## Chapter 7: Arrival in the West
The sun peeked through the misty skies of the North, bathing the Crimson household in its soft amber glow. Sylvan stirred from his slumber, his body still humming with power from yesterday's intense training. With a deep breath, he stepped out of bed, dressed, and headed to the parlor.
To his surprise, his entire family was already gathered there, seated casually but alert, the air thick with anticipation.
"Good, you're up," his mother said with a faint smile. "It's time."
Without delay, they moved outside to the driveway, where a sleek obsidian hovercar awaited. The car shimmered under the sunlight, its sleek chassis floating slightly off the ground. They climbed in, and the vehicle whirred to life, gliding above the road with unmatched smoothness.
Within minutes, they arrived at Crimson Airport—but this was no ordinary terminal. The entire structure glowed with a radiant white sheen, spires stretching into the clouds, glass bridges linking hovering docks suspended mid-air. Automated drones zipped through the air, carrying cargo, scanning luggage, and guiding guests. The future had come to life.
Their jet was docked at the highest platform. The ship looked like a wingless predator, sleek and without windows, levitating as if defying gravity by sheer will. As they approached, the rear hatch opened, and they stepped inside.
Sylvan blinked.
The interior was impossibly vast—larger than the outside dimensions could ever suggest. The walls glowed with a calming cerulean hue, seats arranged in crescent rows, floating above the pristine white floor. A cascading fountain shimmered in the center, gravity-defying water flowing upward.
They took their seats. Silvan excused himself briefly, returning minutes later in a white canvas jacket paired with a black transparent overcoat and white innerwear. He sat cross-legged and began meditating.
"System. Skill: Energy Control. Activate."
**\[Energy Control – Activated | +1 EP per 30 minutes while meditating]**
Sylvan followed suit, focusing his breath, feeling his core slowly drawing in ambient energy as the hum of the aircraft surrounded him.
The journey lasted under an hour, yet they traveled across half the globe. The skies parted, and soon, the sprawling marvel of the West came into view.
Skyscrapers touched the stratosphere. Floating islands hovered amidst crystalline towers. Roads of light streamed beneath them, weaving between vertical highways. Everything pulsed with life, light, and energy—a place where science and magic had become one.
The jet docked atop a floating platform. As the family exited, Sylvan felt the raw energy of the West press against his skin like heat. He inhaled deeply.
"This is... different," he muttered.
"Welcome to the future," his father said simply.
They were chauffeured in another hovercraft, smaller but faster, weaving through traffic at high velocity before halting in front of a vast crystalline mansion that shimmered under the twin suns of the West.
This was the Crimson Mansion—West Division.
Unlike the Northern branch, this mansion was built of photon crystal and enhanced alloy, with towers that changed shape based on the time of day. Floating gardens encircled the structure, maintained by weather-manipulating drones.
They entered. Everything from the lighting to the walls responded to their presence.
"Unpack and rest," his father instructed. "Tomorrow, the real trials begin."
As the others retreated to their quarters, Sylvan dropped his luggage, turned sharply, and made his way to the training wing.
The new training room was beyond anything he had imagined. A floating arena with programmable gravity, a wall-sized AI feedback system, and elemental reactors that responded to his energy.
"System. Activate Training Chamber."
**\[Training Chamber – Activated]**
"Fiery Sword Arts. Resume."
His blade ignited as he began his forms, now enhanced by the atmospheric energy of the West. The flames on his katana burned purer, brighter, as if empowered by the land itself.
Hour after hour passed.
**\[Fiery Sword Arts – Eighth Form: Flaming Petals – Unlocked]**
The flames around his blade scattered into hundreds of sharp, flower-shaped cinders that danced like petals in the wind, slicing through multiple targets at once.
He exhaled slowly, his control more refined.
Then he stepped into the simulation chamber.
"System. Initiate Simulation: West Variant."
**\[Simulation Room – Activated | Danger Level: Advanced Realism]**
He was thrust into a forest of shifting terrain, populated by highly intelligent enemies programmed to exploit his every flaw.
Blades clashed. Flames erupted. Trees split. Shadows lunged.
He fought with growing mastery, weaving his new form into every movement.
The battles dragged on, more intense and real than anything the North's tech could offer.
After four brutal hours, he stumbled out, breath heavy, body trembling.
"System. Status."
**\[Status]**
**Name: Sylvan Crimson**
**Age: 17**
**Race: Dragonborn/Chaos Heir**
**Level: 8**
**EXP: 12/110**
**Strength: 38**
**Agility: 39**
**Endurance: 39**
**Intelligence: 38**
**Energy Points: 25,200**
**Luck: 5**
He smiled faintly.
"The West... is everything they said it was."
But deep down, he knew this was just the beginning.