The Valen estate was a fortress of power and history, nestled within the heart of the Auroran Empire, one of the mightiest empires on Earth.
It had stood for generations, a symbol of dominance and prestige, its towering walls and grand architecture reflecting the influence of the family that resided within.
The Valen family was one of the cornerstones of the Auroran Empire's strength, their legacy cemented by their unbroken lineage of Novas.
At the helm of this vast dynasty stood Agustin Valen, the Patriarch. His presence alone was enough to command respect.
Even at his advanced age, Agustin's aura of strength remained undeniable. The title of Patriarch was not just one of formality; it was a mantle of responsibility and power that had shaped the family for decades.
Agustin, one of the Twelve Great Paragons, embodied raw, overwhelming strength, and his power was recognized worldwide.
He was the wielder of Super Strength, one of the seven people in the world who had awakened such power. Still, he was the strongest, with the highest Nova rank of Paragon, and one of the two power wielders with the power grade of SSS.
Agustin's fists could shatter mountains, his footsteps could crack the earth, and his name was synonymous with unmatched physical prowess.
But Agustin was not just a brute force figure; he was a leader, a tactician, and a man who understood the weight of legacy.
Under his guidance, the Valen family had strengthened and influenced, but the future loomed with uncertainty.
Though never spoken openly, the question of succession was whispered in the estate halls.
Who would take the reins after Agustin stepped down?
The Twelve Valen Elders were directly under him, individuals with unparalleled power, wisdom, and experience.
These Elders were distant relatives, cousins, and uncles who held their own in the family hierarchy. But even they were second to Agustin's three sons, who stood as his rightful heirs compared to his other five daughters.
Each son was a powerhouse in his own right, and all three, except for David, seriously vied for the position of Patriarch, knowing that Agustin's time as leader was nearing its end.
David Valen, Aric's father, was one of those three. He was the intellectual pillar of the family, and his Super intelligence made him the unrivaled strategist and innovator of the Valen bloodline.
Nobody had seen David engaged in combat, but there were rumors that David had ways to use his Super Intelligence to stand on par with even the Twelve Great Paragons.
While his brothers wielded powers more visible and tangible, David's genius had shaped the family's fortunes in more ways than could be counted.
His inventions and strategies had kept the Valens and Auroran Empire ahead of their rivals for decades. His calm, calculating demeanor earned him respect. However, some in the family saw his lack of direct, combative power as a weakness.
But David didn't need brute strength—his mind was his weapon, sharper than any sword.
Then there was Marcus Valen, the second of the brothers, who wielded the power of Pyrokinesis. His temper and his fiery nature were well known, both in the family and in the political circles of the empire.
Lastly, Elias Valen, the youngest of the three brothers, was a master of Electrokinesis. His abilities struck fear into even the most hardened warriors.
Marcus and Elias had been in many battles and wars, whether against other kingdoms or empires or monsters in Undiscovered Regions.
Their prowess made the enemies tremble with fear, and people believed that, given a few more years, they would be able to shake the seats of the Twelve Great Paragons.
If David could find ways to help Agustin reclaim his youth or live longer and healthier, the Valen family would be the greatest threat to the whole world.
That was why most people, even the Auroran Emperor, Emperor Kael, wished to keep the Valens in check.
These three sons stood on equal footing with the Twelve Elders. Yet, their rivalry ran deep as they each sought to prove themselves worthy of taking Agustin's place.
Within this intricate power structure, Aric had always felt like an outsider. Every single time. Even now when he was in this breakfast hall.
The breakfast hall buzzed with quiet conversation as members of the Valen family gathered for the morning meal.
Aric sat at the long table, watching his father, David, engage in light conversation with one of the Elders.
His older brother, Ryan, sat nearby, already dressed in his military training uniform, ready to head out for his morning drills. Not many knew in which division Ryan was in.
At just twenty years old, Ryan was already hailed as one of the most gifted Novas of his generation. He had inherited their grandfather's Super Strength and the other wielder with the power grade of SSS; his combat prowess was a legend.
People believed that he was another Agustin in the making or maybe going to surpass Agustin. It was just a matter of time before it became a reality.
Ryan's control over his strength was almost surgical. He was precise and efficient, and his reputation only grew with time.
Then Lira, Aric's sister, sat across from him, quietly sipping her tea elegantly. At eighteen, she was a Nova in her own right, currently enrolled at the prestigious Zenith Academy, the Auroran Empire's top academy for Novas.
Lira was only six months away from graduating, and when she did, she would officially join the ranks of the elite. Many organizations had lined up to secure her; the military, the Sentinels, the Hunters, and the Adventurers.
Her power—telekinesis—made her a formidable force, able to move objects or the energy in the environment with a mere thought.
Though she was more reserved than Ryan, her control over her power was nearly unmatched among her peers.
Aric shifted in his seat, glancing down at his plate. Among such powerful siblings, it was hard not to feel... small.
And then there was their mother, Elara Valen, the calm force that balanced the intense personalities in the household.
Her power was one of grace and subtlety—Aerokinesis, the ability to control and manipulate the wind.
Elara rarely displayed her power, but Aric had seen her in action several times. She could summon storms with a wave and control the breeze to silence even the most tumultuous debates. She was known for her unwavering composure.
Her influence in the family was undeniable, though she often remained in the background, preferring peace over conflict.
"You're quiet this morning, Aric," Elara's voice broke through his thoughts. She gave him a soft smile, her eyes filled with the warmth only a mother could offer.
Aric returned the smile, trying to keep his tone light. "Just thinking, Mom. You know, about life, the usual."
Lira glanced up from her tea, raising an eyebrow. "Thinking? That's a first."
"Hey, I think all the time!" Aric shot back, feigning offense. "I'm a deep thinker, okay? You wouldn't understand."
Lira smirked but said nothing more. She always saw through Aric's act, but she never pushed him. She knew he was different from the rest of the family, and she respected that quietly.
Ryan, on the other hand, was more direct. "You should join me for training today," he said, his voice casual, though Aric knew there was an underlying challenge in his words. "It might be good for you to stay in shape."
Aric chuckled. "Nah, I think I'll pass on getting thrown around today. I've got... other plans."
Ryan shrugged, his expression indifferent, but Aric could sense the hint of disappointment. His brother never understood why Aric didn't train harder and didn't push himself like everyone else in the family.
But how could he explain that it wasn't just about physical strength or endurance? That, no matter how hard he trained, he'd never be like them. He'd never be a Nova. And pretending otherwise only made the emptiness inside him feel heavier.
"Suit yourself," Ryan said as he finished his drink swiftly. "The offer's always open, though."
As his parents continued their conversations with the others, Aric remained quiet, his gaze wandering around the grand hall.
The Valen Family was a force to be reckoned with, their power extending far beyond their abilities.
But amidst all that strength and greatness, Aric still couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place—of being the one crack in their perfect legacy.
Yet, even as that sadness crept in, Aric put on his trademark grin and leaned back in his chair. If he was going to be the odd one out, he might as well own it. After all, someone had to keep the family on their toes.
As Aric watched his brother walk away, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of awe—and maybe a little envy.
Ryan Valen wasn't just a prodigy; he was a force to be reckoned with, a Nova destined for greatness. At just twenty years old, Ryan had already accomplished more than most could in a lifetime.
It hadn't always been this way. Ryan's journey began at Zenith Academy, where he graduated at the top of his class at eighteen.
His natural gifts of Super Strength, intelligence, and discipline made him an exceptional candidate for the empire's most elite force—The Phantoms.
His recruitment into The Phantoms had been more than just a recognition of his abilities. It was a calculated move by the empire to ensure that the Valen family, with all its influence and power, remained closely tied to the empire's interests.
Besides, they wanted to keep someone with such a huge potential loyal to the empire. Ryan could be an important asset and lethal weapon.
The empire knew that keeping someone like Ryan in their ranks would not only bolster their own strength but also create a political alliance with one of the most powerful families in the world.
At first, Ryan entered The Phantoms as a Cadet, like every recruit. The training was brutal, designed to push even the strongest Novas to their limits. But for Ryan, it was almost... too easy.
His Super Strength allowed him to breeze through the physical trials where others struggled under the weight of grueling tasks.
Yet, he never let it show. He understood that his strength was a gift, but he also knew that raw power wasn't enough to make a true Phantom.
It took strategy, discipline, and a cold resolve to handle the missions assigned to The Phantoms.
By the age of twenty, Ryan had rapidly risen through the ranks, breaking records that hadn't been touched in years.
He was no longer a Cadet or a simple Soldier; he had achieved the rank of a Captain, a title that placed him among the most skilled Novas in The Phantoms.
His rise, though fast, had not been without scrutiny. Many wondered if his family name had played a role, but those who had seen Ryan in action knew his advancement was earned.
Ryan now served in Squad E, the fifth tier of the elite units within The Phantoms. The squad was made up of other Guardian-ranked Novas, and they were led by a Vanguard Nova, an experienced Major with years of service in the field.
Squad E, similar to other squads in The Phantoms, specialized in high-risk, high-reward missions that ordinary soldiers wouldn't survive.
The only difference between the higher-tier squads was the level of difficulty of the missions, which was set according to the squad's Nova rank.
Their tasks ranged from covert operations in enemy territories to exploring the dangerous Undiscovered Regions that had appeared after Earth's expansion.
The most perilous assignments were in the Undiscovered Regions. These areas, untouched by human civilization, were filled with unknown dangers.
Therians—monstrous land creatures that roamed the wilds—and Avians, fearsome beasts of the skies, were constant threats.
The Phantoms were tasked with exploring these regions, mapping them, and cataloging the creatures that dwelled there.
The empire needed to know what lay beyond their borders, and The Phantoms were the only ones capable of facing the dangers head-on.
But it wasn't just about monsters.
The Phantoms were also the empire's silent weapon in the political arena. When diplomacy failed, or wars loomed on the horizon, The Phantoms protected the empire's interests.
Whether sabotaging enemy forces, infiltrating rival kingdoms, or assassinating key figures, the Phantoms operated in the shadows, executing missions that would never make the history books but were crucial to the empire's survival.
Ryan's position in The Phantoms placed him at the heart of these operations. He had already been part of several covert missions, each more dangerous than the last.
Despite his youth, his reputation as a brilliant tactician and a fierce combatant had earned him the respect of his squad.
As a Guardian Nova, Ryan was expected to fight and lead when necessary, making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between life and death.
His squad's latest mission was no different. They would set out for the mission in a week.
As he prepared to leave the estate, Ryan's mind was already focused on the task ahead. Squad E had been assigned to venture deep into one of the newest Undiscovered Regions, where reports of an unknown species of Therians had surfaced.
These monsters were said to be unlike any they had encountered before—larger, faster, more intelligent.
Besides, the radar had noticed that those monsters were guarding energy resources. The empire needed answers, and it was up to Ryan and his squad to find them.
However, even as he readied himself for another mission, Ryan never let the weight of his responsibilities show. He was calm, collected, and always in control—a perfect reflection of the Valen legacy.