As Harry made his decision, the energy bar in front of him continued its steady decline, the numbers ticking down with each passing moment. In his mind, the 'Purple Simulation Coin' pulsed brightly, its ethereal glow bathing his thoughts in warm light.
A surge of energy coursed through him, like a river of warmth flowing from the Simulation Coin, sweeping through his veins and spreading outward. This was no ordinary life force, it felt more unique, more potent, as though every ounce of it was designed specifically for him. Despite its relatively small amount, the power felt perfectly in sync with his body, as though it belonged to him, as if it had always been a part of him.
The Simulation Coin's teachings echoed in his mind, almost like a whisper: 'This is the origin of life. The foundation from which all life springs. The most precious essence of existence.'
As the life force continued to merge with him, a profound transformation began. On the surface, there were no visible signs; no glowing skin or dramatic changes, but internally, everything was shifting. The power infused every cell, every fiber of his being. It was as though his body was coming alive on a deeper level, awakening to something greater.
He felt the energy moving through him, gathering in his heart, like a spark being kindled into a flame. It was subtle at first, but soon, it became undeniable: the 'seed of life' within him began to stir. Unlike his clone, Harry's true body had not yet reached the level of a knight. He was still a 'knight apprentice', still a mortal in many ways. But with this surge of life energy, that was about to change.
The life seed, which had previously lain dormant, now flickered to life. It ignited within him, like a fire catching in dry wood, and suddenly, he felt a rush of power. Harry gasped as the transformation completed itself. His heart hammered in his chest, and his breath quickened as the change took hold.
He was no longer a knight apprentice. He had become a 'true knight'.
Normally, such a shift would be a cause for celebration; becoming a true knight was a monumental achievement. But for Harry, who had already transcended the limits of mortal strength in his previous life, it felt… almost underwhelming. He had been a 'Great Knight' before, far beyond this level of power.
Still, there was a sense of quiet satisfaction in knowing he had crossed the threshold. 'Now I am truly ready'.
What pleased him most wasn't just the new title but the sense that his 'talents'; his innate abilities, had been amplified. The power coursing through him now made him feel more attuned to his surroundings, more connected to his body. If he were to practice the Knight's Breathing Method again, he knew the effects would be far greater than before. His physical abilities were enhanced, and with them, his chances of survival in this world were now much higher.
But then, something caught his attention. A deeper concern gnawed at him.
He could feel the 'Simulation Energy' within him dwindling, almost as though it was being siphoned away. It had dropped dramatically, too dramatically, from more than 800 to a flat zero. His mind quickly ran through the possible causes.
Ah. The origin of life was too 'strong', too potent. It had overwhelmed the Simulation Energy, draining it completely. Some of the source material, the life force, had been 'wasted' used up without the proper energy to sustain it. Harry felt a brief flicker of frustration, but he quickly pushed it aside. This was the result he had expected. The power was overwhelming, and the lack of Simulation Energy meant that some of it could not be properly absorbed. He could live with that.
With a resigned sigh, Harry stood up, pushing past the heavy boulder blocking the entrance to the cave. As the Simulation Coin rolled aside, he stepped into the daylight, squinting at the soft sunlight filtering through the trees. His mind was already shifting from his personal transformation to the next task at hand.
"It's time to clean up the situation," he murmured to himself, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips. The world outside awaited, and Harry was ready.
As he moved through the familiar terrain, Harry realized that while he had been away for what felt like a lifetime, only a few days had passed in the 'Dawn World'. Time moved differently here. His absence had barely made a ripple in the flow of events. Ethan's territory, his hunting grounds, everything seemed unchanged, as though nothing of note had happened in his absence.
But Harry knew better than to assume everything was as it seemed.
There was a subtle shift in the air, a tension that had not been there before. It was the kind of unease that he could feel, even if the world around him remained still. Something was brewing just beneath the surface. His return would mark the beginning of something more.
"Yeah?" Harry muttered to himself, a hint of curiosity rising within him. "Something's definitely not right."
He paused, eyes scanning the surroundings, sensing the ripples in the air. The moment was coming, he could feel it in his bones. The true game was just about to begin.
In the spacious, dimly lit hall, Reggie sat at the head of a long, polished wooden table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against its surface. His eyes, dark and intense, were locked on the attendant standing before him, a young man with a nervous air, shifting from one foot to the other under Reggie's piercing gaze.
"Harry is back?" Reggie asked, his voice low but sharp, as if he were dissecting every syllable of the answer he was about to receive.
The attendant nodded respectfully, though his hands fidgeted slightly, betraying his unease. "Yes, Master Reggie. Master Harry has been back for several days now."
Reggie's gaze deepened, probing, as he leaned forward slightly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Do you know where he was? What exactly was he doing during his time away?"
The attendant hesitated, eyes flickering to the ground before meeting Reggie's gaze once more. "I... I don't know, Master. When Master Harry left, he didn't speak much to us. He never said exactly where he was going or why."
Reggie's lip curled into a thin, humorless smile. "Is that so?" he mused. "Seems like Harry has built quite the reputation in the hunting grounds. You all are so in awe of him that you don't dare ask questions."
"Yes, Master," the attendant replied, his voice quieter now, a hint of guilt in his tone. "Master Harry has earned the respect of everyone around here. Ever since his arrival, the area has been much more peaceful. The demi human bandits that used to plague the hunting grounds have been wiped out, and people can finally live without fear."
Reggie's eyes narrowed at the mention of peace. It was too convenient. Too... clean. "And what else?" he pressed, his mind racing with calculations. "What else has he been up to? Has he gone to see Alfie or Madam Glenda? Or anyone else of importance?"
The attendant shook his head. "I don't know, Master. It's been said that Master Harry has recruited civilians and wanderers, giving them land, farming tools, and seeds to help them settle and farm peacefully. And..." His words slowed as he considered the rest carefully. "He's been generous with the spoils from his campaigns. The warriors in the hunting grounds, they speak of him highly. He never holds back food, weapons, or supplies. Everyone gets a share."
Reggie's expression darkened as the attendant continued.
"Master Harry treats everyone fairly, no matter their rank. The civilians, the soldiers, no one is left out. He's even gone as far as to protect those he's given land to, ensuring they're safe while they farm." The attendant looked almost wistful, as though he had been touched by Harry's uncharacteristic kindness.
Reggie's mind churned as the attendant's words played over in his head. 'Generous… Fair…' These were not traits that came naturally to someone in this world. 'This isn't how things are done here.'
Harry's actions seemed almost too good to be true, too noble for a world defined by selfishness, corruption, and power plays. Reggie had known men like Harry before; pragmatic, self-serving individuals who acted out of self-interest, pretending to be something they weren't to gain influence.
But Harry... Harry seemed different. And that was what troubled Reggie most.
The idea of someone like Harry, someone with such power and influence, operating outside the norms was unsettling. What was he after? Was he truly just building goodwill for the sake of it? Or was there something more to his actions? Something that could undermine Reggie's position?
A slow, dark thought crept into his mind. 'What if Harry is positioning himself to take my place?' The thought gnawed at him. 'What if, with all this popularity and power, he plans to take control of the Cecil family?'
Reggie's hands clenched into fists beneath the table, the anger rising within him like a fire.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. Harry's rise, his generosity, his power; all of it was calculated. Reggie had no proof, but he didn't need proof. His gut told him everything he needed to know.
The servant watched, oblivious to Reggie's growing turmoil, but when Reggie's voice sliced through the air again, it was colder, harder than before.
"Call Teacher Cedric to me."
The attendant looked startled but nodded quickly, stepping back to fulfill the order.
A few moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway, and the heavy oak doors to the hall swung open. In stepped 'Cedric', a tall, broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and sharp eyes that had seen more battles than he cared to remember.
Cedric's presence seemed to fill the room. He was a man who carried the weight of experience and authority, and though Reggie had made his decision, he could tell that his teacher, who had guided him through many of his trials, could see it in his face.
Reggie looked at him, his gaze cold and resolute. Cedric gave a slight nod, understanding the unspoken tension in the air. His sigh was quiet, but it spoke volumes, this was the moment Reggie had been dreading. The moment where decisions, decisions that could change everything, would be made.
Reggie's eyes never left him. "Cedric," he said, his voice steady but layered with intent, "we need to talk about Harry."