Four months passed in the blink of an eye, each day bleeding into the next through sheer repetition and grueling discipline.
Lily had recovered fully within just two weeks, her body adapting quicker than expected. From that moment on, there were no wasted days. The three of them followed a strict regimen, their training relentless and uncompromising.
The first two months were a brutal blend of aura mastery and physical conditioning, with no room for rest. Every morning began with endurance drills—long-distance sprints through the rain-drenched streets, weight training, and combat sparring that left their muscles screaming for relief. The nights were spent refining their aura control, pushing their limits further than they had ever thought possible.
By the third month, they shifted focus entirely to aura mastery, expanding their reserves to levels beyond what they had previously imagined. Zay had introduced them to a new breathing method, one that tapped deeper into their core energy, allowing them to circulate aura at a much more refined rate. It worked exceptionally well for both Renzo and Lily, sharpening their control and greatly increasing their stamina.
Then came the first half of the fourth month—a time that could only be described as hell.
Ten hours of relentless physical training every day. Their bodies were pushed to the edge—past exhaustion, past pain, into something more primal. Every movement became sharper, every muscle more refined. There was no leniency, no mercy. By the time each day ended, their limbs felt like lead, their lungs burned, and their bodies ached in ways that sleep alone couldn't fix.
And then, at last, came the final week.
Zay had vanished into the mountains, isolating himself inside a cavern hidden behind a wall of cascading vines and jagged stone formations. Darkness engulfed him, the air thick with damp earth, the steady drip of water echoing in the stillness.
He sat in complete silence. His breathing slowed.
A dim, violet glow flickered around him—his aura, the only source of light in the cave.
His mind was calm. His body, motionless.
Then, he opened his eyes. And the world around him faded.
Pitch-black nothingness consumed everything.
An infinite void stretched in all directions, devoid of time, space, or meaning. Yet, within the darkness, there was movement.
Golden numbers twisted and rearranged themselves, shifting like living things, forming cryptic sequences that spiraled outward. Ancient gates loomed, some massive as mountains, others narrow as doorways, each exuding an unfathomable presence. Some pulsed with raw, violent energy, others hummed with eerie serenity.
Staircases stretched in impossible directions—some ascending into infinity, others descending into depths unseen. Geometric shapes hovered midair, distorting and bending in ways the human mind could barely comprehend.
And among them, the creatures stirred.
Serpents coiled through the abyss, wolves made of shadow paced along glowing pathways, birds with too many wings drifted in eerie silence. They did not attack. They did not flee. They watched.
Zay exhaled, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"The Seal Realm... I'm finally here."
Zay strode forward, ignoring the vast array of Seals calling out to him—some promising strength, others whispering madness.
Then, he saw it.
A single number, standing alone amidst the infinite sprawl.
1771.
The moment his gaze locked onto it, the void reacted. A pulse of violet energy surged outward, shaking the abyss. The creatures halted, heads subtly tilting toward him in silent acknowledgment.
Zay extended his arm. The number flared to life. A massive gate materialized before him, pulsating with an ethereal blend of crimson and violet radiance.
He took a step forward.
"Unlike the others, this Seal does not exist naturally—it is something I forged, something I bound to my very soul. The Seal of Midnight is special… an anomaly. While most can only wield one Seal, Midnight defies that rule, bending the laws of the realms. It allows me to claim not just one, but five Seals… a power no ordinary soul could ever hope to obtain.
He ran his fingers along the shimmering gate, feeling the immense energy within.
A bitter smirk formed on his lips.
"And yet... I've died before. More than once. Killed by men who were simply better. No Seal, no god, no power can save you from your own weakness."
Zay turned his gaze toward the countless Seals surrounding him.
"Seal of Time. It's powerful for the route, 'Everlasting Moment'... but, I don't think I'll choose that this time. It's... a pain in the ass to use." His eyes glanced around at the different seals.
"Seal of the Demoness—another powerful one, thanks to its charms, manipulation, illusions, and several other benefits. However... let's not choose this one. Still, it's interesting, as this Seal offers far more than most. Each level grants something new." He spoke before instantly shifting his attention to another one.
"Goddess of Dreams! I request a contract." Zay shouted into the void before golden light appeared before changing to a deep violet color as a pen appeared. Zay picked up the pen before writing his name and the contract vanished before he felt a warm feeling around his body for a few seconds before it vanished into the void.
"The Seal of the Dark Sovereign… its 'Veiled Hand' route is formidable, perfect for ruling from the shadows. I'm not certain how useful it'll be this time, but…"
He exhaled slowly, then shook his head.
"No. Not this time."
"The Seal of Errors. It's an amazing one because of it's routes. Error's Override."
Zay took a moment before inhaling deeply and became lost in thought as he exhaled slowly. He scanned through the vastness of Seals and his eyes widened.
"Finally... I found it. Seal of the Eternal Hunt. This is a must have." He reached out with his index finger as power surged through his body.
He sighed to himself, as he looked through seals. "All of these are amazing in their own right... but I need something... I'm not sure exactly, but none of these are what I'm look for honestly." He said to himself before he walked around for a moment. His eyes glanced at a few more seals as six of them stood out the most and he smirked.
"Seal of Nine Acts"
"Seal of the Rune Carver"
"Seal of the Eternal Flame"
"Reversal Seal"
"Seal of Death"
"Seal of the Radiant Sovereign"
"These six... they're what I'm looking for.. though I can't select all of them."
Unsure of which to take, his hand accidentally reached out and took "Seal of the Radiant Sovereign".
Power surged through him as the Seal entered his core. "D-damn... n-not exactly what I had in mind but whatever. I guess I'll be choosing this. I could choose one more but..."
A sudden thought surged through his mind and out of curiosity, he tried it.
"I wonder... I've never tried this before, but—can I choose the Seal of Midnight, and skip my final selection? Maybe... choose it later?" His voice echoed as several thousand red irises appeared and breath was heard before hounds could be heard barking and roaring from all directions.
The eyes stared down into the soul of Zay before a large being appeared as it floated in the sky. The eyes retreating into the darkness before the being stared down at Zay, as if it was judging him for that decision before it laughed.
"Zay of Yuso. I shall grant you the request you ask for. For I await to see the future you create." A voice, no voices echoed, female, male, young, old, raspy, and clear came out from all over the room as the figure vanished as Zay felt the surge of power through his body before his eyes were snapped open. He looked around as his body, almost collapsing onto the ground from being weak. He groaned and sweat dripped from his brow as he stood up.
He looked around to find himself still in the cave.
[Arbiter, Seal of Midnight chosen. The following Routes are now available for selection.]
Zay's eyes narrowed as the words burned into his mind, glowing with an ethereal pulse.
"Arbiter—that's what they call people in this universe who have awakened a Seal."
The text shifted, reforming into new lines.
[Seal of the Eternal Hunt]
Bloodhound's Instinct – Perceive weaknesses, emotions, and fear in your prey.
Predator's Hunting Grounds – Adaption, evolving in real-time to counter your opponent. See traces of your opponent of where they will strike next, and many other benefits.
Unrelenting Chase – No distance, no barrier can keep a target from your pursuit.
Zay didn't hesitate.
"Predator's Hunting Grounds"
The other options dissolved like mist, vanishing from his mind as the Seal adjusted to his choice. A surge of power burned in his core, his instincts sharpening in a way he had never felt before—like something primal had awakened.
Then, the next prompt surfaced.
[Seal of the Radiant Sovereign]
Judgment's Zenith – The Wrath of ???.
Hand of Ascension – ???
Sovereign's Dominion – ???
Zay's brow furrowed.
"No descriptions? Not even an actual hint? Just the names really?"
His fingers twitched at his sides as he read the names over again, weighing the gravity behind them. They each carried an overwhelming sense of power, but without context, they were blind choices.
'What do they even do? I have no idea… but I have to pick one.'
His gaze settled on one.
"I'll take Judgment's Zenith."
A heavy weight pressed against his soul.
The air around him seemed to grow heavier, as if something vast—something divine—had acknowledged his decision.
A slow exhale escaped him.
'I've never used this Seal before… hell, I only looked at it because it sounded cool when I first saw it. What the hell did I just get myself into?'
The last message flickered into existence before fading away.
[Selection complete. Good luck.]
And just like that, the world returned to silence.
Zay leaned against the rough stone wall of the cave, his breath shallow. Water dripped from the ceiling in slow, deliberate drops, creating a rhythmic echo that filled the dim cavern. The air was damp, thick with the scent of moss and wet stone. His limbs felt like they were made of lead, his body weak from the ordeal he had just endured. But he couldn't stay here.
Forcing himself upright, he staggered toward the cave's opening. A gust of cold air met him as he stepped outside, the sheer drop below reminding him just how high he had climbed. The cliffside was slick with moisture, jagged rocks jutting out like the teeth of a beast waiting to consume him should he fall. He gritted his teeth and began to climb.
His fingers dug into the stone, his grip barely holding as exhaustion clawed at him. Every pull of his body upward felt like a war against gravity itself. The wind howled past him, tugging at his clothes, and just as he reached the top, his arms gave out. He collapsed onto the grass of the forest, chest rising and falling in ragged breaths.
An hour passed. The sky darkened. Then, as if the heavens themselves wished to drown him, the rain began to fall.
Heavy droplets splashed against the earth, quickly soaking into the soil. The wind carried the scent of wet leaves and the distant murmur of the empire beyond the treetops. With a deep sigh, Zay forced himself up, his boots sinking slightly into the softened ground. Each step felt sluggish as he made his way toward the empire.