The weeks passed swiftly as Leon immersed himself in a rigorous daily routine. Every morning, he trained his body and mind, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion. His exercises included running laps around the vast training grounds, sparring with practice dummies, and meditating to control the volatile energy of his dragon blood. Each evening, he would retreat to the grand library, poring over ancient tomes and scrolls to uncover the secrets of this world. Despite the knowledge he had from the game, the reality of living within it proved far more nuanced.
Through conversations with the servants and maids, Leon pieced together the intricate dynamics of the Alaric household. His father, Lord Austin Alaric, was a man of legendary strength and influence. As the strongest human alive, he commanded unparalleled respect. However, the structure of the family was even more fascinating. Lord Alaric had four wives, each exceptional in their own right:
The Dragon Wife (Dracona Alaric): A regal and imposing figure, she bore two children with Lord Alaric—Leon and his younger sister, Aliya. Her dragon lineage was evident in her aura of authority and immense power. The Elf Wife (Seloria Alaric): Graceful and wise, she was the mother of twin daughters, Selene and Cristine. Her keen intellect and affinity for magic made her a cornerstone of the family's strategic affairs. The Third Wife (Mariana Alaric): A human, yet unmatched in her ability to manage the family's extensive estates and resources. She had given birth to two sons, Urd and Mikhail. The Fourth Wife (Isabella Alaric): Also human, her gentle demeanor belied a sharp mind. She had one daughter, Liana, the youngest of all the siblings.
Leon learned that each member of the household played a vital role in maintaining the family's influence and operations. Their talents and responsibilities were as diverse as they were exceptional, making it clear why the Alaric family stood at the pinnacle of the world's power structure.
Meanwhile, Leon's own understanding of his body and potential continued to grow. He realized that his dragon blood not only made him physically superior but also granted him an extraordinary ability to adapt and improve rapidly. The system confirmed his suspicions, explaining that his growth rate was unparalleled due to his unique heritage.
During his studies, Leon delved deeper into the world's power system. Humans in this world were born with either an aura core or a mana core, determining whether they would excel as swordsmen or magicians. Both cores were measured in stars, with 8 stars being the theoretical maximum:
1 Star: Strength or mana stats of 25–39.
2 Stars: Stats of 40–49.
3 Stars: Stats of 50–59.
4 Stars: Stats of 60–69.
5 Stars: Stats of 70–79.
6 Stars: Stats of 80–89.
7 Stars: Stats of 90–99.
8 Stars: Beyond 99, a realm of legend that no one had ever reached.
Lord Alaric himself was a 7-star aura core wielder, the strongest living being on Earth. However, even he lacked an affinity for magic, making Leon's unique abilities even more astounding. Unlike anyone else in history, Leon possessed both an aura core and a mana core, with stats that were progressing equally in both fields. More shocking was his affinity for all elements, something that had never been documented before.
Leon's mind buzzed with possibilities. Theoretically, a person with both cores and an affinity for all elements could master both physical combat and magic, achieving a balance that no one else could. He began to see his transmigration as a rare and unexpected blessing, despite its initial challenges.
"So that's the benefit of being a transmigrator," Leon mused one evening, staring at his status screen. "My potential's off the charts, but I need to work hard to unlock it."
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It creaked open to reveal Urd, his younger brother. Urd stepped inside with an unusual expression—half curiosity, half begrudging respect.
"You've been holed up in here for days," Urd remarked. "Father said you've been training non-stop. It's… surprising, to say the least."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Surprising? Do you think I'd stay the same forever?"
Urd crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you. But the way you fought me that day… it wasn't just skill or brute strength. Something changed in you, didn't it?"
Leon hesitated, then smirked faintly. "Let's just say I've had a wake-up call."
Urd studied him for a moment before nodding. "If that's the case, then prove it. Train harder. Next time we fight, I won't hold back." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left, leaving Leon with a renewed sense of determination.
As night fell, Leon returned to his training, both mental and physical. The path ahead was daunting, but he felt a spark of hope. For the first time since his transmigration, he truly believed he could carve out a new destiny for himself.