Leon didn't know what his uncle was thinking about; his focus was entirely on a yellow bubble, glittering like the golden sun in the sky.
There wasn't just one—there were countless bubbles along his path, stretching as far as the hallway reached.
With each touch of a yellow bubble, warm energy surged to his core, renewing his strength and stamina.
Every touch revived his muscles, straightening his hunched back and infusing new life into his weary steps.
Leon walked with firm, determined strides, harbouring not a single complaint in his heart.
At that moment, the warm energy started to condense into a gem-like substance at Leon's core, faint yet growing. Initially, it was a mere illusion, but as the energy from each bubble coursed through him, the gem became more solid, shifting from ethereal to real.
He could feel it—his power growing stronger with every pulse as the illusory gem in his centre solidified into something real.
Leon didn't know what this gem signified, but every part of him yearned for it, and he had no intention of backing down. Pain shot through his entire body, each breath feeling as if it might be his last.
"Once I set my mind to something, I have to see it through."
Although his strength and stamina had returned, it didn't mean Leon was free from pain.
After a long journey, he finally saw the large velvet door at the entrance and let out a sigh of relief.
"Ho," he exhaled as his chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, finally reaching the door. By now, the gem had fully materialised at his core, and strange roots had begun to grow from it gradually through his entire body like veins and capillary.
For a moment, Leon felt as if a single punch could shatter the world, though he knew that was nothing more than a fool's fantasy.
[Congratulations! Sage Candidate, your third rune is revealed: [Divine Core].]
The black flicker of light appeared in front of him and disappeared in the blink of an eye again.
Suddenly, a large hand rested on his shoulder, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Leon, are you alright?" his uncle asked.
"Yes."
Leon nodded expressionlessly. His uncle shot Leon glances of bewilderment and disbelief, as if he were a monster.
As his uncle reached for the door, a deep, ancient, and majestic voice came from inside:
"You can come in."
"Yes, King." The door slowly opened, allowing Leon to finally look inside.
It was a lavish, luxurious, well-lit room, illuminated by the bright light of a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The floor was made of gold, shining under the light from the chandelier.
There were no windows or chairs, except for an elevated throne made of knives, in front sat a dark skull serving as an armrest.
A man sat upon the throne, his beard whitening with age and his hair bald. Even though he seemed unbearably old, his sheer presence was menacing enough to make Leon take a step back. The golden crown glimmered softly in the light of the chandelier.
"Hmm?" Leon felt a strange shiver run down his back just from looking at the menacing man seated on his throne.
"You are?" The King's gaze was directed not at Leon but to the side, at his uncle.
"He is our younger sister's child, big brother," his uncle said with an excited expression.
"I see."
The King nodded his head with little emotion and asked, "How old is he?"
"Big brother, he is five years old."
"Are you sure?" The King looked at Leon, raising his brows as he finally focused on him. As the King examined Leon, Leon met his gaze with his crimson pupils.
"This King, I feel a familiar energy surrounding him." Leon sensed the power at his core, which seemed eerily similar to that of the King but felt more potent and powerful…
"Yes, big brother."
"I am sure you will be a great warrior." After saying this, the King waved his hand.
Leon was promptly led out by his uncle into the hallway. This time Leon barely broke a sweat before he had already arrived outside.
As he inhaled the fresh greenery and the scent of nature, Leon's heart felt warm. Although the palace didn't have a distinct smell, a lingering sense of tension in the air made it difficult for him to breathe.
"Little warrior, I apologise for my big brother; he can be a bit blunt. But beneath his cold exterior lies a warm heart—it's just that the crown has taken a toll on him-" the uncle paused with a sigh.
"It's fine, Uncle." Leon nodded obediently.
"You are so sensible for your age, Leon. Perhaps you have the potential to become a Thousand-strong or even a Million-strong Warrior."
"What's that?" Leon immediately perked up his ears.
"It's not the time for you to learn right now." He reprimanded him firmly, and Leon could only enter the carriage helplessly to return home.
He watched as Leon left silently before he re-entered the palace and entered the throne room.
"Big brother, weren't you too cold?" he immediately bowed in place.
"It doesn't matter. The hidden forces in the palace are already acting, and I am nearing the end of my life. I am growing weak and weary, yet I do not have a single worthy successor. Someone might come to take my throne and end our rule; being close to me would only bring him harm," the King spoke in a deep, tired voice.
"What is the meaning of this power and control if we cannot even love our loved ones, big brother?"
"Have you forgotten the teachings of our ancestor, Primordial Anthropos?"
"Big brother, that is the oldest legend in the world, only children would believe such a tale."
The King fell silent, his head bowing to the floor.
"Age has really driven you to madness, big brother," he said, storming off the throne.
Sigh!
The King looked at the empty room, sadness reflecting in his eyes. "My life truly is more miserable than Anthropos."