The First Step

As the hours slipped away, seven hours to be exact, the sun bid its farewell, yielding to the tranquil embrace of twilight. In its departure, the sky painted itself in a canvas of warm hues, a breathtaking spectacle that enveloped the surroundings in a soft, amber glow.

In this moment, in the backyard of the villa...

Boom!

A deafening blast reverberated through the air, shattering the tranquility of the villa's surroundings. The force of the explosion laid bare a 20-meter radius, leaving behind a scene of shattered trees and swirling dust.

Amidst the aftermath, Victor stood tall, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. Smoke wisped from his clenched right fist, while an aura of power radiated from his body.

'So, this is the strength of the Sage Realm,' he pondered, his grin widening with realization.

Throughout the day, he had focused solely on physical training and honing his punching techniques. Combining Muhammad Ali's boxing techniques with the magical prowess of the Sage Realm had resulted in a formidable force equivalent to that of an explosive.

Undoubtedly, his innate understanding and magical talent played a crucial role in his rapid development, leaving him immensely satisfied with his progress.

Meanwhile, standing behind him, Carlo's expression fluctuated between disbelief and admiration, utterly astounded by Victor's mysterious power.

Victor turned to him, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"How about that, old Carlo?" he asked, his grin widening.

Carlo immediately placed his hands on Victor's shoulders. "Young master, I understand that you possess remarkable talent, but how could you possibly destroy trees with such ease? That can only be achieved by a high-level magus," he said incredulously. "Is there a secret you're hiding, young master?"

Victor scratched his head, explaining, "Well, I did encounter a mysterious man a few days ago who seemed to have bestowed a blessing upon me."

Hearing this, Carlo sighed. "That doesn't sound believable," he said, shaking his head.

"It's true, perhaps that person was an ancient figure with great strength," Victor responded.

"Young master, I've been taking care of you since you were born, I know perfectly well when you're lying and when you're being honest," Carlo asserted.

Victor grew increasingly sweaty, his mind unable to conjure any alternative explanation. Eventually, he sighed, "It seems I can't deceive you, old Carlo. But don't worry, my increase in strength isn't due to a pact with demons. It's just... I can't tell you. I hope you understand," he said.

Carlo smiled understandingly, "I see, I won't inquire further, young master. As long as you've genuinely considered practicing magic, I'm exceedingly pleased. I'm certain your parents would feel the same," he affirmed. "Besides, forming an alliance with the devil isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it?" he added with a hint of mischief.

"Yeah, and please don't tell them yet, okay?" Victor requested.

"Don't worry, young master, your secret is safe with me," Carlo assured him.

Victor nodded, smiling satisfactorily. "Alright, it seems it's already past 6 o'clock. Let's end this training session. I'm also planning to go out for a while later," he said.

Carlo nodded in agreement. "I'll have the servants prepare dinner for you, young master," he assured.

With another nod, Victor made his way back to the villa, leaving the backyard behind. Carlo followed suit, not lingering for too long.

----------

Nightfall... The atmosphere in the villa area remained serene and peaceful, this time in the backyard, filled with the chirping of insects and the hoots of owls.

At the dining table, several empty plates from dinner lay scattered, evidence of Victor's insatiable appetite after a day of intense training and newfound power reaching the Sage Realm.

At this moment, the sound of the door opening caught his attention, causing him to turn and find Carlo walking towards him, carrying a wooden box about twice the size of his palm.

"Young master, there was a man named Derek who came here to deliver this box to you. He said he had an appointment with you. And also, he said he couldn't meet you because of a sudden event, so he instructed to pay via a transfer of 20.000 dollars," Carlo said.

Standing up to take the box, Victor immediately opened it, and upon seeing its contents, a grin spread across his face.

Victor then looked back at Carlo, asking, "Did Derek say anything else?"

"Oh, he also mentioned that it's fully featured, everything you requested is inside the box," Carlo added.

Victor nodded satisfactorily. "Alright, you can go back now, old Carlo. And tonight I want to go out, maybe I won't be back until late," he said.

Carlo nodded and then immediately left the dining table.

Victor remained seated, his eyes fixated on the contents of the box, a wide grin spreading across his face in anticipation.

Then, his gaze shifted to the wall clock, which read 7:40 pm.

"According to the schedule, Leon should be making his move today, and he might arrive there in a bit, I also have to prepare," he said with a grin.

----------

The clock struck 8:00 pm, the sky gradually darkening as heavy clouds gathered, accompanied by distant rumbles of thunder.

The once-illuminated night sky, adorned with the gentle glow of the moon and stars, now lay obscured beneath a blanket of thick, ominous clouds.

Standing before the villa, Victor cut a figure in casual black attire, though his demeanor betrayed a sense of unease beneath his cool exterior.

"Cloudy? Not good. If this persists, it'll pose a challenge for my mission," he muttered to himself as he rubbed his chin.

Now that all his preparations were in place, he was ready to make the first move in intervening in the events of this world.

In that moment, Carlo, observing Victor's contemplative stance, offered his parting words, "Ensure your safe return, young master. The day of the Miracle Spirit Awakening draws near, just a month away."

Victor paused, his gaze shifting to Carlo as a sudden idea sparked in his mind. "Old Carlo, would you accompany me?" he inquired.

"Where to?" Carlo responded, his brows furrowing with curiosity.

"To a forest. The air feels different today, and I have a feeling I might need an extra pair of hands. Will you join me?" Victor requested.

Carlo pondered the request momentarily before responding, "Well, I have little on my plate tonight. I'll gladly accompany you, young master."

A smile crept across Victor's lips. "Excellent. Let's proceed," he declared.

With a nod of agreement, they made their way to the garage, where they boarded a rugged off-road vehicle, Carlo taking the driver's seat.

The roar of the engine filled the air as they set off, leaving the villa behind and embarking on their journey into the unknown.

Their destination? Archville Forest.

-----

Archville, a forest nestled within the treacherous wilderness teeming with monstrous creatures and soul beasts, lies on the outskirts of Cambridge.

The unique geography of this world has left much of its territory uncharted, dominated by vast expanses of untamed forests, primarily due to the proliferation of soul beasts. This abundance has hindered the advancement of human civilization, including within the England Empire.

After more than 30 minutes of driving, Victor and Carlo found themselves no longer amidst urban sprawl but entering a region enveloped by dense foliage and traversing uphill roads bordered not by dwellings, but by towering trees.

With each passing mile, the streets grew dimmer, and the atmosphere grew increasingly foreboding. The once smooth pavement gave way to a rough and uneven path.

Despite the eerie darkness that surrounded them, there was no hint of fear on Victor's countenance—only an unwavering determination etched upon his features.

Even in the wake of his transmigration, the pain of learning his fate—a sadistic demise at the hands of Leon Emery—stirred within Victor, fueling his resolve to seek retribution.

As every second ticked by, the once paved road faded into a rugged, earthen trail.

Seated in the driver's seat, Carlo cast a glance at Victor. "Young master, while this vehicle can navigate rough terrain, it poses a considerable risk. Shall we proceed?" he inquired.

In response, Victor lowered the window and peered outside. The towering trees and the absence of human habitation signaled their entry into the heart of the Archville forest.

"Let's halt here. I believe we're nearing our destination. We can proceed on foot from this point," Victor suggested.

Carlo nodded, and with a turn of the ignition key, he powered down the vehicle. The door swung open, and they emerged into the cool forest air.

With purposeful strides, Victor took the lead, venturing deeper into the woods, with Carlo trailing close behind.

"May I ask, young master, what brings us to this remote location?" Carlo inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Simply follow my lead, old Carlo. All will be revealed in due time," Victor replied with a sly grin.

Carlo's intrigue only deepened at Victor's cryptic response. Though unusual for the typically sheltered Victor, he refrained from pressing further, choosing instead to follow his young master into the unknown.