The estate stirred with quiet intensity as House Valen prepared for its Internal Youth Competition. Young talents trained furiously, elders whispered about contenders, and servants rushed between halls carrying training gear, herbs, and sealed scrolls.
The event would not only determine the strongest youth in the family but also award access to the cultivation vault, a storage ring, and public recognition from the Patriarch himself.
---
Serena moved silently through the halls, her presence largely ignored—or at least, pretended to be. Where once she would've been mocked, now many turned their eyes subtly to watch her pass. Her gait had changed. Her expression was calm, but unreadable.
She stepped into the Valen Library, nodding to the old record keeper who barely raised a brow at her appearance.
"Looking for something specific, Young Miss Serena?" he asked.
"Palm techniques. Wind-aligned," she replied.
"Lower or mid-tier?"
"Mid," she said simply.
He led her to the third row, where she selected a manual bound in deep jade leather:
"Sweeping Gale Palm: A Mid-Tier Wind Art focused on rapid strikes and pressure disruption."
Perfect.
Once alone in her room, Serena opened the manual and scanned the first page.
> [System Detected: Skill Acquisition Possible]
Skill: Sweeping Gale Palm
Rank: Mid-Tier – Wind Element
Learn skill?
‣ YES
[Skill Acquired: Sweeping Gale Palm — Mastery Level: Entry]
Use 120 Silent Core Points to elevate skill to Peak Mastery?
‣ YES
[Skill Mastery Upgraded: PEAK MASTERED]
Special Note: Wind Affinity has refined this skill's velocity bonus by 20%.
Serena exhaled slowly and closed the book. The techniques were now embedded in her body and soul—flawless and deadly.
---
That afternoon in the training courtyard, the youths had gathered. Alina stood at the center again, a natural leader, her Essence Vein Stage 6 aura calm yet overwhelming.
Surrounding her were:
Davos (Stage 5 Peak),
Raylen, Mira, Jorin, Vance (Stage 4),
Cero (Stage 5),
Thalia, Neris, and Eilin (Stage 3).
When Serena arrived, their conversations quieted.
"She actually came," Mira muttered.
"Still dressed like a ragged rogue," Jorin snickered.
"Didn't she claim she wouldn't even take allowance anymore?" Raylen asked. "Now I hear she's collecting again."
"That's her right as the first daughter," Thalia said softly. "She never lost it."
Davos crossed his arms. "She's not serious. She's playing dress-up until someone bruises her again."
Alina's eyes sharpened. "She's hiding something."
"I'm standing right here," Serena cut in coolly, stepping into the circle.
Her tone wasn't raised, but it commanded attention. "If you have suspicions, ask directly. Or will you only whisper behind my back?"
Raylen coughed and looked away.
Mira glared. "Why don't you tell us what fruit miraculously fixed your broken core, then?"
"I found it glowing in the Shadowpine Forest, on my way home. Ate it ,That's all."
The group went silent.
Alina gave a small smile. "Then let's see if that fruit gave you real strength, sister. In two days, the arena will be waiting."
---
That night, Serena stood atop the rooftop of one of the outer halls, staring at the sky. Her hair fluttered in the wind, and her spiritual energy flowed unhindered.
> [System Notification]
Host recovery: 100% Complete
Silent Core Balance: 173 Points
Skill: Sweeping Gale Palm – Peak Mastered
Wind Element Set as Primary Output
Secondary Element (Darkness): Suppressed unless fusion needed.
Serena smirked. "No need to cause a scene until I reach Alina."
But she knew it wouldn't be simple. The fusion between Wind and Darkness had become more stable. In battle, her element would naturally lean toward both. And if that happened before Alina?
Panic would spread.
In Etheria, Darkness was feared. It was said to corrupt, to belong to monsters, demons, and murderers. If she revealed her fusion too early, she might draw the attention of more than just her family.
Still, she would no longer hide when it mattered.
"Let them fear," she whispered. "Let them watch."
In two days, the arena would become her stage.
And none of them were ready for the storm she'd bring.
---