The explosion occurred, echoing all the way to the capital and causing the air to tremble. The emperors and soldiers immediately turned towards the source of the sound, thinking it was an enemy attack, and flew quickly toward the location.
However, all they found was a mountain shattered into pieces, rock fragments scattered everywhere, and the air still filled with wildly pulsing residual energy.
"This... is Sacred Energy...?" whispered one of the soldiers, his face pale and eyes wide.
Sacred Energy only belonged to the legendary hero who disappeared after saving humanity from destruction, but now... the energy felt so clear again.
Emperor Tuo Fan Yi stood atop the ruins, his eyes narrowed, examining the remaining energy traces.
"This energy... is not ordinary; there is something hidden within it, an unusual power."
General Lao Ni Feng raised his hand, sensing the energy flow in the air, and said in a serious tone,
"This power approaches the level of a king, but it is clearly not the work of an adult... it feels like the power of a child, because this energy is still very young and pure."
Their investigation finally led them to Faxiliun Village.
The Imperial Search and The Evolution
In Faxiliun Village, an empress with ice powers, Han'yi, arrived at Zeiron's house. She stood gracefully, then knocked on the door with a light but authoritative tap.
Fan'qiu, Zeiron's mother, quickly opened the door with a worried look.
"Did you see anyone leave the village this afternoon?" asked Han'yi in a cold but calm voice.
Fan'qiu replied softly,
"My son, Zeiron... he hasn't returned since escorting his friend earlier."
The name made Han'yi pause for a moment, deep in thought.
"Thank you, I will look for your son."
Meanwhile, Zeiron was training inside the cave. The strange stone he found began to vibrate violently, then shattered into six fragments and merged with his body—two in his hands, two in his feet, one in his central body, and one in his head.
Zeiron staggered, his body trembling, but the mysterious voice echoed in his mind,
"The release of energy becomes disintegrated... the core becomes an exception... the path to power without foundation..."
His consciousness was filled with light; the golden banyan tree within his body released the chains binding his core power, making him a vessel of exception. His energy changed, becoming sharper and more concentrated, like a sharpened blade.
As he walked out of the cave and into the forest, he crossed paths with Han'yi, who immediately stared at him intently.
"You... Zeiron?" asked Han'yi, cold and full of caution.
Zeiron nodded calmly.
"Yes, what business do you have with me?"
Zeiron was then taken to the capital. There, the emperors and soldiers had gathered. Tuo Fan Yi looked at Zeiron with sharp eyes and asked,
"Child from Faxiliun Village, answer truthfully, is the Sacred Energy we found... yours?"
Zeiron raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but firm.
"Sacred Energy? I don't know what that is, but... if you mean the attack that destroyed the mountain... yes, that was me."
The silence was instant, all eyes fixed on the 15-year-old boy.
"The energy I released was emerald in color. I don't know its origin," Zeiron added.
Tuo Fan Yi and Lao Ni Feng exchanged glances with shocked expressions.
"Emerald? There is no record of energy like that throughout history!"
Zeiron remained standing tall.
"The only thing I know is that my father inherited his power to me... and there is a mysterious being that left its power inside my body."
The atmosphere immediately became noisy, officials and soldiers whispering in disbelief.
Finally, Tuo Fan Yi raised his hand, stopping the commotion.
"In the land of Fan'nize, a new magical genius has been born. Zeiron, you and your mother will move to the capital. You will become a student at Alcaesar Academy."
Alcaesar Academy and The Reunion
Seven days later, after Zeiron continued trading and protecting his mother, his younger sister named Hao'yan was born and is now 6 years old, 120 cm tall, with blonde hair graduating to dark brown following Fan'qiu's (the mother's) genetic hair color, an extremely beautiful face, and clean, fair, bright skin like Zeiron, and is cheerful. Meanwhile, Zeiron's genetics predominantly follow his father's.
At the age of 15, Zeiron officially became a student at Alcaesar Academy. His height was now 173 cm; his handsome face attracted the attention of many female students every time he walked through the hall.
In the grand hall, Vice Principal Bao Li welcomed the new students with a loud voice,
"Welcome, new students. Today marks the beginning of your future."
Headmaster Dao Tian then gave a message, "You are the new generation of Alcaesar Academy who will bring light and hope to the world," and then distributed the class tokens. Zeiron received Class 1-A, the class reserved only for the most talented students.
On his way to class, Zeiron met someone who was not unfamiliar to him: Elvaria, who was now 13 years old, 165 cm tall, and still possessed a beauty that amazed Zeiron.
"E-Elva..." he whispered softly, but he restrained himself, letting her pass without greeting her.
When the class began, Elvaria turned and was shocked.
"Zei'r?! You're here too?!"
Zeiron smiled slightly.
"Um... I was enrolled by the Emperor."
Elvaria was stunned.
"T-The Emperor?! That's my brother!"
Zeiron froze.
"Huh?! Your brother?! ... Oh right, I did destroy that mountain. Maybe that's why they put me here."
Elvaria looked at him in disbelief.
"Destroyed a MOUNTAIN?! Zei'r, are you crazy! Even my brother can't do that!"
The bell rang, and their teacher, Gu Hao, entered with a sharp gaze.
"Today we will start from the basics: channeling energy throughout the body with the heart as the core vessel. Pay close attention; this will determine how far you can progress."