Awakening Ceremony part:1 Prelude

It had been a month since I had awoken my mana core.I could feel the newly acquired power rushing through my veins.

My everyday routine was revolutionized by the system's training sessions.

After finishing the arduous program of jogging 10 kilometers, performing 100 push-ups, and performing 100 squats, I was finally able to relax in a pleasant bath.

The embrace of the water washed away the perspiration and exhaustion.leaving me feeling renewed and energized.

"Hey, Edda, how much XP is left?"I asked, getting out of the bath and wiping the water from my skin.

[Experience points: 1050]

Edda responded by displaying a screen detailing my remaining XP.

"Only this much left, huh?"

I mentioned that, while I was earning roughly 200 XP per day from daily quests, I had spent the most of it on things from the shop that would be necessary for the approaching awakening ceremony.

During my intensive training, the healing and stamina potions were quite useful.

I walked into the center of my refuge, the library, dressed comfortably.

My fingertips traced the pages of history books, diving into the world in which I lived.Language and maps quickly followed as my understanding grew.

As I poured over a map, it spread across the library table.

The elaborate lines and annotations formed a realistic image of my neighborhood's scenery. My finger traced the lines, connecting potentially significant dots.

The information I gained was not only for myself; it was an investment in my ability to navigate this new world.

I had identified eight different locations where the heroes had their fateful encounters, but I knew I needed to strengthen myself before I could venture to those dangerous areas. 

Some tasks required physical strength, while others required skill.

I also found the gambling den where that bastard of the hero got the holy water of the world tree; it's in a different estate but is within this kingdom.

'This has to be on my priority list,' 

I thought, knowing full well that Eden's nightmare of a life had begun with her mother's unexpected attack.

And then, knowing how difficult it is to obtain holy water, the majority of the nobles stopped creating connections with me and my mother, because she was the one who connected me with her ancient family, and without her, I was just a Duke son who was hated by his family.

'They're all a bunch of jerks.'I contemplated before diverting my concentration to something else. I know how the human brain works after living for 8 years in a world where humans are worse than monsters.

[But how are you planning to get your hands on the holy water? There will likely be thousands of items in the gambling den.How will you find the real one?]

Edda presented a crucial point, which I had been considering myself until I found the perfect solution.

"I am going to buy the whole fucking gambling den" .

I replied with a smile, knowing that I would be stealing a few valuables from the heroes until I got to the gambling den, where I would have a fortune to spend.

I closed the map and stored it in my new personal place, the inventory, as afternoon approached.

'Having your own personal space feels far too good.'I thought as I made my way to my next location.

Gently opening the door, I entered my mother's room.

There she lay, sleeping peacefully.

Sitting next to her, I told her about my day as if she could hear and comprehend me.

I would pause now and then, allowing the silence to settle while I glanced at her serene face. Even in her unconscious state, her chest rose and fell rhythmically, a sign of vitality that reassured me.

I exited her room after spending the entire afternoon with her. As my smile faded, I began to consider the preparations I needed to do before the next major event tonight.

the event that permanently altered Eden's personality:

The Awakening Ceremony

~~~~~~~~~

I stood in the dimly lit room in front of a full-length mirror, my reflection staring back at me.

The occasion was the Awakening Ceremony, the culmination of my arduous training and preparation.

I evaluated the transformation that had occurred within me and the transformation that was seen in my look while dressed with care.

My suit, a three-piece set that screamed elegance and refinement, was a representation of the occasion's gravity.

The charcoal-black cloth adhered to my figure perfectly.The first layer was a crisply ironed white dress shirt, the collar of which stood tall beneath my chin.

The second layer was a black waistcoat with an artistically patterned pattern that danced in the light.The last layer, the suit jacket, was expertly made to emphasize my shoulders and torso, lending authority and strength.

I took in the contrast of the white dress shirt against my flesh as my fingers adjusted the fabric—a canvas on which my unearthly change was shown.

My once-raven-black hair had turned an ethereal shade of white, as if a moonlight streak had been braided into it.Each strand was meticulously combed back.

Then there was the tie, a silk ribbon that finished off my look with a touch of class.Its deep navy undertones matched my silvery-blue eyes.I slid it around my neck, the knot snug on my throat.

As the time came, I exited the chamber, the door closing behind me, and the sound of the latch closing echoed in the hallway. Sarah greeted me as I entered the main hall.

"Master Eden," Sarah said politely.

"Sarah." I acknowledged her with a nod and began to pass her.

"You look quite dashing, if I may say so." She spoke again as I approached her.

"Dashing? Really?" Her remark caught me off guard, and I came to a standstill, turning to face her.

"Indeed. Master Eden, the attire suits you." Sarah's lips curled into a sweet smile, and her eyes twinkled with delight.

"Thank you, Sarah." I was taken aback by her praise and gazed down at the charcoal-black fabric that draped my frame.

[You're acting like a youngster who received a compliment from his crush]. Edda teased me constantly, never missing an opportunity to mock me.

'You would have done the same if a busty milf had complimented you while smiling.' I rebuked her because I was definitely not going to confess that I was acting like an adolescent boy in love.

"It gives me great pleasure, Master Eden.We don't see you in such elegant dress very often." Sarah responded, unaware of my interaction with Edda. Her demeanor was light yet genuine as she dipped into a lovely curtsey.

"True. I'm more used to wearing casual clothes." I chuckled, the stress that had been building up in me evaporating.

"Let's go; your family is waiting." Sarah remarked on it again as we both began to move toward the castle's entrance.

When I arrived at the house, I was greeted by three people: my father and my two siblings.

Duke Morton, my father, stood tall and proud, his posture emanating power and strength. He donned a formal suit appropriate for his position, the dark cloth matching his purple hair.

My twin siblings stood beside him. Marine, my sister, looked beautiful in a deep blue flowing gown.

The elaborate patterns on the garment appeared to resemble the night sky, making it an appropriate option for my sister. Her purple hair hung down to her shoulders.

On the opposite side was her twin brother, Daniel, who was as quiet as me and kept his remarks to a minimum as he spoke with his father. He wore an emerald-green fitted suit that matched his vivid demeanor.

I gave them a quick nod before starting up the steps to the carriage that was parked outside. Yeah, I was completely ignoring their presence; I just sat down on the window side.

They began to enter as well, seeing that I was not going to greet them. The teleportation portal that connects Morton Dukedom to the capital city is our destination.

Sarah will be left behind to keep an eye on the castle.

As the carriage began to move, I closed my eyes and leaned back. I started to once again remember everything that happened in the Awakening Ceremony.