The train ride to the capital had been as uneventful as any boring journey could be. Maximus spent the entirety of the time slouched in his seat, either leaning back to unwind, letting his mind wander, or scrolling aimlessly through Atlasnet on his PCT. Without a travel companion and no familiar faces among the passengers, he was left with little to do and no one to talk to.
After nearly seven hours, the train safely drew nearer to the outskirts of Decoris.
Outside the window, the vast skyline stretched across the horizon, sharp-edged towers glinting in the bright sunlight under a clear, azure sky. Even from this distance, the buildings rose tall and imposing, their silhouettes beckoning like distant giants inviting those still outside to step into their realm.
Decoris was a very ancient city, its name unaltered by the passage of time or the whims of conquerors. Once, it had been the beating heart of a sprawling empire—a realm that crumbled in the massive upheaval during the early years of the magical era.
The emergence of Energia and a certain enigmatic tower two centuries ago didn't revolutionize Atlas overnight. Change came gradually, seeping into the fabric of civilization through cycles of violence and crisis. With each struggle, the world was reshaped. Many nations of that era crumbled under the weight of transformation, only for new successor states to rise from their ruins, built on the ashes of what once was.
It took several decades for the turmoil to subside, allowing a new world order to form. With it came the stability and respite humanity desperately needed to heal. Those turbulent years were now a distant memory, replaced by an era of remarkable growth and enduring peace—a time when the scars of the past had finally given way to progress and promise.
The Etrussia Republic, though reduced to half the size of the predecessor empire, had risen to become one of Atlas's leading powers. It enjoyed high living standards, remarkable human development, outstanding public safety, and a thriving economy. This prosperity was on full display in the grandeur of its capital, where the city's magnificence radiantly reflected the nation's success.
Decoris was, without question, the most prosperous metropolis in the country, eclipsing even the distant Nova Regium. The city's scale was staggering—its outskirts weren't sleepy suburbs but fully developed districts punctuated by great skyscrapers, a testament to its sheer size and vitality.
Even before the train crossed into Decoris's outer limits, Maximus could already see the city's grandeur unfurling beyond his window—a breathtaking panorama that stretched as far as the eye could see.
It wasn't long before the train entered the city proper, becoming engulfed by a dense jungle of giant concrete and gleaming glass. Gliding along elevated tracks that wound through the bustling inner districts, the train offered passengers a closer view of the city's splendidness, a vivid display of local glory and life.
As Maximus stared at the breathtaking scenery flashing past his window, a wave of awe swept over him. This city was, without a doubt, the most astonishing he had ever seen. Not even the grandest metropolis of his past life could compare to its splendor. Everything here seemed to fuse the futuristic with the magical, every detail brimming with innovation and charm that made the city's allure utterly mesmerizing.
The sights, the sounds, and the vibes all came together in perfect harmony, evoking the feeling of stepping into another world entirely. It was nothing short of an amazing experience.
Gradually, the train began to slow, its pace easing as it no longer raced at full speed.
"Attention, dear passengers! The train…"
Then, a familiar, soothing female voice echoed through the carriage, delivering an announcement. It informed everyone of the train's imminent arrival, cutting through the hum of conversation and the rhythmic clatter of wheels on the tracks.
A ripple of activity spread through the first-class passengers as they began preparing to disembark. Maximus joined the flurry, slipping his PCT back into his pocket before reaching under his seat to grab his bag, which he rested on his lap, ready for the stop ahead.
The scenery outside shifted as the vast urban expanse gave way to the busy sight of nearly a dozen station platforms. The area buzzed with dizzying motion—passengers rushing to and fro, workers moving about their tasks, and several trains either pulling out or resting in place. Above it all, a massive dome loomed, its great arch towering tens of meters overhead, sheltering the entire complex beneath its protective embrace.
This place was none other than Emporium Grand Station, the undisputed largest and busiest train hub in all of Etrussia. The sheer scale and constant flow of people made it a true landmark. It was where Maximus would disembark before heading to his next destination.
The train soon came to a smooth halt, and moments later, all the doors slid open in perfect unison. Maximus stood up calmly, reaching for his other bags in the overhead compartment before making his way toward the exit, weaving through the other passengers as he stepped off the carriage.
A pair of attendants stood side by side near the door, their faces bright with warm smiles. They bowed slightly to the departing passengers, offering words of thanks as each one made their way off the train. The service provided by these attendants was nothing short of exceptional, as one would expect from a first-class premium service. Their attentiveness and professionalism left a strong impression on anyone passing by.
But Maximus didn't linger on them too much, offering only a brief nod as he passed them by. He moved with the disembarking crowd, walking alongside them toward the station's exit.
The station was big in scale, its layout complex, and easy to lose track of amidst the bustling throng. On top of that, several security checkpoints slowed the process. It took Maximus some time to navigate through it all and finally reach the exit. The scene here appeared just as busy, with vehicles constantly coming and going along the driveway, either unloading people or dropping them off.
Initially, Maximus considered summoning a ride-hailing service, but when he spotted a group of taxi drivers clustered nearby with their cars parked not far away, he decided to opt for a taxi instead. It didn't matter to him either way. Whether it was a taxi or a ride-hailing car, the result was the same—both could get him to his next destination.
And it seemed those taxi drivers could sense Maximus was looking for a ride. As he drew closer, they began to stir, calling out and jockeying for his attention, each eager to secure his fare.
"You're heading to Heaven's Gate, right? I can take you there," one of the drivers suddenly called out.
Maximus paused, a bit taken aback by the remark. He turned to the driver who had spoken, finding an older man with short, slightly unkempt hair and a weathered appearance. He hadn't expected this driver to know his destination before he even mentioned it. Surprised for a moment, Maximus quickly recovered, his expression unreadable.
"Alright," he said, nodding. "I'll go with you."
The driver broke into a wide smile. "Okay! This way, sir," he said eagerly, gesturing for Maximus to follow as he swiftly made his way toward his car.
Maximus simply shrugged and followed the driver without a word. Seeing this, the other taxi drivers let out a collective sigh, ceasing their attempts to draw his attention. They didn't seem truly disappointed, though—just resigned. Given how busy the station was, they had little reason to fret. One missed fare would be quickly replaced by another. Missing Maximus wasn't a problem to them in the slightest.
Both Maximus and the chosen driver settled into the cab without delay. The taximeter flickered to life, the engine hummed to a start, and the seatbelts clicked into place. Everything was set, ready for the ride.
Before long, the vehicle smoothly rolled through the station's outer entrance, merging seamlessly with the flow of traffic on the roads.
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"Hey, can I ask you something?" Maximus asked suddenly from the backseat, breaking the silence.
The taxi had been cruising for several minutes, weaving through the pristine streets of the city's downtown, its skyline stretching high above them.
"Why not? What do you want to know?" the driver replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, the steady hum of the engine filling the brief quiet.
"How can you tell I'm heading to Heaven's Gate? Am I that obvious?" Maximus asked.
The ride would take a while longer, and rather than enduring the silence, which would surely be dull, he figured it was better to strike up a conversation. Besides, he was genuinely curious about how the driver had known.
The driver chuckled softly. "You're not the first young person I've brought to Heaven's Gate. Let's just say I've gotten used to the likes of you, so I can tell pretty easily." He paused for a moment, his gaze briefly shifting to the rearview mirror. "Besides, youngsters like you remind me of my son, back when he first awakened his gift."
Maximus' eyes slightly widened for a brief moment. "You have a ranker son, yet you're still working as a taxi driver? How come?"
His words may have sounded a bit blunt, but Maximus didn't mean to belittle the driver. He was simply puzzled. Having a relative, especially a direct one, who was a ranker could bring a certain prestige to a person—even if the person themselves didn't possess innate gifts. So it struck him as odd that this man, with such a son, still held such a humble job.
"That's because I don't want to burden him," the driver replied with a wry smile, his voice carrying an honest tone. "My son's the first ranker born to our family. None of my siblings, father, grandfather, or anyone before them ever awakened an innate gift—not on my side, nor my wife's. While we're all proud of him, his talent isn't exceptional. It's just average, really. So he needed all the support he could get to thrive, and I don't want to add more pressure than he already has. That's why I stick to this job."
"I see..." Maximus nodded, his expression thoughtful. After a brief pause, he pressed on, "Where is he, by the way? If you don't mind me asking."
"He's living in the Azure Stronghold, working for the Alliance," the driver revealed, his face glowing with pride. "Last time he visited home a few months back, that lad had already reached 3rd Stage Mortal Realm. Got a girlfriend, too, from what he told us."
"3rd Stage Mortal Realm?" Maximus muttered, his eyes widening slightly again. His tone turned a bit weird as he bluntly added, "Well... that's certainly good. Not great, but good enough."
The remark, though candid, didn't seem to bother the driver. He nodded with a smile, looking satisfied. "That's right. I don't expect him to become famous or anything. As long as he's safe and well off enough, I'll be happy. That's all I hope."
"Your son is certainly lucky. He's got a very supportive family. Not everyone gets to experience that."
"Indeed, he does..." The driver replied a little sheepishly. "What about you, sir? Your family?"
Maximus shook his head. "Nah, I'm an orphan. Raised in an orphanage."
"Ah... I'm sorry," the driver turned awkwardly, a look of apology on his face.
"It's fine, no need for that," Maximus replied, waving it off with a calm, composed air.
He truly didn't feel pity for not having a family or relatives. He had grown accustomed to the absence ever since his previous life. To Maximus, it wasn't something he was missing; it was simply the way things were.
The atmosphere settled back into a comfortable silence as the driver fully returned his attention to the road. Maximus, meanwhile, lost himself in thought, his mind drifting as the cityscape passed by.
'3rd Stage Mortal Realm, huh? The man's son is really not bad at all,' he mused internally, reflecting on the driver's son's accomplishments.
It was important to note that within the ranker cultivation system, there existed multiple realms a ranker could ascend through as they grew in strength. According to Maximus' understanding, and only as far as he knew, there were three primary realms: Mortal, Earth, and Heaven.
Each of these realms was further divided into nine stages, starting at the 1st and advancing all the way to the 9th. Each stage marked a ranker's progression, each one hard-won, a testament to their growth and struggle.
The Mortal Realm was the first and lowest level, marking the starting point on the path of rankers. Although newbies like Maximus were already considered rankers and could certainly claim that title, their strength, technically, hadn't yet entered the Mortal Realm, barely on its threshold. For someone who had just awakened their innate gift, advancement to the 1st stage of the Mortal Realm hinged on two crucial feats: the ability to draw Energia from the surrounding nature and consolidate the energy within the body through the use of mystical arts.
Energia was a natural energy—both intangible and invisible—that could not be seen with the naked eye or felt through direct touch. Only those who had unlocked their innate gift could detect its presence and draw from its essence, using it to nourish their body and cultivate their strength.
However, for beginner rankers, harnessing Energia wasn't a simple task; it required both understanding and skill. This was precisely what Maximus still lacked, as he had yet to acquire a mystical art to guide him in controlling and using the energy.
Starting from the 1st stage, progress required a disciplined approach: consistent practice of mystical arts, training in martial or combat techniques, and regular physical exercise. Meditation, too, played a key role, sharpening mental focus and fortitude to prepare for the trials ahead.
Another important element was a ranker's diet. It wasn't just about eating healthy; it was about incorporating precious elixirs, potions, pills, and natural treasures—substances that could significantly enhance a ranker's cultivation, if they were fortunate enough to acquire them.
That was the general outline of how a ranker cultivated, at least within the Mortal Realm.
Naturally, the path to progress was never a simple one, even for those with the most gifted potential. Many factors could shape the journey—some uplifting, others utterly debilitating. The quality of one's innate gift was a significant influence, but it was by no means the only one. The availability of resources—elixirs, mentors, and opportunities—was just as critical. Mental fortitude played a pivotal role as well; distractions, doubts, and inner turmoil could undermine even the most promising talent.
Moreover, the environment where one practiced cultivation could either foster growth or impede it. Whether it was a bustling city or even a remote volcano, each setting added its own challenges and advantages to the cultivation process. Every aspect of a ranker's journey intertwined, forming a complex and ever-evolving tapestry that dictated their rise or fall.
For most people, the Mortal Realm was a cultivation realm that already commanded both reverence and respect. Even reaching the early stages of the Mortal Realm could open doors to immense opportunities—fortunes, prestige, and recognition that most could only dream of. Those who progressed into the middle stages of the Mortal Realm found themselves in even more favorable positions, with far better resources and more influence flowing their way.
The later stages of the Mortal Realm—the 7th, 8th, and 9th—were where the so-called quasi-powerhouses resided. These stages were reserved for the exceptionally talented, individuals whose potential was so great and special. Rankers who reached these levels often rose to the top of society, occupying important roles like the leaders of influential organizations, high-ranking military commanders, heads of prestigious clans, and other highly coveted positions. These rankers weren't just respected—they were feared, admired, and distinguished, their names carrying considerable weight in the halls of power.
On the other hand, the Earth Realm was a league of its own—a level reserved for the true powerhouses, juggernauts possessing strength and abilities that bordered on the unimaginable. Ascending to such heights was no easy feat; it demanded talent so extraordinary that it defied the heavens, along with decades—if not hundreds of years—of unwavering dedication and monumental effort.
Earth Realm rankers were simply the stuff of legends, their very existence shrouded in mystique. They were both elusive and reclusive, rarely revealing themselves to the world. When these formidable figures did step into the public eye, their mere presence could shake the foundations of nations and spark a cascade of fascination and awe. Entire regions might pause to watch or listen, captivated by their words or actions.
Their strength stood on a level far beyond that of quasi-powerhouses. The might of Earth Realm rankers wasn't just physical; it was an embodiment of mastery, refinement, and an almost divine aura of dominance. Their stories inspired countless aspiring rankers, but to stand among them was a dream only a rare few would ever have the chance to realize. These figures operated in a realm of power that the average ranker—and indeed most of society—could barely comprehend.
For Maximus personally, reaching the pinnacle of the Mortal Realm felt like an achievable ambition. The uniqueness of his innate gift served as a foundation—a spark of potential that, if properly nurtured, might grant him the edge needed to overcome the countless trials awaiting him. It was no guarantee, of course, but it gave him hope.
But the Earth Realm? That was an entirely different story.
The thought of ascending to such legendary heights stirred something in Maximus, a mix of awe and doubt. It wasn't that he dismissed the possibility outright. No, the idea lingered, tantalizing and distant. Yet, the path leading there seemed impossibly arduous, paved with challenges that demanded resources, knowledge, and sheer determination on an astronomical scale.
Did he possess the necessary capital? The truth was, he didn't know. The very thought of it seemed both exhilarating and daunting. For now, it remained an elusive goal—one he might dare to chase if fate and fortune aligned in his favor. After all, what was the point of living if not to aim for something extraordinary?
The Heaven Realm, however, was something entirely beyond his scope. Maximus didn't even entertain the notion of reaching it, nor did he allow himself to dream of its impossible heights. It was a cultivation realm that defied understanding, a stage that, by all accounts, no one in the history of Atlas had managed to reach. Tales of it were whispered with sacred reverence and careful words, with some claiming it as a state of godlike power, so unattainable that even the most gifted never dared to imagine it within reach.
In truth, he knew very little about the Heaven Realm, only fragments of non-credible anecdotes and rumors shared by those who themselves knew even less. Its mystery reminded Maximus how much he had yet to learn. If he was to navigate his way through the ranks with any hope of true success, he would need knowledge—an understanding of what lay ahead in the vast and uncertain journey of cultivation.
Another mental note to himself—one of many he'd been making lately. But that was alright. It was necessary, after all.