The click of the front door closing echoed through the quiet house, a stark punctuation mark on the end of an era. Zane stood in the kitchen, the scent of his uncle's tea lingering in the air, a ghost of the conversation they'd just had. He stared at the empty chair across the table, the reality of his uncle's departure sinking in like a stone in his stomach.
He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers brushing against the silver ring now resting on his right hand. It felt strangely warm against his skin, a constant reminder of the weight of his inheritance. He looked down at the intricately carved wooden box containing the Phoenix egg. The faint embers within seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat.He was alone. Truly alone for the first time in his life. The man who had been his protector, his guide, his family, was gone. Gone to face the ghosts of the past, to seek answers that had haunted them both for fifteen years.Zane walked over to the window, gazing out at the familiar cityscape. The bustling streets, the towering buildings, the vibrant life of Mereon – it all seemed distant, muted. The world had shifted on its axis, and he was struggling to find his footing.He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Zeron's voice, calm and steady, echoed in his mind. Observation: Elevated levels of stress and anxiety detected. Recommend initiating calming exercises."Thanks, Zeron," Zane muttered, a wry smile touching his lips. Even in his solitude, he wasn't truly alone. He had the system, the Eclipse Core, and the AI that managed it.He focused on his breathing, slowly calming his racing heart. He needed to think clearly. His uncle's words echoed in his mind: "You have your own path to walk now, Zane. And you must walk it strong."He opened his eyes, a spark of determination igniting within him. He wouldn't let his uncle's sacrifice be in vain. He would honor his legacy. He would become strong.He walked back to the table and carefully picked up the wooden box. He opened it, gazing at the Phoenix egg. The embers within glowed softly, a beacon of hope in the face of uncertainty. He knew what he had to do first.Activating the system, he accessed the Beast Tamer interface. The Beast Incubation Space shimmered into existence, a swirling vortex of energy that opened into a pocket dimension. He stepped through, finding himself in a serene, sunlit clearing surrounded by lush greenery. The air here was fresh and clean, and time flowed ten times faster than in the outside world.He carefully placed the wooden box on a moss-covered stone. Taking a deep breath, he pricked his finger with a small knife he always carried. A single drop of blood welled up, and he let it fall onto the surface of the Phoenix egg.The moment the blood touched the egg, a surge of energy pulsed outwards, the embers beneath the shell flaring brightly. The egg trembled slightly, and a soft chime echoed through the incubation space.[System Notification]Contract established with Phoenix Egg (dormant).Zane felt a faint connection form between himself and the egg, a subtle link that resonated deep within his soul."The contract is established," Zeron confirmed. "However, the Phoenix egg requires specific conditions to hatch: a constant nurturing of fire and light energy."Zane looked around the incubation space. "How am I supposed to provide that here?""The Beast Incubation Space is designed to adapt to the needs of contracted beasts," Zeron explained. "I will configure the environment to provide the necessary energy."The air around the egg began to shimmer, and two distinct streams of energy materialized, one a vibrant orange-red, the other a pure, radiant white. They intertwined and enveloped the egg, creating a warm, pulsating aura."The incubation process has begun," Zeron announced. "The time acceleration within this space will greatly expedite the hatching process, though it will still require considerable time."Zane nodded, relieved. He then turned his attention to the silver ring on his finger. He focused his mind, trying to decipher the intricate symbols etched into its surface. As he did, a surge of information flooded his mind.
[System Notification]
Valor's Strike (Novice) learned.
Valor's Defense (Novice) learned.
Valor's Flow (Passive) learned.
"These are the core techniques of the Valor Clan's combat style," Zeron explained. "Valor's Strike focuses on swift, precise attacks, utilizing a combination of physical and elemental energy. Valor's Defense creates a barrier of interwoven elements, protecting the user from incoming attacks. And Valor's Flow is a passive skill that enhances the user's overall combat awareness and reaction time.""These techniques, along with Infernal Dominion and Valor's Fire Embrace Art, form the foundation of your clan's combat style," Zeron continued. "Infernal Dominion and Valor's Fire Embrace Art are the first skills a Valor child learns, even before formal training begins. All other techniques are built upon these fundamental skills. As your level increases, the ring will provide you with additional techniques appropriate for your current stage of development.""What about my Light and Void affinities?" Zane asked. "I haven't received any training for those.""The ring contains training methodologies for all three of your elemental affinities," Zeron replied. "They will become available as your mastery of Fire increases. It is best to focus on one element at a time to build a solid foundation."Zane nodded, understanding. He then remembered the last thing his uncle had given him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. He opened it, revealing a collection of shimmering, crystalline stones."These are mana stones," Zeron explained. "They are a physical form of currency, highly valued for their concentrated mana content. Your uncle left you with one hundred super high-quality mana stones. One such stone is equivalent to ten thousand standard mana stones, or 100,000 Alliance credits."Zane's eyes widened. That was a significant amount of wealth. He knew that Alliance credits were the standard currency used across most of the galaxy, used for everything from basic necessities to advanced technology. Mana stones, on the other hand, were rarer and more valuable, primarily used by cultivators and mages."These stones will be invaluable in your journey," Zeron continued. "They can be used to purchase training resources, equipment, and even rare materials."Zane carefully placed the pouch into his inventory, knowing that these stones represented not only financial security but also a tangible link to his uncle's care and foresight. He was ready to face the challenges ahead, armed with his newfound powers, his clan's legacy, and the unwavering support of the system and the memory of his uncle. The journey had truly begun.