The Throne of War and Calamity
Chapter 1: The Foundation of the Cross Family
On Planet Seikan, within the Central City, lay District XU, the most prestigious residential district in the entire city.
Magnificent buildings lined its broad streets, while imposing mansions stood behind fortified walls. Many belonged to ancient families whose histories stretched across generations and whose influence could not be easily dismissed.
Among these estates stood a small palace.
Compared to the surrounding residences, it was modest in size. Yet it belonged to the Cross Family, a family that possessed a legacy whose true value could not be measured by the size of its residence or the splendor of its exterior.
Inside one of the palace's training halls stood a young man with white hair and blue eyes.
He was Mihael Cross, the eldest son of the family. At twenty-six years old, he had already reached the Fourth Level as a Warrior.
Before him sat a little boy who was only six years old.
His name was Ash Cross.
The child had gray hair and silver eyes, and he looked up at his elder brother, listening attentively.
"Ash, our family possesses something special that has been passed down from our ancestors. It is the Foundation Rune, a legacy that originated from the Temple of Humanity."
Mihael paused briefly before continuing.
"Our ancestor obtained this legacy after killing a Seventh-Level being from an invading universe at the borders of this universe."
Ash raised his silver eyes, listening with growing interest.
However, Mihael did not allow the prestige of their inheritance to become a source of arrogance.
"Do not become conceited, Ash. Whenever you think about your level of strength, remember how you obtained it."
His gaze settled firmly on his younger brother.
"There are countless great powers in this universe, not to mention beings born with strength ranging from the Fourth to the Sixth Level. You cannot go through life believing that you are the only one who possesses power."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"You must learn to remain calm, think intelligently, and analyze everything around you. Never rush to judge an opponent, and never allow your strength to interfere with your ability to think. Sometimes, the right information is worth more than the amount of power you possess."
Mihael then turned to the purpose of their meeting.
"I am going to transfer the Cross Family Foundation Book to you."
He raised his hand slightly as he explained its principles.
"This method will create a second layer around your body, something resembling a second skin. However, it will not be made of any physical material. Instead, it will alter the gravity and spacetime surrounding your body, imposing an additional weight that you will have to overcome every moment."
Ash listened more intently.
"Every movement will require additional strength and effort. Even the simplest actions will no longer be as easy as they are now. As time passes, training will become increasingly difficult, and you will have to work harder to maintain precise control over your body."
Mihael gestured toward his younger brother.
"But that is only half of its benefits. The runes implanted at the acupuncture points throughout your body will cause you to consume additional energy and mana from your surroundings. You will be forced to adapt to this continuous expenditure, making your training increasingly demanding over time."
Mihael's expression grew more serious.
"These runes are temporary. They will disappear when you turn sixteen, when you undergo your Awakening at the Temple of Humanity or one of its branches. However, by then, your body will have spent years adapting to the additional pressure. It will be stronger and more resilient when your Awakening begins."
He hesitated briefly before adding another detail.
"There is also a rumor that this method can raise a person's talent by one level. It has never been conclusively proven, so you should not rely on it. Nevertheless, our ancestor chose this foundation for his descendants because he believed it possessed a value worth passing down through the generations."
Ash looked at his elder brother and answered without hesitation.
"I understand, Brother. But I have made up my mind."
Mihael studied him for a few moments before nodding.
"Very well. We will begin now. Sit in the lotus position and calm your mind. Do not allow your thoughts to distract you."
Ash settled into the lotus position and closed his eyes, attempting to clear his mind.
Mihael observed him briefly. Once he was satisfied that his younger brother was ready, he raised his hand and began drawing a runic formation in the air.
Lines appeared one after another. The symbols intertwined, connecting into an intricate formation that gradually took shape before him.
Mihael waved his hand.
The formation moved through the air and settled above Ash.
He then reached toward the storage ring on his hand and retrieved a book.
It was the Cross Family Foundation Book, which contained the method inherited from their ancestors.
Mihael held the book in his left hand. With his right, he made a small cut on one of his fingers.
A single drop of blood fell onto the book's cover.
He then spoke clearly.
"I, Mihael Cross, hereby transfer the Cross Family Foundation Book to Ash Cross."
The moment he finished speaking, the book began to react.
Its cover trembled, and its pages fluttered violently. A wave of energy burst from it, sweeping through the training hall.
In the next instant, the book began to lose its shape.
Its cover and pages transformed into a swirling vortex of energy. The vortex spun faster and faster, surrounded by an increasingly dense, mysterious aura.
The transformation did not stop there.
Countless runic characters began appearing within the vortex.
The symbols emerged in overwhelming numbers, overlapping and intertwining, while others revolved along separate paths. Soon, the space around Ash was filled with inscriptions that he could neither read nor comprehend.
Then the runes began to change.
Their lines stretched and extended, transforming into long chains. At the end of each chain was a sharp, needle-like tip.
The needles were astonishingly fine, each one no thicker than a strand of hair.
The chains moved through the air and encircled Ash from every direction.
The boy remained seated, but something was wrong.
He tried to move his fingers.
Nothing happened.
He attempted to raise his arm, yet his body remained motionless.
Even his neck refused to respond.
He had completely lost control of his body.
Before he could understand what was happening, a massive rune appeared above his head.
It was different from all the other symbols surrounding him, as though the entire formation revolved around it.
Then one of the chains moved.
The needle shot toward Ash and pierced his skin.
In the next instant, it began boring its way into his body.
"Ah...!"
A muffled scream escaped Ash's throat.
The pain was sudden, but what made it even more terrifying was his complete inability to move. He wanted to retreat, raise his hand, or scream at the top of his lungs, but he could do nothing.
At that moment, his own body no longer belonged to him.
The needles continued.
One after another, the chains advanced toward specific points throughout his body, driving their delicate tips into the acupuncture points distributed across his flesh.
They did not move randomly. Each chain followed a precise path toward a designated location, as though guided by an intricate map that could never make a mistake.
The process continued without interruption.
With every new needle, Ash felt himself losing even more control over his body.
Until, finally, the last needle was implanted.
Three hundred and sixty runic needles.
At that moment, everything changed.
The runes began flowing through the needles and into Ash's body.
They were no longer merely symbols suspended in the air. They had become a force penetrating his depths, spreading through the acupuncture points and initiating the reconstruction of his body according to the foundation inherited by the Cross Family.
Ash remained completely unable to move.
Mihael continued watching as the process unfolded before him.
The transfer of the book was complete.
And the foundation of Ash's body had begun.