Time flowed like a surging river as five years drifted by.
A warm stream of morning light crept through the curtains, pulling a sleepy groan from the boy curled under the sheets. He rolled over, squinting, then stumbled to the bathroom.
Minutes later, steam billowed out as he stepped from the shower, water trailing down his lean frame. A towel hung low on his waist, and his silver-streaked hair clung to his forehead in wet strands.
Still dripping, he stepped toward the large mirror and paused, studying the figure reflected there."
Water still trailing down his skin in glistening rivulets. His body, lean yet powerfully built, bore the quiet perfection of something beyond natural—every muscle defined, sculpted with precision rather than bulk. Broad shoulders tapered into a firm, cut waist, each movement revealing the subtle ripple of strength beneath smooth skin. Droplets traced along the lines of his chest and abs, outlining a form as if chiseled from living stone. Even at rest, he carried the poised tension of a coiled blade—silent, sharp, and refined.
His face mirrored that same sharp, otherworldly refinement. High cheekbones framed a strong, angular jaw that hinted at quiet resolve. His lips were full but often set in a neutral, unreadable line. His nose, straight and well-proportioned, added to the symmetry that made his features arresting. Wet strands of silver-streaked hair clung to his forehead and temples, framing eyes that were impossible to ignore—silver-white and luminous, catching the faintest light and turning it into something ethereal.
Placing one hand at the mirror and the other combing his hair backwards,
"Hey... "
"He froze mid-pose, cringing so hard his intestines threatened to revolt."
Collecting himself, he look back at his figure.
Flexing his body as he mumbled "definitely not the body an eight year old, elder vonn really did pushed me through a lot" he shivered as the torment that lasted six years resurfaced in his mind. Pushing the traumatizing thought back, he continued examining his body.
Once merely national-toppling, my beauty had now evolved into something world-ending. He flexed. Just a little. For science." He said feeling very narcissistic.
Time to head out," he muttered, pulling on the silver-white robe traced with blue and gold."
Walking down the hallway, memories resurface as he saw his one year self crawling around exploring his new home, then is past five years self mostly walking to the medic room battered and bruised, grumbling as he caused the elder generation. He chuckled as he reminisc his short but eventful life.
He had surprisingly reached the peak of the Core Genesis realm—an achievement that most would consider impossible at his age, dispite having a core many times the average size,but to Alex, it was merely a process,an a result of endless grinding, beatdowns, and ruthless training under Vonn.
Time really moved fast huh.... It's been eight years since I got reborn"he utterd as emotions weld up in my eyes. Shaking my head, a had unknownly walked up to a huge double handed door.
Pushing the door open the all too familiar and traumatizing white room filled with equipments and training gadgets,were he spent most of my life cooped up in, the training room.
Closing the door behind, Alex noticed an additional figure in the room, a broad shouldered elder dressed in the elders black robe standing with his arms folded at the center platform.
Elder Vonn didn't move, didn't even twitch, as i stepped onto the training platform. His eyes were closed, arms folded behind his back, back straight as a tower that has experienced ages. The silence between us was heavy—not oppressive, but... full. Full of everything that had passed between them over the years.
I stood a few paces away, my robe catching the gentle sway of the room's mana-infused air. I didn't speak at first. Neither did Vonn.
Then, the elder broke the silence. "You're late."
Alex blinked. "I walked here from my room. I didn't teleport."
"You should've. That's why I taught you spatial stepping," Vonn replied, eyes still closed. "Efficiency, Alex."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. "I like being dramatic."
"Useless trait." Vonn finally opened his eyes—stormy sliver, sharp as always. He turned slowly to face the boy he had raised into a weapon.
I straightened instinctively.
But the blow never came. No sparring sword were tossed. No commands were shouted.
Today was different.
Vonn's voice softened slightly, but it was still steel wrapped in silk. "Today's your last lesson."
Alex stiffened. "You mean...."
"You've far surpassed the foundation I was tasked to build," Vonn said, stepping down from the platform to stand face to face with him. "You don't need me anymore."
That hit harder than a mana-infused uppercut.
Alex stared at the elder, unsure what to say. Vonn,strict, merciless Vonn—was the closest thing he had to a mentor, maybe even more than that considering he spent more time with him than his own parents.
"You're not serious," i muttered, trying not to let my voice betray anything.
"I'm not joking," Vonn said flatly. "You've mastered all the forms. Your spatial theory and application are exceptional.Your spatial control is beyond what I expected at this stage. Your body has been refined. Your instincts are sharp. Your weapon is close to awakening. What else am I supposed to teach you, boy?"
I knew he was right.
I looked down at my hands. "You could... I don't know. Still yell at me until I get it right?"
Vonn raised a brow. "You always got it right."
Alex chuckled quietly. "Not before you beat it into me."
There was a moment of rare quiet between them. Vonn sighed, then walked over to a nearby bench and, surprisingly, sat down.
"I was tasked to train you," he said, no longer sounding like the gruff instructor of years past. "But it wasn't an order. I chose to. Because I saw what you could become."
I didn't know what to say. That kind of honesty wasn't Vonn's style. Usually, praise came through withheld blows.
"You're not like the others," Vonn continued. "Your something much more.I knew it when you firsts had your awakening. You didn't seem nervous. You didn't panic. You just... Welcomed the awakening. As if you had this assurance."
Alex froze.
He said nothing, just swallowed and nodded slowly.
"But it doesn't matter what you were. Only what you become." Vonn stood again, hands behind his back. "So here's your final lesson."
Alex straightened, unconsciously falling into a battle-ready stance again.
But Vonn only pointed at his chest.
"Know your center. Know your core. Not just the one made of mana." He stepped forward, tapping Alex's sternum lightly. "But you. What you fight for. What you protect. What you refuse to break."
Alex as silent.
"That's not something I can teach you," Vonn finished. "That's something you find."
There was a paused then, in a voice barely above a whisper, i asked, "Will I see you again?"
Vonn looked at him for a long moment, then gave a rare, very small smile. " what sort of question is that hmm? Alex, am an elder in this mansion of course we will meet again,I'll still be watching. I'm not sentimental—but... you did good, Alex."
My chest tightened.
Alex nodded, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat. "Thanks, Elder."
"No," Vonn said as he turned to leave. "From now on... just call me Vonn."
Then, without another word, the elder strode to the far end of the room, opened the door, and left.
Alex stood in the training room alone, the silence suddenly far louder than before.
He looked around—at the familiar walls, the scuffed platforms, the sweat-stained mats, the weighted poles and resonance boards i used to hate. He stood there for a long time.
Then, with a quiet breath, he whispered to no one in particular—
"Goodbye... Vonn."
And just like that, a chapter of his life came to an end. And the beginning of a new one.
.........
Dear Readers
It has come to my attention that many of you have been disappointed with the recent updates to the book, and I want to sincerely apologize. Due to a busy schedule, I had been relying on the help of an AI assistant to keep things moving forward. While the intention was never to compromise on quality, I understand now that it may have affected your reading experience,and for that, I am truly sorry.
Now that I have more time, I plan to pause all new updates and focus fully on re-editing the book myself. I want to ensure that every chapter reflects the care, creativity, and effort that you, as loyal readers, deserve.
Once again, I apologize for any frustration caused, and I genuinely appreciate your patience. I hope I can earn your support once more as I work to bring the story up to the standard it was always meant to meet.
Thank you for being part of this journey.