'The system even gives me a description of exactly how Jaxon said it worked. I thought it would only describe it off my knowledge but I don't know this supposed blacksmith...'
Salvador slipped his wrist inside the bracelet, causing another notification to pop up. [Protector Bracelet: Equipped.]
As Salvador pondered in his thoughts, a gut-wrenching question came out which everyone overlooked; except William who thought of many possibilities.
"Why do we need these protection artifacts if no one knows he's the son of Lance?" His eyes were firmly fixated on Jaxon's. The older brother's protectiveness was at its maximum. Jaxon hesitated for a second and let out a prolonged sigh. "Your brother awakened at the age of three and was seemingly fine afterward. That is a phenomenon unheard of in Earth's history. Even if his appearance completely varied, that mana signature from that day is still imprinted onto him.
He'll be sought after for research purposes, then eventually he'll come out as Lance's son and will be assassinated."
The emotionless statement made everyone pause for a second. Eventually, they all nodded as they accepted that this could possibly happen.
"And in the event, they find out his name, they'll track it to you guys. And you can guess what'll happen afterward.
Opening up the box positioned to the right of it which contained the other magical artifacts, revealed five necklaces wrapped around a small golden loop.
Akin to the bracelet, it also had a ruby embedded into it.
Salvador could sense mana from both of the artifacts which was a good thing; although he didn't doubt whether it worked or not.
"I already explained what this necklace will do. Oh, and just to let you know, the mana signature will only last thirty minutes. Afterward, it'll slowly fade away until it's fully gone."
Salvador nodded and was handed the magic artifact.
[Mana signature bracelet.]
[Status: Activated]
[Description: Will release a distinct mana signature to everyone who has linked artifacts. The artifact can also double as a communication artifact after imbuing mana into its core.]
Salvador turned his head to Jaxon who returned a smile. 'He knows about the system?' Salvador asked, playing it cool.
He possessed no worries about Jaxon, even if he knew about the system. He believed in his heart that Jaxon had no ill intent and he hoped it remained like that.
Jaxon stood up and stretched his muscular back, putting on his dark blue robe.
His long cloudy-white hair flowed to his upper back and was freshly washed, his hair quality is a dream most girls could only dream of back on Earth. He had a small but visible goatee which was weird to see as he looked like a young adult in their prime.
However, this was far from the truth as he was nearly 60 years old.
The resemblance was evident. The two shared the same hair color and eye color, even a small portion of their facial structure.
"Meet here in a week with your brother and we'll go to my family's house where we will train. I'll describe everything you'll do and how I expect you both to grow." Nico and Salvador nodded in unison and stood up as well.
"And for the rest of you, I heavily advise coming also just to make sure. They saw William come with me after Salvador awakened. After a while, it'll be fine to go back as the public will forget his face."
Yves nodded and accepted Jaxon's recommendation. "We'll go."
Jaxon smiled and returned a nod. "Good."
Everyone exchanged glances amidst the awkward silence. Some were worried and some neutral.
Salvador however was exhilerated. 'I'll finally be getting some action...' Salvador's heart rate boosted to extreme rates as he considered the many things he would be put through.
If Isora was reading his mind right now, she would label him as a masochist who gets off of physical pain, however, no one could understand him.
'After years of nothing... I can finally train? Swords, magic, spells, maybe fight Mana Beasts... IT'S ALL AMAZING!'
Salvador released a forced cough to cover the wide smile that would cause the hair on the back of someone's neck to stand up, a smile that could only belong to straight-up lunatics or people just like Salvador- Battle maniacs.
"That is all. Please listen to my warnings, you mustn't reveal it."
Jaxon made sure to stress the situation. If the truth came out, it could really mean the end of the Alor family. And because Salvador doesn't meet the requirements to appoint someone as the new host of Isora, the remnants of Lance will soon dissipate.
Yves gave a firm nod and shook his hand. "Thank you, for everything."
Jaxon returned a smile and clasped his other hand over Yves's. "I think of you as my own family. This is the best I can do to show my gratitude for raising my nephew."
Eleanor said forward. "We'll definitely be here next week, and our sons won't disappoint you."
Jaxon chuckled; "If Salvador disappointed me, Lance might not be his father after all!" He said with a boisterous laugh that shook the room.
Salvador's eye twitched at the man's remark. 'I won't disappoint, you big bitch!' He vigorously cursed him in his head.
Isora shared some words with Jaxon and then merged back into Salvador. 'So, does it feel good to release a sliver of your secrets, Salvador?'
Salvador lingered around the question as he shared some words with his family. 'It does, greatly.'
The family stepped out and was led by the butler to the elevators where they descended back to the ground floor and swiftly made their way out of the hotel.
With haste, they walked back to their hotel and stayed holed up for the next week.
During this time, the awkward relationship faded away and the family returned to normal which Salvador desired greatly.
***
A week passed and the fateful day that would mark the birth of Salvador's journey arrived.
However, it technically already started.
As the week went on, he would not sit idle accomplishing nothing.
Under Isora's guidance, he worked to improve his mana core which would offer increased statistics all around, from physical attributes to his already scarily high magical stats.
Because of his high aptitude for magic, it was going quite well. There was no denying that he was a genius in the magical field as he already progressed to the Middle stage of his red core.
Unfortunately, the boost it gave him was not was Salvador wanted at all.
He grew by half a centimeter and his stats didn't increase at all, excluding the +1 MP and MC.
'System is edging me, wonderful.' Salvador naturally complained to Isora about his problems.
'The rewards aren't significant yet, but trust me. Once you get stronger, it'll result in tremendous power boosts.'
The words seemed to lighten his mood as he uncrossed his legs from his meditating position and stood up.
His body was covered in a light sweat, cultivating was no easy thing at all.
It took him roughly three days to get a grasp of it, only then did he start progressing.
If he had a couple more weeks, it would be no exaggeration to say he could break through to an Orange core or Zenith stage of his red core.
After all, he was the son of Lance Leonard and cultivated all day with the exception of food and recommended breaks from Isora.
Salvador closed his eyes and stood still for a few seconds as if he was sleeping right where he stood.
Salvador could sense the weak mana his core radiated and pumped into his veins. 'Is this really the magic strength of someone who's 12 or 13? It seems so weak... And I managed to reach the Middle stage after a few days of cultivating.'
If Isora could, she would definitely smack some sense into Salvador. 'H-Hey! I can feel your intent Y'Know!' Salvador inwardly screamed to his companion.
Isora screamed back. 'You doofus! There is probably NO ONE with the pain tolerance and endurance you possess. Most people can only cultivate for two hours max before passing out. I don't know what it is with you, but something is up that even I'm not aware of. Lance didn't have this...' Isora started mumbling to herself as she trailed off which left Salvador confused.
'You're saying my father couldn't even cultivate as long as I do?'
He could sense her shaking his head. 'He could cultivate for a straight six hours, which only Tenth Force Knights and Mages could perform; albeit it was unique. You cultivated for days on days, only taking breaks that lasted a couple of minutes.
You really are an oddity; in a good way though. Salvador chuckled and doubted her statement. 'A good way, right.' He smiled and shook his head while he walked to the Hotel's shower.
He tied his hair into a small man bun and wore a robe that had a small hoodie that could hide his flashy hair. The occurrence of someone awakening in the dome spread like wildfire, and Salvador nearly got caught.
If it wasn't for his red mana core, he surely would've been found out.
Of course, this was an insult as that situation only turned out how it did because he was weak.
'Isora, I came to a decision about my stat points.' Salvador suddenly spoke out.
'What is it.'
'I'll use them in whatever Jaxon thinks im lacking.'
'You have the physicality of a six-year-old and he knows that, he won't expect you to be some athlete.' She truthfully answered. 'He is most likely going to train you with magic and swordsmanship as they are the base of someone's power after their mana core.'
Salvador nodded and agreed. 'But still, I'll ask him.'
Isora realized how he was stuck on his choice and didn't attempt to sway him from it. 'Do what you want, Salvador.'