Monster Ranch

The next morning, Asher awoke to soft sunlight filtering through his window. After a quick wash and dressing in his training attire, he made his way downstairs, where Emily waited at the breakfast table, greeting him with a warm smile. The spread was generous: freshly baked bread, ripe fruits, and spiced meats. Asher ate quickly yet savoringly, feeling both the weight and excitement of his newfound powers.

Once finished, he nodded to Emily, signaling he was ready. They walked through the quiet corridors of the mansion and stepped outside, following a path that led to the heart of the estate. Here, an expansive field stretched before them, filled with iron cages and reinforced glass enclosures. Inside, captured beasts paced, their powerful forms restless and fierce.

The area buzzed with activity as handlers and trainers monitored the creatures, taking notes and preparing for the day's trials. In one enclosure, a massive wolf with silvery fur prowled, its muscles rippling with every step. In another, a serpentine creature coiled, its iridescent scales catching the light. Asher took it all in, knowing that this was no ordinary training ground. Here, he would test his mettle, sharpen his skills, and confront the reality of combat against some of the most powerful creatures nurtured for exactly this purpose.

As Asher was observing the various creatures, a man with an impeccably tailored suit approached him. He had a lean yet muscular build, silver hair neatly combed back, and a neatly trimmed beard. A monocle adorned one of his sharp eyes, adding to his dignified air.

"Young Master, how may I assist you today?" the man said politely, bowing with practiced grace.

Asher gave a slight nod, noting the refined cut of the man's attire. "Sir Sebas, I want to fight goblins," he replied, his tone resolute. Goblins were among the intelligent creatures, and Asher knew he needed to defeat such beings to gain skill points.

Sebas nodded simply. "Understood, Young Master. The goblin enclosure is prepared for your training. Shall we proceed?"

Asher followed him, anticipation building as they walked toward the designated area where his first true test awaited.

Sebas offered no warnings or cautions; with Emily nearby, any real danger would be swiftly handled. He led Asher down a grand corridor, stopping before a massive door engraved with a snarling goblin face.

"This is the Goblin Enclave," Sebas explained, gesturing to the doors within. "It holds goblins from Iron rank up to Legend rank, carefully prepared for the training of elites residing here." Asher looked on as Sebas opened the main door, revealing three more doors labeled Foundation, Ranker, and Titled.

"Since Young Master is at the first stage of the Foundation realm, we'll proceed with the Foundation rank," Sebas continued, guiding him forward. Inside, the passage branched out into even more doors, each labeled by rank: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. No Prismatic rank door was visible—its existence remained a well-kept secret, known only to him, and he don't know when he should reveal it.

"Young Master, as you're currently at Iron rank, it would be best to enter here for your training," Sebas advised, motioning toward the Iron door. Asher nodded, ready to take his first steps into the enclave and begin his training.

As Asher stepped through the Iron-rank door, he found himself in a vast, dimly lit expanse that seemed more like a dense, untamed forest than a training facility. Towering trees with thick foliage filtered the light into scattered patches across the ground, casting an eerie, greenish hue over the entire area. It felt alive, humming with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant growls. The air was thick and earthy, carrying the unmistakable scent of damp moss and soil.

Ahead, he noticed faint movements in the shadows—small, nimble figures weaving through the trees. Goblins. These creatures were just as described, Iron-rank monsters, though their crude weapons and dirty clothing suggested a level of intelligence beyond simple beasts. Some were hunched over, muttering to each other in guttural tones, while others prowled silently, eyes gleaming with predatory focus.

Nearer the entrance, he spotted a group of smaller creatures—baby goblins. Though not as dangerous as their adult counterparts, their eyes were just as sharp, and they moved quickly, darting from shadow to shadow as if aware of the threat he posed.

Asher took a deep breath, steeling himself. With a flicker of energy, he summoned his Sanguine Supreme ability, shaping a long crimson blade crackling with red lightning. It pulsed in his hand, casting an ominous glow over the dark forest. However, he held it steady, choosing not to launch an immediate attack. Instead, he locked his gaze onto the goblins scattered among the shadows. His eyes shifted, taking on a bright red sheen as his power surged subtly forward.

The effect was immediate. Every goblin, even those carefully hidden behind dense foliage, suddenly froze in place as though caught in an invisible snare. Emily, who had been watching him closely, raised her eyebrows, sensing something unusual. Her gaze turned questioning as she took in Asher's focused expression and the tightening of his grip on the hilt of his blade.

Then, Asher's voice cut through the air, a cold whisper that echoed around them. "Burst."

With that single command, the goblins convulsed, green blood bursting from their forms in a violent, gruesome display. The forest fell silent, the ground soaked in a sickly shade of green as their bodies slumped to the earth.

"this is..!" Emily eyes widened as she saw this.

"It seems your Blood Ruler ability didn't merely merge with Black Lightning—instead, it devoured it, enhancing its own power," Sebas observed, impressed.

Asher nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I was just preparing to slash them as usual, but suddenly, I could feel their heartbeats. It was as if their blood itself was calling to me, waiting for my command. I took control and turned their blood into spikes that pierced out from within."

Emily gave a nod of approval, recognizing the seamless control Asher had over his ability. His mastery of Blood Ruler was advancing quickly, and the unexpected synergy with Black Lightning had only amplified his potential.