Fine, don't tell me" Bruce huffed grumpily.
"We should have dinner together to celebrate our reunion" Logan suggested to reduce the tension in the atmosphere.
"Sounds good, I'll cook for everyone" Bruce headed to the kitchen and began to prep the ingredient. He spent the majority of his day cooking. Perhaps his true calling is being a chef.
"I can't wait to try my baby's food" Elizabeth smiled.
"Mom, I'm 16. I'm not a baby!" Bruce corrected his mother. It was embarrassing for him to have her calling him his baby in front of everyone.
"Even if you're 10,000 years old, you'll always be my baby"
"Urgh…" Bruce had no answer, so he went back to the kitchen and prepared the meal.
The group had a wonderful dinner and praised Bruce for the terrific food. Everyone left at midnight after Bruce told them about the recent events that he went through.
Bruce smiled as he saw his family leaving his dorm and going back to their newly appointed courtyard. The smile quickly faded when he no longer saw their shadows.
'Time to get to work'
Bruce walked into his room and closed the door. He sat cross-legged on the bed to attempt something that should be impossible.
Bruce once again fell into the subconscious of his mind and saw the room that appeared in the trial once more. He looked around but couldn't see the man on the throne.
"Hello, I need to speak with you" Bruce said out loud.
Deep silence vibrated throughout the room, but Bruce didn't give up hope.
"I know that you're here in my mind and to be fair, I haven't charged you any fees for staying in my body"
"So come out already!" Bruce yelled into the room once more.
A shadowy figure began to materialize in front of him. A throne appeared out of nowhere and the figure sat on it gracefully.
"What do you want?" The shadowy figure asked with indifference.
"How do I become as strong as you?"
The figure looked at Bruce in amusement.
"Isn't your life already terrific? Why do you want more power?"
"You have resources to cultivate at your disposal"
"Your family and friends are alive"
"Cultivation comes to you naturally"
"Tell me, why should I help someone who already has everything?"
"Because there are people whom I can't protect because I'm too weak" Bruce looked directly at the shadowy figure on the throne as he spoke his mind.
"You may say that I have everything, but I don't"
"The person that I cherish the most got kidnapped"
"My family is forced to hide because of me"
"Just like you, all I feel is fury right now. So, tell me, do you think that my life is perfect?"
The shadowy figure looked at Bruce for a moment and sighed.
"That is the way of life. Compared to most people, your life is perfect."
"Ordinary people wrestle every day to earn a living. The weak get robbed and witness despair daily."
"You should be happy with what you have. Don't be too greedy, kid"
Bruce contemplated the words of the shadowy figure and understood his intentions.
"So that's how it is" Bruce sighed.
"But let me ask you a hypothetical question, the greatest among all."
"If you had a chance to redo everything, wouldn't you want to have everything?"
The shadowy figure didn't have an answer for Bruce because deep down, he also wanted everything to be perfect.
"I have a hunch on who you are, but I will not ask you about your identity. Instead, I would like to request your help"
"I need your assistance in destroying my enemies and I will fulfill the request that you asked me earlier"
"I will find her and protect her until the day I die" Bruce solemnly swore.
"Hahahaha" The shadowy figure began to laugh loudly. The room began to distort as his emotions ran wild. Bruce hung on for his dear life while wondering what kind of crazy person was he making a deal with.
The shadowy figure waved his hand and the room returned to its original state. In a flash, Bruce stood in front of him.
"Fine, I will help you."
"But know this, there's a 99.999% chance that you will die if you accept my methods"
"Do you dare to accept this risk? Or do you want to stay comfortable in the castle and slowly get stronger?"
Facing possibly the strongest existence in the universe, Bruce smiled with no fear on his face.
"Isn't it obvious? I have great luck in gambling"