Alex woke up, groggy and sore from his injuries but feeling significantly better. As he slowly rose from the cot, his movement stirred Ruth, who had been sleeping beside him with her head resting on his hand. Ruth, waking up, immediately wrapped her arms around him, her emotions overwhelming her. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged him tightly, unable to hold back any longer.
"Thank God you're okay," Ruth said between sobs, her voice filled with relief.
Alex, though still a bit disoriented, chuckled to himself at her words. "Yeah, God probably sent that bear, too," he joked, dismissing her remark with a smirk. But he welcomed her embrace, feeling grateful for her presence. "Thank you for saving my life, Ruth."
Ruth gathered her composure, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I should be saying that to you," she said, brushing away her tears, though the relief in her voice was unmistakable.
As the moment between them settled, a knock came at the infirmary door. Rebecca stepped in, greeting them with a warm smile. "Good morning, you two. I wanted to check on Alex's condition now that he's awake. You've been out for the past two days."
Alex, startled by her words, glanced at Ruth for confirmation. "Two days?" he asked, bewildered.
Ruth nodded, confirming Rebecca's statement. "Yes, you've been out for two days, Alex. It was… touch and go for a while. There were moments when we thought we'd lose you—from mana poisoning or your body simply being too far gone. But somehow, you pulled through every time."
Rebecca added, "We don't have the remedies for mana poisoning here. It's rare, and typically only happens to those who abuse their mana or spirit cultivation too quickly. But somehow, you came back to us each time. You're lucky… or maybe just too stubborn to die," she said with a wry smile, impressed by his resilience. "It's a good quality for a cultivator—to never give up."
Rebecca then reached for Alex's forearm, infusing her mana to check his condition. She was expecting lingering damage but found his body completely healed, as though the injuries had never been there. His cultivation still read as a complete beginner, despite the harrowing ordeal.
Holding back her suspicions, Rebecca let it go, deciding not to share her unfounded theory. "Lady Mane and Sir Bartlow want to meet with you once you're feeling up to it," she informed them. "They'll want a full account of what happened during your training."
Alex nodded, grateful for Rebecca's care and support. "Thank you, Rebecca, for saving my life. I don't know what I would've done without you both."
Rebecca smiled warmly at both of them. "Just focus on getting better. And next time… maybe avoid taking on a three-star beast without backup," she teased lightly, though there was concern behind her words.
Once Alex was dressed, with Ruth helping him with the bandages, the two of them made their way toward Lady Mane and Bartlow, ready to explain everything that had happened in Gorin Forest.
Ruth held Alex's arm, supporting him as they made their way down the hallway toward Lady Mane's office. Alex, still sore and tired from the events in the Gorin Forest, walked at a slow pace. When they arrived, Bartlow and Lady Mane welcomed them with a calm but serious expression. Lady Mane gestured toward the couch adjacent to her desk.
"Please, sit down. No need for formalities today," Lady Mane said, her voice softer than usual. "Focus on resting, both of you."
Alex and Ruth sat on the couch, both grateful for the opportunity to finally rest. Before they could fully relax, however, Lady Mane continued, "Before we release you for your weekend break, we need clarification on what exactly occurred. Alex, killing a three-star beast while still being a beginner-stage cultivator—even a complete one—is a feat no one in the kingdom would take seriously. Most would dismiss it as slander or a joke. But with the evidence of the bear in the storage ring, we must understand what truly happened."
Alex, understanding the gravity of her words, nodded. "It wasn't just me. Ruth played a huge part in the fight. Without her distracting the bear with her arrows, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to land the final blow. It was teamwork that allowed us to take down the beast."
Bartlow and Lady Mane exchanged glances as they listened, trying to find any sign of deception in Alex's account. It was clear that Alex's story aligned perfectly with what Ruth had already explained to them. After a brief, silent exchange between the two of them, Lady Mane approached Alex and placed her hand on his, infusing her mana into him. She scanned his condition and confirmed that, indeed, he was just a complete beginner-stage cultivator.
"I apologize for calling you both here," Lady Mane said, releasing Alex's hand. "You've proven yourselves, and I recommend that you take these next two days to rest or visit the library. But for now, the Gorin Forest and its star beasts are strictly off-limits."
Bartlow, however, raised a hand slightly in protest. "Lady Mane, if I may, I'd like to offer an alternative. As part of Alex's training, I always intended for him to face star beasts, but only when I deemed him ready. How about this: instead of completely banning them from the forest, we allow Alex and Ruth to continue training there, but only when I accompany them. That way, I can supervise, ensuring their safety."
Both Alex and Ruth's eyes lit up at Bartlow's suggestion. Lady Mane, seeing their excitement, seemed to soften a little. Bartlow continued, "With the bear carcass alone, the profit from selling it, along with the other star beasts, will not only cover the damages from the shield Alex broke but also the potions used in the infirmary. Beyond that, it would sustain the estate's financial needs for at least two months. If Alex and Ruth continue this path of training, it could greatly benefit the Mane family financially."
Lady Mane hesitated, her fingers tapping on the edge of her desk. Her protective nature for Ruth weighed heavily on her. "If I agree to this, Bartlow, I need to be certain that no matter what, Ruth returns safely. No exceptions."
Alex, initially caught off guard by the focus on Ruth, understood her position as Lady Mane's de facto second daughter. He sighed, and with a resolute tone, said, "I swear, even if something happens to Bartlow, I will protect Ruth with my life. I won't let anything happen to her."
Lady Mane listened, but it was Bartlow's firm voice that seemed to sway her. "Alex has already proven his loyalty and his honor to the Mane family. He's earned his scars for it."
Lady Mane remembered their conversation from two days prior and finally nodded, her reluctance evident but outweighed by reason. "Very well. If you are with them, Bartlow, I can accept this arrangement."
Alex and Ruth, both relieved and excited, expressed their gratitude and left the room to head back to Alex's quarters. Once the door closed behind them, Bartlow and Lady Mane remained in the office.
Lady Mane, deep in thought, spoke quietly, "Could it be that this boy is truly just a beginner? How could someone at that level accomplish what he has?" He's a monster she whispered to herself.
Bartlow chuckled softly, turning toward the door. "Lady Mane, don't overthink it. I was once called a monster, too. Perhaps it's better to appreciate the opportunity at hand."
With that, Bartlow left the room, leaving Lady Mane alone to wonder whether Alex might become another legend, like Bartlow himself.
As Alex lay in bed, his mind was overwhelmed with the surge of new information on his system screen. After everything that had happened, it was clear that his system had undergone significant upgrades, but the sheer amount of details left him feeling dizzy.
He focused on his first familiar skill—Heal. Now at level three, it required only five mana points per second, a massive improvement from its previous state. The added effectiveness of 15 percent and the removal of phantom pain left Alex stunned. No more pain while healing, he thought, still in disbelief. That alone felt like a game-changer.
Next, his gaze shifted to Divine Insight, now also level three. Alex scanned through its new abilities, realizing it could now reveal all cultivation realms of the target, not just their highest one. It could also display their name and age. And just like Heal, there was no longer a debuff—no more burning sensation or bloodshot eyes from prolonged use. This filled Alex with a strange mix of relief and confusion. He hadn't expected such rapid improvement.
Moving on, he looked at the two new skills that had appeared: Poison Resistance (level two) and Instinctive Nature (level one). While they seemed useful, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. These abilities felt almost too powerful, and yet, there were no drawbacks listed. The descriptions were simple—Poison Resistance meant he was immune to most toxins, while Instinctive Nature allowed him to predict likely outcomes in combat and other situations, giving him an edge in decision-making.
Finally, his eyes landed on the newest addition: Heavenly Descent. This subsystem had brought with it another surprise—Fireball, a beginner-level skill that allowed him to shoot a ball of fire toward his target. The description warned that casting it would cause some phantom pain, but it wasn't tied to his cultivation. It was something entirely new. Another system, a whole other path of abilities, had suddenly appeared in his life, and it felt foreign. Could this heavenly descent be connected to his original divine system?
As his mind tried to make sense of it all, Alex felt lightheaded. He wondered how all these abilities fit together and why his system suddenly felt different, complimentary, as if two forces were working together. Could the Heavenly Descent subsystem balance out the Demonic Accession system? he mused, but there was no clear answer. For now, it was all speculation.
Feeling mentally exhausted from the flood of notifications and upgrades, Alex let out a long sigh. His head was spinning, and despite the urge to delve deeper into his newfound powers, he knew he needed rest. Just as his thoughts began to settle, he heard Ruth's footsteps approaching down the hall, carrying food as promised.
With so much to unpack, Alex decided to focus on one thing at a time. He would figure out the rest, but for now, he needed to recover and eat.
Ruth, after setting the plates down on Alex's desk, settled into the chair across from him. The silence between them was thick, and it seemed like Ruth had something on her mind. Finally, she broke the quiet.
"Alex," she began hesitantly, "I've been wondering… about your eyes. Is it an ability? Is it because of your eye colors, or is it something else? A skill you've learned, or maybe something that runs in your family?"
Alex looked up at her, unsure of how to respond. Her curiosity was genuine, and he could see she wasn't accusing him of anything, but explaining everything about his system was a risky move. He wasn't even sure himself where it came from. His abilities had evolved so quickly, and there were still so many unanswered questions.
He sighed, shaking his head slowly. "Honestly, Ruth, I'm still figuring it out myself. It's hard to explain… but one thing I can say for sure is that whatever drawbacks I had before? They're gone now."
Ruth tilted her head, sensing there was more beneath his words. "Drawbacks?" she asked. "I only knew about you being able to read cultivation levels. Is there more to it than that?"
Alex cursed himself internally for his slip-up. His system, his abilities, everything—it was all tied to something much bigger, but he wasn't sure how much to reveal to Ruth. The last thing he wanted was to worry her or make her think he was something dangerous.
"I—" Alex hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say that any abilities I gain from here on out won't have the same… costs. I'll be able to use them without hurting myself."
Ruth raised an eyebrow, still clearly curious but eventually nodded. "Alright, if you say so. Just know, if you ever need help with anything, I'm here for you." She gave him a small smile, trying to show she trusted his words, even if she didn't fully understand.
Alex gave her a grateful nod, appreciating how she didn't push for more. "Thanks, Ruth. I really mean it."
After finishing their meal in companionable silence, Alex rubbed his eyes and sighed deeply. "I think I need to get some rest, though. I've got some plans for tomorrow, and I'll need all the strength I can muster. I'm still feeling pretty drained."
Ruth stood and gathered their plates, preparing to head back to the kitchen. "I'll take these back. You get some rest," she said. As she turned to leave, she paused at the door, glancing back over her shoulder. "Would you… want some company? I could use some sleep too, and… well, I wouldn't mind being close by. You know, just in case."
Alex's heart warmed at her offer. The idea of sleeping alone suddenly felt foreign, and the thought of Ruth watching over him, of them watching over each other, felt… right. He smiled at her, his heart full of gratitude. "I'd like that. I'll be waiting."
Ruth's face flushed slightly, and she smiled brightly. "I'll be back soon," she said, her voice light and playful. She giggled softly as she slipped out of the room, her footsteps quick as she hurried down the hall.
Alex chuckled to himself, thinking about how lucky he was to have found this family, this life, after everything that had happened. Maybe, just maybe, the world was trying to make up for all the pain he'd gone through. Maybe it was all a strange way of balancing things out.
But before he could dwell on it much longer, the door burst open, and there stood Ruth, already in her nightgown, her clothes for tomorrow clutched in her arms. She was breathing heavily, clearly having rushed back to him as quickly as possible.
Alex raised an eyebrow, amused by her hurried return. "That was fast," he teased.
Ruth, still trying to catch her breath, blushed deeply. "I just… I didn't want you to fall asleep without me," she said shyly, her voice soft but sincere. She approached the bed and quickly slipped under the covers beside him.
Alex smiled widely, welcoming her warmth as she settled in beside him. "Thanks for rushing back," he said, his voice full of warmth.
They held each other close, falling asleep in each other's arms, finding comfort in one another's presence. And as the night stretched on, Alex's thoughts quieted, his body finally at peace.
Bartlow made his way back to the mansion, leaving his post behind for the night as his two guards took over the watch. The cool evening breeze brushed against his face as he walked, his mind lingering on the day's events. He wondered how Alex was faring. Despite Lady Mane's orders for Alex to rest, Bartlow couldn't shake the feeling that the boy might have decided to train in the courtyard. After all, it would be something Bartlow himself would have done at that age—ignoring orders in favor of pushing himself harder.
When Bartlow reached the courtyard, he found it eerily quiet, devoid of the sounds of sparring or movement. The stars twinkled above, casting a faint glow over the grounds. There was no sign of Alex, no discarded training gear, no clanging of swords. Satisfied that the boy wasn't sneaking in some late-night practice, Bartlow turned toward the mansion.
"Perhaps he actually listened," Bartlow muttered to himself with a faint smile.
Deciding to check on his student one last time before turning in for the night, Bartlow made his way down the halls and toward Alex's room. Slowly, he cracked open the door, careful not to make any noise, but what he saw inside left him momentarily stunned.
There, curled up together under the covers, were Alex and Ruth, fast asleep. Alex held Ruth gently, their faces peaceful, as if finding comfort in each other's presence. Bartlow blinked, processing the sight before him. He hadn't expected this—though in retrospect, he supposed he should have. Ruth had taken a liking to Alex since the day they met, and the two had been growing closer over the past few days. Even Lady Mane had hinted at Ruth's feelings for Alex and her offer to be his personal maid.
Bartlow quietly closed the door, a sigh escaping his lips as he leaned against the wall in the hallway. It reminded him of his younger years, when he too had flings and flirtations during his time as a budding cultivator. But this felt different. Alex wasn't like the reckless youth Bartlow had once been. There was a sense of honor and duty in the boy, and Bartlow knew he had to guide him properly.
"I should've seen this coming," Bartlow murmured to himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Better teach him the ways of a gentleman before he makes the same mistakes I did."
The thought of Alex's future weighed on him heavily now. Ruth's feelings for Alex were no secret, but the responsibility that came with such a relationship—especially as Alex grew in strength and position—was something Bartlow would need to address. The boy would need to learn respect, honor, and restraint. Ruth wasn't just any girl; she had become someone special to Alex, and that carried its own set of responsibilities.
Making up his mind, Bartlow returned to his room, deciding that the next time he and Alex trained together, he would have "the talk" with him. Alex needed to understand the importance of balance—both in battle and in relationships. The boy had a bright future ahead of him, and Bartlow wasn't about to let him stumble through it blindly.
After taking a long, contemplative bath, Bartlow knelt by his bedside, offering a quiet prayer. He prayed for Alex's continued growth, for wisdom in guiding him, and for things to turn out well for both Alex and Ruth. He chuckled softly, knowing that Alex had the potential to become an incredible cultivator—but it wouldn't be an easy road. If Alex could grow into half the cultivator Bartlow was, they had a lot of work ahead of them.
Finally, Bartlow lay down, closing his eyes with a sense of determination. Tomorrow was another day, and there was much to teach. He rested, knowing that his role in Alex's life had just grown even more important.