Night had fallen over the mansion, casting long shadows that danced and flickered in the torchlight. The events of the day weighed heavily on Aldric's mind as he walked back to his room. His body was exhausted from the rigorous training, but his thoughts were consumed by the knowledge he had gained and the Grimoire of Shadows now safely tucked away in his quarters.
As he entered his room, Aldric closed the door behind him and leaned against it, letting out a long, slow breath. The day had been intense—both physically and mentally. His muscles ached in a satisfying way, a reminder of the hard work he had put in under his father's guidance. Yet, there was a growing sense of anticipation within him, an itch that he couldn't quite place.
Aldric made his way to the large bed in the center of the room, the soft, silken sheets calling to him. He lay down, the tension in his body slowly releasing as he sank into the comfort of the mattress. His mind began to wander, replaying the events of the day: his father's rigorous training, the revelation of the Grimoire of Shadows, and the growing power he could feel within him.
But just as he was about to drift off to sleep, something clicked in his mind, jolting him awake. He sat up suddenly, his heart pounding as he realized what he had forgotten. He hadn't signed in today.
The Sign-In System, the source of his hidden power, had been a constant presence in his mind since it activated. But with the day's events, he had completely overlooked using it again. Panic flashed through him for a moment, but he quickly calmed himself. The system didn't seem to have any penalties for missing a sign-in, but there was no way he was going to waste an opportunity to gain more power.
He closed his eyes, focusing inward as he called upon the system.
**Sign-In System active. Would you like to proceed with today's sign-in?**
"Yes," Aldric responded immediately, his voice firm in his mind. "Sign me in."
The system's response was instantaneous.
**Sign-In Successful. Congratulations, Aldric. You have received the following reward:**
- **Power of Ashborn, the First Shadow Monarch**
Aldric's eyes snapped open, his breath catching in his throat. The power of Ashborn? The name rang through his mind like a bell, the weight of it almost palpable. Ashborn was a figure shrouded in myth and legend, a being of unimaginable power who had once ruled over shadows and death itself.
As the first Shadow Monarch, Ashborn had wielded the power to control darkness, bend shadows to his will, and command an army of the undead. His strength was legendary, his dominion over the void absolute. And now, that power belonged to Aldric.
A rush of energy surged through Aldric's body, causing him to gasp as his veins burned with an icy fire. The room around him seemed to darken, the shadows growing longer, deeper, as if responding to his presence. The darkness was alive, swirling around him like a living entity, waiting for his command.
Aldric clenched his fists, feeling the immense power coursing through him. It was overwhelming, but at the same time, it felt natural, as if this strength had always been a part of him, just waiting to be awakened. He could sense the shadows around him, feel their cold, comforting presence, and he knew that with a mere thought, he could bend them to his will.
He stood up from the bed, his heart racing with excitement. The room was almost pitch black now, but Aldric could see perfectly, his vision adapted to the darkness as if it were daylight. He extended his hand, and the shadows responded immediately, swirling around his fingers like tendrils of smoke.
Aldric concentrated, and the shadows condensed, forming into a solid shape—a long, black blade, as dark as the void itself. The weapon pulsed with energy, a manifestation of his newfound power. He swung the sword experimentally, marveling at how light it felt in his hands, yet he knew it could cut through anything like a hot knife through butter.
He released the shadows, and the sword dissolved back into the darkness, leaving no trace. Aldric's mind was racing, filled with possibilities. The power of Ashborn was more than just control over shadows; it was the dominion over life and death, the ability to command an army of the dead, to step between worlds, and to exist beyond the boundaries of reality.
But with this power came a profound understanding—a knowledge that this strength was not to be taken lightly. Ashborn had been a being of immense power, but his reign had also been one of loneliness, burdened by the weight of his dominion over the void. Aldric could feel the echoes of that isolation, a reminder of the responsibility that came with such power.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. This was a gift, an unimaginable boon, but it was also a challenge. The system had granted him this power for a reason, and it was up to him to master it, to wield it wisely.
Aldric closed his eyes, calming his mind. The shadows around him receded, returning to their natural state as the room brightened slightly. The power of Ashborn settled within him, a constant presence in his soul, waiting for him to tap into it whenever he needed.
He sat back down on the bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what he could achieve with this new power. But even as he reveled in the possibilities, he knew he had to be cautious. The Supreme God's warning echoed in his mind: this world was dangerous, and trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. He couldn't reveal this power to anyone—not his parents, not his family, not anyone.
The Sign-In System was his secret, his trump card in this world. It was the key to his survival, and he would guard it fiercely. Aldric knew that he would have to tread carefully, to learn and grow in secret while keeping his true abilities hidden from prying eyes.
But even with this newfound caution, Aldric couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The power of Ashborn was just the beginning. The system had given him a glimpse of what was possible, and he knew that there would be more to come. He was no longer just the son of the demon emperor's sister and a dragon lord; he was something more, something far greater.
As Aldric lay back down, his body finally beginning to relax, he couldn't help but smile. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and dangers, but he was ready. He had been given a second chance at life, and with the power of Ashborn and the Sign-In System at his disposal, he would carve out his own destiny in this world.
His eyes slowly closed as exhaustion finally claimed him, but even as he drifted off to sleep, the darkness lingered around him, a silent testament to the power he now held. The journey was far from over, but Aldric knew that with each passing day, he was growing stronger, more capable of facing whatever challenges lay ahead.
Tomorrow, he would continue his training, continue to learn and grow under his parents' guidance. But tonight, he would rest, knowing that he was no longer the same person who had been reborn into this world. He was Aldric, the inheritor of the power of Ashborn, the first Shadow Monarch, and his journey had only just begun.