A dull ache spread through Alex's body as he slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was hazy at first, and for a moment, he wasn't sure where he was. The feeling of hard stone beneath his back, the lingering smell of something foul, and the damp sensation on his skin—all of it rushed into his senses at once.
Groggily, he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
The thick black liquid from earlier was still clinging to his skin, dried in patches, reeking of something unnatural.
His head throbbed slightly, but as he took a deep breath, a warm energy flowed inside him.
He clenched his fists.
There was power in his body now. Something different.
And it felt good.
Shifting to his feet, he took a moment to steady himself before walking toward the large mirror in the corner of his room.
The moment he saw his reflection, a smirk crept onto his lips.
No matter how many times he looked at himself, the fact remained the same—
He was too damn handsome.
His sharp black eyes gleamed with intensity, his face held a chiseled perfection that could make every women swoon, and now—his body had changed as well.
Before, he had been lean, almost too skinny, due to the previous owner's lack of proper training and the lingering effects of the poison.
But now?
His muscles were more defined, his shoulders broader, his chest firmer. He wasn't bulky like a brute, but his body had taken on an athletic sharpness—a form balanced between strength and elegance.
His smirk widened.
This was only the beginning.
But first, he needed a bath.
The foul-smelling impurities clinging to him had to go.
Alex strode toward the door and opened it.
Immediately, he spotted a maid kneeling a few feet away, diligently cleaning the marble floors of the corridor.
She had taupe-colored hair, neatly tied back, and brown eyes that carried a quiet discipline. She wasn't strikingly beautiful, but she had a certain delicate charm about her.
He cleared his throat. "Where's the bathroom?"
The maid flinched slightly at his voice but quickly regained her composure.
She stood up gracefully, wiped her hands on her apron, and bowed her head slightly.
"Young Master," she said softly, "please follow me."
Her voice was calm, and her movements precise. Clearly, she had been trained well.
Alex nodded and followed her down the corridor.
The bathroom wasn't far from his room.
As they walked, he took in his surroundings.
The mansion was just as grand as he had expected—polished floors, towering pillars, intricate carvings along the hallways. Everything about it screamed wealth and nobility.
Soon, they arrived at a large wooden door engraved with intricate golden patterns.
The maid stepped inside first and swiftly began preparing the bath.
She moved with practiced efficiency, adjusting the hot spring's temperature, laying out fresh towels, and setting aside clean clothes for him.
After a few minutes, she turned back to him and bowed.
"Everything is ready, Young Master," she said. "Please enjoy your bath. I will leave clean clothes outside the door."
Alex nodded, dismissing her with a glance.
She bowed once more before quietly exiting, closing the door behind her.
Alex let out a breath as he began to undress.
He peeled off the stained and sweat-soaked clothes, tossing them to the side, before wrapping a soft white towel around his waist.
With slow, deliberate steps, he approached the hot spring at the center of the bathhouse.
The steam rose in delicate wisps, filling the air with a soothing warmth.
As he dipped a toe into the water, a pleasant heat surged through his body.
Without hesitation, he slid in.
The moment his body was fully submerged, a wave of relaxation washed over him.
The hot water soothed his muscles, easing the dull soreness left from his sudden cultivation breakthrough.
Alex closed his eyes, letting the warmth seep deep into his skin.
For a long moment, he simply enjoyed the silence.
Then, after a while, he opened his status window.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Alex Midnight
Race: Human
Age: 17
Bloodline: ?????
Title: [None]
Cultivation Level: Second Level of Body Awakening Realm
Cultivation Type: Qi Cultivation / Dual Cultivation
Status: Weak
Level: 2
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Stamina: 10
Intelligence: 10
Charm: 10
Soul Strength: 10
Mental Strength: 10
Affinity: [None]
Skills:
Basic Qi Gathering (Rank: Mortal)
---
Alex studied the numbers carefully.
His strength, agility, and stamina had increased, meaning his body was already becoming stronger.
His mental strength had also improved, likely due to enduring the pain of his recent advancement.
His charm had gone up as well—though, honestly, it was already high to begin with.
He smirked.
"If I was irresistible before… now I'm just unfair."
He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
Then, something else crossed his mind.
Just how strong am I now?
His fingers curled into a fist as he considered testing his newfound power.
But there was no rush.
He had time.
For now, he simply enjoyed the bath, soaking in the heat, letting his body adjust to its newfound strength.
After about forty minutes, Alex finally stepped out of the bath.
He grabbed a fresh bucket of cold water, pouring it over his head to wash away the last remnants of impurities.
Once satisfied, he grabbed the clean clothes left outside the door.
The fabric was high quality, embroidered with subtle golden patterns. The outfit suited his noble status yet remained comfortable enough to move freely in.
He dressed swiftly, adjusting the collar slightly before running a hand through his still-damp hair.
With that, he turned and walked back toward his room.
As he reached his door, he spotted the same maid from earlier, standing patiently nearby.
She bowed as soon as she saw him.
Alex glanced at her briefly.
Up close, he took in her small, reserved expression, her hands neatly folded in front of her.
She was neither particularly stunning nor ugly, just… average.
And yet, there was something unusual about her.
Something… different.
But he didn't dwell on it.
He simply gave her a small nod before stepping inside his room and closing the door behind him.
Walking toward the window, Alex pulled out a chair and sat down.
Outside, the view was breathtaking.
Rolling green fields stretched toward the horizon, a soft golden glow illuminating the distant trees.
For a moment, he was dazed.
Then, he shook himself out of it.
His gaze shifted to his desk, where he spotted the same book Lila had brought for him earlier.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Time to see what secrets this world holds."
And with that, he began to read.