As Amon walked through the grand halls of Oltheros Palace, the passing maids and guards bowed in respect. Even though he was weak and lacked mana veins, the name Oltheros alone was enough to command deference.
To them, Oltheros was the only family capable of challenging the Krion Empire for the throne. Yet, despite their power, they remained the sword and shield of the human domain, protecting it from external threats.
*In the game, it was stated that the Oltheros family's power stemmed from a single reason—their bloodline. They carried the legacy of the Destruction Phoenix, a being said to embody pure annihilation. Its bloodline was so potent that it erased any creature it mated with. Yet, one human, possessing the affinity of Creation, miraculously succeeded in bearing its offspring. The descendants of this union became the founders of two great families—Oltheros, the protectors of the human race, and Kestides, its rulers.*
"At least, that's what the game's lore claimed. Whether it's true or not... I have no idea."
As Amon approached the stairs, a thought crossed his mind.
*Status.*
A purple screen materialized before him.
[True Name]: __________
— [Name]: Amon von Oltheros
— [Rank]: F-
—[Bloodline]:Locked
— [Affinities]: Space (Locked), Time (Locked), Destruction (Locked), Dream (Locked)
— [Mana]: Null
— [Intent]: E-
"Hah… No matter how many times I see this, it still looks pathetic."
Seven years had passed since his awakening. Five years of relentless training were forced upon him by his sister. And yet, he was still at F- rank. Even though his Intent had strengthened, his overall standing remained at the bottom.
As the guards opened the doors to the garden, he walked toward his parents. Klien Elara and Anastasia were greeting other family members.
This event was strictly for those who bore the name Oltheros—no one else was allowed to attend, let alone watch. And who would dare to break the rule? Today, the heir to the main family was going to awaken her bloodline. Nearly a few million Oltheros family members had arrived on the planet to witness the birth of their future matriarch.
'Who would be foolish enough to provoke a family capable of destroying entire worlds in a fit of rage?.'
As Amon reached his father, Klien gave him a small smile, while Seraphina picked him up with ease.
"Little star, do you want to meet your grandfather? He has already arrived in our Star System and will be here shortly."
"Yes, Grandma."
As he waited, a few guests approached and greeted him, their children following suit. Their parents were well aware that Amon had no mana veins, though they didn't know he had awakened his Intent. In their eyes, someone with ties to the main family but no real strength wasn't a bad connection to have.
Amon wasn't oblivious to their thoughts, but he didn't care.
'I may look ten years old, but mentally, I'm as old as your parents, you fools.'
He sneered inwardly as children with crimson eyes—a distinct trait of their bloodline—greeted him.
Then, suddenly, every Walker present turned their gaze to the sky.
Above them, a fleet of a hundred warships appeared, blotting out the sun. A moment later, every individual—except those of the main family—dropped to one knee, heads bowed in reverence.
This was not just respect. It was fear.
The arrival of an Exalted-ranked Walker.
Max von Oltheros had arrived.
The massive doors of the central spaceship hissed open, and from within, five figures descended.
At the centre stood a man with crimson hair and a bushy beard, his presence alone warping the surroundings. Wherever his gaze fell, the very air seemed to distort, and as he stepped onto the ground, the earth beneath him crumbled into ash, leaving behind only traces of its former existence.
This was the power of an Exalted being—his mere presence demanded submission.
As Max von Oltheros approached his family, his piercing gaze swept over them. Then, for a fleeting moment, his eyes softened when they landed on a small boy—no older than ten. Amon.
Amon caught a glimpse of happiness in those terrifying eyes.
After the formal greetings, the celebration truly began. Countless family members stepped forward, eager to greet the Oltheros patriarch, paying their respects before indulging in the festivities.
From the group of five who had descended, a couple stepped forward, approaching Klien, Seraphina, and Elara.
Elara greeted the woman warmly, casually discussing everyday matters, while the man—with white hair and piercing red eyes—engaged in a serious conversation with Klien about business affairs concerning the Oltheros sector.
Amon knew exactly who he was.
This man was Neo von Oltheros, his uncle and Klien's brother—the mastermind behind the family's vast wealth.
Next to him stood a woman with long black hair and sharp black eyes—his aunt, Olivia. A Transcendent-ranked being.
She turned toward Amon, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Auntie, tell me, what did you bring me this time?" he asked eagerly.
Olivia crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "I didn't bring anything."
Amon blinked. "What?!"
"I told you to visit our house a few times so you could receive gifts. But you never came, so..."
Amon stood there, shell-shocked.
'No way... People can't be this cruel. She knows how much I love rune-engraved artifacts! And still, she didn't bring me anything? How heartless!.'
He turned his head away, pouting.
Seeing his disappointment, Olivia chuckled and tapped her wristwatch.
A moment later, a small device materialized in her hand. It looked like a watch, but Amon immediately noticed the intricate runes engraved along its surface.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What is this, Auntie? This thing doesn't tell time, does it?"
Olivia leaned down, whispering, "No, honey. This is something Neo made just for you".
She winked and added, "Just let your Intent flow through it… and you'll see the magic."
Amon hesitated.
'Let my Intent flow? How do I even do that? In the game, I just clicked on the interface, and it happened automatically. But here... I have no idea how to actually control it.'
Still, he bowed respectfully, suppressing his embarrassment.
"Thank you, Uncle Neo. Thank you, Aunt Olivia."
These two never had children of their own, so they showered Amon with gifts, spoiling him endlessly.
As a result, he had long since forgotten the boundaries between rich and poor.
The evening passed in a blur of conversation and celebration. Then, as night fell, the atmosphere shifted.
It was time for the Bloodline Awakening Ceremony to begin.